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Review Paramount Home Entertainment / Star Trek : Deep Space Nine - Vol. 14 - Rules Of Acquisition / Necessary Evil [1995]
Actors & Directors
  • Terry Farrell
  • Colm Meaney
  • James L. Conway
  • Avery Brooks
  • David Livingston
  • Rene Auberjonois
  • Siddig El Fadil
Release date: 1994-05-23
Run time: 88 min.
Price: £5.99

Review Star Trek : Deep Space Nine - Vol. 14 - Rules Of Acquisition / Necessary Evil [1995] / Paramount Home Entertainment:

From the outset, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was about conflict. Producers Rick Berman and Michael Piller challenged the utopian ideals of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek universe to create something totally different from its predecessors. That meant no familial camaraderie, squeaky-clean Federation diplomacy, or beige décor. Instead they wanted interpersonal friction, ruthless enemies (Gamma Quadrant Imperialists-The Dominion) and rebellion at every turn. The DS9 concept was originally facilitated by introducing the Cardassian/Bajoran war during The Next Generation's final days. After a muted first reception fans gradually came to accept the new look, but no one liked Star Trek without a starship and eventually the producers capitulated to viewers' wishes by introducing the USS Defiant (an apt name) in Season 3. Relying far less on technobabble than TNG, DS9 was unafraid to focus on matters of the spirit instead, demonstrating a ballsy independence from its parent shows. Taking up the gauntlet thrown down by Babylon 5, improved CGI space battles also became a fan favourite. Throughout the increasingly serialised story arc there were rebellious factions within the different establishments: Kira had belonged to the Shakaar resistance cell; the Maquis was Starfleet vs Cardassians; section 31 was a secret Starfleet group; the True Way was a Bajoran group opposed to peace; the Cardassians had their Obsidian Order and the Romulans their Gestapo-like Tal Shiar. Yet for all its constant bickering and espionage (even Bashir got to be James Bond), there was always some contemporary social commentary lurking: the Ferengi were used as a comedic foil to frown on materialistic greed; drugs were looked at via the Jem'Hadar foot soldiers' addiction to Ketracel White. [+]
Perhaps Sisko summed up the real heart of things: "Bajor doesn't need a man, it needs a legend". A future vision that retains a place for religion and spirituality turned out to be Deep Space Nine's first best destiny. -Paul Tonks.

Review Paramount Home Entertainment / Star Trek : Deep Space Nine - Vol. 4.13 - Body Parts / Broken Link
Actors & Directors
  • Michael Dorn
  • Rene Auberjonois
  • Avery Brooks
  • Avery Brooks
  • Cirroc Lofton
  • Terry Farrell
  • Les Landau
Release date: 1996-11-18
Run time: 88 min.
RRP: £5.99
Price: £0.39

Review Star Trek : Deep Space Nine - Vol. 4.13 - Body Parts / Broken Link / Paramount Home Entertainment:

From the outset, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was about conflict. Producers Rick Berman and Michael Piller challenged the utopian ideals of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek universe to create something totally different from its predecessors. That meant no familial camaraderie, squeaky-clean Federation diplomacy, or beige décor. Instead they wanted interpersonal friction, ruthless enemies (Gamma Quadrant Imperialists-The Dominion) and rebellion at every turn. The DS9 concept was originally facilitated by introducing the Cardassian/Bajoran war during The Next Generation's final days. After a muted first reception fans gradually came to accept the new look, but no one liked Star Trek without a starship and eventually the producers capitulated to viewers' wishes by introducing the USS Defiant (an apt name) in Season 3. Relying far less on technobabble than TNG, DS9 was unafraid to focus on matters of the spirit instead, demonstrating a ballsy independence from its parent shows. Taking up the gauntlet thrown down by Babylon 5, improved CGI space battles also became a fan favourite. Throughout the increasingly serialised story arc there were rebellious factions within the different establishments: Kira had belonged to the Shakaar resistance cell; the Maquis was Starfleet vs Cardassians; section 31 was a secret Starfleet group; the True Way was a Bajoran group opposed to peace; the Cardassians had their Obsidian Order and the Romulans their Gestapo-like Tal Shiar. Yet for all its constant bickering and espionage (even Bashir got to be James Bond), there was always some contemporary social commentary lurking: the Ferengi were used as a comedic foil to frown on materialistic greed; drugs were looked at via the Jem'Hadar foot soldiers' addiction to Ketracel White. [+]
Perhaps Sisko summed up the real heart of things: "Bajor doesn't need a man, it needs a legend". A future vision that retains a place for religion and spirituality turned out to be Deep Space Nine's first best destiny. -Paul Tonks.

