October 31st 2000:

October 31stOctober 30thOctober 29thOctober 28thOctober 27th
October 26thOctober 25thOctober 24thOctober 23rdOctober 22nd
October 21stOctober 20thOctober 19thOctober 18thOctober 17th
October 16thOctober 15thOctober 14thOctober 13thOctober 12th
October 11thOctober 10thOctober 9thOctober 8thOctober 7th
October 6thOctober 5thOctober 4thOctober 3rdOctober 2nd

October 31st :Matt Dillon is The Flamingo Kid on DVD…

Released this week :

Brooklyn, 1963 and Jeffrey Willis (Matt Dillon) defies the wishes ofhis parents for a summer job stuck in an office, but he’d rather take upemployment as a cabana boy at The Flamingo.

The Flamingo Kidis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

It’s Halloween and time for Blair Witch 2 at the cinema…

DVDfever reviewer Jon Rosling returns with a look atthe sequel to one of the biggest low-budget films ever made, but can it buildupon the original or is it just a cheap rip-off?

Book of Shadows: Blair Witch IIis online and in the cinema now.

Got something to say about this film ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

3dfx’s VoodooTV FM ‘tuner on a chip’…

3DFX TURNS ON TV WITH FIRST OF NEW PRODUCT LINE

3dfx diversifies range with VoodooTV FM ‘tuner on a chip’ and we atDVDfever hope to have one for review in the next week or so.

3dfx Interactive Europe have announced that it is rapidly finalising thedevelopment of its ground-breaking VoodooTV FM product, the first in a familyof leading-edge multimedia products from a global leader in 3D graphicsaccelerators. VoodooTV FM will introduce solid-state ‘tuner on a chip’technology to the PC, elevating the computer from being a mere tool ofproductivity to a multi-tasking appliance. VoodooTV FM products will haveadded functionality such as improved channel management and stereocapabilities, MP3 encode capabilities and enhanced digital video recordingpower.

VoodooTV FM marks the beginning of 3dfx’s long-term strategy to be a leaderin the multimedia peripherals market. In the coming year, 3dfx will announceproducts from its roadmap of multimedia enhancements, featuring emergingtechnologies such as high-definition television, digital video encoding(and decoding) products and related technologies that will enhance itsposition as a leader in visual communications.

“Expanding our product offering is critical to the future of 3dfx,” saysAlex Leupp, President and CEO of 3dfx Interactive. “This is the next logicalstep toward leveraging the strength of our brand name in retail. Providingentertainment products is what we are known for, and entertainment is whatconvergence and multimedia products are all about. This foray into multimediasignals the continuation of our commitment to enhance the visual communicationexperience.”

VoodooTV FM is engineered with a breakthrough, cable-ready, dual-conversionsilicon tuner technology. VoodooTV FM is the first product to feature thisground-breaking silicon tuner technology developed for 3dfx by Microtune. Therevolutionary silicon tuner technology, MicroTuner MT2032, prevents channelsfrom ‘bleeding’ over each other through a superior adjacent channel rejectionfeature. Consumers need not worry about dust, humidity and noise affectingvideo quality.

VoodooTV FM delivers better noise resistance and faster channel acquisitionfor clearly the highest quality TV tuning signal and video image available ona PC today. For the price of a single-conversion tuner, consumers can enjoydual-conversion performance. Today’s tuners need to be of a higher calibre tomaintain separation between television channels and VoodooTV FM provides thatlevel of technology.

“VoodooTV FM is an exciting product for 3dfx, and a particularly challengingone for Europe with its different TV formats,” says Luciano Alibrandi,Product Development Manager EMEA at 3dfx Interactive. “Our new multimediatechnology marks a new generation of computer entertainment products thattruly set a new standard for desktop TV quality and we’re confident that itwill perform above our expectations.”

“3dfx is taking a leading position in multimedia PC entertainment with itsnew VoodooTV products and is bringing users into the new world of high-quality,digital video,” says James Fontaine, president of Microtune, Inc. “Weare pleased that our single-chip MicroTuner is a critical component in 3dfx’snew leading-edge products. Our solid-state silicon technology provides thetuner core for delivering the features that consumers want most – superiorvideo and audio quality, fast channel changes and increased reliability.”

For only œ99 (including VAT), VoodooTV FM is a complete multimediaentertainment and recording centre on a single add-in board. VoodooTV FMfeatures include a stereo TV signal, MPEG 1 capture, digital VCR, MP3 encodingand stereo FM radio reception. Users can now record their favourite tunes fromFM broadcasts using the VoodooTV FM MP3 encoding feature, a technologyenhancement by Intervideo.

Other leading-edge technology features includes PAL support, and fullcompatibility with Windows 95, 98, 98SE and Millennium Edition.

The VoodooTV FM is expected to be available in the first week of November 2000.

MGM December DVDs…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info, which hasn’t reached me yet.

MGM have announced their December line-up which whilst cut-down does havesome rather excellent looking disks. All three are released on the 26th ofDecember and are priced at £19.99

• Supernova:
  • 20 minutes of deleted scenes including an alternative ending
  • original theatrical trailer
  • a set of exclusive postcards
• Moonraker:
  • Audio commentary featuring director Lewis Gilbert and members of the cast and crew.
  • “Inside Moonraker” an original documentary
  • “The man behind the mayhem” special effects documentary
  • Stills Gallery
  • Collectable “Making of” booklet
  • Original Theatrical trailer
• For Your Eyes Only:
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Stills gallery
  • Audio commentary featuring John Glenn and actors
  • Second audio commentary by Michael Wilson and crew
  • Radio spots
  • “Inside For Your Eyes Only” an original 30 mins documentary
  • Sheena Easton music video “For Your Eyes Only”
  • Collectable “Making of” booklet
  • 2 x Animated story board sequences – ‘The Snow Mobile Chase’ and ‘Retrieving the ATAC’
  • Tomorrow Never Dies PlayStation Game Trailer

October 30th :Roger Moore debuts as Bond in Live and Let Die on DVD…

Released today :

With THOSE eyebrows, Roger Moore stars alongside Yaphet Kotto,Jane Seymour and some voodoo hoodoo in his first Bond film.

Live and Let Dieis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Welcome to his world. David Beckham in a book…

Regular DVDfever reviewer Jason Maloney returns witha look at a book by David Beckham and no, it’s not a dot-to-dot,but his autobiography.

My World by David Beckhamis online and out now.

Got something to say about this book ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

See DVDfever Dom’s reviews in Home Cinema Choice…

Regular readers of Home Cinema Choice can read five of my DVD reviewsin the latest issue (November 2000).

Take a look at: The Searchers, War of the Worlds, A Night at the Roxbury,Memphis Belle and Dolores Claiborne.

VisitHome Cinema Choice Onlinenow.

New DVDs out this week

• Best of Barking Mad Vol.2 (16.99, Visual Entertainment)
• Blue Steel (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Casper’s Haunted Christmas (15.99, Carlton)
• Diamonds are Forever (19.99, MGM)
• Dirty Dancing (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Hamburger Hill (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Live and Let Die (19.99, MGM)
• Princess Bride (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Rainbow (19.99, Columbia TriStar)

Please NOT the Spice Girls in the top slot…?

Are they or aren’t they? To find out – and to see last week’s chart – visit mymusic chart analysis page

What do you think of the state of the charts? Why not discuss it onthe newTalk Talk Forum.

October 29th :Charlize Theron is The Astronaut’s Wife on DVD…

When Spencer Armacost’s (Johnny Depp) space shuttle goes up into thestars and is out of contact for two minutes something weird happens and he’llnever talk about it. He’ll just take it out on his wife and the rest of mankindwhen he comes back.

The Astronaut’s Wifeis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Trigger Happy TV and Jamie Oliver DVDs on their way…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info, which hasn’t reached me yet.

The Best of Trigger Happy TV

“VCI have announced Trigger Happy TV: The Best of Series One for release the13th of November. The DVD includes 12 minutes of rarely seen footage fromthe Comedy Lab and a 20 minute interview with Dom Joly in which he recountsthe history of the show. Look out for a series of famous faces including AliceCoopper, Ken Livingston, Time Rice, Tamara Beckwith, Terry Gilliam, TonyBlackburn and Ian Botham.”

Why couldn’t we have the whole six-part series though? It’s only three hourslong. The ‘Comedy Lab’ footage was great though.

Jamie Oliver: The threat is real

“VVL have announced James Oliver The Naked Chef on DVD on the 6th ofNovember. The DVD features 30 recipes and 3 hours of video.”

According toBlackstar,it’s it’s the complete first series plus the Xmas special and will retailfor £19.99. They also list the running time as an extra half-hourlonger (to accommodate said Xmas special, no doubt) and a release date ofNovember 13th. You have been warned.

October 28th :Shannon Tweed: over 40 but still with Playboy on DVD…

Another dose of barely-even-soft-porn, this disc is an hour-long profileof the aforementioned model and there’s an introduction for October 1995’sPlaymate of the month, Alicia Rickter.

Playboy Celebrity Special: Shannon Tweedis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Paramount and Sony DVD schedules…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :

Paramount have announced their line-up for the start of December. Note allthese titles are due December 4th and are priced at £19.99.

• Election : 99 Minutes Approx, Certificate, 15 (18 Eire),Extra Features, Director’s Commentary, Dolby Digital 5.1,2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• The Firm : 148 Minutes Approx, Certificate, 15 (18 Eire),Extra Features, Teaser Trailer, Theatrical Trailer, Dolby Digital 5.1,Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1
• Event Horizon : 92 Minutes Approx, Certificate, 18,Extra Features, Theatrical Trailer, Dolby Digital 5.1,2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• Another 48 Hours : Running Time, 91 Minutes Approx,Certificate, 18, Extra Features, Theatrical Trailer, Dolby Digital 5.1,Widescreen
• The Saint : Running Time, 111 Minutes Approx, Certificate, 12,Extra Features, Theatrical Trailer, Audio Commentary By Director,Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• Scrooged : Running Time, 97 Minutes Approx, Certificate, PG,Extra Features, Theatrical Trailer, Dolby Digital 5.1,1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• Clueless : Running Time, 93 Minutes Approx, Certificate, 12/15 Eire,Extra Features, Theatrical Trailer, Teaser Trailer, Dolby Digital 5.1,1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Sony Music DVDs

• Jennifer Lopez- Feelin’ so good 20th November
• Charlotte Church – Dream A Dream : 20th November. Price is£19.99 and includes DD 5.1 and Dolby Stereo sound, biography, and photo gallery.
• Savage Garden – the Video Collection : 27th November.
• The Three Tenors Christmas : 27th November. DD5.1 and PCMStereo. Artists biography and selected discography.
• Sade Live : 4th December
• Sade Life Promise Pride Love : 4th December
• Meatloaf – hits out of hell : 4th December
• Celine Dion – All the way – A decade of Song and Video :4th December. £19.99. includes bonus video It’s all Coming Back to MeNow, photo gallery, DD5.1 and PCM sound, Biography and Discography.
• Rage against the machine – The Battle of Mexico City : 11th December.
• Wham ! The Best of : 11th December
• Gloria Estefan – Que Siga La Tradicion : 15th January
• Incubus Live : 5 February

October 27th :Relive your wasted youth with The Complete Willo the Wisp on DVD…

Narrated by Kenneth Williams, join Arthur, Mavis Cruet, Evil Edna andthe rest in the entire run of 26 episodes.

The Complete Willo the Wispis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Pacino and Crowe star in The Insider on DVD…

The Insider centres on the story of Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe)and the developments arising from his sudden departure from a major US tobaccofirm. Wigand claims he knows the truth behind nicotine addiction, andhis employers want him silenced. Al Pacino also stars and MichaelMann (Heat, Manhunter, Miami Vice) directs.

The Insideris online and out on DVD now, fromregular DVDfever reviewer Jason Maloney.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

400 DVD reviews now online…!

With the additions of The Complete Willo the Wisp and The Insider,we have now reached a massive 400 DVD reviews online!

Thanks to everyone who reads DVDfever and everyone who hasever written for the site and continues to do so.

Guestbook suspended for the time being…

For some reason the guestbook I use from012guestbook.comisn’t working because they are having server problems.

I’ve emailed them to ask what’s up and when I know and it’s sorted out I shallreinstate it.

October 26th :Teenage love hassles in Dawson’s Creek on DVD…

After yesterday’s compilation of five episodes from Rising Damp,today we bring you four widescreen episodes of the teen-drama often shownon Channel 4 with actors who are playing 16-year-olds but are really closerto pension age (almost).

Dawson’s Creek: Best of Season One and Twois online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Columbia January/February 2001 line-up…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info. I received the info today for both the December andJanuary releases (plus highlights for February), but it helps to know a manwho can scan it in.

• “The Patriot” 8th Jan Certificate: 15RRP: £19.99 Simultaneous Rental & DVD Release

Special Features: 4 Production Featurettes, Deleted Scene (climax in plot – 13 mins), Feature Commentary with Dean Deviln (Producer) and Roland Emmerich (Director), Original Production Photos, Two Original Theatrical Trailers, Cast &Filmmakers Biographies

• “The Best Man” 8th Jan Certificate: 15RRP: £19.99

Special Features: Spotlight On Location, Trailer, DVD-Rom Features, Weblinks, Production Notes, Cat & Filmmakers Notes

• “Isn’t she great“8th Jan Certificate: 15RRP: £19.99

Special Features TBC

• “Circus” 15th Jan Certificate: 18RRP: £19.99 Simultaneous Rental & DVD Release

Special Features: Audio commentary by writer and producer, Alternate ending, theatrical trailer, Deleted scenes, Sound bites, Featurette

• “Day of the Jackal“15th Jan Certificate: TBCRRP: £19.99

Special Features: Trailer, Production Notes

• “Scarface“22nd Jan Certificate: 18RRP: £19.99

Production Featurette, Outtakes, Trailer, Production Notes,Biographies

• “The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas“29th Jan Certificate: TBC RRP: £19.99

Special Features: l4min Spotlight On Location – ‘The Making Of Viva Rock Vegas, ‘2min Original Theatrical Trailer, Cast & Filmmakers Biographies, DVD Rom, DVD Newsletter, Production Notes

• “The Lost World” Exact date TBC Certificate: URRP: £19.99

Special Features: Production Featurette, Deleted Scenes, Production Photos, 3 Original Theatrical Trailers, Storyboards

• “It’s the Rage” 15th January
• “To kill a Mockingbird” 15th January
• “What Planet are you from” 15th January
• “Chances are” 29th January
• “Steel Magnolias collector’s edition” 29th January

And for February the titles are tentatively set as :

• And Justice For All6th February
• Night Falls On Manhattan6th February
• Killer6th February
• Normal Life 6th February
• High Plains Drifter12th February
• Small Soldiers12th February (We don’t think this is the dreamworks title though !)
• Fortress 219th February
• The Eiger Sanction19th February
• Snatch19th February
• I Dreamed Of Africa19th February
• Lost Horizon26th February
• Whatever It Takes26th February
• The Match26th February
• It Happened One Night26th February
• Not One Less26th February
• Mr Smith Goes To Washington26th February

Warner Music Vision November DVD releases…

Thanks also to the R2 Project for this info which I have yet to receive.

