The Proposal is out on DVD
This light-hearted rom-com is just what the doctor prescribed – it’ll lift your spirits, put a smile on your face and make you think the world is a better place.
Starring Sandra Bullock as Margaret, a tyrannical New York editor and Ryan Reynolds as Andrew, her hard-done-by but placid assistant, The Proposal is a refreshing and undemanding tonic.
When Margaret suddenly faces deportation because of a lapsed visa, she decides that the only way to save her high-powered and successful career is by faking an engagement and who better to choose than her doormat of an assistant, Andrew who has been employed for three years as her executive punchbag?
Andrew hatches a plan of his own however and agrees only on the basis that he’ll receive a deserved promotion to editorship. The plot thickens as an immigration official smells as rat and in order to make their story convincing the “happy couple” have to head off to attend Andrew’s grandmother’s 90th birthday party at the family home in Alaska. As the New York City professional is plunged into the wilds of Alaska, there’s plenty of fish-out-of-water comedy and pathos too, bolstered by a strong supporting case of Andrew’s dad (Craig T. Nelson), mother (Mary Steenburgen) and the feisty grandmother (former Golden Girl Betty White). With a liberal helping of slap-stick humour and farcical situations and entanglements (naked ones), Margaret’s hard persona gradually begins to melt as Andrew becomes more assertive.
With the star of the American version of The Office Oscar Nunez, also making an appearance as a vicar who works as a stripper by night, there’s laughs and gags galore through-out the film, but whether The Proposal ends up in a walk down the aisle or not is another question.
The Time Traveler's Wife - romantic movie
Based on the 2003 best-selling book by Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler’s wife is a story of true love that transcends time. If that sounds corny, here’s the practical part – it’s due for release on 8th February 2010 at a RRP of £19.99.
Clare (Rachel McAdams) and Henry (Eric Bana) are in love but there is a problem – Henry is a time traveller who has a genetic abnormality that means he shifts back and forth through his lifespan at random. Hence Henry visits his wife during various stages of her life, meeting her first when she is only six years old, so she grows up knowing that he is her one true love even though he meets her chronologically when he’s 28 – oh, it’s complicated – you’ll have to see it yourself!
The film rights were optioned by Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B entertainment even before the book was published and screenwriter Jeremy Leven was hired to convert the story to screen with director Robert Schwentke taking on the project in 2006.
Filming didn’t start until late 2007 due to the fact that Eric Bana had a shaved head for Star Trek, but don’t think about that when you’re watching. It’s probably one of the most romantic movies of all time; The Time Traveler’s Wife is sad, it’s happy at the same time, it’s very confusing – but we promise, you will weep buckets.
Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side
The hilarious animated comedy continues in a Griffin family meets Star Wars spoof, exclusively released on DVD and Blue-ray on 28th December 2009.
The limited edition disc comes with a T-shirt, collector cards and free digital copy. This hour-long episode is a sequel to the Star Wars Parody, Blue Harvest that took spoof to a new level, and is to be followed by a further Star Wars spoof, We Have a Bad Feeling About This.
Characters from the cult cartoon are transformed into slightly cooler characters from the movie who are shown from a different perspective. In this episode, Luke Skywalker (Chris Griffin), Princess Leia (Lois), Chewbacca (Brian) and Han Solo (Peter Griffin) have been pursued by the Imperial Starfleet and their evil master, Lord Darth Vader (Stewie Griffin) to the planet Hoth. Luke has a vision of his former mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert), who tells him to go to the planet Dagobah and learn of the ways of the “Farce” from the Jedi Master Yoda (Carl). But after he has a further vision of the Empire capturing his friends he decides to go and save the galaxy instead. Meanwhile Princess Leia finds herself falling in love with the pilot Han Solo (Peter Griffin).
Some have said this is the funniest version of Family Guy so far.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game for Xbox 360
Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!!! After 25 years, a video game has been released to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most popular films in history, retailing at £39.99.
It’s a measure of how good the film was that the game seems as fresh and funny as ever. Featuring the voices and likenesses of most of the original cast members; Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson, the new script was penned by the writers of the first screenplay, Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis and with the same laconic humour, the banter between cast members will have you smiling … nay … guffawing, even as you reach for your proton pack.
