November 30th 2009:

November 30th :Take on the Triad in GTA Chinatown Wars on Sony PSP…

Out now:

This title made its debut on the Nintendo DS back in the spring, with inventive used of the touchscreen, so how does itfare in its transition to the Sony PSP?Take the role of Huang Lee as you do battle with the baddies following your father’s murder.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Warsis online and out on Sony PSP now.

Norah Jones’ latest opus is released on CD…

Back in 2002, her debut album, Come Away With Me, was released to great acclaim, even if it was “one of the mostoverrated albums of all-time”, according toDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsso have things improved with album No.4?

Norah Jones: The Fallis online and out on CD now.

Youtube highlight: Susanna Reid sniggers on BBC News…

Yep, Susanna Reid sniggers as Charlie admits he has fat fingers & then breaks Mike’s yoyo!

CHARTS: X-Factor finalists vs Peter Kay – who got the new No.1…?

Yes, I know I haven’t done last week’s yet. Will get round to both soon.

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• Eddie Izzard: 7 (44.99 DVD, Universal)
• Enid (17.99 DVD, Universal)
• G-Force (17.99 DVD, 23.99 Blu-ray, Walt Disney)
• Life (39.99 DVD, 49.99 Blu-ray, BBC)
• Orphan (17.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Optimum)
• The Proposal (17.99 DVD, 23.99 Blu-ray, Walt Disney)
• Spandau Ballet Live At The O2 (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• Steve Coogan Live – As Alan Partridge And Other Less Successful Characters (19.99 DVD, 2 Entertain)
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (24.99 2-disc DVD, 29.99 Blu-ray, 24.99 DVD Boxset, 49.99 Blu-ray Boxset, Paramount)
• Watchmen – Director’s Cut (26.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• Wire In The Blood: Prayer Of The Bone (15.99 DVD, Revelation)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Michael Bay follows up his 2007 big-screen adaptation of the Transformers cartoon/toy franchise with the 2009 sequel TRANSFORMERS – REVENGE OF THE FALLEN. The epic battle for supremacy between the Autobots and the Decepticons rages on, and as usual, it’s the humans who are caught in the crossfire.

The Decepticons continue to spearhead a destructive campaign against the earthlings and their Autobot protectors. But the main villain of the piece is The Fallen (voiced by Tony Todd), a centuries-old Giger-esque baddie who emerges from the scrap heap hungry for power. Having lain dormant for so long, his batteries are in serious need of recharging, and the only energy source in the galaxy powerful enough to restore him to his former titanic glory is the Earth’s sun. The Fallen realises that draining the sun of its energy has the added benefit of wiping out the entire human race; something he has been plotting ever since his last attempt at harvesting the sun’s energy was foiled.

Several characters from the first film return, including Sam (Shia LaBeouf), an all-American college freshman who enjoys a vague ‘chosen one’ status among the Autobots, and Mikaela (Megan Fox), his girlfriend, who’s not only beautiful but handy with a wrench. However, the real star of the show is Optimus Prime (voiced by original voice actor Peter Cullen). The legendary head Autobot is given a lot more screen time in this outing, and features prominently in many of the manic action sequences.

You don’t even have to be an old-school Transformers fan to pick up on the mythos–he speaks in nothing but searing quips and infinite wisdoms, and can turn into a turbo-charged Mack truck at will. So even if Optimus Prime isn’t your mental template for the warrior-king archetype, he still steals the show, and makes TRANSFORMERS 2 more than just passable. With its eye-popping visual effects and dramatic set pieces, this instalment manages to be an even bigger spectacle than the first, which is saying a lot for a film about giant robots that turn into cars.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

is out now on Blu-ray (£16.98),DVD (£14.98),Blu-ray Boxset (£32.98),DVD Boxset (£14.98).

G-Force

Two time Oscar-winning visual effects artist Hoyt Yeatman makes his feature directorial debut with this Jerry Bruckheimer-produced family film following a group of highly trained guinea pigs on their mission to prevent an evil billionaire from taking over the world. Beginning in the Civil War — when carrier pigeons delivered messages from the front lines — the American government has been covertly training animals to work in espionage. The latest government program is a clandestine espionage team known as “G-Force,” which includes a team of ultra-intelligent guinea pigs who share 98.7 percent of their DNA with humans.

