Sakuntala Ramanee Movies
A half-parody and half-loving tribute to the over-the-top style of Indian musicals, this song-and-dance-filled musical comedy-drama concerns Geena (Preeya Kalidas), a pretty and virtuous young women who has been raised by a loving but strictly traditional Indian family. One day, Geena happens to meet a charming and footloose visiting Englishmen named Jay (James MacAvoy), and it's love at first sight for the both of them. However, Geena's family does not approve of her dating a relative stranger, and as her brothers keep an eye on her every move, Geena is forced to meet Jay on the sly. Before long, she impulsively leaves for England with him, with her family giving chase. Along the way, the story stops periodically to give the characters the opportunity to burst into song, though along with the expected Hindi pop tunes, the characters let loose with blues, folk, and roots rock compositions. Bollywood Queen was screened in competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Preeya Kalidas, James McAvoy, (more)
This Spanish-French comedy set in South London seeks to demonstrate that human relationships provide an excellent example of chaos theory. Featuring a bilingual cast, the story centers on Luis, an introverted bookworm who travels to London, accompanied by his overbearing mother, to stay with his aunt Olivia. Olivia has a tempestuous relationship with a handsome television actor, Duncan. Her child belongs to him. With all these people together under one roof, the situation in the apartment is quite chaotic. However, Luis' mother eventually goes back home and Duncan, who is caught philandering at a party, gets the boot. Soon Luis and Olivia are having a torrid affair of their own until his mother returns and causes all sorts of trouble. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
In this detective drama a British gumshoe encounters an art dealer who turns out to be a supposedly dead criminal. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Timothy Dalton, David Morrissey, (more)
- 1991
Made for British television, Alive and Kicking is the bleak but compelling story of two druggies. Smudgen (Lenny Henry) is not only a user but a dealer; his wife Marie (Annabelle Apsion) is in what seems to be a perpetually strung-out state. When Marie has a baby, the authorities take the child away from her because neither she nor Smudgeon show any signs of straightening out. Enter social worker Liam Kane, played by the formidable Robbie Coltrane. Kane's violent, abrasive "cold turkey" technique has a positive effect on the couple, though one wonders if it is truly going to last. In contrast to Smudgeon and Marie, Jane Horrocks appears as Gail, an addict who is perfectly satisfied with her life...or what's left of it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In the second episode of the three-part story "Survival," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) are baffled by the strange goings-on in Ace's hometown of Perivale. While trying to help Sgt. Paterson (Julian Holloway) solve a series of disappearances, Ace herself vanishes, only to reappear in the Hunting World, where death is not the worst thing that can happen to her -- at least, not so long as the Cheetah People are around and about. First telecast on December 12, 1989, "Survival, Episode 2" was written by Rona Munro. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, (more)
- 1989
The 26-year saga of Doctor Who came to an end (albeit temporarily) with the series' final three-part adventure, "Survival." Returning to the 20th century, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) arrive in Ace's hometown of Perivale. The two time travellers are immediately plunged into a mystery involving a strange breed of cats and a series of abrupt disappearances. First telecast on December 5, 1989, "Survival, Episode 1" was written by Rona Munro. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, (more)
- 1989
In the conclusion of the three-part story "Survival," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy), Ace (Sophie Aldred), and Sgt. Paterson (Julian Holloway) have been whisked away to the Hunting World, where they find themselves the quarry of the dreaded Cheetah People. Pulling the strings of this situation is the Doctor's perennial nemesis, the Master (Anthony Ainley), who has aligned himself with the Cheetah People -- an alliance that may have devastating consequences on everyone in the universe, including the Master. It is up to the Doctor to set things right by summoning what a psychiatrist might refer to as "The Inner Beast." Written by Rona Munro, "Survival, Episode 3" was originally seen on December 19, 1989, at which point the 26-year-old series Doctor Who went into mothballs until the 30th anniversary special four years later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, (more)
