Skip to content
- September 30thSeptember 29thSeptember 28thSeptember 27thSeptember 24thSeptember 23rdSeptember 22ndSeptember 21stSeptember 20thSeptember 18thSeptember 17thSeptember 16thSeptember 14thSeptember 13thSeptember 12thSeptember 10thSeptember 8thSeptember 7thSeptember 6thSeptember 5thSeptember 4thSeptember 3rdSeptember 2ndSeptember 1st
September 30th : Resident Evil: The Movie…?Not quite, but a review of George A. Romero‘s middle-part of his Deadtrilogy,Dawn of the Dead: Director’s Cut,is online and out on DVD next Monday. Shitty Chitty Bang Bang…?As well as being delayed until next week, thanks toThe R2 Projectfor the news that it may well be a god-awful PAN AND SCAN transfer andnot the promised 2.35:1 ratio. Booooooooooooooo!
September 29th : Sony’s October/November DVD releases & EiV’s releases out this week and next…There’s a saying that those who can, do, while those who can’t, teach. However,in DVD terms, it’s a case of those who can, do, while those who can’t, justput out what they’ve got.
Hence, between these two companies, Sony rule the roost as King with the titleslisted below, while Entertainment in Video are more like the Court Jester.
The four titles released by Sony, which have been summarised on my news pagebefore, are :
- Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (Nov 1st) : It’sbeen a long time coming, but it’s clearly worth the wait. Not only does it have23 tracks, DD5.1 sound and the Outside promo which wasn’t on last year’s videocompilation, but Sony have gone the extra mile with the engaging52-minute Exclusive BBC Parkinson interview including unbroadcast footage.
– Track listing: Outside, Fastlove, Spinning The Wheel, Freedom 90,Killer/Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Too Funky, Faith, I Want Your Sex, Jesus To AChild, Waltz Away Dreaming, Father Figure, Older, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down OnMe, Kissing A Fool, I Knew You Were Waiting For Me, Somebody To Love, Monkey,One More Try, Star People 97 (MTV Unplugged), I Can’t Make You Love Me (MTVUnplugged), A Different Corner, You Have Been Loved (MTV Unplugged) andCareless Whisper. - Pink Floyd: The Wall : Put back again to November 8th, this isanother DVD that will be worth waiting for. The features are :
- New Hi-definition film transfer of the complete motion picture from theoriginal widescreen interpositive
- Previously unreleased film footage
- Remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack direct from the original mastertapes
- 25-minute documentary: The Other Side of the Wall
- Audio commentary from Roger Waters & Gerald Scarfe
- Retrospective: an exclusive 45-minute documentary of interviews withRoger Waters, Gerald Scarfe, Alan Parker, Peter Biziou, Alan Marshall &James Guthrie.
- Original film trailer and production stills
- Newly-designed interactive menus
- Subtitled, scene/song selection and secret buttons
- Subtitles: English, Japanese, French, Italian and Spanish
- Charlotte Church: Voice of an Angel – In Concert (Nov 1st) :This exceptional 13-year-old Welsh soprano phenomenon comes to DVD with aconcert to be broadcast in 50-minute form on BBC1 at 7.30pm, 31st October,while the DVD release the next day contains the full 66-minute concert.For an example of her work, tune into Classic FM (101.1 FM) and listen tothe Top 20 Classical albums as her CD of the same title never drops out.
– Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, a biography and photo gallery are also included. - Ricky Martin: Video Collection (Oct 25th) : Another delayed title,but it will include Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and a biography. I’ve listed thetracks here before and Latino dance music fans will have something to lookforward to. For those who can’t wait, the video is out on October 4th.
The titles released by Entertainment in Video, for which I have info,are :Deep Rising, Wild Things, Turbulence, Les Miserables, The Fan & The Crow
According to the covers, the first two are anamorphic widescreen, the next threeare non-anamorphic 2.35:1, while The Crow is fullscreen only. A reviewof that film on PAL Laserdisc can be foundHERE.
All of the first four contain a trailer and a making-of featurette of somedescription, although most of the recent ones I’ve seen from them have beenmore like extended trailers offering little more insight into the film.The Crow contains the “exclusive” last-ever interview with Brandon Leethat has also “exclusively” featured on the video release.
Before you rush out though, all of these titles from EiV are Pro-Logic only.D’oh !
Rufus Sewell takes a trip through the Dark City on DVD…Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly and Richard O’Brienstar in director Alex Proyas‘ follow-up to The Crow,Dark City,which is online and out on DVD now. BBC DVDs delayed until November…The news that all the October BBC DVDs are being delayed until November hasbeen circulating around the BBC’s PR dept. today. As soon as I have any concreteinfo on the dates I shall post it here. Blade goes weird on DVD…I’ve noticed something very bizarre about the Blade DVD from Entertainment inVideo. Check out the additional comment at the end of the reviewHERE !
September 28th : The Lover’s Guide comes to DVD…Although Carlton have already released the fifth installment of the successfulLover’s Guide series on DVD, they are set to release the first three, plusThe Essential Lover’s Guide, on DVD on October 11th, each for £19.99.
If you’ve already seen the videos then you’ll know what to expect, but if youhaven’t then these are “educational” videos (that’s the excuse they use to getaway with showing penetration and other things that the BBFC won’t usually allowfor an 18-cert on video) which aim to teach you about sex (presuming that acurry and a few pints of lager during Fresher’s Fortnight don’t do the trick!).
They’ve been imitated many times since by other companies, but The Lover’sGuide is the original series which kicked off this video phenomenon.
The four volumes are entitled :
- The Lover’s Guide
- The Lover’s Guide 2: Making Sex Even Better
- The Lover’s Guide 3: How To Intensify Love Making (previously subtitled: Better Orgasms)
- The Essential Lover’s Guide
Updated cinema listings…Stuck for something to do this weekend? Live in the Manchester area? The listof the films showing at
Manchester Showcase Cinemacan be found on this page.
This week’s new films are : Love Letter, Big Daddy, GMT, Final Cut &You’re Dead.
UK Matrix: Buy any other DVD than this…Apart from the fact that I thought it was an extremely dull film (see my cinemareviewHERE),it will be missing so many of the extras that the Americans were treated to.
For the full news, check out theThe DVD DebateandThe R2 Project,the latter of which has contact address at Warner which you should write toin order to complain. If those don’t work, try emailing Anne Robinson onWatchdog at :watchdog@bbc.co.uk
Me and my Aortic Valve Replacement operation – a summary…A world away from home cinema and DVDs, I know, but I’ve been asked about thisa fair few times so I thought I’d publish this on my website. I’ll add thisin here and put it up onTHIS PAGE.Happy reading….
On April 29th 1994 I had an aortic valve replacement operation which stemmedfrom a heart defect that I was born with. The following is an account I wrote,last updated in November 1994 (so forgive the present-tense scribblings when ithappened ages ago).
(some of the details are a little unsavoury, so I award this section a PG13 🙂
(In UK terms that means : Put down your dinner!)
