Review Archive: June 2003
L'Enfer
Noel Megahey has reviewed the Region 2 release of Claude Chabrol's L'Enfer, one of a number of films released today starring Emmanuelle Béart. This is a nice presentation of a masterfully directed thriller.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Noel Megahey has reviewed the Region 1 release of Cowboy Bebop: The Movie from the director of two episodes of the Animatrix. One of the best Japanese TV anime series ever translates its success to the big screen and receives a good DVD release.
The Professionals - Series 1
With a screech from the tyres of his Ford Capri 3.0S and wearing a flared, powder-blue polyester suit, Eamonn McCusker has reviewed the Region 2 release of The Professionals, Series 1 in his first look back at the greatest cop show of the seventies and eighties.
Slap Her...She's French
Seemingly doing nothing for stressed relations between the US and France, Eamonn McCusker has reviewed the Region 2 release of Slap Her...She's French - possibly the worst-titled film of recent years?
Corto Maltese: La cour secrète des Arcanes
Noel Megahey has reviewed the French 2-DVD Region 2 release of Corto Maltese: La cour secrète des Arcanes. One of the greatest creations of European comic art is brought to the big screen, and the transition isn't a success.
Law & Order Season 1
Eamonn McCusker has reviewed the Region 2 release of Law & Order, Series 1, an sharply written and well-acted series from the US showing both the police investigation and the District Attorney's office as they prepare for the prosecution of their suspects. This comes in a six-disc boxset but with a disappointing number of extras.
Oasis
Noel Megahey has reviewed the Korean Region 3 release of Oasis. Raising uncomfortable questions about our attitudes to the disabled and featuring probably the unlikliest romantic couple ever, the film was the winner of 5 awards at the 2002 Venice Film Festival and is possibly the best film you'll see on DVD this year.
Once Upon A Time In America
Mike Sutton has reviewed the Region 2 release of Once Upon A Time In America. Released today, this is a powerful and moving film presented on a good 2 disc set from Warners.
Lilo And Stitch
Eamonn McCusker has reviewed the Region 2 release of Lilo And Stitch, a recent DVD release from Disney and one of their better animated films from recent years.
Pather Panchali
Mark Boydell has reviewed the Region 2 release of Pather Panchali - probably the most famous non-Bollywood Indian film which has been released as part of a 3 DVD boxset of Satyajit Ray's Apu trilogy.
State Of Grace
Mike Sutton has reviewed the Region 2 release of State Of Grace. A muddled but powerful crime drama on a reasonably good MGM disc.
Total Recall - Special Edition
The latest in his continuing series on the work of director Paul Verhoeven, Alan Daly has (retrospectively) reviewed the Region 1 release of Total Recall - Special Edition, a big, brash and violent sci-fi extravaganza that sees Arnold Schwarzenegger suffer something of an identity crisis.
Lenny
Mike Sutton has reviewed the Region 2 release of Lenny. A fatally flawed but well made biopic about Lenny Bruce, this MGM DVD is released on the 23rd of June.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Graham Nelson has reviewed the Region 2 release of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, a slow but hugely rewarding BBC adaptation of John Le Carré's novel (1979). Alec Guinness leads a first-rate cast in a ...
Gorky Park
Eamonn McCusker has reviewed the Region 2 release of Gorky Park, Dennis Potter's adaptation of the Martin Cruz Smith novel about three murders in Moscow and filmed by Michael Apted.
Will and Grace (Season 2 Vol. 1 & 2)
Mark Boydell has reviewed the first two discs of the Region 2 release of Will and Grace - S2. Though the extras and the amount of episodes per disc are dissapointing, the image and the sound are solid enough.
Orlando
Noel Megahey has reviewed the Region 2 release of Sally Potter's Orlando. Based on a Virginia Woolf story, the film follows Orlando over 400 years, during which time he turns from a man into a woman. Released on a 2 DVD set by Artificial Eye, the film has a superb set of extra features.
Deathwatch
Eamonn McCusker has reviewed the Region 2 release of Deathwatch, a good horror movie from first-time writer/director Michael J. Bassett that examines the terror experienced by soldiers dug in during trench warfare during the First World War.
Happy Times
Barry Woodcock has reviewed the Region 2 release of Happy Times, a gentle comedy-drama from Zhang Yimou, the director of The Road Home and Hero.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Barry Woodcock has reviewed the Region 2 release of the tongue-in-cheek comic-book sci-fi movie The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
Salam Cinema
Mark Boydell has reviewed the Region 2 release of Salam Cinema as a second instalment to his look into modern Iranian cinema. Makhmalbaf, the famed director of Kandahar, sets out to make a film in Tehran but puts an advert in a local newspaper looking to actors. 5000 people turn up on the studio's doorstep... MK2 give us another fine release of an Iranian film that will probably not see a UK release in the near future and comes with English subs on the main feature.
Monday Morning
Noel Megahey has reviewed the Region 2 release of Otar Iosseliani's Monday Morning, a light-hearted journey from an eccentric French village to the underside of Venice.
Angry Kid
Iain Boulton has reviewed the Region 2 release of Angry Kid. A new animation from Aardman Animation who now point their animated talents towards an older generation with the antics of orange haired me...
Led Zeppelin
Eamonn McCusker has reviewed the Region 2 release of Led Zeppelin, a stunning collection of legendary performances spanning Led Zeppelin's entire career and compiled by guitarist Jimmy Page.
The Mighty Quinn
Eamonn McCusker has reviewed the Region 2 release of The Mighty Quinn, a so-so thriller set on Jamaica and starring Denzel Washington that comes over like the pilot for a television show that was never made.