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June 30th :300th DVD Review online: Rev it up for Drive: Director’s Cut on DVD…
First released in cinemas in 1996, now available in Director’s Cut form with16 extra minutes of footage, Steve Wang‘s cool action flick starringMark Dacascos, Kadeem Hardison and Brittany Murphy,Drive,is online and out on DVD now.
MGM DVD releases for August…
Following on from Wednesday’s mention for the July 10th release for Stigmata,here are some details for more June and July DVD releases and their extras :
- August 15th :
- Desperately Seeking Susan : theatrical trailer, alternate ending
- F/X : trailer
- F/X 2: Murder By Illusion: trailer
- Thunderball : Another feature-packed disc containing anaudio commentary featuring director Terence Young, “The Making of Thunderball”documentary, “The Thunderball Phenomenon” documentary, Behind the Scenes stillsgallery featuring over 150 images, “Inside Thunderball” featurette, originaltheatrical trailer, TV and radio spots.
- Stargate Volume 7 : The final two episodes from Season 2 (1969,Out of Mind) and two of the best from Season 1 (Hathor, Thor’s Hammer)
August 28th :
Bring out yer dead on DVD…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
Warner Brothers have announced the release of Buena Vista’sBringing Out the Dead for release July 10th. The disk will feature a11-minute location featurette and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. There are nodetails of the picture format but I suspect 2.35:1 anamorphic. Bringing Outthe Dead features an outstanding performance from Nicolas Cage and a superbsupporting cast includes Patricia Arquette, Ving Rhames and Tom Sizemore.
The disk will feature the following subtitles:
English SDH, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic
Tomorrow is C-Day in the UK…
What is C-Day? Well, Saturday July 1st marks the cut off point for whichTV stations in the UK can no longer accept commercials in a format otherthan anamorphic 16:9 widescreen.
This basically means that like normal TV shows filmed this way, the advertswill also be shown in widescreen on digital TV, but will be cropped to 14:9for analogue TV – you may have spotted that a lot of ads are already appearingas 14:9 slightly-letterboxed versions as a result.
Channel 4 and ITV should be showing them properly, but with Sky and Channel 5still waiting in the wings to test themselves with widescreen material fortheir mainstream TV output, we’ll have to wait and see what they come up with.
For more info, check outwww.cday.co.uk
June 29th :Fear never travels alone in Kalifornia on DVD…
A demonic turn from Brad Pitt leads the cast as he and ex-girlfriendJuliette Lewis star as the weird couple on a road trip withDavid Duchovny and his girlfriend Michelle Forbes.
Kaliforniais online and out on DVD now.
DVD is Better Than Chocolate, but how is this film…?
DVDfever reviewer Vanessa Forsythe returns with a review of theRegion 1 romantic comedy Better Than Chocolate starringKaren Dwyer and Christina Cox.
Better Than Chocolateis online and out on Region 1 DVD now.
Beware. There’s a new DVD in town. Its name is Robocop…
DVDfever reviewer Tom Anderson follows up his Brazil debut reviewwith Paul Verhoeven‘s violent masterpieceRobocop,which is online and out on Region 1 DVD now.
Ben Affleck: The new Jack Ryan…?
Armageddonstar Ben Affleck is top of the heap to play CIA agent Jack Ryan in the nextTom Clancy novel-turned-film Sum of All Fears. Harrison Fordbacked out after failing to agree on the script.
Bye Bye TFI Friday…
No, not the popular fast-food restaurant with The Ritz prices,but the dull and boring Channel 4 show presented by Chris Evans that’swell past its sell-by date after 5 years. Its ratings recently slipped as lowas 1.3 million.
Actor John Cusack, recently on the show to promote his new filmHigh Fidelity, said of the ‘over-familiar’ host, “I hate to usethe word asshole, but he carried on like we were old buddies. The guyobviously has issues.”
To be honest, I enjoyed it when it began and Chris Evans can do TV that’sworth watching, but his best ideas should all be canned after two series ifhe’s to maintain originality.
I enjoy earlier series of TFI Friday and the first two series of ThePriory, which ended this week, but they should call it a day and thinkof something new. However, that won’t stop Zoe Ball and JamieTheakston returning for a third series from September.
June 28th :One for Granny: Black Sabbath live on DVD…
Tell the old dear that you’ve just partaken of The Last Supper andshe’ll thank you for taking an interest in religion, but not when you pressplay and she gets blown away by…
Black Sabbath: The Last Supper,which is online and out on DVD now.
Weird and wonderful: Being John Malkovich on DVD…
New DVDfever reviewer Vanessa Forsythe joins with a review of theRegion 1 release Being John Malkovich directed by Spike Jonze.
Being John Malkovichis online and out on Region 1 DVD 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 : Chicken Run, Three To Tango and The Best Man.
RCA dumps Gary Barlow…
After a string of flops, especially for his last solo album, “Twelve Days,Eleven Nights”, or something like that, the man who was the lead singer forthe UK’s answer to New Kids on the Block and the best-selling Britishband since the Beatles, Take That, has been dumped by his recordcompany.
On February 13th 1996, that band split up and Gary’s had two No.1 hits,Forever Love and Love Won’t Wait, but after it’s all gone sourthe inevitable has happened for the man once described as “The Elton Johnof the Nintendo generation”.
Some of his music hasn’t been that bad, and a lot less irritating than RobbieWilliams, but I’d lay the blame on Gary Barlow’s endless cancelling of concerts,thus pissing off all his fanbase.
Another Level call it a day…
After being reduced to two members, since Wayne and Bobak (wasn’the in the Star Wars series?) quit last year,the remaining two have put a stop to their pretend pop outfit and singerDane Bowers has been working with Posh Spice for her debut solo single.
Perfect Blue set to have a perfect picture…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
“I’ve checked with Palm Pictures and yes, the release version of PerfectBlue on July 10th should be anamorphic.” (the Region 1 DVD isn’t).
“Whilst talking with Palm Pictures I checked with them about their plans forthe coming months. They certainly have number of new “Animation” titles onthe way including Patlabor 1 & 2 and Ninja Scroll in November. It’s also possible that Akira may make an appearance in October alongwith the extremely weird The Kingdom.”
June 27th :It’s genetically-modified madness with The Island of Dr. Moreau on DVD…
In the week when scientists have discovered how DNA breaks down, giving usa possibility to live forever one day, Marlon Brando just wants toturn animals into humans and humans into gods.
Also starring Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk and David Thewlis,The Island of Dr. Moreauis online and out on DVD now.
June 26th :Get some Friends on DVD…
Six Friends and Six series made to date. Here I take an in-depth look at thefirst disc from series four, spanning the first eight episodes, complete withpictures and soundbites from each episode.
Friends Series 4 Disc 1is online and out on DVD now.
A-Ha: Minor Earth, Major Influence…
Regular DVDfever reviewer Jason Maloney returns with a retrospectiveon the career of Norwegian band A-Ha, a band that, for me, made someof the best music to be heard in the late 80s.
A-Ha: Minor Earth, Major Influenceis online now.
Brazil: The impossibility of escape from reality on DVD…
New DVDfever reviewer Tom Anderson joins with a review of theRegion 1 feature-packed fantasy epic directed by Terry Gilliam.
Brazilis online and out on DVD now.
COMPETITION TIME: Win Farscape 3 on DVD…!
Courtesy of LDA Communications, DVDfever have two copiesfor Farscape Vol.3 to give away on DVD.
Just pay a visit to theCOMPETITION PAGEand try your luck.
Who’s ‘spinning around’ at No.1…?
To find out the answer – and to see lastweek’s chart – visit my music chartanalysis page
COMPETITION WINNERS: Men Behaving Badly DVDs…
Thanks to all those who entered. The competition winners are as follows :
Men Behaving Badly Series 2:
Men Behaving Badly Series 3:
The names and addresses of the winners will be passed to the respectivePR companies for dispatching of prizes. If you didn’t win this time, thenplease keep trying with the other competitions online by clicking on thecompetition link on the left-hand menu.
New DVDs out this week
976 Evil 2 on DVD. It’s back. Just accept it…
And here we have the sequel, again with Spike to the rescue but the screamqueen here is one-time Miss USA Debbie James.
976 Evil 2is online and out on DVD now.
Dial your way to hell in 976 Evil on DVD…
The first of two films which delve into the horrors of calling premium-ratephone numbers, try not to piss Satan off in976 Evil,which is online and out on DVD now.
Men In Black: the absolute dogs bollocks…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
Men in Black has a world wide release on the 4th of September and willcome in two versions. “Men in Black Collectors edition” will be asingle DVD 9 disk and will be priced at £19.99.
“Men in Black Special Limited Edition” will be priced at £24.99and will come on two disks, one DVD 18 and one DVD 9. The standard collectorsedition comes in a black amaray case and features an 8 page booklet. Thedisk has the following features :
- Digitally mastered Audio and Anamorphic video supervised by Director Barry Sonnenfeld
- Widescreen Presentation
- Visual commentary with on-screen diagrams featuring Barry Sonnenfeld and Tommy Lee Jones
- Creature animation studies – multi-angle (12 mins)
- Tunnel scene deconstruction – multi-angle (8 mins)
- 5 extended and alternate scenes
- Conceptual art, storyboard, and production photo galleries
- Storyboard comparisons
- 6 min original featurette
- ‘The Metamorphosis of Men In Black’ – 24 min all new documentary
- MIB music video with Will Smith & Mikey
- 4 theatrical trailers, including a sneak preview of Men In Black II
- 11 talent files
The Special limited edition comes in a shiny black Amaray case with silverfoiled packaging and a 12 page booklet. The first DVD18 disk contains boththe widescreen and the fullscreen presentation along with a Visual Commentarywith onscreen diagrams featuring Barry Sonnenfeld and Tommy Lee Jones, aTechnical Audio Commentary with Barry Sonnenfeld, Rick Baker & ILM Team and3 language tracks. Disk 2 has all the features from the Collectors editionplus:
- Scene Editing Workshop – allows viewers to be the director and construct and manipulate selected scenes from the film
- Additional Edgar Bug fight deconstruction scene
- Creatures: Concept to Completion
- DVD Rom Web Links
- Additional gallery photos – over 1,000 images of conceptual art and production photos
Blade Runner and Casablanca Special Editions…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
Metrodome have sealed an exclusive contract to release DVD special editionWarner box sets of cult classics.
Each box set contains all a film fan could ever need or want on a film. Itis a collectors must have.