Three new music titles for November. These are:

“Paul WellerLive At The Royal Albert Hall.“. November 6th priced at £19.99. Although there are no details of picture ratio the sound wqill be DD5.0. Tack listing is as follows:

1. Peacock Suit 10. You Do Something To Me 2. Friday Street 11. Changing Man 3. He’s The Keeper 12. Porcelain Gods 4. Back In The Fire 13. There Is No Drinking After You’re Dead 5. Dust & Rocks 14. As You Lean Into The Light 6. Out Of The Sinking 15. Broken Stones 7. Heavy Soul 16. Picking Up Sticks 8. Time & Temperance 17. Love-Less 9. Frightened 18. Woodcutter’s Son

“The CorrsLive At Lansdowne Road” Released November 20th priced at £19.99. The disk will include a 25 minute “The Corrs In Blue EPK”, a 25 minute video containing interviews with the band about the Lansdowne Road gig and the making of “In Blue”. Tracks are:p>

Only When I Sleep Love To Love YouThe Right Time Queen Of HollywoodJoy Of Life DreamsForgiven Not Forgotten I Never Loved You AnywayWhat Can I Do? Lough Erin ShoreNo Frontiers CloserRunaway So YoungHaste To The WeddingToss The FeathersSecret Life

“David Gray – Live At The Point” Release date 13th November

1. Sail Away 11. Coming Down2. White Ladder 12. Shine3. Late Night Radio 13. A Century Ends4. Faster 14. My Oh My5. Lead Me Upstairs 15. Wisdom6. Babylon 16. Silver Lining7. The Light 17. Please Forgive Me8. We’re Not Right 9. Flame Turns Blue 10. This Years Love

October 25th :Rigsby lords over his tenants in The Very Best of Rising Damp on DVD…

Leonard Rossiter, Frances de la Tour, Richard Beckinsale and DonWarrington are the mainstays in this excellent sitcom which ran for 28episodes and a spin-of film. This DVD presents five of those episodes.

The Very Best of Rising Dampis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Alan Parker directs Angela’s Ashes on DVD…

Regular DVDfever reviewer Jason Maloney returns withthe first of two DVD reviews this week, Alan Parker’s film about FrankMcCourt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoirs starring Robert Carlyleand Emily Watson.

Angela’s Ashesis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

The Associates unveil their new website…

Thanks to Rachael fromThe Associatesfor the info about their new website which includes all the info about theirforthcoming DVDs from BMG, MIA, Hong Kong Legends and many more, includingall those lovely uncut martial arts films that the BBFC have cruelly deniedus for so long.

Another highlight for me is the widescreen re-release of Romper Stomper(click here for a reviewof the fullscreen version) and for almost half the price of thatversion.

Four forthcoming releases worthy of note are :

Once Upon a Time in China and America
• Label: Hong Kong Classics
• Release date: 30th October 2000
• Certificate: 18
• Running time: 100 minutes
• Price: 13.99 VHS, £19.99 DVD
• Director: Sammo Hung
• Stars: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Yueng Pan Pan

  The fastest hands in the East against the fastest guns in the WestJet Li is back in one last stupendous Hong Kong production! Yes, the hottestnew action star on the world stage, whose latest Hollywood blockbusterRomeo Must Die has just achieved the fourth biggest opening weekend grossin American history, teams up with Hong Kong legends Tsui Hark and SammoHung in ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA AND AMERICA (15), for VHS and DVDretail release on 30th October 2000.

  In this, the sixth and final chapter in the Once Upon A Time In China series – the most successful movie series ever produced in Hong Kong – Jet Li reprises the role most fans believe he was born to play as Wong Fei Hung, the legendary Chinese hero.

  Wong Fei Hung, his fiancee (Rosamund Kwan) and devoted side-kick Seven (Yueng Pan Pan – The Blade) find themselves in the Wild West in search of new horizons. An early confrontation with Red Indians renders Wong Fei Hung unconscious and alone; when he comes to, he finds he has lost his memory, the only thing clear to him being the ability to fight with lightning speed. The warriors of the tribe are amazed at his unique abilities and offer him their respect and friendship. Unable to communicate, he manages through sign language to persuade them to help him find his true identity leading to countless action-packed encounters on his path to be reunited with his friends.

  In recent years Jet Li’s amazing screen presence and breathtaking athleticism in international hits such as Fist Of Legend and Black Mask brought worldwide recognition and led him to Hollywood to star in Lethal Weapon IV and Romeo Must Die. ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA AND AMERICA – one of the biggest budget HK productions ever – was his last domestic Hong Kong movie, written and produced by HK’s resident maestro Tsui Hark and directed by Jackie Chan’s stalwart actor/director Sammo Hung. Together the team has created some of the best action scenes ever seen on film. Shot entirely in Arizona, in direct competition to that other in-vogue Chinese western – Jackie Chan’s Shanghai Noon – it was Jet Li in ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA AND AMERICA that caught Hollywood’s eye. The movie is brilliant, the rest is history!

  Two VHS versions will be available: widescreen original version with English subtitles (£13.99) and fullscreen English version (£12.99). The fully-loaded £19.99 DVD contains both versions of the feature, two trailers, a 30 minute behind-the-scenes ‘making of’ feature, biographies of both Jet Li and his character Wong Fei Hung and an exclusive gallery of production stills from the film.

  Five – Live

• Label: BMG Music Programming
• Release date: 6th November 2000
• Certificate: E
• Price: DVD £19.99, VHS £13.99

  Five will make you feel alright!

  Since they exploded on to the scene in 1997, 5ive (Abs, Scott, J, Ritchie and Sean), have released two top ten albums and have notched up 9 top ten singles including two massive number 1 hits – their most recent being a collaboration with Queen, ‘We Will Rock You’. Smash Hits readers voted them the Best New Act of 1997 and the boys received a Brit award this year for Best Pop Act 2000. 5ive have now sold over 4 million albums worldwide to date and have recently announced a UK arena tour in December.

  Five – Live is a full length concert filmed on the Invincible tour in front of 12,000 fans, and will be available to buy on DVD (priced £19.99) and VHS (priced £13.99) from November 6th 2000.

  The DVD is another superb product from BMG Music Programming (The Eurythmics Peacetour and The Westlife Story), and therefore is packed with extras including:

• A Bonus 25 minute documentary of the band
• Exclusive back-stage footage
• Bonus ‘We Will Rock You’ promo video
• Amazing multi-angle camera option – so you can watch your favourite member of 5ive for the whole track!
• Gallery and weblink (5ive.co.uk

  This stunning DVD is on on the wish-list of every Five fan!

  The Big Boss

• Label: Hong Kong Legends
• Release date: 6th November 2000
• Certificate: 18
• Price: 19.99
• Director: Lo Wei
• Stars: Bruce Lee, Maria Yi, James Tien

  The Big Boss – uncut at last!

  Following the biggest UK independent Hong Kong movie deal ever, Hong Kong Legends is proud to release the Bruce Lee classic, THE BIG BOSS: DVD SPECIAL EDITION (18) – for the first time in the UK totally uncut with eight previously cut scenes now re-insated. To our knowledge no other fully restored, digitally re-mastered orginal aspect anamorphic presentaion of this Bruce Lee classic is available in the world!

  This seminal martial arts film was instrumental in creating the legend that is BRUCE LEE. Shot in Pak Choi in Thailand, Bruce Lee introduced his magnetic charisma and ground-breaking fight choreography to the world with this film.

  In an emotive, rollercoaster storyline of friendship, betrayal, revenge and deadly confrontation, Bruce Lee plays Cheng, a migrant worker who travels to Thailand in search of work, but finds and breaks open a drug traffickig ring with his fists of steel. In his quest for justice and revenage, Lee is an unstoppable force of nature, breaking down wave after wave of opponents with powerful Wing Chun hand combinations and lighting fast precision kicking.

  DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

• 1. Digitally re-mastered and restored DVD transfer.
• 2. 16:9 anamorphic version enhanced for widescreen TVs.
• 3. Feature length audio commentary.
• 4. AC3 5.1 digital audio.
• 5. Animated biography showcase.
• 6. Original theatrical trailer (containing rare deleted footage).
• 7. Hong Kong promotional trailer.
• 8. UK promotional trailer.
• 9. Interview gallery with key cast members (TBC) Romper Stomper
• Label: Medusa Pictures
• Release date: 20th November 2000
• Certificate: 18
• Running time: 89 minutes
• Price: 5.99 VHS, £9.99 DVD
• Director: Geoffrey Wright
• Stars: Russell Crowe

  You’ve never seen anything like it

  Following a hugely controversial and highly acclaimed UK theatrical release in 1993, Geoffrey Wright’s powerful, award winning film Romper Stomper makes its DVD debut on May 8th, courtesy of Medusa Pictures.A searing drama set amidst a frightening gang of violent neo-nazis in Melbourne, Romper Stomper was the first major lead role played by Russell Crowe, who has since gone on to become a Hollywood superstar in smash-hits including ‘L.A. Confidential’, ‘The Insider’ – for which he was Oscar nominated this year – and the upcoming blockbuster ‘Gladiator’.

  In a terrifyingly intense performance, Crowe plays Hando, the intelligent and charismatic but viciously sociopathic leader of a gang of racist skinhead misfits. He is ably supported by Daniel Pollock as Hando’s moody second-in-command Davey and Jacqueline McKenzie as his dysfunctional girlfriend Gabe. The film was both written and directed by Geoffrey Wright. Romper Stomper is a hard-hitting portrayal of a gang of skinheads engaged – in their own minds at least – in a deadly battle for white supremacy. Theirs is a world of violence and turmoil in which, driven by unrelenting anger and hatred, they seem to exist simply on the power of their own adrenalin. They are led by the awesome figure of Hando (Crowe), who holds the real understanding of the racial intolerance that rules their lives. Hando’s schemes and actions are fully supported by his gloomy friend and lieutenant, Davey (Pollock).

  When the wild and impulsive Gabe (McKenzie) joins the gang and begins an affair with Hando, his friendship with Davey starts to deteriorate. Gabe is haunted by her past, and her tempestuous actions provide the escape from nightmarish memories. She is attracted to the gang’s caveman-style care for each other and their grotesque shows of emotion. Thus, when the gang becomes caught up in a chaotic streetwar with members of the local Vietnamese community, Gabe feels her only choice is to remain with them to the savage and dramatic end of the rollercoaster ride they have set in motion.

DVD PR round-up…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info which I’m still waiting to receive.

Entertainment in Video changes in line-up

• Seven Re-release now 19th of February
• American Psycho Still 30th October.
• Nightmare on Elm Street 5 disk set still 6th November.
• Boiler Room and Desperate Measures now 30th October.
• Frequency now 11th December
• Love and Basketball 22nd January
• Cherry Falls 22nd January
• U-571 now 22nd January.
• Bring it On 19th February
• Luzchin Defence 19th February
• Each Nightmare disk (1 to 5 ) separately 19th February

Tom Baker Doctor Who signing

The BBC have announced the Tom Baker will be appearing at the HMVsuperstore at 150 Oxford Street, London to sign copies of “The Robots ofDeath” The appearance will be at 1:30pm on the 13th of November and is tocelebrate the release of the “Robots of Death” DVD which is released on thatdate !

Columbia December line-up

• 28 Days 4th DecemberCertificate: 15RRP: £19.99 With Sandra Bullock

• Special Features: Theatrical trailer, 15mins featurette, Deleted Scenes, Commentary, Filmographies, Added footage

• Sweet & Lowdown 4th December Certificate: PGRRP: £19.99

Special Features: Theatrical trailer, Filmographies

• For The Love Of The Game 4th DecemberCertificate: 15RRP: £19.99 with Kevin Costner

Special Features: Featurette, Filmographies,Scenes, Deleted scenes, Trivia game, DVD rom, Web links, Original theatrical trailers, Production notes

• Stand By Me 4th DecemberCertificate: PGRRP: £19.99

Special Features: Featurette – The Summer of Stand By Me – 40min, Director’s commentary, Filmographoies, Isolated score, Music video – Stand By Me

• Oliver! 4th DecemberCertificate: URRP: £19.99

Special Features: Theatrical trailer, Behind the Scenes featurette, Vintage advertising and production photos

• Uncle Buck 4th DecemberCertificate: PGRRP: £19.99

Special Features: Production notes, filmographies

• Bad Boys – Collector’s Edition 4th DecemberCertificate: 18RRP: £19.99

Special Features: 23 minute Putting the Boom & Bang in Bad Boys, Documentary, SFX featurette, director’s commentary, Photo gallery, Isolated score, 3 music videos, Theatrical trailer, Filmographies

• Papillon (1973) 4TH DecemberCertificate: 15RRP: £19.99

Special Features: Trailer, Featurette, Isolated Score, Filmography of Director

• Guns Of Navarone (1961) 4th DecemberCertificate: PGRRP: £19.99

Special Features:Feature length Director’s commentary, Featurettes, Theatrical trailer

• THE CRAFT – COLLECTOR’S EDITION4th DecemberCertificate: 15RRP: £19.99

Special Features:Conjuring the Craft, 25 mins Making-Of featurette, deleted scenes, commentary, Theatrical trailer, Filmographies

• Bats 11th DecemberCertificate: 15RRP: £19.99

Special Features: Bats Abound featurette, Theatrical trailer, SFX and Story board comparison, 2 photogalleries, Commentary, Filmographies

• Last Temptation Of Christ 11TH DecemberCertificate: 18RRP: £19.99

Special Features: Theatrical trailer

• Annie 11th DecemberCertificate: URRP: £19.99

Special Features: Vintage advertising, 8 lobby cards, 3 posters, Theatrical trailer, Isolated soundtrack, Filmographies

Hightlights for January include:

• THE PATRIOT8th JANUARY
• THE BEST MAN8th JANUARY
• CIRCUS15th JANUARY
• FLINTSTONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS29th JANUARY

October 24th :Are Granada getting Cold Feet about making a decent DVD…?

