seenit.co.uk

Escape austerity Britain and discover What the Butler Saw

Martin Hoscik — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:39:23 +0000

Some of Britain’s best loved entertainers – including Jim Broadbent, Lenny Henry, Alexei Sayle, Lesley Garrett, Hannah Gordon, David Warner and Lynda Baron – put on their glad rags last night to welcome a new production of Joe Orton’s What the Butler Saw to the West End.

Thanks to the hospitality of the show’s producers I and seenit.co.uk writer Phil Newman went along to see the opening night performance.

As if you didn’t know, the play is set in the consulting rooms of psychoanalyst Dr Prentice who, through series of ever more complex misunderstandings, finds himself surrounded by a wife, hotel bellboy, policeman and secretary who are variously naked, cross dressing or swapping identities.

The opening night audience lapped up the laughs created by a combination of energetic performances from stars Omid Djalili, Tim McInnerny, Samantha Bond and Georgia Moffett and Orton’s razor sharp dialogue.

If you ever wanted proof that good comedy never ages than that proof is currently playing at the Vaudeville Theatre. Be sure to book a ticket – the run is limited until 25th August.

At the after show party McInnerny told us that the key to making the play work was keeping the energy going throughout and said that slacking “even for a minute” would break the audience’s spell.

When we likened his character’s frenetic collapse into madness to John Cleese’s performance in Clockwise McInnerny accepted the comparison but – quite fairly – pointed out that he has to maintain his performance over two hours and without the aid of editing.

He also spoke of his love for theatre and the “personal connection” live performances create between the performers and audience members.

If you’ve ever seen Tim McInnerny interviewed and thought ‘he seems like a lovely man’ then I’m delighted to confirm your suspicions.

Also in attendance were Moffett’s parents Peter Davison and Sandra Dickinson – who looked stunning – who both visibly glowed with pride at their daughter’s success.

Davison told us that everything Moffett has achieved “is down to her own hard work” and said she had made him “very proud”.

To talk to any of the cast was like queuing for the hit ride at a theme park – they were massively in demand with queues of well wishers that seemed only to grow as the evening went on.

Before the show Lynda Baron told journalists “in times like this people need a good laugh and this is the show for a good laugh”. I couldn’t agree more – if you’re looking to escape the dreary mood of austerity Britain then get yourself down to the Vaudeville Theatre.

For more information visit whatthebutlersawtheplay.com and facebook.com/whatthebutlersawtheplay

Final brag: Last night also gave me a chance to belatedly congratulate Lenny Henry – another truly nice man as it turns out – on his fantastic performance in last year’s National Theatre production of Comedy of Errors.

Three announce new low-cost MiFi

Staff — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:35:21 +0000

Mobile operator Three says it will shortly offer a new “value model” of its popular MiFi device.

As with the current device, the Huawei E5331 Value MiFi will offer wireless internet access using Three’s HSPA+ broadband technology allowing users to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices to the web while on-the-go.

Three say new device is “simple to use”, featuring just one button and an LED screen displaying key information including signal strength and battery life.  

Mark Brewer, head of mobile broadband at Three said, “As the market leader in mobile broadband it’s great to be able to bolster our range with yet another high speed mobile Wi-Fi device.

The Value MiFi offers fast browsing and a seamless streaming experience, all on Three’s award winning mobile broadband network.”  

Mark Mitchinson, Executive Vice President at Huawei Device UK & Ireland, said, “Huawei continues to lead and innovate in the mobile broadband space, our relationship with Three continues to flourish, and the new Huawei E5331 Value MiFi brings the speed and benefit of WiFi on-the-go to a whole new audience.”

Pricing has not yet been announced. 

Summer Of Cinema trailer

Staff — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:16:40 +0000

Colin Farrell stars in Columbia Pictures' Total Recall, one of this summer's big films

Summertime is heading our way and as always the annual brief spell of sunshine that coincides with the release of some of the biggest movies of the year.

So here’s this year’s “Summer Of Cinema” compilation trailer featuring 51 films awaiting audiences in cinemas in the coming months including:

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, African Cats, Albert Nobbs, All in Good Time, The Amazing Spider-Man, American Pie: Reunion, The Angels’ Share, Bait 3D, Beauty and the Beast 3D, The Bourne Legacy, Brave, Cafe de Flore, Chariots of Fire, Chernobyl Diaries, Dark Horse, The Dark Knight Rises, Dark Shadows, The Dictator, Dr Seuss’ The Lorax, A Fantastic Fear of Everything, Fast Girls, A Few Best Men, The Five-Year Engagement, GI Joe: Retaliation, Ice Age: Continental Drift, iLL Manors, Jeff Who Lives at Home, Katy Perry, The Lucky One, Marvel Avengers Assemble, Men in Black 3, Neighbourhood Watch, Offender, The Pact, Piranha 3DD, Prometheus, Pusher, The Raid, Red Lights, Red Tails, Rock of Ages, The Royal Affair, Safe, Silent House, Snow White and the Huntsman, Ted, Teri Meri Kahani, Tezz, The Three Stooges, Top Cat – The Movie, and Total Recall.

