May 31st 2000:

New widescreen videos out this week :

The Commandos swing into action on PC…

In short, it’s ‘Command and Conquer during WW2’.Commandos: Behind Enemy Linesis online and out on PC now.

Another DVD-ROM query…

I am expecting my replacement DVD-ROM decoder card on Tuesday but as I’mplacing it in a new machine I’m a bit worried about the audio leads andconnections.

In my old machine, I had the DVD-ROM drive connected to the decoder cardwith a lead that had 1 black and 1 white connection (I don’t know the technicalterms for these, but the black end plugged into the DVD-ROM and has a releasecatch, while the white end was more compact and plugged into one of thedecoder card’s white connections)

Then I had a second lead which has 1 black and 2 white connections, so onewhite one connected to the decoder card (presumably audio out?) and the blackone (again with a release catch) went into the soundcard (Soundblaster AWE64).

However, at some point when the black end went into the SB AWE64, the releasecatch broke so it won’t come out!

The other problem is that in the new PC I’ve found that the 52x CreativeCD-ROM is screwed to the case so tightly by 7 screws that I can’t undo them,and I’ve been back and forth to the shop before now with other problems(the Voodoo 3 3000 AGP card and hard drive were crap and had to be replaced)so to save the hassle I’d rather just install the DVD-ROM drive alongside itas a slave.

In the new machine, the 52x Creative CD-ROM is connected to soundcard (SB Live1024) with an audio lead with two black ends (both with the usual releasecatches) and there’s also a second black audio input on the soundcard.

Ideally, I could just install the DVD-ROM as the slave and link it to thesoundcard with another audio lead with two black ends, BUT, why did the leadfrom the DVD-ROM need to go via the decoder card if it just delivers thesound?

I’ve also posted this to the DVDUK mailing list and posted a query for a guycalled Vesa Jalkanen who got a replacement for his from his supplier, but ifanyone else has done the same please can they answer the following:

when you got your replacement decoder card from your supplier, did you get anyreplacement leads to hook it up to the decoder card and soundcard? I can’tremember whether I just got the one lead or two, although I think I must’vehad two as I put my previous CD-ROM (and its audio lead) into the PC I puttogether for my g/f.

If I can get the two new leads with the decoder card then I don’t think Ihave a problem – I’ll just install the DVD-ROM drive as a slave and plug inthe audio leads as before including going via the decoder card.

I hope the above makes sense. I’ve tried to write it out as logically aspossible. Thanks in advance for anyone who can help.

Columbia’s July DVD line-up…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info, which I seem to receive about 3 days after everyoneelse :

3rd July

• “Bicentennial Man “, Day and Date with VHS Rental. Features, Original Trailer, Trailer for Hook and Jumanji, Behind the scenes Featurette,Interview Featurette, Isolated Music Score, Filmographies
• “13th Floor“, Day and Date with VHS Rental. Features Audio Commentary, Music Video – The Cardigans “Erase and Rewind”, Conceptual art, Before and after Special effects Comparison, Trailer and filmographies.
• “Wishmaster” Special features: are Audio Commentary, 2 teaser trailers, 8 * TV Spots, Documentary, Animated Menu screens, Cast Biographies

10th July

• “Limbo ” Day and Date with VHS Rental. Special features: Original Trailer, Feature length commentary by John Sayles, Isolated Music Score, Filmogrpahies.
• “Midnight Run” Special features: Trailer, Animated menus and Filmogrpahies
• “Crazy in Alambama ” Day and Date with VHS Rental. Special features: Original trailer, trailer for “Mask of Zorro”, Gag reel- Comical outtakes from the film, Photo gallery – A Director’s passion, two deleted scenes with commentary, feature length commentary by Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith and Filmogrpahies.

17th July

• “CandyMan” Special features: Theatrical trailer, filmographies
• “Blue Thunder” Special features: Theatrical trailer, filmographies
• “Hard Times” Special features: filmographies
• “Eyes of Lauta Mars” Special features: 7 minute featurette, photo Gallery, Director’s commentary, filmographies
• “Angela’s Ashes” Special features: 26 minute featurette, two original trailers, cast filmographies

24th July

• “The Way We Were” Special features: 70 minute making of documentary with Sidney Pollack and Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand, Feature Commentary with Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand, Cast and director Filmographies.
• “Jaws – 25th Anniversy Edition” Special features: 50 minute “making of”, deleted scenes, outtakes, “Shark World”, “Get out of the water” trivia game” 720 Storyboards and production photos, Screensavers, 3 Original trailers, production notes, cast and filmmakers notes and production photo gallery. You can view the full press release for this one HERE
• “Carlito’s Way” Special features: Trailer, Production note and filmogrpahies.

All titles are of course £19.99. In addition the following titles have been announced fro August:

• 7th August, “Bone Collector“, Special features: Feature Commentary, Featurette, 3 trailers including “Devil in a Blue Dress and Girl Interrupted.
• 7th August, “Beethoven“
• 7th August, “GI Jane“
• 14th August, “Basketball Diaries “
• 14th August, “Someone to watch over me “
• 14th August, “Children of the New Forrest “
• 14th August, “No Mercy “
• 14th August, “My Stepmother is an Alien“
• 21st August, “End of the Affair ” Special Features: Making of, Director’s commentary, Trailer, Isolated score.
• 21st August, “Someone to watch over me “
• 21st August, “Baby Geniuses“
• 21st August, “The Shadow “
• 21st August, “Double Impact “

May 26th :

Get 3 for the price of 1 – Tomb Raider Trilogy on PC…

It does exactly what it says on the tin: the first 3 games in one Limited Editionnumbered package with a world map of Lara’s adventures, a certificate ofauthenticity and a Lara mouse mat.

The Tomb Raider Trilogyis online and out on PC now.

“When are the next DVD reviews?”…

I’ve had a fair few emails from people asking when the next DVD reviews willbe up online and all being well, it will be some time next week.

I sent off my Dxr2 DVD-ROM card to Creative Labs for a replacement last Tuesdayas I described then, but have heard nothing back until I phoned them yesterday.Apparently the new decoder card will be dispatched today, but as it’s sent viacourier, it won’t come until Tuesday given the weekend and bank holiday gettingin the way.

I’m getting severe withdrawl symptoms. It’s no fun going cold turkey when itcomes to DVD! 🙂

May 25th :

Wipeout on wheels? It’s Rollcage: Stage II on PC…

“Wipeout” on wheels or Skoda on Slush Puppy? Make your decision withRollcage: Stage II,which is online now and out on PC.

May 24th :

F1 2000 – get set to race again on PC…

Another year, another Formula 1 licence, but can this one cut the mustard?

F1 2000is online now and out on PC.

DVD and widescreen video lists updated…

I’m about halfway through adding all the updates I need to add in here,but until the next time, there’s additions of 132 DVDs and 12widescreen videos.

Please visit theUK DVD Region 2 Listand theWidescreen Video ListUpdated cinema listings…

Stuck for something to do this weekend? Live in the Manchester area? The listof the films showing at Manchester Showcase Cinemacan be found on this page.

This week’s new films are : Stir of Echoes, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,Honest, To Walk with Lions, A Monkey’s Tale, Virgin Suicides and Fantasia 2000.

Red Ken for London, Blue Thomas for Children all over the UK…!

First came the nominations, then came the hype. All the votes were cast butthe winner was never in any doubt. Thomas the Tank Engine receivedover 10% of the votes in a unique on-line by-election.

Thomas fans were asked, in January 1999, to vote for their favouritecharacters on the dedicated Thomas the Tank Engine website,ThomasTheTankEngine.comand over 32,000 votes were cast.

VCI are releasing the results of this straw poll on a “Funtastic” 65-minutecompilation video. Fun Time Favourites, containing the twelve most popularcharacters in feature roles in each episode, is released on the 3rd July. As it contains all the favourite episodes and characters, this video is amust-have for all existing Thomas fans and the perfect introduction for allnew fans to the playful little blue engine and his cheerful friends.

Thomas fans selected from almost 40 different engines and the winning engineswere Thomas, Percy, Gordon, Toby, James, Edward, Harold, Henry, Bertie, Trevor,Duck and Terence. All proceedings were overseen by Sir Topham Hatt, also knownas The Fat Controller, who heard appeals from unlucky engines and alsoinvestigated suspicions of vote rigging.

