The Mentalist 2.08 His Red Right Hand (2009, Crime Drama) – 8/10 TV review

Cast / crew Creator: Bruno Heller Simon Baker: Patrick Jane Robin Tunney: Teresa Lisbon Tim Kang: Kendall Cho Owain Yeoman: Wayne Rigsby Amanda Righetti: Grace Van Pelt Terry Kinney: Sam Bosco Shauna Bloom: Rebecca Michael Chieffo: Coroner Suzy Nakamura: Dr. Fox Gregory Itzin: Virgil Minelli Co-Executive Producer: Ashley Gable Executive Producer: Chris Long Producer: Charlie Goldstein Writer: Ashley Gable Director: Chris Long Executive Producer: Bruno Heller

Mentalist, The 2.08 His Red Right Hand (2009) The case of a frozen doctor posed naked and garnished with yellow flowers in a cemetery is just the tip of the iceberg when Red John decides it’s time to reassert himself. 8/10 This is a great episode, even more so if you go in without spoilers, and worthy of acclaim as it tackles a crime drama tradition (SPOILER the mid-season clear-out) without feeling stereotypical and predictable. With the exception of one scene where Jane unplugs a patient’s morphine dispenser for no obvious reason, it is scripted sensitively and Simon Baker does well as our hero. Gregory Itzin also gets a good scene where he tears into a journalist for asking a stupid question. As this is a Red John episode, please note that it is more violent and darker in the tone than the regular episodes. This Mentalist, The episode contains mild swear words and strong knife violence, graphic gun violence, gory and unpleasant scenes and sexuality. Links Previous episode: Red Bulls Next episode: A Price Above Rubies

Lie To Me 2.06 Lack of Candor (2009, Mystery Drama) – 5/10 TV review

Cast / crew Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Hayley McFarland: Emily Lightman Mekhi Phifer: FBI Agent Ben Reynolds Creator: Samuel Baum Alicia Coppola: Sheila Radotti Brian Howe: Garrett Denning Matt Gerald: Marshal Johnson Arlene Tur: Kimi Kari Coleman: Mary Executive Producer: Samuel Baum Writer: T.J. Brady Writer: Rasheed Newson Director: Terrence O’Hara

Lie To Me 2.06 Lack of Candor (2009) A witness in protective custody is murdered and Reynolds, being the undercover cop on the case, becomes next in line to testify. However, he refuses to testify and the reason is clearly not about the threat to his life. 5/10 There’s a lack of imagination and convincing coherent plot and character undermining what should be a much more affecting and insightful presentation of the moral quandaries of the undercover agent (and their handlers). Lightman is now, apparently, a law unto himself as he gains access to anyone and everyone and can wilfully ignore the direction and authority of the US District Attorney office. Links Previous episode: Greivous Bodily Harm

Lie To Me 2.05 Grievous Bodily Harm (2009, Mystery Drama) – 6/10 TV review

Cast / crew Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Hayley McFarland: Emily Lightman Mekhi Phifer: FBI Agent Ben Reynolds Creator: Samuel Baum Lennie James: Terry Marsh James Frain: McClellan Jay R. Ferguson: Jimmy Spencer Garrett: Mr. Anders Executive Producer: Samuel Baum Writer: Alexander Cary Director: Eric Laneuville

Lie To Me 2.05 Grievous Bodily Harm (2009) Lightman is surprised to see old English friend Terry Jones after twenty-two years but isn’t surprised that he needs to borrow Lightman’s skills to help him out of a bit of trouble. The Lightman Institute investigates a video of death and mayhem sent to a school headmaster and see it as a threat of homocidal intent. 6/10 This makes the error of the main-character-dies-in-flash-forward pre-credits sequence. This is a technique that works precisely once for each viewer in his entertainment consuming life. As we simply don’t believe the hero dies, our suspension of disbelief is deliberately shattered by the makers. As the situation is so common in entertainment (an onscreen character dies), there is no intrigue or interest. Despite the poor start, however, the episode manages to continually claw back quality and interest. The Foster storyline features an unusual situation (SPOILER teacher orchestrates bullying of a fat girl who eventually sends a cryptic and misinterpreted suicide video) while the Lightman story benefits from good antagonistic chemistry between Roth and guest star Lennie James. This Lie To Me episode contains a sexual swear word, mild swear words, bad language, adult dialogue and unpleasant scenes. Links Previous episode: Honey Next episode: Lack of Candor

Lie to Me 2.04 Honey (2009, Mystery Drama) – 4/10 TV review

Cast / crew Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Hayley McFarland: Emily Lightman Mekhi Phifer: FBI Agent Ben Reynolds Creator: Samuel Baum Garret Dillahunt: Eric Matheson Billy Smith: Mike Zancanelli Consulting Producer: Matt Olmstead Executive Producer: Samuel Baum Writer: Matt Olmstead Director: Timothy Busfield

Lie To Me 2.04 Honey (2009) A week after Lightman left his Macbook on a Mexican bar top and it didn’t get stolen, Torres is somewhat less lucky when she leaves a Lightman Group dossier on a seat in her unlocked car and gets taken hostage by a gun-toting wife-murderer. 4/10 Despite committed and good quality acting from everyone, this episode cannot escape the weakness of the plot and strained dramatics of having someone come in to the Lightman offices waving a gun around. Links Previous episode: Control Factor Next episode: Greivous Bodily Harm

