STACK NZ Jun #63

REVIEWS

DVD & BD

Of human bondage FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

Release Date: 10/06/15 Format:

TOP HITS

DVD & BD EXTRAS

The World of Fifty Shades of Grey – Friends and Family Behind the Shades

BD ONLY

Unrated and Theatrical Versions The World of Fifty Shades of Grey Christian Grey Profile Jamie Dornan Profile Christian’s Apartment Christian’s Wardrobe A Rich Man’s Toys All About Ana Dakota Johnson Profile Ana’s World Ana’s Wardrobe E.L. James & Fifty Shades Fifty Shades: The Pleasure of Pain 360° Set Tours Music Videos from Skylar Grey, The Weekend and Ellie Goulding

Bashing Fifty Shades of Grey is like er, flogging a dead horse. Like Twilight and Star Trek, you’re either into it or you’re not. The fact that E.L. James’s “mummy porn” bestseller has sold over 100 million copies worldwide would suggest there’s a fervent female fanbase, and that’s who this film adaptation

is for. Student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) is swept off her feet by brooding, charismatic and filthy rich businessman Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), only to discover his interests in the bedroom involve her complete submission to his BDSM fantasies – after signing a contract of consent, of course. Given all the hype surrounding the novel’s exploration of fetish subculture (and appalling prose), you could be forgiven for expecting a raunchy, R-rated romp. But this R18 film is instead a

tastefully shot and mildly erotic romantic drama that’s as cautious as its protagonist when it comes to exploring the provocative, sexually-charged subject matter. A riding crop caressing Ana’s naked shoulder while Beyoncé croons on the (carefully curated) soundtrack is about as sexy as it gets. Fifty Shades of Grey is 9 1/2 Weeks for a new generation, with Johnson’s Ana a wide-eyed innocent and Dornan’s Grey an escapee from a Bret Easton Ellis film.

FURTHER VIEWING

9 1/2 Weeks

Once upon a time... CINDERELLA

Release Date: 24/06/15 Format:

TOP HITS

EXTRAS

DVD

Ella’s Furry Friends

BD

A Fairy Tale Comes to Life Costume Test Fun Staging The Ball Hire a Big, Dumb Cast (of smart people) Alternative Opening: Ella’s Childhood Ella’s Furry Friends The origins of Cinderella actually date back to the 1st century and the Egyptian tale ‘Rhodopis’ by the Greek historian Strabo, which is considered the earliest-known version of the story on record.

The idea of making live action versions of animated classics isn’t exactly new – 101 Dalmatians in 1996 was arguably the first – but with this sumptuous take on the classic fairytale, Disney have hit the jackpot. Unlike last year’s

DID YOU KNOW...

Maleficent , a darker reimagining of Sleeping Beauty , director Kenneth Branagh stays pretty true to the original tale (wicked stepmother, a handsome prince, good-hearted heroine, etc) and while that means things do get a little treacley at times, the magic and wonder of the story shine through. Lily Collins plays Ella, an eternally cheerful and sweet young woman, despite having suffered the double tragedy of losing her mother (Hayley Atwell) while still a child, and then her father (Ben Chaplin).

That leaves her at the mercy of her nasty stepmother (Cate Blanchett, stealing every scene she is in) and it’s not long before Cinders is little more than an unpaid servant. However, help is at hand in the shape of the dashing heir to the throne ( Game of Thrones ’ Richard Madden) and quirky fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter). Utterly enchanting.

FURTHER VIEWING

Maleficent

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