It’s something I’ve had a problem with since birth, so to speak.I had ops for co-ortation of the aorta (ie. they cut a bit out and sewed theends up, since it’s quite stretchy) when I was 12 days old and 9.5yrs old.
Now I’m 22, my heart has stopped growing as everyone’s does, and it was timeto do the op (I’ve had checkups at the Manchester Royal Infirmary all my life,although before the age of 12 I was at St.Marys Childrens Hospital round thecorner. All of these are every 6 months, and the next is 14th January!)
I found out in my checkup in July 92 that I’d have to have the op soon sincethe regular ECG (echo-cardiogram) and Echoscan (like an Ultrasound) testsshowed up that I needed it.
So I saw the surgeon in August last year, and he put me on the waiting list.Since graduating in June last year, I got my old job back at Little Chef,purely as a job until I found something else.
Then when I found out in July that I’d have to have the op, I decided to stayat the Chef until I had the op, hoping that it wouldn’t be too long, butI waited and waited and waited, and got totally pissed off with the LittleChef, although the people that worked there were great and that’s the onlything that keeps you going there, since the wages are shit (3quid an hour!)and 90% of the customers are wankers (but then any job working with thepublic must be crap).
So, since I knew that all my mates still at Keele were finishing their finalson May 18th, I asked for a week off (I did this on March 31st) from then soI could go there and get pissed. Also, I remember that last year on the lastday of the finals (I finished mine 8 days before the last lot) when everyonewho finished the last exams came out, they were bombed with eggs, flour andbuckets of …well, whatever was in it was anyone’s guess. Imagine eatinglots of kebabs and drinking 3 bottles of vodka and leave to simmer for a bit :)I didn’t think I’d get the week off but I did! I was so pleased since gettingtime off at Little Chef is like getting blood out of a stone!
The next day..I got the date for my op! : April 29th! Grrr!I had to go in the day before, so I finished Little Chef on Apr 24th,and went in on the 28th, had the op the next day, came out a week later onFri May 6th, and have been recouperating for the total of 3 months since(and I have a sick note for that length of time, so at least the sick payis some money that I’m getting from the Little Chef for free 🙂
To replace my aortic valve (with a metal/carbon one) they have to go throughthe breastbone (ummm…), into the heart (glad I was out for this one!) andthen they use 5 or 6 metal wires to put the breastbone back together, andit takes 3 months to all get back together and fine. The time may be longerfor older people, and most of them were.
However, it took about 5 weeks after the op before I was feeling a lot morelike myself and luckily I was able to make it to Keele for the last 3 daysof term and I had an absolute ball. Just the perfect tonic.
A while back I saw a doc who gave me the all clear, and later on(after getting a note from my GP to say I was fit and allowed ..) I couldresume driving. I spent a whole 7 or 8 weeks without driving! What a pisser!
For five weeks, twice I week, I went to the sessions at the MRI for a cardiacrehab course (the next youngest person is in their mid-40s and there areplenty of OAPs…well, there’s about 10 or 11 in the group altogether).We just did exercises like shoulder-circles and leg raises in the Wed session(Mon was just for signing up really, and letting them take details like BPand pulse rate) and things will progress as the course goes on until the lastday which was Mon 25th July.
By the way, since my new aortic valve is made from metal/carbon, it clicksevery time my heart beats since the blood is meant to go through it from theheart, and not leak back at all which is what my old one did slightly.Hence, I sound like a Swatch watch all the time now! I noticed it all the timewhen I first get it, but not so much now – only when it’s quiet and when Iam thinking about it.
However when I went to Keele for the Summer Party and the last Friday of theterm, I discovered the best ever chat up line – getting all the ladiesto have a listen to my new valve..and they did! One girl even said “Ooh, Icould listen to that all night!”, but I don’t think her b/f would approve ;)I wonder if I could hire a Swatch-watch fancy dress costume??
I was thinking of sampling the click and making a dance record out of it.I could call it “Aortic beat”!! 🙂
Now I’m on 1mg or 3mg tablets of Warfarin for the rest of my life (usuallytaking 2mg or 3mg per day), and I didn’t know what else this stuff was usedfor… it’s RAT POISON! The rats can’t handle it due to their metabolism andthe fact that it thins the blood, hence it stops the valve from clotting up.If I don’t take enough Warfarin then the valve would clot up after a while,and if I took too much…excess blood has to come out somewhere… :O
September 27th : Will there be an S Club Party at No.1 or will it just be Blue boredom…?Find out now on mymusic chart analysis page DVD and Widescreen video and laserdisc lists updated…Now online are the fully updated lists for :
The new widescreen videos added are :
September 6th :The new DVDs added are :
Already out :The new widescreen videos available this week include :
As well as an anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen transfer, it contains an alternateending, deleted scenes (both with optional director’s commentary on top),1940’s archive footage of the original Land Girls, cast and crew interviews,a featurette, photo library, behind-the-scenes footage, trailer and for thefirst time on a VCI DVD, English subtitles!
September 24th : OnDigital review due soon on Sonicstate…Thanks very much to Laura Nason from OnDigital for the digital receiver Ireceived yesterday morning for review. I’m still getting used to the functionshaving played with it for a few hours so far, but a full in-depth review willfollow shortly. In the meantime, check out their homepage at :www.ondigital.co.uk Dirty Harry on DVD: A first look…Thanks to Stephen Pearson on behalf of Warner for the Dirty Harry DVD which I’vereceived. A full review will follow in due course, but on first look it hasan anamorphic widescreen picture and a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack,but no extras. October’s Film Four/VCI DVD releases…Details of four Film Four/VCI releases came in today all out on the 18thOctober :
- The Debt Collector (18) (£19.99) : a dark psychologicalthriller set in Edinburgh starring Ken Stott and Billy Connolly.Anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and a trailer.
- Fever Pitch (15) (£15.99) : Colin Firth and RuthGemmell star in a comic account of life, love and the Arsenal footballteam. Anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Surround sound, photo library and a trailer.
- Secrets and Lies (15) (£15.99) : Slice-of-life drama byMike Leigh, starring Brenda Blethyn, Tim Spall and MarianneJean-Baptiste. Anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Surround and a trailer.
- The Pillow Book (18) (£15.99) : Ewan McGregor gets nakedin Peter Greenaway‘s film set in Japan and Hong Kong, also starringVivian Wu. Ratio 4:3 full-frame with Dolby Surround sound.
What’s on TV this week ?
