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New Release DVDs - Monday 28th April

Well, here we are nearly at the end of April, a third of the year gone already. It's hard to believe really but I tell you no lies my friends. So,I was just about to pack the DVD player away for the summer (it never really happens does it?), and checked out this weeks new releases, top of the pile was one I have been waiting for:

The Golden Compass
This also comes as a Platinum Series 2 Disc Set and is based on the first book in the best selling trilogy by author Philip Pullman. The set, comprising "Northern Lights", "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" follow the adventures of Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), a twelve year old girl who is trying to rescue a friend, Roger (Ben Walker) who has been kidnapped by the mysterious Gobblers.

This, as you can imagine, proves to be far more difficult than a walk in the park. Lyria is taken through different dimensions in a vivid imagined world where we meet the likes of Armoured Polar Bears! Although not strictly following the books (perceived) anti-religious stance this is none the less an exciting fantasy adventure film for all of the family.
With Nicole Kidman playing, for the first time, the antagonist, Lyra's caretaker Marisa Coulter, and the voice of Ian McKellen as Lorek, the armoured polar bear, it is not without a great cast either. Lyra's quest is to save not only her world, but ours as well!
Will the other two books make the big screen? Only time will tell, but I, for one, really hope so. Here is The Golden Compass - Official Trailer from our friends at YouTube.

Benidorm: Series One
All six episodes from the first series of the BAFTA award nominated ITV series written by Derren Litten, who co-wrote the Catherine Tate Show. Featuring a stellar cast of some of the UK's best comedy actors (Johnny Vegas, Wendy Richards), the series focuses on exploiting the commonly perceived working class stereotype of this popular Spanish holiday resort.

As a taster here is a clip from Benidorm: Series One from the good folk at YouTube. Following various families and groups, look out for Gavin and Troy on their first break together, Geoff Maltby and his Mum and my favourites the Garvey family on their first trip abroad along with Janice's Sun worshipping Fag smoking Mum Madge, who has the very realistic knack of having a bad word to say about everybody. You have got to love her!
Easy watching and split into nice handy parts, this is a great DVD for those odd moments (well lots of them actually) when there is nothing to watch on the TV. Want to see some more? A second series comprising eight episodes started to air in March 2008.

Halloween (2007)
Written, produced and directed by famous musician Rob Zombie, his previous offerings "House of 1000 Corpses" and "The Devils Rejects" are both the workings of a genre fanatic and hail close to the ultimate in horror slasher gore movies, and this my good friends is no exception, as you can see by this official "Rob Zombies Halloween Trailer from YouTube.
Both based on, and a prequel to, the original 1978 film of the same name, this the latest in the Halloween franchise starts with a ten year old Michael Myers murdering his sister, her boyfriend and his mothers boyfriend on Halloween eve. After the longest trial in state history Michael is committed to Smiths Grove sanitarium under the supervision of Dr Sam Loomis, where he becomes fixated by his paper mache masks. During one of his mothers frequent visits he kills a nurse, as you would, and she tops herself. During transfer he escapes and makes his way back to Haddonfield where he arrives on, yep you guessed it, Halloween!
The story then picks up the original film which is pretty faithfully replicated. A true gore fest this is not for the faint hearted so grab that cushion before you start watching!

Can't see anything here that appeals to you? Hard to believe, but if not why don't you check out all the Pre Release DVDs at CD WOW!

New Release DVD's Monday 21st April

How about a new release DVD from CD WOW! to brighten up your dark days...

I Am Legend
Also available as a Special Edition 2 Disc Set. This is the third film adaptation of the chiller book by Richard Matheson, 'The Omega Man' starring recently deceased Charlton Heston and "The Last Man On Earth" precede this version.
Robert Neville (Will Smith) is the last man alive (or is he?) in a post apocalyptic New York City, ravaged by a man made virus that has turned all of the other inhabitants into mutant vampiristic victims.
The virologist spends his day searching for food, collecting supplies and talking to his faithful dog, and some plastic shop dummies that he has placed around as his "friends", he is of course going slightly mad! At night he locks himself away in a fortress like flat that he has constructed, and tries to isolate an antidote, so that he may save the world.
As you would expect things take a turn for the worse... I saw this at the cinema, some great special effects especially in the opening few minutes this is a very entertaining film.
Here is the 'I Am Legend' original screen trailer from where else but YouTube.

