You know you’re going to get a different kind of superhero when you cast Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role. And Iron Man is different, in welcome ways. Cleverly updated from Marvel Comics’ longstanding series, Iron Man puts billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (that’s Downey) in the path of some Middle Eastern terrorists; in a brilliantly paced section, Stark invents an indestructible suit that allows him to escape. If the rest of the movie never quite hits that precise rhythm again, it nevertheless offers plenty of pleasure, as the renewed Stark swears off his past as a weapons manufacturer, develops his new Iron Man suit, and puzzles both his business partner (Jeff Bridges in great form) and executive assistant (Gwyneth Paltrow). Director Jon Favreau geeks out in fun ways with the hardware, but never lets it overpower the movie, and there’s always a goofy one-liner or a slapstick pratfall around to break the tension. As for Downey, he doesn’t get to jitterbug around too much in his improv way, but he brings enough of his unpredictable personality to keep the thing fresh. And listen up, hardcore Marvel mavens: even if you know the Stan Lee cameo is coming, you won’t be able to guess it until it’s on the screen. It all builds to a splendid final scene, with a concluding line delivery by Downey that just feels absolutely right. –Robert Horton

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Product Description
Max Smith is far from Edwardian London, in a world destroyed by war – 100 years in his future! 1908, but not for long. An explosion in the cellar of his master’s shop sends Max Smith, a Clerkenwell clockmaker’s assistant, hurtling forward in time to the year 2008. Max finds himself in immediate peril in a London ruined by a war that has raged for almost a century. He is saved by K, a young woman with a mysterious past who may have her own plans for his future. Held captive by the despicable Beau Riche, King of London, both Max and K find themselves caught up in the world-conquering machinations of a certain Ben Landon, Envoy of the Protestant-Moslem Republic of Texas. Armed with the mysterious Eye of Time they must decide whether to save the world… or destroy it! Originally a seven part adventure serial, ‘The Time Traveller, Smith’ is now published in its complete form. Perfect for your next gyro-plane journey….

The Time Traveller, Smith

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Amazon.co.uk Review
The Abominable Dr Phibes is an unusually beautiful horror classic in which Vincent Price stars as the titular genius who specialises in organ music, theology and concocting bizarre deaths for anyone who wrongs him. Discovering why is half the fun, so for now let’s just say that Phibes is a little mad and very, very angry. Aided by his assistant, the lovely, silent Vulnavia, Phibes begins cutting a gory swathe through London’s medical community, with the dogged Inspector Trout hot on his tail. The film contains many pleasures–exquisite art direction and a dark sense of humour among them–but the real treat is in watching an old pro such as Price at work. Whether he’s playing his organ, staring down a victim or drinking through his neck, Price is at the top of his game. He mixes dark menace with wry comic touches, revealing both Phibes’ maniacal obsession and offhanded confidence in his own genius. Settle in for an evening of elegant gore–and if an attractive, mute deliverywoman comes to the door, whatever you do, don’t answer! –Ali Davis

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

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