Skip to main content
Games Radar
  • Newsarama
  • Total Film
  • Edge
  • Retro Gamer
  • SFX
Total Film The smarter take on movies
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
View
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best Netflix Shows
Recommended reading
Anna Kendrick in Another Simple Favor
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (May 2 - 4)
Dante in Devil May Cry
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (April 4 - 6)
Daisy Ridley in Cleaner
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (June 13 - 15)
Tom Hardy as Walker in Havoc.
Streaming Services The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and more
Anthony Mackie as Captain America Sam Wilson, in a dark room holding his famous shield, in Captain America: Brave New World.
Streaming Services The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and more
Jason Momoa in A Minecraft Movie
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (June 20 - 22)
Jimmi Simpson and Cristin Milioti in Black Mirror season 7's final episode, 'USS Callister: Into Infinity.'
Streaming Services The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Max, Disney Plus and more
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Horror Movies

Movies to watch this fortnight on Blu-Ray and DVD: Amy, more...

Features
By Total Film Staff published 31 October 2015

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Out on 2 November and 9 November

Out on 2 November and 9 November

Asif Kapadia pays tribute to Amy Winehouse. Kodi Smit-McPhee follows his compass, except its really Michael Fassbender leading the way. Yes, heres this fortnights new DVD and Blu-Ray releases. Click on for our reviews of Amy, The Goonies: 30th Anniversary Edition, Slow West, Song Of The Sea, Bowfinger, Belleville Rendez-Vous, Bob Roberts, A Christmas Horror Story and Spy. For the best movie reviews, subscribe to Total Film.

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
AMY

AMY

Hidden behind hair and make-up, addicted to excess and emotionally crippled by a string of awful relationships, Amy Winehouses shamefully public tragedy is one for us all to have felt the sting of and one that Asif Kapadias astonishing musical documentary reminds us of with alarming power and dignity. Affording the same effortless intimacy that brought 2010s Senna to light, Kapadia lets the story tell itself with home videos, backstage clips and goosebump gig footage taking the place of talking heads. A genuine, rare talent, Winehouse steps out of the archives as a funny, sweet, intelligent young girl making it all the more heart-breaking to watch her let-down and betrayed by almost everyone that she loved. Controversial on its release when Amys dad, Mitch, started crying libel, Kapadia clearly isnt out to demonise anyone. Silently pointing fingers at everyone to blame for Amys downward spiral, no one comes out unscathed. Theres the father who used her for his own fame game; the boyfriend who dragged her into addiction; the media who hounded her like a frightened animal; the public who lapped up the headlines; and Amy herself a self-destructive hurricane who anyone could, and should, have seen was always heading for ruin. Far from just another act in Winehouses on-going celebrity circus, Amy is a classical tragedy for the 21st century a silent scream with a killer Camden soundtrack and easily one of the most deeply affecting films of the past year. EXTRAS: > Featurette > Unseen footage > Commentary > Interviews (BD, HD) Director: Asif Kapadia Starring: Amy Winehouse, Mitch Winehouse, Mark Ronson DVD, BD, Digital HD release: 2 November 2015 Paul Bradshaw

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
THE GOONIES: 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

