Sight & Sound Poll Winners Season

Following on from the BFI’s major announcement last week that Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo has topped Sight & Sound magazine’s Ten Greatest Films of All Time, the BFI announces that throughout September BFI Southbank will host a season of the top ten films from the poll. The season will comprise of some stalwarts of the poll including Citizen Kane (1941), 8 ½ (1963) and La Règle du jeu (1939), as well as less frequent entries such as The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) and Man With a Movie Camera (1929). This season will give cinephiles and newcomers alike a chance to see the most critically acclaimed films ever made on the big screen, and will once again prompt people to question what makes a film a ‘classic’. A question which will be further examined by a panel of industry experts including filmmaker Ben Walters and former Head of Publishing at the BFI, Edward Buscombe inCall It a Classic? 

The Sight & Sound poll is the most comprehensive and eagerly anticipated international film poll in the world. Once-a-decade, since 1952, Sight & Sound has asked international critics and filmmakers to choose their Top Ten greatest films, from across the history of world cinema. Over 800 film experts (critics, archivists, curators, programmers and academics) and over 400 directors from all over the world have contributed to the 2012 poll, voting for over 2000 films. This is the seventh time that the critics' poll has been conducted, and the third time that the directors' poll has been published. 2012 also sees the 80^th birthday of Sight & Sound, which will be marked with a re-launch of the magazine and the release of thecomprehensive digital archive of Sight & Sound and The Monthly Film Bulletin.

The season will begin with Call It a Classic?, a panel discussion which will ask questions pertinent to the Sight & Sound poll such as How does a film achieve classic status? Should there be a canon of ‘great’ films? And who gets to decide what’s a classic? To mark the publication of the poll and the 20^th Anniversary of the BFI Film Classic Series, Sight & Sound editor Nick James is joined by a panel of distinguished film historians, critics, and BFI Film Classic authors, including critic, programmer and filmmaker Ben Walters and former Head of Publishing at the BFI, Edward Buscombe, to debate these questions and more.

The 1960s produced two of the films in this year’s top ten, the first of which is Fellini’s 8 ½ (Dir. Federico Fellini, 1963). The film depicts the agonies of the creative process of filmmaking in wildly inventive ways as the viewer follows director Guido Anselmi while he struggles with ‘director’s block’. A film which repeatedly breaks the conventions of storytelling through self aware moments such as Guido whistling a tune that has just been heard on the soundtrack, 8 ½ is a film which has continued to charm film fans ever since its release in 1963. The second 60s classic, and the youngest film to appear in this year’s top ten, is Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Laden with ground-breaking special effects and iconic moments, 2001 is cited as a major influence by such directors as George Lucas and Steven Spielberg (who then went on to make Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind respectively) and is a seminal Sci-Fi film which must been seen on the big screen to be fully appreciated.

Two seemingly permanent fixtures in the top ten which continue to hold their own this year are Citizen Kane (Dir. Orson Welles, 1941) and La Règle du jeu (Dir. Jean Renoir, 1939). In Citizen Kane Orson Welles tells the story of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane (largely rumoured to be based on the newspaper magnate William Hearst). The film did not do particularly well at the box office on its initial release in 1941, but with a combination of critical acclaim and a 1956 re-release it eventually became a hit, and has been atop the Sight & Sound Poll ever since 1962. La Règle du jeu has been in the top ten since 1952 despite it being derided by Parisian audiences for its satire of the French upper classes and being subsequently banned by the French government. Despite this, Renoir’s film about the loves and lives of the upper classes soon came to be regarded as a masterpiece and its appearance in the Sight & Sound top ten yet again reflects this critical consensus.   

Fans of silent cinema will be thrilled to hear that this year there are three silent masterpieces in the top ten which will be shown at BFI Southbank. Entering the top ten for the first time is Man With a Movie Camera (Dir. Dziga Vertov, 1929) the non-narrative silent film about a day in the life of the Soviet Union. The second silent film in the top ten is The Passion of Joan of Arc (Dir. Carl Dreyer, 1928). A masterpiece which is both highly experimental and utterly accessible, Dreyer’s last silent film chronicles the final day of Joan of Arc’s life, at the centre of which is a remarkable performance by Marie Falconetti as Joan. The final silent film which will screen as part of the season is Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (Dir. FW Murnau, 1927). Hailed in the US as ‘the German genius’ after having made Nosferatu (1922) and The Last Laugh (1924), Murnau was given unprecedented freedom on this his first US feature about a married farmer who becomes involved in an obsessive adulterous affair. 

