Blu-ray

Fans of swordplay and wire-fu will find plenty to love in this cracking Asian blockbuster. Directed by the legendary Tsui (Zu Warriors…) Hark and starring Jet Li, this period action flick delivers some of the most breathtaking use of stereoscopic filmmaking we've seen, making it a must-buy for those with 3D setups. The MVC 2.40:1 1080p 3D encode is joined by a deliciously aggressive Mandarin-language DTS-HD MA 5.1 track (an English Dolby 2.0 mix is also included for those who struggle to read subtitles). The set's 2D platter also houses a selection of interviews and featurettes.

There was clearly something in the water in Hollywood last year, with several of the US TV networks launching new shows based around fairy tales. NBC's Grimm takes the police procedural route with a cop finding out that he comes from a long line of monster killers, but comes a cropper with its appalling CGI and uneven tone. And while this four-disc set's 1080p encodes (a mix of VC-1 and AVC) only serve to highlight the show's abysmal visual effects, they also make the most of the crisp and detailed digital photography. Deleted scenes and an interactive bestiary are among the many extras on offer.

Despite being straight-to-video efforts, both of these horror sequels come across well in hi-def. Indeed, the AVC 1.78:1 1080p encodes exhibit plenty of finely textured grain and rich colours that noticeably improve on that of the original film. The native DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio is cleanly rendered and Puppet Master III also gets a DTS-HD MA 5.1 remix. Fan-pleasing extras include a commentary for each movie and a host of archival goodies, including toy commercials and Making of… footage.

While it doesn't get off to the best of starts (pretty much all of the episodes on Disc One are geared towards kids), this Star Wars spin-off soon finds itsfeet again. Highlights include Obi-Wan going undercover as a bounty hunter and the return of Darth Maul – which might have had slightly more impact if they hadn't given the game away by plastering his face all over the Blu-ray sleeve. The set's 2.35:1 HD encodes make the most of the show's gorgeous CG-animation and are supported by surprisingly powerful and nuanced DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. There are also some fascinating extras to get stuck into including some split-screen video commentaries for selected story arcs.

90210's AnnaLynne McCord ditches her usual vampish look to play a frumpy social outcast with some serious psychological issues and a love of surgery in this brilliantly odd horror film. First-time director Richard Bates, Jr. mixes elements of Cronenbergian body horror and Lynchian suburban nightmares as he cooks up an extraordinary shocker, and packs it full of arresting imagery that is capably recreated by the Blu-ray's sublime AVC 2.40:1 1080p encode. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio isn't the most expansive you'll hear, but still proves atmospheric. Extras consist of a very interesting commentary by the director and leading lady, plus the trailer.

Ill Manors finds Ben 'Plan B' Drew making the shift from best-selling musician to promising filmmaker (he's certainly a better director than he is actor). While the film's multi-narrative approach isn't particularly original, Drew makes good use of it to tell his various stories and keep us guessing how they all tie together - there's also a smart use of music to reveal backstories for many of his key characters.