August 31st 2009:

August 31st :Don’t mess with Barbara, the Sexy Killer on DVD…

Released September 14th:

The last person you’d expect to be a serial killer is the sexiest girl to come out of the changing room in high school,and so begins her reign of murder, often in several gruesome ways. Macarena Gómez heads the cast in this bizarretale that’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Sexy Killeris online and out on DVD on September 14th.

Show of Hands release their Best Of on CD…

30 tracks over two CDs for this duo from Exeter who’ve been going for 18 years to date is what you get from thisoffering, with the first disc containing the band’s best tracks from their studio albums and the second featuringtracks picked out by their fans.DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertstakes a listen.

Show Of Hands: Roots: The Best Of Show Of Handsis online and out on CD now.

Simon falls off his skateboard on Something for the Weekend…

Often mentioned, but rarely seen, since it hasn’t been online for ages, but recently they showed it again and here itis in all its glory. Enjoy!

DVD comp online…

Please enter the competition listed below by clicking on the packshot on the right.

• Shifty on DVD

CHARTS: David Guetta vs Dizzee Rascal – who got the new No.1…?

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• Bergerac Series 9 (24.99 DVD, BBC)
• Damages Season 2 (34.99 DVD, Sony)
• The Damned United (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Sony)
• Dead Snow (17.99 DVD, 22.99 Blu-ray, E1)
• Encounters at the End of the World (17.99 DVD, 21.99 Blu-ray, Revolver)
• Good (15.99 DVD, Lions Gate)
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 9 (44.99 DVD, Universal)
• Monday Monday (17.99 DVD, Fremantle)
• My Own Worst Enemy Season 1 (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• Outlander (17.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Momentum)
• Red Dwarf: Back To Earth (19.99 Blu-ray, BBC)
• Traitor (15.99 DVD, Momentum)
• Withnail And I (19.99 Blu-ray, Starz)

The Damned United

Michael Sheen (THE QUEEN, FROST/NIXON), in another of his seamless performances, plays legendary football manager Brian Clough during his disastrous and brief tenure as manager of Leeds UTD in the 1970s. Talented but abrasive, Clough alienates some of those around him, including his rival, Don Revie, his predecessor on Leeds UTD’s bench. When Clough has the chance to coach Leeds, he takes on the difficult role of the manager of the country’s best soccer team.

But outspoken Clough strongly disagrees with the aggressive soccer style the team has become famous for, while he has to struggle, quite unsuccessfully, to gain the trust and cooperation of his players. Also starring Timothy Spall, Jim Broadbent, and Colm Meaney, the film is based on the critically acclaimed book by David Peace and adapted for the screen by Peter Morgan (THE QUEEN, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND).

Special features:

• Commentary with Director Tom Hooper, Michael Sheen and Producer Andy Harries
• ‘Perfect Pitch: The Making Of The Damned United’ Featurette
• ‘Creating Clough’: Michael Sheen Takes on ‘Old Big Head’ Featurette
• ‘The Changing Game: Football In The Seventies’ Featurette
• ‘Remembering Brian’ Featurette
• Cloughisms
• Deleted Scenes

The Damned United is out now onBlu-ray (£15.88) andDVD (£9.98).

Outlander.

It is 709AD and Norway is in a state of unrest; tensions between Viking clans threaten to spill over into all-out war. However, in-fighting is the least of their worries when, from out of nowhere, an alien spacecraft crash-lands on to their territory, bringing with it a danger far greater than they could possibly imagine. Emerging from the wreckage is Kainan (James Caviezel, PASSION OF THE CHRIST), a soldier from a distant planet who they mistake for an enemy and take prisoner. Little do they realise that their real enemy is still at large; a fearsome and malevolent creature known as the Moorwen that also arrived aboard the alien craft.

When the Moorwen starts wreaking havoc on neighbouring villages, an unholy alliance is formed between the warring Vikings and Kainan is called upon to slay the beast. But such is its might, that it will take a combination of Kainan’s advanced alien technology and the Viking’s Iron Age weaponry to defeat it.

Science fiction and fantasy collide in this special effects-laden adventure, which also stars HELLBOY’s Ron Perlman and John Hurt.