TMNT (2007, Third-Person Action Movie Game) – 4/10 review

Producer: Benoit Galarneau Associate Producer: Dominic Laroche Lead Programmer: Julien Bouvrais Lead Artist: Frédéric Ressaire Level Designer: Yannick Blanchot Sound: Nicholas Duveau

TMNT TMNT (2007) The turtles tell Splinter about the time when they had to rediscover how important family and trusting in your brothers really is. 4/10 This isn’t a game that gets tired fast, it gets tired instantly. Each of the levels is needlessly long and drawn out with interminable and interchangeable platforming sections punctuated only by quickly wearisome wise-cracks, the surprisingly bizarre notion of having your progress narrated (each level is you relating a past event to someone else) and a bit of button-mashing baddie-bashing. Technically, it’s rather deficient with a variable frame-rate (despite the simplistic geometry) and a poor battle camera (that usually keeps a pile of enemies off-screen). There are worthwhile lessons (the family that kills together, stays together; er, or something like that) and it’s a good game for quick, big gamerscore but it doesn’t have any of the fun and love that the movie had. This TMNT game contains violence. Classified 12+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 12 or over. Classified Violence by PEGI. Game contains depictions of violence.

U-571 (2000, WWII Submarine Action) – 7/10 movie review

Director: Jonathan Mostow Writer (Screenplay): Jonathan Mostow Writer (Screenplay): Sam Montgomery Writer (Screenplay): David Ayer Writer (Story): Jonathan Mostow Producer: Dino De Laurentiis Producer: Martha De Laurentiis Matthew McConaughey: Tyler Bill Paxton: Dahlgren Harvey Keitel: Chief Jon Bon Jovi: Emmett Jake Weber: Hirsch David Keith: Coonan T.C. Carson: Eddie Jack Noseworthy: Wentz Thomas Guiry: Trigger Thomas Kretschmann: Wassner Matthew Settle: Larson Erik Palladino: Mazzola

U-571 (2000) World War II: a critical turning point arrives when a German U-boat floundering in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean radios for help. The message is received by both German and US navies and the US embark on a daring mission to recover the code machine aboard the U-boat: the famed Enigma. Disguising themselves as a German rescue submarine, the crew of the S-33 sail toward U-571 in a race against time to capture the machine. All goes smoothly until the real German rescue U-boat arrives and blows the S-33 out of the water. The survivors must scramble aboard the crippled U-571 and fight for their lives to save the code machine and turn the tide of the war. 7/10 Thrilling, and entirely fictitious, World War Two action-adventure that hits all its entertainment targets. It doesn’t really mean anything and, despite being a film about submarines, there is no depth to the screenplay. Instead, a whole pile of WWII clichés have been trotted out and presented for the audience’s entertainment as they revisit old friends: the Executive Officer (Matthew McConaughey) passed over for a captaincy, the salty sea dog (Harvey Keitel), the doomed best friend (Jon Bon Jovi), the scum-of-the-earth Gerry (Thomas Kretschmann), the enemy inability to hit a barn door at two paces, the heroes ability to hit targets despite adverse circumstances, a token black man making token black man comments and I could probably dig up a few more. Nevertheless, Mostow ensures the film remains uncommonly focused and, critically, extremely thrilling. This movie contains mild swear words and graphic gun violence, war violence. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

T.J. Hooker 2.18 Raw Deal (1983, Police Drama) – 6/10 TV review

Cast / crew William Shatner: T.J. Hooker Adrian Zmed: Officer Vince Romano Heather Locklear: Officer Stacy Sheridan Richard Herd: Captain Sheridan Cristina Raines: Nancy Winters Carlos Romero: Ann Gillespie: Jim Brown: Frank Barnett Supervising Producer: Rick Husky Producer: Jeffrey Hayes Writer (Series’ Creator): Rick Husky Writer: Jack V. Fogarty Writer: Simon Muntner Director: Cliff Bole

T.J. Hooker 2.18 Raw Deal (1983) Hooker gets involved in drug dealing on his patch as a poker house operator and wannabe drug lord blackmails gambling addicts who have run up unpayable debts into picking up and dropping off his supplies. 6/10 While only mustering an average score, this is consistently average and entertaining as opposed to a poor episode with highlights. The stunt-work is rather better than expected with a very good high fall and an agreeably ludicrous fight on a (flying) helicopter skid while Shatner spits out another of his marvelous anti-maggot speeches. The side-plot reveals Hooker’s amazing ability to accurately prophesy delivery times for pregnant women. This T.J. Hooker episode contains violence, unpleasant scene. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance. Links Previous episode: Sweet Sixteen and Dead Next episode: Requiem for a Cop

T.J. Hooker 2.17 Sweet Sixteen and Dead (1983, Police Drama) – 6/10 TV review

William Shatner: T.J. Hooker Adrian Zmed: Officer Vince Romano Heather Locklear: Officer Stacy Sheridan Paul Kent: Pearl Clarence Williams III: Decker Toni Hudson: Star Taylor Sharon Farrell: Irene Gordon Supervising Producer: Rick Husky Producer: Jeffrey Hayes Writer (Series’ Creator): Rick Husky Writer: Joe Viola Director: William Shatner

