Jean Dujardin talks Lucky Luke

I've just been catching up on news about Cinebook's upcoming releases, but alongside info on their new titles the bande dessines publisher has offered a quick reminder that the live action Lucky Luke film is now available on DVD.

The release from Arrow Films, is well timed, considering the film stars Oscar winner Jean (The Artist) Dujardin stars as gun-slinging cowboy in this new comedy Western based on the best-selling French graphic novels.

When the President wants to restore law and order to Daisy Town there is only one man fit for the job ‘the man who shoots faster than his shadow’ – Lucky Luke! Accompanied by his faithful companion Jolly Jumper, the fearless Luke takes on Daisy Town’s worst criminals.

Crossing paths and gunfire with Billy The Kid, Jesse James, Calamity Jane and Pat Poker is there any cowboy star left for Luke to encounter?

First released in cinemas in 2009, web site Twitch praised the film's design, noting "the attention paid to the source material here is truly remarkable, the film looking like it simply leapt up off the printed page."

This fun spoof based on the classic comics by Morris and Goscinny also stars Michael Youn, Sylvie Testud and Daniel Prevost.

In a recent interview for the Huffington Post about the film last month, Dujardin revealed he's a huge fan of the original comic.

"At home, at your cousin's, in your godmother's bathroom, in the old cupboards of old houses in the country, there's always an old Lucky Luke around, often next to an old Tintin or Asterix," he said. "Out of the three comics, I've always felt closest to Lucky Luke. The drawings in Tintin are too minimalist, he always seemed too androgynous... I don't want to put the others down by comparison, but Lucky Luke was the only 'hero' to me. As a kid, I loved heroes on TV and in movies, and Lucky Luke was my comic book hero.

"I never doubted that I was Lucky Luke," he added, of playing the role. "It's very pretentious to say that, but I knew that I could be the character. Add something to him, give him masculinity, make him a movie hero. I'm convinced that if you worry too much about the way people see you, you become paranoid. You can't worry about what people think of you.  

"There's only one question to ask yourself: what do you really want to do? Go to Argentina for four months and be a cowboy? Then do it. Thanks to Lucky Luke, I had a western to do. A French western, but a western nonetheless."

Andy Capp TV series finally arrives on DVD

Network has announced the DVD release of the complete six-episode series of the 1988 sitcom Andy Capp on 11th June 2012.

Starring James Bolam, this comedy series was an attempt to transform the flat-capped cartoon strip legend from the Daily Mirror into a television star with a cast that included Paula Tilbrook - now best known for her role as Betty Eagleton on Emmerdale - as Andy's long-suffering wife, Flo.

Written by award-wining Leeds-born novelist, playwright and journalist Keith Waterhouse (Budgie, Billy Liar), this unique series was produced by BAFTA winner John Howard Davies (Fawlty Towers, Mr. Bean).

Despite some stellar casting and creator credits, when the Thames Television produced series was first aired in 1988, it proved a disapointment. Although the cartoon was already Internationally known, syndicated in newspapers worldwide, the episodes were filmed without a studio audience and lacked the spontaneous applause which would have benefited the show.

A short online biography of Andy Capp creator Reg Smythe (word document) notes that during rehearsals the camera men and production staff all laughed out loud, but without the studio audience the atmosphere at the time of filming was described as being "frankly dull".

The series consisted of six episodes that were shown once and have never been repeated, so it's good to see this oft-forgotten gem of British TV comedy finally released on DVD, so we can make up our own minds about the ill-treated show.

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Blu-Ray, DVD Details

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is coming to DVD and three-disc Blu-ray on November 30 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment in the UK.

From director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen delivers non-stop action and fun, featuring out-of-this-world heroes in the form of the mighty Autobots and a malevolent and powerful villain known as The Fallen, the film boasts some of the most sensational – and complex – visual effects in film history.

In addition to audience favourites Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, the film’s human stars have returned to help save the world including Shia LaBeouf (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), Megan Fox (How to Lose Friends & Alienate People), Josh Duhamel (Las Vegas), Tyrese Gibson (Four Brothers) and John Turturro (The Good Shepherd).

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen three-disc Blu-ray and 2-disc Special Edition DVD both feature over three hours of in-depth, immersive special features that let viewers further explore the world of the legendary ‘robots in disguise’.

Among the engrossing content is a multi-chapter documentary, including interviews with the cast and crew, that chronicles the entire making of the film, from development and design to filming in locations around the globe, working with the U.S. military, creating the groundbreaking visual effects and putting it all together to produce one of the biggest films of the year.

The discs also include an all-access featurette following renowned director Michael Bay through an entire day, a comprehensive exploration of the ‘confidential files’ on a dozen of the Transformers characters featured in the film, multi-angle breakdowns of some of the most sensational action sequences and much, much more.

