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"If it gets too boring, I'll run away." Cohen Media Group has debuted an official trailer for the upcoming re-release of the classic romantic adventure Heat and Dust, directed by James Ivory, that was originally released in 1983. Set in India in the 1920s, the story looks back at the life of an English woman named Olivia who becomes fascinated by India and enamored by the local ruler, a nawab who combines British distinction with Indian pomp and ruthlessness. The film's international cast stars Greta Scacchi, Shashi Kapoor, Julie Christie, Christopher Cazenove, Julian Glover, Susan Fleetwood, Patrick Godfrey, and Jennifer Kendal. This is a brand new, 4K restoration meaning it will look and sound better than ever. I have not seen this film myself, but I have heard it's certainly worth watching. For now, check out the trailer. Here's the new re-release trailer (+ poster) for James Ivory's Heat and Dust,...

The chase is on: a mix of icy ruthlessness and warm romanticism enliven Ken Follett's novel of pre-invasion esponage intrigue. Kate Nelligan heats up the screen with Donald Sutherland, the 'seventies most unlikely sex star. Plus a lush and wondrous music score by Miklos Rozsa. Eye of the Needle Blu-ray Twilight Time 1981 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 112 min. / Street Date September 13, 2016 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store29.95 Starring Donald Sutherland, Kate Nelligan, Christopher Cazenove, Ian Bannen, Philip Martin Brown, Bill Nighy, Stephen MacKenna, Sam Kydd. Cinematography Alan Hume Original Music Miklos Rozsa Written by Stanley Mann based on the novel by Ken Follett Produced by Stephen Friedman Directed by Richard Marquand

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

We're all familiar with this kind of thriller -- over shots of fresh-faced troops moving off to war, a portentous scrolling text tells us about the desperate situation of London -- and the Free World -- as Hitler's Luftwaffe threatens.

Gun to your head - or, rather, powerful laser device pointed close to your groin - you could probably list all six actors who've played James Bond.

But Connery, Brosnan, Moore and so on are the just the tip of the (admittedly quite small) iceberg, as this list of the "other" Bonds proves...

1. Bob Holness

Best known for everyone's favourite pee-themed, letter-obsessed quiz show, Holness enjoyed a wide and varied career before he settled down behind the Blockbusters desk, once working as an airborne traffic reporter and briefly holding down a job in a South African printing press.

How he then ended up as secret agent James Bond 007 seems as great a mystery as "Who are the kind of parents that call their daughter Pussy Galore?" But he did, thanks to a 1956 BBC radio play based on Moonraker.

2. Barry Nelson

Eight years before Sean Connery met Dr No, Barry Nelson...

Sure, there have been countless articles detailing the debonair men that portrayed the world’s most famous superspy in Ian Fleming’s creation of Agent 007 (a.k.a James Bond). And of course there have been many debates arguing who is considered the best Bond of them all (yes…I concur with the majority of the Sean Connery census that he is the ideal licensed to kill Lothario of them all). Plus, the listing of who’s the better Bond from top to bottom is always a lively discussion among Agent 007 aficionados.

Well, here is one more list to join the fray in terms of examining the actors that carried the action-packed load in bringing Fleming’s dashing Danger Man into the forefront of adventure, mystery, travel and romance. In Of Human “Bond”-age: Top Ten Actors That Had Played James Bond we will take a look at the actors...

DVD Release Date: Jan. 28, 2014

Price: DVD $59.99

Studio: Acorn

The Agatha Christie Hour: Complete Collection collects ten tales of intrigue and romance from renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie, produced by England’s Thames Television back in 1982-83 and broadcast in the U.S. on PBS’s Mystery!

In these suspenseful stories set in Art Deco-era, lesser-known Christie protagonists—including “happiness expert” Parker Pyne—find themselves embroiled in illicit love affairs, supernatural mysteries, false accusations, life-changing encounters, and murder.

The ensemble casts feature names that are very familiar to fans of British television. They include John Nettles (Midsomer Murders), Amanda Redman (New Tricks), Christopher Cazenove (The Duchess of Duke Street), Ralph Bates (Poldark), Cherie Lunghi (Secret Diary of a Call Girl), Maurice Denham (All Passion Spent), James Grout (Inspector Morse), and Stephanie Cole (Doc Martin).

The four-disc, 10-hour-long collection includes the following ten mysteries:

-The Case of the Middle-Aged Wife

-In...

By Lee Pfeiffer

If you think Terrence Mallick makes films infrequently, consider the career of Robin Hardy, who gained acclaim for his direction of the 1973 British horror classic The Wicker Man. In the ensuing decades, Hardy has been associated with precisely three other feature films, all little-seen: as writer of Forbidden Sun (1989), The Wicker Tree (2011, as writer and director) and the 1986 film The Fantasist, which he also wrote and directed. The latter film suffered from a botched release and poor reviews, with the verdict being that Hardy's much-anticipated return to filmmaking was a letdown. Scorpion Releasing has issued The Fantasist on DVD and the movie deserves to be re-evaluated with the passage of time. 

