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DVDs and Games:
In Brief Vol.5

In the fifth of an occasional series, we highlight the latest arrivals for review at DVDfever Towers and while we aim to review as much as we can, it's not always possible to do so, but at least with this page we can give some space to everything that comes in.

For each DVD or game, more info is available, and the opportunity to buy, from Blackstar or Amazon by clicking on the individual links by each title.

Note that for those without cover art the pictures are not available yet.

Full reviews of some of the following will appear online soon, but we're looking for feedback on this section as to how useful it is for visitors to this site. Please click on the "Email Dom" link on the left-hand menu to do so.

    Games released:
    Now


DVDs released in February 2003 :

news page pic Dog Soldiers (£17.99, Fox)

A visceral horror about a squad of British soldiers on a routine training exercise in the wilds of Scotland, who come across a pack of vicious werewolves...

The film stars Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd and is presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.

Dog Soldiers

news page pic The Doors (£19.99, Universal)

The story of Jim Morrison and the group that became a legacy. It's a bizarre journey, but one that's well worth taking the trip...

Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras consist of a trailer, teaser, music video for Break on Through, Behind the Scenes footage, interviews, a Making Of, and a list of song-specific chapters that take you to that very moment in the movie.

The Doors


DVDs released in January 2003 :

news page pic 24 Hour Party People (£19.99, Fox)

Set in Manchester between the late 70s and early 90s, this is the story of Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records and the Hacienda club.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras include two documentaries, "Pills N Thrills And Bellyaches" (47 mins) and "Portrait of a Film-Maker documentary" (23 mins)

24 Hour Party People

news page pic Class (£12.99, MGM)

A comedy/drama with Rob Lowe, John Cusack and Andrew McCarthy, all making their film debuts, starring with Jacqueline Bisset. McCarthy finds that Bisset is the woman of his dreams, not realising at first that she's Lowe's mum.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen the only extra is a trailer.

Class

news page pic Kate & Leopold (£17.99, Buena Vista)

A romantic comedy starring Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan, with a DVD that also contains the director's cut of the film.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras include deleted scenes with optional commentary, a stills gallery, music video and audio commentary.

Kate & Leopold

news page pic Mannequin (£12.99, MGM)

The comedy about a shop's mannequin which comes to life in the form of Kim Cattrall, looking as good then as she does today. Also stars Andrew McCarthy and James Spader.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen the only extra is a trailer.

Mannequin

news page pic Men in Black 2 (£24.99, Columbia TriStar)

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return as the Men in Black, but since the latter is working for the US postal service after being made 'normal', and the world's in trouble because of an alien called Serleena who's in need of the Light of Zartha, he needs to be brought back, quickly.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, this package comes on two discs and extras include director's commentary, a Men in Black training video, trailers, alternative ending, many featurettes, multi-scene angle deconstructions and the Will Smith music video.

Men in Black 2

news page pic Something Wild (£12.99, MGM)

An excellent comedy thriller from Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) and starring Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffith and Ray Liotta, about losing your way, but finding yourself on the right path in the end as a result.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen the only extra is a trailer.

Something Wild


DVDs released in December 2002 :

news page pic Austin Powers: Goldmember (£19.99, Entertainment in Video)

The third in the hilarious comedy series with Mike Myers as secret spy Austin Powers, up against a new enemy, Goldmember, who's teamed up with Dr Evil for double disaster.

Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and DTS 6.1 ES sound, the extras include deleted/alternate scenes with optional commentary, music videos, trailers and an audio commentary.

Austin Powers 3

news page pic About a Boy (£19.99, Universal)

Hugh Grant plays a 38-year-old London serial womaniser who ends up looking after lonely schoolboy Marcus, in a film also starring Toni Collette, Raquel Welch and Victoria Smurfit.

Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras include deleted scenes with optional commentary, music videos and an interview with Badly Drawn Boy, DVD-ROM features and an audio commentary.

About a Boy

news page pic Minority Report (£24.99, Fox)

A bizarre futuristic thriller where determining pre-crime can stop murders and other nasty things from happening, with a cast that includes Tom Cruise, Samantha Morton, Colin Farrell, Peter Stormare and Max Von Sydow.

Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and DTS 5.1 sound, the extras include a selection of behind the scenes featurettes, storyboard sequences, illustrations, production notes and a virtual gallery.

Minority Report

WWE Global Warning Tour (£17.99, Silver Vision)

Recorded on August 10th 2002 in Melbourne, Australia, when WWE invades the land down under, you better run, you better take cover. The show runs for 182 minutes and includes a Bra & Panties Match with Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson.

Extras include a tour recap, the aftermath, The Rock after the Triple-Threat Match and 3 classic matches from the 1986 Australian Tour.

WWE Global Warning Tour

WWE Summerslam 2002 (£19.99, Silver Vision)

Brock Lesnar continues his relentless pursuit to be the WWE undisputed champion. Former best friends turned enemies, Shawn Michaels and Triple H settle the score. There ain't no cure for a Summerslam bruise.

Running for 205 minutes, the extras include interviews, training for Brock Lesnar and The Rock, a bonus match and an event in Spanish.