Outlander is out now on Blu-ray (£14.68) andDVD (£9.98).

Red Dwarf: Back To Earth

Back to Earth takes place after ‘series ten’. Kochanski is dead and the crew are hurled through a portal and discover they are just characters from a TV series. Knowing they will die in the final episode the Dwarfers, in best Blade Runner traditions, decide to track down their creators to discover how long they have left to live. First the crew attempt to track down the actors who play them in the series and their metaphysical odyssey begins…

Bonus Features

• Cast Commentary
• Director Commentary
• All-New Exclusive Documentary
• The Making of Back to Earth
• Deleted Scenes
• Smeg Ups
• Featurettes
• Trailers
• Web Videos
• Photo Gallery
• Easter Egg
• Features both a Director’s Cut version of Back to Earth and the original televised version.

Red Dwarf: Back To Earth is out now on Blu-ray (£12.98) andDVD (£12.68).

Withnail And I

Bruce Robinson’s semi-autobiographical account of his early years as an actor has become a cult hit of massive proportions, inspiring countless numbers of young men and women to quote stars Paul McGann and Richard E. Grant and their booze-soaked dialogue. The story follows these two unemployed actors in 1969 London, as they take a holiday in the country.

Trapped inside a dank, empty cabin with each other, an endless downpour of heavy rain battering their roof, the two men form a complicated bond fuelled by booze, disaster, and nihilism. Though not much happens in terms of plot, WITHNAIL AND I is one of the most subtly hilarious films to come out of 1980s.

Withnail And I is out now on DVD (£12.88).

August 28th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Lie To Me Season 1 on DVD
• Fighting on DVD and Blu-ray

The latest press releasesare online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

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

The new films out include: The Final Destination and Funny People.

August 26th :Benjamin: A life backwards, on DVD…

A near-3hr epic from David Fincher starring Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button, aman born as an elderly man who mysteriously gets younger as the film progresses…DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Dan Owenwatches it the right way round…

This review originally premiered on his site, Dan’s Media Digest.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttonis online and out now.

August 25th :CHARTS: Black Eyed Peas vs David Guetta – who got the No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

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

New DVD comp online…

Please enter the competition listed below by clicking on the packshot on the right.

• Shifty on DVD

August 24th :Malcolm Tucker takes his swearing onto the big screen: In The Loop on Blu-ray…

Out today:

A potential war is brewing in the Middle East and MP Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) has just said the wrong thingto inflame matters further whilst attracting the attention of the US State Department. Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi)has to set about calming matters down in this film version of The Thick of It, also directed and co-writtenby Armando Iannucci.

In The Loopis online and out now on Blu-ray.

Jackie Leven takes in the best season of the year on CD…

Two live CDs are what’s on offer here from Jackie Leven and company, from 1998 and 1999. As DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsconfirms, in effect, this is a fan-club resurrection from the prolific Scotsman who has garnered a considerablefanbase through his live shows and an appreciation society he instigated The Haunted Valley, a quarterly magazine.

Jackie Leven and The Celtic Soulmen: The Haunted Year – Spring: Man Bleeds in Glasgow/Greetings from Milford – Liveis online and out on CD now.

Stephanie Calman talks about the things kids say…

Author Stephanie Calman is a frequent visitor to the Breakfast and GMTV sofas, but recently she appeared on the latertalking about the things kids say, but I find Ms Calman a rather witty woman wherever she appears, so she’s certainlyworth a watch here.

CHARTS: Black Eyed Peas vs David Guetta – who got the new No.1…?

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• Coast Series 4 (29.99 DVD, E1)
• Ichi (17.99 DVD, Manga)
• I Love You, Man (19.99 DVD, 27.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• In The Loop (17.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Optimum)
• The Jewel In The Crown: Complete Series – 25th Anniversary Edition (39.99 DVD, ITV DVD)
• Lewis Series 1-3 (69.99 DVD, ITV DVD)
• The Morecambe And Wise Movie Collection (19.99 DVD, ITV DVD)
• New Tricks Series 5 (24.99 DVD, Acorn Media)
• Race To Witch Mountain (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Disney)
• The Royle Family Album – Complete Collection Plus Specials (59.99 DVD, ITV DVD)
• Shifty (19.99 DVD, 19.99 Blu-ray, Metrodome)
• The Street Series 3 (15.99 DVD, ITV DVD)

New Tricks Series 5:

All the episodes from the fifth series of the popular crime fighting comedy. The stellar cast of Bolam, Waterman and Armstrong play retired detectives recalled by Redman to form an unlikely team to investigate unsolved crimes.