The film is set in Ireland and Hardy makes excellent use of both urban and rural locations. Moira Harris (sometimes billed as Moira Sinise nowadays due to her marriage to actor Gary Sinise), an actress who is American by birth,...

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Kieran Kinsella

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A Woman of Substance Acorn Media DVD

A Woman of Substance – that is one way to describe Emma Harte who is the central figure Acorn Media’s 1 May DVD release. This box set contains three British/American productions that follow the Harte saga from beginning to end. The trilogy begins with a Woman of Substance, which is followed by Hold the Dream and To Be The Best. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, Harte is a creation of novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford. Movie star Deborah Kerr brings a certain big screen glamour to the role of Ms Harte in her senior years. Jenny Seagrove plays the young Emma Harte before transitioning into the role...

The soap world lost a number of greats both in front of and behind the camera this year. Here is the annual We Love Soaps TV tribute to those who passed away in 2010 including Michael Gene Adams, Danny Aiello III, Himan Brown, Dixie Carter, Christopher Cazenove, Jill Clayburgh, Gary Coleman, Jacqueline Courtney, John Forsythe, David Froman, James Gammon, Harold Gould, Carl Gordon, Suzanne Grossman, Park Yong Ha, Peter Haskell, June Havoc, Carol Pfander Henderson, Bernard Kates, Larry Keith, Antonie Kamerling, Mick Lally, Simon MacCorkindale, Nan Martin, Kevin McCarthy, Rue McClanahan, Caroline McWilliams, Werner Michel, James Mitchell, Gordon Mulholland, Roger Newman, Michelle Nicastro, Leslie Nielsen, Vince O'Brien, Niek Pancras, Nancy Pinkerton, Addison Powell, Carla Princi, Bob Rappaport, Frances Reid, Lynn Redgrave, Rosa Rio, Zelda Rubinstein, Paul Ryan Rudd, Jean Simmons and Helen Wagner.

It's been an incredible year in the world of showbiz, with the usual headline-grabbing antics, scandal, sleaze, celebrity births, star weddings, and bitter break-ups. Here, WENN takes a look back at the first six months of 2010...

January

Matthew McConaughey became the first new celebrity dad of 2010 when he and Camila Alves welcomed baby Vida into the world, but they weren't the only couple celebrating births. Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell experienced the joys of fatherhood all over again, while supermodel Claudia Schiffer and actress Monica Bellucci were bursting with excitement after announcing their pregnancies.

Love was certainly in the air - actor Josh Duhamel renewed his vows with Fergie, and British model Sophie Dahl became Mrs. Jamie Cullum. Russell Brand confirmed plans to wed Katy Perry, and Michael Buble got down on bended knee to propose to model Luisana Lopilato.

The same couldn't be said for Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend - they called it quits after nine years together. A cancer-stricken Dennis Hopper filed for divorce from his wife, and sporting pair Chris Evert and Greg Norman finalised the dissolution of their 18-month marriage.

There were new troubles for embattled celebrity offspring - Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal's boy Redmond was jailed after another drugs bust, and the future was bleak for Michael Douglas' actor son Cameron, who prepared for a lengthy prison sentence after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges.

Meanwhile, illusionist David Copperfield was cleared of rape allegations, and actor Rip Torn was arrested after he was found passed out on the floor of a Connecticut bank, clutching a gun. Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman was arrested on allegations of domestic assault and then hospitalised following a number of seizures.

Bad health also struck Dexter's Michael C. Hall, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, just as Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed he had overcome prostate cancer.

The music industry mourned the death of R&B legend Teddy Pendergrass when he lost his battle with colon cancer, while the literary world was hit hard with the passing of beloved author J.D. Salinger.

Awards season was in full swing and Beyonce, Kings of Leon and Taylor Swift ruled the 2010 Grammy Awards, while director James Cameron's Avatar collected top honours at the Golden Globes and the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

In the TV world, Simon Cowell confirmed he was stepping down as an American Idol judge, Miley Cyrus announced she was turning her back on Hannah Montana, and Ugly Betty got the axe from network executives.

Elsewhere, George Clooney led the Hope For Haiti Now telethon to raise funds for the Haitian victims of the 12 January earthquake, enlisting pals Jack Nicholson, Ben Affleck and Mel Gibson to man the phones as Madonna, Bono and Beyonce performed for charity. Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock and Gisele Bundchen all led by example and donated huge sums to the relief efforts, and the telethon raised more than $57 million (£35.6 million).

