Untitled Document

Wes Anderson is back with The Darjeeling Limited this week. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody & Jason Schwartzman take a trip across India for some sibling bonding – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! Yet another amazing performance from Christian Bale in Werner Herzog’s theatrical version of the story of Dieter Dengler. He made a documentary (Little Dieter Needs To Fly) with the Vietnam pilot which makes an excellent companion piece. Rescue Dawn is an amazing story of survival and top quality entertainment from the German director. Futurama: Bender's Big Score provides the animated amusement this week. Top TV with Entourage: Season 3 - Part 2. Finally on DVD; P.T. Anderson's Hard Eight, Mike Leigh’s Naked & Big Night. Disney’s Enchanted also arrives on the small screen this week along with Pistol Whipped, Jane Doe & Ross Kemp In Afghanistan.
14th April. Family comedies this week include Keeping up with the Steins, St. Trinians, Martian Child & Alvin and the Chipmunks. Upping the pace, this weeks thrillers are Kings Of South Beach, You Kill Me, and from TV - Midnight Man & Damages S1. If horror's your thing then we’ve got Memory, Aquarium, Loch Ness Terror & Welcome to the Jungle. Leonardo DiCaprio narrates The 11th Hour. Can we save the planet from imminent doom!?! Finally, Carlos Reygadas returns with his third film, Silent Light. Genius? Maybe! Certainly original cinema from the Mexican director.
21st April. Don’t go out in the dark if you’re the last man on earth! Will Smith is alone (with his dog) in this apocalyptic vision of a modern disaster movie. I Am Legend sees the world’s human population wiped out when a mutated man-made virus is unleashed. Bird Flu anyone! Francis Ford Coppola makes a long overdue return to film making, his first since 1997’s The Rainmaker, with Youth without Youth. Tim Roth & Matt Damon star in this age defying fantasy drama set in pre-WWII Europe. Another glut of horrors come splattering to DVD this week - including; Shrooms, Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror , Storm Warning, Mega Snake & Wind Chill . Some classic horror also for the first time on DVD with Stephen King’s Needful Things and Orson Welles in Necromancy. Also released; Shameless S5, Hotel Harabati, The Italian, Peaceful Warrior and Robert Altman’s Streamers.
28th April. We Own The Night with Joaquin Phoenix, Robert Duvall and Mark Wahlberg is a quality New York set thriller of cops, drug gangs and family ties. Transport yourself to another world with the first in the His Dark Materials adaptations. The Golden Compass stars Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Eva Green. Waitress is a sweet, romantic, comedy. The new version of Sleuth arrives with Michael Caine, again, and Jude Law. Kenneth Brannagh directs. If arthouse is your preference then you should be spoilt for choice this week. Highlights include Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution and Gus van Sant’s Paranoid Park.

3rd March
If you're a fan of horror we've plenty of films to keep you scared this week; Saw IV gets it's dvd release and is the usual blend of gore and plot twists. And from the producers of the Saw franchise comes Catacombs a subterranean chiller set in the Parisian underground. And finally we've got The Invisibles a remake of a ghostly Swedish thriller that'll keep you checking behind the sofa. Rendition starring Jake Gyllenhaal is released this week, a taut political thriller that exposes the consequences of the ugly practice of kidnapping and torturing "enemy combatants". also released this week: The Baker (Damian Lewis stars as a hitman turned village baker), Oz: Season 4 ( Excellent prison drama from HBO), Silk (Period drama about silkworm smugglers), The Serpent (French thriller from the writer of Get Carter), Bloody Sunday (Greengrass retelling of the events of 30th Jan '72).

10th March
Ridley Scott's excellent biopic American Gangster is released this week. Following the rise of a notorious drug kingpin and the cop trying to catch him this is an engrossing and exhilarating movie with great performances from Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. Don't miss this one! Planet Terror, directed by Robert Rodriguez is the second half of the Grindhouse project and is another homage to 70's drive-in movies. An improvement on DeathProof this is a sci-fi/horror rollercoaster ride of a movie with plenty of action and a horde of zombies! Into The Wild is a beautifully shot and directed film by Sean Penn. This is the true story about a privileged young American who gives up his life and walks out into the wild to find himself. A poetic, sensitive film and probably Penn's best as director.
Another adaptation due this week is Brick Lane, a young Bangladeshi woman leaves home and moves to London in the 1980's. A powerful, emotive film that manages to capture the brilliance of Monica Ali's novel. also released: Black Sheep (Amusing Kiwi horror comedy about mutant sheep), Dark Is Rising (Big budget adaptation of kids classic fantasy).