T.J. Hooker 2.17 Sweet Sixteen and Dead (1983) When a sixteen-year-old hooker is killed after witnessing a local hoodlum paying off a government representative, Hooker gets to learn of another witness: an ex-prostitute named Star. Trouble is, the hoodlum also knows her identity, the only thing neither of them know is her location. Who will reach her first? 6/10 As with most Shatner-directed outings, this is a lesser episode but it is rammed with Hooker quotes ("It was a man-made accident. And I want to nail that man.") culminating in calling the villain "chump." There’s also a decapitated teddy bear and a great comedy sub-plot about selling cookies for Hooker’s daughter Chrissie. This T.J. Hooker episode contains adult dialogue and substance abuse and extreme teddy bear violence. Classified 12 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over. Links Previous episode: Vengeance is Mine Next episode: Raw Deal

T.J. Hooker 2.16 Vengeance is Mine (1983, Police Drama) – 9/10 TV review

William Shatner: T.J. Hooker Adrian Zmed: Officer Vince Romano Heather Locklear: Officer Stacy Sheridan Richard Herd: Captain Sheridan Randolph Powell: Larry Foster Michele Tobin: Valerie McGuire Carmen Argenziano: Chuck Taylor Leonard Nimoy: Lieutenant Paul Maguire Supervising Producer: Rick Husky Producer: Jeffrey Hayes Writer (Series’ Creator): Rick Husky Writer: Allison Hock Director: Phil Bondelli

T.J. Hooker 2.16 Vengeance is Mine (1983) A rapist attacks the daughter of one of Hooker’s ex-partners, Paul Maguire. Despite identifying the rapist as a local lawyer and Maguire’s status as a Lieutenant of Detectives, a conviction proves difficult to obtain and causes severe strain on Maguire, who decides to take matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Hooker’s also having banking trouble. 9/10 It’s nice to see Shatner with old Star Trek sparring partner Leonard Nimoy who brings a touch of class to the proceedings and matches The Shat for intensity. The script is also better than most episodes though, fortunately, we still get Shatner spitting out delicious lines such as "This time, maggot, you stay inside." The episode does a terrific job of highlighting the difficulties in prosecuting such a personal crime in the Eighties (no DNA evidence then) and the impotence felt by those who feel responsible for letting it happen. There’s a good foot chase which ends with Hooker leaping about twenty feet from a first-floor parapet onto a suspect and it climaxes with a great scene between Shatner and Nimoy. Top Hooker. This T.J. Hooker episode contains adult dialogue and violence. Classified 12 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over. Links Previous episode: The Mumbler Next episode: Sweet Sixteen and Dead

T.J. Hooker 2.15 The Mumbler (1983, Police Drama) – 7/10 TV review

William Shatner: T.J. Hooker Adrian Zmed: Officer Vince Romano Heather Locklear: Officer Stacy Sheridan Richard Herd: Captain Sheridan Sam Melville: Hank Carmichael Paul Regina: Larry Coates Michael Cavanaugh: Carl Hines Sydney Penny: Katie Coates Jo McDonnell: Sarah Campbell Supervising Producer: Rick Husky Producer: Jeffrey Hayes Writer (Series’ Creator): Rick Husky Writer: Joe Viola Director: Don Chaffey

T.J. Hooker 2.15 Mumbler, The (1983) Hooker experience of – get this – breeding pigeons gives him a crucial edge in the case of an armed robbery when he meets the younger sister of one of the protagonists who is also a ‘mumbler’, a person with better connection to pigeons than people. 7/10 Entertaining episode with added bonus of discovering Hooker’s past as a pigeon trainer (!) and a car chase whose mid-section (when they go through a storm drain) is a replay of the chase in Season One episode The Witness. They even leave in the bit where you can clearly see the camera crew as the cars enter the drain! Despite this brief regurgitation, the action is generous and thrilling as John Davis supplies plenty of funky music and it culminates in a striking location (under a roller-coaster) with a nice bit of close-quarters work from Hooker with the side handle baton. This T.J. Hooker episode contains violence. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance. Links Previous episode: The Decoy Next episode: Vengeance is Mine

Forza Motorsport 3 (2009, Driving Simulator) – 7/10 360 exclusive game review

Cast / crew Game Designer: Dan Greenawalt

Forza Motorsport 3 (2009) Race online or offline against up to seven opponents in most of the world’s most desirable cars from dozens of car manufacturers on scores of tracks set in twenty-one international locations (including new to the series Amalfi Coast, Benchmark High Speed Ring, Camino Viejo de Montserrat, Sedona Raceway Park, and returning favourite Fujimi Kaido). Customise them mechanically and visually and buy, share or sell tuning setups and designs on the new Forza Storefront. 7/10 Despite suspiciously glowing contemporary reviews and brazenly making eyes at casual gamers (you can complete the game and get a lot of the achievements almost without driving a single lap), FM3 is more hardcore than ever because only they will be able to extract any satisfaction from it. The casual gamer will give up before even a single lap is through thanks to AI that clearly doesn’t obey the same laws of physics you do, the fact that you can’t touch anything other than tarmac, wheels still seem to spin or lock with traction control and anti-lock brakes turned on, and an extremely uninvolving, if fluid, default driving experience. It is instantly dull and even more so in the uncommunicative cockpit view (almost imperceptible head movement). However, if you learn to drive with your assists off and spend time tuning your cars and avoid the cockpit view, you will be rewarded with a very good driving model and reasonable driving experience and you will appreciate the wealth of cars and superb original tracks presented with beautiful, crisp graphics at a marvellous sixty frames-per-second. Once here, it is, as before, bafflingly addictive but, even with that, you’re unlikely to play the game through to it’s 125-hour conclusion. Told you it was hardcore. Classified 3+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 3 or over. Links Previous game: Forza Motorsport 2

