DVDs of the week

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 6, 2007

SMOKIN' ACES (18)

THE STORY: Vegas magician Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven) has decided to reveal all to the FBI about his Mafia friends. While he is holed up in a hotel suite, brutal hitmen are dispatched to kill him, while FBI agents Messner (Ryan Reynolds) and Carruthers (Ray Liotta) are assigned to protect him. All collide with guns blazing.

THE EXTRAS: Deleted and extended scenes, outtakes, alternate ending, audio commentary, featurette on stunts and a look at the cast list.

THE VERDICT: Wonderfully mindless gun-blazing entertainment.

THE PRICE: pounds 19.99

TO CATCH A THIEF: SPECIAL EDITION (PG)

THE STORY: This Alfred Hitchcock 1955 classic stars Cary Grant as John Robie, a retired cat burglar who heads to the French Riviera to find out who is carrying out robberies under his name, while falling for a beautiful American heiress (played by Grace Kelly).

THE EXTRAS: Beautiful re-mastered edition includes audio commentary by film-maker Peter Bogdanovich, a making-of special, featurettes on casting and designer Edith Head.

THE VERDICT: A must for film buffs.

THE PRICE: pounds 9.99

PERFUME (15)

THE STORY: Based in Patrick Suskind's best-selling novel, Ben Wishaw is Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in a Parisian fish market with an extraordinary sense of smell. His search for the perfect scent sees him killing women as he attempts to bottle their unique essence. His obsession leads him to the exquisite Laura (Rachel Hurd- Wood).

THE EXTRAS: Includes a making-of featurette, a special on locations and a look at the creation of scents.

THE VERDICT: An intriguing and beautiful film from director Tom Tywker (Run Lola Run).

THE PRICE: pounds 19.99