DVD releases: Awaydays (18)

Sep 25 2009 Liverpool Daily Post

WIRRAL author Kevin Sampson’s acclaimed depiction of football hooliganism and male bonding is brought to the screen by director Pat Holden.

The action unfolds through the eyes of a teenager struggling for acceptance in late 1970s Liverpool. Paul Carty (Nicky Bell) longs to run with the Pack: the pent-up young followers of Tranmere Rovers, who get their kicks – literally – by beating up rival supporters or taking a Stanley knife to the face of anyone who dares to strike back.

Unfortunately, Paul doesn’t have a way in, not even with his box-fresh pair of Adidas Forest Hill trainers, until he meets music fan and dreamer Elvis (Liam Boyle) at a gig and the pair become friends.

Elvis in turn introduces Paul to gang leader and ex-squaddie John (Stephen Graham), who welcomes the new boy with open arms once he proves himself on the field of battle. As Paul becomes a vital cog in the machinery of the Pack, his friendship with Elvis deteriorates, culminating in a heartbreaking confession by one of the teenagers.

The Simpsons – The Complete 12th Season (12)

ANDRE AGASSI, Drew Barrymore, Roger Daltry, Stephen King, Edward Norton and Pete Sampras guest star alongside Springfield’s favourite family – Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie – in 21 hilarious episodes of the award-winning animated series.

Bart embarks on an ill-fated boy-band odyssey that brings him into contact with pop sensations ’N Sync, Lisa gets in touch with her inner eco-warrior and the entire Simpsons clan gets a scare in the annual Hallowe’en episode, Treehouse Of Horror.

SWING VOTE (12)

AS AMERICA goes to the polls to elect a new president, factory worker Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner) seeks out his favourite bar stool. In despair, his precocious 12-year-old daughter, Molly, secretly votes in his stead, only for the electronic ballot to be spoilt by a technical glitch.

His verdict, it transpires, will break the political deadlock between Republican incumbent, President Andrew Boone (Kelsey Grammer), and charismatic Democratic challenger, Donald Greenleaf (Dennis Hopper), and hand one of the men the keys to the White House.

A media circus including local TV reporter Kate Madison decamps outside the front door of Bud’s trailer as rival campaign managers search for the “one issue that matters to this guy”. Swing Vote is a gentle and surprisingly sweet comedy that lampoons the electoral process, as seen through the weary eyes of a man who couldn’t care less. But the ending feels contrived and sidesteps the obvious dilemma of declaring favouritism. Bud must vote between the candidates, but Joshua Michael Stern’s film elects for apathy.