Latest USA DVD releases July 2008

Our Top 3 picks of the new USA DVD releases of July 2008 are : -

1. High and Low Released 22nd July 2008 Amongst the samurai classics it's very easy to forget Akira Kurosawas command of contemporary drama. This film is an absolute masterpiece, and is perhaps the film that outlines his genius effortlessness of storytelling.

2. Mon Oncle Antoine Released 8th July 2008 Perhaps the finest film to come out of Canada. This 1971 classic from director Claude Jutra is given a very worthy 2 disc Criterion release with lots of new features. Simply superb.

3. Girl On The Bridge Released 1st July 2008 Patrice Leconte manages to sculpt this rom-com into a genuinely beautiful piece of modern cinema, with the help of a terrific cast and some very gorgeous cinematography.

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Other notable DVDs released in July 2008 that we recommend : -

Sunflower Released 1st July 2008 Excellent tale from China telling the story of changing times of control, culture and family .

Patriotism Released 1st July 2008 Yukio Mishima's fascinating and stark 1966 short film is given the Criterion treatment. A true classic.

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters Released 1st July 2008 Paul Schrader's 1985 masterful collage portrait of acclaimed Japanese author and playwright Yuko Mishima. Given an awesome, if slightly delayed, Criterion release.

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Trafic Released 15th July 2008 Jacques Tati as Monsieur Hulot in this hugely entertaining 1971 release. Loads of DVD extras to boot. Don't talk to us about bloody Mr Bean.

Monsieur Vincent Released 15th July 2008 Classic 1947 bio pic of St. Vincent De Paul from director Maurice Cloche. Academy award winner for best foreign language film.

Doomsday Released 29th July 2008 Neil Marshall continues his upward trajectory with this contribution to the post apocalyptic / viral outbreak genre. Not hugely original perhaps, but very well made and consistently acted (not always a given in the genre).