Dominator’s News and Views June 1999

The new widescreen videos available this week include :

June 27th : Metallica get up to some Cunning Stunts on DVD…Metallica go multi-angle in three hours of musical mayhem on DVD withMetallica: Cunning Stuntsout on DVD now. Two weeks in one for the music charts…Better late than never, here are the charts forlast weekandtwo weeks ago New Columbia TriStar releases…Thanks go to Kerina Lee at Columbia TriStar for the following titles which Ireceived yesterday, including a couple of back-catalogue titles I was lookingforward to : (all are anamorphic except for Backdraft)

Thanks go to Phil Baker at MGM for this latest release :

June 26th : What’s on TV this week?

Saturday :If you like having your fingernails pulled out with pliers, then you’llknow it’s preferable than the prospect of STAR FOR A NIGHT (BBC1, 8.10pm),a one-off ‘Stars in their Eyes’ ripoff from the BBC with The Cruise’sRonald (Jane) McDonald compering the tripe. Later comes the final UNZIPPED(C4, 10.20pm) with Graham Norton covering politics, with a TV premiere for theTV movie remake of REAR WINDOW (C5, 9pm) starring Christopher Reeve.

Sunday :In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), Cindy makes a confession to Tony and Lucyreceives a windfall. Things turn serious for Finn and Lewis when police arecalled to the yard. MY WONDERFUL LIFE 3 (ITV, 6.55pm) returns for thefinal episode (AFAIK it’s a 7-part series), while they go down the sitcom pathagain with Gwen Taylor as the “acid-tongued” BARBARA (ITV, 8pm).Barbara? May as well be Babar The Elephant for all the laughs it generatedfrom the extended trailer. BBC2 continue to lie about stating they wouldn’tbe showing the whole first series of GAME ON (BBC2, 9.30pm) as anotherepisode is shown (“Working Girls”) and ITV continue with BIG BAD WORLD(ITV, 9.30pm). In CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), Maxine gives Ashleyher answer much to Fred’s horror and Sally tells Danny where to get off.BBC1 have a TWISTER WEEK (BBC1, 7pm) over the next few days, but itcertainly is ‘Twister-weak’ as the big-budget film is NOT part of the lineup!Finally Robert Rodriguez’s El-Mariachi remake DESPERADO (C4, 10pm)gets a TV premiere but both should be available on a DVD double-bill shortly.Let’s play…

Monday :Fans of NEIGHBOURS (BBC1, 12.35pm) should note the earlier time forthe duration of this week thanks to Wimbledon. In CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm) Ashley’s revelation gives Maxine fresh cause for concern, whileThe Street’s answer to Hannibal The Cannibal, Rosie, finds herself in troubleagain. Matthew and Steve are quizzed by the police in EASTENDERS(BBC1, 8pm), hopefully putting an end to this ridiculous storyline, whileNatalie shocked that Bianca hasn’t yet spilled the beans on Dan. I hope it’snot long before it happens as it’s another tediously-obvious storyline.

Tuesday :The same old same old continues in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm).Nikki breaks down in court in another tediously-obvious storyline inBROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm), while Ron and Anthea look forward to theirwedding (again). In THE BILL (ITV, 8pm), PC Cass Rickman (SuzanneMaddock) gets her career off to a shaky start when she loses her gun. D’oh!Meanwhile, it’s backs to the wall as another series of GAYTIME TV(BBC2, 11.15pm) ensues.

Wednesday :There’s fireworks at the Battersby’s house when they receive a surprisevisitor in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Linda takes advantageat the factory. Jimmy promises to put his family first in BROOKSIDE(C4, 8pm), Nikki feels humilated and Luke protests his innocence. Fans (ifthere are any) of DAYS LIKE THESE should note it’s not on this weekas the latest Bond film goes on too long and it was also cancelled last weekfor an extra ‘Tonight with Trevor McDonald’ about the mad couple who abductedthe foster kids.

