Dragon Age: Origins PC, 41 (also available on XBox360 and PS3, 56) Forty thousand people rang up to complain about the infamous Sachsgate phone call, when Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross left a lewd message on Andrew Manuel Sachss answer machine to pep up their BBC Radio 2 show. This show at Londons O2 is his retort to the critics. The whole event was, as he presents it, ludicrous rather than malicious; a product of his own narcissism and anarchic spirit, the indulging of which works here because hes self-aware enough to parody it. The cocky lotharios gleeful singalong to the News At Ten theme (I... am the news!) forms one of the sets highlights in what is a fiercely intelligent critique of the fame game from a thrilling, devil-may-care performer. Extras: Brand interviewed by Frank Skinner, behind the scenes on tour. Sharon Lougher Here, as with Sacha Baron Cohens previous incarnation as Borat, a wide-eyed foreigner travels across the States, seducing its more stupid citizens into exposing their own bigotry for our liberal entertainment. For some viewers this proves distracting: how much is staged by Sachas production team? Answers can be found on this DVDs commentary where Baron Cohen and director Larry Charles reveal how they coaxed La Toya Jackson to sit on a kneeling Mexican immigrant, whilst eating sushi off another in a scene deleted from the original. Getting a former Palestinian prime minister to elucidate the difference between hummus and Hamas, you have to admire Baron Cohens balls literally when he wears those lederhosen hot pants. Extras: deleted and extended scenes, director/star commentary. Larushka Ivan-Zadeh EA has developed a version of its famous racing game franchise specifically for Nintendo. And it has definitely paid off. Running at a silky smooth 60 frames a second, Nitro delivers insanely fast driving action as you take control of 30 cars on some famous city streets. The cars are officially licensed but also pimped with the brash graffiti vibe that permeates the game. It works surprisingly well, and the atmosphere is perfected by a neat trick that sees the world painted in the style of whichever car is leading the race. In the Showroom screen, you can modify the look of your car and create your own tag, should you lead the pack it will be imprinted on all the buildings you pass. Nitro supports every type of Wii control method you can think of, and all work extremely well. Theres also split- screen multiplayer for up to four people. Fast, fresh and fun. ption Writing is on the wall: Paul Gravett has put together a deeply political collection of illustrated stories Every once in a while, a game comes along that demonstrates the true power of video games to excite, engage and amaze. Dark fantasy RPG Dragon Age: Origins (pictured) creates a medieval world of humans, elves, dwarves, dragons and demons so complete and believable that it rivals Tolkiens Middle Earth. Developers BioWare have managed to combine the greatest elements from their canon (Mass Effect, Baldurs Gate, Neverwinter Nights) into a 100-hour-plus journey that will see you become a Grey Warden (think medieval Jedi), explore the land of Ferelden, recruit an army and fight the evil Darkspawn horde. Its an incredible adventure of discovery, combat and some of the very best dialogue ever written for a game. The pause-and-click third-person combat is surprisingly simple to learn and very accessible, and the console versions are just as triumphant. ON MY iPOD William DuVall Of Alice In Chainss six-track mix STATE OF PLAY Games reviews with Steven Fox But lastly, while Unmasks Corruption is an unquestionably dark read, it isnt ultimately a nihilistic or bitter collection. I was concerned at first that if all that this anthology gave people was a litany of how corrupt the world is, it would be pretty depressing and unmotivating, states Gravett. The great thing is, its a wake-up call, a chance to hear voices that all-too-often are drowned out in our media circus. Its not all doom and gloom, there is real passion, and anger, in the ink on these pages, as well as optimism, activism and the hope that each one of us can make a change. Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption anthology is available to buy from from www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk/unmaskscorruption and good comic retailers. Brno Universal Pictures UK, 18, 22 One moment a wet-behind-the- ears Liam Clancy is leading a quiet life with his mother in Carrick- On-Suir, the next hes lured to New York by heiress Diane Guggenheim and exposed to the glitz and glamour of 1960s Manhattan. Clancy would soon (along with his two brothers and Tommy Makem) become a heavyweight on the American folk scene. Dylan dubbed him the best ballad singer hed ever heard and once the brothers played a slot on the Ed Sullivan show, adulation followed. Their trademark Aran sweaters may have caused some snickering but there was no arguing with their heartfelt- balladeering. Director Alan Gilsenans beautiful documentary assembles some remarkable footage but its Liams reminiscences that take centre stage. Clancy is remarkably candid when it comes to his anxieties and alcoholism but its his passion for music and social reform that lingers after the credits roll. Daragh Reddin Staying In DVD Reviews Night At The Museum 2 Twentieth Century Fox, PG, 22 The Yellow Bittern: The Life And Times of Liam Clancy Element Pictures, 15A, 14 Need For Speed Nitro Wii, 47 (also available on DS, 35) Monday, November 9, 2009 metrolife 15 Russell Brand: Scandalous 4DVD, 18, 22 Ben Stiller digs out his night guards uniform for a second romp with his museum pals in this star- studded sequel. The plot sees Stillers Larry, now a successful entrepreneur, on a mission to rescue his friends after theyre stored away in the archives of the Smithsonian. The problem is, the ancient Egyptian tablet that brings the exhibits to life each night has resurrected the evil Pharoah Kahmunrah (a scene-stealing Hank Azaria) along with legendary bad guys Al Capone, Ivan The Terrible and Napoleon Bonaparte. Its up to Larry and the good guys, including Amelia Earhart (the ever-delightful Amy Adams), to save the world before sunrise. Extras: behind the scenes doc, gag reel, director and writers commentaries. Damian Tully-Pointon Just Breathe by Pearl Jam I saw Eddie Vedder play this by himself with a string section. Who knew he was such a good finger-picking guitar player? How much talent can one man have? In Limbo by Radiohead This came out when I moved to LA. It mirrors what I was feeling: the spiritual revelations, crazy parties, crazy things. I dont think anyone around at that time has been the same since. Ascension by John Coltrane Coltrane was all about finding liberation through music. This was an attempt to break all the rules and every time I hear it, I get the spirit of what he was trying to do. Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix Ive been a musician since I was eight because of this. Hendrix was at the pinnacle of guitar improv and it encouraged me to strive. Aiming to be as good as him, you discover who you are. One Line by PJ Harvey This is such a beautiful, hopeful song. Theres something about Harveys music that fits any landscape and gets you thinking about life. Treat Me Like Your Mother by The Dead Weather Jack White is about as good as it gets. Whatever he does makes me think: What the hell? The b*****ds done it again! Alice In Chainss new LP, Black Gives Way To Blue (Parlophone), is out now. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html