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Warner Home Video moves 250k copies of 300 in first week
If you thought the previous HD film records set by MI:III, The Departed, and 007: Casino Royale were impressive, 300 just raised the bar in a big way. According to sales figures from the title's first week on shelves, more than 250,000 copies were moved on HD DVD and Blu-ray. Moreover, this mark makes it the fastest selling high-definition disc to date, and enables Warner Home Video to claim six of the top ten selling HD flicks. Of course, the news we're truly interested in -- which format made up the majority of the sales -- was unsurprisingly omitted.[Via MovieWeb]
Win a signed 300 themed Elite or just buy one
Our chums over at Engadget got their hands on one of only twenty Comic Con exclusive 300 themed Xbox 360s that we mentioned last week and they're giving it away! Oh, did we mention the 300 Elite comes with a copy of 300 on HD DVD and is signed by both comic book legend Frank Miller and director Zach Snyder? Well now we did and it makes this giveaway all the sweeter. To enter, simply head over to Engadget and comment on their post telling them what your favorite 300 scene was, that's it! You can enter once from now through August 12th when they'll select the lucky lad who'll walk away with this uber rare 360. Or, if you don't win, you could always buy one off eBay. It'll leave you broke, but at least you'll be in the possession of one sexy 360.
Splinter Cell fans have urge to buy 300
If you've been sneaking around in Splinter Cell: Double Agent multiplayer lately, you may have had a strange desire to purchase 300 on DVD (and Hi-Def!). X3F reader NitroFrost sent us the image above, in which you can behold the power of in-game advertising. The new ads apparently seemed to arrive at about the same time as the recently released downloadable content. As usual, seeing an ad like this makes us wonder how players actually feel about them. Frankly, it's hard for us to argue with 300's awesomeness (in the true sense of the word), but we're not sure that it adds to the experience. What say you, fanboys? Do ads ruin the experience? Does it depend on the product being advertised? What if it were Doritos or Sprite, for example)? Let your voice be heard in the comments below.
The '300' Xbox 360 Elite, win it with Engadget
Perhaps you feel that your home console setup is a bit spartan and lacking in sleek electronic devices which, with their distinct electronic hums, loudly proclaim to the world that you are a serious gamer. You sir slash madam, need this 300-themed Xbox 360 Elite. Covered in bloody artwork, as well as the identifying scribblings of Frank Miller and film director Zack Snyder, the prize is accompanied by a 300 DVD/HD-DVD combo disc and a protracted "they only made 20 of these" bragging session. Winning is as easy as heading over to Engadget and leaving a comment about your favorite scene in the film. So go leave a comment. Over there. At Engadget, not here. Don't make us kick you into an oddly exposed pit!
Win a super rare signed 300-Edition Xbox 360 Elite and 300 HD DVD!
We've given away any number of Xbox 360s on Engadget in the past, but never one with the level of awesome turned up to 11 (or, in this case, 300). Today we're giving away one of just 20 super rare Xbox 360 Elite consoles printed with blood designs from 300 -- but rarer still since it's friggin' signed by Frank Miller. The details of what the winner takes: 300-Edition Xbox 360 Elite (120GB drive, wireless controller, etc.) Console is signed by 300 creator and comic legend Frank Miller, as well as Zack Snyder, director of the eponymous film 300 combo DVD / HD DVD (which is, incidentally, out today) to go right along with it. Look, we'll admit it, we really don't want to give this thing away -- so make sure you follow the contest guidelines, ok?The rules (yeah, there are always rules): Leave a comment below -- tell us your fave scene from the movie. (It's ok if you haven't seen it, but where the hell have you been?) You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) In other words, be careful when commenting and if you submit more than once, only activate one comment, ok? If you enter more than once, only activate one comment -- otherwise we'll send Leonidas after you. Contest is open to anyone worldwide! Entries can be submitted until 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, August 12th. %Gallery-5387%
Blu-ray movie releases for the week of July 30th
This week's release list may as well only have one title, because what a title it is. 300 hits Blu-ray this week to rabid pre-orders and has been getting ecstatic reviews for its top-notch digital transfer. Audio in particular is supposed to be amazingly bombastic and satisfying. The title has been one of the top-requested Blu-ray releases since it broke onto the scene earlier this year in all its muscly Spartan glory. Some other movies are coming out too, but come on -- nobody cares. Here's the list anyway: 300 Shooter Blue Planet (IMAX) Roving Mars (IMAX) See? Nothing else but 300. If the rest of the releases were Spartan children they would have never come back from the wilderness. Instead there'd just be a very fat and happy wolf.
