Dominator’s News and Views Aug 1999

The new widescreen videos available this week include :

August 29th : Christina Ricci wants The Opposite of Sex on DVD…Christina Ricci stars in – and narrates – a story where sex not onlygets in the way, but also crosses sexual boundaries inThe Opposite of Sex,which is online and out on DVD now.

August 28th : DVD Inside protest over German ProLogic DVD soundtracks…I received this from DVD Inside (www.dvdinside.de)

Currently the young German dvd market faces a new threat: the new”German-ProLogic-Only-Policy” from Columbia Tristar / Universal.

After the initial release of code 2 European dvds with excellentcontent and features, latest releases and major hits like ‘Apollo 13′,’Out of Sight’, ‘Meet Joe Black’, lack the German 5.1digital surround track (they’ve got Pro Logic only). Furthermore, theadditional foreign language tracks on these discs are 5.1 digitalsurround tracks.

Think of it yourself. This would be similar to releasing code 1 USdvds with Pro Logic sound only and an additional number of 5.1 foreignlanguage tracks. Currently we’ve got a protest running and we’recollecting votes against this lack of German commitment.

Vote at :DVD Inside

Regards
Darius Metzner

August 27th : Eddie Murphy is The Nutty Professor on DVD…Eddie Murphy loses a little weight when he slims into his new role asBuddy Love, but who will know that he was onceThe Nutty Professor,which is online and out on DVD now. What’s on TV this week?

August 24th : Geena Davis finds the past isn’t what it used to be in The Long Kiss Goodnight on DVD…Geena Davis gets flashbacks about her hitman-style lifestyle before shelost her memory eight years ago. Samuel L Jackson helps her get hermemory back inThe Long Kiss Goodnight,which is online and out on DVD now.

August 23rd : Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer come to Tombstone on DVD…Is Tombstone the legend it proclaims, or is the film just a dead weight. A full review ofTombstone,is online and out on DVD now. Will the top-slot single be Geri-built…?Find out now on mymusic chart analysis page The CIN chart scandal (w/e 10th July 1999) concludes…As per my news story on July 29th, CIN have updated their missing chartdata. Their files and chart books now include the missing Virgin and Our Pricesales data from week 26’s charts. There are, however, no plans to re-run thecharts in question. New DVDs out this week

August 22nd : May the force be with you…again…A full review ofThe Unauthorised Star Wars Story,is online and out on DVD now. BBC’s DVD line-up from October 4th…Six DVDs are set for release as the BBC make their debut on this format, thus : October 4th :

• The Black Adder Series 1 (15, 19.99)
  – All six episodes of the first comedy series to star Rowan Atkinson asThe Black Adder, with his trusty (but stinky) aide Baldrick (Tony Robinson).Also starring Brian Blessed and Tim McInnery, the DVD has beendigitally-remastered.
• Doctor Who: The Five Doctors (U, 19.99)
  – Originally broadcast to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Doctor Who in 1983,this version is the Special Edition version with alternate scenes, additional footageand updated video effects, last seen on video from 1995. It features the Doctor’s firstfive incarnations: Richard Hurndell (replacing the late William Hartnell),Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and Peter Davison. The DVDcontains a new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.
• Noddy in Toyland (Uc, 14.99)
  – Three episodes not available on video, Stop Listen and Learn, The Troublewith Truman and The Big Mess. Original Noddy animation is combined withbrand new live-action puppetry and songs.
• Jane Austen’s Persuasion (U, 19.99)
  – BBC Drama starring Ciaran Hinds (Young Person’s Guide to Becoming A RockStar) and Amanda Root. Features onscreen character biographies.

