This week's new DVD & Blu-ray

The Arbor DVD & Blu-ray, Verve Pictures After an Oscars night that was the very definition of playing it safe, it's well worth watching a film like The Arbor to remind yourself that there are no rules in cinema, and still plenty of different, fascinating ways to tell a story. First-time director Clio Barnard interviewed the family and friends of writer Andrea Dunbar. She was best known for the Rita, Sue And Bob Too screenplay and for her breakout play, also called The Arbor, scenes of which are interspersed throughout the film. Rather than just show the interviewees as talking heads, Barnard had actors lip-synch to the soundtrack in and around The Arbor, part of a Bradford housing estate where Dunbar grew up. What results is neither drama nor documentary, instead it's almost like a Ken Loach version of Creature Comforts. Having actors mime the words works incredibly well – it sounds bizarre but it draws you in, making you concentrate on what is being said. And what is being said is often hard to stomach, especially as it focuses on the very tough lives Dunbar's daughters had both before and after her early death. It's an uncompromising and unique film that doesn't seek blame or forgiveness – just understanding. Out 14 Mar Ip Man 2 Kung-fu master Donnie Yen flees to Hong Kong in this punchy sequel. DVD & Blu-ray, Showbox Media Group The Promise Claire Foy and Christian Cooke star in Peter Kosminsky's TV drama, which crosses from modern-day Israel to post-second world war Palestine. DVD & Blu-ray, 4DVD Mirrormask Neil Gaiman teams up with Dave McKean for this beautifully realised fantasy about a young girl who's drawn into a strange dream world. DVD, Sony Pictures The Lost Skeleton Of Cadavra Note-perfect and very funny homage to 1950s drive-in movies. DVD, 4Digital Media/Metrodome Phenomena Late-period Dario Argento horror, featuring a young Jennifer Connelly, psychic insects and Goblin, Motörhead, Iron Maiden on the soundtrack. DVD & Blu-ray, Arrow