Film critic Barry Norman dies aged 83

Years before I accidentally stumbled into media studies by way of an oversubscribed photography course in 1989. Starburst, Starlog and Barry Norman were my primary sources for film news and reviews.

Barry Norman was the UK's answer to Siskel & Ebert - before they were a thing - hosting the BBC's "Film..." from 1972 to 1998 before leaving for Sky Movies. The series continues to this day with Film 2017.

Norman was a compelling critic and mentor for film fans (myself included). I would religiously record the latest show on my folks' VCR and watch the following morning before school.

He described Star Wars, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, as an "utterly delightful romp" in 1977 and praised George Lucas' continued tinkering with the original trilogy as indicative of the organic nature of filmmaking.

His wise words will be sorely missed. However, generations of film fans will be forever grateful. RIP Barry Norman.

Watch Star Wars: The Complete Saga on NOW TV

Sky Movies celebrated Star Wars Day by showing the entire Star Wars saga back-to-back. However, it wasn't available on demand until now.

Star Wars: The Complete Saga
For the first time ever on a subscription service, Sky Movies will launch the Star Wars On Demand collection. This includes all six feature films (the Special Edition versions), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (S1-6), Star Wars Rebels (S1) and enough Featurettes and Documentaries to fill a space cruiser.

Sky Movies Star Wars will be available from Saturday 8th August until the end of September. The dedicated channel is the perfect primer for The Force Awakens.

Get transported to a galaxy far, far away with a free 30-day trial to NOW TV today.

Celebrate Star Wars Day with Sky Movies

The first Bank Holiday in May coincides with Star Wars Day on May the Fourth in the UK.

All six Star Wars movies - A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith - will be shown live on Sky Movies Showcase. Followed by a rerun on Revenge of the Fifth.

In addition to all six movies. Season one of Star Wars Rebels and all six seasons of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as the feature film, will be shown alongside documentaries chronicling the creative process behind the saga.

Haven't got Sky? Start a 30-day free trial with NOW TV today and May The 4th Be With You!

Neill Blomkamp's Alien is a direct sequel to Aliens

Game over! Director Neill Blomkamp confirms his Alien movie will be a sequel to James Cameron's Aliens during an interview, promoting Chappie, with Sky Movies.

Franchise star Sigourney Weaver, currently starring in Chappie, is keen to reprise her role as Ellen Ripley. "I would love to take Ripley from orbiting around in space and give a proper finish to what was such an excellent story."

This is what Blomkamp said during a Q&A with EW: "Over the years, I came up with a story for a film in that universe that I wanted to make. And then when I talked to her about her experience making those films and what she thought about Ripley and everything else, it informed and changed the film I wanted to make into something different. It just sort of stuck with me. A year later, when post-production was winding down on ‘Chappie,’ I started fleshing out the idea for a film that would contain Sigourney. Fox never knew. I just worked on it when I could. Before I knew it, I had this really awesome film with a lot of artwork and a lot of backstory. And then I didn't know whether I was going to make it or not. So I just kind of sat on it for a while."

More and more directors are leveraging social media and Blomkamp's is a marketing masterclass comparable to fellow genre auteurs JJ Abrams, Bryan Singer and Zack Snyder.

Does it bother you Alien³ and Alien Resurrection will be ignored? Let me know in the comments below.

NOW TV adds movies and entertainment on Apple TV

NOW TV's app for Apple TV has been updated with Sky Movies Month Pass and Entertainment Month Pass. Both were conspicuous by their absence when NOW TV launched on Apple's streaming device with only Sky Sports Day Pass last year.

The Sky company recently announced support for Google Chromecast. So, this is most welcome.

"Great news for Apple TV users today as we bring our range of NOW TV passes to the service," said Gidon Katz, director of the service.

“There’s never been a better time to get stuck into gripping box sets like The Walking Dead or The West Wing, right from the very first episode, plus get unlimited access to hundreds of the latest award-winning movies like American Hustle – straight to your main TV screen.”

Rekindled my enthusiasm for The Walking Dead by binge-viewing S1-3 box sets on NOW TV! This post-apocalyptic soap noir with zombies continues to present some of the most stunning cinematography on television (or the big screen for that matter), and I'm in for the long haul. S4 is available to stream from 1st October.

The Sky Movies Month Pass and The Entertainment Month Pass are increasing to £9.99 and £6.99 respectively from 16th October. The price increase was delayed earlier in the year.

Subscribers can enjoy watching The Ryder Cup 2014 in Gleneagles exclusively on Sky Sports 4 this week.

New customers get 10% off the Sky Sports Day Pass. Offer ends 9th November.

Are you subscribing to NOW TV? Let me know in the comments below.

NOW TV on Google Chromecast as ITV Encore debuts

NOW TV has quietly updated its iOS and Android apps with support for Google Chromecast. The first I learnt of this was when updating NOW TV for iPad earlier today.

