A nightmare chiller thriller; DVDs.

Byline: GRAHAM YOUNG

THE HAPPENING (15) VERDICT:*****

HAVING gone from launching his career with The Sixth Sense to trying to overcome successive duds like The Village and Lady in the Water, this is another nightmare thriller from director M Night Shyamalan. The opening ten minutes are terrific when New Yorkers fall under the spell of something unseen and there's an extraordinary scene where people are mysteriously falling off buildings. For a while, you believe that Shyamalan knows what he's doing. Sadly, the longer it all goes on the more we know we're going to end up miles ahead of the characters. You just pray they'll wake up and tell us that we're all caught up in the sort of bad dream where, if people see a gun, they can think of nothing more exciting than shooting themselves in the head. Mark Wahlberg plays science teacher Elliot Moore on the run to Pennsylvania with his therapist wife Alma (Zooey Deschanel). Going along for the unthrilling ride are maths teacher Julian (John Leguizamo) and his eight-year-old daughter Jess

(Ashlyn Sanchez), but you won't care about them. Betty Buckley's laughable turn as a window-butting old dear will neatly sum up the feeling of anyone who buys this DVD for at least pounds 19.99. Also available as a two-disc DVD pounds 22.99 (Blu-ray pounds 24.99), the extras include deleted scenes with director commentary and gag reel.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH (PG)

VERDICT: ***** AS AN entrylevel action thriller for eight-year-olds which was best seen in cinemas in 3D, this remake of Henry Levin's 1959 adaptation of Jules Verne's 1864 novel is a cut above most children's movies. Though not quite at the level of last year's The Last Mimzy and Bridge to Terabithia, it remains an exciting, modern adventure which pays due respects to its B-movie roots. Brendan Fraser might be no James Mason, whose film won Oscar nominations for art directions, special effects and sound, but as George of the Jungle and The Mummy series have already proved, he's a rock-solid choice for movies like this. Professor Trevor Anderson (Fraser) becomes saddled with a youngster in the house - nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson), son of his brother who disappeared a decade ago. Before you know it, they are off to Iceland where some lightning bolts take them to the 'same planet, different world', along with guide Hannah Asgeirsson (Icelandic star Anita Briem who once appeared in Doctors). Also available to buy for pounds 19.99 (Blu-ray pounds 23.99), the extras include director and actor commentary. Another film also lacking the 3D effect in cinemas is Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds Concert (U), which is also available to buy for pounds 15.99 with extras including additional songs and a sing-along with the movie option.

SHINE A LIGHT (12) VERDICT: *****

MARTIN Scorsese's documentary film of the Rolling Stones in concert will be lapped up by fans of the band everywhere. But some of the more attractive members of the audience resemble 'plants' and he all but ignores the bass/drum rhythm section. Also available to buy for pounds 19.99 or as a two-disc DVD pounds 24.99 (Blu-ray pounds 28.99). DVD extras include a behind the scenes featurette and additional songs Undercover Of The Night, Little T & A, I'm Free, Paint It Black, with multi-angle viewing available on Jumping Jack Flash.

CAPTION(S):

FRIGHTENING... Mark Wahlberg plays science teacher Elliot Moore on the run to Pennsylvania with his therapist wife.