Comprised of unpredictable weapons expert Blaster (voice of Tracy Morgan), alluring martial arts expert Juarez (voice of Penelope Cruz), stealthy reconnaissance expert Mooch, and a star-nosed mole named Speckles (voice of Nicolas Cage), who specializes in computers, this crack team of agents is fronted by heroic squad leader Darwin (voice of Sam Rockwell). When a deranged billionaire hatches a plan to control the entire planet through common household appliances, the G-Force leaps into action on a mission to ensure that he does not succeed.

G-Force is out now on Blu-ray (£16.39) andDVD (£12.88),

Life

Discover the glorious variety of life on Earth and the innovative, intelligent and sometimes bizarre tactics animals and plants employ in order to survive. More than four years in the making, taking full advantage of the latest advances in filming technology, this breathtaking ten-part blockbuster reveals the natural world’s most remarkable behaviour in unprecedented depth and detail.

Full of amazing filming ‘firsts’ on every continent and in every habitat – from 250 six foot Humboldt squid hunting as a pack to Komodo dragons (the world’s largest venomous animal) stalking buffalo and cheetahs (notorious lone hunters) working cooperatively to hunt prey twice their size – this is evolution in front of your eyes. Yet this astonishing series is not simply about revelation, it is also about entertainment. With sequences that inspire awe, wonder, sadness and humour, Life allows us to truly relate to the animals and their endeavours, and to understand and appreciate them as never before.

Life is out now on Blu-ray (£34.98) andDVD (£24.98).

Spandau Ballet Live At The O2

In 2009 Spandau Ballet’s first tour together for almost 20 years saw the triumphant return of one of the UK’s most successful and best loved bands.

Filmed during their sell out concerts at London’s O2 Arena, Tony, John, Gary, Martin and Steve return with a vengeance in the Reformation Tour that brought 100,000 fans to their feet.

From classic hits including Gold, True, Through The Barricades, To Cut A Long Story Short and Chant No 1, to Once More and With The Pride from their new album, Spandau Ballet Live at The O2 proves that it was absolutely worth the wait.

Includes special DVD extra Spandau: The Return.

Spandau Ballet Live At The O2 is out now on DVD (£12.98).

November 27th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Life & Law and Order on DVD
• Original Spider-Man & X-Men on DVD

The latest press releasesare online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

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

The new films out include: Nativity, Paranormal Activity and Law Abiding Citizen.

November 24th :Cardiff’s Cate Le Bon releases her second CD…

Singled out as the keeper of a haunting (if sometimes) warbly voice and dark lyrical content: she confesses to havingan “abnormal fixation with death”, Ms Le Bon is not a relative of Duran Duran’s Simon.How did DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsfind this release?

Cate Le Bon: Me Oh Myis online and out on CD now.

November 23rd :Gran Turismo roars onto the Sony PSP…

Out now:

With the fifth in the series still waiting to come out on the Playstation 3, Gran Turismo has finally made itsdebut on the PSP. How does it fare?

Gran Turismois online and out on Sony PSP now.

Will you ‘Love’ the new Boyz II Men released on CD…

Now that the boys (sorry boyz) really have become men, and you can’t get into the charts with your own songs,what do you do? Record a covers album, a second one at that.Find out what DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsmakes of it.

Boyz II Men: Loveis online and out on CD now.

Youtube highlight: Dave Spikey on The Wright Stuff…

Comedian Dave Spikey appeared on The Wright Stuff to promote his new DVD, The Best Medicine Tour, and his new book,”He Took My Kidney, Then Broke My Heart”and there’s plenty of other new stuff online now.

CHARTS: Black Eyed Peas vs X-Factor finalists – who got the new No.1…?

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• Andrew Marr’s History Of Modern Britain Series 1 & 2 (29.99 DVD, BBC)
• Andy Parsons Britain’s Got Idiots Live (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• The Armstrong and Miller Show Series 2 (19.99 DVD, 24.99 1&2 Boxset, BBC)
• Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Universal)
• Bon Jovi Live At Madison Square Garden (14.99 DVD, Mercury)
• Coco Before Chanel (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Optimum)
• Crossing Over (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, EIV)
• Dylan Moran Live: What It Is (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• Ed Byrne Different Class Live (19.99 DVD, Spirit)
• Eddie Izzard Stripped Live (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• Fight Club (22.99 Blu-ray, Fox)
• Grey’s Anatomy Season 4 (30.99 DVD, 107.99 1-4 DVD Boxset, Walt Disney)
• Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (19.99 DVD, 28.99 Blu-ray, 24.99 DVD Trilogy, 44.99 Blu-ray Trilogy, Fox)
• Kings Of Leon Live At The O2 (13.99 DVD, 17.99 Blu-ray, Sony BMG)
• Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire (19.99 DVD, 4DVD)
• Land of the Lost (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Universal)
• Michael Ball: Past And Present 25th Anniversary Tour (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• Mamma Mia! Special Edition (2 Discs) (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• My Sister’s Keeper (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, EIV)
• Public Information Films Of The British Home Front 1939-1945 (24.99 DVD, Strike Force Entertainment)
• Rich Hall with Special Guest Otis Lee Crenshaw And The Honky Tonk A**holes Hell No I Ain’t Happy Live at The Apollo (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• Rob Brydon Live (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• Salmonberries (17.99 DVD, Drakes Avenue)
• Shooting Stars 2009 (19.99 DVD, BBC)
• Stephen K. Amos: Find The Funny Live (19.99 DVD, ITV)
• Terminator Salvation (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, 34.99 DVD Quadrilogy, 74.99 Skull Box, Sony)