300 HD DVD & Blu-ray review roundup
300 is this month's highest profile DVD/Blu-ray/HD DVD Combo release, and it appears reviewers have already found it worthy of the crown. Frank Miller's previous effort Sin City was already well-received in HD with its highly stylized green screened special effects and 300 follows in the same vein. High-Def Digest didn't exactly love the "flat" look of the movie, but found the VC-1 transfer an "accurate representation of the theatrical experience", while IGN couldn't find enough superlatives to describe the video on its way to a 10 of 10 rating. The Blu-ray version includes a PCM soundtrack alongside standard and TrueHD versions, but it didn't seem to add or detract much from a highly rated aural experience. The HD DVD exclusive features include a PiP look at the film in preproduction, as well as an option to edit together favorite scenes and post them online for other fans to download via the player. 300's groundbreaking internet features are also tied to the anchor of Warner's ringtone and other paraphernalia advertisements, but in the end, all rated it a must-buy for your format of choice when released next week. Read - 300 HD DVD review High-Def Digest Read - 300 Blu-ray review High-Def Digest Read - 300 HD DVD review IGN Read - A Few Words About...300 HD & BD
Xbox 360 HD DVD player now just $179
The already nicely priced Xbox 360 HD DVD player just got slashed to $179. The new US-only, retail pricing also includes 5 free HD DVD flicks when purchasing the player between August 1st and September 30th -- you know, the same time period 300 and Heroes goes on sale in HD DVD format. Unfortunately, the free titles must be made from a selection of just 15 pre-selected films which Toshiba considers "popular." Nevertheless, the $20 price cut makes the Xbox 360 HD DVD player all the more enticing as an easily hacked, USB-player for HD flicks on your PC.[Thanks, Andrew and PacoDG]
We want a bloody 300 themed Elite!
A Bringing it Home Comic-Con press release just hit our inbox (viewable after the break) officially detailing all the Comic-Con XBLM goodness and talking about some special 300 themed Xbox 360 Elites. That's right, Microsoft and Warner Bros. have partnered to create 300 (total) Xbox 360 Elites themed with 300 style blood splatter. Yup, they're hot. But before you get too excited know that these Elites will only be given away during a special movie screening at Petco field during Comic-Con, which means we have no chance at winning one of these. Oh well ... they are still sort of pretty, so feel free to check out additional pictures of the 300 themed Elite as well as the official Comic-Con Bringing it Home press release after the break. THIS. IS. A 300 THEMED ELITE!
WoW Moviewatch: 300 Moonkins
Yes, it's been done before, but I haven't seen it done so well. The trailer for this 300 parody makes me actually wish they would adapt the movie for druids. I'd love to see Voodooray would do with the actual film, a la Predatorcraft. Okay, so that hasn't been attempted yet, but we can still enjoy the trailer with it's beautifully done Moonkin stand ins and wonder what might be.Previously on Moviewatch...
Warner's '300' to sport bonus features on HD DVD, not Blu-ray
Apparently, Warner Home Video has no problem doling out an HD DVD version of 300 that outshines the Blu-ray rendition, as that's exactly what will happen when it launches on July 31st. The $39.99 HD DVD / DVD combo disc will feature a bluescreen picture-in-picture version of the film with "pre-CGI" clips alongside the finished product, an exclusive game titled Vengeance and Valor, web-enabled downloads, and a nifty application that allows you to assemble your favorite clips and "create your own montage." These very features, however, are glaringly absent from the Blu-ray release, which sports a far thinner list of extras for a slightly lower price ($34.99). It's no secret that interactive features on high-definition flicks have been sorely missing on the whole, but giving preferential treatment to one format via on-disc extras is an interesting approach to differentiation.[Via HighDefDigest]
WoW Moviewatch: 300 Gnomes
This isn't the first parody of the movie 300 we've seen on Moviewatch, and with the number of "FOR SPARTA!" cries I hear while wandering around the World of Warcraft, I doubt it will be the last, either. However, 300, with Gnomes? Next thing they'll be doing Sin City with Gnomes! Argh!Previously on Moviewatch...
300 and Saw want you to "play beyond" their movies
It's not even funny anymore. Seriously. Movies making the transfer to video games need to stop somewhere. While we knew a game based on the amazingly fantastic testosterone-fest 300 was inevitable, we have no idea who thought making a game based on the torture/puzzle movies of the Saw universe made any sense at all. What's next, Hostel: The Game? That would be crap.New publisher Brash Entertainment is paving the way, deciding to cater exclusively to games based off of movies, TV, or music licenses. They've already got 5 movie studios to support them, with over 12 projects underway including the two we've mentioned. Not Hostel, though. Not yet. We always wish every developer and publisher the best of luck, but this Brash Entertainment ... it deserves a slap. Unless movie/TV games start to show us something that doesn't suck, we've got nothing more to say. If they make 300 suck, that's it. No more movie games. Ever.
