GHOST IN THE SHELL (Cert 12, 120 mins, Paramount Home Entertainment, Sci-Fi/Action/Thriller, available from July 24 on Amazon Video/BT TV Store/iTunes/Sky Store/TalkTalk TV Store and other download and streaming services, available from August 7 on DVD £19.99/Blu-ray £24.99/3D Blu-ray £29.99/4K Ultra HD Blu-ray £39.99)
In a bleak futuristic world where holographic advertising clutters the skyline, government-funded Hanka Robotics is at the forefront of a highly lucrative cybernetic revolution. Hanka head honcho Cutter (Peter Ferdinando) and brilliant surgeon Dr Ouelet (Juliette Binoche) pioneer secret experiments to create the perfect human-cyborg hybrid, The Major (Scarlett Johansson). This perfect weapon is entrusted to Chief Daisuke Aramaki (Takeshi Kitano), commander of the Section 9 security division – a fearless band of sharp shooters, who neutralise the threat posed by cyberterrorists. When an elusive criminal called Kuze (Michael Pitt) begins to assassinate Hanka's scientists by hacking into the brains of citizens, The Major somersaults into action. Based on a cult Japanese comic series, Ghost In The Shell is a visually arresting futuristic thriller, hard-wired with big philosophical questions about the fragility of the human condition and the ripple effect of our actions.
Regrettably, director Rupert Sanders conceals these meditations on mortality behind a sensory overload of digital effects and eye-popping set and costume design reminiscent of Blade Runner that gradually bludgeon us into submission.
HANDSOME DEVIL (Cert 15, 95 mins, Breaking Glass Pictures, available from July 24 on Amazon Video/BT TV Store/iTunes/Sky Store/TalkTalk TV Store and other download and streaming services, also available from July 24 on DVD £15.99, Drama/Comedy/Romance)
Sixteen-year-old misfit Ned Roche (Fionn O'Shea) pleads with his father (Ardal O'Hanlon) to be removed from his rugby-centric Iirish boarding school to no avail and he returns for another term of bullying at the hands of classmates, who have presumed he must be gay because of his appearance and love of David Bowie. Hunky transfer student Conor (Nicholas Galitzine), who is a star on the rugby pitch, is assigned as Ned's new roommate and the teenager braces himself for more teasing and abuse, even erecting a makeshift wall in the room to separate himself from the enemy. It transpires that Conor is a sensitive and caring soul, and the two boys sow the seeds of a touching friendship. Replacement English teacher Dan Sherry (Andrew Scott) inspires Ned and Conor to take part in a talent show that is being held at a neighbouring girls' school. This puts the lads on a collision course with bigoted sports coach Pascal O'Keeffe (Moe Dunford), who doesn't want anyone to distract Conor from performing on the rugby pitch.
BALLERS – Season 3 (10 episodes, starts streaming from July 27 exclusively on NOW TV, Comedy/Drama/Romance)
The acclaimed HBO comedy drama returns to Sky Atlantic and is available to stream exclusively via NOW TV, continuing the misadventures of retired NFL superstar Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne Johnson), who has overcome the crushing disappointment of giving up American football by reinventing himself as a financial adviser to fellow athletes. This series, Spencer returns from hip surgery with renewed purpose and league certification, which allows him and pal Joe (Rob Cordrry) to chase a major new deal. Meanwhile, NFL player Ricky Jerret (John David Washington) faces radical changes to his life in sun-soaked Miami, player Vernon Littlefield (Donovan W Carter) accepts an endorsement deal with the blessing of his childhood friend Reggie (London Brown), and sports agent Jason (Troy Garity) plays hard ball to ensure his clients get the biggest pay days.
