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Sony 3DTVs go on pre-sale at Sony Style stores immediately, 'Cloudy' hits Blu-ray 3D June 22
After getting price and release date information in the UK, Japan and even Canada, Sony has finally seen fit to announce US details for the latest and greatest additions to the BRAVIA LCD lineup. Additionally, the software update to turn on Blu-ray 3D playback and DLNA streaming in its latest players (the out of the box 3D ready BDP-S770 ships next month) is going out today, provided you can find a disc to slip in them -- which you can't until Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs arrives at retail June 22. Just like the other launches, buyers of the new TVs can expect a copy of that movie, Deep Sea, and vouchers for 3D games on the PlayStation Network (once it comes back up.) Oh, and how much will you be spending on the new televisions? Check after the break for all the details, but MSRPs (expect much lower prices in reality, as revealed by JR.com) range from $2,100 for the KDL-40HX800 to $5,000 for a 60-inch BR-60LX900. No word yet on when you'll be able to pick up these displays at any other retailers, but if Sony is your preferred brand for 3D, you'll need to run by a Sony Style store to have a chance of sticking one on the wall in time for the 2010 World Cup.
Rollercoaster Tycoon movie rights picked up by Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures has been rather successful with its Resident Evil movie franchise, so it only makes sense that the company has acquired the rights for the next big video game movie: Heavy Rain God of War Rollercoaster Tycoon. According to a report by Reuters, the project is being developed as a live-action/CGI hybrid at Sony Pictures Animation, with Harald Zwart, director of the upcoming Karate Kid remake, taking an executive producer role. Heat Vision adds that David Ronn and Jay Scherick are attached as writers, tasked with adapting the PC game into a marketable movie. Perhaps that should be an easier task than their current project: writing The Smurfs reboot. Considering the original games had no story whatsoever, the writers will have a lot of creative freedom -- as long as they remember to put rollercoasters in it. [Thanks, Joshua!]
Sony Pictures is releasing Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on Blu-ray 3D June 1 -- in Germany
Just in case you've already snatched up a 3DTV and Blu-ray 3D compatible player, you've probably seen the demo disc Panasonic includes or Samsung's Monsters vs. Aliens pack-in enough times to junk those $150 3D glasses permanently, but help is on the way. The first commercially available 3D Blu-ray disc has finally been announced -- but only in Germany so far. If you sprechen sie deutsch, Amazon DE is more than willing to take your preorder cash for this movie which will ship June 1, the same day a 2D version is released, but with a €28.99 ($39.61) price tag you'll be paying an extra 9 euros for the privilege and sacrificing a couple of extras. In the U.S., we'll probably have to wait until Sony firms up the release schedule for its PS3 3D update before finding out exactly when this disc hits the shelves locally. [Thanks JoeCise]
iPad apps: video for the well-rounded couch potato
We totally would have had this roundup done earlier, but we were just way too busy watching TV on our iPads. Let's face it, as fun as those social networking and gaming applications are (sorry, utility apps -- no fun for you!) sometimes you just want to sit back, rest those fingers and soak in some drama. The iPad's 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768-resolution screen certainly looks nice when reading books and browsing the web, but you haven't seen anything until you get some HD content playing. Though we may never get over the fact that we can't watch Flash video in the browser, the following apps are just what the doctor ordered to ease the pain and turn Apple's tablet into a portable media viewing machine. What are you waiting for? Hop on past the break already, and then kindly let us know if you've come up with a good way to prop up the iPad so you can watch all that video goodness while laying down.
PlayStation Store expands, offers HD movies for purchase
Don't want to wait for a Blu-ray disc from Netflix? Wish you could watch an HD program instantly (provided your internet connection is robust enough)? The PlayStation Store will be updated today with HD movies for purchase from all six major studios. Previously, movies for purchase were relegated to SD options, whilst HD movies were available exclusively for rent. According to a press release from SCEA, "PlayStation Network is the first to offer high definition movies for purchase from all of the major movie studios," including 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Universal, and Warner Bros. The HD update will be available today on the PlayStation Store in the US, with "plans to launch soon in the U.K., France, Germany, and Spain." (Sorry, Canada!) While we still prefer owning Blu-ray discs, this downloadable option is yet another way for people to access content.
Sony signs up all six major studios for HD movies on PlayStation Network
Well, it looks like Sony has a little treat for PS3 users now that they're able to turn their consoles back on -- it's just announced that it has signed up all six major studios to deliver HD movies on the PlayStation Network (the first company to do so, as Sony is happy to point out). That includes 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. and, of course, Sony Pictures Entertainment, which combined have an initial slate of 19 HD movies available to buy or rent -- including "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Star Trek," "District 9," "Inglourious Basterds," and "The Wizard of Oz," to name a few. Those are only available in the US at the moment, but Sony says it plans to also roll them out to the U.K., France, Germany, and Spain "soon."
Spider-Man 4 canceled; Warcraft movie soon?