November 22nd :

• The Planets (E, 34.99)
  – More expensive than the rest, but well worth it as it comes on two dual-layerDVDs and contains all eight episodes from the BBC2 series in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen,giving 33% extra resolution for those with widescreen TVs. The episodes are :Different Worlds, Terra Firma, Giants, Moon, Star, Atmosphere, Life and Destiny.
• The Best of Monty Python’s Flying Circus – Volume 1 (19.99)
  – 95 minutes of the best bits from the 13-part series originally transmitted in 1969 anddigitally-remastered for DVD. October marks the 30th anniversary for the series which broughtfame for John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones andTerry Gilliam.

The greatest football team on the greatest video format…?Manchester United: The Treble tells the story of the team’s success for the 98/99 season,which has sold over 275,000 copies on video, comes to DVD on October 11th from VCI. The DVD is setto contain a stack of extras including state-of-the-art sub-plotting featuring all of the playersand a brand new exclusive interview specially-recorded for DVD with Alex Ferguson. Carlton release DVDs for a tenner on October 11th…While Total Home Entertainment have a couple of animation DVDs being released for a tennernext month, Carlton are starting a trend with their new Silver Collection of 15classics being released for just £9.99 :

• Above Us The Waves (U) (1955)
• A Canterbury Tale (U)
• Defence of the Realm (PG) (1985)
• Educating Rita (15) (1983)
• Genevieve (U) (1953)
• Hamlet (U) (1948)
• Henry V (U) (1944)
• The Importance of Being Earnest (U) (1952)
• In Which We Serve (U) (1942)
• The Ipcress File (PG) (1965)
• Oliver Twist (U) (1948)
• The Red Shoes (U) (1948)
• A Tale of Two Cities (U) (1958)
• A Town Like Alice (PG) (1956)
• We Dive At Dawn (U) (1943)

Of course whether any of these films, which were shot at a ratio wider than Academy (1.37:1),ie. close to that of a standard television set, will appear in their original widescreen ratios,such as The Ipcress File which was shot at 2.35:1, or if they have much in the way ofextras, remains to be seen, but it at least dispells the myth that such DVDs need to be expensive.

August 21st : May the force be with you…Thanks to Richard, on behalf of Visual Entertainment, for The Unauthorised Star WarsStory DVD which I received yesterday. At 63 minutes long, this DVD features manyinterviews from the stars involved and tells the story of the biggest sci-fi saga evermade. Pink Floyd go back in time…3 weeks to be precise. The DVD release of Pink Floyd: The Wall has beenput back to October 18th, subject to certification. …And the Land Girls do the same…Originally scheduled for August 30th, this title has been put back to September6th, but the good news is that it will have an anamorphic 2.35:1 picture. Warner Vision’s September/October DVD releases…A number of music titles grace the DVD shelves in the next two months, thus : September 20th :

• Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells II + III Live
  – Live concerts played at Edinburgh Castle and the Horse Guards Parade,London, respectively.
• Prince: The Hits Collection
  – 15 tracks inc. Cream, Alphabet St., Kiss and 1999.
• Sarah Brightman: In Concert
  – Many well-known tracks inc. Summertime, Pie Jesu, Don’t Cry For MeArgentina and Time To Say Goodbye with special guest Andrea Bocelli.
• Van Halen: Right Here, Right Now
  – 17 tracks inc. Poundcake, Jump and Finish What Ya Started

October 25th :

• A-Ha: Headlines and Deadlines – The Hits of A-Ha
  – One of my favourite 80s bands gets their promo compilation released onDVD with 17 tracks inc. Take on Me, Stay on These Roads, Manhattan Skylineand a bonus track, Move To Memphis.
• Catatonia: Live at Margam Park
  – 80 minutes of live Cerys from May 29th, 1999. 21 tracks inc. Dead FromThe Waist Down, Londinium and Mulder & Scully.
• Madonna: The Immaculate Collection
  – The first batch of hits. 13 track inc. Material Girl, La Isla Bonitaand Papa Don’t Preach.
• Madonna: The Video Collection
  – The second batch of hits. 14 track inc. Bad Girl, Ray of Light andBeautiful Stranger.
• ZZ Top: Greatest Hits
  – 12 tracks inc. Gimme All Your Lovin’, Sharp Dressed Man, TV Dinners andLegs.

