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DVD release: The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

The currency of the spoof has become somewhat devalued of late, mostly due to those movies with "Movie" in the title that think simply referencing something is enough. This is spoofing done properly, with love, attention and, here's the key, loads and loads of gags. One of the early mockumentaries, The Rutles is also significant as a one-off convergence of the Beatles, Monty Python, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Saturday Night Live. Creators Eric Idle and Neil Innes were pals of the Beatles, but that didn't inhibit their natural comic instincts, such as having their Yoko Ono substitute dress as a Nazi or getting John Belushi to lampoon litigious manager Allen Klein. The music is perhaps the main reason why this is considered a classic. Innes had the musical chops to create complex "Beatlesque" melodies and arrangements and a witty touch with lyrics that match the originals for empty profundity and wordplay: "You'd better think twice/At least once more." If you weren't in on the joke you'd probably think these were real Beatles tracks. This 30th-anniversary DVD includes more footage of Mick Jagger and Neil Simon's interviews, a gossip-laden commentary by Idle and documentaries on the music and filming. Also out Christmas On Mars The Flaming Lips' eccentric lo-fi sci-fi, directed by Wayne Coyne (who plays an alien, of course). £12.99, Warner Kung Fu Panda Jack Black masters the martial art in this fun animation. £19.99, Dreamworks Gunnin' For That #1 Spot Adam Yauch's documentary on a New York street basketball tournament. £17.99, Diffusion The Forbidden Kingdom Jackie Chan and Jet Li collide in an Asian-American family fantasy. £19.99, Lionsgate The Hourglass Sanatorium Mindbending Polish surrealism from cult director Wojciech Haas. £12.99, Mr Bongo DVD and video reviews (read more)