Sam Raimi will no longer be directing Spider-Man 4, and neither will anyone else for that matter. Sony Pictures announced today that they are canning the current Spider-Man franchise and will be rebooting it in the summer of 2012 with an entirely new director, cast, and crew. Raimi's decision to withdraw from the project supposedly stems from the summer 2011 release date, and how it would compromise the creative integrity of the film. This all comes after news that complications in the Spider-Man 4 script threatened to delay the film. For Blizzard fans, this could mean that Raimi is now free to shift his focus to the World of Warcraft movie. However, Mike Fleming of Deadline Hollywood cites an alternative project option to the Azerothian epic, The Given Day, a novel written by Dennis Lehane, author of Shutter Island and Mystic River. No official announcements from Raimi or Blizzard yet, however Fleming is a very reliable source for rumors in Hollywood. [Thanks to everyone for the tips!]
Metal Gear Solid movie producer casts doubt on film adaptation
Michael De Luca may not be a name you recognize, but he's had his hand in a number of cinematic accomplishments, producing films like Michael Myers' "The Love Guru" and Nicolas Cage's "Ghost Rider." He was also set to be a producer of the upcoming Metal Gear Solid movie adaptation. However, De Luca sees the project falling apart, citing difficulties in getting "the agendas to match up" between Konami and Sony Pictures. De Luca told Collider that Konami (most likely at the request of Kojima Productions) was "very protective of their property." Perhaps learning from the experience with Silent Hill, Konami may have wanted to avoid tarnishing its most celebrated brand with the poor track record of video game movies. All hope for a Metal Gear film isn't lost, though. De Luca does admit that if Disney's upcoming Prince of Persia film does well, Konami and Sony are likely to resume their talks. Until then, may we suggest buying the Metal Gear Solid 4 movie on Blu-ray? Sure, the movie is frequently interrupted by "gameplay" segments, but just think of them as incredibly elaborate menu screens. [Via Videogamer]
This is It Blu-ray release debuts movieIQ Sync, brings more Michael Jackson info to your iPhone or PC
Unfortunately, the most telling element of this Blu-ray news is that it didn't merit a mention during Sony's CES keynote, but a new BD-Live feature will be included on This is It. movieIQ Sync updates the original by allowing users to pull up additional movie info on a PC or iPhone synchronized with the movie -- we're guessing the recently released FBI files won't be included -- without it popping up on the television. The other new feature is the ability to create & share customized playlists of the songs featured in the flick. We've been waiting for an event that would change both the reality and perception of internet connected features on Blu-ray -- and there's still some hope -- but this probably isn't it.
Sony Pictures has 3D Blu-ray titles in store for 2010
In what is sure to be just the beginning of announcements from studios getting behind 3D Blu-ray, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that when Sony Bravia 3D HDTVs and Blu-ray Players hit the street this Summer that at least one movie from said studio will be available in the new format. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is the first 3D title on the list, but details and other titles are promised this Spring.
Hands-on: Blu-ray Digital Copy for PSP
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has finally debuted the first batch of Blu-ray discs that take advantage of Digital Copy for PSP. With this feature, people that own both a PS3 and a PSP will be able to copy a portable version of a movie directly from a Blu-ray disc to Sony's handheld. Well, almost directly. There are a few steps you must take to activate the PSP copy. When you insert the Blu-ray disc into the PS3, you'll see two icons appear on the XMB, one that allows you to store a SD version of the movie to your PS3 hard drive. You must be logged on to the PlayStation Network and then enter a unique 12-digit code included with the disc. Once the activation process is complete, a 2GB file will transfer to your PS3. You can watch this movie on the hard drive (but why would you when you have the Blu-ray disc?), or you can copy it over to the PSP -- a process which takes about five minutes total. The video quality of the "Digital Copy" is fantastic, especially on the PSP's smaller screen. Unfortunately, the initial batch of movies leaves a lot to be desired: Godzilla (the 1998 American version), The Ugly Truth and Angels & Demons. Hopefully, SPHE will start implementing the feature on some ... y'know, good movies in the future.
God of War III demo included on District 9 Blu-ray
If you're interested in checking out God of War 3 early, but don't want to play the first two God of Wars again, Sony corporate synergy has a solution for you! The Blu-Ray release of District 9, due December 29 (a bit later than the God of War Collection), will include a playable demo of God of War 3. Once you've played through the demo, a making-of featurette will be unlocked (for the game, not the movie).While District 9 and God of War 3 are united in that they're both things that people presumably want to see, it strikes us as odd that this rather random collection is the first Blu-ray/game demo pairing for SCEA. The Watchmen movie and game actually related to one another in some way, and they came on separate discs.
