alt-flix blog

Our legendary Christmas films guide interactive advent calendar

2009-12-01T20:31:00.006Z

Today, being the first day of advent, we unleash the updated version of our near legendary Christmas films guide in the guise of an interactive advent calendar.

We guarantee this guide will put you in the Christmas spirit, even if the weather is just plain wet and cold out there at the moment.

So check out our choices and see if you agree - 'tis the season after all.

Sally Potter season at the BFI

2009-11-30T19:45:00.005Z

Sally Potter, one of the most genuinely interesting film makers working in the world of cinema today, is having a full retrospective of her work shown in a season of events at the BFI in London during December.

The season kicks off with a showing of the remastered (and very wonderful) Orlando, and continues with a season packed full of her films and documentaries plus some further very special events. These will include a conversation with Sally Potter and Tilda Swinton (which will also be webcast live at http://www.sallypotter.co.uk/ on 2nd December from 8.30pm UK time, giving anyone the opportunity to ask Sally and Tilda questions live over the wonders of the interweb).

We would also draw your attention to Sally Potter's latest film Rage, which is showing from 22nd December. We have been lucky enough to see Rage (full review will follow shortly at http://www.alt-flix.co.uk/) and we have to say it is an marvellously innovative and very impressive piece of work.

To find out more, and to book tickets, check out the BFI website.

Meadows confirms first TV drama - We Were Faces

2009-08-26T19:39:00.000+01:00

After months of rumour, tantalising tit-bits and many respective fingers crossed, it has been confirmed today that cult British film director Shane Meadows, will be making his first foray TV drama, with a drama series continuing of the story begun in his award winning and critically acclaimed film 'This Is England'.

The drama, to be called We Were Faces , which will pick up the story in 1987, some four years after the end of the story in the film, will be screened on Channel 4 in 2010 as part of a shake up of their schedules in the wake of the cancellation of the ratings free faller Big Brother.

We for one already can't wait to see it, and we commend Channel 4 for having the nouse to commission this work in what promises to be one of the TV highlights of 2010.

Whats happening at Alt-flix.co.uk

2009-08-11T00:59:00.000+01:00

Those regular visitors to Alt-flix, will have been aware of the site re-design that has been taking place recently. Our blogs have been less frequent than previously and we suspended the new DVD release schedules earlier in the year. This was in order to facilitate a couple of major expansions for the site.

Firstly, coming very shortly, a new structure for the site that will see a further increase in up to date film news being made available on the site, along with a much improved functionality for the new DVD releases section (thanks for all your feedback and improvement suggestions over the past few months), increased blog postings and, and our twitter site which launched a few days ago (which is rather bare at the moment, but will be bulging very soon).

Secondly, we are just launching a sister site to Alt-flix, which is The Cult Of TV which will feature the very best in cult and contemporary television. It's only a few days old and is still taking shape, but you will already find a few features on cult classic TV shows such as Sky, The Jensen Code, A Kind Of Loving along with new TV DVD release schedules, and a twitter site etc.

Keep an eye on what's going on at The Cult Of TV, because there is lots of features and content on classic cult TV to be added very shortly.

One last thing. Sorry to blog all at once, but we have had a few things to catch up on during our tradition Summer 'closedown' fortnight. We are still a bit behind with your emails due to the closedown, but we'll be back to normal before the end of the week. Thanks for your patience. It's good to be back.

Brand new The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus HD trailer

2009-08-11T00:19:00.000+01:00

For those of us not really ones to keep up with the latest mega-money Hollywood blockbusters, it's easy to lose trace of how good CGI is becoming these days. Sure, all too often it's allied to pitiful scripts and big bucks merchandising / sponsorship tie-in's, but over the last couple of weeks we have seen two stunning (actually breath-taking) trailers that have showed us what CGI can be in the hands of true genius directors.

A couple of weeks ago we watched in awe at the HD trailer of Tim Burton's forthcoming adaptation of 'Alice In Wonderland', which is has to be said visually looks as impressive as anything we've ever seen in any film before. So much so that upon it's release we'll definitely be hunting down a cinema that will be showing it in 3D. It's being released on 5th March 2010, and yes, it does feel like we are wishing our lives away waiting to watch it on the big screen.

A film that we have been waiting to see for quite some time, The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, (Terry Gilliam's latest film) has also just released its official trailer. This is another trailer that we were amazed by, we of course expected nothing less the legendary lavishly immaculate Gilliam visuals, but this time the CGI seems to actually to have matched (and captured) his imagination. Check out the trailer below.

It looks to our eyes a wonderful mix of Brazil and Munchausen with some Time Bandits thrown in for good measure, which to us seems like an ideal blend.

Given the circumstances that the film was made under (that of the very sad passing of that fine actor Heath Ledger), it seems the film may receive wider audience than it might otherwise have expected. So rather than with previous Gilliam films, this may actually hit the mainstream box office rather than skirting around the arthouse circuit. This hopefully will give the money men more faith in Gilliam as the genius director that he undoubtedly is, and just perhaps, he won't have to struggle so hard and for so long to get his next features made.

The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus opens in UK cinemas on 16th October. We'll be there.

Winstanley DVD, Blu-ray and book, you lucky people.

2009-08-10T23:34:00.000+01:00

Winstanley, the original "no budget" historical epic was released by the lovely people at the BFI on 3rd August.

No sooner had we seen the release of Comrades - a film charting the trials and tribulations of the Tolpuddle martyrs, then we get the wonderful release of Winstanley, charting the experience of a group known as the Diggers - a peaceful group who existed briefly during the English Civil war and whose beliefs have been likened to early communists.

We have been long term fans of this quaint but remarkable film, it making number 24 on our list of "must see" British films. The film itself was finally finished in 1975, but that it was ever made at all is something of a miracle. Directed by Kevin Brownlow and Andrew Mollo, the film was made with an incredibly small budget, with a crew who were made up of volunteers, and a cast of similar volunteers (only one of whom had any previous acting experience). From watching the film you would have absolutely no idea that this was the case, the film looks amazing (even shooting in black and white for cost saving purposes adds a marvellous aesthetic to the film). The attention to detail in film is absolutely top rate, from the detailing of clothes along to using the correct breed of livestock that would have been used in small holding during the mid 1600's.