The hugely popular Thomas the Tank Engine adventures are based on The RailwaySeries by the Rev. W, Awdry, which pulled out of the station for the firsttime on TV 14 years ago and has continued to delight every new generation.

So if you only buy one children’s video this summer, make sure Thomas getsyour vote. It’s a favourite, a “Fun Time Favourite” guaranteed to keepchildren entertained over and over again!

Also watch out for a spectacular summertime Thomas buy-one-get-one freepromotion, which will run for a limited period from July 17th in selectedretailers. This promotion will include 16 Thomas the Tank Engine titles,available for the fantastic price of £9.99.

Look out for a competition on this site soon to win one of five copies of this video.

Have your say on the DVD Forums…

Now linked from my site, thanks to Colin Polonowski fromDVD Timesfor informing me about The DVD Forums, probably the most popular DVDrelated forums in the UK.

May 23rd :

Save the Earth – again – with MDK2 on Sega Dreamcast…

Join Dr. Fluke Hawkins, Max the robotic dog and Kurt Hectic once again asthey battle to save the planet against those pesky aliens.

MDK2is online now and out on Sega Dreamcast.

New DigiGuide feature for webmasters…

Thanks to Russ Freeman for this information to to announce a newfeature of DigiGuide Online.

Background: DigiGuide Online is a TV guide for UK and Ireland and offers 14days advanced listings for over 130 channels including all ITV regions andall Irish channels. It has a powerful search facility called Smart Searchthat allows use of expressions using AND, () and OR to trawl through thelistings.

New Feature: Instant Search

You can now dynamically insert live search results into your web pages. Forexample, if you had a Friends web site then you can dynamically add all ofthe times and channels when Friends is next being shown or perhaps whenone of the stars is in another show or movie. The colours, fonts and stylecan all be customised. If we have missed something out then let us know!

Follow this link to see Instant Search in action and to select the criteriafor your site:http://web.digiguide.com/general/linking.shtmlAnd then copy and paste the HTML!

DigiGuide Online is a FREE service, we also offer WAP and AvantGopersonalised TV guides for FREE along with the highly acclaimed DigiGuideOffline.

Digiguide.com – The DigiGuide Offline web site
MyDigiguide.com – The DigiGuide Online web site
TVlibrary.co.uk – Massive TV resource

Sega Dreamcast operating system supports Dolby Surround…

Sega of America will include support for Dolby Surround in the nextversion of their Dreamcast OS, Version r11, which is planned to be releasedthis June. The Dolby Surround release libraries, which will accompany v.r11,will support up to eight channels of real-time positioning.

Rik Ede, Manager, Games Production for Dolby :“We are looking forward to enabling Sega Dreamcast developers to deliver agame audio experience that puts the player in the centre of the action”.

Greg Thomas, V.P. of Sega’s product development :“We are honoured to be working with Dolby for the Dolby Surround that will beadded to the Sega Dreamcast hardware. This will open up a new world to gamedevelopers so that they can bring the best gaming experience to the consumer onSega Dreamcast”

Dolby’s content licensing programme stipulates that games that display the Dolbylogo must contain both real-time surround effects and linear content encodedwith a certified Dolby Surround linear encoder. The Sega Dreamcast OS r11will provide an easy way for developers to fulfil one of the primary requirementsfor producing a title in Dolby Surround. The Dolby Surround logo speaks to over100 million customers worldwide who have access to a Surround decoder in theirhome or on their desk at work.

Rogue Trader and Sleepy Hollow from Fox Pathe on DVD in July…

Both Sleepy Hollow, Tim Burton’s adaptation of Washington Irving’sstory and Rogue Trader, the story of Nick Leeson’s cock-up that broughtabout the downfall of Barings Bank, are released to buy on DVD from 24th Julyfor the usual £19.99 each.

Sleepy Hollow has a 2.35:1 anamorphic ratio, Dolby Digital 5.1 sound,a director’s commentary track, cast and crew biogs, a photo gallery, atheatrical trailer and a teaser trailer, a 30-minute “Behind the Legend”documentary and a 12-minute “Reflections on Sleepy Hollow” featurette.

It was rumoured to feature a DTS 5.1 soundtrack as well, but this featurehas now been dropped it seems.

Rogue Trader contains a trailer and an audio-description soundtrack.There’s no details on the picture or sound format, but I’d put money on ananamorphic widescreen ratio with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.

May 22nd :

From Russia With Love: the DVD extras…

Not a DVD – yet – but when the film is released on the digital format onJune 26th, the review given here is that of the extras to feature on the disc.

From Russia With Love: the DVD extrasis online now.

For the next 7 days, she’s at No.1 all day and night…

Who is it? To find out the answer – and to see lastweek’s chart – visit my music chartanalysis page

New DVDs out this week

Name: Lucy Clarkson
Profession: Model
Birthplace: Rotherham, Yorkshire, UK
Birthdate: July 6, 1983
Height: 5’ 11
Weight: 140 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Vital statistics: 32DD, 25, 36

It was Lucy Clarkson’s dad who first sensed the possibilities.“You’d make a great Lara Croft”, he said to his daughter as he took inyet another media appearance by the world’s number one cyber icon.

A year later it was Eidos Interactive’s turn to recognise that the model fromRotherham in Yorkshire had the requisite attitude, looks and – let’s face it –physical dimensions to fill the star of the Tomb Raider series’ famous boots.

Lucy, of course, is thrilled. As Lara Croft, she will travel the world and befeted wherever she goes. She’ll also become an instant cover girl – somethingmost models never achieve. But, perhaps best of all for Lucy is the fact that,as Lara, she can be as curvy as nature intended. Another rarity in thestick-thin world of modelling.

Not that Lucy, a no-nonsense Northern girl, ever had much truck with this kindof body fascism. She says: “I’d been in South Africa on a modelling job andthey’d told me to lose weight. I didn’t fancy that so I was on my way home.And that was when I got the call telling me I was the new Lara. It was suchfantastic news. It’s such a high profile job – and one of the few that letsyou keep your boobs and bum.”

Lucy’s modelling career began when her mum entered her in an Elite ModelAgency competition hosted by a national newspaper and a toothpaste manufacturer.With no prior experience at all, Lucy was named one of the 12 winners out of16,000 wannabes.

It didn’t take long for the work to pour in. As a tall, shapely girl Lucybecame a favourite of maverick British designer Vivienne Westwood. She wasalso kept busy with lingerie and swimwear shoots. Lucy finds them preferableto fashion work for one very good reason. “They pay the best money!”,she says.

For Lucy, the cash and the travel are the best facets of a modelling career.And the worst? “Without doubt, other models. In all the time I’ve beenworking I’ve made friends with two of them. Mostly I prefer the men”,she says.

In fact, one lucky male model is now Lucy’s boyfriend. And, double bonus forhim, he’s a huge fan of Tomb Raider. “He’s obsessed with games and lovesLara. Well, now he’s got a Lara of his own!” she says. Whether Lucy willindulge his fantasies by donning the costume on her days off is another matter!

Lucy made her debut as Lara at the world computer games trade fair, theElectronic Entertainment Exhibition (E3) in Los Angeles (11-13 May).

Previous Lara models include Rhona Mitra who went on to present Channel5’s Pepsi Chart Show and Nell McAndrew who now presents the new It’sa Knockout series. Model Lara Weller has represented Lara for thepast year.

Eidos signs up for Chicken Run…

In keeping with the film’s story, the game is set on a 1950s Yorkshire chickenfarm and follows a group of loveable chickens as they try to break out oftheir confinement.

Described as a homage to The Great Escape, the adventure-comedy’s cast includesthe voices of Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Miranda Richardson, Imelda Stauntonand Jane Horrocks. The film is being distributed by DreamWorks,the studio behind films such as “Saving Private Ryan”, “Antz” and “American Beauty.”

Aardman Animations was founded in 1972 by David Sproxton and Peter Lordand has created such characters as Morph, “Creature Comforts” and “Wallace andGromit.”

Aardman has received Oscar® nominations for seven different films and has wonthree times for “Creature Comforts,” “The Wrong Trousers” and “A Close Shave.”

