December 1, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

MGM will release its $19 million-grossing animated family movie Igor on DVD ($17.99) and Blu-ray ($39.99) on Jan. 20 (prebook Dec. 24).

The movie has an all-star voice cast, including John Cusack as Igor, John Cleese as Dr. Glickenstein, Steve Buscemi as Scamper, Will & Grace's Sean Hayes as Brain, Eddie Izzard as Dr. Schadenfraude, Jay Leno as King Malbert and Molly Shannon as Eva.

Extras on the low-priced DVD will include deleted scenes, bloopers and a "Be an Igor" featurette. Blu-ray will offer an alternate opening and commentary with director Tony Leondis, writer Chris McKenna and producer Max Howard.

Fox distributes MGM product.

November 26, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Netflix's streaming service is smooth and speedy through Xbox Live, but a good Internet service is necessary.

The video and audio quality of Netflix's video streams transfer well to the TV. They're comparable to DVD if you've got a good Internet speed. If your Internet service provider lowers your bandwith mid-movie, however, prepare for a drop in quality. (Netflix pauses to reconfigure, then continues your selection but with a little more blur.)

At 720p, the high-def content isn't Blu-ray quality (which is 1080p), but it's still good. We watched Before the Devil Knows You're Dead in high-def through a projector on a 118-inch screen, and Marisa Tomei looked as gorgeous as ever.

The browse feature is easy to use, and movies are easy to find. The only drawback is no option to search by genre. If there is one, we couldn't find it.

November 25, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Universal has two underperforming biopics on the schedule.

The Express, following Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, will arrive on Jan. 20. The $9.5 million-grossing movie will be priced at $29.98 on DVD and $39.98 on Blu-ray.

On Feb. 17, Universal will ride out the $3.7 million-grossing Flash of Genius, about the college professor who took on the Detroit automakers that stole his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper. It will bow on DVD only, priced at $29.98.

They both have interesting stories and star names -- The Express stars Dennis Quaid and Flash of Genius has Greg Kinnear -- so both stand to overperform on DVD.

Here's ...Read More

November 25, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

I don't need to see Ron Livingston in high-def to enjoy Office Space, or hear Abigail Breslin's scream in high-def audio to enjoy Little Miss Sunshine any more than on DVD, but these two fabulous comedies are coming to Blu-ray on Feb. 3 (prebook Jan. 7). Fox is making it a trio with Napoleon Dynamite.

Each movie will be priced at $34.99 and will come with mucho bonuses.

Office Space:

·        Deleted Scenes:

o       Peter Lies to Lumbergh

o       Happy Hour at Chotchkie’s

o  &...Read More

November 24, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

SlingMedia, the company that makes that box that magically let's you watch and control your TV through the Internet, is the latest to get into offering TV shows and movies online.

Now owned by Dish, Sling has launched a beta version of Sling.com with full-length TV episodes and clips of such TV shows as The Office, Heroes and Family Guy and movies including 28 Days Later, Behind Enemy Lines and Basic Instinct streaming for free.

Video can even be embedded. Here's The Office's "Crime Aid" episode: