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.
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.
Gavin & Stacey: Series 3 - "What's occurring?"
In this third and final series of the award-wining comedy that brought the phrase “What’s occurring?” into popular usage, the newly-weds Gavin and Stacey have moved to Wales.
Stacey is happy back in the bosom of her family with mum Gwen and Uncle Bryn, but Gavin is having a few withdrawal symptoms after leaving his life and mum and dad in Essex. These are nothing compared to the massive withdrawal symptoms his friend Smithy is having after losing his beloved mate Gavin.
In the meantime, Nessa has moved into a caravan with Dave and her baby fathered by Smithy. This comedy drama is hilarious and tender at the same time. You can’t fail to enjoy it.
Planet 51 - animated family movie
Planet 51 is an animated, intergalactic family adventure from Sony Pictures that combines comedy, fantasy and adventure and will be released on 4th December 2009, in the UK.
When US astronaut Captain Charles “Chuck” Baker lands on Planet 51, he discovers it’s populated by the alien equivalent of middle America who want to defend their suburban way of life from scary invaders from other worlds … like Chuck. In order to avoid becoming an artefact in the Planet 51 Alien Invaders Space Museum, Chuck has to find his way around the planet aided by his faithful robot, Rover and new friend and resident of Planet 51, Lem.
With voice-overs by Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Gary Oldman and Justin Long, the film is directed by Jorge Blanco and co-directed by Javier Abad with stunning and colourful graphics from Ilion Animation. Some tongue-in-cheek comedy Planet 51 is a spoof that draws some telling parallels with our own, often paranoid, attitudes towards tolerance and acceptance of others. Biel has been quoted as saying that the film will attempt to strike a balance between “super cheesy or really dark,” mixing humorous moments with drama and emotion. Rated PG, Planet 51 contains mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humour and will no doubt become one the “biggies” in cinemas over the Christmas period.
Ricky Gervais
A legend in his own lifetime, Ricky Gervais has won massive popularity in the UK and in the US as the cringingly awful David Brent, the main character in the TV show, The Office.
Now he’s out on a fourth live stand-up tour appearing in venues across the country doing what comes naturally, namely entertaining and generally making audiences crease up with laughter.
Born in Reading, Ricky got a degree in philosophy from London University before dabbling in the music and entertainment business. After his appointment with the radio station Xfm, he met Stephen Merchant who became co-writer and director of The Office. Sketch writing led to television appearances including the 11 o’clock show and Meet Ricky Gervais. During this time he and Stephen Merchant started to write an office-based spoof comedy which was eventually taken up by the BBC and the rest is broadcasting history.
Other successes like Extras came hot on the heels but when a tentative stand-up show proved to be a sell-out Ricky embarked on the famous Animals tour in 2003 and the Politics tour a year later on. A third show, Fame took place in 2007 when tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale.
But it’s not only in the fields of comedy and sit-com that Ricky Gervais excels; he also has launched a successful film and writing career – don’t miss out on the chance to see this comedy genius in a live show, it provides the best vehicle for his acting, writing and stand-up talents to date.
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Wickerman Festival 2010 release dates
Dates for the Wickerman Festival 2010 are 23rd and 24th July with tickets available soon.
If you fancy going to a less commercial festival with a lot of frivolity and mirth-making, this could be the event for you. Over 20,000 devotees of the Wickerman festival congregate in the scenic setting of East Kirkcarswell near Dundrennan in South West Scotland every July, making it the largest family music festival held in Scotland.
The atmosphere is more bohemian than that at some of its larger counterparts in the UK and the music is all-embracing with performers ranging from classic indie, 80s music, electro pop and hacienda party. Events reach a grand climax at midnight on Saturday with the burning of the 25 foot tall Wickerman effigy in a show of truly Promethean rebelliousness as revellers dance around the dying embers.
Line-ups are usually an eclectic bunch of talented performers that refuse to conform to a stereotypical genre and in 2009 included diverse names such as The Human League, The Magic Numbers, The Zutons, Bad Manners, Candi Staton and Billy Bragg. Just to stir up the mix further, there were sets by DJs including DJ Idlewild. Two main stages dominate the proceedings with dance tents, acoustic and reggae tents and many other bands performing.
