The Thick Of It: DVD Review

The Thick Of It: DVD Review

The Thick Of It: Series one and Two

Rating: M
Released by BBC

The TV series which spawned the truly brilliant In The Loop film, this is a satire about the inner workings of the British government.

Starring Chris Langham as an inept minister, the series focuses on the fictional ministry of social affairs where policy changes as quickly as the weather. Episodes see the department forced to come up with policy in 40 minutes, focus groups and cabinet reshuffles. But it's a case of the entire cast underplaying their roles, combined with shaky cam that give this a verite feel and deliver such mirth.

However, it's Peter Capaldi as the vicious potty mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker who shines in this series which will appeal to those who loved Yes Minister and who love smart UK comedies.

Extras: Commentaries, bonus scenes, script guides.

Rating: 7/10

Brighton Rock: Blu Ray Review

Brighton Rock: Blu Ray Review

Brighton Rock
Rating: R16
Released by Madman Home Entertainment
It's always hard to redo a film when another version exists that's deemed a classic.

This version of Brighton Rock (based on Graham Greene's 1939 novel) has had a few tweaks.

Set against a backdrop of unrest between the Mods vs Rockers scene, the action takes place in Brighton; a Brighton of the sixties where gangs of dissenting youth and mobsters roam the streets, taking to anything they don't like with violence.

Pinkie (played with resentful ferocity by Sam Riley) is one of those involved in a gang; he's more likely to crack a skull than a smile - and he finds himself wrestling with power and greed after he commits a murder.

Things get more complicated when Rose (a stunning Andrea Riseborough) finds herself unwittingly in the middle of evidence linking Pinkie's gang to the murder.

So Pinkie seduces the naïve Rose - as he tries to ensure she doesn't talk...
But Rose's boss Ida (Helen Mirren) knows something's not right - and soon finds herself embroiled in this tale of gangland by the sea.

Brighton Rock is dark and gloomy - both in tone and in lighting.
This story of shivs, shingle and shocks may take a while to resonate with audiences - and many of the older persuasion will take a lot to be convinced anyone can improve on Richard Attenborough's performance.

In many ways, Pinkie's supposed to be the archetypal anti-hero but he's very difficult to root for (sample moment - he decides whether Rose loves him by pulling the legs off a spider). He's cold, blessed with a permanent scowl, callous, ruthless and in Sam Riley's hands, menacingly watchable.

Likewise Andrea Riseborough's Rose is simply the soaraway success of this - brilliantly fragile, stupidly naïve and yet endlessly optimistic, she sums up much of the uncertainty of youth - and in the final scenes she will break your heart.

The problem with this Brighton Rock is it's a little slow to get going; and with the darkness pervading the script as well as the onscreen action, some may not be willing to give it the time to let it wash over them and get engrossed.

Extras: A packed second disc with makings of, commentary with director, interviews with the cast, anatomy of a scene - a decent bunch for consumption

Rating: 6/10

The Devil's Rock: Movie Review

The Devil's Rock: Movie Review

The Devil's Rock
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Craig Hall, Gina Varela, Matthew Sunderland, Karlos Drinkwater
Director: Paul Campion
Horror and Nazis combine in this Kiwi flick.
Hall stars as Captain Ben Grogan, who along with his comrade Sergeant Joseph Tane (Drinkwater) is on a top secret government mission to destroy positions on the eve of D Day.
But when the pair end up on an apparently deserted bunker in Guernsey, they find more than they can handle - a series of bodies with entrails hanging out, a sole Nazi officer and a woman chained up.
However, it soon transpires that there's more to this story than meets the eye and Grogan finds all manner of problems and fears within...
The Devil's Rock is a pacy attempt at a good psychological horror; in many ways, the tense quiet opening as the pair negotiate the beaches is a traditional tale of any duo who find themselves in a minefield.
But when they get inside the bunker, it's here Campion abandons a lot of the war tenets and heads into horror territory as we hear screams, shots of tortured and mutilated bodies and see blood all over the walls.
Yet, it doesn't veer into OTT territory either with Campion preferring to give the film a more intimate and psychological feel as Hall and Sunderland's characters match wits and engage in verbal sparring initially as part of a two hander conversation. Gina Varela manages the right level of seductive menace as the Devilish woman chained up as the film heads into Exorcist meets Saving Private Ryan boundaries.

There's a lot of gore in this outing and that may put some off but as a well researched horror which is based on a degree of fact, it really does offer something a little different to the genre and may impress more than you'd initially expect.