The Addicted – NEW trailer

Martin P — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:07:41 +0000

The Addicted is an upcoming horror movie from Recoil Films and director Sean J Vincent.

In 1987 David is a resident at ‘The Manor’ Drug Rehab Unit where he is being kept addicted to heroin by Clinical Director Chris Hunter who is having an affair with David’s wife.

25 years later and we follow Chris’s daughter Nicole as she tries to break into TV journalism. Her boyfriend (Adam) suggests they spend a night filming with friends in the now derelict Drug Rehab unit.

There have been recent reports of paranormal goings-on and they plan to try and film them. It soon becomes clear however that they are far from alone…

Here’s the latest – and gruesome – trailer for the film:

More information: theaddictedmovieuk.com/

Doctor Who Experience – Cardiff opening date revealed

Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:22:29 +0000

The BBC’s Doctor Who Experience will open in Cardiff on July 20th, it has been announced.

Previously located at London’s Olympia, the Experience takes visitors on an interactive adventure in which visitors assist Matt Smith’s Doctor on a mission which concludes with a special 3D segment.

Along the way they encounter many of the Doctor’s enemies including the Daleks and Weeping Angels, as well as a chance to pilot the Tardis.

The exhibition also presents fans with the most extensive collection of original costumes and artefacts stretching back almost 50 years to the very first series.

New items to be shown to the public for the first time in Cardiff include the Doctor’s cradle seen in A Good Man Goes to War; the Silence spaceship and Matt Smith’s sonic cane from Let’s Kill Hitler.

Philip Murphy, Managing Director of BBC Worldwide Live Events said: “The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff is going to be just minutes away from where the BBC Wales television series is made which I’m incredibly excited about. The Experience sets out to engage visitors’ imaginations from the outset immersing them in the world of Doctor Who and what better place to do this than in Cardiff the home of the show.”

Doors will open to the public on the 20th July with tickets going on sale at 10am on the 14th June

Orange and Three to offer HTC Desire C

Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:21:27 +0000

Two of the UK’s mobile networks have confirmed plans to offer the Android-powered HTC Desire C smartphone from next month

The handset features Beats Audio™ technology, making it a great choice for music lovers who want a stylish, feature-packed smartphone at an affordable price.   

The Desire C runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and offers access to thousands of apps, games, music and movies through Google Play – the recently renamed Android Marketplace.  

It is also deeply integrated with Dropbox and comes with 25GB of free online space for 24 months, offering users the ability to securely back-up, browse and share thousands of photos, videos and documents, whether stored locally or in the cloud.  

Sylvia Chind, head of handsets at Three said, “Following the success of the HTC One Series, we’re delighted to add the affordable HTC Desire C to our range. Perfect for first time smartphone owners, the redesigned HTC Sense interface makes it easy for people to get to grips with the Android operating system”.

In a statement Orange said: “The handset will be available for free from £20.50 a month on a 24 month plan and for £169.99 on pay as you go. More details will be available on www.orange.co.uk in due course.”  

Key features:
3.5-inch HVGA screen
Authentic sounds with Beats Audio™ technology
Amazing 5 megapixel camera with HD video
Exclusive 25GB of online storage from Dropbox (free for 24 months)
4GB internal memory
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Sky Living announces Bedlam series 2 start date

Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:16:15 +0000

The six-part second series of Sky Living’s ghost drama Bedlam starts June 6th.

In January the broadcaster announced that former EastEnder Lacey Turner was to join the show.

Set in an apartment block built in a former asylum, the first series starred Will Young, Theo James and Charlotte Salt as the flatmates haunted by ghostly neighbours.

Salt returns alongside Hugo Speer, who plays the father of her character Kate Bettany.

After the dramatic events of the previous series, Kate fled the apartment to go travelling across Asia.

Kate returns to her apartment to find that her father has moved some new tenants in: Dan (Nikesh Patel), her father’s new right hand man and Max (Jack Roth), who works in the newly opened Bedlam Heights Bar.

Whilst trying to track her father down, Kate bumps into an old friend, Kiera (Gemma Chan), who has also moved into the building.

Turner plays paramedic Ellie, who like season one’s Jed (James), has struggled to accept her special “ability” to see ghosts.

She is a determined girl who’s fought hard for a normal life – but instead is flung into an extraordinary world.

Announcing Turner’s casting, Sky’s head of drama Anne Mensah said the broadcaster has “huge ambitions” for the series.

New audio adventures for Torchwood and Classic Who

Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:49:50 +0000

June sees the release of Mr Invincible, an exclusive Torchwood audio adventure written by Mark Morris.

Set after the conclusion of the most recent TV series, Miracle Day, the drama finds Sgt Andy dealing with a man who thinks he’s a superhero and a city plagued by time distortions.

Pre-order your copy today.

 Ross Chapman is one of life’s losers. So when he survives a point-blank shooting, dons a superhero costume and becomes a crime-busting vigilante, something strange is clearly going on.

 And Ross’s transformation isn’t the only odd thing happening in Cardiff. Time is distorting – around the city, some people are ageing, dying and decomposing in a matter of minutes, while others are reverting to childhood.

 Sgt Andy Davidson knows he’s out of his depth – so when Jack Harkness sweeps into the police station, he’s glad of the help that only Torchwood can provide.

But for Jack, the stakes are higher than ever. He’s seen a vision of Gwen, dead, murdered by an unknown gunman. And if he can’t solve the mystery of Mr Invincible, he can’t save her….

Mr Invincible is released June 7th, pre-order your copy today.

Doctor Who and the Sea-Devils (Classic Novel)
Whilst visiting the Master, who has been exiled to a luxurious castle prison on a small island, Doctor Who and Jo Grant learn that a number of ships have vanished in the area.

Pre-order your copy today

Whilst investigating these mysterious disappearances, Jo and the Doctor are attacked by a Sea-Devil, one of a submarine colony distantly related to the Silurians.

Soon they discover that the Sea-Devils plan to conquer the Earth and enslave humanity, aided and abetted by the Master. What can Doctor Who do to stop them?

Geoffrey Beevers, who played an incarnation of the Master in the classic BBC TV series, reads Malcolm Hulke’s complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1974.

Doctor Who and the Sea-Devils is released June 7th, pre-order your copy today.

Interview: Maxine Peake on BBC One’s Silk

Staff — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:42:50 +0000

(l-r) Billy (NEIL STUKE), Martha Costello QC (MAXINE PEAKE), Clive Reader (RUPERT PENRY-JONES) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Colin Hutton

Maxine Peake stars QC Martha Costello QC in BBC One’s legal drama Silk which returns for a new series this week.

Written by Peter Moffat, the drama also stars Rupert Penry-Jones and Neil Stuke and won critical acclaim and strong audience for tis first series which aired last year.

Below Peake discusses her character, the new cases and some new arrivals at Shoe Lane Chambers.

What’s in store for Martha this second series?
Martha has now got Silk. She’s become a QC and the cases are getting weightier. She’s got a few more battles on her hands, so initially I don’t think she is more confident, because she’s trying to reassert her status, but you will see as the series goes on she does appear to become a lot more confident.

She also has a lot more to prove this series. She feels a bit of tension in the Chambers since Clive didn’t get Silk, so there’s a little bit of friction there, although she does feel that she deserves it and she is very appreciative. She always wanted to become a QC, but sometimes it’s a bit frightening when you get what you wish for, isn’t it…

And how does Clive take it and how does it affect their relationship?
I think Clive tries to convince himself Martha got Silk for the wrong reasons, because she’s a woman and they need more women at the Barr, or something like that. I think he’s managed to manipulate his own idea of why she’s got it, for his own benefit. But I don’t think Martha looks at it like that, she’s very humble about it, she knows it’s a big achievement; however it’s also a big weight on her shoulders, and I think this makes her feel a bit lonely. Clive’s determined he’ll get Silk next time, so he’s off on a mission, but I think Martha feels like she has no one really to share it with.

There are some new characters this series and Frances Barber appears with Martha in the first episode – how do they meet?
They have a case against each other. Frances’ character CW (Caroline Warwick) is quite infamous for being a bit of a ball breaker, being brilliant at the job and being a woman who doesn’t take any messing because she is a top, top QC. Martha’s slightly petrified when she’s up against her in court, but I think she likes the challenge and I think she’s inspired – inspired because she’s a woman at the top of her game.

I know everyone says it, but I’ve wanted to work with Frances for ages, obviously because she’s a brilliant actress and a lovely woman but also just great fun to be around. She brought a different dynamic to the set, which was brilliant. She kept us all entertained and she plays a fantastic character, she really grabbed it.

