March 30th 2010:

March 30th :Stargate: Return to the original with a Special Edition Blu-ray…

Released this week :

Another Roland Emmerich film and another spectacle, this being the movie which began more than one TV series and fansaplenty have had the chance to see this full-length version for many years, but the UK is only just getting it now, in theform of this Blu-ray version with a host of new extras.

Stargate: Special Editionis online and out on Blu-ray now.

March 29th :It’s the end of the world: 2012 on Blu-ray…

Released today :

Roland Emmerich has done his best to smite the planet with blockbusters like Independence Day and The Day AfterTomorrow, but now he throws all his eggs into the one basket with this film in which the Mayan calendar predicts thatthe world will end in December 2012, and the special FX are ready to kick in, with John Cusack, Woody Harrelson and ChiwetelEjiofor doing their best to get through it…

2012is online and out on Blu-ray and DVD now.

The 16th London Australian Film Festival 2010…

The 16th London Australian Film Festival at the Barbican Centre has become one of the highlights in the London cinemagoer’s diary – and with good reason, as DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Helen Jeromediscovered.

The 16th London Australian Film Festival 2010is online now.

Youtube highlight: Hitler fails to get a date on Take Me Out…

Well, the series is over but one man found there was ‘no lighty’ because they ‘no likey’ and he ain’t happy!

CHARTS: Lady Gaga vs Usher – Who got the new No.1…?

Check back shortly for the latest charts on themusic chart analysis page.

New DVD highlights out this week…

Once again, we look at a few titles in more detail.

The titles of note are the following, but read on for further details about the highlights:

• 2012 (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Sony)
• Caprica: The Feature Length Pilot (15.99 DVD, Universal)
• Cracks (22.99 Blu-ray, 17.99 DVD, Optimum)
• Doctor Who: Myths And Legends (49.99 DVD, BBC)
• Glorious 39 (17.99 DVD, Momentum)
• The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Lionsgate)
• The Informant (26.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Warner)
• The Good Life Series 1 (19.99 DVD, Acorn)
• Homicide: Life on the Street Complete Season 1-7 (79.99 DVD, Fremantle)
• Life of Riley Series 1 (19.99 DVD, Acorn)
• Planet 51 (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, E1)
• South Park Season 13 (49.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• Stargate Special Edition (24.99 Blu-ray, Optimum)
• Whoops Apocalypse: The Complete Apocalypse (19.99 DVD, Network)

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Set in the present day, director Terry Gilliam’s fantastical morality tale follows the traveling show of the mysterious Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) — a man who once won a bet with the Devil himself, and possesses the unique ability to guide the imagination of others. Many centuries ago, Dr. Parnassus won immortality in a bet that found the malevolent Mr. Nick (Tom Waits) coming up short. While few would be foolish enough to try their luck against the powers of darkness a second time, Dr. Parnassus did precisely that — this time trading his mortality for youth on the understanding that his firstborn would become the property of Mr. Nick when the child reaches his or her 16th birthday.

Flash-forward to the present day, and Dr. Parnassus’ daughter, Valentina (Lily Cole), is about to celebrate her sweet sixteen. Dr. Parnassus is desperate to save his little girl from her fiery fate, and when Mr. Nick arrives to collect, the good doctor presents the Prince of Darkness with a wager too enticing to refuse: Dr. Parnassus and Mr. Nick will each compete to seduce five souls, with possession of Valentina going to whomever manages to complete the task first. As the competition begins to heat up, Dr. Parnassus promises his daughter’s hand in marriage to any man who can help him successfully navigate the surreal obstacle course that lies ahead and finally help him undue the many mistakes of his past.

While the sudden death of prominent IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS player Heath Ledger in January of 2008 left Gilliam and company scrambling to find a means of salvaging the film — which was already well into principal photography at the time — the cavalry soon arrived in the form of Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, who each serve as alternate-dimension versions of the character originally set to be played by Ledger when the character crosses through a paranormal mirror.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is out now on Blu-ray (£16.98) andDVD (£9.98).

Doctor Who: Myths And Legends

Bringing together episodes that feature both Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee as the Doctor, the MYTHS AND LEGENDS set includes the following: ‘The Horns of Nimon’, ‘The Time Monster’ and ‘Underword’.

Doctor Who: Myths And Legends is out now on DVD (£33.85).

Cracks

A teacher who prides herself on being different meets a student who matches her non-conformist nature in this period drama. It’s 1934, and Miss G (Eva Green) is a teacher at a private school for girls near the Eastern coastline of England. While most of the teachers at the school are severe and straight-laced women who reinforce its reputation as a repressive environment, Miss G is more youthful and glamorous than her colleagues, and enjoys dropping hints of a free-spirited past to her young charges.

