Dvds Out Tomorrow

Aug 10 2008 Mickey Mcmonagle

IN BRUGES (18) *****

If you buy one DVD this year, make it this one. While it did reasonable business at the box office and was panned by critics, I loved the quirky, black humour, easy, amiable performances by the leads and slightly odd but hugely entertaining feel.

Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are on dazzling form as mismatched Irish hitmen on the run after a job goes wrong. Sent by their menacing London underworld boss - a terrifying Ralph Fiennes blatantly inspired by Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast and no less scary - to lie low in Bruges, the pair banter and argue their way through their retreat.

For Farrell's Ray, it's hell, trapped in a boring city full of old buildings. For Ken, the veteran killer with a soft side, it's a chance to explore the culture of the medieval town.

Farrell has the time of his life in the role, while grizzled Gleeson is brilliant. The dialogue between the unlikely companions is what makes this film a must-see.

From witty banter, heartbreak and soul-searching, their relationship evolves rapidly over a few days.

At times the script is controversial for the sake of it but flying in the face of the PC brigade is what makes it so refreshing. This will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

And it gets better on repeat viewings - you will find many throwaway remarks you missed first time because you were laughing so hard.

V SERIES ONE (12) *****

I remember this TV mini-series starring Marc Singer and Faye Grant as a terrifying thriller with stunning special effects and scary aliens.

Fast forward 24 years and it's a cheesy nostaligia-fest with dire comedy aliens, typical 80s overacting and hilarious outfits.

Still, for nostalgia alone it's well worth watching again - and the plot is pretty decent.

Aliens arrive on earth claiming to come in peace and offer us technology. With most of the world taken in, a select few rebel after realising the humanoid aliens are lizards in disguise who plan to steal our planet's water and take humans as food back to their own ravaged world.