Martha comes up against Micky Joy (Phil Davis) in this new series, which goes on to affect her relationship with Billy, can you tell us a bit about that?
Well Billy’s got himself involved with Micky Joy – he is one of these top solicitors who doesn’t play by the rules – but not in a good way. Martha doesn’t want any dealings with him. She doesn’t like the way he works and when she does get involved with the case things begin to go wrong.

Billy, on the other hand, is also trying to save Chambers. When he gets himself into deep water it slightly compromises Martha’s friendship with him.

What first attracted you to Silk as a drama series?
Well I’d just done Criminal Justice with Peter (Moffat) and Hilary (Salmon), and I’d always thought Peter was a fantastic writer. I remember receiving the script and reading the first page where Martha is sat stuffing a robe into a plastic bag whilst lighting a cigarette. I just thought, oh great this is a legal drama, but, here we have a successful female who’s got her foibles and got her faults, but at the same time she’s quirky and she’s human. And then, the more I continued to read the more I liked her – she’s not a typical TV barrister who ticks all the normal barrister boxes, she’s different.

Why do you think legal dramas are so popular?
They’re similar to cop dramas and others alike, where the audience can really piece the events together, almost act like detectives themselves and decide how that did happen – who did what, or who’s guilty or not guilty. I find these dramas fascinating – it’s a world that many of us fortunately don’t dip into. The legal system is all around us, but the majority of us don’t have to go into a court, so it’s a way into another world that is unusual.
I think with Silk there’s something there for everyone: it’s a legal drama, but it’s human as well – you get to dip into the lives of the barristers and clerks.

Do you think you could work in the legal world in real life?
To be honest, when I was doing Silk I remember thinking I wish I’d known about this when I was younger as it might have been a possibility. But then again, I’m not really bright enough, and the amount of knowledge you’ve got to retain is incredible.

I find it fascinating but I don’t think I’m quite cut out for it! I think I’d get far too involved and that’s what you see with Martha. I think I’d find it really difficult to switch off at night and I think a lot of the barristers do – they seem to work hard and play hard – and I think you sort of have to, because people’s lives are in your hands.

Finally, there are some great cases in each episode – are there any guest stars, who are going to pop up in this series that you can tell us about?
We’ve been very lucky – we’ve got Shaun Evans who’s appearing as Daniel Lomas. He’s recently been in Endeavour playing the young Morse.

There’s going to be an episode about a Court Martial, which is really great because it’s a different court scenario again and Mathew McNulty is representing a soldier, Captain Ryan, and he is brilliant. We’ve also got Jamie Parker coming in that episode as well.

We have some great people up coming up in that witness box!

Silk returns 9pm Tuesday 15 May on BBC One and BBC One HD

Apple renames iPad 4G after complaints

Staff — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:37:46 +0000

Image: Apple
Apple has dropped the word ‘4G’ from its third generation iPad after complaints that the name and adverts for the device were misleading.

The latest iPad is available with support for WiFi only and WiFi and mobile broadband.

Previous versions included support for the widely used 3G data networks offered by all UK networks.

Apple advertised the device as supporting 4G despite no 4G networks currently being available in the UK.

Even when 4G services do launch in this country the new iPad will not be compatible with them as the UK, and many other countries, will use different frequencies to those used in the US.

Some UK consumers contacted the Advertising Standards Authority to complain the 4G name was misleading.

Apple has now amended its online store to refer to a choice of WiFi and WiFi + Cellular models and notes that it will work with “fast mobile data networks”.

The Dark Knight Rises launches new Total Film Interactive Edition

Staff — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:36:35 +0000

The upcoming Batman film The Dark Knight Rises is featured in a new “fully interactive” of Total Film which has been developed by publishers Future for Apple’s iPad.

The new Total Film Interactive Edition includes interactive pages, exclusive content and full-screen video and launches with a The Dark Knight Rises cover and bespoke video content direct from the set.

Publishers Future say the Total Film Interactive Edition was created using the firm’s own proprietary software, FutureFolio, an Apple-approved wrapper for digital products on the Newsstand.

Jane Crowther, Editor of Total Film, says: “The Total Film Interactive iPad Edition offers our readers the perfect opportunity to fully engage in the Total Film experience. Through interactive pages, bespoke video, plus exclusive extra content and galleries, our audience of passionate film fans are able to interact with the brands cutting-edge editorial content more than ever before.”

Mike Goldsmith, Future’s Editor-in-Chief of iPad & Tablet Editions, says: “Total Film is the perfect brand for the iPad – good-looking, cool, interactive, forward-looking and all about amazing content. By using our own magazine app creation software to create this product, we are able to make editorial workflow as efficient as possible and produce an interactive edition that’s truly best in class.”