Thursday :Yes I’m still looking for episode 3 of MIAMI 7 (BBC1, 5.10pm)..again,while the final part airs today. Lenny questions Matt’s innocence inEASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm) and Bianca tries to deny her feelings for Dan.THE BILL (ITV, 9pm) moves back an hour for no apparent reason but there’sa new series BEWARE: BAD DRIVERS (ITV, 8pm), another bloody docusoap butone about mad drivers should be good for a laugh. The second episode ofSOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM (BBC2, 9pm) may well be shown as it wasn’t lastweek. Thanks to Wimbledon overrunning, this was cancelled last week so theycould get back on schedule and not miss “Today At Wimbledon” (!) Lazy…In OZ (C4, 12.05am), Alvarez refuses to reveal who raped Glynn’sdaughter.

Friday :Whinging-tosser John Noakes, recently complaining about how stressed he was21 years ago in Blue Peter has a new 10-part series MAD ABOUT PETS(ITV, 7pm) but I hope he doesn’t stress himself out! Hayley catches Mike andLinda out in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Leanne gets ashock from the past when Nick’s divorce papers turn up. Nathan and Jacquiget it on in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm), while the rape trial (hopefully)concludes. Jennifer Lopez and the Beautiful South appear on a new series ofDES O’CONNOR TONIGHT (ITV, 8pm). This week THE BEST OF THE WORD(C4, 10.30pm) features Oliver Reed drunk as a fart along with MC Hammer.SONGWRITER’S CIRCLE (BBC2, 11.45pm) begins a series of five acousticconcerts in which three songwriters share a stage at West London’s Subteraneaclub to perform classic hits. This week: Neil Finn (Crowded House), Roddy Frame(Aztec Camera) and Graham Gouldman (10CC). Stop! Hammer Time!

June 25th : Babe is back on the schedulesOriginally scheduled for June 14th, thanks to Kerina Lee at Columbia TriStarfor the info that Babe is now due to be released on July 12th.

June 24th : Madonna is Eva Peron in Evita on DVD…Madonna takes centre stage in Alan Parker’sEvita,also starring Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce and Jimmy Nail, as well asa cameo from the lead singer of one of today’s biggest Irish bands. To find out who,read the review online now.

June 23rd : Buffy ‘scream’s for all it’s worth in I Know What You Did Last Summer on DVD…Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Phillippe andFreddie Prinze Jr. are four teenagers who accidentally kill a man andfind that you can’t just shove a mistake under the carpet and hope it goesaway inI Know What You Did Last Summer,out on DVD now. “Queer As Folk” will NOT be anamorphicWhile I’m very pleased to see this intriguing series getting a DVD releaseon July 19th in its original 16:9 widescreen ratio, I had confirmation fromMichelle at Media Communications that it will not be presented in anamorphicformat. Bjork’s DVD single pronounced a success !Making No.21 in the charts last week, not only did this catapult Bjork backinto the charts after a long absence since the single-buying public ignoredher last few releases, I learned from James at 9PR yesterday that a highpercentage of the single sales came from the DVD release.

There’s currently no more future DVD releases planned from One Little Indianrecords, but I hope it won’t be long before we see some more and with a pricepoint of £6.99, they’re about the same price as an import CD single,with a crystal-clear copy of the promo video, unlike the MPEG1-compressedefforts that dog many CD singles these days with appalling Video CD-like’quality’.

DVD singles are the future…

June 22nd : Mark Wahlberg shows what he’s made of in Boogie Nights on DVD…Mark Wahlberg shows what he’s made of as Dirk Diggler inBoogie Nights,a film that also features Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, Burt Reynolds andWilliam H. Macy.

June 21st : De Niro and Hoffman go on the campaign trail in Wag The Dog on DVD…Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Anne Heche attempt to savethe President’s election campaign with a little Hollywood magic inWag The Dogout on DVD now. “Queer As Folk” to be released on DVD from VCI on July 19thVCI are pleased to announce the DVD release of one of the most controversialdramas ever made. The hard-hitting story of three socially active young men andthe loves, lusts and longings of their lives in Manchester’s gay village,Queer As Folk topped the ratings when it was broadcast in 8 parts onChannel 4 earlier this year. It stormed into the video charts last month andnow looks set to repeat that success on DVD when it is released on July 19th.