T.J. Hooker 2.14 The Decoy (1983, Police Drama) – 6/10 TV review

Cast / crew William Shatner: T.J. Hooker Adrian Zmed: Officer Vince Romano Heather Locklear: Officer Stacy Sheridan Richard Herd: Captain Sheridan Gerard Prendergast: Richard Britten James McEachin: Lt. Franks Supervising Producer: Rick Husky Producer: Jeffrey Hayes Writer (Series’ Creator): Rick Husky Writer: Mark Rodgers Director: Leonard Nimoy

T.J. Hooker 2.14 Decoy, The (1983) When a serial killer targets young beautiful blond women, Stacey agrees to become a decoy but Hooker is unconvinced that someone of her inexperience should be placed in such a situation. 6/10 Directed by Shatner’s Star Trek colleague Leonard Nimoy, this is solid and snappy. As would become usual, the more police work Heather Locklear is required to do, the less clothes she wears so she gets naked for a shower and spends most of the rest of the time walking around in a bikini. To be fair, the episode also requires the bad guy to wander around in his shorts so it’s not entirely one-sided. This T.J. Hooker episode contains gun violence. Classified 12 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over. Links Next episode: The Mumbler Previous episode: Too Late for Love

House M.D. 6.06 Known Unknowns (2009, Medical Black Comedy Drama) – 6/10 TV review

Cast / crew Hugh Laurie: Dr. Gregory House Lisa Edelstein: Dr. Lisa Cuddy Omar Epps: Dr. Eric Foreman Robert Sean Leonard: Dr. James Wilson Jennifer Morrison: Dr. Allison Cameron Jesse Spencer: Dr. Robert Chase Creator: David Shore Michael Weston: Lucas Douglas Annabelle Attanasio: Jordan Marcus Giamatti: Keener Bianca Collins: Phoebe Producer: Marcy G. Kaplan Producer: Sara Hess Co-Executive Producer: Doris Egan Executive Producer: Hugh Laurie Executive Producer: David Shore Writer: Matthew V. Lewis Writer: Doris Egan Director: Greg Yaitanes

House M.D. 6.06 Known Unknowns (2009) House attends a medical conference when he learns that Cuddy and her breasts (Patty and Selma, always smoking) are going but his patient-of-the-week – a young girl with swollen joints and extreme muscle fatigue – keeps requiring his long-distance attention. 6/10 House is on good form with Wilson and Cuddy this week (though don’t try naming your boss’s breasts at home, children; unless you’re a maverick genius, of course) though the patient-of-the-week diagnostic procedures are as unconvincing as ever and there is an unwelcome return for House’s Mini-Me Lucas Douglas (Michael Weston). The episode is again presenting the weight on the conscience of the doctor as arbiter of life and death with Chase having killed someone who wouldn’t have died and Wilson allowing a terminal patient to die early. I’m of the opinion, though, that doctors unnecessarily extend life beyond what the body would naturally allow through their use of intravenous feeds and respirators and the like. Without those things, the patient would die of their own accord much sooner. With those things, the doctors stop them dying but make their life painful, frustrating, humiliating and debilitated. If such forcible life-extending devices were not used for people who have terminal conditions, the number of cases warranting contemplation of euthanasia would, I suspect, plunge dramatically. This House M.D. episode contains adult dialogue, references to substance abuse and unpleasant scenes. Links Previous episode: Brave Heart Next episode: Teamwork

Breach (2006, Conspiracy Espionage Drama) – 8/10 movie review

Director: Billy Ray Writer (Screenplay): Adam Mazer Writer (Screenplay): William Rotko Writer (Screenplay): Billy Ray Writer (Story): Adam Mazer Writer (Story): William Rotko Producer: Bobby Newmyer Producer: Scott Strauss Producer: Scott Kroopf Chris Cooper: Robert Hanssen Ryan Phillippe: Eric O’Neill Laura Linney: Kate Burroughs Dennis Haysbert: Dean Plesac Caroline Dhavernas: Juliana O’Neill Gary Cole: Rich Garces Bruce Davison: John O’Neill Kathleen Quinlan: Bonnie Hanssen Special Consultant: Eric O’Neill

Breach (2006) 2001: the traitorous activities of FBI man Robert Hanssen are about to come to end after 22 years of betraying his country. Eric O’Neill is assigned to be his assistant in a new department as they attempt to catch Hanssen in the act so that he can be arrested and prosecuted. 8/10 Conspiracy thriller that remains entirely compelling throughout and features an outstanding performance from Chris Cooper as the biggest traitor in US history. Laura Linney is also terrific but Ryan Phillippe is not in the same league. His big scenes feel the teensiest bit forced but it doesn’t undermine the movie. What does nearly undermine the movie is a scene where Chris Cooper’s car is disassembled and has to be quickly put back together. It’s far too reminiscent of the awesome gag in Police Squad (Testimony of Evil) where a massive American car is disassembled and hurriedly reassembled as a compact. Overall, it doesn’t matter as Cooper is so, so good that he makes it work and, with his star, co-writer / director Billy Ray (Shattered Glass) has made a high quality, beautifully-paced movie. This movie contains a single sexual swear word, adult dialogue and violence and brief sex scene on videotape. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Xbox 360 vs PS3 Head-to-Head Face Off: Assassin’s Creed II

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Assassin’s Creed II

The Mentalist 2.07 Red Bulls (2009, Light Crime Drama) – 6/10 TV review

Cast / crew Creator: Bruno Heller Simon Baker: Patrick Jane Robin Tunney: Teresa Lisbon Tim Kang: Kendall Cho Owain Yeoman: Wayne Rigsby Amanda Righetti: Grace Van Pelt Terry Kinney: Sam Bosco Rey Gallegos: Raoul Dominic Hoffman: Hicks Seana Kofoed: Mrs. Kent Art LaFleur: Louis Earlen Meredith Monroe: Verona Westlake Marissa Skell: Mia Westlake Vincent Ventresca: Duncan Weaver Gregory Itzin: Virgil Minelli Co-Executive Producer: Tom Szentgyorgyi Producer: Charlie Goldstein Writer: Tom Szentgyorgyi Director: David McCoy Barrett Executive Producer: Bruno Heller

Mentalist, The 2.07 Red Bulls (2009) Bosco and Lisbon are assigned to team up together when their cases overlap. Lisbon has the five-years-dead body of a kidnap victim while Bosco is handling a current kidnap with a very similar modus operandi. Bosco is dismayed to have Jane on his team while Jane sees an opportunity to prove himself and perhaps assist Bosco on the Red John case. 6/10 Fun episode with the police even doing a bit of detection (Lisbon gleans the vital information from a retired cop) and Jane pulling out an improbable stunt ("I’ve got expensive stunts if you don’t like the cheap ones.") to trap the guilty. The macho posturing between Bosco and Jane is fun and there is an exciting interlude for Rigsby and Van Pelt (after the action sequence, she ostentatiously doesn’t return his "I love you" but the physical contact of a chastising slap is probably the next best thing). Again, no objectionable explicitness and a light touch are keeping this show highly watchable. This Mentalist, The episode contains gun violence. Links Previous episode: Black Gold and Red Blood Next episode: His Red Right Hand

The Mentalist 2.06 Black Gold and Red Blood (2009, Light Crime Drama) – 7/10 TV review

Creator: Bruno Heller Simon Baker: Patrick Jane Robin Tunney: Teresa Lisbon Tim Kang: Kendall Cho Owain Yeoman: Wayne Rigsby Amanda Righetti: Grace Van Pelt Terry Kinney: Sam Bosco Erin Cahill: Donna Hines Ashley Jones: Sandrine Gerber Eric Ladin: Rod Gerber Madison Mason: Theodore Luscom William Russ: Dooley Gerber Gregory Itzin: Virgil Minelli Producer: Charlie Goldstein Writer: Bruno Heller Director: Rod Hardy Executive Producer: Bruno Heller

Mentalist, The 2.06 Black Gold and Red Blood (2009) Jane finds himself arrested and in prison after the bug he planted in Bosco’s office is discovered. That’ll make assisting Lisbon with their latest murder case rather harder. Not much harder, though. 7/10 This is rather better than any previous episode in season two because of a good sense of fun, a reasonable suspension of disbelief and a great scene where Jane, who is in prison, wants to personally interrogate a suspect who is not in prison. His only weapons: a couple of phone calls. Genre demands that everything be resolved within forty minutes are dealt with well enough (SPOILER Lisbon has something on Bosco) but the final (fun if unconvincing) confession is a little Columbo-esque in that there is little chance (acknowledged in the episode) that the case will meet prosecution requirements. Still, it’s nice to be reminded of the great macintoshed one and to see a crime drama without bad language, explicit sex or graphic violence. This Mentalist, The episode contains adult dialogue and mild violence. Links Previous episode: Red Scare Next episode: Red Bulls

Doctor Who 31.02 The Waters of Mars (2009, Science Fiction Adventure) – 6/10 TV review

Cast / crew David Tennant: The Doctor Lindsay Duncan: Adelaide Brooke Writer: Russell T. Davies Writer: Phil Ford Producer: Nikki Wilson Director: Graeme Harper Writer (Characters’ Creator) Daleks: Terry Nation Composer: Murray Gold

