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Warner Bros. to team with BitTorrent for movie sales
It looks like BitTorrent has really cleaned up its act ever since it bowed to movie studio wishes and swore to remove pirated content from its search last year. Not only have they managed to send plenty of downloaders elsewhere, but have gotten friendly enough with Warner Bros. to start distributing movies and TV shows via the BitTorrent tech in the US. (Disclaimer: Engadget's parent's parent company is Time Warner, the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment.) Just like old Napster vs new Napster, this isn't your father's BitTorrent movie download, since the files will be saddled with BitTorrent's very own DRM tech that won't let you copy the file around, or burn it as a DVD. Luckily, Warner Bros. is claiming that they'll be offering content on the day of its retail availability. On the flip side, it sounds like pricing for TV shows will be similar to that of Apple and Google (though the Reuters mentions $1 per episode, so maybe there is hope for a BitTorrent discount), and DVDs will match retail prices. Seems kind of lame considering the fact that you're saving them bandwidth costs, and obtaining a file that you have less rights to than a traditional disc, but dems the breaks. The service should go live this summer, and provide around 200 titles at launch, including "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and "Babylon 5." BitTorrent says they're also in talks with other studios, but that's all they'll say about that for now.
HDTV on BitTorrent: Soderbergh's next film
Everyone's favorite day-and-date releasing director, Steven Soderbergh recently spoke at the Tribeca Film Festival and had some sharp words for Hollywood's current distribution model as noted in Wired. What they didn't mention was that his next project, a short film for a DVD monthly, will be distributed via BitTorrent. Is he going to be able to redesign Hollywood from scratch one torrent at a time? We don't know but we'll keep our uTorrent client at the ready just in case.[Via digg]
Easy iPod/PSP movies with Instant Handbrake
When it comes to turning a DVD into a movie file, Handbrake's name is hailed far and wide for its ease of use, speed and overall quality. Recently, Handbrake's developer took these praised aspects and raised the bar by releasing Instant Handbrake (beta), a one-stop, brain-dead-easy app for converting a DVD to iPod/PSP-compatible video.By default it's set to crop the video when necessary (4:3 for iPod, 16:9 for PSP), depending on which device you specify, but you can elect to maintain the video in its original size. Video formats are MPEG-4 or H.264 for the iPod, and MPEG-4 for the PSP.Like its big brother, Instant Handbrake is free and available here.
HD DVD international: StudioCanal announces 20 movies
Quick: Who has the third largest film library in the world?Now if you didn't cheat and read the title then you may have been like me and never heard of StudioCanal until five minutes ago. If you have, the fact that this French distributor has just announced they are releasing 30 HD-DVD titles in the near future is no surprise because you're probably well aware they are the French arm of Vivendi Universal. French HDTV owners can look forward to titles like Million Dollar Baby, Traffic, or The Graduate as well as French flicks like La Haine and Brotherhood of the Wolf.We've had some updates on Japan-only high definition releases but very little information about Europe. Maybe some of our European readers can tell us what kind of splash next generation DVDs are making over there, or not.All of this is of little consequence to those of us in the U.S., the real question is when can we start importing foreign HD-DVDs and looking down on people who dislike subtitles?[Via MovieWeb]
Mission: Impossible: III game is M:I:A.
MTV News' Stephen Totilo asks a pretty tough question: where the hell is the Mission: Impossible: III console game? Sure, we all know Tom Cruise doesn't like his image being used in video games (see Minority Report's germanic stand-in), but where's the usually inescapable adaptation featuring another blond-haired, blue-eyed doppleganger? Even The DaVinci Code is getting a game, sans Tom Hanks' likeness. There was no War of the Worlds game; there was no Last Samurai game (or was there?); there was a Top Gun game, but he wasn't in it...the list goes on. It's too easy to say that Tom Cruise doesn't want his likeness in a game because he thinks it will dilute his brand (or that he's afraid it will sap his life essence), but in a market where video game adaptations are the norm, the absence is notable......then again, there's little chance any game they did produce would have been anything other than garbage, so maybe we shouldn't look this gift horse in the mouth.[Update 1: specified console game; Gameloft is working on the sure to be blockbuster cellphone version.]
HD-DVD titles show up on Blockbuster.com
You may not be able to rent them in the stores, but Blockbuster.com will rent you all (3) of the HD-DVDs you could ever want. Doom and Apollo 13 are listed as shipping tomorrow, as well as the delayed Million Dollar Baby, although you can't tell what is in and what isn't.If you're one of the ten thousand HD-DVD owners out there, at least you have some options. Once Blu-ray launches, we can probably expect quick online support there also, but it will be interesting to see who gets titles in brick & mortar stores first.[Via digg]
Joystiq Review: Silent Hill (the movie) [Update 2]
I just got back from checking out Silent Hill, the latest game-to-film adaptation, and I have to say ... it wasn't that great. Sure, it is pretty and has some great audio, but the story and acting are lame. Here is quick and dirty of the film (warning: a few minor spoilers lie ahead):Best line: "Look at me, I'm burning!"
