James Cameron’s Avatar: New ways for the current 3D fad to bloom?

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies

In case you were asleep on the Internet last week, James Cameron’s long awaited film Avatar just launched its first teaser trailer.  All I can say is “it’s about time,” because I’ve been hearing about Avatar for years. Word is that James Cameron, who hasn’t given us a decent blockbuster since that one with the big sinking ocean liner, had to reinvent cinema technology to give us this 3D science-fiction epic. 

It would appear that Panasonic is getting behind Cameron by helping to promote it by bringing their huge 103-inch screens to locations everywhere to show people the 3D effects.  I got a chance to see Panasonic’s 3D television at CES, and it was quite something. 

All I can say is that Avatar had better be worth this kind of promotion.  If it is the Titanic hit that people believe it will be, than I have no doubt that 3D will soon become the new standard of big blockbuster movies. 

In the meantime, check out the teaser trailer below:

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Myvu Crystal EV video glasses

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Accessories, Movies, Portable Audio / Video

For those who like the video googles, then you might want to check out Myvu’s video eyewear with the Crystal EV.  This uses Myvu’s Solid Optix technology, and is capable of “projecting 64 inch screen size”.  I have personally tried out an earlier version of the myvu, and I found it not to be as big of a screen as they boasted.  If you want video goggles with a fully immersible screen, then you should try the Vuzix.  But hey, maybe Myvu has improved on their earlier designs. 

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Microsoft scores Netflix streaming console exclusive

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Movies, Video Games

Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard rumblings that Netflix streaming would be coming to both the PS3 and Wii, but apparently, all that is now out the window, because Microsoft has been able to score an exclusive console partnership with Netflix. Read on:

Netflix Partnership

This exclusive partnership offers you the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the television via Xbox 360. Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix unlimited plan subscribers**, at no additional cost.

From the Netflix Web site, simply add movies and TV episodes to your instant Queue, which will appear automatically on the TV screen via Xbox 360. Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds. In addition to instantly streaming Netflix movies to the TV, Xbox LIVE Gold members can browse and rate movies, fast-forward, pause and rewind, all using either their Xbox 360 Controller or Universal remote.

Now, of course, we assume this just means that the Xbox 360 gets an exclusive on full console integration. But hey, you can just go download PlayOn if you really want to access Netflix from your Playstation 3 or Wii. Problem solved.

Read More | Xbox

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Disney/Panasonic to offer movies on microSD

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Cell Phones, Home Entertainment, Movies

I don’t know about you, but I use my microSD reader just about everyday to retrieve information from my camera, so it stands to reason that movies should be released onto microSDs. 

This is exactly what Disney and Panasonic have teamed up to do.  These will “accompany DVDs that hold similar movie content, giving viewers more options when it comes to viewing their recently purchased movie”. 

So far, plans have been in effect for DVD + microSD bundles of Pirates of the Caribbean and National Treasure, to be released sometime in November. 

Read More | Reuters

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Amazon to acquire Netflix to form digital movie powerhouse?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet, Movies, Rumors

Netflix stock is surging today due to a hot rumor that the company may be acquired by Amazon.

To the average Amazon consumer, this may be an odd pairing at first glance. However, as broadband penetration becomes more widespread throughout the US, digital movie download services will slowly drive a nail through physical disk media rental services. Both Amazon and Netflix offer movie streaming services right now. Many users of the Netflix service have complained about the lack of newer content being available. Amazon however, offers new movies for rent and download. Together, though, you have one hell of an offering.

A Netflix acquisition for Amazon would mean up airing of these two services, which in the eyes of many a digital downloader would be perfection.

Of course this is all rumor, and we won’t know for sure until something official comes out of either camp. However, looking at the stock surge, there certainly seems to be something up at Netflix. Do note, however, a similar rumor cropped up about two years ago, and nothing ever came of it.

Read More | Bloomberg

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Funko Star Wars Flash Drives

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Movies, Storage, Toys, USB

Watch out, mimobots. Funko has their own 2GB flash drives based on the Star Wars characters Darth Vader, Yoda, Stormtrooper and Boba Fett. Decapitate your fave to get to the connector. While mimico’s designs are limited edition art, come in differing storage amounts and pre-loaded with content, Funkos have a little more detail and look more like the originals. The quartet will be available this October for $24.99 each.

Read More | Entertainment Earth

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3D Movie Screenings to Include Interactive Game

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Movies, Video Games

Lucky UK moviegoers will get to play a 3D game this summer, in addition to enjoying movies like Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 3D and Toy Story 3 3D at participating VUE cinemas. O2’s Asteroid Storm allows audience members to guide the Starship O2 through an asteroid belt by raising their hands. Cameras mounted on the ceiling use IR scanners to track hand movements. While it seems like a silly concept, if those around you do it, then we guess you wouldn’t look any more foolish than they do.

Read More | Register Hardware

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90 Blu-ray movies with 7.1 surround sound

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Hot Deals, Movies

For you extreme audiophile Blu-ray fans out there, we just came across a great list of movies that include a 7.1 surround sound audio track. If you’ve got a 7.1 speaker setup, you’ll likely find this list to be worth checking out. There are some gems on here (3:10 To Yuma, Pan’s Labyrinth, Weeds,) as well as a few horrible movies (Disaster Movie, Hannah Montana, Witless Protection,) but the common thread here is that all o the currently listed 90 movies hit you with a lossless 7.1 audio track.

[Thanks, Tyler]

Read More | Blu-ray Stats

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Blockbuster Summer Escape Pass

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Movies, Video Games

Another deal from the ailing company Blockbuster comes in the form of a Summer Escape Pass. Available for a limited time in participating stores, $10.00 plus tax gets you unlimited movies and games. A new one can be purchased the following week and can be acquired at either the retail level or online. This sounds like a great idea for couch potatoes who have a week’s vacation and want to make it a staycation, especially for those who happen to live close to one.

Read More | Blockbuster via PR Newswire

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YouTube Premieres ‘Home’ Today

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Movies

In an effort to up their reputation, YouTube is planning to premiere the movie “Home” on their site today, the same time as its theatrical release. Directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the film concerns the impact that humans have on the environment and ecosystems and asks them to change their evil ways. Distributed by EuropaCorp as non-profit, it shows footage from locations worldwide. While this is not the first time for a premiere as the site aired the drama “The Princess of Nebraska” last year, it was not set for theatrical release.

Read More | Digital Trends

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