22nd January 2009

EDEN LAKE Optimum Releasing Release date 19/01/09 £24.99

Last years FrightFest opening film comes to home video in a nicely rounded package featuring a pristine transfer and interviews conducted with all of the key cast and behind the scenes talent. Kelly Reilly – who comes across as a slightly nervous interviewee – shines in the film. The shoot must have been an intensely physical and emotional experience for the young actress. We see shades of this in the 5 minute 50 second behind the scenes supplement and director James Watkins touches on the theme in his additional, extended interview segment. The disc is rounded out with various TV spots and theatrical trailers.

This controversial first time feature from bright new talent Watkins is an intentionally gruelling play on modern societies fears brought to stark and shocking life. The film delivers brilliantly on its nightmare premise. Highly recommended.

WALL-E Buena Vista Home Entertainment Available now £25.99

The latest masterpiece from the creative geniuses at the Pixar studios receives the Blu Ray release it so richly deserves. The two disc set contains a ridiculous amount of extras, supplementary materials, making ofs, commentaries, short films, deleted scenes – the works. However the exhausting and comprehensive bonus features in no way detract from the sheer delight of the feature itself, which is presented in a truly exceptional and reference quality transfer which is out of this world.

WALL-E is an astonishing combination of subtle eco and consumerism warnings mixed with sly references to a myriad of science fiction films – too many to list but I adored the Alien and 2001 homages.

Easily one of the best releases on the format to date and a film that will richly reward viewers of all ages.

THE MIST Momentum Pictures Available now £24.99

Frank Darabont’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel THE MIST arrives in a gloriously presented double disc package which features all the extras you could possibly require including deleted and extended scenes, full length making of feature, a candid conversation with King and Darabont and lots more.

The second disc crucially contains the complete feature again – but this time in the director preferred black and white format. Essentially this changes the feel and tone of the film immeasurably and spins us back to the late 50’s early 60’s era of vintage monster movie territory.

Perhaps because of certain budgetary constraints placed upon the production in exchange for editorial and creative freedom the final 30 minutes of the film is a tour de force of claustrophobic tension and terror heightened by the exceptional and haunting music by Dead Can Dance.

Picture and sound elements on this release are first rate. THE MIST is firmly in the drawer marked “Successful Stephen King film projects.”

Keep watching.

Paul.