17th March
The spectacular, animated Beowulf gets its release this week - with a sterling cast of Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie this is a thrilling adventure based on the epic poem that's a pushes CGI technology to the next level. King Of California, starring Michael Douglas, is a warm, amiable comedy about a father just released from a mental hospital who rekindles his relationship with his daughter while searching for an ancient lost treasure in the local mall. Douglas' best performance since Wonderboys. David Arquette directs and stars in the hilarious horror satire called The Tripper. A serial killer, dressed as Ronald Reagan, terrorises hippies at a free love festival. Perfect film for a boozy night in with your mates. also released: Good Luck Chuck (Dentist tries to lift a curse in this bawdy comedy), August Rush (Charming, sentimental tale of music and musicians) Halloween (2007) (Rob Zombie's remake of horror classic) Sleuth (2007) (thriller remake starring Caine & Law) Earth (Feature length documentary about animal migrations) Jane Austen Book Club (Romance based on 6 intertwining Austen novels)
Vegas Baby (Stag do goes bad in this raucous comedy)

24th March
If you're looking for some non-stop action this week we've two films that definitely fit the bill, first up is Chaos starring Jason Statham and Wesley Snipes who face off in this explosive, cat and mouse heist thriller and the second is The Condemned about a death row prisoner sent to an island to fight other prisoners for his freedom, Battle Royale style. With Vinnie Jones and Steve Austin starring this is an old school action movie that surpasses expectations. It's a good week for fans of world cinema with a wealth of releases coming in; El Violin ( stunning B/W drama about an elderly violinist who resists military power), In Memory Of Me (beautiful Italian drama about monastic life), Silent Light (Extraordinary meditation on love and religion), and finally we've got The Yacoubian Building (Egyptian drama following residents of one of Cairo's oldest buildings). There's some great documentaries due this week; Why We Fight (a shrewd, intelligent film about American militarianism), A Crude Awakening ( Shocking examination of our petrochemical addiction) and finally we've got I For India (Charming chronicle of an Indian family who move to the UK, based on real home footage spanning 40 years) also due this week: The Shield: Season 6 (Vic is back and searching for Lem's killer) Princess (Danish animation about child exploitation, harrowing) I Pierre Riviere (Historical reconstruction of 19th C. mass murder) Honour of the Knights (Wistful movie inspired by Don Quixote) 10 Items or Less (Washed up director meets sassy check out girl) Whisper (Abducted child turns the tables on his kidnappers) Feast Of Love ( Involving and poignant examination of love and loss)

31st March
One of March's biggest release lands in this the final week of the month, The Assassination Of Jesse James.. is a wonderfully contemplative, almost poetic western about two larger than life characters. Brad Pitt won a best actor award at Venice for his lead performance but it's Casey Affleck's nervy effort as Robert Ford that deserves the plaudits. My pick of the months releases.
30 Days Of Night is an excellent, vampire thriller with an interesting and imaginative premise. Set in a isolated Alaskan town, the local sheriff must pull the townsfolk together when they're besieged by murderous vampires during the annual period of winter darkness. A well paced, exciting horror movie.
Southland Tales, directed by Richard Kelly of Donnie Darko fame, is a complex, near-future sci-fi film with an all star cast and a splintered storyline that takes in a multitude of plots and even genres. This won't be to everyone’s tastes but it's a unique and unforgettable piece of film making. also released:
Killing Of John Lennon (Chilling chronicle of Mark Chapmans obsession) Nines (Ryan Reynolds heads up the cast in an enigmatic trio of stories) Flashpoint (Donnie Yen stars in action packed, martial arts revenge film) Badge (Transsexual murder case gets complicated for Sheriff Billy Bob Thornton)
Hitman (Video game based action thriller about a nameless killer)

