Alphabet Video March
The Van is a little treasure from 1996 and a great addition to any cinephile's collection
| 12 Mar 2007
Pan's Labyrinth - 5 March
Guillermo Del Torro's lastest film is a fantastical tale set just after the Spanish Civil war. A young girl, troubled by an abusive step father and a sickly mother escapes into an alternate reality, but is it all in her imagination? Like his previous Spanish language features, Cronos and Devil's Backbone, Del Torro skillfully blends fantasy, horror and some history to create a marvellously rich and emotive piece of cinema.
Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan - 5 March
This month, Sacha Baron Cohen's American foray appears on DVD. One of the funniest films from last year, it's packed to the limit with laughs as he tours the States in the guise of idiotic TV reporter Borat. After the so-so Ali G. movie, Baron Cohen strikes a rich vein of comedy in his latest film. It caused plenty of controversy on its release and it's not hard to see why - definitely not one for the easily offended.
The Host - 5 March
Joon-ho Bong's touching Korean drama about how an estranged family can rediscover the bonds that link them together in the face of adversity. The fact that this adversity comes in the form of a giant mutated tadpole/slug created by American military experiments gone awry only adds to the fun. Bong follows on from his breakout hit Memories of Murder to construct another finely tuned tale focusing on bureaucratic inefficiency and human relations under pressure, but manages to have his cake and eat it with some tremendous images of the monster rampaging through the streets of downtown Seoul
The Van - 12 March
The Van is a little treasure from 1996 and a great addition to any cinephile's collection. Directed by the talented Stephen Frears and starring Colm Meaney, this adaptation of Roddy Doyle's book is a delight. It charts the (mis)adventures of Larry (Meaney) and his good friend Bimbo as they cope with unemployment and their new business venture: a chip van. The strong performances are equal to the subtle and powerful story of day to day life in mid 1990s Ireland. The Van combines drama, comedy and tragedy with people and situations that are familiar to all, frequently feeling like a more comedic Ken Loach.
The Prestige - 12 March
The Presitge is the latest masterpiece from Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins). A cleverly woven story of rival stage magicians, their magic and their tragedies. The well chosen cast all work well together - including a surprising and enjoyable turn from David Bowie. The real beauty of The Prestige comes from the subtle attention to detail that Nolan invests in all his films. Grounded in reality, this magical film will keep you enthralled from start to finish.
Guillermo Del Torro's lastest film is a fantastical tale set just after the Spanish Civil war. A young girl, troubled by an abusive step father and a sickly mother escapes into an alternate reality, but is it all in her imagination? Like his previous Spanish language features, Cronos and Devil's Backbone, Del Torro skillfully blends fantasy, horror and some history to create a marvellously rich and emotive piece of cinema.
Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan - 5 March
This month, Sacha Baron Cohen's American foray appears on DVD. One of the funniest films from last year, it's packed to the limit with laughs as he tours the States in the guise of idiotic TV reporter Borat. After the so-so Ali G. movie, Baron Cohen strikes a rich vein of comedy in his latest film. It caused plenty of controversy on its release and it's not hard to see why - definitely not one for the easily offended.
The Host - 5 March
Joon-ho Bong's touching Korean drama about how an estranged family can rediscover the bonds that link them together in the face of adversity. The fact that this adversity comes in the form of a giant mutated tadpole/slug created by American military experiments gone awry only adds to the fun. Bong follows on from his breakout hit Memories of Murder to construct another finely tuned tale focusing on bureaucratic inefficiency and human relations under pressure, but manages to have his cake and eat it with some tremendous images of the monster rampaging through the streets of downtown Seoul
The Van - 12 March
The Van is a little treasure from 1996 and a great addition to any cinephile's collection. Directed by the talented Stephen Frears and starring Colm Meaney, this adaptation of Roddy Doyle's book is a delight. It charts the (mis)adventures of Larry (Meaney) and his good friend Bimbo as they cope with unemployment and their new business venture: a chip van. The strong performances are equal to the subtle and powerful story of day to day life in mid 1990s Ireland. The Van combines drama, comedy and tragedy with people and situations that are familiar to all, frequently feeling like a more comedic Ken Loach.
The Prestige - 12 March
The Presitge is the latest masterpiece from Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins). A cleverly woven story of rival stage magicians, their magic and their tragedies. The well chosen cast all work well together - including a surprising and enjoyable turn from David Bowie. The real beauty of The Prestige comes from the subtle attention to detail that Nolan invests in all his films. Grounded in reality, this magical film will keep you enthralled from start to finish.