microsoft Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Netflix subscribers rejoiced when Microsoft partnered with the incredibly popular online rental service a little shy of a year ago to bring Netflix Watch Instantly streaming service to the Xbox 360 free of charge to members with a Gold Xbox Live Subscription. This move boosted Netflix' subscriber base considerably while also being a feather in Microsoft's multimedia cap; the 360 may not have a Blu-ray drive, but it does allow a user to stream all of Netflix' WI library to their TV. Well, now that feather has lost a little bit of its luster, as Microsoft's exclusive arrangement with the movie provider is no longer all that exclusive.

Starting this November, Netflix Watch Instantly streaming will be available for Sony's Playstation 3, also completely free of charge to anyone who owns a PS3 and subscribes to at least the $8.99 per month Netflix plan (that would be the 1 DVD out at-a-time plan with unlimited instant watching). It's a deal that should give PS3 owners a great feeling, as they now have the most multi-media friendly console on the market. I'm not picking sides here, but the system will soon be boasting the impressive combination of A) Sony's own online rental service, B) a Blu-ray drive, C) a built in web-browser that allows users to access sites like YouTube and Hulu, D) unrestricted access to Netflix' Watch Instantly library, which includes a several thousand strong selection of movies and TV shows. Oh, and it plays games too.

Read on for more details, including how to enable your PS3 for the new service, which is slightly more complicated than a system update.

Warner Brothers' decision to side with Blu-Ray has caused early HD-DVD adopters to feel like losers while Blu-Ray supporters are gleefully congratulating themselves for their great foresight. On the assumption that the format wars are actually over -- not everybody agrees -- you might think this would be the final nail in the coffin for Bill Gates. He's already halfway out the door at HD-DVD backer Microsoft, but multi-billionaire Bill has always been a positive thinker.

When USA Today asked for his reaction, he replied in part: "HD DVD did well over the holidays. The other trend we're seeing is that direct download over broadband - I think the greatest example of that is XBox Live - (is) becoming an important choice. Over time, that will be the dominant way that people get their movies."

Is he trying to say everybody loses? I think he's just acknowledging that high-def DVD is only a stopgap measure. The format wars may or may not have fostered innovation and lower hardware prices, but the elephant in the room has been downloading over broadband, an idea whose time has finally (apparently) come. In addition to XBox Live, Netflix recently announced a deal with LG for a new download box, Apple is talking about renting movies through iTunes, Sony is hinting they'll roll out something similar to XBox Live for the Playstation 3 this year, and so on and so on.

Why does this matter for movie fans? Beyond the obvious, if you have an interest in non-blockbusters and don't live in one of a handful of big cities, movie downloading holds the prospect of opening up the playing field to smaller distributors and independent filmmakers. Right now we tend to look down on films that go straight to DVD (or iTunes), but if Radiohead can make a success of a completely independent release structure, why can't filmmakers?

Not long ago, 20th Century Fox and Universal had struck a deal with Microsoft to bring their most popular video game, Halo, to the big screen. Producer Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) felt comfortable assigning newbie director Neill Blomkamp the task of creating a live action flick (with help from screenwriter Alex Garland), but just when casting rumors began to circulate, the project died on the operating table. Fans everywhere were crushed, and both studios just didn't feel confident enough to invest in a big-budgeted video game adaptation when other such films hadn't performed well at the box office. Recently, Jackson went on record with OnFilm Magazine noting that he expects Fox and Universal to change their minds once they see how nuts people get for the latest Halo installment, Halo 3. Well, it looks like Microsoft, Blomkamp and WETA Digital took things a step further ...

During the E3 conference yesterday, Microsoft unveiled a number of Halo-related goodies; one of which was a live-action teaser helmed by the Halo would-be director, Neill Blomkamp. With help from WETA, Blomkamp cut together a pretty enticing little teaser -- featuring a bunch of soldiers preparing for battle -- in the hopes (I assume) to not only promote the new game, but also give Fox and Universal a taste of what he envisions a film version would ultimately look like. (Note: After you click on the link above, scroll down to Halo Arms Race, as that's the trailer Blomkamp directed.) Personally, I wasn't immediately jazzed by it (some of the shots looked like stock photos of an auto-parts factory), but apparently this isn't the only one Blomkamp created. Thus, we can expect to see more in the coming months leading up to the official release of Halo 3. Will Jackson's predictions turn out to be true? Will Fox and Universal see enough to warrant another greenlight? It's still up in the air, but I wouldn't be surprised if, come this fall, we get word that a Halo movie is in the works once again.

