DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Dan Owen
returns with his movie news section which looks at future
releases and features US and UK Top 10 cinema listings, UK release dates,
movie websites and trailers.
Frank Sidebottom on the DVDfever YouTube channel...
Yesterday, the one and only brilliant Frank Sidebottom made an all-too-brief
appearance in The Organ Game on The Paul O'Grady Show, and if you missed it
then you can catch the footage online now.
Also, Frank's finally got a new TV show that can be watched on Channel M
and the episodes are streamed online via that channel's website if you don't
have Sky (since that's upon where the broadcast) so follow the Frank picture
(above-right) for the clip from Paul O'Grady's show and for more info on
how to watch Frank's new show! Fantastic!
Also uploaded recently are two more snippets of The Wright Stuff -
one about a couple of intriguing blind dates, and a bizarre one regarding
annual AIDS tests which really catches Matthew off-guard! There's nothing
like live television!!
Click on the image for Frank (right) and check back regularly for more additions
and feel free to subscribe so you get instantly notified of anything new
that's uploaded.
The release dates for singles go up until late January
with albums also until March 2007.
End credit interruptions get a bashing on Points of View on the DVDfever YouTube channel...
Well, it's certainly something the viewers complain about in droves as you're
trying to savour the music played out as you reflect upon what you've just
seen... only for the shouty announcer to boom out what's on next on every
channel they run. Gah! It's so annoying.
So, Points of View sent one of their alleged Special Correspondents to ask
one BBC bod what the point of these is and she was the most arrogant person
I've ever heard speak on the BBC - and that takes some doing. Take a look
at what she had to say on Sunday, by clicking on the Youtube logo (above-right).
Check back regularly for more additions
and feel free to subscribe so you get instantly notified of anything new
that's uploaded.
The BBC Complaints Unit - what is the point of them?...
I say that because when it comes to making a complaint they're largely ineffective.
In the first episode of the new series of Don't Watch That Watch This, on BBC4,
the final sketch was being played out, of Tony Blair supposedly 'singing' "Things Can Only
Get Better" and the damn continuity announcer talked all over the top of it!!! Noooooooooooooo!
Talk about destroying the atmosphere/punchline/etc!
When *SOMETHING IS HAPPENING ONSCREEN* the announcer MUST stay silent!
Never mind what's on next.
The person responding to my complaint said:
"I note your general
appreciation of the programme but also your concern that a continuity
announcement was made over the closing sketch.
As previous correspondence on similar issues has stated, trailers and
presentation announcements over end credits which are done with thought
allow us to draw the viewers' attention to programmes that they might
also enjoy, particularly if our
research shows they have similar audience profiles. This helps to
create the sense of a coherent service and provide a full picture of
what the BBC has to offer especially when it is operating in an
increasingly competitive environment. For the vast majority of viewers
end credit trailers are a welcome and useful source of additional
information about programmes which fit in well with their normal
viewing practices.
Having said this, we do take great care in considering when and how to
use end credit trailers. The guiding principle is that we should avoid
them when they clash with programme content. We hope that, handled with
care and sensitivity, they do not offend or irritate our viewers
Nevertheless, I do acknowledge your discontent and can assure you that
your comments on this matter will be fully registered and made
available to the 'Don't Watch That, Watch This!' production team, our
Presentation department and indeed senior management within the BBC.
Feedback of this nature helps us when making decisions about future BBC
programmes and services and your views will most certainly play a part
in this process."
Then after the next episode, I emailed them again:
"Following on from
last week's first episode in the current series, once again the final
sketch of the show *IN WHICH SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING DURING THE END
CREDITS* was talked over, so clearly the Presentation Department and
the senior management in the BBC are not listening on this one because,
once again, the atmosphere was completely destroyed and the production
team of the show may as well have not bothered and put up a blank
screen for the end credits to be waffled over.
Clearly no-one is taking any care when it comes to interrupting this
programme, and since there are four more episodes to go in this series,
shall I send my four complaints in for those episodes in advance?"
Then, on Sunday, they replied:
"I understand that you were unhappy because you
felt the end of the 22 November was interrupted by a presentation
announcement again. However, other than reiterating my colleague (name
deleted from this post)'s previous comments on this issue, there is not
much more that I can add.
Please be assured that your additional comments have been registered on
our daily log for the 'Don't Watch That, Watch This!' production team
and the BBC FOUR Presentation team.
I must emphasise that styles and policies are continually being
assessed and changed based on feedback from the general public, and
comments such as your own form a vital part of the monitoring process
we constantly undertake"
And so I hit back with the following:
"There's a lot more that you and the BBC can do about this, and that is
to stop the practice of continuity announcers talking over the end
credits of any programme at all. It's that simple.
In the new issue of the Radio Times is a letter from a viewer
complaining about how such an announcement over the end credits ruined
the finale of Afterlife. The letters editor replied that they have had
many similar letters about TV shows in the past.
Also, not long ago the BBC had endless complaints about the finale of
Casanova when an Eastenders trail over the end credits completely
trashed a sensitive ending.
Points of View acknowledged this, just as you are acknowledging my
complaint about Don't Watch That Watch This, but for you to say 'I must
emphasise that styles and policies are continually being assessed and
changed based on feedback from the general public, and comments such as
your own form a vital part of the monitoring process we constantly
undertake' is, quite frankly, an absolute falsehood because for years
you and other broadcasters have been told that these announcements are
annoying, and what is the sum total of your assessment and changes as a
result of feedback from the general public?
I'll tell you: Nothing. It's so transparent it would be funny if it
wasn't so annoying just how much contempt all British TV organisations
have for their viewers.
I'm sure if you were to lose a pound from the licence fee paid by each
viewer for every time you did something to irritate them you'd soon
stop passing the buck and start actually listening to the viewers who
pay your wages."
In the BBC were a private company making such bad decisions, they'd be
heading into the mire like ITV and getting bought out by Sky, bit by
bit...
For more discussion on this topic,
Visit the Points of View discussion board,
although if you click on the BBC logo (above-right) you'll be able to submit
your own complaint via the BBC website.
