DVDS: NEW RELEASES.

Byline: JESSICA MELLOR

STARDUST (PG, pounds 19.99) ***

Sienna Miller, Robert De Niro, Claire Danes and Michelle Pfeiffer all battle for screen time in this undemanding fairytale about Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox), a nice young man who has a crush on Miller's Victoria.

When a falling star lands nearby, he traverses the wall surrounding their kingdom only to discover the star is a beautiful blonde by the name of Yvaine (Danes). She posseses powers such as the gift of eternal life, so becomes much sought after, among others by Lamia (Pfeiffer), a witch who wants to recapture her youth. De Niro then arrives as the rather camp captain of flying pirate ship. This fun fantasy won't change your life, but it might entertain for a while. Includes a commentary and blooper reel on the DVD.

RAZZLE DAZZLE (PG, pounds 19.99) ****

Coming from the consistently funny Australian independent film industry, Ben Miller stars as a maverick kids' dance teacher Mr Jonathan who - although he would be loath to admit it - would love to win Oz's top dance contest. Also starring Kerry Armstrong and Denise Roberts, this is a fantastically choreographed mockumentary comedy that satirises the cut-throat world of kids' dance competitions perfectly. Extras include a focus on costumes and a Making Of movie.

EVENING (12, pounds 16.99) ***

This slow-burning romance is bolstered by a great performance from Vanessa Redgrave as Ann, the dying mother of Constance (Natasha Richardson) and Nina (Toni Collette), who remembers a youthful romance that stayed in her heart forever. Claire Danes plays the younger Ann as she falls for the easy charms of her beau Harris (Patrick Wilson). This is a pleasant distraction that boasts a few twists on the way to a surprising conclusion.

THE SPECIALS - TOO MUCH, TOO YOUNG (E, pounds 17.99) ****

Seventies ska band The Specials appear for the first time on DVD in this well-produced disc which includes grainy Super 8 concert footage and great shots of Thatcher's Britain. Formed in 1977, The Specials helped break down cultural barriers with their mixed-race line-up and fearless lyrics in tracks such as Gangsters and Ghost Town, and struck a chord with fans in places as far flung as the USA and Japan. The DVD includes footage from videos for classics like A Message To You Rudy and Too Much, Too Young.

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BEAUTY: Danes

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Title Annotation:	Features
Publication:	The Mirror (London, England)
Date:	Feb 22, 2008
Words:	393
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