2004December ...

Bad Santa

Insanely funny, foul-mouthed comedy with bells on

I Heart Huckabees

Extraordinary existential investigations yield mixed-up results

Enduring Love

Intense take on lan McEwan's psych chiller

The Manchurian Candidate

Demme knowing, nerve-shredding take on iconic conspiracy thriller pulls off the improbable

Last Night Of The Promos

Scintillating songs let down by clumsy visuals

Placebo – Once More With Feeling: Singles 1996-2004

Bowie-obsessed Brian Molko and co put plenty of low-rent sex and sleazy glam into videos such as "Nancy Boy" and "Bruise Pristine" while the Thin White Duke himself appears in "Without You I'm Nothing". But by the time Molko gets fed to the sharks in "You Don't Care About Us", his foetal whine has become so irritating you don't feel much sympathy. NIGEL WILLIAMSON

Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band – Tour 2003

For years, Ringo has surrounded himself live with established musicians (here including Paul Carrack and Sheila E), each performing songs of their own. The audience, then, are expected to settle for usually no more than eight from Starr himself. Offsetting this disappointment are the warm scenes off stage and in interviews. CAROL CLERK

Elton John – Dream Ticket

Subtitled "Four Destinations, Four DVDs", this Reg-fest takes in live shows from Madison Square Garden (2000), the Great Amphitheatre at Ephesus, Turkey (2001) and London's Royal Opera House (2002), respectively accompanied by full band, candlelight and orchestra. But it's Disc 4 (promos and clips spanning '68 to present) that wins out, not least for 1972's great "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters". At seven hours, though, this one's strictly for insomniac diehards. ROB HUGHES DVD EXTRAS: None.

Led Zeppelin – A To Zeppelin: The Unauthorised Story Of Led Zeppelin

Passport have secured neither the band's help nor their music rights, although they provide some irresistible highlights, specifically a TV appearance by the pre-pubescent Jimmy Page and excerpts from a John Bonham interview. Misty old chats with Zep members and Peter Grant are bolstered by the contemporary perceptions of Jeff Beck, Roy Harper, Terry Reid, Chris Dreja, Simon Kirke and Richard Cole. Carol Clerk
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