Wii games to blot out the Rising Sun in 2007
Say, your Wii's looking a little dusty. No, no, don't brush it off on our account, ours has seen better days too. Good news though: If a list of Wii games set for 2007 in Japan holds up for America, we may both soon need to invest in some cans of compressed air.IGN unearthed this list of games that have been announced by Nintendo to be released in Japan this year; so many, in fact, that we broke a federal ban on 300 jokes to write our headline. So, we'll give you a few upfront, but you're going to have to jump to get the rest of the goodness. Super Smash Bros. Brawl Donkey Kong Taru Jet Race (DK Jet or DK Bongo Blast, US) Wii Health Pack Disaster: Day of Crisis
WoW Moviewatch: 300 vs. World of Warcraft
I know -- this video is really just a guild promo. But it's such a nicely done guild promo! In case you're unfamiliar with the source material, the video is a recreation of parts of the movie 300 within our very own World of Warcraft. While Azeroth is not quite Sparta, I think it does a great job of mimicking the movie's official trailer.Previously on Moviewatch...
Readers pick the best webcomic: Koopa!
What a fitting way to send off the 300 "This is Sparta!" gag by honoring one of the best gaming representations of the joke -- namely, Scott Ramsoomair's VG Cats. Second place goes to Rooster Teeth and third place belongs to Slackerz. Thanks to everyone who voted; now that we've seen pretty much every noun possible as a replacement for "Sparta," any repeat of the gag would have to be really clever for us to consider it. (And no, you can't get away with simply replacing the subject and/or verb.) Be sure to let us know of any gaming comics you stumble upon this week!
Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: R.I.P. 300 jokes edition
Those who follow the webcomic wrapup religiously might have noticed a few common trends lately: the frequent citations of Guitar Hero and the overuse of 300. Not just the movie, mind you, but the same frackin' scene in every webcomic: "This ... is .... [insert punchline here]!"We here at Joystiq would like to extend a heartfelt word to the artists: "thanks, it was funny, but if we see another one we're going to throw ourselves into the bottomless pit, thank you very much." With these last two comics, we mark the end of a short era. Enjoy them this week, for you'll never see 300 again on the wrapup.Now, with that bit of optimism out of the way, here are our picks for best gamings. Be sure to vote for your favorite! Koopa! Evolving zombies Expert in rock Rejected Mega Man villains ... agaaain Modern Day Good for your health? Delusions of Gondor Minutes after ... Chicks dig it
VG Cats: This is Mushroom Kingdom
VG Cats may not be the most universally loved comic out there, but we have to admit, we sorta dig it ... especially when Nintendo mascots take the spotlight, as with the latest strip. 300 parodies may be everywhere (and oh, they are), but this one's worth it. Don't think the above is the payoff, either. The payoff is much better; after all, there's not enough beard in this panel for it to be the best part.We're gonna start linking this every time the anti-Nintendo hordes descend and start screaming about the evil that is the Wii.
Pokemon at the Gates of Fire
We don't know when it became in vogue to dub over Pokemon cartoon clips with audio from 300's trailers, but that appears to be what's hot on the streets nowadays. And when we say "the streets," keep in mind that we mean Youtube.Some mashups are better than others, so we've pasted three of these animated adaptations for you to cast your hot-or-not votes on past the jump. If you've ever wanted to see the likenesses of King Leonidas and Mewtwo played out, today is your lucky day.[Thanks, Ali!]
300 producer opens game startup, eyes 300 license ... loses eye
Remember when film critics said that the blockbuster spears-and-Spartans flick, 300, was "like a video game"? Though they didn't mean it as a compliment, that hasn't stopped investors from contributing "significantly more" than $150 million into a new video game startup being, uh, started up in part by Thomas Tull, the executive producer of 300! The company, called Brash Entertainment, isn't really interested in doing anything brash. Nope, they figure some licensed games is just what the market needs right now and where better to start than ... 300? Sprinkled in with dreams of being one of the "biggest game studios in the country" are sage words of advice like, "The safest, most lucrative way to sell a video game is in tandem with some kind of movie that is already heavily marketed." Brash plans on creating 60 to 100 games in the next five years, including another game to capitalize on the box-office success 300 has enjoyed (the PSP game ain't cutting it, we guess). We certainly hope they don't show up in our industry with wide-eyed dreams of telling new and unique stories! Co-starter-upper Bert Ellis calms us, cooing, "They'll all be brands you'll know." Phew!
