Cinematic Master Schindler's List To Get 20th Anniversary Blu-Ray Release

Experience one of the most historically significant films like never before when Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List marks its 20th Anniversary with a Blu-ray™ including Digital Copy, UltraViolet™, more than one hour of Bonus Features and a 16 page companion booklet on 8 April 2013 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Schindler’s List 20th Anniversary Edition has been meticulously restored from the original film negative in pristine high definition, supervised by Steven Spielberg and includes bonus features that shed unprecedented light on the story of Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi party who risked his own life to save more than 1,100 Jews during the Holocaust.

 One of the most powerful films of our generation, Schindler’s List tells an extraordinary true story of courage and faith that continues to inspire. Spielberg personally supervised the extensive high-definition restoration of the film from the 35mm film original negative so that viewers can see this powerful story as never before. In addition to the Blu-ray™ the Digital Copy and UltraViolet™ features allow viewers to watch Schindler’s List anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice for the ultimate, complete viewing experience.

With its initial release in 1993, Schindler’s List rapidly became one of the most honoured films of all time, garnering twelve Academy Award® nominations and taking home seven Oscars®, including Best Director and Best Picture for Spielberg.  The film also earned Oscars® for composer John Williams (E.T., Star Wars), screenwriter Steven Zaillian (Gangs of New York, Mission: Impossible) and director of photography Janusz Kaminiski, as well as art directors Allan Starski and Ewa Braun, editor Michael Kahn and producers Gerald R. Molen and Branko Lustig.

Liam Neeson (Taken, Gangs of New York) received a Best Actor Academy Award® nomination for his portrayal of Oskar Schindler. Ralph Fiennes’ (The English Patient, the Harry Potter series) star-making performance as the cruel Nazi commander, Amon Goeth, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, as was Oscar®-winner Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Hugo) in the role of Schindler’s Jewish accountant, Itzhak Stern.



The Schindler’s List 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™ includes:

• Blu-ray™ disc unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring perfect hi-def picture and hi-def sound
• Digital Copy provides consumers with a choice of formats from a variety of partners, including options to watch on iPhone®, Android™, computers and more
• UltraViolet™ is a revolutionary new way for consumers to collect their movies and TV shows in the cloud. UltraViolet™ lets consumers instantly stream and download to tablets, smartphones, computers and TVs. Now available in both the United Kingdom and Ireland

A 16 page companion booklet with ‘behind the scenes’ information telling more about the incredible stories around Spielberg’s masterpiece

Bonus Features on Both the Blu-rayTM & DVD

• Voices from the List:  Featuring documentary with testimonies from those who survived the Holocaust thanks to Oskar Schindler.
• USC Shoah Foundation Story with Steven Spielberg: The director shows how filming Schindler’s List inspired him to establish the USC Shoah Foundation

The Blu-ray™ is also available to own in a Limited Edition Digibook format.
The Schindler’s List DVD is also released with Digital Copy, UltraViolet™ and a 16 page companion booklet

Pre-order/Buy: Schindler's List - 20th Anniversary Edition Digibook (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UV Copy) [1993]

Synposis:Adapted from the novel by Thomas Keneally, Steven Spielberg’s masterful film tells the incredible true story of the courageous Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson). Initially a member of the Nazi party, the Catholic Schindler risks his career and life, and ultimately goes bankrupt, to employ 1,100 Jews in his crockery factory during the Holocaust. Schindler’s Jewish accountant (Ben Kingsley) serves as his conscience, as Schindler conducts business with an obstinate and cruel Nazi commander (Ralph Fiennes), who viciously kills Jewish prisoners from the balcony of his villa overlooking a prison camp. Filmed entirely in black-and-white on location in Poland, Schindler’s List does not downplay the faults of its magnanimous and unlikely hero, but relates a story of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of horrific devastation and tragedy.