The three-disc Blu-ray and 2-disc Special Edition DVD packages will also feature augmented reality technology that will allow people to interact with a holographic image of Optimus Prime by using a webcam and a special website.

As an added bonus, the Blu-ray will include an exclusive interactive feature that gives viewers the ability to customise their own robot characters and get a glimpse at a rogue robot. Out of all the available permutations, one will unlock an exclusive interview with Michael Bay about his plans for the next adventure.

• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is available to buy on DVD & 3-disc Blu-ray with Digital Copy on 30th November 30 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment: Buy it from Amazon.co.uk

TECHNICAL DETAILS – SINGLE DISC DVD



Title: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Release date: November 30 2009

Discs: 1 Disc Set

RRP: £19.99

Cert: 12A

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Running time: TBC

Special features

• Commentary by Michael Bay, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman

• Buy Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen from amazon.co.uk

TECHNICAL DETAILS – 2 DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD



Title: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Release date: November 30 2009

Discs: 2 Disc Set

RRP: £24.99

Cert: 12A

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Running time: TBC

Special features

Disc 1: Commentary by Michael Bay, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman

Disc 2:

The Human Factor: Exacting Revenge of the Fallen

• Seeds of Vengeance - Development and Design

• Domestic Destruction – Production: United States

• Joint Operations – Production: Military

• Wonders of the World – Production: Middle East

• Start Making Sense - Editing

• Under the Gun – Visual Effects

• Running the Gauntlet – Post-Production and Release

• A Day with Bay: Tokyo

• 25 Years of TRANSFORMERS

• NEST: Transformer Data-Hub

• Deconstructing Visual ‘Bayhem’ with Commentary by Pre-Vis Supervisor Steve Yamamoto

• Extended Scenes

• Music Video: Linkin Park’s “New Divide”

• Buy Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen from amazon.co.uk

TECHNICAL DETAILS – 3-DISC BLU-RAY WITH DIGITAL COPY


Title: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Release date: November 30 2009

Discs: 3 Disc Set

RRP £29.99

Cert: 12A

Picture: 1080p High Definition

Sound: TBC

Running time: TBC

Special features

Disc 1:

• Commentary by Michael Bay, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman

Disc 2:

• The Human Factor: Exacting Revenge of the Fallen:

• Seeds of Vengeance – Development and Design

• Domestic Destruction – Production: United States

• Joint Operations – Production: Military

• Wonders of the World – Production: Middle East

• Start Making Sense – Editing

• Under the Gun – Visual Effects

• Running the Gauntlet – Post-Production and Release

• A Day with Bay: Tokyo

• 25 Years of TRANSFORMERS

• NEST: Transformer Data-Hub

• Deconstructing Visual ‘Bayhem’ with Commentary by Pre-Vis Supervisor Steve Yamamoto

• Extended Scenes

• Music Video: Linkin Park’s “New Divide”

BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVE:


• The ALLSPARK Experiment: Viewers get their chance to unleash the power of the recently recovered ALLSPARK shard on Earth vehicles. Begin by selecting and customising a vehicle with a selection of parts and accessories. Then apply the ALLSPARK to this creation and watch what happens. Applying the ALLSPARK to certain custom combinations enables four new robot characters with special powers. If viewers discover all four, they unlock a fifth vehicle, which reveals a top secret message about the future of the TRANSFORMERS movie franchise

• NEST: Transformer Data-Hub: A database of some of the TRANSFORMERS characters that appear in the new film, offering users access to each robot’s confidential file including:

• Innovative 3D spin galleries of each robot

• A timeline for each TRANSFORMERS character charting its origins, back story and design evolution from toys to animated series to comics and finally feature films

• Giant Effing Movie: A very personal look at the making of the movie

• The Matrix of Marketing: An archive of the film’s promotional media including trailers, posters and television spots

• Buy Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen from amazon.co.uk

• Please note special features subject to change

Star Trek DVD Release Date Set

The new Star Trek film beams onto DVD and 3 Disc Blu-ray with Digital Copy on 16th November 2009 in the UK.

This visually spectacular, blockbuster prequel from acclaimed director J.J Abrams (Lost, Mission: Impossible III) follows a young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine, Carriers) as a rebellious troublemaker, attempting to prove his superiors wrong and fulfil his potential by enrolling in Starfleet, much to the dismay of his instructor, the young Lt. Spock (Zachary Quinto, Heroes).

