New video production at the Grand/ABC shopping network over the week (17.11.06 - 24.11.06)

Sam Fell, David Bowers (III)

Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Andy Serkis, Shane Richie, Bill Nighy

Beneath the streets of London, Roddy St. James is a pampered pet mouse who thinks he s got it made. But when a sewer rat named Sid--the definition of low life--comes spewing out of the sink and decides its his turn to enjoy the lap of luxury, Roddy schemes to rid himself of the pest by luring him into the loo for a dip in the whirlpool. Roddys plan backfires when he inadvertently winds up being the one flushed away into the bustling world down below. Underground, Roddy discovers a vast metropolis, where he meets Rita, a street-wise rat who is on a mission of her own. If Roddy is going to get home, he and Rita will need to escape the clutches of the villainous Toad, who royally despises all rodents and has dispatched two hapless henchrats, Spike and Whitey, as well as his cousin--that dreaded mercenary, Le Frog--to see that Roddy and Rita are iced, literally.

Steve Pink

Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Adam Herschman, Columbus Short, Maria Thayer

High school senior Bartleby "B" Gaines is on his way to scoring eight out of eight rejection letters from colleges, which isn't going to go over big with Mom and Dad. At least he's not alone in the exclusion. Several of his crew of outcast friends are in the same, college-less boat. So how does a guy facing a bleak career please his parents and get noticed by dream girl Monica? Simple. Open his own university. B and his band of misfit freshmen take "liberal" arts literally when they fool their parents and peers and create the esteemed South Harmon Institute of Technology. Just as they are settling in, B and company realize they've done their jobs too well. Dozens of other college rejects show up for classes at this less-than-lofty institute. Under the scornful eyes of the privileged students from the neighboring college, B and his friends forge ahead with maintaining a fake, functioning university. With his future in the balance, it's going to take more than just sleight of hand to keep B out of jail as he strives to get the girl, impress his parents and just become "Accepted."

Martin Campbell

РќРёР" РџСѓСЂРІРёСЃ, РоберС' Р'ейд

The reinvention of 007 after a successful run with Pierce Brosnan in the lead was a big gamble for the film's producers, Barbara Brocolli and Michael G Wilson, especially with a blonde actor playing the lead. But Casino Royale has proven all the doubters wrong by playing a winning card with Daniel Craig. I was lucky enough to see the first ever screening of the film at the Odeon Leicester Square, although unlucky enough to be behind Jonathan Ross's son in the queue for my popcorn as he repeatedly kicked me in the leg. That aside, the excitement and anticipation could be felt rippling around the packed theatre as the curtains parted and the opening scene to the 21st Bond movie unfolded, and what an opening it is to…

Tony Bill

Jean Reno,

James Franco

The adventures of the Lafayette Escadrille, young Americans who volunteered for the French military before the U.S. entered World War I, and became the country's first fighter pilots.

The Sims 2 is a great sequel and a great game in its own right, and it's recommendable to just about anyone. For some, especially the devoted fans that have enjoyed the first game's open-ended gameplay, which was all about controlling the lives of autonomous little computer people, this is all that really needs to be said. But considering that The Sims 2 is the sequel to what is reportedly the most successful computer game ever (and that's not even counting its many expansion packs), the new game almost seems like a victim of its own success. Yes, it introduces plenty of new features that enhance the gameplay that was so popular in the original game, but it doesn't drastically refresh it. It also features plenty of options to play with, but it seems like it could've used even more content. Then again, you could simply say that EA and Maxis are making sure the game has room to grow with future updates--and there's no denying that The Sims 2's additions will give dedicated fans of the series plenty of stuff to do.

Epic, engrossing gameplay that lets you feel as though you're managing a medieval kingdom; impressive strategic depth that lets you play popemaker and dabble with espionage; beautiful graphics and amazing battles packed with cinematic moments; subtle, effective sound and musical effects.

Neverwinter Nights 2 isn't without some technical issues, but the engaging, dynamic story and proven Dungeons & Dragons framework make it a role-playing game that shouldn't be missed.

Beautiful melodies, fantastic lyric and great accompaniments.

"Rapture" and "Rats!Rats!Rats!" may glimmer with a metallic underbelly and deadbolt a Helmet-like din to frontman Chino Moreno's manic vocals, but there are as many disarming moments that flutter to the forefront, notably in the eerie drizzle of "Beware" and the robust ebb and flow of "Cherry Waves." Granted, the nonsensical and profane detour that closes "Pink Cellphone" is unnerving, marring an otherwise standout trip-hop duet with Giant Drag's Annie Hardy, but the essence of the 12-track album remains otherwise intact throughout, populating an emotionally jarring landscape reminiscent of Dead Can Dance or Massive Attack with heavy-handed strokes of metallic brimstone.

After years of admiring each others musical masterworks and Clapton covers of Cale songs such as "After Midnight" and "Cocaine," guitar greats J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton have teamed up for the first time to create an original album together, The Road To Escondido.