Saturday :While the BBC have a audience-friendly line-up of CASUALTY (BBC1, 8.05pm),AIRPORT (BBC1, 8.55pm) and the new second series of the entertainingROGER ROGER (BBC1, 9.25pm), the other side hit back with the Welshcrooning rocker AN AUDIENCE WITH TOM JONES (ITV, 8.55pm). Sunday :In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), the now-90-minute omnibus sees Carol wonderingif her diary has got into the wrong hands, Max is taken seriously over theallegations of Sean’s mistreatment of Holly, and in a bid to make us thinkthat 3 episodes a week is necessary, the new students have a night to remember.In BEVERLY HILLS 90210 (Sky One, 2pm), the pressure builds on Gina asshe comes face to face with a former ice-skating rival. Frank Spencer meetshis old RAF “friends” in SOME MOTHERS TO ‘AVE ‘EM (BBC2, 7pm) andGary regrets saying “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you Judy” inCORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm). Series 2 of COLD FEET (ITV, 9.30pm)materialises six months on (in their time) from the first one, with Adam longingto become a proper father. Comedy fans should take note that for once there’s anepisode of THE SOUTH BANK SHOW (ITV, 10.45pm) worth watching as PaulMerton is featured. Monday :Ashley’s fears threaten to leave the honeymoon grounded in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm). Nina makes a shocking discovery in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm).It took me a while to get back into the first episode of LIVERPOOL ONE(ITV, 9pm), but this week the team investigate a music teacher suspected ofchild abuse. The first episode of PEOPLE LIKE US (BBC2, 10pm) was a workof genius and episode two sees Roy Mallard (Chris Langham) centring on estateagents. Tuesday :Peggy tries to push Phil and Kathy together in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm),while Grant has an unexpected visit. Nathan’s family aren’t quite what Jacquiexpected in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm). Ackland, Boyden and Cryer are at eachothers throats in THE BILL (ITV, 8pm) when a prisoner dies in custody.Last week MCCOIST AND MACAULY (BBC1, 10.50pm) were meant to interviewPaul Merton, Tom Jones and Mel C, but this week they actually do. Those witha musical bent should watch THE 33RD ANNUAL COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS(BBC2, 9pm) Wednesday :Gary tears a strip out of Vera and Jack in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 9.45pm),on at a later time due to the football AGAIN! Mick decides to sell off thechippy in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm), only a couple of weeks after telling Leothat he shouldn’t just give in to idiotic racists. Games-review show BITS(C4, 1.40am) changes day. Thursday :Matthew finds that the only way out of prison may be a suicide pill inEASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm). Beech pulls rank when Glaze arrests one ofhis informants in THE BILL (ITV, 8pm). Glaze relents but begins to regretit later. Finally for today, “Oh shit, it’s back!”, the unsurpassable VIDZ(C4, 12.15am) heads back to your screen ready for another series for Nige andStef to spit and swear through. You have been warned! Friday :Gary and the twins say their farewell to Judy in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm). In BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm), Susannah’s health goes downhill,Nikki blurts out the unblurtable at her dad’s funeral, Mick signs over thechippy and Mark drops a bombshell on Darren and Victoria. What a sad bastard.Starting on Fri 24th and continuing this week is Simon Pegg (Big Train) andJessica Stevenson’s new sitcom SPACED (C4, 9.30pm). Those looking for afilm could do worse than LAST ACTION HERO (ITV, 9pm) – well, I liked it!September 23rd : Two new Playboy titles & Dawn of the Dead on DVD: A first look…As stated two days ago when I received the press release, George A. Romero’sDawn of the Dead: Director’s Cut is released on October 4th and at firstglance although it’s cut for 6 seconds, there’s still 139 mins and 19 secondsof gory action with a picture gallery, plus a commentary track from TomSavini that doesn’t feature on the US DVD!
Also, it’s “tits oot for the lads” time as Playmates of the Year 1997 and 1999respectively, blondes Victoria Silvstedt and Heather Kozar gettheir kit off on their respective DVDs, each with a bonus playmate! More newswhen the review goes online.
Thanks to Richard Larcombe on behalf of BMG and Medusa for the above.
September 22nd : JFK on DVD: A first look…Thanks to Stephen Pearson on behalf of Warner for the JFK DVD which I’vereceived. A full review will follow in due course, but on first look it’sonly the theatrical release version (not the Director’s Cut which was releasedon widescreen video in 1993 with a “Beyond JFK” documentary), non-anamorphicand with no extras. Father Ted and Drop the Dead Donkey on video in November…Thanks to VCI for the press release I’ve received regarding two ofHat Trick‘s favourite TV series made to date, both of which have nowcome to a close.
September 21st : Eidos’ first release for the Sega Dreamcast…The Sega Dreamcast finally sees the light of day on Thursday, October 14th andthe day after (the 15th for those without a calendar or a brain) sees therelease of Power Stone.
Power Stone is set in the superstitious 19th century when adventurers dreamedof vast riches and hunted for the fabled treasures of old, including PowerStones – the most sought-after treasures of them all.
You can choose to be 1 of 8 characters ranging from Ayame, The Cherry BlossomDancing Girl – a ninja masquerading as a travelling entertainer; to Rouge, TheRed Hot Witch – a fortune teller who walks the Earth with a combination of charmand grace. Each character has unique attributes that can be used to youradvantage.
Power Stone contains fully interactive 3D worlds allowing players to interactwith the environment as never before: swing off a lamp post, run up walls andwield items like tables and barrels during swashbuckling battles with opponents.Collect three Power Stones and your character transforms into a ragingsuper-being, capable of executing deadly power fusion moves.
Payback DVD withdrawn…Warner’s new release Payback, starring Mel Gibson has been withdrawnsince someone apparently forgot to put the film certificate (18) on the DVDitself. “D’oh”‘s all round at Warner Home Video today! Dawn of the Dead set for October 4th…The 1978 George A Romero classic gets a DVD release for £15.99 in apparentDirector’s Cut form, but while having been cut for 6 seconds, it doesrun for 139 mins 19 secs, compared to the 120:08 (with 12 seconds cut)version that was previously available on video.
Extras attached: Exclusive commentary from Tom Savini, film facts and a stillsgallery.
Plague and Parts set for release on October 16th…Two films from Digital Entertainment Ltd are released on October 16th :
More details to follow when I have them.
The Brylcreem Boys touch down on DVD on October 25th…This World War II drama starring Bill Campbell, Gabriel Byrne, John Gordon-Sinclairand Joe McGann is available to buy on DVD from October 25th for £15.99and features a trailer and a documentary about the real camp with film starinterviews entitled “Past into Present”. EiV’s big 7 from September 27…7 titles on the 27th of this month (ie. next Monday) are released on DVD fromEntertainment on Video, all priced at £15.99 :
- Wild Things : anamorphic widescreen, trailer, featurette.
- Deep Rising : widescreen, trailer, featurette.
- Mortal Kombat 2: Annihilation : widescreen, trailer.
- Les Miserables : Liam Neeson version; widescreen, trailer, featurette.
- Turbulence : widescreen, trailer, featurette.
- The Fan : widescreen.
- The Crow : pan & scan (although the PAL Laserdisc was open-matte,so presumably the same version will be used), plus “an exclusive interviewwith Brandon Lee before he died”, which is the same “exclusive interview”that has featured on the VHS version for many years, no doubt. He certainlydidn’t have time to make any more.
