Reviews

Abel Ferrara's excoriating study of how a man wallowing in his own filth at rock bottom finds the way to salvation. In an utterly naked performance as the corrupt, drug-addled, self-loathing New York cop unwillingly turned around by the rape of a nun, a desperately committed Harvey Keitel goes all the way. Then keeps going.

A dazzling epic with a dark and bracing tone, George Stevens' Giant details Rock Hudson's old-fashioned Texan cattle baron (and American national metaphor) as he races towards modernity, neck and neck with neighbouring self-made trailer trash oil-swiller Jett Rink (James Dean). Hudson's sometimes stiff, and the pacing is certainly stately, but it's worth it to catch Dean's final intricately self-conscious screen turn.

Brisk debut from Danish buzzpoppers

Initially electrifying, ultimately frustrating solo debut by Destiny's Child mainwoman

UK popsters catch heaven in a bottle on second album

Brilliant collection of contemporary dub instrumentals

His Royal Toddness breezes into Sun Plaza, Tokyo to promote Nearly Human

A mixed bag of late period reissues from the ancestors of S Club

Mid-price reissue of '90s R&B landmark

Unusual cop comedy thriller from Ron Shelton