Best DVD's Out Now: The Good, The Bad And The Lonely

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Adapting one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies would be tricky for anyone, but Joss Whedon gives himself an extra challenge. Shot on a shoe-string over 12 days in Whedon’s Italian-style villa, his retelling requires him to double down on gut-instinct, split-decision directing choices. Luckily, Whedon proves his light touch and skill with actors transcends the limits of iambic pentameter – well, mostly. Centred on sparring would-be lovers Beatrice (Amy Acker) and Benedick (Alexis Denisof), Whedon’s black and white cinematography adds a self-aware artiness to the semi screwball, modern-day adaptation. The bourgeois California setting allows for stylised party scenes and a gorgeous jazzy soundtrack featuring Shakespeare’s words as lyrics. Meanwhile, Nathan Fillion adds a Horatio Caine parody to his scene-stealing turn as the malapropismladen constable Dogberry. Whedon’s sexual politics are inconsistent however, with an updated casual liaison and public gropings jarring with the unaltered central plot-point that condemns pre-marital sex. It’s these flaws that betray Whedon’s desire not to intelligently interpret the play, but rather present a frothy, flirty adaptation. Still, when the cast is obviously having this much fun, you can forgive that.
Extras include a music video.

WIKILEAKS: WE STEAL SECRETS
It’s a pity director Alex Gibney didn’t wait longer to make this film, which combines a two-pronged characterstudy with a bitingly intelligent examination of the transparency debate. Using interviews, transcripts and archived footage, he addresses the danger of hero narratives, how becoming a political personality can corrupt even the most vehement idealists. Just as Gibney shows Obama knowingly overseeing war crimes, he depicts Wikileaks founder Julian Assange similarly become egotistical and corrupt, taking on the colouration of those he despises in the name of the “greater good” – a process coined as “noble cause corruption”. The question is inescapable: Does the end always justify the means? And when do a person’s great acts cease to absolve them of other, justified criticism? Gibney is more sympathetic to Manning, whose intimate correspondence with hacker and ultimate betrayer Adrian Lamo reveals a deeply troubled young man, desperately searching for recognition. While We Steal Secrets feels slightly incomplete given Manning’s sentence and the subsequent Edward Snowden affair, it remains a gripping, and thought-provoking examination of one of this century’s most fascinating ethical dilemmas. Extras include Manning’s testimony.

DEADFALL
An Oedipus complex, Southern accents and Sissy Spacek walk into a bar. Deadfall is the punchline. Unintentionally hilarious, Stefan Ruzowitzky proves his impressive 2007 drama The Counterfeiters was an engaging anomaly in an otherwise horrific filmography. Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde overact as incestuous siblings Addison and Liza, who have just robbed a casino. Separated after their getaway car crashes, Liza sparks up a liason with ex-con Jay (Charlie Hunnam), while Addison tries to dodge angelic Deputy Kate Mara – herself battling the misogyny of her Sheriff father. The three storylines collide with contrived predictability. Shane Hulburt’s admittedly gorgeous, icy-paletted cinematography evokes a sinister, spectral glow. But the slick celluloid work is the only thing elevating Deadfall beyond dodgy late night television fare. Though the setting and noirish crime plotting may hint at Fargo, there’s an embarrassing gracelessness to proceedings, and to its cartoonish characters. The action unfolds with random, nonsensical violence that’s neither exciting nor affecting. Avoid. Extras include cast interviews and featurettes.

EPIC
From Fern Gully to Avatar, extraordinary forests are the perfect setting for enchanting animation, blossoming (sorry) romance and a battle between good and evil. Sticking with this tried and tested formula, director Chris Wedge throws in some clever 3D work and a celebrity-filled voice cast for his simple but enjoyable kids’ flick. Based on William Joyce’s children’s book The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs, Epic stars Amanda Seyfried as teen girl MK. When she’s transported into the magical world of the Leafmen – tiny beings that live in a nearby forest well, it’s the usual “careful what you wish for”, family-driven, ecological responsibility-forunder- 10s type stuff. Though MK and romantic interest Nod (Josh Hutcherson) aren’t particularly memorable leads for the kids to adore, Beyoncé proves a surprising delight as Tara, the strong and sassy forest Queen. As she manipulates water, flowers and lily pads to suit her whims, the lush forest is a delight. Frequent flight sequences featuring colourful hummingbirds and fluffy owls utilise the 3D brilliantly, bringing the viewer on a fast-paced ride through the canopy. Pleasant but forgettable. Great extras with storybuilders.

MUSIC DVD'S

Morrissey 25: Live
Morrissey 25: Live is a ‘legacy’ concert film marking the 25 year solo career of one of the world’s most iconic and enigmatic performers. Shot at an intimate gig at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles last March, it opens with fans talking about their unwavering devotion to the singer and the unique appeal of this unusual venue – a striking contrast to Moz’s arena concert at the Staples Center on the previous night. Tickets to the date sold out in 12 seconds; this now legendary show became Morrissey’s penultimate performance on the US Tour. The first authorised Morrissey film for nine years, Morrissey 25: Live is an unmissable release for fans worldwide.

DEEP PURPLE: PERFECT STRANGERS
1984 saw the longawaited reunion of the classic Deep Purple Mark II line-up of Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice. It was the first time they had been together since 1973. They recorded a brand new studio album, Perfect Strangers, and headed out on tour. This show was filmed in Melbourne, Australia and is the only full length concert film of the band at this time. It’s a stunning concert. The setlist mixes then new tracks from the Perfect Strangers album with favourites from the early seventies, culminating in a brilliant Smoke On The Water finale. This is without doubt one of the finest Deep Purple concerts ever filmed and a must for their legions of fans.

iRELEASED: THE HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERTS 1986-1998
This DVD comprises a collection of benefit concerts staged between 1986 and 1998 to raise awareness and funds for Amnesty International. The first of these was Amnesty’s 1986 US tour, A Conspiracy Of Hope. It was followed by Human Rights Now!, the historic 1988 five-continent 20 concert world tour. The series continued with standalone gigs An Embrace Of Hope in Chile in 1990 and The Struggle Continues... in Paris in 1998. The list of musicians who contributed their services is extraordinary and includes some of the world’s foremost artists.