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Manny, Sid, Diego, and Ellie are back in this third film in the computer-animated Ice Age series. With those creatures in starring roles, fans also get another dose of the vocal talents of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Queen Latifah, who are joined by SHAUN OF THE DEAD’s Simon Pegg. In ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAUR, Manny and Ellie are expecting their first baby, while Sid the sloth tries an unconventional way of starting a family that gets him into trouble.

With all this talk of babies, Diego might be losing his saber-toothed edge, but a journey to save Sid may just turn the whole group into heroes. In addition to all that adventure, it wouldn’t be an Ice Age film if Scrat weren’t on a desperate hunt for an acorn, but he might get distracted by a shapely female squirrel.

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is out now on Blu-ray (£17.59),DVD (£9.98),Blu-ray trilogy (£32.68),DVD trilogy (£14.98).

Terminator Salvation

Terminator Salvation restores some of the balance of huge explosions and emotionally compelling plot to the Terminator series. Set entirely after the nuclear assault that left the computer system Skynet in control of the world, Terminator Salvation follows John Connor (Christian Bale) as he grapples with both murderous robots and his superiors in the resistance, who aren’t sure they believe the prophecies that Connor is destined to save humanity. Into the midst of this struggle tumbles Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington, who would later star in James Cameron’s Avatar); the last thing he remembers was being executed in prison decades before.

Baffled, he falls into company with Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin, Star Trek) and a mute little girl who soon get captured–but Wright then meets and bonds with Blair Williams (Moon Bloodgood, Eight Below), a resistance fighter who remains loyal to the confused Wright even though Connor suspects he’s not what he seems–or what he believes himself to be. Terminator Salvation isn’t the astonishing synthesis of action and feeling that either The Terminator or T2 were.

Despite this, Terminator Salvation has at least two skillfully orchestrated action sequences that will get your heart racing, and Worthington’s beguiling mixture of toughness and vulnerability gives his relationship with Bloodgood a genuine pulse. It’s imperfect, but compared with the hollow carcasses that most action movies (including Terminator 3) turn out to be, it’s worth seeing.

Terminator Salvation is out now on Blu-ray (£15.98),DVD (£8.98),DVD Boxset (£24.98) andSkull Box (£54.99).

Land of the Lost

This big-screen adaptation of LAND OF THE LOST stars Will Ferrell as Dr. Rick Marshall, a quantum palaeontologist who has been discredited in the scientific world due to his strident belief in time travel as the cure for all of humanity’s problems. After hitting an all-time low, giving a lecture to elementary school kids, Dr. Marshall meets an ambitious young scientist named Holly (Anna Friel), who tells him she has followed all his work and believes he’s a genius.

Spurred on by her enthusiasm, he finishes building the device that will allow him to time travel — something he promptly does along with Holly, and white-trash fireworks salesman Will (Danny McBride), after Will leads them into a cave that seems like a promising place to test the new machine. They end up in a world full of dinosaurs, sand, and scary lizard-like creatures known as Sleestacks.

They quickly lose the machine that brought them to this alternate universe, and if they ever want to return home, the trio must recover it with the help of Chaka (Jorma Taccone), the monkey-like friend they make in this strange place.

Land of the Lost is out now on Blu-ray (£13.98) andDVD (£9.98).

The Armstrong and Miller Show Series 1 & 2

A whole host of favourite characters return including Frank Dad, the Striding Man and the street-talking Second World War Pilots plus a raft of brand spanking new creations. Among them are The White Devil, a self-important ex-pat in Africa – roaming the back roads, saving lives and fixing his hair in the wing mirror of his 4×4; Jilted Jim, dumped at the altar but still on his honeymoon, turning the lives of other newly weds into a living hell; Dennis Lincoln-Park, an accident-prone culture buff, searching for the most valuable art works in the history of civilization; and Terry Devlin, a flamboyant high society hanger-on who masquerades as a BBC News Royal Correspondent. Includes all the episodes from the show’s first and second series.

Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 1 is out now on Blu-ray (£13.48) andDVD (£12.98).

November 20th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Shorts on Blu-ray and DVD
• We Sing on Nintendo Wii
• Beast-Stalker on Blu-ray and DVD
• Late Night with the Loose Women on DVD

The latest press releasesare online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

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

The new films out include: Twilight: New Moon.

November 19th :A fantastic release from Hush Arbors on CD…

With a mixture of alt-folk, jangly guitar sojourns and warbling vocals, DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsclearly enjoys this 10-tracker and declares it a “top album”. Find out why in this review.

Hush Arbors: Yankee Realityis online and out on CD now.

November 18th :McAlmont & Nyman: A match made in heaven, on CD?…

Well, as DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsbegins, chalk and cheese come together …with interesting results. David McAlmont comes from the high end of soul, whileMichael Nyman comes from the minimalist neo-classical sphere, but is it a hit or a miss?

David McAlmont and Michael Nyman: The Glareis online now.

November 17th :CHARTS: JLS vs Black Eyed Peas – who got the No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

The release dates for singles and albums go up until early 2010.

November 16th :The Ballad of Gay Tony strolls into Liberty City, an all new GTA4 episode on Xbox 360…

Out now:

Grand Theft Auto 4 revitalised Liberty City in as much detail as Grand Theft Auto 3did on the PS2 back in 2001. Now there’s an all-new episode out and you take the part of Luis Lopez, driver to gay TonyPrince, the nightclub enterpreneur and getting him out of many a dodgy scrape.

Grand Theft Auto 4: The Ballad of Gay Tonyis online and out on Xbox 360 now.

Seasick Steve is a Hobo hero back where he belong, on CD…

That’s howDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertssums him up, a man now on his third album in as many years, a 12-tracker that’ll be another big seller for a man whobroke into the big time after a short stint on Later With Jools Holland.

Seasick Steve: Man From Another Timeis online and out on CD now.

Youtube highlight: Glenn Tilbrook on The Wright Stuff…

Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook appeared on The Wright Stuff to promote his new album, Pandemonium Ensues,and there’s plenty of other new stuff online now.

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

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• Al Murray The Pub Landlord: Beautiful British Tour Live at the 02 (19.99 DVD, ITV)
• The Alan Partridge Complete Box Set (39.99 DVD, BBC)
• Collision (19.99 DVD, 4DVD)
• Creedence Clearwater Revival: Proud Mary In Concert (14.99 DVD, Quantum Leap)
• Doctor Who: The Key to Time Box Set (Re-issue) (69.99 DVD, BBC)
• Four Christmases (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, E1)
• Genesis: The Movie Box 1981-2007 (66.99 DVD, EMI)
• Loose Women: Late Night With The Loose Women (17.99 DVD, ITV)
• Michael McIntyre Live 2009 (21.99, Universal)
• Moon (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Sony)
• Outnumbered Series 2 (19.99 DVD, 29.99 DVD Boxset)
• Rhod Gilbert And The Award-Winning Mince Pie – Live (19.99 DVD, 4DVD)
• Star Trek XI (24.99 DVD, 29.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• Star Trek: Films 1-10 Remastered Special Edition Box Set (69.99 DVD, 179.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation Movie Collection (29.99 DVD, 64.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• Star Trek: The Original Series Remastered Season 2 (69.99 Blu-ray, Paramount)
• Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 1 (39.99 DVD, Warner)
• Sunshine Cleaning (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Anchor Bay)
• Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Season 2 (49.99 DVD, 59.99 Blu-ray, 69.99 Season 1 & 2 Blu-ray, Warner)

Star Trek XI

J.J. Abrams’ 2009 feature film was billed as “not your father’s Star Trek,” but your father will probably love it anyway. And what’s not to love? It has enough action, emotional impact, humor, and sheer fun for any moviegoer, and Trekkers will enjoy plenty of insider references and a cast that seems ideally suited to portray the characters we know they’ll become later. Both a prequel and a reboot, Star Trek introduces us to James T. Kirk (Chris Pine of The Princess Diaries 2), a sharp but aimless young man who’s prodded by a Starfleet captain, Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood), to enlist and make a difference.