Doctor Who 31.02 Waters of Mars, The (2009) The Doctor is brought to Mars by the TARDIS but is dismayed to discover he’s arrived on the date that the first human colony on the red planet is going to die. However, the critical importance of the tragedy in spurring human progress in interstellar endeavours means he must not interfere with the event. 6/10 "State your name, rank and intention." "The Doctor. Doctor. … Fun?" Reminds me of the wonderful line in Police Squad where Drebin responds to ‘who are you and how did you get in here’ with "I’m a locksmith and… I’m a locksmith." However, despite this fun start and a comedic interlude with a souped-up robot, this is a more serious outing as the Doctor wrestles with his conscience regarding interfering in important events in the stream of time. David Tennant does some remarkable work, usually without words, in showing the conflict between two right courses behind his eyes, not even on his face. Sadly, some really strong moments (composer Murray Gold contributes to a blinding hero entrance) are undone by a script that doesn’t successfully communicate it’s interesting core. This Doctor Who episode contains a single sexual swear word (?) and unpleasant and scary scenes. Links Previous episode: Planet of the Dead Next episode: The End of Time

Xbox 360 vs PS3 vs PC Head-to-Head Face Off: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Lie To Me 2.03 Control Factor (2009, Mystery Drama) – 5/10 TV review

Cast / crew Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Hayley McFarland: Emily Lightman Mekhi Phifer: FBI Agent Ben Reynolds Creator: Samuel Baum Marc Blucas: Jose Zuniga: Timothy Carhart: Mary Mara: Dale Midkiff: Max Arciniega: Patrick J. Adams: Consulting Producer: Sharon Lee Watson Executive Producer: Samuel Baum Writer: Sharon Lee Watson Director: James Hayman

Lie To Me 2.03 Control Factor (2009) While in Mexico on holiday, Lightman is unofficially requested to look into the disappearance of an American national (!). 5/10 Lie to Me is in a rut but it’s still well acted and professionally produced and entertaining. Continuing to pack two plots into each episode certainly helps (one for Lightman, one for Foster) as it guarantees the show moves at a brisk pace. While it is normal for all television shows to have everyone outside of our regular heroes be hiding something or a baddie or be stupid, the fact that behavourial reading can only ever be taken as a sign and not as the be-all-and-end-all is really sticking out like a sore thumb. Unlike CSI and traditional maverick detective shows, Lightman’s opinion should be a tool for someone in authority to use. While consistently doing that would certainly undermine his role as the show’s hero, at least an occasional nod to it every so often would be welcome. Still, as I say, despite the instant transparency of this second season, I am still enjoying it. This Lie To Me episode contains mild adult dialogue and extremely gruesome scene briefly but easily glimpsed in photograph. Links Previous Episode: Truth or Consequences Next episode: Honey

Lie To Me 2.02 Truth or Consequences (2009, Mystery Drama) – 6/10 TV review

Cast / crew Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Hayley McFarland: Emily Lightman Mekhi Phifer: FBI Agent Ben Reynolds Creator: Samuel Baum John Carroll Lynch: John Pyper-Ferguson: James Marsters: Gretchen Egolf: Chadwick Boseman: Jennifer Beals: Zoe Landau Consulting Producer: Nick Santora Executive Producer: Samuel Baum Writer: Nick Santora Director: Michael Offer

Lie To Me 2.02 Truth or Consequences (2009) Lightman tries to determine whether a college student knew his frat party sexual partner was under-age but ends up learning more about his daughter Emily. 6/10 The endings of both storylines feel weak but some of the earlier scenes featuring Lightman with his daughter are very well done. It always intrigues me how behaviour usually performed by parents is later condemned when performed by their children. In a society where so-called casual sex is regarded with all the importance of a cheap alternative to ordering a pizza, why is the sexual activity of your child frequently a bitter pill to swallow? Perhaps, despite all the contemporary openness about the mechanics of intercourse, the fact is sex is still seen as a commodity (‘I’ve had / I want her / him’), an exercising of power, a defining of your relationship and not as a genuinely shared experience. This Lie To Me episode contains adult dialogue and violence and sexuality. Links Previous episode: The Core of It Next episode: Control Factor

Lie To Me 2.01 The Core of It (2009, Mystery Drama) – 5/10 TV review

Cast / crew Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Hayley McFarland: Emily Lightman Mekhi Phifer: FBI Agent Ben Reynolds Creator: Samuel Baum Erika Christensen: Tomas Arana: Michael Raymond-James: Jennifer Beals: Zoe Landau Executive Producer: Elizabeth Craft Executive Producer: Sarah Fain Executive Producer: Daniel Sackheim Executive Producer: Samuel Baum Writer: Elizabeth Craft Writer: Sarah Fain Director: Daniel Sackheim

Lie To Me 2.01 Core of It, The (2009) A college student approaches Cal and tells him that she has seen a vision of a murder but that the police don’t believe her. Cal does and sets about studying either the truth or cause of her vision. 5/10 Two things that simply do not work on-screen: hypnotism and split personalities. So it’s a double whammy of fail for the return of this show and we’ll just ignore this mis-step for now. The acting is fine, though, This Lie To Me episode contains bad language, adult language and strong violence. Links Previous episode: Sacrifice Next episode: Truth or Consequences