New Tricks Series 5 is out now onDVD (£14.98).

The Street Series 3.

The popular Manchester-based drama from BAFTA award winning writer Jimmy McGovern (Cracker) continues with a glittering cast including Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies), Bob Hoskins (Mrs Henderson Presents) and Timothy Spall (Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban). As usual, life in the street is never dull. When wounded soldier Nick returns from Afghanistan his hero’s welcome is short-lived when his paranoia turns him into a monster. Meanwhile, the McEvoy household is thrown into turmoil when Margie leaves to take care of her elderly father. Will Eddie be tempted to stray?

The Street Series 3 is out now on DVD (£9.98).

Race To Witch Mountain.

Loosely based on Alexander Key’s novel Escape to Witch Mountain, Race to Witch Mountain is not so much a remake of the 1975 film Escape to Witch Mountain as an entirely new film based on some key plot points from the former film. When two innocent-looking teens appear in Jack Bruno’s (Dwayne Johnson) cab and tell him “we must travel in that direction”, Jack thinks it’s a bit strange but shrugs it off and starts driving. Soon they’re being followed and chased off the road, but is it Jack’s past catching up with him or something much larger?

Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig) reluctantly confess that they are aliens from another planet, but Jack refuses to accept their statement until Sara starts moving things with her mind and Seth slips through the body of the car and deflects the SUV that’s pursuing them. Sara and Seth tell Jack that they must recover their crashed spaceship in order to save earth from being taken over by aliens, so Jack takes them to see Dr. Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino); a scientist who he met by chance and who believes in the possible existence of extra-terrestrials.

While the four are initially wary of one another, Dr. Friedman provides some valuable contacts and they begin trusting one another out of sheer necessity. Soon they’re battling secret government agencies, heavily armed personnel, and even a cybernetic Siphon (which looks a lot like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica) in a desperate attempt to gain access to the heavily fortified Witch Mountain and the crashed spacecraft. Action-packed car chases dominate the film (a bit excessively, in this reviewer’s opinion), but the acting and chemistry between actors is good as is the suspense and intrigue.

Race To Witch Mountain is out now on Blu-ray (£14.98) andDVD (£14.99).

Coast Series 4.

The fourth series of the BBC documentary that explores the mysteries of Britain’s coastline. This installment goes beyond our shores to discover the fascinating secrets of our neighbouring coasts in northwest Europe and northern France.

Coast Series 4 is out now on DVD (£16.98).

August 21st :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Swing Vote on DVD and Blu-ray
• An American Werewolf in London on Blu-ray
• Blood: The Last Vampire on DVD and Blu-ray
• Battlestar Galactica – The Complete Series boxset on DVD and Blu-ray
• Observe and Report on DVD and Blu-ray
• Outlander on DVD and Blu-ray
• Entourage Season 5 on DVD
• The Prisoner: The Complete Series on Blu-ray
• Network titles: First half of September 2009 on DVD

The latest press releasesare online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

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

The new films out include: Inglourius Basterds, Dance Flick, I Love You Beth Cooper and Shorts.

August 20th :DM Stith rivals a class act on CD…

For a man who lists Jeff Buckley amongst his influences, DM Stith has created an album which, forDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts,is probably the closest equivalent to one of Rufus Wainwright’s critically-acclaimed albums. Find out why in this review.

DM Stith: Heavy Ghostis online and out now on CD.

Nicolas Cage vs the end of the world in Knowing on Blu-ray…

Out now:

Note that I’ve now received this film on Blu-ray and have updated the review accordingly, as promised earlier this week.

In 1959, a young girl scribbled a series of apparently random numbers onto a sheet of paper which went into a timecapsule under her school for 50 years amongst a bunch of other random things and pictures, but when widower NicolasCage comes by it and starts to find meaning in the numbers in terms of great tragedies past, present and future, thequestion has to be asked: What happens when the numbers run out?

