Jack Lemmon's Nestor plays business manager to Shirley MacLaine's
title character Irma La Douce and starts to fall in love with her in a comedy
directed by Billy Wilder. Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen,
the only extra is a trailer.
The Misfits (£15.99, MGM)
The last film for Clark Gable & Marilyn Monroe, also starring Montgomery
Clift, John Huston directs in a 1.85:1 widescreen ratio and
the only extra is a trailer.
Some Like It Hot: Special Edition (£19.99, MGM)
One of Marilyn Monroe's classic movies, also starring Jack Lemmon
& Tony Curtis, this comedy was nominated for seven Oscars and the extras
include a Nostalgic Lookback documentary, Memories from the "Sweet Sues"
featurette, virtual hall of memories, original press book gallery and trailers
for this and other Billy Wilder films. The film is in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen
and a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.
Recorded on June 24th, 2001 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, "Royalty will be
won. Blood will be spilled. History will be made. All in one hellacious
evening." Starring Kurt Angle, Shane McMahon, the Undertaker, Diamond
Dallas Page and Stone Cold Steve Austin, the DVD features the Triple
Threat Match for the WWF Championship, Street Fight, King of the Ring Championship,
King of the Ring Semi-Finals, WWF Light Heavyweight Championship, WWF Tag
Team Championship and an alternate commentary from Kurt Angle and
Shane McMahon. Running for 191 minutes, in 4:3 fullscreen and in the
original NTSC format, as usual you certainly get your money's worth here.
WWF: Lita: It Feels Just Right (£17.99, Silver Vision)
140 minutes of the lovely Lita, as camera crews followed her round and recorded
her life as it happened. Extras include (exclusive to DVD) 10 matches, home
video clips, footage from the Divas shoot, Lita in London and at Spring Break,
Lita and Hardy Boyz, Chef Boyardee commercial and still photos. Again, it's
in 4:3 fullscreen and the original NTSC format.
A budget release for the original horror film in the series in which newlyweds
move into a house where a murder was committed and then all hell breaks loose
before too long. Presented in 1.85:1 widescreen and mono sound, the only
extra is a trailer.
Carrie: Special Edition (£19.99, MGM)
An oldie but a goodie, based on the Stephen King novel about a young
girl with telekinetic powers moving objects with her mind, which obviously
ostracises her from the other kids with bloody results. With extras of
making ofs and featurettes: Visualising Carrie - from Words to Images, Acting
Carrie, Singing Carrie and "Stephen King and the evolution of Carrie",
there's also an animated photo gallery and the trailer. The film is in
1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.
Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn (£15.99, Momentum)
Bruce Campbell returns as Ash in what is tantamount to a remake of the
original film, now available completely uncut, but this second film is still
short of a few seconds of footage. At least this time it's available in anamorphic
1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 and the extras include a trailer,
making of, documentary and an audio commentary from director Sam Raimi,
producer Robert Tapert and actor Bruce Campbell.
MTV 20: Pop (£19.99, Pinnacle)
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of music channel MTV, this DVD looks at fifteen
pop videos over the years including contributions from Gary Numan, Big Country,
Elvis Costello, Lionel Richie, Tears for Fears & Lisa Stansfield.
Shocker (£15.99, Momentum)
Mass murderer Horace Pinker turns into a monster after a trip to the electric
chair goes wrong. Running for 105 mins, the DVD is in anamorphic 1.85:1
widescreen, contains a Dolby Surround soundtrack and has extras of a trailer,
storyboard vs. film scenes (multi-angle) and director's commentary.
The Shrink Is In (£19.99, Entertainment in Video)
A comedy which never saw the light of day in UK cinemas and stars the married
couple Courtney Cox & David Arquette as she suffers a number of phobias
and, upon seeing her own shrink carted off to the nut-house, she takes over
and treats the patients. Directed by Richard Benjamin and presented in
2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, the disc is completely devoid of extras.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (£15.99, MGM)
Former Texas Ranger Lefty Enright (Dennis Hopper) is after the psychotic
mass-murderers who killed his brother's children in this sequel and is helped
by late night DJ Caroline Williams. Presented in 1.85:1 widescreen,
the only extra is a trailer.
Yes: House of Yes - Live from the House of Blues (£19.99, Pinnacle)
Performed live at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen,
Dolby Digital 5.1 and running for 112 minutes, this performance from "The Ladder" tour includes tracks
such as Yours is No Disgrace, And You and I, I've Seen All Good People &
Owner of a Lonely Heart. Extras: DD5.1 music track for "Homeworld", the
single from "The Ladder" with video footage from Homeworld (PC CD-ROM game),
Virtual Tourbook featuring photos and biogs, video press kit about the making
of "The Ladder", special edition HTML version of the Yesworld website.