T.J. Hooker 2.03 The Empty Gun (1982, Police Drama TV) – 7/10 review

Cast / crew William Shatner: T.J. Hooker Adrian Zmed: Officer Vince Romano Heather Locklear: Officer Stacy Sheridan Richard Herd: Captain Sheridan Jeanette Nolan: Annie Grand Herbert Jefferson, Jr.: Officer D. Benteen David Michael Elliot: Minetti Scott Thomson: Supervising Producer: Rick Husky Producer: Jeffrey Hayes Writer (Series’ Creator): Rick Husky Writer: Paul Savage Director: Cliff Bole

T.J. Hooker 2.03 Empty Gun, The (1982) When Romano has a cop killer in his gun sights but doesn’t kill him because he knows the criminal’s gun is empty, he is derided by most of the other beat officers. When the cop killer goes on to escape judicial punishment on technicalities and by lying, Romano suffers a crisis of confidence and wonders whether it would have been better to have taken the law into his own hands. 7/10 Starting out rather more seriously than earlier episodes with a superbly staged sequence where a cop gets killed, this adds an interesting moral dilemma to the still solid humour and action. Adrian Zmed gets his shirt off and pecs oiled for the girls and is solid in the acting stakes making this one of his best episodes. Hooker rounds things off with a "Happy birthday, punk" to a bleeding, just turned eighteen crim. This T.J. Hooker episode contains gun violence. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance. Links Previous episode: King of the Hill Next episode: Blind Justice

T.J. Hooker 2.02 King of the Hill (1982) – 6/10 police action drama TV review

Cast / crew William Shatner: T.J. Hooker Adrian Zmed: Officer Vince Romano Heather Locklear: Officer Stacy Sheridan Richard Herd: Captain Sheridan James Darren: “Devil” Dan Danko Donna Wilkes: Karen Stewart James O’Sullivan: Detective Wayne Conrad Gary Graham: Jeff Simpson Supervising Producer: Rick Husky Producer: Jeffrey Hayes Writer (Series’ Creator): Rick Husky Writer: Stephen Downing Director: Charles Picerni

T.J. Hooker 2.02 King of the Hill (1982) When a hill racer wants to get enough money to build the fastest car he resorts to robbing supermarkets. Meanwhile, Romano is having a slightly masculine crisis about his driving abilities. 6/10 Wonderfully cheesy episode with a generous amount of humour, action and, most importantly, entertainment. Future series star James Darren pops up as a hill racer (“Devil” Dan Danko) with smudgy stubble and a sweet hat. And Shatner delivers not one but two of his wonderfully intense and straight-faced monologues about catching crims and remembering victims: “The maggots I’m looking for… they’re heavy and I want them.” More! This T.J. Hooker episode contains unpleasant scene, violence. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance. Links Next episode: The Empty Gun Previous episode: Second Chance T.J. Hooker

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Hard Evidence (2007, Point-and-Click Mystery Game, 360) – 4/10 review

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Hard Evidence (2007) 4/10 This should be a fascinating, informative, wonderfully polished game but a clunky interface (for example, you cannot select menu items using the left stick), genre limitations (you are sometimes expected to see something you need a flashlight to see before you are allowed to use a flashlight) and ugly presentation (no CSI theme, either) make playing this without a walkthrough a chore. Oddly, character’s eyes are surprisingly well animated (as nothing else is), the stories are pretty nifty with some agreeably salacious motives and twists and there is definite potential for this licence in this genre. This CSI: Crime Scene Investigation game contains adult dialogue and themes, mild swear words and strong violence, extremely unpleasant scenes and sex scene. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

The Mentalist 2.05 Red Scare (2009, Light Crime Drama) – 5/10 review

Creator: Bruno Heller Simon Baker: Patrick Jane Robin Tunney: Teresa Lisbon Tim Kang: Kendall Cho Owain Yeoman: Wayne Rigsby Amanda Righetti: Grace Van Pelt Matthew John Armstrong: Ron Canada: Christina Chang: Derk Cheetwood: Michael McMillian: Frances Fisher: Producer: Charlie Goldstein Writer: Ken Woodruff Director: Lesli Linka Glatter Executive Producer: Bruno Heller

Mentalist, The 2.05 Red Scare (2009) The CBI investigate a murder that appears to have been committed by a ghost. 5/10 Another weak episode. I understand that Jane is the hero but the writers need to present conflict means that they have to make his associates frequently pooh-pooh Jane’s observations despite their own experience that his viewpoint is always worthwhile. It’s also becoming irritating that Jane knows everything about everything. Even a scene this week where he goes to a shop to learn about local history sees him interrogating the shopkeeper (who, awfully, turns out to be a suspect) with little cause. The makers are presuming that Jane can do anything as long as he does his little smile and, frankly, they’re wrong. This Mentalist, The episode contains unpleasant scenes. Links Previous episode: Red Menace Next episode: Black Gold and Red Blood

Prince of Persia (2008, Third-Person Platform Game, 360) – 6/10 review

Senior Producer: Bertrand Helias Producer: Ben Mattes Creative Director: Jean-Christophe Guyot Art Director: Mickael Labat Lead Programmer: Charles Jacob Lead Programmer Gameplay: Cyril Meynier Director Narrative: Andrew Walsh Lead Game Designer: Thomas Delbuguet Lead Game Designer: Kevin Guillemette Level Design Director: Francois Emery Nolan North: The Prince Kari Wahlgren: Elika Music: Stuart Chatwood Music: Inon Zur