A region 1 DVD and overseas VHS had been available for the last few years, but it was an absolute delight when the BFI announced that Winstanley would finally make its UK DVD and Blu-ray release debut on August 3rd 2009. It also announced some extra features on the discs:-

New restoration by the BFI National Archive.
New filmed interview with Kevin Brownlow and Mollo (38 mins).
It Happened Here Again (Eric Mival, 1976, 48 mins) – the making of Winstanley
9 Dalmuir West (Kevin Brownlow, 1962, 12 mins) – a record of the last weekend of Glasgow trams.
Illustrated 32-page booklet with contributions by Marina Lewycka (author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian), Eric Mival, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Tom Milne, and David Robinson; plus biographies and credits.

Thus far we have watched the film (and it looks incredible in its remastered glory) and all the new extra features twice over. It has inspired us to hunt down It Happened Here Brownlow and Mollo's previous film from 1964, (also a "no budget" volunteer-led film) set in a fictionalised Britain under Nazi occupation. We have also ordered Kevin Brownlow's recently published book entitled 'Winstanley: Warts and All' , an account of the making of Winstanley, which sounds like a incredibly interesting read.

Sure, we've had a rotten Summer weather-wise, but at least we have been royally entertained with some amazing (if unexpected) DVD releases.

Bill Douglas' Comrades is released on DVD and Blu-ray, comrades.

2009-08-10T22:35:00.002+01:00

Well Comrades, something happened on the 27th July that we thought we'd never ever see happen, Bill Douglas' great lost (and last) film Comrades was released on DVD in the UK.

The films own history was something on an epic, and since its very brief cinematic release in 1987, one showing on TV and an incredibly brief sporadic international VHS release, nothiog had been heard of the film since. That was until February 2009, when Film4 announced it would be showing the movie on its free movie channel. This is what we wrote at the time: -

"Comrades is a cinematic account of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of Dorset labourers who in the early 19th century took a collective stand against the unfair treatment meated out by their land owner. The land owner and the judiciary sought to crush any dissent amongst the peasant classes and the labourers were transported to Australia for their 'crimes'. The film had a terrific cast that includes James Fox, Michael Horden, Freddie Jones, Robert Stephens, Immelda Staunton, Keith Allen and Philip Davis, and was finally finished in 1987 (after endless production problems), and nearly 10 years after Bill Douglas had completed his life trilogy (My Ain Folk etc). Comrades received a limited cinematic release (no doubt in part due to its unfashionable theme and its 3 hr plus running time), and subsequently received only a couple of plays on television on Channel 4 (who co-funded the project) . It also received a very low key and brief VHS issue, but it has been long out of print and impossible to find.In the wake of Bill Douglas' death the BFI released the Trilogy on DVD, here is hoping that the premiere of Comrades on FILM4 is the first step to seeing this lost classic released on DVD very soon. "

Comrades, was dutifully played in its uncut glory and it didn't dissapoint. With such a fantastic film I can only assume the delay in getting it back on TV was due the myriad of owners the film is rumoured to have had.

Then came news of not only a full DVD release, but also a blu-ray edition (for those that do). Both editions came with a treasure trove of additional features:

Lanterna Magicka – Bill Douglas & the Secret History of Cinema (2009, 60 mins), an insightful new documentary on Douglas’s life and work
Visions of: Comrades (2009, 15 mins), cast-members recall making the film
Bill Douglas interviews (1978, 33 mins), exclusive presentation of a remarkable interview in which Douglas discusses his method and creating approach to writing and directing
Home and Away (Michael Alexander, 1974, 30 mins), charming short film co-scripted by Douglas
Original Comrades trailer
On-set report from the set of Comrades
Illustrated booklet with essays, production material and credits.

Due to summer holidays, I only managed to watch the DVD right the way through on Saturday. The extras on the DVD are absolutely superb. I would say that this along with the release of Winstanley is our DVD highlight of the year so far.

John Hughes RIP

2009-08-07T00:30:00.000+01:00

Director John Hughes has left the building, and gone to that great screening room in the sky.
In a career that spanned a few highs and many more high money making artistic lows, he has left behind a legacy of a significant contribution to popular cinema.
Whilst have happily avoided his entire post 1990s output, we have to admit the guilty pleasure of having enjoyed much of his earlier work.
The Breakfast Club really is where the story should start, with Hughes practically inventing the 1980s teen flick genre. The film had a great energy, a great cast, a superb soundtrack and a story that took a whole weekend to write. Hughes followed up the hit with some further polished teenage angst films, the pick of them being Some Kind Of Wonderful and Pretty In Pink.
With further films he strayed much further into the comedy genre with films like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Weird Science, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck.
His last great film (in our opinion was) was the Christmas holiday favourite National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, which is great dumb fun.
Where we must leave the story (for all reasons of artistic taste), is where Hughes' most successful (financially) films begins with The Home Alone series, The Beethoven series, Curly Sue and Flubber etc.
We'd prefer to remember his 1980's heyday, (when we were teenagers ourselves) renting his films on VHS with our dodgy hairstyles, and his films' 'kicking' soundtracks, and thinking that middle America must be a better place to grow up in, than the dreary streets of little Britain.

Ticket giveaway to the Terry Gilliam season at BFI Southbank in London

2009-07-27T11:18:00.000+01:00

Our cyber friends, the wonderful people at The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Fan Site (which has received much praise and assistance from Terry Gilliam himself), are running a superb competition at the moment.

In conjunction with The BFI Southbank, London, there are 5 pairs of tickets for films showing throughout August at the Terry Gilliam season at The BFI Southbank, London up for grabs in their Terry Gilliam trivia competition. So if you would like tickets for films showing during the season, enter the competition and you might just be lucky enough to scoop the prizes. Check it out soon at The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Fan Site as the competition closes on Saturday 1st August.

I would heartily recommend any fans of Terry Gilliam and Heath Ledger to check out The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Fan Site. It has a wealth of information about the forthcoming The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus film, including HD trailers and other exclusive content, it also has the seal of approval and support of Terry Gilliam himself, along with a series of competitions with some very special prizes indeed. So keep tuning in to The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Fan Site to keep up to date with all the very special things happening in support of the film's release.

