Latest video and DVD releases reviewed
THE BASQUE BALL ****
Directed by Julio Medem 15 cert
Medem's exhaustive documentary concerning the struggle for Basque Independence is considerably more digestible on the small screen. The barrage of talking heads feels less overpowering and the DVD commentary, featuring Irish writer Paddy Woodworth, an expert on the subject, offers many indispensable footnotes for those with only sketchy foreknowledge. Woodworth is particularly good on the consequences of the Madrid bombings and parallels with the Irish situation. Donald Clarke
JERSEY GIRL *
Directed by Kevin Smith. Starring Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, George Carlin, Stephen Root, Raquel Castro, Jennifer Lopez 15 cert
Some critics have suggested that this drippy comedy, in which PR wonk Affleck learns to cope with a young daughter following the death of his wife, is Kevin Smith's worst film because it has so little in common with previous opuses such as Dogma or Chasing Amy. To this writer's mind, it is his best film for just that reason. No babble about Star Wars. No Silent Bob. Great! It is still utterly, utterly hopeless, though. Donald Clarke
THE HONEYMOONERS ***
Directed by Karl Golden. Starring Jonathan Byrne, Alex Reid, Justine Mitchell, Conor Mullen 15 cert
This ironically titled romantic comedy draws together a jilted, emotionally uptight young Dubliner (Byrne) and a feisty waitress (Reid) fed up with the false promises of her married lover. Their mutual antagonism gradually thaws in Golden's confident first feature, a diverting and bittersweet entertainment featuring refreshingly natural performances. Michael Dwyer
MYSTICS **
Directed by David Blair. Starring Milo O'Shea, David Kelly, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Liam Cunningham, Stanley Townsend, Eva Birthistle 15 cert
Resorting to a tired old shamrock-tinged concept of present-day Ireland, this whimsical comedy features Kelly and O'Shea as a phoney medium act who unexpectedly make contact with the spirit of a Dublin criminal. The best efforts of a capable cast are poorly served by the slender and obvious screenplay.