All are £19.99 apiece.

August 20th : The Voluptuous Vixens come to DVD for Playboy…Traci Topps, Kimber West, Busty Dusty and many more make it to DVDonPlayboy: Voluptuous Vixens,out now. What’s on TV this week?

Saturday :The first day of the TV week is always the worst and the only thing I canhalf-recommend is the final episode of CASUALTY (BBC1, 8.10pm) fromthe last series and that’s only a half-recommendation because the last onesare always over-the-top and lacking in substance, just like this one, evenif it does feature Nicola Stapleton (Eastenders, Young Person’s GuideTo Becoming a Rock Star).

Sunday :HOLLYOAKS (C4, 9.30am) is again at an earlier time slot, thanks to thestupid cricket. Luke confronts Sean about his hassling of Mandy, and the peaceis shattered in Ruth’s old flat. Adam is embarrassed when he’s caught out byhis Mum. Kerri makes a spectacular dive into the pool, while Finn receives amysterious invitation to Ireland. Sol and Paul’s contentment is shattered aftera hard day’s work. There’s been no point in BEVERLY HILLS 90210 (Sky One, 2pm)existing since all the Walsh family have left, but I still watch it. Kelly’schance to meet her childhood idol is ruined when Gina impersonates her in aneffort to make Dylan jealous and David and Claudia experience pre-weddingjitters when they are required to meet with a lawyer. Terry makes an impacton CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Ashley decides to overcomehis fears. It’s the last in the series for LEE AND HERRING’S FESTIVAL OF FUN(Channel 5, 11.45pm).

Monday :Alison makes an amazing confession to Kevin in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm), while Pat tries to console a distraught Bianca in EASTENDERS(BBC1, 8pm).

Tuesday :There’s an unwelcome reminder of the past for Grant and there’s a nasty surprisein store for Bianca in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm). Greg is ready to giveup anything to be with Susannah in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm), while Jimmy putshis marriage in jeopardy to keep his job. Harker and Daly lock horns over theintegrity of a reformed drug dealer in THE BILL (ITV, 8pm). Roger Cookcomes back to the screen for a COOK REPORT SPECIAL: DOCTORS FROM HELL(ITV, 9pm).

Wednesday :Kevin comes to terms with Alison’s secret in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm)and Fred reflects on what might’ve been. Someone called Josh is determined toteach Jerome a lesson in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm). What has this guy done topiss so many people off? The only showings of CHICAGO HOPE (BBC1, 11.35pm)this week are on today in another double-bill.

Thursday :The Mitchells and the DiMarcos mark their territory in EASTENDERS(BBC1, 7.30pm), and Bianca comes to terms with some shocking news. Thankfully,Richard Madeley’s new series EYE OF THE STORM (ITV, 7.30pm) is gettingso few viewers that ITV have clearly thrown in the towel by pitting it againstEastenders… I tried watching the first episode of VENGEANCE UNLIMITED(C4, 12.40am), but it was incredibly predictable and dull. There’s no episodeof THE BILL as it’s replaced with a SURVIVAL SPECIAL (ITV, 9pm).

Friday :Fred goes to visit Ashley’s mother and Kevin loses his temper with Alison’sparents in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm). Greg and Susannah have a lastmad fling in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm) and Darren gets to satisfy hisnine-year inch. Finally, the BBC NEW COMEDY AWARDS (BBC1, 11pm) bringthe week to a close.