Retailing at £24.99, Queer As Folk comes on a two-DVD set (thepress release states this is the first ever double disc set, but that honouractually goes to Metallica: Cunning Stunts) featuringthe complete 8-part series, a comprehensive photo library comprising around40 eye-catching images, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews withthe stars. The DVD is presented in its original aspect ratio (16:9 widescreen)with Dolby Surround and interactive menus.

Stuart (Aidan Gillen) has got it all – he’s rich, drop-dead gorgeousand always the centre of attention. His best mate Vince (Craig Kelly –Casualty) is funny, adorable and definitely a babe but has zeroconfidence in himself. He has carried a torch for Stuart since forever andforgives him his arrogance because, as far as he’s concerned, Stuart is prettyclose to perfection.

Stuart and Vince are both 29, hitting Canal Street every night in search of funbut just starting to wonder where their lives are going. Then along comesNathan (Charlie Hunnam – My Wonderful Life). Just 15, he is young,wild and coming out with a vengeance. He crashes his way into their lives andnow, nothing will ever be the same again.

Queer As Folk has an impeccable production team at the helm: written byBAFTA award-winning Russell T Davies (The Grand, Do The Right Thing,Touching Evil), directed by Charles McDougall (Hillsborough,Cracker) and Sarah Harding (Reckless, The Grand) and producedby Nicola Shindler (Hillsborough, Heart, Our Friends in theNorth).

For the very first time, a mainstream drama programme features cybersex, drag,death, underage sex, obsession, drugs, supermarkets, mobile phones, Manchester’sCanal Street…all the critical components of the 1990’s gay lifestyle.

Queer As Folk details :
DVD Release Date: July 19th 1999
DVD Cat.no.: VCD 0023
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 260 mins approx.
Special Features: Exclusive photo library, behind-the-scenes footage,star interviews
RRP: £24.99

New DVDs and widescreen videos out this weekThe new DVDs available this week include :

The new widescreen videos available this week include :

June 20th : Bjork’s DVD double bill…Bjork releases a music video compilationVolumenas well as the first chart-eligible DVD singleAll is Full of Loveboth out on DVD now with reviews online. What’s on TV this week?

Saturday :As I type this, it’s late on Saturday as I didn’t have time to sort itout beforehand so for today here’s what you should (or shouldn’t) havewatched. Channel 4 began the day with FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON(C4, 12pm), this week covering the Apollo 13 mission already covered in thatfilm called…erm..I forget now. Crash! Bang! Wallop! (BBC2, 9pm)is a night of programmes devoted to visual comedy introduced by Alexei Sayleand featuring the first ever episode of SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM,which continues in full from Thursday night, as well as a ‘making of’ theshow. Also, there’s something about a wedding so pass the sick bag – not forme to throw up in, but to take to Sophie and ask her to be sick in it on aregular basis since she’s taking over Diana’s role. For an encore she willthrow things at her husband, shout at him like a raving lunatic, and finallythrow herself down the stairs just to get attention.

Sunday :In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), Luke has won his bet but will Adam pay up?Lewis wonders why he’s in Beth’s bad books and Tony receives bad news.ITV ditch the excellent MY WONDERFUL LIFE 3 again, this time in placeof THE BLIND DATE WEDDING (ITV, 7pm). Rosie makes Sally’s life amisery in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Mike and Linda plana weekend away. Father Ted’s Ardal O’Hanlon starts a 6-part comedy/dramatonight with BIG BAD WORLD (ITV, 9pm) and BBC2 piss about yet againwith selected episodes in random order of one of the best shows they have,John Stroud’s superb GAME ON (BBC2, 9pm) which was dropped last weekin place of sport.

Monday :Fans of NEIGHBOURS (BBC1, 12.30pm) should note the earlier time forthe duration of this week thanks to Wimbledon. In CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm) Hayley suspects Linda and Mike, Kevin has a shock proposal forAlison and Vikram is involved in dodgy dealings. Bianca meets Dan and get ashock in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm), while the net tightens in on Matthewand Teresa as Steve and Gianni draw closer.