Knowingis online and out now on Blu-ray.

August 19th :CHARTS: Calvin Harris vs Black Eyed Peas – who got the No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

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

August 17th :Nicolas Cage vs the end of the world in Knowing on DVD…

Out now:

In 1959, a young girl scribbled a series of apparently random numbers onto a sheet of paper which went into a timecapsule under her school for 50 years amongst a bunch of other random things and pictures, but when widower NicolasCage comes by it and starts to find meaning in the numbers in terms of great tragedies past, present and future, thequestion has to be asked: What happens when the numbers run out?

I’m currently awaiting the Blu-ray version of this so as soon as it arrives I’ll update the review.

Knowingis online and out now on DVD.

Tony Allen brings Afrobeat to his latest CD…

Afrobeat’s origins began in the early 1960s in Nigeria. It evolved in the 70s with jazz, highlife and funky rhythms andthis 68-year-old artist’s latest release proves the gravitas Allen has earned over the years as he spent 15 years alongsideoriginator Fela Kuti as percussionist.DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertstakes a listen and gives his view.

Tony Allen: Secret Agentis online and out on CD now.

Samantha Bond talks about pissing in the theatre…

A classic moment from last week’s Andrew Marr Show when the Bond actress talked about a particular incident in thetheatre, although it wasn’t her doing the deed!

CHARTS: Calvin Harris vs Black Eyed Peas – who got the new No.1…?

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• 90210 Season 1 (44.99 DVD, Paramount)
• Angel Heart (15.99 Blu-ray, Optimum)
• The Beast Season 1 (34.99 DVD, Sony)
• Bleach Series 3 (34.99 DVD, Manga)
• Hotel Babylon Series 4 (29.99 DVD, BBC)
• I Can’t Think Straight/The World Unseen (29.99 2*DVD/CD, ICTS Films)
• La Haine (15.99 Blu-ray, Optimum)
• Near Dark (15.99 Blu-ray, Optimum)
• Pool Of London (15.99 DVD, Optimum)
• South Park: The Cult Of Cartman – Revelations (19.99 DVD, Paramount)
• WWE Backlash 2009 (17.99 DVD, Silver Vision)
• WWE Royal Rumble 2001/Royal Rumble 2002 (19.99 DVD, Silver Vision)

Hotel Babylon Series 4:

The hotel with no reservations

Starring Nigel Harman, Dexter Fletcher, Emma Pierson and Anna Wilson-Jones guest stars include Patrick Baladi, Kelly Osbourne, James Fleet, Denise Van Outen, Tony Robinson, Christopher Bisson, Christopher Cazenove, Honor Blackman, Michelle Collins, Darius Danesh and Trevor Peacock

It’s time to check in again at the five-star luxury hotel that has it all – glamour, scandal, passion and intrigue.

Times are tough at Babylon, the brilliant new manager, Juliet Miller, nicknamed “The Undertaker”, is charged with preparing the hotel for sale. Then, who should stroll in through the hotel doors but dishy, multi-millionaire playboy Sam Franklin – Juliet’s once penniless ex-husband. Setting hearts a flutter, he soon seems interested in more than just a suite at the hotel.

Meanwhile, it’s down to the staff to keep Hotel Babylon afloat: the ever-charming concierge Tony; newly-promoted head of housekeeping Tanya; flamboyant head barman Gino; the even more flamboyant receptionist, Ben; and, keeping tongues wagging, a now heavily-pregnant head receptionist Anna.

Together, the team face a terrorist threat that grips London; see two arch rival boxers booked into its suites; host a celebrity magazine shoot and stage a fabulous Bollywood style wedding – all accompanied by the usual Hotel Babylon schemes, antics and affairs. As Sam’s interest in the hotel – and Juliet – grows, she is determined not to let him get under her skin again. But with so much unfinished business between them, will she be able to stop herself?

Hotel Babylon Series 4 is out now onDVD (£17.88).

Angel Heart (Blu-ray).