WWE Summerslam 2002


DVDs available now :

news page pic 9/11 (£15.99, Paramount)

An accidental documentary as filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet set out to make a fly-on-the-wall film about a rookie New York firefighter. They'd never have imagined what was about to happen, but it makes for an incredible sight.

Presented in 1.85:1 letterbox widescreen, I'm surprised this wasn't anamorphic since it was shown as such on BBC1. There's also no chapters which is equally odd. The sound is Dolby Stereo sound, the extras consist of 50 minutes of interviews.

9/11

news page pic Airheads (£15.99, Fox)

A hilarious spoof of the rock industry with Steve Buscemi, Brendan Fraser and Adam Sandler as three metalheads who begin by trying to get their demo playing on a local radio station. Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, the only extra is a trailer.

Airheads

news page pic Ali G Indahouse (£19.99, Universal)

The main man finally gets to the big screen in a film also starring Michael Gambon, Martin Freeman (Tim in The Office) and Rhona Mitra.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, extras include 'Da Audio Commentary', 'Scenes Not In It, Innit', and 'Me Video Diary'.

Ali G Indahouse

news page pic Alistair McGowan's Big World Cup (£17.99, Universal)

The impressionist turns his eye to the biggest sporting event in the world. New characters include Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Steve Gerrard and David Seaman, as well as old favourites. Presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen.

Alistair McGowan

news page pic Ally McBeal Seasons 1-5 (£19.99 per half-season, Fox)

This hilarious legal comedy drama ran for five seasons and starred Calista Flockhart as the dippy lawyer, also with Peter MacNichol and Courtney Thorne Smith, plus guest appearances from the likes of Bruce Willis.

The following link lists all the first four seasons which are available now, plus you can pre-order Season 5, released February 3rd 2003.

Ally McBeal

news page pic Amadeus (£19.99, Universal)

Milos Forman's award-winning adaptation of the stage play set in 1781 starring F. Murray Abraham, Simon Callow and Tom Hulce as Mozart.

Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, this is the extended director's cut with 20 minutes extra footage, an audio commentary, a 'making of' documentary, trailer and cast and director career highlights.

Amadeus

news page pic Apache (£12.99, MGM)

An action-packed Western starring Burt Lancaster, Paul Guilfoyle and Jean Peters, directed by Robert Aldrich.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, the only extra is a trailer.

Apache

news page pic Auf Wiedersehen Pet Series 3 (£24.99, VCI)

The brand new series that sees the lads returning to meet up for an unexpected funeral, and taking on the job of dismantling Teeside's Transporter bridge from Middlesborough to the desert of Arizona. The programme is presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen.

Auf Wiedersehen Pet 3
Also see Series 1 and Series 2

news page pic Blackadder's Christmas Carol (£12.99, BBC)

The hilarious one-off episode featuring the cast of Blackadder performing Dickens' classic tale and making their own mess of it, but one that's well worth watching.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen there are no extras, but then it's only a cheap disc.

Blackadder Xmas

news page pic Blade 2 (£19.99, Entertainment in Video)

Four years on, the sequel finally appears, but it was worth waiting for, and the performance from ex-Bros star Luke Goss was quite a revelation.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and with DTS 6.1 ES sound, the extras cross over two discs and include an isolated score, featurettes and the original press kit.

Blade 2

news page pic Best of Bottom (£15.99, BBC)

I'm often sceptical about "Best of" releases because I'd rather see the full series get a release. Still, we have five episodes here: Smells, Accident, Digger, Holy and Hole.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, the only extra, of sorts, is five minutes of untransmitted material in the episode "Holy".

Best of Bottom

news page pic Breakheart Pass (£12.99, MGM)

An action-packed mystery/Western from Charles Bronson, Richard Crenna, Charles Durning and Jill Ireland.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, the only extra is a trailer.

Breakheart Pass

news page pic Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5 (£79.99, Fox)

This six disc box set features all the episodes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5 in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen.

Extras include scripts and commentaries for selected episodes, featurettes and a stills gallery.

Buffy Season 5

news page pic Candyman 2: Farewell to the Flesh (£12.99, MGM)

A sequel with more of the same as the man whose name should not be spoken five times goes stalking in New Orleans, where young schoolteacher Annie (Kelly Rowan) is trying to solve the brutal murder of her father.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Stereo sound, the only extra is a trailer.

Candyman 2

news page pic Cat's Eye (£15.99, Momentum)

Three horror stories from Stephen King, linked by a stray cat as it helps with a radical technique to quit smoking, walks on the window ledge of a skyscraper and comes across an evil goblin, in a film starring James Woods, Robert Hays and Drew Barrymore.

Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen the extras are a trailer, deleted scenes and an audio commentary from director Lewis Teague.

Cat's Eye

news page pic Crossroads (£19.99, Momentum)

Britney Spears' debut film, a fun-filled adventure about taking risks, pursuing dreams and making friendships that last. Kim Cattrall and Dan Aykroyd also star.

Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, the extras include Britney's DVD welcome, The Making of Crossroads: 40 Days with Britney, deleted scenes, Edit your own music video, and how to make your own T-shirts from the karaoke scene.

