The Darling Buds of May Collection
The Darling Buds of May Collection
Spend some time in rural England with the rollicking Larkin family, and you’ll wish you were one of them. The patriarch of this jolly crew is Pop, whose unquenchable good nature is convincingly conveyed by stage veteran David Jason. A knockout pre-Hollywood Catherine Zeta Jones plays his eldest daughter, Mariette, whose marriage to the tax collector is a boon for all. Jolly good times and happy endings abound in this “Masterpiece Theatre” favorite. About 17 hours on 7 cassettes or 5 DVDs. Simon says: Catherine Zeta-Jones hales from the Welsh town of Swansea, as did the writer Dylan Thomas. Her middle name comes from the name of a ship her mother saw in the Swansea bay.
List Price: $ 89.98
Price: $ 99.00
Entrapment [Blu-ray]
When a priceless Rembrandt is stolen in New York, the evidence points to a solitary master thief (Connery), who is about to meet the insurance company’s most cunning – and seductive – investigator (Zeta-Jones). Following a nerve-racking game of cat and mouse, the two join forces, or so it seems, to attempt a daring multibillion-dollar heist tied to the dawn of the new millennium.Sean Connery plays a master thief thought to be long retired, while Catherine Zeta-Jones is his foil, a hotshot insurance investigator assigned to his case. They both have a little something to hold over each other’s heads, until it turns out that Zeta-Jones is a professional art thief herself and is playing on both sides of the fence. At first they eye each other
List Price: $ 16.99
Price: $ 6.16
Included Episodes,
FYI:
1. The Darling Buds of May
2. When the Green Woods Laugh
3. A Breath of French Air
4. Oh! To Be in England
5. Stranger at the Gates
6. A Season of Heavenly Gifts
7. The Happiest Days of Your Life
8. Cast Not Your Pearls Before Swine
9. Climf the Greasy Pole
10. Christmas is Coming
11. Le Grand Weekend
Only complaint: No Closed Captioning or Subtitles for hearing impaired.
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|One of the Best British Comedy-Dramas Ever!,
Set in idyllic Kent (the Garden of England) in the 1950s, The Darling Buds of May is truly one of the sweetest, most relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable British comedy-dramas on the market. Indeed, if you enjoy classic shows like All Creatures Great and Small or The Irish R.M. for example, I really think you’ll enjoy this lovely series that’s perfect for the whole family to curl up and watch time and time again.
The series revolves around the ever-growing Larkin family. David Jason (A Touch of Frost, Only Fools and Horses, Open All Hours) stars as patriarch Sydney “Pop” Larkin. Jason is a wonderful actor (one of my favourites), and if you’re familiar with (and enjoy) his other roles, you’ll enjoy him here, for he embues Pop with his distinctive touch of comedy. Pop is a bit of a character, to say the least. He pays no income tax, he’s not above a little wheeling and dealing, he often rides a little too close to the line, and his farm is somewhat ramshackle. But he’s got a heart of gold, and he’s kind and generous to a fault. What’s more, he’s a man with a strong sense of personal integrity who knows what is important in life–friends, family, and their idyllic way of life–and he’s not above running a little scam of his own if it’s to even the score with someone who’s taking advantage of one less fortunate.
Then there is Ma Larkin, a very rotund, jolly woman who, for all the children she’s got, is not actually married to Pop. Somehow, though, it just doesn’t seem to matter–at least not to them nor to us. As for Ma’s weight, it just isn’t an issue either (which, I might add, is a refreshing change!); in fact, if anything, it`s evidence of health and heartiness. Ma and Pop are a somewhat eccentric couple, however. Ma’s a fantastic cook and she and Pop aren’t ashamed to eat–even in the bathtub or in bed. Then there’s Pop’s penchant for the odd “extramarital” kiss, which is done with Ma’s full knowledge and consent. Odd as his actions may be, they really aren’t as immoral as they may sound; rather, they provide further evidence of his caring nature, for as often as not, Pa’s attentions serve to bring a little joy to a few otherwise very lonely and neglected wallflowers.
Other family members include the beautiful eldest daughter, Mariette (played by a 22-year-old Catherine Zeta Jones), the pretty but boy-crazy Primrose, son Montgomery, the twins Zinnia and Petunia, the youngest daughter Victoria (who does enjoy playing the odd prank on her older siblings), and Oscar (the newest addition).
The series was filmed in 1992 and consists of nine 100-minute episodes (each of which is split into two 50-minute parts), one 50-minute Christmas Special, and one concluding 50-minute episode. The Christmas Special (which is the first episode on the last tape) should be watched after the third episode entitled “A Breath of French Air,” as that is where it fits in chronologically. As a point of interest, fans of David Jason may be interested to know that his real-life elder brother (Arthur White) plays Pop’s brother in the episode entitled “When the Green Woods Laugh.”
