Shūsuke Kaneko’s Death Note, the first in a two part Japanese series based on the popular manga of the same name, is a high concept thriller set in Tokyo, in which protagonist Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara) discovers a mysterious notebook that has the power to kill any human whose name is written inside it. Taking it upon himself to rid the world of criminals and evil-doers, Light’s own morality increasingly comes under question. The police, struggling to understand their new nemesis, enlist the help of unorthodox detective L, whose battle of wits with Light steadily escalates.
Accompanied by his bizarre companion Ryuk (a CGI death god; see picture above), Light’s adventure often hints at genuine intrigue but struggles with its lumbering pace and occasionally clunky dialogue (some of which, admittedly, may have been damaged in translation). An interesting concept is unfortunately squandered in a film that never manages to sustain a genuine sense of darkness or suspense.
Film: ★★★★★ Extras: ★★★★★
To celebrate the release of the racy third season of Gossip Girl on DVD on 16th August (yes, we unashamedly love it), we’re giving you the chance to win one of three copies of the DVD boxset.
New York’s sexiest socialites are leaving their school days behind, but older doesn’t necessarily mean wiser as they return for another salacious round of secrets and scandal in season three of Gossip Girl. Bigger, better & sexier than ever, Serena, Blair and the rest of the Upper East Side clique are back from their summer holidays and heading to university to embark upon the next chapter of their glamorous lives. A whole host of glitzy guest stars join our favourite Gossip Girl gang, including Hilary Duff, Lady Gaga and Tyra Banks.
To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question, after the jump. More
More of the same action/thriller stuff from Taken director Pierre Morel, only this time around it isn’t anywhere near as fun, while the story and acting talent come up very, very short. An aspiring agent joins the erratic but highly regarded Charlie Wax, attempting to get to the bottom of an underground cocaine ring, only with a girl involved, complications come up along the way. Far too inconsistent to be effective.
Film: ★★★★★ Extras: ★★★★★
Romantic-comedy starring Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston, they play an ex-husband and wife, only with him now a bounty hunter and her on the run, he’s hired to track her down and bring her in. Obviously it’s not quite as simple as that as calamity ensues, while you can probably guess the ending already too, but The Bounty Hunter isn’t all bad and will certainly find its audience, it’s just a pity that the rom-com genre still doesn’t really try anything new.
Film: ★★★★★ Extras: ★★★★★
After a promising if by-the-numbers start, Psychosis goes quickly down hill with sloppy direction and a frustrating narrative letting down this British horror. Charisma Carpenter plays a woman at peace in her glorious manor house, only when strange disturbances and a nearby group of environmental protesters rouse problems everything goes south and descends into chaos. Sadly this is the perfect example of Carpenter’s fall from grace, and forgettable from the British crew too.
Film: ★★★★★ Extras: ★★★★★
To celebrate the release of the hilarious Youth In Revolt, out on DVD and Blu-Ray from July 12th, we’re giving you the chance to win one of 5 Blu-Rays for yourself. To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question and check out the trailer, after the jump. More
Undoubtedly being pushed by Twentieth Century Fox as a new Harry Potter-esque franchise, Percy Jackson though doesn’t have the credentials quite yet. The son of Poseidon, Percy recover the stolen lightning and clear his name all the while trying to find out who framed him for its theft. Lacking the depth or darkness of the better Harry Potters, Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief has potential, but the whole cast will need to toughen up a little if they’re to really compete.
Film: ★★★★★ Extras: ★★★★★
Though not quite up to Clint Eastwood’s remarkably high standard Invictus is an apt retelling of the inspirational true story in the shadows of South Africa’s 1995 Rubgy World Cup win, and Nelson Mandela’s mission to bring his nation back together through sport. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon play their roles with confidence and but for the plot stuttering at times, this could have been another of Eastwood’s classics.
Film: ★★★★★ Extras: ★★★★★
Likeable British drama about a nerdy guitarist, desperate to secure a record deal whilst hopelessly in love with his band’s bassist Emily, who didn’t really want to be in the band in the first place. The film has a certain charm and honesty to it, while connection behind the scenes to Radiohead are further intriguing, but it’s a little hit and miss, with a tone that never really sticks to mix it with some of the UK’s classic indie productions.
Film: ★★★★★ Extras: ★★★★★
A pleasing move for one-note director Guy Richie but Sherlock Holmes isn’t the revolution some critics have made it out to be. It is though a fun update of the classic character and Downey Jr. and Jude Law do a fine job as Holmes and Watson. The plot is as you’d expect, a villain with a complex evil scheme threatens to take over the country, and there are only two men that can get to the bottom of the mystery to foil him.
Film: ★★★★★ Extras: ★★★★★
