Saturday Mar 13
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, however, Fanny comes to realise the  [ ... ]


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 (Carey Mulligan) who has her hea [ ... ]


More DVD Reviews
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 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

 
Written by Nikki Baughan Sunday, 07 February 2010 22:34
DVD

Southern discomfort

In_The_Electric_Mist_Electric_Mist_DVDThis straight to DVD thriller may have the ever-excellent Tommy Lee Jones in the lead role, but that doesn't make it any less mediocre. Adapted from James Lee's novel, Jones stars as Louisiana Detective Dave Robicheaux, a hard-bitten cop battling his own demons while trying to solve the murder of a local prostitute. Jones does as best he can with the material, but the soupy mix of unconvincing Southern accents, incoherent editing and the ghosts of confederate soldiers soon bring a sense of irritation that overwhelms even his solid performance. 2 stars

Extra Features
Nothing

ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman
Director Bertrand Tavernier
Distributor High Fliers
Format DVD & Blu-ray
Released February 8

This review originally appeared in movieScope 15

 
Written by Nikki Baughan Sunday, 07 February 2010 22:25
DVD

Killer show

harpers_islandPlaying out like a Hollywood horror movie across 13 bite-sized episodes, TV sensation Harper's Island is like Gossip Girl meets Halloween. Populated by a cast of uber-gorgeous 20-somethings, some clever plotting and genuine suspense means that, unlike so many Stateside series, this becomes more than just a guilty pleasure.

Set on a stunning and secluded island off the coast of Seattle, a group of old friends and family get together for a week of festivities to celebrate the wedding of former boat boy Henry (Christopher Gorman) and rich debutant Trish (Katie Cassidy). For Henry's best friend Abby (Elaine Cassidy), however, the trip holds more fear than fun as it means coming back to the place where her mother was brutally murdered by the local serial killer years before. Despite the fact that the murderer was caught and killed by Abby's sheriff father, the memories still haunt her; and, as members of the wedding party begin to meet some seriously gruesome ends, Abby begins to realise that something evil still lurks on Harper's Island...

It's easy to get pulled under the spell of this shclocky TV whodunnit, as it has just the right mix of sex and death to hold the attention. There's plenty of bare flesh and partying to tempt fans of shows like Beverly Hills 90210, wrapped up in a solid storyline which oozes with enough blood and guts (even for network television) to keep gore-hounds interested. As the mystery builds over each episode, with the body count racking up steadily along the way, audiences can enjoy being kept in the dark while knowing that everything will be wrapped up nicely at the end of the series – there's no Lost-like multi-season teasing at work here. All in all it's an extremely well-executed slice of horror television that deserves a place in your viewing schedule. 4 stars

Extra Features
Best of the bunch are the 90 minutes of Harper's Island Globe Webisodes – originally created for the show's website they are genuinely atmospheric and act as great companion pieces to the show. There's also a great set of making of featurettes, plus commentaries on select episodes, promos and deleted scenes which include some moments too strong for broadcast. 4 stars


Harper's Island - Bang Clip - Click here for more amazing videos

ROLL CREDITS...
Stars
Christopher Gorman, Katie Cassidy
Director Various
Distributor Paramount Home Entertainment
Format DVD
Released February 8

 

DVD Reviews Archive

Changeling (2008)
Angels and Demons: DVD Review
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
The Shield: Season 7 (2008)
Valkyrie (2008)
Seven Pounds (2008)
Let the Right One In (2009)
Quantum of Solace (2008)
The Reader (2008)
W. (2008)
Night at the Museum 2 (DVD)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Frost/Nixon (2008)
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
Milk (2008)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
The Spirit (2008)
Bride Wars (2009)
Hush (2008)
Zombie Virus on Mulberry Street (2006)
Sounds Like Teen Spirit (2008)
Bedtime Stories (2008)
It's Alive (2008)
Lesbian Vampire Killers (2009)
The Children (2008)
Infestation (2009)
Eagle Eye (2008)
Hansel & Gretel (2007)
Lakeview Terrace (2008)
The Rocker (2008)
Linha de Passe (2008)
The Wrestler DVD (2008)
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S Thompson (2008)
Inkheart (2008)
The Tattooist (2007)
All Tomorrow's Parties (DVD)
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
He's Just Not That Into You (2009)
Che: Parts One and Two (2008)
The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008)
Red Mist (2008)
17 Again (2009)
Max Payne (2008)
The International (2009)
In the Loop (2009)
Marley & Me (2008)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop DVD
The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)
Fireflies in the Garden DVD
Passengers (2008)
Bottle Shock DVD (2008)
The Boat That Rocked (2009)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Cadillac Records (2008)
Transporter 3 (2008)
Just Another Love Story (DVD)
Knowing (2009)
Doubt (2008)
Friday the 13th (2009)
Traitor (2008)
Delta on DVD
Anything For Her (DVD)
Summer Scars (DVD)
Dead Snow (2009)
Stardust (Blu-ray)
Whiteout (DVD)
Big River Man (DVD)
The Taking of Pelham 123 (DVD)
Dorian Gray (DVD)
In the Electric Mist (DVD)
Love Happens (DVD)
Harper's Island (DVD)
The Vanishing of the Bees (DVD)
Away We Go (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)
Adam (DVD)
DVD & Blu-ray Reviews: Feb 15, 2010
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

Shutter Island

Mind games

It's 1954, and on an isolated island off the coast of Boston lies the notorious Ashecliffe psychiatric hospital. When one of the patients mysteriously vanishes, Detective Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) arrive to solve the disappearance. Coming up against a secretive and tight-lipped staff, headed by Dr Cawley (Ben Kingsley), Teddy finds his investigation hampered at every turn. When he finally discovers what's been happening in the heavily-guarded lighthouse, Teddy thinks he's well on the way to cracking the case. But, as he begins having powerful dreams about his time spent liberating German concentration camps during WWII, and vivid hallucinations of his dead wife (Michelle Williams), can Teddy leave Shutter Island before it claims his sanity?

READ FULL REVIEW: Shutter Island

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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