Blitz Games, formerly Interactive Studios, is an independent games developmentcompany established by the Oliver twins, who started writing games in 1981 andhave developed over 100 games.

Mike McGarvey COO of Eidos says: “We are delighted to have secured the publishingrights to this game. Chicken Run is hotly tipped to be one of the biggest films this yearand we are confident that the game will be as successful.”

Philip Oliver, Managing Director of Blitz games, says: “With such astrong license it was important to choose the publisher who would bestmaximise the potential of the game to the widest possible audience. We areconfident we have found this in Eidos. “

Aardman’s Peter Lord and Nick Park, creators and co-directors ofChicken Run, say: “We are very excited to see our charactersdeveloped for these platforms, it’s another step forward for chickens and forthe studio.”

Eidos wins “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”…

Due for release this Autumn, the game is based on the hit TV quiz showWho Wants To Be A Millionaire?. PC and console games players can nowexperience for themselves the excitement and tension of the TV show as theytry to win one million virtual pounds. The game features audio and video clipsof the TV show’s host Chris Tarrant, who will be asking the questions, givingthe answers, and of course, uttering the famous line, “Is that your finalanswer?”. The game is being developed by Hothouse Creations of Bristol, England.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? was first screened in the UK in September1998. Its UK audience figures have reached over 19 million. The format to theshow has been licensed or optioned to 77 countries worldwide.

Ian Livingstone, Executive Chairman of Eidos says: “Who Wants To Be AMillionaire? is a TV phenomenon and has captured the nation’s imagination.Eidos will be aiming to replicate the appeal and the success of the quiz showwith the ultimate challenge in interactive gaming.”

Adrian Woolfe, Head of Marketing at Celador International, says: “The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? format lends itself perfectly to PCand console games. We are delighted to be working with Eidos in developingthese exciting new products.”

Chris Tarrant, Host of the TV show says: “I am very excited to be involved with this project. Families andfriends will now have the ability to play Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? ontheir PCs and consoles.”

Dom Robinson, Editor of DVDfever says:“I sincerely hope there will be an option to switch off Tarrant endlesslysaying “Is That Your Final Answer”. Or at least, if I can’t, then every timehe says it when I clearly am ready, the Phantom Flan Flinger, harking back tohis old days on TISWAS, will come on stage and plant a custard pie in hisface!”

May 20th :COMPETITIONS: a request…

Just a quick plea to everyone entering competitions on my website as there’sseveral running.

PLEASE can you ensure that you include your full name and address.

…since if you win I need to know where the prizes should go to andit’ll save me a lot of chasing up afterwards.

Obviously, those who have entered the Rosie and Jim giveaway havesubmitted their full details because that was all they had to do 🙂

For those who haven’t yet…Just pay a visit to theCOMPETITION AND GIVEAWAY PAGEand try your luck.

Maisy Birthday and Other Stories comes to video in July…

It’s time to prepare yourself for the biggest treat of the summer with thelatest release from that adorable mouse, Maisy. Join Maisy and friends intheir celebrations in her new video, Maisy Birthday and Other Storiesreleased by Universal Pictures Video on 24th July 2000.

Having already won the prestigious British Animation Award for the bestpre-school video category beating Bob The Builder, Maisy is becomingincreasingly popular with children everywhere. The loveable mouse makes aperfect friend for kids and parents alike as she encourages both fun andlearning in one.

Rosemary Murphy, Chief Executive of the Association of National Day Nurseriesexplains:

“The best way for children to listen and learn is to watch with a parent,and Maisy videos are the perfect vehicle”.

With excitement-filled adventures and entertaining story lines, the much-lovedMaisy is a definite favourite for all kids aged under 4. The delightful newvideo, Maisy Birthday and Other Stories, created and illustrated by Lucy Cousinsand narrated by Neil Morrissey follows the tremendous success Maisyhas achieved on CITV, with nearly two million kids tuning into the secondseries.

Follow Maisy, Tullulah the Chick, Charley the Crocodile, Eddie the Elephant andCyril the Squirrel as they get together to celebrate Maisy’s birthday in 10brand new episodes on video, which will have your kids smiling with delight.

You can join Maisy opening her cards, unwrapping her presents, dressing up andplaying with her pals in these delightful episodes including “Birthday”,”Party”, “Playhouse”, “Treasure”, “Lemonade”, “Parade”, “Balloons”, “Fair”,”Playground” and “Tummy ache”.

Hailed as having all the qualities of the most popular “cult” children’sclassic since Bagpuss, and The Clangers, Maisy encompasses all the necessaryelements to make a greatly memorable kid’s series.

“Simple, gentle, thoughtful and hilarious, the programmes about Maisy amusedus enormously – and have delighted the grandchildren. “Maisy is a great joy”,quote Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin (creators of Bagpuss,The Clangers and Ivor the Engine).

With balloons, poppers and of course a scrumptious cake, it is enough to haveany kid’s mouth watering with delight. Available in all major retail stores,make your kid’s wish come true by buying Maisy Birthday and Other Stories, aperfect summer present for any young family.

Also available as part of the Maisy collection are two new Maisy lift-flap board books, “Where Does Maisy Live” and “Where Are Maisy’s Friends”,illustrated by Lucy Cousin, for Walker Books on-sale on 4th July for just£4.99 each.

Guy Ritchie arrested for assaulting one of his girlfriend’s fans…

From an incident on May 17th, Guy Ritchie, director ofLock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,was arrested for allegedly assault a 20-yr-old fan of Madonna, his girlfriendand mother-to-be of his child.

Guy’s new film, Snatch, will be released on September 1st.

Zoe Ball Jnr: Here comes another Ball…

As if two weren’t bad enough, there’s another Ball on the way. Zoe Ballis with child and claims: “I’m incredibly happy”. The child is due tobe born on Xmas Eve.

And Geri records the soundtrack too…

I reported earlier in the week that Geri Halliwell is due to star in afilm called Therapy, at a cost of £7 million.

It will feature Geri in a high-pressure job as a career girl with a boyfriend,who falls for her therapist and is directed by David Green, whosebiggest hit was 1988’s Buster, starring Phil Collins.

She is now said to be recording the soundtrack and that while she “doesn’texpect to be Meryl Streep“, she will make the audience feel “filled up”.

Zero 30 is dead: Long live Liquid News…

From another article earlier in the week, I stated that I’m a big fan ofBBC News 24‘s entertainment news show Zero 30 and its presenterChristopher Price who is one of the few genuinely entertaining peopleon TV and has a cynical twist in everything he comments on.

Well last night’s progrrame was the last one ever, but he did reveal that hisnew show, Liquid News, begins on BBC Choice, each weeknight fromTuesday May 30th at 8.30pm.

I shall be tuning in with interest. I advise you to do the same.

May 19th :COMPETITION AND GIVEAWAY TIME: Four lots of stuff to win on DVDfever…

Already online is a Tweenies DVD and CD-ROM competition which runsuntil Friday 26th May.

Now added are competitions to win The Rage: Carrie 2 videos and atelekinesis pack and Thomas the Tank Engine videos. These run toFriday 2nd June.

There’s also a giveaway, with no taxing questions involved, for someRosie and Jim videos (see below for the press release). This runs toFriday 2nd June.

Just pay a visit to theCOMPETITION AND GIVEAWAY PAGEand try your luck.

More of my reviews in Manchester’s City Life Magazine…

City Life is a magazine produced in the Manchester area and containsjust about anything you’ll ever need in the city where it never stops raining.

It’s the essential guide to what’s on in Greater Manchester. This fortnightlypublication is packed with features, interviews, reviews and previews;offering an independent view on cinema, music, theatre, comedy, literature andsport. Full entertainment listings for Greater Manchester are also provided.City Life Magazine is a must for any person who wants to keep up to date with Manchesterand the cultural and entertaining lifestyles it attracts.

Why buy the latest issue? Because it features two more of my reviews forRollcage Stage 2 and Crazy Taxi (page 79, Monitor).

This issue is on sale from May 17th to 29th and look out for more of myreviews in forthcoming issues.

Check out their website at Manchester Online.co.uk

Rosie and Jim are set to release their Big Video Box next month…

Thanks to Lesley Singleton from LDA Communications forthe information on a release for Rosie and Jim’s Big Video Box.