Paris, Je T'aime is a collection of vignettes by an eclectic mix of directors and stars including; The Coen Brothers, Gus Van Sant, Gurinder Chadha, Wes Craven, Walter Salles, Alexander Payne, Olivier Assayas, Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Fanny Ardant, Elijah Wood, Nick Nolte, Bob Hoskins, Juliette Binoche, Emily Mortimer, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Rufus Sewell, Barbet Schroeder, Ludivine Sagnier, Gena Rowlands, Miranda Richardson and Steve Buscemi. But the real star of the the movie is Paris itself. Fall in love with city of Love....... John Pilger's documentary - The War On Democracy, takes a look at 50 years of Washington policies towards Latin America and the similarities with the Middle East today. Also released this week - Ben Stiller is The Heartbreak Kid, Jason Statham & Jet Li in War, And When Did You Last See Your Father? is a touching British drama. And finally, Robert Altman's Short Cuts is re-released on DVD.

11th February

Control from first time director Anton Corbijn is an excellent award winning film of Ian Curtis - the one time Joy Division front man. In a classic kitchen-sink style we follow the highs and lows of an Icon of the British music scene. This is much more than a rock biopic. Also a first timer, Sam Riley delivers a stunning performance as Curtis and there is strong support from Samantha Morton as his long suffering wife. Essential for all comers not just Joy Division/New Order fans. Breach is the story of the biggest spy ever caught in US history. Chris Cooper plays Robert Hanssen with Ryan Phillippe as Eric ONeill, the man tasked with his capture. Gripping stuff and top notch performances. Ratatouille - animated rats in a restaurant kitchen from Pixar is great family fun. Also available to rent this week; The Last Legion, Across The Universe, The Hoax, The Brave One, Halloween (2007), The Witnesses (aka Les Temoins),

The Singer and The Mighty Boosh: Series 3.

18th February
Michael Clayton stars George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton in a taught corporate/legal thriller. Plenty of twists will keep you guessing.....
Resident Evil: Extinction - third in the video game franchise. More unfortunate undeads meet their demise at the hands of Alice (Milla Jovovich), this time in the desert The Invasion is another remake of Invasion of The Body Snatchers (from the novel by Jack Finney) starring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. The clue is in the title! Run, Fat Boy, Run - comedy starring Simon Pegg and directed by ex-Friend, David Schwimmer. Evening & Transylvania are also out this week.

25th February
Eastern Promises is a tense, violent underworld tale of Russian gangsters and dangerous relationships. Great turns from Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts in David Cronenberg's London set thriller. Elizabeth: The Golden Age - Cate Blanchett returns as the Queen with Clive Owen as the dashing love interest, Sir Walter Raleigh. Once is a low budget, romantic, song filled film with a Damien Rice-esque soundtrack. Interview directed by and starring Steve Buscemi with Sienna Miller is adapted from the 2003 film of the same name directed by controversial Dutch director Theo van Gogh who was murdered in 2004. Exploring the themes of media, truth and celebrity it is definitely worth a look. More releases this week include;The Counterfeiters, Stardust, Home Of The Brave, Year Of The Dog, As You Like It, Ex-Drummer, Death At A Funeral & Wild Tigers I Have Known.

1st of August 2006 - Alphabet Video are delighted to announce that we have aquired C & A Video on Broughton Street in Edinburgh. As of Tuesday the 1st of August we are the new owners. We will continue to offer the same selection of video & dvd with the added availability of many more thousands of titles from our other stores in Marchmont, St. Andrews & Dundee.

Sicko, Michael Moore's latest documentary, is a devastating critique of US healthcare provision. This is a much more assured and persuasive film from Moore this time around and one which will make you laugh and despair in equal measures.

Sherrybaby gets released this week: Maggie Gyllenhall gives an amazing performance in this emotional drama as a recovering heroin addict just released from prison looking to be reunited with her daughter.