FILMMAKERS
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagall, Embeth Davidtz
Director: Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: Steven Zaillian, based on a novel by Thomas Keneally
Producers: Branko Lustig, Gerard R. Molen, Steven Spielberg
Co-Producer: Lew Rywin
Executive Producer: Kathleen Kennedy
Associate Producers:  Irving Glovin, Robert Raymond
Director of Photography: Janusz Kaminski
Production Designer: Allan Starski
Editor: Michael Kahn

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY™

Release Date: 8 April 2013

Copyright: 2013 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Cat Numbers: 8293637 (Blu-ray) / 8294037 (Digibook)

Running Time: 189 mins 64 secs (film) / 82 mins 4 secs (bonus)

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen, 1.85:1 (Disc 1) / various (Disc 2)

Certificate: 15 (UK & Ireland)

'Nowhere to Go' DVD Review

Classic British film studio Ealing has been seeing a great retrospective this season, with screenings of its classic movies and the release of some of its less renowned pieces to DVD for the first time. The latest in this release schedule is Nowhere to Go, the 1959 excursion into Brit-Noir directed by Seth Holt (Hammer films The Nanny and Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb) and scripted by Holt and film critic Ken Tynan. For classic British cinema fans it’s an absolute treat, and something not to be missed out on.

            The film follows the exploits of Paul Gregory (George Nader) a conman and thief as he escapes prison and goes straight back into the game. As Gregory quickly slips into a mess of thievery and betrayal, the outcome seems bleak and his only hope may lie with socialite Bridget Howard (the sensational Maggie Smith) and an audacious escape from London.

            The opening break-in at a prison after dark, a mysterious figure at a decrepit train station, long shadows, and a stellar kick-off from Dizzy Reece’s Jazz score all set the film up wonderfully. The script is perfectly constructed to show a world of old-school thieves and con artists who know all the tricks in the book, Nader’s strongest scenes are those where he watches a situation then deducts his way in; darting eyes, brief moments of apprehension before it all fizzles away and his persona has reconstructed to go with the flow. Gregory’s mind is, in the first half particularly, a joy to watch at work, we see the steps leading up to something then the penny drops and the audience catch up. The silent brooding reasoning of a conman has surely never been so coolly executed. Bernard Lee (M from the old Bond movies) pops up as a conman acquaintance who is just as adept as Gregory, and Maggie Smith controls the screen as a dubious and possibly dangerous ally, the role was Smith’s feature film debut and got her nominated for the Most Promising Newcomer BAFTA.

            There’s not exactly a complex plot at work here, and the film doesn’t flaunt a hive of activity, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring or simple, though there are definitely moments where attention can wander. Here beats the heart of an old fashioned kind of thriller, something that stands the test of time and really makes you realise how dispensable most modern films, of the ilk, are. This film doesn’t need special effects or rampant gun totting because it has its eyes on a gritty sort of realism, and realism associated purely with mid-century British crime.

            The camera work and set-up of shots directly looks at that grittiness, the predominantly dark feel of the film, the environments, and the beautifully executed shots that can almost be taken as intimate stand-alone frames. Pick what you like; it’s all easy on the eye. In particular the film reaches a great climax which sees Gregory hounded to Wales after the criminal fraternity turn their back on him. Here he is in as much danger as he was in London and here the film reaches a poignant dramatic conclusion which puts the whole film into context as the trials and tribulations of a man caught in a trap of his own misguided actions.

            Nowhere to Go picks its way through 50’s London high-life via the lowlife, Nader gives a career best performance with stellar support, and the film is beautifully shot. The only thing more criminal than Gregory’s actions is that this film hasn't made it to DVD already.

SCOTT CLARK

★★★1/2☆

Rating: PG
DVD Release Date: 14th January 2013 (UK)
Directed By: Seth Holt
Cast: George Nader, Maggie Smith and Bernard Lee 
Buy Nowhere To Go: 

This Is Killer Watch New UK TV Spot For V/H/S

In 7 days time The scariest, rawest horror movie of the year as described by Rolling Stone; the highly original, brutally uncompromising, creative and diverse V/H/S - out in UK cinemas January 18th through Momentum Pictures. We caught the film back at its UK premier at last June's Edinburgh Film Festival, how scary is it? Read our review here!

And so to prepare ourselves for what is being heralded as “A surefire candidate for cult status” (Little White Lies), we have a new promo UK TV Spot with a glimpse into the scares and thrills that lie ahead.