In Alan Parker’s ANGEL HEART, based on the novel FALLING ANGEL by William Hjortsberg, a New York City gumshoe is hired to find an aging blues singer. Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) follows clues from the ominous ghettos of Harlem to the witchy backwoods of Louisiana, where he takes up with Epiphany Proudfoot (Lisa Bonet), the beautiful young daughter of a voodoo priestess, whom he believes will be able to shed light on the growing mystery surrounding the missing musician. As Angel closes in on the truth of the case, his contacts start turning up dead. He begins to suspect he might be next. Parker (MISSISSIPPI BURNING) threads a commentary on the limitations of modern Western society into his sensual, suspenseful thriller.

As the story unfolds, Angel relies less and less on his failing, overwhelmed rational mind (and handgun) and more on Epiphany’s ancient mojo. Rourke captures the unraveling protagonist perfectly, and Bonet adds an erotic and mysterious edge with her performance. Robert De Niro is both funny and malevolent as Angel’s mysterious client, Louis Cyphre. Shimmering with a beguiling mist of the macabre, ANGEL HEART provides an unexpectedly haunting dose of gothic noir.

Angel Heart (Blu-ray) is out now on Blu-ray (£10.99).

The Beast Season 1.

Patrick Swayze is back and gunning for justice as Charles Barker, an unorthodox but effective FBI veteran in The Beast. Though considered by many, including rookie partner agent Ellis Dove (Travis Fimmel), to be the best in the business, FBI undercover operative Barker has a style that is nothing if not unconventional. In pushing Dove to immerse himself more deeply into the characters they create, Barker makes it clear how the stresses and dangers of working undercover make normal relationships impossible.

As he and his mentor are tested by cases that pit them against ruthless drug lords, dangerous arms dealers, corrupt cops and deadly killers-for-hire. Dove also struggles with his own secret: he’s being asked to co-operate with an FBI investigation of Barker, who’s suspected of going rogue. As Dove is pressured to become an informant, Barker launches his own investigation into a conspiracy within the Bureau that’s protecting a secret cadre of agents operating outside the law.

The Beast Season 1 is out now on DVD (£25.69).

South Park: The Cult Of Cartman – Revelations.

He’s a storm cloud of anger, an object of scorn, and a bomb waiting to explode–he’s SOUTH PARK’s Eric Cartman. He’s wreaked terror, hurled insults, and suffered countless humiliations in this quaint Colorado town. Collected here some of the fiery elementary schooler’s most appalling, grotesque, and hilarious moments.

South Park: The Cult Of Cartman – Revelations is out now on DVD (£12.68).

August 12th :Iain Archer breaks no sweat on CD…

And he still comes across with a 9-track album worthy of your attention, according toDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts,with this third release from the ex-Snow Patrol member.

Iain Archer: To The Pine Rootsis online and out now on CD.

August 11th :CHARTS: Black Eyed Peas vs Tinchy Stryder – who got the No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

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

August 10th :Yippee-Kay-Ay! McClane is back in Die Hard 4.0 on DVD…

Out now:

The latest and, most likely, final outing for cop John McClane as he attempts to out-do the baddies with his stunts andwisecracks as technology almost gets the better of him when they take out all the country’s financial markets and utilities,but he knows nothing of that world so how on earth is he going to fight back? Also, find out why this DVD is better thanthe Blu-ray version…

Die Hard 4.0is online and out now on DVD.

Has Mark Read released an ‘A1’ album on CD?…

Mark Read is an ex-member of the boyband A1, and now he’s gone on his own with this new 14-track collection, buthow does it stand up to today’s market?DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertstakes a listen and gives his view.

Mark Read: Peace At Lastis online and out on CD now.

Sir Mike Jackson throws his mobile phone!…

A classic moment from last week’s Andrew Marr Show when the ex-head of the Army couldn’t work out how to switch off hismobile phone, so instead he tried to fling it off-stage… only for it to smash to bits!

CHARTS: Black Eyed Peas vs Tinchy Stryder – who got the new No.1…?