At the Academy, Kirk runs afoul of a Vulcan commander named Spock (Zachary Quinto of Heroes), but their conflict has to take a back seat when Starfleet, including its new ship, the Enterprise, has to answer an emergency call from Vulcan. What follows is a stirring tale of genocide and revenge launched by a Romulan (Eric Bana) with a particular interest in Spock, and we get to see the familiar crew come together, including McCoy (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Sulu (John Cho), Chekhov (Anton Yelchin), and Scottie (Simon Pegg).

The action and visuals make for a spectacular big-screen movie, though the plot by Abrams and his writers, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (who worked together on Transformers and with Abrams on Alias and Mission Impossible III), and his producers (fellow Losties Damon Lindeloff and Bryan Burk) can be a bit of a mind-bender (no surprise there for Lost fans). Hardcore fans with a bone to pick may find faults, but resistance is futile when you can watch Kirk take on the Kobayashi Maru scenario or hear McCoy bark, “Damnit, man, I’m a doctor, not a physicist!” An appearance by Leonard Nimoy and hearing the late Majel Barrett Roddenberry as the voice of the computer simply sweeten the pot.

Star Trek XI is out now on Blu-ray (£17.59),DVD (£14.98) and

Michael McIntyre Live 2009

Michael McIntyre, the comedy sensation of 2009, is back. Michael McIntyre’s meteoric rise to fame took the comedy world by storm last year. He sold out over 100 tour dates around the UK and his first DVD release Michael McIntyre Live & Laughing became the fastest selling debut stand up DVD of all time. Michael sets off on his biggest tour to date taking his new show to arenas around the UK. To be recorded at Wembley Arena later this year, Michael McIntyre – Hello Wembley! will feature 90 minutes of brand new material from the man who has been hailed by both audiences and critics as the best new stand up to emerge in a decade.

Michael McIntyre Live 2009 is out now on DVD (£10.98).

Outnumbered Series 2

Outnumbered follows the daily chaos of family life with two parents and three young children locked in an unequal contest. Containing strong elements of improvisation, this comedy is an honest portrayal of the well meaning parental incompetence that happens in most homes, as Mum and Dad attempt to raise their kids with the minimum of emotional damage for all concerned. Includes all the episodes from the show’s first and second series.

Outnumbered Series 2 is out now on DVD (£12.98) andDVD Boxset (£17.98).

Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 1

Experience the full force Of season one… Executive Producer George Lucas and Lucasfilm Animation present Star Wars : The Clone Wars The Complete Season One. As war rages through the galaxy, the heroic Jedi, including Yoda, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and newcomer Ahsoka Tano, fight to maintain order and restore peace. Meanwhile, the Separatists, led by Count Dooku, his assassin Asajj Ventress and the evil General Grievous, plot to defeat the Republic and gain control. Each episode takes you deeper into the universe, introducing new characters and exploring new planets along the way. With groundbreaking computer-generated animation and epic storytelling, this is a Star Wars adventure like never

Special Features:

• 22 action-packed episodes including 7 Director’s Cut episodes
• 22 Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes with Director and Crew Interviews
• Exclusive 68-page Production Journal with Original Sketches and Artist Notes
• Sneak Peek at Season 2

Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 1 is out now on Blu-ray (£32.98) andDVD (£26.48).

November 13th :CHARTS: Cheryl Cole vs JLS – who got the No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

The release dates for singles and albums go up until early 2010.

Enjoy a Pop Party on CD…

Xmas time, Mistletoe and Wine… and lots of other food and drink, usually consumed at parties to loud music.DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertstakes a listen to a new compilation with 21 tracks including The Saturdays, Alphabeat, Pixie Lott, the Sugababesand Girls Aloud.

Pop Party 7is online now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

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

The new films out include: 2012, Dead Man Running and Harry Brown.

November 11th :Hit and miss from the Reverend on CD…

That’s Reverend and the Makers, whose latest CD is now out but this 10-tracker is okay but doesn’t come across as themost impressive thing thatDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertshas heard all year. Lead singer, Jon McClure, is always saying he’ll quit the music business for good, but he’s only 28so he’s not going to bow out any time soon, surely?

Reverend And The Makers: A French Kiss In The Chaosis online now.

November 10th :The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival 2009 Review…

Another year, another London Film Festival, and DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Helen Jerometakes a look at the highs and the lows of the 53rd annual festival in this review.

The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival 2009 Reviewis online now.