Cult movie fans will be delighted this week with the long awaited DVD release of Accion Mutant, a rather demented Spanish scifi/satire about celebrity and appearance. Also released this week: Wrong Turn 2 (more cannibalistic horror)

Tarantino's latest film Death Proof is released this week. Originally part of the aborted "Grindhouse" project this is a explosive homage to 70's exploitation films. With Kurt Russell & Rosario Dawson starring and Tarantino's trademark script this is a perfect Friday night movie.

Woody Harrelson stars as a gigolo to the wives and widows of Washingtons elite in the The Walker, a subtle intelligent thriller. Caught up in a murder case Harrelson puts in his best performance yet in this Paul Schrader penned movie.

Copying Beethoven is a lavish, romantic biopic of the last few years in the life of Ludwig Van Beethoven. With Ed Harris playing the great composer and an excellent supporting cast this is a fabulous film filled to the brim with Beethoven's wonderful music.

Also released this week: I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry (Adam Sandler helmed buddy comedy with plenty of laughs) Scrubs: Series 6 (more antics from Sacred Heart Hospital) In the Hands of the Gods (documentary following some Brits looking to meet Maradona)

This week sees the release of one of last years best comedies Superbad. Two high school graduates desperately try to improve their chances with the ladies at a booze soaked party. A uproarious and touching comedy that manages to surpass the genre clichés.

Kenny gets released this week, a very funny documentary spoof following a day in the life of an Australian plumber. This is a hilarious and endearing comedy that follows in the footsteps of Best in Show and For Your Consideration. If you were a fan of Aaron Sorkin's fantastic drama West Wing make sure to catch his most recent show Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip - based behind the scenes on a fictional TV show that's hit the skids, two executives are brought in to turn it around.

The Griffin's are back this week with a special double episode spoof of Star Wars in Family Guy: Blue Harvest. All the usual characters appear in probably the funniest Family Guy ever.

Also released: Death Sentence (Kev Bacon turns vigilante) Disturbia (teenage remake of Rear Window that's actually quite good), Living In Oblivion (cult film about film-making finally on dvd), Eagle Vs Shark (kiwi comedy from Conchords writer/director)

The last week of the month is packed with releases, starting off with The Kingdom, an action-packed, star-studded political thriller set in the Middle East. Four FBI agents are sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate a terrorist attack in this smart, engaging, occasionally brutal film.

Christian Bale and Russell Crowe star in the excellent remake of 3:10 To Yuma released this week. Bale plays a down on his luck rancher who agrees to transport a dangerous criminal to the eponymous train and finds himself in a battle of wills with the outlaw.

There's a wealth of great TV DVD's due this week: My Name Is Earl: Season 2 (Earl strikes a few more bad deeds from his list) The Shield: Series 5 (Vic contends with pressure from Forest Whitaker's IA investigator) The Office: An American Workplace - Season 2 (better than the original) The Mighty Boosh: Series 3 (Vince & Howard are back working in Naboo's 2nd hand store) Cranford (Lavish period BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell) We've two great foreign language films due this week: first up is Daywatch the sequel to Russian fantasy blockbuster Nightwatch, with some stunning, imaginative set pieces this is a extravagant action thriller.

The second foreign language film is Daratt a reflection on revenge and injustice set in Chad, following a boy looking for his fathers killer. A hypnotic, beautifully shot film.

Also released this week: A Mighty Heart (Angelina Jolie plays widow of slain journo Dan Pearl in this adaptation) Someone Else (Brilliant British indie film about a thirtysomethings love triangle) Tales From Earthsea (Excellent animation from Studio Ghibli) I Know Who Killed Me (Lindsay Lohan psychological thriller) License To Wed (Robin Williams comedy about a Reverend putting couples through a rigorous pre-nuptial course) No Reservations (restaurant based rom-com with Zeta-Jones)

We kick off in December on the 3rd with one of the biggest movies of the year the Bay/Spielberg produced behmouth that is Transformers. All action morphing robots to amuse all the family. Also out is the follow up to kids favourite High Scchool Musical. Hooray. The latest edition of Ridley Scott's influential Sci-Fi masterpiece is a five disc extravaganza with all the cuts and extra features you could possible want! On the arty side comes John Malkovich as the artist Klimt and some dry Eastern European comedy with 12:08 East Of Bucharest.

The third intsallment of the Bourne series arrives this week. The Bourne Ultimatum has Jason on top action form. The Simpsons Movie finally reaches DVD this week. Also released is kids flic Surf's Up, Heroes Season One Part 2, espionage tv with The Company & period drama, The Tudors.

Nothing released on the 17th so we skip straight to Christmas Eve and the release of the comedy of the year, Knocked Up. Julie Deply's witty comedy 2 Days in Paris is well worth catching. As is thriller Seraphim Falls. Spooky goings on in 1408 and the deadly duo return for Rush Hour 3. Also released; Bring It On: In It To Win It, Blood And Bones, Rise Of The Footsoldier The War On Democracy, Battlestar Galactica: Razor.

More releases to look out for in the New Year............

Sicko
Death Proof
The Walker
Family Guy: Blue Harvest (A New Hope Episode IV)
Superbad
Disturbia
The Kingdom
3:10 To Yuma
Daywatch
A Mighty Heart
Tales From Earthsea

November is here and we've a heap of new titles to keep you entertained throughout the dark days.

First up this month are two films by Steven Soderbergh: Ocean's Thirteen is the third outing for Clooney & co's stylish robbers and this time they're planning their most dazzling heist yet. Soderbergh's other film is The Good German, a star studded, B&W tribute to Hollywood's golden age. Set in post-war Berlin the films follows a military journalist (George Clooney) who's drawn into a web of murder and political intrigue.

For TV addicts this week the excellent Peep Show: Series 4 is released. Will Mark go through with his wedding to Sophie? and if you need a fix of melodrama and innumerate plot twists make sure you catch the third season of "Desperate Housewives" that's also due this week.

Two very different comedians have dvds out this week, the quick-witted, ubiquitous Jimmy Carr has a live show called Comedian and political satirist/investigatorr Mark Thomas has two films Arms Dealer & Serious Organised Criminal finally brought onto dvd. also released this week: The Flying Scotsman (Graeme Obree's story),The R.W. Fassbinder Collection:(1973-1982), The Jungle Book: 40th Anniversary Edition

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix is due this week. Harry returns to Hogwarts for his 5th year but finds himself under suspicion when few believe Voldermont has really returned.

We've more comedic offerings this week with the new DVD from Ricky Gervais called Fame and another from the surrealistic Geordie Ross Noble called Fizzy Logic. This week also sees a host of excellent foreign language titles released.

Private Fears In Public Places is the latest film by Alain Resnais and is a masterful wintery romantic comedy. Moliere is a beautiful period drama about the young French playwright struggling to keep his theatre company running.

Two great films from Asia are also due this week the first: Bright Future is a stylish, mystical film about two friends and their unusual pet jellyfish. Invisible Waves is a violent thriller following a Japanese Chef who flees to Thailand after being forced to kill his lover. also released this week:The PhantomCarriage / The Image Makers, Fassbinder Collection: Vol.2 (4 Discs), Sergei Eisenstein: Vol.2 Boxset

Pirates Of The Caribbean 3: At World's End is finally released to dvd this week. A rollicking adventure on the high seas this is a brilliant conclusion to the trilogy and a must-see for the whole family. The Sopranos: Season 6 Part 2 is due this week. Will Tony survive the conclusion of HBO's finest drama ?

For fans of John Waters we've two treats due this week: the 1st is the film to stage to film again Hairspray. Remade with a star studded cast (including Michelle Pfeiffer & John Travolta) this is still a very funny musical as well as a thought provoking exploration of prejudice. The second is John Waters' hilarious stand up routine This Filthy World, If you didn't catch it at the festival you can now enjoy it from your couch. also released this week: Black Xmas (2006) (remake of cult 70's horror) Seinfeld: Season 9 (final season of classic sitcom)

First up is Shrek 3. Shrek needs to find a heir to the throne of Far Far Away in this side-splitting sequel. La Vie En Rose, the much anticipated biopic of Edith Piaf, is released this week. With a fantastic central performance from Marion Cotillard this is an acclaimed depiction of the legends tragic life. Evan Almight, the sequel to Bruce Almighty, features Steve Carrell as a latter-day Noah in this family-friendly comedy.If you're looking for something fun and not too demanding this week look no further.

