Gritty London-based drama Save Me leads this week’s picks of the best new DVDs
Lennie James is a tour de force in abduction drama Save Me, cowboys go for their guns in The Ballad Of Lefty Brown, while Antonio Banderas stars in Acts Of Vengeance, there's a hostage drama on the subway in Below The Surface, while French vampires - ooh la-Dracula - in Irma Vep
Save Me (15) Out May 7
When a pretty teenager disappears after leaving a video message saying she's off to meet her estranged dad Nelly, the police's first call is understandably to seize said father for questioning.
Nelly then turns detective, both to clear his name and to find the little girl he hasn't seen since she was three.
And the answer seems to lie somewhere in the mix of the local pub, where most of his friends (and lovers) hang out, and some have some rather big skeletons in their closet.
It's a little like Taken meets EastEnders, except Lennie James (The Walking Dead and Line Of Duty) as Nelly is no Liam Neeson hero. He's a womanising, hard-drinking nasty piece of work, and initially very difficult to like.
But James (who also wrote the screenplay) is on powerful form here, as is Suranne Jones as his ex, and Lock Stock's Jason Flemyng as a wise transvestite. Best of all though are Stephen Graham (This Is England) and Alice May Feetham as a couple hiding a dark past.
But then we come to the ending.
The last episode is frustratingly poor for the most part, with nonsensical decisions being made by characters left, right and centre. In both the first and last episodes, too much of the narrative relies on the police being almost deliberately unhelpful, or Nelly shouting over their questions.
Even so, about 80 per cent of Save Me is compulsive stuff and it's a boxset you'll most likely plough through in one sitting.
★★★★☆
Jayme Bryla
The Ballad Of Lefty Brown (15) Out May 7
Bill Pullman stars as grizzled old coot Lefty, who has spent his life as a loyal but bumbling sidekick to a gentleman cowboy.
When that world is brought to an abrupt end, Lefty must become the hero himself, but it's not so easy when you've got a limp and are more Silly Old Codger than Billy the Kid.
This is a slow-moving homage to Westerns of the past, and enjoyment will largely depend on whether you find Pullman's Wild West Forrest Gump shtick endearing or irritating.
Smoothie-chops Jim Caviezel provides good support along with Peter Fonda, while Sons Of Anarchy's Tommy Flanagan steals the show as a spittoon-diving drunk.
★★★☆☆
Jayme Bryla
Acts Of Vengeance (15) Out May 7
Antonio Banderas stars as a lawyer who takes investigating the death of his wife and daughter into his own hands. Initially he blames himself but his discoveries lead him to take a vow of silence and transform himself into a formidable fighter in his quest for vengeance. A genuinely engrossing mystery.
★★★☆☆
Silas Warren
Below The Surface: Season 1 (15) Out now
The regular commute is horrifically turned upside down for a carriage-full of passengers when three armed terrorists open fire.
Fresh from its BBC airing, this Danish noir drama series follows the ransom negotiations for 15 hostages inside an unbuilt station.
What ensues is a riveting thriller of tense negotiations and rich character development spanning eight days, each day getting its own episode.
Expect edge-of-your-seat action as thought-provoking and startling plot twists meet you with every shot fired, as the story delves into the ethical, media and political implications of the stand-off.
Rich human stories also complement some characters beautifully, illuminating their lives outside the hostage situation.
An absorbing, though slightly contrived, ending wraps up an incredibly gripping ride on the Copenhagen metro.
★★★★☆
Winston Lo
MOST READ IN FILM
Irma Vep (15) Out May 7
An anagram of ‘Vampire’, Irma Vep sees Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung play herself, as she is cast in a washed-up director’s revival of the classic silent film ‘Les Vampires’.
The film-within-a-film concept is nothing novel, but in this 1996 movie - now rereleased on Blu-Ray - it acts as your gateway into French cinema. The fish-out-of-water experiences of Cheung arriving in Paris creates an exposé of the art form’s nuances. From its rapid cuts, to its roaming camera following each character's perspective – it's charming but takes a little getting used to.
Don't expect big-budget, Michael Bay-style Hollywood set-pieces! Instead,it's a wholeheartedly satirical approach towards the state of French cinema amidst a disintegrating film production.
Although Irma Vep’s story is sometimes difficult to follow, there are some lovely moments – not forgetting a load of Latex!
Contrary to most vampire films, this is one that's just as good to watch during the daytime as at night.
★★★☆☆
Winston Lo