Review Robotech / Robotech - Vol. 5 - Blue Wind / Gloval's Report / Home- coming
Release date: 1995-05-22
RRP: £7.99
Price: £2.99

Review Robotech - Vol. 5 - Blue Wind / Gloval's Report / Home- coming / Robotech:


Review Kiseki Films / Robotech - Vol. 6 - Battle Cry / Phantasm / Farewell Big Brother [1985]
Actors & Directors
  • Mary Cobb
  • Rebecca Forstadt
  • Robert V. Barron
  • Jean-Claude Ballard
  • Eddie Frierson
  • J. Jay Smith
Release date: 1995-07-17
Run time: 75 min.
RRP: £7.99
Price: £9.99

Review Robotech - Vol. 6 - Battle Cry / Phantasm / Farewell Big Brother [1985] / Kiseki Films:


Review 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment / Enemy Mine [1985]
Actors & Directors
  • Brion James
  • Wolfgang Petersen
  • Carolyn McCormick
  • Dennis Quaid
  • Louis Gossett Jr.
  • Richard Marcus
Release date: 1989-02-09
Run time: 89 min.
Price: £5.99

Review Enemy Mine [1985] / 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment:

Enemy Mine is, in essence, a sci-fi remake of John Boorman's Hell in the Pacific (1969), only instead of a US pilot and a Japanese naval officer stranded on a Pacific island during WWII, here we have a lizard-like Draconian (Louis Gossett Jr. ) and his mortal enemy, Earthling Dennis Quaid, both having crash-landed on a hostile planet during a brutal space battle. Forced to rely on one another for survival, they overcome their differences and become fast friends. (You can almost hear them break into an off-key version of "It's a Small World". ) German director Wolfgang Petersen, so brutally honest with his film Das Boot, turns warm and cuddly on us with this intergalactic buddy movie. Although the script sets us up for an intriguing encounter, it ultimately settles for a simple and sentimental resolution. Noteworthy set design and strong performances, especially by Gossett, push this beyond mere mediocrity. His performance is fascinating, as he must speak in an alien tongue, which he maintains with artistry and consistency. -Rochelle O'Gorman, Amazon. com On the DVD: Enemy Mine on disc is presented anamorphically in its original 2. [+]
35:1 theatrical ratio with a vivid Dolby 4. 0 soundtrack. Thankfully picture and sound are excellent, since the extra features are lamentably poor, consisting merely of the theatrical trailer and three (yes, three) "behind the scenes" still pictures. The disc is also equipped with multiple language and subtitle options. -Mark Walker.

Review 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment / Cocoon - The Return (1988) [VHS]
Actors & Directors
  • Don Ameche
  • Hume Cronyn
  • Daniel Petrie
  • Courteney Cox
  • Jack Gilford
  • Wilford Brimley
Release date: 1998-03-16
Run time: 111 min.
RRP: £5.99
Price: £5.98

Review Cocoon - The Return (1988) [VHS] / 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment:


Review Fabulous Films Ltd. / Android [1982]
Actors & Directors
  • Brie Howard
  • Norbert Weisser
  • Aaron Lipstadt
  • Don Keith Opper
  • Klaus Kinski
  • Kendra Kirchner
Release date: 1998-02-02
Run time: 77 min.
RRP: £10.99
Price: £3.95

