Latest UK DVD releases May 2008

Our Top 3 picks of the new UK DVD releases in May 2008 are : -

1. O Lucky Man! Released 19th May 2008 Finally given a UK DVD release on a superb extras laden 2 disc edition. Lindsay Anderson's loose follow up to the much lauded if, is a much better film. The sprawling surrealist script, Malcolm McDowell's superbly judged performance, a perfect cast, all tied together with perhaps the finest soundtrack ever, combine to make this a must-see film. Read our full review of O Lucky Man!

2. Radio On Released 26th May 2008 A superb low-fi mystery / existential road movie (London to Bristol) from 1979. Swathed in the black & white gloom of the era, with a terrific post-punk soundtrack. Unfortunately it includes a performance from Sting, but otherwise a magnificent film.

3. 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days Released 26th May 2008 One of the finest films of last year and winner of the 2007 Palme d'Or. This powerful Romanian film set in the final days of the communist regime, charts the woes of 2 students who experience the hard times.

Other notable DVD releases we recommend from May 2008 are : -

Jim Jarmusch Collection Vol.1 Released 12th May 2008 A collection of 3 movies form one of the most challenging and uncompromising of directors of recent times. Includes Permanent Vacation, Stranger Than Paradise and Down By Law.

Ladybird, Ladybird Released 12th May 2008 From 1994, Ladybird, Ladybird is one of Ken Loach's lesser known films. Chrissy Rock gives an amazing debut performance, as the all too human Maggie, who finds a system and society all too eager to pass judgments on her past mistakes. Released as part of the excellent FILM 4 DVD reissue campaign.

Lady Godiva Released 12th May 2008 A refreshing low budget film from debut writer and director Vicky Jewson. An updating of the tale of Lady Godiva. Thematically and stylistically a throwback, or maybe a well judged nod, to the 1980's era of low budget Channel 4 films, but none the worse for that.

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Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Released 19th May 2008 Tim Burton is the most imaginative and adaptable of directors, testament to this is this attempt at musical high camp gothic horror for the masses. Strangely it works amazingly well.

The Backwoods Released 19th May 2008 A straight to video horror thriller set in the darkest backwoods is perhaps not the most appealing prospect, but the fact it stars both Gary Oldman and Paddy Considine in a 1978 retro suspense fest set in rural Spain, it proves to be one of those little gems that, all too easily these days, slips under the radar.

The Andzrej Wajda War Trilogy Released 26th May 2008 A 3 disc set containing 3 stunning and groundbreaking war epics from the B&W era. It includes: A Generation (1955), Kanal (1957) and Ashes and Diamonds (1958).