Dvds Out Tomorrow

Jun 8 2008 Mickey Mcmonagle

Mailmusic Reviews

CLOVERFIELD (18) *****

This caused a sensation at the box office because Lost creator JJ Abrams had done such an incredible job keeping his film's content a secret.

Cloverfield sees a very strange giant monster attack Manhattan. There is no back story about the beast or motivation for its rampage - it is simply out to destroy.

The film opens with a bunch of instantly dislikeable New Yorkers having a leaving party for a member of their group - Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David) - while a gormless pal films the bash on a camcorder.

Rob's friend Beth (Odette Yustman) is the love of his life but she turns up to his party with another man. They leave quickly then the beast attacks.

The camcorder footage works very well in this film, you feel among the carnage and share the fear experienced by the characters.

Glimpses of the monster and eventually full shots of it reveal a scary beast, making the destruction plausible.

It's a clever film but ultimately it's little more than an old fashioned B-movie with a love story thrown in.Perhaps that's the cleverest part of the whole thing, making it seem much more.

JUNO (15) *****

The mega-popular debut screenplay from writer Diablo Cody has incredibly snappy dialogue and a warm, quirky tone.

Ellen Page is Juno, a teenage girl who falls pregnant and sets out to track down the perfect adoptive parents for her child.

It's a serious situation but the light script works brilliantly thanks to great performances from the young cast.Look out for Michael Cera as father Paulie Bleeker.

It's not exactly a Saturday night action movie but worth seeing.

MANCHESTER UNITED SEASON REVIEW (E) *****

A look back at yet another hugely successful season for the club. Watch the Red Devils rack up trophies at home and in Europe in this great tribute.The perfect gift for fans, especially with Father's Day approaching.