Set two years after Ghostbusters ll, the storyline is original yet manages to replicate most of the iconic scenes from the movie including the New York library and players journey through cemeteries, museums and otherworldly dimensions re-encountering some of the film’s famous ghouls like Slimer, the terror dogs, Vigo and everyone’s favourite – the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. We’re also introduced to some pretty creepy new apparitions and phantoms and the game features great music, impressive sound effects and responsive control.
The aim is to save New York from being overrun by supernatural forces (again) and the player joins the Ghostbusters themselves as the rookie member of the team. Using the same gadgets from the movies, including proton packs, particle throwers, ghost locating PKE meter and that accessory no-one should be without – the Ecto-goggles – you can also chase down the ghosts in the Ecto-1 vehicle or weaken and trap them with your proton pack via four different modes . Weapons are upgradeable and the highly detailed environments are destructible so wreak as much carnage as you like but be aware that the cost of the damage is counted in dollars.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Truth or Square
Hold on to your squarepants for the ultimate in game from SpongeBob and his friend. OK, so, it’s meant to be for kids but adults love it as well. SpongeBob SquarePants: Truth or Square is in celebration of the tenth anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants and offers fans a chance to relive some of the best moments from SpongeBob’s life.
When Mr Krabs and his friends plan to celebrate the eleventy seventh anniversary of the Krusty Krab, Mr Krab asks SpongeBob to guard the top-secret recipe for the Krabby Patty but… surprise, surprise… SpongeBob loses it. He enlists the help of Plankton to find it whose ulterior motive is to keep the formula for himself. The only way SpongeBob can find the recipe in time for the anniversary party is by using Plankton’s memory machine for him and players to relive the ten happiest and hilarious moments of his life.
Kids (or you) can play as SpongeBob on their own or with a friend playing as Plankton as they run, jump or spin through twelve exciting levels. Each one takes players back in time to one of SpongeBob’s memorable moments from the show i.e. when he became a fry cook or met Sandy for the first time. There may be a bit of strenuous battling involved in order to fell some of the supersized opponents which include legions of Plankton’s robots, but with SpongeBob’s amazing new morphing abilities including the Sledgehammer Smash, Spatula Slam, Waterbob Sponge or Explosive Cannon, he’ll be able to whack, hose, stun or blast ‘em out of the way. Visiting some of SpongeBob Squarepants favourite locations from Jellyfish Fields to Rock Bottom and downtown Bikini Bottom, there are plenty of stimulating puzzle challenges to play on the way. For ages of three and over SpongeBob SquarePants: Truth or Square retails at £29.99.
Assassin's Creed ll
Assassin’s Creed ll is Ubisoft’s follow up to the fastest selling new IP in video game history, Assassin’s Creed, and is available to buy at prices from £39.99.
The game uses the same gameplay style as its predecessor but now there are added features with a stronger emphasis on open-world exploration, greater interaction, nonlinear gameplay and more variety in missions. There’s also a new improved in-game economy. The protagonist, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young Italian noble come assassin, is also more clearly delineated as a character. In fact he’s a bit of a lady’s man who possesses a certain panache and some endearingly human traits.
The location is new too, set against the beautiful backdrop of Renaissance Italy in the 15th century, the action follows an epic story of corruption, conspiracy and brutal murder as Ezio strives to exact revenge for the deaths of his family members.
As in Assassin’s Creed, the story revolves around the Animus, the machine that views the memories of the ancestors of Desmond Miles in 2012, who comes from a long line of assassins. The action features some challenging experiences as through Ezio, the player becomes a master assassin and learns how to brandish weapons, disarm enemies and use their weapons against them, helped or hindered on the way by real-life historic characters. These include Machiavelli, Pope Alexander Vl and Leonardo da Vinci, who acts as a kind of Q figure from James Bond, providing miraculous inventions such as flying machines to assist Ezio to use on his mission.
There’s a welcome return to free running with added swimming and flying. With a more deeply and finely tuned combat system players roam through Venice, Tuscany and Florence using a host of new weapons created by Leonardo including swords, poison blades, miniature firearms, cutlasses, maces, spears and daggers. There’s even a database that gives information on historical figures and landmarks. It’s a game that combines an absorbing storyline with superb graphics and thrilling action and it’s waiting to be played by you.
Isle of Wight Festival 2010 tickets on sale
Tickets are now on sale for The Isle of Wight Festival 2010 from Friday 4th December 2009. The 12th festival dates are from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th June, 2010.
With a line-up that includes Jay-Z, The Strokes, P!nk, Blondie, Orbital and Squeeze, the largest human gathering in the world looks like being something a bit special this year.
