Coming to DVD and Blu-ray: Permissive (1970)

On paper it sounds like a real gem, but so far Permissive (1970) has passed me by. Just as well it's being issued on DVD and Blu-ray by the BFI and Flipside on 25th January 2010.

When Suzy arrives in London to visit an old school friend, she is unwittingly plunged into the ruthless world of the 'groupie'. Fuelled by sex, drugs and jealousy, her new lifestyle fosters in her a cold, cynical instinct for survival.  But tragedy is never far away.

Coming to DVD and Blu-ray: That Kind of Girl (1963)

Remember All The Right Noises? Well, a second Gerry O’Hara movie is part of the next wave of BFI/Flipside DVD (and Blu-ray) releases - That Kind of Girl.

In 1960s London, a beautiful continental au pair finds herself wrestling with the affections of an earnest peace-protestor, a dashing young toff and a roguish older man.  But fun and freedom turn to shame and despair when she finds that her naivety has put the health of her lovers, and their partners – including the well-meaning Janet (played by Big Zapper's Linda Marlowe, in her first role) – at risk.

Coming to DVD and Blu-ray: Privilege (1967)

It's been anticipated for years, but now, at long last, Privilege is coming to both DVD and Blu-ray as part of the Flipside series of releases through the BFI on January 25th 2010.

Steve Shorter (Paul Jones) is the biggest pop star of his day and loved by millions - his approval or endorsement can guide the choices and actions of the masses. But, in reality, he is a puppet whose popularity is carefully managed by government-backed handlers keen to keep the country’s youth under control. Only an act of complete rebellion can set him free.

DVD Review: Young Soul Rebels (1991)

Young Soul Rebels as a film I steered cleared of when it was released back in the early 90s. Yes, it ticked a few interesting boxes - soul music, a mixing pot of youth cultures at a turbulent time in British history, a decent plot on the face of it - but the critics were harsh and to be honest, they're rarely too wide of the mark. Saying that, time can often by kind to movies - is it the case here? Well, yes and no.

Directed by Isaac Julien and set in the summer of 1977, Young Soul Rebels focuses on two friends and pirate radio DJs (Chris and Caz, played by Valentine Nonyela and Mo Sesay respectively), one straight, one gay and both with ambitions as soul DJs, although not necessarily in the same direction. But the story kicks off in a park - whilst listening to the radio show, a young gay black man called TJ is murdered by a stranger, his radio cassette player stolen and dumped. The police are on the hunt for the killer, a hunt that will eventually take them (wrongly) to Chris.

DVD Review: Christiane F. (1981)

If the government wanted to save a few quid on its anti-drug campaigns, it could simply place a bulk order of the newly-reissued Christiane F. DVD and show it to every impressionable teen in the country. Trust me, it would work far better than any number of clever ad campaigns.

I first encountered the movie some years back, renting it on the basis of a Berlin-era Bowie soundtrack. To say it shocked was an understatement, but because it's so shocking, Christiane F. is probably the finest movie about drugs ever made. Why? Well, in some ways, Christiane F. is a typical inner-city tale - arriving in a new town, broken home, wanted to to be hip, wanting to be popular and wanting to belong. But because it's so typical, it's all the more real.