This week we review one of the biggest films to be released last year, The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, which could well make a permanent camp in the DVD top 10 right through until Christmas.
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
Buena Vista Home Entertainment, PG, £24.99
Review: Nina Caplan
****
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe promises to be merely the first instalment of CS Lewis's beloved seven-part fantasy. The four Pevensie children have been evacuated to a benign great uncle's labyrinthine house to see out the war; soon little Lucy (Georgie Henley) is crawling through a wardrobe to have tea with the faun, Mr Tumnus (James McAvoy), in a forest where it is 'always winter and never Christmas'.
The children are good but it's the Narnians who linger in the memory. Tilda Swinton makes a wondrously terrifying White Witch and modern technology gives convincing personality to beavers, trees and centaurs, even if, post-Lord Of The Rings, the great battle seems rather tame. But then this isn't LOTR; it's a faithful adaptation of a great children's book. Let's just hope they sort out the fight scenes before the battle-heavy next round, Prince Caspian.
Extras: A disc's worth, including commentaries and featurettes.
Hustle & Flow
Paramount Home Entertainment, 15, £19.99
Review: Siobhan Murphy
****
Terrence Howard wholly deserved his best actor Oscar nomination for transforming himself into small-time pimp DJay in Hustle & Flow. His hot-tempered Memphis hustler act is pitch-perfect and, when DJay decides crunk will be his escape from the daily grind, Howard also demonstrates some impressive rapping skills.
On the small-screen, writer/director Craig Brewer's film seems even more gloriously grimy as it lays out the despair-inducing existence DJay and his women endure. Smart dialogue, a great soundtrack and Ludacris in fine obnoxious form as rap star Skinny Black all balance the schmaltzy feel-good moments - and the fact that DJay remains unredeemed and unrepentant is more truthful than any happy ending could be.
Extras: Director commentary, featurettes, footage of the Memphis premiere, Easter egg and promo spots.
Death Line
Network DVD, 18, £14.99
Review: Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
****
If you (rightly) thought that last year's Creep was a sad waste of its tasty London Underground setting, you'll want to sneak a peek at cult 1972 classic Death Line. When two students hop off the last train to Russell Square, they find something far more hair-raising than the latest fare rise.
What makes this still such a terrific ride isn't so much the superb, stomach-churning gore but the claustrophobic menace and surprisingly intelligent social conscience. Also terrific is Donald Pleasence's turn as a tea-addicted Scotland Yard inspector - particularly his scenes with a sinister MI5 spook (the always-splendid Christopher Lee). Scary movie fans have been eager for this DVD release - it's worth the wait.
Extras: None.
My Neighbour Totoro
Optimum Releasing, U, £19.99
Review: Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
****
The loveable 1998 Japanese cartoon My Neighbour Totoro, by Hayao (Spirited Away) Miyazaki, is finally available to buy. Once upon a time, mum is sick in hospital so dad moves Satsuki (voiced by Dakota Fanning) and her toddler sister Mei to the country. An enchanted wood reveals a family of cute beasties including Totoro, a growly animal that's sort of half-cat, half-owl and the size of an oak tree.
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Sounds sugary? It isn't. Like the best fantasy, this is rooted in real human emotions and catapults you into an eye-opening universe of exquisite imagination. It's an elegy to two ever-fading miracles - the fairytale world of childhood and the disappearing countryside - and it's as adorable as its hero.
Extras: Complete storyboards, original Japanese trailers.
