week's DVD and Blu-ray releases

[Tangygirl]

Microcosmos DVD & Blu-ray, Second Sight
Life DVD & Blu-ray, BBC

It's a given that many of the strange and wonderful lifeforms we share this planet with are dying out, many species becoming extinct every year. There's some consolation to be had in that, thanks to the people behind these two nature titles, future generations will at least be able to see many of them, in glorious HD, doing something weird, funny or just plain icky in front of the cameras before they go the way of the dodo. 1996's Microcosmos has almost zero educational value, instead choosing to play up the drama in the insect world. There's a very sparse narration, but this is only there to remind you a) To relax, because you're not really learning anything, and b) That you're not watching outtakes from Starship Troopers. This is the real bug's life: fighting, eating and mating, all the time looking impressive and otherworldly in a film that paved the way for other science-lite, big-screen nature hits such as Winged Migration and March Of The Penguins. Meanwhile, from the BBC comes the superb 2009 series Life (pictured), another all-encompassing nature trail by David Attenborough. What both titles share is the fact that, regardless of their technical innovations, filming these camera-shy creatures still means film-makers have to play a merciless waiting game in some of the most unforgiving corners of the globe. The resulting footage will always be magical and unique for this reason alone.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
DVD & Blu-ray, Warner

With extras on everything from owl training to Emma Watson's makeup tips.

Mid August Lunch
DVD, Artificial Eye

Gentle, foodie Italian comedy in which a young man ends up catering for a gaggle of old ladies.


GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra
DVD & Blu-ray, Paramount

Team America-style action dumbness with big effects and an all-star cast.


Paris Vu Par
DVD, Artificial Eye

City tales from top directors (Rohmer, Godard, Chabrol) in this 1965 compilation.


Bandslam
DVD & Blu-ray, Paramount

Passable teen band competition movie starring Vanessa Hudgens.