Back in 1969, this now legendary event introduced the concept of back to nature open air festivals. Set on the beautiful Isle of Wight at Seaclose Park, Newport, past line-ups read like a tome of rock history. What festival other than the Isle of Wight could coax the music legend Bob Dylan out of retirement in 1969? Other famous sets include those delivered by Marc Bolan in 1968 and Emmerson, Lake and Palmer and Joan Baez in 1970. Tragically, Jimi Hendrix’s last major performance was at the festival when he delivered an electrifying performance – three weeks later the greatest guitar player in the world was dead. That festival in 1970 was described as one of the largest human gatherings in the world surpassing even Woodstock held the previous year.
The festival was revived in 2002 and continues with its reputation for history in the making featuring many notable artists. Stunning performances by Muse and The Rolling Stones at their first rock festival for decades, prompted its receipt of the Best Major Festival at the UK Festival Awards in 2007 and front man John Giddings, won an award for his outstanding contribution to UK Festivals.
With excellent camping facilities with showers and quiet areas there are festival shuttles to and from all departing ferry ports. All you have to do is jump on that ferry and get over there in June?
Bad Company - reunion concert
The iconic rock band Bad Company are reuniting for what promises to be a series of legendary performances from original members, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke in eight shows across the UK in April 2010.
The exclusive UK concerts will take place at venues including Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Cardiff, Newcastle upon Tyne, Glasgow, Brighton and London, from 1st April to 11th April. This is the first time that the three have got together for over 30 years and the concerts also feature special guests, the Joe Perry Project.
Bad Company was originally formed in 1973 by members of the English rock band Free, still cited as one of the definitive bands of British Blues. Enjoying huge success throughout the 1970s, Bad Company was considered to be one of the first new breed of super-groups of the era. Disbanding in 1982, they were famous for their large stadium-filling live performances, although the first official live album wasn’t released until 2006.
Tickets start at £34.50 and go up to over £90 so make sure you get yours in good time if you want to hear all the old electrifying classics like Can’t Get Enough, Run with the Pack, Ready for Love and Feel Like Makin’. It’ll be goosebumps all over.
Download Festival 2010 dates announced
Early Bird tickets are now available for Download Festival to be held from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th June 2010 in Donington Park, Leicestershire.
As the monster rock festival thunders into its eighth rip-roaring year, festival-goers eagerly await the line-up announcement. But the history of Donington and rock goes back even further to 1980 when the first Monsters of Rock Festival was held. Thirty years later Donington has hosted a lifetime of legendary performers and performances and to celebrate the anniversary, this year’s event is going to be phenomenal.
And it’s not just heavy rock and metal that’s being served up at Donington; there’ll be markets with a variety of international foods, clothes, jewellery, merchandise and the all-important tattoo parlours with cafe, bars, funfair rides, shops and a cinema continuing after the last band has left the stage and running until 2am. Shuttle buses run daily from Derby and East Midlands Parkway Stations.
Donington 2009 saw heavy metal missed with glam rock, nu-metal, dance and classic rock with bands like Faith No More, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot and Prodigy with old school giants, Whitesnake, ZZ Top and Def Leppard providing seminal performances on Sunday Classic Rock Day.
Don’t miss out on this year’s feast. Early bird weekend arena tickets are on sale until midnight on Christmas Eve with prices at £135 with camping and family camping tickets priced at £25 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
URC 3100 Remote Control is the only remote you'll need
Tis the season for the battle to gain control of the TV remote and this baby lends itself to a bit of tussling to and fro because the Energy Sistem URC 3100, unlike most modern gadgets, is reassuringly substantial and robust. It’s also comfortable and straightforward to operate and costs from £9.95.
With a range of up to seven metres, you’ll be able to manipulate the 3100 Remote Control from the furthest recesses of the room. Pre-programmed for TV, DVD, Satellite, VCR, AUX and even CTV settings the 3100 Remote has an ability to learn to control devices of any brand and model with up to 240 pre-programmed demands.
With a sleek, black minimalist design and clear icons, the 3100 Remote Control is capable of storing pre-sets for up to eight devices. It can replace all the other remotes that you can’t find in your living room. Moreover, its non-volatile temporary memory ensures that settings are retained when changing batteries; in fact it’s infinitely less volatile than many family members locked in a disagreement over the choice of Christmas Day viewing. So… take control of the 3100 Remote Control and let the battle commence.