Tuesday :Will Matthew leave Teresa at the mercy of Steve in EASTENDERS(BBC1, 7.30pm) ? The final part of this current lacklustre 4-parter ofTHE BILL (ITV, 8pm) is on for anyone wanting to watch the obvious.BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm) sees the feud between Ron and Sinbad ensuingwhile the lads sense a change of luck at Glastonbury. Can Margi and Gregheal the rift between them? Not while he’s dipping his wick in stroppySuzannah. The first series of BUTTERFLIES (BBC2, 9pm) continuesand this time no-one’s leaving the dinner table until they’ve finishedthe rock-hard sponge pudding.

Wednesday :Mike rages at Alma’s demands in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm),while Linda continues to ingratiate herself with him – but at whose expense?Nikki worries that no-one will believe her in court in BROOKSIDE(C4, 8pm) while Rachel helps Sinbad come to terms with his loneliness.

Thursday :Yes I’m still looking for episode 3 of MIAMI 7 (BBC1, 5.10pm)..again,while part 12 airs today, with just one more to go. Time is running out forMatthew and Teresa just like the patience of the audience with this turgidstoryline in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm). THE BILL (ITV, 8pm) isfinally back on Thursdays and the reruns of SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM(BBC2, 9pm) continue. In OZ (C4, 12.05am), ten months after the riot,Emerald City is finally reopened.

Friday :The Freshco summer ball kicks off in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm)while Mike finds that there’s a thief in their midst. Tensions run high in theClose as the date of the trial approaches in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm),while Jimmy and Jackie are speaking again but what has happened to William?This week THE BEST OF THE WORD (C4, 10.30pm) features the female leadsinger of L7 taking her pants down for the camera, but the audience wishesshe’d kept them on.

June 17th : Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno team up for Ronin DVD…DeNiro, Jean Reno, Sean Bean, Natascha McElhone, Jonathan Pryce andSweden’s answer to the late, great J.T. Walsh, Skellan Skarsgaad starin
Roninout on 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 weeks new films are: Bride of Chucky: Child’s Play 4, Cruel Intentions, Celebrity, Without Limits and a review of The Matrixis online now.

June 15th : Entertainment in Video’s second batch of DVD releasesFollowing their mostly false-start with the first lot of DVDs, the second batch are releasedon June 28th :

The Mask (£19.99): theatrical trailer, interview bites, the cast, B-roll,’making of’ featurette, director’s commentary, interactive menu and English subtitles.
Spawn: Director’s Cut (£19.99): director’s commentary, ‘making of’ featurette,interviews and English subtitles.
Seven (£17.99): theatrical trailer, ‘making of’ featurette, English subtitles.
Seven Years in Tibet (£19.99): two trailers, ‘making of’ featurette, interactivemenu.
The Wedding Singer (£19.99): theatrical trailer, biographies, interactive menu,English subtitles.
Lost in Space (£19.99): crew information, music video, deleted scenes, US andInternational trailers, behind-the-scenes special effects, stills, cast biographies andproduction notes.
Donnie Brasco (£15.99): theatrical trailer, ‘making of’ featurette, interactivemenu.

Anyone looking for Rush Hour originally due out on the same day should note that it hasbeen pushed back to August 16th. No reason has been given, but I hope it is to add some moreextras.

June 14th : What is The Matrix ?Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss look forthe answer in the sci-fi farce
The Matrixin cinemas everywhere now. Van Damme has Nowhere To Run on DVD…Van Damme makes babies with Rosanna Arquette while on the runfrom the law in
Nowhere To Runout on DVD now. New DVDs and widescreen videos out this weekThe new DVDs available this week include :

The new widescreen videos available this week include :

This is to announce the release of DigiGuide version 2.0, available fromMonday, 14th June.

First Released: April 6, 1999
Purchase Price: Free of charge
Upgrade Price: Free of charge
Available From: http://www.digiguide.co.uk
Company: GipsyMedia Limited
Company URL: http://www.gipsymedia.com
Contact: Russ Freeman (t: +44 (0)1395 274630, e:russf@gipsymedia.com)

Version 2.0 is a major upgrade for DigiGuide, with many new features, lotsof tuning and improvements.

Current users will be automatically upgraded to version 2.0 when they nextclick “Update Programme Listings”.

New users just go to http://www.digiguide.co.ukand click the “Download Now” link.