Rosie and Jim, two of the most popular children’s characters on CITV,are back this spring with a special treat for their millions of young fans.

For the first time ever, a double value, double length special ROSIE AND JIMBIG VIDEO BOX SET will be available, and, at only £12.99!

Released by VCI on 5th June 2000 to coincide with Rosie & Jim’s week long’live’ links on CITV celebrating their 10 years on children’s television.

Rosie and Jim are two adorable, but mischievous ragdolls who live with Duckand their friend Neil (nicknamed “Tootle”) aboard the Ragdoll, a beautifulcanal boat.

Follow Rosie & Jim and Duck in 12 exciting tales. Their hilarious adventuresinclude helping Neil spring clean the boat; causing chaos in the kitchen whenRosie and Jim make a birthday cake; taking a ride in a hot air balloon;visiting a tropical bird garden and, with Euro 2000 just around the corner,Rosie and Jim get caught up in “footie fever” as they join in a football match.

These are just some of the antics that Rosie and Jim get up to in this superbBIG value video box. With over 130 minutes of funny stories, the adventurejust goes on and on!

This double value, double length special from Rosie and Jim (stars of CITV),is jam packed with fun, mischief and mayhem and is a “must-have” for allchildren up to the age of six. So make a BIG space on your video shelf now!

Should News at Ten be brought back…?

They keep going on about it, but I’d rather they didn’t. News at that timejust gets in the way of comedies or dramas when you want some entertainment,not an extra piece of news which can always be seen on another channel,or even the BBC an hour before.

The ITC are giving a whole month before they make a decision on this,but it has to be noted that since dropping the News at Ten, ITV havegained an extra £17m in advertising revenue.

Fox DVDs for June and one more for May…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :

Fox have made an official announcement for Never been Kissedwhich is released May 29th. The disk is 2.35:1 anamorphic and features theoriginal theatrical trailer. The sound (from the sleeve) is DD 5.1 in Englishonly but there are subtitles for the hard of hearing. As usual the price is£19.99.

Fox have also announced five discs for release June 12th. All are pricedat the usual £19.99. The disks and features are as follows:

• The Thin Red Line. 2.35:1 anamorphic with DD 5.1 sound in Englishonly. (Sound info from sleeve). Extra features are the original theatricaltrailer and Melanessian Songs. Subtitles are Czech, Danish, Finnish, Hebrew,Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish and English for the hearingimpaired.
• The Big Blue – Version Longue. 2.35:1 anamorphic with Surround sound in English and French. (Sound info from sleeve). Extra features are theoriginal theatrical trailer . Subtitles are French, Dutch and English for thehearing impaired.
• The Full Monty. 1.85:1 anamorphic with Pro-logic sound inEnglish (Sound info from sleeve). Extra features are the original theatricaltrailer. Subtitles are Czech, Danish, Finnish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic,Norwegian, Polish, Swedish and English for the hearing impaired.
• The Commitments. 1.33:1 Fullscreen, Surround sound in English(Sound info from sleeve). Extra features are : Featurette, Music Video “Treather Right”, Samples from the soundtrack Treat Her Right, Chain of Fools,I Never Loved a Man and In the Midnight Hour. Subtitles are Englishfor the hearing impaired.
• Waking Ned. 2.35:1 Anamorphic, Surround sound in English (Soundinfo from sleeve). Extra features are the Original Theatrical Trailer.Subtitles are English for the hearing impaired

I presume my press release is stuck in the post, but then the post has beenabsolutely dire in the North West recently. I know of at least four thingsthat are on their way to me that I’m waiting for, one of which was postedfrom Manchester over a week ago. I could’ve walked there quicker. What arethe Royal *F*ail playing at?

Posh sells off the family silver…

Posh Spice is auctioning off for a charity, the British Red Cross,the tiara she wore when she got married. It has a value of £120,000and is encrusted with 231 diamonds.

May 18th :COMPETITION TIME: Win Tweenies DVDs and CD-ROMs…

You have until Friday 26th May to enter this competition, so get yourentries in now!

Courtesy of BBC Worldwide, DVDfever has 2 DVDs and 2 CD-ROMs forTweenies to give away.

Just pay a visit to theCOMPETITION PAGEand try your luck.

Don’t forget to state your choice of prize too.

The closing date for entries is 5pm, Friday 26th May, 2000.

A review of the DVD can be foundHERE

Thomas the Tank Engine coming to DVD soon…

Thanks to Lesley Singleton from LDA Communications forsignalling a double dose of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

Fans of Thomas the Tank Engine will be positively steaming for the new “ThomasClassic Collection Series 3” as it pulls into retailers up and down thecountry from the 29th May 2000.

VCI will be releasing the complete third series, comprising 26 episodes withover 140 minutes of classic Thomas adventures, for an amazing value price of£12.99.

Climb aboard the Thomas express this spring for a special classic collection,which is perfectly priced for hours of half term holiday fun and boasts animpressive star studded line up!

Thomas the Tank Engine will once again be tackling the lead role in allepisodes with an impressive supporting cast including Edward, Gordon, Henry,James, Bertie, Percy and Toby. VCI are also delighted to announce a veryspecial cameo performance from the world famous Fat Controller, Sir TophamHatt, a firm favourite for all Thomas the Tank engine fans.

The 26 episodes in this bumper double box set include all-time favourites suchas “Diesel does it again”, “Buzz, Buzz”, “Thomas and Percy’s Christmas Adventure” and the revealing “Oliver owns up”,to name but a few.

The hugely popular Thomas the Tank Engine adventures are based onThe Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry, which pulled out of thestation for the first time 15 years ago and has continued to delight every newgeneration.

So if you’ve been waiting a while for a great kids video, look out for the“Thomas Classic Collection Series 3” with over 140 minutes of fun-filledadventures which will be steaming into retail platforms everywhere from 29thMay 2000.

This video is guaranteed to keep children entertained over and over again!

The complete Thomas the Tank Engine schedule for 2000 so far.

29th May: Thomas Classic Collection, Series 3 – VHS
3rd July: Funtime Favourites – VHS
17th July: Buy One Get One Free promotion – VHS
9th Oct: Peep Peep Party – VHS & DVD

N.B. The Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends movie will be released incinemas nationwide on 14th July 2000.

Indiana Jones DVD in time for Christmas…?

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :

“As I’m sure many of you know George Lucas has long let it be known that”Raiders of the Lost Ark” has been in production for a R2 release for some time now. However a littlerumour came my way (and this is in no way confirmed and really should be filed under speculation) thatwe could see this release in time for Christmas. Because of the way I think Paramount will work on this title, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this title gain a US and International (that’s us folks) release at the same time. I do so hopeI’m right on this one !”

Prince changes his name again…

After changing his name from Prince, to a symbol, to a squiggle,to Victor, to who cares what else over the years…the pint-sized pop star is now back to “Prince”. So that’s that sorted outthen.

However, now that his music’s completely gone off the boil and people havestopped buying his records, does anyone give a toss?

Joe Longthorne heading for jail…?

Fading chicken-in-a-basket-style club entertainer Joe Longthorne – andhis niece Keeley – have been charged with breaking a man’s cheekbone in a hoteldrunken-brawl in Blackpool.

This goes all the way back to September 1998, but since the two men assaultedhad red and green hair, they probably got what they deserved.

Beverly Hills 90210 cancelled after 10 years…

It was always in the offing, but the TV series has now been dropped. However,Sky kindly showed all of series 9 right up until a tense finale in whichKelly blew her rapist away with a gun, and then couldn’t be arsed to buy inthe last series so we’ll never know what happened…

…rather like Channel 4 and the final series of Homicide: Life on the Streets

Victoria Posh-Beckham-Spice “too thin”: it’s official…

Her doctor has told her she’s too thin and that she’s been underweightfollowing the birth of Brooklyn. She claims herself that she “eats like apig”

A move for Zero 30’s Christopher Price…

I’m a big fan of BBC News 24‘s entertainment news show Zero 30(Mon-Fri, 12.30am) and its presenter Christopher Price is moving toanother show on another BBC channel from next week.

Teasingly, he’s not revealing where he’s going to until Friday night,but I shall be tuning in with interest as he’s one of the few genuinelyentertaining people on TV and has a cynical twist in everything he commentson.