The first two titles that will be released are the awesome director’s cut ofBlade Runner and the triple academy award winning Casablanca. Both titlesare scheduled for release on September 11th and priced £49.99.
Titles planned for release later in the year include; 2001, Enter TheDragon, Bullit, Searchers and The Exorcist.
The box sets of Blade Runner and Casablance give an idea of the quality offeatures these special edition box sets will include.
- BLADE RUNNER
- DVD Special edition collector set includes:
- DVD – Directors Cut – The Original cut of the Futuristic Adventure
- Lobby Cards – 3 Original limited edition lobby card prints
- Senitype – Exclusive limited edition image made from movie and 35mm filmframe
- Theatrical Poster – Original shooting draft script by Hampton Fancher andDavid Peoples
- DVD contains:
- Interactive Menu
- Production Notes
- Cast biographies and film highlights
- Scene access
- Aspect Ratio – single layer widescreen 2.35:1
- Screen Format – anomorphic – Dolby digital
- CASABLANCA
- DVD Special edition collector set includes:
- Special Edition DVD
- CD featuring original music from the motion picture
- 8 Original limited edition Lobby Card prints
- “Exclusive limited edition Senitype” Image from movie with 35mm film frame.
- Original one sheet movie poster (27’x40′)
- B&W, 145 minutes pan/scan
- DVD contains:
- Digital restored image and cleaned soundtrack
- Theatrical Trailers
- Aspect Ratio: (Full Screen) – 1.33:1
- “You Must Remeber This”, A 36-minute documentary newly updated with recentlydiscovered, unseen out-takes and screen tests
- Special introduction by screen/stage legend Lauren Bacall, wife of HumphryBogart
Space Precinct on DVD soon…
Finally, a mention for some future releases from Digital entertainment.
July 10th: Gerry Anderson’s Space Precinct.
- Just two episodes to a DVD with Vol.1 containing a making-of and other extrasto feature on future discs. Vol.1 and Vol.2 will also be released as a double-pack.
The episodes in the first two volumes are: “Double Duty”, “Protect and Survive”,”Enforcer” and “Flash”.
August 7th: First Do No Harm.
- a Meryl Streep weepiefrom Odyssey, which is stated to be their DVD debut although they’ve releaseda few other films already such asMaurice.
Anyway, Channel 5-aholics will still snap it up.
George Clooney leads the Three Kings into battle on DVD…
This is the first Region 1 DVD review I’ve placed online but it’s well worthchecking out (the DVD, as well as the review 🙂
George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze starin the Gulf War actionerThree Kings,which is online and out on Region 1 DVD 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 : Chill Factor, Next Best Thing, Big Momma’sHouse and Deception.
Columbia’s August DVD line-up…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info on Columbia’s planned DVDs for August :
- 7th August
- The Bone Collector. Commentary by Director, Featurette, A Collection of Stories, Original Trailer, Isolated Soundtrack, filmographies, trailers for Devil in a blue Dress and Girl Interrupted. Released day and date with VHS rental
- Beethoven
- Robin Hood, Men in Tights, Featurette, trailer and filmographies
- 14th August
- Someone to watch over me, trailer, filmographies and biographies
- No Mercy Trailers, Filmogrpahies
- Children of the new Forest
- My Stepmother is an Alien Filmogrpahies
- 21th August
- Baby Geniuses, Special effect feaurette, behind the scenes featurette, trailer, filmographies. Day and Date with VHS Rental.
- Red Rock West, directors commentary, original UK trailer, filmographies
- End of the affair Full length commentary by Julianne Moore and Neil Jordan, making of featurette, original trailer, isolated soundtrack and filmographies.
- The Shadow
- Double Impact
As ever all disks are priced at £19.99.The following disks have been preannounced for September. Remember these dates could change.
- 25th September, Girl Interrupted. Commentary, deleted scenes, featurette, trailer, filmogrpahies and isolated music score
- 18th September, Being John Malkovich Special features include American Arts & Culture Presents: John Horatio Malkovich, Dance Despair & Disillusionment, An Intimate Portrait of the Art of Puppeteering,An Intimate Portrait of the Art of Background Driving, Spike Jonze Interview, 71/2 Floor Orientation, Spike’s Photo Album, 4 x TV Spots, Trailer & Filmographies
- 4th SEPT DAWSONS CREEK
- 4th SEPT MONTY PYTHON
- 11th SEPT MAD DOG & GLORY
- 11th SEPT LEGAL EAGLES
- 11th SEPT GORGEOUS
- 11th SEPT SEE NO EVIL HEAR NO EVIL
- 11th SEPT BASKETBALL DIARIES
- 11th SEPT SCARFACE
- 25th SEPT SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
- 25th SEPT DICK
- 25th SEPT THUNDERHEART
Dave and Annie return with Eurythmics: Peacetour on DVD…
After a long, successful career, both in tandem and solo, Annie Lennoxand Dave Stewart returned to the studio having not recorded togetherfor nearly ten years and produced the album Peace.
On December 6th, 1999, they performed a concert at London Docklands Arenain aid of Amnesty International and Greenpeace.
Eurythmics: Peacetouris online and out on DVD now.
The return of Morph…?
After the success of Aardman Animations new film Chicken Runin the USA with its UK date still forthcoming, Nick Park has beenin talks with the BBC about a possible “re-morphing” as the plasticinecharacter who used to appear on Take Hart will get his own show onceagain.
Getting Naked: Step 3…
Following last year’s bare-alls by Steps members H (forAttitude) and Lee (for Cosmopolitan), Lisa Scott Leeis planning to drop the dresses for the camera sometime this year too.
Getting Excited: Terminator 3…
Not much info on this for now, but Arnold Schwarzenegger has announcedthat he would very much like to make Terminator 3, but the plans are inthe early stages for now.
VCI’s DVD plans for September…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info on VCI’s planned DVDs for September :
- Holy Smoke Directed by Jane Campion and staring Harvey Keitel
- Ghost Dog Directed by Jim Jarmush and staring Forest Whittaker
- The Filth & The Fury, the true story of the Sex Pistols
- Down to You, the follow up to She’s All That
Expect all these releases to be packed with extras, but VCIare still looking into exactly what they can put on each disk.
Freeloader.com to launch “Purefootball Fantasy Manager”…
Enterprising online video games developer and publisher Freeloader.com,the world’s first free premium computer games download website, todayannounced the August 2000 launch of their first dedicated online footballgames portal and its first game, the fantasy football management game –Purefootball Fantasy Manager.
Purefootball Fantasy Manager is being hailed as the best online fantasyfootball game ever launched from the United Kingdom. What’s more, it iscompletely free to play. Competitors can even win cash prizes including upto Âœ1,000 every month as “Manager of the Month” and Âœ250 every week as “Managerof the Week”.
Freeloader.com claim that Purefootball Fantasy Manager is very easy to playand manage, particularly if players are already familiar with fantasy footballgames that are regularly featured in national newspapers.
Freeloader.com have put together their own online football managementproduction team who are constantly monitoring the status of participatingplayers and updating the game with the latest exciting action and footieresults and news.
In addition to competing in the main competition, Freeloader.com invitesonline competitors to play against their mates in their very own handpickedprivate league.
If you want to start competing in a fluctuating transfer market, where reallife events and the popularity of players affect their value, PurefootballFantasy Manager is the online football management game to match all yourfootie requirements.
Start getting your free kicks now atwww.freeloader.com/purefootball
Sega Dreamcast online TV adverts…
News just in from Sega’s PR dept :
From 9th June, ChuChu Rocket!, Sega Europe’s first on-line gamehas been available free to all Dreamcast gamers. To highlight the arrival of online gaming* to Europe’s fastest selling games console, Dreamcast is launching a brand new Âœ5 million Pan-European advertising campaign. This encompasses television, print, poster and ambient media including light projections on Parliament.
With a light-hearted look at European rivalry, there are two TV scenarios: the French challenging the “roastbeefs” and the Germans boasting about their strong economy. Not known to resist a challenge, characters from France, Germany UK and Spain take up the challenges from their European neighbours and unite online.
Due to air when Euro 2000 will be at an all time high, Dreamcast is making the most of the huge audience figures expected for the televised matches and has bought prime positions within the half time advertising breaks of the England games plus France v Holland.
Created by advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, the 30 second commercials will be shown during the half time commercial breaks of the live matches and during the televised highlights. The campaign breaks 10th June.
National press advertising follows the same theme, showing the French, Germans, Spanish and English challenging each other to play online.
Sega UK Marketing Director Alison Turner says: “Online gaming is nowhere, and we intend to tell people about it. The creative route plays on the different nations heritages in a fun way that will make European Dreamcasters challenge each other online.”
In addition to the online game ChuChu Rocket! (launching 9 June) , the advertising co-incides with the launch of Sega originated titles Zombie Revenge (9 June), Ecco The Dolphin (16 June) and NHL2K (7 July).
The television commercials will be on-air for three weeks.
SWWS 2000: It’s a GOOOOAAL for Sega on Dreamcast…
Lots of options, great graphics and chit-chat from three top commentators,I hate football when it’s on TV, but I love playing this game.
Sega Worldwide Soccer 2000: Euro Editionis online and out on Sega Dreamcast now.
Entering a new dimension on DVD with Farscape…
Thanks to Amanda Schwarz at LDA Communications for the followingpress release :
Combining the creative team behind Alien Nation and The Twilight Zone with theeffects, puppets, humour and action of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, ‘Farscape’is the hit TV sci-fi that boldly goes where Star Trek only feared to tread!
Entering a new dimension in home entertainment, the first episodes are nowavailable on DVD from Contender on the Kult TV label. The next volume will beavailable on July 10 with further volumes of the series being releasedthroughout the year.
Farscape is the experimental spacecraft in which astronaut John Crichtonbegins a test mission before being sucked into a worm hole and swept acrosstime and space into a parallel universe.
Catapulted into a raging space battle, Crichton ends up upon Moya, an evolving,living spaceship where he soon encounters new and bizarre enemies and alliesincluding alien fugitives, a captive galactic police officer, a blue butstunningly beautiful priestess and the overthrown Rygel, a hovering 26 inchhairy Henson masterpiece who was once ruler of six billion subjects.
For Crichton, however, the adventures have only just begun.
All volumes have a 12 certificate and are priced at just £24.99 for the doublebox set. The remainder of the first series will be released as follows:
- 10 July 2000: ‘Double DVD Box Set 3’
- Episodes:They’ve Got A Secret/Till The Blood Runs Clear/The Flax/Rhapsody In Blue/Jeremiah Crichton
- Extras:Also contains a behind the scenes cast interview on D’Argo
- 8 September 2000: ‘Double DVD Box Set 4’
- Episodes: Durka Returns/A Human Reaction/Through The Looking Glass/A Bug’s Life
- Extras:Also contains a behind the scenes cast interview on Rygel, Moya & the pilot
- 30 October 2000: ‘Double DVD Box Set 5’
- Episodes:Nerve/The Hidden Memory/Bone To Be Wild/Family Ties
- Extras:Also contains a behind the scenes cast interview on the costumes and the Australian Creature Shop
Lookout for a competition online next week.
Dolby Announces Pro Logic II Decoding…
Thanks to Catherine Unwin at Dolby Laboratories for the followingpress release :
Dolby Laboratories announced yesterday the introduction of Pro Logic II,the next generation of Dolby Surround Pro Logic decoding technology. Pro LogicII brings exciting new features and advanced performance for decoding the manythousands of existing Dolby Surround programmes, making them sound more like adiscrete Dolby Digital 5.1-channel version than ever before.
The world is rapidly adopting digital delivery formats like DVD, and digitaltelevision (DTV), satellite and cable, all of which offer Dolby Digital 5.1audio capability. The music industry is on the verge of transitioning fromstereo to 5.1-channel sound with the new DVD-Audio format. Consumersenthusiastically demand 5.1-channel sound in new programmes of all kinds.But vast numbers of programmes already exist in stereo and Dolby Surround,and many more will continue to arrive in years to come. Pro Logic II letsconsumers enjoy these programmes with a convincing “5.1-like” presentation.
Pro Logic II is able to decode the thousands of existing Dolby Surroundmovies and TV shows already on the shelf, compatibly, and with enhancedimage stability. The improvements in decoding techniques mean that thediscreteness of the sound field elements are better-preserved in thedecoding process than was possible with the now universally standard ProLogic technology, developed in the mid 80s.
“The technology in Pro Logic II is the first fundamentally new approach inmatrix decoder design since the basic design which is still at the core ofevery other active matrix surround decoder,” said Roger Dressler, Directorof Technology Strategy for Dolby Laboratories. “Pro Logic II was designedfrom the outset to convert conventional stereo music recordings, which willbe with us for some time to come, to a natural, believable surroundexperience. The result is a decoder that can handle a wide range of movieand music programme material with equal skill. Dolby is proud to be handlingthe licensing and technical support of this exciting new technology.”
This new system was invented by Jim Fosgate, one of the most prolificdevelopers of surround decoding technologies since the quadraphonic era ofthe late 1960s. Mr. Fosgate said, “I have spent the past 25 years figuringout how to expose the hidden information in standard two-channel stereorecordings, both new and old. This breakthrough in matrix decodingtechnology allows users to enjoy all their existing two-channel programmes,whether Dolby Surround encoded or not, with an enhanced level of spatialityand directionality.”
Pro Logic II also incorporates special features for controlling the overallspatial dimensionality and frontal soundfield imaging that are particularlysuited for autosound applications. A standard four-channel Pro Logicdecoding mode is also included in the technology package.
Dolby Surround Pro Logic II decoding can be implemented economically ineither analogue or digital circuitry, making it ideal for use in alltraditional home cinema products and in a range of new “music surround”products.
About Dolby Laboratories:
Dolby Laboratories is the developer of signal processing systems usedworldwide in applications that include motion picture sound, consumerentertainment products and media, broadcasting, and music recording. Basedin San Francisco with European headquarters in England, the privately heldcompany also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Beijing andTokyo.
Vertigo – will it reach your ‘high’ standards on DVD…?
Packed with extras, this 1958 James Stewart film was considered anotherHitchcock masterpiece, but did I share the same opinion?
Vertigois online and out on DVD now.
Don Henley releases his “Inside Job” on CD…
He used to make songs for The Boys of Summer, then checked out thegirls down at the Sunset Grill, before finding that everything canchange in a New York Minute.
Now with his first studio album in eleven years, Don Henley unleasheshis Inside Job on CD and Jason Maloney lends an ear.
Don Henley: Inside Jobis online now and out on CD.
Chill out with Transambient…
Thanks to theDVD Debatefor the following info :
“DVD UK have let us know of the impending release of the celebratedChannel 4 music special, Transambient.
Originally screened in 1998, the Transambient project is a hypnoticblend of music and images – ideal ‘chill-out’ room material. Theaudio-visual DVD album contains eight 12 minute AV tracks from theproject with tunes by the likes of 808 State, Geraint Hughes, Fructose andDJ Mark Summers (Souvlaki).
The producers of the series see DVD as an ideal format for this sort of innovativematerial. “We decided to produce something like a new millennium Koyaanisqatsion acid for the dance generation; fusing film-making, club visuals and speciallywritten tunes in equal part ,” They explain. “For us DVD is perfect, because itallows this new kind of use.”
Pop-teen Billie Piper collapses…
Billie Piper was been taken to hospital after collapsing in a Londonbar on Friday night. She was partying with friends in London’s Covent Gardendistrict and passed out. She was said to be suffering from a kidney infectionis now back home.
Nate Dogg has been a naughty boy…
The LAPD SWAT Team arrested rapper and man-with-a-stupid-name Nate Doggon charges of suspected kidnapping, making terrorist threats, Domesticviolence and Arson, all linked to his ex-girlfriend. He’s been released on$1m bail.
A double-hitter for Samuel L Jackson…
…because not only did his Shaft remake coin in $21m in its openingweekend, but the man has also been given a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
BBC vs. ITV – who won…?
The BBC did, because they had an audience for the England vs. Germany gameof 11.8m viewers, whilst ITV only managed 6.1m even with Des Lynam.
Needless to say, I did not watch either channel.
Daikatana – The Review You Must Read…
Four years in the making, Eidos have finally released John Romero‘screation, but was it worth the wait?
Daikatanais online and out on PC now.
Geri Halliwell: The truth revealed…
Regular DVDfever reviewer Jason Maloney returns with another bookreview following last week’sSuzanne Vega: A Career of Progress & An Eye For Detail.
This week it’s the turn of the ex-Spice Girl.
Geri Halliwell: If Only…is online now and out in paperback and hardback.
COMPETITION TIME: Win Men Behaving Badly on DVD…!
There’s one week left to go for this competition.
Courtesy of LDA Communications, DVDfever have two copies eachfor series 2 and 3 of Men Behaving Badly to give away on DVD.
Just pay a visit to theCOMPETITION PAGEand try your luck.
Is that really Barry White at No.1…?
To find out the answer – and to see lastweek’s chart – visit my music chartanalysis page
COMPETITION WINNERS: Three Warner/Buena Vista DVDs…
Thanks to all those who entered. The competition winners are as follows :
End of Days:
Mickey Blue Eyes:
Inspector Gadget:
The names and addresses of the winners will be passed to the respectivePR companies for dispatching of prizes. If you didn’t win this time, thenplease keep trying with the other competitions online by clicking on thecompetition link on the left-hand menu.
New DVDs and widescreen videos out this week
New DVDs out this week :
New widescreen videos out this week :
When two tribes… – Dogs of War on PC…
When two tribes go to war, it’s not a point you’ll be scoring in thisCommand and Conquer-clone with Craig Charles using his vocaltalents.
Dogs of Waris online and out on PC now.
This Year’s Love – one of this year’s best DVDs…?
Starring Kathy Burke, Jennifer Ehle, Douglas Henshall and CatherineMcCormack, this British comedy follows six twenty-somethings and theirrelationships over the course of three years.
This Year’s Loveis online and out on DVD now.
The Nightmare is complete…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
After Wednesday’s announcement regarding the Nightmare on Elm Street6-disc box set. Thankfully, VCI have just confirmed that they do intend torelease Wes Craven’s New Nightmare sometime in August, hopefully withsome additional materials. Things are still at an early stage however so theexact features are down to what they can get hold of! There, so by Christmasyou should be able to have the complete set of “Nightmares”.
More upheavals in the movie world…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
“It looks like there are yet more major upheavals in the corporate world ofthe Movie Business. It looks like French based company Vivendi is takingover US giant Seagram who owns Universal Studios and what used to be PolyGramFilmed Entertainment. This will mean that for the first time (since a briefperiod for MGM a few years ago) a major Hollywood studio will be in Europeancontrol. Exactly what this means for DVD is unclear but I’m wondering justhow long the current Universal/Columbia deal has to last. The resulting ParisBased media and communications giant will be known as Vivendi Universal whichwill enjoy a stock market capitalisation of around $100bn. Although the Paris will own Universal it was made clear yesterday that the day to dayrunning of the Universal Studios would be left to the executives in Hollywood.
However there appears to be more to this story than meets the eye. Vivendiowns France’s Studio Canal who it is rumoured are in talks with Pathe toestablish a UK distribution outlet. The two companies have already joinedforces and has a 12 picture three year deal with Mandalay Pictures under theguise of C+P which started with Sleepy Hollow. Interestingly the C+P venture also resulted in Pathe handling Chicken Run . Now Iwonder quite where this leaves Dreamworks who handle Chicken Run in the US and have been linked with Universal for some time. Looks likethings are going to get really interesting over the next few months.
Much of this information comes form articles in Screen Daily and Variety.”
More MGM DVDs for June and July…
Following on from Wednesday’s mention for the July 10th release for Stigmata,here are some details for more June and July DVD releases and their extras :
- June 19th :
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) : trailer,director’s commentary, 8-page booklet.
- Cyborg : trailer, 8-page booklet
- Lord of Illusions Director’s Cut : deleted scenes, Clive Barkeraudio commentary, 8-page booklet
- WarGames : one of my favourite films of all time and in widescreenbut sadly not anamorphic. Director’s commentary, new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack,trailer, trivia and production notes
- The Package : anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, trailer, trivia andproduction notes.
July 24th :
Geri has no co-star but a new home…
Although she can’t find a co-star for her forthcoming film, she has spent£1 million on a flat in the South of France in Nice’s Millionaireplayground of St. Tropez.
Not far from her will be Elton John’s pink palace, plus George Michale’svilla which he calls Chez Nobby.
