Dr Who - Planet of the Spiders: DVD Review
Dr Who - Planet of the Spiders
Rating: G
Released by BBC and Roadshow
And so the third Doctor's adventures draw to a close
on DVD - and in some ways, so does some of the supporting talent.
This adventure from the 1970s is the final outing for
Jon Pertwee's Dr before he changed into Tom Baker and sees the Dr investigating
a Tibetan retreat where spooky things are afoot.
Those involved at the retreat seem to be on the verge of summoning an
alien presence - and their very existence causes all kinds of problems for the
Doctor - and could even lead to his undoing.
The
six part adventure is a perfect curtain call for Pertwee's man of action - he's
given every moment to shine and seizes it with both hands; plus with the extras
and commentary, it feels like a ending in many ways with three of the main
talents involved sadly recently dying.
But that
doesn't cast a maudlin eye over what's a great story and a fantastic range of
extras as well for fans of the genre; commentary from Nicholas Courtney, Barry
Letts and Elisabeth Sladen who have now left this earth add a tinge of nostalgic
sadness which is hard to initially shake; but The Final Curtain doco which looks
back over the third Doctor's tenure is sensitively handled and all the better
for it.
Extras: Commentary, docos, reminiscences,
an omnibus edition of the story and the usual informative subtitles make this a
superior two disc release
Rating: 7/10
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
No Strings Attached: Blu Ray Review
No Strings Attached: Blu Ray Review
No Strings Attached
Rating: R16
Released by Universal Home Entertainment
Natalie Portman heads into lighter comedic territory with this sex buddy romcom.
She stars as Emma, a girl who's known Kutcher's Adam for several years. Adam has always liked her but the pair never quite got together.
But years later, the pair meet up again and decide to embark on a "friends with benefits" relationship.
However, the inevitable rears its head and Adam wants more but Emma is happier in her no strings attached lifestyle....are they destined to never be a couple?
No Strings Attached isn't half bad - given you already know the ending - and most of it is due to the humour and performance of Portman.
With occasionally crude moments, but plenty of laughs and a script which sparkles with one liners throughout, there's certainly enough to get you engaged - and keep you there.
Extras: Deleted scenes, commentary, docos
Rating: 7/10
No Strings Attached
Rating: R16
Released by Universal Home Entertainment
Natalie Portman heads into lighter comedic territory with this sex buddy romcom.
She stars as Emma, a girl who's known Kutcher's Adam for several years. Adam has always liked her but the pair never quite got together.
But years later, the pair meet up again and decide to embark on a "friends with benefits" relationship.
However, the inevitable rears its head and Adam wants more but Emma is happier in her no strings attached lifestyle....are they destined to never be a couple?
No Strings Attached isn't half bad - given you already know the ending - and most of it is due to the humour and performance of Portman.
With occasionally crude moments, but plenty of laughs and a script which sparkles with one liners throughout, there's certainly enough to get you engaged - and keep you there.
Extras: Deleted scenes, commentary, docos
Rating: 7/10
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
The Inbetweeners: Series one: DVD Review
The Inbetweeners: Series one: DVD Review
The Inbetweeners Series 1
Rating:R16
Released by Roadshow and Hopscotch
A brilliantly scabrous and scatological comedy about a quartet of teenage boys and their misadventures in suburbia, this six part series is hilarious.
Simon Bird stars as gawky kid Will McKenzie, who's just moved into the area and has gone from private school to comprehensive; to make matters worse, he ends up befriending a trio of misfits who're sex obsessed, intellectually lacking and socially backward.
But you can't choose your friends...
Funny, crude, shocking and a perfect peek into teen boy mentality, there's much to love about the Inbetweeners - from bunking off to hitting an amusement park, the episodes are perfectly formed, incisively observed and dangerously addictive.
There's another 2 series to go after this and the excitement of a film as well - so jump in now - just make sure your parents aren't watching&.
Extras: Commentary by writers and cast, video diaries, the making of and deleted scenes
Rating: 8/10
The Inbetweeners Series 1
Rating:R16
Released by Roadshow and Hopscotch
A brilliantly scabrous and scatological comedy about a quartet of teenage boys and their misadventures in suburbia, this six part series is hilarious.
Simon Bird stars as gawky kid Will McKenzie, who's just moved into the area and has gone from private school to comprehensive; to make matters worse, he ends up befriending a trio of misfits who're sex obsessed, intellectually lacking and socially backward.
But you can't choose your friends...
Funny, crude, shocking and a perfect peek into teen boy mentality, there's much to love about the Inbetweeners - from bunking off to hitting an amusement park, the episodes are perfectly formed, incisively observed and dangerously addictive.
There's another 2 series to go after this and the excitement of a film as well - so jump in now - just make sure your parents aren't watching&.
Extras: Commentary by writers and cast, video diaries, the making of and deleted scenes
Rating: 8/10
An Idiot Abroad: Blu ray review
An Idiot Abroad: Blu ray review
An Idiot Abroad
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow and BBC
A travel doco with an Englishman who hates the idea of being abroad.
Sounds intriguing but that's what this 8 part series is about - and stars Karl Pilkington who some will know as the third member of the comedy triumvirate who include Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
Essentially the show's premise is Ricky Gervais insisting Pilkington check out the Seven Wonders of the World and watching him struggle to cope with new cultures, situations and people.
The highlights are the trips to India where Pilkington pushes his insane theories about people to the limit; and China. The locations look stunning on HD on the BluRay release and it's all the better for it.
Pilkington's sense of wonder and skewed view of the world is very Little Englander abroad but it's frequently responsible for reducing this reviewer to tears of laughter.
Extras: Preview show, deleted scenes and photogallery
Rating: 7/10
An Idiot Abroad
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow and BBC
A travel doco with an Englishman who hates the idea of being abroad.
Sounds intriguing but that's what this 8 part series is about - and stars Karl Pilkington who some will know as the third member of the comedy triumvirate who include Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
Essentially the show's premise is Ricky Gervais insisting Pilkington check out the Seven Wonders of the World and watching him struggle to cope with new cultures, situations and people.
The highlights are the trips to India where Pilkington pushes his insane theories about people to the limit; and China. The locations look stunning on HD on the BluRay release and it's all the better for it.
Pilkington's sense of wonder and skewed view of the world is very Little Englander abroad but it's frequently responsible for reducing this reviewer to tears of laughter.
Extras: Preview show, deleted scenes and photogallery
Rating: 7/10
Monday, 27 June 2011
The Sarah Jane Adventures: S3 - DVD Review
The Sarah Jane Adventures: S3 - DVD Review
The Sarah Jane Adventures Season 3
Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow
A sci fi series aimed at the kids (but watched by many an adult thanks to the acting and storywriting) this latest season of the spin off series from Dr Who continues to be as fun and thought provoking as the previous ones.
A series of five two part adventures, this pacily written and sharply directed series is a joy from beginning to end; and the added bonus of this season is that it marks the final appearance of David Tennant's 10th Doctor.
Monsters from the 2005 revived series make an appearance and it's a welcome touch to cross over the two series. Coupled with some impressive child acting and Elisabeth Sladen's talents, the series is over all too quickly.
This latest release comes shortly after the sad passing of fan fave Elisabeth Sladen which adds a further poignancy to this - the only disappointment is a relative lack of extras.
Rating: 7/10
The Sarah Jane Adventures Season 3
Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow
A sci fi series aimed at the kids (but watched by many an adult thanks to the acting and storywriting) this latest season of the spin off series from Dr Who continues to be as fun and thought provoking as the previous ones.
A series of five two part adventures, this pacily written and sharply directed series is a joy from beginning to end; and the added bonus of this season is that it marks the final appearance of David Tennant's 10th Doctor.
Monsters from the 2005 revived series make an appearance and it's a welcome touch to cross over the two series. Coupled with some impressive child acting and Elisabeth Sladen's talents, the series is over all too quickly.
This latest release comes shortly after the sad passing of fan fave Elisabeth Sladen which adds a further poignancy to this - the only disappointment is a relative lack of extras.
Rating: 7/10
True Grit: Blu Ray Review
True Grit: Blu Ray Review
True Grit
Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Ent
Jeff Bridges stars as Rooster Cogburn in this Coen Bros helmed remake of the 1969 Western which originally starred John Wayne.
Cogburn's a one-eyed US Marshall who's charged by Hailee Steinfeld's teenaged Mattie Ross to bring her father's killer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) to justice.
Initially reticent, Cogburn takes on the job - and ends up teaming up with Texas Ranger La Beouf (Matt Damon) who's also tracking Chaney.
The three of them head out on the trail - with Ross determined to make sure Cogburn brings her father's killer home to face justice rather than see him swing in Texas (La Beouf's wishes).
But when Mattie accidentally stumbles across Chaney, the quest suddenly becomes deadly.
True Grit is a straight forward Western, which while sublime in places may not appeal to everyone.
Bridges and Damon are good but all in honesty, they're acted off the screen by Steinfeld, whose performance is astoundingly star making. Her Mattie is precocious, head strong and described by one character as "hard as nails". And yet once or twice, when the bravado slips, Steinfeld brings to the role a steely vulnerability and a humanity which it's hard not to warm to - or be impressed by - it's
a star making turn and one of the best reasons to see this film.
Extras: Plenty of behind the scenes, casting, trailer, doco about the writer - a good solid bunch.