September 20th : Is there another new No.1 this week? Would you be surprised if there wasn’t…?Find out now on mymusic chart analysis page Small Soldiers go into action on PAL Laserdisc…A bevvy of stars and star voices get ready for Joe Dante‘sSmall Soldiers,which is online and out on DVD now. Titanic on DVD: A first look…Thanks to Liz and Abby on behalf of Fox for the Titanic DVD I’ve received.A review shall follow in due course, but while the picture and sound are verygood, the former isn’t anamorphic. The theatrical trailer is included. The Exorcist: Work this one out…September 25th sees the DVD and video retail release of The Exorcist,but while the DVD is £15.99, the widescreen video will retail for£16.99 (!) Why pay a pound more for an inferior format? New DVDs and widescreen videos out this weekThe new DVDs available this week include :
The new widescreen videos available this week include :
September 18th : Competition time: Win ‘Patch Adams’ on video…Dominator’s Reviews‘ new sponsor, Bensons World of Home Entertainmentis running a competition until the end of this month in which you can win a copyof the Robin Williams comedy,Patch Adams.
Just clickHERE to enter.
Texas Chain Saw Massacre now available on DVD……And another piece of info for horror fans. Bensons World of Home Entertainmentnow have Texas Chain Saw Massacre available on DVD right now.
Just clickHERE formore information.
September 17th : What’s on TV this week ? Saturday :The autumn line-up starts here with new series beginning for CASUALTY(BBC1, 8.05pm), in which we find out whether Sam lives or dies (I heard arumour that he lives but then leaves the show anyway) and then idioticcustomers are abound in a new AIRPORT (BBC1, 8.55pm). If you can handlethe truth then I’ll tell you that A FEW GOOD MEN (ITV, 10.20pm) is on,although it’ll be destroyed by not being in 2.35:1 widescreen. Sunday :In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), the omnibus lasts 2 hours as Rob Hawthornreturns and takes Tony, Lucy, Lewis and Ruth for a swim they’ll never forget,and the horrified look on Lucy’s face at the end of last week’s show camebecause her brother Kurt died, but was it at the hands of Rob ?In BEVERLY HILLS 90210 (Sky One, 2pm), Kelly puts herself in a riskyposition to help Dylan, although a horrific event occurs that changes her lifeforever. What could it be? Has she forgotten to do her roots ?!?! Homer changeshis name when a dimwitted TV character called “Homer Simpson” becomes anovernight sensation in THE SIMPSONS: HOMER TO THE MAX (Sky One, 6.30pm),a new episode. Danny comes clean to Sharon in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm).Indecisive people will have problems when two shows clash. A second helpingof CASUALTY (BBC1, 8pm) meets with the second part of a two-part storyfor THE BILL (ITV, 8pm), in which racist undertones get the better ofSmithy in an episode directed by Spike Lee (only joking). Film fans shouldtake a look at two of Britain’s finest, Tim Roth and Gary Oldman starring inROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (BBC2, 11.25pm). Film fans shouldavoid the dire A LIFE LESS ORDINARY (Channel 4, 10pm) and a review ofthe DVD can be found onlineHERE ! Monday :HOLLYOAKS (C4, 6.30pm) runs for 3 days-per-week from this week onwards,which I hope doesn’t signal things going downhill like most soaps, since twoepisodes were fine and last week’s four-parter drew things out too much.Jack and Vera feud over the car that’s going to cause problems later in theweek in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm). Kathy comes home in EASTENDERS(BBC1, 8pm). JERRY SPRINGER UK (ITV, 8pm) is just that – a copy of hisUS chat-fight-show. Quality entertainment returns to ITV in the form of theengaging LIVERPOOL ONE (ITV, 9pm), although why Sam Janus has returnedher hair colour to a brunette I don’t know. PEOPLE LIKE US (BBC2, 10pm)is a spoof documentary series following “middle England” at work. The trailerslook very promising. Tuesday :Love is in the air for Grant and Nina in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm),while Jamie makes a discovery that could be a breakthrough for Matthew.Mick tells Sinbad that he’s going to sell the chippy in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm).Rawton and Meadows clash when a violent ex-con returns to Sun Hill in THE BILL(ITV, 8pm). Sky have two new cartoon series in the form of FUTURAMA(Sky One, 8pm) in which Matt “Simpsons” Groening brings another set of cartooncharacters to life as a pizza delivery boy called Fry falls into a cryogenicchamber and wakes up 1000 years later on New Year’s Eve, 2999. I’ve seen anepisode already of FAMILY GUY (Sky One, 8.30pm) and its safe to saythat if you like The Simpsons, you’ll like this too. There’s a new chat showin the form of MCCOIST AND MACAULY (BBC1, 10.50pm) with Ally and Fred,this week interviewing Paul Merton, Tom Jones and Mel C. Wednesday :Maxine has a hen night and Ashley does the male equivalent in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 9.45pm), on at a later time due to the football. Jimmy approaches Callumin BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm). Thursday :Grant goes into disaster-mode in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm), after anevent in The Vic. Oranges aren’t clockwork, but poisonous for new DS ClaireStanton making her debut in THE BILL (ITV, 8pm). The excellentTHE ROYLE FAMILY (BBC1, 10pm) changes channel for a second series. Friday :There’s a whole hour of CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm) as there’s amarriage to be had. Shelley invites Lindsey to stay over in BROOKSIDE(C4, 8.30pm), but is there more than meets the eye or does she just want to”lesbe-friends” ? Greg’s body is released but even in death he bores everyonesilly. Just as you think a new series of HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU isdue, BBC2 repeat series two of GAME ON (BBC2, 10pm), which is definitelythe best of the three series made. When it was first shown, I had to watcheach episode twice as I loved it so much.
September 16th : Queer as Folk: A first look…Two days after being told it wasn’t out for another two weeks, this gay dramahas definitely been outed already as it arrived today.
As well as a clean widescreen print in its original ratio of 1.77:1 (16:9) asshown on Channel 4 earlier in the year, it comes complete with a short pieceof behind-the-scenes footage presented by Ed Hall and a 20-strong picturegallery, although my Creative Encore Dxr2 seems to have trouble getting pastthe first picture.
Sadly, it’s not anamorphic so widescreen TV owners will have to zoom thepicture in, but it’s most welcome to see TV series appearing on DVD so soonafter their first broadcast. I hope the eventual second series also followssuit.
September 14th : Maurice and Scum delayed…Thanks to The DVD DebateandThe R2 Project for the info that bothMaurice and Scum have been delayed until October 4th. Land Girls and Queer as Folk delayed…Thanks to Michelle at Media Communications for the info that The Land Girlsand Queer as Folk have both been delayed, yet again, to September 27th.
September 13th : Will Mambo No.5 be No.1 for a third week…?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 :
- 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 12th : The 100 Greatest TV Moments…As broadcast on Channel 4 last night and printed in today’s Observer, hereis a roundup of the 100 greatest TV moments of all time :
- 100: Richard Wilson on the ‘phone’ in One Foot in the Grave (1993)
- 99: Euro 96 – Gareth Southgate misses a penalty and the Germans win
- 98: Absolutely Fabulous – Edina and Patsy come back home from a night out
- 97: 1970’s Green Cross Code advert with Dave Prowse (1975)
- 96: Torvill and Dean win the skating to Bolero (1983)
- 95: Cracker: “To Be A Somebody”. Robert Carlyle and Robbie Coltrane (1994)
- 94: Doctor Who: The Daleks (1964)
- 93: Rising Damp: Rigsby flirts with Miss Jones (1974)
- 92: Gulf War: Brent Sadler: Incoming cruise missiles (1991)
- 91: All Blacks vs. The Barbarians: Gareth Edwards’ try (1973)
- 90: Aspel: Oliver Reed’s appearance
- 89: World in Action: Mick Jagger interview (1967)
- 88: The Miners’ strike (1984)
- 87: Father Ted: Cows in perspective (1996)
- 86: Death On The Rock (1988)
- 85: Clive Anderson Talks Back: Peter Cook (1993)
- 84: Roger Bannister runs the first 4-minute mile
- 83: Abigail’s Party (1977): Demis Roussos
- 82: Panorama: Spaghetti grows on trees
- 81: Michael Fish’s Weather Report: – “no chance of a hurricane” (1987)
- 80: The release of the Guildford Four (1989)
- 79: The death of John Lennon (1980)
- 78: Red Rum wins the Grand National for the third time (1977)
- 77: Comic Strip: The Strike (1988)
- 76: Celtic vs. Inter Milan: European Cup (1967)
- 75: The Avengers’ opening titles (not the film)
- 74: Graham Taylor documentary: swearing 44 times
- 73: Queer As Folk
- 72: Six O’Clock News: “Clause 28” protest (1988)
- 71: Richard Nixon apologises for the Watergate scandal
- 70: The Naked Civil Servant (The dream scene) (1975)
- 69: 7 Up: The Beginning (1964)
- 68: Some Mothers Do Ave Em – The Roller-skate stunt (1975)
- 67: Spitting Image: The Vegetable sketch (1985)
- 66: John Nott walks out on Robin Day
- 65: The Prisoner
- 64: Martin Luther King: I Have a Dream (1963)
- 63: Steptoe and Son: House divided in two
- 62: Brideshead Revisited: gay feelings arise just in time for No.61
- 61: The Word: Shabba Ranks says it’s right to shoot gays
- 60: Liverpool vs. Arsenal championship decider (1989)
- 59: Brookside: Lesbian snog (1994)
- 58: Brass Eye: The drug “Cake”
- 57: Jacob Burlowski: The Ascent of Man philosophy
- 56: Gibbs SR: 1955 first TV ad
- 55: Bill Clinton’s Lewinsky denial (1998)
- 54: Donald Campbell: Bluebird (1967)
- 53: Russell Harty attacked by Grace Jones (1985)
- 52: Bjorn Borg’s 5th Wimbledon title (1980)
- 51: The World At War: Liberation of Belsen (1974)
- 50: Evacuation of Saigon (1975)
- 49: Dennis Taylor wins the Embassy Snooker World Championship in 1985
- 48: The Best of Tommy Cooper
- 47: Boys from the Black Stuff: Gissa Job
- 46: Bloody Sunday (1972)
- 45: Tianamen Square (1989)
- 44: Panorama: Martin Bashir interviews Princess Diana (1995)
- 43: David Frost engages in trial by television
- 42: Gazza’s Tears: England vs. West Germany (1990)
- 41: Ethiopia: Michael Buerk (1984)
- 40: Black Power Salute: Mexico Olympics (1968)
- 39: Coronation Street: Stan Ogden dies (1984)
- 38: Panorama: Report blackout for Richard Dimbleby
- 37: This Life: The punch (1997)
- 36: The Two Ronnies: The Hardware Store “Fork handles”
- 35: Winston Churchill’s funeral (1965)
- 34: Dad’s Army: Don’t tell him, Pike (1975)
- 33: Sex Pistols and Bill Grundy (1976)
- 32: England vs. Australia: Cricket at Headingley (1981)
- 31: England vs. Argentina: Michael Owen’s goal (1998)
- 30: Charles and Diana’s wedding (26.7.1981)
- 29: Dallas: Who Shot JR ? (1980)
- 28: Cathy Come Home (1967)
- 27: Dennis Potter’s last interview (Melvyn Bragg – 1994)
- 26: BBC’s Pride and Prejudice: Colin Firth
- 25: Iranian Embassy Siege (1980)
- 24: Eastenders: Den and Angie divorce (1986)
- 23: Manchester United win Championship League (1999)
- 22: Newsnight: Jeremy Paxman grills Michael Howard
- 21: Monty Python: Dead parrot sketch
- 20: The Challenger explodes (1986)
- 19: Nationwide: Sinking of the Belgrano: Margaret Thatcher (1983)
- 18: Blue Peter: The Elephant (1969)
- 17: Hancock: The Blood Donor (1956)
- 16: Margaret Thatcher leaves Downing Street (1990)
- 15: Morecambe and Wise: Angela Rippon (1977)
- 14: The Coronation (1953)
- 13: Parkinson: Rod Hull and Emu (1971)
- 12: David Attenborough in the jungle with a gorilla
- 11: Fawlty Towers: The Germans (1975)
- 10: The death of JFK (1963)
- 9: Blackadder Goes Forth: Over the Top (1989)
- 8: Live Aid (1985)
- 7: Only Fools and Horses: Del Boy falls through the bar (1989)
- 6: England vs. Germany: “They Think It’s All Over” (1966)
- 5: The Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)
- 4: The death of Diana (1997)
- 3: Michael Portillo loses his seat (1997)
- 2: The release of Nelson Mandela (1990)
- 1: NASA moon landing (1969)
Warner: Exorcist and The Matrix…Thanks to The DVD Debatefor the following info on two forthcoming DVDs :
The Exorcist: News just in from the people behind The Exorcist (notthe usual Warner PR people) is that the forthcoming region 2 disc will beanamorphic.
The Matrix: VHE trade magazine reports the following extras on theregion 2 release of The Matrix:
- Web Enablement
- HBO First Look ‘Making Of’ Special
- White Rabbit Special Feature (while watching the DVD in “white rabbit”mode, you can press enter to jump to a relevant behind-the-scenes featurewhenever a white rabbit appears on screen)
- CGI Special Effects Featurette
Conspicuous by their absence are the audio commentary track, story boards andmusic-only audio track. Has the BBFC swindled us out of yet another truly greatDVD? Has the multi-lingual nature of a pan-European release conned us out ofyet another feature laden special edition? We’ll all know for sure byNovember 29.
