For the record, it's English. I was born in Tilbury, Essex, made temporarily 
American citizen?"
A look at the new DVDs and Blu-Rays released available for the home market this week.
Taken 2, the sequel to the surprise 2008 hit Taken, makes one fundamental mistake that was never an issue in the original; it makes Liam Neeson’s character vulnerable, something that audiences may not be looking for, or want, even if the filmmakers thought they were adding a layer of depth. The film delivers the chases and the gun play, but they’re exhausting enough without going for the extra adrenaline rush in the chaotic editing and hand-held camera work. It’s as if the film develops a nervous tic every time action occurs, plus the film’s logic is all over the place. The first Taken was fun, the second doesn’t appear to try. Available in both
The Possession tells of a young girl who buys a mysterious box at a yard sale. We already know something is amiss with the antique because we saw the previous owner frantically trying to destroy it. The ‘true events’ part of the story is regarding the existence of the box. It’s called a Dibbuk Box, the name given to a spirit from Jewish folklore. Director Ole Bornedal has said he was drawn to the story because of its depiction of divorce and family life under pressure. I can’t see audiences getting anything out of The Possession other than a few chills, thrills and a couple of effectively cinematic heart-stopping scares. The idea that the film truly explores the effects of a mother/father separation in any serious fashion is one of those things artists say to lend gravitas to a project; but make no mistake, The Possession is a straight forward horror film, and as long as you see it as this and nothing else, fans of the genre should have a good enough time. Available in both
When it comes to timing, this Doctor Who Christmas special is an odd choice to be released, or in this case, re-released this week. The TV special was already available, plus Christmas was a few weeks back, but anything regarding Doctor Who is always welcomed. This episode was a Christmas episode from 2011 called The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe, an obvious nod to Narnia’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and in a word, this great. Plus, this new release has more than 2 hours of new Extras – a must for any Doctor Who fan – not to mention that the hour-long episode itself is funny, exciting, seasonal, and extremely well shot. The Blu-Ray copy is razor sharp. Highly recommended, and a good starting point for anyone new to the character.
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