Kirk, Spock and the rest of the crew including Scotty (Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead), Uhura (Zoe Saldana, Avatar), Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy (Karl Urban, The Bourne Supremacy), Sulu (John Cho, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle) and Chekov (Anton Yelchin, Terminator Salvation), board the newly commissioned U.S.S. Enterprise to unite in a battle against Romulan ship captain, Nero (Eric Bana, Munich).

The film was a worldwide box office phenomenon on its release, successfully reinvigorating the Star Trek franchise and bringing many new fans to the saga. With a guest appearance from Leonard Nimoy as the original Spock to "pass the torch" to this new crew, it's also been a hit with the vast majority of the show's original fandom.

The Star Trek two-disc special edition DVD and three disc Blu-ray with Digital Copy boasts out-of-this-world special features to take viewers even further into the new universe of the rousing space adventure, starting with a home entertainment first: groundbreaking augmented reality technology. Using a webcam, a Star Trek visual cue will morph into a 3D holographic tour of the U.S.S. Enterprise on the screen, providing a unique and interactive experience.

The special features also include in-depth explorations of the franchise, the phenomenal cast, the spectacular action sequences, the powerful score and the captivating aliens, as well as commentary from J.J. Abrams and a gag reel.

Additionally, the discs feature compelling, deleted scenes that reveal a side story involving Nero with a first-ever look at Abrams’ version of the infamous warrior Klingons.

The Blu-ray version will give audiences a stunning viewing experience, featuring 5.1 Dolby TrueHD and includes a Digital Copy of the film which can be easily transferred to a computer, Video iPod, iPhone and other portable media players.

• Star Trek is available to buy on DVD & 3 Disc Blu-ray with Digital Copy on 16th November 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Buy Star Trek from amazon.co.uk

TECHNICAL DETAILS – SINGLE DISC DVD


Title: Star Trek

Release date: November 16 2009

Discs: 1 Disc Set

RRP: £19.99

Cert 12A

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Running time – main feature

Approx. 127 minutes

Special features


• Commentary by J.J Abrams, Bryan Burk, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof and Roberto Orci

• A New Vision

• Gag Reel

TECHNICAL DETAILS – 2 DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD


Title: Star Trek

Release date: November 16 2009

Discs: 2 Disc Set

RRP: £24.99

Cert: 12A

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Running time – main feature Approx. 127 minutes

Special features


Commentary by J.J Abrams, Bryan Burk, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof and Roberto Orci

• A New Vision

• Gag Reel

• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary

• Featurettes: To Boldly Go, Casting, Aliens, Score

TECHNICAL DETAILS – 3 DISC BLU-RAY WITH DIGITAL COPY


Title: Star Trek

Release date: November 16 2009

Discs: 3 Disc Set

RRP: £29.99

Cert: 12A

Sound: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD

Running time – main feature - Approx. 127 minutes

Special features

Commentary by by J.J Abrams, Bryan Burk, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof and Roberto Orci

• A New Vision

• To Boldly Go – HD

• Casting – HD

• A New Vision – HD

• Starships – HD

• Aliens – HD

• Planets – HD

• Props and Costumes – HD

• Ben Burtt and the Sounds of Star Trek – HD

• Score – HD

• Gene Roddenberry’s Vision – HD

• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary

• Starfleet Vessel Simulator

• Gag Reel

• Trailers

Dave Gibbons to launch Watchmen 3D Graffiti Art Instillation

To celebrate the UK DVD & Blu-ray release of Watchmen, London’s Southbank will stage an art exhibition with a difference on Tuesday 28th July with the comic's artist Dave Gibbons and acclaimed graffiti artist Chu.

Chu will showcase his artistic talents, as he and Dave Gibbons work alongside each other giving fans a one-off Watchmen experience to remember.

London’s Southbank will be transformed into the Watchmen world as Chu unveils his Watchmen masterpiece, and brings to life a selection of cult scenes and characters from the film in his own unique 3D comic book style.

With a running commentary from Dave Gibbons as Chu re-creates key scenes from the film in 3D comic book style, this one-off event will be an amazing launch for the DVD and Blu-ray release.

• The event takes place at the Skate Park, below London’s Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX between 2.00pm and 5.00pm on Tuesday 28th July 2009

• Watchmen is available to buy on DVD & Blu-ray with Digital Copy on 27th July 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment

• Buy the Watchmen - 2 Disc Limited Edition DVD from amazon.co.uk

• Buy the Blu-Ray Watchmen (2 Disc + Digital Copy - Exclusive to the UK) Limited Edition from amazon.co.uk

Panel Borders Goes SciFi Mad!

We don't often cover every podcast or radio show Alex Fitch and his team are about to broadcast, but he's got plenty lined up we think downthetubes fans will want to check out, so hold on to your hats...