August 19th : Jenny McCarthy bares all for Playboy on DVD…Jenny McCarthy, model, actress and the patron of peroxide, takes it alloff – several times – for
Playboy: The Best of Jenny McCarthy,out on DVD now. DVD and Widescreen video and laserdisc lists updated…Now online are the fully updated lists for :

September 6th :

September 13th :

• Diamonds Are Forever
• Dr No
• For Your Eyes Only
• From Russia With Love
• Goldeneye (cut)
• Goldfinger
• Licence To Kill (cut)
• Live And Let Die
• The Living Daylights
• The Man With The Golden Gun
• Moonraker
• Octopussy
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
• The Spy Who Loved Me
• Thunderball (cut)
• Tomorrow Never Dies (cut)
• A View To A Kill
• You Only Live Twice

September 20th :

September 27th :

The new DVDs added are :

August 23rd :

September 6th :

September 13th :

September 20th :

September 27th :

August 18th : 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 Thomas Crown Affair (1999), Mickey Blue Eyes,Julia and the Cadillacs and re-releases of Anastasia and The Parent Trapand a review ofThe Matrixis online now.

Columbia TriStar’s September DVD releases… September 6th :

• Dr Strangelove (PG)
  – Peter Sellers in a triple role with Poster gallery, photogallery, filmography, trailer.

September 13th :

• Knock Off (18) **DAY AND DATE WITH RENTAL VIDEO**
  – Van Damme actioner with behind-the-scenes featurette, filmography, trailer.

• Patch Adams (15) **DAY AND DATE WITH RENTAL VIDEO**
  – Robin Williams comedy with Director’s Commentary, Making offeaturette inc. star interviews, out-takes, production notes, filmography,trailer.
  – IMPORTANT NOTE: Although the film itself is a cert.12, the out-takeswere rated as a 15-cert, so the overall package has to adhere to the lattercert. This is a bizarre, but commendale, move by Columbia to do this as mostdistributors would rather cut their films to get a bigger audience, but thenhow many 12-14 year-olds have DVD players of their own, or shopkeepers whichwill sell 15-rated product to them anyway (plenty of the latter most likely).The out-takes last 4 mins 41 seconds, but checking theBBFC‘s website shows that these out-takeshave been censored themselves, but no details on the cuts are available. Justimagine if it had been an 18-cert!

• Silverado (PG)
  – Comedy western with Making of documentary, filmography, trailer.Let’s hope this one gets a full 2.35:1 release, unlike the first Region 1 DVDwhich was cropped to 16:9!

• Maurice (PG)
  – Hugh Grant in a Merchant Ivory drama with production notes,cast and film-makers notes, trailer.

• Scum (18)
  – Ray Winstone in a tough, brutal tale of life in borstal, withphoto gallery, production notes, cast and film-makers notes, trailer.Reportedly, this is Mary Whitehouse‘s favourite film…and next weekI’m going to be the Queen of Sheeba…

September 20th :

• Happy Gilmore (15)
  – Adam Sandler comedy, with production notes, trailer

• The American President (15)
  – Michael Douglas comedy, with production notes, trailer

September 27th :

• Hideaway (18)
  – Jeff Goldblum psychological thriller with behind-the-scenesfeaturette inc. star interviews, filmography.

August 16th : Will it be Ronan or Westlife at the top? Ronan doesn’t care since he wins both ways…Find out now on mymusic chart analysis page New DVDs and widescreen videos out this weekThe new DVDs available this week include :

The new widescreen videos available this week include :

August 15th : Ash encounters the evil forces again in Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn on DVD…Bruce Campbell returns as Ash, who finds that the Book of the Dead justwon’t rest as more gory deaths ensue in
Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn,out on DVD now.

August 14th : Mercury Rising to be the last PAL Laserdisc ever ?…As many will know, Encore Entertainment stopped making PAL Laserdiscs a fewmonths ago and any other distributors have all done the same, bar Pioneer whohave kept going, presumably subsiding what is obviously a loss-making productwith European sales.

Now the end may be here, as Pioneer have cancelled their Septemberreleases of: Small Soldiers, Deep Impact and the month’s flagship titleSaving Private Ryan, which means that their August Laserdisc,the Bruce Willis actionerMercury Rising,also starring Alec Baldwin, could be the last ever PAL Laserdisc released.