The one-off special filmed for showing inside the Millennium Dome features
all the regular cast, but on New Year's Eve 1999, before the dawn of the
supposed next Millennium. Edmund bets everyone £10,000 that he can
go back in time to get any item from any timezone. Also featuring Blackadder:
The Cavalier Years and Baldrick's Diary, the main feature is in
16:9 anamorphic widescreen and, exclusively to the Region 2 DVD, both a
Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtrack.
Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos (£19.99, BBC)
A Colin Baker story broadcast in January 1985, on Varos, prisoners
and guards alike are subject to the severest forms of punishment which are then
broadcast to the masses as entertainment and the Doctor is next on the list.
Presented in 4:3 fullscreen and the original mono soundtrack, this DVD contains
an audio commentary from Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant & Nabil Shaban,
on-screen production notes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, extended and
deleted scenes, a photo gallery and trailers.
Father Ted: Series 2 Part 1 (£19.99, VCI)
Although the second series was released on video over three tapes, I thought
the DVD would be issued at a single set, but I presume it's been split into
two as here is Part 1, which contains the first five episodes: Hell,
Think Fast Father Ted, Tentacles of Doom, Old Grey Whistle Test, A Song For
Europe, featuring the classic hit "My Lovely Horse" and the only Xmas
episode, A Christmassy Ted.
Again, the programme is presented in 4:3 fullscreen with stereo sound and
English subtitles and the only extra, albeit a worthy one, is a feature-length
commentary track from co-writer Graham Linehan.
Another six episodes of Edina and Patsy's decadence, featuring the episodes
Hospital, Death, Morocco, New Best Friend, Poor and Birth, broadcast from
January to March 1994 and presented in 4:3 fullscreen and stereo sound. The
only extras are a photo gallery and 15 minutes of out-takes.
Alice Cooper: Prime Cuts (£19.99, Sanctuary Records)
28 albums on and 53-year-old Vincent Furnier releases an excellent two-disc
package on DVD, the first containing the original "Prime Cuts" documentary
featuring rare concert footage and TV appearances from Alice's spectacular
career, the music including "Elected", "Only Women Bleed", "School's Out" and
"Poison", while the second contains over 80 minutes of extras of interviews,
dress-rehearsal footage from the 1987 "Raise Your Fist and Yell" tour and
never-before-seen footage of the VH1 Behind the Music special. Also includes
an Alice Cooper jukebox and interactive board game.
And this double-disc set is region-free too.
Blood Feast (£15.99, Tartan)
The first in Herschell Gordon Lewis' "Blood trilogy" (followed by "Two Thousand
Maniacs" - out now - and "Colour Me Blood Red" - out Oct 29th 2001) and
previously banned, the 67-minute film is in 4:3 fullscreen and comes complete
with extras in the form of cast and crew filmogs, trailer, Chris Campion film
notes, Herschell Gordon Lewis interview, Stills and Artwork gallery, isolated
soundtrack, HGL teaser trailer and a Tartan Terror Trailer Reel.
Born Romantic (£17.99, MGM)
A romantic comedy where three men pursue three women. The cast features
Craig Ferguson, Ian Hart, Jane Horrocks, Adrian Lester, Catherine McCormack,
Jimi Mistry, David Morrissey & Olivia Williams, the picture's in 1.85:1
anamorphic widescreen, the sound is Dolby Digital 5.1 and the extras consist
of cast interviews, 8 deleted scenes and a trailer.
Cinema Paradiso: Director's Cut (£19.99, Arrow)
Salvatore, an accomplished film director, once a young boy who was introduced to
the love of the cinema by film projectionist Alfredo, returns to the Sicilian
village in which he grew up, for the man's funeral. The film stars Philippe
Noiret, runs for 170 minutes in this extended version and is in digitally-remastered
widescreen.
Cream: The Farewell Concert (£19.99, BMG)
The fantastic final live performance from Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and
Ginger Baker, this DVD contains both the full 80-minute concert and
the 45-minute version, the latter of which was released earlier this year.
Director Tony Palmer provides a foreward inside the DVD case, the sound
is in Dolby Digital 5.1, extras include a scrapbook and optional German language
commentary, there are interviews with the three members and the music includes
Sunshine of Your Love, White Room & Crossroads.
