Film critic Mark Kermode, as his latest book is published, sits down to talk about the movies. So much so that hes put his story in a book. Although its not quite an autobiography. Its described only part-jokingly as a cinematic autobiography inspired by real events. Because Ive been watching all these movies that are based on true stories which arent. And I love that phrase inspired by real events because its, as opposed towhat,exactly?...

Our look back at Cameron Crowe’s films concludes with Elizabethtown… Trust me. Everybody is less mysterious than they think they are. Drew Baylors (Orlando Bloom) life is currently not going to plan. The next day, the two arrange to meet each other and end up exploring the town together. Depressed, he returns to his hotel room to find Claire waiting for him. The two agree they are not right for each other but end up spending the night together anyway....

John Hillcoat’s Aussie Western arrives on Blu-ray. Luke sees how The Proposition has fared… Whats the best Australian western ever made? Granted, its not a question likely to keep many people awake at night searching for an answer. Indeed, up until a few years ago, there wouldnt have been much to choose from. Two dispiriting comedy westerns one from Yahoo Serious (whatever happened to him? Hes the sadistic violence visited upon Australias Aboriginals, who refer to him as an animal....

But the film for me that changed things wasPlatoon. Its the one that I had my MFA in acting and writing. Ad content continues below How was the shoot ofPlatoon? Oliver Stone sets are renowned for being a little bit different…! We had mock battles at night. But coming from a theatrical background it felt like rehearsal for me. I saw a lot of things, grown men weep. And that for you, even appreciating your acting background beforehand, it all must have been quite special?...

Lets cut to the chase whether this purchase is worthwhile depends on what you have. All you get extra is a fraction of new footage and two commentaries for your big splashout. Buy a Blu-ray player and stop moaning…. And I will. When I buy a Blu-ray player, Im going to get a top-end expensive machine that also cooks toast. And dont even get me started on rebuying my catalogue....

A film that’s small in scale, sizeable in achievement. Michael celebrates Sam Mendes' Away We Go on DVD… Truth be told,Away We Gowas badly marketed. Heck, it still is. In fact, it is a work of tender, genuine charms. Thirtysomething Americans Verona (Maya Rudolph) and Burt (John Krasinski) are expecting their first child. It is all an excuse to spend time with the characters, who are warm and likeable. This subtle complexity givesAway We Goa gentle resonance....

Kind of like the Scottish attitude towards the English football team, then. Old school filmmaking at its very best: an inspiring true-life story, driven by character and emotional relationships. The temptation for Freeman, in particular, to go into a barnstorming kindly-give-me-an-Oscar mode must have been great. But Mandela, who was 75 when he came to power, was not that sort of politician. 27 years in prison had mellowed the firebrand tenacity he displayed in his youth....

Glen’s weekly look at movie music considers Tom Waits, and the highlights of an impressive career… The devil doesnt have the best tunes. I will attempt to provide a fairly brief overview of some of the great mans work. Musically, what hes producing now is considered slightly more experimental than his earlier output. Listening through his work chronologically, its interesting to chart his evolution as an artist. Im not sure who directed the video, but the imagery works perfectly with Waits track....

Does Ricky Gervais' latest film deserve a bigger audience on DVD? After all, a good degree of the reaction to the film holds true. Its far from your conventional romantic comedy, for starters. Of course, at first you get the film that the trailer sold you. You get an anti-romantic comedy set in a world where the lie hasnt been invented. More than that, though: people go round calmly telling other people the truth....

On first inspection,YouthIn Revoltdoes itself a bit of a disservice. The screenplay stays true to the name of C.D. Payne book, but to the uninitiated it conjures images of an uprising against an oppressive, adult-dominated society. Fear not, though. S, clearly something needs to give. Oh my, thats Steve Buscemi fittingly plays Twisps somewhat estranged and polar father. What more can I say apart from I recommend it? Well, the finale is a teeny bit rushed and slightly forgettable....

Missed it at the cinema? Then don’t miss one of 2009’s animated treats as it arrives on Blu-ray. Instead, you end up, of all places, at Sonys front door. The same Sony who released the cynically sweetOpen Seasonand its direct to DVD sequel. The same Sony that has been to animation what Celine Dion has been to classic closing numbers for films. And yet, cast your mind back a few years toMonster House....

Judd Apatow brings in Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler to pretty much tell the story of his life. His life, more to the point. He does this by bringing together Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler. This is deliberately toning down the plot quite a lot, because Ive no intention of spoiling it. In fact, scrub that. Its the foundations that he builds two films on, that arent particularly comfortably mashed together....

Few are as haunting asPrecious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire. And her mother routinely abuses her, physically and verbally. you’ve got the option to find out about her father yourself. But Precious isnt a Sunday afternoon two-dimensional true story. And that means that when the narrative takes a turn, it has real impact. What lifts it even higher are the actors. There are two stand-outs here. Gabourey Sidibe as Precious is understated, mumbling, and utterly believable as the title character....