The latest releases reviewed.
LUIS BUÑUEL BOXSET *****
One of the greatest directors in the history of cinema, Luis Buñuel revelled in producing provocative, challenging movies laced with a rich, surreal sense of humour. This indispensable boxset includes eight of his films, accompanied by documentaries on each of them. It includes a rarity in La Jovan (The Young One, 1960), one of two English-language films made by Buñuel. Diary of a Chambermaid (1964), starring Jeanne Moreau, is set against the rise of Fascism in the 1930s. An outspoken atheist, Buñuel follows pilgrims on their journey to a shrine in The Milky Way (1969). Catherine Deneuve plays a bored Parisian housewife turning to prostitution in the fascinating Belle de Jour (pictured above, 1967), and also stars in the black comedy Tristana (1970). Completing the set are Buñuel's last three films, all wickedly funny social satires: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972), The Phantom of Liberty (1974), and That Obscure Object of Desire (1977). MD
THE US VS JOHN LENNON
***
Directed by David Leaf and John Scheinfeld PG cert
The Man tapped the former Beatle's phone line and made a pathetic attempt to have him deported, but this interesting if unsurprising documentary is mostly concerned with John Lennon vs The US (or its rulers). Despite the disingenuous title, this remains an entertaining, slickly produced compilation of talking heads. And there's plenty of bonus footage on the DVD. DC
THE NATIVITY STORY **
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abbass, Ciarán Hinds, Stanley Townsend PG cert
No, you haven't just awoken from a coma in November. The distributors of this by-the-numbers treatment of Christ's nativity have indeed decided to sling the DVD at us in late spring. Featuring a surly Mary from Castle-Hughes and unsuccessfully comic Magi, the film plays no better out of season. DC
ERAGON **
Directed by Stefen Fangmeier. Starring Edward Speleers, Djimon Hounsou, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Robert Carlyle PG cert
A farmer's son hops aboard a dragon and sets out to frustrate John Malkovich's archetypal bald lunatic. The film version of the bestselling fantasy novel is exactly as you would expect it to be: turgid, indifferently acted and over- burdened with digital effects. Nobody went to see it in the cinema, but that has not deterred the distributors from releasing a groaning two-disc edition. DC
THE NIGHT LISTENER **
Directed by Patrick Stettner. Starring Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Bobby Cannavale, Rory Culkin, Sandra Oh 16 cert
Glum Williams plays a radio performer who receives a manuscript from an ill boy detailing awful sexual abuse. Initially, the hero elects to publish the book, but soon comes to doubt its veracity. Derived from an incident in writer Armistead Maupin's life, the film is sometimes gripping, but, sadly, runs out of plot in its first 20 minutes. DC
BIG NOTHING *
Directed by Jean-Baptiste Andrea. Starring David Schwimmer, Simon Pegg, Alice Eve, Natascha McElhone, Mimi Rogers 15 cert
An opportunist (Pegg) entices Schwimmer into a scheme to blackmail a local clergyman. The influence of the Coen brothers hangs heavily over this slight, self-consciously quirky comedy- thriller that never comes close to emulating its influences. MD
THE COVENANT *
Directed by Renny Harlin. Starring Steven Strait, Sebastian Stan, Toby Hemingway 15 cert
A party of bland male witches deal with the worrying encroachments of a rival junior warlock at their posh private school. What's going on? Everyone looks the same. It's all so dark. Insofar as we can judge, the giddy plot offers few rewards for viewers assiduous enough to disentangle its strands. For the lobotomised only. DC
