DVD reviews: April 13th 2008

Apr 13 2008 Mickey McMonagle

30 DAYS OF NIGHT (18)

I am a huge fan of vampire movies and this dark, twisted take on one of horror's finest creatures is destined to be a modern classic.

Set in the bleak, desolate wastes of Alaska, a small town prepares for its annual month without daylight.

The tiny airport, their only link with the outside world, shuts for the winter. But just before it closes, all mobile phones are stolen and burned, sled dogs are butchered and an emergency helicopter is torn apart.

Then, as the sun sets for the last time for 30 days, phone lines are cut, electricity is cut off and the attacks begin. A group of vampires plan to slaughter everyone, then burn the town to preserve the secret of their existence.

Josh Hartnett is the local cop out to keep his family and estranged wife Melissa George safe but the real star is the bleak landscape and sense of isolation, making this a genuinely scary movie. Also look out for Blood Trails, a companion film based on the same graphic novel which inspired 30 Days Of Night.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS (U)

The ever-likeable Jason Lee of My Name Is Earl fame has a stab at an old fashioned family comedy backed up by irritatingly cute CGI chipmunks out to fashion a pop career. Think a slightly squeakier McFly and you're close.

Based on the characters created in the 50s, it's a silly, predictable story but for cheerful, heartfelt family fun it's hard to beat. But be warned, the chipmunk voices will become very irritating if you are over the age of 10.

ST TRINIAN'S (12)

A rather pointless remake of the old comedies based on the adventures of a bunch of raucous schoolgirls.

Rupert Everett stars as the headmistress and her brother with Colin Firth supporting.It was always going to be hard to make something so very much of another time seem to fit in with modern life and the whole film just doesn't quite feel right. There's something vaguely uncomfortable about it all.

Still, Girls Aloud pop up in school uniform so it's not all bad.