Review Android [1982] / Fabulous Films Ltd.:


Review Warner Home Video / Babylon 5 - Vol. 2 - Episodes 3 and 4 - Born To The Purple / Infection [1994]
Actors & Directors
  • Fabiana Udenio
  • Richard Compton
  • Peter Jurasik
  • Bruce Seth Green
  • Michael O'Hare
  • David McCallum
Release date: 1995-07-17
Run time: 84 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.01

Review Babylon 5 - Vol. 2 - Episodes 3 and 4 - Born To The Purple / Infection [1994] / Warner Home Video:


Review MGM Entertainment / Thunderbirds 6: The Movie [1968]
Actors & Directors
  • Keith Alexander
  • Peter Dyneley
  • John Carson
  • Gary Files
  • Sylvia Anderson
  • David Lane
Release date: 2001-04-09
Run time: 89 min.
RRP: £9.99
Price: £2.40

Review Thunderbirds 6: The Movie [1968] / MGM Entertainment:

Thunderbird 6 was the second feature spin-off from the hit Gerry Anderson puppet-animation TV series Thunderbirds, and revolved around a new addition to the line-up of International Rescue's five emergency craft. The plot sees Lady Penelope, Alan, Tin-Tin and Parker as the only passengers on the maiden, round-the-world flight of a futuristic airship, which is hijacked in a bid to capture Thunderbirds 1 and 2. From the moment Alan arrives on a Bond-style jetpack, the film veers away from the TV show into espionage adventure territory, and while the only people International Rescue rescue are their own members, they kill a fair number of baddies. The global tour means there are more locations than ever, and though the story takes a long time developing, the Die Hard-on-an-airship finale delivers the most explosive set piece of Gerry Anderson's career. As for Thunderbird 6, opinion remains divided as to whether it's an ingenious twist or a disappointing gimmick, but the movie's blend of model and live-action footage results in two superbly staged stunt sequences. Predecessor Thunderbirds Are Go (1968) is also available, and the Andersons would make one further feature film, Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969). On the DVD: The anamorphically enhanced 2. 35:1 ratio image is sharp, full of detail and boasting well-saturated colours, only the briefest moments of damage and some graininess revealing the age of the print. The film was shot in ultra-wide Techniscope, and there are moments were it is very obvious that parts of the original 2. 74:1 picture have been cropped at the sides. [+]
The mono sound is powerful with no hint of distortion. Extras are the original trailer, galleries of behind the scenes photos and promotional artwork, though the highlight is the highly informative commentary by Sylvia Anderson and director David Lane where they note how they made this film and worked on Captain Scarlet simultaneously. -Gary S Dalkin.

Review Warner Home Video / Babylon 5 - Vol. 4.02 - The Summoning / Falling Towards Apotheosis [1994]
Actors & Directors
  • Jerry Doyle
  • Peter Jurasik
  • John McPherson
  • Bruce Boxleitner
  • Claudia Christian
  • David J. Eagle
  • Jason Carter
Release date: 1998-03-30
Run time: 84 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.65

Review Babylon 5 - Vol. 4.02 - The Summoning / Falling Towards Apotheosis [1994] / Warner Home Video:


Review Paramount Home Entertainment / Star Trek The Next Generation: All Good Things - The Full Length TV Movie [1994]
Actors & Directors
  • Patrick Stewart
  • Gates McFadden
  • Jonathan Frakes
  • Michael Dorn
  • LeVar Burton
  • Winrich Kolbe
Release date: 1995-05-22
Run time: 88 min.
RRP: £5.99
Price: £12.95

Review Star Trek The Next Generation: All Good Things - The Full Length TV Movie [1994] / Paramount Home Entertainment:

