March 2014 horror movie DVD/Blu-ray round-up

Some Wiccan followers believe in what is known as the Rule of Three, in which whatever action a person puts out into the world is then returned back to them threefold. If we take this to be true, with the release of a third Hatchet film on DVD, it seems more and more likely that … >

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‘In Fear’ DVD review

Continuing the atmospheric style of modern British horror thrillers like Dog Soldiers, Eden Lake and The Descent comes In Fear. Starring Iain De Caestecker (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Alice Englert, (Beautiful Creatures), the film tells the story of new couple Tom and Lucy, who end up caught up in a predatory game by an … >

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‘Mr Selfridge’ Series 2 Episode 8 review

Having Harry omitted from last week’s events meant that the episode he returned in was always going to be fraught with tension. It stands to reason that he is the primary focus of tonight’s episode. However, in doing so, many other worthy storylines are left virtually untouched, perhaps only referenced in passing comment. Given that … >

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‘The Musketeers’ Episode 7: ‘A Rebellious Woman’ review

‘That doesn’t make sense, even for the Musketeers.’ Like your friendships, it’s best not to examine Musketeers‘ plots too closely. The fun to be had is more character based, or possibly historical if you’re intrigued by the period setting. This week, it was fairly obvious – even to your tired and inebriated reviewer – that … >

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‘Jonathan Creek’: ‘The Sinner and The Sandman’ review

Jonathan Creek used to be an outsider. An enigma wrapped in a duffel coat wrapped in a windmill. Everything about him was an act of non-conformation against the sweaty ‘90s urgency to be cool, and that in itself was cool. But on screen it was always the world around Creek that was painted as even … >

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‘Inside the TARDIS: The Worlds of Doctor Who’ book review

First published in 2006, James Chapman’s book has recently been updated. Drawing heavily on the BBC’s written archives, it is able to provide a deeper insight than most while looking at the Doctor Who’s development along with its wider cultural evolution and impact. Beginning in the early 1960s, Chapman reveals the research which laid the … >

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‘The Smoke’ Episode 3 review

Having drawn us in with both the characters and drama of the show, The Smoke’s third episode feels a lot more confident. This week’s instalment manages to weave more of the characters into the episode and, through a clever narrative structure, pushes their stories forward in a really interesting way. The episode features the characters … >

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‘Inside No. 9′ Episode 5: ‘The Understudy’ review

It can be a risky business, actors making up plays about actors. There’s every chance of so-called “civilians” being left cold by all the in-jokes and references to uniquely theatrical devices in the pursuit of a self-pleasuring gag. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen in tonight’s episode, although it could have been a very close call: this … >

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‘Line of Duty’ Series 2 Episode 4 review

Lately, among newspaper columnists and keyboard jockeys in the Fourth Estate gallop, there’s a tendency to shoehorn in a mention of a popular show that they’re also totes into too, honest, in an attempt to let you know they’re relevant. Popular namedrops include True Detective, Borgen, House of Cards and, yes, they’re good shows. But … >

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‘Outnumbered’ final episode review

And so BBC One’s award-winning and much-loved sitcom Outnumbered comes to an end, but does the finale do justice to the show’s seven year run? In essence, no. Sadly. It certainly doesn’t go out with a bang (though it does go out with a song; more of that later), the show leaves as humbly and … >

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