• This week's Strip! show is titled Doctor Who comics now... in which Alex Fitch talks to the creators of a couple of recent innovative Doctor Who comics about bringing a new angle to the popular franchise. Leah Moore and John Reppion wrote the recent one off comic The Whispering Gallery for IDW, which saw the Doctor and Martha exploring a terrifying museum on an alien planet.

Alex also talks to Richard Morris, creator of the popular and unauthorised web comic, The Ten Doctors - an epic serialised graphic novel which celebrates almost every aspect you can think of from 46 years of the Time Lord's adventures.
 
Strip! Doctor Who comics now airs at 5.00pm on Thursday 16the July, repeated 11.30pm Sunday 19th July on Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast soon after transmission at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
 
Alex is also celebrating the Moon Landing anniversary with I'm ready for my close-up: Fly me to the Moon, featuring interviews with astronomer and broadcaster Sir Patrick Moore and Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson.
 
Sir Patrick Moore was one of many who covered the events of the Apollo 11 mission live on TV and discusses the events of that day with Alex as well as the highlights of his six decades presenting The Sky at Night.

Alex also talks to Gerry Anderson about how the space race and technological innovations of the 1960s inspired such shows as Fireball XL5 and Thunderbirds.

Network DVD recently released a special collector's edition of the entire Fireball XL5 series, which is well worth tracking down, since in addition to all the show's episodes - including a specially colourized episode - it features a new, exclusive documentary, Drawn in Supermarionation chronicling the comic strip adaptations of the early AP Films series and features contributions from director of merchandising Keith Shackleton and artists Bill Mevin, Mike Noble and Colin Page (See full news story).
 
The interview with Sir Patrick is available to download now from www.sci-fi-london.com/audio and the interview with Gerry Anderson will be broadcast on Thursday 16th July at 10.30pm Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com
 
Online from 19th July (also at www.sci-fi-london.com/audio) is Reality Check: Torchwood in Print. In a panel discussion recorded live at a meeting of the British Fantasy Society, late 1980s Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel talks to a quartet of Torchwood novelists - Mark Morris, Sarah Pinborough, Guy Adams and Joe Lidster - about bringing the show to the printed page and expanding the adventures of Captain Jack, Ianto and Gwen to the length of a hardback novel.

Finally, if your interest in science fiction and fantasy goes wider than stories inspired by TV shows, then check out Panel Borders: Small press Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Continuing the podcaster's Sci-Fi comics month on the show, this features a couple of interviews recorded at comic book conventions with small press creators who are working in the SF and Fantasy genres.

In an interview recorded at this year's Bristol Comics Expo, Dickon Harris talks to comic book creator and musician Dave Lander who contributes to the anthology comic Decadence which in the last couple of instalments has been heavily SF themed. Dave also produced a CD soundtrack to go with recent issues and there are extracts in the podcast.

Also, Alex Fitch talks to Rob Jackson about his fantasy comics, Random Journeys and Bog Wizards, which combine unreliable narrators, humour and magical landscapes, in an interview recorded at a pub in the East End after the UK Web & Mini Comix Thing.
 
Originally broadcast on 9th July check it out vial this link. (And don't forget Alex has also interviewed the brilliant Paul Rainey as part of this thread - check that out here)

• For a full list of all Panel Borders comics podcasts to date, visit: www.tinyurl.com/panelborders
 
• Follow Panel Borders on twitter: http://twitter.com/panelborders and facebook: http://tinyurl.com/facebookborders

Watchmen on DVD, Blu-Ray

The big-screen adaptation of the most celebrated graphic novel of all time, Watchmen, will be released as a Region 2 two-disc DVD and Blu-ray with Digital Copy on 27th July.

Directed by Zack Snyder (300), the 2-disc DVD of the film, based on the eponymouse award-winning comic by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, comes loaded with nearly two hours of special features, including ‘Real Superheroes, Real Vigilantes’, 11 Webisodes, four viral videos and the music video for the My Chemical Romance version of the Bob Dylan song, “Desolation Row”, which was recorded for the film.

The Blu-ray version will give audiences a stunning viewing experience, featuring 5.1 Dolby TrueHD and containing all the special features from the 2-disc format. In addition, a Digital Copy of the film is included to be easily transferred to a computer, Video iPod, iPhone and other portable media players.

A complex and multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America; a world darkened by fear and paranoia in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the Doomsday Clock – which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union – moves closer to nuclear midnight.

When a former colleague, The Comedian (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan – TVs Grey’s Anatomy) is murdered, the outlawed but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley – Semi-Pro) sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes.

As Rorschach reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion, a disbanded group of retired superheroes, including Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson – Lakeview Terrace), Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman – The Heartbreak Kid), Ozymandias (Matthew Goode – Brideshead Revisited) and Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup – Mission: Impossible III), the only one who has true powers – he glimpses a disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Together, the heroes must expose a sinister plan that puts the human race and their own existence in grave danger. Their mission is to watch over humanity... but who is watching the Watchmen?

