Latest video releases reviewed
RAY ****
Directed by Taylor Hackford. Starring Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell 15 cert
Hackford's energetic, engrossing and illuminating biopic of charismatic singer Ray Charles pulls no punches, depicting him as ambitious, astute, adulterous and heroin-addicted. Foxx is hypnotic in his Oscar-winning performance, so credibly inhabiting the role that it's very easy to forget one is watching an actor at work.
Michael Dwyer
CLOSER ***
Directed by Mike Nichols. Starring Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen 18 cert
Beautiful people bicker in nice buildings about how much they hate/love one another. Since Nichols really didn't do anything very cinematic to Patrick Marber's incendiary play, this superbly acted film shouldn't lose much on DVD. "Have you seen a human heart? It's like a fist wrapped in blood." Donald Clarke
HAROLD AND KUMAR GET THE MUNCHIES ***
Directed by Danny Leiner. Starring John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garcès, Neil Patrick Harris, David Krumholtz, Eddie Kaye Thomas 16 cert
Two stoners roam around New Jersey in search of fast food. There is, quite arguably, nothing less amusing than the humour of recreational drug use, but, against the odds, H and K is a hoot from beginning to end. The DVD, which comes in a flat plastic container upon which various items might be constructed, includes a feature entitled The Art of the Fart. Neil Patrick Harris rocks!
Donald Clarke
IN GOOD COMPANY ***
Directed by Paul Weitz. Starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson, Marg Helgenberger, David Paymer, Clark Gregg 12A cert
A middle-aged businessman gets a shock when his daughter begins dating the young whippersnapper who has recently been appointed his boss. Featuring faultless performances by Quaid and Grace, this comedy begins as a sophisticated new take on the office comedy then, as the credits loom, has a panic attack and turns all drippy. Donald Clarke
LADDER 49 **
Directed by Jay Russell. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick, Morris Chestnut, Billy Burke 12A cert
Either a heartfelt tribute to the victims of September 11th or a shameless attempt to cash in on the enhanced status of firefighters, Ladder 49 takes us through the experiences of Phoenix (great name for a fireman) as he works his way up the ranks. Worthy enough, but it never quite catches light. Boom boom! Donald Clarke
PERFECT STRANGERS ***
Directed by Gaylene Preston. Starring Sam Neill, Rachael Blake, Joel Tobeck 15 cert
Going directly to DVD here, this consistently unpredictable New Zealand drama begins when a dissatisfied young woman (Blake, from Lantana) spends the night on a boat with an enigmatic man (Neill) and wakes up next day to find the boat headed for a remote island. The film's risk-taking structure, intriguing atmosphere and strong performances sustain attention. Michael Dwyer
