http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/ Check out our DVD reviews of new DVD releases. Find out what's hot and what's not. en-gb http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/lust-caution-18-97319-20831516/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/lust-caution-18-97319-20831516/ THE first film made by Ang Lee since Brokeback Mountain, this drama is set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai during the WWII era. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/sleuth-15-97319-20831518/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/sleuth-15-97319-20831518/ ADAPTED by Harold Pinter from Anthony Shaffer's original adaptation of his own play, Sleuth 2007 is a very illadvised remake by Kenneth Branagh. Stepping into Michael Caine's old shoes, Law plays Milo Tindle, an actor visiting a brutalised, gadget-ridden mansion. Contemplating the effect of losing his wife, author Andrew Wyke (now played by Caine stepping into Laurence Olivier's role) offers his younger love rival a dodgy diamond deal. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/the-golden-compass-pg-97319-20831519/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/the-golden-compass-pg-97319-20831519/ THIS adaptation of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights plays like a dismembered novel reconstructed Harry Potter-style in dot-to-dot fashion. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/waitress-12-97319-20831520/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/waitress-12-97319-20831520/ SET inside Joe's Diner, this is an old-fashioned treat - so beautifully crafted you simply have to care for the characters. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/we-own-the-night-15-97319-20831521/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/26/we-own-the-night-15-97319-20831521/ NIGHTCLUB-running Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) and new police narcotics boss Joseph (Mark Wahlberg) are two brothers on opposite sides of the Brooklyn fence. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/19/balls-of-fury-12-97319-20795841/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/19/balls-of-fury-12-97319-20795841/ YOU'D never guess that Christopher Walken had starred in some of the finest films ever made when you see him in this movie directed by Robert Ben Garant (Reno 911!: Miami). http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/19/i-am-legend-15-97319-20795842/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/19/i-am-legend-15-97319-20795842/ SUPERSTAR Will Smith plays Robert Neville, a scientist in the near future who is still trying to fight a medical catastrophe which has apparently engulfed the rest of mankind. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/19/kreator-at-the-pulse-of-kapitulation-97319-20795844/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/19/kreator-at-the-pulse-of-kapitulation-97319-20795844/ ORIGINALLY recorded live at the Werner Seelenbinder Halle in Berlin in 1990, this concert from Germany's premier thrash titans has been completely remastered and committed to disc to fully capture the intensity of their halcyon days. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/19/lions-for-lambs-15-97319-20795845/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/19/lions-for-lambs-15-97319-20795845/ TOM Cruise, Meryl Street and Robert Redford... you'd think you couldn't go wrong with this thriller. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/12/30-days-of-night-18-97319-20761872/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/12/30-days-of-night-18-97319-20761872/ SETTING a vampire movie in an Alaskan town enduring 30 days of darkness is a good idea. Josh Hartness plays a rather young-looking Sheriff Eben Oleson who stays behind when the sun disappears. The film is no classic, but director David Slade offers lashings of blood and a two-disc special edition DVD includes an exclusive 30 Days Of Night graphic novel. Out to buy for £19.99 (Blu-ray £24.99). http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/12/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-u-97319-20761873/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/12/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-u-97319-20761873/ HAVING grossed more than $200 million in the US alone, Alvin... has been the biggest unexpected monster hit of the past 12 months. When three chipmunks find their home is chopped down for a Christmas tree in the lobby of Jett Records, they meet down-on-his-luck musician Dave Seville (Jason Lee). Alvin, Simon and Theodore combine their skills with Dave's and become superstars overnight. Elements of a furry version of The X Factor, with animated characters which youngsters love. Also out to buy for £19.99 (Blu-ray £24.99). http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/12/st-trinian-s-12-97319-20761875/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/12/st-trinian-s-12-97319-20761875/ FORMER Doctors' star Jodie Whittaker plays sassy receptionist Beverly in this energetic update of the 1950s and 60s movies which starred Alastair Sim as headmistress Miss Fritton. Girls still just wanna have fun, but today they're likely to be making 100 per cent proof vodka in the biology lab or running a (tame) phone sex line and Rupert Everett is now the toothy headmistress with a doctrine of self-empowerment. As daft and insubstantial as Spice World a decade ago, this is one for teenagers only. Also available to buy for £19.99 (Blu-ray £24.99). http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/12/you-kill-me-15-97319-20761876/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/12/you-kill-me-15-97319-20761876/ BEN Kingsley plays alcoholic assassin Frank Falenczyk, who seemingly can't put the bottle down for long enough to shoot straight. You Kill Me is always watchable with a cast including Luke Wilson, Dennis Farina, Philip Baker Hall and Bill Pullman but the therapy scenes are too long. Out to buy for £15.99. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/05/enchanted-pg-97319-20731256/ Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/05/enchanted-pg-97319-20731256/ DISNEY'S best film for years is a must-have for families everywhere. Opening as an animation, the multi-layered story is about a girl called Giselle (Amy Adams) who is sent into the unforgiving modern world of Manhattan by the evil Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon). After meeting divorce attorney Robert Philip (Patrick Dempsey) who seems to be already spoken for, her animated intended Prince Edward (James Marsden) catches up with the two of them in the Big Apple. What will he want to do about Robert - and what plans will the evil Queen have for all of them? A thoroughly-modern classic with three Oscar-nominates songs, this will delight audiences of all ages. Also available to buy for 317.99 (Blu-ray £23.99) the extras include six deleted scenes. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/05/rescue-dawn-12-97319-20731257/ Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/05/rescue-dawn-12-97319-20731257/ THIS is a tough Vietnam thriller about a US fighter pilot trying to escape from a prison camp. After The Machinist, chameleon star Christian Bale again sheds weight post Batman Begins to play Dengler who is shot down on a mission over Laos. Having always dreamed of being a pilot, he refuses to give up on freedom, too. If you fancy a true story involving maggots, leeches and insect larva welded on to big screen escapism, Rescue Dawn does the job better than Rambo. Also available to buy for £19.99, the extras include seven deleted scenes and a featurette called 'Unfinished Business: Telling Dieter's Story'. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/05/the-darjeeling-limited-15-97319-20731258/ Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/04/05/the-darjeeling-limited-15-97319-20731258/ AN ADMIRABLY different sort of 'road' movie on rails. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman play three brothers trying to recreate their love on a spiritual train journey across the Indian deserts of Rajasthan. Wes Anderson's most accessible film to date will features enough eccentricity to appeal to his fans, too. Also available to buy for £19.99, the DVD includes the tedious 13-minute short, Hotel Chevalier, a preface to events of The Darjeeling Limited, which explains the strained relationship between Jack and his ex-lover (Natalie Portman). http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/03/29/black-sheep-15-97319-20698075/ Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/03/29/black-sheep-15-97319-20698075/ A NEW Zealand farm has been experimenting with 'Frankensheep'. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/03/29/breach-12-97319-20698076/ Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/03/29/breach-12-97319-20698076/ CHRIS Cooper gives one of his finest performances to date as veteran FBI operative Robert Hanssen who is suspected of being an extremely dangerous mole. Trainee Eric O'Neill (played by Crash star Ryan Phillippe) is unwittingly promoted to try to quickly bring him down. Based on a true story, this low-octane thriller hums with fabulous, slow-burn tension. Out to buy for £19.99. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/03/29/hitman-15-97319-20698077/ Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/03/29/hitman-15-97319-20698077/ FRESH from starring opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard 4.0, Timothy Olyphant is much better than the plot as Agent 47, a ruthless killer resembling a mutant cross between Keanu Reeves and a shaven-headed David Beckham. The gun-for-hire strays into the middle of a political coup and becomes a target for both Interpol and the Russian military, while Nika (Olga Kurylenko) offers her own temptations. http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/03/29/the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford-15-97319-20698079/ Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/dvd-reviews/2008/03/29/the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford-15-97319-20698079/ NOT even poster boy Brad Pitt could turn this sprawling cowboy film into a big cinema hit. Pitt plays the famous outlaw and Torquay-born Roger Deakins' Oscar-nominated cinematography is brilliant throughout the overlong 153-minute running time. But this is Casey Affleck's film as Robert Ford, the nobody who ends up close enough to make his fatal mark as a somebody - before writer-director Andrew Dominik continues the story beyond its natural limit. Available to buy in various forms from £16.99.