Extra Features...
The commentary with director Samuel Maoz is absolutely outstanding, bringing a personal perspective as he discusses his own wartime experiences hand in hand with the turbulent making of the movie.There are also essays on the conflict, but the commentary is the star of the show. 4 stars
ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Reymond Amsalem, Ashraf Barhom, Oshri Cohen
Director Samuel Maoz
Format DVD & Blu-ray
Distributor Metrodome
Released August 23
Like TV hit Skins - with which it bears more than a passing resemblance - Cherrybomb distills the modern youth experience into an orgy of drink, drugs and stupid decisions. Grint impresses, in his first post-Harry Potter role, as Malachy, whose attempts to beat best pal Luke (Misfits star Sheehan) to the heart - and bed - of temptress Michelle (Nixon) bring life-shattering consequences.
Despite his efforts, and the film's attempts to shock, it's pretty pedestrian stuff, and won't hold much interest for anyone on the wrong side of 20. 2 stars
Extra Features
There's a making of, plus interviews with Sheehan and Grint. 2 stars
This review was originally published in movieScope Issue 18
ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Rupert Grint, Robert Sheehan, Kimberley Nixon
Directors Lisa Barros D'Sa & Glenn Leyburn
Format DVD & Blu-ray
Distributor Universal
Released August 23
Read The Scouting Book For Boys Film Review
Extra Features
Just a handful of deleted scenes and the trailer; it's a shame there is no cast and crew commentary for such an intriguing British film. (1 star)
ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Thomas Turgoose, Holliday Grainger, Rafe Spall
Director Tom Harper
Format DVD
Distributor Pathe
Released August 23
From troubled teens to tank-bound soldiers, here's our look at the best DVD and Blu-ray releases for the week of August 23, 2010
Read The Scouting Book For Boys Review
Read Cherrybomb Review
Read Lebanon Review
On The Sly
Eighties action movies will always hold a special place in cinematic history, their glorious excesses a continuing influence. But although it's been hyped as 2010's biggest movie, there was always the possibility that The Expendables would be nothing more than an exercise in nostalgia. Luckily, it's a little more than that.
Our guide to the best DVDs and Blu-rays released this week.
Culture clash
Roopi (Goldy Notoy) is an Indian girl who seems to be destined to be unlucky in love. Although she is intelligent, strong-willed and beautiful, it seems that the fact she is slightly overweight is enough to scare off all potential husbands - and their parents. Her mother (Shabana Azmi) despairs about her daughter's fate, and takes her frustrations out on those who have criticised her daughter; by killing them, no less. Her victims soon turn up as vengeful ghosts but, realising that they won't be able to move on until Roopi meets the man of her dreams, the spirits soon turn matchmakers and help Mr Sethi bring about her daughter's happy ever after. They are helped by the arrival of Detective Murthy (Sendhil Ramamurthy), a childhood friend of Roopi's who is investigating the murders, but the road to true love never runs smooth...
Intended, no doubt, as a gentle poke at traditional Indian customs, It's A Wonderful Afterlife is surprisingly off target given its talented director. There's nothing subtle about the comedy; it's more ribald slapstick than satire and, although there are occasional moments of genuine humour, an over-reliance on gross-out gags, obvious one-liners and cultural stereotypes dilutes any serious messages that otherwise could have been mined from the narrative.
The impressive cast do their best with the material, but sometimes look adrift in clunky dialogue and ludicrous set-pieces. Sally Hawkins is wonderful as the English girl seduced by the mystique of India, only to find that realities don't match up to her dreams, while Ramamurthy and Notoy are charming as the couple at the centre of the melodramatic maelstrom. But they just aren't given enough to work with, their characters not given the space to really explore the themes the narrative throws up. And the general tone is an uneasy one; aside from a wonderfully messy set piece which re-enacts the famous scene from Carrie with curry standing in for pig's blood nothing really seems to work, and the result is that It's A Wonderful Life feels misjudged and, surprisingly mishandled. 2 stars
Extra Features
Cast and crew interviews, premiere featurette and a handful of deleted and alternate scenes. 2 stars
ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Goldy Notoy, Sally Hawkins, Shabani Azmi
Director Gurinder Chadha
Format DVD
Distributor Icon Home Entertainment
Released August 18