• Watchmen is available to buy on DVD & Blu-ray with Digital Copy on 27th July 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment

• Buy the Watchmen - 2 Disc Limited Edition DVD from amazon.co.uk

• Buy the Blu-Ray Watchmen (2 Disc + Digital Copy - Exclusive to the UK) Limited Edition from amazon.co.uk

Planet of the Apes - Down the Tube!

Commuters on the London Underground were amazed last Tuesday when characters from the Planet of the Apes films joined them on the Tube!

The apes were in town to celebrate the re-release of the classic film, now 40 years old, on Blu-ray DVD.

We don't want to annoy the copyright holders of the photos so check them out on the Daily Mail or The Sun's own web sites.

• Buy Planet Of The Apes Blu-Ray Collection from amazon.co.uk

• There's a chance to win the Blu-Ray set on the i-Gizmo web site. Entries need to be in by 16 December 2008

Wicked Willie Returns!

Remember Wicked Willie, the creation of Gray Jolliffe? Well, he's back, as right and upright as ever in The Complete Wicked Willie, out on DVD in January.

Based on Jolliffe’s internationally best-selling series of cartoon books about the continuing adventures of a man and his “best friend”, the animated series from Oscar winning animator Bob Godfrey gives a wry and comic look at this evolving partnership, their attitude towards sex and the quest for new experiences.

In addition to the films, Wicked Willie - The Movie and Wicked Willie Rides Again, extras on this DVD include an interview with Gray Jolliffe; Checking the Undercarriage (Joliffe, who is actively involved in the Bob Champion Cancer Charity, has drawn a self-examination guide for men, so that ‘Dr Willie’ can assist in publicising this too often ignored condition); Where’s Willie?, Willie Trivia, biographies of Gray Jolliffe & Bob Godfrey, Early Artwork and more.

Captain Eager comes to DVD

Anyone who's a fan of Dan Dare, Rick Random, Flash Gordon and perhaps even Captain Scarlet might not want to check out the new DVD Captain Eager and the Mark of the Voth, unless of course they're prepared to enjoy this spoof of these well known characters.

"Captain Eager is a whacky sci-fi film that doesn’t expect to appeal to the broad masses," admits the film's director Simon Davison, but it does look quite fun, so nip over the official web site for more information.

"You'll see there's a passing resemblance to Dan Dare and comic sci-fi of the 1950's and 60's," Simon tells downthetubes. "There are even speech bubbles in some scenes amd the website also includes a page from the (non-existent) comic Blast-Off!". Eagle fans will quickly spot a resemblance!


"I used to compose for film TV adverts, such as Blue Juice," says Simon. "But I wanted to write and direct. I’ve sold several scripts but Captain Eager and the Mark of the Voth is my first feature as a director.

In addition to the film, the DVD includes extras such as Scamp the Rocket Dog learning to use his exciting rocket pack, bloopers and more.

• Visit the official Captain Eager web site

Stan Lee Signed Comic Must be Won!

Marking the impending release of Iron Man on Region 2 DVD, downthetubes and SF web site scifipulse have teamed up with Paramount Home Entertainment UK to offer readers the chance to win a Marvel Legends comic signed by Stan "The Man" Lee, who was there at the beginning of the Iron Man legend.

Iron Man, which earned £17 million at the UK Box Office, comes to DVD and Blu-ray on 27 October 2008 in Ultimate Edition two-disc sets, delivering non-stop action and excitement from a Super Hero who boasts not only unique powers, but also irresistible charm, penetrating intelligence and a wry wit.

Such is the current popularity of Iron Man, the superhero is one of the first to feature in Panini UK's new Marvel Heroes comic, in an all-new story written by Scott Gray with art by Carlos Gomez and Gary Erskine (see downthetubes news story)

Iron Man thrilled both critics and audiences around the world with its captivating story and stunning visual effects. The film features an all-star cast including Academy Award nominees Robert Downey Jr. (Zodiac, Chaplin), Jeff Bridges (The Contender) and Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow) and Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare In Love) and was directed by Jon Favreau (Elf).

The Iron Man Ultimate Edition two-disc sets are super-charged with hours of explosive bonus features that take viewers inside the suit of self-made super hero Tony Stark and his invincible alter ego. The sets also includes extensive explorations of the origins of the character in a six-part featurette, as well as a seven-part in-depth look at the making of the film, a revealing documentary on the stellar visual effects, Robert Downey Jr.’s original screen test, deleted and extended scenes, a photo gallery of concept art and behind-the-scenes images on the set and more. (The Iron Man single-disc DVD bonus features include the deleted and extended scenes).