Hooray – it’s the second series on DVD!

Boo – it’s cropped to 4:3 AGAIN!

Cold Feet Series 2is online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Are Chic back in the top slot…?

To find out the answer – and to see last week’s chart – visit mymusic chart analysis page

What do you think of the state of the charts? Why not discuss it onthe newTalk Talk Forum.

The Manchurian Candidate DVD competition coming soon…

For something completely unlike anything you’ve seen before this spellbindingspy thriller fits the bill perfectly. Frank Sinatra stars in John Frankenheimer’s THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, available to buy on DVD – packed with rare extras, including an interview with Sinatra – for the firsttime from 13th November (RRP £19.99).

Laurence Harvey (The Alamo) stars as Sgt. Raymond Shaw – one of the only77 Congressional Medal of Honour winners to step back onto American soil afterserving in Korea. But behind the accolades lies a dark and deadly secret -captured by the Communists during the Korean War Sgt. Shaw unknowinglyundergoes a horrific brainwashing experience. He returns to the USAprogrammed to kill, a mere pawn in a game of power politics.

Shaws only chance of salvation lies with his army buddy Marco (Frank Sinatra). WhenMarco realises that he and other members of the platoon are having flashbacks aboutdreadful killings taking place at Harvey’s hand he realises something is dreadfullywrong and undertakes a difficult search with the help of Rosie (Janet Leigh)to find out what secrets the governments are hiding.

The star-studded THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE has superb performances. Sinatra ison top form, lending a mesmerising intensity to the disillusioned Marco. Harveyis chilling as the brainwashed Shaw, while Angela Lansbury delivers a knockoutperformance that earned her an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Shaw’smegalomaniac mother.

A movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat – Director John Frankheimer keepsthe pace moving at breakneck speed with effective use of black and white filmand high-tech film editing to portray the terrifying brain washing scenes -building towards the shattering, mind-blowing conclusion.

This stunning DVD includes the following rare extras:

• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Interviews with Frank Sinatra, John Frankenheimer and George Axelrod
• Commentary by Frankenheimer
• 8 page colour booklet

Look out on this site for a competition to win one of FIVE DVDs fromNovember 13th.

October 23rd :The best ensemble movie ever made? Magnolia on DVD…

Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy and John C. Reilleyare just four of the nine people whose lives are expertly blended intothree-hour film over the course of 24 hours in the San Fernando Valley.

Magnoliais online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Angel vamps it up in a VHS boxset…

You loved Buffy. So did he. If you’re fed up of this new series being cut toribbons on Channel 4, as is new DVDfever reviewer Clare Dootson,experience the uncut treat in a VHS boxset which contains the first elevenepisodes of season 1.

Angel Season 1 Part 1is online and out in a VHS boxset now.

Got something to say about this show ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

COMPETITION WINNERS: The Sweeney and The Bill

Thanks to those who entered. The pilot for The Sweeney was calledRegan and the PC Tony Stamp, aka Graham Cole, did the narrationfor the Police Stop! series.

The winners are as follows :

• The Sweeney: Car Chases & Bank Jobs DVDs: William Millinship, Paul Robinson
• The Bill: The Trial of Eddie Santini VHS tape: Emily Hutchinson, Dave Darrall, Barry Stevens

Keep watching for next month’s competitions which will include DVD releasesof The X-Files Season 1 Boxset and The Manchurian Candidate.

What have you been searching for this week…?

In the continuing series, here are a list of the more odd searches thatsome people have anonymously made recently. What can you make hit thelist next time?

The list of successful ones haven’t changed a great deal since the topsearches always stay at the top, while unsuccessful ones include :

• Kelly Brook
• Adam Rickitt
• Interactive DVD
• Architechs Feat
• Beth Hirsch
• Margi Reunion Patch
• Andrew Dice Clay
• Ninja Costume

New DVDs out this week

• American Psycho (19.99, Entertainment in Video)
• Boiler Room (19.99, Entertainment in Video)
• Child’s Play (19.99, MGM)
• Cinema Paradiso (19.99 sub, Tartan)
• Cold Feet Series 2 (24.99, Granada)
• Cyrano de Bergerac (19.99 sub, Tartan)
• Delta Force (19.99, MGM)
• Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (19.99, MGM)
• Desperate Measures (19.99, Entertainment in Video)
• Dragonheart: A New Beginning (19.99, Universal)
• Friends Series 6 Episodes 1-8 (24.99, Warner)
• Friends Series 6 Episodes 9-16 (24.99, Warner)
• Friends Series 6 Episodes 17-24 (24.99, Warner)
• Fright Night (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• The Green Mile (19.99, Warner)
• Jurassic Park (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Lesley Garrett: I Will Wait For You (19.99, BMG)
• Night of the Living Dead (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Permanent Midnight (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Pokemon (19.99, Warner)
• Seven SE (19.99, Entertainment in Video)
• Sleepwalkers (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• The Story of Us (15.99, Warner)
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Tremors (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Village of the Damned (19.99, Columbia TriStar)

The music charts will be here tomorrow…

So be told.

October 22nd :Nolte and Murphy have 48 Hrs to solve a case on DVD…

Another back-catalogue Paramount title released, but this one, starringNick Nolte and Eddie Murphy as a mis-matched couple trying totrack down the same cop-killers, has a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1soundtrack.

48 Hrsis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

October 21st :The Brothers go larging it in Greece on DVD…

Sun, sea, sex and other things that begin with ‘S’ are in store, or maybenot in some cases, for the lads who are out to have a holiday with a difference.

Brothersis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Lock Stock: The TV Series coming to DVD…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info. I did receive a copy of it too (hey, the postalsystem’s working!), but Andy has the OCR and not me.

With over six and a half hours of program the DVD is priced at £29.99 for adouble DVD. The DVD will be released 6th of November. The series will bepresented 16:9 widescreen (like the video, although hopefully the DVD will beanamorphic too) and will feature the following extras:

• Behind the scenes with Tania Strecker – 15 minutes of extra footage asMTV presenter Tania gets up close and personal and goes behind thescenes to interview the cast
• Ocean Colour Scene – the promo video of their recent hit single “July”
• The Making of featurette
• TV Trailers

From the PR the episodes are:

• Lock Stock & Four Stolen Hooves:

  Neighbourhood porn king Miami Vice is far from happy when thelads get their greasy mitts on a shipment of his porn and a veryrare erotic timepiece, not to mention their accidental theft ofhis prize racehorse ‘Sherbet’. Chuck in two stoned Dutchmen, apyromaniac gangster, a Greek entrepreneur, a bunch of unrulygypsies and a few hilarious twists of fate and the boys have along way to go to get in the clear.

• Lock Stock & 200 Smoking Kalashnikovs / & A Fist Full of Jacks & Jills:

  Bacon, Jamie, Lee & Moon get stung by ‘The Limehouse Lag’ anasty scam that not only deprives them of a nice wad but getsthem into more bother with Miami Vice. Miami may have a solutionto the problem, Unfortunately it involves a consignment ofRussian machine guns!

  The lads think things are looking up when they buy a batch ofViagra pills which turn out to be a bit of a flop. Carnage ensueswhen local heavies Larry Harmless and the Gaddaffi Brothersfind they can’t rise to the occasion.

• Lock Stock & Spaghetti Sauce / & Two Sips:

  Fun for all the family involving a group of ladies known as TheLapland Girls, an adult channel called ‘Sauce TV’, A very angryMiami Vice, an even sleazier smut merchant by the name of DeepThroat, plus the lads desperate attempt to make a porn video!

  Miami Vice discovers psycho hit-man ‘Two Sips’ is bumping offhis henchmen. But what does murder have to do with Bacon, Jamie,Lee & Moon? It just so happens that ‘Two Sips’ has become thelatest resident at ‘The Lock’. Would you want to evict a crazedhit-man off your premises?

• Lock Stock & One Big Bullock / & A Good Slopping Out:

  The lads decide to get into the meat trade, not such a good ideawhen your supplier is Moon’s crusty cousins. The meat comesfrom a prize bull and some of the joints are stuffed with thefinest ‘charles’. Things get even messier when the Russian Mafiaand drug-crazed hoodlums get involved.

  The lads get sent to prison – not by the coppers, but by MiamiVice! Their job inside is to retrieve a key that could unlock a potof cash that could make your eyes water.

October 20th :More sexual shenanigans with Love Blind on DVD…

Dodgy haircuts, sombre music, an absence of scriptwriting. It must be anotherdodgy pretend-porn film with a BBFC 18 certificate.

Love Blindis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

CTW.co.uk round-up…

Thanks toCTW.co.ukfor the following info :

Happiness is X shaped for Future Network

Future and its US company Imagine Media pulled off an unprecedented dealthis week by grabbing the exclusive worldwide rights to publish the officialXbox magazine.

Eidos Gangs up

Following last week’s news that it is to remain independent (CTW October13th), Eidos Interactive has now become the latest firm to pledge itssupport to the burgeoning WAP sector, announcing that Gangsters will be itsfirst game on the platform.

Penny pinchers

Buy one game, get one for a penny is the offer that Empire has come up withthis week for its recently launched budget range Xplosiv.

ONdigital gets quizzical

Digital TV gets its latest gaming addition next year after ONdigital grantedTwo Way-TV the rights to broadcast an interactive games and entertainmentchannel.

No cure for Summer blues?

The summer slump hit again this summer, according to PC Data’s latestmonthly report, with the console market suffering a dramatic drop in sales.

Oasis – Familiar To Millions, apparently…

Thanks to theDVD Debatefor the following info :

“We’ve received an anonymous tip off regarding the upcoming Oasis DVD,Familiar To Millions. According to our source the disc will ‘..change the waythat music DVD’s are looked at.’ High and mighty claims, but what can welook forward to? We’ve dug a little deeper and come up with a bit more info…

The disc centers around the Wembley stadium gig Oasis performed earlier thisyear on July 21st and contains some pretty neat special features. The most notable of these is themysteriously labeled Tamborine Feature which takes you in and out of the gig to a documentaryfeature, much the same way as the white rabbit in The Matrix. As well as a different documentaryfeature with specially recorded interviews, the disc also contains a multi-camera track, ‘Cigarettes andAlcohol’, a discography with audio clips and some DVD-ROM features, including a link to the web sitewhere you can download exclusive photographs and learn to play the guitar for ‘Live Forever’ in thesongplayer module.

The disc features uncompressed PCM audio as well as a Dolby Digital 5.0 remix along with over 3 anda half hours of anamorphic 1.85:1 video and hits the streets on November 14 for £19.99. Sounds like aguaranteed purchase for Oasis fans. Full track listing is available in the link below.

Tracklisting:

• F**kin’ In The Bushes
• Go Let It Out
• Who Feels Love?
• Supersonic
• Shakermaker
• Acquiesce
• Step Out
• Gas Panic!
• Roll With It
• Stand By Me
• Wonderwall
• Cigarettes & Alcohol
• Don’t Look Back In Anger
• Live Forever
• Hey Hey, My My
• Champagne Supernova
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Star

DVD PR round-up…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :

Paramount’s November 6th line-up

Paramount have announced their line-up for November 6th. It actually looks likewe might be getting some special features on some of these disks. All will bepriced at £19.99 and the PR is a little vague about some of the picture ratios:

• The General’s Daughter: Widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1. Extras onthis disk will be:
  Director Commentary, Deleted Scenes and Alternative Ending,Behind The Scenes, Theatrical Trailer 1 W/S, Theatrical Trailer 2 W/S
• Apocalypse Now: 2.00:1 anamorphic widescreen and DD 5.1 soundmix.Extras are:
  Theatrical Trailer, Destruction Of Kurtz Compound WithCommentary By Director, Extracts From The Original Theatrical Programme
• Saving Private Ryan: 1.85:1 mixed matted/anamorphic. DD 5.1 sound mix.Extras include:
  Into The Breach Documentary, Two Theatrical Trailers, Cast AndCrew Biographies And Production Notes
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Anamorphic widescreen 2.0:1 and DD 5.1. Willinclude the trailer.
• A Civil Action: Widescreen and DD 5.1. Will include a featurette and a trailer.
• Jade: Fullscreen and DD 5.1 Will include the trailer.
• The Hunt for Red October: 2.35:1 anamorphic DD 5.1. Includes trailer.
• Clear & Present Danger: Widescreen and DD 5.1. Will include trailer.
• Patriot Games: Widescreen and DD 5.1

Buena Vista announce Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo

Buena Vista have announced “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” for a rental releaseon the 27th of November. There will of course be no extras on the disk andthere is still no word on picture or sound format for BV’s rental releases.

Toy Story DVD Special Edition

The extras will be as follows :

• Intro by the filmmakers
• History of TS and TS2 – character design
• Location design
• Story development
• Moviemaking secrets
• Music and sound design
• Abandoned concepts
• Deleted Animation
• Early Tests
• Original Treatments
• Storyboard PitcStoryboard-to-film comparisons
• Animation Production Progression Memos – Trailers
• TV Commercials
• Posters
• Guide to hidden jokes
• Music videos
• Original song demos
• 3-D Flyaround tours of different sets from the film

Fox’s next rental-only DVD

It seems that thenext rental disk from Fox will be the Martin Lawrence starer “Big Momma’sHouse”. As ever expect a plain disk with no extras. We don’t have details onthe sound and picture ratio however !