Roger Avary to write/direct Driver movie
Remember when Silent Hill screenwriter Roger Avary said, during a recent interview with FiringSquad, "I'm currently adapting a game into a script for myself to direct. I'm not talking about it yet, but it's for Atari -- so you can imagine that it's like a dream for me." Now, if you're anything like me, you understood that he meant Pitfall and went to sleep sated with the knowledge that the original adventurer would star in his own feature film. I mean, what other property is Atari going to bring to the silver screen? Indigo Prophecy maybe ... or maybe that Getting Up movie that just got announced, though it already has screenwriters attached.Turns out Avary couldn't contain his exuberance and blurted out his project to FiringSquad after all; he will write and direct an adaptation of developer Reflection Software and publisher Atari's popular Driver series. No word on when this sucker is supposed to hit the pavement on production, but we imagine it won't be long before he starts singing again.
Soul Calibur movie rumors resurface
More than two years ago Warren Zide's Anthem Pictures scooped up the film rights to the Soul Calibur series. With the recent discovery of a teaser website, there's a possibility that the movie adaptation is now underway and set for release in 2007.According to 1UP, Anthem has teamed up with 2nd Degree Media and will shoot the film in Canada, China, and Romania. A trio of no-name producers is reportedly signed on to the project. Namco Bandai did not respond to 1UP's query.
HDTV Listings for April 15, 2006
What we're watching: It's a slooow Saturday for HD, but at least the real The Ten Commandments is back in action tonight at 7 on ABC. Of course this sets up a Jim Caviezel as Jesus/Charlton Heston as Moses showdown at 9 p.m. as The Passion of the Christ spreads 1080i blessings, we're sure you'll make the right choice.We've had a few requests to add channels to our daily listings, it looks like Starz, Cinemax and HDNet are favorites, any other requests?Update: It looks like one of the 10 commandments wasn't to accurately label your Saturday night movies, because at least on my local station it is 4x3 and very much not HD. Doesn't this fall under coveting your neighbors Xbox 360 or something?Our traditional high-def listings continue below
Lionsgate delays Blu-ray movies
Just as our own Ben was lauding the release of top tier titles like Best Picture winner Crash on Blu-ray, Lionsgate turns around and delays all of it's Blu-ray releases. The movies were scheduled to be released on May 23 along with the offerings from Sony Pictures, but instead will be on hold until June when Samsung is releasing their first Blu-ray player.Confirmed Lionsgate Blu-ray titles: Lord of War, The Punisher, Devil's Rejects, Saw, T2: Judgment Day, Reservoir Dogs, Total Recall, Dune, Rambo: First Blood, See No EvilThe second wave of titles they had previously announced for June are now on hold indefinitely. This is probably to be expected after the Samsung delay became official, but it doesn't make it any easier to swallow.
Silent Hill film inspired by Centralia, PA
In 1962 a trash fire accidentally ignited an exposed coal vein in the town of Centralia, Pennsylvania. Over forty years later, the mines underneath the town are still on fire -- and will continue to be for at least another 100 years. The population has been reduced from over a thousand down to just eleven! Smoke and steam continue to pour out of the ground. Sounds like a pretty creepy place? Silent Hill screenwriter (and gaming geek) Roger Avary agrees! He apparently researched Centralia while writing the screenplay; Silent Hill, in the film adaptation, is a West Virginia coal town with the trademark fog/smoke. For more images of Centralia, check out this site.[Via Rotten Tomatoes]
Have you added any HD-DVD to your queue?
We found out a few weeks ago that Netflix is ready for the next version of DVD and some of us have signed up for HD-DVDs from Netflix, but have any of you added them to your queue? The guys over at Hacking Netflix have, I hope they have their HD-DVD player per-ordered so they have something to watch them on! I guess you could rent them to take them to store with you shopping, if you are considering a new purchase. Personally I am waiting to their are more than 3 movies, but that is just me.
Home theater vs. movie theater
First M Night Shyamalan, and now this guy. Going on and on about "the theater experience" and what viewing movies at home can't hope to match. There's always somebody who (to me at least) feels their theater going way of life is threatened by HDTV, home theaters and the like. As a result, there is a list of reasons why movie theaters rock. I was quite unsatisfied with his list so of course, I made my own.Why home theaters rock: The little screen: No bad seats in the house. Last time I went to see a movie on opening night, I showed up late and ended up in the first row needing a neck brace. No such thing here, my favorite seat is always available and perfectly positioned the way I want it. Someday all theaters will have digital projectors for a consistently high quality show, but not yet. If you need something larger, grab a projector and find the largest wall you have, problem solved. No interruptions (unless I want there to be):: If a cellphone goes off during a movie at home, I don't have to wonder what idiot forgot to turn his phone off, I know who it was and I can answer it if I want, the movie goes on pause and waits dutifully for my return. Try getting the projector operator to back up a few minutes because your mom wanted to know how you're doing and why you never call. Big sound: I've got big speakers and a little apartment. Only the best theater systems rumble the seats in a similar fashion (with bonus banging from my downstairs neighbors). Ok seriously, this is at best a push, movie theaters may have better sound systems, but mine is personally calibrated to my liking and I can usually get a DVD commentary or two.