As one of the most anticipated releases of the year, the Iron Man Blu-ray presentation offers even more exclusive content for an incredible entertainment experience including a “Hall of Armour” that allows fans to enter the Stark database to zoom in on any of the three Iron Man suits – or Iron Monger. They can then activate the digital 3-D schematics to check out every weapon and the full high-definition renders let users fly around each suit to explore each of the armors in comprehensive detail. The “Iron Man IQ” is a user-friendly web application that lets users create and share new multiple choice quizzes based on clips from the film. Fans can also download other users’ challenges via BD-Live.

• To be in with a chance to win a copy of Marvel Legends signed by Stan Lee, simply answer this question by 12 noon GMT on Monday 3rd November:

What is the name of the writer of the new Iron Man story in Marvel Heroes #1, on sale now from Panini UK?

• E-mail you answer to us at downthetubes via this address

• Iron Man is available to buy in the UK from 27th October 27 2008 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Order the DVD or Blu-ray from amazon.co.uk

Abracadabra! It's Shaun the Sheep

Baa! Another bunch of great woolly adventures for Shaun, Bitzer, Shirley and the flock, not to mention those troublesome pigs is about to be released on DVD, as they go looking for more sheep thrills.

The shear delights in this collection of Aardman's fab animated show include: a disappearing flock in Shaun’s magic show, newly-hatched chicks thinking Shaun is their mum, Shirley getting the hiccups and a bull seeing red all over when the Naughty Pigs pour paint into the sheep dip.

Shaun The Sheep: Abracadabra is available on DVD from 20th October, priced £12.99, and features 8 barnstorming adventures: Abracadabra, The Bull, Who's the Mummy?,
Hiccups, Heavy Metal Shaun, Troublesome Tractor, Sheepwalking and Save the Tree

This baa..rilliant DVD also features Meet the Animals?, an introduction to Shaun’s farm friends from some of his young fans.

• Pre-order Shaun the Sheep: Abracadabra from amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Shaun the Sheep ringtone from the downthetubes mobile site

Alan Moore in London

(via the Forbidden Planet International blog): Great Britain’s Comics Alchemist in Extraordinary Alan Moore will be appearing at London’s Orbital Comics (148 Charing Cross Road) on the 24th May to promote the new DVD The Mindscape of Alan Moore, a 2003 feature documentary distributed by Shadow Snake which chronicles Alan's life and work.

The Mindscape of Alan Moore is Shadowsnake’s first completed feature project, part One of the Shamanautical / 5 Elements series. It is the directorial debut of DeZ Vylenz and is the only feature film production on which Alan Moore has collaborated, with permission to use his work.

Alan Moore presents the story of his development as an artist, starting with his childhood and working through to his comics career and impact on that medium, and his emerging interest in magic.

The film features the first film adaptations of scenes from Moore's acclaimed series V for Vendetta and Watchmen, shot in early 2002. Another key scene features a direct reference to the character of John Constantine from the comic book Hellblazer.

a portrait of the artist as contemporary shaman, someone with the power to transform consciousness by means of manipulating language, symbols and images.

The film leads the audience through Moore's world with the writer himself as guide, beginning with his childhood background, following the evolution of his career as he transformed the comics medium, through to his immersion in a magical worldview where science, spirituality and society are part of the same universe.

Here's a trailer for the film, via YouTube.



You can read a review of the film by Daniel Etherington on the Film4 web site.

There’s also a Polish launch of the DVD coming up on 25th June at the Oúrodek Postaw Twórczych (the Creative Art Center) in Wroclaw; the US official release by the Disinformation Group will be in September.

Daily Mirror's Jane on DVD

One of the more obscure titles in our British Comics on Film list has just been released on DVD.

Odeon Entertainment have released the 1949 B-movie The Adventures of Jane which is based on the Daily Mirror 's Jane comic strip. The film stars Christabel Leighton-Porter, the model that artist Norman Pett used as the basis for Jane in his drawings, and who also features in Andy Saunder's factual book, Jane A Pin-Up At War. The DVD also includes the police thriller Murder at 3AM.

Anyone concerned, or alternatively gleeful, at the thought of seeing Jane/Christabel "in all her glory" should be aware that the nearly 60 year old movie only carries a PG certificate.

• Buy The Adventures of Jane from amazon.co.uk
• Buy the book Jane: A Pin-Up At War from amazon.co.uk

More straight to DVD Stargate

Stargate: Continuum debuts exclusively on DVD and Blu-Ray Disc in the US on 29th July, with members of SG-1 find themselves returning to a world where their history has been dramatically altered.