In conclusion, this is a lovely, warm-hearted series which celebrates life in a simpler time–a time one wishes one could hold onto forever. And it reminds us of what really matters in life. It’s perfect for unwinding at the end of a long day–or as Pop would say, it’s “perfick”! Extremely highly recommended. (And if you enjoy the series (and I’m sure you will), I strongly recommend the novels by H.E. Bates upon which the first few episodes are based–they’re simply wonderful!)
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|Comfort Viewing,
After emigrating to Canada in 1991, the Darling Buds of May was recorded near to my old home town of Ashford in Kent, England. My family always raved about it. I was finally able to watch this wonderful series on PBS with a friend a year or two later.
I fell in love with this family, especially Pop, the most considerate,caring, funny and yes, even sexy,character there could be.
I bought the complete series as soon as it was available here and I have now lost count of how many times I have watched it.
My husband has to travel a lot for business, so I watch the series every time I am lonely or can’t get to sleep for any reason.It is my “Comfort Viewing”. I only wish they would make more episodes or maybe a movie one day.That would be “Perfik”.
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|A great caper movie!,
I saw this on opening night in the theater and I had a great time. I knew, of course, that it wasn’t going to win any awards, but I really had a lot of fun watching it, which is the best judge of a movie’s quality- at least in my mind.
Sean Connery is, of course, a classic. He makes bad movies good and good movies better. Catherine Zeta-Jones is simply the most beautiful actress in Hollywood today (nice to see a girl with a full-figure, as opposed to, say, Gweynth Paltrow). The supporting cast is interesting as well, but Ving Rhames must be sick of playing the heavy.
As for the film itself, the plot is fairly entertaining, with crosses and double-crosses until the last reel. The highlights here (and the reason I enjoy the film) are, of course, the theft sequences, and they are beautifully directed and edited. Even if you hate the film, the mask-heist will grab you.
The new DVD special-edition is a marked improvement over the old one- the new anamorphic transfer is flawless and the extras (while still a bit slim) are good. I especially enjoyed the director’s dry humor on the commentary track.
Overall, this is a fun blockbuster that won’t really make you think too much, and it is a good way to spend a few hours.
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|Good Movie,
Entrapment is a very action packed film. It DOES NOT use violence or gore to make it entertaining. It has some intense scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The plot was excellent, and it changed quite rapidly. The acting and directing was superb. Sean Connery was better than ever and Catherine Zeta-Jones added an interesting touch. I strongly suggest you rent this, it is well worth it!
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|Doable Millenium Heist: Value 8 Billion, One Dollar, 67 Cents,
Stealing the Rembrandt was just for practice. Ginny Barker (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who worked for Waverly Security had a much larger goal in mind robbing the International Clearance Bank during the Millenium Celebratrion on New Year’s Eve in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but she needed help. She had been planning this event for a few years … Hector Cruz (Will Patton) head of security had noticed she had no friends. She had no social life. She worked long hours doing statistical calculations and creating computer graphics examining all angles of the rooms and items her company insured and protected. He worried about her. She convinced Hector to let her attempt to catch and bring to justice the highly successful thief: McDougall (Sean Connery). He was a handsome foxy older gentleman, a wealthy Scotsman who had no need for the money but was a thief for the challenge of it. He was in the gallery where the Rembrandt was showcased during its opening exhibit, he was the likliest suspect. Hector was worried because two agents had previously disappeared trying to apprehend McDougall but Gin Barker convinced him because she was a woman … she could do it. Despite misgivings, he gave her the chance to try.
Sean Connery played the aging gray haired foxy thief to perfection. He lived in Scotland, in a castle on an isolated island. He thought he had everything … until he met Gin Barker. She followed him about in London, and watched him wander into a computer company, where he managed to steal five chips easily worth a million dollars each. She was exhausted as she returned to her hotel room, only to discover her luggage missing. She was too tired to report it immediately, pealed off her clothes and and prepared for bed … totally naked because her dressing gown was among the missing items. She was shocked to discover someone staring at her in the dark. It was Mac (McDougall). He asked why was she following him around London. She then presented to him her grandiose plans. He mentioned his rules: “first we try, then we trust” and the corollary, “it’s strictly business” …
First he tested her and when she passed all his challenges, beyond his wildest expectations, he took her up on the job. They trained for the highest value monetary robbery of all time. This film appeals on multiple levels: it includes mystery, romance, tension, unexpected twists and turns in the plot and exotic locales, London, Scotland and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The May – December romance and relationship which builds from total distrust, to mutual respect, to outright admiration is fun to watch. Catherine Zeta-Jones is believable, beautiful and in fantastic form as she executes gymnastic maneuvers that would make a Gold Medal Female Olympics Champion blush with pride. Sean Connery delivers a superb performance and also delivers outstanding one line responses to her confident approach. He says, “I don’t like surprises.” She replies, “There won’t be any.” He countermands, “Trust me, there always are.” This is a highly enjoyable film and receives my highest recommendation for acting, story-line, plot development, action, and intrigue. Erika Borsos (pepper flower)
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