Rating: 8/10
True Grit
Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Ent
Jeff Bridges stars as Rooster Cogburn in this Coen Bros helmed remake of the 1969 Western which originally starred John Wayne.
Cogburn's a one-eyed US Marshall who's charged by Hailee Steinfeld's teenaged Mattie Ross to bring her father's killer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) to justice.
Initially reticent, Cogburn takes on the job - and ends up teaming up with Texas Ranger La Beouf (Matt Damon) who's also tracking Chaney.
The three of them head out on the trail - with Ross determined to make sure Cogburn brings her father's killer home to face justice rather than see him swing in Texas (La Beouf's wishes).
But when Mattie accidentally stumbles across Chaney, the quest suddenly becomes deadly.
True Grit is a straight forward Western, which while sublime in places may not appeal to everyone.
Bridges and Damon are good but all in honesty, they're acted off the screen by Steinfeld, whose performance is astoundingly star making. Her Mattie is precocious, head strong and described by one character as "hard as nails". And yet once or twice, when the bravado slips, Steinfeld brings to the role a steely vulnerability and a humanity which it's hard not to warm to - or be impressed by - it's
a star making turn and one of the best reasons to see this film.
Extras: Plenty of behind the scenes, casting, trailer, doco about the writer - a good solid bunch.
Rating: 8/10
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Tangled: Blu Ray Review
Tangled: Blu Ray Review
Tangled
Released by Disney
Rating: PG
It's Disney's 50th animated film.
And to celebrate, they're rolling out an animated version of Rapunzel for the small screen.
Mandy Moore stars as the erstwhile long haired princess Rapunzel, who's trapped in the tower by the evil Gothel (Donna Murphy). You see, Gothel knows that Rapunzel's hair has the power to turn back time and make people young again - and in true evil, godmother fashion she wants to keep that power all for her own.
However, as Rapunzel reaches her 18th birthday, she decides what she wants to do to celebrate is to leave the tower and see the lights which appear every year without fail on her birthday. (Unbeknownst to her, those lights are floating lanterns, launched by her parents as they try to find her.)
Gothel says no - but Rapunzel (and her pet chameleon Pascal) finds her life changed by the arrival of thief Flynn Rider (Chuck's Zachary Levi) who is looking for a hideout.
Flynn is coerced into helping - and together, the duo set off into the kingdom
Tangled is a good ole fashioned Disney film - with songs within minutes of opening (complete with catchy lyrics such as 'Don't risk the drama, stay with Mama' and 'I could be called deadly from my killer show medley') it's clearly aimed at provoking a bit of nostalgia within the audience.
But there's a sharp deftness to the script which sees it veer from being a little too old fashioned - and it's enlivened by great performances from Zachary Levi and Mandy Moore who give their characters a real boost from their subtle vocal tones.
Good family fun and a sign that old school simple story telling are still the Disney fortes and trademarks.
Extras: A 2 disc blu ray packs in deleted scenes, storybook openings, extended songs, making of and a 50th feature - as well as a DVD version of the film too
Rating: 8/10
Tangled
Released by Disney
Rating: PG
It's Disney's 50th animated film.
And to celebrate, they're rolling out an animated version of Rapunzel for the small screen.
Mandy Moore stars as the erstwhile long haired princess Rapunzel, who's trapped in the tower by the evil Gothel (Donna Murphy). You see, Gothel knows that Rapunzel's hair has the power to turn back time and make people young again - and in true evil, godmother fashion she wants to keep that power all for her own.
However, as Rapunzel reaches her 18th birthday, she decides what she wants to do to celebrate is to leave the tower and see the lights which appear every year without fail on her birthday. (Unbeknownst to her, those lights are floating lanterns, launched by her parents as they try to find her.)
Gothel says no - but Rapunzel (and her pet chameleon Pascal) finds her life changed by the arrival of thief Flynn Rider (Chuck's Zachary Levi) who is looking for a hideout.
Flynn is coerced into helping - and together, the duo set off into the kingdom
Tangled is a good ole fashioned Disney film - with songs within minutes of opening (complete with catchy lyrics such as 'Don't risk the drama, stay with Mama' and 'I could be called deadly from my killer show medley') it's clearly aimed at provoking a bit of nostalgia within the audience.
But there's a sharp deftness to the script which sees it veer from being a little too old fashioned - and it's enlivened by great performances from Zachary Levi and Mandy Moore who give their characters a real boost from their subtle vocal tones.
Good family fun and a sign that old school simple story telling are still the Disney fortes and trademarks.
Extras: A 2 disc blu ray packs in deleted scenes, storybook openings, extended songs, making of and a 50th feature - as well as a DVD version of the film too
Rating: 8/10
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