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• 17 Again (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, EIV)
• Californication Season 2 (34.99 DVD, Paramount)
• Doctor Who: The Black Guardian Trilogy (39.99 DVD, BBC)
• Elton John: I’m Still Standing (DVD+Book) (15.99 DVD, Archive Media)
• Friday the 13th (2009) (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• Gossip Girl Season 2 Part 2 (29.99 DVD, Warner)
• Paul Blart: Mall Cop (17.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Sony)
• Sasori (15.99 DVD, Showbox)
• Stargate Atlantis Season 5 (59.99 DVD, 169.99 Season 1-5 DVD Boxset)
• Two Lovers (15.99 DVD, 22.99 Blu-ray, Lions Gate)
• Watcher in the Attic (15.99 DVD, HB Films)

17 Again:

A former high school basketball star gets a second shot at life when he’s miraculously transformed into a teenager and offered the opportunity to redefine his future. Back in 1989, Mike O’ Donnell (Matthew Perry – TV’s FRIENDS) had it all; not only was the 17-year-old senior the king of the basketball court, but college scouts were circling as well. But just as Mike’s future began to glow brighter than ever before, he sacrificed everything in order to stay by his expectant girlfriend, Scarlet, and be a good father.

Nearly 20 years later, Mike has just been passed over for a big promotion at work, his marriage is failing, and his teenage kids can’t stand him. His dreams long gone and his family falling apart, Mike takes to staying with his best friend, Ned (Thomas Lennon), a former high school geek-turned-techno billionaire. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Mike is transported back into his teenage body (that of Zac Efron – HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL) and given the given the unique opportunity to relive his salad days.

But while Mike may look 17 again, his thirtysomething outlook at life puts him hopelessly at odds with the class of 2009. When Mike discovers that by attempting to recapture his best years he could risk losing all the best things he ever experienced in life, the time comes to make a decision that could have a drastic impact on both his past and his future.

17 Again is out now onBlu-ray (£14.98) andDVD (£9.98).

Stargate Atlantis Season 5.

By the time the credits roll for the final time at the end of Stargate Atlantis’ fifth season, it’s hard not to feel some sadness. For this is the final season of the show, and it’s also, arguably, right up there with the best.

It starts with a fairly major gamble, by replacing Amanda Tapping’s Samantha Carter as Atlantis’ commander and instead giving the job to Richard Woolsey, played by Robert Picardo. But it’s a gamble that pays off smartly, as Woolsey becomes a less predictable and more interesting commander. That said, not all of the characters in the show will have you warming to them, but then that’s arguably deliberate. The fifth season follows the ongoing battle with Wraith, and leaves–in the aftermath of its excellent finale–a number of threads that were presumably designed to be picked up in the sixth season that we’ll now never see.

Yet don’t let that discourage you. Season five of Stargate Atlantis doesn’t just feature some of the best moments of the show to date, but also some episodes rival anything its forerunner served up, too. The ambition of the ideas here, and the quality of both the visual effects and overall execution, is something to be genuinely admired.

Stargate Atlantis Season 5 is out now on DVD (£42.98) andSeason 1-5 DVD (£119.98).

Doctor Who: The Black Guardian Trilogy.

The third, fourth and fifth stories of the twentieth season were conceived by John Nathan-Turner and Eric Saward as a trilogy reintroducing the Black Guardian.

Mawdryn Undead:The Black Guardian recruits a young man named Turlough to assassinate the Doctor. Although outwardly an ordinary pupil at a boys’ private boarding school, Turlough is in fact an alien who believes that the Guardian will return him home if he succeeds.

Terminus:The TARDIS attaches itself to a space liner after Turlough, still under the Black Guardian’s influence, damages its controls. The Doctor and Nyssa meet two space pirates, Kari and Olvir, who have come on board the liner in search of plunder, while Tegan and Turlough get lost in the infrastructure.

Enlightenment:The White Guardian warns of impending danger and directs the TARDIS to what appears to be an Edwardian sailing yacht, the SS Shadow, but is actually one of a number of spaceships taking part in a race through the solar system, the prize being Enlightenment.Extras:

• Commentary with cast and crew
• Who Wants to Live Forever? – cast and crew look back at the making of the story.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes
• Out-takes
• CGI Effects
• Photo Gallery
• Isolated Score – option to watch the story with the isolated music score.
• Coming Soon trail for a forthcoming DVD release.
• Easter Eggs
• Programme Subtitles

Doctor Who: The Black Guardian Trilogy is out now on Blu-ray (£29.39).