Also included in the top ten are films by some of the most prolific directors in the history of cinema. Between them, Alfred Hitchcock, Yasujiro Ozu and John Ford have made well over 200 feature films, therefore gaining a critical consensus as to which of their films surpasses the rest is quite a feat in itself. Ozu’s Tokyo Story (1953) is a beautifully nuanced exploration of familial duty, expectation and regret. From the simple tale of an elderly husband and wife's visit to Tokyo to see their grown-up children, Ozu draws a compelling contrast between the dignity of age and the hurried insensitivity of a younger generation. By the time John Ford made his 115^th feature film The Searchers (1956) he had already won the Oscar for best director four times. The Searchers was not just a simple ‘Western’ tale of good guys versus bad guys, but a film about the perpetual problem of race in America, which would go on to be considered by many to be the pinnacle of his already illustrious career. Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1957) has cemented itself in the top ten since 1982 and is widely acknowledged as one of Hitchcock’s greatest achievements. James Stewart and Kim Novak star in this psychological suspense drama which will get a theatrical re-release on 7 September and also play at BFI Southbank as part of the BFI’s Genius of Hitchcock retrospective. The memorable Bernard Herrmann score and camerawork from Robert Burke combines with Hitchcock at his very best to ensure that Vertigo is a classic that should visited and re-visited on the big screen time and again.

Screenings taking place in the Sight & Sound Poll Winners season:

Call It a Classic?

How does a film achieve classic status? Should there be a canon of ‘great’ films? Who gets to decide what’s a classic? How can we spot the classics of the future? TO mark the publication of the once-a-decade Sight & Sound Greatest Films of All Time Poll and the 20^th Anniversary of the BFI Film Classic Series, Sight & Sound editor Nick James is joined by a panel of distinguished film historians, critics, and BFI Film Classic authors, including critic, programmer and filmmaker Ben Walters and former Head of Publishing at the BFI, Edward Bescombe, to debate these questions and more, exploring the idea of the classic in cinema, and asking what relevance the term still has today. Please check bfi.org.uk for further updated information on panellists.

Tickets £5

Monday 3 Sept 18:30 NFT1

8 ½ Otto e Mezzo

Italy. 1963. Dir Federico Fellini. With Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimée, Barbara Steele. 138mins. EST. 15.

The fact that Fellini’s wildly inventive film is about the agonies of the creative process – with Marcello Mastroianni starring as a film director juggling his love life, meddlesome producers and searching for artistic inspiration – means that it has unsurprisingly been a favoured film of film directors; it took third place in the 2002 directors’ poll. However it has also been a favourite of the critics’, appearing in the top ten in each of the polls since 1972. It came ninth in 2002; how with it fare this time around?

Sat 1 Sept 20:20 NFT1

Sun 16 Sept 20:20 NFT1

Tue 25 Sept 20:20 NFT1

2001: A Space Odyssey

UK 1968. Dir Stanley Kubrick. With Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Leonard Rossiter. 141min. 70mm

In a career made up of masterpieces, Kubrick’s wondrous epic nonetheless stands proud, and remains a touchstone for all sci-fi cinema since, from Solaris to Star Wars to Prometheus. It first broke into the critics’ poll top ten in 1992, coming tenth, then moving up to sixth by 2002. Will the Kubrick vote in this year’s poll be split across his other great films such as Barry Lyndon, The Shining or A Clockwork Orange, or will 2001 continue its ascension?

*Introduced by Peter Kramer

Fri 21 Sept 18:00 NFT1*

Sun 23 Sept 20:20 NFT1

Citizen Kane

USA 1941. Dir Orson Welles. With Welles, Joseph Cotten, Everett Sloane, Dorothy Comingore, Agnes Moorehead. 119min. U

‘No one who is really interested in the cinema can afford to miss it’, reckoned the BFI Monthly Film Bulletin of Welles’ debut back in 1941, and it’s a verdict that Sight & Sound’s Top Ten poll has emphatically upheld over the years. Kane didn’t figure in the first poll, in 1952, but it has held the top spot ever since. It topped both the critics’ and the directors’ polls in 2002, and the burning question this year is whether it will extend its fifty-year reign.

*Introduced by Laura Mulvey

Wed 5 Sept 20:30 NFT2*

Sun 9 Sept 18:10 NFT3

Man With a Movie Camera Chelovek s Kinoapparatom

USSR 1929. Dir Dziga Vertov. c64min. With live piano accompaniment

Making its first appearance in the critics’ poll top ten, Dziga Vertov’s thrillingly audacious non-narrative silent film about a day in the life of the Soviet Union opens with a prologue announcing, ‘Attention viewers, this experimental work aims at creating a truly international language of cinema based on its absolute separation from the language of theatre and literature”. It’s a radical statement of intent for a film that still seems radically modern and pertinent today, 83 years on. Could its time have finally come?

Wed 12 Sept 20:40 NFT2

Sat 22 Sept 16:15 NFT1

The Passion of Joan of Arc La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc

France 1928. Dir Carl Dreyer. With Falconetti, Eugene Silvain, Michel Simon, Antonin Artaud. 96min. PG

Overwhelming in its intensity, Dreyer’s captivating and deeply moving silent masterpiece famously boasts one of the most powerful performances ever captured on film in Maria Falconetti’s portrayal of Joan of Arc, facing trial and execution for heresy. Interestingly, the film has dropped in and out of the critics’ poll top ten over the years; it was there in 1952, 1972 and 1992, but not in the other years. It’s back in this year’s top ten, but where will it rank?

Tue 25 Sept 18:15 NFT1

Sat 29 Sept 18:00 NFT1

La Règle du jeu

France 1939. Dir Jean Renoir. With Marcel Dalio, Nora Gregor, Gaston Modot, Jean Renoir. 110min. EST. PG

Renoir’s masterful ensemble drama has been a permanent fixture in the critics’ poll top ten since its inception. La Règle du jeu was joint tenth in 1952, third in 1962 and then second only to Kane from 1972 through to 2002, when it slipped to third behind Vertigo. Will support for Renoir’s poetic-humanist vision have swelled in the decade since, or has the critical opinion turned elsewhere?

Mon 17 Sept 20:40 NFT3

Wed 19 Sept 20:50 NFT1

Sat 22 Sept 20:40 NFT2

The Searchers

USA 1956. Dir John Ford. With John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood. 115min. U

John Ford’s unforgettable, elegiac widescreen epic is now widely acknowledged as the summation of that great American art form, the movie western. So it’s perhaps surprising that The Searchers didn’t appear in the critics’ poll top ten until 1982, when it came joint tenth. It rose to fifth place in 1992, before again falling out of the top ten in 2002. ‘That’ll be the day’ is the favoured phrase of John Wayne’s troubled

wanderer Ethan Edwards; back again in the top ten this year, could The Searchers day have finally come?

*Introduced by Edward Buscombe

Tue 2 Oct 20:40 NFT3

Sat 6 Oct 15:00 NFT1*

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

USA 1927. Dir FW Murnau. With Janet Gaynor, George O’Brien, Margaret Livingston. 94min. U

The great revival of interest in silent cinema has been one of the most remarkable stories in cinema in recent years, with the success of The Artist and numerous silent cinema festivals across the world vouching for its new popularity. Murnau’s ground-breaking masterpiece reveals the silent film form at the apogee of its expression and sophistication, and yet surprisingly it didn’t feature in the critics’ poll top ten until 2002, when it ranked joint seventh. Could this be its year?

Mon 10 Sept 20:40 NFT2

Tue 18 Sept 18:10 NFT2

Tokyo Story Tokyo Monogatari

Japan 1953. Di Yasujiro Ozu. With Chishu Ryu, Chiyeko Higashiyama, Setsuko Hara. 136min. EST. 15

Ozu’s piercingly moving film didn’t appear in the critics’ poll top ten until 1992, when it came third, before slipping to fifth in 2002. Japanese cinema had been represented by Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai and Mizoguchi’s Ugetsu Monogatari in earlier Sight & Sound critics’ polls, but critical consensus now seems to have moved firmly behind Ozu. With many of Ozu’s previously more obscure films now readily available on DVD, will the Ozu vote be spread this year, or will Tokyo Story’s stock only have risen still higher?

Sat 29 Sept 20:15 NFT1

Fri 5 Oct 18:00 NFT3

Mon 8 Oct 18:10 NFT2

Vertigo

USA 1957. Dir Alfred Hitchcock. With James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore. 128min. Digital. PG

Received lukewarmly by many critics and audiences on its first release in 1958, Hitchcock’s deeply personal and endlessly mysterious puzzle-box of a film has grown steadily in stature ever since. It didn’t appear in the top ten of the critics’ poll until 1982, when it came joint seventh, before climbing to fourth in 1992 and second only to Citizen Kane in 2002. Could 2012 be the year it finally triumphs?

Introduced by Charles Barr on Wed 12 Sept 18:00 NFT2

Fri 7 - Thu 27 Sept

OFFENDER

GUNSLINGER’S CRIME THRILLER OFFENDER RELEASES THIS WEEK BY REVOLVER ENTERTAINMENT TO MARK LONDON RIOTS ANNIVERSARY

Revolver Entertainment, the award-winning independent film distribution company, releases OFFENDER, the explosive youth crime thriller set in the brutal world of a young offender’s institute, in cinemas nationwide on 8^th August 2012. The film’s release coincides with the anniversary of the London riots.

“OFFENDER” marks director RON SCALPELLO feature film debut from an original screenplay by PAUL VAN CARTER (Shank, Anuvahood). The film stars JOE COLE (Skins and Ol Parker’s Now Is Good) in the lead as Tommy, a young man forced to set up his own incarceration to exact revenge on the violent gang who brutally attacked his girlfriend and their unborn child. KIMBERLEY NIXON (Hunky Dory, Wild Child, Angus Thongs & Perfect Snogging) co-stars, alongside SHAUN DOOLEY (The Woman in Black, Red Riding) RUTH GEMMELL (Storage 24, Fever Pitch), celebrated rapper ENGLISH FRANK, newcomers TYSON OBA, DANIEL KENDRICK (Love Bites, Ghosted), MALACHI KIRBY and grime artists G FRSH and SCORCHER.