Jessica Biel and Emile Hirsch fronted another big charity drive when they joined a team of stars to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, drawing attention to Africa's chronic water shortage. They reached the Tanzanian peak for the Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro campaign on 12 January, six days after embarking on the challenge.

February

February was marked by tragedy when celebrated fashion designer Alexander Mcqueen was found dead after hanging himself at his London home. Meanwhile, investigations into Michael Jackson’s death in June, 2009 loomed as coroner’s officials determined acute intoxication of powerful anaesthetic Propofol was the cause. The ruling prompted prosecutors to file involuntary manslaughter charges against his former doctor Conrad Murray. Officials also ruled Brittany Murphy’s death in December, 2009 was accidental and caused by pneumonia, aided by anaemia and drug intoxication. Andrew Koenig’s family continued to mourn after his body was found in Vancouver following an apparent suicide. Marie Osmond also grieved the apparent suicide death of her 18-year-old son.

Nancy Kerrigan’s family was rocked by controversy after her brother, Mark, became the target of an investigation of their father’s homicide. Meanwhile, Etta James’ son revealed the singer had been secretly battling Alzheimer's disease for more than a year.

But there were still celebrations in Hollywood. James Cameron’s sci-fi film Avatar became the highest grossing movie in the U.S. and the U.K. His ex-wife, Kathryn Bigelow, had something to boast about too when her war drama, The Hurt Locker, scored nine Oscar nods, the same amount as Cameron’s cinematic sensation. She also won top awards at the BAFTAs.

The world watched as Canada's brightest stars including Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado, K.D. lang and Joni Mitchell teamed up to help launch the Winter Olympics in the country. And in London, Lady Gaga walked away with the Brit Awards’ top honours. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr unveiled his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and The Beatles' favourite recording studio Abbey Road was awarded historic status by the British government. Celine Dion, Kanye West, and Jennifer Hudson were among singers who recorded vocals for Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie's revamped We Are The World track to raise money for earthquake-ravaged Haiti. The country's biggest celebrity activist Sean Penn was caught in controversy and charged with criminal battery and vandalism following a violent run-in with a paparazzo, while Lil Wayne celebrated winning a postponement on his prison sentence for weapons possession.

It was a romantic month for several stars who announced plans to wed, including Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, Hilary Duff and ice hockey ace Mike Comrie, and Dave Annabelle and Odette Yustman. Kristen Bell revealed boyfriend Dax Shepard had proposed back in December, 2009. Meanwhile, Sienna Miller, who called off her engagement to Jude Law in 2006, rekindled her romance with the actor. Several stars welcomed bundles of joy, including Padma Lakshmi, Boris Becker, Sarah Jane Morris and Gary Busey. February wasn’t such a loved-up month for Ryan Phillippe and Abbie Cornish, or Cheryl Cole and her soccer star husband Ashley - both couples split. John Mayer risked the wrath of ex Jessica Simpson after referring to her as “sexual napalm”.

Public scandal took over headlines when Tiger Woods finally addressed reports he cheated on ex-wife Elin Nordegren with several mistresses and announced plans to return to rehab for sex therapy. Exes waged war in court, including Dennis Hopper, who won a restraining order against his estranged wife. Charlie Sheen was charged with felony menacing, third degree assault and misdemeanour criminal mischief stemming from an alleged altercation with his now-estranged wife, Brooke Mueller. Both parties checked in to rehab.

March

It was a shocking way to start the spring as March saw two of Hollywood's biggest star couples announce break-ups - Kate Winslet parted ways with her second husband Sam Mendes after seven years and Sandra Bullock's Oscar win was overshadowed after she found out partner Jesse James had cheated on her.

March wasn't any better for Take That's Mark Owen, who was also accused of cheating on his longtime girlfriend Emma Ferguson with 10 women - and he later revealed he's a struggling alcoholic and checked himself into rehab.

More scandals came as the month progressed, with fiery supermodel Naomi Campbell accused of attacking her driver by striking him on the head, and Michael Jackson's mum Katherine visited by welfare officials in Los Angeles over allegations one of her grandkids had purchased a stun gun.

Rapper J-Kwon was reported as a missing person after he failed to get in contact with his loved ones for more than a month, and reclusive R&B star D'Angelo was arrested in New York for offering an undercover cop cash for oral sex.

Other stars facing a tough time included Lil Wayne, who began an eight-month stretch behind bars stemming from a 2007 weapon possession arrest, and Lindsay Lohan, who had a fashion flop on her hands after being axed as the artistic advisor of style house Emanuel Ungaro following a slated catwalk collection.