A small group of misfit friends and petty crooks are hired by a mysterious man to break into a derelict suburban house with the sole purpose of finding and stealing a rare videotape. Their only clue to identifying the tape in question is, “You’ll know it when you see it.”
However, on arrival at the house they soon realize the job isn’t as straightforward as they imagined. In one room they discover the lifeless body of a middle-aged man sitting in an armchair, facing a wall of television sets and a stack of VHS cassettes. A similar bounty of tapes is found in the basement, none of which bears any obvious markings to suggest it is the prize they are seeking. As they search through the tapes, playing them in turn, they are treated to a succession of graphic and apparently genuine video recordings, each one more shocking and bizarre than the last.

V/H/S wil arrive in UK&Ireland cinematically 18th January but if your unable to see this scare-tastic film, 28th January the film will be available on DVD, Blu-ray.

Texas Chainsaw 3D Review

One of the most influential horror movies of all time and a milestone in the vast and seemingly endless tide of the slasher, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has since its release in 1974 went on to terrify generations of viewers. Tobe Hooper’s original tale of mayhem and slaughter not only added the chainsaw to the serial killer’s repertoire but created a horror icon fit to match Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, or Freddy Krueger. This year sees the release of a new instalment in the franchise which has already had three sequels, a skilfully executed remake in 2003, and a not so great sequel to that remake in 2006.

Texas Chainsaw 3D has big boots to fill, even though the franchise is one of the most successful horror series of all time and has a legion of proud fans, recent endeavours have not quite hit the mark and the original has never really had a sequel that lived up to expectations. The opening credits condense the original film showing the most important and brutal parts for those viewers perhaps unfamiliar with the original whilst quickly recapping for those stewing in their juices, desperate for the film to kick-off. After this the story picks up literally within an hour of the original’s finale, with the sheriff approaching the infamous house, an interesting decision that actually pulls off wonderfully. Original Leatherface Gunnar Hansen cameos as one of the Sawyer clan whilst Bill Moseley lends his crazy to play The Cook and looks the ringer for Jim Siedow. Naturally, the whole affair goes pair shaped when a lynch mob turns up and turns the classic house along with its cannibalistic inhabitants into an inferno. When the deed is done, one of the mob finds a baby, keeps it, and the film jumps forward thirty years. The child, now grown up and played by Alexandra Daddario, inherits the home of her recently deceased grandmother and travels there with her boyfriend and friends. What could go wrong right? Guess who Granny was keeping in the basement.

The idea is fine, the plot is pretty palatable, but there are issues aplenty with the look and execution of the film. After a pretty strong opening the piece stops being any kind of meaningful contribution to the series. Considering the cultural and monetary revenue the series has spawned, my hopes were high for not exactly a game-changer but something special. Texas Chainsaw very quickly gets caught in the pitfalls of a typical slasher, and for a post Scream/Cabin in the Woods audience that really is a bit risky. The five main characters are all mind bogglingly attractive, Daddario’s top is ever-so-slightly too small for her, there seems to be a bout of the “stupids” going about in Texas and, of course, the kids catch it just as Leatherface picks up his chainsaw. Cars break down, there’s a lot of tripping, people go into the basement to be picked off one by one…you get the drift. Though obviously now when people go in the basement they get to say “fuck this shit” first just so we know they’re dubious. Instead, we can’t help think they’re just addicted to doing dangerously moronic things.

Most importantly, is it enjoyable? Hell yeh it is, it’s a lot of fun to watch: thrilling, funny at points and it actually manages to pull a few scares out the bag. The basement is still a horrifying place to go and Leatherface’s presence is as potent as it was back in 1974, he’s a terrifying character, brutal, fast, and above all human. Dan Yeager’s rendition is obviously keenly tuned to Hansen’s, the shuffling jog, exacerbated grunts and pitiful whines all turn up making sure we have a villain to remember. To the writer’s credit a good attempt at expanding on the world is made through an interesting power play between sheriff and mayor, a conflict that starts at the very beginning of the film and seems to escalate until it reaches a messy conclusion.

Hooper’s original flips from inside to out, light to dark in some of its most horrible sequences, it’s one of those things that makes it not just a good horror movie, but a well-shot one too. Texas Chainsaw 3D doesn’t do as well in the aesthetic department, it looks too polished to incur any real hopelessness, and the marriage of what is still perceived as a rustic area to any technology just seems wrong. A sequence where the sheriff watches live feed from an iPhone as an officer explores the cellar seems uncomfortable amidst the relatively basic timeless quality of the set, same goes for some music choices too. Does it need to be in 3D? Not really, nothing is really gained from the extra dimension, and yet again I can’t help but feel duped into a bit of a crappy fad that seems to riddle modern horror. And that goes back to the film’s main problem: we’ve seen it all before. Like I say that doesn’t make it unenjoyable or even bad, it just makes it slightly disappointing.