November 9th :MotorStorm: Arctic Edge races into action on Sony PSP…

Out now:

MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is a game that took a little while to get into, but just as I was about to dismiss it asjust another racer, I found it had grabbed me by the balls and made me very addicted, wanting to play the tracks overand over until I won them… apart from the one for The Chasm which is just too bloody hard, but great fun, nonetheless.

There’s also gaming footage included in this review. Enjoy!

MotorStorm: Arctic Edgeis online and out on Sony PSP now.

Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club Live…

The Buena Vista Social Club was a members club in Havana, Cuba that held dances and musical activities, becoming apopular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940s. This band have been playing live since 1996 andDVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertswent to check out their recent gig in Llandudno.

Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club Liveis online now.

Youtube highlight: Ben Miller on The Wright Stuff…

Comedian Ben Miller appeared on The Wright Stuff to promote The Armstrong & Miller Show,and there’s plenty of other new stuff online now.

CHARTS: Cheryl Cole vs JLS – who got the new No.1…?

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• Benidorm Series 3 (19.99 DVD, 34.99 Complete, 2 Entertain)
• Bruno (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Universal)
• Cliff Richard And The Shadows – The Final Reunion (19.99 DVD, 2 Entertain)
• Dave Spikey: Best Medicine Tour Live (19.99 DVD, Lace)
• Desperate Housewives: Season 5 (39.99 DVD, 146.99 Complete Boxset, Walt Disney)
• Harry Hill’s TV Burp Gold 2 (19.99 DVD, ITV DVD)
• The Killers: Live From The Royal Albert Hall (17.99 DVD, Universal)
• Mock the Week: Too Hot For TV 2 (19.99 DVD, Spirit)
• Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian (19.99 DVD, 28.99 Blu-ray, 22.99 DVD Boxset, Fox)
• Ross Noble: Nobleism (19.99 DVD, Universal)
• Russell Brand: Scandalous – Live At The 02 (19.99 DVD, 4DVD)
• Russell Howard Live: Dingledodies (19.99 DVD, 29.99 Live Collection, 4DVD)
• Sarah Jane Adventures Series 2 (19.99 DVD, BBC)

Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian

Ben Stiller returns to the role of night watchman Larry Daly in this sequel to the 2006 family film Night at the Museum. This adventure takes the action to Washington D.C, where things at the Smithsonian aren’t quite as quiet as one might think…

Night guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), now a successful entrepreneur, returns to the Museum of Natural History to visit his friends–the exhibits that come to life at night–only to learn that they are being shipped off into deep storage at the Smithsonian Institution. To make matters worse, the exhibits at the Smithsonian, including the pharaoh Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), are suddenly coming to life–and they aren’t at all happy about their new visitors.

Determined to save his friends, Larry rushes to Washington, D.C., and makes his way into the inner workings of the largest museum complex in the world while Kahmunrah recruits the likes of Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest), Napoleon (Alain Chabat), and Al Capone (Jon Bernthal). Larry, meanwhile, finds himself with spunky Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) as a co-conspirator and love interest, and General Custer (Bill Hader) leading the battle for the Smithsonian.

Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian is out now on Blu-ray (£17.59),DVD (£11.98) andDVD Boxset (£14.98).

Desperate Housewives: Season 5.

The fifth season of the hit dramedy Desperate Housewives steps five years ahead, revealing the mysteries of the intervening years through clever flashbacks. There’s plenty of juicy suburban drama here in the future: Bree (Marcia Cross) is enjoying great success as a chef and cookbook author, but managed to stab her partner, Katherine (Dana Delaney), in the back on her way to the top; the self-involved Gabrielle (Eva Longoria Parker) now has a toddler in tow; and Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) has returned from exile toting a new spouse (who may or may not have a murderous streak). This collection includes every episode from the fifth series, as well as a plenty of bonus features.

Desperate Housewives: Season 5 is out now on DVD (£29.39) andComplete (£146.99).

Sarah Jane Adventures Series 2

In this exciting DOCTOR WHO spin-off, Maria Jackson’s boring life collides with the excitement of that of Sarah Jane Smith, when the pair find themselves living next door to one another. Sarah inhabits a world of intrigue and adventure and Maria is about to tag along for the ride. Includes all the episodes from the show’s second series.

Sarah Jane Adventures Series 2 is out now on DVD (£12.98).