Friday The 13th (2009).

If you thought a bigger budget and an A-list producer (Michael Bay) would go to Jason’s head, well, forget it. The indestructible villain of so many bottom-of-the-barrel shockers isn’t about to change his shtick, and the 2009 Friday the 13th proves it. This, the umpteenth sequel (nope, it’s not a remake of the origin story) to the original 1980 movie, gives us a clever prologue that manages to fit an entire Jason Voorhees killing spree in a brisk and bloody 20 minutes.

Jumping ahead six weeks, the film introduces a carload of clueless teens headed for a weekend at a lakeside cabin, plus a lone motorcyclist (Jared Padalecki) in search of his missing sister (Amanda Righetti). When the “lakeside” happens to refer to Crystal Lake, of course, there can be only one outcome. Cue the hockey mask, and pass the machete. Bay and director Marcus Nispel, who collaborated on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, are surprisingly indifferent to changing up the formula this time, although there’s more care taken in building up a few characters, and for once the comic relief (mostly supplied by Aaron Yoo and Arlen Escarpeta) is pretty funny.You might even regret the slaughter of a couple of these young folk, which is an unusual feeling in Friday-watching.

The film’s Jason is quite the athletic fellow, and he’s assembled an elaborate underground corpse-hiding lair in the vicinity of Crystal Lake. How he’s been able to live down there for 30 years (if the film’s own timeline is to be believed) and had enough unwitting campers pass by to keep himself entertained is anybody’s guess. But if they keep coming, he’ll keep slashing.

Friday The 13th (2009) is out now on Blu-ray (£16.88) andDVD (£12.68).

August 7th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Butterfly Effect 3 on DVD and Blu-ray
• My Own Worst Enemy Season 1 on DVD
• 3 Pigs and a Baby on DVD
• Network DVDs for 2nd half of August 2009

The latest press releasesare online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

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

The new films out include: GI Joe, The Ugly Truth and Orphan.

August 6th :CHARTS: JLS vs Black Eyed Peas – who got the No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

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

August 4th :This Ramblin’ man will grab your attention, on CD…

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott plays some moody blues, according toDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsand does it in spectacular style.

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott: A Stranger Hereis online and out now on CD.

August 3rd :The Rolling Stones give it their biggest shot on Blu-ray…

Out now:

Plenty of massive hits and some new material in this 2007 concert out on Blu-ray for the first time, as Mick Jagger,Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood rock out for an hour and a half with plenty of extras.

Rolling Stones: The Biggest Bangis online and out now on Blu-ray.

Jack Penate releases an all new CD…

Jack Penate is a man who admits he wasn’t particularly happy with his last release in 2007, Matinee,so does this new one hit the mark?DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertstakes a listen and gives his view.

Jack Penate: Everything Is Newis online and out on CD now.

Tomasz Schafernaker loses his train of thought…

One of the BBC’s best weather forecasters has some classic moments, such as this recent one from last Monday whenhe wasn’t quite all there for a moment…

CHARTS: JLS vs Black Eyed Peas – who got the new No.1…?

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• About Last Night (19.99 Blu-ray, Sony)
• Diagnosis Death (12.99 DVD, 19.99 Blu-ray, Revolver)
• Flight Of The Conchords Season 2 (24.99 DVD, Warner)
• Flight Of The Conchords Season 1 & 2 (34.99 DVD, Warner)
• Insomnia (1997) (15.99 DVD, Arrow)
• Jam and Jerusalem Series 2 (15.99 DVD, BBC)
• Knowing (19.99 DVD, 24.99 DVD, E1)
• Lesbian Vampire Killers (17.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Momentum)
• Let The Right One In (17.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Momentum)
• Psychoville (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, BBC)
• St. Elmo’s Fire (19.99 Blu-ray, Sony)
• Tutti Frutti (24.99 DVD, BBC)
• Wire In The Blood Series 5 & 6 (29.99 DVD, Revelation)

Psychoville:

I Know What You Did. A chilling message that draws five seemingly disparate characters into a dark tale of blackmail and desire. A blind recluse with an unusual hobby, a love-struck telekinetic dwarf, an embittered hook-handed clown, a murder-obsessed man-child, and a deranged but caring midwife all receive the same ominous message sending their already bizarre lives into turmoil.