Also look out on Monday for Jason Maloney’s review of ex-Spice Girl Geri Haliwell‘sautobiography, “If Only…”
Eminem keeps a low profile…
He’s out of jail and out on bail over his charge of assault with a dangerousweapon, thanks to the Up in Smoke tour, during which he took aninflatable blow-up Mrs. Eminem and proceeded to throw her about to the tune ofThe Real Slim Shady.
So, obviously trying to keep a low profile after writing lyrics on his lasttwo albums about wanting to kill her…
Madonna’s Music out sooner than we thought…
Madonna has been forced to rush-release her new single Musicbecause it was made available over the internet on Napster.com.
The US release will now be July 6th, with the album to follow in August.The UK single release is still pencilled in for the Autumn.
Mr. Madonna ticked off…
Lock Stockdirector Guy Ritchie has been formerly cautioned for common assaultafter allegedly kicking and punching a 20-year-old fan outside Maddie’s WestLondon apartment.
Chicken Run: biggest-ever UK film in the US…?
Chicken Run, Aardman Animations’ feature-length outing is releasedthis weekend in the USA over 3000 screens, making it the largest-ever launchfor a British film Stateside.
As a result, Dreamworks have ploughed another £25 million intopromotion.
Matthew Perry steps down from the Emmys…
Matthew Perry has asked for his name to be withdrawn from the Emmy USTV awards’ top-actor category, because of an informal agreement with the other5 “Friends”, in which they will only ever seek nominations for the best-supportingactor prize (!)
New films out this weekend…
I haven’t received a list of the latest films out this weekend at ShowcaseCinemas, but the films will include supernatural thriller Frequencystarring Dennis Quaid, 28 Days with Sandra Bullock as apill-popping alcoholic.
For the Love of the Game stars Kevin Costner as a baseballplayer for the third time and finally there’s sci-fi nonsense Supernovastarring James Spader and Angela Bassett.
Robert Redford leads the pack in Sneakers on DVD…
The film also stars Sidney Poitier, River Phoenix and Dan Aykroyd.We could tell you what it’s about, but then, of course, we would have to killyou.
Sneakersis online and out on DVD now.
Sandra and Nicole offer up some Practical Magic on DVD…
Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman) arenot your average young girls, for they are the latest in a long line of Owensfemales to be plagued by a curse that dates back hundreds of years. Wheneverthey find true love, their significant other will bite the dust.
In a film also starring E.R.‘s Dr. Kovac (Goran Visnjic),Jason Maloney reviewsPractical Magic,which is online and out on DVD now.
Also look out on Monday for Jason’s review of ex-Spice Girl Geri Haliwell‘sautobiography, “If Only…”
Jaya Ganga: The biggest Indian film in Paris reaches the UK…
Thanks to Vijay Singh, director of Jaya Ganga, for this pressrelease regarding his film which is released in the UK shortly and whichgets a press screening today in London at Mr. Young’s, 14 D’arblay Street,W1V 3FP.
After a 49-week run in Paris, Jaya Ganga, a feature film by the Paris-basedwriter-filmmaker Vijay Singh, is now ready for its UK release. It will openon 23 June concurrently at the ICA cinema, Film World, Feltham, and UCITrafford Centre (Manchester).
Jaya Ganga, an Indo-French co-production based on Vijay Singh’s own novel(Penguin 1990), premiered at the World Film Festival, Montreal, where itwas shown in the “official competition” category. Helped by the audienceand media response, the film has since been shown in twenty countries.
Jaya Ganga opened at a renowned arthouse cinema in Paris in 1998 and,thanks to the media response and the word of mouth, it later spread toother cinemas where it played for 12 consecutive months.
Jaya Ganga was successfully released in India in 1998. The attached pressexcerpts might give an idea of how the film was received there. SmritiMishra, the film’s find and lead actress, is today an indisputable star inIndia.
We have a fairly exhaustive site on the internet with more details on thefilm, the director and the artists (interviews, profiles etc…) Theaddress of the site is:www.chez.com/jayaganga
Film Synopsis:
Nishant, a young Indian writer living in Paris, is journeying down theGanges, from its source in the Himalayas to the sea. Haunted by thefantasy, or the memory, of a beautiful Parisian woman called Jaya, he plansto write a book around his voyage.
On the banks of the turquoise Ganges, one morning, he chances upon Zehra,an irresistible poetess-dancing girl in the tradition of the greatcourtesans, who performs in a nearby brothel. Zehra resurrects the memoryof Jaya. As love casts its spell once again on Nishant, he asks Zehra tojoin him on his journey, but her illusory freedom is shadowed by aformidable network of the brothel’s spies. Nonetheless, Nishant manages tomake Zehra flee from the brothel. and join him on his journey. Romancetakes over. A new life begins for Zehra as Nishant would like her toaccompany him back to Paris.
Half way down the river, at the height of their romance, Nishant receives atelegram. Zehra soon realises how Nishant’s fantasy of a half-realhalf-unreal woman could transform her life into a journey of ambiguoussurprises…
About the Director…
Vijay Singh is an Indian writer living in Paris.
After studying History at St Stephen’s College, Delhi, and Centre forHistorical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, he moved toEcole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris, for his doctoral work.
While he was still a student in the early eighties, he started contributingarticles to the French press and has, since, written extensively for LeMonde, Le Monde Diplomatique, Liberation, Guardian and several othernewspapers.
Over the years, he bagan to devote more time and energy to literary work,his first love. He is the author of several books that have won widecritical acclaim: Jaya Ganga, In Search of the River Goddess, (Penguin,1989), La Nuit Poignardee (Flammarion, 1987), Whirpool of Shadows (JonathanCape, 1992), The River Goddess (Gallimard Jeunesse/Moonlight, 1994). Hisbooks are translated into French and other European languages.
Many years after he wrote and directed a play, Waiting for Beckett byGodot (1976), he made Man and Elephant (1989), a 30′ film, which has beenshown on nearly 40 television channels the world over.
Jaya Ganga is his first feature film. He is now working on another filmbased on his novel, Whirlpool of Shadows.
Vijay Singh was awarded the Centre National des Lettres fellowship on twooccasions, the Prix Villa Medicis hors les murs for foreign literature in1990, and the Bourse Leonardo de Vinci in 1994.
Radiohead find Meeting People Is Easy…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
“Radiohead: Meeting people is Easy has no firm date set for it just yetHowever it doesn’t look like it will be before the end of next month.HMV are of course telling it’s customers that it was released this week !Sadly I don’t have any more details on the disks features just yet.”
For the record, my copy of Videolog, the trade tome that details release datesand video and DVD info, also states this week, which is why HMV said the samedate.
Life’s a Beach with Leo on DVD in August…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
Released in August on rental DVD from Fox, The Beach has been confirmedas containing an anamorphic widescreen picture with Dolby Digital 5.1. Allbeing well, it will be in the original ratio of 2.35:1. The language will beEnglish only with English and will contain English Hard of Hearing subtitles.
Soul Legend misses out. ‘Trouble’ heads for No.1…
Courtesy of Anthony Barnes, Showbusiness Correspondent, PA News :
“Soul legend Barry White has missed out on a sure-fire number one — hisfirst for a quarter of a century — by having his voice removed from thetrack.
The singer’s live vocal was originally sampled by Italian producers forthe single You See The Trouble With Me on its European release.
But White’s officials failed to give clearance for his voice to be usedon the song, which is set to go to number one on Sunday, and he was takenoff the dancefloor hit.
Instead, London-based singer Elroy “Spoonface” Powell was drafted in toadd his own sound-alike voice to the song, which has been released underthe name Black Legend.
White himself — affectionately known as the “walrus of love” — has nothad a number one since 1974 with You’re The First, The Last, My Everythingand was last in the top ten in 1976.
The Black Legend track is poised to knock Sonique from the top of thecharts after three weeks, according to midweek sales figures which are astrong indication of the weekend charts.
With trance act Darude at number three, the top three will be made upentirely of dance acts. (DVDfever Ed: “Well, there’s a surprise (!)”
Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy‘s single Bulldog Nation, which wasleft off Radio 1’s playlist, looks unlikely to make it into the top 40,industry figures show.
Tartan’s next Arctic DVD release…
Thanks to Paul Smith from Tartan for the press release that their nextDVD release will be Lovers of the Arctic Circle on July 24th,a film which stars Fele Martinez, Najwa Nimri and Nancho Novo.
Retailing at £19.99, the film is presented in the original widescreenratio of 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital Surround sound. Running for 104 minuteson a single-layer single-sided disc (DVD 5) in the original Spanish language,the disc will contain English subtitles and is region free.
The extras on the DVD will be the original theatrical trailer, star and directorfilmographies, scene selection and a film review and interview.
It will also be available to rent or buy on VHS on the same day for £15.99.
Sporty Spice to sing for England next Tuesday…
Sporty Spice, aka Mel C, is set to sing at the Romania vs. England match nextTuesday.
Victoria Posh Spice has been advised to stay home for the remainder of thetournament after hubby David Beckham was cruelly taunted by wankers in thecrowd shouting that his wife was a whore and that they hoped “your kid getscancer”. Charming.
The BBC retain the rights for the F.A. Cup…
How interesting.
Ricky Martin is available One Night Only on DVD…
Not one but two DVDs has the Latino star released in his short UK career,this one seeing him perform at Liberty State Park.
Ricky Martin: One Night Onlyis online and out on DVD now.
Don’t talk about it! It’s Fight Club on DVD…
It’s DVDfever‘s first Region 1 DVD review online and also thedebut for new contributor Kenny Fulton.
Reuniting the director and star of Se7en and also starring theexcellent Edward Norton,Fight Clubis online and out on DVD now.
Football, Football, Football. It’s Fifa 2000 on PC…
The Euro 2000 season is upon us and although EA Sports have unleashed aEuro 2000 game, Jason Maloney tells us why it’s best to givethat a miss and try out their previous offering.
FIFA 2000is online and out on PC now.
Football’s never coming home to the BBC ever again…
The news is out that the BBC have lost the rights to show any premier leaguefootball matches, as they couldn’t afford it, which rather puts Match of theDay’s future in doubt.
The football TV rights went to the following for the following three yearperiod :
Sky (66 live games) : £1.11 billionNTL (40 PPV games) : £328 millionITV (highlights) : £183 million
Sky also paid £22.5 million as a revenue share from interactive TVservices.
Still, what do I care? I hate football 🙂
The Big Boss lands on DVD in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story…
Starring Jason Scott Lee (no relation) in the main role as martial-artsmaster Bruce Lee, Robert Wagner and Lauren Holly co-star inDragon: The Bruce Lee Story,which is online and out on DVD now.
And now it’s working again…
Don’t ask why, don’t ask how, but my DVD-ROM drive is working again.Don’t breathe on it otherwise it’ll get upset again…
The return of Shaft…
The new Shaft stars Samuel L Jackson as the nephew of RichardRoundtree‘s original, with the new man as a member of the New York policeforce and a bad-guy role for Christian Bale too.
Director John Singleton (Boyz N The Hood) has reportedly clashedendlessly with Jackson on set during the remaking of the film.
Doctor Who: The film…?
A big-screen outing for Doctor Who is being rumoured with Stephen Fryin the running as the favourite for the Timelord, after appearing as the sameon a BBC Radio show at the moment apparently.
Bobby Brown jailed…
Mrs. Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, has been jailed for 75 daysafter violating his probation on a drink-driving charge and admitting to takingcocaine.
Put them back on…!
Following Kathleen Turner‘s nude streak playing Mrs. Robinson inThe Graduate, Jerry Hall is set to do the same when she takesover the role shortly.
Stigmata from MGM next month on DVD…
All hell breaks loose when an ordinary young American woman begins to showsigns of the Stigmata (the bleeding wounds of Christ) in this controversialsupernatural thriller starring Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Byrne.
Released to buy on DVD for £19.99 on July 10th, this DVD will containsome Region 2 exclusive extras such as a making-of documentary “The DivingRites of the Story of Stigmata”, plus a director’s commentary, five deletedscenes, an alternate ending, Natalie Imbruglia’s pop video for the title song,moving menus and the theatrical trailer.
Entertainment in Video’s forthcoming DVDs…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info which I haven’t received yet :
EiV have sent out a couple of announcements and some pre-publicity fortheir Summer and Autumn Schedule. First up is the news that Happinessand Mad Cows have both now been delayed until the 19th of June andthat The Legend of 1900 has been put on hold with a release datestill to be announced. They have also announced plans for the followingtitles in August and September:
- August
- The Bachelor
- Body Shots
- September
- Next Friday
- TumbleWeed
- Pecker
- Magnolia
Also included is glossy brochure with the following titles forOctober Seven, Boiler Room and American Psycho. Notethat although Seven is a two disk set it still appears to be only£19.99. Also promised before the end of 2000 are Nightmare onElm Street (6 disk boxset), Final Destination, Frequency andU-571.
EiV have also announced three titles for June/July , Complicity,The Muse and Rancid Auminium. All three disks will be priced at£19.99.
Jonny Lee Miller (from Trainspotting and Plunkett and Macleane) – andsomeone whose autograph I have although I’d rather have had his – now – ex-girlfriendNatalie Appleton’s, stars as a journalist caught up in a deadly cat and mousegame with a serial killer in Complicity based on a book by IainBanks. The disk is released on June 26th and includes the trailer and aspecial featurette entitled The Story of a Journalist.
The Muse staring Sharon Stone will be released on the 3rd ofJuly, day and date with rental VHS. The Special features of the disk arestill to be confirmed but the story does look intriguing. Stone stars asOne of the Nine Daughters of Zeus now living in Hollywood and offering herservices to an exclusive Hollywood Clientele. Jeff Bridges is a screenwriterwhose confidence is severely shaken who turns to Stone to get in touch withhis own creativity, only to find out that his life will never be the sameagain. Look for cameos from Martin Scorsese, James Cameron , Rob Reiner,Cybill Sheperd and Jennifer Tilly.
Based on a book by James Hawes, Joseph Fiennes stars in RancidAluminium on the 17th of July. Again the extra features are still to beconfirmed for this release.
Fox’s rental DVDs: Something to DVD-Debate about…
Thanks to theDVD Debatefor the following info :
“If you hurry you may still be able to pre-order a copy of the August 12release of The Beach for a bargain £64.79. If they’re all gone,you could be still get hold of a rental copy of Fight Club for only£80.99 from the online video shop, Blackstar.
These are, of course, the first two titles in Fox’s plans for DVD rental and youhave to wonder why they’re bothering. With the staggering percentage of playersin the UK already codefree or chipped only the ignorant will want to wait forthe UK sell through release later in the year. Any one with an ounce of sanitywill pick up the region 1 discs for less and far earlier.
It’s not only consumers who are mad at Fox over this. Retailers are up in armsabout it. To them this represents the worst of both worlds – with the US releasealready out, savvy punters will have bought their copies already and anyone whohasn’t will probably have rented te film in the meantime and not want to botherwith a purchase. The only winners here are Fox, because the consumer has towait an additional 4 months for a retail purchase and at a price which will be40% higher than the equivalent dollar conversion.
The news gets worse when you realise that Disney also have plans to follow suit.The industry impression is that these companies are using the UK as a test bedfor their plans to re-introduce the rental window on the other side of the pond,something which retailers and the Video Software Dealers Association is keen toavoid. If the US market can’t bear the weight of a rental window, what makesthem think the smaller, immature UK market?”
By Hook or by crook, the Captain’s on DVD…
Starring Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Dustin Hoffman and BobHoskins, it’s a children’s fantasy tale and the only Steven Spielberg-directedfilm available on Region 2 DVD.
Hookis online and out on DVD now.
Oh no, not again…!
Now, I have five competitions online already, but here’s another quiz for you:What’s the most likely thing to happen after having reinstalled my newCreative Dxr2 DVD-ROM decoder card just under two weeks ago?
Yes, after getting the replacement, it packs in! I even went as far asreseating the card, reinstalling the latest drivers from the Creative website(great fun d/ling a 5Mb file during peak time on the phone!) and then tryingto reinstall the software, but it refuses to do the latter because it can’tfind the decoder card!
I didn’t know these things came with a freaking built-in white stick becauseit must be blind if it can’t spot a card inside the machine!! GRRRRRRR!!
I’ll phone Creative tomorrow and have some fun waiting in the phone queue.
I have a temporary solution – using a software DVD player to display thefilm on my PC monitor and then patch that through to the TV like the gamesI play on my Voodoo 3 card. The quality’s far from perfect, but it’ll stop mepining completely.
Roy Chubby Brown – You Fat Smasher…!
Roy Chubby Brown has now apparently left the country after showeringan audience with glass after he stupidly got pissed off and threw a full glassof water to the side of the stage but it smashed on the way and injured theaudience.
I suppose he got mad when people realised he wasn’t at all funny!
Gone in 60 Seconds to the top of the chart…
The new Nicolas Cage film, Gone in 60 Seconds, has toppledMission: Impossible 2 from the top-slot in the US box office chart.
Critics have gone all out in their praise of Vinnie Jones‘ performance,claiming he is a “hulking mute who has no trouble getting his points across”.
Has Faye quit Steps…?
Well, she’s failed to turn up to the end-of-world-tour party and has droppedout of going to meet Cyndi Lauper in New York for songwriting sessions.Could five become four?
Noel and Liam – no love lost…
Noel Gallagher is set to miss the overseas part of Oasis’ world tourafter Liam branded Noel a “loser” and Noel called Liam “monkey boy”on Chris Moyles Radio 1 show.
Corr – another movie star…
Following a brief appearance in Alan Parker‘s song-fests,Evitaand The Commitments, Andrea Corr is set to star in a remakeof The Four Feathers opposite Jude Law.
The World is Not Enough for Pierce Brosnan on DVD…
It’s the 19th official Bond film to be released and the third to star PierceBrosnan. Directed by Michael Apted, the film also stars DeniseRichards, Sophie Marceau, Robbie Coltrane, Robert Carlyle and marks thefinal appearance of Q (Desmond Llewelyn).
The World is Not Enoughis online and out on DVD now.
Suzanne Vega: The Passionate Eye out now…
Regular DVDfever reviewer Jason Maloney returns with something a littledifferent – a retrospective of all of Suzanne Vega‘s albums releasedto date, plus a look at her new book, The Passionate Eye.
Suzanne Vega: A Career of Progress & An Eye For Detailis online now.
COMPETITION TIME: Win Men Behaving Badly on DVD…!
Courtesy of LDA Communications, DVDfever have two copies eachfor series 2 and 3 of Men Behaving Badly to give away on DVD.
Just pay a visit to theCOMPETITION PAGEand try your luck.
Will Sonique finally get pushed out of the No.1 slot…?
To find out the answer – and to see lastweek’s chart – visit my music chartanalysis page
Also, cover-queen Jane McDonald has a new album out – “Inspiration” (!)
Is that an oxymoron, or is she just a moron?
COMPETITION WINNERS: Great Entertainment from Fox on DVD…
Thanks to all those who entered. The competition winners are as follows :
Great Entertainment from Fox (5 DVDs): Sam Cockburn
Never Been Kissed DVD: David Dupplaw
The names and addresses of the winners will be passed to the respectivePR companies for dispatching of prizes. If you didn’t win this time, thenplease keep trying with the other competitions online by clicking on thecompetition link on the left-hand menu.
New DVDs and widescreen videos out this week
New DVDs out this week :
New widescreen videos out this week :
Sean Connery is the first James Bond in Dr. No on DVD…
Stopping a megolomaniac is all in a day’s work for the hardest governmentdetective of them all and it has already spawned 18 official sequels.
Dr. Nois online and out on DVD now.
From Russia With Lust – Lana Cox on DVD…
It’s another Playboy title…
Playboy: UK Celebrity Special: Lana Coxis online and out on DVD now.
Celine Dion is up the duff – it’s official…!
“There’s no hiding happiness… This time it’s for real – I’m pregnant” wereCeline Dion‘s words when she issued a press statement.
Just what the world needs, another female singer with endless anodyne anddull records. I just hope Shania Twain never has kids.
Prince Symbol Prince has a go at the teen pop acts…
Prince (nee Symbol, nee Prince) has had a go on his website at themen in suits who are “trying to programme the public with their own personalchoices” such as Britney, Christina and similar teen pop acts. Yeah,like his music’s worth listening to these days (!)
Yesterday morning, while driving to work I heard Prince’s Creamon the radio. It was a decent, fun pop song. Why hasn’t he made anything like itsince instead of trying to be so serious all the time?
Mariah set to quit Sony…
Well, her split from husband and Sony boss Tommy Mottola might havesomething to do with it, but after her next album, she will be releasing herselffrom their clutches and going to Arista.
Sinead comes out…
As if the shaven head and odd dress sense wasn’t obvious enough, SisterBernadette Mary, aka Sinead O’Connor, has declared herself a lesbian.She stated that she has gone out with men most of her life because she wasn’tcomfortable with being a tuppence licker.
Of course her coming out has nothing to do with promoting the fact that herseventh album, Faith and Courage, is released next week.
Russell Crowe leads the pack in Romper Stomper on DVD…
Tough, brutal and uncompromising. The skinheads are on the rage against the’Gooks’ as Russell Crowe, Daniel Pollock andDeep Blue Sea‘sJacqueline McKenzie star inRomper Stomper,which is online and out on DVD now.
The Sega/Motorola Game line up…
Following Wednesday’s news item on the games appearing on MotorolaWAP phones, thanks to Stuart Ledger from Bell-Pottinger PR for thefollowing link to their site which displays picture files showing you whatyou can expect.
Pay a visit to: www.green-moon.co.uk/sega/press.html
Braveheart, Naked Gun and more American DVD news…
Thanks to Mike Burnham for pointing me in the direction of these DVD articlesonnews.excite.com
Mel Gibson will talk about the making of the Oscar-winning Bravehearton a newly recorded audio track that’s part of a DVD special edition of thepicture to be released Aug. 29 by Paramount Home Video in the US.
It wouldn’t have worked to shoot the movie in Gaelic, Gibson saystongue-in-cheek, “because it would have needed a lot of subtitles.”
He also describes the difficulties recreating the picture’s medieval period,noting a bridge that washed away three times.
The DVD will also include the 28-minute featurette on the making of the moviethat was produced for the special laserdisc edition a few years ago.
Separately, director David Zucker will provide reflections on the “Naked Gun”trilogy, which he also wrote and produced, in special DVD editions set forrelease by Paramount on Aug. 15.
Joining Zucker on the audio commentary tracks will be producer Robert K. Weiss.Peter Segal, the director of Naked Gun 33-1/3: The Final Insult, andassociate producer Michael Ewing will join Zucker and Weiss for that film’saudio commentary. Peter Tilden hosts the audio tracks for the first two films.
New audio commentaries will also enhance special DVD editions from ColumbiaTriStar Home Video, including James Caan and Billy Dee Williams speaking about Brian’s Song (Aug. 8); actors Dwayne Hickman and Michael Callandiscussing Cat Ballou (Aug. 8); and associate producer Ivan Moffat andproduction assistant George Stevens Jr. reminiscing about Shane (Aug. 15).
Warners is releasing a special edition DVD of Romeo Must Die on Aug. 1that will include three featurettes, two music videos and a behind-the-sceneslook at the making of the Aaliyah music video “Try Again.”
Hitachi, NEC, and Sony Display Dolby Digital Logo on Computers…
New programme recognises advances in PC sound systems
Dolby Laboratories announced a new licensingprogramme that allows computer manufacturers to display the Dolby Digitaltrademark on their products. The programme is limited to manufacturers whoseproducts feature Dolby Digital multichannel audio technology and meet a highset of audio technology standards designed by Dolby. The programme debuts inJapan, with Hitachi, NEC, and Sony as the first companies participating inthe landmark programme. The first products carrying the Dolby Digital logowill appear in Q2 of this year.
Shoppers will see the Dolby Digital logo displayed on the packaging offeatured PC units from Hitachi, NEC, and Sony, marking the beginning of anentirely new commitment to PC audio by both Dolby and computermanufacturers. PC manufacturers wishing to participate in the new programmemust submit their products to rigorous testing and certification, placingtheir PCs in an elite group of products that deliver the highest qualityaudio possible.
By displaying the Dolby Digital logo, the PC manufacturer alerts thecustomer that its PC products provide Dolby Digital multichannel sound fromeither an S/PDIF digital or analogue multichannel output. This capabilityallows the user to experience Dolby Digital multichannel sound technologydirectly from the PC, while simultaneously encouraging game developers tocreate more multichannel computer games.
“Dolby Digital 5.1-channel sound lets customers experience fantasticmultichannel realism, during both movie viewing and game play, right ontheir computers,” said Dennis Staats, Manager, Technology Marketing forDolby Laboratories. “The Dolby Digital trademark is their assurance that thesame high-quality sound they hear at the movies and in their home cinemascan be heard on their PC.”
Although Dolby Digital technology has been present in PCs since the adventof DVD-ROM, the Dolby Digital logo has not been displayed on those products.The recent establishment of standards and test procedures by Dolby now makesit possible for PC manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment tohigh-quality audio.
About Dolby Digital:
- Dolby Digital, which debuted in movie theatres in 1992, provides up to fivefull-range sound channels plus a sixth channel for low-frequency effects. Itis currently the most popular digital film sound format, as well as thestandard worldwide for both standard and high-definition digital TV (SDTVand HDTV), digital cable systems, and Digital Versatile Disc (DVD). DolbyDigital is also well on its way to becoming the audio standard in DirectBroadcast Satellite (DBS) systems, as well as in PCs and console games.
About Dolby Laboratories:
- Dolby Laboratories is the developer of signal processing systems usedworldwide in applications that include motion-picture sound, consumerentertainment products and media, broadcasting, and music recording. Basedin San Francisco with European headquarters in England, the privately heldcompany also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
Poptastic chart chat…
Thanks to Nick W for thefollowing info regarding some of my speculations on this week’smusic chart analysis page.
“The Trevor and Simon are not *the* Trevor and Simon but a couple of danceproducers. It was a sort of OKish upbeat dance tune, but nothing special.
Mary Mary is nothing to do with Fatboy Slim’s Praise You but is anidentikit dull R n’ B tune. It sounds very like that Pink one. If you’dhave switched the radio off yesterday between the two when the Top 40was on, you’d think it was the same track 🙂 “
You can check out his Poptastic chart page by clicking HERE !
Eminem and on and on…
27-year-old Eminem has appeared in court on charges of gun crimeon two different men in two different incidents, starting with coming out of acar audio shop on Saturday night when he bumped into Douglas Dale from a bandI’ve never heard of, there was an argument, a gun fell out of his trousersand he picked it up to start brandishing it about.
Later on he was pistol-whipping a barman and if convicted he could be jailedfor 7-9 years.
However, it hasn’t harmed sales – 800,000 copies of his latest album sincethe event as a result – taking the total up to over 2 million.
The whole thing could go on for 6-8 months before he’s judged, but it’sstated that it won’t affect his two-month tour with Snoop Doggy Dogg andDr. Dre.
Lolo’s husband in trouble…
When big-titted Eurotrash favourite Lolo Ferrari died threemonths ago from a drug overdose it wasn’t known if it was long-term use ora one-off event that caused her death.
However, now her widowed husband, 52-year-old Eric Venier, has beenarrested in connection with her death being charged with “non-assistancefor a person in danger”, however that translates.
Bob Hope out and about…
Bob Hope has been discharged from hospital a day earlier than expected.I stated on Tuesday that the veteran comedian, aged 97, was critically ill asof last Friday, but thankfully things have improved and he is said to bemaking good progress.
Angelina Jolie in training as Lara Croft…
As stated a while back, Hackers andGone in 60 Seconds actress Angelina Jolie will be playingLara Croft in the forthcoming Tomb Raider film and she has beentaking kick-boxing lessons to get in training for the strenuous role.
Hope she doesn’t sweat it too much (ahem!)
Brendan Fraser has a Blast From The Past on DVD…
Fancy being holed up in a bunker for 35 years with a neurotic mother and amad inventor for a father? No? Well, Brendan Fraser has no option inBlast From The Past,which is online and out on DVD now.
COMPETITIONS: The Men Behaving Badly are on their way…
The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million-to-one, but the chancesof more competitions appearing on DVDfever.co.uk are 100%.
From Monday I’ll have yet two more competitions, namely to win Series 2 and 3of Men Behaving Badly on DVD.
Early birds can also catch a Men Behaving Badly competition onChannel 4’s Big Breakfast every day this week at about 7.10am.The show itself starts from 7am as usual.
Eminem charged with gun crime…
As stated on Tuesday and Wednesday, both Eminem aka Marshall Mathersand his wife have been arrested following a fight outside a Detroit bar. Nowhe has been charged with threatening behaviour with a gun. The trial continues…
Queer As Folk USA: The director has been chosen…
For HBO‘s forthcoming remake of Channel 4 gay dramaQueer As Folk,director of Highlander andHighlander 2,Russell Mulcahy has been given the job of toning down the sex scenesfor the American version.
Kathy Burke redubbed for America…
In the ‘comedy’ Kevin and Perry Go Large, apparently it’s reckoned thatAmerican audiences won’t understand her accent, so it will be redubbed byKathy herself, as if that will make the film any better.
Another anime double bill with Plastic Little and Black Magic M-66 on DVD…
Another double bill from Kiseki, she’s not plastic or little but she’s calledPlastic Little (make of that what you will!), while the Terminatoris revived in Black Magic M-66.
Plastic Little / Black Magic M-66is online and out on DVD now.
COMPETITION TIME: Win 3 DVDs from Warner and Buena Vista…!
Courtesy of Ketchum Life, DVDfever have a number of DVDs to giveaway for June’s DVD releases from Warner and Buena Vista, which areday-and-date with their VHS rental counterparts.
As stated yesterday, Matthew Broderick’s cartoon hero Inspector Gadgetis out this week, while mob-comedy Mickey Blue Eyes and Arnie actionerEnd of Days are released on June 19th.
We have FIVE copies each of Inspector Gadget and Mickey Blue Eyesto give away and THREE copies of End of Days up for grabs.
Just pay a visit to theCOMPETITION PAGEand try your luck.
What DVD? – It’s a Matter of Import…
Into importing DVDs from abroad? Want to know more about it, blending thepleasures and the pitfalls together?
Then go and buy a copy of the June 2000 issue of What DVD and turnto page 80 for some of my wise words…
Tarzan DVD announced in TWO versions…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :
We have received an announcement of “Tarzan” from Disney for the 4th of September. There will be two editions, a Standard edition and a Collectors edition. the Standard is priced at £22.99 while the collectorsedition will be £24.99. Unless I’m mistaken, the Standard version here in the UK contains more features than the standard R1 version.Here’s a run down of the special features on each disk:
 Standard Collector’s Trailers   Localized preview trailer Ö Ö Synergy preview trailer  Ö Disnosaur trailer Ö Ö History of ‘Tarzan’   From Burroughs to Disney Ö Ö Early presentation reel  Ö Research trip to Africa  Ö Music of ‘Tarzan’   The making of the music Ö Ö ‘Tarzan Goes International Ö Ö ‘You’ll Be In My Heart’ music video Ö Ö ‘Strangers Like Me ‘music video Ö Ö ‘Trashin’ the camp’ w/Phil Collins & N Syn Ö Ö Original Phil Collins sound demo  Ö Story and editorial   Building the story Ö Ö Storyboard to film comparison Ö Ö Extra sequences:   Introduction Bonnie Arnold Ö Ö 1:Alternate opening Ö Ö 2:Terk discovers human camp Ö Ö 3: Riverboat fight Ö Ö Characters of ‘Tarzan’   Creating Tarzan  Ö Animating Tarzan  Ö Creating Jane and & Porter  Ö Creating Kala & Kerchek  Ö Creating Terk & Tantor  Ö Creating Clayton  Ö Animation   Deep Canvas process  Ö Deep Canvas demonstration  Ö Production Progression demo   Story reel  Ö Rough animation  Ö Cleaned up animation  Ö Final film in colour  Ö Intercontinental film making  Ö Read – Alongs   Story read to yourself Ö Ö Read by yourself Ö Ö Trivia game Ö Ö
Madonna’s Next Best Thing…
Last night saw the premiere for Maddie’s latest film, The Next Best Thingalso starring Rupert Everett and features her No.1 hit single cover,”American Pie”, but while she maintains she is “Delirious” about the moviereviews, other papers have not been so kind :
- “Madonna can barely muster even the rudiments of human expression”, Entertainment Weekly.
- “A frightfully wooden performance” – TNT
- “Madonna still can’t act” – USA Today.
Mrs. Eminem arrested too…
I stated yesterday how Eminem, aka Marshall Mathers was arrestedby the police for a fight outside a Detroit bar. Now it’s been revealed thata woman was arrested at the time and it was none other than his wife!
Vinnie Jones is Gone in 60 Seconds…
Although not for the violent ex-footballer, Gone in 60 Seconds,is the film for 2000 that I’ve been looking forward to most – just a shadeabove Mission: Impossible 2 – because its producer, Jerry Bruckheimer,has made some classic action films in recent years such asArmageddon,Con Air andThe Rock.
His latest film reunites him withCon Air‘sNicolas Cage as a car thief forced out of retirement to steal 50 carsin 24 hours to save his brother’s skin, also starring a blonde Angelia Jolie,the actress picked to star as Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider film. Shehas also recently got married to Armageddon andU Turn starBilly Bob Thornton.
Vinnie Jones only gets a cameo apparently, but Gone in 60 Secondsis out in the USA now and released in the UK on August 4th.
Motorola and Sega Announce Intent to Create Strategic Alliance,Demonstrate Games on Wireless Phones at JavaOne…
Motorola and Sega jointly deploy optimized entertainment softwarefor J2ME on Motorola wireless devices
SAN FRANCISCO — June 5, 2000 — Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) and Sega Enterprises Ltd., Tokyo, Japan today announced their joint intent to create a global strategic alliance that will bring a wide assortment of entertainment software to an innovative class of Java technology-enabled wireless phones, pagers and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Sega has developed an optimized suite of games for J2ME-enabled Motorola devices being demonstrated this week at Sun Microsystems JavaOne 2000 ConferenceSM in San Francisco.
J2ME is the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME) Motorola helped develop inclose cooperation with Sun Microsystems. The J2ME platform is designed to deploy applications for wireless devices without the time and expense of re-writing or re-compiling applications for each device, making the platform particularly attractive to independent software developers.
This platform is designed to enable developers to write applications that can run on any device equipped with J2ME, giving wireless consumers access to software written by a population of more than two million Java technology developers. By demonstrating compelling entertainment content on the J2ME platform, Sega and Motorola are making a significant statement about the direction they are taking as leaders in the exploding wireless entertainment market. The companies plan to collaborate to develop innovative wireless game solutions, including Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) compatible with J2ME.
“Motorola’s strong position as a world leader in embedded computing is an excellent complement to Segas long legacy as the leader in embedded systems entertainment”, said Hideki Sato, corporate senior vice president of Sega Japan. “Coupled with Motorolas immense experience in Java and its background in innovative wireless technology and products, Motorola is an ideal company for Sega to align with in order to realize our goal of owning a significant share of the wireless entertainment market.”
“Motorola’s highly optimized implementation of the J2ME platform as part of its DigitalDNA solutions portfolio, coupled with Segas graphics technology, provides high levels of performance for high speed, image processing on mass market, wireless devices. This combination is expected to be extremely important as high bandwidth cellular standards, such as general packet radio system (GPRS) and International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (commonly referred to as 3G), gain momentum.”
“We are extremely pleased that Sega has chosen to work with Motorola to deploy their world-class entertainment software and create wireless entertainment solutions,” said Anne-Marie Larkin, vice president and director of Wireless Software Applications and Services at Motorola Semiconductor. “Sega’s strength in content and its unique competencies from a long history in the entertainment area will deliver unparalleled innovative content for the J2ME platform and the millions of J2ME-equipped phones Motorola will ship.”
Motorola gained a significant industry position by co-developing the J2ME platform with Sun Microsystems, and by chairing the Java Specification Request (JSR) standards initiative for the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP). This standard defines the APIs for wireless devices that use the J2ME platform, and enables independent software vendors (ISVs) to write applications that can run on any wireless device that supports this specification.
In addition to Motorolas leadership efforts, major global wireless device manufacturers and operators have also endorsed and supported MIDP.
The large developer base is expected to make J2ME a unifying standard for wireless devices. This gives game publishers and software developers a very compelling reason to develop content around this platform.
Cellular phones, PDAs and pagers are expected to become even more valuable and useful tools for both business and consumer users. Sega and Motorola plan to collaborate extensively in the wireless entertainment space for Motorola devices.
Van Damme makes for a Hard Target on DVD…
Most of the cast may have French character names, but there’s no amore lostas Van Damme does battle against madman Lance Henriksen andhis band of cronies.
Also, find out what the fat man’s got in common with Eastenders‘sDaniella Westbrook in John Woo‘s first Hollywood filmHard Target,which is online and out on DVD now.
Get a FREE Chu Chu Rocket Challenge…!
Chu Chu Rocket!, Europe’s first online console game, is being given awaycompletely free to all Dreamcast owners. All you need to do is log on toDreamarena, your exclusive internet portal, register your details and placeyour order. Chu Chu will arrive on your doorstep soon after. You will then beready to challenge friends, family and fellow gamers across Europe, real time,for no more than the cost of a local call.
In order to get to the Dreamarena homepage to order your free copy of Chu ChuRocket! you must have your Dreamcast connected to a phone line withregistration completed.
If I haven’t yet registered on Dreamarena what do I do?
- 1. Plug the modem cable into the Dreamcast console and the other end to the supplied telephone adapter.
- 2. Insert the Dreamkey GD-ROM into your console and press the POWER button.
- 3. Press the START button on your control pad, choose the REGISTER ME icon and press button A.
- 4. Read and follow the simple instructions that will lead you to the WELCOME TO DREAMARENA REGISTRATION page.
- 5. Enter your details.
- 6. Once you have entered and confirmed your details you will be asked to choose a password. Enter your password, confirm it and select GO ONLINE. You will then start connecting to Dreamarena.
Once I have registered how do I order Chu Chu Rocket?
- 1. Insert the Dreamkey disc into the Dreamcast and power up.
- 2. Select GO ONLINE and you will be taken to a page with two links: one to the Dreamarena homepage and one to the Chu Chu order page.
- 3. Select the Chu Chu order page. On this page you’ll see a flashing link that reads: Pre order your copy here now!
- 4. Click on this to continue to the registration page. Firstly you’ll be asked to confirm your address details. The page has two options at the bottom:
- Confirm Details / Change Details
This function gives you the option of amending the details you provided when you registered your console.
- 5. Once you are happy with your details select Confirm Details to continue. Now you’ll be taken through to a simple questionnaire to fill in – scroll down filling in your details until you reach your next two options…
- Submit Form / Chu Chu Features
You may use the Chu Chu Features button to find out more about the game. Once you are happy select Submit Form to send your order.
- 6. You should now see the following message confirming your order:
- Thank You! Your order has been processed.
Please contact the Call Centre on 08456 090090 if you have any queries.If you are not the master user on this console or you try to place more thanone order for Chu Chu Rocket! you will be informed and the order will not beprocessed.
When will the game arrive on my doorstep?
- On, or very soon after the 9th June, depending on when you place your order.
How much will it cost me to play online?
- The game can be played both online and offline. If you decide to challenge other European gamers online it will not cost you any more than when you normally log on to Dreamarena, ie the cost of a local call.
Do I need to tick the ‘promotions etc’ box?
- No. There are no ‘promotions’ boxes on the Chu Chu page ie tick this box if you want to have promotional material sent to you. There is a questionnaire with five questions and the choice to tick the boxes. These are optional.
Will they still be stored in retail, or can I pick one up there?
- One copy of Chu Chu Rocket! and a registration leaflet will be provided withevery new console sold by high street retailers as of June 9th 2000. ExistingDreamcast owners must go onto Dreamarena to order their free copy.
The European Chu Chu Challenge:
The European Chu Chu Challenge is an online competition designed to highlightthe online gaming capabilities of Dreamcast and to add value to the gameitself. It will be positioned as a pan-European challenge to find the bestgamer in Europe.
Players will have to register to enter the competition, then play online asmuch as possible. They will be ranked in their National League table dependingon the number of games they win online. At the end of phase two (see belowfor dates), the top four players from each country will be invited to thelocal Sega office to compete in a National Final, the winners of this will gothrough to the European Final.
Playing the game
Phase One – Registration (1st-30th June):
Users must visit Dreamarena and register to be a part of the competition. To do this, they have to click on a button within the Chu Chu pages onDreamarena, this will confirm their entry and their Chu Chu user name.
Phase Two – The Competition (1st-29th July):
Users simply have to play online as much as possible, the more games theywin, the higher up the league table they will go. To view these league tables,players will have to visit Dreamarena.
Phase Three – The National Finals (w/end 26th/27th August):
The top 4 players in each territory will be invited to the local Segaoffices to compete in a National Final. This should be a good PR opportunityfor each country.
Phase Four – The European Final (September)
The winners of all the National Finals will be invited to London(Millennium Dome – tbc) for a European Final. This should be the climax ofall PR activity.