The Total Film Interactive Edition is available to download for a special introductory price of £1.99 for two weeks only and thereafter each monthly edition will be priced at £3.99.

Hammer announces further The Quiet Ones casting

Staff — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:12:15 +0000

British actor Sam Claflin – who appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and BBC One’s White Heat – has joined the cast of Hammer’s The Quiet Ones.

Claflin will star alongside Mad Men and Fringe actor Jared Harris who plays
Professor Joseph Coupland in the supernatural thriller/horror.

Inspired by true events, The Quiet Ones tells the story of an unorthodox, but charismatic professor who uses controversial methods and leads his best students off the grid to take part in a dangerous experiment: to create a poltergeist from negative human energy.

Announcing the latest casting, Simon Oakes, Vice-Chairman of Exclusive Media and President & CEO of Hammer, said: “Sam is an exciting young talent and a perfect addition to this thrilling project. We couldn’t be happier to have him on board The Quiet Ones.”

The film is currently in pre-production and will start shooting in June 2012 in the UK.
 

All in Good Time – cast and crew interviews

Staff — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:58:29 +0000

The cast and crew of Ayub Khan-Din’s laugh out loud All in Good Time talk to the Big Picture at the films UK premiere at the BFI about what’s destined to be one of the biggest comedies of 2012.

Check out our exclusive review here.

All in Good Time arrives in cinemas on May 11th.

All in Good Time – Review

Martin Hoscik — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:57:05 +0000

From writer Ayub Khan-Din (East is East) and director Nigel Cole (Calendar Girls, Made in Dagenham) comes comedy All in Good Time.

The film is based on Khan-Din’s play Rafta, Rafta, itself based on the 1966 Hayley and John Mills-movie The Family Way which in turn was adapted from Bill Naughton’s play All in Good Time.

Atul (Reece Ritchie) and Vina (Amara Karan) are the newlywed couple who find family, fate and acute self-awareness conspiring to thwart the consummation of their marriage.

Much of the film takes places in the first few hours and days after their wedding as the young couple seek to enjoy their first intimate moment in Atul’s parents’ spare room.

As their attempts fail the couple find their nascent marriage heading for the rocks in the goldfish bowl of Bolton’s backstreets.

The two leads are full of charm and nicely capture the nervousness of young, and frustrated love and Cole milks their discomfort and naivety to the max.

The National Theatre production of Khan-Din’s play starred Harish Patel and Meera Syal as Atul’s busybody parents, roles they reprise here to great effect.

A slow developing sub-plot means the film doesn’t end on the obvious high note but you’ll see the pay-off long before the characters do.

A trio of nosey neighbours with a mournful and unhealthy interest in the young couple’s sex life provide a superb supporting cast and their obvious amusement at Atul’s inability to ‘get it up’ helps ensure the audience finds sympathy with him even his more priggish moments.

The film strikes a tender note and amid the emotions and lust packs a healthy quota of genuine belly laughs which should ensure it enjoys the same much-loved status as East is East.

All in Good Time arrives in cinemas on May 11th.

Our verdict 4/5

William Shatner to host Have I Got News For You

Staff — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:07:28 +0000

Star Trek icon William Shatner is to take the helm of BBC One’s Have I Got News For You later this month.

Famed for his roles as Captain Kirk, TV cop T.J Hooker and Denny Crane in The Practice and its spin-off Boston Legal, Shatner will appear on the May 25th edition alongside team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton and guest panellists Andy Hamilton and Charlie Brooker.

Commenting on his upcoming appearance Mr Shatner said: “English sense of humour is different from American sense of humour. Luckily I’m Canadian.”

Other hosts and guests confirmed for the remaining shows in the current series are: Alexander Armstrong – a record-breaking 20th time in the chair – with guests comedian Reginald D Hunter and outspoken Tory MP Nadine Dorries (programme 5); BAFTA nominated actress and comedienne Kathy Burke with defeated Labour mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone and actor and comedian Joe Wilkinson (programme 6) and the much-anticipated hosting debut of Alastair Campbell with Alan Sugar’s right-hand man Nick Hewer and funnyman Ross Noble as guest panellists (programme 8).

In the final programme of this series on Friday 8 June, writer, broadcaster and poker player Victoria Coren and Greg Davies, probably best known as Mr Gilbert in The Inbetweeners, will be joined by Kirsty Young, her 11th appearance in the host chair.

RIM announces new social media Blackberry

Staff — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:01:40 +0000

Blackberry has announced a new low-cost 3G handset aimed at social media users.

Pre-loaded with apps for Facebook and Twitter, the BlackBerry Curve 9320 also includes the Social Feeds 2.0 app which allows users to post updates to multiple social networks simultaneously and capture updates from news sources (RSS), social apps and instant messaging apps all in one consolidated view.