Terry Gilliam Live Chat - 24th July 2009 and BFI Season - August 2009

2009-07-23T16:01:00.005+01:00

It has been confirmed that The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus will be released in the UK in October 2009. The official site at The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has just one picture on the site and nothing else, but it looks so gorgeous it's whet the appetite already. There is more on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Unofficial Fan Site which even features a live chat with Terry Gilliam on 24th July 2009. We can't wait for October, as it looks like Parnassus is going to be another slice of Gilliam perfection - it certainly wen't down well at Cannes where it received a 13 minutue ovation.

The BFI Southbank will be running in August a month-long retrospective of Terry Gilliam's cinematic work. It will include screenings of 10 of films including Brazil, Jabberwocky, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas and The Time Bandits. For full details go to the Terry Gilliam season at The BFI Southbank on the BFI website.

In other news Terry Gilliam is still confident of resurrecting his long standing project a film version of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, and that filming of the project will commence in Spring 2010. The saga of the previous attempt to make it was documented in Lost In La Mancha. Little else has been confirmed, but Johnny Deep still seems likely to take the starring role.

Cannes News

2009-04-24T12:00:00.001+01:00

The official selection for entries in this year's Cannes Film Festival have just been announced.

These include: Jane Campion's BRIGHT STAR, Michael Haneke's DAS WEISSE BAND (aka The White Ribbon), Ken Loach's LOOKING FOR ERIC and Quentin Tarantino's INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS.

Some exciting films will also be shown out of competition includes Terry Gilliam 's THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS and Michel Gondry's L'EPINE DANS LE COEUR.

The feature film jury president this year is the ever wonderful Isabelle Huppert (our favourite actress bar none).

We have to say that it seems like a particularly strong competition this year, the festival is the highlight of the film festival calendar, and it will run this year frm the 13th to the 24th May.

Mike Leigh Oscar nomination, what about Sally Hawkins

2009-02-17T12:27:00.003Z

Mike Leigh's oscar nomination for the screenplay for his 2008 movie Happy-Go-Lucky must have taken all but his most ardent fans by surprise.

The film didn't do big business at the box office (unlike his previous release Vera Drake), and was released on DVD very shortly after its initial cinematic run. It also could have been said to have covering some safe and well tested ground for Leigh (the character of Scott could be a less angry and articulate version of Johnny from Naked, and Poppy's deliberate positive attitude is reminiscent of previous Leigh characters. More remarkable still it failed to receive a BAFTA nomination at the normally jingoistic awards ceremony.

However, perhaps the most surprising aspect of this is that Sally Hawkins did not receive an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Poppy in the lead role in the film. Hawkins scooped the best actress (in a comedy or musical) award at The Golden Globes, and it has to be said her extremely well judges performance was a highlight of the year.
It seems that leading lady Oscar nominations only go to heart rending and worthy
performances, but less dramatic but more skillful performances have always seemed to be overlooked in recent years in this particular category.
So for our money Sally Hawkins deserved to be included in the nominations.

If there is any justice on the night of 22nd February then at least we hope that Meryl Streep will win the Oscar for her masterful performance in Doubt.

Comrades - Bill Douglas showing on TV.

2009-02-16T16:41:00.001Z

Comrades the lost legendary final movie from director Bill Douglas (My Childhood, My Ain Folk, My Way Home). Is due to be shown on FILM 4 in the UK on Wednesday 19th Feb 2009 starting at 23.00.

Comrades is a cinematic account of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of Dorset labourers who in the early 19th century took a collective stand against the unfair treatment meated out by their land owner. The land owner and the judiciary sought to crush any dissent amongst the peasant classes and the labourers were transported to Australia for their 'crimes'.

The film had a terrific cast that includes James Fox, Michael Horden, Freddie Jones, Robert Stephens, Immelda Staunton, Keith Allen and Philip Davis, and was finally finished in 1987 (after endless production problems), and nearly 10 years after Bill Douglas had completed his life trilogy (My Ain Folk etc).

Comrades received a limited cinematic release (no doubt in part due to its unfashionable theme and its 3 hr plus running time), and subsequently received only a couple of plays on television on Channel 4 (who co-funded the project) . It also received a very low key and brief VHS issue, but it has been long out of print and impossible to find.

In the wake of Bill Douglas' death the BFI released the Trilogy on DVD, here is hoping that the premiere of Comrades on FILM4 is the first step to seeing this lost classic released on DVD very soon.

New UK DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 15th, 22nd and 26th December 2008

2008-12-15T23:48:00.000Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary UK DVD and Blu-ray releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.
In the UK, our pick of the DVD releases on 15th, 22nd and 26th December 2008: The schedules for these weeks have been amalgamated due to the small amount of releases and teh chage to release days through the Christmas period.

Pier Paolo Pasolini Vol.2. Released on the excellent Artificial Eye label (where else) comes a superb collection of four films by the acclaimed Dardenne Brothers. Includes the films: The Child, The Son, Rosetta and The Promise.

Man on Wire. A documentary charting the day of August 7th 1974, when young Frenchman named Philippe Petit illegally rigged a wire between the New York's twin towers and started to cross the wire in a tight rope walk / dance that would last over an hour. An absolutely fascinating and gripping documentary.

The Love Guru. Everyone is waiting for Mike Myers to make a bad film - keep waiting. This is another truly funny Myers movies stuffed with some great gags, and again proves he is one of the very few universal talents making comedy these days.

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the UK include: The Counterfeiters, Just Another Love Story, Counterfeit Butterfly, Hell Night, The Strangers, Kentucky Fried Movie, Away from Her, Ghost Writer and Battle of Wits. For full details of these releases go to our December 2008 new DVD releases store.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the UK are:

Man On Wire. A documentary charting the day of August 7th 1974, when young Frenchman named Philippe Petit illegally rigged a wire between the New York's twin towers and started to cross the wire in a tight rope walk / dance that would last over an hour. An absolutely fascinating and gripping documentary.

The Love Guru. Everyone is waiting for Mike Myers to make a bad film - keep waiting. This is another truly funny Myers movies stuffed with some great gags, and again proves he is one of the very few universal talents making comedy these days.