Miss G encourages her students to challenge conventional norms of the day, and organizes a diving team at the school that she oversees with great interest. Miss G also sees a danger in the cliques that dominate the school, and she tries to undermine them, much to the annoyance of Di (Juno Temple), who hold a high place in the school’s pecking order. But things change for both Miss G and her students when Fiamma (Maria Valverde) enrolls at the school. Fiamma is from Spain and has a strong independent streak; she doesn’t look to her peers for approval and insists on doing things her own way, which makes her all the more exotic and appealing to the other students. Fiamma also earns the approval of Miss G, but before long rumors begin to spread that the teacher’s interest in her new student is more than academic.

CRACKS was the first feature film from director Jordan Scott, whose father is the noted filmmaker Ridley Scott.

Cracks is out now on Blu-ray (£15.99) andDVD (£9.95).

The Informant

Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) was fast rising through the ranks at agri-industry powerhouse Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) when he became savvy to the company’s multinational price-fixing conspiracy, and decided to turn evidence for the FBI. Convinced that he’ll be hailed as a hero of the people for his efforts, Whitacre agrees to wear a wire in order to gather the evidence needed to convict the greedy money-grabbers at ADM.

Unfortunately, both the case — and Whitacre’s integrity — are compromised when FBI agents become frustrated by their informant’s ever-shifting account, and discover that he isn’t exactly the saintly figure he made himself out to be. Unable to discern reality from Whitacre’s fantasy as they struggle to build their case against ADM, the FBI watches in horror as the highest-ranking corporate bust in U.S. history threatens to implode before their very eyes. Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, and Melanie Lynskey co-star.

The Informant is out now on Blu-ray (£16.93) andDVD (£11.99).

March 26th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Suzie Templeton’s Oscar Winning Peter & The Wolf
• WWII Lost Films on Blu-ray and DVD
• The Railway Children 40TH Anniversary on Blu-ray and DVD

The latest press releasesare online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

Stuck for something to do this weekend? The list of films showing atManchester Showcase Cinema can be found on this page, and won’t differmuch from what’s on in the rest of the country.

The new films out include: Nanny McPhee and The Big Bang, The Blind Side, Perrier’s Bounty and Shank.

March 25th :An R&B delight on CD…

An all-star line-up on sizzling compilation, according toDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts,and that quality control at Putumayo World Music has raised the bar with this outstanding release, showing they’vedone their homework thoroughly.

Rhythm & Blues: Various Artistsis online and out on CD now.

March 24th :There are explosive consequences at CTU in 24 as the 8th Season continues…

After last week’s dull episode, things pick up considerably for the best episode in the series so far, as Tarin fakeshis death and Kayla ends up being in the wrong place at the right time…

Find out what DVDfever.co.uk reviewer, Dan Owen made of this episode in this new review,which premiered on his excellent site, Dan’s Media Digest.

A review of24 Season 8: Episode 12is online and the next episode is on Sky 1 on Sunday at 9pm.

March 23rd :CHARTS: Justin Bieber vs Lady Gaga – Who got the new No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

The release dates for singles and albums go up until mid-May 2010.

March 22nd :Get ready for a firefight on SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 on Sony PSP…

Out now :

This new title is similar to, but more fluid, than the previous SOCOM titles, but not as good as my favourite,SOCOM U.S. Tactical Strike, which felt like it gave you more precise control over your men in terms of directing them.Find out the good and not-so-good points of this new release in this review.

SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3is online and out on Sony PSP now.

Civilized Animals are out and about and coming to a CD near you…

AsDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsbegins, Seattle rockers Civilized Animals are indirectly hanging onto the grungy aesthetic formed in the city in the early1990s by bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam et al, although nowadays, much of the music, particularly on LA radiostations, has gravitated towards a more classic rock ‘anthemic’ ethos.

Civilized Animals: Civilized Animalsis online and out on CD now.

Youtube highlight: Kirsty wears a policewoman’s uniform on The Wright Stuff!…

Another classic clip! What will she do this coming week??

CHARTS: Tinie Tempah vs Lady Gaga – Who got the new No.1…?

Check back shortly for the latest charts on themusic chart analysis page.

New DVD highlights out this week…

Once again, we look at a few titles in more detail.