Prizes
First Prize = A personalised Chu Chu Dreamcast “pod”.
Runners-up prizes tbc
Click here for a review ofChu Chu Rocket
Inspector Gadget out now on DVD…
Inspector Gadget – The Greatest Hero ever assembled, available to buy now onDVD and rent on VHS
DVD movie fans are in for a treat when Warner Home Video releases anothergreat family movie – Inspector Gadget – on DVD on 5 June 2000.
Inspector Gadget is the latest in a string of superb family movies to bereleased on DVD by Warner Home Video, priced £15.99. Fasten yourseatbelt for a gadgetry masterpiece as Warner Home Video and Walt DisneyPictures bring the world famous animation, ‘Inspector Gadget’, to life for thefirst time on DVD.
Pooling an all star cast led by Mathew Broderick(The Cable Guy,Godzilla)as Inspector Gadget, the greatest hero ever assembled, this movie is a nonstop action comedy with a thousand moving parts. Also starring in the movieare Rupert Everett(My Best Friend’s Wedding,An Ideal Husband) as the evil Dr. Claw and the stunning Joely Fisher(sitcom Ellen) as the brilliant Dr. Brenda Bradford.
Inspector Gadget is based on the lovable, accident ridden and completelyclueless cartoon character who turbo charges to life in a wild adventurecomedy.
Inspector Gadget on DVD is packed with hilarious non-stop action, seamlessspecial effects and a gazillion gizmos makes ‘Inspector Gadget’ a hilarioustechno-thrill ride the whole family will enjoy.
Inspector Gadget is the latest in a string of brilliant family blockbustermovies to be released on DVD by Warner Home Video. Following the success ofthe Disney Classics and Iron Giant on DVD, Inspector Gadget is guaranteed tofurther grow the DVD format among families. With crystal clear Dolby Digital5.1 surround sound, stunning picture and instant scene access, Inspector Gadgetwill be a sure hit this summer.
Story Synopsis :
- During a daring rescue attempt, John Brown (Broderick), a na‹ve andclueless security guard, experiences the wrath of the evil Dr. Claw (Everett).Jumping at the chance to put her robotics expertise to the test, the brilliantDr. Brenda Bradford (Fisher) transforms him into ‘Inspector Gadget’ -the ultimate crime-fighting machine. And Gadget is going to need everytechno-trick up his cyber sleeve to defeat the ruthless Claw – before Clawreduces our hero to spare parts and wreaks havoc on the world.
Tune in shortly for a competition to win one of FIVE copies on DVD!
Bob Hope is on the mend…
The veteran comedian, aged 97, was critically ill as of last Friday, butthankfully things have improved and he is said to be making good progress.
Eminem arrested…!
His name is, his name is, his name isn’t Slim Shady, but Eminem, real nameMarshall Mathers has been arrested by the police for a fight outsidea Detroit bar. The police haven’t decided yet whether to charge him fordisorderly conduct or carrying a concealed weapon, but the latter carries amaximum term of five years in the clink.
His latest single, Forget About Dre, also featuring rapper Dr. Dre,went into the Top 10 at No.7 yesterday. To find out what I thought of it,click on mymusic chart analysis page.
Chrissie Hynde arrested again…
For the second time this year, Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hyndehas been arrested for the second time this year on a charge of criminal mischiefas she used a knife to rip up leather and suede clothers in an New York Gapstore.
Oh, the things some fallen pop stars will do.
An indecent proposal for Britney…
Would you become someone’s lover if they offered you $12 million? I would,but Britney Spears turned down this offer from an anonymous man, claimingit was disgusting and outrageous and that she vowed to maintain her purityuntil she is married. She added it’s enough to make her very, very angry.Ooh, that’s fighting tork that is!
Well, it’s a good thing she said no – the bank wouldn’t have loaned me themoney anyway…
Don’t dive into the Deep Blue Sea on DVD…
Die Hard 2 director Renny Harlin‘s answer to Jaws, starringSaffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson & Jacqueline McKenzie, who will makeit out alive inDeep Blue Sea,which is online and out on DVD today.
Will Stephen Gately have a ‘New Beginning’ at No.1…?
To find out the answer – and to see lastweek’s chart – visit my music chartanalysis page
COMPETITION AND GIVEAWAY WINNERS: Carrie 2, Thomas The Tank Engine and Rosie & Jim videos…
Thanks to all those who entered. The competition and giveaway winners are as follows :
Carrie 2 telekinesis pack and video: Robert Johnston
10 Carrie 2 videos:
- Simon Jordan, David Lees, Shaun Orton, Ian Jones, Vanessa Forsythe,Jesse McGuay, Garry Kennedy, Lesley Simpson, Simon Wesley, Scott Turner.
5 Thomas the Tank Engine videos:
- David Lees, Lesley Simpson, Chris Lane, Dave Darrall, Bernard Doyle.
5 Rosie and Jim videos:
- Scott Turner, Shaun Orton, Chris Lane, Dave Darrall, Tina Seymour.
The names and addresses of the winners will be passed to the respectivePR companies for dispatching of prizes. If you didn’t win this time, thenplease keep trying with the other competitions online by clicking on thecompetition link on the left-hand menu.
New DVDs and widescreen videos out this week
New DVDs out this week :
New widescreen videos out this week :
An anime double bill with Rei Rei and The Gigolo on DVD…
This is one of the first Anime titles to be released by Kiseki via Revelation forthe UK DVD market and contains two episodes of the former, plus The Gigolo,a 45-minute adventure for the cartoon beefcake.
Rei Rei / The Gigolois online and out on DVD now.
I think I’ll have a… Strawberry Milkshake…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info that Contender Video’s Label “Kult Clasics” isreleasing the following alongside their usual Farscape releases.
- July 10th Farscape Double DVD disk 3
- September 4th Farscape Double DVD disk 4
- October 30th Farscape Double DVD disk 5
- July 3rd Complete “Willo the wisp”
- August 7th “Bod“
Lawks-a-lordy, it’s Lesbian Lovers on DVD…
Tonguing their way to the top, this is one film you won’t want to watch onSunday afternoon when granny and the vicar pop round for a cup of tea and aslice of Battenburg.
Lesbian Loversis online and out on DVD now.
The Dancestar 2000 Award Winners…
The winners are out and a selection of them are as follows :
- Best Chart Act: Alice Deejay
Best Newcomer: ATB
Dancestar of the Year & Best Album – Moby
Best Breakbeat Act – The Chemical Brothers
Best Dance Act – Basement Jaxx
Best Trance Act – Chicane
Best Club – Cream
Lifetime Achievement – Frankie Knuckles
It’s manic, it’s maddening, it’s Chu Chu Rocket on Sega Dreamcast…
The title says it all doesn’t it. Doesn’t it? It’s about as Japanese as a UKrelease is going to get this year and makes about as much sense as Keyop fromBattle of the Planets.
Chu Chu Rocketis online and out on Sega Dreamcast on June 9th.
The Dancestar 2000 Awards…
As I write, the awards haven’t yet been handed out, but last night saw thefirst ever Dancestar Awards show, likened to being a dance musicversion of the Brits, even if there are way too many awards shows going onthese days.
Basement Jaxx are up for four awards including Best House Act andDance Star of the Year, Craig David (why?) is also up for four includingBest Newcomer, while Moby is nominated for three.
“Honest”ly not going away quietly…
After being dropped by several cinema chains after only one week, the AllSaints‘ turkey Honest was said by its executive producer that itwould’ve filled the cinemas if the critics had been more kind.
Shame. I’d be more tolerant of the film had Natalie Appleton actuallygiven me an autograph when asked (not by me though, but it was for me) whenshe popped into the Little Chef at Manchester Piccadilly station when shevisited with actor-boyfriend Jonny Lee Miller on Friday April 21st(see thisNews Pageunder “A chance meeting…” for more info)
Stephen or Mikey for No.1…?
Neither it would seem. While Stephen Gately‘s debut single is selling20,000 more copies than band-mate Mikey Graham‘s, Sonique may hold onfor one more week with her pile of rubbish.
While Stephen’s tipped for a No.2 hit, Mikey is only destined for No.14.
Forthcoming Paramount DVDs…
Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info on Paramount’s UK plans for the rest of the year.
August 14th
“”Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
“Beavis & Butt-head Do America”
“Congo”
September 4th
“War of the Worlds”
“Black Rain”
“Varsity Blues”
“48 Hours”
“Night at the Roxbury”October 2nd
“Star Trek Generations”
“Barbarella”
“China Town”
“Witness”
“First Wives Club”November 4th
“Saving Private Ryan”
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
“Hunt for Red October”
“Clear and Present Danger”
“Patriot Games”
“A Civil Action”
“Jade”December 4th
“Event Horrizon”
“The Saint”
“The Firm”
“Clueless”
“Election”
“Ghost in the Darkness”
“Scrooged”
“Another 48 Hours”
Mr. Lawrence will have his Christmas in July…
Thanks also to theR2 Projectfor the following info.
Second Sight have announced 2 disks for release July 17th. MerryChristmas Mr Lawrence staring David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamotoand ‘Beat’ Takeshi Kitano will feature the theatrical trailer a photo galleryof production stills and deleted scene stills. The picture is presented1.85:1 with Dolby Digital Sound. The second disk is Orson Welles Macbeth. The disk is in the original 4:3 ratio with the original mono soundtrack. The disk features the rare oscar nominated short film “Orson Welles’ GhostStory: Return to Glennascual” which is introduced by Peter Bogdanovich.Both disks are priced £19.99.
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 : U-571, Ninth Gate, Battlefield Earthand Maybe Baby.
Rob Lowe goes down in The Cruel Deep on DVD…
An under-sea action adventure starring Rob Lowe and a number of unknowns,this film is highly derivative of others that have gone before it, but ishugely entertaining.
The Cruel Deepis online and out on DVD now.
Oh happy day…!
As you’ll see from the above, the Dxr2 DVD-ROM card came today. Took a whileto install it and make it actually work (the PC kept insisting the correctdrivers weren’t installed until I downloaded the latest drivers for itfrom http://www.europe.creative.comand even after that it wouldn’t work until I removed the device from the PCin Control Panel > System and rebooted, prayed a bit, etc…)
For anyone still awake, I am now in happy land once again 🙂
It’s “Honest”ly that bad…!
The debut film from the All Saints, Honest, has been pulledfrom all UCI cinemas after one week. It’s also disappeared from my localShowcase.
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.