Running in the same vein as great prison dramas such as Alan Clarke’s iconic Scum or Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet, OFFENDER’s commitment to dramatic authenticity promises to deliver an emotional and hard-hitting portrayal of one man’s quest for retribution.

Produced by NICK TAUSSIG and PAUL VAN CARTER, and executive produced by JUSTIN MARCIANO, RHY DAVID THOMAS and STEPHEN MITCHELL, “OFFENDER” was scripted by PAUL VAN CARTER with the collaboration and consultation of CYLE CARTH, who spent much of his youth in and out of Feltham, the UK’s most notorious young offender’s institution.

“OFFENDER” is produced with the support of the UK charity CARNEY’S COMMUNITY and a portion of the net profits from the film will be donated to the charity. Carney’s Community works to help troubled youngsters get involved in the filmmaking process and into training and education, to keep them away from a life of crime.

OFFENDER releases in cinemas nationwide from 8^th August 2012.

Scotland’s screen talent showcased at Scotland House

Creative Scotland is bringing together the brightest and best of the country’s screen talent in a showcase to be held at Scotland House today (Wednesday 8 August).

Guests will include Paul Brannigan, newly-discovered star of Ken Loach’s Angel’s Share, recent winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes and the event will be hosted by Edith Bowman, Radio 1’s Review Showpresenter – and a Scot, born in Anstruther.

Featured during the evening will be:

• Black Camel Productions, who’s new feature film ‘Sunshine On Leith’, based on the music of the Proclaimers, is in pre-production
• Award-winning animator Will Anderson’s humorous new 3 minute short (commissioned by Glasgow Short Film Festival) will screen
• Filmakers Ruth Paxton and David Liddell talking about their current crowdfunding campaign for Nevada, featuring music from Scottish acoustic folk trio Lau. Ruth was awarded Best Short Film at the 2011 London Short Film Festival for Paris Sexy
• Scotland’s outstanding screen locations – and the recent blockbusters they’ve featured in – are captured in a short film
• Distrify’s unique video-on-demand service, and its partnership with Glasgow Film Theatre and Edinburgh’s Filmhouse to reach new audiences and markets
• Guests will receive a handout out featuring the 10 ones to watch curated by Glasgow Film Festival and Edinburgh International Film Festival.

The showcase starts with a lunchtime presentation by the Youth Cinema Audience Network Scotland (YCANS) and will highlight the award-winning work Scottish film venues such as GFT, Filmhouse and DCA have undertaken with and for young people.

More than 100 guests are expected to attend tonight’s celebratory showcase, presented in partnership with the Glasgow Film Festival.

Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland who will welcome guests to the event added:  ‘Scotland has outstanding film talent, skilled technical crews and breathtaking locations. Scotland and its audiences are proud hosts of two of the UK’s most successful film festivals. Tonight’s event gives us a chance to show off to a UK and international audience who may not yet realise the amazing scope of films made in Scotland and the award winning talent of our filmmakers!’

Alison Gardner, Glasgow Film Festival, said:

‘Glasgow Film Festival are delighted to co-host this event and draw global attention to our two world renowned film festivals and show off the next generation of film talent in out 10 ones to watch publication.  Fantastic opportunity to have a presence in London and remind everyone of Scotland’s excellence in Film”

DISNEY UK LAUNCHES BRAND NEW GAMES PORTAL

Disney Games portal is an entertaining and engaging destination for fans and gamers showcasing the Disney casual games collection

London, UK - 9^th August 2012 -  Disney UK has launched Disney Games - disney.co.uk/disney-games - an entertaining and engaging online portal hosting Disney’s compelling assortment of over 300 casual games inspired by the characters, shows, movies and unique content from Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Walt Disney Studios, Disney Pixar, Walt Disney Classics and more.

Disney Games portal is a premiere online destination for Disney fans and casual gamers. The distinctive homepage acts as the portal’s main hub, offering users direct access to Disney’s unrivalled collection which includes games inspired by shows such as Austin and Ally,  Phineas and Ferb and Jake and the Never Land Pirates, as well as films like The Avengers, Cars, Toy Story and The Muppets.

The fun and interactive portal provides direct links to some of Disney’s other fun online destinations such as Club Penguin and Superbia.  Directly on the site’s homepage, users can also connect straight to Disney’s popular apps and mobile games such as Where’s My Water?, Temple Run: Brave and Where’s My Perry? through the Apple and Android stores. 

“We are excited to offer Disney fans of all ages an interactive and fun online gaming destination,” said Paul Brown, General Manager, Disney Interactive and Disney Music Group, EMEA. “The Disney Games portal showcases a vast array of Disney’s casual games and engaging content and provides platforms for self-expression and personalisation that offer a truly unique online experience.” 

With a persistent and clear navigation bar and sections that highlight the newest and top rated games, users will easily be able to search for games inspired by their favourite shows, movies, characters and genre.  Players will also be able to rate the games they play on the portal by clicking on a ‘like’ button that appears on each game page.