But it wasn't all doom and gloom - Kathryn Bigelow made Oscars history when she became the first female to land the top director Academy Award for her war movie The Hurt Locker, beating ex-husband James Cameron in the process. Music mogul Simon Cowell confirmed his engagement to make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy while others to put a ring on it included Friends star David Schwimmer, who proposed to his photographer girlfriend Zoe Buckman, and Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, who enjoyed a small private wedding ceremony in Paris, France.

There was also a string of spring babies - Shakespeare In Love star Joseph Fiennes became a first-time father after welcoming a daughter, while Kevin Costner announced he was set to become a dad for a seventh time. Hollywood stars Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart also became parents for the first time after the actress gave birth to a baby girl.

While March saw ups and downs for some of Tinseltown's finest, others were looking on the bright side - Ricky Martin confirmed the worst kept secret in pop by announcing he's homosexual, while Will & Grace star Sean Hayes also decided to come out of the closet and spoke for the first time about his sexuality.

Every fan of 1980s movies was left devastated after hearing Corey Haim had died from a drug overdose - the Lost Boys star was aged 38. The month also saw the passings of Little Women star Richard Stapley, veteran British actor Martin Benson and beloved U.S. TV star Fess Parker.

April

The eruption of a volcano in Iceland at the end of March meant the following month was dogged by stories of stranded stars as a giant ash cloud swept over northern Europe and closed airports across the continent.

California's Coachella festival was under threat as a number of acts cancelled their slots when they were unable to fly out to the U.S.

Several movie premieres were also affected in the chaos - the Iron Man 2 red carpet event in London was moved to Los Angeles when stars including Robert Downey, Jr. were unable to jet to Britain. Miley Cyrus also scrapped plans to unveil her film The Last Song in the British capital due to the cancelled flights.

TV stars Chace Crawford and Kiefer Sutherland were both stranded in London after the ash cloud hit, and the 24 actor made the most of his extended stay by taking trips to some of Britain's best-known landmarks, including a day out to visit Stonehenge.

But many celebrities refused to let a little bit of volcano ash get in the way of their work - Metallica continued their tour by swapping planes for roads and railways, while Status Quo drove back to Britain after finding themselves stuck in Russia. John Cleese was stranded in Norway, so he paid $4,950 (£3,300) for a taxi to take him to Belgium, where he caught a train back to London.

In non-volcano-related news, Sandra Bullock sent shockwaves through the showbiz world when she came out fighting after her husband Jesse James' cheating scandal in March. The Oscar winner announced she had filed for divorce and stunned the world by revealing she had also adopted a baby son, Louis. Bullock admitted the couple had taken charge of their new son back in January, but kept the news quiet and after splitting from James she resolved to raise the baby on her own.

Another high profile celebrity split hit headlines when Mel Gibson ended his year-long romance with Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his baby daughter, Lucia. The couple didn't give a reason for the break-up, but Grigorieva subsequently hinted "you will find out everything quite soon". Jim Carrey and Jenny Mccarthy also ended their five-year romance.

The music world was rocked when Brett Michaels suffered two serious health scares in April. The Poison rocker was admitted to hospital for an emergency appendectomy at the beginning of the month and just weeks later he collapsed after suffering a brain haemorrhage. The rocker was in a critical condition, but slowly began his recovery. Another shock for music fans came with the death of former Sex Pistols manager and punk icon Malcolm Mclaren, who lost his battle with cancer.

April was a sad month for Dynasty fans after two of the show's former stars died within days of each other. John Forsythe passed away from complications relating to pneumonia and his death was followed by the passing of his onscreen brother Christopher Cazenove, who lost a battle with blood poisoning just six days later.

The scandal of the month came when Desperate Housewives actress Nicollette Sheridan filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the show's creator, Marc Cherry. The actress claimed he slapped her during an argument over the script and then fired her when she complained to producers.

Sheridan's co-stars, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria Parker, Felicity Huffman and Marcia CrosS, all took Cherry's side.

May

There were wedding bells this month for Scissor Sisters singer Ana Matronic and her boyfriend Seth Kirby, and actors Seth Green and Clare Grant. Meanwhile, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon sealed their love by renewing their wedding vows for the third time.

May was not such a happy month for Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, who split from his wife Yvonne, and he wasn't the only one facing heartache - former Bond girl Halle Berry split from Gabriel Aubry after more than four years together, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer star David Boreanaz's marriage was plunged into crisis when he admitted cheating on his wife.

Several stars heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet this month - Monica Bellucci gave birth to her second daughter, Leonie, supermodel Claudia Schiffer delivered her third child, daughter Cosima, and Amy Adams became a first-time mum after giving birth to daughter Aviana.

John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston had something to smile about after the death of son Jett in 2009, when they confirmed the actress was expecting another child, and it was double joy for singer Alicia Keys - she became engaged to producer Swizz Beatz and announced her pregnancy.