Lions For Lambs
This is a film about a couple of soldiers in Afghanistan, a senator in Washington and a Broadcast Journalist who are all connected to one young student who is beginning to realise the importance of acting on what you believe in.
After seeing this 'Lions For Lambs Theatrical Trailer' (YouTube of course), it looks like a gotta see DVD to me!
Directed by and starring Oscar award winner Robert Redford, who plays Dr Stephen Malley (College Professor), the film also stars Meryl Streep (Journalist) and Tom Cruise (Senator). With a title that alludes to incompetent leaders sending brave soldiers into the slaughter of battle, the film is of course taking aim at the U.S. government and it's stance on the wars in the Middle East. Of course this went down pretty much like a lead balloon in America, however the stance, like the film itself, will be applauded in the UK.
And here my high brow friends is a very nice post from the Guardian!

Ice Road Truckers - Crazy Fools....

At Last!!
Ice Road Truckers - series 1 gets a DVD release on Monday 5th May. Why I am so excited? Well unlike almost every other TV watching danger addict in the UK, I came across this series late. In fact so late I had missed all but the last three and a bit episodes. It was my Dad who asked if I had been watching it, during a phone call one evening, my Dad, honestly, I ask you! So there and then I switched channels and caught some of what I later found out was the sixth of ten episodes, I was hooked!

Ice road truckers is an American documentary style reality television series following the fortunes of six truck drivers who supply remote outposts in Northern Canada, and up into the Arctic circle.
Driving over roads made of the frozen surface of lakes, that stretch for 350 miles, the drivers pound up and down, transporting ludicrously big over sized and overweight loads to the destination and then race back for more. Paid by the trip and size they are under the severest of time pressures, as the road literally melts away from beneath them.

With a driving season of just two months these guys earn a huge amount of money, but when you can hear the ice cracking beneath their wheels as they inch over a thinner piece of road, your nerves are twanging sat in the comfort of your arm chair.
If you loved the "Deadliest Catch" or are a fan of any dangerous reality TV then you can't miss this! I am really looking forward to catching up on the episodes I missed.

New Release DVDs Monday April 7th

Well, here we are! The clocks have gone forward, Easter is well behind us, yet we are just approaching half term for some of our lucky schools. This week sees another fine selection of DVD entertainment hitting the streets. I've included a TV series that blew me away as well as a couple of the weeks best films. I hope that you like my new release DVD choices...

Enchanted
The latest release from the Walt Disney Studios, this film is both a tribute to, and a parody of all the classical Walt Disney animated films.
Directed by Kevin Lima, the film stars Amy Adams, James Marsden and Patrick Dempsey, best known for his role in "Grey's Anatomy". Cleverly mixing animation, real life and computer graphics this film is absolutely chock full of references to characters from previous and forthcoming Disney films. See if you can keep up with them all!
Starting in traditional animated mode, this is the first film to feature traditional animation since Walt Disney decided to move completely to computer animated graphics in 2004.
We follow the adventures of the beautiful princess Giselle (Amy Adams) who lives in the magical fairytale land of Andalasia where everybody lives happily ever after. She meets and falls in love with a handsome, although somewhat dim Prince Edward (James Marsden) and they are due to be married. However, Giselle is pushed through a magic portal by her villainous step mother (see, here is a reference already!) to a place where "There is no happily ever after".
The portal takes her to modern day New York, and to some live action film, where she meets Robert Philip (Patrick Dempsey) and this is where all the adventures take place.
Good family entertainment and just right if your kids happen to be on half term holiday!! So here is a quick "Enchanted Trailer" from our friends at You Tube