There’s plenty of good gore to keep fans happy and some nice little nods to the original, Leatherface is again a formidable (if ageing) villain, and the film is definitely a good watch. Unfortunately there’s not enough depth to cement it as any kind of great contribution, and mindless adherence to modern slasher tropes marks it out as grossly under-imaginative at points.

Scott Clark

★★★☆☆

Rating:18
Release Date: 11th January 2013 (UK) , 4th January (UK Previews)
Directed By: John Luessenhop
Cast:  Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde,Scott Eastwood, Tania Raymonde, Trey Songz

The Titfield Thunderbolt 60th Anniversary DVD Review

I was thrilled to discover recently that Hornby (they of the model railways) have released a replica of the grand old Titfield Thunderbolt as part of their “trains on film” series in celebration of The Titfield Thunderbolt’s 60thanniversary. My initial joy at hearing this news was sadly curtailed when, on inspection, the model advertised on Hornby’s website proved not to be the venerable old engine liberated from Titfield’s museum at all. Instead, the model on offer appears to be a 1:76 scale version of the Thunderbolt’s predecessor, the rather less colourful locomotive that finds its way unceremoniously into a ditch around the film’s halfway mark. Never mind Hornby, at least you tried.

Thankfully, Studio Canal’s 60th anniversary offering is harder to find fault with; a beautifully restored DVD re-release of Charles Crichton’s uplifting 1953 Ealing comedy, The Titfield Thunderbolt. This amiable Ealing offering transports viewers back to an age when inept and avaricious nationalised rail services were making life unbearable for the average commuter, rather than inept and avaricious privatised ones.

On one terribly idyllic morning the residents of the tiny village of Titfield are greeted with the unfortunate news that their crucial branch line, arterial transport route and lifeblood of the community, is to be closed in favour of a bus service. Naturally the residents are outraged, a bus route means paved roads, street signs, zebra crossings and the like; certainly not a fit and proper state of affairs for this sleepy corner of middle England.

Showing true English entrepreneurial spirit, an eccentric bunch of locals band together to run the line themselves. The local squire will act as guard, the village vicar will drive the thing, and the wealthy landlord - motivated by nothing more than an opportunity to begin his daily drinking at some ungodly hour – will fund the entire venture from his own, vast, pocket.

It’s a cheerful affair, a glimpse at an England largely lost to mass production and drab, characterless urban sprawl; a charming invocation of a serene age of long summer afternoons, friendly pints in the local boozer and peculiar British eccentricity.

For the cynic, the naysayer, it’s another example of British cinema with one eye on the past, rather than two on the future; a vision of quaint simplicity, an atavistic dwelling on past glories. Well perhaps it is a little quaint, but the next time your bus replacement service dumps you in drab, characterless trading estate with nought but a Starbucks in which to while away your miserable hours; you might decide that to be resolutely old-fashioned is not such a bad thing.

Chris Banks

(@Chris_in_2D)

★★★★☆

Rating: U
DVD/Bluray Release Date: 14th January 2013 (UK)
Director: Charles Crichton
Stars: Stanley Holloway, George Relph ,Naunton Wayne, John Gregson, Sid James

Buy/Pre-Order The Titfield Thunderbolt:

Watch The UK trailer For Indie Comedy Robot & Frank

We all get old one day, some of will have families so when it comes to the day we collect the pensions and no matter mobile, independent you are the kids will always worry. If you were fortunate to attend last October's London Film Festival Jake Schreier's heart warming debut  Robot & Frank might have been one of those unexpected surprise hit films you enjoyed and this March the film is been released and we have the UK trailer.

Starring Frank Langella  as  aging curmudgeon and retired jewel thief Frank lives a solitary life  and his grown up children are worried about due ever decreasing health suffering with dementia.Thanks to his son (James Marsden) he gets Frank a little and company in the form of caretaker  robot (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard) despite the early resentment the pair form a bond and Frank realises  his mechanical friend can do more than  promote a healthier living.

