SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)

Directed by Billy Wilder

Joe Gillis (William Holden), bankrupt screenwriter, hides from car repossessors in the garage of a deserted-looking mansion which proves to be the grotesque home of Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), retired silent screen star. Joe takes refuge there, with a nominal job of rewriting Norma's hopeless 'comeback' screenplay. Weeks pass; feeling more and more like a kept man, Joe grasps at reality in the form of a clandestine friendship with script reader Betty Schaefer (Nancy Olson), but it's too late

One of the best film's about hollywood ever made, it also stars the acclaimed director, Eric Von Stroheim, as Ms Desmond's Butler, Max von Mayerling

1950 also saw the release of ALL ABOUT EVE, a story about star rivalry in New York's theatreland starring Bette Davis and Ann Baxter amongst others

Nominated for 11 Academy Awards including, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writing (Story and Screenplay), Best Scoring (Dramatic/Comedy), Best Art/Set Decoration (Black and White), Best Cinematography (Black and White) and Best Film Editing

All Principal cast were nominated for Academy Awards in the Acting categories and all lost

Either of the heavyweights, Gloria Swanson or Bette Davis (ALL ABOUT EVE) were hotly tipped to win in the best actress category but lost out to the comedy performance of Judy Holliday (BORN YESTERDAY)

Won 3, Best Writing (Story and Screenplay), Best Scoring (Dramatic/Comedy) and Best Art/Set Decoration (Black and White)


DVD Special Features:

The Making of Sunset Boulevard

Feature Length Commentary by author, Ed Sikov

TODO SOBRE MI MADRE (ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER) (1999)

Directed by Pedro Almodovar

A single mother, Manuela (Cicillia Roth) in Madrid sees her only son die on his 17th birthday as he runs to seek an actress's autograph. She goes to Barcelona to find the lad's father, a transvestite named Lola who does not know he has a child. First she finds her friend, Agrado, also a transvestite; through him she meets Rosa, (Penelope Cruz) a young nun bound for El Salvador, and by happenstance, becomes the personal assistant of Huma Rojo (Marisa Paredes), the actress her son admired. She helps Huma manage Nina, the co-star and Huma's lover, and she becomes Rosa's caretaker during a dicey pregnancy. With echoes of Lorca, "All About Eve," and "Streetcar Named Desire," the mothers (and fathers and actors) live out grief, love, and friendship.

Won 1 Academy Award, Best Foreign Language Film (Spain)

DVD Special Features:

None

THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)

Directed by John Huston

Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) is a partner in a private-eye firm who finds himself hounded by police when his partner is killed whilst tailing a man. The girl who asked him to follow the man turns out not to be who she says she is, and is really involved in something to do with the `Maltese Falcon', a gold-encrusted life-sized statue of a falcon, the only one of its kind.

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Writing/Screenplay

DVD Special Features:

None

SPARTACUS (1960)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus (Kirk Douglas), born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus (Peter Ustinov). After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes. Meanwhile, in Rome, the slave revolt has become a deciding factor in the power struggle between two senators: the republican Gracchus (Charles Laughton) and the militarist Crassus (Lawrence Olivier), each of whom sees the fortunes of the rebellion as the key to his own rise to power or humiliating defeat. As the two statesmen attempt to aid, hinder and manipulate the rebels for their own benefit, Spartacus and his followers press on toward freedom.

Nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography (Colour), Best Art/Set Decoration(Colour), Best Costume Design(Colour), Best Film Editing and Best Scoring of a Comedy or Dramatic Picture

Won 4, Best Supporting Actor, Best Art/Set Decoration(Colour), Best Costume Design(Colour) and Best Cinematography(Colour

DVD Special Features:

Audio commentary by producer/actor 'Kirk Douglas, actor Peter Ustinov, novelist Howard Fast, producer Edward Lewis, restoration expert Robert A. Harris and designer Saul Bass

Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's scene-by-scene analysis

Additional Alex North score compositions

Restoration demonstration

Rare deleted scenes

Vintage newsreel footage

1960 promotional interviews with 'Jean Simmons' and Peter Ustinov

1992 video interview with Peter Ustinov

The 1960 documentary "The Hollywood Ten" plus archival documents about the blacklist

PLEIN SOLEIL (1960)

