This week’s TV, CD and DVD reviews

TV

Imagine – The Fatwa: Salman’s Story

Wednesday, September 19, 10.35pm

BBC ONE

Salman Rushdie was condemned to death in 1989 after his book, The Satanic Verses, caused irreparable controversy within the Muslim community for its perceived blasphemous content.

Following riots in Pakistan, the Supreme Leader of Iran called on all Muslims to kill Rushdie and his publishers, which lead to the deaths of one of Rushdie’s translators, the attempted assassination of another and his publisher, and The Sivas Massacre, which saw 37 people killed in an attempt to harm the Turkish translator of the book.

To coincide with Rushdie’s long awaited memoir, Joseph Anton: A Memoir - named after the pseudonym he adopted while living in hiding - Alan Yentob has been given unprecedented access to the controversial author, his close friends and family, the publisher who nearly died for him and his protection officers, who speak openly for the first time about the terrifying decade Rushdie spent sheltering himself and his young son from the bounty on his head.

CD

The Vaccines

Come of Age

Producer, Ethan Johns, who has worked with the likes of Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon and Laura Marling, has created a more rhythmic, less ‘shouty’ sound for The Vaccines’ second album.

This has resulted in a much more accessible collection of songs in that the lyrics and melodies are clear and relatable compared to their debut, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines.

Come of Age is reminiscent of the Brit-indie-rock revival of about ten years ago, before the Brit-alternative-folk thing exploded and The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys still ruled the scene.

While some may miss the Brit-indie-rock revival of about ten years ago (which I do) and be happy The Vaccines are propping up the scene with a fresh injection of anguish-tainted lyrics layered over heavy, recurring riffs.

If you’re after something new, you won’t find it here.

DVD

The Hunger Games: 2 Disc Set

Cert. 12

The Hunger Games fans have outdone the Twi-hards and Potter-heads in the book sales stakes and are likely to do the same with the much anticipated DVD release of the first film from Suzanne Collins’ literary trilogy.

Heroine, Katniss Everdeen,(Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her little sister’s place as the ‘tribute’ representing the 13th District in the brutal, inhumane televised games.

Collins’ worryingly recognisable dystopian future and an impossibly talented young cast, supported by veterans Woody Harrleson and Stanley Tucci, make for a unique viewing experience, which is likely to see you invest in the instalments still to follow, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Fans of the book may however be left disappointed at some action missing from the film, which at two hours long still betrays some of the original story’s depth of character and historic back story, but a whole extra disc of special features should make up for it.