DVDfever.co.uk - Charts, News and Reviews of DVDs, Games, Hardware, Laserdiscs, Cinema Films & more
DVDfever.co.uk - Charts, News and Reviews of DVDs, Games, Hardware, Laserdiscs, Cinema Films & more

This Week's Highlights
Ben X
Nitin Sawhney
Prison Break:
Season 4 Episode 16
New music charts
coming shortly
Andrea McLean's last day on GMTV @ DVDfever Youtube

Last updated
Jan 05 2009

Xbox Gamertag:
DVDfever co uk

Bangkok Dangerous
Just £9.98!

DVD / Blu-ray

The Strangers
Just £12.98!

DVD / Blu-ray

Doctor Who:
Battlefield
Just £10.98!

Wallander
Just £17.98!


Why Donate?

News & Views
Discussion Forum
News Archive
Announcements
All About Us
Email Dom
Write 4 DVDfever
Competitions
Music Charts
Chart Archive
Cinema: Whats on
Cinema Reviews
Press Releases
TV Issues

DVD List
R1 DVD Reviews
R2 DVD Reviews
R3-6 DVD Reviews
CD Reviews
PS2 Reviews
PSP Reviews
Xbox Reviews
Xbox 360 Reviews
Gamecube Revs
GBA Reviews
PC Reviews
Hardware Revs
Concert Reviews
Video Reviews
Comedy Reviews
Book Reviews
Screenplay Reviews
Movie Downloads
Interviews
TV Shows
PSX Reviews
N64 Reviews
Dreamcast Revs
Laserdisc Revs
Short Stories
DVDs In Brief

Right To Reply
Why Widescreen?
DVD Links
Music Links
WS Video List
WS PAL LD List

Me and my
Aortic Valve!

Dan Owen reviews

DAN'S   MOVIE   DIGEST

I s s u e # 1 5 7

2 7   J a n u a r y   2 0 0 6

Cover

MOVIE NEWS

CASINO ROYALE

With Daniel Craig installed as 007, the rest of the cast is beginning to take shape. It was rumoured that Thandie Newton (Mission Impossible II) would be playing latest Bond Girl Vesper Lynd, but a new candidate has emerged in the shapely form of Rose Byrne (right) (Wicker Park).

For the supporting cast, the movie's villain Demetrius (Le Chifre in the novel) will be played by Simon Abkarian, hitman Solari will be played by French actor Seydina Baldi and Italian actress Caterina Murino has got the role of Solonge (Demetrius's girlfriend).

300

British beauty Lena Headey is set to play Queen Gorgo in the upcoming movie adaptation of Frank Miller's 300. Gorgo is married to Gerard Butler's King Leonidas and is one of only two major female roles in the movie.

Headey: "I just wear very little and they go off to war and I'm sort of left holding the political court as they fuck off and fight. Basically, she's in over her head, so she sort of deals with the back home malarkey. I think it's wrapped, so that the boys can get back in their clothes."

"I hardly wore any clothes, so I wished I had trained, but it was a really great experience. The weird blue screen/green screen was freaky. You can't sort of relate to any world, so it's very odd, and emotionally, there's nothing to connect to apart from another actor. It was very strange, but the director Zack Snyder is awesome. He's such a great human being and a brilliant director. It's actually a fantastic role. It was like one scene that was killer and I hope I nailed it."

300 is scheduled to be released by 'Warner Brothers' in 2007.

INDIANA JONES 4

George Lucas has publically stated that he hopes the fourth Indiana Jones movie will be released in 2007.

Cover

HULK 2

A rumour recently surfaced on the internet that David Duchovny (right) would be replacing Eric Bana as Bruce Banner/Hulk in a straight-to-video sequel to Hulk. However, 'Marvel' chairman Avi Arad dismissed these rumours very quickly - saying there are plans for a theatrical sequel, but that the CGI Hulk will likely be downsized to be more realistic and allow for better character interaction.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN II

In Entertainment Weekly's 2006 preview, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest star Orlando Bloom and producer Jerry Bruckheimer talked about the anticipated sequel and the third installment.

