Wednesday Mar 10
DVDBright Star (DVD)
08/03/2010 | Nikki Baughan

Poetry in motion... It’s 1818, and young Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) is more interested in fashion than men, and when she meets 23-year-old poet John Keats (Ben Wishaw) she thinks his work - and his character - somewhat lacking. Over time, howeve [ ... ]


DVDAn Education (DVD)
08/03/2010 | Nikki Baughan

Life lessons Directed by Danish film-maker Lone Scherfig, An Education is a coming of age drama is set in early 1960s Twickenham. Adapted by Nick Hornby from Lynn Barber’s memoir, the story revolves around intelligent teenage schoolgirl Jenny (C [ ... ]


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Written by Nikki Baughan Monday, 08 March 2010 16:50
DVD

Poetry in motion...

Bright_Star_DVDIt’s 1818, and young Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) is more interested in fashion than men, and when she meets 23-year-old poet John Keats (Ben Wishaw) she thinks his work - and his character - somewhat lacking. Over time, however, Fanny comes to realise the brilliance of Keats’s verse, and admiration soon spills over into a passionate love affair. Although their relationship seems doomed from the outset, given that Keats does not have the fortune or stature to be considered good husband material, the pair are determined to be together, understanding that theirs is a love that knows no obstacles. Yet when Keats falls seriously ill, their bond is pushed to the absolute limit…

Read more: Bright Star (DVD)

 
Written by Nikki Baughan Monday, 08 March 2010 16:34
DVD

Life lessons

an_education_dvdDirected by Danish film-maker Lone Scherfig, An Education is a coming of age drama is set in early 1960s Twickenham. Adapted by Nick Hornby from Lynn Barber’s memoir, the story revolves around intelligent teenage schoolgirl Jenny (Carey Mulligan) who has her head turned by the much older David (Peter Sarsgaard). As her burgeoning romance with David sweeps her along in a whirlwind of expensive presents, foreign trips and increasingly adult pursuits, Jenny is forced to decide between continuing her education and following her feelings.

Read more: An Education (DVD)

 
Written by Nikki Baughan Wednesday, 17 February 2010 21:02
DVD

Fancy a brand spanking new DVD? Then have a look at our reviews of the biggest home entertainment releases for Monday February 8, 2010...

Read Open Graves DVD Review
Read Adam DVD Review

 
Written by Nikki Baughan Wednesday, 17 February 2010 20:47
DVD

Adam_DVDNew to DVD this week is quirky romantic comedy Adam, starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne

Read Adam Review

Extra Features
Unavailable for review, but there's a commentary with writer/director Max Mayer and producer Leslie Urdang, alternate ending, deleted and alternate scenes, a making of featurette plus a profile of actress Rose Byrne.

ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne
Director Max Mayer
Distributor Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Format DVD
Released
February 15

 
Written by Nikki Baughan Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:10
DVD

It's only a game...

Open_GravesDerivative, convoluted and resolutely unscary, Open Graves bills itself as a surfing horror movie - but there's very little board action and it's horrific only in the artistic sense of the word. Like a hackneyed cross between Final Destination and Jumanji, the by-the-numbers plot sees a group of beautiful surfers - holidaying in a Spain where everyone speaks English with a Manuel-esque accent - assemble to play a mysterious board game called Mamba. Given that this is a game made from the bones and skin of a witch murdered in the 15th Century, this is, of course, a Very Bad Idea. And once the player begin dying in the order in which they were knocked out of the game, surviving players Jason (Mike Vogel) and Erica (Eliza Dushku) realise they must finish playing if they have a hope in hell of saving their friends.

There is some fun to be had in the death scenes; as each layer meets their end according to the ancient 'death cards' in the game, this is a licence for a variety of gruesome scenes including crabs, snakes and the like. Gorehounds will be sated; the effects are suitably sticky even if the CGI leaves much to be desired. Taken at face value - and there's no choice to do much else, as there's no narrative depth to speak of and the characters are so two-dimensional as to be almost transparent - Open Graves just about works as a Friday night frightfest, particularly if you've had a few beers. 1.5 stars

ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Eliza Dushku, Mike Vogel
Director Alvaro de Arminan
Distributor Icon Home Entertainment
Format DVD
Released February 15

 
Written by Nikki Baughan Tuesday, 09 February 2010 08:28
Theatrical
Review coming soon
 
Written by Nikki Baughan Sunday, 07 February 2010 22:42
DVD

Not sure what new DVDs to spend your money on this week? Check out our reviews of the biggest home entertainment releases for Monday February 8, 2010...