This doesn't displace the NOW TV Box (based on a Roku LT) for streaming catch up services, but does add another option for subscribers who own a Chromecast device.

@blindpete has pointed out Chromecast will use one of only four device slots linked to your NOW TV account.

ITV Encore is now available to Entertainment Month Pass subscribers at no additional cost! You'll be able to watch Poirot, Prey, The Widower, Monroe, Mr. Selfridge S2 and the final series of Whitechapel.

Why not sign up for an Entertainment Month Pass and get a £5 Asda voucher? New subscribers only. Offer good through 30th September.

Sky Sports Week Pass on NOW TV

From Thursday NOW TV subscribers will be able to purchase a Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99. This a smart move in Sky's battle with BT Sport and includes the brand new channel Sky Sports 5, which launches tomorrow. However, sports fans will most likely prefer a competitively priced monthly subscription much like Sky Movies.

Gidon Katz, director of NOW TV said: "With the start of the football season just days away, this is a great time to be giving sports fans even more choice. We know our sports fans are hungry for more flexibility in how they watch sports and the new Sky Sports Week Pass offers just that. Now fans simply have to decide if they want to snack on a day pass or feast on a week's sport for just £10.99."

Richard Broughton, director of broadband at research company IHS, believes the new offer is recognition that NOW TV is too pricey. “The main thing Sky is recognising here is that it is facing a bit of an uphill challenge getting consumers to buy into NOW TV. Film and entertainment are great but sport has always been the driver. They have pushed NOW TV as the more premium alternative to Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video, but it has not really been attractive enough to compete.”

NOW TV is currently available on the NOW TV Box, PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android smartphones and tablets, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, YouView, LG Smart TVs, selected LG media devices, Roku boxes and Apple TV (Sky Sports Day Pass only).

Alien artist HR Giger dies aged 74

"... I'm reminded of a giant poster of the "Space Jockey" from Alien adorning my childhood bedroom wall and being blissfully unaware of the nightmare cargo aboard the derelict spacecraft. What fun!"

The above extract is taken from an upcoming co-authored post and is all the more poignant given the sad news of Oscar-winning artist HR Giger's death, at the age of 74, following a fall at his home.



"My paintings seem to make the strongest impression on people who are, well, who are crazy," Giger said in a 1979 interview with Starlog magazine. "If they like my work they are creative ... or they are crazy."

Alongside the late Ralph McQuarrie (Star Wars), Swiss surrealist Giger inspired my nascent imagination and creative impulse amid the pages of Starburst magazine.



Director Ridley Scott hired Giger, as conceptual artist on Alien, after seeing a compendium of his work in 1977's Necronomicon. The titular creature would become one of mainstream cinema's most memorable movie monsters and birth a franchise.

Giger and Scott worked together again on prequel Prometheus, which would dovetail directly into Alien over the course of three movies.

A Pyramid Chamber Ampule prop prize, won in a Sky Movies competition, has pride of place in my home theatre.

Thank you for the beautiful biomechanical nightmares. RIP HR Giger.

NOW TV coming to PS4 this summer

NOW TV and Sky Go are coming to PS4 from this summer.

Fergal Gara, VP and MD for Sony Computer Entertainment UK said: "Now TV has been a great addition to the PlayStation 3 entertainment portfolio, so bringing it to the new PS4 is going to delight all users of the newest, most powerful member of the PlayStation family. Sky Go joining both PlayStation platforms further enhances our credentials as the ultimate gaming and entertainment package."

Sky points out: "Sky Go includes all six Sky Sports channels, Eurosport, 11 Sky Movies channels, great entertainment from Sky Atlantic and third party channels such as FOX, plus hours of shows from Nickelodeon and others. Now TV is the contract-free internet streaming service from Sky that provides instant access to hundreds of films from Sky Movies on demand, pay-as-you-go access to live Sky Sports and must see shows on 10 of the best pay TV channels including Sky1, Sky Atlantic and Sky Living."

Find out more at nowtv.com.

Win a NOW TV Box and get Smart TV this Christmas!

I've teamed up with Sky to offer one lucky reader a NOW TV Box in time for Christmas!

The tiny NOW TV Box lets you stream on demand entertainment straight to your TV, and it's simple too. Simple set-up and the easy to use menu will have you up and running in minutes. With a NOW TV account you can start streaming live Sky Sports, on demand Sky Movies and 10 of the UK's best pay TV channels instantly. All on your TV. Now that's smart.

To be in with a chance of winning a NOW TV Box, just answer this question: Which Marvel super sequel premieres on Sky Movies this Christmas Day?

A. Thor: The Dark World
B. Iron Man 3
C. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Please email the answer, including your name and address here. The competition closes on Friday 20th December and is open to UK residents only.

Special thanks to Sky for providing the prize. You can sign-up for a free 1-month NOW TV trial here.

Sky Store takes the battle to Blinkbox

Sky Store is now open to everyone!