In 1987, some 20 years after the original series had ended, Star Trek: The Next Generation was launched into a decade renowned for its materialistic greed, but also for its hesitant steps towards a more unified world order. Creator Gene Roddenberry revised his vision of humanity's future accordingly, shifting the Trek timeline 80 years on and reinventing the new Starship Enterprise as an Ark-like exploration vessel full of families, schools, soothing recreational facilities and a maternally pacifying computer voice (Roddenberry's wife, Majel Barrett). The Next Generation crew were not soldiers, but scientists and diplomats. Unlike the fiercely individualistic Captain Kirk, Patrick Stewart's patrician Captain Jean-Luc Picard was a model team leader: no matter how desperate the crisis, he ensured that everyone got to sit round the Conference Room table and talk it over. And in a true late-1980s touch, a key member of the Bridge crew was psychoanalyst Counsellor Troi, always on hand to discuss everyone's feelings. Season Two saw the welcome introduction of the cybernetic horror that was the Borg. Originally a powerful symbol of technological misuse in an otherwise technologically utopian universe, ultimately their hive-like existence served to reinforce the message that everyone would be much happier as a team player. Even renegade super-entity Q (John De Lancie) relied on Picard as much as his fellow god-like playmates; Data followed Pinocchio and Spock in a quest to discard what made him an individual; and there was even an episode that rationalised why all aliens basically looked alike (we're all one big family). Even the slogan change to "Where no one has gone before" acknowledges that there's no "one" in a team. But for all its earnest political correctness and an over-reliance on "technobabble", good stories played by an appealing ensemble cast were at the heart of the show's success. [+]
After seven successful seasons, "All Good Things" finally came to an end. Until Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise, that is. -Paul Tonks.

Review Warner Home Video / Babylon 5 - Vol. 18 - There All The Honor Lies / Knives [1994]
Actors & Directors
  • Andrea Thompson
  • Bruce Boxleitner
  • Michael Vejar
  • Stephen Furst
  • Bill Mumy
  • Stephen L. Posey
  • Robert Rusler
Release date: 1996-11-25
Run time: 84 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.90

Review Babylon 5 - Vol. 18 - There All The Honor Lies / Knives [1994] / Warner Home Video:


Review Paramount Home Entertainment / Star Trek Voyager - Vol. 2.11 - Resolutions / Basics Part One [2001]
Actors & Directors
  • Ricky Grover
  • Johnny Vaughan
  • Angel Coulby
  • Lee Oakes
  • Di Botcher
Release date: 1996-11-04
Run time: 88 min.
RRP: £5.99
Price: £2.75

Review Star Trek Voyager - Vol. 2.11 - Resolutions / Basics Part One [2001] / Paramount Home Entertainment:


Review Warner Home Video / Babylon 5 - Vol. 3 - Episodes 5 and 6 - Parliament Of Dreams / Mind War [1994]
Actors & Directors
  • Julia Nickson-Soul
  • Jim Johnston
  • Bruce Seth Green
  • William Allen Young
  • Andreas Katsulas
Release date: 1995-07-17
Run time: 84 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.24

Review Babylon 5 - Vol. 3 - Episodes 5 and 6 - Parliament Of Dreams / Mind War [1994] / Warner Home Video:


Review 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment / Cocoon [1985]
Actors & Directors
  • Wilford Brimley
  • Brian Dennehy
  • Don Ameche
  • Ron Howard
  • Jack Gilford
  • Hume Cronyn
Release date: 1998-03-16
Run time: 112 min.
RRP: £5.99
Price: £0.79

Review Cocoon [1985] / 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment:

In 1985 Cocoon was a significant trend-bucker amongst summer blockbusters. Whereas other genre efforts were devised to lure a teenage audience into FX extravaganzas, this looked like one for their grandparents. Except that it turned out to be a gentle, affecting tale for all ages. Adapted from David Saperstein's novel, director Ron Howard took great delight in focusing on family relationships and the encroachment of old age (themes that reappeared in nearly all his work from here on). The plot is rather surreal in summary: a group of Florida OAPs befriend aliens in next-door's swimming pool and are rejuvenated to youthful well-being. It's in the FX and characterisations that the story comes alive. Both were acknowledged with Academy Awards; with Don Ameche's supporting role deserving praise for more than just the moment when he does some bodypopping on the dance floor. Wilford Brimley is the real star, a bluff old codger wanting to do right by everyone. Steve Guttenberg provides comic support and allows for a little non-wrinkly nudity with foxy space gal Kitty (Tahnee Welch). ILM's visuals remain polished and inspired, but never allowing us to lose sight of the characters basking in their dazzle. [+]
-Paul Tonks.

