STACK#127 May 2016

DVD & BD

REVIEWS

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Of human bondage. FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

Release Date: 21/05/15 Format:

TOP HITS

DVD & BD EXTRAS

The World of Fifty Shades of Grey – Friends and Family Behind the Shades

BD ONLY

Unrated and Theatrical Versions The World of Fifty Shades of Grey Christian Grey Profile Jamie Dornan Profile Christian’s Apartment Christian’s Wardrobe A Rich Man’s Toys All About Ana Dakota Johnson Profile Ana’s World Ana’s Wardrobe E.L. James & Fifty Shades Fifty Shades: The Pleasure of Pain 360° Set Tours Music Videos from Skylar Grey, The Weekend and Ellie Goulding

Bashing Fifty Shades of Grey is like er, flogging a dead horse. Like Twilight and Star Trek , you’re either into it or you’re not. The fact that E.L. James’s “mummy porn” bestseller has sold over 100 million copies worldwide would suggest there’s a fervent female fanbase, and that’s who this film adaptation

is for. Student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) is swept off her feet by brooding, charismatic and filthy rich businessman Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), only to discover his interests in the bedroom involve her complete submission to his BDSM fantasies – after signing a contract of consent, of course. Given all the hype surrounding the novel’s exploration of fetish subculture (and appalling prose), you could be forgiven for expecting a raunchy, R-rated romp. But this MA15+ film is instead a

tastefully shot and mildly erotic romantic drama that’s as cautious as its protagonist when it comes to exploring the provocative, sexually-charged subject matter. A riding crop caressing Ana’s naked shoulder while Beyoncé croons on the (carefully curated) soundtrack is about as sexy as it gets. Fifty Shades of Grey is 9 1/2 Weeks for a new generation, with Johnson’s Ana a wide-eyed innocent and Dornan’s Grey an escapee from a Bret Easton Ellis film. • See page 34

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9 1/2 Weeks

Older but not wiser. DUMB AND DUMBER TO

Release Date: 14/05/15 Format:

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BD ONLY EXTRAS

Alternate Opening Dumb and Dumber To for dummies Remember What Made You Dumb in the First Place Hire a Big, Dumb Cast (of smart people) Remember: There are no small roles, just plenty of dumb ones Comedy, Schmomedy…you gotta have dumb stunts and visual effects Don’t Ride Dirty…Ride Dumb Cut Dumb Why It’s Smart to Get Dumb Deleted/Extended Scenes Gag Reel Feature Commentary

After two decades of badgering by fans, Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels and the Farrelly Brothers have finally given them want they want – a sequel to 1994 comedy smash hit Dumb & Dumber . So, better late than never? Well, sort of. This belated follow-up does remain faithful to the original’s rampant stupidity, cringe-inducing and gross-out humour, with Carrey and Daniels proving that with age does not

reuniting him with his long lost daughter, who in turn becomes the love interest of Lloyd (Carrey). Dumb and Dumber To may not be the comedy masterpiece that fans have waited 20 years to see, but it’s still funnier than the egregious 2003 prequel, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd.

always come wisdom (cue catheter sight gag). And there are ample laughs to be had throughout, even if a lot of them are from recycled jokes. Harry (Daniels) needs a kidney transplant from a living relative, so the pair hit the road in their dogmobile in the hope of

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Dumb & Dumber

MAY 2015 JB Hi-Fi www.jbhifi.com.au

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