Directed by Rene Clement

Tom Ripley (Alain Delon) is sent to Europe by Mr. Greenleaf to fetch his spoiled, playboy son, Philip,(Maurice Monet) and bring him back home to the States. In return, Tom will recieve $5,000. Philip toys with Tom, pretending he will go back home, but has no intentions of leaving his bride to be, Marge (Marie Laforet), and honoring his father's wishes. After some time passes, Mr. Greenleaf considers the mission a failure and cuts Tom off. Tom, in desperation, kills Philip, assumes his identity, and lives the life of a rich playboy. However, people begin to miss Philip, and start searching for him, but the trail keeps leading to Tom. Soon, a family friend catches on, and Tom finds himself commiting another murder to cover his tracks, and slowly but surely, the police are closing in...

1960s terrific adaptation by french director,Rene Clement of Patricia Highsmith famous novel.

Adapted most recently by British Director, Anthony Minghella, starring Jude Law, Matt Demon and Gwyneth Paltrow

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

None

LE DOULOS (1962)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville

Burglar Maurice Faugel has just finished his sentence. He murders Gilbert Vanovre, a receiver, and steals the loot of a break-in. He is also preparing a house-breaking, and his friend Silien (Jean Paul Belmondo) brings him the needed equipment. But Silien is a police informer

A French classic noir feature that ranks up there with Bob Le Flambeur(1955), Le Samurai(1967) and The Red Circle(1970).

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

An introduction by Jinette Vincendeau

Audio Commentary

THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT (1940)

Directed by Raoul Walsh

Two brothers Joe and Paul Fabrini (George Raft and Humphrey Bogart) try to make a living at wildcat trucking. The two deal with shaddy bosses, and repo men, but an accident ends Paul's days, and causes Joe to go to work for an old friend, Ed Carleson, whose wife, Lana, (Ida Lupino) has more than a passing interest in him. While Joe only has eyes for Cassie. Lana kills Ed, but claims she had no choice as Paul threatened to kill her if she did not kill her husband, only after he rebuffs her advances. At the trial she falls to pieces with the police dragging a hysterical Lana away, the judge throws out the charges against Joe and frees him to take over his old friend's business.

No picture in 1940 had a bigger thrill

No Academy Nominations

DVD Special Features:

Divided Highway: The Story of They Drive By Night

Swingtime In The Movies

MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004)

WINNER OF THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE

Directed by Clint Eastwood

In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, boxing trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time, then Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) walks into his gym. In a life of constant struggle, Maggie's gotten herself this far on raw talent, unshakable focus and a tremendous force of will. But more than anything, she wants someone to believe in her. The last thing Frankie needs is that kind of responsibility-- let alone that kind of risk--but won over by Maggie's sheer determination, he begrudgingly agrees to take her on. In turns exasperating and inspiring each other, the two come to discover that they share a common spirit that transcends the pain and loss of their pasts, and they find in each other a sense of family they lost long ago.

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing

Won 4, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor

Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby was the critically acclaimed late release of 2004 which dethroned THE AVIATOR,( the hitherto frontrunner) on the way to Best Picture at The Academy Awards

DVD Special Features:

EDWARD THE SEVENTH (TV) (1975)

Directed by John Gorrie

This BBC series is a re-enactment of his life and has tried to keep to historical accuracy as much as possible

Due in part to his position poor Bertie was singled out early from his four brothers & four sisters for special treatment. His stern lutheran father Albert the prince consort had arranged a strictly academic upbringing for his eldest son which was totally unsuited to his personality. Albert however neglected to imbue his son with what he needed most at that time, fatherly affection. His mother as she so often did took her cues from her husband and was happy to leave their childrens education in his hands. Consequently following the early death of his father from typhoid Bertie turned his back on academia and swore he would never read another text book. At 20 he married the beautiful danish princess Alexandra of Denmark and was to father 5 children by her. Initially it was a happy marriage but soon Berties short attention span and wandering eye caused him to seek respite in the arms of other woman. Most notably among them Lily Langtry, Agnes Keyser, Alice Keppel and Daisy Brook. What his wife thought of these friendships can only be guessed at and she can not have been unaware of these liaisons. The prince of wales for reasons of decency and protocol made a point of only aligning himself with married women most of whom he would introduce to his wife. Divorced ladies were out of bounds and forbidden even in the royal presence. It was to say the least an ambiguous set of rules. His liaisons were an open secret and discretion was the watchword for members of his household. Royalty then was treated with more respect than it is now. Bertie was as immoral in many respects as his mother was amoral to the whole of the british empire. But despite these major flaws in his character he proved a hardworking and popular monarch for the short period that he reigned. At a time when relations with France & England were at their lowest ebb he toured there and his presence in Paris at such a turbulent time helped to initiate the diplomatic accords known as "the entente cordiale". Following death in 1911 he was sincerely mourned by his subjects and as his private secretary Frederick Ponsonby eulogised at his funeral,,,"we will all miss this wayward popular and in the end humane sovereign"