Crossroads

news page pic CSI Season 1 Part 2 (£39.99, Momentum)

The final eleven episodes from Season 1, of this acclaimed, edgy, fast-paced drama series about a passionate team of forensic invesigators.

Presented in 4:3, the extras include a featurette, production notes, extended cast and crew interviews.

CSI Season 1 Part 2

news page pic Dancing at the Blue Iguana (£19.99, CDA Entertainment)

Welcome to the Blue Iguana, a club portraying the seedy and shocking world of strippers in California's San Fernando Valley, where Angel (Daryl Hannah), the club's most popular dancer, wants to change her life for the better, as does sexy dominatrix Jo (Jennifer Tilly) and underage newbie Jessie (Charlotte Ayanna).

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and the extras include 8 alternative/delete scenes, a 60-minute documentary, "Strip Notes" and a feature-length director's commentary.

Dancing at the Blue Iguana

news page pic Drugstore Cowboy (£15.99, MGM)

Crime is a way of life for Bob and Dianne, with their lives fuelled by an addiction that drives them from state to state robbing pharmacies for pills and thrills, in a film that stars Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, the only extra is a trailer.

Drugstore Cowboy

news page pic Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin (£15.99 each, Second Sight)

I didn't get where I am today without recognising a great sitcom when I see one.

The first two series of this classic are now available, both in 4:3 fullscreen and both absent of extras, but they're worthy DVDs with all seven episodes per series.

R/Perrin Series 1
R/Perrin Series 2

news page pic Fast Show Live (£15.99, BBC)

The live show as filmed at the Apollo Hammersmith in 1998, featuring Arthur Atkinson, Brilliant, Suits You, Jazz Club, Rowley Birkin, Swiss Toni, Jesse, Ted & Ralph (in a musical) and many more.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, the gig runs for 80 minutes.

Fast Show Live

news page pic Frankie & Johnny (£15.99, Paramount)

An engaging romantic drama with Al Pacino as Johnny, an ex-con looking for work as a short-order cook, who meets Frankie (Michelle Pfeiffer), a waitress in New York City, who's had one bad relationship after another, and isn't looking for love until it comes looking for her.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the only extra is a trailer.

Frankie & Johnny

news page pic Futurama Season 2 (£39.99, Fox)

The continuing adventures of Fry, Leela, Bender, Dr Zoidberg and the rest, in the entire second series over four discs.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, there are commentaries for each episode, plus deleted scenes, animatics, storyboards, a stills gallery and spoof sponsor clips.

Futurama S2

news page pic Graham Norton: For Your Pleasure (£19.99, VCI)

A 100-minute compilation of Graham's best moments from recent "So Graham Norton" and "V Graham Norton" episodes as he interviews big showbiz names, gets outrageous confessions from the audience and making hilarious phone calls.

Presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen, the extras include a commentary from Graham Norton, plus interviews with Norton and his sidekick Betty.

Graham Norton

news page pic The Hallelujah Trail (£12.99, MGM)

An rip-roaring Western comedy starring Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Martin Landau and the late Donald Pleasance.

Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen, the only extra is a trailer.

The Hallelujah Trail

news page pic Ice Age (£19.99, Fox)

A computer-animated film for kids and adults alike, featuring Sid, a fast-talking sloth, Manfred, a woolly mammoth and Diego a sabre-toothed tiger, with voices including Denis Leary, John Leguizamo and Jack Black.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras include deleted scenes, multi-angle comparison sequences, interactive character galleries and an audio commentary.

Ice Age

news page pic Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (£17.99, Buena Vista)

Another tour de force comedy from Kevin Smith, with star appearances from Jason Mewes, Ben Affleck, Jason Biggs, Matt Damon, Shannen Doherty, Shannon Elizabeth, Carrie Fisher, Joey Lauren Adams, Eliza Dushku, Alanis Morissette and Chris Rock.

Presented in 1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras include deleted scenes, featurettes, music videos and an audio commentary.

Jay & Silent Bob

news page pic Joe 90 Complete Box Set (£69.99, Carlton)

The most audacious secret agent in the world, and he's only 9 years old! This boxset contains all 30 episodes from the Gerry Anderson series, with extras including character biographies, information files, "The Unorthodox Shepherd" location recce and Joe 90 "I Love the 90s" trailers.

Joe 90 Complete

news page pic Joe Cocker in Concert (£15.99, Wienerworld)

Fourteen tracks in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound of the great man in concert, singing Delta Lady, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, You Can Leave Your Hat On and Can't Find My Way Home.

Extras include an interview with the producer, sound tuning and an artist biography.

Joe Cocker

news page pic The Kumars at No.42 (£19.99, VCI)

The hit spoof chat show from the "Goodness Gracious Me" team, with interviews with Richard E Grant, Michael Parkinson, Fay Ripley, Minnie Driver, Stephen Fry and Gary Lineker.

Presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen the extras include a Tour of No.42, unseen footage, photo album and a writers' commentary.

Kumars at No.42

news page pic Long Time Dead (£17.99, Universal)

In London, a group of student are playing with a Ouijaboard, with disastrous consequences in a film starring Joe Absolom, Lara Belmont and Lukas Haas.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen the extras include featurettes, behind the scenes footage and a trailer.