Benidorm Series 3

Set in Benidorm’s premier all-inclusive Solana resort, with karaoke, sun, sea and sangria on tap, Benidorm has proved a massive hit for ITV and this three-series package, together with a Summer Special, is guaranteed to give hours of unmissable fun. Checking in again are middle-aged swingers Donald and Jacqueline; the Garveys – Mick and Janice, chain-smoking grandmother Madge and her sun-worshipping husband Mel, teenage mum Telle and younger brother Michael; The Oracle and his ‘PA’ (mum); civil partners Gavin and Troy; and Martin and Kate who look as out-of-place as ever; plus some extra-special guests…

With low rent bull fights, mobility scooter duels, roof-top hostage situations and paragliding beach disasters, it’s scorching sun and fun all the way on the Costa Brava.

EXTRAS: Out takes, Cast Interviews, Behind the Scenes, Audio Commentaries, Deleted Scenes & Photo Album

Benidorm Series 3 is out now on DVD (£12.98) andDVD Boxset (£24.98).

November 6th :Press releases for new games and DVDs…

New press releases are online now for the following:

• Rage on DVD
• Dylan Moran: What it Is Live on DVD

The latest press releasesare online now.

Bell Orchestre produce a sonic gem on CD…

And that’s how DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertssums up this new 9-track release from a Canadian band who have spawned from Arcade Fire. Find out why in this review.

Bell Orchestre: As Seen Through Windowsis online and out on CD now.

New films at this cinema this weekend…

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

The new films out include: A Christmas Carol, The Fourth Kind, The Men Who Stare At Goats, 1 Day and Jennifer’s Body.

November 4th :Michael Janisch: excellent contemporary jazz on CD…

And for that reason, DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsconsiders this new 12-tracker of beefy modern jazz, from America, a must.

Michael Janisch: Purpose Builtis online and out on CD now.

November 3rd :CHARTS: Cheryl Cole vs Westlife – who got the No.1…?

Check out themusic chart analysis pagewhich is online now.

The release dates for singles and albums go up until early 2010.

November 2nd :Tuck into some Hot Fuzz on Blu-ray…

Out now:

Nick Angel is an enthusiastic PC in London, who is promoted to Sergeant in… Sanford, Gloucestershire. Yes, it’s notquite as busy as London, but will he be able to cope?After Spaced and Shaun of the Dead, could the trio of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost & Edgar Wright come up trumpsa third time? The answer is yes, and there’s a brilliant cast accompanying them, including Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton,Kevin Eldon and Olivia Colman.

Hot Fuzzis online and out on Blu-ray now.

The Tragically Hip as still the same on CD…

This Canadian band have been going for 25 years now, and have just released their 12th studio album. With some pop, rockand everything inbetween, DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Robertsdeclares that this 12-tracker as “plenty for everyone.”

The Tragically Hip: We Are The Sameis online and out on CD now.

Youtube highlight: David Tennant on GMTV…

Actor David Tennant appeared on GMTV to promote the new Doctor Who episode, The Waters of Mars,and there’s also interviews with Nigel Havers, plus Elisabeth Sladen & Russell T Davies, all promoting The Sarah JaneAdventures.

New comps coming soon…

Note that the comp for Fast & Furious on Blu-ray has now finished and the winners have beenpicked and will be notified shortly. The answer was that Vin Diesel played Riddick in Pitch Black.

CHARTS: Cheryl Cole vs Westlife – who got the new No.1…?

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

New DVD highlights out this week…

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

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

• Bewitched Series 8 (34.99 DVD, 129.99 Season 1-8 DVD, Sony)
• The Big Blue (English Language) (24.99 Blu-ray, Optimum)
• Blood: The Last Vampire (15.99 DVD, 28.99 Blu-ray, Fox)
• Clarkson: Duel (19.99 DVD, BBC)
• Family Guy Season 8 (27.99 DVD, Fox)
• Howards’ Way: The Complete Collection (79.99 DVD, BBC)
• The Jacques Tati Collection (39.99 DVD, BFI)
• Jimmy Carr: Telling Jokes (19.99 DVD, 4DVD)
• Last Chance Harvey (17.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Momentum)
• Love Hurts (15.99 DVD, Metrodome)
• The Other Man (15.99 DVD, Metrodome)
• Peep Show Series 6 (19.99 DVD, 59.99 DVD Boxset, 4DVD)
• The Polar Express 3D (19.99 Blu-ray, Warner)
• Public Enemies (19.99 DVD, 24.99 Blu-ray, Universal)
• Queer As Folk USA Season 5 (39.99 DVD, Warner)
• Santa Buddies (13.99 DVD, 23.99 DVD Boxset, Disney)
• Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (23.99 Blu-ray, Disney)
• Supernatural Season 4 (39.99 DVD,
• Wallace And Gromit: The Complete Collection (19.99 Blu-ray, BBC)
• The Wizard Of Oz (22.99 Blu-ray, Warner)
• It’s a Wonderful Life (Black & White and Colourised Versions) (19.99 Blu-ray, Universal)
• Year One (17.99 DVD, 21.99 Blu-ray, Sony)