The handset features the iconic BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard and also offers a built-in FM radio, allowing users to tune into their favourite local stations without using their data plan.

It also runs the new BlackBerry 7.1 OS which includes support for Mobile Hotspot and Wi-Fi where available.

RIM say customers can get up to 7 hours of talk time or up to 30 hours of FM radio listening or music playback with headphones.

“The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 is designed to make it incredibly easy for users to stay socially-connected,” said Carlo Chiarello, EVP, Smartphone Business at Research In Motion.

“The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 will be especially popular with customers upgrading to a smartphone for the first time and existing Curve customers looking for a step up in speed and functionality.”

In the UK the handset will be offered by Three on Pay As You Go for £139.99 or on a £15 a month contract.

Costa serves up free WiFi in O2 deal

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:46:47 +0000

Costa coffee customers will soon be able to enjoy free WiFi thanks to a new deal with O2.

Customers only need to sign-up once and can then use the simple and secure service in any Costa store, or at any of O2’s Wifi hotspots.

The mobile company is currently deploying its equipment in London with a wider roll-out planned throughout the rest of 2012.

Last month the mobile firm announced a similar deal with fast food giant McDonald’s.

Gavin Franks, MD of O2 Wifi stated “we are hugely excited to partner with Costa. Coffee shops are seen as the traditional heartland for public access wifi and Costa is the largest coffee chain in the UK.

“We have shown how our innovative models works in new contexts such as London Metro wifi and this deal shows that it also works in more traditional contexts. It shows that people and businesses want fast, reliable wifi that’s easy to use and free no matter who you are.”

Kevin Hydes, Marketing Director for Costa UK, said; “As people spend around half an hour in our stores, we are delighted to be partnering with O2 and providing our customers with 30minutes of free WiFi. Our Coffee Club members will be rewarded with unlimited access to further enhance their coffee shop experience.”

T-Mobile customers gain access to Orange’s home broadband

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:30:13 +0000

Customers will receive an Orange Bright Box modem/router when they join the service
T-Mobile says customers can now buy home broadband powered by sister-company Orange at the same prices already enjoyed by Orange’s mobile customers.

Orange unlimited broadband plans are now available via T-Mobile telesales, and are being rolled out to all T-Mobile stores and the online shop.

Plans start from just £5.00 per month plus line rental and include a free Bright Box wireless router worth £95.

T-Mobile customers will also enjoy a stack of additional free landline minutes, McAfee AntiVirus software worth £49.99, and two-for-one cinema trips with Orange Wednesdays.

“We’re committed to giving our customers the best bargains possible,” said Sylvain Thevenot, Director of Marketing & Propositions for Broadband, Everything Everywhere, the company that runs both Orange and T-Mobile.

“With great discounts on Orange’s award-winning home broadband, we’re now making it cheaper for them to enjoy broadband speed on smartphones, tablet, and laptops at home as well.”

Blackberry announces new screen reader app

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:16:18 +0000

Rim say the new app will make its phones more accessible to visually impaired users.
Blackberry makers RIM have released a free software application that helps visually impaired customers operate their BlackBerry smartphone.

Available for the Curve 9350, 9360 and 9370 smartphones, BlackBerry Screen Reader provides an audible output based on visual information displayed on the device.

Key features include:

• Support for core applications – Users can easily access core BlackBerry applications including email, calendar, phone calls and more.
• Speech settings – users can customize the text-to-speech settings (volume, pitch and speech rate) and preferences for punctuation, verbosity and password security.
• Keyboard shortcuts – Users can set speech and audio preferences quickly and easily through (physical) keyboard shortcuts
• Accessible documentation – User Guide available in accessible HTML through a desktop web browser.

“We are excited to introduce BlackBerry Screen Reader as part of our suite of accessibility solutions for BlackBerry smartphones,” said Greg Fields, Senior Product Manager.

“BlackBerry Screen Reader helps customers with visual impairments stay connected with the people and information that matter most to them, and is representative of RIM’s continuing commitment to support customers with disabilities.”

BlackBerry Screen Reader is available now as a free download from www.blackberry.com/screenreader

Teaser poster: The Possession

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:31:37 +0000

Set for release this summer, The Possession is the terrifying story of how one family must unite in order to survive the wrath of an unspeakable evil.

Clyde (Morgan) and Stephanie Brenek (Sedgwick) see little cause for alarm when their youngest daughter Em becomes oddly obsessed with an antique wooden box she purchased at a yard sale.

But as Em’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, the couple fears the presence of a malevolent force in their midst, only to discover that the box was built to contain a dibbuk, a dislocated spirit that inhabits and ultimately devours its human host.

