Latest UK DVD releases June 2007

Our Top 5 picks of the new UK DVD releases this month are : -

1. The Science of Sleep One of the best films of 2006 / 07 (Probably my favourite film of the last 12 months). Michel Gondry's superbly imaginative modern love story.

2. Family Life Ken Loach's drama from 1971 given its first commercial release on DVD or VHS.

3. Hot Fuzz From the team behind Shaun of The Dead, the superb Hot Fuzz - a cop film like no other (except maybe for Cannon and Ball's 80's classic The Boys in Blue!).

4. If Lindsay Anderson's hugely influential 1968 classic finally given a DVD release.

5. Je T'aime Moi Non Plus A film by the lazy genius of French music the legendary Serge Gainsbourg.

Other notable DVD releases we recommend this month are : -

Week Commencing 4th June 2007

Barocco Andre Techine's masterly thriller from 1976 starring Depardieu and Adjane.

Les Bonnes Femmes AKA The Good Time Girls. Claude Chabrol's classic stunning film from 1960.

Breaking and Entering Anthony Minghellas superior character driven drama about the complexity of relationships.

Who The F*ck Is Jackson Pollock? Fantastic documentary focusing on a one woman crusade to prove a painting bought in a junk shop is an authentic Jackson Pollock.

Jean Renoir Collection Superb 7 disc set containing La Grande Illusion, Le Caporal Epingle, La Merseillaise, La Bete Humaine, Le Testamant Du Docteur Cordelier, Dejeuner Sur Herbe, Elena Et Les Hommes and Bodu Saved From Drowning.

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Week Commencing 11th June 2007

Glastonbury Julian Temples excellent take on the festival released to coincide with the yearly mudfest.

Tokyo Decadence Disturbing tale from Japans Ryu Murakami looking under the surface of society.

Venus in Furs AKA Paroxismus. Cult 1969 surrealist murder mystery from legendary director Jess Franco.

Blood and Bones AKA Chi to Hone. Powerful Japanese drama starring Takeshi Kitano.

Jean Luc Godard Collection Contains 6 of his finest films including Alphaville, Passion, A Bout De Souffle and Made In The USA (which is my personal favourite).

Week Commencing 18th June 2007

The Good Shepherd One of 2006's mightiest films. Directed by De Niro this complex film about the struggles through the moral maze of one of the founding CIA officers.

Forbidden Planet Long awaited DVD release of this legendary mid 1950's sci-fi classic. This is a 2 disc edition released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the film.

Number One, Longing. Number Two, Regret Neil Wassell's low budget take on the noir thriller. Starring the still gorgeous Jenny Agutter.

Running with Scissors Almost worthy adaptation of Augusten Burroughs autobiography. Although not every aspect of the film works, much of it is truly fascinating.

Rat Trap AKA Elippathayam. This is superb offering from 1981 by Directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, possibly the finest film maker working in contemporary Indian cinema.

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Week Commencing 25th June 2007

Un Flic Jean-Pierre Melville's French 1972 excellent crime drama starring the superb Alain Delon and Catherine Deneuve.

Bamako A powerful and very thought provoking film set in the capital of Mali, Bamako, and surrounding a trial of the IMF and world banks.

Marketa Lazarova The jewel in the crown of Czech cinema from 1967. This medieval masterpiece is released on DVD / VHS for the first time. (Link to be updated)

A Prairie Home Companion A fitting if unassuming last film by the legendary genius Robert Altman.

The Rise And Rise Of Michael Rimmer Cult comedy from 1970 starring Peter Cook as Michael Rimmer. Ably supported by Cleese, Chapman, Corbett, Lowe etc.