Futurama: Benders Big Score
You thought it was all over... but here it is now! If you are a fan of the series, which was cancelled by Fox a few years ago, then you have been waiting for this. The first in what is slated to be a series of four full length feature films, each of about four episodes length, is now upon us in this straight to DVD release.
The series, created by Matt Groening who you will know as the famous creator of "The Simpsons", follows the adventures of former New York City pizza delivery boy Philip J Fry who was accidentally frozen and revived 1000 years in the future. Planet Express has become the victim of a hostile takeover by a company of lurid spammers and the new bosses want to send Bender back in time to steal the world's most valuable treasures. Tying in current day love interest between Fry and Leela the film explains why some things that happened in the past occurred, and actually goes through many of the scenes from previous Futurama episodes.
Loaded with all the absurd and intelligent humour that made the TV series so much fun, if you liked it then, you're gonna love it now!
And here is a blog spot from the fellows at MTV.

Ross Kemp In Afghanistan is my final choice for this week. If you thought that the Eastenders actor was mad when he recorded the series "Ross Kemp On Gangs", travelling the world interviewing some of the most dangerous gangs, well you haven't seen anything yet!!
In this latest series Kemp joins with the British troops of the Royal Anglian Regiment, one with which he has a close personal tie as his father served in the Royal Norfolk Regiment, their predecessor.
The filming was done during their deployment in Helmand Province from March to August 2007. During preparation Kemp had to undergo military training in self defence, including the use of the SA80 assault rifle.
This DVD of the whole series is my friends, real life. Some of the situations they find themselves in are scary on film, goodness knows what it must have been like to actually be there. If you thought that Mr Kemp was just a BBC soap opera actor then think again, the man must have had real guts to do this!!
Check out this "Ross Kemp In Afghanistan" clip from the very nice people at You Tube, and hang on to your hats!!

Not for you? Then why not check out all the pre release DVDs at CD WOW!

Top Gear hit the DVD Charts

I don't know what it is about the BBC programme Top Gear that makes so many people watch it. The lads invariably review cars that only a handfull of people on the planet could afford to own, and with current petrol prices some of them probably couldn't afford to drive, but somehow it still draws you in.
You only have to look at this clip, courtesy of YouTube to see what I mean. Madness!

This week sees Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May hit the DVD Charts with Top Gear - The Great Adventures, bringing us two of arguably their best ever (or most stupid, your shout) adventures on a double DVD pack and at a great price from CD WOW!

Of course as in all Top Gear specials a race must be involved, and this is no exception. We have two of them;
One where Jeremy and James in a Hilux race Richard on a dog sled from Canada to the North Pole. Tension is high as James, who did not want to go in the first place, has to camp with Jeremy who as expected is useless at it. They are cold and hungry, and oh yes, the ice underneath them keeps making big cracking noises!
And then there is poor Richard on the sled, quite possible he is cold and hungry too. Who wins? I'm not going to spoil it for you...

And then there's the one where they have to make an epic journey across America, armed with $1,000 dollars each they must buy a car capable of the journey, but also on the way they have to compete a series of challenges which range from driving across Alabama without getting shot at... to preparing and eating road kill whilst camping out for the night. Heres a little taster (ahem) for you...

Shamrocks and Shenanigans... and Muppets!

A bit of harmless fun from The Muppet Show for the special day.

You could do a lot worse by your kids or siblings or neighbours than pick them up a copy of The Muppets on DVD featuring 24 episodes plus the pilot episode 'The Muppets' Valentine Show'.
Some good old fashioned innocent TV from legend Jim Henson.

I'll admit that this clip is a touch on the cheesy side... but you gotta love the outpouring of emotion from Animal. Who knew he was so sensitive!

Happy St Patrick's Day... from the Leprechaun Brothers!

Sexual Harassment in the workplace... Tom Brady style

Good luck tonight Tom kid! Hope it goes as smoothly as this Saturday Night Live clip from a couple of years ago. Be attractive!

BTW... you can pick up Super Bowl XXXIX on DVD featuring Brady and the New England Patriots from the 2004 season for just 8.99!
A great souvenir for any Pats fan... or maybe a coaster or frisbee for everyone else!