The titles of note are the following, but read on for further details about the highlights:

• Barbie In A Mermaid Tale (14.99 DVD, Universal)
• Beverly Hills 90210 Season 8 (34.99 DVD, Paramount)
• Bullet Boy (19.99 Blu-ray, Verve)
• The Double Life of Veronique (19.99 Blu-ray, Artificial Eye)
• Dumbo Special Edition Combi Pack (23.99 Blu-ray, Walt Disney)
• Harry Brown (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Lions Gate)
• Melrose Place Season 4 (34.99 DVD, Paramount)
• Mission Impossible Season 7 (34.99 DVD, Paramount)
• Paranormal Activity (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Icon)
• Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Season 6 (34.99 DVD, Paramount)
• Saved By The Bell Season 1 (29.99 DVD, Fabulous)
• Skins Series 4 (24.99 DVD, 59.99 Boxset, 4DVD)
• Star Trek: The Original Series 3 (69.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• Street Hawk: Complete Series (39.99 DVD, Fabulous)
• The Twilight Saga: New Moon (24.99 Blu-ray, 22.99 DVD, E1)
• Top Gear: The Great Adventures Vol.3 (19.99 Blu-ray, 15.99 DVD, BBC)
• Twin Peaks: Season 2 (49.99 DVD, 69.99 Boxset, Universal)
• The Universe: Complete Season 3 (29.99 Blu-ray, History)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

This next instalment of The Twilight Saga sees Bella Swan devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love, Edward Cullen, but her spirit is rekindled by her growing friendship with Jacob Black. Suddenly she finds herself drawn into the world of werewolves, the ancestral enemies of the vampires, and finds her loyalties tested.

With more of the passion, action and suspense that made Twilight a smash hit, The Twilight Saga: New Moon is a spellbinding follow-up to the international box office phenomenon.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon is out now on Blu-ray (£14.85),DVD (£12.85) andLtd Edition Memory Box (£64.99).

Skins Series 4

The gang are back at College after the summer break. Their hedonism knows no bounds as they live life to the ethos of no consequences, no tomorrow and you can all live forever.

Their care-free bubble abruptly bursts when a near-stranger dies so needlessly, sending a shockwave through the group. The tragedy leaves Thomas questioning everything – his faith, his family and even his choice of friends. Effy returns, but no longer with her queen-bee status. Her best friend, Pandora, is as adorable and kooky as ever. Twins Katie and Emily are visibly different – after leaving her sister’s shadow Emily is head over heels in love, but while she’s finding out what life is really like, Katie is left behind in a family meltdown. Naomi seems to have more to hide this series; while JJ finally realises what love is. Meanwhile Cook is trying to simultaneously exorcise his demons and not reveal his weaknesses, and Freddie finds out that love can lead you to the edge.

Series 4 extra features: Bonus Skins stories, Animated feature, Behind the scenes videos, Commentaries with the writers and directors

Skins Series 4 is out now on DVD (£14.85) andDVD Boxset (£39.98).

Twin Peaks: Season 2

In Twin Peaks’ second season, the truth is out there, but we are entering A Few Good Men territory. When Laura’s killer is at last revealed in episode 16, no doubt many will not be able to handle the truth. The teases, red herrings, and out-and-out gonzo looniness will try the patience of viewers with a more conventional bent. But, as Cooper observes at one point, “All in all, [it’s] a very interesting experience,” with enough doppelgangers, allusions, pop-culture references, and in-jokes to keep bloggers buzzing. If, for example, you get any pleasure from recognizing Hank Worden, who played Mose in The Searchers, as “the world’s most decrepit room service waiter,” then Twin Peaks may just make you feel right at home.

Twin Peaks: Season 2 is out now on DVD (£34.47) andDVD Boxset (£46.98).

Street Hawk: Complete Series

This sci-fi police drama follows the exploits of Jesse Mach, a black-clad undercover ex cop, who rides a specially designed gadget filled motorcycle – the Street Hawk – to help him rid the country of crime. This release features all the episodes from this classic 80’s action filled TV series.

Street Hawk: Complete Series is out now on DVD (£26.48).

March 19th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Ice Road Truckers Season 3 on DVD
• Cracks on Blu-ray and DVD

The latest press releasesare online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

Stuck for something to do this weekend? The list of films showing atManchester Showcase Cinema can be found on this page, and won’t differmuch from what’s on in the rest of the country.

The new films out include: My Last Five Girlfriends, The Bounty Hunter, I Love You Philip Morris, Happy Ever Afters, The Spy Next Door and Old Dogs.

March 17th :Jack talks to the suicide bomber in 24 as the 8th Season continues…

And that’s just about all that happens in this episode… Erm… it’s the dullest episode of 24 *EVER*

Find out what DVDfever.co.uk reviewer, Dan Owen made of this episode in this new review,which premiered on his excellent site, Dan’s Media Digest.