Luxury accommodation is available in the camping area with quiet zones for families or you could hire your very own furnished Tipi or Bell Tent complete with real fire or gas heater. Campsite mules and porters are on hand to transfer your gear or even pitch your tent for you for a small donation.
It’s as well to arrive on the Thursday preceding the festival to take advantage of the general atmosphere of tomfoolery taking place on the site. Attractions and events include Crazy Festival Gold, a mountain bike track with skills course and pump track, scooter tent and village shop, plus the Greenman Inn with its in-house pipe and accordion band.
As a quirky and unforgettable experience Wickerman is an experience many people want to repeat because it still retains a simple ethos that may have gone astray in other festivals. In the words of one enthusiastic convert on the website, Wickerman stands for, “togetherness, spectacle and community.”
Glastonbury Festival 2010 Release Date
The dates have now been announced for the 2010 Glastonbury Festival and registration is now open for tickets.
The festival will take place from Wednesday June 23rd to Sunday, June 27th.
Tickets can be purchased from October 5th, 2009 once registration is complete.
Probably the most famous festival in the world, everyone should go to Glastonbury at least once in their life, even if it’s just to say they’ve been. Until you’ve experienced the idyllic setting, the mystical atmosphere, most famous bands in the world and yes… even the mud, you can’t be said to be a serious festival goer. This year, Glastonbury was attended by over 180,000 people with a staggering 700 acts playing on 80 different stages. These days the hippy image is somewhat diluted but the spiritual traditions and New Age influences are still present and the location in the mystical Vale of Avalon and small, megalithic stone circle in King’s Meadow, are part of the attraction of the festival for newcomers and regulars alike.
In fact Glastonbury is not only a music festival but a whole event with each area of the site possessing its own character and attracting different groups of people, with entertainments like theatre and circus, cinema, a dance village and The Green Fields; a zone for meditation and creativity.
This year the event was bigger and better than before, compounded by – surprise, surprise – beautiful weather. The line-up, taken from the whole musical gamut, included electrifying sets provided by vintage performers like Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band and Neil Young, plus storming sessions by Blur, The Prodigy and Lady Gaga.
Everyone wanting to come to the festival over the age of 12 must register online at the registration site on the Glastonbury website or by sending an SAE to PO Box 2445, Glasgow G40 9AG. This involves providing contact details and a passport-sized standard photo on receipt of which you’ll be sent a unique registration number that means that you will be eligible to buy a ticket when they go on sale. Tickets issued will carry the photo of the person attending.
You’ll receive a confirmation email with your registration number and a link to the booking page and you’ll receive a second confirmation email within one working day to confirm that your photo has been approved.
Tickets can be booked from October 5th.
The Big Chill release dates
Forget the soggy sleeping bags, wellies and chemical toilets; The Big Chill Festival 2010 is more about contemporary ambient music, gourmet food and good on-site facilities in a picturesque and relaxing environment. Dates for The Big Chill 2010 have been confirmed as August 5th to 8th but tickets are not being released until spring 2010 so watch this space and we’ll update you as soon as they’re available.
The king of cool of all festivals, The Big Chill has justly gained a reputation for its pioneering promotion of emerging talent and global music featuring up-tempo and chill-out performers and DJs from all over the world.
Set in the wooded grounds of Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire with its four lakes and arboretum, the festival was founded in 1994 and takes place in August every year. With several stages and tents, The Big Chill has something to offer everyone from partygoers to families. Headliners in 2009 include Basement Jaxx, Orbital and David Byrne, plus a host of DJ sets and innovative acts.
And there’s not only music on offer, there’s a full programme of workshops, top comedy acts like Sean Hughes, Dylan Moran, Josie Long and alternative poet John Hegley are just a sample of the names featured this year. Literature and film are also well represented with a range of holistic therapies on offer and an art trail, exhibitions and installations with entertainment and spaces for children.
Sales for The Big Chill are increasing year after year so remember to order your tickets for 2010 in spring 2010.
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