Donald Clarkeand Michael Dwyerreview the latest DVDs
WANTED
****
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov. Starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Terence Stamp, Common Thomas Kretschmann. 18 cert
McAvoy gamely plays a meek, downtrodden accountant transformed into an ace assassin by a clandestine organisation.
The script is essentially a frame on which to hang the relentless action as Russian stylist Timur Bekmambetov orchestrates a succession of deliriously choreographed sequences and makes the most effective use of public transport in any thriller since Speed.
HORTON HEARS A WHO!
Directed by Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino. Voices of Jim Carrey, Steve Carell. G cert
An elephant hears voices emanating from a speck of dust and gets barked at by other, more neo- liberal animals. Hollywood has delivered a Dr Seuss adaptation you might actually cross the road to see. The digital animation is slick, the voice-work varied and the subtle philosophical subtexts remain in place.
TEETH
Directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein. 18 cert
Strange shocker in which a teenager's vagina develops fangs. There are many moments of outrageous hilarity amid the accumulating barbarism, but the film also has things to say about male sexual insecurity and offers plenty of material for PhD theses on psycho- sexual something- or-other. Nicely odd.
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF MY SEXUAL FAILURES
Directed by Chris Waitt. 18 cert
Taken at face value, Waitt's film is a candid, unsparing self-portrait in which he attempts to interview the many former partners who dumped him. Blurring fact and fiction, his mockumentary is entertainingly cringe- inducing.
THE WAITING ROOM
Directed by Roger Goldby. Starring Anne-Marie Duff, Rupert Graves. 15 cert
A brief encounter at a London railway station triggers mutual attraction between a single mother (Duff), who is having an affair with her neighbour (Graves), and a caring retirement- home orderly (Ralf Little). Buoyed by engaging performances from Little and Duff, the film keeps them apart as long as possible, but the ending is never in any doubt. It goes directly to DVD here.
READER OFFER
Ten copies each of Wantedand Horton Hears a Who!are available to readers upon release, courtesy of The Ticket and HMV. Text it8, your choice, your name and address to 53307 to be in with a chance to win one. One copy per person only. Texts cost 60c (network charges vary). Service by Phonovation Ltd (01-2844060). Full terms and conditions from the Promotions Department, The Irish Times (01-6758000)