WHAT IS DIGIGUIDE?

DigiGuide now covers 58 channels for the UK and more channels arecontinually being added.

Best regards
Russ Freeman.

t: +44 (0)1395 274630
e: russf@gipsymedia.com

June 13th : Peter Weller creates a killer race in Screamers on DVD…Peter Weller and Jennifer Rubin battle against a race of killermini-robots in
Screamersout on DVD now.

June 12th : Aidan Quinn takes on The Assignment on DVD…Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley do it for thegovernment in
The Assignmentout on DVD now. What’s on TV next week?

Saturday :Channel 4 begins the day with FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON (C4, 12pm),this week covering the Apollo 12 mission who decend upon the moon to carryout a surface probe. It’s available on DVD in anamorphic widescreen and DolbyDigital sound, but anyone looking for a censored, pan-and-scan Dolby Surroundversion of THE ROCKETEER (ITV, 2.45pm) will find it on today. Thoselooking to scrape the barrel for entertainment should watch MAN O MAN(ITV, 7.50pm), while comedy comes in the triple bill of UNZIPPED(C4, 9pm), Angus Deayton’s compilation NOT ANOTHER AWARDS SHOW!(BBC1, 9.45pm) and the pretence that Third World debt will be wiped out withCOMIC RELIEF: THE DEBT WISH SHOW (BBC1, 10.40pm). Foreign film-loversshould check out another work by the director of BETTY BLUE when BBC2screen DIVA (BBC2, 11.50pm).

Sunday :In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), Sol gets a shock when he arrives at prison andJas tries to make amends. James Bond fans should turn the wireless on forDESERT ISLAND DISCS (Radio 4, 11.15am) when John Barry chooses hisfavourites. It’s the final show in the series of LEE AND HERRING’S THISMORNING WITH RICHARD NOT JUDY (BBC2, 12.15pm) and any fans should turn towww.leeandherring.com for excellentbehind-the-scenes round-ups of each show, but only after you’ve read this.ITV waste the afternoon with Grand Prix crap which means that the finalepisode of the excellent MY WONDERFUL LIFE 3 will be on next week.Linda plans to shag Mike senseless in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.50pm),while cross-eyed Leanne moves back across the street. Want to waste 90 minutesof your time? Then try HEARTBEAT: CHANGING PLACES, the video spin-offwith Nick Berry.

Monday :Fans of NEIGHBOURS (BBC1, 12.30pm) should note the earlier time forthe duration of this week thanks to Royal Ascot. In CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm) Mike and Linda keep their liaison a secret, while Jim reluctantlyfunds one of Steve’s dodgy schemes. Shocking secrets from Roy’s past return tohaunt him in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm), leaving him wondering if hismarriage to Pat will survive.

Tuesday :DCI Mason pays a visit to Steve to go over his statement in EASTENDERS(BBC1, 7.30pm). Part 3/4 of THE BILL (ITV, 8pm) sees Eddie Santinitrying to get one over “old flame” Rosie Fox, now a “Sgt.”. BROOKSIDE(C4, 8pm) sees Sinbad feeling alone, the Dixons celebrate Rachel being up theduff, and Jason looks set to score with Jayne Farris. If you’re a fan of ER,try the Leeds General Infirmary in a new docusoap, A&E (C5, 8pm).

Wednesday :YOUNG, HOT AND TALENTED (C5, 7pm) gets one out of three correct whenplastic-titted model Jordan tries her hand at making pop records. Leannereceives an unlikely home offer in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm),while Gary catches his tormentor in the act. BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm) findsHarvey being eliminated in the rape enquiry, but how long before the policefind Joey guilty? TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall presents a new series ofTV DINNERS (C4, 8.30pm), but at least this time he’s not cookingplacentas.

Thursday :Yes I’m still looking for episode 3 of MIAMI 7 (BBC1, 5.10pm)..again,while part 11 airs today, and anyone wanting to hear the music in person shouldgo out and buy the theme tune which is probably No.1 by the time this episode ison. As the police close in, Steve intensifies his search for Matthew inEASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm). THE REAL STORY OF THE DJ RAPIST(C4, 9.30pm) profiles the man who was jailed for allegedly raping 100 women,DJ Richard Baker. COMING SOON (C4, 10.30pm) is a three-part comedy abouta fictional theatre company with Ben Miller and Paul Kaye. Finally, one of thebest new series from last year returns, OZ (C4, 12am).