He also seems to do a good double act with either Geldof-haired entertainmentjournalist Rick Sky and Uncut‘s Associate Editor Paul Lesterso I hope they appear on his new show too.

May 17th :

Mess about on the river with Sega Bass Fishing on Sega Dreamcast…

This is a conversion of the arcade game. Does it pitch you against aliens in anintergalactic trade war full of gore and violence with mad bad guys thatshout “S.T.A.R.S.” at you? Er… no. It sticks you in a boatand pitches you against fish and stupid ones at that. You know the type – theones that have the memory span of a… erm… something or other.

Sega Bass Fishingis online and out to buy now.

Dom gets a mention live on air…

On last night’s Buyer’s Guide ([.tv] – epg 567; 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, 10pm)on SkyDigital, anyone who’s a regular viewer, like me, will know thatChris Long‘s (aka e-bag) slot has recently featured car acronyms,criticising the performance by spelling it out with each letter from themodel name.

I sent in one about my girlfriend’s car, a Vauxhall Nova, with which she hasbeen having a lot of trouble :

Make of it what you will, but I insist that you all tune into this excellentshow each day, which is hosted by ex-BBC1 consumer show star Will Hanrahanwho is also featured in a hellish insurance advert on TV. You know, theno-win no-fee type.

I also got a mention for my website (and almost all of my home address, barthe house number, but no autograph hunters please :)Still, it was damn cool to get a mention.

MGM’s June DVD announcments…

June 12th:

• Red River. Trailer and booklet.
• The Alamo. 40-minute featurette and trailer.
• Hang ‘Em High. Trailer and booklet.

June 19th:

• Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). Trailer, Audio Commentaryby director Philip Kaufman and booklet.
• Lord of Illusions (Director’s Cut). Deleted scenes, Audio Commentary by Clive Barker and booklet.
• Cyborg. Trailer and booklet.

June 26th:

• From Russia with Love. Documentary: “Inside From Russia with Love”.Feature on director Terence Young, trailers and Radio Spots.
• Stargate SG-1 Vol 5. Episodes: “The Tok’ra”, “A matter of Time”,”Touchstone” and “The Fifth Race”.

Dangermouse and the clan delayed for a week…

Thanks toAlex Frith from LDA Communicationsfor the info that the first wave of cult cartoon classic videos have beenput back by a week to May 29th, still at the price of £5.99.

Just to confirm, the titles are :

• Dangermouse: Close Encounters of the Absurd Kind
• Count Duckula: Vampire Vacation
• Chorlton and the Wheelies: Happiness is Dragon-Shaped

Freeloaders of the world unite one and all…!

Thanks toPeter Noblefor the following info about Freeloader.com.

15 more days to go until the world can download free premium games from the Internet. Soon anyone can download up to 50 computer games from the Net.

Freeloader.com,the revolutionary new website that is set to launch worldwide on May 31st.Freeloader.com is the first website in the world that enables Internet usersto download premium computer games from the Net for no money down.The service is absolutely free.

It’s a timely development for online gaming entertainment. It willrevolutionise how Internet usuers can obtain videogames for free. What’smore it is based on a business model which enables the site to subsidisefree games by generating advertising and E-commerce deals.

The website comes at a time when the sales and distribution for videogamesis at an all time low in the major retail high street chains (only 20% ofall computer games get shelf display in traditional offline retail outlets).

Now video gamers are now looking to the Internet to provide their gamingexperience, ranging from multiplayer online games, purchasing videogamesfrom online videogame retailers, and now, with the upcoming launch offreeloader.com, the reality of downloading entire computer games, level bylevel, from the Internet for absolutely free.

There are links to our website at the bottom of this email that will giveyou all the information you need. If you need more images from some of thegames featured on the site, you’ll find them on our website and links.Alternatively, we can email you a selection of screenshots. Photos offreeloader’s Chief Executive Harry Holmwood are also viawww.noblepr.co.uk

To become an official freeloader simply click on the following URL:Freeloader.com,

Once on the freeloader site you can start downloading Grand Theft Auto,Blastion or Rat Attack. Try it out and see how the technologyactually works.

My Dxr2 DVD-ROM: the story continues…

I didn’t get chance to add this in yesterday, but I phoned up Creative Labson Monday (Tel: 0118 934 4744) and the warranty is two years.

I sent mine back yesterday for a replacement and should receive it within aweek (two weeks at most, but was told to contact them after a week if ithasn’t come by then)

I didn’t need to send any proof of purchase (good job since I’ve lost theold receipt), just the card itself, to the following address :

Creative Labs
c/o PSL Freight Limited
Barleyfield
Hinckley Fields Industrial Estate
Hinckley
Leicestershire
LE10 1YE

but you’ll need to phone them first to get a customer ref.no andreturns no. to go on the package, which I sent first class recorded.

I have heard that the TV-out picture on the Dxr3 card (which I’ll get onlyif they’ve run out of Dxr2’s) isn’t as good as the Dxr2, but the lady Ispoke to at Creative thinks that the latest drivers for the Dxr3 card mayprovide the solution.

More news as it happens.

Chris Evans lands the biggest-ever radio fine…

Virgin Radio have copped a £75,000 fine after Chris Evanswas found openly supporting Ken Livingstone for London’s Mayor on March 21stthis year, thus contravening the 1990 Broadcasting Act for breachingimpartiality rules.

However, they could have fined them up to a million pounds (5% of the station’srevenue), although they did try to make amends on the following day’s show,hence the leniency.

Geri Halliwell gets a film deal…

The other ginger creation is due to star in a film called Therapy,at a cost of £7 million.

It will feature Geri in a high-pressure job who falls for her therapistand is directed by David Green, whose biggest hit was 1988’s Buster,starring Phil Collins.

May 16th :

Lara finds a treasure in Tomb Raider III: The Lost Artefact on PC CD-ROM…

A great game, now at a budget price and containing five new extra levels toboot. Is it a wonder to behold or more of the same?

Tomb Raider III: The Lost Artefactis online and out to buy now.

Updated cinema listings…

Stuck for something to do this weekend? Live in the Manchester area? The listof the films showing at Manchester Showcase Cinemacan be found on this page.

This week’s new films are : Final Destination, The Whole Nine Yards,Saving Grace, Elmo in Grouchland and Down To You.

Madison Avenue: We’ve been down there before…

In the new chart I said it was their debut single and a debut No.1, butit actually made No.30 when first released in November last year and droppedout the week after.

Four Media Company Acquires Virgin Post-Production Companies

Expansion in London, Santa Monica and Mexico City.

Burbank, California, May 9, 2000 – Four Media Company, a subsidiary ofLiberty Media Corporation (NYSE: LMG.A and LMG.B), today announced that it hasacquired all of the outstanding shares of Rushes Postproduction Ltd. (“Rushes”)and West One Television Ltd. (“West One”), both in London, 525 Studios Inc.(“525”) in Santa Monica, and Virgin Television de Mexico (“VTM”) in MexicoCity from Virgin Media Group Ltd. (“Virgin”). The transaction is valued atapproximately $40.0 million and represents substantially all of Virgin’spost-production businesses.

Commenting on the transaction, Robert T. Walston, Chief Executive Officer ofFour Media Company, stated, “The acquisition of Rushes, 525 and VTM expandsour market reach and relationships in the television advertising community.West One adds an impressive list of clients that produce television programmingfor the U.K. market. The powerful brand names of these companies combined withour existing worldwide operations further enhance our ability to satisfy theexpanding global service requirements of our clients. Further, we arewell-positioned to deploy a broad range of new services designed to facilitatethe delivery of interactive content to television viewers in the U.S. and theU.K.”

Kenneth Ibbett, Chairman of Virgin Media Group Ltd., stated, “We are pleasedto complete this transaction with Four Media. Rushes, West One, 525 and VTM’sfuture prospects will be significantly enhanced by Four Media’s market position,client relationships and product and service diversity. We look forward toexpanding Virgin’s relationship with Four Media, as well as Four Media’sparent company Liberty Media, on a variety of strategic fronts.”

Virgin Media Group is the holding and management company for all of Virgin’smedia interests, encompassing book publishing in the U.K., radio operations inFrance, Virgin Digital Studios, investments in new media technologies likeFirstart and Virgin.net as well as John Brown Publishing and Rapido TV.