Prince of Persia (2008) Some dude wandering the desert thanks to a sand storm and a wayward donkey carrying his treasure runs into Elika, a princess. He’s just in time to see her father release Ahriman, a dark god, who plummets the land into corruption and only Elika, who has mysterious light powers, can stop him. With the dude’s help, of course. Sorry, nearly forgot that; I’m sure he’s vital. 6/10 Unusually and impressively looking like incredible concept art rendered directly onto your screen, this Prince of Persia has the odd feeling of a project completely redesigned late into it’s life. While tiny heads on all our characters, super-human feats performed by our human hero (who appears to be not needed by the story though a spectacular climax does interestingly justify his presence SPOILER because he is needed to resurrect Elika; he takes exactly the same course of action as the father, for the same reason and note how both Gods keep saying the same thing; the gameplay didn’t need him but the climax of the story did), an inconsistent tone that doesn’t fit the genre or seriousness of each situation and a making-tosh-up-as-we-see-fit story can be overlooked, the game completely misses the mark with unresponsive and uncertain controls that never quite consistently coalescence into fluent awesomeness. This problem becomes critical during the occasional combat sequences as the controls become even more unresponsive and unpredictable. Music’s good, though. This game contains mild adult dialogue and blade violence, fantasy violence, unpleasant fantasy scenes. Links Lens of Truth Head-to-Head: PS3 Eurogamer Head-to-Head: 360 / PS3 IGN Head-to-Head: 360 / PS3

Flushed Away (2006, Computer-Animated Adventure Movie) – 4/10 review

Hugh Jackman: Roddy Kate Winslet: Rita Jean Reno: Le Frog Bill Nighy: Whitey Andy Serkis: Spike Shane Richie: Sid Ian McKellen: The Toad Director: David Bowers Director: Sam Fell Producer: Cecil Kramer Producer: Peter Lord Producer: David Sproxton Writer (Story): Sam Fell Writer (Story): Peter Lord Writer (Story): Dick Clement Writer (Story): Ian La Frenais Writer (Screenplay): Dick Clement Writer (Screenplay): Ian La Frenais Writer (Screenplay): Chris Lloyd Writer (Screenplay): Joe Keenan Writer (Screenplay): Will Davies Head Of Character Animation: Jeff Newitt Sam Fell: Liam, Prohpet, Ladykiller, Fanseller David Bowers: Goldfish, Fly, Shocky, Henchfrog #1, Tadpole

Flushed Away (2006) Roddy St. James, a pampered rodent, finds himself in the London sewer and desperate to get back to his posh Kensington residence. 4/10 Clearly trying too hard to be wacky and charming from the off but instantly and never succeeding. I cannot fathom movies that insist we watch cowardly, self-obsessed, charmless fools ("useless, whiny, stuck-up, pompous big girl’s blouse" according to the script) just so that they can have a character arc. Nor movies that deliberately include a mime under the (criminally mistaken) belief that they are hilarious. Still, this miserable quality of work fits in perfectly with Dreamworks Animation’s contemporary output and I suppose, on the plus side, it doesn’t promote bestiality. One thing it proves beyond all doubt is that Nick Park’s efforts with Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run were more than just iconic design. Much, much more. This movie contains mild bad language and mild comic violence. Classified U by BBFC. Universal: Suitable for All.

Xbox 360 vs PS3 vs PC Head-to-Head Face Off: Borderlands

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Borderlands

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009, Third-Person Action Adventure, PS3 exclusive) – 10/10 review

Game Director: Bruce Straley Creative Director: Amy Hennig Lead Programmer: Pål-Kristian Engstad Lead Programmer: Travis McIntosh Lead Programmer: Dan Liebgold Music: Greg Edmonson Nolan North: Nathan Drake Emily Rose: Elena Fisher Claudia Black: Chloe Frazer Richard McGonagle: Sully Steve Valentine: Harry Flynn Rene Auberjonois: Karl Schafer

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) Drake joins up with former colleague Harry Flynn to try and find the lost treasure of Marco Polo but when you’re among thieves, you really can trust no-one. 10/10 While Drake’s still got completely broken ankles, this is a fun, highly thrilling action game that you just want to play through in one sitting. There are some moments that are absolutely staggering such as battles being played on the floor of a collapsing building, on a speeding train, the chapter with Jeff and post-Jeff and a Tibetan truck chase. There are sequences here that would be awesome if they were in a movie or cut-scene but in a game, with you playing it, it’s awesome on toast. Additionally, there are lots of lovely touches including Drake being highly personable in swimming pools, petting yaks and introducing himself to Tibetan villagers and it’s even actually funny (“There’s a guy below you, there’s a guy below you.”) and genuinely charming. Then you’ve got the goodness that is one of the best multiplayer co-op experiences available. This is one of those games that people always start to describe by saying “it’s not perfect, but…” Of course, nothing is, but Uncharted 2 is the PS3′s best game and one of the all-time greats. This game contains frequent mild swear words, mild adult dialogue and gory scenes, frequent gun violence, frequent melee violence, knife violence and sensuality. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. Links 1920×1080 and 1920×1200 HD widescreen wallpapers Previous: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune