Robert Tanitch reviews the latest DVDs
TANGERINES (Axiom). “What gave you the right to kill?” is the question. “War,” is the reply. Georgian director Zara Urushadze’s anti-war film, which has been nominated for many awards, is set during the 1992 civil war between Georgians and Abkhazan separatists. A carpenter (Lembit Ulfsak) and a tangerine farmer (Elmo Nuganen), humane and compassionate, give shelter to two wounded soldiers – a Georgian (Misha Meskhi) and a Chechen mercenary (Giorgi Nakashidze) – and get them to promise not to kill each other so long as they remain in his house. The story is a moving argument for pacifism and totally involving.
THE TOUCH OF ZEN (Eureka). The triumph of Buddhmim over evil. If you enjoy Taiwan martial arts movies then you will want to see King Hu’s 1971 epic, since it was the precursor to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers.The acrobatic fighting in the bamboo forest is quite dazzling in its choreography (with the help of unseen trampolines). The forest and the mountains are beautifully photographed. The film launched the long and distinguished career of Shih Jun (with the big smile and the big eyes). He is cast a shy portrait painter who helps a princess warrior who is fleeing from the brutal Eunuch ruler who murdered her whole family.
LEGEND (StudioCanal) Do we really need yet another film about the notorious murderous Kray twins who enjoyed being gangsters in the Swinging Sixties? Is there anything more to be said? This version is a story of brotherly love. Brian Helgeland’s film features Tom Hardy in both roles, a showcase for him. His performance as the psychotic, paranoid and openly homosexual Ronnie (and his uncontrollable temper) constantly and disconcertingly verges on comic caricature. Emily Browning looks lovely as the girl who falls for Reggie’s charm.
THE TECKMAN MYSTERY (Network) is a rubbishy Francis Durbridge 1954 British espionage thriller. A test pilot is missing after his plane crashed. Where is he? The real mystery is why a dull actor such as John Justin is playing the lead. (Answer, they presumably couldn’t get anybody else.) An even greater mystery is what a good actor such as Margaret Leighton is doing in a role for which she is totally unsuitable and absurdly overdressed.
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