November 19, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Summit Home Entertainment has acquired Iraq documentary Brothers at War and plans to street it on DVD on Jan. 12, the same time the studio bows the feature The Hurt Locker.
Oscar pundits have long been eyeing The Hurt Locker as a likely Best Picture candidate, especially as the 2010 awards will double the nominee slots to 10. The Hurt Locker bowed in limited release in June, far out from the typical fall/winter rush of Oscar-pedigree films. But its gripping storyline about a U.S. Army bomb unit in Iraq has squarely won over critics.
It looks like Summit will further drill that point home, making Hurt a bigger event release with its Brothers at War companion. The marketing will likely work both ways with Brothers performing better attached to Hurt than if the doc...Read More

November 18, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

California has passed a new law mandating all TVs up to 58 inches sold in 2011 be more energy efficient. That means manufacturers must figure out how to deal: make unique TV displays just for California or renovate their product line for everybody? Retail chains will also have to figure out how to stock stores accordingly.
MSNBC.com has a great story detailing the upcoming changes here. 
Basically, the new CA standards are the same as requirements attached to sets being awarded the Energy Star label. The state government believes this law will cut California's electricity bill by $1 billion annually. Such green TVs will save households $30 a year in electricity costs, according to California officials.
This sounds like a great goal, but it doe...Read More
Industries: High-Def, Software

November 16, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

A TV spot drumming up buzz about Sony's early digital offer on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs has me confused. The ad was promoting the fact that if you buy a Web-connected Sony Bravia TV you'll be eligible to receive an electronic rental of Meatballs, before it streets on DVD and Blu-ray.  It likely got a lot of eyeballs, running during the big football match-up on Sunday between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots.
It looked cute, made its point, etc. But the ad is missing something, right?
Meaning, if you have the prime TV real estate to advertise the electronic rental...why not just throw in the announced Jan. 5 street date of Meatballs on DVD/Blu-ray as well? That way no matter what consumers tastes are - new Sony Bravia TVs, Meatballs specifically, or u...Read More

Industries: High-Def, Software

November 11, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Given today's rocky economy, it's understandable that the year has been relatively muted for studio DVD/Blu-ray launch parties. 

There hasn't been much to compete with Disney's massive French food feast supporting its release of Ratatouille a while back. Or Warner's trapeze artists flying around when they bowed Superman Returns.

But Paramount and Warner have many buzzing over their respective kick-off parties for Star Trek, to be held Monday Nov. 16, and The Hangover on Dec. 10. 

With Star Trek, the invitation is luxuriously printed on thick foam posterboard material. Also awesome, there is a shot of the Enterprise looking like it's taking off into the great unknown.

The party is fittingly taking place at Los Angeles' G...Read More
Industries: High-Def, Software

October 30, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

New pay movie service Epix is rolling out a free three-day online preview of its service starting today.

People can access the available content, including blockbuster film Iron Man, concert title Madonna “Sticky & Sweet: Live from Buenos Aires and comedy special, Eddie Izzard: Live From Wembley, at Web site EpixHD.com

Other films slated for the free preview in...Read More