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Don’t Say A Word

Brazenly preposterous Manhattan thriller follows clinical psychologist Michael Douglas as he tries desperately to extract the location of a stolen jewel from the mind of trauma patient Brittany Murphy to satisfy the demands of crazed kidnapper Sean Bean. Eminently ludicrous stuff, but wonderfully anchored by Douglas' trademark beleaguered male schtick.

Metropolis

Lovingly restored version of Fritz Lang's silent sci-fi classic with another 20 minutes' worth of footage, plus the original music score, so even if you know the movie well you're in for treats and surprises. If you don't, you'll discover incredible visuals, the sexiest robot ever made and a core message—capitalism without compassion sucks—that's as fresh now as in 1926.

The Business Of Strangers

Passable psychodrama as up-tight corporate suit Julia (Stockard Channing) and haughty PA Paula (Julia Stiles) play out malicious power games in a hotel suite. This often lacks the wit and IQ required for a nerve-jangling thriller, but the assured leads provide seductive intrigue.

Men In Black II

The law of diminishing returns applies as Barry Sonnenfeld hacks out a scant sequel to the initially promising sci-fi spoof. Will Smith must again save the human race from oddly-shaped monsters and hedonistic worms, and so restores Tommy Lee Jones' erased memories. Lara Flynn Boyle replaces Linda Fiorentino, who bailed. Wisely, it'd seem. Funny in flashes.

Singles

Set in grunge-era Seattle, Cameron Crowe's quick-off-the-mark 1992 romantic ensemble comedy managed to corral members of Pearl Jam into the mix alongside Bridget Fonda, Matt Dillon, Kyra Sedgwick and Campbell Scott. Crowe falls short of his masterful memoir Almost Famous, partly as Scott and Sedgwick are too stiff for the central rock'n'romance plot, but this is still a charming historical snapshot.

The Weight Of Water

Kathryn Bigelow's lavish direction can't keep this creaky adventure afloat. Catherine McCormack is Jean, a photo-journalist researching a century-old double murder while rekindling her relationship to Thomas (Sean Penn) on a sailing trip. A cliché-soaked script and Liz Hurley's wobbly acting lends a made-for-TV ambience.

The Ages Of Lulu

Bigas Luna's 1990 film deals with, yes, sex, but like most Spanish movies it does so unapologetically and flamboyantly. A teenager is corrupted by her brother's friend: later they marry, but by now the libido of Lulu (Francesca Neri) is out of control. Sounds like Channel 5 fare, sure, but as with Jamón, Jamón and Golden Balls, Luna lifts it higher. DVD EXTRAS: Filmographies, notes, trailer. Rating Star

Frankie & Johnny

Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer are the short order cook and waitress in a New York diner in Garry Marshall's romantic drama. The stars ensure that it's at least watchable, but the chemistry between them is nowhere near as intense as it was in Scarface, a few years earlier.

While Guitars Gently Weep

East meets West as Clapton, Shankar, Jeff Lynne and both surviving Beatles celebrate the life of The Quiet One

Josh Pearson – Upstairs At The Spitz, London Wednesday December 4 2002

The real fired-up deal-Lift To Experience frontman's acoustic solo debut
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