Picking up a  Alfred P. Sloan prize (at Sundance 2012), an award given to a feature film that focuses on science or technology as a theme and we may not have Tommorrow's World on the box any more but we know our robotic friends are getting smarter. Robot & Frank may not have robots as deadly as those in Terminator but delivery awfully charming, leaving you smiling from start to finish but most of all light relief amongst the big blockbusters that will be deafening you for your precious ticket money.

Robot&Frank will arrive in UK&Ireland on 8th March and also stars Susan Sarandon, Liv Tyler.

ROBOT & FRANK is a buddy caper. Set in the near future, aging curmudgeon and retired jewel thief Frank (Frank Langella) lives a solitary life until his son (James Marsden) installs a caretaker robot; against he and his daughter's (Liv Tyler) wishes. The robot upends Frank's lonely life - filled only with books and a visit to his favourite librarian (Susan Sarandon) - with a strict regimen of exercise, diet and gardening. Stubborn at first, Frank soon realizes Robot has the ability to pull off the most calculated of heists. An unlikely friendship, and crime duo, is born

John Woo's Wu Xia Fest Reign Of Assassins To Get February UK Release Date

Ratpack Films are pleased to announce that Reign of Assassins - described as “The best wu xia film since Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" by The Global Times - will be heading to UK cinemas on 15 February 2013.

Nominated for ten Hong Kong Film Awards (including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Action Choreography, Best Cinematography), this period-set martial arts actioner is far and away the classiest and best-choreographed martial arts extravaganza since “House Of Flying Daggers”.

John Woo (Red Cliff; Paycheck; Mission Impossible II; Face/Off) and Su Chao-pin's (Silk) inimitable directorial touch, sumptuous visuals, astonishing action set-pieces and a beautiful and extremely talented cast including Michelle Yeoh (The Lady; Memoirs Of A Geisha; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Tomorrow Never Dies) and Jung Woo-sung (The Good, The Bad, The Weird; The Warrior), all performing at the top of their game, make this a must-see.

Reign of Assassins combines the action-comedy and romance of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” with the identity swap thrills of “Face/Off”. In Ancient China, “Drizzle” is the most deadly and ruthless assassin of the Dark Stone gang. After a life of theft and murder, she seeks to atone for her ways and leave the gang forever. Undergoing a drastic procedure to alter her appearance, she changes her name to Jing and starts a new life in the capital.

Even with her newfound life as a shopkeeper and a budding romance to Ah-Sheng, the Dark Stone gang is hot on her trail. She alone holds the secret of the mystical Buddhist monk’s remains, which legend says the possessor will gain control of the whole world. The gang will stop at nothing in their pursuit to control this power.

Reign Of Assassins will get an cinematic run in UK&Ireland from 15th February below is the film's official film poster and a trailer .

Actor Dieter Laser back in the lead in The Human Centipede 3

Six Entertainment Company announced yesterday that actor Dieter Laser will be back in the lead role in The Human Centipede 3. In March last year the production of The Human Centipede 3 had to be put hold due a legal battle between directorTom Six's production company, Six Entertainment Company, and actor Dieter Laser (who played the villain Dr.Heiter in the The Human Centipede (First Sequence), but recently the law suit has been dropped by Six Entertainment Company.

Director Tom Six said "I know my Human Centipede 3 will be very politically incorrect, but I didn't want to change anything in the script. I am very happy Dieter will follow my vision for a full 100% now and know he is absolutely the most brilliant actor I could wish for"

Actor Dieter Laser commented "I never ever would have thought that all our differences and misunderstandings would in the end lead to an even deeper and warmer understanding and appreciation of each other. In this regard I am actually thankful about the whole fuss because it turned out to be an advantage and a wonderful present for our film and for our friendship.”

Dieter Laser will star alongside Laurence R. Harvey (The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)) but will not return as characters ‘Dr.Heiter’ and ‘Martin’ but will instead play a new villain duo with a storyline no-one will expect. Also a big American celebrity will beattached to the film.

Filming starts coming may in the USA and will feature a megalomaniac 500 + human centipede.