Not Eligible for Academy Awards Nominations

DVD Special Features:

LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN

Directed by John M. Stahl

Writer Richard Harland (Cornel Wilde) unhesitatingly marries lovely Ellen Berent (Gene Tierney). He soon finds his life blighted when tragedies take first his brother then his unborn son from him. He comes to suspect these events are not unconnected with his wife's unreasoning jealousy. This also turns her family from her, and yet another shock awaits them all as Ellen's emotions become uncontrollable.

Nominated 4 Academy Awards including Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Art/Interior Decoration(Colour) and Best Sound Recording

Won 1, Best Cinematography

DVD Special Features:

Feature Length Commentary by Darryl Hickman and Film Critic, Richard Schickel

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR (1961)

Directed by William Wyler

Lillian Hellman screen adaptation of her play in which a private school for young girls is scandalized when one spiteful student accuses the two young women, Karen Wright (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha Dobie (Shirley MacLaine) who run the school of having a lesbian relationship

An intriguing and groundbreaking film for its time (being the first mainstream film) to handle such a "taboo subject"

Nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actress, Best Art/Set Decoration (Black and White), Best Cinematography (Black and White), Best Costume Design (Black and White) and Best Sound

DVD Special Features:

None

LAURA (1944)

Directed by Otto Preminger

Classic Film Noir in which Detective, Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigating a murder falls in love with the dead girl's (Laura) (Gene Tierney) portrait only to find out that it wasn't her that was murdered. Who was? Why? By whom? Will they try again? What will become of the detective's love?

Nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Writing(Screenplay), Best Cinematography and Best Art/Set Decoration(Black/White)

Won 1, Best Cinematography

DVD Special Features:

Documentaries, Gene Tierney: A Shattered Portrait and Vincent Price: The Versatile Villian

Feature Length Commentaries by Film Historian, Rudy Behlmer, Composer, David Raksin and Film Professor Jeanine Basinger

V (1983) (TV)

Directed by Kenneth Johnson

Aliens pretending to be friendly come to Earth and are received openly. The aliens have masqueraded themselves to look just like humans. When it is discovered that the aliens' planet is dying and that they have come to rape the Earth of its natural resources, the war for Earth begins. An important key to the humans' success is distinguishing the their own from the aliens.

Not eligible for Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

Feature Length Commentary by Director, Kenneth Johnson

Behind The Scenes Documentary on the Making of V

THE LONG FIRM (2004) (TV)

Directed by Billie Eltringham

Harry Starks runs 60s Soho... but he wants so much more.

Based on Jake Arnott's book of the same name, this TV dramatisation features Harry (Mark Strong) as an East-End, working-class, homosexual, Jewish mobster, who is striving for acceptance in London. Lena Headey, Derek Jacobi and Joe Absolom provide a strong supporting cast

Not eligible for Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

Feature Length Audio Commentary by Screen Writer, Joe Penhall, Producer, Liza Marshall and Actor, Mark Strong

HOTEL DU LAC (1986) (TV)

Directed by Giles Foster

Romantic Writer, Edith Hope (Anna Massey) attempts exile from a failing affair, and from her loneliness, in that quintessential place of exile, a Swiss lakeside hotel. But the other residents, ridiculous and sad, only compound her isolation, revealing the emptiness of disengagement. Flashbacks to her affair in London have a colour and vibrancy that startle in their contrast with Hope's melancholy quiet in Switzerland. Hope must return, without hope, and face the reality of her life in England, no matter how painful.