Four Media Company is a leading provider of technical and creative servicesto owners, producers and distributors of television programming, feature filmsand other entertainment product both domestically and internationally. FourMedia’s client base includes the world’s largest entertainment companies. As aresult of its investments and acquisitions, Four Media Company is one of thelargest and most diversified providers of technical and creative services tothe entertainment industry, which enables it to offer its customers a singlesource for such services. Four Media Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary ofLiberty Media Corporation.

Liberty Media holds interests in a broad range of video programming,communications, technology and Internet businesses in the United States,Europe, South America and Asia.

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuantto the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Actof 1995. Words such as “intends,” “believes” and similar expressionsreflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identifyforward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifyingsuch statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risksand uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance ofproducts and technologies, successful integration of acquisitions, the abilityto secure additional sources of financing, the ability to reduce operatingexpenses, and other factors described in the Company’s filings with theSecurities and Exchange Commission. The actual results that the Companyachieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statement due to suchrisks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligations to revise orupdate any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events orcircumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

For additional information contact:
Robert T. Walston
Chief Executive Officer
FOUR MEDIA COMPANY
2813 W. Alameda Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 840-7143 (phone)
(818) 846-5197 (fax)

Showcase Cinemas: ReelKool Party Rooms…

Showcase Cinemas now has parties for children and adults for all occasions. In January Showcase Cinemas in Coventry, Manchester, Nottingham and South Walesadded ReelKool Party Rooms to accommodate party givers and goers. Party roomsin the remaining Showcase Cinemas locations are slated to open in July 2000.

Located directly off the main lobby, the ReelKool Party Rooms are availablefrom 11AM until 6PM for groups of 6-15 people. In addition to film admission,each guest receives a “KoolPak” consisting of a 12oz soda, 45oz popcorn and asmall container of ice cream for only £7.00 per person.

ReelKool Party People have an hour to celebrate in the party room prior to thefilm. Each room comes equipped with a television monitor, a VCR, videotapesand a CD/tape cassette player. A Party Coordinator welcomes the group, escortsthem to the party room, reserves their seating and escorts the party to theauditorium 10 minutes before the film begins. The party group is photographedbefore the film; the photo is framed and delivered to the guest of honour atthe end of the feature. Cake is available for an additional charge.

Two adults are free with each children’s party booking. Partygoers areencouraged to book in advance.

Showcase Cinemas is owned and operated by National Amusements, a family-ownedcorporation based in Dedham, Massachusetts. National owns and operates morethan 1,359 motion picture screens in the United States, United Kingdom andLatin America, and is the parent company of Viacom, Inc., which includes MTVNetworks, Simon & Schuster, Blockbuster Video and Paramount Communications.

Showcase Cinemas are located in Nottingham, Derby, Peterborough, Walsall,Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Coventry, Birmingham, Teesside, Bristol, Readingand Newham, England; Glasgow and Paisley, Scotland; and Nantgarw, Wales.

May 15th :

The Stereophonics play live on DVD…

Yes it’s not a new review, but in the absence of a working DVD player youcould call this “Dom’s DVD Greatest Hits” if you like.

The other reason I’ve included this is because, while I only gave it 3/5 forthe concert first time round, I’ve really got into the Stereophonicsmusic recently with all their singles getting regular plays on the radioand especially SkyDigital music channel MTV2 (Channel 446)

Stereophonics: Performance and Cocktails: Live at Morfa Stadiumis online and out to buy now.

Which new girl band is in the top slot this week…?

To find out the answer – and to see lastweek’s chart – visit my music chartanalysis page

Priscilla: the story continues…

In my review ofThe Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,I stated the ratio as being cropped to 1.85:1 and even Columbia’s MarketingManager Kerina Lee confirmed this as such.

However, news comes to light from Andy Cobley, webmaster of theR2 Project,that his DVD is 2.35:1 as nature intended.

Since the disc itself doesn’t actually come out until next Monday, Joe Puntermay not get chance to check it out until then, but my disc itself states1.85:1 on the back so what’s the score?

STOP PRESS: Just had it confirmed from Andy this morning that his copyof the DVD does indeed cut back to 1.85:1 after the opening credits end. I dohope Columbia can sort this one out. It may be struck from an anamorphic masterbut if it’s the wrong ratio, it goes in the ‘Sin Bin’.

My Dxr2 DVD-ROM: the story continues…

As anyone who saw my cry for help yesterday will know, the decoder card formy Creative Encore Dxr2 DVD-ROM drive has all but died.

I’ve emailed the support team atwww.europe.creative.comand will phone them tomorrow too, to see if there’s any way I can exchange mycard for a new one.

Probably not, since in the UK you rarely get good service, but Vesa Jalkanen on the DVDUK mailing list stated today that hewas able to return his because it had a five-year warranty. I’m not sure ofthe country he comes from but I presume it’s in Europe, going by the time-stampon his post.

Now, I bet the UK warranty only lasts a year but it’ll be worth a shot askingthem. Otherwise it’ll be 140quid for a Creative Dxr3 6-speed DVD-ROM kit,as apparently the drives conk out after a bit too so I may as well upgradethe pair together.

More news as it happens.

COMPETITION WINNERS: 3 Fox/Pathe DVDs…

Thanks to all those who entered. The competition winners are as follows :

The Siege: Daniel Ruck, Justin Orton, Robert Johnston
Rising Sun: Andrew Doyle, Mike Burnham, Jonathan Burton
Lolita: Mike Burnham, Mark Thompson, Robert Johnston

The winners have been notified and they will receive their DVDs as soon asthey send me their addresses and Fox’s PR company have sent them out.

Yes, the observant among you will notice that a couple of people have wonmore than one DVD. The way winners are picked is that I’ll ask my fianceeto pick a number from 1 to x, depending on the number of entrants for eachcompetition, and she hasn’t seen any of the entries just to keep it impartial.Hence, if some of you win more than one DVD, it may not seem fair to thosewho won nowt but that’s just the way the mop flops.

Apologies for the lack of reviews for these three titles as their PR companyhave no review copies available.

New DVDs and widescreen videos out this week

New DVDs out this week :

New widescreen videos out this week :

Urgent: DVD-ROM help needed…

I hope someone can help me with this. I’ve got big problems with myCreative Dxr2 DVD-ROM and I hope someone here can help.

Over the past few days my monitor has been flickering. I thought it was onits last legs (albeit only 16 months old), but I’ve traced the problem to theDVD-ROM as my video cards go :

Standard VGA card > 3Dfx Maxi Gamer card (Voodoo 1) > Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM card

and then to the monitor. The “>”‘s are pass-thru cables.

It seemed the VGA OUT connection on the Dxr2 card going out to the monitorwas failing and needed a bit of messing about with before it’d sort itselfout. Now it only works for a few mins at best.

I thought I’d found a stop-gap tonight by plugging the monitor into the3Dfx card. I won’t see the DVD picture on the monitor but never mind as thes-video cable will take it to the TV anyway.

Then the TV picture went all blurry like a Macrovisioned VHS recording andwhen I restarted the DVD-ROM player it said :

“This program fails to initialize the decoder device of your CreativePC-DVD hardware. Please check that the Creative PC-DVD card is installed andproperly plugged in”

So I opened up the PC (very dusty so got rid of that), unplugged the Dxr2card and plugged it back in. Reinstalled the software and…. it worked finefor a few mins before all going wrong again!

I’ve only had this Dxr2 for nearly 2 years so is the life expectancy soshort? It’d be one thing if I just needed another card, but I don’t thinkthose are sold any more and would a Dxr3 card work with the drive that’slabelled Dxr2 on the front?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me. Obviously there won’t beany more reviews online till I get this sorted!

May 13th :

Anna Nicole Smith is Exposed on DVD…

This is a DVD combining Playboy-esque soft-focus images of Anna doingher thing, as well as the ‘thing’ of men or women, whether it’s having simulatedoutdoor sex with a bloke or sharing a frothy foam bath with her chambermaid.

Also incoporated is her Video Calendar which takes you behind the scenesas she goes through each month in turn with footage of the photo shoot.

