Latest releases reviewed by Donald Clarke and Michael Dwyer
Directed by Mira Nair. Starring Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Jacinda Barrett, Zuleikha Robinson 12 cert
Set over three decades, Nair's poignant, enthralling film begins in mid-1970s Calcutta with the arranged marriage of a young couple. They experience culture clash when they set up home in the US, and again later when their son is torn between family traditions and the American way of life he has assimilated. MD
Directed by Martin Weisz. Starring Michael McMillian, Jessica Stroup, Daniella Alonso, Jacob Vargas, Lee Thompson Young, Ben Crowley 18 cert
A bunch of National Guardsmen are attacked by mutants in this perfunctory sequel to last year's respectable remake of a classic 1970s shocker. After the first brutal killing, Hills II rapidly degenerates into a repetitive, muddy turkey shoot. Who's he? Who's she? Who cares? Also available in a double-pack with the 2006 picture. DC
SLEEPING DOGS ***
Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. Starring Melinda Page Hamilton, Bryce Johnson, Geoffrey Pierson, Colby French 18 cert
This odd film begins with an allusion to a disturbing sex act (check the title). But it then quickly turns into a standard romantic comedy with all the stock reversals and narrative compromises its genre demands. The DVD features an interview with the always deranged Mr Goldthwait. DC
Directed by Susannah Grant. Starring Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Sam Jaeger, Kevin Smith, Juliette Lewis, Fiona Shaw 12 cert
This slow, soppy romantic drama, in which a woman whose fiancé has just been killed finds love again, is endlessly soothing and pretty. Thank Garner who, looking like a weathered statue of herself, brings dignity to the central role. The DVD is packed with extras including some odd audition footage. DC
STOMP THE YARD ***
Directed by Sylvain White. Starring Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Ne-Yo, Darrin Henson, Harry Lennix 12 cert
Cliches abound in yet another would-be inspirational US college movie featuring a troubled teen (Columbus Short) liberated through dance. Inevitably, it all culminates in an extended dance contest.
HÄXAN - WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES *****
Directed by Benjamin Christensen. Starring Maren Pedersen, Clara Pontoppidan, Elith Pio, Oscar Stribolt, Benjamin Christensen 15 cert
Hats off to Tartan for putting together an excellent DVD release of this singular 1922 silent horror in which Benjamin Christensen - who also stars as the Devil - brings quasi-documentary techniques to his investigation of occult rites. The package includes the original version of the film as well as the shorter 1968 cut with its famous commentary by William Burroughs. DC