Continuing the legacy of Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Continuum folows up on the prevous straight-to-DVD release Ark of Truth and reunites Richard Dean Anderson as Jack O'Neill, with series favourites Ben Browder, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Claudia Black, Golden Globe winner and three-time Emmy Award-winning actor, Beau Bridges and Michael Shanks as Daniel Jackson.

The most northerly-filmed movie production in history, filmed partly in the Arctic, Stargate: Continuum is the most ambitious Stargate production yet, featuring incredible visual effects, out-of-this-world battle sequences and breathtaking scenes shot on the Arctic ice.

According to Producer Brad Wright, “We've got nuclear submarines, F-15's and the bone fide arctic circle. Add our fabulous cast, including Beau Bridges, William Devane and Richard Dean Anderson and you've got yourselves a movie.

Stargate: Continuum, also being considered for the Guinness Book of World Records for Most Northerly Film Shoot, is packed with a host of all-new bonus content on DVD and Blu-Ray, including feature-length audio commentary with Producer/Writer Brad Wright and Director Martin Wood, as well as three featurettes.

Delving into the extraordinary making of Stargate: Continuum, the featurettes explore how the US military provided assistance, such as a Navy nuclear submarine and F-15 fighter jets from the Air Force, what it was like shooting in the Arctic, and how science and science fiction collide.

The only series ever to receive the United States Air Force Seal of Approval, Stargate SG-1 also boasts four Saturn Awards, two Gemini Awards, nine Leo Awards, eight Emmy nominations and three Visual Effects Society nominations.

• Stargate: Continuum will be available for the suggested retail price of $26.98 U.S./$37.98 Canada. The Blu-Ray release is priced at $39.98 U.S./$49.98 Canada.

My Wife Left Me...

Before the sublime Doctor Who: Blink, before the gory Jekyll, before his two consecutive Hugo awards for new Doctor Who episodes, before even the four seasons of Coupling, Steven Moffat wrote two seasons of a little gem of a sitcom called Joking Apart.

Hidden away on BBC2 it told of the tortured love life of a stand-up comedian and starred Robert Bathurst before he moved on to Cold Feet. The first season of the show was released by Replay DVD several years ago and they have just announced that the second series, plus the original pilot episode, will be released on DVD on 17 March 2008.

Craig Robins of Replay says "It will be a two-disc set this time and the extras include commentaries on all episodes featuring Steven Moffat, Robert Bathurst, Fiona Gillies, Tracie Bennett, Paul Raffield, Andre Ptaszynski (producer), Bob Spiers (director) and Stacey Adair (Production Manager); the 1991 Joking Apart pilot episode (one of a series of pilots that were shown under the umbrella title of 'Comic Asides'); a complete set of scripts in pdf format; 'Joking Apart in the Studio' pdf article; plus a colourful companion booklet."

The DVD is available to pre-order now direct from Replay. You can buy Series 1 from amazon.co.uk

Survivors Returns

The Forbidden Planet International web site reports the BBC has confirmed that it has concluded a deal with the estate of the late Terry Nation to create a new version of the cult 70s science fiction show Survivors.

Nation, well-known to SF viewers for Blake’s 7, not to mention creating the Daleks for Doctor Who, devised Survivors which ran for three seasons on the BBC from 1975 and which followed a small group of people who had survived a sudden pandemic which had wiped out much of humanity. The series gave the clear impression the virus was man-made, playing on Cold War fears of biological attack.

The new series will be written by BAFTA award-winning writer Adrian Hodges, who adapted Philip Pullman’s Ruby in the Smoke and co-created the time-travel/monster show Primeval.

“Survivors was one of the bravest and most exciting programmes of its time and I’m thrilled to be involved with re-imagining it for a new audience, says Hodges. "I remember its original impact vividly and I hope we can make a similar impression with the new version.”

Kate Harwood, Head of Series and Serials, BBC Drama Production, said of the accquisition: "The opportunity to remake Survivors for a modern generation proved irresistible.

"After months of negotiations, I am delighted that one of British television's great cult series will return with original stories packed with adventure and spirit set against the backdrop of our own recognisable world."

The Survivors: a World Away site notes this confirmation comes after much speculation, citing news items from the Guardian and SFX from 2006 confidently proclaiming the series was about to return.

This isn't the first time Survivors has been revived: Terry Nation himself once told me he had attempted to get a series off the grounbd after he moved to the US, with little success. The World Away site has more information on past attempts at a remake of this classic show.

Web Links
• For a detailed episode guide visit www.survivorstvseries.com
• Unofficial Guide to Survivors Book

The Survivors on DVD (Region Two)
• Season One
• Season Two
• Season Three

Where's Clive?