King Lear. A superb adaptation by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Sir Ian McKellen, Frances Barber, Sylvester McCoy and William Gaunt.

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the UK include: Battle of Wits, Dumb And Dumber, Exiled, The Mask, The Strangers, Into the Wild and The Duchess. For full details of these and other Blu-ray releases this month go to our December 2008 new Blu-ray releases store.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK are:

Doctor Who: Battlefield. One of the few McCoy stories worth hunting down. This story revisits Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and the faithful yellow car Bessie. Doctor and Ace get themselves caught up in an Arthurian adventure.

Not Going Out collection. Take two of the countries finest gag merchants Tim Vine and Lee Mack, give them zero budget and get them to attempt to make a sitcom that could be sold to America. This is what you get. Luckily it's rather brillian.

The Ascent of Money. Great timing. A six part series on the history of finance, economy and money. It leaves one huge question unanswered - why can't I earn any money?

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK include: Hubble - 15 Years Of Discovery, Trial and Retribution: The Fourth Collection, Soldier of God, Taggart - The 2008 Collection, Wallander and Lipstick Jungle Series 1. For full details of these TV releases go to our December 2008 new TV releases store.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for December 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix December 2008 UK releases site, even further details can be found at our alt-flix Decmber 2008 releases store.

New USA DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 9th December 2008

2008-12-06T13:26:00.001Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary USA DVD and Blu-ray releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.

In the USA, our pick of the DVD releases on 9th December 2008:

Man On Wire. A documentary charting the day of August 7th 1974, when young Frenchman named Philippe Petit illegally rigged a wire between the New York's twin towers and started to cross the wire in a tight rope walk / dance that would last over an hour. An absolutely fascinating and gripping documentary.

The Quare Fellow. Patrick McGoohan stars in this uncompromising 1962 film based on the story by legendary Irish writer Brendan Behan, about a prison where a man is shortly due to be hanged. Also included is a superb extra of 'Bendan Beehan's Dublin' a superb document of the great city through the eyes of Beehan and it's other famous residents.

Europa. AKA Zentropa. A little piece of genius from Lars Von Trier. A Criterion release for his 1991 tale of a runaway train journey of confusion. Packed with extras like commentaries documentaries and interviews (just like you'd expect from Criterion).

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the USA include: Flow; Horton Hears a Who!; The Dark Knight; A Hole In A Fence; Open Window; Change My Life; Just My Luck; Ahlaam; Takva: A Man's Fear of God and Bad Boys. For full details of these releases go to our December 2008 new DVD releases store.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the USA are:

From Dusk Til Dawn. Robert Rodriguez's collaboration with Tarantino was always going to be wild. One of the finest alt-vampire films ever. Looks fantastic, sounds powerful and plenty of gory horror laughs.

Jet Li's Fearless. Inspired by the story of a real-life hero in a story of a martial arts champion. One of the most stunning looking martial arts movies ever made.

The Dark Knight. Was any film ever going to be worth the absolutely ridiculous amount of hype that heralded this release - no. This is a pretty damn good film. Excellent special effects and a great cast, but falling short on the story, maybe we are tiring of Batman?

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the USA include: Horton Hears a Who!; Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and I Am Legend Ultimate Collector's Edition. For full details of these and other Blu-ray releases this month go to our December 2008 new Blu-ray releases store.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA are:

Lost: The Complete Fourth Season [Blu-ray]. We've been waiting for this for so long - Lost season 4 on Blu-ray. This is our favourite season by some way. It's also available on DVD too.

Deadwood: The Complete Series. One of our favourites of all time. The complete 3 season series containing 19 discs with over 36 hours of Deadwood.

The Wire: The Complete Series. All 60 hour long episodes from one of the most (rightly) acclaimed US TV series of recent years. Available in a box set of on 23 discs.

Rawhide - Seasons 1 - 3. Every episode in seasons 1 - 3 collected. Perhaps the 2nd best western themed series of all time . Clint Eastwood was so charismatic even then, and he patently learned so much during this series that he applied beautifully to his amazing cinematic roles.

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA include:Swingtown - The First Season; Happy Days - Seasons 1-4; Rawhide - Season Three, Vol. 2 and Happy Days - Season 4. For full details of these releases go to our December 2008 new TV releases store.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for December 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix December 2008 USA releases site, further details can be also be found at our December 2008 releases store.

New UK DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 8th December 2008

2008-12-06T12:59:00.000Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary UK DVD and Blu-ray releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.
In the UK, our pick of the DVD releases on 8th December 2008:

The Dardenne Brothers Collection. Released on the excellent Artificial Eye label (where else) comes a superb collection of four films by the acclaimed Dardenne Brothers. Includes the films: The Child, The Son, Rosetta and The Promise.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Thankfully Star Wars gets back on track with this excellent story that nestles in between episodes 2 and 3. The only criticism is Lucas' choice of animation style that makes it look like a computer game rather than a piece of art. Great shame.

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. One of the most eagerly awaited sequels for years, as ever the genius of Guillermo del Toro doesn't disappoint for one single minute. As with all of his films, this looks absolutely stunning (also available on Blu-ray)..

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the UK include: Angus, Thongs And Full-frontal Snogging; The Fox And The Child; The Dark Knight; Times and Winds; Ashik Kerib; The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; The Banishment and Wild Child. For full details of these releases go to our December 2008 new DVD releases store.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the UK are:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Star Wars gets back on track with this excellent story that nestles in between episodes 2 and 3. The only criticism is Lucas' choice of animation style that makes it look like a computer game rather than a piece of art. Great shame.

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. One of the most eagerly awaited sequels for years, as ever the genius of Guillermo del Toro doesn't disappoint for one single minute.As with all of his films, this looks absolutely stunning (especially in the Blu-ray format - and laden with its excellent bonus features)..

Equilibrium. Kurt Wimmer's excellent dark sci-fi tale, that includes a superb cast (Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Angus McFayden). Where this one wins over its rivals is the strength of the plot running through the film.

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the UK include: The Dark Knight; Dodgeball and American Gangster. For full details of these and other Blu-ray releases this month go to our December 2008 new Blu-ray releases store.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK are:

National Geographic Stonehenge Decoded. Fascinating documentary on the famous monument. This 2 hour programme documents the recent excavations within the circle and also in surrounding areas, that have brought archeologists a long way in working out what the henge was originally used for.

The Wire: Complete HBO Season 1-5. All 60 hour long episodes from one of the most (rightly) acclaimed US TV series of recent years. Available in a box set of on 24 discs.

Wallander. A different type of detective story for Sunday nights. Based on the internationally best-selling books by Henning Mankell and starring the normally unwatchable Kenneth Brannagh.

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK include: Happy Days: Four Season Pack; Stargate - Continuum The Ark Of Truth; Gunsmoke: The Third Season Vol 1 and Rawhide: Season Three Vol 2. For full details of these TV releases go to our December 2008 new TV releases store.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for December 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix December 2008 UK releases site, even further details can be found at our alt-flix Decmber 2008 releases store.

Christmas movies guaranteed to make you feel Christmassy

2008-12-01T15:22:00.000Z

In the run up to Christmas, how many times do you hear the phrase "It doesn't feel like Christmas yet", probably quite a few times. We hear at alt-flix.co.uk have the solution - a run down of 24 movies (one for each day of Advent) guaranteed to make you feel Christmassy.

When we first ran the feature on our website in December 2006, it featured on the front page of IMDB.com and also was chosen as the site of the day by Yahoo. Thanks to that we had an absolutely massive response from people offering their recommendations as to their favourite movies that make them feel Christmassy.

So, in the run up to Christmas 2007 we ran a poll to find out which movies visitors to our website would chose for the list. Again we had a massive response to this, and with all the votes cast we were able to put together a full countdown of the top 24 Christmassy movies.

So what we have done is put together an new and improved guide to the top 24 movies guaranteed to make you feel Christmassy, and we have done it in the form of an advent calendar (actually we've put together two one for USA and another for the UK, as the votes cast showed such a wide disparency between the films each country thought were Christmassy).
So if you want to have a look at the run down which has reviews (some humurous) of each of the movies, and see if you agree or disagree, or perhaps tell us which movies you think should be on the list, then please go to:
Alt-flix 24 movies guaranteed to make you feel Christmassy USA Edition or UK Edition.

We have also put together an online store in association with Amazon.com sells all the Christmassy movies listed and many more besides, if you want to take a look visit either Alt-flix Christmassy movie store (USA) or Alt-flix Christmassy movie store (UK).

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and happy viewing.

DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 1st December 2008

2008-12-01T14:25:00.000Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary UK DVD and Blu-ray releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.
In the UK, our pick of the DVD releases on 1st December 2008:

The Memory Keeper's Daughter. A great cast (especially Emily Watson) does a sterling job in this deeply involved tale of human dilemmas and misdemeanors. The film is a superb adaptation from the hugely successful novel of the same name by Kim Edwards.

Lotte Reiniger: Fairy Tale Films. Thankfully released by The BFI, are legendary director Lotte Reiniger's wonderful fairy tales in her signature style black and white silhouette animation. This collection contains films from 1922 (Cinderella) up to 1961 The Frog Prince. Truly charming.

Hancock. A big budget Will Smith superhero flick is not everyone's idea of a film to seek out (certainly not ours usually). But this one is a truly entertaining film with great CGI, a decent cast (including Charlize Theron) and plenty of laughs.

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the UK include: Elegy, Camp Rock and Space Chimps . Very few DVD releases this week as the industry push Blu-ray for all its worth in the run up to Christmas. Speaking of which.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the UK are:

Austin Powers Collection. Sam This is groovy (baby). Whilst being light on extras, we are very partial to the work of Mike Myers, and these 3 films contained within are truly very funny and also stand up to repeated viewing. Yeah baby.

French Connection 1 & 2. Gene Hackman stars in these legendary films as Popeye Doyle, surely one of cinema's strongest characters. The original won an Oscar, the second was somewhat overlooked but is probably even better.

Joan of Arc - The Messenger. Milla Jovovich stars in the title role in Luc Beeson's superb take on the legend. A film that is as entertaining as it is brutal, and it certainly ranks comfortably alongside Beeson's very best work.

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the UK include: Hancock, Planet Of The Apes Collection, Bad Santa, The Thing, Knocked Up, The Mummy 1 2 & 3 Box Set, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Wanted, Dirty Dancing (Ultimate Girl's Night In Collector's Edition), The Scorpion King and Space Chimps.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK are:

Auf Wiedersehen Pet - 25 Years Ultimate Box Set. All 4 series of the superb Clement and Frenais' classic comedy drama. Following the intrepid hero's from Britain to Germany, back to Britain, to Spain (via The Falklands) to Middlesborough, Nevada, Cuba and Africa and Laos.

The Lost Prince (Blu-ray). Stephen Poliakoff's highly regarded drama about the little boy shamefully abandoned by his parents Queen Mary and George V. They knew no better.

24 - Redemption. Feature length special to herald in the new season. The specially extended release includes scenes that were not Included included in the television broadcast plus a whole host of superb extra features.

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK include: Steve Coogan - The Complete Collection, Einstein and Eddington, Night Mail & Lines For All Seasons, The Armstrong and Miller Show - Series 1, Jake And The Fatman: Season One Vol 2 and The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for December 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix December 2008 UK releases site, even further details can be found at our alt-flix Decmber 2008 releases store.

New USA DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 2nd December 2008

2008-12-01T14:01:00.000Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary USA DVD and Blu-ray releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.

In the USA, our pick of the DVD releases on 2nd December 2008:

The Trap. Director Srdan Golubovic's 2000 film set in post conflict Belgrade. A film that surrounds a young family whose son is i'll and needs life saving treatment abroad. The father is offered the money to get his son treated, but the money comes at a high price.

My Father My Lord. Writer and Director David Volach's powerful exploration of everyday life in the ultra-orthodox Israeli community that he himself was brought up in.

Rape of Europa - Collector's Edition. Joan Allen's superb documentary about the Nazi's pillaging of European art during World War 2, and how these pieces are now starting to be returned to the families of the rightful owners.