Launching first in the UK, the Disney Games portal will be rolled out across EMEA territories over the next several months.  A unique destination for Disney fans and casual gamers, the Disney Games portal contains exciting and engaging content to create a truly unique online gaming experience for kids. 

Cinderella

Diamond Edition Debut on 27 August 2012

At the stroke of midnight, 27 August, 2012, dreams around the globe really will come true when The Walt Disney Studios opens its prestigious vault to release one of Walt Disney’s most timeless and beloved masterpieces of all time, “Cinderella,” in the highly anticipated Blu-ray™ Diamond Edition Collection.

This enchanting classic comes alive in stunning fashion for in-home viewing for the very first time on Blu-ray high definition with enhanced picture and sound, once again being embraced by new and old generations alike and only available…as long as the spell lasts.

The “Cinderella: Diamond Edition,” with its spellbinding storyline, memorable music, unforgettable characters and spectacular animation, sparkles like never before with a wide-array of bonus features that extend the viewing experience for the whole family to enjoy. For the first time ever, Walt Disney Studios will unveil an alternate opening sequence for Cinderella exclusively on the Disney Blu-ray release along with a special introduction from Diane Disney Miller, daughter to the legendary Walt Disney. ‘Tangled Ever After’ an all new short featuring Rapunzel and Flynn from the most recent Disney Princess adventure will also feature on both the Blu-ray and the DVD, making it available to own for the first time ever.

“Cinderella” will join the company’s prestigious line-up of Blu-ray Diamond Collection titles this Fall which is currently comprised of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Bambi,” “Lady and the Tramp” and “The Lion King.”

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

Release Date:                                    27 August 2012

Feature Run Time:                           Approximately 75 minutes

Ratings:                                                U

Aspect Ratio:                                     Blu-ray Feature Film – 1.78:1, 1080p High Definition
DVD Feature Film – 1.78:1

Audio:                                                   Blu-ray Feature Film: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, 1.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Original Theatrical Mix

DVD: Feature Film – 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix

Languages/Subtitles:                      English, Spanish and French

Product Skus:                                    Single disc Blu-ray, Single Disc DVD, Cinderella 1-3 2 Disc Blu-ray box set, Cinderella 1-3 3 Disc DVD box set

African Cats

THE AWE-INSPIRING ADVENTURE OF TWO INCREDIBLE FAMILIES AS THEY TRY TO SURVIVE IN THE WILDEST PLACE ON EARTH

Roars On To Disney Blu-ray™ & DVD On  20^th August 2012

3rd September 2012 sees the home entertainment release of the latest Disneynature film, AFRICAN CATS, an epic film profiling two incredible families as they strive to make a home in the wilds of Africa.  Disneynature AFRICAN CATS is the perfect family-friendly film that provides an exciting journey into the wild while also raising consumer awareness for these incredible animals.

AFRICAN CATS takes viewers deep into the breathtaking African savannah to witness the heart-stopping rivalry between two lion prides and the epic journey of one brave cheetah family.  Shot over the course of two and a half years using state-of-the-art camera equipment, AFRICAN CATS captures the awe-inspiring beauty of one of the wildest places on Earth as it tells the dramatic and often intimate stories of Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion clan.

A remarkable adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, AFRICAN CATS captures the real-life love, humor and determination of these majestic kings of the savannah in an exciting, heartwarming and visually stunning tale that is sure to engage children and adults alike.  The film is narrated by Golden Globe® nominated actor Patrick Stewart and directed by Alastair Fothergill (Disneynature EARTH) and Keith Scholey.

In addition to the film, the discs include an incredible array of bonus features that take viewers deeper into the savannah through extensive interactive behind-the-scenes footage including filmmaker and conservationist interviews, an incredibly touching music video featuring Jordin Sparks singing “The World I Knew,” plus a look at the global efforts to which The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund contributes.

Bonus Features:

DVD:

·         Disney & Nature – Viewers get a deeper look into the conservation efforts around the world being sponsored by The Walt Disney Company.

·         Save The Savannah – A comprehensive look at Disney’s “See AFRICAN CATS, Save the Savannah” program and its impact on the region.

BLU-RAY:

Everything on the DVD, plus…

·         Jordin Sparks “The World I Knew” Music Video

Product Information

• Release date;    3^rd September 2012
• Certificate:          U
• Running Time:   89 minutes
• Product Information       1 Disc Blu Ray and 1 Disc DVD.

USAIN BOLT: THE MOVIE

“I told you all I was going to be No. 1 and I just did that”

RELEASED BY REVOLVER ENTERTAINMENT, AVAILABLE TO OWN ON DVD 6^th August

In this extraordinary film, French producer and director Gael Leiblang paints us an intimate and boundless portrait of the life of athletic legend and cultural icon Usain Bolt.

Breaking BBC records (reaching 3 million viewers) when aired in mid July, this DVD features an extra 30 minutes of never before seen footage, delving deeper than ever fathomed into the rigorous training sessions and elusive private life of the long-legged Jamaican. 