Robot Chicken Star Wars III: DVD Review

Robot Chicken Star Wars III: DVD Review

Robot Chicken Star Wars III
Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Ent
Once more unto the breach of Star Wars gags in this latest spoof series from the Robot Chicken team.
Taking the usual format of plenty of speedy sketches, this latest doesn't really deviate too far from the mould to be honest.
This time around, the guys take aim at the likes Obi Wan working Jedi mind tricks on himself in the mirror, C3P0 taking Spanish lessons, and follows the antics of Gary The Stormtrooper.
I guess really, it comes down to whether you're a fan of Star Wars and can recognize the targets this motion capture animation takes aim at - certainly if you are, you'll get a lot more out of it. But even the most casual Star Wars fan is likely to raise a few giggles from this 45 minute episode.
Extras: A very generous helping with over 3 hours of nuggets of deleted scenes, animatics and commentaries. Plus a Sunday in the boardroom with the real George Lucas gives you an insight into how accepted this parody and mockery has become.

Rating: 7/10 

Fair Game: Blu Ray Review

Fair Game: Blu Ray Review

Fair Game
Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Entertainment

Naomi Watts and Sean Penn reteam for a third time in this movie based on a true story.

Watts stars as CIA agent Valerie Plame, who works at the highest level within the government. The film begins in the aftermath of September the 11th, with the CIA trying to substantiate claims over who's behind the terror attacks and get the evidence needed to support the US government's stance on a war with Iraq

But when Plame's husband, Joe Wilson (a fiery and defiant Sean Penn) writes an opinion piece in the New York Times in 2003 that the intelligence was manipulated to fit the White House, Plame's cover is blown.

She's revealed to the world as a CIA agent, endangering operations she has in play and lives she has promised to protect.

Not only does it endanger everything she's worked for, but the personal cost on the duo and their young family is crippling.

Fair Game is intelligent film-making, blessed with strong central performances.

While it takes a while to get going, the clever use of archival news footage from that time within the film sees a taut political drama start to unfold. The shaky camera work adds a grittiness (and at times, it must be said, a distraction) but it's really Watts and Penn who shine here. Penn, in particular, gets to vent his spleen well in the character who rages against the injustice - but a more quiet and restrained Watts brings the emotional intensity needed to balance that.

The initial humour ends very quickly as the story changes (on returning from a fact-finding mission to Niger, Wilson's character says he "doesn't feel very 007 right now") and soon, the drama has taken the front stage.

Engrossing and with an ending that certainly packs a powerful emotional punch, Fair Game is an interesting and gripping look into the old David and Goliath argument

Extras: Commentary from Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson give this a level of credence it deserves

Rating: 7/10 

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena: Blu Ray review

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena: Blu Ray review

Spartacus: Gods of The Arena
Rating: R18
Released by Madman Entertainment
The prequel to the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand sees John Hannah and our very own Lucy Lawless take centre stage in a 6 hour miniseries.
Hannah is Roman Batiatus, an ambitious man who wants his champion Gannicus to take his rightful place in the arena and earn the house the fame it deserves. But Batiatus, along with his conniving wife Lucretia (Lawless) will do anything to get there - and quite frankly, as politics and rivalries stand in the way, that's a good thing.
It leads to a heady mix of glorified violence, steamy and raunchy sex and a healthy dose of betrayal, lust and mistrust.
Spartacus Gods of the Arena has been described as a guilty pleasure and that's pretty much on the mark; the fight scenes are incredibly well choreographed and simply put, there's never been anything more brutal, more bloodspattered and more watchable on the small screen.
Hannah impresses as the lead and Lawless, along with Jaime Murray, add a level of cunning to the overall production.
If there's to be a criticism in this tale of politicking and honour among the gladiators, the series does recycle its plots a little toward the end of the run, but it's such a powerful run and a compelling pleasure, that you almost forget that.
Extras: A raft of special features with some really interesting looks at how it was all put together and the Blu Ray offers extended episodes (shame you can't watch the cut down ones as well)

Rating: 8/10

Black Books: The Definitive Collection: DVD Review

Black Books: The Definitive Collection: DVD Review

Black Books - The Definitive Collection

Rating: M
Released by Shock

Collecting together all three series of this UK sitcom with Dylan Moran is a sensible move.

Packaging it up in a collectors' book box set, is an even better one.

Moran plays Bernard Black, the eccentric bookshop owner who is only interested in being drunk and abusive to customers; Bill Bailey plays his sidekick Manny and Tamsin Greig is a fellow shopkeeper who falls in with their insane ways.

There's so much to love about this comedy from the creators of Father Ted; it's lunatic, funny, bizarre and a little nuts to be honest - but it's eminently watchable and well worth your time.

Extras: A Whole wealth which have previously been available on other collections but with a new doco, this feels like the ultimate collection which fans will adore.

Rating: 7/10