One thing is for sure, if they make a big screen version of Gears of War, the trailer is going to have a hell of a time topping the commercial for the video game. Variety reported that New Line had bought the rights to the best-selling XBox 360 game. The Microsoft title was a huge seller (4th highest selling game in the US in 2006) and is one of the most played games on XBox Live. There isn't much of a story, just a loose setting of a world struggling in the aftermath of an invasion by an alien force known as the Locust. Since this is a video game after all, there is a small group of elite soldiers (including the typical anti-hero that has been freshly let out of prison) out to save humanity. I wish I had more gaming info to impart, but I've always been more of a Grand Theft Auto girl myself.

There is no word on who New Line is looking at to direct (but I guess there is one director we can take off the list), and the last time they were going to make a popular video game into a big budget Hollywood production it didn't exactly work out. Rumors of the studio balking at Halo's heavy price tag isn't a good sign because Gears doesn't exactly look like a low budget production either. This time, I hope New Line is bringing their checkbook.

It's starting to look like Eidos Interactive is looking to flood the market with big screen video game remakes. Now that Hitman finally has its...well, Hitman. Eidos has already struck another deal with Lionsgate for their new action title Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, a game that hasn't even been released. Eidos made the deal with Hitman producers Adrian Askarieh and Daniel Alter. Askarieh and Alter are also on board to produce the big screen adaptation of the horror comic Hack/Slash for Rogue Pictures, and Askarieh is working on a Spy Hunter project with Universal.

The game centers on a mercenary named Kane and a heavily medicated psychopath named Lynch on their way to Death Row. The pair are kidnapped by Kane's former gang and forced to retrieve a stolen fortune. The game was first announced at a Microsoft conference in September and is set for release some time this year. The game is a co-operative action story and Xbox is hoping it will be a hit among online players. Game developers even promised that the characters' personalities would influence the game play. If the video game is promising a sophisticated story line and fleshed-out characters, we can only hope that the movie version does the same.

If you're one of the estimated 1.5 Million XBox 360 users here in the U.S., then this article from the Los Angeles Times may inspire you to cries of joy and elation. Following in the footsteps of Apple Computer, with its hugely successful iTunes store, and as a preemptive blow to Sony's PS3 console being released in two weeks, Microsoft announced agreements with networks and studios like CBS, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. to bring an initial slate of over 1000 hours of movies and TV shows to its XBox 360 gaming console for download by users.

Beginning on November 22 (its one year anniversary) XBox 360 will be the first console in history to offer downloads of not only standard-def programming, but also hi-def as well. Some of the programming being offered by Microsoft initially with this deal includes the feature films The Matrix, Superman Returns, Batman Forever, Mission Impossible 3, Nacho Libre and Jackass: The Movie. Some of the TV shows initially being offered include Aqua Teen Hunger Force Jerico and CSI -- for those of you who watch TV.

Regarding the announcement, Peter Moore, a VP at Microsoft for interactive development said: "This groundbreaking announcement is a win for everyone. It connects our partners with one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today, and provides even greater value to our Xbox Live community, allowing them to enjoy the games and entertainment they want, when they want it." Man, that does sound cool, doesn't it? Although, with no mention of pricing, restrictions (or much else) in the announcement, it remains to be seen if this will end up being a good move for Microsoft or not.

When Apple started offering movies and TV shows for download, they already had an established store for music with iTunes and were taking the next logical steps by offering more content to their already impressively large user base. Microsoft, on the other hand, doesn't have this key advantage. They do have something in place with their XBox Live service, but that's hardly the same as what Apple had with the iTunes store. Plus, with the size of hi-def video files, how long are these movies and TV shows going to take to download -- all night? Probably. I don't know if I'm willing to wait that long and I'll bet I'm not the only one.

After seeing the announcement, I feel this is another case where Microsoft is "too little, too late" to a party that's already started without them. Just because you're the biggest kid on the block doesn't mean you're the smartest. Steve Jobs and company at Apple are some of the smartest in the business and with iTunes, I think Microsoft has a fight on its hands that it just won't be able to win in the log run -- even if they technically are first with content that can play directly to your TV from the XBox 360 console.

Although, as an Apple, iTunes and XBox 360 user, I look forward to the advantages that this kind of competition will surely bring. Who knows, maybe Microsoft will get it right. They did do a very good job with the XBox 360 console so anything is possible. And hey, maybe they can distribute the often-delayed Halo movie this way? It could happen.

So, is this a good move for Microsoft,or not?

As Kevin previously reported, both Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox recently pulled out of their commitment to co-finance the big-screen adaptation of the hugely popular Halo video game, citing concerns over a rising budget and novice director Neil Boekamp. Even though both studios dropped out, Halo developer Microsoft and Executive Producer Peter Jackson, through a statement made by his agent, expressed optimism that the film would eventually find new backers and still be made. Because of this, pre-production work on the film would continue until those backers were secured and the film could move forward with its new financing.