Granted exclusive and unprecedented access to the fastest man in the world, Leiblang explores Bolt’s childhood and chronicles him in a series of in-depth interviews, as he prepares to make history at this year’s Olympic games in London.

Filmed over a 12 month period, leading up to this year’s Games, Bolt is examined both at home with his family and friends and on the road competing across the world.

This stunning documentary expertly exposes his boyish charm in his home environment, juxtaposed to his uncompromising focus and invincibility on the track, where he gallops past the other runners, like a God competing with mere mortals.

Usain Bolt sealed his position as the fastest man on earth and entered the history books when he successfully retained his 100m Olympic title. As over four billion peopled watched the 100m final at the London 2012 Olympic Games on the 5^th Of August, the Jamaican sprinter took the gold medal convincingly. The win means that Bolt retains his three Olympic titles and three world records.*

From gruelling sessions on the practice track, to deejaying for fans in Italy and including his infamous false start at World Championships, this remarkable documentary takes us inside the life of the man who could become the greatest athlete the Olympics has ever seen.

USAIN BOLT: THE MOVIE is out on DVD to buy and rent.

RRP for £12.99

DVD cat no: REVD3028

Barcode: 50 6001849 375 6

A MATTER OF TASTE: SERVING UP PAUL LIEBRANDT

Takes an intimate look at the driven and talented celebrity chef Paul Liebrandt, and is released on DVD for the first time on August 6.   

Director Sally Rowe was given full access to Liebrandt for over a decade as he rose to the peaks of success in the cutthroat world of haute cuisine in New York City. Featuring an A-List of culinary luminaries including Heston Blumenthal, Grant Achatz, Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert, Frank Bruni, William Grimes and Drew Nieporent. A MATTER OF TASTE explores the complicated relationships between food critics, chefs and restaurant owners as it delves into the life of an uncompromising, thought provoking, young chef ahead of his time.

 

AO – The Last Hunter

Acclaimed French director Jacques Malaterre makes his feature film debut with ‘AO – The Last Hunter’, an epic prehistoric adventure about Neanderthal man’s fight for survival which is being released on retail DVD by High Fliers on July 23rd.

The movie is set 30,000 years ago when the Neanderthals were a dying species and Homo Sapiens had started colonising the Earth and is an adaptation of Marc Klapczynski's best selling novel ‘AO L'homme Ancient’.

Simon Paul Sutton stars as AO, a desperate Neanderthal who lives in harmony with nature but who one day witnesses the shocking massacre of his wife and baby girl Nea and the rest of his clan.

Anxious to find any surviving members of his family and in particular his twin brother from whom he was separated when he was just nine, he decides to leave Northern Europe where he had made his home and travel to his birthplace in the South.

On his way he is rejected by groups of Homo Sapiens due to his ape-like features and colossal strength but meets the beautiful Aki (Aruna Shields) who has been imprisoned by her tribe.

She is one of the few Homo Sapiens to accept and love him for what he is and they embark on a passionate relationship. However AO must first fight for his survival as he battles with terrifying animals from a lost world.

He also has to face up to his biggest danger of all - the Hyena-Men who are a particularly vicious clan of Homo Sapiens that are determined to exterminate AO and his species.

Commented Jacques Malaterre: “Prehistory is an extraordinarily rich source. It brings us back to all kinds of questions about who we are today. The Neanderthal is a real movie hero. He was rough and ready, his fate was tragic … and then he disappeared.”

‘AO – The Last Hunter’ has a run time of 84 minutes, a ‘15’ certificate and an rrp of £12.99.

Vindaloove:

 Forget the Chocolate, Couples Looking for a Romantic Movie Night Should Spice Things up with…a Curry?!?
blinkbox uncovers the unexpected ingredients that take movie watching to the next level
Movie fans might think that eye-popping 3D screens and crystal clear surround sound are all that are needed for a movie night in. However, while sight and sound are important, stimulating other senses makes watching a film even better. Findings out today from blinkbox, the UK’s leading online movie service*, reveal that even what is on the end of your fork can influence your mood, enhancing the movie experience.
Shockingly, findings reveal that action fans should swap their popcorn for sun-dried tomatoes and that couples should eat a curry during a cosy night in with a touching romance. Further findings show thatchilli can keep movie watchers focused during an intense drama, and coleslaw can give even more laughs during an off-the-wall comedy.
To promote its new ‘Movie & a Meal’ offer with supermarket Tesco, blinkbox has partnered with a top neuroscientist, Dr. Jack Lewis, to discover which foods will help film fans get the most from the on-screen action.
Jack Lewis (Ph.D.), looked for clues as to the foods that influence our moods. Using this knowledge, Dr. Jack Lewis identified the active chemical ingredients found in everyday foods that affect our brains and emotions, and that then deliver the best movie experience depending on what the viewer is watching. His findings gave blinkbox the perfect, if unusual, combinations for the ultimate movie night in:
·         Romance –  Curl up with a spicy curry to top up your libido-stoking testosterone levels
·         Action – Sun-dried tomatoes coated in cocoa powder will raise noradrenaline which is instrumental to sensations of excitement
·         Comedy –  Fresh fish stuffed with beetroot and coleslaw to supplement the nitric oxide system and improve dopamine availability in the pleasure pathways of your brain
·         Drama – Chopped lemon, lime and mint sandwich drizzled with chilli sauce on whole wheat bread to trigger the RAS (reticular activating system) to remain alert and focused.
·         Horror – Chicken marinated in freshly brewed coffee will take you out of your comfort zone and raise levels of anxiety
“Everyone knows that certain drugs can change the way you feel, but the chemicals we take into our bodies through our diet can also have an effect on our mood,” says Dr. Jack Lewis “Choosing to eat certain foods, whilst leaving others out, regulates the availability of ‘raw materials’ that the brain’s chemical messengers are created from. This means that you can tailor your meals to create the perfect mood for a movie night in, no matter what the genre.”
Movie & A Meal is a partnership between Tesco and blinkbox - Tesco customers can now rent a blinkbox new release movie for just £2 (usual price: £3.49) with the purchase of a variety food and drink combinations that will deliver a greater movie experience.
“At blinkbox, we’re all about the movie experience and are constantly looking for ways to make it better for our customers,” said blinkbox CEO Michael Comish. “We’ve had a lot of fun working with Tesco and Dr. Jack Lewis to identify some of the more unusual food ingredients that can help you make the most out of whatever film genre you’re into.”

The Findings in Full

Romance 
A spicy curry might not seem like the most romantic meal, but it turns out that the main ingredients such as cream, coriander and soya beans can help boost testosterone, an important sexual arousal hormone for both men and women. 
Dr. Jack Lewis says:
“In order to get that “lovin’ feeling”, testosterone production requires a reasonable amount of fat in the diet together with zinc and magnesium. These form vital components of the enzymes that convert cholesterol into testosterone. Testosterone acts inside cells throughout the body and brain, strengthening muscles and stimulating brain areas involved in sexual arousal. So by dining on a meal rich in “good” cholesterol, zinc and magnesium, testosterone production can be maximised.”
Action
Adrenaline junkies that want to up the ante during an action film should put down the popcorn and pick up some sundried tomatoes. The study identified that the dried tomatoes, as well as ingredients such ascocoa powder and dried basil, contain trace levels of copper which is required to convert dopamine into noradrenaline. Additionally, l-phenylalanine is the raw material from which excitement-generating noradrenaline is made from and is found in foods such as fish, beef and aspartame (found in most sugar free beverages). 
Dr. Jack Lewis says:
“Noradrenaline is vitally involved in the famous “fight-or-flight response. For instance, it’s noradrenaline that sets your heart racing when a sudden, unexpected twist occurs in the plot line of a movie such as a car chase, accident or fight.” 
Comedy
To get the most laughs while watching a comedy, the research reveals that you need to focus on foods that boost dopamine and nitric oxide release to enhance happiness.
Dr. Jack Lewis says:
“Laughter causes a gas called nitric oxide (NO) to be released in the blood vessels of your body and brain which makes your body tingle so you feel the amusement more intensely. Nitrous oxide – more commonly known as laughing gas – is a closely related chemical. So to keep the laughs coming fast and thick, make sure you’re eating foods rich in nitrates such as beetroot, coleslaw and celery.”
“Additionally, dopamine is a major neurotransmitter used in brain networks responsible for feelings of pleasure and happiness. To increase the availability of dopamine in the pleasure pathways of the brain you should be eating foods rich in l-phenylalanine like fish, beef, chicken, pork or even soy meat substitute.”
Drama 
When getting ready to delve into a gripping drama, it’s important to be able to focus. Ingredients such as whole wheat bread and strong smelling foods like chilli, citrus fruits and mint can all help keep you engaged through all of the plot twists and emotional ups and downs. 
Dr. Jack Lewis says:
“Eating a meal consisting of slow-release carbohydrates, such as whole grains and vegetables, will provide the brain with the consistent and gradual release of energy that is necessary for holding your attention for a long period of time.” 
Additionally, the reticular activating system (RAS) is a part of the brainstem that responds to powerful stimuli and influences the overall level of activity across the brain. Consuming very pungent flavours will trigger the RAS to increase your focus.”
Horror 

If you’re a horror fiend, the study has uncovered that you should be focusing on high protein meals like chicken and salmon, while avoiding carbs which we all find so comforting and decrease your scare - ability!  
Dr. Jack Lewis says:
“To get your brain out of its “comfort zone” stay away from carb heavy meals that boost feelings of security. Instead, go for a meal that’s high in protein only, which has been observed to increase feelings of anxiety – perfect for getting in the mood for your favourite horror flick! Keeping carbs low all day ensures that the mood-stabilising chemical serotonin is low by the evening to maximise the horror.”