Review Warner Home Video / Babylon 5 - Vol. 31 - Grey 17 Is Missing / And The Rock Cried Out No Hiding Place [1994]
Actors & Directors
  • John C. Flinn III
  • Mira Furlan
  • Bruce Boxleitner
  • Jerry Doyle
  • Skip Robinson
  • Claudia Christian
Release date: 1998-01-26
Run time: 84 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.08

Review Babylon 5 - Vol. 31 - Grey 17 Is Missing / And The Rock Cried Out No Hiding Place [1994] / Warner Home Video:


Review Paramount Home Entertainment / Star Trek : The Original Series - Vol. 3.7 - The Cloud Minders / The Way To Eden / Requiem For Methuselah
Actors & Directors
  • Leonard Nimoy
  • David Alexander
  • William Shatner
  • Murray Golden
  • Jud Taylor
Release date: 1998-02-02
Run time: 144 min.
RRP: £5.99
Price: £8.99

Review Star Trek : The Original Series - Vol. 3.7 - The Cloud Minders / The Way To Eden / Requiem For Methuselah / Paramount Home Entertainment:

One of the most popular and influential shows in the history of television for many viewers the original Star Trek (1966-9) defines good science fiction: however much it tries to be about the future, it cannot help but reflect the values of its own time, and Star Trek's vision was very much a product of creator Gene Roddenberry's 1960s liberal-humanist idealism. Conceived at the height of the Cold War and during the escalation of the Vietnam conflict, his was a radical vision of a world where national and racial differences have been put aside and all people work together. With a policy of non-intervention in the affairs of other civilisations and violence only as a last resort, Star Trek embodied a lost dream, a fantasy of what America could have been had John F Kennedy not been assassinated in 1963. Captain James Tiberius Kirk (William Shatner) had the middle name of a Roman emperor but otherwise shared his initials with the late president, and both were young, good looking, womanising, charismatic popular heroes. If Kirk didn't uphold truth, justice and the American way from the White House, a big white starship was the next best thing. There was even a Russian, Mr Chekov (Walter Koenig), on the bridge and the show delivered network TV's first inter-racial kiss between Kirk and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols). Even though there was a white American male in control, it was still all a bit much for 1960s' mainstream TV, hence the voyages of the Starship Enterprise, boldly going on its five-year mission to explore strange new worlds, only lasted three seasons and 72 episodes before being cancelled in 1969, the year Man first walked on the moon. While the once-groundbreaking special effects now look routine, and the then-radical politics have now become part of the Politically Correct global mainstream, Star Trek retains an enduring popularity due to its strong storytelling-the show employed such top science fiction writers as Robert Bloch, Harlan Elllison, Richard Matheson, Norman Spinrad and Theodore Sturgeon-and admirable characters. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), McCoy (DeForest Kelley) and Scotty (James Doohan), Sulu (George Takei), Kirk, Chekov and Uhura remain icons for a world short of real heroes: loyal to the end, honest and utterly dedicated, these were the friends and colleagues who week after week trusted each other with their lives. Devoid of cynicism and self-interest the crew of the USS Enterprise never let anyone down and ultimately that is a very big reason for Star Trek's enduring popularity. [+]
-Gary S Dalkin.