Bloom said he is jazzed about one particular scene in the second film. "There's a huge sword sequence, which, if it isn't the sword sequence that puts all sword sequences to bed, then I can't imagine what anyone could ever pull out of the ether to top it," he declares. "It's a clash among three characters — including his Will Turner and Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow — "on a big water-mill wheel as it rolls down a hill. And we fight on top of it, and around it, and inside it. It's crazy."

But will Keith Richards cameo as Jack's dad? "We're trying to work out his tour schedule with our schedule [for No. 3]," says producer Jerry Bruckheimer. "We're optimistic."

SPIDER-MAN 3

In a fresh piece of casting news, Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of director Ron Howard and star of The Village) has been cast as Gwen Stacy - Peter Parker's girlfriend - in the next Spider-Man movie.


Cover

BAFTA 2005 NOMINATIONS... AND PREDICTIONS

1. BEST FILM

  • BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN – Diana Ossana/James Schamus
  • CAPOTE - Caroline Baron/William Vince/Michael Ohoven
  • THE CONSTANT GARDENER – Simon Channing Williams
  • CRASH – Cathy Schulman/Don Cheadle/Bob Yari
  • GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK – Grant Heslov

  • PREDICTION: The Constant Gardener
  • WHY? Well, because there's a chance Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz will add glitz by accepting it (and they're British)

    2. THE ALEXANDER KORDA AWARD for the Outstanding British Film of the Year

    • A COCK & BULL STORY – Andrew Eaton/Michael Winterbottom/Martin Hardy
    • THE CONSTANT GARDENER – Simon Channing Williams/Fernando Meirelles/Jeffrey Caine
    • FESTIVAL – Christopher Young/Annie Griffin
    • PRIDE & PREJUDICE – Tim Bevan/Eric Fellner/Paul Webster/Joe Wright/Deborah Moggach
    • WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT – Peter Lord/David Sproxton/Nick Park/ Steve Box/Mark Burton/Bob Baker

  • PREDICTION: Wallace & Gromit
  • WHY? It deserved to win because it's a true blockbuster success that is truly British (beyond financing)

    3. THE CARL FOREMAN AWARD for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer in their First Feature Film

    • DAVID BELTON (Producer) – Shooting Dogs
    • PETER FUDAKOWSKI (Producer) – Tsotsi
    • ANNIE GRIFFIN (Director/Writer) – Festival
    • RICHARD HAWKINS (Director) – Everything
    • JOE WRIGHT (Director) – Pride & Prejudice

  • PREDICTION: Pride & Prejudice
  • WHY: It's bound to get snubbed at the Oscars, and is the only film nominated that anyone's heard of!

    4. THE DAVID LEAN AWARD for Achievement in Direction

    • BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN – Ang Lee
    • CAPOTE – Bennett Miller
    • THE CONSTANT GARDENER - Fernando Meirelles
    • CRASH – Paul Haggis
    • GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK – George Clooney

  • PREDICTION: Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain

    5. ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

    • CINDERELLA MAN – Cliff Hollingsworth/Akiva Goldsman
    • CRASH - Paul Haggis/Bobby Moresco
    • GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK – George Clooney/Grant Heslov
    • HOTEL RWANDA – Keir Pearson/Terry George
    • MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS – Martin Sherman

  • PREDICTION: Hotel Rwanda
  • WHY? It could go Mrs Henderson's way because of the "Dench factor", but Rwanda is better.

    6. ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

    • BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN – Larry McMurtry/Diana Ossana
    • CAPOTE – Dan Futterman
    • THE CONSTANT GARDENER - Jeffrey Caine
    • A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE – Josh Olson
    • PRIDE & PREJUDICE – Deborah Moggach

  • PREDICTION: Tricky... but Pride will nab it despite being adapted a zillion times.

    7. FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

    • DE BATTRE MON COEUR S’EST ARRΚTΙ (The Beat That My Heart Skipped) – Pascal Caucheteux/Jacques Audiard
    • LE GRAND VOYAGE – Humbert Balsan/Ismaλl Ferroukhi
    • KUNG FU HUSTLE – Stephen Chow/Chui Po Chu/Jeff Lau
    • JOYEUX NOΛL (Merry Christmas) – Christophe Rossignon/Christian Carion
    • TSOTSI – Peter Fudakowski/Gavin Hood

  • PREDICTION: Who knows... but Kung Fu Hustle at least is a recognized movie being nominated!

    8. ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

    • DAVID STRATHAIRN – Good Night, And Good Luck
    • HEATH LEDGER – Brokeback Mountain
    • JOAQUIN PHOENIX – Walk the Line
    • PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – Capote
    • RALPH FIENNES – The Constant Gardener

  • PREDICTION: Ralph Fiennes
  • WHY: He's British.

    9. ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

    • CHARLIZE THERON – North Country
    • JUDI DENCH – Mrs. Henderson Presents
    • RACHEL WEISZ – The Constant Gardener
    • REESE WITHERSPOON – Walk the Line
    • ZIYI ZHANG – Memoirs of a Geisha

  • PREDICTION: Ziyi Zhang.
  • WHY? It will be different, and news-worthy if she won.

    10. ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

    • DON CHEADLE – Crash
    • GEORGE CLOONEY – Good Night, And Good Luck
    • GEORGE CLOONEY – Syriana
    • JAKE GYLLENHAAL – Brokeback Mountain
    • MATT DILLON – Crash

  • PREDICTION: George Clooney
  • WHY? Law of averages! Erm, for Good Night though.

    11. ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

    • BRENDA BLETHYN – Pride & Prejudice
    • CATHERINE KEENER – Capote
    • FRANCES McDORMAND – North Country
    • MICHELLE WILLIAMS – Brokeback Mountain
    • THANDIE NEWTON – Crash

  • PREDICTION: Either Blethyn of Newton.
  • WHY? Both British. Newton may edge it as she's heading for big things, whereas Blethyn's career is mostly behind her.

    12. THE ANTHONY ASQUITH AWARD for Achievement in Film Music

    • BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN – Gustavo Santaolalla
    • THE CONSTANT GARDENER – Alberto Iglesias
    • MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA – John Williams
    • MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS – George Fenton
    • WALK THE LINE – T Bone Burnett

  • PREDICTION: No idea.

    13. CINEMATOGRAPHY

    • BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN – Rodrigo Prieto
    • THE CONSTANT GARDENER – Cιsar Charlone
    • CRASH – J Michael Muro
    • MARCH OF THE PENGUINS – Laurent Chalet/Jerτme Maison
    • MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA – Dion Beebe

  • PREDICTION: Brokeback Mountain easily.

    14. EDITING

    • BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN – Geraldine Peroni/Dylan Tichenor
    • THE CONSTANT GARDENER – Claire Simpson
    • CRASH – Hughes Winborne
    • GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK – Stephen Mirrione
    • MARCH OF THE PENGUINS – Sabine Emiliani

  • PREDICTION: Good Night & Good Luck.

    15. PRODUCTION DESIGN

    • BATMAN BEGINS – Nathan Crowley
    • CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – Alex McDowell
    • HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE – Stuart Craig
    • KING KONG – Grant Major
    • MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA – John Myhre

  • PREDICTION: King Kong deserves it.

    16. COSTUME DESIGN

    • CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – Gabriella Pescucci
    • THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE – Isis Mussenden
    • MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA – Colleen Atwood
    • MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS – Sandy Powell
    • PRIDE & PREJUDICE – Jacqueline Durran

  • PREDICTION: Narnia.

    17. SOUND

    • BATMAN BEGINS – David G Evans/Stefan Henrix/Peter Lindsay
    • THE CONSTANT GARDENER – Joakim Sundstrφm/Stuart Wilson
    • CRASH – Richard Van Dyke/Sandy Gendler
    • KING KONG – Hammond Peek/Christopher Boyes/Mike Hopkins/ Ethan Van der Ryn
    • WALK THE LINE – Paul Massey/D M Hemphill/Peter F Kurland/Donald Sylvester

  • PREDICTION: Crash.

    18. ACHIEVEMENT IN SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS

    • BATMAN BEGINS – Janek Sirrs/Dan Glass/Chris Corbould
    • CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – Nick Davis/John Thum/Chaz Jarrett/Joss Williams
    • THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE – Dean Wright/Bill Westenhofer/ Jim Berney/Scott Farrar
    • HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE – Jim Mitchell/John Richardson
    • KING KONG – Joe Letteri/Christian Rivers/Brian Van’t Hul/Richard Taylor

  • PREDICTION: King Kong, with appearance by Andy Serkis no doubt!

    19. MAKE UP & HAIR

    • CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – Peter Owen/Ivana Primorac
    • THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE – Howard Berger/Gregory Nicotero/ Nikki Gooley
    • HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE – Nick Dudman/Amanda Knight/Eithne Fennell
    • MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA – Noriko Watanabe/Kate Biscoe/Lyndell Quiyou/Kelvin R Trahan
    • PRIDE & PREJUDICE – Fae Hammond

  • PREDICTION: Narnia really.

    20. SHORT ANIMATION FILM

    • FALLEN ART – Jarek Sawko/Piotr Sikora/Tomek Baginski
    • FILM NOIR – Osbert Parker
    • KAMIYA’S CORRESPONDENCE – Sumito Sakakibara
    • THE MYSTERIOUS GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORATIONS OF JASPER MORELLO – Anthony Lucas/Julia Lucas/Mark Shirrefs
    • RABBIT – Run Wrake

  • PREDICTION: NO idea.

    21. SHORT FILM

    • ANTONIO’S BREAKFAST – Howard Stogdon/Amber Templemore-Finlayson/Daniel Mulloy
    • CALL REGISTER – Kit Hawkins/Adam Tudhope/Ed Roe
    • HEAVY METAL DRUMMER – Amanda Boyle/Luke Morris/Toby MacDonald
    • HEYDAR, AN AFGHAN IN TEHRAN – H Assadian/Babek Jalali LUCKY – Bex Hopkins/Avie Luthra

  • PREDICTION: No idea.


    Cover

    US TOP 10 (CINEMA)

    All figures are weekend box-office gross.

    • 1. Underworld: Evolution ($26.9m)
    • 2. Hoodwinked ($10.4m)
    • 3. Glory Road ($8.77m)
    • 4. Last Holiday ($8.71m)
    • 5. Brokeback Mountain ($7.83m)
    • 6. The Chronicles of Narnia ($6.24m)
    • 7. Fun with Dick & Jane ($5.75m)
    • 8. End of the Spear ($4.28m)
    • 9. Hostel ($4.25m)
    • 10. King Kong (2005) ($4.22m)

    UK TOP 10 (CINEMA)

    • 1. Fun with Dick and Jane (2005) (£1.95m)
    • 2. Underworld: Evolution (£1.14m)
    • 3. Brokeback Mountain (£1.06m)
    • 4. Memoirs of a Geisha (£1.03m)
    • 5. Jarhead (£0.99m)
    • 6. The Chronicles of Narnia (£0.94m)
    • 7. Get Rich or Die Tryin' (£0.80m)
    • 8. Just Friends (£0.71m)
    • 9. King Kong (2005) (£0.65m)
    • 10. Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (£0.34m)


    Cover ** IN THE PIPELINE **

    All the following are U.K. release dates, and are subject to change.

    Page Content copyright © Dan Owen, 2006.

    Email Dan Owen

    Visit Dan Owen.blogspot.com

    The following is a list of Dan's Movie Digests online :

    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