Manchester United: Beyond the Promised Land

Icon have announced ” MANCHESTER UNITED Beyond the Promised Land” forthe 27th of November. The disk features:

• Director’s commentary featuring Bob Potter
• Extended interviews with key Manchester United personalities includingSir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Sir Bobby Charlton
• Trailer
• Interactive animated menus
• Instant screen access
• Subtitles: English / English for the hearing impaired

“THIS IS NOT A COMPILATION OF MATCH HIGHLIGHTS -for the first time ever we get the inside story on the world’smost famous football club. From training with the team at OldTrafford to travelling to the World Club Champions League inBrazil, this fascinating documentary reveals the club at work andat play and the fans from near and afar. Manchester UnitedBeyond the Promised Land gives you the complete picture – theglory and the behind the scenes graft – of the most successfulfootball club ever. Perhaps the most revealing footballdocumentary ever made, this film is a must have not only forself-respecting club fans but fans of the sport as a whole. You’llget to see David Beckham, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs (now some ofthe biggest celebrities in the UK) as you’ve never seen thembefore.”

The disk will be priced at £19.99 and it will be widescreen.

Fantasia 2000

Disney have announced “Fantasia 2000” and “Fantasia” for release the 27th ofNovember. Also announced is “The Fantasia DVD Collection” for the 4th ofDecember. “Fantasia 2000” will be priced at £22.99 and will contain thefollowing extra features:

• Roy Disney’s introduction to the work of Fantasia
• “Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom” – an additional animated cartoon pieceset to orchestral music

“Fantasia” will also be priced at £22.99 and will include the following

• Clair de Lune’- abandoned sequence
• Unseen footage from the original Fantasia

The “Fantasia DVD Collection” is priced at £49.99 and will feature 3disks. The extra disk will include:

• Fantasia Legacy – Fantasia Bonus Footage
• In-depth exploration of segments, including storyboards, concept art and character designs
• Special effects of Fantasia
• Still frame galleries: The Art of Fantasia
• Pencil tests of unused animation
• Exclusive Walt Disney segments from “Tricks of Our Trade”, “The PlausibleImpossible” and “The Story of the Animated Drawing”
• Biographies of the filmakers
• Historical context of each musical piece
• “The Fantasia that Never Was” – reconstructed full animationand story reels (with music) of abandoned ideas for: “Clair deLune,” “The Ride of the Valkyries,” “The Swan of Tuonela,”
• “Adventures in a Perambulator,” and “Invitation to the Dance,”
• Still frame art for “The Flight of the Bumble Bee,” “Mosquito,” and “Baby Ballet”
• Publicity material (trailers/posters)
• Fantasia Legacy – Fantasia 2000 Bonus Footage
• Behind-the-scenes look at each segment – including CGI,
• animation tests, storyboards, concept art and character designs
• Interviews with the filmakers
• Production progression demonstrations
• Alternate versions
• Abandoned concepts
• Historical context of each musical piece
• Publicity material (trailers/posters)

October 19th :Take a trip to the Club Wild Side on DVD…

Club Wild Side is where it all hangs out and a good shag is had by those onstage. The new recruits train hard, the men have testosterone-fuelled argumentsbetween each other, there’s bizarrely way too much chatting inbetween whatpretends to be a sex scene and one woman even gets intimate with a mannequin!

Club Wild Sideis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

October 18th :Jet Li is after a Hitman on DVD…

Martial arts mayham with a dose of comedy and romance thrown in for cheesymeasure, Jet Li, Eric Tsang and Gigi Leung star in a film inwhich the price on the hitman’s head is $100 million.

Hitmanis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Vote for your favourite ‘Bits’ babe…

On my homepage, cast your vote for your favourite ‘Bits’ babe from thelate night Channel 4 video game review show on Sunday nights and repeatedlater in the week.

I may well keep this vote going until the end of the series so everyone hasthe chance to get their vote in.

Currently, Emily B (Bouff) is in the front with 49%, with Emily D just behindher with 47%, leaving Aleks with just a mere 3%. Doesn’t anyone likeher? Now’s your chance to make a difference.

October 17th :Friel and Lumley are the Mad Cows on DVD…

Slated in the press, I still thought I ought to give this film a chance onDVD, and er.. well, you can see the result for yourself. Don’t forget that thecover states “Over 16 minutes of extras!” YES! It’s true! There’s actually17 (!)

Mad Cowsis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

More BBC DVD delays…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following BBC info. What a wonderful postal service there is in my area (!)

• Robbie the Reindeer: 04 December 2000 To Be Confirmed
• Tweenies: Animal Friends & Party Games, Giggles & Laughs: 13th November 2000
• Teletubbies: Dance with the Teletubbies and Here come the Teletubbies: 27th November 2000
• Wallace & Gromit: 4th December 2000
• Teletubbies: Teletubbies in the Snow and Happy Christmas from the Teletubbies: 4th December 2000
• Tweenies: Merry Tweenie Christmas: 4th December 2000

Fox’s Family Favourites…

No, not the tin of choccy biccies, but five films for Xmas all releasedon November 20th.

• Jingle all the Way: Arnie Schwarzenegger
• Miracle on 34th Street: 1947 original
• Home Alone
• Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
• Home Alone 3, with a completely new cast

All films retail for £17.99 and there are no details on the picture andsound formats, but if they’re not all anamorphic widescreen (save for Miracle…it wouldn’t be worth the bother)

October 16th :Underworld give you Everything Everything on DVD…

A 90-minute live concert is one thing, but with the addition of “Live TomatoVideo Art”, a programmable track selection, a Keyboard Vision Mixer andscores of other extras, we find a concert DVD that’s better value thanturning up to the gig itself!

Underworld Live: Everything Everythingis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Jenna Jameson does things you wouldn’t believe on DVD…

What the world needs now, isn’t love sweet love, but hardcore pornography.However, the BBFC think we don’t need it, but what’s your view? Today,new DVDfever reviewer, going by the name of Fast Forward, starts withthe first of what may turn out to be several XXX DVD reviews.

Jenna Jameson: Dreamquestis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this show ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

Are U2 having a Beautiful Day in the top slot…?

To find out the answer – and to see last week’s chart – visit mymusic chart analysis page

What do you think of the state of the charts? Why not discuss it onthe newTalk Talk Forum.

COMPETITION TIME: The Sweeney and The Bill

Check out the competition page (by clicking on the picture) for a chance towin one of three copies of The Bill: The Trial of Eddie Santiniand two DVD sets for The Sweeney (Car Chases and Bank Jobs).

The competitions close on Friday October 20th.

Read my review of The Sweeney: Bank Jobsonline. I’ve also done a review of the Car Chases DVD for Home CinemaChoice which will be forthcoming.

What have you been searching for this week…?

In the first of an occasional series, maybe weekly maybe not, depends how oftenI get round to it, here are a list of the more odd searches that some peoplehave anonymously made recently. What can you make hit the list next time?

Those that were successful :

• Sugarbabes
• Jo Guest
• Westlife
• Surreal
• Gloria Estefan
• Noce Blanche
• “like it is”
• Anna Nicole Smith

Those that returned zero hits for the obvious reasons :

• JMB
• Kernkraft400
• The Royale Family
• Galahad of Everest
• Lindalovelace
• “www.WWF. com”
• Meeting with Remarkable Men
• Get+involved+raphael+sadiq
• Diez Son Mejor Que Una
• Kamasutra Ancient Secrets
• Why People Enjoy Violent Vovies

New DVDs out this week

• Basketball Diaries (cut) (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Communion (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Erin Brokovich (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Get Carter (19.99, Warner)
• Get Carter Box-Set (DVD, CD and booklet) (29.99, Warner)
• Legends of the Fall Collector’s Edition (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• One False Move (19.99, Columbia TriStar)

October 15th :Never mind the Bollocks. Here’s The Filth and The Fury on DVD…

Their reign of terror lasted a mere 26 months, but The Sex Pistolsmade a long-lasting impression on society in general. With comments and chatfrom the surviving members, plus manager Malcolm McLaren,The Filth and The Furyis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this show/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

October 14th :Enjoy an evening with Carlos Santana and Friends on DVD…

After the success of his recent comeback album, Supernatural, herecomes the live concert with guests such as Sarah McLachlan, Lauryn Hill,Rob Thomas and many more.

Santana: Supernatural Liveis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this show/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

DVD & Dreamcast double-bill…

Thanks toCTW.co.ukfor the following info :

No Friday 13th nightmare for Sega

Sega celebrated the anniversary of the release of the Dreamcast byrevealing that it has exceeded its first year European sales targets withover one million hardware unit sales, more than 2.5 million software units,and in excess of 400,000 registered Dreamarena users.

JF Cecillon CEO of Sega Europe commented: “These results pay credit toeveryone who has helped make Dreamcast such a success. The ongoing supportof the development community means gamers can look forward to some stunningnew games over the next few months and beyond.

Our timing is perfect, we have a stack of top quality games and newperipherals launching in the next two months. Sega are poised to takeadvantage of short supply by the competition. Retailers can be confidentthat they will have plenty of Dreamcasts and top quality titles forcustomers throughout the Christmas sales period,” he added.

The figures cap an excellent week for Sega, and set the scene for anintriguing Christmas head to head with the launch of PlayStation 2. And withDreamcast online gaming set to finally deliver on its promises, many aretipping Sega’s machine to take advantage of the shortage of PS2s.

Sega also revealed that 10 online titles will be released on Dreamcast bySpring 2001, including PC favourite Quake III Arena; Lionhead’s Black andWhite, Phantasy Star Online and Daytona.

One title to watch this Christmas is undoubtedly Yu Suzuki’s Shenmue, theworld’s most expensive video game production with a budget of £70 million.

Meanwhile, Sega also announced today what it describes as “the consumeroffer of the year”, with its Dreamcast machine being available viadistributor Gem in a bundle deal with the Encore Direct 450 DVD Player for£299.99, from October 30th.

JF Cecillon, Chief Executive Officer of SEGA Europe, commented: “TheWorld’s only Internet ready console and a fully functional (multi regional)DVD for less than £300. Dreamcast has proved itself to be the console ofchoice for gamers in the know. I’m sure this deal will encourage many moreconsumers to pick up a Dreamcast for Christmas and they will have no problemfinding Dreamcasts in store as retailers are piling them high inanticipation. Unlike other games companies, Sega’s timing is spot on to takeadvantage of the Christmas rush.”

BBC DVD rescheduling…

Thanks to the BBC for letting us know that Blackadder Series 2 hasmoved to November 13th and two weeks later on November 27th comesPride and Prejudice.

Gangster No.1 DVD announcement…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info. The postal service might be picking up a bitround my area but it’s not up to scratch yet.

Here’s a couple of details from VCI on their upcoming releases starting withGangster Number 1. This Filmfour looks like a special release with thefollowing specs:

• Format: DVD9
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
• Main Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1
• Subtitles: English For The Hard Of Hearing
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spot
• Featurette
• Deleted Scenes
• Cast & Crew Interviews
• Behind The Scenes
• Feature Length Director’s Commentary
• Audio Description For The Visually Impaired
• Isolated Music Score

Personally, although I can’t remember his name, I had a completely differentactor in mind to play the young Malcolm McDowell long before I heardof this film, perhaps if they were to make a film about his life, but helooks the spitting image of him, circa the early 1970s and appeared inGrange Hill as one of the kids from Rodney Bennett. Can anyone remindme of his name?

October 13th :It’s not scary, but it is a movie, at the cinema…

As if the Stab! movies in the Scream sequels weren’t enough ofa spoof, someone took it literally and created another spoof to take inother films too such asThe Matrix andregular DVDfever reviewer Dan Owen spooks you with his views on thefilm.

Scary Movieis online and out at the cinema now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

A Royle Family double-bill coming to DVD November 6th…

Thanks to Katy Prout from Granada Media for this press release.Until recently I only knew that series 2 (plus the Xmas 99 special) was beingreleased on DVD, but the first series has been added to the schedule too.

Catch all the sitting room action of the first two series on video and DVD.

Following the majestic success of the first series of The Royle Family onvideo last Autumn, Granada Video/VCI is rolling out the red carpet for thelaunch of the second series of this innovative comedy drama on video and DVD.

The action, or lack of it, centers around the sitting room of Jim Royle (RickyTomlinson) and his wife Barbara (Sue Johnston). At the end of the firstseries daughter Denise (Caroline Aherne) is set to marry Dave Best (Craig Cash),and in the second series she shares the exciting news that she and Dave areexpecting a baby – something well worthy of cracking open a bottle of Pomagnefor.

The drama and emotions of everyday family life for this average working classhousehold, such as whose turn it is to go to the ‘offie’ or make another brew,is set against the continuous hum of the television.

The Royle Family – The Complete 2nd Series on video and DVD contains all sixepisodes from the second series. Exclusive to the DVD release is the 1999 ChristmasSpecial episode. In addition to the excitement surrounding the pregnancy, Anthony(Ralf Little) gets a girlfriend and Nana (Liz Smith) comes to stay after hercataract operation. A menopausal Barbara finally decides she is so fed upwith Jim’s selfishness that she turns the telly off.

“I tell you what, Dave, she’s gone too far this time,” complains a disgruntled Jim.

Together with the new release of The Royle Family – The Complete 1st Series onDVD, fans of the series are in for a right royle treat this Christmas.

The third series of The Royle Family begins on BBC-1 in October and wordhas it that two episodes feature them NOT watching TV. Hey, steady now!

THE ROYLE FAMILY – THE COMPLETE 2nd SERIES
VIDEO: Release date: 6 Nov 2000 / Cat No: GV0230 / Cert: 12 / Length: 175 minutes approx / Price: œ15.99
DVD: Release date: 6 Nov 2000 / Cat No: GVD002 / Cert: 12 / Length: 214 mins approx / Price: œ19.99 /DVD 9 / Sound – Stereo / Region – Pal Region 2 / Aspect ratio – 4:3

THE ROYLE FAMILY – THE COMPLETE 1st SERIES
VIDEO: Release date: OUT NOW / Cat No: GV0141 / Cert: 12 / Length: 170 mins approx / Price: œ15.99
DVD: Release date: 6 Nov 2000 / Cat No: GVD001 / Cert: 12 / Length: 170 mins approx / Price: œ19.99 /DVD 9 / Sound – Stereo / Region – Pal Region 2 / Aspect ratio – 4:3

Friends Season 6 – what price paradise…?

Following on from yesterday’s announcement that each DVD in the series will be£19.99 each or £59.99 for the full set of three disks, I had an email fromJon Burton who voiced concernsince the previous series had been originally listed at that price, buteventually became £24.99 per disc and £69.99 per complete series.