A review of24 Season 8: Episode 11is online and the next episode is on Sky 1 on Sunday at 9pm.

March 16th :CHARTS: Tinie Tempah vs Justin Bieber – Who got the new No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

The release dates for singles and albums go up until mid-May 2010.

March 15th :When all hope is lost, it’s time to head to Zombieland… on Blu-ray…

Released today :

The premise in this film is that zombies have taken over the world. We don’t know why. We don’t need to know why,but they’re here and we join loner Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) narrating the situation, beginning with his rules forsurvival, such as ensuring your cardio fitness is good so you can outrun them and also the necessary ‘double tap’ -you think they’re dead from a single shot, but that’s rarely the case, so a second shot, in the head, solves all that.

Jesse Eisenberg is joined by Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone in a bid to stay alive and do a better job than the recentSurvivors series at portraying a lost world.

Life After Peopleis online and out on Blu-ray and DVD now.

The Turin Brakes return with a new album that’s a slight return to form on CD…

AsDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsbegins, it’s been some five years or so since this reviewer last heard a Turin Brakes album, the excellent Jack In ABox. Since then, they’ve had a bit of a wobble, but they’ve almost rediscovered their mojo on Outbursts.Find out why in this review.

Turin Brakes: Outburstsis online and out on CD now.

Youtube highlight: Kirsty rides the bucking bronco on The Wright Stuff!…

Another classic clip! What will she do this coming week??

CHARTS: Tinie Tempah vs Justin Bieber – Who got the new No.1…?

Check back shortly for the latest charts on themusic chart analysis page.

New DVD highlights out this week…

Once again, we look at a few titles in more detail.

The titles of note are the following, but read on for further details about the highlights:

• The Bargee (15.99 DVD, Optimum)
• Clash Of The Titans (17.99 Blu-ray, Warner)
• Crimson Wing (23.99 Blu-ray, 17.99 DVD, Disney)
• Eastbound and Down Complete HBO Season 1 (19.99 DVD, Warner)
• The Fourth Kind (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, EIV)
• House Of The Devil (19.99 Blu-ray, 15.99 DVD, Metrodome)
• Jackass: The Lost Tapes (12.99 DVD, Paramount)
• Johnny Mad Dog (15.99 DVD, Momentum)
• Most Haunted Live – The House That Fear Built (12.99 DVD, Universal)
• Paul Merton In Europe (19.99 DVD, 2 Entertain)
• Secret Diary Of A Call Girl Series 3 (24.99 DVD, 34.99 DVD Series 1-3 Boxset, Warner)
• A Serious Man (19.99 Blu-ray, 15.99 DVD, Universal)
• Seven Ages Of Britain (29.99 DVD, BBC)
• Steven Seagal: Lawman Season 1 (19.99 DVD, History)
• Survival Of The Dead (19.99 Blu-ray, 15.99 DVD, Sony)
• Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl (15.99 DVD, 4Digital Asia)
• The White Ribbon (19.99 Blu-ray, 15.99 DVD, Artificial Eye)
• Zombieland (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Sony)

A Serious Man

Imaginatively exploring questions of faith, familial responsibility, delinquent behavior, dental phenomena, academia, mortality, and Judaism – and intersections thereof – A Serious Man is the new film from Academy Award-winning writer/directors Joel and Ethan Coen.

A Serious Man is the story of an ordinary man’s search for clarity in a universe where Jefferson Airplane is on the radio and F-Troop is on TV. It is 1967, and Larry Gopnik (Tony Award nominee Michael Stuhlbarg), a physics professor at a quiet Midwestern university, has just been informed by his wife Judith (Sari Lennick) that she is leaving him. She has fallen in love with one of his more pompous acquaintances, Sy Ableman (Fred Melamed), who seems to her a more substantial person than the feckless Larry. Larry’s unemployable brother Arthur (Richard Kind) is sleeping on the couch, his son Danny (Aaron Wolff) is a discipline problem and a shirker at Hebrew school, and his daughter Sarah (Jessica McManus) is filching money from his wallet in order to save up for a nose job.

While his wife and Sy Ableman blithely make new domestic arrangements, and his brother becomes more and more of a burden, an anonymous hostile letter-writer is trying to sabotage Larry’s chances for tenure at the university. Also, a graduate student seems to be trying to bribe him for a passing grade while at the same time threatening to sue him for defamation. Plus, the beautiful woman next door torments him by sunbathing nude. Struggling for equilibrium, Larry seeks advice from three different rabbis. Can anyone help him cope with his afflictions and become a righteous person – a mensch – a serious man?

A Serious Man is out now on Blu-ray (£12.85) andDVD (£10.85).

The White Ribbon

In a village in Protestant northern Germany, on the eve of World War I, the children of a church and school run by the village schoolteacher and their families experience a series of bizarre incidents that inexplicably assume the characteristics of a punishment ritual. Who could be responsible for such bizarre transgressions? Leonie Benesch, Josef Bierbichler, and Rainer Bock star in this period drama directed by Michael Haneke (HIDDEN, FUNNY GAMES) which won the Palm d’Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

The White Ribbon is out now on Blu-ray (£12.85) andDVD (£9.99).

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl Series 3

ITV2’s sexually-charged drama, SECRET DIARY OF A CALL GIRL, follows the double life of a beautiful young prostitute working the streets of London. By day, Hannah (Billie Piper, DR WHO) is a respectable legal secretary who works long hours to make ends meet. By night she’s Belle, a ruthless, money-hungry hooker who will do anything to satisfy her clients’ basest fantasies.

A professional in every sense of the word, Belle slips with seeming ease from the role of girl-next-door to high-heeled dominatrix, taking care never to become emotionally involved with her clients. But the constant pressures of keeping her two lives separate begins to take its toll, and in an unguarded moment with a handsome stranger, Belle lets slip her true identity. From then on, he only wants to be with Hannah…Presented here are the first three series in their entirety.

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl Series 3 is out now on DVD (£14.99) andComplete Boxset (£24.99).

March 12th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• The Box on Blu-ray and DVD
• The Night My Number Came Up on DVD
• The Man In The Sky on DVD
• Keep Fit on DVD

The latest press releasesare online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

Stuck for something to do this weekend? The list of films showing atManchester Showcase Cinema can be found on this page, and won’t differmuch from what’s on in the rest of the country.

The new films out include: Shutter Island, Green Zone, Invictus and Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.

March 11th :Marc Carroll: Irishman’s classic on CD..

DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsstates that the album opens with a thrusting riff and harmonies a la Crosby Stills Nash & Young, giving a nod to 60sclassic country rock, boosted by twanging guitar licks, and also that the album was released last year, but is stillmore than worthy of a mention now.

Marc Carroll: Dust Of Rumouris online and out on CD now.

CHARTS: Jason Derulo vs Tinie Tempah – Who got the new No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

The release dates for singles and albums go up until late March 2010.

March 10th :A suicide bomber enters the hospital in 24 as the 8th Season continues…

Newbie Agent Owen is left to deal with a suicide bomber who forces him to lead him to Farhad, apparently recoveringin his hospital room, so he can finish him off for good, but can CTU disarm the bomb from their HQ? And – how exactly?

Find out what DVDfever.co.uk reviewer, Dan Owen made of this episode in this new review,which premiered on his excellent site, Dan’s Media Digest.

A review of24 Season 8: Episode 10is online and the next episode is on Sky 1 on Sunday at 9pm.

March 9th :Forest Whitaker is the Last King of Scotland on Blu-ray…

Out now :

I’d heard there were some good performances to be witnessed in this movie but only when you come to watch it canyou be overwhelmed at the pairing between Forest Whitaker as General Idi Amin and James McAvoyas Nick Garrigan, the man who becomes his personal physician and believes every single word the dictator says… untilthe truth starts to come out, but is it too late to do anything about it by then?

The Last King of Scotlandis online and out on Blu-ray and DVD now.

March 8th :What would Life After People be like, on Blu-ray…

Out now :

That’s the question this film poses. Mankind has disappeared and the animals and wildlife are left to fend for themselves,so what will happen? You’ll find out the speculation over the course of the subsequent 10,000 years…

Life After Peopleis online and out on Blu-ray and DVD now.

Corrine Bailey Rae releases her second CD…

Following the tragic death of her husband two years ago, DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsstates that Rae has used this album, like many do, as a sort of cathartic experience, gushing songs about pathos andloss and all those horrible and confusing emotions associated with sad times. There is a danger however, that thingsmight be too introverted or self-indulgent, and not making it accessible enough. However, there are glimpses ofhope here and there.

Corrine Bailey Rae: The Seais online and out on CD now.

Youtube highlight: Kirsty hula-hoops in high heels on The Wright Stuff!…

Will she break the 90-hour World Record? Unlikely, but it’s entertaining to watch!

CHARTS: Jason Derulo vs Tinie Tempah – Who got the new No.1…?

Check back shortly for the latest charts on themusic chart analysis page.

New DVD highlights out this week…

Once again, we look at a few titles in more detail.

The titles of note are the following, but read on for further details about the highlights:

• An Education (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, E1)
• Bright Star (19.99 DVD, Fox)
• Don’t Worry About Me (15.99 DVD, Verve)
• Dynasty Season 4 (24.99 DVD, Paramount)
• The Great Rift (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, BBC)
• Julie & Julia (22.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Sony)
• How the Earth Was Made (17.99 Blu-ray, History)
• Kill Zone (24.99 Blu-ray, 17.99 DVD, Showbox)
• The Mentalist Season 1 (39.99 DVD, Warner)
• No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series 1 (29.99 DVD, E1)
• Saw VI (24.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Lionsgate)
• School Of Comedy (19.99 DVD, 2 Entertain)
• Toy Story Combi Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) (23.99, Walt Disney)
• Toy Story 2 Combi Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) (26.99, Walt Disney)
• Track 29 (15.99 DVD, Optimum)

An Education

Its 1961 and attractive, bright 16-year-old schoolgirl, Jenny (Mulligan) is poised on the brink of womanhood, dreaming of a rarefied, Gauloise-scented existence as she sings along to Juliette Greco in her Twickenham bedroom. Stifled by the tedium of adolescent routine, Jenny cant wait for adult life to begin. Meanwhile, shes a diligent student, excelling in every subject except the Latin that her father is convinced will land her a place at Oxford University where she is dreaming of going. On a rainy day no different to all the others, her suburban life is upended by the arrival of an unsuitable suitor, 30-ish David (Sarsgaard). Urbane and witty, David instantly unseats Jennys stammering schoolboy admirer, Graham (Beard). To her frank amazement, he even manages to charm her conservative parents Jack (Molina) and Marjorie (Seymour) and effortlessly overcomes any instinctive objections to their daughters older, Jewish suitor. Very quickly, David introduces Jenny to a glittering new world of classical concerts and late-night suppers with his attractive friend and business partner, Danny (Cooper) and Dannys girlfriend, the beautiful but vacuous Helen (Pike). David replaces Jennys traditional education with his own version, picking her up from school in his Bristol roadster and whisking her off to art auctions and smoky clubs.

Under the pretext of an introduction to C.S. Lewis, David arranges to take Jenny on a weekend jaunt to Oxford with Danny and Helen. Later, using an ingenious mixture of flattery and fibbery, he persuades her parents to allow him to take their only daughter to Paris for her 17th birthday. David suggests that his Aunt Helen will once again act as a chaperone. Jack and Marjorie do not know that Jenny has chosen the date and place to lose her virginity. Paris is all that Jenny imagined it would be, sex with David somewhat less so. On her return to Twickenham, Jennys school friends are thrilled with her newfound sophistication but her headmistress (Thompson) is scandalised and her English teacher Miss Stubbs (Williams) is deeply disappointed that her prize pupil seems determined to throw away her evident gifts and certain chance of higher education. Just as the familys long-held dream of getting their brilliant daughter into Oxford seems within reach, Jenny is tempted by another kind of life. Will David be the making of Jenny or her undoing?

An Education is out now on Blu-ray (£14.95) andDVD (£10.95).

Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia is a film that should be relished with gusto–accompanied by the freshest and best ingredients, pounds of butter, and bottles of the very best wine. It lovingly celebrates the life of one of American food’s most influential and beloved figureheads: Julia Child–played here with zest, humor, and a sweet, subtle respect by Meryl Streep, whose performance is spectacular. Julie & Julia is based on the book by Julie Powell, a frustrated New York bureaucrat who wants to be a writer. “But you’re not a writer until someone publishes you,” she moans. So she gives herself a challenge: to cook her way through Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year, and to blog about it. As Powell (played with chirpy determination by Amy Adams), begins to find her groove as a cook, and her voice as a writer, the project takes on a life of its own–and in the end it does provide the struggling young woman with her life’s purpose, to her very pleasant surprise.

But mostly, Julie & Julia is a valentine to Child, to Child’s amazing love affair with her dashing husband, Paul (Stanley Tucci, as divine as any soufflé in the film), and to her outlook on embracing life, and ordering seconds. Streep throws herself into the Child role with real affection for her character, and while certain of Child’s idiosyncrasies–including her warbly voice and unflappable haphazardness in the kitchen–are retained, it’s Child’s character and vision which form Streep’s portrayal, and which make the film so involving and rewarding. Nora Ephron directs with deftness and a light touch, though she seems at times to be encouraging some of Meg Ryan’s onscreen tics in Adams (the self-conscious head tilt, for one). But mostly she simply allows Streep to channel Child and her love of food, her husband, and 1950s Paris. And that is a recipe for something truly sublime.