Not Eligible for Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

Feature Length Audio Commentary by Director, Giles Foster, Producer, Sue Birtwistle and Writer, Christopher Hampton

RAY (2004)

Directed by Taylor Hackford

The true life story of legendary blues singer Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx) from loosing his eyesight in early childhood, to his rising career during the 1950s and 1960s, and his problems with racism, drug abuse, failed relationships and his ideas to change the pace music by combining soul and gospel music thereby makinghis career as one of the most enduring, inimitable performers in modern music.

Nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Editing, Best Costume Design and Best Sound

Won 2, Best Actor and and Best Sound

DVD Special Features:

Feature Length Audio Commentary by Director, Taylor Hackford

Delete Scenes

Stepping into the Part

Ray Remembered

A Look inside Ray

LAYER CAKE (2004)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Based upon JJ Connelly's London crime novel, "LAYER CAKE" is about a successful cocaine dealer (DANIEL CRAIG) who has earned a respected place among England's Mafia elite and plans an early retirement from the business. However, big boss Jimmy Price hands down a tough assignment: find Charlotte Ryder, the missing rich princess daughter of Jimmy's old pal Edward, a powerful construction business player and gossip papers socialite. Complicating matters are two million pounds' worth of Grade A ecstasy, a brutal neo-Nazi sect and a whole series of double crossings. The title "LAYER CAKE" refers to the layers or levels the dealer has to go through as he painstakingly plots his own escape. What is revealed is a modern underworld where the rules have changed. There are no 'codes', or 'families' and respect lasts as long as a line. Not knowing who he can trust, he has to use all his 'savvy', 'telling' and skills which make him one of the best, to escape his own. The ultimate last job, a love interest called Tammy and an international drugs ring, threaten to draw him back into the 'cake mix'. But, time is running out and the penalty will endure a lifetime

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

Feature Length Commentary by Director, Matthew Vaughn and Script Writer, J J Connelly

THE AVIATOR (2004)

Directed by Martin Scorcese

Focusing on his early years (from the 1930 production of 'Hell's Angels' to the 1947 test flight of the Blue Spruce, when he was 42), this is the story of how young Howard Hughes transformed a small fortune into a massive one. The son of the Texan inventor of an amazing drill bit who died when he was 18, leaving him with seventy five percent of the "Hughes Tool Co.", Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) quickly moved to Los Angeles to become a Hollywood film producer, where he helped launch the career of Jean Harlow and other starlets, and producing such classics as Hell's Angels, The Front Page, Flying Leathernecks, and Scarface (the 1932 original), eventually owning RKO Pictures. Hughes' legend came not from focusing on just Hollywood, however, as he simultaneously branched into industry after industry, including aviation in 1932 (including TWA Airlines), and during WWII, defense, leading to the creation of the (infamous) Spruce Goose, a flying boat of immense size. After WWII, Hughes' expansions continued, with an electronics company that was integral to the evolution of the satellite, and Hughes' several Las Vegas casinos.This film also focus's on Hughes' romances with Hollywood stars like Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale).

Nominated for 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art/Set Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Sound

Won 5, Best Supporting Actress, Best Art/Set Decoration, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Film Editing

The year long frontrunner status held by The Aviator, shifted towards the end of awards season. The film won most of the guild categories but lost the coveted best director and picture categories to MILLION DOLLAR BABY at the 2005 Academy Awards ceremony


DVD Special Features:

Feature Length Audio Commentary with Director, Martin Scorcese and Editor, Thelma Schoonmaker and Screenwriter, John Logan

The Documentaries:
"A Life Without Limits" - the making of The Aviator

The Role of Howard Hughes in Aviation History

"Modern Marvels: Howard Hughes" - a documentary by the History Channel

The Crafts:
The visual effects of The Aviator
The Affliction of Howard Hughes: obsessive compulsive disorder
"The Age of Glamour" - The hair and makeup of The Aviator
"Costuming The Aviator" - the work of Sandy Powell
"Constructing The Aviator" - The Work of Dante Ferretti

The Music:
Scoring The Aviator: The Work Of Howard Shore
The Wainwright Family - Loudon, Rufus and Martha

OCD Panel Discussion with Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Howard Hughes' widow Terry Moore
An evening with Actors, Leonardo DiCaprio and Alan Alda

THE CAT AND THE CANARY (1939)