Read Long Weekend DVD Review
Read Love Happens DVD Review
Read Paper Heart DVD Review
Read Harper's Island DVD Review
Read In the Electric Mist DVD Review

 

Reviews Archive

Star Trek (2009)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Night at the Museum 2 (2009)
Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Dorian Gray (2009)
Terminator Salvation (2009)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Tormented (2009)
Cherry Blossoms (2008)
Changeling (2008)
Angels & Demons (2009)
Watchmen (2009)
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
Summer Scars (2007)
Coraline (2009)
The Wrestler (2008)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Angels and Demons: DVD Review
Orphan (2009)
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
Public Enemies (2009)
Helen (2008)
GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
Fireflies in the Garden (2009)
The Shield: Season 7 (2008)
Valkyrie (2008)
Blind Loves (2008)
Awaydays (2009)
Afghan Star (2008)
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
Seven Pounds (2008)
Let the Right One In (2009)
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
Aliens in the Attic (2009)
Bottle Shock (2008)
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Anything For Her (2008)
Gran Torino (2008)
District 9 (2009)
The Reader (2008)
Delta (2008)
Moon (2009)
Not Quite Hollywood (2008)
W. (2008)
New Town Killers (2008)
500 Days of Summer
Night at the Museum 2 (DVD)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)
Fuck (2005)
The Last House on the Left (2009)
Year One (2009)
Brüno (2009)
Frost/Nixon (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
The Unborn (2009)
Frozen River (2008)
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
Milk (2008)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
The Spirit (2008)
Jennifer's Body (2009)
The Disappeared (2008)
Bride Wars (2009)
Coco Before Chanel (2009)
Hush (2008)
Sunshine Cleaning (2009)
Sounds Like Teen Spirit (2008)
Zombie Virus on Mulberry Street (2006)
Bedtime Stories (2008)
It's Alive (2008)
The Children (2008)
Lesbian Vampire Killers (2009)
Just Another Love Story (2007)
Infestation (2009)
Eagle Eye (2008)
Hansel & Gretel (2007)
The Yes Men Fix the World (2009)
The Rocker (2008)
Lakeview Terrace (2008)
Zombieland (2009)
Linha de Passe (2008)
The Wrestler DVD (2008)
Adam (2009)
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S Thompson (2008)
Inkheart (2008)
Paranormal Activity (2009)
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
All Tomorrow's Parties (DVD)
The Tattooist (2007)
He's Just Not That Into You (2009)
Che: Parts One and Two (2008)
The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008)
17 Again (2009)
Red Mist (2008)
Max Payne (2008)
The International (2009)
Marley & Me (2008)
In the Loop (2009)
The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)
Fireflies in the Garden DVD
Paul Blart: Mall Cop DVD
Passengers (2008)
Bottle Shock DVD (2008)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
The Boat That Rocked (2009)
Cadillac Records (2008)
Transporter 3 (2008)
This Is It (2009)
Just Another Love Story (DVD)
Knowing (2009)
Doubt (2008)
Friday the 13th (2009)
Traitor (2008)
Delta on DVD
Summer Scars (DVD)
Anything For Her (DVD)
Dead Snow (2009)
2012 (2009)
Whiteout (DVD)
Stardust (Blu-ray)
Shutter Island (2010)
The Road (2009)
Big River Man (DVD)
The Taking of Pelham 123 (DVD)
Dorian Gray (DVD)
Love Happens (DVD)
In the Electric Mist (DVD)
The Vanishing of the Bees (DVD)
Away We Go (DVD)
Harper's Island (DVD)
Sin Nombre (DVD)
Halloween II (DVD)
Paper Heart (DVD)
Aliens in the Attic (DVD)
DVD & Blu-ray Reviews: Feb 8 2010
Long Weekend (DVD)
DVD & Blu-ray Reviews: Feb 15, 2010
Adam (DVD)
Open Graves (DVD)
Bright Star (DVD)
An Education (DVD)

Highlights

Alice in Wonderland

alicefeat2_thumbWe chat to Alice in Wonderland director Tim Burton and stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Michael Sheen, Anne Hathaway and Jemma Powell

READ MORE: Alice in Wonderland


Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

badltfeat_thumbNicolas Cage tells us all about harnessing his demons to play a troubled cop in Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

READ MORE: Bad Lieutenant


Percy Jackson

percyfeat_thumb

In an exclusive interview, director Chris Columbus tells us how he's updated Greek mythology with Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief...

READ MORE:Percy Jackson

Movie Highlight

The Road

Long day's journey...

The works of novelist Cormac McCarthy are proving to be something of a gold-mine for modern filmmakers. Back in 2000, actor-turned-director Billy Bob Thornton took on McCarthy's Western All the Pretty Horses, and in 2007 the Coen Brothers found Oscar glory with their take on his thriller No Country For Old Men. Following in their footsteps is Australian director John Hillcoat, who breathes cinematic life into McCarthy's unique Armageddon fable, The Road. It's a spine-tingling premise, brought expertly and faithfully to the screen.

READ FULL REVIEW: The Road

DVD Highlight

An Education

Directed by Danish film-maker Lone Scherfig, An Education is a coming of age drama is set in early 1960s Twickenham. Adapted by Nick Hornby from Lynn Barber’s memoir, the story revolves around intelligent teenage schoolgirl Jenny (Carey Mulligan) who has her head turned by the much older David (Peter Sarsgaard). As her burgeoning romance with David sweeps her along in a whirlwind of expensive presents, foreign trips and increasingly adult pursuits, Jenny is forced to decide between continuing her education and following her feelings.

READ FULL REVIEW: An Education

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