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the USA include: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Wanted, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Step Brothers, The Longshots, Wisegal and Days of Being Wild.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the USA are:

The Shawshank Redemption. This is the ultimate edition of this superb movie. The picture and sound detail are stunning on Blu-ray format. There are also a huge amount of fantastic extras in the release that is truly worthy of this fantastic movie. All this plus an excellent 38 page booklet.

Austin Powers Collection: Shagadelic Edition Loaded With Extra Mojo. This is groovy (baby). Whilst being light on original extras, we are very partial to the work of Mike Myers, and these 3 films contained within are truly very funny and also stand up to repeated viewing. Yeah baby.

Iraq in Fragments. Director James Longley's much acclaimed documentary (nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar at the 2007 Academy Awards), about the real Iraq and its people in the wake of the American occupation.

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the USA include: The Casablanca (Ultimate Collector's Edition), The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The X-Files Movie 2-Pack (I Want to Believe / Fight the Future), The Day the Earth Stood Still (Special Edition), Sin City, Children of Men, Days Of Being Wild, The Contract, Step Brothers, Home Alone, Day of the Dead and Immortal.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA are:

I Claudius & Epic That Never Was. Landmark 1970's BBC TV series starring Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips and John Hurt, following the murderous intrigue witnessed by the future emperor Claudius. Also includes an excellent documentary detailing the abandoned 1937 film version. From the remaining footage it looks an absolute masterpiece.
Saturday Night Live - The Complete Fourth Season. (From 1978/1979). Probably the best season of SNL, that would be the last starring Ackroyd and Belushi. This season includes the superb episode hosted by Carrie Fisher and the fantastic pythonesque episode hosted by Eric Idle.

Frost / Nixon - The Original Watergate Interviews. Released to coincide with the recent stage play / TV film adaptation comes the original interviews. What really comes through is that you cant trust politicians even for a second - not ever.

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA include:Perry Mason - The Third Season - Vol. 2, Law & Order: Sixth Year, Cannon - Season One - Vol. 2 and Metalocalypse - Season 2.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for November 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix December 2008 USA releases site, further details can be also be found at our December 2008 releases store.

New USA DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 25th November 2008

2008-11-23T00:06:00.001Z

Bottle Rocket. Wes Anderson's debut feature is far less well know than his future features. But this tremendous film signposted the full array of his armory even this early on. This superb Criterion edition includes the original short he made of Bottle Rocket, plus a myriad of superb extra features.

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the USA include: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Part-Time Work of a Domestic Slave, A Perfect Day, Just Sex and Nothing Else, Life the Way It Is, Jolts of the Heart, Silence of The Sea and Half Broken Things.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the USA are:

Becket. The hard drinking duo of Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton give some of their finest cinematic performances in this 1964 historical epic. Superbly shot, the remastering onto Blu-ray gives this film another lease of life.

Chungking Express. Wong Kar-Wai's highly influential 1994 kicked off a resurgence of interest in both Hong Kong and Asian cinema, that saw the region produce some of the most freshest movies being produced anywhere. This landmark piece is given a features packed Criterion release worthy of its reputation.

Walk the Line. Bio-pic of the excellent Johnny Cash story, that skillfully avoided all the cliched pitfalls of bio-pics of musical stars. Excellent Blu-ray release. This version is an extended cut of the movie and is bulging with a plethora of extra features.

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the USA include: The Kingdom, Superman - Doomsday, Hancock, Jarhead, Black Narcissus, and La Haine.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA are:

Kath and Kim - Hornbag Collection. Australia are producing some fantastic comedy series, with this and Summer Heights High being two of the foremost examples. This series is just shouting "Look at me".

24: Redemption. Feature length special to herald in the new season. The specially extended release includes scenes that were not Included included in the television broadcast plus a whole host of superb extra features.

Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. - Complete Series, Seasons 1-5. The complete series on 25 discs of the classic show that was itself a spin-off from The Andy Griffith Show.

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA include: The Mod Squad - The Second Season Vol. 1, Mark of Cain and Beverly Hills 90210 - Seasons 1-6.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for November 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix November 2008 USA releases site.

New UK DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 24th November 2008

2008-11-22T23:46:00.001Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary UK DVD and Blu-ray releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.
In the UK, our pick of the DVD releases on 24th November 2008:

The Discovery of Heaven. Director Jeroen Krabbe's amazing 2001 adaptation of Harry Mulisch's epic theological / philosophical novel. A truly superb story. Stars Stephen Fry and Greg Wise.

Strange Culture. Drama/ drama documentary, from director Lynn Hershman Leeson which explores the nightmare that artist Steve Kurtz had to endure after an invasive FBI investigation that names him as a bioterrorist.

Tigrero. Filmmaker Sam Fuller (accompanied by Jim Jarmusch and director Mika Kaurismaki) revisits the Amazon where, in 1954, he shot footage in the rain forest for a John Wayne film that was never made.

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the UK include: Captain Eager and the Mark of Voth, L'Argent, Summer Hours, Purple Sunset, Oasis Of Fear, Mamma Mia!, Wall-E and Partition.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the UK are:

Straw Dogs. Sam Peckinpah's controversial masterpiece western transplanted from the Wild West to the Wild West Country of Cornwall. This film, for so long banned in the UK, makes for extremely uncomfortable viewing. Check out our full Straw Dogs review.

Becket. The hard drinking duo of Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton give some of their finest cinematic performances in this 1964 historical epic. Superbly shot, the remastering onto Blu-ray gives this film another lease of life.

Cabaret. A cult camp classic from the 1970s. A superb musical film set in the decadence of pre-war Berlin, and telling the tale of an American actress Sally Bowes (Liza Minelli) who falls in love with her bi-sexual friend (Michael York).

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the UK include:Chungking Express, Impossible Mission Trilogy, Casino, American Gangster, Mamma Mia!, Jarhead and Wall-E.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK are:

Survivors - Series 1-3. Reissued as the remake of series 1 starts on BBC, we get the series 1 - 3 of the original mid 1970s series released in a 12 disc boxset. This series, a tale of the few survivors of an apocalyptic virus, is one of the best sci-fi series of all time. If you like the remake, then I'd advise you to check out the original, low on special affects, but a fantastically well made drama.