Friends & She’s All That…Thanks to The R2 Projectfor the following info on two forthcoming DVDs :
Friends: Season 4 and 5 will be available on DVD from November 15th.There will be three disks, the first two with 8 episodes per disk with thelast 7 episodes on the remaining disk. The disks are said to have additionalcast interviews and a music video by the “Rembrandts”. The price for each disk£24.99.
She’s All That: After the spectacular work VCI did on FilmFour’sThe Land Girls they are now turning their hands to Film Four’sShe’s All that. The disk is set for release on November 22nd day anddate with the VHS rental release. Unlike the Region 1 release the picture willbe anamorphic and will have a full 5.1 soundtrack. Although details of theextras are to be confirmed at this stage I hope they will at least include the Sixpence none the richer music video of Kiss Me.
Lock Stock & 2SB Director’s Cut…Thanks to DVD Webfor the following info on this forthcoming DVD :
Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels: Director’s Cut: This is now backon and the reason given for it being pulled was rumoured as legal, so it ispossible that whatever this is has been resolved, and the project can now goahead.
September 10th : What’s on TV this week ? Saturday :Only a few days left to go, but there’s two helpings today of WHO WANTS TOBE A MILLIONAIRE (ITV, 6.45pm & 8.15pm), separated only by Cilla Black.After three series, Auntie Beeb has granted us with a FAST SHOW NIGHT(BBC2, 9pm), but it’s a short night as it lasts 2 hours. Graham Nortoninterjects (oo-er, missus!) with 100 GREATEST TV MOMENTS (C4, 9pm),which includes Michael Portillo conceeding defeat at the 1997 general election,but won’t include his latest outings. The only decent film worth watching isthe action-comedy DEMOLITION MAN (ITV, 10.20pm). Sunday :In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), in Ireland, Finn gets to have his wicked waywith Kate (lucky B*****d), Tony attempts to woo an Irish beauty but gets theshock of his life, Max takes action over Sean’s mistreatment of Cindy’s baby,the ex-Eastender gets to snog the ex-Neighbour and Lucy gets rather a shock,but the biggest surprise is saved for the final moment. In BEVERLY HILLS 90210(Sky One, 2pm), Dylan arranges a private concert for Gina with Monica, but thenthings are spoiled when she finds out he did the one-two-buckle-my-shoe withKelly in Mexico. Danny tells Sally how he feels in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm). Monday :Kevin lashes out over Alison in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), whileBeppe’s heart is broken in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm). “The End of Life” isthe title of the final episode in a repeat of THE HUMAN BODY (BBC1, 11.30pm)as Herbie bites the big one. Soap addicts should also note that every day thisweek carries a new episode of HOLLYOAKS (C4, 6.30pm), apparently,although there doesn’t seem to be one on Friday while Tuesday also has a showcalled HOLLYOAK HIGHS (C4, 6pm). Tuesday :Steve gets a surprise visitor in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm). InBROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm), Mark finally gets the idea the Victoria doesn’t careabout him when he walks in on her and Darren having sex. It’s the last episodeof WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE (ITV, 7.30pm) for this series. Wednesday :Les erupts when Janice lets a secret slip in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 9.45pm), on at a later time due to the football. Matt and Bosko start anew business selling pagers in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm), while Sinbad mayhave permanent damage to his hearing. A new series of FILM 99 WITH JONATHAN ROSS(BBC1, 11.15pm) begins with a tribute show to Stanley Kubrick. Thursday :Matthew’s in mortal danger in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm), while Frank hashis work cut out in the Queen Vic. In a new episode of THE BILL (ITV, 8pm),a new PC joins Sun Hill but does he bring in more crime than he solves?CLIVE ANDERSON ALL TALK (BBC1, 10.30pm) does just that to Robin Williamsand Caroline Aherne. Friday :Sally and Danny give in to their desires in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm),while Callum has a cruel surprise in store for Lindsey in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm).ITV’s “Airport” wannabe AIRLINE (ITV, 8pm) starts a new series andMel gets the funsters yet again in another airing for the godawfulLETHAL WEAPON 3 (ITV, 9pm), although it’s not as bad as No.4. Finally,those wondering what Denise Van (not Van) Outen did next, should watch her newdating gameshow SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND (C4, 11.05pm). Experience The Idiots courtesy of Tartan Video…Thanks to Geraldine Jeffers from Tartan, for the fax I received confirming thatLars Von Trier‘s The Idiots is released on November 1st.
September 8th : Three more DVD releases from Entertainment in Video…Thanks to Michelle on behalf of EiV for the copies of The Piano, Most Wanted& Rush Hour which I received yesterday. Reviews will be forthcoming, butin short the briefs are :
Rush Hour: Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, 2.35:1 widescreen ratio, subtitles,trailer, deleted scenes, cast and crew info, behind the scenes, 2 music videos,short film (“Whatever Happened to Mason Reese ?”), featurette (with 17 chapters,the last of which is the credits for this section – it does NOT have 17featurettes !) and it’s this section which lasts 40 mins, NOT the “Mason Reese”short)
Most Wanted: 2.35:1 widescreen ratio, subtitles, ProLogic sound,no other extras.
The Piano: 1.85:1 widescreen ratio, subtitles, ProLogic sound,no other extras.
Note that, surprisingly, ALL 3 are anamorphic.
September 7th : Tom Hanks blasts off in more ways than one in Apollo 13 on DVD…Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise and Ed Harrisstar in director Ron Howard‘s account of the tragedy that befell theApollo 13spacecraft, which is online and out on DVD now.
September 6th : Jason takes on the Argonauts on DVD…Todd Armstrong still has one last duty after 20 years of sailing thehigh seas – to retrive the Golden Fleece – inJason and the Argonauts,which is online and out on DVD now. Will Mambo No.5 be No.1 for a second week…?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 :
September 5th : Meryl Streep takes a trip down The River Wild on DVD…Meryl Streep, David Strathairn try and patch up their marriage troubleswith a white-water rafting trip, but don’t count on bad guys Kevin Baconand John C. Reilly inThe River Wild,which is online and out on DVD now. Three Fox DVDs released on October 25th…Fox, currently the international DVD-pricing company of mystery release threeworthy titles next month, all of which are anamorphically-enhanced forwidescreen televisions (why isn’t Titanic?) :
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (15)
– Mike Myers shagadelic comedy featuring two alternative endings,director’s commentary, extra scenes, special cameo menu, trailer, cast biogsand filmogs & moving menus. Widescreen: 2.35:1 (although the US releaseis open-matte to about 2.1:1) - The Fifth Element (PG)
– Bruce Willis actioner including trailer, cast and crew biogs& “Searching for The Fifth Element” featurette. Widescreen: 2.35:1 - James and the Giant Peach (PG)
– Roald Dahl feature including trailer, “Good News” music video& production featurette. Widescreen: 1.85:1
September 4th : Planet DVD release schedule…Thanks to Kathryn from Planet Distribution for the following list of DVDsdue out for release either now or soon, which I received yesterday. TITLEGENRERELEASE DATERRPCERT.SIX WAYS TO SUNDAYGANGSTER/PSYCHLOGICAL THRILLEROut now19.9918SKELETONSTHRILLEROut now19.9915CALL GIRLEROTIC FEATUREOut now18.9918BIKINI SKI SCHOOLEROTIC FEATUREOut now18.9918STORMTHRILLEROut now19.9912SPACE FURYSCI-FI THRILLER13.9.9919.9915THE KILLING ZONEBRIT GANGSTER Out now19.9918VIRTUAL GIRLEROTIC FEATUREOut now18.9918DEVOTIONEROTIC FEATUREOut now18.9918A PASSION FOR MURDEREROTIC FEATUREOut now18.9918TEAR IT DOWNINNER CITY/ ACTION THRILLER13.9.9919.9918PROGENYSCI-FI HORRORTBA Oct19.9918LOVE KILLSEROTIC FEATURE13.9.9919.9918THE SURGEONEROTIC FEATURE13.9.9919.9918LAST LINE OF DEFENCETBCTBA 19.9918
A marketing campaign in lifestyle press will support all titles.
