Reviews ...

Reviews

Max

Engrossing parable of how the young Hitler's 'artistic' ideas went askew

Biker Boyz

OPENS 27 JUNE, CERT 12A, 111 MINS Put The Fast And The Furious on two wheels and you'll have this laughably po-faced tale of illegal street-racing among LA's biker fraternity. Derek Luke plays Kid, a young speed freak eager to dethrone "King of Cali" Smoke (Laurence Fishburne). To do so, he must set up his own club (the titular Biker Boyz), working his way up the racing hierarchy while keeping true to his late dad's mantra that you should "burn rubber, not your soul". Despite Reggie Rock Bythewood's flashy direction, this dopey yarn is more Vespa than Kawasaki.

Laissez-Passer

Bertrand Tavernier's epic (almost three hours) looks back at France's period of Nazi occupation from a movie-lover's perspective. A young screenwriter tries to subvert the German-controlled studios while juggling three women, and a director doubles as a Resistance fighter. It's a beautifully detailed and honest piece.

Spy Kids 2

More pint-size espionage from Robert Rodriguez as Carmen and Juni tackle an island full of monsters created by mad scientist Steve Buscemi. The cute kids factor is kept on a tight rein, there are great gizmos (and gags) galore, and the blend of Bond, Dr Seuss and Ray Harryhausen is irresistible.

Loop Guru – Bathtime With Loop Guru

Latest offering from post-rave ethnological adventurers

Rilo Kiley – The Execution Of All Things

Uber-twee quartet who once sold songs to Dawson's Creek join Saddle Creek for second album

Blacula – BMG

Blaxploitation movies were suddenly so hot in 1972 that it was deemed a smart idea to bash out—as the title may have tipped you off—a black vampire chiller. It wasn't. It was horrible, in unintended ways. But Gene Page came up with a very appetising soundtrack, which you could happily stick on between Isaac Hayes' Shaft and Marvin Gaye's Trouble Man without anyone noticing too drastic a drop in class.

Angie Reed – Presents The Best Of Barbra Brockhaus

Disco punk debut from ex-Stereo Total bassist includes cameo from Gonzales

Prince – The Rainbow Children

Belated UK release for the little guy's jazz-gospel extravaganza

Fred Wesley And The Horny Horns – A Blow For Me, A Toot For You

Solo albums from James Brown's horn section, produced by George Clinton
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