He writes: “I had a problem with Encore Direct when I ordered the DVDs for£11.79 from them on pre-order (based on the £19.99 price), however, justbefore they were released Encore Direct contacted me to say that the RRP wasnow £24.99 so they wanted £19.99 from me for each disc. Since I had ordered 3seasons worth (9 discs) this was going to be nearly £74 extra I declined.I ended up getting them for about £11 quid each fromdvdzone2.com in the end.”

While it’s certainly a bargain, I don’t blame Encore for upping the price asthey’d only lose out otherwise (almost certainly enough to wipe out any profit).Seems Warner have made rather a cockup of the pricing.

If anyone has any other comments, please raise them on theTalk Talk Forum

DVD PR round-up…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info. What IS happening to the postal service in my area?

Hong Kong Legends

Communications & Marketing has officially annouiced it’s deal with Media AsiaCorporation to secure for its rapidly expanding “Hong Kong Legends” label thelargest and most prestigious catalogue of top Hong Kong movies in existence.The deal means that the label will release at least 150 new DVD releases overthe next five years, including many of the top-grossing Hong Kong productionsof all time from legendary studios such as Golden Harvest and Golden Princess.The schedule looks like this:

• “Island of Fire” Just released. Jackie Chan
• “The Big Boss” 30th October. Bruce Lee, totally uncut.
• “Armour of Gop” 20th November. Jackie Chan
• “Once upon a Time in China” 20th November. Jet Li
• “City Hunter” Jan 2001. Jackie Chan
• “Eastern Condors” Jan 2001 Sammo Hung. Will include out-takes fromSammo’s private collection and will reunite the cast for a selection of interviews.
• “Fist of Fury” Feb 2001. Bruce Lee, restored and in widescreen.
• “Iron Monkey” Feb 2001 Donnie Yen

The full press release reads as follows :

In what is surely the biggest independent DVD-specific deal to date, Medusa Communications & Marketing has secured for its rapidlyexpanding “Hong Kong Legends” label the largest and most prestigious catalogue of top Hong Kong movies in existence.

The deal with the giant Media Asia Corporation means at least 150 new DVD releases over the next five years, including many of thetop-grossing Hong Kong productions of all time from legendary studios such as Golden Harvest and Golden Princess.

Many of the titles covered have already proven to be the most successful Hong Kong movies on UK video ever and will now be presented assuperb quality collectors’ DVDs for the first time in this country. All will be digitally remastered and fully restored with an array of specialfeatures exclusive to their forthcoming UK releases.

Among the most famous titles involved are Bruce Lee classics such as The Big Boss, Fist Of Fury, Way Of The Dragon and Game Of Deathplus the first three films in the Once Upon A Time In China series which brought Jet Li international recognition.

Jackie Chan fans will delight in pristine releases of many of his greatest favourites including City Hunter, Battle Creek Brawl, Armour Of God,Miracles, Police Story 1 & 2, both Project A’s and both Cannonball Run movies – to mention only a few.
There’s also Hollywood star Chow Yun Fat in The Postman Fights Back, Hong Kong 1941 and Flaming Brothers plus Bond girl sensationMichelle Yeoh in Magnificent Warriors, Yes Madam and Easy Money.

Then mix in recent UK video smash hits like Naked Killer, Robotrix, Jackie Chan: My Stunts and many more and you can start to build a clearpicture of the scale of the deal just completed. All of the titles listed so far will be released in the first year of the deal!

In addition, the deal covers exciting new productions from Media Asia such as the recently completed 2000 AD and Purple Storm.Restoration and remastering work has already begun on at least 16 key titles which will be among the first releases, including Armour OfGod, The Big Boss and the original Once Upon A Time In China. The process being undertaken involves new tele-cine transfers, primaryand secondary colour correction and restoration of both audio and video elements using the latest ‘state-of-the art’ digital technology. Thisintensive effort guarantees genuine collectors’ releases offering truly exclusive extra features and great value for money to the UK public – farsuperior to anything available via import.

First release will be the Bruce Lee classic THE BIG BOSS on 30th October 2000. For the first time in the UK, this will be a beautifullyremastered, totally uncut widescreen presentation – the way this legendary movie was meant to be seen. Just passed 18 uncut by the BBFC,this DVD will contain many special features……watch this space!

Medusa Managing Director David Hodgins states: “The partnership of Media Asia and Medusa in the emerging DVD market makes it withoutquestion, a very major deal. This is a very significant long term investment by both parties to bring to the market the strongest line-up ofclassic Hong Kong cinema ever presented by a single distributor.

I can only describe Media Asia as being the perfect partner for this venture, their commitment to the highest standards of presentation oftheir library and the continuing production of new feature films is a unique combination”.

Hong Kong Legends Label Manager Brian White, responsible for all the painstaking and expensive work in order to present HKL releases inthe best form possible, adds: “Our initial commitment to embrace the full potential of the DVD format with our HKL range has really paid off.By producing high quality, value for money products which are truly collectable, we have managed to cultivate a market for our titles, not onlywith the genre enthusiast, but also with the mainstream consumer. The quality and range of product now on offer through our partnershipwith Media Asia will further consolidate our market position”.

Odyssey ‘True-life story’ DVDs

Odyssey have announced more disks in their “true stories and best sellingnovels” range. Here’s the run down:

“Mr Murder” 9th October, £17.99.
Stars Stephen Baldwin, James Coburn and is based on a Dean Koontz best seller:

During a top-secret medical experiment to create the perfectwarrior, Marty Stillwater’s genes are mixed up with a brilliantcollege athlete’s who was picked specially for the government project.

The result is an identical clone of Marty with no memories, whobelieves that Marty has taken over his life, and he will doanything to get it back. With the instincts of a killer, atelepathic mind and no conscience, Marty is up against thestrongest enemy he could ever have thought up. .

“Jack Reed Badge of Honour” 23rd October £17.99.
Directed and staring Brian Dennehy. Includes star-profiles and trailer.

“Deadlocked” 6th November, £15.99.
Stars David Caruso, Charles S. Dutton.

“Santa Who” 20th November, £15.99
stars Leslie Nielson.

Dreamworks DVD releases

The R2 Project have had a chat with the people inside Universal Pictures UKabout their upcoming Dreamworks releases. Now of course anything we say hereshould be considered hearsay and Universal may change their minds in duecourse. We want to know about 3 things DTS, Extras and the cases. Before Igo any further I want to thank the folks Universal Pictures UK for taking thetime to talk to us, we know they are very busy trying to get the first releasesout. For these reasons they expect the initial slate of titles to be a little lighton the extras. Expect the range of extras to increase next year once Universalget fully up to speed. As for DTS, there are no plans at present, but again thatcould change.

As for the cases, there should be good news. It looks like these releases will bein Amaray cases and not the Super Jewel style that other Universal PicturesUK come in.

EiV DVD updates

Just a quick update on EiV’s dates. “American Psycho” has now moved to 30thof October. The “Nightmare on Elm Street” box set and “Final Destination”are both currently set for the 13th of November, but of course they could move.

October 12th :OI! You shut it and watch The Sweeney on DVD…

Released this week :

Two DVDs have been released each with two episodes in remastered anamorphic16:9 widescreen. Hang on.. a 1970s show in widescreen? You’d better believeit.

The Sweeney: Bank Jobsis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this show/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

Kevin Bacon is the Hollow Man at the cinema…

Kevin Bacon isn’t quite the man we normally know him as andregular DVDfever reviewer Dan Owen takes a look at this film fromdirector Paul Verhoeven which is currently showing at the cinema.

Hollow Manis online and out at the cinema now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Vampyros Lesbos and She Killed in Ecstasy coming to DVD…

Thanks to Chris Holden from Second Sight regarding two new uncut DVDreleases.

Jess Franco’s cult classics come to video and DVD in brand new restoredversions on December 27th.

Vampyros Lesbos (Colour, 1970, 1.66:1 Widescreen, English subtitled, 86 mins, VHS RRP £12.99, DVD RRP £19.99)

Jess Franco’s masterpiece of horrotica stars the beguiling Soledad Miranda as the sexy vamp,Countess Nadine. When Lynda Westinghouse pays a visit to the Countess on her island, shesoon falls prey to the seductive charms of her demonic host. Can she escape the clutches of this blood-sucking vixen? Sleazy and surreal,the film is equally famed for its’ psychedelic soundtrack, one which has been elevated to cult status.

She Killed in Ecstasy (Colour, 1970 1.66: 1 Widescreen, English subtitled, 74 mins, VHS RRP £12.99, DVD RRP £19.99)

Following Franco’s classic Vampyros Lesbos, Soledad Miranda returns in another steamy andseductive role. When her husband is driven mad and commits suicide, she seeks revenge on thefour people she holds responsible. Needless to say she uses her feminine ways to entice herprey and each steamy encounter ends with a sudden and nasty surprise for her victims. Another classicslice of Euro-sleaze from Franco, and another memorably spaced-out soundtrack that has become a cult favourite.

Second Sight have commissioned restorations of both films using the original negatives, and new anamorphic widescreenmasters have been created. This is their first release, anywhere in the world. These cult classicscan now be seen as never before.

The DVD releases are presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen and the sound ismono.

Vampyros Lesbos features trailer and photo gallery with rare behind the scenes stills, poster artwork and lobby cards,while She Killed in Ecstasy features trailer and photo gallery with poster artwork and lobby cards.

Terrific TV with TiVo…

Thanks to Hannah Shepherd for the following press release aboutTiVo. I’m hoping to obtain one for review early next month and I can’twait to try it out as I watch and record far more TV than I have time towatch and this is going to be a big help.

TIVO© SET TO CHANGE THE WAY WE WATCH TELEVISION

Pause live TV
Automatically record every episode of a series
Record without videotape
TiVo Recorder at around £399, TiVo subscription from £10 per month
Revolutionary Personal Television Recorder on sale in UK from October 2000
TiVo puts viewers in control of what and when they watch
TiVo is available in October at Dixons, Currys and selected electrical retailers or direct by calling 08702 41 84 86

This Autumn, TiVo Inc., (NASDAQ: TIVO) in association with British Sky Broadcasting (LSE: BSY), looks setto change the way British viewers watch television forever with the launch of TiVo, the first everPersonal Television Recorder (PTR) and service. Available in the UK from October 2000, TiVo will giveviewers unprecedented control over what they watch and when they watch it, regardless of when programmes are scheduled.

For the first time ever, British viewers will be able to pause, rewind and playback inslow-motion live television. Recording programmes is as easy as the touch of a button -no more setting the clock or remembering the videotape.

TiVo’s hard disk recording system can store up to 40 hours of programming, giving viewersthe chance to truly take control.

TiVo also boasts an intelligent system that provides viewers the opportunity toteach it their viewing preferences and recording habits, TiVo will then automatically suggest or recordprogrammes it thinks they would like to watch.

One of TiVo’s most useful features allows viewers to set up a Season Pass thatautomatically records every episode of a series, meaning viewers will never miss theirfavourite programmes again.

Manufactured by consumer electronics manufacturer Thomson, under the Thomson SCENIUM brand, the TiVoRecorder will be available in October at Dixons, Currys and selected electrical retailersor direct by calling 08702 41 84 86.

The TiVo Recorder will work in almost all UK homes, no matter how they receivetheir television. At launch TiVo will be compatible with analogue and digital terrestrial, digital satelliteand analogue cable services (digital cable compatibility available soon).

TiVo benefits

1. Pause Live TV
Never again will viewers have to miss a crucial television moment to go to the door oranswer the telephone. TiVo can actually pause live television for up to 30 minutes enablingthe viewer to instantly stop the action. When they return they can pick up the programme exactlywhere they left off.

Another first is the ability to rewind live programmes. Football fans will not have torely on the traditional TV station to provide action replays to get a second look atcontroversial incidents. With TiVo they can instantly rewind or fast forwardthe on-screen images.

2. Record without Videotapes
The days of hunting around for blank videotapes to record programmes will be history as TiVo digitally recordsup to 40 hours of programmes on to a built in hard drive.

3. Automatically record every episode of a series
By selecting a Season Pass, TiVo records every episode of a series so you need nevermiss your favourite programme again.

4. Teach TiVo Your Viewing Preferences
No one knows your viewing preferences better than you. With TiVo’s intelligent recording system viewerscan teach TiVo likes and dislikes so that it can suggest or even record programmesyou may like to watch at a later date. Viewers can teach the system what type of programmes theylike by pressing the ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ buttons on the remote control.

5. On Screen Programme Guide
TiVo’s On Screen Programme Guide enables viewers to locate programmes by name, channel, date andtime. This feature will give analogue terrestrial and analogue cable viewers their first experience ofa true interactive programme guide.

As part of the TiVo subscription the viewer receives a daily listing update, sent directly throughyour phone line. To access the service simply plug the TiVo box directly into yourtelevision service and phone line. There’s no need for more than one phone line as TiVo supplies an adapter upon purchase.

TiVo fact file

Available in October at Dixons, Currys and selected electrical retailers or direct by calling 08702 41 84 86
The TiVo Recorder will cost around œ399 from BSkyB from launch
TiVo Subscription will be available in two forms: Lifetime Subscription for the TiVo Recorder for a one-off payment of œ199, or alternatively Ongoing Subscription for œ10 per month
TiVo Subscription is required for the full service
Subscription to the TiVo service and customer enquiries can only be obtained by calling TiVo on 08702 41 84 86 ( phone line live after 1 October ) after a TiVo Recorder has been purchased
Compatible with analogue and digital terrestrial, digital satellite and analogue cable services (digital cable compatibility available soon)
Box manufactured by French consumer electronics giant Thomson
Up to 40 hours of digital recording time
Can pause, rewind, slow motion and instant replay live TV
Full VCR functionality on all recorded programmes: – can fast forward and rewind up to sixty times the speed of the normal broadcast
Offers a Season Pass facility – never miss a regularly-screened programmeagain, as TiVo records every episode for you
Features comprehensive and easy to use On Screen Programme Guide for finding and recording programmes
Links directly to a phone line to supply a daily TV listings update
TiVo dimensions: width 435mm/depth 335mm/height 100mm

PR round-up…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info. I presume my copy of the Chicken Run infois stuck in the post, while I’ve already received a review copy ofJean Luc-Godard’s Breathless (A Bout de Souffle) but haven’t had chanceto watch it yet.

Friends Series 6 DVD

Series 6 of “Friends” will now be released on October 23rd. The RRP remainsthe same, £19.99 each or £59.99 for the full set of three disks.

