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The Centre Of The World

It's close to implausible that this graphic vignette about a computer geek falling foolishly for a hooker is co-written by Paul Auster and wife, and directed by Wayne Wang. It's not as insightful as it thinks it is, but it's certainly 'erotic'if you consider Molly Parker one of the planet's most alluring women. And she plays the drums.

The Apu Trilogy

Satyajit Ray's superb 1955 debut Pather Panchali is released here as a three-disc package, including its sequels, Aparajito and The World Of Apu. Influenced by "new realist" European cinema, it tells the ongoing story of a poor, luckless Brahmin family in Bengal, following the fortunes of their youngest son, Apu. No Bollywood-style histrionics or musical interventions—this is beautifully shot, understated, quietly authentic, emotionally devastating cinema.

Romeo And Juliet

When compared to Baz Luhrmann's hysterical synapse-splitting kitsch, there's something strangely reassuring about Franco Zeffirelli's stodgy '68 classicist version of Romeo And Juliet. Here, the many pleasures include Michael York's fantastic cheekbones as Tybalt, a cherubic Bruce Robinson as Benvolio, and a plethora of badly choreographed sword-fights. Even the infamous shots of Olivia Hussey's 17-year-old breasts seem quaint rather than smutty.

Satyricon

"The Beatles tours were like Fellini's Satyricon," John Lennon once remarked, and seeing the director's 1969 masterpiece of decadence again, you can only wonder how they made it through alive. A bleak but visually stunning crawl through the paranoia, bisexuality and corruption of ancient Rome, it's hardly easy viewing, but stunning all the same as a lurid portrait of a world tipped over into the realms of madness.

Christie Malry’s Own Double-Entry

A former Uncut film of the month, shamefully under-promoted by the British film industry. Imaginatively based on the cult BS Johnson novel, it stars Nick Moran as a misanthropic bank clerk who elects to wreak vengeance on society for perceived injustices. A sort of Billy Liar with fire in its belly, it's intense, inventive and, finally, explosive.

The Beatles—Anthology

The crowning glory of the Anthology project, this DVD box set features the 10 hours of footage originally seen on TV and video, plus an extra 80 minutes on a fifth disc. A relaxed Paul, George and Ringo, talking to interviewer Jools Holland, relate The Beatles story from top to bottom with humour, a wealth of anecdote and personal revelation, and a surprising willingness to relive the arguments, the bitter financial battles and the split. Inter-cut with historic clips of the Fabs in action, this definitive documentary arrives with improved picture quality and stereo, and 5.1 surround sou

Brian Wilson—On Tour – The Beach Boys—Live At Knebworth 1980

Knebworth 1980 is the last time all six Beach Boys appeared together in the UK. Brian is now a zombie, and Dennis is a mess. Nice harmonies, though, and the songs aren't bad, either. On Tour is riveting. Cameras track a content 21st-century Wilson on stage and off. Carol Kaye, Pet Sounds bassist, insists he "still has the power to do something mind-blowing" before he performs a new song that is, indeed, mind-blowing.

The Osbournes—Series One

Sharon Osbourne, reviewing Series One, sighs wistfully to her son: "I wish it was back then, Jack... we were innocent then." Jack replies: "I think we've been robbed of our innocence."And it was precisely those naïve and spontaneous moments in the Osbourne family mansion that made the first series such a richly human, entertaining and unrepeatable TV experience.

The Pink Floyd And Syd Barrett Story

He hasn't made a record since 1970, but the Syd Barrett legend continues to grow. Narrated by Newsnight's Kirsty Wark and first shown as a BBC documentary, this serious-minded 50-minute film examines the legacy of the Floyd's original Crazy Diamond, mostly through interviews with former band members Dave Gilmour, Rick Wright, Nick Mason and Roger Waters. They paint a harrowing picture of Barrett's disintegration, although the Madcap himself is reduced to a ghost-like presence, seen only in a few flickering frames of archive footage.

Rishtey

A pretty convoluted and derivative 2002 Bollywood outing, ranging over several years and telling the story of Suraj and Komal (Anil and Karisma Kapoor), who are estranged following the machinations of the latter's snobbish billionaire father. Heavy-handed melodrama and some risible musical sequences, reminiscent of a raunchy '80s nightmare, try the patience.
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