The Grand Theft Auto series has produced three strong 3D games on the PS2,
Xbox and the PC, but last Christmas, Rockstar revisited Liberty City from
GTA3 for what became the biggest PSP title to date, Liberty City Stories.
Now, going back two years before the last time we were in Vice City, can
the same success translate to the handheld as worked so well on the PS2?
Of course it can - now go get some!
2002 saw Damien Rice release his debut album 'O', and it must take him such
a long time to come up with new titles as four years on he has released '9'.
Is he just counting down to create a decalog?
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
takes a listen to discover whether Rice can pull it off again.
Thanks to the respective PR companies for these comps which have now closed.
The winners will be notified shortly and the answers are as follows:
Peep Show Series 3 (DVD): Mark's girlfriend is called Sophie.
Cutting Crew & Style Council: Live At Full House Rock Show (DVD): The Cutting Crew song is I've Been In Love Before.
Sir Henry At Rawlinson End (DVD): Vivian Stanshall played the Narrator.
Tittybangbang Series 1 (DVD): The character on the cover says "Don't look at me, I'm... shy."
Postman Pat and the Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas (DVD): Postman Pat's cat is called Jess.
Shameless Series 3 (DVD): The Gallagher family live on the Chatsworth estate.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance (PS2): The game features an estimated 140 popular comic book characters.
50 Cent: Bulletproof - G-Unit Edition (Sony PSP): The 50 Cent song is In Da Club.
Annabel Karmel returns to the DVDfever YouTube channel...
Annabel Karmel (right) makes books about nutrition for kids but
never mind that, she is quite simply hot, and she returned to The Wright Stuff
with something else that I ignored while staring at her for the duration of
the interview, which is now online in three parts.
Also uploaded recently are trailers for BBC3's engaging comedy-drama
Pulling, Channel 4's The Russell Brand Show and Blunder,
a trailer for episode 6 of Torchwood plus, just to prove how bad they
are, trailers for BBC1's alleged Friday comedy offerings Jam & Jerusalem
and Not Going Out
Click on the image for Annabel (right) and check back regularly for more additions
and feel free to subscribe so you get instantly notified of anything new
that's uploaded.
CHARTS: Emma Bunton vs. Take That - who got the No.1...?
Come back tomorrow for the latest chart analysis.
New DVDs out this week...
This week's new releases are as follows:
A-Ha: Homecoming - Live at Vall Hall/Headlines and Deadlines (17.99, Warner Vision)
The Beiderbecke Collection (39.99, Network)
The Bergman Collection (299.99, Tartan)
Cars (21.99, Buena Vista)
Cheers Season 5 (34.99, Paramount)
Cliff Richard Live (19.99, Universal)
Coast Series 2 (29.99, Contender)
Coast Series 1 & 2 (39.99, Contender)
Family Guy: Happy Freakin' Christmas (7.99, Fox)
Frasier Season 5 (34.99, Paramount)
Keith Barrett Live (19.99, 2 Entertain)
The Knock Series 1 (19.99, Network)
Miami Vice (2006) (19.99, Universal)
Michael Flatley: Celtic Tiger (21.99, Universal)
Outside Edge Series 3 (14.99, Network)
Peter Gabriel: Play/Growing Up Live (24.99, Warner Music)
New DVDs and Games coming your way in time for Christmas...
First up in this round-up of new DVDs and games, the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Party Edition
(£39.99, Eidos) includes Buzz! Buzzers and delivers the atmosphere and tension of the hit TV series
but with addition of exciting new party game features. For the first time the whole family will be able to
play against each other to fight for the right to win a virtual million pounds.
With legendary host Chris Tarrant calling all the shots the aim of the game, as you probably already know,
is to win a million pounds. However with the addition of multiplayer party modes it will take nerves of
steel as well as brains and to land the big prize. Unfortunately, the game doesn't come with a million
pounds, so instead we're going to convert your financial winnings into points. Do you have what it takes?
We'll keep our fingers crossed.
This game includes 2 classic single player modes and 5 brand new multiplayer party modes. It's hosted
by the legendary Chris Tarrant, features new gameplay functionality Double-Dare, Pass, Steal and Chances,
contains over 4000 exclusive new questions and sees the return of the Online Millionaire's club.
Get a Big Box of Bottom on DVD...
In a 7-disc spectacular, this boxset features the violent, disgusting and frequently hilarious antics of
Richard Richard and Eddie Hitler.
It includes the live shows BOTTOM LIVE - THE STAGE SHOW, BOTTOM - THE BIG NUMBER 2 SHOW, BOTTOM 3 -
HOOLIGAN'S ISLAND, BOTTOM LIVE 2001 - AN ARSE ODDITY, BOTTOM LIVE 2003 - WEAPONS GRADE Y-FRONTS TOUR,
BEST OF BOTTOM LIVE and the film GUEST HOUSE PARADISO.
This DVD boxset is out on December 4th from Universal Pictures Video for
£39.99.
For a review of the movie on the film disc,
click here!
Ben Kweller releases his third solo CD...
In his early life, American singer-songwriter got to hang around with
the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Nils Lofgren, but what
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
wants to find out is whether those influences have rubbed off on him.
Stuck for something to do this weekend? The list of the films showing at
Manchester Showcase Cinema
can be found on this page, and won't differ much from what's on in the rest
of the country.
The new films out include: Hollwoodland, Rampage, Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny, The Santa Clause 3, Something New and
Jackass Number Two
Is Albert Hammond Jr's solo CD a 'keeper' on CD...?
The rhythm guitarist from the Strokes goes out for his solo album, but
is this debut from the 26-year-old one that you'll want to 'keep'?
Find out from
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts.
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Dan Owen
returns with his movie news section which looks at future
releases and features US and UK Top 10 cinema listings, UK release dates,
movie websites and trailers.
The release dates for singles go up until mid-January
with albums also until March 2007.
Jet take a 'shine' to their new CD...
Following up their 2003 two-million seller Get Born,
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
lends an ear to their latest album and finds that being named after a
Wings song means Lennon and McCartney are never far from their thoughts.