Family Guy Season 8

The adventures of the Griffin family continues with the story of bumbling, well-intentioned father Peter; his sweet but oblivious wife Lois; and their teenagers, dim-witted Chris and awkward Meg. The most recognisable characters, however, remain the family’s masterminds: evil genius baby Stewie, determined to achieve complete world domination at the age of one, and Brian, an erudite martini-swilling dog, the family’s lone voice of reason.

For some reason this is called Season 8, yet contains some episodes from season 6 and some from season 7. I wish Fox wouldget their labelling right.

Family Guy Season 8 is out now on DVD (£16.88) andComplete Boxset (£103.98).

Supernatural Season 4.

Dean and Sam Winchester are two brothers with a special talent. Well-versed in the supernatural after their father became convinced that their mother was captured by unholy spirits, Dean and Sam dedicated their young lives to hunting down these otherworldly terrors. But adulthood saw Sam drift away from these preternatural activities, instead choosing to settle down in a life of domestic bliss with his girlfriend. But when the Winchesters’ dad goes missing, both Dean and Sam know what they have to do, leading to some epic cross-country trips as the brothers try to find their father.

This release includes the complete fourth series.

Supernatural Season 4 is out now on Blu-ray (£35.98),DVD (£28.88) andComplete (£54.98).

Peep Show Series 6

Mark Corrigan and Jeremy ‘Jez’ Osborne are caught up in a familiar malaise; the two housemates are constantly at each other’s throats as they struggle to find a direction in life. Jez has aspirations to become a musician, but his ambition stops outside his bedroom door. Meanwhile, Mark is stuck in an interminable office job, cursing the day he chose Business Studies over Ancient History. Throughout the series the pair find love–Mark with co-worker Sophie, and Jez with American hippy Nancy and later with his disarmingly posh ex ‘Big Suze’–marry for a visa, propose by accident, get jilted, go to Mauritius, and return having learnt nothing at all. In fact it’s the show’s lack of ‘lessons being learnt’ and characters ‘growing up and moving on’ that makes it so refreshing.

Aside from strong lead performances by David Mitchell and Robert Webb and the finely honed script, the fact that viewers are able to hear the innermost thoughts of Mark and Jeremy as they encounter various problems makes their characters all the more vulnerable, sympathetic and often just plain pathetic. The result is a well-observed comedy for anyone who spends life at the mercy of their own hesitant thoughts. This collection includes the complete series one through six.

Peep Show Series 6 is out now on Boxset (£39.98) andDVD (£11.98).

Public Enemies

Based on author Bryan Burrough’s ambitious tome ‘Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43’, director Michael Mann (HEAT, LAST OF THE MOHICANS) has crafted a sprawling historical crime drama that follows the efforts of top FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale – BATMAN BEGINS, AMERICAN PSYCHO) in capturing notorious bank robber John Dillinger. A folk hero to the American public thanks to his penchant for robbing the banks that many people believed responsible for the Great Depression, charming bandit Dillinger (Johnny Depp – PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) was virtually unstoppable at the height of his criminal career; no jail could hold him, and his exploits endeared him to the common people while making headlines across the country. J. Edgar Hoover’s (Billy Crudup – WATCHMEN, ALMOST FAMOUS) FBI was just coming into formation, and what better way for the ambitious lawman to transform his fledgling Bureau of Investigation into a national police force than to capture the gang that always gets away? Determined to bust Dillinger and his crew, which also included sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham – DOGHOUSE, THIS IS ENGLAND) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi – THE GIFT, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN), Hoover christened Dillinger the country’s very first Public Enemy Number One, and unleashed Purvis to take them down by whatever means necessary.

But Purvis underestimated Dillinger’s ingenuity as a master criminal, and after embarking on a frantic series of chases and shoot-outs, the dashing agent humbly surmised that he was in over his head. Outwitted and outgunned, Purvis knew that his only hope for busting Dillinger’s gang was to baptize a crew of Western ex-lawmen as official agents, and orchestrate a series of betrayals so cunning that even America’s criminal mastermind wouldn’t know what hit him. Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, and Stephen Dorff co-star.

Public Enemies is out now on Blu-ray (£15.98) andDVD (£8.98).

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