Choice DVDs Out Now

a great piece of innovative horror that should appeal to fans of 'Tattoo' and 'Se7en'

Feature by Alphabet Staff | 13 Oct 2006
Wal-Mart: High cost of Low Price
Greenwald follows his excellent 'Outfoxed' with a swipe at the giant Wal-Mart corporation. The film details the shocking working conditions of the employees in the US & China as well as the cost to local communities.

Lucky Number Slevin
Thoroughly enjoyable, star studded film by Paul McGuigan ('The Acid House', 'Gangster No. 1'). Stylishly shot and full of twists, this is a great little thriller that should appeal to all.

Curb Your Enthusiasm Series 5
Larry's back! The fifth series following the daily tribulations of
curmudgeon Larry David (co-creator of Seinfield ). Though the last episode
is titled 'The End', he has been convinced to film a sixth series.

Hostel
Eli Roth's second film is a tour de force of gruesome, horrible violence.
Backpackers in Eastern Europe follow the prospect of American-loving locals, leading to their very painful deaths.

Silent Hill
Probably the first video game to film crossover that can hold its head up
high. Scripted by Roger Avery & directed by Christopher Gans this horror film follows a woman's journey to find her lost child in the eponymous town.

Brick
First time director Rian Johnson teams up with Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock from the Sun), Emilie de Ravin (Lost), Lukas Haas (Last Days) and a strong supporting cast for a stylish modern day Film Noir that doesn't disappoint. Fusing a traditional filmmaking formula with an inventive new approach 'Brick' will appeal to the discerning film fan as well as the masses.

Election
A dark, frenetic and intelligent Gangster Thriller from Hong Kong. Laden with gripping tension, brutal violence and twisting plots this film is both entertaining and gripping. 'Election' should appeal to fans of Scorsese, 'The Godfather' and 'Infernal Affairs', and like 'Infernal Affairs' it is yet more proof that there is more to HK cinema than fun action films.

Twin Falls Idaho
I defy anyone to watch this and be unmoved! The Polish Brothers first feature length film, focusing on two brothers - moreover, conjoined twins - and their shared relationship with a kindly stranger. Very thoughtful and artistic, but moving at a healthy pace, this is a stunningly beautiful film with a vast heart.

Dumplings
Warning: This film may put you off your food. Director Fruit Chan has created a chilling horror based on old Chinese myths transposed to a modern Hong Kong. The subject matter is quite disturbing, but nonetheless quite palatable. The use of the outstanding cinematographer Christopher Doyle was a stroke of genius, he fills the screen with a succession of beautiful images, all twisting together to create a slightly ethereal yet utterly twisted atmosphere. This is a great piece of innovative horror that should appeal to fans of 'Tattoo' and 'Se7en'.

Three... Extremes
Three short films made by three stars of Asian Cinema.

First up is a short version of Fruit Chan's 'Dumplings'; in slightly over half an hour this film takes you on a tour of human greed and vanity, with some interesting food on the way.

Next comes 'Cut' by Park Chan-Wook (director of 'OldBoy' and 'Lady Vengeance') a twisted comedy about obsession and virtue in the Korean film industry. As usual Park Chan-Wook ties his well thought-out film together with a cracking classical soundtrack. Great viewing if you want to see something new and original.

Finally comes 'Box', a fairly standard yet very chilling Japanese Horror by the always interesting Miike Takeshi. Enjoyable if you like 'The Ring', or, for that matter, any other J-Horror.

The Squid and the Whale
Director Noah Baubach has produced a very interesting film, packed with a huge variety of emotions and a great feel for life. The quirky sense of humour manages to lift the mood of the film - quite essential given that the story focuses on the collapse of a family as the parents (Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney) separate. All the performances are strong - with particularly good turns from the younger members of the cast. A touching and thoughtful film that makes you laugh at the oddest things, this movie should appeal to fans of Wes Anderson and Todd Solondz: it feels very much to be the halfway mark between their unique styles.