The new competitions online are as follows, including two new ones added today:
Cliff Richard Live (DVD)
The War of the Worlds Live (DVD)
Phoenix Nights & Max and Paddy Boxsets (DVD)
8 Out of 10 Cats: Claws Out (DVD)
Happy Feet (PS2)
Kath & Kim Series 1 & 2 Boxset (DVD)
A Christmas Carol (DVD)
British Hit Singles and Albums (DVD)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance (PS2)
Peep Show Series 3 (DVD)
Cutting Crew & Style Council: Live At Full House Rock Show (DVD)
Sir Henry At Rawlinson End (DVD)
Tittybangbang Series 1 (DVD)
Postman Pat and the Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas (DVD)
Shameless Series 3 (DVD)
50 Cent: Bulletproof - G-Unit Edition (Sony PSP)
Deal Or No Deal breaks new DVD sales record...
DEAL OR NO DEAL BREAKS NEW DVD SALES RECORD!
It's official - the Deal Or No Deal DVD game is on track to being the
best-selling interactive DVD game of all time.
The phenomenon that is Deal Or No Deal keeps on rolling as sales figures
announced this week puts the interactive DVD game version firmly on course
to be this year's Christmas DVD number one and possibly the biggest-selling
DVD of the year.
Released on Monday 13th November, the Deal Or No Deal DVD game sold a
staggering day one 25,067 units making it the fastest-selling DVD game of
all time. With a further 10,343 units sold on day 2 total sales are now up
to an unbelievable 87,558 for week 1 making it on track to being the
best-selling interactive DVD game ever.
The closest any other interactive
DVD game has come to this was the 2005 release of Now That's What I Call A
Music Quiz (EMI) with day one sales reaching just over 10, 000 units sold it
then went onto sell 70,000 units in its first week.
Deal Or No Deal has taken the nation by storm in 2006 regularly achieving
audiences of up to 4.5 million viewers on Channel 4 and recently won Best
Daytime TV Programme at the 2006 National Television Awards. The show has
given it's enigmatic host Noel Edmonds a massive resurgence in his career
making him once again a household name.
Noel Edmonds said: "Deal Or No Deal has totally exceeded all expectations
and I'm just thrilled to be involved in something so popular and well-loved.
The DVD game has captured all the ingredients and the mood of the show."
Deal or No Deal has won the international Rose D'Or award for Best Game
Show; a Royal Television Society award for Daytime Programme of the Year, a
TV Quick award for Best Daytime Programme, and Noel received his first Bafta
nomination at the age of 57 for Best Entertainment Performance.
To see our review of this disc, click on the packshot (top-right).
Robert Downey Jr goes for a little Kiss Kiss Bang Bang on DVD...
An interesting thriller, and the directorial debut for Lethal Weapon
scriptwriter Shane Black, starring Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer and
Michelle Monaghan, in which Downey goes to Hollywood to star as a
private eye in a new movie, tutored by Kilmer, but things take a very
surprising turn...
With a new compilation, Twenty Five, hitting the top of the album
charts yesterday after its first week of release,
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
went to see George Michael performs all his classic hits in Manchester
and was very impressed.
It's the gameshow sensation of the past year or so on Channel 4 and little
Noel Edmonds has made a big comeback with this simple, yet cunning, outing
but while it gets the ratings on TV, how does it fare as an interactive
game when you can't actually win any real money?
And that's because this 38-track compilation is spread over two CDs,
packed with goodies from the Irish folk masters and, as
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
confirms, The Dubliners have made, to date, 35 albums over 44 years so
they must be doing something right.
Stuck for something to do this weekend? The list of the films showing at
Manchester Showcase Cinema
can be found on this page, and won't differ much from what's on in the rest
of the country.
The new films out include: Breaking and Entering and
World Trade Center (again, for some reason).
The first ex-Beatle to score a solo No.1 hit, My Sweet Lord, George Harrison
continued to explore spiritual themes with his band on this very personal
album, quoth
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts.
The Beatles Commemorative Plaque Project in Wales continues...
Courtesy of DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts:
On Friday 24 November, the third circular Beatles commemorative plaque in
Wales will be erected on the Nova Centre Prestatyn in Denbighshire, north
Wales.
The plaque celebrates 44 years to the day the Fab Four played at the former
Royal Lido Ballroom (Saturday 24 November) – their second booking in
Wales. This now follows the success of plaques at Y Pentan pub in Mold
(rear of the former Assembly Hall, now Lloyds/TSB) and the Burtons store
(formerly the Regent Dansette) in Rhyl.
The bi-lingual plaque will be presented to Prestatyn Town Mayor Mrs. Sharon
Forbisher at 11 am.
History will repeat itself when special guest Mr. Joe Flannery returns to
the venue. Mr.Flannery was The Beatles booking agent responsible for
bringing the Fab Four to Prestatyn for the one and only time. The fee was
£30 for two 45 minute spots. He will be bringing along the original contract
and an original Love Me Do single, (which the Prestatyn show helped to boost
sales), both framed and on display at The Beatles Story at the Albert Dock
Liverpool. He will give a short speech about the booking.
Also in attendance will be representatives from co-supporters - Prestatyn
Town Council, Denbighshire County Council, Clwyd Leisure Trust, local
historian Harry Thomas, Beatles historian Ray O’Brien, plaque designer and
original Beatles illustrator Tony Booth, and Elly Roberts. Both Joe Flannery
and Elly Roberts will be interviewed by Alan Thompson on BBC Radio Wales
(93-96 FM/104FM – 882/657 MW) at 3.30pm on Thursday 23 November. For
posterity, BBC Radio Wales are also intending to record the presentation.
As part of the celebration, local Beatles tribute band The Cavern will play
a one hour set using a similar setlist from the night, including hits Love
Me Do, PS I Love You, Please Please Me, I Want To Hold Your Hand, amongst
others.
There is an open invitation to the general public, fans that attended the
show, or any other interested parties, where free light refreshment will be
available.
(Plaques for Abergavenny and Cardiff in 2007 are at the planning stage)
Press/media are welcomed for photo ops and interviews.
For further information, contact:
Elly Roberts on 07765862017, or Ray O'Brien on 0151-5128398.
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Dan Owen
returns with his movie news section which looks at future
releases and features US and UK Top 10 cinema listings, UK release dates,
movie websites and trailers.