Anna Nicole Smith: Exposedis online and available to buy on DVD now.

Calling all 70’s children…!

Thanks toAlex Frith from LDA Communicationsfor the following press release :

Do you long for your Atari? Can you still complete a Rubik’s cube in under30 seconds? And when you pick football teams in the park, do you still cry“bagsy Mario Kempes” ? If you have answered yes to any of the above thenyou are truly a child of the 70’s and do PT Video have something totally coolfor you!

On both May 22nd and June 19th 2000, three totally “fab” retrotitles will have their covers dusted and will regain their rightful place onthe shelves. Heading up the trio of mirth is Dangermouse – the ultimaterodent superhero plus his trusty sidekick Penfold. Hot on his claws is theketchup-sucking veggie vampire, Count Duckula. Zzzzzzooming up behindis the totally surreal Chorlton and the Wheelies.

These classic animation legends are the work of the award-winning duo BrianCosgrove and Mark Hall, who were once hailed as Britain’s answerto Disney. And as if they need any more clout, the voices of the lisping”Duckie Poos” and the secret agent mouse can be credited to none other than”Del-Boy” David Jason !

The decision to bring these characters back to video after a ten-year absencewas due to overwhelming public demand for the classic superstar characters.The imminent release is a sure delight for any original fans of these cultprogrammes and will expose the wonder of 70s and 80s kids TV to a whole newgeneration.

There are two videos dedicated to each cartoon containing classic actionepisodes, which are released on two separate dates :

22nd May 2000 (£5.99, Cert.U)

• Dangermouse: Close Encounters of the Absurd Kind
• Count Duckula: Vampire Vacation
• Chorlton and the Wheelies: Happiness is Dragon-Shaped

19th June 2000 (£5.99, Cert.U)

• Dangermouse: The Day of the Suds
• Count Duckula: Transylvanian Homesick Blues
• Chorlton and the Wheelies: Chorlton gets his Wheels

Both Dangermouse and Count Duckula have been digitally remasteredfor their forthcoming release and do you want to hear the good news?They’re all available at original 80’s prices (£5.99 each) – an absolutesteal for any 70’s child!

To get your bit of retro cool, please call Alex or Jess at LDA on0208 959 1199 or emailAlex Frithand tell her you saw this press release on DVDfever.co.uk

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – cock-up confirmed by Columbia…

Thanks to Kerina Lee, Marketing Manager for Columbia TriStar forconfirming the problem with The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of theDesert.

It seems that it was only after the disc was put together that they wereinformed the ratio was 2.35:1, and not the 1.85:1 they were told duringproduction. Hence, the actual DVD was created from a 1.85:1 anamorphic masterand I am told they literally spent months seeking a quality master and haveinvested a huge amount of money in ensuring the discs are of the highestquality.

I certainly don’t doubt the quality over many Columbia DVDs, as theyseem to have a higher percentage of titles released in anamorphic widescreenthan any other distributor and it’s great to see the statement on the back ofthe package.

In fact I think there’s only been a couple of Universal releases via Columbiathat weren’t anamorphic, includingThe Frightenersand Hard Target, but every widescreen Columbia disc I have seen hasbeen anamorphic.

I hope the Priscilla disc can be repressed in its original ratio, but onlytime will tell. Kalifornia has also been released in a 1.85:1 ratioinstead of the original 2.35:1, but being a Super-35 film there should bemore picture at the top and bottom the image.

Bobby Brown locked up…

Fading pop star Bobby Brown has been jailed after he broke parole overhis drink-driving charge, from when he crashed the missus’ car whilst high asa kite behind the wheel.

His wife Whitney Houston‘s health and state of mind have also beenin question lately over alleged drug-taking.

Dirty Dancing 2: It’s a promise, not a threat…

…and it will partner Latino singer Ricky Martin with eitherBritney Spears or Natalie Portman.

Neil Morrissey has a mobile problem…

Men Behaving Badlystar Neil Morrissey‘s mobile phone number appeared in a free adsnewspaper forcing him to change it. Was it Les Dennis, after Neil ranoff with his wife, Amanda Holden ? Who can tell…

Eurovision Song Contest on tonight…!

So make sure you’re out!

May 12th :

Take 3 Drag Queens in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on DVD…

Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving head into the Aussieoutback in the drag-queen road movie,The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,which is online and released on DVD from May 22nd.

Bad Girls unleashed on video from June 5th…

Thanks toAlex Frith from LDA Communicationsfor the following press release :

IN THE INTENSE AND SEXUALLY CHARGED ATMOSPHERE OF LIFE BEHIND BARS … IT’SA HIDDEN WORLD WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN

Series one of ITV’s immensely successful women’s prison drama, BAD GIRLS isavailable to buy on video from Kult TV from 5th June 2000. This providesthe perfect chance for those that didn’t see it the first time round to getin the know for the second series, which is currently being shown on ITV.

Not for the faint-hearted, Bad Girls antics include drugs, blackmail,violence, corruption, bullying – the list of wickedness is endless. And itall takes place in HMP Larkhall – a vast, three-floor ‘working’ prison,which has been credited as the largest free-standing set ever used on aBritish drama. With such gritty content and realism, it’s hardly surprisingthat Bad Girls series one attracted an audience of over 7.3million.

The main storylines include the ‘Gov’ Helen Stewart (Simone Lahbib) gettingintimate with ‘lipstick lesbian lifer’ Nikki Wade (Mandana Jones), whilstall the time being undermined by her second-in-command Jim Fenner (JackEllis) the senior screw. And when Jim’s not busy meddling with Helen’saffairs, he keeps himself busy diddling the inmates including the wing bullyShell Dockley (Debra Stephenson) and the wing victim Rachel Hicks (JoanneFroggatt), which gives a whole new spin on ‘doing your bird’.

It’s not all bad though – many of the characters are warm and generous, someare outrageous and even funny. And each episode shows the humour,camaraderie and uplifting side of the women’s struggle on the inside. OtherBAD GIRLS include inmates Denny Blood (Aliyca Eyo) and the two Julie’s(Victoria Alcock and Kika Mirylees) and prison staff Dominic McAllister (JoeShaw) and Lorna Rose (Luisa Bradshaw-White).

The success of BAD GIRLS can also be credited to the creative mastermind andoriginality of Shed Productions, whose team has their own track record ofsuccess. Managing Director Eileen Gallagher, Producer Brian Park andwriters Ann McManus and Maureen Chadwick gave up their well-paid jobs, got a=A35million debt and started writing BAD GIRLS. As Series two is currentlybeing shown on ITV and attracted almost 10 million viewers in the firstepisode, it was definitely money well spent!

Volume 1 (RRP £12.99) and the Bad Girls 3-video box set containing all 10episodes (RRP £29.99) are released, to buy on video, on 5th June by Kult TV,Certificate 18. Volume 2 & Volume 3 are released on 19th June and 17th Julyrespectively at RRP £12.99 rated at certificate 15, and all videos containbehind the scenes interviews with the Bad Girl’s cast. BAD GIRLS is young,cheeky and challenging …..

So come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough!!!

May 11th :

Watch out for the Puppet Master in Ghost in the Shell on DVD…

It found a voice. Now it needs a body. People love machines in the year 2029where the internet is everywhere and everything. The Puppet Master is aboutto take advantage of this through the art of ghost-hacking.

Ghost in the Shellis online and out to buy now.

Updated cinema listings…

Stuck for something to do this weekend? Live in the Manchester area? The listof the films showing at Manchester Showcase Cinemacan be found on this page.

This week’s new films are : Gladiator, Hanging Up andSnow Falling on Cedars.

MP3 News: The big music companies strike back…

Following on from the Napster.com judgement yesterday, EMI plann to release100 albums available for download via the internet from the summer, startingwith the American market and including bands such as the Spice Girls.

New singles and albums will be available in time as well. However, thesecurity is apparently so good that any copies made from your online purchasecan be traced back to you via your credit card number.

Christina: What a girl wants..is some rest…

Christina Aguilera has cancelled her forthcoming UK trip aftersuffering from exhaustion, with an ear infection and flu. At the age of 19,she’s binned her diary for the next two weeks.

David Bowie’s exclusive concert for BowieNet subscribers…

David Bowie is planning an exclusive concert in New York, with moreplanned to come at a later date in the year, for only those who subscribe tohis BowieNet service.