Long Time Dead

news page pic Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (£Varies, Entertainment in Video)

The first in the Middle Earth trilogy from Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Sean Bean, Christopher Lee and Ian McKellen.

Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround Sound, there are three versions available - the 2-disc theatrical version, the 4-disc Extended version and the latter in a deluxe Collector's Boxset.

Theatrical Version
Extended Version
Collector's Boxset

news page pic Mark King Live in Concert (£15.99, Wienerworld)

Recorded live at the Ohne Filter Studios in Germany, June 1999, the tracks performed include Hot Water, Love Games, To Be With You Again, Running in the Family, Lessons in Love, Something About You & Running in the Family.

Mark King Live

news page pic The Mothman Prophecies (£19.99, Warner)

Based on true events, this thriller stars Richard Gere and Laura Linney, and examines a series of inexplicable occurences through the eyes and minds of one man.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. the extras including a 15-minute "HBO First Look", a 45-minute "In Search of the Mothman" documentary, cast and crew interviews and an animated intro sequence.

Mothman Prophecies

news page pic Movies & Music Collector's Edition DVDs (£19.99 each, Fox)

Six special edition boxsets comprising of the DVD and CD soundtrack for the complete audio visual-experience.

The Beach
Braveheart
Chariots of Fire
Commitments
Dances with Wolves
Titanic

news page pic Nigella Bites (£19.99, VCI)

Intimate and controversial, award winning food writer Nigella Lawson shares her secrets for creating perfect meals for every occasion from TV dinners to ultimate all-day breakfast to party food.

Presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen the extras include the Nigella Bites Xmas Special, an unseen recipe, Nigella's book shelf and a full ingredient list.

Nigella Bites

news page pic The Office Series 1 (£19.99, BBC)

The surprise hit of last year, which brought on a second series just recently, as David Brent rules the roost at his paper merchants office... or at least he thinks he does.

Presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen the extras include the full-length Peter Purvis training video from episode four and a 40-minute spoof documentary "How I Made The Office".

The Office

news page pic Own Goals & Gaffes: The Premiership (£17.99, Universal)

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the F.A. Premier League, Rory McGrath presents a collection of footballing blunders.

The Premiership

news page pic Piranha (£12.99, MGM)

Joe Dante creates an eerie and fun tale of mutant piranhas terrorising a local swimming hole, in a film starring Bradford Dillman and Heather Menzies.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, the only extra is a trailer.

Piranha

news page pic Prince of Darkness (£15.99, Momentum)

A horror movie written and directed by John Carpenter, in which an evil substance, sealed in an ancient canister for the past seven million years, begins to come alive, and the lid can only be opened from the inside...

Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen the extras are a trailer and a director's commentary.

Prince of Darkness

news page pic Pushing Tin (£15.99, Fox)

A comedy about two rival air traffic controllers, starring John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie. Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen.

Pushing Tin

news page pic Return of the Living Dead (£12.99, MGM)

My favourite of the series, the employees of a medical supply warehouse accidentally bring a corpse back to life and then try to kill it! However, when they burn it and its undead ashes spread across a graveyard, all hell breaks loose.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, the only extra is a trailer.

Return of the Living Dead

news page pic Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band (£19.99, Direct Video Distribution)

The beatle that seems to get ignored most of the time gets to shine in his concert, with guest performances from Greg Lake, Howard Jones and Shiela E at Chicago's Rosemont Theatre in August 2001.

The songs include: The Logical Song, Act Naturally, Yellow Submarine, Things Can Only Get Better, Lucky Man, No-one is the Blame, All the Young Dude and With a Little Help From My Friends.

The extras include interviews.

Ringo Starr

news page pic The Rutles: All You Need is Cash (£15.99, Second Sight)

A spoof of the Beatles starring Eric Idle, Jon Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Innes, Michael Palin and George Harrison.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, the extras include previously unavailable scenes, further deleted scenes, plus an introduction and audio commentary from Eric Idle.

The Rutles

news page pic Sapphire & Steel Assignments 4-6 (£39.99, Carlton)

The final three adventures in one of the most bizarre sci-fi series ever to grace the small screen, as Joanna Lumley and David McCallum do battle against the forces of evil.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, the extras include production notes, a merchandise gallery, unseen footage and a stills gallery.

Sapphire & Steel 2

news page pic Say Anything (£15.99, Fox)

The course of true love doesn't always run smoothly as John Cusack and Ione Skye find out in this directorial debut from Cameron Crowe. Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen.

Say Anything

news page pic Scary Movie 2 (£19.99, Buena Vista)

A sequel with more laughs and the same cast, including Anna Faris, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Tori Spelling.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras include featurettes, deleted and alternate scenes and a stills gallery.

Scary Movie 2

news page pic The Scorpion King (£19.99, Universal)

What the character from "The Mummy Returns" did next... or rather before, given that it's a prequel, as The Rock stars in this action-packed spin-off filled with spectacular stunts and fight sequences.

Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen and with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras include alternate versions of key scenes, featurettes about shooting a fight sequence and a look at the special effects.

The Scorpion King

news page pic sex, lies and videotape (£15.99, MGM)

A fantastic thriller and an early one from director Steven Soderbergh, which won James Spader the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It also stars Peter Gallagher, Andie MacDowell and the smouldering Laura San Giacomo.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen the only extra is a trailer.

sex, lies and videotape

news page pic Sexy Beast/The Limey/Gangster No.1 (£22.99, VCI)

Three films in one package: Sexy Beast (Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley), The Limey (Terence Stamp) and Gangster No.1 (Malcolm McDowell, Paul Bettany). See the review of The Limey

All in anamorphic widescreen, the extras include interviews, behind the scenes footage, an isolated music score and feature-length audio descriptions.

Triple Box Set

news page pic Shawshank Redemption/Midnight Cowboy/Straight Story (£22.99, VCI)

Three films in one package: The Shawshank Redemption (Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman), Midnight Cowboy (Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight) and The Straight Story (Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek). See the reviews of The Shawshank Redemption and The Straight Story

All in anamorphic widescreen, the extras include interviews, biographies and trailers.

Triple Box Set

news page pic Simpsons Treehouse of Horror (£15.99, Fox)

A compilation of four Halloween episodes, Treehouse of Horrors V, VI, VII and XII, in which Homer attempted to kill his family in "The Shinning", he becomes three-dimensional in "Homer 3" and Lisa creates a miniature world in "The Genesis Tub".

Simpsons Treehouse of Horror

news page pic Some Mothers Do Ave Em (£15.99 each, Second Sight)

"Ooh, Betty! The dog's done a whoopsy on the carpet!" were words to live by during the 70s and during the endless repeats since, as Frank attends an RAF Reunion, gets Betty pregnant and drives his new Volkswagen over a cliff... nearly.

The first two series of this classic are now available, both in 4:3 fullscreen and both absent of extras, but they're worthy DVDs with all seven episodes per series.

Frank Spencer S1
Frank Spencer S2

news page pic Stargate SG1 Season 1 (£49.99, MGM)

A spin-off from the hit movie, the main stars of this series are played by Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks, and all the episodes from the first season are here. Presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen.

Stargate SG1 Season 1
Also see Season 2 and Season 3

news page pic Stargate SG1 Season 5 Vol.25 (£19.99, MGM)

The final two episodes (21: Meridian and 22: Revelations) from Season 5 in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen.

Extras include video diaries for Richard Dean Anderson and Corin Nemec, episode previews for Vol.26, a tribute to Dr Daniel Jackson, audio commentaries, trailers and a Season 6 stills gallery.

Stargate SG1 Season 5 Vol.25

news page pic Steptoe & Son: Best of Vol.2 (£12.99, BBC)

A second compilation with another five episodes from 1963 and 1974, Upstairs, Downstairs, Upstairs, Downstairs, The Bath, Porn Yesterday, Seance in a Wet Rag & Bone Yard and And So To Bed.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen there are no extras, but I'd rather see complete series than these sporadic compilations.

Steptoe & Son 2

news page pic Terrahawks Box Set (£34.99, Revelation)

Twelve episodes from this classic Gerry Anderson series across three volumes, and who can remember the vocal input from one Windsor Davies?

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, the extras include the scripts from all the episodes, an explanation of the Terrahawks' "Ten Codes", the original publicity brochure and a biography of Gerry Anderson.

Terrahawks Box

news page pic Theatre of Blood (£12.99, MGM)

Vincent Price plays a small-time actor plotting big-time revenge, as he executes those critics that have said something bad about him in a style of a play by Shakespeare.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen, the only extra is a trailer.

Theatre of Blood

news page pic They Live (£15.99, Momentum)

Directed by John Carpenter, it's the near future and society is crumbling, because it's been invaded by aliens from another dimension who are controlling the Earth through mind control.

Presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen the extras are a trailer, making of, and an audio commentary from John Carpenter and Roddy Piper.

They Live

news page pic Thomas the Tank Engine: The Fogman & Other Stories (£14.99, VCI)

A new compilation of eight episodes shown recently on TV: The Fogman, No Sleep for Cranky, Sally's Secret, Harvey to the Rescue, A Bad Day for Harold the Helicopter, Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry, Twin Trouble and Gordon Takes a Tumble. Presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen.

Thomas The Tank Engine

news page pic Time Bandits (£19.99, Anchor Bay)

One of my all-time favourite films, starring John Cleese, Sean Connery and David Rappaport, in which a young boy gets caught up in the ride across time and space with some dwarves taking advantage of a special map.

Presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the extras include a missing scene, storyboard extracts, an interview with Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, an audio commentary from both of them and John Cleese, and the map - YES!, the very map that was used to get them from A to B and back again.

Time Bandits

news page pic Tremors 3 (£15.99, Universal)

Those morphing, man-eating monsters are back again in the dusty little town of Perfection, Nevada, but Burt pits his impressive knowledge of weaponry against the newest and deadliest generation of graboids.

A fourth film is due soon, as is a TV series on the Sci-Fi channel early next year.

Tremors 3

news page pic Trigger Happy TV 3 (£19.99, VCI)

Another compilation of clips which takes into account the two Xmas specials from 2001 and the 'documentary' "Being Dom Joly" (the latter in anamorphic 16:9).

The rest is presented in 4:3 as usual, and the extras include 14 unseen clips, 3 bad rabbit jokes, the 3 worst ideas ever and 4 unseen celebrity interviews.

Trigger Happy TV 3

news page pic Tron: Special Edition (£19.99, Buena Vista)

The 20th Anniversary Edition for a film that was a masterpiece of breakthrough CGI ingenuity, starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner and David Warner.

Presented in 2.20:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, and extras including a 'making of', audio commentary, production photo gallery, 3D animated menus and storyboards showcasing early work on light cycles.

Tron

news page pic Ultimate Horror Boogeymen (£17.99, Universal)

A compilation of scenes starring the most terrifying villains from the scariest films, such as Freddy Krueger, Leatherface, Chucky, The Candyman, The Wishmaster, Norman Bates, Jason Vorhees and Michael Myers.

Extras include a featurette on Legends of the Boogeyman, Flixfacts animated trivia, trailers and an audio commentary from Freddy Krueger (Robert England) himself.

Ultimate Horror Boogeymen

news page pic Wild Orchid (£12.99, MGM

An attempt to recreate the passion of 9½ Weeks, but one that fell rather flat as Mickey Rourke gets it together with Carre Otis. Apparently the exotic settings should leave you breathless and spellbound, but not bored rigid.

Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, the only extras is a trailer.

Wild Orchid

news page pic What's The Worst That Could Happen? (£17.99, MGM

A fast-paced comedy with a battle of egos and payback between Danny De Vito and Martin Lawrence, with a cast that includes John Leguizamo, William Fichtner and Bernie Mac.

Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, the extras include an alternative ending, 10 deleted scenes, outtakes and an audio commentary with all of the main cast.

What's The Worst That Could Happen?

news page pic WWE Back in Black: New World Order (£17.99, Silver Vision)

This DVD concentrates on the rise to fame of the newly-formed New World Order consisting of wrestling stars Scott Hall, Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash, and runs for 157 minutes in 4:3.

WWE Back in Black

WWE Divas: Tropical Pleasure (£17.99, Silver Vision)

135 minutes of fun as Ivory, Lita, Sara, Torrie Wilson, Terri and more run onto the sandy beaches of the Bahamas for plenty of fun and frolics.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, the extras contain 10 extra sexy matches, the WWE Babe of the Year, and Torrie and Stacy Keibler on a RAW Magazine photo shoot.

WWE Divas Tropical Pleasure

news page pic WWE Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules (£24.99, Silver Vision)

A double-disc of delight as this package tells the Hulk Hogan story about his 25-year career, running for six hours in total, the extras include 15 rare and classic matches, including his 1979 debut and bonus interviews.

WWE Hulk Hogan

news page pic WWE Insurrextion 2002 (£17.99, Silver Vision)

Recorded on May 4th 2002 in London, this runs for 141 minutes and features matches between Triple H & Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin & Big Show, plus the Diva's Tag Team Match with Jazz & Molly Holly vs. Trish Stratus & Jacqueline.

WWE Insurrextion 2002

news page pic WWE Judgment Day 2002 (£17.99, Silver Vision)

Recorded on May 19th 2002 in Nashville, Tennessee and running for 179 minutes, it features matches between Hulk Hogan & Undertaker, Triple H & Chris Jericho, and the WWE Women's Championship Match: Trish Stratus with Bubba Ray Dudley vs Stacy Kiebler with Rev D-Von.

WWE Judgment Day 2002

news page pic WWE Vengeance 2002 (£17.99, Silver Vision)

If you've got a grudge, you've come to the right place. The Undertaker demands respect, Chris Jericho is out to teach a rookie a painful lesson and RVD plans to derail Brock Lesnar.

Presented in 4:3 fullscreen, it runs for 193 minutes and also includes interviews, and a tag-team championship match with Hulk Hogan, Edge, Billy and Chuck.

WWE Vengeance 2002

news page pic The X-Files Season 5 (£89.99, Fox)

This six disc box set features all the episodes from The X-Files Season 5 in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen.

Extras include The Truth About Season 5 (46 mins), 6 special effects clips with audio commentary, 5 deleted scenes with audio commentary, 11 "Behind the Truth" TV spots, 30 promotional TV spots, international clips from 16 episodes, alternate audio streams, a 30-minute docuemntary "Inside the X-Files" and a 24-page collectors booklet.

X Files Season 5

news page pic Yuki Terai: Secrets (£15.99, Escapi UK Ltd)

A video profile of Japan's No.1 virtual superstar that showcases her in six short stories, in many different guises.

Extras include a 'making of' and the music video for Yuki's hit, "My Dearest You".

Yuki Terai


Games available now :

news page pic Alpine Racer 3 (PS2 £39.99, Sony)

A new improved conversion of the arcade hit downhill racer, 5 game modes, 9 different courses, 8 characters each with unique attributes and abilities, courses packed with objects and obstacles to help or hinder, and you can upgrade your character and equipment with your prize money.

Alpine Racer 3

news page pic Aggressive Inline (Various, £34.99/39.99, Acclaim)

An inline skating action game with 7 huge levels, 9 pro skaters, 30-60 objectives per level to be discovered, and the chance to improve your skater's abilities and reflect your own style. There are many multi-player modes including split-screen play and a park-editor.

Aggressive Inline

news page pic Commandos 2 (Xbox, £39.99, Eidos)

From the heart of the Third Reich to the most remote islands in the South Pacific, Sgt Jack "Butcher" O'Hara must lead his elite group of veteran soldiers to victory as they go deep into enemy territory to change the course of WWII.

This sequel allows you to control nine elite commandos including a green beret, snipes, demolitions expert and spy, over 12 missions spanning 11 environments including the prison cells of Colditz.

Commandos 2

news page pic Disney's Lilo & Stitch: Experiment 626 (PS2, £39.99, Sony)

Set prior to the events in the animated movie, you control Stitch in a shoot-out adventure, allowing you to climb walls and ceilings and run with great speed, using up to four weapons simultaneously.

Disney's Lilo & Stitch (PS2)

news page pic Disney's Lilo & Stitch: Trouble in Paradise (PSX, £19.99, Sony)

A tie-in with the animated movie, allowing you to play as either Lilo or Stitch, with non-linear gameplay and multiple paths to choose, across 12 levels and as a reward you'll see between-level movies featuring scenes from the film.

Disney's Lilo & Stitch (PSX)

news page pic Divine Divinity (PC, £29.99, CDV)

A densely-populated many-sided fantasy world with nearly a hundred skills to be learned and a great amount of skills, spells and weapons. The game contains a simple and intuitive interface for easy handling and more than 100 kinds of monsters and creatures.

Divine Divinity

news page pic Ejay Clubworld (PS2, £34.99, Empire)

A piece of software that allows you to compose your own music in DVD-quality sound be it for house, hip-hop, trance, ambient, drum & bass, acid, electro, reggae and retro, with over 1000 royalty-free samples included.

Create your own sounds with user-friendly tools, play your hit back with an integrated jukebox and 3D graphics, and a live-jam mode in which up to 4 people can take part.

Ejay Clubworld

news page pic Ferrari F355 Challenge (PS2, £39.99, Sony)

Licenced by Ferrari as the definitive F355 simulator, this features 11 venues including Long Beach and Suzuka, and authentic racing physics with fully-customisable specifications, broadcast-style replays and full driving data reports. For 1-2 players.

Ferrari F355 Challenge

news page pic Firebugs (PSX, £19.99, Sony)

A fast and fun racing game that's easy to pick up and play, with high-speed futuristic racing cars, five locations, 25 circuits, a variety of weapons and 360-degree racing, allowing you to drive on walls and the ceiling. For 1-2 players.

Firebugs

news page pic Formula One 2002 (PS2, £34.99, Sony)

Another year, another Formula One game, this one containing every 2002 season team, driver line-up, car design and performance detail.

It also includes all new track alterations for the 2002 season, advanced AI for drivers, pit crew and the technical team, and a 60Hz mode.

Formula One 2002

news page pic Gran Turismo Concept: 2002 Tokyo Geneva (PS2, £29.99, Sony)

A new Gran Turismo game and this time the emphasis is on arcade-style gameplay with up to 100 cars including new models from Japan, Korea and Europe such as the Lotus Elise Type 72, Volkswagen W12, Audi Abt TT and Toyota Pod, for 1-6 players.

Gran Turismo Concept

news page pic Haven: Call of the King (PS2, £29.99, Midway)

A new adventure which starts with the gameplay of Crash Bandicoot, but has many other different kinds and is aimed for the younger end of the market, as you cross seven massive planets and control multiple vehicles from power-trikes to speedboats and spaceships.

At certain points you can call on your mechanical friend, Talon, for help. With no loading times between levels, this single-player game that will offer many hours of fun with its bright and fluid graphics.

Haven

news page pic Iron Storm (PC, £34.99, Wanadoo)

It's 1964 and World War I is still being waged, fighting against the armies of a latter-day Genghis Khan in a first-person shooter that can also be played third-person, as a single player or online in a multiplayer onslaughter with up to 16 people in games of Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Isolation Case.

Iron Storm

news page pic Kingdom Hearts (PS2, £39.99, Sony)

The ultimate fantasy RPG as Final Fantasy-style adventure playing blends with the style of Disney so you can control characters such as Tarzan, Donald Duck and Peter Pan and over 100 others, also with guest appearances by character from the Final Fantasy series, with gorgeous animation-style graphics and real-time combat.

Kingdom Hearts

news page pic Klonoa Beach Volleyball (PSX, £19.99, Sony)

An addictive and easy to grasp game for the younger gamer, with a special kids control feature that simplifies the control mechanism and 3 game modes (Championship, Exhibition and Training). Each character calls on their own unique special attacks and it's for 1-4 players.

Klonoa Beach Volleyball

news page pic Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Various, £39.99, Vivendi)

The official game and a third-person adventure based on the first in the Peter Jackson trilogy. Links are below for both of the first two games now available.

Fellowship/Ring

The Two Towers

news page pic NHL Hitz 2003 (Various, £39.99, Midway)

Another year, another NHL game, this one featuring full seasons with every team and every game, in-depth stat tracking, fantasy teams and stadiums, a soundtrack featuring Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000. Up to 6 players can compete with a multi-tap.

NHL Hitz 2003

news page pic Ninja Assault (Various, £39.99, Sony)

The arcade hit lightgun game, that's G-Con 2 compatible for the home market. Save the princess and retrieve the mythical Mach Gun, battle fellow ninjas, giant mechanical spiders and vicious end-of-level bosses, plus unique mini games, hidden levels and special bonuses, as well as other PS2-exclusive features.

Ninja Assault

news page pic PC DJ Music Producer (PC, £19.99/39.99/79.99, Emission)

Six separate pieces of software for the PC, each concentrating on a separate brand of music, with a real-time stereo sequencer, instant trim, pitch & loop, several hundred Megabytes of high quality royalty free samples. Most of the software is £39.99 each, except for the Home Edition (£19.99) and the Pro Edition (£79.99).

Rock
Dance
news page pic Hip-Hop
Club Edition
Home Edition
Pro Edition

news page pic Red Faction II (PS2, £39.99, THQ)

Red Faction II starts with a bang - several bangs to be precise - as your team of soldiers infiltrate a compound, taking the opportunity once again to blow seven bells out of just about every wall and blockage you come across.

A preview of the game can be found here, but note that the finished version has ironed out the bugs of the preview version and smoothed things across overall.

Red Faction II

news page pic Sudden Strike 2 (PC, £29.99, CDV)

You know what to expect from the excellent 'Strike series, this one featuring five forces to choose from (Americans, Germans, British, Russians and Japanese), a new enhanced damaged model for added realism, historically accurate missions, new features and gameplay improvements.

Sudden Strike 2

news page pic Summoner 2 (PS2, £39.99, THQ)

This sequel allows you to battle your enemies in real time with a new, party-driven combat system, in over 30 exotic 3D locales, and an immersive character-driven story. Control up to 3 characters at a time, learn to craft deadly poisons, cast a meteor storm or devour your enemy's soul.

Summoner 2

news page pic Tekken 4 (PS2, £44.99, Sony)

Another new round of fighting with fully 3D environments, interactive backgrounds, new characters - making 23 playable in all, with new moves, improved graphics and speed and several play modes. For 1-2 players.

Tekken 4

news page pic This is Football 2003 (PS2, £44.99, Sony)

You know what to expect with this classic football series, this latest installment featuring enhanced gameplay, graphics and tactics, with a fully-fledged transfer system and a new career mode. Over 13,500 players are available from leagues worldwide, and TV-style cut-scenes highlight the in-game drama. For 1-2 players (multitap required for 3-8)

This is Football 2003

news page pic Timesplitters 2 (Various, £39.99, Eidos)

The first-person shooter returns for more blasting mayhem with an in-depth single player and co-operative story mode, across nine time-travelling episodes, with expansive, interactive and detailed environments and over 80 different playable characters.

Timesplitters 2

news page pic Virtua Cop Elite Edition (PS2, £34.99, Acclaim)

All you ever wanted from the Virtua Cop licence with all the levels and original features from the arcade and Dreamcast versions, training and co-op modes plus special weapons and power-ups.

Virtua Cop Elite Edition

news page pic Virtua Tennis 2 (PS2, £34.99, Acclaim)

Coming a year after the Dreamcast version, this sequel includes 16 internationally-ranked mens and womens tennis players, singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches for up to four players, multiple game modes (Tournament, Exhibition, World Tour), the ability to train your players, and also many mini games.

Virtua Tennis 2

news page pic WRC Arcade (PSX, £19.99, Sony)

The latest World Rally Championship game contains 7 official 2002 WRC cars including the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Hyundai Accent, 14 official track locations, several single-player modes and a two-player split-screen mode, hidden bonuses and unlockable extras.

WRC Arcade

news page pic WRC II Extreme (PS2, £39.99, Sony)

The only licenced WRC game on a next-generation console with new game modes: alternate 1-4 player WRC season and Custom Rally, plus a 2-player Super Special Stages. All the 2002 season cars are here with advanced handling dynamics and six "Extreme" bonus cars designed with no limits.

WRC II Extreme

news page pic WWE Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth (PS2, £39.99, THQ)

Can you smell what The Rock is cooking once more? This is the latest game in the series with more WWE superstars than ever before, an in-depth story mode with multiple character paths, new match types, a variety of backstage areas and more than 14 pay-per-view arenas.

The game includes thousands of animations including signature moves, there's an improved Create-a-wrestler mode, an expanded partner system and enhanced multiplayer capabilities.

WWE Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth

news page pic WWE Wrestlemania X8 (Gamecube, £39.99, THQ)

Gamecube owners need not miss out on the WWE action as this game features over 35 wrestlers including Hulk Hogan, Rob Van Dam and Booker T, you can master each superstar's unique wrestling style and create-a-superstar, choosing moves and appearance.

35 match types are available in six different arenas, all with a TV-style presentation.

WWE Wrestlemania X8

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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