Julie & Julia is out now on Blu-ray (£14.88) andDVD (£12.85).

Saw VI

The slightly disappointing commercial returns for Saw 6 may have been grabbing the headlines when the film made its cinematic bow in October 2009, yet this clouded another factor about the movie itself: that it was the best Saw feature for some time.

Granted, the film does have an overriding feel of business as usual, and Saw VI isn’t shy about tying itself close to the hallmarks of the series thus far. So we get no shortage of gore, a collection of new traps for the latest unsuspecting victims to do battle with, and the influence of Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw still firmly felt.

In Saw VI though, it holds together a little better than we’ve been used to seeing. This time, we get Special Agent Stahm going up against Detective Hoffman, the latter of whom is very much trying to build on the legacy of Jigsaw. It’s not the deepest of premises, but it works, and the film ties in just enough plot intrigue to get you to the end. Plus, the set piece sequences work well, and while the editing style is still a little too fractious, the end result is a real improvement, and an effective horror movie. Inevitably, though, episode seven of the series is on the way…!

Saw VI is out now on Blu-ray (£15.85) andDVD (£9.98).

The Mentalist Season 1

The Mentalist is nominally a police procedural (and an excellent one), but its characters are especially richly written, and there’s romance and torment hinted at in equal measure throughout the series. All of this–and the star turn by dreamy Australian actor Simon Baker, whose smoldering good looks take a back seat to his nuanced acting–make The Mentalist one of TV’s top drama series. Season 1 sets the action in motion immediately, as the viewer quickly learns the backstory: Baker’s character, Patrick Jane, was once a questionable TV psychic who professed to help people contact their deceased loved ones.

But a crazed killer–“Red John”–was watching one day when Jane mentioned assisting California police on his case, and in retribution he committed a horrific crime with staggering personal repercussions on Jane. Jane leaves his sham life behind, but it turns out he’s actually quite gifted as an observer of subtle human behavior–a “mentalist,” who, he tells the California Bureau of Investigation, “is a master manipulator of thought and behaviour.” So Jane joins the CBI in tracking tricky cases, including that of Red John.

The Mentalist Season 1 is out now on DVD (£26.95).

March 5th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Dinosaur Secrets: The Complete Season One on DVD
• True Blood Season 2 on DVD
• Caprica: The Feature Length Pilot on DVD
• Twin Peaks Season 2 on DVD
• Dr. Jekyll And Sister Hyde on DVD

The latest press releasesare online now.

Dana confesses all in 24 as the 8th Season continues…

Just as she’s about to pop a cap in the ass of Kevin, Cole shows up and Dana has to tell him all about what she’sbeen up to but, oh, what hot water have they got themselves into!

Find out what DVDfever.co.uk reviewer, Dan Owen made of this episode in this new review,which premiered on his excellent site, Dan’s Media Digest.

A review of24 Season 8: Episode 9is online and the next episode is on Sky 1 on Sunday at 9pm.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

Stuck for something to do this weekend? The list of films showing atManchester Showcase Cinema can be found on this page, and won’t differmuch from what’s on in the rest of the country.

The new films out include: Alice in Wonderland, The Shouting Men, Case 39, Ondine, Legion and Chloe.

March 3rd :CHARTS: Haiti charity single vs Jason Derulo – Who got the new No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

The release dates for singles and albums go up until late March 2010.

March 1st :Can you evade The Interceptor on Blu-ray…

Out now :

It’s Moscow 2013, and Matvey, who’s been shot, detonates the plane he’s just been on and jumps out at the last minute,landing in a forest. He’s a good guy and the powers that be need him to go after Kurylo, his ex-partner, now a bigwig who’srunning for government. It’s a typical case of “Only one man can stop him!”, but is it entertaining?

The Interceptoris online and out on Blu-ray and DVD now.

An album in safe hands from Dan Clews on CD…

Produced by the son of George Martin, at Abbey Road Studios,DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsassesses that this album from former member of Swedish rockers Stars Above, Dan Clews, has been a safe bet rather thanan outrageous gamble.

Read the review from

Dan Clews: Dan Clewsis online and out on CD now.

Youtube highlight: Laura Tobin gets caught out by a phone call!…

Just listen to her orgasmic ‘sigh’ as she gets caught out…

CHARTS: The Haiti charity single vs Jason Derulo – Who got the new No.1…?

Check back shortly for the latest charts on themusic chart analysis page.

New DVD highlights out this week…

Once again, we look at a few titles in more detail.

The titles of note are the following, but read on for further details about the highlights:

• Chance In A Million Series 1 (19.99 DVD, Revelation)
• Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (19.99 Blu-ray, Universal)
• Criminal Minds Season 4 (30.99 DVD, Walt Disney)
• CSI Las Vegas Season 9 (59.99 Blu-ray, 49.99 DVD, Momentum)
• Dallas Season 12 (24.99 DVD, Warner)
• Dead Man Running (24.99 Blu-ray, 17.99 DVD, Revolver)
• Doc Martin Series 4 (19.99 DVD, 29.99 Series 1-4 DVD, Momentum)
• Doctor Who: The Space Museum/The Chase (29.99 DVD, BBC)
• The Downfall Of Berlin: Anonyma (19.99 Blu-ray, 15.99 DVD, Metroodome)
• Fantastic Mr Fox (28.99 Blu-ray, 19.99 DVD, Fox)
• Ghost Whisperer Season 4 (30.99 DVD, Walt Disney)
• In Plain Sight Season 2 (24.99 DVD, Universal)
• Midsomer Murders Collection 7-10 DVD Boxset (99.99 DVD, Acorn)
• Nurse Jackie Season 1 (24.99 DVD, Lions Gate)
• Private Practice Season 2 (26.99 DVD, Walt Disney)
• Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days (24.99 DVD, Abbey)
• The Specials – 30th Anniversary Tour (Limited Edition Double Disc) (17.99 DVD, Blink)
• Survivors Series 2 (24.99 DVD, 39.99 Series 1 & 2 Boxset, BBC)
• Trial and Retribution (Complete) (99.99 DVD, Acorn)
• Triangle (24.99 Blu-ray, 17.99 DVD, Icon)

Fantastic Mr Fox

The visually ravishing animated movie Fantastic Mr. Fox follows a fox, voiced by George Clooney and dressed in a natty brown corduroy suit, as he cheerfully and recklessly takes his thieving ways a little too far and brings down the wrath of some sour-faced poultry farmers on his family and friends. Based on a book by children’s author Roald Dahl (who wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach), the movie is the work of Wes Anderson (writer-director of Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums), who expanded and elaborated on the original story; the combination is inspired. Anderson’s sensibility–his fondness for meticulous compositions, coordinated colors, and narrative filigree–can sometimes seem finicky and stiff in live-action movies, but it’s exquisitely suited to the painstaking art of stop-motion animation.

Every corner of the screen crackles with visual invention and whimsical humor. The top-notch vocal cast (which also features Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Michael Gambon, Owen Wilson, and others) create vivid personalities that perfectly mesh with the movie’s lush colors and luscious textures. Fantastic Mr. Fox is an off-beat gem, a giddy mix of adult emotional issues, wild animal behaviour, and childlike delight.

Fantastic Mr Fox is out now on Blu-ray (£16.85) andDVD (£11.93).

Doc Martin Series 4

Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes, MEN BEHAVING BADLY) is a surgeon with a difference: he can’t sand the sight of blood! You’d think this would force him to reconsider his vocation in life, but no; he’s quite content acting as the sole physician of a sleepy Cornish village. But it’s his abrasive bedside manner–rather than his haemophobia–that puts him at odds with the eccentric townsfolk and gives rise to many humourously awkward situations. This release contains every episode from the fourth series.

Doc Martin Series 4 is out now on DVD (£11.98) andBoxset (£22.49).

Doctor Who: The Space Museum/The Chase

THE SPACE MUSEUM: The TARDIS jumps a time track and the travellers arrive on the planet Xeros. There they discover their own future selves displayed as exhibits in a museum established as a monument to theGalactic conquests of the warlike Morok invaders who now rule the planet. When time shifts backto normal, they realise that they must do everything they can to try to avert this potential future.

THE CHASE: The travellers are forced to flee in the TARDIS when they learn from the Time/SpaceVisualiser taken from the Moroks’ museum that a group of Daleks equipped withtheir own time machine are on their trail with orders to exterminate them.

Doctor Who: The Space Museum/The Chase is out now on DVD (£17.85).

CSI Las Vegas Season 9

Created by Anthony Zuiker and executive produced by movie maven Jerry Bruckheimer, the thrilling series centres on the Las Vegas Police Department’s night-shift forensics unit, which utilizes cutting-edge technology to solve the often grisly crimes of a glamorous city whose constant influx of visitors makes it rife with criminal elements. This collection presents all the episodes from the show’s ninth series.

CSI Las Vegas Season 9 is out now on Blu-ray (£38.99) andDVD (£32.97).

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