All are affected in different ways by the letters and as more chilling messages are received the five are forced to confront their past and the secret that binds them together. From the team behind cult classic The League of Gentlemen, this cliff-hanging comedy thriller weaves a tale of intrigue, mystery and suspense.

Written by Reece Shearsmith & Steve Pemberton.

DVD EXTRAS:

• Behind The Scenes
• Episode 4 ‘split screen’ option
• Audio Commentaries on all 7 episodes
• Extended Interviews
• Photo Gallery

Psychoville is out now onBlu-ray (£16.88) andDVD (£12.68).

Tutti Frutti.

Great music, a superb cast and a fantastic dark and witty script took this 1987 multi-BAFTA winning series to number 82 in the BFI’s top TV programmes of all time – and made household names of its stars, Robbie Coltrane (Cracker) and future Oscar winner, Emma Thompson.

The series follows the fortunes of rock and roll band The Majestics – Scotland’s very own heroes of the 1960s beat boom – who re-group to play a 25th anniversary tour. Despite the death of lead singer Jazza McGlone in a freak car crash, band manager Eddie Clockerty is still determined to re-create the Majestic’s halcyon days. So, in his place, the group’s manager Eddie Clockerty recruits Jazza’s less-than-enthusiastic younger brother Danny.

As the group performs in some of Scotland’s less salubrious clubs and pubs, it seems their personal disagreements and private tragedies will force the band to disintegrate. Is there any way the self-styled ‘Kings of Rock and Roll’ can avoid a slow self-destruction and recapture their former glories?

The Tutti Frutti sleeve was designed from hand drawn paintings commissioned especially for the release by acclaimed Scottish artist John Byrne The release also features 4 limited edition art card prints of John Bryne original paintings.

Tutti Frutti is out now on DVD (£15.98).

Knowing.

Based on a story by author Ryne Douglas Pearson, KNOWING is a moody sci-fi thriller starring Nicolas Cage as John Koestler, a widowed MIT astrophysicist who lives in wooded seclusion with his young son, Caleb (Chandler Canterbury). When Caleb is handed an envelope unearthed from a school time capsule buried 50 years earlier, its cryptic numerical sequence captures the interest of his dad, who soon realises the powerful significance of the document, which seems to predict major world disasters throughout history. Unfortunately, there are three calamities that have yet to unfold, and John, aided reluctantly by single mother Diana Wayland (Rose Byrne) and her daughter, Abby (Lara Robinson), must try to unravel the mystery of the numbers before many more lives are lost.

Alex Proyas’s follow-up to 2004’s I, ROBOT, returns to the shadowy atmosphere of the director’s revered cult film, DARK CITY, while staying within the realm of the Hollywood big-budget disaster movie. Though the plot takes some outlandish turns, the film is grounded by solid performances from Cage, Byrne, and the impressive child actors, and Proyas further anchors the proceedings in moments of captivatingly bleak realism. Like the remake of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, KNOWING is a pensive and melancholy thriller that rewards discerning viewers willing to follow its strange and intriguing tale.

Knowing is out now on Blu-ray (£14.98) andDVD (£11.98).

Lesbian Vampire Killers.

One instance where the title says it all, LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS finds screenwriters Stewart Williams and Paul Hupfield and director Phil Claydon plunging headfirst into guilty pleasure territory with an unrestrained, sex-laden horror comedy. The picture stars Mathew Horne and James Corden of GAVIN AND STACEY fame as (respectively) Jimmy and Fletch, two buddies who wind up the unlikely saviours of their sleepy welsh village when it is discovered that an ancient Sapphic vampire curse has turned many of the local women into blood-thirsty vampires! MyAnna Buring, Silvia Colloca, Vera Filatova and Paul McGann (ALIEN 3, WITHNAIL AND I) co-star.

Lesbian Vampire Killers is out now on Blu-ray (£16.88) andDVD (£9.98).

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