Friday :Maxine and Ashley rekindle an old flame in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm) while Gary finds that favours are not always rewarded.Greg and Susannah share a passionate Father’s Day together in BROOKSIDE(C4, 8.30pm), while Mick and Mike watch in horror as Sinbad attacks Ronand little Ruth is rushed to hospital. THE BEST OF THE WORD (C4, 10.30pm)is a 10-part series which may be worth a look, while Jonathan Ross looks atthe big movies in FILM 99: SUMMER SPECIAL (BBC1, 11.10pm).

June 10th : 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 weeks new films are: The Matrix, Heart, Among Giants andWho Am I.

June 9th : Jack Nicholson finds life is As Good As It Gets on DVD…Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding Jr.star in James L. Brooks’ comedy,
As Good As It Getsout on DVD now.

June 8th : Alicia Silverstone finds herself as Excess Baggage on DVD…Alicia Silverstone, Benicio Del Toro, Christopher Walken andHarry Connick Jr. star in the kidnapping comedy,
Excess Baggageout on DVD now. New DVD release from MGMRonin, from director John Frankenheimer, is out to buy on DVD nowwith Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, an anamorphic picture, a cast to die for and ahost of extras :

Note that the featurette is not available on the American DVD so that’s acoup for the British market. Thanks go to Phil Baker.

Is the most boring song of the year at No.1 ?Is the new No.1 the most boring song of the year, by one of the worst filmdirectors in the world? Could be. You’ll have to find out on mymusic charts analysis pagewhich also lists all the other new entries plus those that dropped out.

June 7th : Al Pacino goes in search of a serial killer in Sea Of Love on DVD…Al Pacino, John Goodman and the sultry Ellen Barkin star inthe excellent murder thriller
Sea Of Loveout on DVD now. New DVDs out this weekThe new titles available this week include :

June 6th : Brad Davis escapes from prison in Midnight Express on DVD…Brad Davis stars in the true story of Billy Hayes, locked up in Istanbulfor possession of hashish. The only way out is escape and the code word forthat isMidnight Expressout on DVD now. Arnie and Danny are Twins on DVD…Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito are twins (don’t ask)out to buy on DVD now. Read theTwinsDVD review online now.

June 5th : What’s on TV next week?

Saturday :Channel 4 have the only programmes worth watching today starting off withFROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON (C4, 12pm) in which it’s 1969 and NeilArmstrong is about to walk on the moon. Peter Cook is this week’s star inHEROES OF COMEDY (C4, 8pm) while Graham Norton follows with the thirdpart of his excellent series UNZIPPED (C4, 9pm). Those with suicidaltendancies had better steer clear of Arnie’s lame ‘comedy’ JUNIOR(BBC1, 8pm), a film my girlfriend pestered me to see at the cinema but whenwe went I slept through the first half-hour and she resisted all attempts ofmine to wake her throughout the entire film. Add to this STARS IN THEIREYES LIVE FINAL (ITV, 7.30pm) and KILLER NET (C4, 10pm).Sky may be worth a look if only for MISS UNIVERSE 1999 (Sky 1, 9pm),while ALIEN RESURRECTION (Sky Premier, 10pm) is certainly an entertainingfilm but in pan-and-scan you may as well not bother as all the hard work byJeunet and Caro will have been poured down the drain.