Little Britain U.S.A. Probably even better than their UK version, the new characters on display and the more aggressive attitude of the writing, is only slightly hampered by many of the original characters being past their sell by date.

The X Files: I Want To Believe. A welcome return for the well loved series. The feature film contains one of the best X Files stories so far. Unfortunately contains an out of place Billy Connolly but don't let it put you off. The truth is out there so is a multitude of formats.

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK include: Get Smart - Complete HBO Series, Sharpe's Challenge / Sharpe's Peril, Lead Balloon: Series 2, Trailer Park Boys - Series 1-6, Compulsion and Merlin Vol.1.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for November 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix November 2008 UK releases site.

New USA DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 18th November 2008

2008-11-18T00:17:00.000Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary USA DVD and Blu-ray releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.

In the USA, our pick of the DVD releases on 18th November 2008:

David Lynch - The Lime Green Set. Extraordinary box set includes: Eraserhead (remastered) + soundtrack; The Short Films Of David Lynch; The Elephant Man (+ exclusive extras disc); Wild At Heart (plus a disc deleted / extended scenes); Industrial Symphony no. 1 (exclusive); Blue Velvet (with new Lynch approved 5.1 sound mix) Dumbland (an exclusive mystery disc from Lynch archives) plus a 40 page collectors picture book. Wow.

The Happiness of the Katakuris. Hmmm. How to describe this 2001 film from cult director Takashi Miike. How about Surreal / Black comedy / zombie horror? or a re imagining through unknown dimensions of The Sound Of Music under the influence of a particularly scary acid trip? Whatever, this is s a seriously enjoyable film.

Derek Jarman Collection (Sebastiane / The Tempest / War Requiem / Derek). The 3 films collected here (and the documentary Derek - utilising Jarman's home movies & material), are a fitting tribute to the wonderful British film director Derek Jarman; undoubtedly one of the most imaginative, adventurous and uncompromising directors in cinema history.

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the UK include: Mister Lonely; Up the Yangtze; Goya; A Wonderful Night in Split; Of Love and Eggs; Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson; Fanfan La Tulipe; Wendy and Lucy; and The Wedding Director.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the USA are:

Third Man. One can perhaps make an argument about that necessity of releasing Black and White films on the HD formats, but taking the cinematography on this film justifies its position alone. Also the improved soundtrack, containing the wonderful and instantly recognisable Harry Lime Theme is an absolute joy.

Paris, je t'aime. 20 shorts from an array of directors such as The Coen brothers, Gus Van Sant and Wes Craven. Some of the shorts work much better than others, but as a complete work they actually hang together incredibly well.

The Last Emperor. Bernardo Bertolucci's epic from 1987 is one of modern cinemas most visually stunning pieces. Tailor made for the digitally restored Blu-ray generation.

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the USA include: The Man Who Fell to Earth; Heathers; Bottle Rocket; Revolver; Marvel Blu-ray 3-Pack - Fantastic Four; Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer and the directors cut of Daredevil; Priceless; 8 Mile, Wall-E (Two-Disc) and The Stendhal Syndrome.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA are:

The Complete Monty Pythons Flying Circus - Collectors Edition Megaset. Every episode and loads of very good extras are included in this 21 disc collection. Includes all the classics: Dead Parrot; Ministry Of Silly Walks; Lumberjack Song and The Spanish Inquisition sketch. "Dinsdale, Dinsdale."

Doctor Who : Complete BBC Series 4. Tom Baker may have been the best Doctor ever, but David Tennant is a close second. Sure the new shows can sometimes be low thought and high on chase sequences, but there is a real craft that has gone into the sub-plots that run through the series.

The Odd Couple - The Complete Series, Seasons 1-5. All 5 season of probably one of the best made and most consistently funny comedies ever made for television. They don't just not make 'em like this anymore - and they don't even try now.

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA include:Bones - Series 1-3; The Chomsky Sessions: Noam Chomsky On The World; The Universe: The Complete Season 1 (Blu-ray); The Tudors - Season 2; Doctor Who: The Infinite Quest; Star Trek: The Original 3 Series (Remastered); Charmed Complete Collection and The A&E Adventure Collection DVD Set.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for November 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix November 2008 USA releases site.

New UK DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 17th November 2008

2008-11-17T23:48:00.001Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary UK DVD and Blu-ray releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.

In the UK, our pick of the DVD releases on 17th November 2008 :

Freezone. Simply wonderful film from 2005 that was nominated for the Palm d 'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Featuring a superb performance from Natalie Portman in a tale set in the 'free zone' of the Iraq-Saudi-Jordan borders..

Cinema 16: World Short Films. A superb collection of shorts by some of cinemas current great crop of innovative directors including: Guillermo del Toro, Jane Campion and Park Chan-Wook.

The Rutles: All You Need is Cash (30th Anniversary Edition). Yet another release for Eric Idle's hilarious post Monty Python pre-fab classic Beatles spoof. The songs of Neil Innes and Eric Idle contained in the film are both superb parodies, and superb in their own right (Ouch! and Double Back Alley are particularly splendid).

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the UK include: Gunnin' For That #1 Spot; Mondo Cane; Tigrero; Sordid Lives, The Fan and Take.

The pick of the Blu-ray releases this week in the UK are:

Third Man. One can perhaps make an argument about that necessity of releasing Black and White films on the HD formats, but taking the cinematography on this film justifies its position alone. Also the improved soundtrack, containing the wonderful and instantly recognisable Harry Lime Theme is an absolute joy.

The Matrix / Matrix Reloaded / Matrix Revolutions. All the usual nonsense of all the very cutting edge and innovative Matrix films collected in one bundle - and looking nothing short of amazing with the clarity of the Blu-ray format.

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco. Alt-country band Wilco, feature in this story of how they attempt break out of their pigeon hole into experimental artistes. It also shows them as a band in meltdown with their bitterness pushing them ever closer into Spinal Tap territory. Hugely entertaining.

The recommended best of the rest Blu-ray releases this week in the UK include: Kung Fu Panda; Chronicles Of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe / Prince Caspian; Hulk; The Man Who Fell to Earth; The Last Emperor and Revolver.