Silent Hill billboard welcomes you to... Culver City
Sony Pictures' upcoming Silent Hill movie is hoping to break the long-running cycle of terrible movies adapted from video games. Curiously enough, their plan involves hiring a proven writer and director! Clever folks over there in Culver City. Their way of thinking is so unusual it's almost "Otherworldly," lending the above billboard -- located just outside Sony Studios in Culver City -- a certain credibility. Either that or they're referring to what might happen when Ken Kutaragi activates the PlayStation 3's fourth-dimensional SPU during their scheduled E3 keynote in Culver City this May.[Thanks, Mof]Read - Silent Hill billboard imageRead - IMDb's Silent Hill message board thread on the billboard (use BugMeNot)
Movie theaters to screen live sporting events in 3D
How are movie theaters going to bring back people like me and Davis Freeberg even after we've got high definition DVD's in our own homes? By showing live sporting events in 3D. The same technology used for Chicken Little 3D could soon be used to bring away games to the home crowd. They could also broadcast other live events like concerts, and hope to start doing this in 2007.I didn't go see Chicken Little 3D in theaters, so I don't know how impressive the effect was, did any of you and do you think this will be enough to trump the lure of HDTV?
Region-free PS3, free online multiplayer confirmed
During a Q&A session with media over lunch after yesterday's GDC keynote, Sony's Phil Harrison confirmed that PS3 software will be region free and that multiplayer gaming will also be free.While we'd heard rumblings of the region-free set-up for games back in early November, we hadn't heard any official confirmation outside of Australia until just the other day. Importers (as well as online gamers) should be quite pleased with the development, though this move likely won't follow for Blu-ray movie discs. It's good to see the region-free status of PSP games spread to the PS3's.If online multiplayer is included as part of Sony's free basic service (known internally as the "PlayStation Network Platform"), then what would constitute Sony's premium service besides the typical content downloads for games? Subscriptions for movie and/or music services, perhaps? And going back to the region-encoding news, it's heartening for our friends on the Continent to hear Phil's following statement: "It's possible for developers to put all the TV formats - PAL, NTSC, HDTV, and so on - on the disc." Can Sony bring the world together with games?[Thanks, DarkFlash; image taken from Final Fantasy Odyssey]See also: Free basic service on "PlayStation Network Platform" GDC: The PS3 keynote blow by blow ["P(S)NP" just an internal name] PS3 region encoding unlikely? [from Sony Computer Ent. Australia] PS3 to share region encoding on Blu-ray [for the U.S. and Japan?]
News Corp thinks you'll pay $30 per flick for on demand HD
That was the gist of a presentation by News Corp president Peter Chernin Tuesday. He said that consumers with high priced home theater systems would be "desperate consumers" of such offerings. Apparently his plan calls for "rental" releases via cable and satellite 60 days after they hit theaters. They think this could create new market for "home premieres" between the theatrical release and typical DVD windows. So wait, you want me to see the movie in the theater, download it, then buy it on DVD? So instead of producing better movies that people want to come out and see, the movie industry just plans on consumers being willing to pay to see the same movie overandoverandover.....sounds like TNT's weekend lineup. This plan seems really bad, Philip Swann at TV Predictions doesn't sound too enthused and neither does Henning at HDBlog. Are we all missing the point and there is actually a huge market for this or do you think it will crash and burn?[Via digg]
iPod used to steal $100 million (in a movie)
The iPod is being turned into everything from Halloween costumes to stethoscope training tools, and now it apparently is being used to help steal hundreds of millions of dollars - in Hollywood movies, that is (don't worry, this won't be a spoiler).Apparently Harrison Ford uses an iPod to permanently borrow $100 million from his bank in the new Firewall flick. Rick Warner, over at Bloomberg, already critiqued it quite nicely: "I don't doubt that computerized banking is ripe for theft, but the way Ford does it [sic] seems as far-fetched as James Frey's resume."While I think it's great that the iPod and Apple are receiving all this fantastic buzz, I'm having a hard time understanding how silly product placement like this benefits anyone, let alone who instigated it. How far is stuff like this going to go? Are we going to see exploding iPods hurled down hallways to destroy genetically modified monsters in a forthcoming sequel to Doom? Here's hoping Harrison doesn't have to decode an ancient culture's chant with nothing more than his 'trusty' iPod in Indiana Jones 4.[via iLounge]http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000088&sid=a4uL2l7YM5G8&refer=culture
HDTV Screams: Masters of Horror coming back for a second season
There's not much in the way of high definition thrillers yet, but Showtime's Masters of Horror series fills the spot well, even if some of the episodes are a bit campy. Our friends at TV Squad have let us know that the series will be returning for a second season, no word on which directors will do episodes yet.