SIX WAYS TO SUNDAY
STARRING
DEBORAH HARRY
NORMAN REEDUS
ISAAC HAYES
ADRIEN BRODY
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Chapter Search, Trailer
Six Ways to Sunday is the riveting and dark story of an 18 year old on the brink of manhood. Against the stark back drop of small town life, Harry Odum ( Norman Reedus ‘Mimic’ ) lives with his house-bound mother, Kate (Debbie Harry), a former loungesinger who lives on her memories and a strong unhealthy attachment to her only son. Prone to vicious bursts of aggression Harry catches the eye of local crime bosses and soon slides into their ranks.As events take him deeper into the world of organised crime Harry’s violent and illicit actions create fierce consequences.
SKELETONS
JAMES COBURN
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER
RON SILVER
SPECIAL FEATURES
Chapter Search
Suspenseful thriller set in small town America. When Pulitzer prize winning writer, Peter Crane (Ron Silver) moves to the picture perfect town of New England, he anticipates an idyllic lifestyle for him and his family. But appearances can be deceptive.Things begin to change for the Cranes when a strange woman shows up and asks Peter to help her son who has been charged with murder. Intrigued, Peter begins to investigate and as he does so the town’s usually friendly citizens turn icy and hostiletowards him and his family. A burning scarecrow is hung outside their home, windows are smashed and Satanic rituals are enacted upon them. Meanwhile, the local police turn a blind eye to it all.
VHE AUGUST 14TH 1999
With the studios now cranking up the blockbuster production line, it’s easy to overlook some of the lesser known items. This hasn’t set the charts alight but is still worth a look, particularly for rental libraries looking for a solid catalogue item.There aren’t any extras but the chaptering is simple to access and the picture quality isclean. Director David Decoteau is best known for his work for Charles Band but this is a much classier affair altogether, with a cast of genuine quality. Ron silver along with James Coburn (Affliction), Christopher Plummer (Dolores Claibourne),Dee Wallace – Stone (Critters) and cult favourite Paul Bartel.
CALL GIRL
MELANIE HALL
JAY HUGULEY
SPECIAL FEATURES
Chapter Search
An erotic feature exploring the depths of sexual exploitation. Diandra Jensen is a talented but struggling young art photographer who longs for success. Broke and facing eviction, Diandra takes a job at an escort agency. Her first client is a patron ofthe arts who coaxes her into a dark and dangerous world of sexual exploitation. Once in his control Diandra sinks deeper into a subversive world of sexual intrigue andexperimentation.
BIKINI SKI SCHOOL
TOM CASE T. CHALLICE
SUE MOSLEY
DIANE HALL
SPECIAL FEATURES
Chapter Search
When a young man returns home to help his family who are facing the bankruptcy of their marina he is thrown in to the path of a sleazy banker. He decides to confront the banker in a water ski race aided by a bevy of bikini clad beauties. Eroticadventures ensue.
STORM
LUKE PERRY
MARTIN SHEEN
ROBERT KNOTT
SPECIAL FEATURES
Moving Chapter Search
Trailer
On August 23rd 1992 a covert operation lead by General Roberts (Martin Sheen) launched a device from a specially equipped, top secret, aircraft to control the weather. Control was lost and what resulted was America’s greatest natural disaster -Hurricane Andrew. In the wake of the catastrophe all evidence of the programme was coveredup.
Seven years later general Roberts recruits into his programme meteorologist, Ron Young (Luke Perry). Innocently, he continues to work not realising the consequences of this mission until history repeats itself and a hurricane designed for South Americais heading straight to Los Angeles.
THE KILLING ZONE
PADRAIG CASEY
OLIVER YOUNG
SPECIAL FEATURES:
MAKING OF DOCU
TRAILER
CHAPTER SEARCH
On the heels of Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels comes a hard boiled, high octane British crime thriller, which in turn is both violent and humorous, featuring a cast of brutal and sometimes twistedly comiccharacters. Mathew Palmer is a heartless but efficient, deadly but impeccably neat assassin and confirmed Michael Caine fan. But Mathew has found love and he wants out of the killing game an unacceptable option for The Syndicate. Soon he finds himselfbeing hunted down in London’s sinister underworld.
WEBSITE: www.killingzone.nildram.co.uk
SPACE FURY
MICHAEL PARE
SPECIAL FEATURES
Trailer
Chapter Search
Science Fiction thriller of two astronauts trapped in space. While attempting to dock their space craft, two American astronauts mysteriously collide with a Russian space station. Meanwhile back in Moscow, a murdered prostitute is found and the primesuspect is none other than than one of the American astronauts.
Faced with a terrorist plot to sabotage the space station by hurtling it towards Earth’s atmosphere and imminent incineration, the crew must track down the killer and fightfor the survival of those on board.
PROGENY
ARNOLD VOSLOO,
BRAD DOURIF
WILFORD BRIMLEY
SPECIAL FEATURES
Interactive Story Board
Alien Abductee Interviews
Complete Directors script
Directors and Writers Commentary
A successful doctor is delighted to discover his wife Sherry is pregnant. However he remains haunted by memories of a blinding blue light entered his room on the night of conception. He becomes convinced his wife has being impregnated y aliens much tothe concern of his psychiatrist and Sherry herself who begins to act very irrationally.
TEAR IT DOWN
RICHARD EDEN
SAMANTHA MACHLACHLAN
GLEN PLUMMER
Disillusioned Matthew Westin discovers his wife and best friend having an affair. Devastated he checks into the hotel where they spent their honeymoon determined to kill himself but like the state his collapsed marriage it is no longer an opulent hotelbut a dilapidated home to vagrants and junkies. Before he can pull the trigger he finds himself dodging bullets from the room next door.Shocked into curiosity Mathew investigates and discovers a hitman about to take the life of Carrie Trenton a terrified young woman who has agreed to turn states evidence on her powerful gangster boyfriend.Instinctively, Mathew shoots Carrie’s killer and with the help of the hotel’s colourful guests this unlikely pairing begin their struggle for safety through eight hours of hell.