Produced by Sam Raimi the film is being released by Lionsgate.

BBC Three unveils new late night comedy show

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:24:21 +0000

Coming to BBC Three later this month, Live At The Electric is a new late-night comedy show from the producers of Russell Howard’s Good News, Not Going Out (BBC ONE) and Harry Hill’s TV Burp (ITV1).

Hosted by multi-award-winning stand-up Russell Kane, the series will showcase a handpicked ensemble of the best new artists, including

BBC Three and production house Avalon say Live At The Electric will, for the first time, accurately reflect the unseen breadth of the UK comedy world, uniquely blending stand-up, short films, quick-fire sketches and music.

Acts confirmed to appear include Humphrey Ker, Joe Wilkinson, Nick Helm and sketch group JIGSAW.

The series debuts on 31st May on BBC Three

Trailer – The Innkeepers

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:34:04 +0000

Sara Paxton, Pat Healy and Kelly McGillis star in Ti West’s The Innkeepers which arrives in cinemas on 8th June 2012.

After over one hundred years of service, The Yankee Pedlar Inn is shutting its doors for good.

The last remaining employees – Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy) – are determined to uncover proof of what many believe to be one of New England’s most haunted hotels.

As the Inn’s final days draw near, odd guests check in as the pair of minimum wage “ghost hunters” begin to experience strange and alarming events that may ultimately cause them to be mere footnotes in the hotel’s long unexplained history.

The Amazing Spider-Man – new trailer

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:59:35 +0000

Andrew Garfield stars as Peter Parker
One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man.

The film tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, showing Peter (Andrew Garfield) as an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field).

Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets.

As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), his father’s former partner.

With Spider-Man set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theatres everywhere in 3D.

The Amazing Spider-man will be released in the UK on July 4th, 2012

Matt Di’Angelo cast in new British crime thriller

Staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:35:51 +0000

Hustle star Matt Di’Angelo has been cast in the lead role for new British crime thriller, Two Days in the Smoke, due to be released this Autumn.

Di’Angelo plays the role of Brad, a struggling city lawyer whose life goes into turmoil following a conversation he overhears about a drug deal.

The film also charts his journey to becoming a hopeful romantic, as he falls in love with a prostitute called Jodie, played by the film’s leading lady, Lili Bordán (Silent Witness, Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome).

What unfolds is a race against time as Brad and everyone he comes into contact with find their lives – and destinies – have become inextricably interlinked.

Talking about the new project, Matt said: “I’ve done lots of TV but I was compelled to take on the role of Brad when I read the script for the first time because I’ve always wanted to play a romantic lead.

“I get a lot of film offers but what’s great about Two Days in the Smoke is that it’s not just another typical gangster movie, it allows me to be versatile as an actor because there are action packed fight scenes but also an emotional love story attached to my character.”

Louis Walsh returns to the X-Factor

Staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:31:05 +0000

Louis Walsh is to return to The X Factor for ninth year, ITV and show producers Thames and Syco, have announced today.
　
Last month it was confirmed that Take That singer Gary Barlow would also return. ITV says the names of the other judges will be announced later in the spring.
　
Commenting on his return Walsh says: “I’m back! It’s my ninth year on the show and as the only remaining original judge I’m delighted to take my seat once more on the judging panel.”
　
Series supremo Simon Cowell added: “The show wouldn’t be the same without Louis, I am really happy he is coming back. I hope he has an opportunity this year to show what an astute manager he is.”
　
Peter Fincham, ITV’s Director of Television, says: “Louis is, quite simply, an X Factor institution. It’s great to have him back for this year’s run.”

The Big Picture – the pick of May’s cinema treats

Staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:12:03 +0000

The Big Picture is back as we bring you the best of May’s upcoming cinemas releases.

  Mena Suvari and Seann William Scott introduce this month’s episode, which looks at American Pie: Reunion, The Lucky One, Beauty and the Beast, Safe, Silent House, Moonrise Kingdom, Jeff Who Lives at Home and Men In Black 3.   

We also bring you coverage from the red carpet as we interview Jason Statham and Stuart Ford at the “Safe” premiere, and the “American Pie: Reunion” cast when they attended screening at the Cineworld Haymarket.

Robert Pattinson’s BEL AMI comes to Blu-ray and DVD in July

Staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:08:38 +0000

The sizzling sexual drama that is BEL AMI arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on 30th July, 2012 courtesy of StudioCanal and is available to pre-order from Amazon.co.uk.

Starring hearth throb Robert Pattinson, the film tells the story of down-on-his-luck Georges Duroy, who travels through 1890s Paris, from its cockroach ridden garrets to its opulent salons, using his wits and powers of seduction to rise from poverty to wealth.