Sunday :In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), Luke finally meets the woman of his dreams,Sean is eager to mind the store for Cindy and Paul makes a shocking confession.Ruth and Jas are probably still not sure of themselves but we’ll have to guesswhat happened as they certainly didn’t get much time to lez-up 🙂 .”Drink your weak lemon drink!” will be the chant from Simon Quinlank in the9th of 10 shows of LEE AND HERRING’S THIS MORNING WITH RICHARD NOT JUDY(BBC2, 12.15pm) and any fans should turn towww.leeandherring.com for excellentbehind-the-scenes round-ups of each show, but only after you’ve read this.In MY WONDERFUL LIFE 3 (ITV, 7pm), Donna is finding single life hard tohandle, while next door tension mounts as Simon discovers Alan’s firm isthreatening to destroy local woodlands. Mike and Alma throw in the marriagetowel in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Rita finally hands therotting Kabin over to slapper Sharon. Spice Girls fans will get a 2-hr doublebill in the form of SPICE GIRLS IN AMERICA: A TOUR STORY (C4, 7pm)and MELANIE G: A FLAVA SPECIAL (C4, 8.35pm). Drama fans will want tosee Anna Friel and Richard E Grant in ALL FOR LOVE (BBC1, 9pm), whileBBC2 confound me again by returning to series one of John Stroud’s excellentGAME ON (BBC2, 9.30pm), making me wonder whether they are planning toshow the whole series after all. Finally, a long long time ago in a galaxyfar, far away, the film E.T. – THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL (BBC1, 6.10pm)was one of the most wondrous films ever made (well, in late 82/early 83) butno longer as Spielberg threw everything away and sold out to British Telecomfor a crap advert.

Monday :The BBC decide that after spending a load of money rescuing DUE SOUTH(BBC2, 6pm), they’ll show the latest series at the same time each week, whichdoesn’t make me happy as it means we’ll no longer get repeats of “The Simpsons”at that time and there’s just not enough of those… In CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm) Leanne pushes her luck at Ashley’s, Alma enlists Curly’s helps asshe seeks to break her ties, Toyah is still upset about Janice and Owen, andDanny comes to the rescue. EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm) sees Carol strugglingto introduce her new man to Walford, while a meal turns into a nightmare (mustbe part of my new diet 🙂 Finally, Sean Penn and Gary Oldman starin STATE OF GRACE (ITV, 12.15am Granada).

Tuesday :Matthew panics, leaving him and Teresa with no choice but to act inEASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm) and Annie receives some bad news. Part 2/4of THE BILL (ITV, 8pm) sees Eddie Santini once again squaring up with”old flame” Rosie Fox, now a “Sgt.”. BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm) sees Ryanjumping to the wrong conclusion again and beating a confession out of Harvey.DOG-lover Andi Peters meets Gary Barlow (C4, 6pm), at least I think it’sDOG-lover, while the terrible and predictable BAD GIRLS (ITV, 9pm)continues. Fans of John Stroud’s other weekly comedy KISS ME KATE(BBC1, 8.30pm) should note that it has moved from Thursdays to Tuesdays,plus series one is out next week to buy on video. Age-old episodes ofCHICAGO HOPE (BBC1, 11.50pm) finally turn up on BBC1, while sci-fi fanscan watch THE MAKING OF “THE MATRIX” (ITV, 1.45am Granada).

Wednesday :At the factory Linda is scheming in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm),while Gary finds there’s more to cleaning windows than singing a crap song andhaving a cheeky cockney accent. BROOKSIDE sees Jacqui ensuring that thetruth will out for Mike, and Harvey gets the better of Ryan, and Joey and Lukeare reconciled. FILM 99 WITH JONATHAN ROSS has gone for a summer Burtonso soon into its run, but the freakshow returns for the oddities that inhabitPADDINGTON GREEN (BBC1, 10.20pm) and I bet you’re so glad you don’t livethere.

Thursday :Yes I’m still looking for episode 3 of MIAMI 7 (BBC1, 5.10pm)..again,while part 10 airs today, and anyone wanting to hear the music in person shouldgo out and buy the theme tune which is out this week under the kids’ band name,”S Club 7″. Annie leaves Steve with an unpleasant surprise in EASTENDERS(BBC1, 7.30pm) and Grant decides to change careers. The final episode in thecurrent series of FRIENDS (Sky 1, 9pm) is a double-ender, with Chandlerand Monica travelling to meet Joey in Vegas, soon followed by the rest of theclan, and is it just mee or has Jennifer Aniston never looked better in thisseries than in any of the previous four? Neil Morrissey, Barbara Windsor,John Challis and Fay Ripley (Cold Feet and Mute Witness) appear onJonathan Ross’ quiz show IT’S ONLY TV…BUT I LIKE IT (BBC1, 10pm),while repeats are in favour for the brilliant BLACKADDER II(BBC1, 10.30pm), even if it’s not long since its repeat run on BBC2, thisepisode, “Bells”, seeing Edmund falling for Kate (“it’s short for Bob”).Computer games are reviewed in BITZ (C4, 12.15am) and CYBERNET(ITV, 3.20am Granada), and anyone missing VIDS should know that a secondseries has been commissioned although no date has been set for its return.

