STACK #137 Mar 2016

REVIEWS DVD & BD

When civilisation ends, it ends fast. FEAR THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON 1

Cop on the edge. LUTHER: SERIES 4

Release Date: 02/03/16

Release Date: 02/03/16

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This prequel spin-off series focuses on the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse that sent Rick Grimes and his Atlanta group on the hard road to survival. It begins innocuously in a church in Los Angeles, where drug-addicted teenager Nick (Frank Dillane) awakens to discover his girlfriend has developed a taste for human flesh. A short season of six episodes introduces us to a new bunch of characters, most of whom aren't particularly likeable, with the focus on a dysfunctional family. Moreover, the zombie factor

Throughout TV history, the line between good and bad in cop shows has usually been absolute – the constabulary are the goodies, the baddies are the, well, baddies, and the only time they’ll meet is when the latter are being nicked. Luther creator Neil Cross seems to revel in playing with this rigid trope, helped immeasurably by Idris Elba in the titular role. One minute he seems in control, the next you’re convinced that he’s about to go totally off tap. As a viewer it keeps you on your toes, and draws you into a deep

is downplayed in favour of the military's involvement in enforcing martial law. Fear the Walking Dead has a ways to go before it hits the heights of its sibling series, but watching the end of the world as we know it still holds an irresistible appeal. SH

web of intrigue, darkness and moral ambiguity. This fourth series – if you can actually call two episodes a series – sees Luther’s leave of absence curtailed upon hearing some shocking news. Then there’s the grisly matter of cannibal erotica killings (!) to be sorted. AF

DVD&BD

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING

THE END OF THE TOUR

THE PROGRAM

NO ESCAPE

Release Date: 23/03/16 Format:

Release Date: 24/03/16 Format:

Release Date: 24/03/16 Format:

Release Date: 16/03/16 Format:

Imagine being able to do or have anything you desire. It’s a well-worn set-up, but Monty Python alumnus Terry Jones has oodles of fun with it in Absolutely Anything , as does Simon Pegg. A collective of space snobs calling themselves the ‘Intergalactic Council of Superior Beings’ (as complete a Python reunion as is possible, even if in voice only) are cruising for planets to destroy. Earth’s next, but they have to give targets a chance to prove that they’ll use granted omnipotent powers for good. Neil Clarke (Pegg) is our guy, who’s helped by his dog Dennis (voiced with glee by Robin Williams). Absolutely Anything is charming, offbeat, and delightfully British. AF

Back in 1996, a novel called Infinite Jest , set in a dystopic USA, was released and soon became an ‘it’ title. Sceptical of all the fanatical buzz surrounding the book, Rolling Stone writer David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) decided to actually read it – and he became a believer. After successfully pitching a feature article to his editor, Lipsky set off for a marathon five-day interview with the author, David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel). Told in flashback following Lipsky’s learning of Wallace’s suicide in 2008, this thoughtful, charming and wordy-yet-captivating drama is the story of those five days of bonding, fallings out and deep discussion. AF

Cyclist Lance Armstrong was a hero to millions. As if winning the Tour de France seven times in a row wasn’t enough, he did it after beating cancer. He seemed invincible – and of course now we all know why, as he was hoovering performance-enhancing drugs. Before this revelation shocked the world, Irish sports journo David Walsh (Chris O’Dowd) thought that something was rotten in Denmark (or indeed wherever Armstrong, played with conviction here by Ben Foster, competed), and set out to uncover what he believed to be the truth. While we know the basic story, director Stephen Frears brings tension and drama to his telling of this cheat’s tale. AF

Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson, hanging up his laughing gear to exercise his inner action hero) has precious little to grumble about. He has a loving wife (Lake Bell), two sweet kids and a decent job. But when the chance to head up his company’s new Southeast Asia plant arises, he jumps at it. Soon after arriving, however, things don’t seem quite right. They’ve actually lobbed in the midst of a violent coup, whereby armed rebels are hunting down foreigners then playing judge, jury and executioner. With the help of a mysterious Brit (Pierce Brosnan), Jack must get his family to the US Embassy while they’re alive, rather than in body bags. AF

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