Neil Gaiman’s fantasy comes into its own on radio

In the world of fantasy sci-fi, Neil Gaiman is a big shot. His Sandman graphic novel series is, by all accounts, a classic of the genre. (Disclaimer: the last fantasy I read was set in Narnia, so I'm no expert.)

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Raised from the dead: Hammer returns with horror set in Irish village

Picturesque Pettigo turned into a film set for cult movie company's gory comeback

You Don't Mess with the Zohan, 12A<br/>Star Wars: The Clone Wars, PG

Offensive? Puerile? Well, it made me laugh ...

The rise and fall and rise again of the Hammer House of Horror

The homegrown blend of Victorian melodrama and gothic is back

The Week In Arts: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

THE NEXT Star Wars film is scheduled for release on 4 May. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith will doubtless be the blockbuster of the summer. There may be many reasons why the producers and distributors want to release it on May the fourth. It is a bank holiday weekend so there will be an extra day when schoolchildren will be able to crowd into the morning and afternoon performances. It will also still be in the multiplexes for half term a few weeks later.

Film: Raiders of the lost art

The Big Picture

How we met; James Herbert & Ingrid Pitt

James Herbert was born in 1943 in east London. After leaving art college, he worked as art director in an advertising firm. In 1979 he published his first book, 'The Rats', which became a bestseller. Nineteen books on, he has sold more than 42 million novels worldwide. He lives in West Sussex with his wife, Eileen. They have three daughters

Pursuits: Creativity

WOULD WEATHERMEN be isobarred and vicars taken out of service? (JR Gore). And still they flood in, those appropriate sackings. So much excellent material was omitted, I will be self-publishing a Creativity Extra (magazine) to give it all a platform. Watch this space.

New Year's Day car chase charge

New Year's Day car chase charge

On Air: Ultra scary with a modern bite

Blood-sucking fiends are back on our screens - the undead are out to get us all.

Film: Pagan bangs and twangs

`The Wicker Man' soundtrack is available after 25 years.

Talk of the devil

This week sees the release of Alex The Crow Proyas' latest film Dark City, starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland and William Hurt. An ambitious, futuristic fantasy with a neo-noir feel, it shows Sewell's character Murdoch begin to question the very nature of reality, as he discovers a fiendish Underworld deep below the earth, inhabited by a people known as The Strangers.

People: Child prodigy of chess grows up

Ten Thousand pounds a minute is not a bad rate of pay in any sport. For a chess game, however, it is extraordinary. Yet that was the rate at which Michael Adams added to his prize money when he defeated Nigel Short in the quarter-finals of the World Chess Championship in Groningen in the Netherlands on Christmas Day. With this victory, Adams has established himself as England's leading player, nudging Short into second place.

Arts: Horror of horrors! It ain't over till the tall, dark and gruesome guy sings

It's 26 years now since Christopher Lee last made a horror film. But that won't stop Marianne Brace saying `fangs for the memory' to cinema's own Prince of Darkness.

Choice: Film: The Wicker Man, Pictureville Bradford

The Wicker Man, Pictureville Bradford (01274 732277)
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The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...