More news as and when it (doesn’t?) happens…

August 13th : Anna Nicole Smith goes pants-down for Playboy on DVD…Anna Nicole Smith, model, actress and widow after her 90+ year-old Texanbillionaire husband died, stars in her own release,Playboy: The Best of Anna Nicole Smith,out on DVD now. What’s on TV this week?

Saturday :Only one thing worth watching today and that’s the start of a repeat runfor the first series of COLD FEET (ITV, 10.35pm), but it’s a shame theydidn’t bother transmitting the pilot beforehand.

Sunday :HOLLYOAKS (C4, 9.30am) is again at an earlier time slot, thanks to thestupid cricket. Lewis faces up to his feelings for Ruth and there’s a shock instore at the Cunningham’s wedding. There’s a new episode of THE SIMPSONS(Sky 1, 6.30pm) entitled “Mayored To The Mob”, featuring the voices of MarkHamill (Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars”) and Dick Tufeld (the first “Lost inSpace” robot), in which the Simpsons are at a sci-fi convention where a riotresults in Homer being made Mayor Quimby’s bodyguard. Toyah tells Spider whatshe thinks of him in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while TerryDuckworth gets out of the Little Chef and back into the street. It’s the lastin the series for MARK LAMARR LEAVING THE 20TH CENTURY (BBC2, 9.35pm),who is joined by Beechy Colclough, therapist to the stars.

Monday :Terry makes a discovery about Jack and Vera’s finances in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm), while Bianca is put under pressure at her interview inEASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm). Channel 4 have the terrestrial premiere ofSFW (C4, 11.45pm), starring Stephen Dorff, Reese Witherspoon, Jake Buseyand Joey Lauren Adams.

Tuesday :Bianca and Dan take a risk in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm), Katrina is undersuspicion when Harry hurts his head in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm). Meadows isreunited with a former colleague, in THE BILL (ITV, 8pm), who revealsthat his dept. is being probed by the police’s internal investigation unit.Finally, there’s a profile of the late INXS lead singer in IN EXCESS: DEATHOF MICHAEL HUTCHENCE (C4, 10pm).

Wednesday :Terry saves Alison from a mugger in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm),while Nikki and Jerome get it together in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm). The onlyshowings of CHICAGO HOPE (BBC1, 12.20am) this week are on today inanother double-bill.

Thursday :The same old things continue in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm), and it’susually about Bianca and Dan. There’s no episode of THE BILL todayas they’re showing a repeated 2-hour episode of TAGGART instead.After showing two episodes earlier in the year, the comedy clip compilationcontinues for YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS (BBC2, 10pm), this time featuringsport. THE SOPRANOS (C4, 10pm), continues to be interesting, but notessential viewing, while the second episode of VENGEANCE UNLIMITED(C4, 12.40am) is on – short-lived US TV series which got good reviews, starringMichael Madsen as the resourceful Mr Chapel, the victim of an unjust legalsystem, who fights to defend the virtuous.

Friday :Kevin is in Alison’s bad books in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), whilespotty Luke is released from the big house in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm).Shock-horror as the BBC show a decent Van Damme film in TIMECOP(BBC1, 9.30pm), but even if it sucks in pan-and-scan, at least there’s a decentbad guy in the form of Ron Silver (Wilmette from CHICAGO HOPE).

August 12th : Jordan gets ’em oot for the lads on Playboy’s DVD…Jordan, the Page 3 model, stars in her own release,Playboy UK Celebrity Special: Jordan,out on DVD now.

August 11th : The Acid House sets its foundations on DVD…Ewen Bremner, Martin Clunes, Jemma Redgrave and Kevin McKidd arejust four of the actors taking part in the 3-parter from Irvine Welsh,The Acid Houseout 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: Disturbing Behaviour, Playing By Heart, Wild Wild West andre-releases of Flubber and The Borrowersand a review ofThe Matrixis online now.