Last year he made his latest album, “…hours”, availableexclusively on the internet a short time before its store-bound release.However, it didn’t attract that many people downloading it since it costthe same price as a CD from the shops – and you don’t have to spend an hourdownloading that!

May 10th :

Get some MORE Men Behaving Badly on DVD…

Relive the original series before Neil Morrissey joined withMartin Clunes, Harry Enfield, Caroline Quentinand Leslie Ash.

The review contains a number of pictures and soundbites from the series.

Men Behaving Badly Series 1is online and out to buy now.

MP3 News: Napster.com have the judgement ruled against them…

Based in California,Napster.comis a website that allows you to search and download MP3 files. Fair enoughyou might think, but this also includes the 5% of world music that iscopyrighted and there’s the problem.

Artists such as Dr Dre and Metallica are filing lawsuits against people fordownloading and replicating the MP3 files.

The industry complains that as a result of this, people are not buying CDs.Boo hoo! They’re not worth fifteen quid a shot!

Charge no more than £9.99 per CD, for EVERY CD, EVERY time, ALL the time!

A triple-whammy of S Club 7…

There’s another bank holiday due on May 29th and as a conclusion toBBC’s Music Live festival (the one advertised on BBC 1 by that dippy twatwith the big nose and that contains 1000 hours of music), musicians of themoment, S Club 7 will be doing 3 live performances in the one day.

Starting with Live & Kicking, then Top of the Pops, they’llfinally rest at BBC TV Centre, London.

What… so all in the one building then?

The Cannes Festival starts today…

…but who will win the coveted Palme D’or award?

Films in the running include “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?”,starring George Clooney and put together by The Coen Brothers,creators ofFargoandThe Big Lebowski

Also hotly-tipped is Lars Von Trier‘s musical “Dancer in theDark”, starring Icelandic pixie Bjork and completely-the-oppositeactress Catherine Deneuve.

I reported on April 29th that Bjork had such a bad time with her costumesthat she ripped up a blouse she was asked to wear and ate it!

Other films showing, but not in competition, are Brian DePalma‘s“Mission To Mars” and the All Saints‘ feature debut,“Honest”, in which both the Appleton sisters go topless.

Nicole can put hers away, but as for Natalie.. 🙂

The Royle Family miss out on a Montreux award…

“Montreux? My arse!”, is what Jim Royle would say after thisparticular cockup.

They missed out on the International Rose D’or award when human errorcaused a mix-up on the dates of the episode that was entered.

They entered the episode pre-empting Denise’s wedding (Series 1, episode 6),but it was too old. They meant to screen the one with Anthony Royle’s birthday(Series 2, episode 5 – but swapped round with the next one so it would closethe series).

“I can still smell shit in ‘ere!”

Michael J. Fox holds out hope…

Back to the Future star and one of my favourite actors, MichaelJ. Fox, 38, has stated that he believes a cure will be found in next 20 yearsfor Parkinson’s Disease after being diagnosed with it seven years ago.

My name’s Andrew Lloyd Webber! Goodnight!…

Can it really be true? Ben Elton has teamed up with Andrew LloydWebber to produce a version of Phantom of the Opera ?

I think I need a lie down…

Creatures Playground gets first outing at E3 in Los Angeles…

UK-based games developer Creature Labs will be giving CreaturesPlayground its first whirl on the Mattel Interactive Stand (Petrie Hall,Stand 1401) at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles this year.

Creatures Playground is the second installment in the Creatures Village rangeof titles aimed at younger players and is driven by the company’s unique CyberLife Technology.

Creatures Playground is a unique PC CD-ROM title created for inquisitivechildren from the age of four to ten years old. The game once again starsthe Norns, a cute collection of virtual life creatures, who are born from eggsand can then be nurtured and taught in a bright and colourful fairground environment.

The CyberLife technology ensures that the Norns think for themselves andlearn from experience. Bold, colourful graphics invite play and exploration,helping to build children’s skills for unstructured and creative play.

Creatures Playground is a never-ending fairground for children to explore.Like the first in the series, Creatures Adventures, the fun begins inthe nestery where you hatch your first baby Norn, give it a name and startexploring. The game offers a huge variety of locations and activities, from acostume design workshop to an alien space station – from a scary swamp tocarnival rides with a build-it-yourself rollercoaster.

For those who have already purchased Creatures Adventures, the two games aredesigned to link together to offer a giant play area for your Norns! You’lleven get extra bonus areas when you join the games together, including theVillage Square, special bonus rooms and extra activities.

More Features

Creatures Playground will be available on PCCD-ROM from Mattel Interactive later this year.

For more information, visit Noble PR at :http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/creaturelabs_e3.htm

Freeloader.com signs worldwide on-line publishing rights for Creature Labs’ ‘Creatures’…

Freeloader.com has signed exclusive online rights to Creatures, theworld’s leading artificial life product from Creature Labs . Creatures joins freeloader.com‘s ever-growing stable of impressivecontent that will have users clicking time after time for free premiumvideogames for the entire family.

Creatures , internationally heralded as the first commercial ‘artificial life’ experiment, will be launched worldwide on freeloader.comin summer 2000.

Harry Holmwood, Chief Executive of Pure Entertainment (freeloader.com’s parentcompany) is excited about the social component of Creatures: “This is not justa game – it is a way of life!

The signing of Creatures is part of our strategy to provide a diverse choice ofexcellent games for a wider audience – not only action games for avid gamers.We will be featuring high-quality role-playing and social games that appealto a broader user base. Creatures marks our commitment to excellent games, andit is this commitment that will inevitably drive traffic and guarantee thesuccess of freeloader.com.”

The deal with Creature Labs represents a major coup forfreeloader.com as the leading online publisher ofpremium videogames. The Creatures franchise has soldmore than a million copies worldwide. In addition,Creatures has generated a phenomenal global on-linecommunity due to the unique nature of the product.

Players can socially interact with each other byexchanging creatures and objects on-line. As a result,Creatures has sparked a huge on-line hobby communitywith many thousands of unofficial, independent relatedweb sites, and more than 250 web rings.

Howard Newmark, Publishing Director of Creature Labssaid: “This deal will ensure that we extend the highlypopular Creatures concept to a whole new generation ofusers.”

Creatures models real biological systems inside yourcomputer. The ‘Norns’ complete with their ownbiochemistry, brain, digital DNA and an environment inwhich to live.

None of their behaviour is specifically programmed. TheCreatures make their own choices. Players guide themthrough their lives, helping them through their badpatches and enjoying the good times. When they becomeadults, each Creature has the ability to mate, and as aresult, their children will carry their own unique DNA.The possibilities are endless.

Since its inception, the game reviewers have raved about its groundbreakingartificial intelligence and original gameplay. PC Zone magazine honouredCreatures with a rating of 94 out of 100.

Even Douglas Adams, the author of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy describedCreatures even more exciting than discovering life on Mars.

For more info, check out :http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/freeloader_creaturelabs.htm

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The number one demon-slaying babe!…

Small but perfectly formed, the one and only First Lady of sci-fi horrornow comes in an even cuter form. Move over Peter Cushing, we like our vampire slayers young and blonde!

New from Downpace come realistic, fully-moveable collectible action figures(rrp. £9.99) of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, shy Willow, broodingAngel and The Master. Based on the hit TV series each figurecomes with special accessories for acting out realistic fight scenes, or canbe attached to a base to stand alone.

Armed with her crossbow and stakes and clad in her tightest trousers, onlyBuffy has the strength and skill to tackle the evil creatures that Sunnydale’s Hellmouth spews out. But her friend Willow, equipped with spell book, and good-vampire boyfriend Angel are ever ready to lend a hand.

Like her fellow cyber-babe Lara Croft, Buffy will soon have her own Playstationand Dreamcast games released this summer. And with the Buffy TV series on BBC 2and Sky currently getting combined figures of 4.5 million a week, this is theyear of the Slayer.

Also available from the Character Group are mugs, glassware, keyrings, pins andnickel-free costume jewellery from Downpace, a range of stationery fromUniversal Concepts, and watches from WWL (UK) Ltd.

For more info, please visit :http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/character_group_buffy.htm