Madman August DVD Releases

Ahhhhhhh August. Treats to warm the toes from Madman, of course.

Lads here’s a winter warmer, Carlos the Jackal - The Man Who Hijacked the World

From Olivier Assayas, director of Irma Vep and Summer Hours comes an explosive new work of astonishing scope; an epic portrayal of the notorious revolutionary and terrorist, Ilich Ramírez Sánchez: Carlos the Jackal.

Born in Venezuela and politicised in Europe, Sánchez took the moniker “Carlos the Jackal”, and for two decades was one of the most wanted terrorists on the planet. Best known for his infamous 1975 attack on the OPEC headquarters in Vienna, where he took more than 60 people—including the Oil Ministers of many member nations—hostage, Carlos managed to weave his way into the complexities of international politics with his attacks in Europe and the Middle East throughout the ’70s and ’80s

Spanning 20 years, Assayas’ exciting, sexy, and globe-spanning portrait of the notorious international terrorist mastermind, Carlos the Jackal electrified audiences at its premiere at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, and earned star Édgar Ramírez a Golden Globe® nomination.

Watch the feature-length film or the original three feature series... or both!

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Keeping a smile on the dial of the gentlemen is National Geographic: Megafactories – Super Cars

Ferrari. Porsche. Maserati. Lamborghini. Bugatti.

They're the most sought-after cars on the planet: the vehicles of choice for the super-wealthy and the ultimate automotive status symbols. But the cars produced by some of Europe's most prestigious manufacturers are more than just eye-catching; they are precision instruments, pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible and engineered to offer a completely unique driving experience. Come behind the scenes of the world's top automotive manufacturers and discover what it takes to make a super car.

Ladies relax with Certified Copy

From acclaimed Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry, The Wind Will Carry Us) comes the story of a couple’s apparent chance meeting in beautiful Tuscany.

James (British baritone William Shimell) is an author in town to talk about his new book on the value of copies in art. She (Academy Award® winner Juliette Binoche) is a French gallery owner in search of originality. At the end of his address, they meet, and together they tour the countryside, the local galleries, cafés and museums. They talk, first about art, then the nature of happiness, the purpose of existence. Soon they discover that nothing is quite what it seems and truth, like art, is always open to interpretation. They seem so familiar. But have they met before? Are they a couple, or in fact perfect strangers?

Captivating and hugely entertaining, this acclaimed romantic tale playfully and provocatively blurs the lines between reality and imagination.

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And we also have....

Funny man, Writer Broadway Actor - Legend of the Stage: Tony Palmer's The Fantastic World of MICHAEL CRAWFORD.

Michael Crawford has starred in some of the biggest box-office hits of all time. This DVD is a behind-the-scenes intimate portrait of one of the funniest and most versatile actors, whose popularity outshines any other British entertainer in the last 30 years.

Filmmaker Tony Palmer takes on Michael Crawford in this whimsical, intimate documentary, chronicling the performer's eclectic musical theatre career and massive popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. A Broadway stalwart who got his first dose of fame on a BBC sitcom, Crawford has had hits in nearly every medium of entertainment, including solo albums and even feature film (most notably, 1969's HELLO DOLLY).

Something beautiful...

Explore Europe's Remarkable Primeval Forests... Kingdom of the Forest. Vast primeval forests once stretched across almost all of Northern Europe. Centuries of development have destroyed most of these wilderness areas but in some places, ancient woodland has survived. Green monuments to a forgotten age offering a glimpse into a distant world. In this high definition special, we delve deep into these ecosystems and explore the complex balance of flora and fauna that maintains them.

Love a good series?

Then look no further than CSI of course.

In CSI’s exciting, must-own Season 10, Dr. Ray Langston (Tony winner, Emmy® winner and Academy Award® nominee* Laurence Fishburne) uncovers clues in a conspiracy so vast, it takes him to New York. This segment of the CSI Trilogy crossover event is just one reason to savour this superb collection, which features new episodes guest-starring Jorja Fox as Sara Sidle. In this landmark tenth season of the Emmy® and People’s Choice Award-winning series†, the legendary forensics unit proves once again that there’s no shortage of sin in Sin City.

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Family is so important and we have great documentaries and TV series the whole family can enjoy.

Just A Beginning follows a pre-school school class over two years—but this is a very unusual class as the children study philosophy!

Seated in a circle around a ritually lit candle, the children—aged three to five—approach the universal subjects of love, power, difference, growing up, even death. And their points of view are fresh, funny and sometimes merciless. Little by little the philosophy workshop becomes a privileged moment where the children reflect on each others’ words, learn how to listen and to build a case. From now on they will be able to think for themselves!

With their unusual expressions, their emotions and their contradictions, the children are the beneficiaries of an innovative experiment. Just A Beginning is the fabulous true story of a school with an eye on the future.

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Something special from Madman for the family... Kaitangata Twitch

A thrilling contemporary story for mainstream family audiences, with live action, drama, CGI, myth and magic, Kaitangata Twitch is another amazing tale from the fertile imagination of internationally renowned author Margaret Mahy. With a fantastic kiwi cast.

In pre-European New Zealand, the tiny island of Kaitangata was the scene of awful happenings. After that, the island seemed to have a life of its own. It dreamt terrible dreams. The local tribe knew it was best to leave it alone. And so the island slept again.

But now Kaitangata is twitching. It’s moving. It’s waking up!

The last time it moved was over 50 years ago. It twitched. And a girl disappeared without a trace, apparently swallowed up by the island. Now it’s moving again. Dreaming again.

Only 12 year old Meredith can stop it. If she can discover what it wants before it’s too late. Before it claims another victim.
 

Published 29th Jul 2011

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