Crying Freeman (£15.99, Fox)
"Once in a lifetime comes the perfect killer", states the cover and in this
live action Manga movie, Mark Dacoscas, Julie Condra & Rae Dawn Chong
star in this action fluff which is presented in 4:3 fullscreen, Dolby Surround
sound and contains a trailer, teaser trailer and featurette.
Dune and Dune TV Extended Edition (£19.99 each, Castle Home Video)
The first is David Lynch's vision of the Frank Herbert cult novel
starring Kyle McLachlan, Sting, Max Von Sydow, Patrick Stewart & Linda Hunt,
in 2.35:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, while the second is the extended
TV version containing an extra 35 minutes of footage but is cropped to 4:3,
because the extra footage was shot for TV only, and in mono, but has extras of
a trailer, new liner notes, and a booklet with production stills and a
reproduction of the original film poster.
Drop The Dead Donkey: The Writer's Choice (£14.99, VCI)
One of Channel 4's most successful comedies and starring Robert Duncan,
Haydn Gwynne, Neil Pearson & Stephen Tompkinson, writers Andy Hamilton
& Guy Jenkins have chosen their favourite six episodes: Sally's Viking,
Baseball, Gus and the Grim Reaper, Helen's Fake Boyfriend, Damien's Virus
& The Final Chapter, plus fifty classic moments from the series.
The Evil Dead: Full Uncut Version (£19.99, Anchor Bay)
Finally, it's available uncut complete with the tree-rape scene intact and
it's in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 6.1 ES
soundtracks, the US trailer and two audio commentaries: one with director Sam Raimi,
and producer Robert Tapert and the second with actor Bruce Campbell.
Father Ted: Complete Series 1 (£19.99, VCI)
It's main star, Dermot Morgan, is sadly no longer with us, dying just
before the third series aired, but now the moment we've waited for has arrived
with all six episodes from the first series being available on DVD: Good Luck
Father Ted, Entertaining Father Stone, The Passion of St. Tibulus, Competition
Time, And God Created Woman & Grant Unto Him Eternal Rest.
Join Ted, Dougal, Father Jack and Mrs Doyle for a 4:3 fullscreen presentation,
stereo sound, English subtitles and a feature-length commentary track from
co-writer Graham Linehan.
Fawlty Towers Series 1 and 2 (£19.99 each, BBC)
Each series DVD contains the full six episodes and extras stretching over two
discs apiece. Series 1: A Touch of Class, The Builders, The Wedding Party,
The Hotel Inspectors, Gourmet Night, The Germans; Series 2: Communication
Problems, The Psychiatrist, Waldorf Salad, The Kipper and the Corpse, The
Anniversary, Basil the Rat. Both DVD sets are in 4:3 fullscreen and the
original mono soundtrack. Extras include exclusive interviews
with John Cleese and Prunella Scales, commentary from director
Bob Spiers, artist profiles, a Basil Fawlty link, out-takes and it's
all digitally remastered.
Alternatively, from November 19th, £34.99 will get you a 3-disc
digipack containing all the same content.
Game of Death (£24.99, Medusa)
Available uncut for the first time in 22 years, this 1979 film features Bruce
Lee on the run from a vicious crime syndicate and reinstates the
legendary one-on-one nunchaku battle between Bruce Lee and top pupil Dan
Inosanto, as well as the 40-minute edit of the pagoda fight sequences in
accordance with Bruce's original script notes from 1972.
Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and remastered Dolby Digital 5.1
sound, the extras include: a Bruce Lee trailer archive, deleted scenes, photo
archive, Legacy of the Dragon (documentary), History of Jeet Kune Do, biog
showcase for principal stars, "Game of Death re-visited" featurette, Dan
Inosanto Jeet Kune Do seminar, GoD retrospective and interview gallery.
Also, I must note that this is one of the better-constructed 2-disc boxes
released. Medusa have used the single-disc holder on both the inside-front
and inside-back covers, rather than the alternative that most other companies
use which is to have something in the middle flapping about. Let's hope others
follow their lead.
George Best: The Official Story (£19.99, VCI)
The official George Best story: Genius, Maverick, Legend... womaniser,
hard-drinker and on his way to ending up like Lewis in Hollyoaks. And as a
result of it all he walked out of top-class professional football in 1972
aged 26.
Halloween: Special Edition (£24.99, Anchor Bay)
The original classic horror thriller set around the time of trick-or-treating
now made available in a 2-disc set with two versions of the film. First the
original film in an anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen ratio and a 4:3-cropped TV
version which includes an extra 12 minutes of footage.
Extras include the original theatrical trailer, TV spots, radio spots, talent
biogs, still and poster gallery, behind-the-scenes still gallery and a featurette,
"Halloween: Unmasked 2000". Also, the cover is a hologram which shows the
picture you see here and also Michael's face.
Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon (£9.99, Momentum)
A comedy with a cast that includes Terry-Thomas, Burl Ives, Gert Frobe,
Dennis Price & Lionel Jeffries and set in 1875, Ives plays showman Phineas
T. Barnum. No extras, but a 2.35:1 widescreen ratio.
Les Amants Du Pont-Neuf (£19.99, Arrow)
A visually stunning love story between two of Paris' homeless (Juliette
Binoche & Denis Lavant), she an artist going blind and he an alocholic
drug addict, directed by Leos Carax, in French with
English subtitles, this DVD is now available in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen
with moving menus and filmogs. This is one of the few films which ended up as
a lower certificate for home viewing than the cinema whilst remaining uncut.
It was an 18-cert in the cinema, but a 15-cert on video and DVD, because the
in the cinema it was easier to spot that the angle of the dangle was inversely
proportional to the heat of the meat(!)
Lexx: The Movies: Second Box Set (£24.99, Contender)
The last two feature-length films starring Eva Habermann as Zev, alongside
security guard Stanley Tweed, dead dude Kai and robot head 790, Eating Pattern
and Giga Shadow, with guest stars Rutger Hauer & Malcolm McDowell.
Extras include two 15-minute making-of documentaries, a gallery of stills,
text interview with the co-creator, a sci-fi users guide and a Lexx purity test.
Loaded Weapon 1 (£15.99, Fox)
A spoof on the "Lethal Weapon" films, also taking a swipe at "Silence of the
Lambs", starring Emilio Estevez and Samuel L Jackson. From the
National Lampoon stable you'll know what to expect, but I didn't expect a
complete lack of extras to go with the 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio and
Dolby Surround sound.
Man About The House (£9.99, Momentum)
The film version of the classic TV series with catering college student
Robin (Richard O'Sullivan) and the two girls he shared the flat with,
Chrissy (Paula Wilcox) and Jo (Sally Thomsett), neighbours
George and Mildred (Brian Murphy & Yootha Joyce), plus appearances
from Johnny Briggs, Bill Maynard, Bill Grundy & Spike Milligan.
Only Fools and Horses Series 4 (£19.99, BBC)
All 7 episodes from the series which introduced the late Buster Merryfield
into the cast as Uncle Albert to replace Grandad who died prior to this series:
Happy Returns, Strained Relations, Hole in One, It's Only Rock N Roll,
Sleeping Dogs Lie, Watching the Girls Go By and As One Door Closes. There
are no extras for this series which ran from February to April 1985.
Rising Damp: Complete Series 1 (£14.99, Granada)
Granada Media have already released a 5-episode "best of", but it's worth
investing in this DVD which captures all six episodes from the first series
with Mr Rigsby, Miss Jones, Alan and Philip: Rooksby, Black Magic, Charisma,
Night Out, All Our Yesterdays and The Prowler. All in 4:3 fullscreen and
the original mono sound.
Romancing the Stone / Jewel of the Nile (£19.99, Fox)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis and Lewis Teague, respectively, this
double-bill captures the comedy coupling of Jack Colton & Joan Wilder (Michael
Douglas & Kathleen Turner). Both are in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen,
there's a trailer for each and the first film is finally available uncut in
the UK.
Shallow Grave (£15.99, MGM)
A murderous comedy from Trainspotting's Danny Boyle with
flatmates Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston & Kerry Fox finding that
their new addition, Keith Allen, has not only snuffed it, but left behind
stacks of money. Who will get the loot as they plot against each other?
In 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Surround sound, the only extra is a
trailer.
Silence of the Lambs: Special Edition (£24.99, MGM)
A double-disc set for the 5-time Oscar winner starring Anthony Hopkins
and Jodie Foster and the prequel for
Hannibal, Clarice must
seek the help of Dr. Lecter in order to trap kidnapper Buffalo Bill. Presented in
1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, the extras include a
making of, featurette, deleted scenes, outtakes, stills galleries, teaser trailer,
Hannibal trailer, theatrical trailer, TV spots, booklet and an Anthony Hopkins
Phone Message.
Sliding Doors (£19.99, Paramount)
A film that looks at both situations at what happens when Helen (Gwyneth
Paltrow) does get home in time to find her other half in bed with another
woman and when she misses out on this. Also starring John Hannah & Jeanne
Tripplehorn, the picture is in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen, the sound is
in Dolby Digital 5.1 and there are no extras.
Space Cowboys (£19.99, Warner)
Team Daedalus, aka Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland &
James Garner, were pushed aside, when they had the chance to become the
first Americans in space, in favour of a chimpanzee. That's what you get for
not hailing to the chimp, but over 40 years later they get the chance because
they're the only astronauts who can save the day when a Russian satellite goes
awry. Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound,
the extras are four mini-featurettes totalling 43 minutes, a DVD-ROM game and
weblinks.
Spanish Fly (£9.99, Momentum)
A sex comedy with Leslie Phillips, Frank Thornton, Terry-Thomas & Graham Armitage,
there are no extras, but it's only a tenner.
Tangerine Dream: The Video Dream Mixes (£15.99, Castle Music Pictures)
Director Edgar Froese's aim with this DVD is to communicate a production
of musical dreams and picturesque visions to the music of the band in 16:9
anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Tracks include: Bride in
Cold Tears, Catwalk, Jungle Journey, Touchwood, Change of the Gods, Rough
Embrace, Little Blonde in the Park of Attractions, San Rocco & Fire Tongues.
Theatre of Death (£9.99, Momentum)
The fantastic classic thriller with Christopher Lee, Lelia Goldoni & Julian
Glover, bloodless bodies are turning up around town and there's links
with the local theatre. There's no extras of note, but for a tenner you get
the film in the original 2.35:1 widescreen.
Two Thousand Maniacs (£15.99, Tartan)
The second in Herschell Gordon Lewis' "Blood trilogy" (preceeded by "Blood Feast"
- out now - and followed by "Colour Me Blood Red" - out Oct 29th 2001) and
previously banned, the 84-minute film is in 4:3 fullscreen and comes complete
with extras in the form of cast and crew filmogs, trailer, Billy Chainsaw film
notes, Stills and Artwork gallery, isolated soundtrack, HGL teaser trailer and
a Tartan Terror Trailer Reel.
The Very Best of Steptoe and Son (£12.99, BBC)
Not sure if this quite counts as the VERY best of, because there's only five
episodes here: Men of Letters, A Star is Born, The Desperate Hours, Back in
Fashion and Oh What a Beautiful Mourning, the funeral episode where everyone's
eyeing up the items left behind by the dead, Albert's brother George.
In 4:3 and mono, the extras are artist profiles and an interview with
writers Galton and Simpson.
Vincent and Theo (£9.99, Carlton)
Tim Roth plays the mad painter, Vincent Van Gogh, who cut off his own
ear, sold only one painting during his life and topped himself aged 37, while
Paul Rhys played his brother Theo and was his only real friend. Directed
by Robert Altman and originally screened on TV as a two-part mini-series,
the film is presented in 1.66:1 non-anamorphic widescreen, stereo sound and
the only extra is a trailer.
Wall Street (£19.99, Fox)
"Greed is good", so spake Gordon Gecko, the Don of Wall Street, played by
Michael Douglas who draws rookie broker Charlie Sheen into his
world in a film which also stars Martin Sheen & Daryl Hannah. In
1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack,
the extras consists of a 45-minute documentary, two trailers and a feature-length
director's commentary from Oliver Stone.
War of the Roses (£15.99, Fox)
A cracking black comedy as the 18-year marriage of Oliver and Barbara Rose (Michael
Douglas & Kathleen Turner) is told in flashback by lawyer Danny De Vito,
the man who also directed this movie. For a back-catalogue title from Fox,
it's presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio with just a trailer
for company in the extras section.
WWF Hardcore (£17.99, Silver Vision)
With barbed wire-wrapped baseball bats, steel cages, tacks and chairs and an
18-certificate, the 280-minute running time comprises of 20 extraordinary
matches spanning the history of the most gruelling championship in the
Federation. Presented in 4:3 fullscreen and NTSC format, the WWF DVDs coming
out now are, gladly, region-free.
WWF Judgement Day 2001 (£19.99, Silver Vision)
Recorded on May 20th, 2001 at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California,
this is another 186 minutes of mayhem in 4:3 fullscreen and NTSC format.
All the regulars return for a No-Holds-Barred Match for the WWF Championship,
an Intercontinental Title Chain Match, Women's Championship Match, 2-out-of-3
Falls Medal Match, Triple-Threat Hardcore Title Match and the Tag Team
Turmoil Match. Extras include 5 extra interviews, 4 match histories and
a medal ceremony.
DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV
connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and
played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP