home entertainment Tagged Articles at Cinematical

It's no secret that video retailer Blockbuster had a rough quarter. Their profits are dipping, stores are closing -- suffice to say things aren't looking good. But, the company is looking for new ways to compete with services like Netflix and Redbox and so they're getting into the digital content game. But, as some critics have pointed out, the results so far are lackluster to say the least. Blockbuster and NRC/MOD systems have announced the pilot of digital media kiosks where customers use an SD memory card to download movies and TV to take home to play on their TV with the aid of a proprietary device (provided to participants of the trial). But the kicker has to be that the content would be DRM protected and customers pay $1.99 for a movie that must be viewed within 30 days and is only viewable for 48 hours.

The digital download service is just the latest in Blockbuster's new strategy to hold on to customers by offering something other than the brick and mortar experience. Some of their other ideas have included DVD subscription services and DVD kiosks. Blockbuster is hoping these new services could reduce the effect that illegal downloading has cost their bottom line as well as open them up to new tech-savvy customers. I understand that Blockbuster needs to fight off the pirates like everybody else, but I doubt that products bogged down with DRM are going to persuade your average pirate to go legit. But on the upside, at least Blockbuster's latest scheme would mean that there's nothing to return, and you don't have to deal with receiving damaged or scratched discs -- but in the grand scheme of things, that ain't much.

If Blockbuster wants to live to fight another day, I think they are going to have to come up with something a lot better than this, don't you?

With every passing day, I see more and more movie fans say that they don't go to the movie theater anymore, because their home theater system is just as good, or better. I say: bull pucky. Unless you're uber-rich and have your own personal theater with a huge, perfect screen, stadium seating, and perfect surround sound, it's just not the same. Comparable maybe -- but you're still giving up a lot of the experience.

Going to the movie theater may have its downfalls (ringing cell phones, armrest hogs, screaming kids), but it also has its perks -- it can be a big, fun, communal experience. Popcorn. Laughter. And just sometimes, the armrests can rise for back-of-the-theater canoodling.

Still, if you have a great home theater system, or even an old television that you love to watch movies on, I say make it as close to the real thing as possible. It's not hard, it doesn't have to be expensive, and it just might make your screening room the place to see movies.

While video display glasses are nothing new, this pair from Lumus Ltd. actually looks like normal sunglasses -- bringing science fiction to life. While I doubt these will ever replace your local movie theater, it could easily move into places like your living room and airplane cabins, replacing the wall-sized plasma displays and drop down screens. They could potentially be a lot less expensive and easier to maintain than trying to build your own home superplex.

It occurred to me while I was flying from Burbank to Dallas over the holidays that we don't always want to see what our neighbors are watching in the seats right next to us. The guy I flew next to was watching some movie on his portable DVD player that included a scene at a strip club. (You know the place where people in thrillers or mysteries normally have to go to get a clue to the puzzle from a dancer named Fantasia? Well, this particular scene included a lot of jiggling flesh and bouncing silicone, and the guy sitting next to me had to rewind it and watch it several times. I guess to make sure he was hearing the crucial lines and getting all of the information.)

It sort of stole all the thunder from my own laptop, which was showing National Treasure. Everyone who walked by his seat stopped for an eyeful of bosom, while Nicolas Cage wasn't even glanced at. So do I think these video glasses could come in handy? Most definitely. I, for one, welcome our new video glasses overlords, but don't think they'll replace the "Let's go to the theater!" feeling anytime soon. They'll just help us duplicate it at home. Plus, it'll soon be a necessity for airplanes, helping to drown out crying babies, talky passengers, and seat partners with odd choices in viewing material.

Are you one of those people who chose to rent the first four Harry Potter films on DVD, thinking somewhere down the line you would purchase them either as a gift or to include in your fabulous Harry Potter archive? Well, I'd break open that piggy bank if I were you because Warner Brothers plan to pull the first four Potter films off shelves, beginning this December 29 when it yanks Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire will follow, vanishing into thin air on February 9, 2007.

Why are they doing this? I imagine they want little Harry all to themselves, kept under lock and key, only to be brought out for super-special occasions. Actually, it's a fairly common move (Disney does it all the time), and seeing as this is a non-Potter holiday season, Warners wants to beef up sales and, potentially, start building hype for what's sure to be a plethora of special edition, HD or Blue-Ray DVDs to follow. Currently no re-release plans are set, though, so get em' while they're hot folks!

[via JoBlo]