Digiguide adds more channels…Russ Freeman has issued thefollowing press release about Digiguide.

The following new channels have been added this week:

This brings the total supported channels for DigiGuide to 78 and reaffirms ourcommitment to increasing the number of channels supported by DigiGuide.

To get your FREE copy of DigiGuide visit the web site athttp://www.digiguide.co.uk.

August 10th : William Petersen goes on the trail of a killer in Manhunter on DVD…William Petersen tracks down a voyeuristic pervert with a little help,not from his friends, but from psychotic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lektor(Brian Cox) inManhunterout on DVD now.

August 9th : Go for a blast with Descent 3 on PC CD-ROM…Interplay release the third installment of the classy 3D first-personflying shoot-em-up inDescent 3out on PC CD-ROM now. Ronanism – is he just playing with himself in the top slot ?…Find out now on mymusic chart analysis page New DVDs out this weekThe new DVDs available this week include :

Timed to coincide with the events planned to commemorate the 60th anniversaryof the outbreak of World War II, this DVD is released in the same week thatthe film gets a special re-release in cinemas across the UK on September 3rd.

Sony to release DVDs for The Offspring and Ricky Martin…Ricky Martin Official Video Collection is released on September 20thfor £19.99 and contains 8 tracks, subtitles in English, French andSpanish and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. The provisional track listing reads :

The Offspring: Live in Vegas is released a week later on September 27thfor £19.99. 1999 has seen a chart-topping single, “Pretty Fly (For aWhite Guy)”, a No.2 follow-up, “Why Don’t You Get A Job?”, plus a Top 10album, “Americana”.

Filmed live at House of Blues in Las Vegas in March, The Offspring mixedbusiness with pleasure when they performed at a BMX jump-off. The DVD capturesthe raw energy of the band along with interview footage and promo clips. Thesound is in Dolby Digital 5.1 and a biography and web-links are included.

Love Kills for Third Millennium Distribution on Friday 10th September on DVD…Written, directed and starring Mario Van Peebles, this humourous andsometimes violent film also stars Lesley Ann Warren and Daniel Baldwin.With support from Melvin Van Peebles, Alexis Arquette, Loretta Devine,Louise Fletcher and Donovan Leitch, this is an outlandish mixtureof love and mayhem, comedy and tragedy.

Love Kills boasts an original music score from Duran Duran’s SimonLe Bon with Nick Wood and contains two original songs: “Dream Boyz”and “Cupid’s A Hit Man”.

August 6th : What’s on TV this week?

Saturday :Only one thing worth watching today and that’s a 20-year-old film, the comedyNATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE (ITV, 11pm), starring John Belushi andTom Hulce. A review of the PAL Laserdisc can be foundHERE !.

Sunday :HOLLYOAKS (C4, 9.30am) moves back to an earlier time slot, thanks to thestupid cricket. Mr Osborne and Ruth come up with a plan to keep Dave at bay,while Max panics when his father asks him to be the best man. Some have askedin uk.media.tv.misc who the Australian girl is who plays Kerri. It’s SarahVandenbergh, last seen regularly on UK TV as Lou’s daughter Lauren Carpenterin Neighbours. She can also be heard as one of the actors in MAN OFSOUP (Tuesday, Radio 4, 6.30pm), a 6-part comedy series, the first of whichwas broadcast last week. In CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), The Streetgoes to the races, except for Deirdre whose mother visits. EASTENDERS(BBC1, 8pm) has an extra episode today, but like the main soap on ITV, fourepisodes a week is simply overkill. MARK LAMARR LEAVING THE 20TH CENTURY(BBC2, 9.30pm) is joined by TV chef Clarissa Dickson-Wright to talk aboutclass. The only film worth a look on TV today is ACCIDENTAL HERO(ITV, 11.45pm) with Geena Davis, Dustin Hoffman and Andy Garcia.