Directed by Elliot Nugent

Ten years have passed since the death of millionaire, Cyrus Norman. Cosby, Cyrus' attorney, has gathered Cyrus' 6 remaining relatives to his New Orleans' mansion for Cyrus' "reading of the will". To the others disappointment, Joyce (Paulette Goddard) is the sole heir, but, due to a streak of insanity running in the family, a second will has been made in case Joyce falls victim to it. This puts Joyce in danger. Suddenly, Miss Lu, Cyrus' maid (Gale Sondergaard), appears and warns them that the spirits have told her that one of them will die that night. Following this, Hendrick, a prison guard, warns them that, "The Cat", a homicidal maniac has escaped. This sets up Cyrus' relatives with a night filled with murders, mysteries and intrigue. Film also co - stars Bob Hope as Wally Campbell

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features: None

WHITE HEAT (1949)

Directed by Raoul Walsh

Gangster, Film Noir in which Cody Jarrett (James Cagney) is the sadistic leader of a ruthless gang of thieves. Afflicted by terrible headaches and fiercely devoted to his 'Ma,' Cody is a volatile, violent, and eccentric leader. Cody's top henchman wants to lead the gang and attempts to have an 'accident' happen to Cody, while he is running the gang from in jail. But Cody is saved by an undercover cop, who thereby befriends him and infiltrates the gang. Finally, the stage is set for Cody's ultimate betrayal and downfall, during a big heist at a chemical plant.
Film also co stars Virginia Mayo as Jarrett's wayward and ultimately traitorous wife
The film is held as one of the best of it's genre

Nominated for 1 Academy Award, Best Writing, Motion Picture Story

DVD Special Features:

Audio Commentary by Drew Casper

Warner Bros Shorts - At the Movies

NOTORIOUS (1946)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Following the conviction of her German father for treason against the U.S., Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman) takes to drink and men. She is approached by a government agent, T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant) who asks her to spy on a group of her father's Nazi friends operating out of Rio de Janeiro. A romance develops between Alicia and Devlin, but she starts to get too involved in her work.

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay

DVD Special Features:

None

SEA OF LOVE (1989)

Directed by Harold Becker

Frank Keller (Al Pacino) is a New York detective investigating a case of a serial killer who finds the victims through the lonely hearts column in newspapers. Keller falls in love with Helen (Ellen Barkin), the main suspect in the case

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

The Creation of Sea Of Love

Feature Length Audio Commentary by Director, Harold Becker

THE IPCRESS FILE (1965)

Directed by Sidney J. Furie

A number of leading Western scientists have been kidnapped only to reappear a fews days later. Unfortunately, each scientist has been brain washed and is now completely useless. The British send their agent, Harry Palmer (Michael Caine), to investigate. Palmer is surprised to be selected for such a mission (considering his past) and believes he has been chosen because he is expendable.

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

None

THRONE OF BLOOD (1957)

Directed by Akira Kurosawa

A transposition of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' to medieval Japan. After a great military victory, Lords Washizu and Miki are lost in the dense Cobweb Forest, where they meet a mysterious old woman who predicts great things for Washizu and even greater things for Miki's descendants. Once out of the forest, Washizu and Miki are immediately promoted by the Emperor. Washizu, encouraged by his ambitious wife, plots to make even more of the prophecy come true, even if it means killing the Emperor

Acclaimed as the Best Shakespeare on film

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

None

THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955)

Directed by Charles Laughton

A sinister crook (Robert Mitchum) posing as a preacher charms Willa (Shelley Winters) and wins her hand in marriage, only to kill her when she learns what he is really like. With only Pearl and John separating him from a small fortune, the Preacher unleashes the full force of his true, evil self pursueing two children for a secret - they are privy to of the location of a cache of money.

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

None

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION (1993)

Directed by Fred Schepisi

Flan (Donald Sutherland) and Ouisa Kittredge (Stockard Channing), rich NYC art dealers, are called on one night by a young man, Paul (Will Smith), who professes to be a friend of their kids' from Harvard. They offer him a bed for the night; he enchants them with a home-cooked meal and magnificent conversation. The next morning, they learn that he is not all he seems to be. Their investigations are intriguing and lead them to re-evaluate their lives.

