New to LOVEFiLM Instant in JanuaryMirror, mirror, who is the fairest of them all? Why you, LOVEFiLM Instant, but then you already knew that – you’re getting better all the time. This month’s new releases go to prove that some things really do improve with age... Top 20
Mirror MirrorThis lavish make over of the Grimm brothers’ Snow White generates some of same exuberant, tongue in cheek energy that characterizes a good Christmas family panto. Lily Collins (Phil’s daughter) irks her evil stepmom Julia Roberts, while director Tarsem allows designer Eiko Ishioka to go to town with the costumes and sets. Watch Now
Battlestar GalacticaThis long-running series is epic and intelligent scifi, using the long format to mount the kind of impressively constructed and detailed social architure that feature length movies just don’t have time for. The series’ companion piece, Caprica, is also available for streaming. Watch Now
HeroesIn this entertaining comic book-style TV series Hayden Panettiere is a cheerleader who can spontaneously regenerate (no comment), Ali Larter is an internet stripper with superhuman strength, and Adrian Pasdar is a congressman who can fly. Uh-huh. Come season 2 Kristen Bell is a sociopath with the ability to create electricity. Watch Now
The Office (US version)Not many people on this side of the pond rated the chances for Ricky Gervais’s very English observational sit-com transplanted to a US network home. But after the initial shock of seeing Steve Carell step into the big man’s shoes, well, it has to be said this show works a treat on its own terms – and introduced a host of talented comic actors too, including Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, BJ Novak and Ed Helms. Watch Now
30 RockAnother bright spot in US TV comedy, 30 Rock is the brainchild of SNL graduate Tina Fey – who may have taken a little inspiration from her experience on the famous comedy skit show. Here we’re taken backstage, where the real action happens. Alec Baldwin found an unexpected career boost in playing the network boss, whose love-hate relationship with Fey’s producer introduces just a hint of emotion between the smart alecky gags. Watch Now
The Dinosaur ProjectJurassic Park, meet Cloverdale. That’s right, a found footage dino-movie. The handicam thing may feel a bit hand-me-down by now, but hey, 15 years ago we British low budget filmmakers were stuck in a Guy Ritchie gangster rut – now they’re making special effects movies in the jungle. And let’s face it, there’s no such thing as a boring dinosaur flick. Watch Now
Bunny and the Bull“For some time now, Stephen Turnbull has been a man of routine. Every day he showers for twenty seven minutes, brushes for four, gargles for eight and flosses for seven. He then files the floss, stacks his urine and notes its PH. Next he washes everything that has so far touched his body…” Interesting absurdist take on an agoraphobic’s traumatic recollection of a European road trip from the Mighty Boosh team. Watch Now
Elite SquadBrazil’s biggest ever box office smash – until Elite Squad 2 came along – this 2007 action film is closely inspired by the Rio de Janeiro military police equivalent of a SWAT team. A bit of a surprise from documentarian Joe Padhilla (Bus 174), but it beats Hollywood for authenticity and excitement. Watch Now
IncendiaryA radical change of step from Sharon Maguire, whose first film was Bridget Jones’ Diary. This time she’s ditching the comedy for a serious 9/11 and 7/7 drama. Michelle Williams shows off her English accent as an unnamed young mum whose husband and son are caught up in a terrorist bomb at a football match. As if that’s not enough to worry about she’s also having an affair with journalist Ewan McGregor. Watch Now
Mr NobodyJared Leto is Nemo in this whimsical century-spanning charmer from Jaco van Dormael. Recounting his life story, or rather his life stories, to a journalist, Nemo suggests how dramatically our paths are determined by the choices we make (often with little enough idea of what the consequences of those decisions will be). Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger and June Temple costar. Watch Now
The American (4 January)Mr George Clooney is the scrupulously anonymous hitman whose latest assignment in a small Italian town may or may not be a set up. This arty, existential thriller by Anton (Control) Corbijn is the thinking man’s Bourne movie. Did I mention he’s also a butterfly expert? And why not, as Barry Norman used to say… Watch Now
The Flowers Of War (4 January)Recreating one of the worst atrocities of the last century, the so-called “Rape of Nanking” by Japanese soldiers in 1937, Chinese director Zhang Yimou calls on all his considerable skills. Christian Bale is the American caught up in this mess who does everything he can to help save the innocent. Watch Now
Delicacy (6 January)If we’re going to have romantic trifles, then let them all star Audrey Tautou (she seems game, after all). She’s lovely, as always, as a young woman traumatized by the unexpected passing of her husband. Three years later, someone new comes along, but he’s not what anyone might have expected for her... Watch Now
Goon (6 January)Looking for an ice hockey movie with more puck than Mighty Ducks? Look no further. This bruising Canadian comedy is the best of its kind since Paul Newman’s Slapshot. A goon, for the uninitiated, is a hardman or enforcer, whose job it is to bounce the opposition off the walls. Every team has one! Watch Now
Demolition Man (11 January)In 1996, the authorities stopped killing convicted killers and cryogenically froze them instead (don’t ask why). Late in the 21st century, well after crime has been eradicated, Wesley Snipes is defrosted and goes on the rampage. So the authorities decide to thaw out Sylvester Stallone to track him down. Makes sense. Watch Now
Blow (18 January)The cast is pretty stunning (and stunningly pretty): Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Franka Potente, Jordi Molla, Rachel Griffiths, plus Paul Reubens, Ray Liotta and (yes) Bobcat Goldthwait. It’s the story of cocaine’s introduction to the US, rather in a sub Scorsese, sub Boogie Nights vein, but hey, sub Boogie Nights is still better than average. Watch Now
Mad Max 1,2,3 (18 January)Want to know how Mel Gibson became a movie star in the first place? Check out this trio of post-apocalyptic action movies. Mad Max is like Dirty Harry unleashed, and the action scenes from Aussie doctor George Miller are among the most exciting ever filmed. Watch Now
Burlesque (25 January)Cher and Stanley Tucci try to keep their club afloat in this enjoyably tacky musical, a kind of PG Showgirls with better tunes, and a no-holds-barred vehicle for Christina Aguilera (even if it’s about five years too late). Question is who wants a PG Showgirls? Oh you do? Well you are in luck then. Watch Now
A Monster In Paris (27 January)A French animated feature set in Paris in 1910, and imagining a heroic (if timid) movie projectionist joining forces with crazy inventor Raoul to hunt for the monster terrorizing the banks of the Seine. They get more than they bargained for in the shape of a giant flea. It’s got songs too. Watch NowTom Charity |
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