Apparently, their patience with the "looking for new backers" process was short-lived because according to a joint statement made today by Peter Jackson's Wingnut Films and Microsoft, pre-production on Halo is being officially and immediately halted. According to the statement:

"As was previously confirmed, we deeply regret that both Universal and Fox did not choose to move forward with financing the Halo film under the original terms of the agreement. At this time Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, along with their partner, Microsoft, have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film based on the Halo video game universe until we can fulfill the promise we made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world that we would settle for no less than bringing a first class film to the big screen. We are fully supportive of Director Neill Blomkamp's vision of the film. Neill is a tremendously gifted filmmaker and his preliminary work on Halo is truly awe-inspiring. While it will undoubtedly take a little longer for Halo to reach the big screen, we are confident that the final feature film will be well worth the wait."

That's a nice thought and I'm glad they're so confident. But now that two studios have pulled out and production has been officially halted, it seems like it will take even more effort to get things going again -- even if they do eventually secure financing. I trust Peter Jackson and if he says the Halo movie will eventually happen, then I guess it might.

Still, with all the trouble the Halo movie has had before it ever really got going, maybe its time to put the project to rest for good. After all, movies adapted from video games seldom perform very well at the box office (or in the minds of critics) and more than likely Halo would face the same fate. Like it or not, its hard to live up to so much hype; as much as fans might want the movie to happen, it would still be a huge gamble for any backer choosing to finance the film at this point. Besides, sometimes it's just better to cut your losses and move on.

What say you? Should the Halo movie live or die?

Personally, I don't blame Fox and Universal one bit for pulling out on the Halo flick. Seriously now, a $200 million budget for a video game adaptation in the hands of a first-time director? They don't need a psychic on the payroll in order to see that those two ingredients alone make up the perfect box office suicide mission. Hmm, I wonder how many times the name Doom came up in conversation. Heh, probably in more ways than one.

Look, no one is arguing the fact that Halo is one very successful video game. That's obvious. But why on earth would you pour that much money into a film that's geared toward a certain type of audience, mainly people who play the game? Furthermore, would those same people actually spend the time and money to actually step away from the game to see the movie? I think part of the problem with video game adaptations is that fans like to feel as if they're in control of these worlds, not Hollywood. And so more often than not, the movie takes a little something away from the gaming experience. Especially if it sucks. Heck, you can throw Peter Jackson's name around more times than a dollar bill at an exotic dancers convention -- fact is, he's not directing the flick. Also, where's the female audience here? Oh, that's right -- there is none.

Will Halo: The Movie become a reality? Microsoft is doing all they can to not scare away every single potential distributor, but unless they get this budget down to around $100 million (and chances are they won't even make that back at the box office), then you can kiss this sucker goodbye.

So, I ask you: Will the film make it to theaters? And, for you hardcore fans, do you even care if a Halo movie exists at all?

A few days ago, our very own Kevin Kelly shared with us news of Halo's untimely demise, as Universal and Fox (in what seemed like a very sudden move, but was apparently bound to happen for awhile now) backed out of the project citing directorial concerns and monetary issues. Microsoft, however, is not deterred by such minor trivialities, and continues on unchecked. Their official statement says: "We are disappointed that Universal and Fox wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal, but the Halo franchise is hugely popular, and our goal remains the same --to find a partner that shares our passion and will creatively collaborate with us to best represent the story and spirit of the Halo franchise." Microsoft also claims to already be in discussions with several other companies, in a statement which sounds very much like what your best friend tells you after he broke up with his long time girlfriend. You know, the "it's okay, this just means I can play the field now. Trust me, there are all kinds of ladies interested in this action," speech.

Look, Microsoft, I know you are an enormous, all powerful juggernaut and are very, very used to getting your own way. But you need to face facts here: the universe simply does not want to allow a good video game movie to happen.

Harvey Weinstein has decided that his new studio, The Weinstein Company, will exclusively support Toshiba's High Def DVD format, HD-DVD. The announcement wraps up a big week for the DVD format wars. Since most of what actually happens in the pointless tug of war between Sony's Blu-Ray and Toshiba's HD-DVD is boring as hell, I've thus far spared you, but now that the big fat stars are picking sides, I thought it was probably time to get up to speed.

• Toshiba scored another point in the battle when they announced they'll be able to roll out their players about three months ahead of Sony's Blu-Ray machines.
• Sony, Lionsgate, and Fox, exclusive Blu-Ray supporters, announced their upcoming rollout plans for the format, with Fantastic Four, Hitch, Saw and House of Flying Daggers all set to come out in early 2006. Paramount, who have backed both Sony and Toshiba, plan to High Define Aeon Flux, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, and Sahara (which, having just watched it recently, I can safely say was the Best Looking Bad Film of 2005).
• At CES (where, according our friends at Engadget, High Def DVD players are "growing on trees"), Microsoft announced that it'll ship an external HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 sometime this year. Peter Moore said: "The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form."

What other morsels did I miss in this totally exciting and revolutionary battle on the order of VHS or Beta?