Meanwhile, Hollywood paid tribute to legendary actor Dennis Hopper when he died at the age of 74 after a battle against prostate cancer, and Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman passed away at the age of 42 after suffering a brain haemorrhage in a fall at his home.

There was further tragedy for the Redgrave dynasty when Lynn Redgrave died aged 67 after a long battle with breast cancer, and Brittany Murphy's grieving widower Simon Monjack was found dead at his home.

The rock world was plunged into mourning when Ronnie James Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer at the age of 67, swiftly followed by the sudden death of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, 38, who was found dead in a hotel room in Iowa after an accidental drug overdose.

Former The Temptations star Ali-Ollie Woodson died from leukaemia, aged 58, and veteran actress/singer Lena Horne succumbed to heart failure at 92.

On the scandal front, Charlie Sheen's troubles mounted when he surrendered legal custody of his two children with ex-wife Denise Richards, and Miley Cyrus showed she's growing up fast when she was caught on camera dirty dancing with a 44-year-old movie producer in a nightclub. Lindsay Lohan was ordered by a court to wear an alcohol-monitoring ankle tag in a bid to help beat her drink and drug demons, and troubled actor Michael Madsen was hospitalised following a nine-day booze binge in Britain.

Bono was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery on his back, leading to the cancellation of U2's hotly-anticipated Glastonbury headline slot the following month.

June

June was a bumper wedding month with Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green marrying on a beach in Hawaii, while Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart wed after seven years together. Gemma Arterton married Stefano Catelli, and Alanis Morissette married Mc Souleye. British newsman Piers Morgan wed Celia Walden and Mena Suvari married music producer Simone Sestitos. Glee star Jane Lynch married Lara Embry in a civil partnership ceremony – and love was also in the air for Orlando Bloom, who announced his engagement to longterm girlfriend Miranda Kerr.

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera became engaged to Ryan Piers Williams, while Kate Hudson hit headlines when she started dating Muse frontman Matt Bellamy.

It was a baby boom month - Kevin Costner became a dad for the seventh time, Sheryl Crow adopted her second son, director Sofia Coppola welcomed another daughter, and R&B star Ne-Yo announced he is to be a father for the first time.

June was not such a good month love wise for actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who filed for divorce from his wife of 13 years. Meanwhile British singer Leona Lewis split from her childhood sweetheart and Twilight's Nikki Reed broke up with Paris Latsis. Brandy's romance with rapper Flo Rida came to an end, Welsh singer Charlotte Church split from fiance Gavin Henson, and former U.S. vice president Al Gore split from his wife of 40 years.

Rock stars were in mourning when former Stereophonics star Stuart Cable passed away, former The Kinks bassist Pete Quaife also died, and country music legend Jimmy Dean passed away at the age of 81. Hollywood was saddened when Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan died aged 76 after suffering a major stroke and actor/director Corey Allen passed away. Zorro star Eugenia Paul also died at the age of 75.

June also caused havoc for the music industry with numerous gigs being axed - Drake, Jay-z, Ke$ha and Grace Jones all had to cancel shows, while illness caused cancellations for John Mayer, Cher and Wolfmother, and Sum 41 brought the curtain down on their European tour after Steve Jocz was involved in a car crash.

Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford was in the news following his arrest for pot possession, while Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil and The Sopranos star Joseph Gannascoli were arrested separately on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). Meanwhile it was also another DUI arrest for actor Chris Klein - he then checked himself into a rehabilitation facility to deal with alcohol addiction later in the month.

Incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne's troubles worsened - he was sentenced to three years probation after striking a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors in relation to a 2008 drugs charge.

Other notable events in June included the launch of the soccer World Cup tournament, which saw stars including the Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, Alicia Keys and John Legend perform at the opening ceremony in South Africa. There was also a flurry of tributes on the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, and Larry King announced plans to retire from his 25-year run as the host of CNN talk show Larry King Live.

A number of awards were also handed out - The Twilight Saga: New Moon was the big winner at the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, picking up four honours, while Sandra Bullock and Scarlett Johansson caused a stir by locking lips onstage at the ceremony. Chris Brown stole the show at the 2010 Bet Awards when he performed a dance tribute to Michael Jackson, while Alicia Keys and Drake were crowned the big winners.

DVD Playhouse December 2010

By

Allen Gardner

America Lost And Found: The Bbs Story (Criterion) Perhaps the best DVD box set released this year, this ultimate cinefile stocking stuffer offered up by Criterion, the Rolls-Royce of home video labels, features seven seminal works from the late ‘60s-early ‘70s that were brought to life by cutting edge producers Bert Schneider, Steve Blauner and director/producer Bob Rafelson, the principals of Bbs Productions. In chronological order: Head (1968) star the Monkees, the manufactured (by Rafelson, et al), American answer to the Beatles who, like it or not, did make an impact on popular culture, particularly in this utterly surreal piece of cinematic anarchy (co-written by Jack Nicholson, who has a cameo), which was largely dismissed upon its initial release, but is now regarded as a counterculture classic. Easy Rider (1969) is arguably regarded as the seminal ‘60s picture, about two hippie drug dealers (director Dennis Hopper...