Nominated for 1 Academy Award, Best Actress

DVD Special Features:

None

DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK (1952)

Directed by Roy Ward Baker

Airline pilot Jed (Richard Widmark) stays at the New York hotel where girlfriend Lyn (Anne Bancroft) is a singer. He sees Nell (Marilyn Munroe) in a window opposite his and they get chummy. When the girl she's baby-sitting, Bunny, enters Nell goes crazy and sends her to her room. She fantasizes that Jed is her long lost fiance. Jed comes to realize that Nell is more than a little whacko

No Academy Award Nominations

THE ENGLISH PATIENT (1996)

WINNER OF THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE

Directed by Anthony Minghella

Beginning in the 1930's, "The English Patient" tells the story of Count Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) who is a Hungarian map maker employed by the Royal Geographical Society to chart the vast expanses of the Sahara Desert along with several other prominent explorers. As World War II unfolds, Almasy enters into a world of love, betrayal, and politics that is later revealed in a series of flashbacks while Almasy is on his death bed after being horribly burned in a plane crash.

Nominated for 12 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Dramatic Score, Best Film Editing, Best Art/Set Decoration, Best Costume Design and Best Sound

Won 9, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Dramatic Score, Best Film Editing, Best Art/Set Decoration, Best Costume Design and Best Sound

DVD Special Features:

None

SECONDS (1966)

Directed by John Frankenheimer

Rock Hudson stars in this disturbing psychological thriller with a strangely strong sense of paranoia and repression. A very secret organization offers wealthy people a second chance at life. The customer picks out someone they want to be and the organization surgically alters the customer to look like the intended person, stages the customer's death, gets rid of the intended person and the customer has a new life. Things become complicated when the customer is dissatisfied with his new identity and wants another one

Nominated for 1 Academy Award, Best Cinematography (Black/White)

DVD Special Features:

Feature Length Audio Commentary by Director, John Frankenheimer

ANGEL FACE (1952)

Directed by Otto Preminger

When Mrs. Tremayne is mysteriously poisoned with gas, ambulance driver Frank Jessup (Robert Mitchum) meets her refined but sensuous stepdaughter Diane (Jean Simmons), who quickly pursues and infatuates him. Under Diane's seductive influence, Frank is soon the Tremayne chauffeur; but he begins to suspect danger under her surface sweetness. When he shows signs of pulling away, Diane schemes to get him in so deep he'll never get out.

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features

None

THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA (1954)

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Has been movie director Harry Dawes (Humphrey Boagart) gets a new lease on his career when Kirk Edwards hires him to write and direct a film. They go to Madrid to find Maria Vargas (Ava Gardner), a dancer who will star in the film to be shot in Rome. Millionaire Alberto Bravano (Marius Goring) takes Maria from Kirk. Count Vincenzo Torlato-Favrini (Rossano Brazzi) takes Maria from Alberto.

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor and Best Writing (Story and Screenplay)

Won 1, Best Supporting Actor

DVD Special Features:

None

THE FORTUNE COOKIE (1966)

Directed by Billy Wilder

A cameraman is knocked over during a football game. His brother in law as the king of the ambulance chasing lawyers starts a suit while he's still knocked out. The cameraman is against it until he hears that his ex-wife will be coming to see him. He pretends to be injured to get her back, but also sees what the strain is doing to the football player who injured him.

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography (Black and White) and Best Art/Set Decoration (Black and White)

Won 1, Best Supporting Actor

DVD Special Features:

None

THE WICKER MAN (1973)

Directed by Robin Hardy

Police Sgt. Howie (Edward Woodward), of the Scottish mainland, receives an anonymous letter from the offshore community of Summerisle, asking him to investigate the disappearance of a young girl there. He travels to the remote isle and discovers a secretive, tightly knit neo-pagan society. Being a devout (and rather self-righteous) Christian, he is shocked by the islanders' open sexuality and ritualistic devotion to the "old gods." As the mystery of the missing girl unravels, he begins to suspect that she is a victim of human sacrifice. In the film's chilling final sequence, the truth is revealed when Sgt. Howie meets the "wicker man."

No Academy Award Nominations

DVD Special Features:

The Wicker Man Enigma

The Christopher Lee Interview

The Wicker Man - The Director's Cut

Feature Length Commentary with Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, Director, Robert Hardy and Moderated by Mark Kermode (Recorded in 2001)