Also released this week: After Life (Aka: Wandafuru Raifu) (post-mortem soul searching) Entourage: Season 3 (more antics from Vince & co)

There's a wealth of good films out this month just in time for the clocks going back and the weather turning a bit rubbish.

First up this month is the action spectacular 300. Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel of the Battle of Thermopylae this is a fantastic, no-brainer piece of entertainment. Shot with the same green screen technique used in Sin City the film is a riot of blood and gore with some stunning set pieces.

Bauer fans will be delighted this week with the DVD release of 24 Season 6. Set twenty months after the end of the last season Jack is still being held by some Chinese agents but as you'd imagine not for much longer.

Also due this week:Crazy, animated comedy film from the TV series Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Following the exploits of Master Shake, Meatwad and Frylock as they try to assemble some immortal exercise equipment the film continues the shows brand of bizarre, absurdist humour.

The first of this months superhero releases comes out this week with the arrival of Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer. Squaring off this time against Galactus and his evil henchman the Silver Surfer the team are back with loads of action and some stunning SFX. This is a much better film than the original and great fun for the whole family.

Flyboys is a thrilling depiction of the lives of the Lafayette Escadrille, a French air-combat unit made up from American volunteers during WW1. There's some excellent dog fighting in the film and the SFX on the biplanes is remarkable. An ideal Sunday afternoon film.

Tell No One is finally released on DVD this week. A Hitchcockian French thriller this is one of October's must see movies. The film follows the efforts of a widow to clear his name from his wife's murder investigation. Make sure you catch this one.

Everyone's favourite webslinger is back this month in Spider-Man 3. Facing a triumvirate of foes - Green Goblin, Sandman and Venom - this time around means our hero is busier than ever so expect plenty of action, thrills and spills.

Vacancy is released this week, a creepy psychological thriller sees Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale trapped in a motel room that's previously been used as a snuff movie set. Can they escape before they appear in the latest film ?

Also out this week: Goodbye Bafana (story of Mandela's prison guard), Bridge To Terabithia (lush fantasy for kids), Family Guy Season 6 (more mayhem from the Griffins), Taking Liberties (UK political documentary)

Hostel 2 Eli Roth's sequel sees 3 female college students stumble into the worst Slovakian accommodation ever. Expect more of the same grisly horror that made the first movie such a hit. The perfect film for Halloween.

Lucky You is a poker playing drama with Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore trying hard to work through their personal problems. Directed by Curtis Hanson (LA Confidential, In Her Shoes) this is a confident, touching & sometimes funny movie. There are two films from Werner Herzog due this week. The first is Wild Blue Yonder (a strange Sci-Fi enviromental parable) and the second is =Little Dieter Needs To Fly (an excellent prisoner of war documentary).

We've also got two classic animated films from French director Rene Laloux due this week. Les Maitres Du Temps (Time travel sci-fi from 1982) and Gandahar (An Asimov adaptation from 1988).TV addicts should be happy this week with the release of Lost Season 3. We learn more about the “Others” this time around and even get some answers to the islands mysteries but don’t worry there’s plenty of new puzzles to ponder over.

Also this week: Sorry, Haters (NYC based psychological thriller), Berlin Alexanderplatz (Fassbinder’s 13hr masterpiece), The Adversary (Indian family drama from Saryajit Ray), Omen (Thai horror), Silent Duel (Kurosawa love story from 1949),Sketches of Frank Gehry (documentary of renowned architect), Tiger's Tail (John Boorman's latest film) and finally Edvard Munch (classic biopic of Norwegian painter)

As Halloween approaches why not rent Captivity ? Starring Elisha Cuthbert from 24 as a supermodel held at the mercy of a demented kidnapper this is a terrifying thriller guaranteed to get you cowering behind the sofa. Lonely Hearts is a excellent noir-ish thriller based on a true story from the 1940's. Starring John Travolta and James Gandolfini as the detectives tracking down the murderers stalking their victims in the personal columns.

This week also brings another couple of small screen greats onto DVD. If you're a fan of Shameless then we've got the fourth season due and for comedy lovers we've got the sketch show That Mitchell And Webb Look also coming this week.

