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DVD & Blu-ray

UK DVD Releases: Monday 25th May 2009

Including The Reader and 30 Rock Season 2.

UK DVD Picks 24-05-09

DVD PICKS

The Reader (EIV):Ā This adaptation of theĀ 1995Ā GermanĀ novelĀ byĀ Bernhard SchlinkĀ follows a complicated love affair in the 1950s between a German teenager namedĀ Michael BergĀ (David Kross) and a woman twice his age called HannahĀ SchmitzĀ (Kate Winslet). Years later as a law student he discovers a terrible secret about his former lover and struggles to deal with the repercussions of her actions in World War II.Ā 

It is directed byĀ Stephen DaldryĀ andĀ Ralph FiennesĀ plays Berg as an older man struggling to deal with his past. With a script by David Hare (who worked with Daldry on The Hours) this was always going to be an awards season contender, although some mixed reviews in the US and the UK might harm its word of mouth.Ā 

It is a well crafted and involving tale with three very solid performances from Winslet, Fiennes and Kross. Daldry and Hare have managed to preserve the knotty moral questions of the book – something which appears to have really riled critics of the film – and the cinematography from Roger Deakins and Chris Menges is first rate.

The extras include:

  • The Reader : Music
  • The Reader : Makeup
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Production Design
  • Making the Reader : Adapting a timeless masterpiece
  • A conversation with David Kross and Stephen Daltry
  • Deleted Scenes

*Ā Listen to our interview with Stephen Daldry and Ralph Fiennes on The ReaderĀ *

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30 Rock – Season 2 (Universal Playback): The second season of the award-winning sitcom createdĀ by (and starring)Ā Tina FeyĀ takes place behind the scenes of a fictionalĀ livesketch comedyĀ series depicted as airing on NBC; the name “30 Rock” refers to the address of theĀ GE BuildingĀ whereĀ NBC StudiosĀ is located, 30Ā Rockefeller Plaza.

The ensemble castĀ includes Fey,Ā Tracy Morgan,Ā Jane Krakowski,Ā Jack McBrayer,Ā Scott Adsit,Ā Judah FriedlanderĀ andĀ Alec Baldwin.

Some of the highlights in this season (which was cut short to 15 episodes because of the WGA strike in 2007) include:Ā 

The features and extras include:

  • 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
  • English DD5.1 Surround
  • Audio Commentaries by Tina Fey, Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Producers John Riggi and Robert Carlock, Producer/Composer Jeff Richmond and Guest Stars Tim Conway, Will Arnett and Fred Armisen
  • Deleted Scenes
  • “Cooter” Table Read
  • 30 Rock Live at the UCB Theatre
  • Tina Hosts SNL
  • The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents: An Evening with 30 Rock
  • And More!

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ALSO OUT

Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Disney)
Carrington VC (Network)
Central Bazaar (BFI)
Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead (2 Entertain)
Evergreen (Network)
Fifi’s Carnival (2 Entertain)
Il Grido (Eureka/Masters of Cinema)
London in the Raw (BFI)
Magick Lantern Cycle (BFI)
Martyrs (Optimum)
Moonlight Sonata (Network)
My Family Series 9 (2 Entertain)
Ordeal by Innocence (Optimum)
Primitive London (BFI)
Pulling: Series 2 (2 Entertain)
Pumping Iron (Lionsgate)
Pushing Daisies – Season 2 (Warner)
Seven Pounds (Sony)
The Bed Sitting Room (BFI)
The Fear ā€“ The Complete Series (Network)
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Warner)
There Goes The Bride (Network)
Tokyo! (Optimum)
Yus, My Dear Series 1 (Network)

> Browse more DVD Releases atĀ Amazon UKĀ andĀ Play
>Ā Check the latest DVD prices at DVD Price Check
>Ā Take a look at the current UK cinema releasesĀ (W/C Friday 22nd May)