Reviews

Action emperor John Woo raises hell in the Pacific for this noisy WWII epic, which is grounded in real events. The grand-canvas battle scenes rule, but Nic Cage's hammy turn as an emotionally scarred hero charged with guarding a Navajo code-talker lets the side down. Still, the battle sequences are up there with Sam Fuller's best. DVD EXTRAS: Several backstage documentaries, commentary by a genuine Navajo code-talker, shared chat between Cage and co-star Christian Slater.

An immaculate, determinedly unsentimental Marc Forster film, with breathtakingly honest performances from Halle Berry and, especially, Billy Bob Thornton. Death Row prison guard Thornton's family are traditionally racist; Berry's husband (Sean "Puffy" Combs) is executed. In a pit of despair, an unlikely, colour-blind love blooms between the two. One of 2002's best. DVD EXTRAS: Extra footage, cast and film-makers commentaries, isolated soundtrack.

Uplifting and elegiac organic electronica

Glaswegian chanteuse's second album

Stonesy blues from White Stripes' backyard

The great dance music innovators' final concert, recorded live at the Budokan in April 1996

Guitar legend's moving valediction

'Godfather of goth' hires former Birthday Party producer Nick Launay for 'urgent' 12th album

New Hope, PA nutters started out with a Casio and then bled rock's corpse dry

Second and third pre-Stankonia albums from Atlanta funk-hop giants, at mid-price