Reviews

Robust, insightful doc by Startup.com director Jehane Noujaim examining the role of Arabic news channel Al Jazeera during the recent Gulf War. Despite being damned by Donald Rumsfeld as the mouthpiece of Al-Qaeda, Al Jazeera emerges as the only honest voice, struggling to be heard above the clamour of misinformation, manipulation and deceit (most of it, ironically, from the US networks). A real David and Goliath story, expertly told.

Fine naturalistic drama from Tajikistan

Scintillating songs let down by clumsy visuals

Well chosen overview of the ultimate Cali troubadour

Stanley The Steamer's Soho showcase

Deluxe edition of their breakthrough album, with a CD of outtakes

So gargantuan a behemoth is this whole franchise that even we head-shaking non-believers can recognise the commercial import of these releases. The 3D "lenticular" images on the sleeves are doing my eyes in, but I'll retain the composure to report that John Williams' bombastic scores for the three original Star Wars films are here repackaged (either as box set or three doubles) and digitally remastered. You get archival bonus tracks, posters, screensavers and various Internet links.

Reg's unexpected winning streak continues

Brian Wilson's stage foil steps up

Canadian 17-year-old fuels the shoegazing revival