According to
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts,
the Morenas are one helluva rock back and deserve to be massive based on
their performance at last year's Oswestry Music Live festival. With a live
session already having been played on Janice Long's Radio 2 show, this band
certainly sound like a one to watch.
The release dates for singles go up until mid-January
with albums also until March 2007.
Can Badly Drawn Boy make a well-produced album on CD...?
Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy, has made many a great album, but does his
latest work also cut the mustard following releases that have spawned classic
tunes such as Disillusion, Pissing in the Wind, Something To Talk About
and It Came From The Ground?
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
dons a beany hat to find out.
The Beatles Commemorative Plaque Project in Wales...
Courtesy of DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts:
Following recent conversations with Mr.Jeff Wilson, manager at the Capitol
Shopping Centre in Cardiff, I can now confirm that the landlords of the
centre have given consent for a Beatles commemorative plaque to be erected
inside the building.
A designated area is subject to approval.
The black circular plaque, approximately 18" in diameter, is in keeping with
black and white images of the 1960s.
The bi-lingual inscription in white, will state that it was the final
concert tour show that The Fab Four played in Wales and the UK on SUNDAY 12
DECEMBER 1965.
Sponsors' names will also be included.
We will now be seeking interested parties to provide financial support.
Anyone connected to the event, or fans who attended this prestigious show
should contact - Elly Roberts on 07765862017, or Ray O'Brien on 0151-5128398.
While Rockstar are making GTA offshoots for the PSP, with a review of
Vice City Stories coming shortly, we won't get a full new game until
October 2007, but you can sort-of revisit San Andreas as Canis Canem Edit,
which was previously going to be released as 'Bully', since this title
uses the same engine as the 2004 GTA game.
But is it worth beating up all the other shoppers in the queue just to get
to the front to buy this title?
We brought you
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Helen Jerome's
review of this festival in 2004 and 2005, and today we present her
look back at the films on show for 2006.
What will come high on her recommendation lists this time round?
Her last album was a critical success but not a big seller. However.
this latest release worked both ways for her as it shot to No.3 in the
charts after the first week of release, so no wonder
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
is raving about it.
Annabel who? Well, Annabel Karmel (right) she makes books about nutrition for kids but never mind
that, she is quite simply hot, and her recent segment on The Wright Stuff is
now online in three parts (since you can only upload a certain amount to
each part).
Also uploaded recently is a trailer for episode 5 of Torchwood, shown
last night on BBC3 and this Wednesday on BBC2 at 9pm, plus interviews with
Genesis as they plan to come back to the fore - alas without Peter Gabriel,
a Breakfast segment with the deluded parents who put their kid on anti
depressants since they thought she was acting up because she couldn't go
to the same school as her friends, and another piece on The Wright Stuff
about the 'junk food mum' who fed kids food from the chippy through the gates.
Total madness.
And before you move on, don't forget to check out the trailer for the new
series of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, introducing Simon Amstell who has
been quite a revelation, and finally, for now, a must-see segment from
G@mers as Kate Heavenor explains why we won't see the PS3 this side
of Christmas.
Click on the YouTube logo (right) and check back regularly for more additions
and feel free to subscribe so you get instantly notified of anything new
that's uploaded.
COMPETITION: 9 DVD/PS2/Sony PSP comps...
The new competitions online are as follows:
British Hit Singles and Albums (DVD)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance (PS2)
Peep Show Series 3 (DVD)
Cutting Crew & Style Council: Live At Full House Rock Show (DVD)
Sir Henry At Rawlinson End (DVD)
Tittybangbang Series 1 (DVD)
Postman Pat and the Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas (DVD)
Shameless Series 3 (DVD)
50 Cent: Bulletproof - G-Unit Edition (Sony PSP)
CHARTS: Westlife vs. U2 - who got the No.1...?
Come back tomorrow for the latest chart analysis.
New DVDs out this week...
This week's new releases are as follows:
Balamory: Christmas Collection (15.99, BBC)
Balls of Steel: The Best of Balls of Steel (19.99, VCI)
Beverly Hills 90210 Season 1 (49.99, Paramount)
Bleak House SE (24.99, BBC)
The Break Up (19.99, Universal)
Desperate Housewives Season 2 (44.99, Buena Vista)
New DVDs and Games coming your way in time for Christmas...
First up in this round-up of new DVDs and games, Peep Show Series 3 (£19.99, Channel 4 DVD)
is out now and features all six episodes from the third series of the Channel 4 cult comedy, chronicling
the private - and totally dysfunctional - inner thoughts of two twenty-something flatmates living in
Croydon.
In this series Jeremy (Robert Webb) tries to get over his disastrous marriage to Nancy by embarking on a
series of ill-fated relationships with women one of whom is Mark's sister. Mark (David Mitchell) meanwhile
has finally managed to start dating Sophie only to discover she's being relocated to Bristol.
Also available is a complete Series 1-3 DVD boxset for £29.99.
Don't feel Shameless with this classic series on DVD...
Shameless, the critically acclaimed and brilliantly funny drama from the award winning writer Paul Abbot,
follows the lives of The Gallaghers, the UK’s most dysfunctional family. Beginning with a cracking
feature-length, triumphs, love, scams and a fair bit of crime on Manchester’s Chatsworth Estate – where
wheel-less cars are the norm and the moving ones are stolen.
Shameless Series 3 (£24.99, Channel 4 DVD) is out now.
Also available is a complete Series 1-3 DVD boxset for £44.99.
A Phoenix Nights double bill on DVD...
Out on November 20th is the Phoenix Nights Box Set (£24.99, Channel 4 DVD), complete with brand
new bonus audio CD featuring highlights never before released from the series, specifically written souvenir
brochure & exclusive new packaging, the box set includes all the episodes from series 1 and 2 plus DVD extras.
Set in a northern social club, Peter Kay co-writes and stars as a range of characters in this unique comedy
classic. Peter plays Brian Potter, the wheelchair-bound owner of the fire-blighted Phoenix Club in Bolton
who's determined to see it rise from the ashes. Aiding Brian at the Phoenix are his motley staff: the
resident MC Jerry St Clair (Dave Spikey), the dangerously keen electrician/DJ Ray, the useless doormen Max
and Paddy, the bar and cleaning staff Holy Mary and Marion, the gormless handyman Kenny and the musical
twosome Alan and Les (Les Alanos).
