New DVDs

Donald Clarkeand Michael Dwyerreview the latest releases

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

Directed by Tim Burton. Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jayne Wisener 18 cert  ****

Burton boldly stages Stephen Sondheim's dramatic musical as Grand Guignol on a grand scale, and without a hint of parody. The treatment is full-blooded in more ways than one, and throats are slit in graphic close-up as a barber (Depp) seeks revenge on a corrupt judge (Rickman) in 19th-century London.  - MICHAEL DWYER

PS I LOVE YOU

Directed by Richard LaGravenese. Starring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Kathy Bates, Lisa Kudrow, Harry Connick Jr, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Gina Gershon 12 cert  *

Before he dies, an Irishman (Butler with a terrible accent and an irritating cheeky grin) leaves a series of messages to help his American wife (Swank) cope with her bereavement in this leaden film of Cecilia Ahern's novel. The Emerald Isle is introduced in a swooning travelogue, and there is copious drinking.

- MICHAEL DWYER

WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY

Directed by Jake Kasdan. Starring John C Reilly, Jenna Fischer, Tim Meadows, Kristen Wiig, Raymond J Barry 18 cert  ***

Reilly is admirably deadpan as a fictional singer- songwriter in Kasdan's witty, affectionate spoof on music biopics. The cliches of the genre are upturned mercilessly, and the pastiches of music from different eras are spot-on. - MICHAEL DWYER

MR MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM

Directed by Zach Helm. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills, Rebecca Northan, Kiele Sanchez  G cert  **

Strange knock-off of Willy Wonka starring an annoying Hoffman as the owner of a toyshop who, as death beckons, tries to pass his business on to an unwilling Portman. The effects are quite nice, but no child is likely to care about the demise of some twit they've just met. - DONALD CLARKE