New Yamaha amplifiers with something EX-tra

Yamaha have announced 3 new home cinema amplifiers all with matrix 6.1 andDTS-EX which should be showing up in shops around now. These are (in order ofpricing):

“DSP AX2” The replacement for the A2 this has a RRP of £1,299.95.Available November The Specs are:

DD/DTS/Matrix 6.1/DTS-ES, 32 bit DSP by Yamaha ASICYSS-928, 8 channel power 100W*6 +25W *2, On Screen Display,8-Digital in/2-out All assignable, 7 Video-in/2-out with S-Video,2-Comp. Video, Learning & Preset Remote with LCD.

“RXV1000RDS”. RRP £749.95 A five channel amplifier/reciever with 6channel decoding. Available November/ December The center surroundchannel is available from a pre-amp output to be feed to an additionalamplifier. Specs are:

Digital ToP-ART Concept, 32-bit DSP by Yamaha ASIC YSS-928,DID/DTS/Matrix6. I /DTS-ES, 5-channel Power Amplification100W x 5, R5232 port, AM/FM 40 preset tuner with RDS,7-Digital inI2-out All assignable, 6 Video-i n12 -out withS-Video, 2-Component Video, Assignable, Learning & PresetRemote with LCD

“RXV800RDS” RRP £599.95. Available November. Another 5 channelreceiver which uses a unique matrix circuit to give a “phantom” centerrear channel when using DD Surround EX and DTS-ES. The Specs are:

Digital ToP-ART RT Concept, 32-bit DSP by Yamaha ASICYSS-928, DD/DTS/Matrix 6. I /DTS-ES, 5-channel PowerAmplification 100W x 5, AM/FM 40 preset tuner with RDS,7-Digital in/2-out all assignable, 6 Video-in/2-out with S-Video,2-Component Video (assignable), Learning & Preset Remote.

Sports DVDs

Lace have announced 6 titles for release before the end of October. Primeamongst them is the documentary of the “Sydney 2000 Olympics”. Here are thedetails:

The 2000 Sydney Olympics – the Official Film
23rd October 2000Retail Price: £19.99 Running Time: 70 minutes approximately plus extras

Boxing Top 10
Release Date: 23rd October, Retail Price: £19.99,Running Time: 60 minutes approximately plus extras

Football Top 10
Release Date: 23rd October , Retail Price: £19.99,Running Time: 60 minutes approximately plus extras,

Dettori V Piggott – Head to Head
Release Date: 23rd October, RetailPrice: £19.99, Running Time: 60 minutes approximately plus extras

World Superbike Championship 2000 – Official Review
Release Date:30th October, Retail Price: £19.99, Running Time: 90 minutesapproximately plus extras

FOGGY’S – Hell For Leather
Release Date: 30th October, RetailPrice: £19.99, Running Time: 60 minutes approximately plus extras

Chicken Run DVD

The DVD is set for release 4th of December and has a RRP of£19.99. The picture will be 1.85:1 anamorphic and the sound is DD 5.1. I’m toldthere is still planned to be a DTS soundtrack but we are still awaiting fullconfirmation on that. The extras are:

Teaser Trailer
Regular Trailer
Chicken Impossible Trailer
Fowl Play (Making of Chicken Run)
20 minute interview with Peter Lord and Nick Park
Aardman Archive
Cast and Crew Biographies
Production Notes
Directors’ Commentary
DVD ROM
Moving menu’s

The voice cast pecks a fine order of British talent including Julia Sawalha(Ginger), Miranda Richardson (Mrs Tweedy), Imelda Staunton (Bunty), JaneHorrocks (Babs), Lynn Ferguson (Mac), Tony Hagarth (Mr Tweedy), BenjaminWhitrow (Fowler), and Timothy Spall and Phil Daniels (Nick and Fetcher).

Breathless (A Bout de Souffle) DVD

Optimum releasing have announced Jean Luc-Godard’s “Breathless (A Bout deSouffle)” for release 6th of November priced at £19.99. The DVD has beendigitally re-mastered from a brand new print and re-subtitled. Extras include:

Photo gallery of 13 stills taken by Godard during the filming.
Poster Gallery of 7 original European posters
Jean Luc Godard’s short film “Charlotte et son Jules”
Original trailer
Trailer for the Richard Gere 1983 remake.
Optional subtitles.

Jackie Chan’s Island of Fire DVD

Hong Kong Legends have announced Jackie Chan’s “Island of Fire” for releasethis week , 9th of October at £19.99. The picture has been digitallyre-mastered features a 16:9 anamorphic transfer. The DVD features over 60minutes of extra features including:

Extensive deleted footage gallery
Animated biography showcase
Interview gallery
Original trailer
UK Music Promo

October 11th :Jonny Lee Miller is caught up in a conspiracy in Complicity on DVD…

He’s a journalist writing about certain well-known people who then seems tobe getting done over, permanently, by a mystery caller. The film alsostars Keeley Hawes and Brian Cox.

Complicityis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

BBC DVDs – additions and changes…

Some changes and new additions to the forthcoming line-up from the BBC :

• Doctor Who: Robots of Death – Oct 30th
• Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys Outing – Nov 6th, £17.99
• The Royal Opera House: Falstaff – Nov 13th, £24.99
• The Royal Opera House: Coppelia – Nov 13th, £24.99
• Only Fools and Horses: The Frog’s Legacy – Nov 20th, £17.99
• Only Fools and Horses: Complete Series 1 – Nov 20th, £19.99
• Absolutely Fabulous: Complete Series 1 – Nov 20th, £19.99
• Life of Birds – Dec 4th
• Pride and Prejudice – To Be Confirmed

I’ve some more info to add here for other distributors but haven’t got thetime at the moment, so shall add it soon. October 10th :Charlie Sheen opens fire again in Navy Seals on DVD…

Yesterday, we took a look at one of Charlie Sheen‘s finest hours, butthis is less a classic and more a Friday night rental after a few pints and acurry.

Navy Sealsis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Fox announce The Beach and Young Frankenstein on DVD…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info, some of which I’m still waiting for myself :

Fox have announced “The Beach” for release on the 27th of December, priced at£19.99. Sadly missing from the press release are any details of the sound orpicture ratio. However the disk does look like it’s packed with extras:

• Commentary Track
• Trailer
• 9 Deleted scenes including never before seen alternate opening and ending
• Original artwork
• Music video of All Saints “Pure Shore”
• Cast and Crew Biographies

Fox have announced “Young Frankenstein” for the 23rd of October priced at£19.99. Again there are no details of sound and picture but the extras are :

• Running commentary by Mel Brooks
• Outtakes, Bloopers and Deleted Scenes
• Trailers and TV Spots
• 36 Minute documentary “Making FrankenSence oy Young Frankestein”with Behind the Scenes footage and cast and crew interviews
• Mexican Interviews

October 9th :Charlie Sheen finds war is hell in Platoon on DVD…

The first casualty of war is innocence, but it seems the first casualty ofthis DVD is the lack of extras. Still, it’s a superb drama also starringWillem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, Kevin Dillon and Johnny Depp.

Platoonis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Blackadder goes Back and Forth…

Still showing at the Millennium Dome, first shown on TV on Sunday October 1ston Sky One, to be repeated on Tuesday October 17th and out to buy on videoon November 20th, Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson and the rest starin a one-off special, a review of which is brought to you courtesy ofregular DVDfever reviewer Dan Owen.

Blackadder: Back and Forthis online now.

Got something to say about this show ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum

Are All Saints pouring themselves another cup of coffee in the top slot…?

To find out the answer – and to see last week’s chart – visit mymusic chart analysis page

What do you think of the state of the charts? Why not discuss it onthe newTalk Talk Forum.

COMPETITION TIME: The Sweeney and The Bill

Check out the competition page (by clicking on the picture) for a chance towin one of three copies of The Bill: The Trial of Eddie Santiniand two DVD sets for The Sweeney (Car Chases and Bank Jobs).

The competitions close on Friday October 20th.

Look out for a review of The Sweeney: Bank Jobs coming shortly.

What have you been searching for this week…?

In the first of an occasional series, maybe weekly maybe not, depends how oftenI get round to it, here are a list of the more odd searches that some peoplehave anonymously made recently. What can you make hit the list next time?

Those that were successful :

• Deep Throat
• Debbie Does Dallas
• Glamma Kid
• Poodle Rockin’
• Bright Shining Lie
• Dirty Tiger Crazy Frog
• Pob’s Programme
• Carla Solaro

Those that returned zero hits for the obvious reasons :

• Body Piercin Rome
• Digiguide Crack
• 101 Nights of Ecstacy – For Her Eyes
• Kinky Wrinkly
• Bizzi’Sparty
• The Booty Bandits Part Two
• Lolly Mickey Download
• Shazbut

New DVDs out this week

• Brothers (19.99, Visual Entertainment)
• Jurassic Park (19.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Jurassic Park/Lost World (34.99, Columbia TriStar)
• Underworld: Everywhere Everywhere (19.99, Visual Entertainment)

Actor Richard Farnsworth Dies…

Thanks to bluejay@megsinet.net who posted this from The Associated Pressin uk.media.dvd :

Actor Richard Farnsworth, a former stuntman and two-time Academy Awardnominee, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday night, October 6th.He was 80.

Farnsworth, who had been involved in filmmaking for more than 60 years, wasnominated this year for an Oscar for best actor for his performance inThe Straight Story.

Lincoln County Sheriff Tom Sullivan released a statement Friday night sayingFarnsworth died at his home in Lincoln, about 250 miles southeast ofAlbuquerque. Police did not release any further details, but Farnsworth’sfiancee, Jewely Van Valin, was at home when he died.

“I was just in the other room and I heard the shot,” she said in a telephoneinterview from Farnsworth’s home. “He was incredible pain today. He wasgoing down hill.”

Van Valin said Farnsworth was diagnosed several years ago with terminalcancer, which had left him partially paralyzed. He struggled with the painwhile he was working on “The Straight Story,” she said.

“He was very ill in that movie, but phenomenally he made it through. Hedidn’t want the world to know he was sick,” Van Valin said.

“He couldn’t fight it, and cancer got him.”

Farnsworth had said the heart of his performance inThe Straight Storycame from his respect for Alvin Straight, the real-life person on whom hisportrayal of a 73-year-old man who rode a tractor across the country wasbased.

“I admired him very much and tried to be as much like his character as Icould, talked to two of his boys, who are now truck drivers, and we filmedalong his actual route. Every time we stopped somewhere, people would comeby and say, ‘Heck, I remember when old Alvin came through,’ and tell usabout it,” he told The Associated Press last March.

At 79, Farnsworth was the oldest leading actor to receive an Oscar bid.Titanicstar Gloria Stuart was the oldest performer ever nominated whenshe was nominated for supporting actress at 87.

“It feels a lot better because I’m getting up there in age and might nothave a chance again,” he said in an interview after he was nominated inFebruary.

The Oscar went to Kevin Spacey, who won for his portrayal of a suburbanfather in “American Beauty.”

It was the second nomination for Farnsworth, who was nominated for the 1978film “Comes a Horseman.” Henry Fonda had been the oldest leading actor whenhe was nominated at 76 for his role in “On Golden Pond.”

Farnsworth was a poor student who dropped out of school during theDepression at age 15 and went to work as a stable boy at a polo barn.

Two years later, in 1937, two men from the Paramount studio came by lookingfor ponies and mentioned they needed someone who could ride horses on film.Farnsworth took the job, which paid $7 a day, about what he had been makingper week.

The Los Angeles native was a stuntman for more than 30 years who moved intoacting at age 57, appearing in “The Grey Fox,” “The Natural,” “Tom Horn,””Resurrection,” “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Anne of Green Gables.”

His 50-year-old son, Diamond Farnsworth, followed in his footsteps and hasbecome a top stuntman, doubling for Sylvester Stallone in the first two”Rambo” movies.

Since his appearance in “Comes a Horseman,” Farnsworth has acted in nearlythree dozen films and TV movies.

In 1990, Farnsworth moved out of his home of 40 years in the Hollywood Hillsand came to the outskirts of Lincoln, a town of 565 in the foothills of twomountain ranges that is known for Billy the Kid’s famous escape.

© Copyright 2000 The Associated Press

DVD PR round-up

Hollow Man

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :

According to Hitcher at: www.cinedvd.net, The European release of Hollow Manwill feature :

• 2 commentaries, 1 with Verhoeven, Bacon and 1 with Jerry Goldsmith
• Making-of: Hollow Man, Anatomy of a Thriller
• Before and aftet SFX comparaison
• film/storyboard comparaison
• Deleted scenes with Verhoeven commentary

Natural Born Killers

According to Karsten over at www.areadvd.de, Natural Born Killerswill be released as an uncut directors version in Germany on the 16th November.Perhaps we will get a version here before Christmas then !

Columbia’s proposed DVD titles for Q1 2001

In a shop-bound leaflet, Columbia/Tristar list their proposed release scheduleall the way to March next year. Here’s a run down of titles for the first3 months of next year:

January
• The Patriot, Commentary by producer an director, 3 featurettes,conceptual art to film comparison, cast portraits, trailers
• The Best Man, trailer, and spotlight on location feature
• The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
• It’s the Rage, Featurette, trailer and commentary
• The Day of the Jackal trailer
• The Match
• To Kill a Mockingbird trailer and a making of Fearful Symmetry
• Krull Packed full with a featurette, cast and director commentaries,Marvel comics adaptation, CineFantastique article as audi streamcommentary, 4 galleries, behind the scenes portraits, production andcostume design, art and merchandise, isolated score and an Easter egg !
• The Emperor and the Assassin
• Steel Magnolias Deleted scenes, commentary and featurette In Bloom
• The Prince of Tides Collectors edition. Deleted and alternate scenes.,gag reel, costume and make-up tests and featurette.