From today you'll be able to rent a wide range of movies from 99p for older titles and up to £3.49 for new releases such as Man of Steel and Despicable Me 2. Films can be watched for up to 48 hours.

Previously Sky Store was only available to Sky customers and ratchets up the company's streaming war with Blinkbox, Netflix and LOVEFiLM during the festive season.

Nicola Bamford, Director of Sky Store, commented: “Millions of Sky TV customers already enjoy the choice and value of Sky Store. Now we’re delighted that millions more homes can access hundreds of box office smashes alongside best-loved movie classics. All you need is an internet connection and away you go.

With Sky Store there are no late fees and no waiting for the post. Customers simply sign up and stream the film they want to watch, when they want to watch, wherever they want - these days it couldn’t be easier to enjoy the perfect movie to suit your mood.”

NOW TV Box owners can download the Sky Store app from the Roku Channel Store.

NOW TV Box gets 4oD

4oD is now available on Sky's NOW TV Box and can be downloaded, free, from the Roku Channel Store.

Gidon Katz, Director of NOW TV, welcomed the latest addition to its NOW TV Box catch-up bouquet, which includes BBC iPlayer and Demand 5.

"There is now even more to watch. The launch of 4oD means the NOW TV Box delivers an even bigger choice of on-demand TV," he stated.

"It’s available alongside flexible pay-as-you-go access to must-see sport, the latest movies you missed at the cinema and the TV shows everyone’s talking about."

Laurence Dawkin-Jones, Director of Commercial and Business Development at Channel 4, said the broadcaster is always looking for new ways to offer its content to viewers.

"Bringing 4oD on the NOW TV Box represents the latest device launch in a busy year for Channel 4 that has seen us extend our content reach to many new platforms," he stated.

It's worth noting NOW TV recently launched an Entertainment Pass for £4.99 per month. This includes Sky1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts and Disney Channel.

NOW TV Box bundles available in-store for Christmas

Since the summer I've been evangelising the merits of owning a NOW TV Box to family and friends. I own two, myself.

From today consumers can purchase the NOW TV Box online and in-store from Argos, Currys and PC World, with John Lewis to follow. These include a range of bundled passes for Sky Movies and Sky Sports.

You'll be able to buy a NOW TV Box with a 24-hour Sky Sports Day Pass for £15 or you can opt for a bundled 3 month Sky Movies Pass for £25 - a saving of between £5 and £10 respectively.

“The NOW TV Box lets customers instantly transform their regular TV into a Smart TV and these brand new bundles make it even easier for people to access great live sport and the biggest and best movies on their main TV,” said Gidon Katz, Director of NOW TV. “With Christmas just around the corner, we believe that the NOW TV Box will be this year’s ultimate stocking filler.”

An in-store presence is an inspired move by Sky and steals a march on its rivals Netflix and LOVEFiLM.

You can read my five star review here.

Review: NOW TV Box

There's a multitude of streaming devices available to consumers: from Apple TV to Roku and PS3 to Xbox 360! Many of which will cost you in the region of £50 or, in the case of consoles, much more...

Enter the NOW TV Box. Sky's newest Trojan horse in its war with BT Sport, LOVEFiLM and Netflix.

Launched last Friday amidst the lollapalooza surrounding Google Chromecast. £9.99 (including P&P) gets you everything you'll need to start streaming albeit with Sky, understandably, as curator. The pack-in includes the svelte NOW TV Box (based on a Roku LT), a HDMI cable, remote and AAA batteries. Sky hasn't skimped on anything.

Setup is a breeze, thanks to an intuitive modern UI, and you don't have to subscribe to NOW TV to use other apps: including BBC iPlayer, Demand 5, Spotify, Facebook and VEVO from the Roku Channel Store. Sky promises to add more apps in the future!

Once connected, wirelessly to a router, HD is a respectable 720p and I noticed nothing deleterious whilst streaming Prometheus with the monthly Sky Movies Pass.



Obviously rivals LOVEFiLM and Emmy-Awards nominee Netflix are missing from the app roster for now. But, 4oD, ITV Player and YouTube are odd omissions. This tragically nixes the notion of a one-box solution where space is at a premium. For an extra £40 Roku LT will better serve Netflix subscribers who don't require Full 1080p.

A Sky Movies Month Pass is £9.99. You can cancel at anytime and resume on a month-by-month basis. This'll be a boon at Christmas time! Then there's the Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99. And you'll need a robust wireless network because there's no Ethernet. However, I experienced no problems connecting the NOW TV Box to AirPort Extreme.

It would be great to see a companion app for iOS given its Roku heritage.

Regardless of whether or not you decide to continue subscribing after the free trial. For those without a so-called smart TV, or catch-up device, it would be churlish to pass up a NOW TV Box for the bedroom, kitchen or study. It's a very slick streaming player and a decent HDMI cable will set you back £10. What's not to like? I'll take one, two...

***** out of *****

Special thanks to Sky for providing the NOW TV Box.