DVD Playhouse—May 2010

By

Allen Gardner

Avatar (20th Century Fox) James Cameron beat his own title as box office champ, set with Titanic over a decade ago, with this eye-popping sci-fi epic about a paraplegic Marine name Sully (Sam Worthington), who takes the form of an “avatar,” or virtual being, to go undercover on the planet Pandora, attempting to infiltrate the native Na’vi to gather intelligence that will aid a joint corporate and military operation to rape the planet of its natural resources, destroying its indigenous population in the process. When Sully suddenly “goes native,” he locks horns with the company CEO (Giovanni Ribisi) and his gung-ho commanding officer (Stephen Lang, in a wonderful, scenery-chewing turn from a long-underrated actor). Thought of by many scholars and film buffs as a “game-changer” as much as the first Star Wars film was—and they may be right. While Cameron’s politically-correct...

Actresses Joan Collins and Stephanie Beacham turned out for the funeral of their Dynasty co-star Christopher Cazenove on Friday.

The actor, best known for his role as Ben Carrington in the glamorous 1980s soap opera, passed away in a London hospital earlier this month after spending a month in an intensive care unit suffering from septicaemia.

His family and friends headed to London's St. Paul's Church in Covent Garden on Friday for a memorial service, and his Dynasty co-stars Collins and Beacham turned out to pay their respects.

Joanna Lumley and Honor Blackman were also among the mourners at the service.

By Lisa Horowitz 

Actor Christopher Cazenove, who appeared in TV series "Dynasty" and "The Duchess of Duke Street," died Wednesday of septicemia in London. He was 66.

His death follows by a week that of his "Dynasty" co-star John Forsythe. The two men played brothers Blake (Forsythe) and Ben (Cazenove) Carrington.

In a statement released by his agent, his family and girlfriend Isabel Davis said the actor had "died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones."

Cazenove had been scheduled to narrate "The Rocky Horror Show" at the N...

Christopher Cazenove, best remembered for his role as Ben Carrington in Dynasty, has died. The 64-year-old actor (66 according to some sources) had fallen ill from septicemia in February. Cazenove (born Dec. 17, 1943 or 1945, depending on the source, in Winchester, Hampshire) began his acting career — against the wishes of his military father who wanted his son to follow on his footsteps — at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He made his stage debut in Man and Superman at the Phoenix theatre, Leicester, in 1967. Among his other stage appearances were those in Hamlet, The Winslow Boy, and Goodbye Fidel. Cazenove’s first major assignment on British television was that of the clean-cut Lt. Richard Gaunt in the series [...]...

Showtime is shamelessly in love with their William H. Macy drama: The network has picked up 12 episodes of Shameless, which follows an alcoholic father (Macy) of a blue-collar Chicago family. That's deep stuff for the home of deep-dish pizza. Mmm. [Variety] HBO has ordered nine episodes of Mike White and Laura Dern's Enlightened, a comedy about a woman "who has a revelatory experience at a treatment center." Let's hope that involves rolling cheese. [THR] Marvel and Paramount will spend over $80 million to promote Iron Man 2 through print, TV, radio, in-theater, and Internet campaigns. Also, Iron Man 2-branded Dr. Pepper cans will be available,...

Another member of the "Dynasty" family has passed this week. British actor Christopher Cazenove, who played Ben Carrington in the classic 80's soap, died at the age of 64 of septicaemia.

In a statement released by Cazenove's agent, family, and girlfriend Isabel Davis, he died on Wednesday after a "valiant fight" with the disease.

"Christopher died peacefully on April 7 surrounded by his loved ones, having contracted septicaemia at the end of February," read the statement. "Despite a valiant fight and the untiring efforts of the wonderful team at St Thomas's, he was overwhelmed. All who knew and loved him will be devastated by the loss of this incredible man who touched so many lives."

Even Joan Collins, who worked with Cazenove on "Dynasty," commented to the BBC on her former co-star. "He was an absolutely charming man and a very good actor. I very much enjoyed working with him during my time on 'Dynasty,...

Filed under: TV News Daily

'Dynasty' star Christopher Cazenove died yesterday from septicemia, his family confirmed in a statement. He was 64.

"All who knew and loved him will be devastated by the loss of this incredible man who touched so many lives," the statement read.

Cazenove played Ben Carrington for over 30 episodes on the prime time soap. Incidentally, his on-screen brother, John Forsythe, died last week after a year long battle with cancer.