THE GOONIES: 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Thirty years on, is there anything more to this than nostalgia for those halcyon days of Steven Spielbergs Amblin imprint? Yes: The Goonies is a minor classic of its kind, a joyful, breezy adventure allied to a delightfully naturalistic tone whose occasionally rough edges only enhance its coarse charm. Crucially, in todays age of superheroes and teen dystopias, its a fantasy fuelled by easy-going naturalism. Sure, Christopher Columbus screenplay sees the titular gang dodge the booby traps of long-dead pirate one-eyed Willy and the cartoonish criminality of the Fratelli family a dry run for his later direction of Home Alone but the story is rooted in everyday, existential crises: moving home and losing touch with friends. The real baddie, as so often in 1980s movies, is the yuppie Trent and his property developer dad. What still enthrals about The Goonies today is not only that its kids-eye-viewpoint never wavers, but how refreshingly unpretentious and unsanitised those particular kids are. A gauche profanity holds sway, from the gag about a statues broken penis, to the copious swearing, let alone the unmentioned innuendo of Willys name. As a vision of childhood, The Goonies is far preferable to todays stage-managed moppets and this is one of the most iconic youth ensembles ever brought together (bettered only by Corey Feldmans cohorts in Stand By Me a year later). At the time, Ke Huy-Quan (aka Indiana Jones pal short round) was probably the biggest name and noticeably gets the lions share of stuntwork. But the show is stolen by Jeff Cohen as Chunk, so lovable he can carry a subplot on his own: his fake puke story might be the films best moment, based partly on Cohens own memories. The biggest surprise, though, is that neither of these young actors nor 1980s stalwarts Feldman or Martha Plimpton would forge the most durable adult careers. Who would have imagined that Sean Astin would achieve immortality as a hobbit, or that Josh Brolin would later go on to become one of Americas most reliable movie stars? To some extent the cast calls the shots, but its obvious that theres a lot of talent behind the camera too. The Goonies benefits from having a bona-fide a-list director in Richard Donner, whose unarguable pedigree is apparent throughout. The autumnal location filming is gorgeous, while Nick McLeans widescreen, permanently-dollying camerawork gives the kids space to interact without ruining the cocksure exuberance expected of a Spielberg production of this vintage. On-disc extras are mainly holdovers but good ones: an indispensable Donner-plus-cast commentary and the infamous, preposterous octopus deleted scene. The set also includes storyboard art cards and a souvenir booklet, although neither sheds fresh light on the film. EXTRAS: Commentary > Deleted scenes > Booklet > Storyboard art cards Director: Richard Donner Starring: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman DVD, BD release: 9 November 2015 Simon Kinnear

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
SLOW WEST

SLOW WEST

Westerns are by now not westerns but meditations on westerns, and meditations on meditations of westerns. So Slow West treats the grand expanse of America with the reverence of John Ford or Clint Eastwood, and reality with the side-eye scepticism of the Coen brothers. In between is a quiet coming of age story love, distance, growing up and dying which benefits from the awkward excellence of Kodi Smit-McPhee, a young fool chasing his heart across the plains, and the reptilian ambivalence of Michael Fassbender, the bounty hunter watching over him with one eye, and costing him up with the other. EXTRAS: > None Director: John Maclean Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelsohn, Aorere Paki DVD, BD release: 2 November 2015 Nathan Ditum

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
SONG OF THE SEA

SONG OF THE SEA

Director Tomm Moores bold, enchanting Oscar-nominated animation mixes Celtic legend into a grabby, family-friendly adventure, in which seven-year-old Ben and little sister Saoirse struggle to use the latters magical selkie powers to save their family. Theres a Miyazaki feel (Ponyo, particularly) in the storytelling, combined with gorgeous landscapes, serious themes, and dark folklore. Yet the stunning hand-drawn 2D visuals are fluid and funky, their painterly patterns sweeping the twisty story along. Lively voicework by David Rawle (Moone Boy) as Ben gives the film a delightful cheekiness and emotional honesty. EXTRAS: Featurettes > Commentary > Art Cards (BD) Director: Tomm Moore Starring: David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, Lisa Hannigan DVD, BD, Digital HD release: 8 November 2015 Kate Stables

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
BOWFINGER

BOWFINGER

Hollywood is glitz and glamour, but its also Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin), a desperate wannabe producer who convinces his cast and crew that hes landed Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy), the worlds biggest action star; in reality, he plans to secretly shoot action-thriller Chubby Rain around Ramseys life (sending the paranoid star doolally in the process), and fill in gaps with a dumb stunt double (Murphy again). Martins script, directed by Frank Oz, offers a thin but savvy plot, at once ridiculous and knowing. Brilliantly performed, Bowfinger stands tall as a sharp satire on the farce of fame and failure EXTRAS: Featurettes > Deleted scenes > Alternate ending Director: Frank Oz Starring: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham DVD, BD release: 2 November 2015 Stephen Kelly

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
BOB ROBERTS

BOB ROBERTS

Set in the lead-up to 1990s Operation Desert Storm, the US is seduced by Tim Robbins eponymous right-wing folk-singing politician in this ever-timely faux-documentary. Its not essential to be acquainted with the classic Bob Dylan touring movie Dont Look Back to get the most out of Robbins directorial debut, but it helps; there are dozens of crafty homages throughout sitting somewhat uneasily alongside the (barely satirical) heavy-handed commentary on personality politics and Washingtons business interests. Still, the triumphs (the songs alone are genius) and general sense of goodwill outweigh the flaws. EXTRAS: None Director: Tim Robbins Starring: Tim Robbins, Giancarlo Esposito, Alan Rickman DVD, BD release: 2 November 2015 Ali Catterall

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
BELLEVILLE RENDEZ-VOUS

BELLEVILLE RENDEZ-VOUS

From the kitchenware cabaret to the sound of teeth grinding on a spoon, Sylvain Chomets fast, frisky and very funny junk-jazz escapade remains a one-off miracle of meticulous 2D and 3D animation. The off-piste plot involves a kidnapped Tour De France pedal-pusher, lowering mobsters, a foot-stomping vocal trio, a jowly mutt and a daredevil granny, but the world- building delights most. Even with nods ranging from 101 Dalmatians to Jacques Tati, Chomet crafts a uniquely tactile vision. Generous extras include footage of a sound man playing a vacuum cleaner. EXTRAS: Featurette > Making Of > Selected commentary > Interview Director: Sylvain Chomet Starring: Batrice Bonifassi, Lina Boudreault, Michel Robin DVD release: 9 November 2015 Kevin Harley

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY

A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY

The problem with Christmas is inflated expectations. So it is with this yuletide Trick r Treat-alike, more stocking filler than main present. Co-directed by Canadians Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban and Brett Sullivan, it intertwines tales of a badass Santa, a haunted nunnery, a changeling, and a rampaging Krampus, although a stretched budget means its best story, location and SFX are in different strands. Still, theres fun to be had if you want to see William Shatner excelling as a cheesy DJ and bloodied elves dropping the c-bomb. EXTRAS: Featurette Directors: Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban, Brett Sullivan Starring: William Shatner, George Buza, Rob Archer DVD release: 9 November 2015 Matt Glasby

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
SPY

SPY

Sitting somewhere between Bridesmaids (ace) and Identity Thief (awful) on the Big List of Melissa McCarthy Comedies, this action spoof takes aim at Bond and Mission: Impossible, but its hit rate is disappointingly low. Thats no fault of McCarthy, whos on top form as a desk monkey turned secret agent, lumbered with hilariously crap secret identities (cat lady; an unintentional Dawn French look-alike) and impressing in gory, slow-mo scraps. At two hours, though, the materials stretched very thin (the extended cut is 10 minutes longer still), and even McCarthy looks irritated by Miranda Harts dippy Brit routine as a co-worker. EXTRAS: > Interviews > Commentary > Gag reel > Extended cut Director: Paul Feig Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jason Statham, Miranda Hart Digital HD release: 23 October 2015 DVD, Blu-Ray release: 9 November 2015 Josh Winning

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
LORENZOS OIL

LORENZOS OIL

Mad mad main man George Miller sure has range: he trained as a doctor before turning to movies, so hes in his wheelhouse with this medical drama, even if theres not a Dr. Dealgood in sight. Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon star as a couple frantically searching for a cure for their terminally ill son. What could have been a fairly rote tale of struggling against the odds is made memorable by an unsentimental focus on just how bloody difficult it is for the couple and the pressure it puts on their marriage. The only extra is a solitary trailer. EXTRAS: Trailer Director: George Miller Starring: Nick Nolte, Susan Sarandon, Peter Ustinov DVD release: 2 November 2015 Andrew Lowry

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
PRODUCTS
AMY spy
Total Film Staff

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine. 

See more Movies Features
Read more
Anna Kendrick in Another Simple Favor
6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (May 2 - 4)
Dante in Devil May Cry
6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (April 4 - 6)
Daisy Ridley in Cleaner
6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (June 13 - 15)
Tom Hardy as Walker in Havoc.
The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and more
Anthony Mackie as Captain America Sam Wilson, in a dark room holding his famous shield, in Captain America: Brave New World.
The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and more
Jason Momoa in A Minecraft Movie
6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (June 20 - 22)
Latest in Horror Movies
M3GAN doll shushing Gemma in the final M3GAN 2.0 trailer
M3GAN 3 looks unlikely after new sequel M3GAN 2.0 malfunctions at box office
Ivanna Sakhno as AM3LIA in M3GAN 2.0
M3GAN 2.0 star Ivanna Sakhno explains how she brought horror villain AMELIA to life and what it was like having a creepy animatronic version of herself on set: "I cannot begin to tell you how unsettling it is"
Friday the 13th
They'll do anything but make a new Friday the 13th movie: the first new image of a live-action Jason Voorhees in 16 years comes from a YouTube short sponsored by a cider company
M3GAN doll in M3GAN 2.0
M3GAN 2.0 ending explained: does M3GAN die? Will there be a sequel? And everything else you need to know about the horror sequel's final scenes
Allison Williams as Gemma and M3GAN doll in M3GAN 2.0
M3GAN 2.0 is going to be as much of a social media hit as the first was, and star Allison Williams already knows which moments are going to get memed
Stephen King
Only 5 years since the last TV adaptation, Edge of Tomorrow director is turning Stephen King's epic, post-apocalyptic horror novel The Stand into a movie
Latest in Features
Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Miracle as the Justice Gang in Superman
The Justice Gang explained - The non-Justice League in James Gunn's Superman may be influenced by team of classic DC supervillains
Team Fortress 2 characters looking at a map
I have 464 games on my Steam wishlist, 23 games in my Steam Summer Sale shopping cart, and I can feel my already overstuffed library giving me the side-eye
Heavy Metal Death Can demo screenshot
I got a nicotine rush and set zombies on fire in this PS1-style survival horror demo, and it's basically Resident Evil on a submarine
A PSVR 2 review image next to the marketing reveal image of the Meta Quest 3S, separated by an orange line
Xbox finally has a VR headset, but it's not the PSVR 2 rival I was hoping for
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster image showing a giant city built upon a hill by the sea
Bravely Default's remaster is secretly the Switch 2's must-play RPG, but it's still flying under the radar
Rematch players celebrating in a large stadium
"The essence of football is not in the rules": Rematch's creative director on nailing that five-a-side feeling and making a game "about kicking a ball rather than kicking heads in"
  1. Sam fires at the ghost mech squid boss in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
    1
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  2. 2
    Rematch review: "As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic"
  3. 3
    Tron: Catalyst review: "Disc slinging is a thrill in this gorgeous rendition of the series, but I'm let down by a time-loop story that falls flat"
  4. 4
    FBC: Firebreak review: "A disappointingly bland multiplayer FPS that's missing far too much of what made Control special"
  5. 5
    Dune: Awakening review: "Both extremely compelling and extraordinarily boring, sometimes at the same time – yet still a true Dune love letter"
  1. A T-rex in Jurassic World Rebirth
    1
    Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber"
  2. 2
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  3. 3
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  4. 4
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  5. 5
    From the World of John Wick: Ballerina review: "Brilliant action, even if the plot gives you a sense of déjà vu"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...