With the latest releases including Contraband, Jump Street, This Means War, and Project X available to stream instantly on the same day as their Blu-ray and DVD release, and absolutely no subscription required, blinkbox is the perfect way to experience great movies on any device.

Piranha 3DD

After the terror unleashed on Lake Victoria in PIRANHA 3D, the pre-historic school of blood thirsty piranhas are back. This time, no one is safe from the flesh eating fish as they sink their razor sharp teeth into the visitors of summer’s best attraction, The Big Wet Water Park. CHRISTOPER LLOYD (Back to the Future) reprises his role as the eccentric piranha expert with survivor PAUL SCHEER (The League) and a partially devoured VING RHAMES (Pulp Fiction) back for more fish frenzy. The world’s most famous lifeguard DAVID HASSELHOFF aka ‘THE HOFF’, trades in the sandy beaches of “Baywatch” to be a celebrity lifeguard at the racy water park. Prepare for double the terror, double the action and double the D’s in this sequel also starring GARY BUSEY (Lethal Weapon), KATRINA BOWDEN (30 Rock), DANIELLE PANABAKER (The Crazies), MATT BUSH (Adventureland), CHRIS ZYLKA (The Amazing Spider-Man) and DAVID KOECHNER (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy).

Starring

Danielle Panabaker, Chris Zylka, Katrina Bowden, Christopher Lloyd, Ving Rhames, Paul Scheer and David Hasselhoff 
 

Piranha 3DD will be released by Entertainment in Video on Rental & Retail DVD & Blu-Ray on

3rd September 2012

Cert – 18tbc

Running Time –

Blu-Ray 83 mins

DVD 80mins

Cat Number                                                                                                  Recommended Retail Price

Rental DVD –EDR4238                                                                      £N/A

Retail DVD –EDV9716                                                                                    £19.99

Blu-Ray –EBR5191                                                                                    £24.99

Bonus Features –

       Feature Commentary by Director John Gulager, Producer Joel Soisson, and Co-Writers Marcus Dunsten

       THE STORY BEHIND THE DD

       THE HOFFTASTIC WORLD OF DAVID HASSELHOFF

       WET AND WILD WITH DAVID KOECHNER

       "A LESSON WITH JOHN MCENROE" - A DIMENSION SHORT FILM

       DELETED SCENES

       BUSEY'S BLOOPERS

National photography competition to unveil the power of the Internet

Nominet Trust calling for entries now

Social investor, Nominet Trust today invites aspiring photographers to enter a national competition and be in with a chance of seeing their image displayed in a countrywide photography exhibition – Our Digital Planet.

Entrants are being asked to submit images which demonstrate what the internet means to them and what difference it has made to their lives. The competition winners’ photograph will complete a 24 image exhibition going on tour in six cities to demonstrate the power of the internet to change our lives for the better. Our Digital Planet will visit Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow and Leeds between August 2012 and January 2013.

The winning entry will be the final image at the exhibition, taking centre stage at the exhibition, alongside evocative images depicting a range of areas where the internet has positively affected our lives. In addition, Nominet Trust, which believes in the power of digital technology to improve lives and communities, will award the winner with over £500 of photography equipment and a personal photography workshop with renowned photographer David Collingwood.

Inspired entrants should upload their image to the Our Digital Planet Group on blipfoto.com [http://www.blipfoto.com/groups/our-digital-planet]. Entrants should also include a brief explanation of how their photo represents the impact the internet has had on their life. The competition closes on 3rd August 2012.

During the competition, visitors to blipfoto.com will be encouraged to vote to help develop the shortlist that will then be put forward to a judging panel. The panel will then decide the overall winner and that photo that will feature in the exhibition.

Annika Small Nominet Trust CEO commented:

“Whether it’s helping to improve health, education or employment prospects, reducing feelings of social isolation, helping us to campaign for good causes or championing democracy across whole nations, the internet has opened up a wealth of opportunities for individuals, communities and organisations the world over.

This national competition presents a fantastic opportunity to really get people thinking about and celebrating the opportunities the internet presents in a creative way. Entering couldn’t be easier and so I’d urge inspired individuals to get clicking and take part.

For most of us, life without the internet is a distant memory. However, 8.4 million of our total population either don’t have access to the internet or choose not to use it. We want to re-dress this balance so everyone can benefit.

The Our Digital Planet exhibition will include a range of images which aim to intrigue, inform and inspire visitors and ultimately encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about how the internet has positively contributed to our society.”

Joe Tree, founder of Blipfoto said:

"Blipfoto is a place where people share their daily stories and photos online. Everyday we're fascinated to see thousands of inspirational pictures from every corner of the world. Many people that use Blipfoto might not otherwise do this, but we foster a very supportive community. This in itself shows how the internet has broken both social and geographic barriers. We look forward to helping encourage even more people to see the benefits that the internet has to offer." 

For further information or to find out more about the competition, visit: www.ourdigitalplanet.co.uk