Introduced into higher society by a former comrade at arms, Duroy becomes the talk of the town as he captivates and manipulates some of Paris’ most powerful women, blinding them with deceit, distraction or debauchery whilst trying to prevent his sordid house of cards from falling apart.

Pattinson is joined by Christina Ricci (The Opposite Of Sex, Monster), Uma Thurman (The Accidental Husband, Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2), Kristin Scott-Thomas (Salmon Fishing In The Yemen, Easy Virtue), and Colm Meaney (The Damned United¸ Law Abiding Citizen.

DVD Extras
Interviews:
Robert Pattinson
Uma Thurman
Kristin Scott Thomas
Christina Ricci
Directors Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod
Behind the Scenes featurette

Blu-ray Extras
Interviews:
Robert Pattinson
Uma Thurman
Kristin Scott Thomas
Christina Ricci
Directors Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod
Screenwriter Rachel Bennette
Costume Designer Odile Dicks-Mireaux
Production Designer Attila F. Kovacs
Hair and Make-Up Designer Jenny Shircore
Behind the Scenes

Echostar unveils world’s thinnest Freeview HD recorder

Staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:54:44 +0000

Echostar has unveiled a Freeview+ HD recorder which it says is the world’s slimmest digital TV recorder.

Housed inside a sleek, 14mm aluminium chassis, the Ultra Slim Box (HDT-610R) goes on sale from 4th May and is available to pre-order from Amazon.co.uk.

As with all Freeview HD boxes, the device offers consumers subscription free TV with access to 50 high quality digital channels plus 4 in HD (BBC One HD, The BBC HD Channel, ITV1 HD and Channel 4 HD).

Features include the ability to pause or rewind live TV and record a complete series at the touch of a button using Series Link.

The HDT-610R also boasts internet connectivity which provides access to the BBC’s iPlayer, movie service PictureBox and the BoxOffice365 pay-per-view service.

Echostar says more content services are “to come”.

“We pride ourselves on challenging the status quo to create truly inspirational products”, commented Rhod Williams, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EchoStar Europe.

“We’re already inviting consumers to watch their TV anywhere and now we’re offering them the opportunity to own the slimmest digital TV recorder in the world. The Ultra Slim Box represents the coming of age for the DVR and is the perfect complement to the latest range of ultra slim TVs”.

Doctor Who stars discuss Dragonfire

Staff — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:30:31 +0000

To celebrate the release of Doctor Who: Ace Adventures on DVD – we have this exclusive documentary, featuring three members of the cast of the 1987 Sylvester McCoy story Dragonfire.

Tony Selby (“Get Some In”), Tony Osoba (“Porridge”) and Shirin Taylor (“Coronation Street”) all guest starred in the story, and have been friends ever since.

In this documentary, they share never before heard stories about working on Dragonfire, working on other Doctor Who stories and other fun stories from their careers.

Doctor Who: Ace Adventures (featuring the stories “Dragonfire” and “The Happiness Patrol”) is available to buy on DVD now from Amazon.co.uk.

The Kumars move to Sky 1 HD

Staff — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:17:19 +0000

Sky 1HD is bringing The Kumars back to television screens this Autumn after a six year absence.

The new series sees the return of Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal (Gran/Ummi), Vincent Ebrahim (Dad/Ashwin Kumar) and Indira Joshi (Mum/Madhuri Kumar) and is written by Bhaskar with Bert Tyler Moore, George Jeffrie and Suk Pannu.

 Forced to down-size as a result of the economic downturn, The Kumars are now living in a flat in Hounslow, behind the gift shop that Dad, Ashwin, now runs.

Host, Sanjeev, is divorced from his wife of nearly two years, Bindiya, but they share custody of their precocious 8 year old daughter. Mum, Madhuri, is intent on setting him up with a high profile celebrity and has a keen interest in online dating agencies.

Ashwin has secured a sponsorship deal which has enabled him to resurrect the family’s talk show, which takes place in the living room of their flat. Though only legally available in Punjab and the Hounslow area, cousin Moona knows of a way to hack into any satellite channel in the world.   

Commenting on the show’s return Sanjeev Bhaskar said: “It’s incredibly exciting to revisit these warm, oddball characters and to be given the opportunity to bring them up to date. We’ve tried to retain what viewers loved about the original show and to inject new characters and elements in a slightly new format that we hope will appeal to an even broader audience.”   Sky’s Head of

Comedy Lucy Lumsden added: “It’s a welcome return for the Kumars. We’re thrilled that they’ve chosen Sky 1 HD and Hounslow as their new home.” 