Monday :Jack has more health problems in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), whileEmily is taken on as Deirdre’s replacement at Baldwin’s factory. Like most ofthe soaps, Ian, Melanie and several other cast members of EASTENDERS(BBC1, 8pm), are off to see the stupid so-called “once in a lifetime” eclipse.

Tuesday :Eclipse-fever deepens in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm), while Greg takesadvantage of Margi’s absence (yawn!) in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm) and Markappears to have accepted his marriage is over. Sun Hill is evacuated when abomb is planted in the station in THE BILL (ITV, 8pm). The only thingworth a look in these times of the eclipse is a rerun of two episodes ofTHE PLANETS (BBC1, 10.55pm) and DVD player owners can look forward laterin the year to a double-disc release for the entire series in anamorphic 16:9widescreen format. If only all recent BBC series could get this treatment.Finally, there’s the first of two double-bills this week for CHICAGO HOPE(BBC1, 12.35am). This is the series that was on Sky around 18 months ago, andgod knows when Sky are going to show more, but despite seeing all of thesealready, they’re still very entertaining. Film comedy can be found in SteveMartin’s THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS (C5, 9pm).

Wednesday :Sod the eclipse as it’s a waste of time, but the only thing to worry about isthe later time-slot, thanks to football, for CORONATION STREET(ITV, 9.55pm), in which Spider and Toyah get carried away and Jack has hisbypass operation. Jacqui finds out about Susannah’s affair in BROOKSIDE(C4, 8pm). I’ve given up watching LOVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY after twoepisodes and JACK OF HEARTS after one, since neither offer anything new,so the only other thing worth a watch is the second double-bill this week ofCHICAGO HOPE (BBC1, 12.05am).

Thursday :Natalie is nervous about Barry meeting her Mum in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm).Two of Nicholas Lyndhurst’s cast-offs from different series, Emma Amos andJanet Dibley appear in THE BILL (ITV, 9pm), in which a man is infectingprostitues with HIV in a 90-minute episode. Taking the OZ slot, butswapping with BITS, is VENGEANCE UNLIMITED (C4, 12.40am), ashort-lived US TV series which got good reviews, starring Michael Madsen asthe resourceful Mr Chapel, the victim of an unjust legal system, who fights todefend the virtuous.

Friday :Jack sees a face from the past in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), whileJason admits to having a real problem with Jerome in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm).But why? If it’s just a standard racist issue, then why is this well-worn topicbeing dealt with in such a dull and predictable way, particularly by a soap thatused to touch on such issues in a fresh and original way? The only film worth awatch is ROPE (BBC2, 11.15pm), Hitchcock’s film about two men who kill a man in cold blood and then throw a party for his family and friends.It starred James Stewart, but I preferred the remake with Bradford Dillman andDean Stockwell (yes, he from Quantum Leap and Blue Velvet), namedCOMPULSION, which was last shown on BBC2 in 1993 in its originalCinemascope format – something they never do anymore 🙁

August 4th : Dire Straits strut their stuff on DVD…Dire Straits release their greatest hits compilation in the form of the16-trackSultans of Swingout on DVD now.

August 3rd : There’s Something About DVD For Mary…The hit comedy There’s Something About Mary appears on DVD to coincidewith the release of the retail video releases. No price is confirmed for theDVD yet, but on October 4th, the following extras will also adorn the release :

Titles promised for November from Fox are : Die Hard 1 & 2, Courage UnderFire, Unlawful Entry, Point Break, Speed 1 & (well I liked it!) 2.

Titanic – what’s the price ?…£24.99 seemed like an awful lot to pay for a two-year-old film with noextras and a non-anamorphic transfer, so why have Fox now confirmed a dealerprice that points to an RRP of £29.99 ?

They’re not confirming that this is the retail price, but it cannot point toanything else as it’s the same dealer price for Metallica: Cunning Stuntson DVD as well as the PAL Laserdiscs for Titanic itself and theforthcoming Saving Private Ryan from Pioneer, as well as anything elsethat’s ever cost £29.99 on a home video format.