(Note: the "missing puppet" story that inspired our reporter Jeremy Briggs' research below was quickly revealed as a PR hoax, see follow up, but we have kept this item live for information purposes)

Gerry Anderson fans have a new game to play and it is called "Where's Clive?", although it has rather more to do with local newspapers than finding a real person.

Dick Spanner PI, Gerry Anderson's little known stop motion series from 1986 has been released on double DVD by One Media Publishing. Part of the publicity surrounding the release is a story that Gerry does not have an original Dick Spanner puppet in his personal collection and so is looking to track one down. At national level, in The Independent for instance, this was a general request to readers to look out for the puppet with the suggestion that it could be worth a lot of money.

However by the time the story time had filtered down to local paper level it had become much more specific, looking for a set assistant PA called "Clive" who might actually have the puppet. Indeed the Lancaster Evening Post put out the story suggesting that Clive might live in Preston.

However if you were reading the Western Daily Press in Bristol, you would see that they claim that Clive comes from the more general "West of England".

Now despite having the length of Wales between Preston and Bristol I can live with describing them both as the West of England. However I think that Cornwall is a bit of push, being in South West England or, more vaguely, the West Country as The Cornishman reports.

Those of you living on the south coast however should not feel left out as the Bournemouth Daily Echo puts him in Bournemouth while the Shropshire Star is a little more vague by just saying Shropshire.

Slightly less vague is the Coventry Telegraph which has Gerry "hunting all over Coventry and Warwickshire" for the puppet.

My current favourite however has to be this one. While Preston, Bournemouth, Coventry and the rest may not be that close together, at least they are all in England. Over in Northern Ireland, the Derry Journal reckons that Clive may live in Londonderry and that the puppet may be in "the Creggan, Brandywell or the Bog". That would be the Bogside, for those of you now worried that Clive might have flushed the puppet down the toilet as the ring of investigative steel from the local paper closed in on his hiding place.

More local reports on the whereabouts of the elusive Clive as we get them!

Update, 13:01 24/10/07: Meanwhile, in a quick update on this post here's a copy of the letter being sent out to local newspapers by the PR company, as published in the South Shields Gazette... It seems the wording letter might itself be causing the confusion among local newspaper editors...

Missing: Dick Spanner PI

WORK for a company currently representing Gerry Anderson, the legendary 'string-pulling' producer and creator of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and cult TV show Dick Spanner PI, which first aired in 1986, about a robot private detective.

Gerry, who is now 78, has an incredible collection at his home of all the original figures from his hugely popular shows, but his Dick Spanner marionette, which he had hoped eventually to pass on to his family, is missing.

We have already contacted Channel 4's storeroom and prop team, but this has been so far fruitless.

All that Gerry can remember about last seeing the figure is that it was entrusted to a set assistant PA from your area called Clive when the show's last episode was filmed in 1987, but as yet all our efforts to track him or the figure down have been unsuccessful.

It would mean so much to Gerry to have a complete collection of his lifetime's work.

He is a true television legend, and he is willing to offer a reward to anyone who can find Dick Spanner. Perhaps it's in someone's attic?

Ben Titchmarsh,
Quite Great Publicity
Cambridge
Email:
info@quitegreat.co.uk

• Have you spotted a Dick Spanner story in your local paper? Leave a comment!
• More about Dick Spanner PI
• Buy the DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Young Indy on DVD

George Lucas' live-action series The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones Volume One, the first of three, will finally make its way to Region 1 DVD from Lucasfilm Ltd., CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment on 23rd October, 2007, so assume a Region 2 release must be pretty simultaneous.

The release is surely the first stage in the run up to the new Indy film now in the works. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones first aired on TV in 1992.

The first volume is a 12-disc set which includes seven feature-length episodes and 38 documentaries produced by Lucasfilm's documentary unit, an historical overview, an interactive game and timeline.

The interviews about the series include chats with luminaries such as US General Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, and Gloria Steinem as well as Deepak Chopra among others.

Babylon 5: The Lost Tales - Region 2 release news

The previously-mentioned Region 2 release of Babylon 5: The Lost Tales, a straight-to-DVD B5 project has been scehduled for 3 September 2007, quickly followed on 10 September by the release of Supernatural Season Two.

The Region 1 DVD was released on Region 1 on 31st July.

Lost Tales offers two stories set 10 years after John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) became President of the Interstellar Alliance and as he is preparing for a fateful Babylon 5 reunion that could prevent Earth’s impending doom… if he will also compromise his core principles.

Meanwhile, aboard B5, Commander Lochley (Tracy Scoggins), confronts an unexpected interloper on the way station – a being whose presence makes the freeport the crossroads between heaven and hell.