Dvds Out Tomorrow

Jul 13 2008

THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (PG) *****

This thrilling family fantasy film slots into the genre populated by the likes of the Narnia and Harry Potter movies.

Based on the books by Tony DiTerllizi and Holly Black,it stars the brilliant Freddie Highmore (of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory fame) as twins Jared and Simon Grace.

Struggling to cope with their parents' divorce,the boys are distraught when their mother (Mary-Louise Parker) moves them and sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) to a sleepy town.

They move into a creepy old house owned by their great aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright), whose scientist father Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn) mysteriously vanished 80 years before.

Jared stumbles across Arthur's notebook, packed with details of fairies, goblins and ogres. He realises the tales are true and an evil ogre (Nick Nolte) is trying to get his hands on the book.

Great stuff which kids will lap up.

STEP UP TO THE STREETS (PG) *****

This film's message is that any of life's problems can be solved by having a dance.That may have put bums on seats in the days of silly old musicals but I'm surprised it still does so.

Briana Evigan is Andie,the feisty heroine from a rough area of Baltimore who leaves behind her street dance crew after landing a scholarship to a posh performing arts school.

Rich lad Chase (Robert Hoffman) falls for her and the pair form their own dance crew.

How exciting.

THE COTTAGE (18) *****

Asilly, OTT Brit horror flick which should find a cult following on DVD. David (Andy Serkis) and Peter (Reece Shearsmith) are brothers who want to make a fast buck by kidnapping the daughter of the local mob boss. Played by Jennifer Ellison, the feisty girl in question fights them every step of the way.

Holed up in an isolated cottage with the gobby girl, they run into more trouble as their neighbour is not happy at having his peace disturbed. Silly, messy fun which comedy horror fans will lap up.