18. Hyena
Hyena is a stylistic gut-punch to the unnecessarily-large amount of wannabe-Guy Ritchie British 'guvnah' films that have been released over the last twenty years (
twenty years, guys - time to move on). The story of a corrupt copper trying to get into bed with some soulless Albanian gangsters, and failing miserably, the film (from legendary Brit producer Stephen Woolley) is a little lacking in substance - but as a kinetic, visceral experience it captivates. Especially through the wonders of high-def home entertainment systems. Peter Ferdinando impresses as the lead bent rozzer who slowly (and more importantly, believably) develops a heart of gold, and Ben Wheatley's good luck charm Neil Maskell is a welcome charm as Ferdinando's dodgy partner-in-crime.
The special features are a treat, as we get a bunch of really in-depth interviews with the cast and crew that enhance the experience of watching the film without being necessary to understand anything about it. The talking heads involved are clearly all so passionate about the creation of the film, feeling like they've stumbled onto something special on the indie British film scene, and their enthusiasm really comes across as genuine and more than that - earned. As an inside look at one of the best British crime dramas in the last ten years, the Hyena Blu-ray delivers in spades.