For more on Cazenove's career, visit PopEater.

Continue reading 'Dynasty' Star Christopher Cazenove Dies

 

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Just a few days after the death of John Forsythe, Dynasty actor Christopher Cazenove has died at the age of 64. The man who played Blake Carrington's evil brother for two seasons succumbed to septicaemia (blood poisoning). He had been battling cancer for the past year.

Cazenove was a veteran actor and appeared in dozens of films over the past 40 years, most notably, 3 Men and a Little Lady, A Knight's Tale, Zulu Dawn, and Eye of the Needle.

On television, he appeared in series like Judge John Deed, Charmed, Nash Bridges, and Tales from the Crypt.

According to the Daily Mail, Cazenove's agent, Lesley Duff, said on behalf of his family and girlfriend Isabel Davies: "Christopher died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones having contracted septicaemia at the end of February. Despite a valiant fight and the untiring...

First John Forsythe and now his TV nemesis. Christopher Cazenove, the British actor who played scheming brother Ben Carrington in the 1980s prime-time soap Dynasty, has died at 64. The actor lost a "valiant fight" to septicemia, a bacterial blood infection, and "died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones" Wednesday at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, according to his agent, Lesley Duff. His death comes one week after Forsythe's, who played family patriarch Blake Carrington. It's another loss for Dynasty fans who enjoyed watching Cazenove's character join forces with Joan Collins' devious ex-wife, Alexis, to plot the downfall of the fictional Denver oil...

'Dynasty' actor Christopher Cazenove died yesterday (07.04.10) after falling ill with septicaemia. Friends and loved-ones of the 64-year-old star - who was best known for his role as Ben Carrington in the 80s show - have praised the ''incredible'' actor who lost his life after spending weeks in a London hospital following his collapse at home. A statement from his family and girlfriend-of-seven-years Isabel Davis: ''Christopher died peacefully on April 7, surrounded by his loved-ones having contracted septicaemia at the end of February. Despite a valiant fight and the untiring efforts of the wonderful team at St. Thomas's Hospital, he was overwhelmed. ''All who ..

Dynasty star Christopher Cazenove has passed away, aged 66. The British actor, who was best known for playing Ben Carrington in the '80s soap opera, died after suffering a long battle with septicaemia. Cazenove's agent Lesley Duff, his family and girlfriend Isabel Davis released a statement confirming that he had died on Wednesday at St Thomas's Hospital, London. "Christopher died peacefully on April 7 surrounded by his loved ones, having contracted septicaemia at the end of February," read the message. "Despite a valiant fight and the untiring efforts of the wonderful team (more)...

Dynasty actor Christopher Cazenove has died after losing his battle with a bout of blood poisoning. He was 64.

The British star, best known for his role as Ben Carrington in the glamorous 1980s soap opera, passed away in a London hospital on Wednesday.

Cazenove was taken ill at the end of February and admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in the British capital, where doctors diagnosed him with septicaemia. He spent over a month in an intensive care unit fighting for his life before his death this week.

Cazenove's passing comes just days after the death of his onscreen brother John Forsythe, who played Blake Carrington in the show.

Forsythe died last Thursday at the age of 92.

A statement from Cazenove's agent Lesley Duff confirms the sad news: "Christopher died peacefully on April 7 surrounded by his loved ones having contracted septicaemia at the end of February. Despite a valiant fight and the untiring efforts of the wonderful team at St Thomas', he was overwhelmed. All who knew and loved him will be devastated by the loss of this incredible man who touched so many lives."

Cazenove's first major role came in 1970s U.K. TV show The Regiment, and he went on to star in a string of films before landing the part that made his name, playing opposite Joan Collins in Dynasty between 1986 and 1987.

The actor went on to star in notable movies including 1990's Three Men and a Little Lady, the sequel to Three Men and a Baby, and 2001's A Knight's Tale, in which he played the father of Heath Ledger's character.

He was last seen in British TV series Hotel Babylon in 2009.

Cazenove is survived by his son Rhys, from his marriage to actress Angharad Rees. The former couple's eldest son, Linford, was killed in a car crash in 1999. Cazenove was in a relationship with girlfriend Isabel Davis, who he had been dating since 2003, at the time of his death.

London, Apr 8 – British actor Christopher Cazenove, best known for his role as Ben Carrington in the glamorous 1980s soap opera Dynasty, has died aged 64.

The Telegraph reports, in a statement released through his agent Lesley Duff, his family and girlfriend Isabel Davis said: “Christopher died peacefully on April 7 surrounded by his loved ones having contracted septicaemia at the end of February.

“Despite a valiant fight and the untiring efforts of the wonderful team at St Thomas’s, he was overwhelmed.

“All who knew and loved.

