"Actor: Graham Anderson"

• Fireball XL5 - The Complete Series | DVD | (20/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  Languishing in the vaults for decades, during which time it became a semi-legendary show among TV fans of a certain age, Fireball XL5 (1962) was Gerry Anderson's second puppet-animation science fiction series, the direct forerunner of Stingray (1963) and Thunderbirds (1964). This is the show on which Anderson established the formula for his later classics: a pseudo-military organisation engaged in desperate Earth-saving adventures against overwhelming odds; superb model work; puppets with very obvious strings but endearing personalities; iconic music by Barry Gray; and absolutely massive explosions. Colonel Steve Zodiac pilots the coolest spaceship then seen on British TV, the titular Fireball XL5, and is joined by medical officer Venus, a forerunner of Lady Penelope voiced by Sylvia Anderson, and comedy relief Prof Matt Matic (David Graham). Along for the ride is Robert the Robot, a thinner version of Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet (1956), a character who would soon turn up in Lost in Space (1965). The plots are ridiculous, with typically Cold War-era aliens routinely bent on planetary destruction for no reason, and there's zero attention to even rudimentary astronomy or anything else approaching actual science. Yet the gadgets, vehicles and puppetry are first-rate and the fast-paced, action-filled episodes are relentlessly entertaining. It's a cult just waiting to be reborn, and essential viewing for all Anderson fans. On the DVD: Fireball XL5 is presented with all 39 episodes (they run 25 minutes each) on five discs. Despite the colourful packaging, the episodes are all black and white, and the 4:3 picture is generally fine, though there are occasional instances of over-compression, which results in artefacting on smooth walls and the like. Some shots look a little soft, but detail is usually strong, making the models and puppets look better than ever. The mono sound is fine, if unremarkable. There are no extras beyond optional subtitles. --Gary S Dalkin

• Horns | Blu Ray | (16/03/2015) from £29.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Zavvi Exclusive Limited Edition Steelbook. From master-of-horror Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Piranha 3D) comes this supernatural, offbeat thriller starring beloved British actor Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter franchise, The Woman in Black) and the talented Juno Temple (Magic Magic, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For). Ig Perrish (Daniel Radcliffe) is accused of the murder of his girlfriend, Merrin Williams (Juno Temple). After a hard night of drinking, Ig awakens, hung-over, to find horns growing out of his head; they have the ability to drive people to confess sins and give in to selfish impulses. Ig decides to use this effective tool to discover the circumstances of his girlfriend's death and to seek revenge by finding the true murderer. Daniel and Juno lead an all-star cast with strong support from David Morse (The Green Mile, The Hurt Locker) and Heather Graham (The Hangover I and III, Boogie Nights). Horns is based on the dark fantasy novel of the same name from New York Times best-selling author Joe Hill (Heart Shaped Box) with a screenplay by Keith Burnin. Alexandre Aja, Riza Aziz, Joey McFarland and Cathy Schulman produce.

• Thunderbirds | DVD | (19/09/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £99.99

  Featuring all 32 'Thunderbirds' episodes ever made plus a bonus CD this strictly limited edition box set is the collection of the classic TV series to own! Episode Titles Trapped In The Sky Pit of Peril Perils of Penelope Terror in New York City Edge Of Impact Day Of Disaster 30 Minutes After Noon Desperate Intruder End Of The Road The Uninvited Sun Probe Operation Crash-Dive Vault Of Death The Mighty Atom City Of Fire The Impostors The Man From MI5 Cry Wolf Danger At Ocean Deep Move and You're Dead The Duchess Assignment Brink Of Disaster Attack Of The Alligators Martian Invasion The Cham Cham Security Hazard Altantic Inferno Path of Destruction Alias Mr Hackenbacker Lord Parker's Oliday Ricochet Give or Take A Million.