Friday :Mike tries to work out what Linda’s plan is in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm) and Ashley is furious when Leanne invites round Vik and Steve.EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm) is putting in a regular appearance on a Fridaynow as Claudia gathers new evidence to put Steve in a difficult position, plusthere are disastrous consequences when Terry and Irene go out for dinner.Jimmy and Jackie’s marriage is at breaking point in BROOKSIDE(C4, 8.30pm). Ron saves Harry from Katrina’s temper, Susannah is mortified tolearn that Lindsey knows of her fling with Greg, and Rachel doesn’t know howto tell Mike he’s going to be a father. For some reason, although it’s notlisted as a repeat, Tuesday’s THE MAKING OF “THE MATRIX”(ITV, 12am Granada) turns up again.

June 4th : Jim Carrey is The Cable Guy on DVD…Matthew Broderick fears for his life when Jim Carrey turns upto his house asThe Cable Guy,the review for the DVD being online now.

June 3rd : Dante’s Peak explodes onto DVD…Pierce Brosnan finds that the town of Dante’s Peak has a small problem- it’s built on a volcano, and one that is about to have the final say.Read theDante’s Peakreview online 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 weeks new films are: Virus, Deep End and Human Traffic.

June 2nd : New releases from Entertainment In VideoI received four of the six titles released by Entertainment In Video yesterday(thanks go to Michelle for these) and before the reviews appear on the websiteI have made some brief notes about them. Wag The DogThis is the best of the bunch I received with an anamorphic 16:9 widescreentransfer, theatrical trailer, director’s commentary, biographies, filmographies(or directography for Levinson 🙂 and very brief interviews with main castmembers (for some reason although the “David Mamet” option has biog and filmoginfo about Mamet in it, the “comment” (interview) section is William H Macytalking about himself and nothing to do with Mamet (it even has a pic of Macywhile the Mamet info scrolls up), a documentary (From Washington to Hollywood)and a short piece with Macy talking about Mamet (he does mention Mamet thistime :). The disc also has 18 chapters. EvitaThis disc contains 30 chapters, is in widescreen (2.35:1) but is not anamorphicand has no extras. I Know What You Did Last SummerDitto for Evita but with 12 chapters. Boogie NightsOh dear. The transfer may be anamorphic, but the film was originally shot in2.35:1 (not sure of the film process but it’s hard-matte 2.35:1) but this discis presented in a 16:9 ratio (like Sleepers, but at least that was a Super-35film) and very brief interviews with the 7 cast members listed on the cover plusdirector Paul Thomas Anderson (each lasts no longer than 2mins, but DonCheadle gets all of 17 seconds AND gets cut-off in mid-flow!). It contains26 chapters. What’s annoying is that EiV released a WS video (whichstated 2.35:1 on the box IIRC) so, just like Polygram’s Sleepers, why did theyhave to cock it up here?

I have not seen the DVDs for Jackie Chan’s First Strike and Much AdoAbout Nothing, but apparently at least the former is also Dolby ProLogiconly with no extras.

June 1st : Sylvester Stallone finds Daylight on DVD…Sylvester Stallone is a former emergency services medical chief whogoes to help Amy Brenneman, Viggo Mortensen and Stan Shaw,all trapped below ground level with little or no chance of survival inRob Cohen‘sDaylight. Coronation Street intro at No.1 in the charts again?……or is it some other mindless dance tune. Find out now what I’m on about on mymusic charts analysis pagewhich also lists all the other new entries plus those that dropped out. New DVDs and widescreen videos out this weekThe new DVDs available this week are :

and there’s just one new widescreen video out this week :