February

• Lawrence of Arabia 60 minute making of, 4 featuretes, UCLA archive, scrap book
• Snatch
• Not One Less Trailer and isolated score.
• Fortress 2, trailer and featurette
• It Happened One Night
• Mr Smith Goes to Washington
• High Plaines Drifter
• The Eiger Sanction Trailer and featurette
• Play Misty for Me
• The Blue Lagoon (Brooke Shields)
• Night Falls on Manhattan
• Normal Life
• And Justice for all
• Killer
• Lost Horizon with restoration commentary, deleted scenes, alternateending, before and after comparison and photo documentary

March

• Hollow Man with trailer and featurette
• A Few Good Men collectors edition trailer, making of featurette,isolated score, director’s commentary, screenwriter’s commentary
• The Blues Brothers
• Waking the Dead
• Cape Fear
• Black and White, Featurette, deleted scenes, directors commentary, 2music videos, and isolated score.
• Jumanji collectors edition, making of, SFX featurette, concept art,production design and concept art
• The Taming of the Shrew
• Bitter Moon
• Bulletproof
• Sense and Sensibility collectors edition
• A Man for All Seasons
• Battelstar Galactica
• What Planet are you From?, trailer, featurette and isolated score.

Dreamcast Dance for the 100th Release…

Sega Dreamcast are celebrating the release of the funky dance titleSpace Channel 5 which is cause for a double celebration as it’sthe 100th Dreamcast title.

“This is the classiest dance ’em up ever.” – CTW 6th October 2000

“Ulala never misses an opportunity to remind viewers how wonderful she is, and consequently exudes more personality than any previous game character.” – dotcom Telegraph 5th October 2000

“We don’t think you’ll be able to escape the hypnotic charm of Space Channel 5. So much fun that you’ll want to keep coming back to it.” – Official Dreamcast Magazine November issue

“It looks like another Parappa The Rapper ripoff. Someone prove me wrong”– DVDfever Ed.

Visit the Official Space Channel 5 website at:http://score.SEGA.com/games/sc5/sc5_main.html

October 8th :It’s a WWF Royal Rumble on DVD…

Released tomorrow :

3hrs+ of actors throwing each other round a ring on a shiny disc for allWWF fans to enjoy, plus the Miss Rumble Swimsuit Competition.

WWF Royal Rumbleis online and out on DVD tomorrow.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

October 7th :Hawn, Midler and Keaton form The First Wives Club on DVD…

Released this week :

“Don’t get mad. Get Everything”. That’s the tagline in this farce that’smainly for women as three divorces form an exclusive for all the dumped-onwomen in life.

The First Wives Clubis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

October 6th :Jack Nicholson heads down Chinatown on DVD…

Released this week :

The first of two film noir movies starring Jack Nicholson asprivate eye J.J. Gittes and set in pre-war Southern California, EvelynCross Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) comes to Jake with a problem. She wantshim to investigate her husband who’s having an affair but before longhe’s found testing Archimedes’ law…

Chinatownis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this film/DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

CTW.co.uk round-up…

Thanks toCTW.co.ukfor the following info :

Game Boy gets a Rocket

The Game Boy market is set to get its most ambitious and audacious entrantyet, with Datel’s Rocket Games label poised to take the market by storm witha range of self-manufactured £12.99 double pack titles.

PS2 allocation still on track

“We’re still on track” was the message from Sony this week, with the firmstating that the UK’s 200,000 day one allocation of PlayStation 2 consoleshas not been affected by last week’s news that the US has had its allocationhalved to 500,000.

Fame at last for Digimask

Digimask is to reach an audience of millions next week with the firm’s TonyPearce appearing on Tomorrow’s World to demonstrate the user personalisationtechnology live next Wednesday (October 11th) on the BBC show.

Acclaim gets extreme

The increasingly-popular extreme sports genre gets a quality addition nextweek with the release of Acclaim’s long-awaited Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, atitle the firm expect to be one of the best selling games of its genre inthe run up to Christmas.

A Megablast from the past

The increasingly active Bitmap Brothers has gone back to its roots onceagain, with another of its Amiga classics Xenon being revived – but thistime for inclusion in the November issue of PC Format, out October 26th.

BBC bolsters line-up

BBC Multimedia has announced the launch of several new titles for Easter2001, along with promises of future involvement in next gen consoles.

NBK, Universal and Fox updates…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :

Universal Video update

First of all a large number of titles have now been put back until 2001,probably January but we can’t be sure. Here is the schedule forthe remaining titles and the titles now delayed:

”Fall of the Roman Empire” 16th October
”Gridlocked” 16th October
”Dragonheart 2” 23rd of October
”Bagpuss” 23rd October
”Barney’s Christmas” 30th October
”Lock Stock The TV Series” November 6th as a double box set.
”Death Race 2000” 13th November
”It’s a Wonderful Life” 4th December (re-release)

The following titles have now all been delayed until 2001 :

”Jaws 2”, ”Jaws 3”, ”Jaws 4”, “Blood Simple”, “MullhollandFalls”, “Bethoven 3”, “”Return of the Pink Panther”, “HighNoon”, “Queit Man”, “Eraserhead”, “King Kong”, “MeanStreets”, “Southern comfort”, “Killing Fields

Fox’s Xmas DVD favourites

Apparently Fox have lined up 5 family favorites for the Christmas season.According to sources “Jingle all the Way”, “Miracle on 34th Street”, “HomeAlone”, “Home Alone 2” and “Home Alone 3” will be released on the 9th ofNovember. We expect these disks may retail for less than Fox’s usual £19.99.We are awaiting confirmation and details of but we don’t expect any realextras (perhaps a theatrical trailer). I just hope Fox don’t release them fullscreen !

NBK on the way?

According to the BBFC Warner haveclassified “NATURAL BORN KILLERS – CHARLIE ROSE INTERVIEW WITHOLIVER STONE” as a DVD extra just the week. At the moment there are noother extras classified and the only version of the film classified for video is a18 version in 1996 with a running time of 114m 1s. I believe that version wascomplete and uncut. Could we be about to see a new DVD release of thiscontroversial film ? I hope so !

Uncut martial arts films at last…?

Thanks to theDVD Debatefor the following info :

“As many of you correctly guessed our Big Announcement is related to a complete Genre,that of Hong Kong Movies. Top R2 DVD Producer Hong Kong Legends has signed anexclusive distribution deal with Chinese Film Studio Golden Harvest/Golden Princess.This entitles Hong Kong Legends to release a significant portion of the entire GoldenHarvest/Golden Princess back catalogue over the coming years. There are many classictitles included in the deal.

So what kind of titles are included? Well how about Game Of Death, Big Boss, Fist Of Fury, WayOf The Dragon, Bruce Lee The Legend (all Bruce Lee), many Classic Jackie Chan includingArmor Of God, arguably the best Jet Li movies Once Upon A Time In China Parts 1 2 3, severalSammo Hung titles including Eastern Condors, Michelle Yeoh’s superb Butterfly Sword, Chow YunFat in Wild Search and popular titles like Dragon From Russia and Ninjas in the Dragons Den?Further titles details will be forthcoming including many classic Jackie Chan’s. From a Jet Li viewpointonly the OUATIC films are included, as the remainder are licensed to Disney.

What is the Timeframe? An aggressive release schedule sees the first triple-A title films beingreleased from November with The Big Boss (Bruce Lee), Armour Of God (Jackie Chan) and OnceUpon A Time In China (Jet Li) forming the first wave in November and early December. Further BruceLee films will follow early next year. This is the scheduling reason that has delayed Legend Of AFighter. Read more for the current specs of the upcoming titles…

Hong Kong Legends have committed to releasing all titles with extensively remastered AnamorphicWidescreen prints, remastered audio and extras where possible. Anyone who has seen the superbremastering on the new print of Island Of Fire will know that HKL really can improve these titles.

All titles are being submitted to the BBFC with a view to being passed Uncut. The BBFC’s recent 18Certificate decision paves the way for many of the Nunchuka and Weapons based scenes to bereinserted. As testament to this The Big Boss has already been passed uncut and Fist Of Fury iscurrently under the BBFC’s scrutiny. Fist Of Fury is perhaps the most controversial as it is one of thefew films in which Lee’s Nunchuka skills draw blood. Insider information from the BBFC indicates thatit is highly unlikely that these titles will be cut.

With their usual commitment to superb quality, Anamorphic prints, and as many extras as possiblethis announcement paves the way for some really superior Hong Kong Movies specifically on R2.Given that the R1 titles are normally non-anamorphic (the Bruce Lee set), non-remastered, and oftendubbed this is a superb announcement for R2 in general.

Bruce Lee stars in The Big Boss: Special Collector’s Edition which is completely uncut andfeatures a brand new restored and remastered Anamorphic print, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, audiocommentary track, interview gallery, bio and trailers. Release date is tentative for 30th October butmay slip into early November.

At the end of November (tentatively the 20th) Jet Li stars in Once Upon a Time in China. OUATIC asit is referred to is simply one of the best Hong Kong films ever made, mixing action, drama andcomedy together by esteemed Director Tsui Hark. The DVD features a digitally remasteredAnamorphic print, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, audio commentary track, interview gallery, bios and trailers.Jet Li went on to star in 3 further OUATIC films, Parts 2 and 3, and Once Upon A Time In ChinaAnd America. The latter is not licensed by HKL, it is licensed by M.I.A.

Again late November (may slip to early December) Jackie Chan stars in Armour of God. This is thefull uncut version rarely seen outside of Hong Kong and features a digitally remastered Anamorphicprint, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, interview gallery, bios and trailers.

Retail price before discount is £19.99.

The reason this announcement is such a big deal is that HKL are to continue their long standingcommitment to the DVD format and all titles will be made available with extensively remasteredanamorphic widescreen transfers, remastered audio and extras where possible. Indeed it was this veryattitude that earned them the praise of Seasonal Films and paved the way for this deal.

Something else to cheer about is the change in stance at the BBFC. No longer so concerned withmartial arts weaponry on screen, all titles are being submitted to the Censor totally uncut and hopesare very high that cuts will not need to be made for nunchuka scenes.

Finally to clarify some specifics the following titles are NOT included: Drunken Master 2 (this isowned by Dimension and will be R1 released Summer 2001 following its USA theatrical release inOctober), the Fong Sai Yuk series (Jet Li), Fist Of Legend, (Jet Li), Enter The Dragon (Bruce Lee -this is owned by Warner and is now rumoured to be passed fully uncut by the BBFC)

October 5th :See Barbarella do her thing on DVD…

Released this week :

The film that inspired a pop group full of dodgy syrups is set on the planetLythion in the year 40,000 and the five-star, double-rated astronavigatrix(Jane Fonda) is placed on a mission by Earth’s president to findscientist Duran Duran (Milo O’Shea whose gone AWOL.

Barbarellais online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Tomorrow is ‘Jeans for Genes’ day…

Thanks to Nicola Mills from Ketchum Comms for the following briefpress release :

Friday 6th October is Jeans for Genes day where everyone is asked towear their jeans to work and donate £1 to charity for doing so. The charity was set up by Great Ormond Street Hospital four years ago andraises money for research into genetic diseases in children. 

COULD YOU ALL PLEASE WEAR YOUR JEANS TO WORK ON FRIDAY AND BRING IN ONEPOUND FOR THE PRIVILEDGE!! 

Visit the websiteJeansForGenes.comor call the hotline on 0800 980 4800 and order an information pack.

The droogs are on DVD…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor the following info :

Warner Brothers have announced “Clockwork Orange” for the 13th of Novemberpriced at £19.99. The disk features a 1.66: 1 transfer (as approved and requiredby Kubrick) along with a DD 5.1 soundtrack and the original Mono soundtrack.There does not appear to be any extras on the disk nor is there any mentionof the “box sets” that have been talked about elsewhere.

Paragon re-launches DVDReview.net…

Thanks to Rob Pritchard from DVD Review for this press release which appliesto when the site was re-launched last month, but is still undergoing thefinishing touches.

With unquestionable market leadership in the DVD magazine market, Paragon nowlooks to secure its online dominance.

DVDReview.net – the newly re-designed web site of the UK’s marketleading DVD magazine launched today (8 September 2000) promising a completeA-Z of reviews and an unrivalled daily news and information.

As well as daily news and updates on the world of DVD, www.dvdreview.netalso offers access to over 1,400 region 1 & 2 DVD reviews, a hardware buyers’guide, downloads section, features and links – all at your fingertips 24 hoursa day. No other web site offers this amount of detailed information in oneplace.

“DVDreview.net is to DVD, what the Internet Movie Database is to movies – anunbeatable resource for enthusiasts worldwide.” – Damian Butt, EditorialDirector at Paragon Publishing.

To celebrate the unveiling of the world’s most comprehensive DVD reviewsdatabase, the site has teamed up with DVD Plus to give away an LG Electronics3350 DVD player (rated at 9/10 in DVD Review magazine). The winner will alsoreceive copies of Three Kings, the Jurassic Park/Lost World boxset, On HerMajesty’s Secret Service, Erin Brockovich and Volumes 1-4 of the digitallyremastered Thunderbirds.

The DVDReview.net site is edited by respected film journalist Robert Pritchard(Electronic Times, Music Week, Dreamwatch), who is responsible contentmanagement, the affiliate network, and overall promotion of the site. ContactRobert to discuss shared links, or if you are intertested in syndication ofreviews or news.

Caroline Gleisner handles all banner advertising and sponsorship for thesite’s many hundreds of pages. Sponsorship opportunities and branding arecurrently available, plus the chance to become of the DVDReview.net’s special’Preferred Partners.’

Visit the DVD Review web site atwww.dvdreview.net

October 4th :Harrison Ford’s in search of a Witness on DVD…

Released this week :

“Harrison Ford is John Book” – one of the dullest tag-lines for a film andthe content’s not much better as he enters an Amish community to protecta young boy who’s witness to a murder.

Witnessis online and out on DVD now.

Got something to say about this DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

DVD PR round-up…

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor some of the following info, some of which I’ve received myself and someof which I haven’t :

The specs for Angel Heart and Reservoir Dogs, due inNovember and December respectivly.

Angel Heart

Feature Film:
108min, Letterbox 1,85:1 / anamorphic transfer

Languages :

English Dolby Surround AC3 2.0
German Mono AC3 2.0
Spanish Dolby Surround AC3 2.0
Italian Dolby Surround AC3 2.0

Subtitles :

English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Turkish

Supplementary Materials:

Feature length commentary track by Director Alan Parker
Interview Alan Parker (4m/subtitled)
Making of: “The Reality of Voodoo” (2m30s/subtitled)
“Creating ‘The Look'” (2m/subtitled)
“Choreographing a Voodoo Ritual” (2m/subtitled)
Personality Profile Mickey Rourke (3m30s/subtitled)
Personality Profile Lisa Bonet (3m30s/subtitled)
Personality Profile Alan Parker (3m/subtitled)
Behind the scenes footage (1m30s)
Photo Gallery

Reservoir Dogs

Feature Film:
Running Time 95 min
Picture 16/9
Aspect Ratio 1:2,35
Format Widescreen

Languages:

English 5.1 Dolby Digital (tbc)

Subtitles :

English, Dutch (unlocked)

Special Features

Original Trailer (tbc)
An Introduction by Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino-Director’s Profile

The Video Browser Network

Apparently Sonopress (A leading DVD and CD replicator) have develop a systemcalled “The Video Browser Network” which will allow customers in shops toview clips of DVD’s before they buy them. The customer will take the shelf andscan the bar code into a special preview station. The customer will then be ableto watch a specially prepared clip from the disk, presumably either a clip fromthe film or a promotional video.