Also released this week: The Black Cat (Bela Lugosi occult thriller from 1934), Turning Green (drama set in 1970's Ireland), Conversations With God (adaptation of best-selling spiritual novel)

Now the Festival has wound down make sure you keep your cultural quota filled with Septembers bumper crop of fine films...

The 1st week kicks off with the acclaimed new feature from Shane Meadows,"This Is England". Set in the 80's around a group of skinheads this partly autobiographical film is the best UK film from last year. Curse Of The Golden Flower is the latest film from the director of Hero & House of Flying Daggers so expect a sumptuous period epic. Set during the Tang Dynasty this melodrama focuses on the intrigue within the Emperor's household. The 3rd season of Battlestar Galactica will also be available this week so if you're a sci-fi addict I'm sure you'll be more than interested to find out who's a secret Cylon.

Also due: Man Of The Year(Robin Williams as the President) Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride: Hunter S. Thompson On Film (part retrospective, part eulogy of the great gonzo journo.)

28 Weeks Later, the sequel to Danny Boyle's superfast zombie flick is released this week. With the US army overseeing the UK's dezombification nothing could go wrong or could it ? Goya's Ghosts is Milos Formans first film in 7 years and he returns with a sweeping historical drama based around the life of Spanish painter Francisco Goya.

For TV fans we've got the 10th Season box set of The Simpsons and the 2nd season of HBO/BBC produced "Rome" due this week. And for music lovers we've got 3 treats: the bonefide classic Wild Stlye: 25th anniversary edition, Scott Walker: 30th Century Man and The Pied Piper Of Hutzovina (which follows gypsy-punk Hutz as he travels back to his native Ukraine) Also due : Factory Girl (tragic tale of Warhol's socialite muse) Becoming Jane (pre-fame Jane Austen's turbulent love life), The Roger Corman Boxset: (The Fall Of The House Of Usher, Masque Of The Red Death & The Pit And The Pendulum), Prey (smart horror about a family stalked by hungry lions), Flanders (young men are irrevocably changed by WW1)

The Lives Of Others is finally released on DVD this week and is a masterful depiction of life in East Berlin in the mid-80's and the paranoia caused by the sinister, omnipresent Stasi agents. Jindabyne is the second feature by the director of Lantana (Ray Lawrence) and its another fine film. A fishing trip has unexpected consequences in this well crafted tragic drama. The Magicians is Mitchell & Webb's (Peep Show) first foray into film and it's a comedy about two former friends competing in a tournament of prestidigitation. For fans of Daniel Auteuil we've two comedies released this week: My Best Friend, about a loner who struggles to find a friend when challenged by a work colleague and the 1990's "Romuald Et Juliette" about a executive framed in a food scandal who turns to a cleaning lady for help. Also released this week:The Chumscrubber" (satirical look at America suburbia) Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (Julien Temple's doco bout the Clash legend) Are We Done Yet? (Ice Cube returns in the follow up to kids movie "Are We There Yet")Away From Her" (Beautiful relationship drama about Alzheimer’s) Black Snake Moan (Sam Jackson tries to help troubled Christina Ricci)

The last week of the month is dominated by David Fincher's masterful thriller "Zodiac" - based on the unsolved murders around San Francisco in the late 60's this is a crime drama with style and substance. A must see movie.

Half Nelson is a sobering inner city drama with a stunning central performance from Ryan Gosling. This is a intelligent, compelling movie about a school teacher who bonds with a problem pupil when she discovers his secret addiction. Another film you really can't miss.

Nic Cage is back this month in a loose Philip K Dick adaptation called Next. Cage plays a Vegas Magician who can see the future but can he save the planet? Days Of Glory narrowly lost out to to "The Lives of Others" at last years Oscars but is an excellent film in its own right. Portraying the recruitment of French Africans to fight in WW2, it follows these forgotten heroes as they fight through Italy towards their never-visited "homeland". Also out this week: Paprika (Stunning sci-fi anime from Satoshi Kon) The All Together (charming brit-comedy with Martin Freeman) Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages" (seminal doco from the 1920's) Pathfinder (Vikings vs Native Americans in this action spectacular) The Office: An American Workplace - Season 2 (back to Dundler Miflin for some belly laughs) Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion: Beast Stable (70's Japanese exploitation) Van Wilder 2: The Rise Of Taj (College comedy sequel set in the UK) Invincible (NFL biopic starring Mark Wahlberg) Matthew Barney: No Restraint" (portrait of the artist)

Filled with unseemly rage at the prospect of evading the marauding hordes of mime artists, amateur theatre companies and second rate comedians on the streets of Edinburgh? Worried that the amount of leaflets you collect in one day adds up to a small Sycamore? Possibly staying in with a good Dvd could be the way to go, especially with August's mix of nonsense blockbusters, serious dramas and quirky independents!

The 6th of August brings us Will Ferrell(Anchorman) and Jon Heder's (Napoleon Dynamite) in Blades of Glory. Surely if ever there was a sport ripe for some gentle mockery its competitive ice skating! Look for Ferrell to recapture his Anchorman form and a tremendous supporting turn from Arrested Developments Will Arnett.

The 6th also sees the welcome release of Deadwood Season 3 and Oz Season 2. Two of the most consistent (and consistently foul mouthed) US dramas of recent years. Deadwoods 3rd Season in particular being one of the finest shows aired on American TV.

The 13th of August sees a glut of World Cinema releases from all over the globe. From Hungary we have Taxidermia the story of three generations of men and recommended only for those with a strong stomach. We also have Kim Ki Duks new film The Bow. Another captivating and beautifully shot tale from the new poster boy of Korean cinema. From Italy we have Il Caiman (The Crocodile), Nanni Morettis new film. A scathing attack on the then Italian PM Berlusconi. Also from Italy we have a welcome release for Mario Bava's deranged 60's cult classic Danger Diabolik, an explosion of colour and style following the exploits of international man of mystery - Diabolik!

Tired of watching a film and knowing exactly what's going to happen? Looking for something to test your powers of association or merely just like rabbits? Either way David Lynch's Inland Empire could be the film for you. Possibly Lynch's most personal film yet with a standout performance from Laura Dern as the women at the centre of this storm of swapped identities and perspectives.

Also out this week is Mutual Appreciation from Andrew Bujalski (Funny Ha Ha), expect more of the same, day to day life stories with little or no resolution. Sure to delight some and irritate others.

On a lighter note The Tick cartoon series finally gets a release here. Essential viewing for fans of shows like Family Guy et al.

This week is dominated by one man - El Santo,legendary Mexican luchadore and crime fighter. Catch him in one of his earliest adventures Santo in the Wax Museum and marvel how one man can save the world with only brawny forearms and limited acting ability.

For those inexplicably not tempted by Mr Santo we also have Fast Food Nation. Richard Linklater's loose adaptation of Eric Schlossers book, it's an environmentally aware ensemble flick more than likely to give you second thoughts about going to your local burger bar.

On a different tack we have Danny Boyles new film Sunshine a terrifically tense Sci-fi thriller with an excellent performance from Cillian Murphy as he sets the controls for the heart of the sun..........Enjoy!

As it looks like being a typical british summer why not keep out of the rain and enjoy some fine films this July.

The first week of the month opens with Ghost Rider, the latest comic-to-film action spectacular. Starring Nic Cage as the eponymous demon killer this is a SFX-laden romp which you should enjoy just as long as you keep your brain disengaged.

If you like a good scare there are two horror flicks out this week. The Hamiltons (about a homicidal family living in suburbia) and Them (about a young couple living in a rural idyll stalked by an unspeakable evil).

Also out this week is A Guide to Recognising Your Saints. This is a hardhitting coming-of-age tale set in Queens, New York in 1986. Based on the memoirs of Dito Montiel this is a thoughtful and compelling movie.

The 9th of July is dominated by two excellent films by Clint Eastwood: Flags of Our Fathers & Letters From Iwo Jima. Covering the horrors of WW2 from both sides of the conflict these films are probably Eastwood's greatest achievements as a director.

Jim Carey is back this week in the thriller Number 23. Obsessed by the number after recieving a book, Carey's character spirals out of control as he tries to unravel the mysterious novel.