VIRTUAL GIRL
CHARLIE CURTIS
RICHARD GABAI
SPECIAL FEATURES
Chapter Search
John Lewis is a computer genius with it all, a beautiful wife, lavish home and on the brink of a big career move. The only hurdle to overcome is to complete his project, the CD Rom game, Virtual Girl.However soon John discovers this is not turning out to be your average computer game. It is a fully interactive, cyber-erotic adventure featuring a character called Virtuality who can transform herself into any woman she so desires. The programtranscends reality and John actually believes that Virtuality has fallen in love with him. What John doesn’t realise is that others have not lived to reveal their affairs with Virtual Girl.
LOVE KILLS
MARIO VAN PEEBLES
DANIEL BALDWIN
LESLEY ANN WARREN
SPECIAL FEATURES
TBA
Deceit and treachery abound inside the walls of the magnificent Heiss family mansion. Evelyn Heiss, a recently widowed gold-digging, trophy wife has fallen for her smooth-talking younger, new age masseur, Poe Finklestein. Poe is a striking hunk, whomassages his way, first into her house and soon after, her bed.
The rest of her family are a source of constant irritation as they await with increasing anticipation the reading of the will.The eccentric Heiss family are heirs to a European dynasty, with its fabulous wealth and jewels worth millions. What they hadn’t counted on is the underbelly of Hollywood who have their own plans for the Heiss family fortune.
THE SURGEON
JOAN SEVERANCE
C. THOMAS HOWELL
NICK MANCUSO
SPECIAL FEATURES
TBA
Detective Michael D’Angelo’s state of mind causes him to make a serious error of judgement allowing a cop killer to escape from him. As a result he has been suspended from duty. D’Angelo’s life spirals further out of control following the split from hislong term girlfriend, acclaimed attorney Theresa Marsh (Joan Severance) who deserted him and married a respected doctor, Peter Marsh (Mick Mancuso).
What neither of them realise is that their lives are about to collide once more when Theresa is assigned to the prosecution of a widely publicised homicide case. The defendant is presumed to be a serial killer and Theresa is immediately besieged bymenacing death threats as she prepares her case against the accused.
Insisting on continuing with the case, Theresa ignores the threats only to be stonewalled when her husband suddenly disappears. Told she must drop the case if she ever wants to see her husband again she turns in fear to her ex-lover D’Angelo.
September 3rd : 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 13th Warrior and Goand a review ofThe Matrixis online now.
What’s on TV this week?
Saturday :On every single day this week is hate WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE(ITV, 7.35pm) at different times almost every day. There’s 3 decent films on :TWELVE MONKEYS (BBC1, 9.30pm), THE SHINING (C4, 10pm) andMIDNIGHT EXPRESS (C5, 10.30pm) – and a DVD review of this can be foundHERE, plusone crap film: UNDER THE CHERRY MOON (C5, 2.05am). Sunday :HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am) is back to its usual slot. Adam and Beth feel guiltyabout the break-up of their parents’ marriage, while Luke concerns himself onlywith Mandy. Tony shows his feelings when Joe makes a pass at Lucy.In BEVERLY HILLS 90210 (Sky One, 2pm) Kelly and Dylan save the day whenthey rescue a pregnant woman from being mugged. Ashley prepares to meet hismother in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while the BBC threaten thepublic with FIVE episodes of EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm) this week, startingwith an hour-long edition in which Carol confronts Dan and Bianca. C4’s Kubrickseason continues with the excellent FULL METAL JACKET (C4, 10pm).Meanwhile, fans of Jill Dando need wait no longer for the remainder of theANTIQUES ROADSHOW (BBC1, 6.45pm), after only one episode was shownbefore she was murdered earlier in the year. Monday :Kevin frets when Alison disappears with “the girls” in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm), while Bianca tries to calm Ricky down in EASTENDERS(BBC1, 8pm). Film-wise, there’s ANGEL HEART (C4, 10pm). Channel 5 dropthe ball with RAW DEAL (C5, 9pm), but pick it right back up again withNATURAL BORN KILLERS (C5, 11.10pm). Tuesday :The Bianca/Dan storyline drags out in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm),while Josh and Jerome’s grudge match reaches a nasty conclusion in BROOKSIDE(C4, 8pm). There’s no episodes of THE BILL this week. C5 show a bigfilm in the form of INDEPENDENCE DAY (C5, 9pm) – the one about the aliensdestroying the White House. Wednesday :Melanie makes a shock request of Maxine in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm).Jimmy goes back to his old ways to save Lindsey from Callum, again, inBROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm). Thursday :Anne and Alice are back for a new series of WATCHDOG (BBC1, 7pm).The same old same old happens in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm).French and Saunders return for a new series, but making a comedy out of perioddrama in LET THEM EAT CAKE (BBC1, 9.30pm), but they may as well makeit a comedy about periods for all I care since their brand of humour is so lame.I’ve given up watching THE SOPRANOS (C4, 10pm) as it’s overlong andboring. Billy Crystal appears on CLIVE ANDERSON ALL TALK (BBC1, 10.30pm). Friday :As WATCHDOG is back, so is WEEKEND WATCHDOG (BBC1, 7pm).Chris Evans is back for another series of TFI FRIDAY (C4, 6pm) – justaccept it! Ashley gets a suprise visitor at Freshco in CORONATION STREET(ITV, 7.30pm) and the shit hits the fan big-time for Carol and family inEASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm). Jason is buried in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm),while Jerome and Leo face up to the consequences of their actions.It’s series SIX (count ’em) for the excellent NEVER MIND THE BUZZCOCKS(BBC2, 9.30pm), and ITV show LETHAL WEAPON (ITV, 9pm), most likelycensored again… LET’S GET THE FUNSTERS !September 2nd : Vince Vaughn gives Anne Heche a bit of a shock in the original Psycho out on DVD…Get that deja vu feeling when Vince Vaughn, Julianne Moore, Viggo Mortensenand Anne Heche star in Gus Van Sant‘s remake ofPsycho,which is online and out on DVD now. Dark City on DVD…Thanks to Michelle on behalf of EiV for the copy of Dark City which Ireceived yesterday. A review will be forthcoming, but in short – it’s notanamorphic, contains a surround soundtrack (not Dolby Digital 5.1) and hasbarely any extras.
September 1st : Anthony Perkins gives Janet Leigh a bit of a shock in the original Psycho out on DVD…Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin and Janet Leigh star inAlfred Hitchcock‘s originalPsycho,which is online and out on DVD now. Tune in tomorrow to see how it compareswith the remake. September DVDs from Universal Studios…September 27th sees the release of five DVDs from Universal Studios :
No word is given on price, although it is rumoured that The Krays willfeature a documentary about the terrible two.
Dreamcast Delay…Sega’s long-awaited Dreamcast console has had its release put backapproximately three weeks, to about mid-October, apparently due to problemswith the modem.
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.