With some DVDs being offered in certain shops on a “2 for £30” deal,are Fox simply overplaying their hand or starting a worrying trend ?

Entertainment in Video’s third batch of DVD releases: First look…Thanks to Michelle on behalf of EiV for the following titles.Prior to full reviews appearing on each, here’s a run down on them. Allare widescreen…and again it’s a case of feast or famine.

In the anamorphic corner :

Blade (£19.99): an animated, theatrical trailer, cast and crew,behind-the-scenes, director’s commentary, English subtitles and two ‘making of’featurettes.

In the “what’s anamorphic?” corner :

Long Kiss Goodnight (£17.99): trailer, ‘making of’ and’stunt scenes’.
Last Man Standing (£15.99): trailer and ‘making of’.
Tombstone (£15.99): trailer and ‘making of’.

All of the above look good but it’s a shame that the last three aren’t anamorphicand don’t contain a DD5.1 soundtrack. However, on my Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROMplayer, the last three crash the player when fast-forwarding the trailer andthe ‘making of’ featurette, while the last two also crash it whenfast-forwarding the final chapter.

…and what’s next on the slate for Entertainment in Video ?August 16th :

Rush Hour (£19.99): widescreen, theatrical trailer, deleted scenes,cast and crew stills and interview text, two music videos, a behind-the-scenesfeature and “What Happened to Mason Reese ?” – the amazing story of directorBrett Ratner’s very first movie.
Up Close and Personal (£15.99): pan-and-scan! and trailer
The Piano (£15.99): widescreen.

August 23rd :

Mr Nice Guy (£15.99): widescreen with cast and crew interview bites.
Most Wanted (£15.99): widescreen.

August 2nd : Christian Slater and Morgan Freeman battle Hard Rain on DVD…Christian Slater, Morgan Freeman, Randy Quaid and Minnie Driverstar inHard Rainout on DVD now. Ronanism – is he just playing with himself in the top slot ?…Find out now on mymusic chart analysis page Playboy to release more DVDs today…The Best of Jenny McCarthy features the raunchy presenter ofMTV’s popular dating show Singled Out and is available to buy for£15.99.

From her childhood days on Chicago’s south side to celebrity status as TV’shottest new star, Jenny McCarthy is fast soaring to the heights of showbizstardom. Jenny became America’s ultimate girl-next-door when she won Playboy’sPlaymate of the Year 1994 award and has since landed her own sitcom,originally-titled Jenny, as well as roles in Things To Do In DenverWhen You’re Dead and The Stupids. I wonder if she’s trying to gettypecast with the latter.

Jordan: Celebrity Special features another of Britain’s favouritefantasy girls, Jordan on DVD for £15.99.

Until recently, Jordan, real name Katie Price, was a Page 3 Sun regular untilthe silicone-free page banned her for having plastic implants. Wearing nothingmore than a football, a Manchester United scarf and a smile, Jordan revealsall (nearly) and has been linked romantically with TV Gladiator Ace andMan.Utd soccer player Teddy Sheringham.

Star Wars on DVD…sort of…Since George Lucas has stated that he will not release any StarWars films on DVD this side of the millennium, your only chance to seesome information about the films on the digital format will be from VisualEntertainment’s The Unauthorised Star Wars Story, available tobuy on DVD for £15.99 on August 2nd.

Packed full of interviews with the contributors, key stars and cult heroes fromall four Star Wars films, this reveals what it was like to be involved in themaking of motion picture history. Han Solo (Harrison Ford), LukeSkywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), C3PO(Anthony Daniels), R2D2 (Kenny Baker), Darth Vader (DaveProwse) and even Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) share their experiencesand anecdotes of what went on, in front of the cameras and away from them,not to mention interviews with George Lucas himself.

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

The new widescreen videos available this week include :