Warner announce DVD-Audio releases

Warner have announced that it will release 7 albums in the first wave ofDVD-Audio releases. These will range from Beethoven and Ravel to EmersonLake and Palmer and Natalie Merchant. More titles will follow on a monthlybasis. The disks will carry three formats Advanced Resolution stereo andSurround, and six channel Dolby Digital. Apparently the DD soundtracks will beplayable on any conventional DVD player. The Advanced resolution tracks willneed a DVD Audio player but offer 24 bit audio at 96Khz sampling. Obviouslythese first titles will be available in the states (and on-line no doubt).It’s going to be interesting to see if this format takes off, but the inclusionof DD track that can be read on a DVD Video player is a masterstroke, makingthese titles available to millions of players worldwide from day one !

House!

Pathe have announced “House !” for release 20th of Novemberpriced at £19.99. The picture ratio is stated as 2.35:1 with aDolby Surround soundtrack. Just so we are clear which film this isthe PR has this to say about it:

House! is a hilarious tale of bingo hall rivalry in a Welsh townbetween the staff of La Scala, a Welsh-Italian run art deco bingo halland the newly built Mega Pleasure, the UK’s biggest bingo arena just a miledown the valley which attracts customers with its new National Bonanza game andthe offer of a million pounds as prize money.

Honest

Pathe have announced Nicole Appleton, Natalie Appleton andMelanie Blatt make their film acting debut in “Honest” for the30th of October priced at 19.99. The picture is presentedas 1.85:1 but there is as yet no sound information. The only extraseems to be a theatrical trailer.

The Virgin Suicides

Pathe have also announced Sofia Coppola’s “The Virgin Suicides”for November 20th also priced at 19.99. The picture is stated as1.66:1 but there is no information on the soundtrack. The only extramentioned is the theatrical trailer. Two interesting thingsabout this release though, it appears to be out 3 weeks beforethe US release but on the face of it loses some of the extras. However, wereally need to be careful with the stated specs of the R1 release, we do notknow how long the “making of “ featurette is (it could be just 2-3 minutes)nor do we know if the “anamorphic” transfer of the US release is a simpleclosed matte transfer. This is a release that will need to be compared carefully I think !

Down To You

VCI have announced “Down to You” for the 13th of November priced at £19.99.The disk will be DD 5.1 and 16:9 anamorphic. Additional features will include thetrailer, cast an dcrew interviews TV spots, on location footage and a musicvideo of the title track “It all came down to you”.

Pearson’s 80’s greats collection

Pearson PT Video have announced their 80’s greats collection for release 30th ofOctober. At £12.99 each. All have been digitally remastered and will beavailable widescreen. The following 4 films will be in the first wave:

• “Prizzi’s Honour”. Additional features are Production notes, Film trivia,Film Awards, quotes, cast and crew, biographies, photo gallery (19 colorimages), BFI Photos and film poster.
• “The Flamingo Kid”. Additionla features include: film trivia, quotes, castbiographies, photo gallery (including behind the scenes shots) andposters.
• “Silkwood” Additional features include: Production Notes, castbiographies, film trivia, photo gallery,(12 images) and film poster.(Personal note, see Meryl Streep’s left breast !)
• “National Lampoon’s Class Reunion”. Additional features: Photo Gallery(20 pics), chapter points.

Pearson’s Hitchcock Collection

PT Video have also announced “The Hitchcock Collection” for release 30th ofOctober all with a RRP of £15.99.

• “Rebecca”. Additional features include footage from a BBC interviewwith Hitchcock (To be confirmed later though) an interview with filmcritic Kim Newman, article by Hitchcock “The Real Me (The Thin One);extracts fromHitchcok by Francis Trufaut; Hitchcock and castbiographies, film quotes, trivia and awards, “the Creators” (profile onDavid O Selznick and Hitchcock), 26 photos of cast, hitchcok and behindthe scenes, three posters, production notes and a hidden feature.
• “Notorious”. Additional features include footage from a BBC interviewwith Hitchcock (To be confirmed later though) an interview with filmcritic Kim Newman, article by Hitchcock “The Real Me (The Thin One);extracts fromHitchcok by Francis Trufaut; Hitchcock and castbiographies, film quotes, trivia and awards, “the Creators” (profile onDavid O Selznick and Hitchcock), 11 photos of cast, hitchcok and behindthe scenes, two posters, 6 pages from the original program guide,production notes and a hidden feature.
• “Spellbound.” Additional features include footage from a BBC interviewwith Hitchcock (To be confirmed later though) an interview with filmcritic Kim Newman, article by Hitchcock “The Real Me (The Thin One);extracts from Hitchcok by Francis Trufaut; Hitchcock and castbiographies, film quotes, trivia and awards, “the Creators” (profile onDavid O Selznick and Hitchcock), 12 photos of cast, hitchcok and behindthe scenes, 6 posters, production notes and a hidden feature.
• “The Paradise Case”. Additional features include footage from a BBCinterview with Hitchcock (To be confirmed later though) an interviewwith film critic Kim Newman, article by Hitchcock “The Real Me (TheThin One); extracts fromHitchcok by Francis Trufaut; Hitchcock andcast biographies, film quotes, trivia and awards, “the Creators” (profileon David O Selznick and Hitchcock), 16 photos of cast, Hitchcok andbehind the scenes, two posters, 3 pages from the original program guide,production notes and a hidden feature.

October 3rd :A big DVD for Stuart Little…!

Not due out until November 27th, we’ve been lucky enough to receive afeature-packed preview disc which contains all the same features of the hitfilm about a CGI mouse who moves in with a family and is adopted as theirrespected son/brother. Only in America…

Stuart Littleis online and out on November 27th.

Got something to say about this DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Classic Cops: The Bill & The Sweeney…

Thanks to LDA Communications for the info that next week sees the releaseof some top telly action on VHS for The Bill and DVD for The Sweeney and it’sALL in widescreen! (yes, even The Sweeney!)

We’ll also have a competition for you to win some goodies so read on for moredetails.

The Bill: The Trial of Eddie Santini

Echo, Delta, Delta, Indigo, Echo
Sierra, Alpha, November, Tango, Indigo, November, Indigo
YOU’RE NICKED!

Sun Hill’s bad boy is back on our screens this Autumn with the video releaseof The Bill’s best ever rated episode – ‘The Trial of Eddie Santini’ on 9thOctober 2000 thanks to the Top Brass PT Video.

This 90-minute feature length special attracted 11.2 million viewers when itwas first shown on ITV on 2nd April 2000 making it the largest EVER audiencein The Bill’s 16 years history! It was also voted the fans favourite onTheBill.comand the one they wanted to see on video.

PT Video obliged and also added the essential two-hour build-up prequel’Kiss Off’ – making this Special Collectors Edition an absolute must for allBill fans.

Eddie Santini (Michael Higgs) first arrives at Sun Hill after a long stintwith a busy South London divisional nick and immediately causes a stir.Good looking and fashionable – he’s an immediate hit with the ladies both inand out of hours. However, under his charming exterior lies a highlyambitious individual, who’s not afraid to break the rules in his pursuit tothe top – hardly surprising after having spent several years mixing with theold skool CID, who taught him some of the best tricks in the book.

The prequel episode warms us up to the trial and shows exactly how Eddieends up on the other side of the fence. Bored with the beat patrol, Eddie’slooking for the next piece of action and a promotion to CID – cue JessOrton. We wonder does he really fancy her or is he just using her as aninformant, or maybe a bit of both? And it’s not just Jess that gets caughtup in his attempts to infiltrate a drugs ring but his Sun Hill colleagues.However, Eddie’s charm and luck soon runs out – Jess is found dead,suspected murdered, and the finger is pointed straight at Eddie. We’re leftin anticipation wondering if this time they really are going to throw thebook at him…

So at £15.99 (RRP), certificate 12 and presented in the original16:9 widescreen ratio, you have the right to remain silent andenjoy this video because anything that you do or say may be used in evidenceagainst you!

We’re The Sweeney, son and we haven’t had our dinner!

OI YOU, SHUT IT and have a butchers at these blinding new DVD and Videoreleases from those old Chinas at PT Video. The original Guvnors, Regan(John Thaw) and Carter (Dennis Waterman), from the Sweeney are back with twopukka Widescreen, digitally re-mastered releases CAR CHASES and BANK JOBSthat hit the streets on 9th October 2000.

So if you’re wondering who put the smoking barrels into lock stock or whichgangsters are really No.1, cast your mind back to when real men wore dodgywhistles and drove Ford Granadas and the order of the day was blags, bustups and getting things sorted. Originally shot on 16-mm film back in 1974,these classic Sweeney episodes have been digitally re-mastered from theoriginal negative and are now available in wide-boy screen for the veryfirst time!

These blinding releases contain two episodes each, ‘Contact Breaker’ and’Night Out’ on BANK JOBS and ‘Stoppo Driver’ and ‘Faces’ on CAR CHASES.Each episode is packed full of villains, rogues and general naughtiness.This is the Sweeney at its grittiest and shows us exactly why it was theblue print for the many cop shows and Brit gangster flicks that followed. Amust for fans of cop action both old and new!

The DVD is right on the case with a whole swag of extra features includingbiographies, animated menus, car trivia, classic picture gallery, chapterselection and Sweeney facts and figures.

So get off your aris, bowl down the frog and toad to your nearest retailerand put your hand in your sky rocket to get some Sweeney action. Bothformats are a right touch with DVDs at £15.99 (RRP) & VHS £12.99 (RRP),Certificate 12.

COMPETITION TIME

Look out for the competition starting next Monday which will give you thechance to win one of three copies of The Bill: The Trial of Eddie Santiniand two DVD sets for The Sweeney (Car Chases and Bank Jobs).

October 2nd :DVDs are here to stay, so you need something to play them on…

Life begins at 40 for some, but it began for me when I first bought aCreative Encore Dxr2 DVD-ROM player in 1998. How will the follow-up fare?

Creative Encore Dxr3 DVD-ROMis online and out now.

Got something to say about this DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Pay Peanuts, get an excellent Region 1 boxset on DVD…

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz’s classic comic stripabout that round-headed kid, his beagle and the red-haired girl he’s alwaysafter and in order to celebrate, new DVDfever reviewer Scott McGuirebegins with a look at four DVDs (three in the same boxset) containingCharlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang.

Peanuts Boxsetis online and out on Region 1 DVD now.

Got something to say about this DVD ? Have your say on theTalk Talk Forum.

Please no more Westlife at the top, surely…?

To find out the answer – and to see last week’s chart – visit mymusic chart analysis page

What do you think of the state of the charts? Why not discuss it onthe newTalk Talk Forum.

New DVDs out this week

• Any Given Sunday (19.99, Warner)
• Apocalypse Now (19.99, Paramount)
• Barbarella (19.99, Paramount)
• Chinatown (19.99, Paramount)
• Fight Club (19.99, Fox)
• The First Wives Club (19.99, Paramount)
• The General’s Daughter (19.99, Paramount)
• Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell (19.99, VCI)
• Witness (19.99, Paramount)

DVD PR round-up

Thanks to theR2 Projectfor some the following info, some of which I’ve received myself and someof which I haven’t :

Anna and the King

Fox have announced “Anna and the King” for release 27th of November priced at£19.99. This is the recent non-musical version of the classic tale starring Jodie Fosterand Chow Yun-Fat. The DVD will feature the following extra features:

Behind the sceesn 15 minute featurette
Original Theatrical trailer
Directors commentary by Andy Tenant
Joy Enriquez music video
Storyboards
Production Stills
Set decoration stills.

There is no sound and picture information included with the relelase.

Aardman Classics on DVD

Momentum have announced “Ardman Classics” a set of short films from the early daysof Aardman.. The diks features around 2 1/2 hours worth of individual short films. Thedisc will also include Directors, Animators and Editors commentaries on many of thefeatured stories. All contained in premium packaging and accompanied by 64 pagebook charting the rise of Aardman. The titles included are:

Creature Comforts + Heat Electric
Babylon
Confessions Of A Foyer Girl
Down & Out
Early Bird
Late Edition
On Probation
Palmy Days
Sales Pitch
Going Equipped
Ident
Next
War Story
Adam
Humdrum
Loves Me… Loves Me Not
Not Without My Handbag
Owzat!
Pib and Pog
Pop
Stage Fright
Wat’s Pig

Sadly because of a fault in transmission the date and pricewhere missing from the release, but I believe they will be the 6th ofNovember and £17.99.

Musical DVDs

AvIvA have also announced 4 disks of a musical nature:

• Julie Andrews in the stage play of “Victor/ Victoria”. This is presented 1.78:1widescreen and enhanced for widescreen TVs (original ratio was 2.35:1). The sound is a full DD 5.1 mix. The disk was due for release 25th of September priced at £19.99.
• Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”. This due 16th of October also at£19.99. The disk is stereo and I presume full screen.
• “Movin with Nancy”. Nancy Sinatra along with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis JR,Lee Hazlewood and a very close relative star in this collection of videos andother footage this is a tribute to the swinging 60’s. The disk features a fullremixed DD 5.1 soundtrack, digitally remastered video, the original RC ColaTelevision spots, behind the scenes footage and an Audio commentary by NincySinatra and Jack Haley Jr. Just what you need for those 60’s party nights ! The disk was due for release 25th of September priced at £15.99
• “The Jazz Channel presents Chaka Khan” Due for release on the 16th ofOctober and priced at £19.99 the disk features DD5.1 and DTS soundtracks.Also featured on the disk is an interview with Chaka Khan a Biography and adiscography.

Reggie Kray is dead

About bloody time!

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