PSP digital copies included with select Sony Pictures Blu-ray releases
Sony Pictures is trying something different -- and extremely PlayStation-centric -- with its upcoming movie releases on Blu-ray. Home Media Magazine reports that select titles from the label will include a digital copy of the film on the disc that can only be played on a PSP -- in fact, the only way to transfer the movie to a PSP will be via a PlayStation 3.The first release to incorporate a PSP-only digital copy -- the utterly amazing American Godzilla -- storms streets on November 3. The Ugly Truth, which hits on Blu-ray the following Tuesday, will also feature a PSP version of the film, but will bundle a separate DVD-ROM containing a traditional digital copy that will work on a variety of devices.It'll be interesting to see what (if any) effect this new strategy will have on PlayStation Store downloads of movies for PSP, especially if Sony Pictures ends up taking this route with most of its releases -- or even if other studios follow suit.[Via Blu-ray.com]
Rumor: Sony plans to follow Resident Evil: Afterlife with reboot Resident Evil: Begins
According to BloodyDisgusting, Sony already has plans for a fifth film following 2010's Afterlife -- which jibes with what we heard back at Comic-Con. However, instead of signing on Jovovich to reprise her role as Alice for films beyond Afterlife, the studio is supposedly planning to reboot the franchise and go back to the beginning of it all. The fifth film is tentatively titled Resident Evil: Begins, and would apparently follow Bruce Wayne's ascent as Batman, guardian of Gotham City a special military unit that battles a super computer within a complex chock full of the undead. So it'll basically be the first movie again. [Via Kotaku]
Paramount, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. & Sony Pictures movies finally available (legitimately) in DivX
Over the last few years we've witnessed a slew of DivX Certified devices including HDTVs, DVD & Blu-ray player, set-top boxes, game consoles and even cell phones, but until now, despite several content agreements, in the U.S. there hasn't been any content available in the format from the major studios. That changes today now that online store FilmFresh.com, has signed up Paramount, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. & Sony Pictures to offer new release and archive movies for purchase as DivX formatted downloads. The bad news? For now at least, they'll be standard definition (stereo audio) only. Rick Bolton, CEO of Film Fresh as well as Eric Grab and John Greene of DivX filled us in on the details, and from what we've learned -- if you'll stand for lower res video -- the combination of compatibility and portability could make this download service a competitor against the likes of iTunes, CinemaNow and Zune.
Sony's movieIQ BD-Live feature attached to Silverado, The Quick and the Dead Blu-ray discs
With Angels & Demons still without a U.S. release date (September 14 in the U.K.) and Easy Rider set to debut September 15, there's a possibility Sony Pictures new BD-Live powered movieIQ feature could find its debut on a pair of western movies: The Quick and the Dead & Silverado. Both are set to hit the streets September 8, while Silverado promises a never-before-seen featurette sure to interest fans in this collector's edition, neither is quite The Man with No Name-series material or packing other notable Blu-ray exclusives beyond movieIQ. Still, it's interesting to see Sony pitching connected features to these audiences, looks like we should expect movieIQ on most titles from here on out.
Wolverine Blu-ray disc includes BD-Live access to IMDB
Looks like Sony isn't the only one ready to take a crack at improving BD-Live, Fox has revealed its "Live Lookup" feature, that will pull info from IMDB.com related to the movie being watched, slated to appear first on the Wolverine Blu-ray. Besides an internet hookup, Wolverine will bring a 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack, a digital copy and several Blu-ray exclusive featurettes when it is released September 15. Ready to find out if the performance of Fox's Java applet navigated via remote can beat having a laptop sitting open next to you?Read - Fox Shares X-Men Origins: Wolverine Blu-ray Details and Cover ArtRead - Fox launches BD Live feature with Wolverine
Rumor: Resident Evil returns to the silver screen in 2010
According to Shock Till You Drop, the Resident Evil movies are getting a fourth installment in Resident Evil: Afterlife. A supposed internal memo at Sony Pictures seems to point to a September 17, 2010 release. Of course, this isn't the first time we've heard about a fourth Resident Evil movie, so we're considering this rumor fairly credible.Do we really want another Resident Evil movie, though? Hasn't Milla Jovovich beaten up enough zombified dogs and dudes in rubber suits?[Via Coming Soon]
Sony Pictures to smarten up Blu-ray with MovieIQ, the "killer app for BD-Live"
Are you one of the more than 4,000 people (86%) that answered our poll saying you thought BD-Live was a waste of time, or didn't see any reason to give it a shot? We talked to Sony Pictures recently and were promised that more useful reasons for hooking the internet to Blu-ray discs & players were on the way, and today at a press event it showed why it thinks that will come true. Check out the gallery for a few pics of its new MovieIQ app, quickly described as a "wiki for movies" that can tie into your discs and provide information from Gracenote on demand on nearly anything in the movie or even specific scene being watched, from actors & directors to background music. The first BD-Live discs with it should be available in September, we'll be back with more details shortly, for now just let the images do the talking.Update: Official press release is included after the break
Sony Pictures responds to your poll results, discusses the future of BD-Live
Last week's poll results and comments came through loud and clear, with an overwhelming majority of responses to the question "Have you seen anything impressive from BD-Live yet?" leaning towards the negative. That many people showing a beef against a key feature of the current dominant HD delivery format? We couldn't let that go so we followed up with Rich Marty, VP of Marketing for Blu-ray at Sony Pictures to let them know what you said, and see what they're doing about it.