The Human Centipede (First Sequence) and The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) were released in the UK by Monster Pictures and distributed by Eureka Entertainment.  More details about the third instalment are expected to be announced later this year.

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Since its release, The Human Centipede (First Sequence) has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon.  Inspired by a conversation over what punishment would be appropriate for convicted paedophiles, Tom Six’s bizarre biological horror film has the distinction of being 100% medically accurate. The film went on to win more than 10 international awards including the awards for "Best Horror Film" and "Best Actor" at Fantastic Fest 2009, "Best Picture" at the 2009 Scream Fest and "Most Memorable Mutilation" at the 2010 Scream Awards.

The highly anticipated follow up, The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) premiered in 2011 as the opening film at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas and made instant worldwide headlines when the BBFC banned the film outright in the UK claiming the film could potentially harm viewers. The controversy led to worldwide debates and major articles across the world press. After nearly four months of detailed discussion and debate, an agreement with the BBFC was reached and a viable cut of the film that did not compromise the level of horror, was released theatrically and on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK.

The Human Centipede films broke the mould, set a new standard in the horror genre and in the process went on to become major cult hits

Experience The Realities of War in The WW1 Short "Coward"

Some friends ask me why do continually promote , support short films? My simple answer was to quote Michael Fassbender's line from Prometheus 'Big things have small beginnings' great films, filmmakers all start small developing into either fully fledged films or feature film directors. You could say Short films are like the equivalent of a singer starting at the bottom working there up the ladder of success through the club circuit waiting to be spotted. As technology improves so does the quality of the short film and David Roddham's Coward is an perfect example superb craftsmanship and why we should take time out to enjoy these wonderful films.

Coward is a sentimental throwback to World War One to a sensitive topic among those experienced the atrocities of the war the brutal treatment of the soldiers especially the soldiers with shell shock. We follow 2 Northern Irish soldiers Andrew and James cousins who go to war to serve country and make their families proud. Through their eyes we see the brutal realities of been on the front,tragic tale these young men need a voice someone to tell their story to show they where not cowards.

From the epic cinematography to a solid story line that gives these brave men the respect they always deserves, Coward is one of the best  28 minutes you'll enjoy in 2013.


"COWARD" from Stephen Murphy on Vimeo.
source:Vimeo

DVD Review: Partners In Crime (Associés contre le crime...)

Pascal Thomas' third film in his series of Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence adaptations receives its UK home video release this week. Partners In Crime (or Associés contre le crime... to French audiences), has no illusions of grandeur - it is simply highly entertaining, playful fun.

Private detectives, Prudence Beresford and Bélisaire, decide to take a much needed break from their adventures. However, this proves to be short-lived as they become involved in the case of a missing Russian heiress and a sinister health clinic promising eternal youth.

Despite the previous adaptations in the series being unavailable in the UK, viewers are likely to warm to Partners In Crime almost immediately. Thomas' screenplay combines all the mystery and thrills of a classic Christie novel, with an unabashed sense of fun akin to Blake Edwards' Pink Panther films. This creates a bizarre, but particularly watchable fusion of quick-witted and zany comedy, combined with a genuinely intriguing mystery narrative.

This sense of playfulness is further carried in the near perfect performances from Catherine Frot and André Dussollier. The pair have a charming and authentic on-screen chemistry, with both forming a highly watchable and instantly loveable dynamic. Frot channels Prudence's fiery determination and focus with ease, whilst also showing an enchanting and playful side when working with Bélisaire. Dussollier also proves completely entertaining with his ditzy antics and cheeky one-liners.

Even when elements of the screenplay verge on ridiculous - such as Bélisaire being transformed into a kilt wearing, whisky drinking baby, one can only embrace the light-hearted playfulness of Partners In Crime. The above scene, whilst ludicrous is particularly amusing - mainly when Prudence needs to explain to her daughter as to why she is wandering around with a small kilted baby.

It is no shock that Thomas' has reached the third film in his series, as the combination of charming performances and mysterious narratives, have a completely terrific end result. I only wish more films could be as playful and entertaining as this little French gem.

Andrew McArthur

★★★★☆

Stars: Catherine Frot, André Dussollier & Linh Dahn Pham
Director: Pascal Thomas
Certificate (UK): 12
Release: 7th January 2013
Buy:Partners In Crime [DVD] [2012]