Review Entertainment in Video / Spawn [1997]
Actors & Directors
  • John Leguizamo
  • Nicol Williamson
  • Theresa Randle
  • Martin Sheen
  • Michael Jai White
  • Mark A.Z. Dippé
Release date: 1998-07-13
Run time: 92 min.
Price: £5.99

Review Spawn [1997] / Entertainment in Video:

After being murdered for quitting his role as a ruthless yet moral government assassin, Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) is sent to Hell, where he makes a pact with the demon Malebolgia-if Simmons is allowed to see his lover, Wanda, again, he will agree to lead the demon's armies to storm the gates of Heaven. Transformed into a superhuman entity with shape-shifting powers and quick regeneration capabilities, Simmons (soon to be dubbed "Spawn" by Malebolgia's crony, the Violator) returns to Earth and attempts to reunite with Wanda, not knowing that five years have passed. He also seeks revenge on his former boss and killer, Jason Wynn (Martin Sheen), who has made a deal with the Violator to develop a lethal virus to take over the world, where Wynn is promised to be king. Spawn wages an inner battle between good and evil as he tries to come to terms with selling his soul and what it could mean for humankind. Despite excellent special effects and great potential, Spawn seems to come up short. While White certainly displays verve in his characterisation of the twisted hero, he cannot overcome some forced dialogue. On the flip side, the usually engaging John Leguizamo portrays the sinister Violator-an evil monster masquerading as a rotund, weird-looking clown-as an irritating lackey who spews overbearing sarcasm and incessantly banal one-liners. Admitted, many of Spawn's action sequences are fun, and the transitions effectively brisk, but more could have been done to explore how Simmons grapples with his humanity in these daunting circumstances. But if you want sizzling action sequences and digital effects, this film should keep you happy. -Bryan Reesman.

Review Warner Home Video / Babylon 5 - Vol. 1 - Episodes 1 and 2 - Midnight On The Firing Line / Soul Hunter [1994]
Actors & Directors
  • Richard Compton
  • Morgan Furlan
  • Jim Johnston
  • Claudia Christian
  • Michael O'Hare
Release date: 1995-07-17
Run time: 84 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.95

Review Babylon 5 - Vol. 1 - Episodes 1 and 2 - Midnight On The Firing Line / Soul Hunter [1994] / Warner Home Video:


Review Marquee Pictures / Armageddon
Actors & Directors
  • Rutger Hauer
  • Mark Dacascos
  • Yvonne Scio
  • Tibor Takacs
Release date: 1998-11-02
Run time: 92 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £14.99

Review Armageddon / Marquee Pictures:


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Star Trek : Deep Space Nine - Vol. 14 - Rules Of Acquisition / Necessary Evil [1995], Star Trek : Deep Space Nine - Vol. 4.13 - Body Parts / Broken Link, Robotech - Vol. 5 - Blue Wind / Gloval's Report / Home- coming, Robotech - Vol. 6 - Battle Cry / Phantasm / Farewell Big Brother [1985], Enemy Mine [1985], Cocoon - The Return (1988) [VHS], Android [1982], Babylon 5 - Vol. 2 - Episodes 3 and 4 - Born To The Purple / Infection [1994], Thunderbirds 6: The Movie [1968], Babylon 5 - Vol. 4.02 - The Summoning / Falling Towards Apotheosis [1994], Star Trek The Next Generation: All Good Things - The Full Length TV Movie [1994], Babylon 5 - Vol. 18 - There All The Honor Lies / Knives [1994], Star Trek Voyager - Vol. 2.11 - Resolutions / Basics Part One [2001], Babylon 5 - Vol. 3 - Episodes 5 and 6 - Parliament Of Dreams / Mind War [1994], Cocoon [1985], Babylon 5 - Vol. 31 - Grey 17 Is Missing / And The Rock Cried Out No Hiding Place [1994], Star Trek : The Original Series - Vol. 3.7 - The Cloud Minders / The Way To Eden / Requiem For Methuselah, Spawn [1997], Babylon 5 - Vol. 1 - Episodes 1 and 2 - Midnight On The Firing Line / Soul Hunter [1994], Armageddon

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