DreamWorks
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Dreamworks animated films now available on iTunes
After quite a wait, Dreamworks Animation has finally relented to allowing its movies on iTunes, which means the company's catalog is more or less up for grabs. Kung Fu Panda is one title customers have been waiting for, and Monsters vs. Aliens, Bee Movie, and Madagascar 2 are available as well. Shrek the Third is the only movie of that series available at the moment, unfortunately, and there's no sign of Megamind or How to Train Your Dragon, so the catalog isn't complete by any means. Still, progress is progress, and this deal means you and your kids have a few more options when you jump into iTunes to find a movie to watch. Whatever issues there were between Dreamworks and Apple have apparently been worked out, to some degree at least.
Netflix negotiating for Dreamworks Animation movies?
Netflix will reveal its financial results for the second quarter tomorrow (better known as the one before they raised prices) and already we've got a juicy rumor about the company signing up Dreamworks Animation flicks for streaming. Bloomberg reports that Netflix would replace HBO's agreement for these movies, while The Hollywood Reporter's sources indicate HBO actually offered to end its deal early after signing up movies from Summit Entertainment and because it anticipates more animated flicks from other studios. If the rumors are on target, with Dreamworks also reporting earnings this week we're likely to hear confirmation soon. Besides that, Hacking Netflix also has the low down on a couple of other Netflix tidbits, including that it's recently spun off DVD operations are moving to their own offices, and a rumor that Weeds creator Jenji Kohan is working on an original show for the service. The over/under on Engadget Netflix posts this week is set at 3.5.
Jurassic Park Trilogy comes to Blu-ray October 25th
We've had to wait quite a while, but after Dreamworks and Steven Spielberg signed up with Universal three years ago, the Jurassic Park Trilogy will finally be available on Blu-ray this fall. All three flicks have been restored and remastered and John Williams' orchestral score will come home in a 7.1 DTS-HD MA encoding. Also included are over two hours of new special features with a six part Return to Jurassic Park documentary focusing on the cast and crew of the films. If that's not enough, there's also a plan for a "Limited Special Edition" with a custom T-Rex statue. No word yet on any pricing info but you can check the press release after the break for the long list of extras and all other details, plus a brand new trailer. Update: Now with the HD trailer Universal just posted to YouTube.
DreamWorks' Jeff Katzenberg joins Zynga board of directors
DreamWorks CEO Jeff Katzenberg is expanding his portfolio beyond touching our hearts with endearing movies about pandas and ogres to touching our Facebook profiles with invites to games about agriculture. The animated film studio co-founder is now also the sixth member of Zynga's board of directors -- which, according to a blog post by Zynga chief Mark Pincus, came about "after he suggested that the blockbuster of 2011 could be ShrekVille." We've read that statement probably about 20 times now, and we're still not sure whether or not it's a joke. Like, it seems like a joke -- we're no strangers to the phony baloney portmanteau -- but we're receptive to the fact that a thing called ShrekVille would probably make a berzillion dollars.
Hasbro's My3D to turn iPhones into glorified ViewMasters starting Sunday
It's about time the ViewMaster got an upgrade. What's that? It's not a ViewMaster? Well, you could have fooled us, but either way, the thing's finally going on sale exclusively at Target April 3rd, and everywhere else starting in June. As you might have already heard, Hasbro's intro into the crowded 3D arena, simply titled My3D, does take a card from the old ViewMaster deck, but instead of enlisting cardboard discs, this thing uses your iPhone or iPod touch to bring you 3D entertainment. If your kid's not already hooked on 3D, the $35 viewer could be a decent starter -- then again, for $35 you could take yourself out to a nice lunch, give the rug rat a cardboard box, and call it a day. Full PR after the break.
Samsung's QWERTY flip Smart TV remote is official along with new TV apps and Megamind Blu-ray 3D pack-in (updated: hands-on!)
Samsung's 2011 product showcase is underway in New York City and while most of these products we got a peek at during CES, it's only finally ready to show off the new QWERTY flip remote for its smart TVs. The QWERTY TV remote is looking a lot sleeker in its glamour shot than it did in the FCC tests weeks ago, and is available in the box with all D7000 and D8000 model HDTVs, or as an add-on compatible with the D6300 line and above (no mention of the Smart Touch remote or Google TV devices in the press release we received.) Samsung's also putting a lot of stock in its new lighter 3D glasses and officially announced the new 3D Starter Kit that includes two pairs along with a copy of Megamind and all the Shrek movies on Blu-ray 3D, along with prescription-ready models for kids and adults. Finally, an app market is nothing without apps, and there's two new ones to announce today with HBO GO making its debut on the TV and MTV Music Meter. Check the details (Update: now including MSRPs!) in the press release after the break and the gallery for a few pictures. Updated: We got a few minutes to play around with the new QWERTY flip remote after Samsung's NYC press event today. It's not exactly the most glamorous handheld keyboard remote control out there with its monochrome screen, although we do like that the center of the D-pad can me morphed into a touch sensitive mouse-like control. Okay, so this thing isn't exactly ground breaking, but check out the shots below for a closer look. %Gallery-119170% %Gallery-119178%
Samsung, Dreamworks partner for more exclusive Blu-ray 3D movies, streaming 3D
We'd hoped that the trend of Blu-ray 3D exclusives would follow 2010 out the door, but it looks like the combination of studios with content and manufacturers with money has lead to an extension of the arrangement between Samsung and Dreamworks. There will be two exclusives this year but only one was revealed, Megamind. That may put a slight damper on things for fans of 3D Dreamworks flicks and non-Samsung hardware, but if you do have one of the company's new Smart TVs you'll also be getting access to trailers and promotions streaming in 2D and 3D. Press release is after the break, along with a few shots of Jeffrey Katzenberg in our liveblog.
Hasbro's $30 My3D goggle accessory brings 3D to iPhone, iPod touch
Truth be told, it's exactly what the world needed. More 3D gimmickry... on the iPhone and iPod touch, no less. With over 125 million of those two devices in circulation, Hasbro's betting that a new accessory will have a greater-than-average chance at taking off next Spring, with the My3D goggles set to put the View back in ViewMaster. Purportedly, the toy firm is expected to fully reveal the device to investors later today, with it being "aimed at both children and adults" and offering a 3D viewing experience on games, virtual travel, augmented reality apps and entertainment content. The device itself resembles a set of binoculars, and just as the aforementioned ViewMaster, there's a slot where you place your iPod touch or iPhone. Users will have to browse the App Store for compatible My3D content, with some of it to be offered up gratis. We're guessing more than a few curious consumers will bite at just $30, but how hard would it have been to get this thing onto store shelves next month? A holiday opportunity missed, Hasbro. [Thanks, Bill]
Rumor: Dreamworks looking at Halo novels for film adaptation
The success of Halo: Reach has spurred interest in a Halo film again, apparently -- this time with Dreamworks. As you all know, the idea of a Halo movie has been batted around for quite a while. Spielberg was rumored to be interested and Neill Blomkamp of District 9 even spent five months working on the film. Now it's in limbo, though a piece by Vulture offers fans hope. Dreamworks is apparently looking at novelizations of the game as source material, thus avoiding the quagmire of troubles Universal and Fox ran into sinking resources into developing a video game adaptation for the big screen. The Vulture piece says Fox and Universal resolved their issues out of court. So by focusing on the books, Dreamworks can claim that its project is something entirely different, allowing it to bypass the hefty costs the original project accrued. Oh, and before you get your hopes up, know that even if the movie is an honest possibility, it's still a long way out: as of now, there's been no writer hired, nor has a script been produced.
Joyswag: Dreamworks' How to Train Your Dragon [update]
Update: Sorry, folks -- giveaway is now closed. Keep an eye on your email to see if you one! With the holiday being over, we figure you're feeling all bloated and lazy, sitting on the couch and don't very much feel like going out and buying a new game. Well, Joyswag has got you covered, buddy! We're looking to unload two copies of Dreamworks' How to Train Your Dragon -- for the Wii and DS -- onto one lucky reader. See how you can enter below, and good luck! Leave a comment telling us who your favorite dragon of all time is (can be from a cartoon, a game, a movie, etc.). You must be 13 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit one entry per person, per day. This entry period ends at 3:15PM ET on Monday, April 12. At that time, we'll randomly select one grand prize winner to receive a copy of Dreamworks' How to Train Your Dragon for the Wii ($50 ARV) and a copy for the DS ($30 ARV); check your emails! For a list of complete rules, click here. What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.
Kung Fu Panda World starts sneak peek
What's more dangerous than a bear, tiger or monkey? A bear, tiger or monkey trained in deadly martial arts and given the slavish adoration of millions of small children everywhere, of course. So there's really no point in resisting Kung Fu Panda World, but we're sure that many kids won't want to anyway. This browser-based MMO moved into a "sneak peek" phase, enabling players everywhere to get a taste of the good life. Just plug into the website and start training up an animal in mystical Eastern fighting styles.
CE-Oh no he didn't!: Katzenberg says 'beautifully styled' 3D glasses won't make you look like a dweeb
Another day, another CEO with more lip gloss than brain matter. Jeffrey Katzenberg has been talking to USA Today on what seems to be his favorite topic these days, 3D, and telling us that the glasses ain't no big deal. After all, "many many many people" wear glasses -- that's three lots of many for those keeping count at home -- and the new and improved 3D appendages are so "beautifully styled" that he expects them to start popping up at your local optometrist right next to the sunglasses and designer eyewear isles. In fact, this dude's sipping the corporate firewater so hard, we half-expect him to tell us that 3D offers "very high value" for money or ... wait, he said that too? Alright, we give up.
Monsters vs. Aliens to be among the first 3D Blu-ray titles
Not sure how we missed this one in all the excitement at CES -- well, yeah we can -- but right up there with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Disney's A Christmas Carol, Dreamworks will offer Monsters vs. Aliens as its first 3D Blu-ray title (fuzzy picture of the back and full pr after the break). Now we said it before and we'll say it again, you're not going to sell 3D to the masses with animated features, but we have to wonder why Fox and Panasonic have yet to announce Avatar in 3D. Cameron came out and told MTV that the first Blu-ray release wouldn't be 3D, but we don't understand why. If you are releasing a new format like 3D wouldn't you want the hottest titles available as soon as possible? Of course we could be worrying for nothing and could learn that Fox is just waiting for the right moment to announce a 3D version of Avatar, but what about the rest of the studios? Then again, HD DVD and Blu-ray did launch with only a few titles and none were exactly recent blockbusters.
Game and film artists come together for 'beautifulgrim' charity auction
Mythic Entertainment's Mike "Daarken" Lim and Dreamworks' Leif Jeffers aren't the type of gentlemen to sit around idly while a friend is in need. When Lim's girlfriend (Cat) was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year at the age of 25, the two quickly hatched a plan to help her wade through the sea of medical bills that a bilateral mastectomy and 16 weeks of chemotherapy can quickly accrue. That plan quickly turned into an art auction named "beautifulgrim." Artists from all over the game and film industries have contributed to the project -- from Blizzard and Rockstar on the gaming side to Pixar and Disney on the film side, to name only a few. Lim is hoping to hold the auction "sometime next Spring" in either San Francisco or New York City, though plans are still a bit up in the air. " We are still in the process of looking for a venue, so the date and location of the opening reception is still unknown," Lim told us. He also encouraged people to check out some of the already submitted works on the project's Facebook page. Any money earned in the auction beyond what Cat requires will be given to "a breast cancer related charity to be determined by the artists in the coming weeks." Though you only have one day left to tell Lim if you'd like to contribute, final art for the show isn't due until February 1. We wish them the best of luck. %Gallery-80292%
THQ gains exclusive rights to Dreamworks game tie-ins
THQ is no stranger to producing accessible, fun-for-the-whole-family entertainment and has just inked a deal to acquire exclusive rights to Dreamworks game tie-ins worldwide. This agreement will see THQ produce three titles initially: Kung-Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom; a game based on upcoming Shrek spin-off, Puss in Boots; and a title based on the animated TV series, The Penguins of Madagascar. That last one sounds a lot more interesting than a game based on Morgan Freeman's penguins, though we must admit, a game based on the French version of that would be fantastique.But, we digress. THQ also gains rights for "Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and Nintendo Wii Virtual Console" -- we guess THQ has never heard of WiiWare? The first title to release as a part of this deal, The Penguins of Madagascar, will grace store shelves starting next year, while the other games will release alongside their theatrical counterparts in 2011.
Activision announces Madagascar Kartz, misses crucial naming opportunity
How it is that a company as business savvy as Activision misses the staring-them-right-in-the-face opportunity to name a kart racing-themed Madagascar game "Madagaskartz," rather than Madagascar Kartz? That's just what the company has named its upcoming kart racer, starring the cast of the animated movie, coming to current-gen consoles on October 27. Worried that the game might only be for kidz? Activision's David Oxford claims the game was designed for all ages, saying, "With the whole family competing against each other as their favorite zoosters, you have never seen action this wild." Clearly Mr. Oxford doesn't know about our weekend trip to Tijuana a month back. %Gallery-75327%
Masi Oka developing MMO-related movie
Masi Oka plays the fan-favorite character Hiro on the television show Heroes, but that's not the only role he plays -- we've heard before that he's a big World of Warcraft player as well (which makes sense -- before his star turn on NBC's superhero show, he actually worked at Industrial Light and Magic developing water effects, so he's a geek at heart). And now he's using his MMO experience to create a movie: he's just signed a deal with Dreamworks to create a movie called "The Defenders," a family adventure about a group of teens playing an MMO who have to come together to have some adventures of their own. Both Oka and writer Gary Whitta are fans of WoW, so they're drawing on their experience in the game to put together the project. Oka tells the Hollywood Reporter that "the question came to me: What if you had to live up to the person you created in the virtual world?" He also cites The Goonies as an inspiration for the story, as an adventure that brings back an innocence found in those old Amblin Entertainment films.Sounds interesting. It might be aimed a little young for the average WoW player (even The Goonies, while considered a cult classic nowadays, was really aimed at kids in the '80s), but a film that can take a good look at the comparison between our in-game selves and their real-life counterparts (and have some fun doing it) would definitely be something to see. The project's only just getting underway now, but we'll keep an eye out for it.
Spielberg: Smartest and dumbest thing I did was sell my company to EA
Long ago, a young kid with a dream of breaking out of the movie business and into games named Stevie Spielberg showed up in Silicon Valley with just his cockeyed optimism and millions upon millions of dollars. But when times got tough, he made the decision to sell his company, Dreamworks Interactive, to EA, just as it was about to finish Medal of Honor.Stevie's all grown up now, and says that he now realizes his game company could have stayed afloat based solely on the success of Medal of Honor. He told Reuters the move was the "smartest and dumbest thing [he] ever did."... Wait, wait. Dumber than AI? Really?
Can adults find fun in Free Realms?
For what it's worth I'm well aware that Free Realms isn't exactly the kind of game that appeals to an adult male -- at least not to the average sort. But with its forward thinking design and near instantaneous variety of quests and missions to participate in, SOE's newest MMO should make everyone consider giving it a shot. If you're feeling more than hesitant about that statement, then I'm here just for you.You may have heard there's kart racing in this game. That fact may or may not turn you off to playing, but know this: it's all very optional, just like real life. For instance, you may not want to put a chef's hat on and cook mystery meat surprise -- and you don't have to!You can, also. If, you know, you'd like to do that.
Monsters vs. Aliens tops weekend box office, is this the big break for 3D?
After a massive promotional push, Monsters vs. Aliens early results are promising, with an estimated $58.2 million box office take over its opening weekend, 56% of that from people viewing the movie in 3D. Still, after dropping $175 million on worldwide promotions alone, you can bet Dreamworks Animation is expecting a bit more in the future to justify its investment, and carry over to its future films, which, if you haven't forgotten will all be in 3D. Early reviews gave the 3D effects a much better rating than the Super Bowl ad, so let us know, was it enough to get your family in the theater this weekend or anytime in the future?