Phoenix Nights Series 1 sees legendary social club owner Brian Potter and his hapless band of staff and
regulars determined to make the Phoenix Club a success, no matter what. Not even a racist folk band, an
unforeseeable psychic or a drunken horse will get in the way of their dream that "club land will never die".
In Series 2, life is not going Brian Potter's way. He has lost everything ... his license, his friends and
his beloved Phoenix Club in a mysterious fire. But as Brian says, "there's only one way to go when you're
on the bones of your arse and that's up". Brian rallies the old gang back together, it's time to raise
the Phoenix from the flames once again.
Claws Out for 8 Out of 10 Cats on DVD...
Currently enjoying its fourth series on Channel 4, which continues tonight at 10pm,
8 Out of 10 Cats: Claws Out (£19.99, Channel 4 DVD) contains all the outrageous bits too
rude to broadcast in this hilarious comedy panel show hosted by Jimmy Carr with team captains Sean Lock
and Dave Spikey with special quests including Alan Carr, David Walliams, Christian Slater, Kelly
Osborne, Patrick McGuiness and Vic Reeves.
Released on November 20th, the DVD will contain over 90 mins of Jimmy & co slagging each other off and
every subject under the sun.
Stand Up for Jimmy Carr on DVD...
Following the huge success of Jimmy Carr Live and Jimmy Carr Stand Up, both DVDs from the award-winning
comedian Jimmy Carr are now available as a Live Collection box set for the first time on DVD. As the face
of Channel 4, Jimmy has risen to become one of the most original and distinctive stars of British comedy,
developing the unique brand of perfectly times one-liners and deadpan delivery for which he has become
so well know.
The Jimmy Carr Live Collection (£22.99, Channel 4 DVD) is out next week.
Get The World of Lee Evans on DVD...
This is the Perrier Award-winning comedian Lee Evans in his first ever TV series on DVD for the first time.
The star of Funny Bones and Mousehunt delivers his unique brand of physical comedy in six short dramas
spread over four half-hour programmes.
Whether he’s meeting his girlfriend’s parents, trying to woo the girl next door, working his first shift
at an allnight garage or picking up a dodgy hitchhiker, Lee inhabits a surreal and hilarious world of
sight-gags, nervous tics and escalating hysteria.
The World of Lee Evans (£12.99, Channel 4 DVD) is out on November 27th.
A quartet of WWE entertainment on DVD...
Four new WWE DVDs from Silver Vision out now or shortly, begin with UFC 61 - Bitter Rivals
(£17.99, out now) which is a 2-disc set containing matches including Tim Sylvia vs. Andrei Arlovski,
Josh Neer vs. Josh Burkman and Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock.
Next up is the Great American Bash 2006 (£17.99, out next Monday), including the World
Heavyweight Championship Match: Booker T vs. Rey Mysterio and the United States Championship Match:
William Regal vs. Finlay, plus the intriguing Four Way Bra and Panties Match with Kristal Marshall
vs. Michelle McCool vs. Ashley vs. Jillian Hall.
Third in this batch is a 4-disc boxset Hulk Hogan - The Ultimate Anthology (£29.99, out
20th November) with matches running from 1980 to 2005. Spanning the 25 years takes in the 1983
AWA Heavyweight Title, many a WWE Championship Match and WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match
and the Legend vs. Icon against Shawn Michaels at Summerslam 2005.
Finally, Summerslam 2006 (£19.99, out next Monday) gives us the World Heavyweight Championship
with King Booker vs. Batista, D-Generation X vs. The McMahons and Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Orton plus the
I Quit Match of Ric Flair vs. Mick Foley.
Mortal Kombat strikes out on the PS2...
When it comes to Mortal Kombat Armageddon (£29.99, out now from Midway Games), there have been
a lot of final battles in the Mortal Kombat universe but this really is the last one – for the current
generation of consoles at least.
Rather than the more adventure style outing of the last game Shaolin Monks, this is a return to the series’
one-on-one beat ‘em-up roots (although there is still an adventure style Konquest mode) with the ability to
play any character from any of the preceding games. This makes for a line-up of other 60 different playable
characters, plus the ability to design your own from scratch.
All the characters will be retrofitted with two different fighting styles, which you can switch between on
the fly, and a melee weapon.
Tekken: Dark Resurrection arrives on the Sony PSP...
Sony's flagship fighting game arrives on the small screen with Tekken: Dark Resurrection
(£34.99, out now from Sony - as are all the rest of the games listed in this feature below). Ten years
after its arrival on PlayStation, this PSP game arrives giving you the ability to do battle wherever and
whenever you are.
Tekken Dark Resurrection brings to PSP more than 30 customisable characters including new arrivals Dragunov
and Lili, favourites from the arcade version and the long awaited return of Armor King. Not only will you
have all the characters in the palm of your hand but also a great choice of game modes including Time
Attack, Gold Rush and Dojo - and the option for multiplayer mayhem in Ad Hoc Wireless Mode.
Take out the Gangs of London on Sony PSP...
Gangs of London (£34.99, out now) offers a variety of modes of play including Story Mode, Gang Battle, Free Roaming, London
Pub Games and a unique Game Sharing mode. Each mission is separated with narratives that guide players
through the background story of criminal masterminds fighting for the right to be called London's number
one gangster.
Gamers can re-play missions from different gang perspectives. If it's pickup and play gaming that players
are looking for, Gangs of London also offers a set of British Pub mini-games that include darts, pool and
skittles.
Gangs of London also supports a completely original Game Share mode that will generate a new level unique
to each PSP system, with the content dependent on the serial number of the target system. Once activated,
players will find themselves faced with uniquely different mission objectives, environments, characters
and weaponry.
Get a Passport To Paris on Sony PSP...
The Passport To... (£19.99 each and out now) is a stunning series of multimedia, interactive city guides
created with the help of the travel gurus at Lonely Planet and exclusively available on PSP.
The six city guides cover Europe's most popular destinations: Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Paris, Prague and Rome.