The pick of the TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK are:
The Sopranos - Complete HBO Series - Deluxe Edition. All 6 series of this landmark drama series contained on 30 discs. Also contains 3 and a half hours on all new extras features including commentaries, deleted and lost scenes.

Doctor Who : Complete BBC Series 4. Tom Baker may have been the best Doctor ever, but David Tennant is a close second. Sure the new shows can sometimes be low thought and high on chase sequences, but there is a real craft that has gone into the sub-plots that run through the series.

Stephen Fry: In America. The wonderful (and fragrantly fluffy) Mr Fry, drives his cab through every state in the US in this fascinating series. Here he digs up all you ever wanted to know (and more) about the worlds most powerful country.

The recommended best of the rest TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK include:Bones - Series 1-3; Benidorm - Series 1-2; The Mighty Boosh - Series 1-3; Mr Bean Vol.1-5; Outnumbered Series 1 and Star Stories Series 1 & 2.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for November 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix November 2008 UK releases site .

Coen brothers season (plus) showing at the BFI Southbank

2008-11-09T23:31:00.009Z

Already commenced and running through until the end of December, the BFI Southbank will be showing a season of classic Coen brothers movies, but with an interesting twist, they will be showing beside the Coen movie a Hollywood classics that share some parallels or allegiance within the Coens work.

Blood Simple is paired with The Postman Always Rings Twice, movies which resonate strongly with each other in many respects, whilst the brothers recent oscars rich movie No Country for Old Men is paired with Charley Varrick. You can also compare the Coen's version of The Ladykillers with the original Ealing Studios version starring Alec Guiness, no doubt offering the viewer the chance to see where the Coens got it so wrong (for a change).

Other Coens film showing during the season include their latest superb offering Burn After Reading (2008); their oscar laden return to form No Country For Old Men (2007); our own favourites The Big Lebowski (1998), Fargo (1996) and Miller's Crossing (1990) along with every other film they have made to this point.

Visit the BFI's Oh brothers - The Coens in Context season website for more information / screening times for this fabulous season of classic Coen brothers films.

New DVD and Blu-ray releases round up 10th / 11th November 2008

2008-11-09T23:28:00.001Z

Sifting through this weeks crop of contemporary DVD releases, we've come up with some recommendations for you.

UK releases
In the UK, our pick of the DVD releases on 10th November 2008 :

Baraka. A beautiful almost balletic social travelogue, which casts its lens far and wide all across the world. Beautifully shot, and a film that everyone deserves to see. This edition has been beautifully remastered and expanded into a 2 Disc edition. If you have a Blu-ray player I would highly recommend the release in that format as due to its pioneering use of new technology its one of the visually most stunning uses of the Blu-ray format.

War Requiem. Based on the life of WW1 poet Wilfred Owen's life, this is a wonderful mixture of Benjamin Britten's music, Owen's poetry and Derek Jarman's amazing unworldly visuals. Gorgeously remastered from new a High Definition transfer and packed with some very special extras.

Murk
(AKA Morke). Jannik Johansen directs this superbly dark and unusual thriller that delves deep in to the psyche and human behaviour.

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the UK include:It's a Wonderful Life; Scrooge (Collectors Edition); Fighters / Real Money; Border Post and Donkey Punch.

The recommended Blu-ray releases this week in the UK include: The Ipcress File; Harry Potter Year 1-5 Box Set; The Mist; Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; Black Christmas; Donkey Punch and Band Of Brothers.

The recommended TV releases (all formats) this week in the UK include:Band Of Brothers (Blu-ray); Family Guy - Series 7; Red Dwarf: Anniversary collection; Gavin And Stacey - Series 1 & 2; Torchwood - Series 1 & 2; Take a Girl Like You; Supernatural - Complete Third Season [Blu-ray]; Family Guy - Series 1-7 - Complete; Marco Polo, QB VII and Russell Brand - Ponderland.

A full list with further details and an exclusive store for November 2008 releases can be found at the alt-flix November 2008 UK releases site .

USA releases
In the USA, the pick of the DVD releases on 11th November 2008 are:

Mister Foe. AKA Hallam Foe. Jamie Bell (the Billy Elliot boy) takes the title role in this dark and twisted tale of obsession and voyeurism. This is an truly imaginative and innovative (and somewhat disturbing) but hugely enjoyable tale and marks out Jamie Bell as a real future star more than capable of making it into the big league.

Madame Bovary. A re-release of this epic 1991 adaptation of this notorious literary classic, sees director Claude Chabrol team up again with his favourite leading lady Isabelle Huppert, and yet again to such magnificent effect. Huppert's superb performance may in time come to be seen as her crowning acting achievement.

The General (The Ultimate 2-Disc Edition). That this film made in 1926 still regularly appears in the top end in lists of the greatest films of all time, is testament to the creative genius of Buster Keaton. Ironically his star began to rapidly wane as soon as the film was released. This superb 2 disc edition is absolutely chock full of extras and is an absolute delight.

The best of the rest of DVDs released this week in the USA include: Kidulthood; Love Songs; Roberto Rossellini: Director's Series; Opium: Diary of a Madwoman; Change My Life; Blood and Bones; and Pasion.

The recommended Blu-ray releases this week in the USA include: Star Wars: The Clone Wars; Harry Potter Years 1-5; Hellboy II: The Golden Army; JFK, Black Christmas; and The Story Of O.

The recommended TV releases (all formats) this week in the USA include: Band of Brothers [Blu-ray]; The Sopranos - The Complete Series; M*a*s*h (all seasons now available); Off the Baa / Three Amazing Adventures; I Dream of Jeannie: The Complete Series; Supernatural - The Complete Third Season [Blu-ray]; Studio One Anthology; The Streets of San Francisco: Season Two, Vol. 2; Lone Ranger: 75th Anniversary - Seasons 1 and 2; M Squad - The Complete Series; Little House on the Prairie: The Complete Television Series; Scrubs: The Complete Seventh Season; Firefly: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]; George Gently Series 1; and The Commander Set 1.

Other recommended new DVD releases can be found on our site at alt-flix.co.uk November 2008 USA DVD releases.