British actor first first found fame as Charlie Tyrrell in 1970s mini-series The Duchess of Duke Street

Christopher Cazenove, the British actor best known for his role in 1980s soap opera Dynasty, has died after a "valiant battle" with septicaemia, his family said on Wednesday. The 64-year-old had been ill since collapsing at his home in February.

His family, and girlfriend Isabel Davis, said in a statement released through his agent Lesley Duff: "Christopher died peacefully on April 7 surrounded by his loved ones, having contracted septicaemia at the end of February.

"Despite a valiant fight and the untiring efforts of the wonderful team at St Thomas' [hospital, London], he was overwhelmed. "All who knew and loved him will be devastated by the loss of this incredible man who touched so many lives."

The actor first found fame as Charlie Tyrrell in the 1970s mini-series The Duchess of Duke Street, and appeared on screen,...

Christopher Cazenove, who has died of septicaemia aged 64, always dreamed of being a film star, although his father – a brigadier in the Coldstream Guards – wanted him to follow in his military footsteps. Ironically, when Cazenove fulfilled his acting ambitions, he made his name as the blue-eyed, clean-cut hero Lieutenant Richard Gaunt in The Regiment (1972-73). The drama series, following a 1970 pilot, traced the fortunes of the Cotswolds Regiment at the turn of the 19th century – from the Boer War to service in India – through the lives of two families, the Gaunts and the Brights. Cazenove's fame was confirmed when he was featured on the cover of Radio Times.

The old Etonian seemed happy to become typecast playing aristocrats. On television, he was also seen in Jennie, Lady Randolph Churchill (1974) as George Cornwallis-West, a...

Christopher Cazenove, the British actor most famous for his portrayal of Ben Carrington in the TV series Dynasty, died Wednesday in London after a battle with septicemia, which he had contracted in February; he was 66. In addition to his role in the famous 80s drama, Cazenove was known to audiences as the villain in the comedy 3 Men and a Little Lady, and the father of Heath Ledger's character in A Knight's Tale. Further details to come.

Dynasty actor Christopher Cazenove is reportedly fighting for his life after contracting a potentially fatal bout of blood poisoning.

The star, who played Ben Carrington in the popular 1980s show, was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London after becoming unwell during a flight from Los Angeles, reports Britain's Sunday Mirror.

The 66 year old has spent the last two weeks seriously ill with septicaemia, and his former wife, actress Angharad Rees, and his son are with him at his bedside.

A representative for Cazenove says, "He has been very poorly, but he is making a slow and steady recovery."...

Christopher Cazenove is reportedly in a critical condition after collapsing at his home. The actor, who is best known for playing Ben Carrington in '80s soap Dynasty, has been in intensive care for two weeks suffering from septicemia, reports The Mail on Sunday. It is understood that the 66-year-old suffered migraines on a business trip to California and collapsed when he arrived home in London. A friend said that the actor was in a coma but has regained consciousness and is being treated at the capital's St Thomas' Hospital. (more)...

DVD Playhouse—August 2009

By

Allen Gardner

Watchmen—Director’S Cut (Warner Bros.) Director Zack Snyder’s film of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel is as worthy an adaptation of a great book that has ever been filmed. In an alternative version of the year 1985, Richard Nixon is serving his third term as President and super heroes have been outlawed by a congressional act, in spite of the fact that two of the most high-profile “masks,” Dr. Manhattan (Billy Cruddup) and The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) helped the U.S. win the Vietnam War. When The Comedian is found murdered, many former heroes become concerned that a conspiracy is afoot to assassinate retired costumed crime fighters. Former masks Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman) and still-operating Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley, in an Oscar-worthy turn) launch an investigation of their own, all while the Pentagon’s “Doomsday...

In its heyday, Dynasty was one of the most popular shows on television and spawned hundreds of products and a short-lived spin-off (The Colbys). The nation loved to see rich people have lots of outrageous problems.

Dynasty revolves primarily around the wealthy Carrington family. As the series begins, oil baron Blake Carrington (John Forsythe) has fallen in love with secretary Krystle (Linda Evens) and the two marry. Blake's daughter Fallon (Pamela Sue Martin, later Emma Samms) resents her while his gay son Steven (Al Corley, later Jack Coleman) is sympathetic. The series really took off once Blake's infamous ex-wife, Alexis (Joan Collins), showed up.

Other ongoing characters are played by Gordon Thomson, John James, Michael Nader, Heather Locklear, Pamela Bellwood, Diahann Carroll, Catherine Oxenberg, Lee Bergere, Leann Hunley, Kathleen Beller, Geoffrey Scott, Christopher Cazenove, Terri Garber, Wayne Northrop, Al Corley, Ted McGinley, Michael Praed, Lloyd Bochner, Peter Mark Richman, and Paul Burke.