Each guide has been developed with the young city breaker and frequent traveller in mind and comes packed
with information on how to experience the very best places in town - from the latest restaurants to the most
underground of clubs - along with videos, audio walks, photography, maps and pre-planned itineraries to suit
every sort of visit, and every type of adventurous traveller.
With plans for additional downloadable updates, videos, stills, and special interest itineraries - Passport
To... is one travel guide that will never be out of date, so get off the beaten track, hang out with the
locals, live a little and let Passport To... help you discover the true heart of the city.
For Czech lovers, a review of
Passport To Prague
for the Sony PSP is online now.
Get your motor running with Ridge Racer 2 on Sony PSP...
Ridge Racer is back with an adrenaline fuelled racing experience featuring many new courses and vehicles.
Put your foot down, kick in the nitrous and roar through 42 intense, challenging courses. Master the drift
handling and take corners at exhilarating speeds to leave opponents trailing in your wake.
Ridge Racer 2 (£34.99) is out now and features new Arcade, Duel and Survival modes in addition
to the original Time Attack mode and rearranged World Tours mode, 62 high-speed vehicles available with
eight brand new cars and you can compete against up to eight players via Ad Hoc Mode.
Liberate a new Killzone on the Sony PSP...
In Killzone Liberation (£34.99, out now), two months after the events of Killzone, most of
southern Vekta is still under Helghast control. The rules of war have been cast aside with the Helghast
General, Metrac, employing brutal measures in order to seize the initiative and strengthen his position
further.
Returning as Templar, players will be sent on a mission to undertake a covert operation to save hostages
captured by Metrac, while ISA troops continue the fight for liberty.
Game features include:
Vehicles - Killzone Liberation also allows players to drive vehicles including tanks and hovercrafts to help defeat the powerful and intelligent enemy.
Challenge Games - Players can compete in challenge games to sharpen their skills and earn new abilities.
Multiplayer Functionality - The multiplayer functionality in Killzone Liberation takes full advantage of the wireless capabilities of the PSP hardware, with two distinct styles of gameplay.
Gameshare Mode - Killzone Liberation features gameshare mode where players can share demo levels of the game with other PSP system owners.
Unique Third Person Camera - This new intelligent camera system gives the player the best overview capturing all of the intense action, enabling them to make tactical decisions before engaging in a firefight
New and Returning Characters - The player reprises the role of the battle hardened Templar (although other
familiar characters appear including Rico) as he attempts to save ISA hostages taken captive by the evil General
Metrac and leads the battle to gain the liberation of Southern Vekta. The player will have to overcome all new
Helghast enemies including bodyguards (complete with riot shield defence) and trained killer dogs
Missions - The fight against the new, sinister General spans over 16 missions in a variety of new environments.
Weaponry - Players will be able to utilize a wide range of weaponry including sniper rifles and a crossbow with explosive tipped arrows and more
Tactical Command System - At specific points in the game, players will be able to use a new Tactical Command System to give orders to an AI buddy during frantic firefights
Shift into top gear with MotoGP on Sony PSP...
Get ready for an intense racing experience with last-minute overtaking and death-defying cornering - all on
two wheels with nothing between you and the ground!
This is the first time the MotoGP championship has appeared on PSP, allowing fans to race against their
biking heroes, including Italian legend Valentino Rossi and Spanish veteran Sete Gibernau, on some of the
most exciting circuits in motor sport.
MotoGP (£34.99, out now), will let players experience one of the most exhilarating and competitive
motor sports in the world - and gives them the chance to take on their friends in thrilling Wireless
multiplayer races for up to eight players via Ad Hoc Mode.
The latest Ace Combat game on the PS2...
Ace Combat: The Belkan War (£29.99, out now) is the latest chapter in the acclaimed Ace Combat
franchise on PlayStation 2, widely considered the definitive arcade-style aerial combat series. Serving as a
prequel to the previous PlayStation 2 release, The Belkan War will answer questions surrounding the dramatic
conflict fought in Ace Combat: Squadron Leader.
A whole host of new game features have also been introduced, to provide an even more exciting and immersive
dog fighting experience for rookie Ace Combat pilots and seasoned aces alike. Contest varied missions as you
battle invading forces and the fate of Ustio and its people hangs in the balance.
With a choice of more than 30 licensed aircraft you have the opportunity to fly the world's most elite modern
fighters and experience the thrill of dog fighting. Waiting to face you is a range of enemy squadrons, each
led by rival ace pilots with distinctive personalities and tactics.
As the plot evolves, these aces are
interviewed retrospectively about your flying style and the impact you have on the course of the war.
The result is compelling blend of action and drama that no potential ace could resist.
Classic Lemmings follow aplenty on the PS2...
In Lemmings (£24.99, out now), danger is barely a footstep away for the relentlessly marching
hordes of green-haired critters and, thanks to incredible EyeToy compatibility, you can now use your body
as well as your brains to save every Lemming.
This title features over 150 levels of madcap bashing, digging, building, climbing and mining, plus
20 EyeToy compatible levels put yourself on TV to rescue the rodents. You can create your own levels then
upload them for other Lemmings fans to share online, and download levels created by owners of Lemmings on
PlayStation 2 and PSP.
The B-Boys breakdance on Sony PS2 and PSP...
If you already knew that B-Boys mean breakdancing then there's probably little chance you won't enjoy this
cleverly conceived dance off simulator. Designed almost like a beat 'em-up you have to prove your superior
dancing skills in a minute long outbreak of acrobatics against a rival. Using four basic moves you're able
to string combos together, earning extra moves as you progress through the story mode.
You also have to keep the rhythm of the music with the shoulder buttons or you'll risk falling flat on
your face. Waiting for your go in a match can become a bore and the game menus and interface are
unnecessarily obscure, but the superb soundtrack ensures that Hip-Hop fans are unlikely to care too much.
With some superb animation this is one of the most assured and inventive music games for ages.
B-Boy is out now on Sony PSP (£34.99) and Sony PS2 (£29.99).
EyeToy Play Sports arrives on Sony PS2...
2006 is a bumper year for sport, with the World Cup and the Winter Olympics& and EyeToy: Play Sports
(£39.99, out now) adds a whole lot more sporting fun. With over 101 off-the-wall mini-games to tackle, it's
easy to see why this has the potential to inspire a new generation of budding Olympians and World Cup winners.
Team-based gameplay means you need to recruit some active and passionate team-mates in order to achieve
sporting success. With the new Team Modes, parents can take on the kids and the boys can play the girls,
with up to eight people taking part at any one time.
If you can't handle the heat or if your fitness needs working on, then the drop-in/drop-out mode means
you can jump in the competition whenever you're ready. With 101 different games to choose from, you're bound
to have favourite games you won't want to miss.
Sing your heart out on the Sony PS2...
They make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, your feet start to tap and soon enough you're
singing along with gusto We all know the effect hearing a classic track can have and everyone has a tune
that finds them singing their heart out, just like their music idols. SingStar Legends (£39.99, out now)
on PlayStation2 will bring your living room to life with a selection of the biggest household names in musical
history.
As the latest addition to the SingStar family, SingStar Legends boasts a play list that reads like a
'who's who' of music royalty; from Elton John to Nirvana and Tina Turner to Johnny Cash, SingStar Legends
has something for everyone.
SingStar Legends is a great way to get all the family in the mood for some festive fun. With two high
quality microphones that are easy to set up and even easier to use, up to eight players can compete in a
sing-off whilst dancing away to the original music videos (where available). The full line-up can be found
by clicking on the packshot (above-right).
A Buzz-ing double bill on Sony PS2...
Finally in this round-up,
Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party (£39.99, out now) is the ideal experience for kids of all ages to
dive in to. With an easy-to-use Buzzer in hand, go head-to-head against up to three of your mates or family
to see if you have the skills you need to build a banana empire and be crowned King of the Jungle. Choose
your monkey character with care each has a distinctly naughty personality and then take part in one of
up to 40 wild and wacky mini games deep in the jungle.
But the secret to success is not just having a laugh, as you find out if you have what it takes to demolish
a Totem pole, beat out the craziest bongo beat with your Orangutan drum instructor or base jump clutching an
anvil! And if you survive all that not to mention being pelted with coconuts and eaten by lions - then it's
'farty' time as you sit back in the jungle Jacuzzi and celebrate with your friends and the windy gorilla
just watch out for the smelly bubbles.
Buzz Sports (£39.99, out now) is a must for both quiz and sports aficionados alike. It also
sees the now 'legendary' Buzz return for his third series of the hugely successful Buzz Quiz series.
Buzz himself commented, "They just had to have me back for another series and this time it's Sports,
something I am a natural at. With some of the high profile friends I have in the sports world, I have
been offered plenty of incentives to make sure certain celebs are included. But any money I do receive will
obviously go straight to charity."
Buzz Sports features support for up to 8 players, enough for the whole 'team' to play in this top of the
league sports quiz clash. With 10 individual rounds to battle through, including Spin and World of Sport,
Finish Line, Estimation and old Buzz favourites like Points Builder & Pass the Bomb, Buzz Sports will have
you wishing for 'extra time' every time you pick up your Buzzer.
Buzz Sports also brings back some of your favourite Buzz characters kitted up in different sports attire,
Disco Stevie as a Basketball player, Gina as a tennis player and Pelvis as a darts player, to name just a
few. The Buzz studio has also been transformed for Buzz Sports, an indoor sports arena now greets contestants
when they leave the locker room to face the camera, lights and audience.
Updated cinema listings...
Stuck for something to do this weekend? The list of the films showing at
Manchester Showcase Cinema
can be found on this page, and won't differ much from what's on in the rest
of the country.
The new films out include: Breaking and Entering and
World Trade Center (again, for some reason).
As
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
puts it, it's time to drool over these simultaneous releases, which is both
a DVD of 'Free Forever', a re-release of their CD 'Chronicles', reviewed
previously on this site, and another CD, 'Live at the BBC'.
The Style Council at the Full House Rock Show on DVD...
One of the many short sets produced for Germany's Full House Rock Show
programme, The Style Council's Speak Like a Child was one of my first
ever singles back in 1983, and this gig, captured four years later features
eight songs.
A band with a huge cult following in the USA,
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
confirms this is an epic live CD from this quintet with 21 tracks spread
over two CDs.
The release dates for singles go up until mid-December
with albums also until March 2007.
Bert Jansch rides a Black Swan onto CD...
Over 40 years since his debut album,
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
confirms that Bert Jansch has influenced musicians all over the world and
guest stars on this latest release including Devendra Banhart and Bert Orton.
Linda Papadopoulos on the DVDfever YouTube channel...
Once, one of the key psychologists on Big Brother, Dr Linda Papadopoulos (right)
has a lot to say, and you can hear it once you've got past those big
anime-style puppy-dog eyes of hers...
With two additions added online, the first is her appearance on The Wright
Stuff last Tuesday when she appeared on the health slot talking about 'Dealing
With Death', despite her attire not being particularly suitable for the topic,
not that I minded too much, and the second is from the day after when, on
BBC's Breakfast, she talked about the effect of scary movies such as the
new 'Saw 3' film.
Click on the YouTube logo (right) and check back regularly for more additions
and feel free to subscribe so you get instantly notified of anything new
that's uploaded.
When I went interrailing in Europe with a good friend from Uni back in the
summer of 1992, one of my favourite places with the city of Prague where
we spent three fantastic days. Getting a travel guide for such a city
will tell you a fair bit about the location as you turn the pages, so how
good would it be instead to have some form of interactive travel guide on
a handheld device? It could be an absolute boon if it's done right...
One of rock music's greatest long-stayers, all one has to do is list the
classic songs of Chris Rea's such as Fool If You Think It's Over,
Stainsby Girls, On The Beach, Josephine and, of course, The Road
To Hell.
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
is also pleased to note that this package comes complete with a DVD.
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Dan Owen
returns after a break with his movie news section which looks at future
releases and features US and UK Top 10 cinema listings, UK release dates,
movie websites and trailers.
Christopher Lee and Neighbours on the DVDfever YouTube channel...
And they're all from recent BBC Breakfasts, including last week when Christopher
Lee was interviewed, at the age of 84, putting acting to the side for one
moment while he releases an album of opera songs. Then, to promote Neighbours
for a change (since it's been over 3 years since they actually showed a trailer
for it - when Toadie and Dee's wedding day went sour), Izzy, Karl and Susan
Kennedy appeared to talk about how it's almost the 20th anniversary of the
first UK broadcast.
Also uploaded recently is a trailer for episode four of Torchwood, which aired
last night on BBC3 and is on this Wednesday on BBC2, and another Breakfast
interview to do with the new computer game Canis Canem Edit, or 'Bully'
as it was originally going to be called, which comes from the same distributor
as the Grand Theft Auto series. A representative of Rockstar had to put
straight a woman who reckoned it was full of unnecessary violence. She was
clearly mental.
Click on the YouTube logo (right) and check back regularly for more additions
and feel free to subscribe so you get instantly notified of anything new
that's uploaded.
COMPETITION: 8 DVD/PS2/Sony PSP comps...
The new competitions online are as follows:
Marvel Ultimate Alliance (PS2)
Peep Show Series 3 (DVD)
Cutting Crew & Style Council: Live At Full House Rock Show (DVD)
Sir Henry At Rawlinson End (DVD)
Tittybangbang Series 1 (DVD)
Postman Pat and the Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas (DVD)
Shameless Series 3 (DVD)
50 Cent: Bulletproof - G-Unit Edition (Sony PSP)
CHARTS: McFly vs. Fedde Le Grande - who got the No.1...?
Come back tomorrow for the latest chart analysis.
New DVDs out this week...
This week's new releases are as follows:
24 Season 5 (49.99, Fox)
24 Seasons 1-5 BS (149.99, Fox)
A For Andromeda (2006) (14.99, DD)
Amazing Stories Season 1 (27.99, Universal)
Blast (15.99, Paramount)
Bookies (15.99, Paramount)
Budgie: The Complete Series (59.99, Network)
Creature Comforts Series 2 (19.99, Momentum)
The Deadly Affair (12.99, Columbia)
Doc Martin Series 1 & 2 (19.99, Momentum)
Doctor Who: The Invasion (19.99, BBC)
A Fast Show Threesome (Grass, Ted & Ralph, Swiss Toni Series 1 & 2) (34.99, BBC)
Joyeux Noel (15.99, Columbia)
Mission Impossible 3 (19.99, Paramount)
Mission Impossible 3 SE (24.99, Paramount)
Mission Impossible 1-3 BS (29.99, Paramount)
Nearest and Dearest Series 5 (19.99, Network)
The Office: An American Workplace Season 2 (19.99, Universal)
Peep Show Series 3 (19.99, VCI)
Peep Show Series 1-3 BS (29.99, VCI)
Police Squad: The Complete Series (19.99, Paramount)
Postman Pat and the Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas (14.99, Universal)
Prime Suspect: The Final Act (12.99, Granada)
Prime Suspect: The Complete Collection (99.99, Granada)
The Royle Family Complete Collection (49.99, Granada)
QI Series 1 (19.99, BBC)
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (14.99, Disc)
The War of the Worlds Live SE (24.99, Universal)
The Wind That Shakes the Barley SE (19.99, Fox)
Upstairs Downstairs Series 5 (29.99, Network)
Upstairs Downstairs: The Complete Series (129.99, Network)
UFC 21 & 22 (19.99, Silver Vision)
UFC 61: Bitter Rivals (17.99, Silver Vision)
WWE Survivor Series 1995/1996 (19.99, Silver Vision)
Well, 32 years really as their album, Kimono My House, has been
re-released with 3 new bonus tracks. Not sure which hits this opus from the
Mael brothers spawned? Class tracks This Town Ain't Big Enough and
Amateur Hour.
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
talks us through it.
The new competitions online are as follows, including one new one added
today:
Marvel Ultimate Alliance (PS2)
Peep Show Series 3 (DVD)
Cutting Crew & Style Council: Live At Full House Rock Show (DVD)
Sir Henry At Rawlinson End (DVD)
Tittybangbang Series 1 (DVD)
Postman Pat and the Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas (DVD)
Shameless Series 3 (DVD)
50 Cent: Bulletproof - G-Unit Edition (Sony PSP)
Updated cinema listings...
Stuck for something to do this weekend? The list of the films showing at
Manchester Showcase Cinema
can be found on this page, and won't differ much from what's on in the rest
of the country.
The new films out include: Borat, Little Children, '66 and
Mischief Night.
The release dates for singles go up until mid-December
with albums also until March 2007.
Steve Adey feels so real on CD...
He might not sing too well, but according to
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts,
Steve Adey has a voice that becomes entrancing and impassioned amongst
the atmospheric and dramatic compositions within.
The new competitions online are as follows, including one new one added
today:
Peep Show Series 3 (DVD)
Cutting Crew & Style Council: Live At Full House Rock Show (DVD)
Sir Henry At Rawlinson End (DVD)
Tittybangbang Series 1 (DVD)
Postman Pat and the Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas (DVD)
Shameless Series 3 (DVD)
50 Cent: Bulletproof - G-Unit Edition (Sony PSP)
HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray DVD - which one should you go for? on the DVDfever YouTube channel...
Recently on BBC2's Working Lunch, technology guru Barry Fox was called upon
to give his thoughts on these two new formats as they're about to be launched
as to whether we should invest in either of them. It certainly makes for a
very interesting interview...
Click on the YouTube logo (right) and check back regularly for more additions
and feel free to subscribe so you get instantly notified of anything new
that's uploaded.
Cutting Crew at the Full House Rock Show on DVD...
Released this week:
One of the many short sets produced for Germany's Full House Rock Show
programme, I was a massive fan of Cutting Crew back in 1986 and enjoyed
their debut album for many years after its release.
This DVD captures their first European gig on the German TV show
with six songs, all of which are a must-hear.
With 11 songs either written or co-writen,
DVDfever.co.uk reviewer Elly Roberts
declares that "behind Jamelia's catwalk image is a steely determination
to be the UK's best R'n'B artist... and she's winning."
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B
37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Jan 2011: Intel Quad Core Dell XPS 8100, i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80Ghz, 8Gb RAM, nVidia GeForce GTS 240, Windows 7
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
The Beatles Commemorative Plaque Project in Wales continues...
