DVD releases for Feb 10th.

- Against the Dark
- Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk
- Back to the Future (Special Edition)
- Back to the Future Part II (Special Edition)
- Back to the Future Part III (Special Edition)
- Blindness
- Chocolate
- Dorothy Mills
- The Enforcer (Special Collector’s Edition)
- Fist of the Warrior
- Friday the 13th: The Series - The Second Season
- Frozen River
- Gospel Hill
- The Lodger
- Melrose Place: The Fifth Season, Volume One
- Miracle at St. Anna
- My Name is Bruce
- Nascar: The Ride of Their Lives
- Nights in Rodanthe
- Phineas and Ferb: The Daze of Summer
- Red Mist
- Red Victoria
- Sam Elliot Westerns Collection
- Shaun the Sheep: Back in the Ba-a-ath
- Soul Men
- Street Fighter (Extreme Edition)
- Tales from the Darkside: The First Season
- VeggieTales: Abe and the Amazing Promise
- W.
- Way of War
- What Just Happened
- Wizards of Waverly Place: Supernaturally Stylin'

Batman vs 'Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe'

Batman gets pwned trying to play as himself in Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. "That's what I did to Lois last night" -awesome.

Buffy Season 8 from Dark Horse

Like many, I thought "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" looked pretty silly when it was originally on the air. Eventually though, a coworker bullied me into borrowing her DVD collection and I finally became privy to the fact that it was one of the greatest television shows ever, and it's creator Joss Whedon is a genius. Just when fans were finally coming to terms with the fact the show was gone forever, Dark Horse Comics gives us one of the coolest treats ever with Buffy Season 8.
Why is this comic so great? Well, aside from picking up where the show left off and showing us the continuing adventures of Buffy and the rest of the Scoobies, and amazing painted covers by Jo Chen, the writers who originally worked on the show are working on the comic.
That's right, Joss Whedon is still the Executive Producer, and the current story arc is written by Jane Espenson, who penned many a great Buffy episode and is currently working on a little show called "Battlestar Galactica".
Seriously, it doesn't get much better than this, the latest issue has Sunnydale alum, turned Vampire, Harmony as the star of her own MTV reality series! There is now an army of slayers working in squads across the globe, and all of your favorite supporting players have made apperances, even Dracula!
In just 21 issues, Buffy has been to Japan, traveled into the future, tussled with the fallen Slayer Faith, got into a big old fight with Giles, and even had time for a lesbian affair (he he!). If you're one of those people who "doesn't read comics" don't sweat it, every 5 issues is collected into a graphic novel so you can just get those and save yourself the monthly trips to the comic store. If you never watched Buffy, do yourself a favor, after slapping yourself in the face for such a grevious transgression, go Netflix all 7 seven seasons right now. If you watched the show, go read Buffy season 8. If you are one of those Buffy fans who says- "I like having the show end when it ended, and I like to remember it just like that" Slap yourself in the face twice! What the heck is wrong with you!? Buffy Season 8 rocks!

Dark Knight Spoof

This video is stupid but you should watch it anyway.

KIWI

Kiwi is a touching CG short that shows that sometimes it's worth everything to be able to make your dreams come true, even if only for a second. And I mean everything.

SIN CITY is coming to Blu-Ray

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment just announced that fans of the Sin City movie will finally be able to get their Blu-ray fix when Sin City: Unrated, Recut, and Extended makes it's way to Blu-ray players on April 21st of this year. The disc set will feature both the theatrical and re-cut versions of the film. On the bonus features front, the set will include all of the extras from the earlier re-cut DVD, plus a "Kill 'Em Good" interactive comic and a Cine Explore visual commentary. It's possible that other extras will also be included. Not much information is available at this point. Now if we could just get the Weinsteins to release Kill Bill in the promised "The Whole Bloody Affair" edition with both installments re-edited back into one long movie like it was meant to and Grindhouse in all it's original theatrical goodness like Japan got, that would be quite the trifecta of movie bliss.

Transition to Digital TV delayed

Haven't gotten your digital converter box yet and you're stressing out about the coming change? Well, you can relax, at least for a little bit longer. This afternoon the House of Representatives have given analog television a temporary stay of execution at a vote of 264-158. Those jerks who voted against the delay claimed to be doing so for honorable reasons, but I would say it's more likely that those individuals have had their pockets lined by the digital cable companies who are waiting in the wings to profit from the transition. Anyway, here's the whole story:

[FROM MSNBC]

The House voted today 264-158 to delay the analog TV shutdown until June 12.

The nation was two weeks away from the original date of Feb. 17 for the digital transition, allowing broadcasters to replace analog TV signals with digital ones.

But the Obama administration and many Democrats asked for the delay, saying millions of people are not ready for the switch. The bill, already approved by the Senate, now goes to the president for his approval, considered a given. Still be resolved is the funding needed for more coupons to help consumers offset the cost of converter boxes. That issue will likely be considered as part of the economic stimulus legislation.

“The legislation passed by Congress provides more time for Americans to prepare for the (digital) transition and will allow more time for the government to fix the coupon program," said David Rehron, president of the National Association of Broadcasters.

Opponents of the delay said it will cause confusion for consumers, and that it is not fair to the wireless companies, including AT&T and Verizon Wireless, as well as public safety agencies that are waiting to use part of the airwave spectrum that will go to them once the switch is made.

"It's time for us to move forward on this and keep our word to the American people," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., calling for the transition to proceed Feb. 17.

With a nation in economic turmoil, the last thing on the to-do list of legislators should have been the transition to digital television. The changeover has been planned for years, yet the last 12 months were marked by public confusion about the switch and bureaucratic and political wrangling over a coupon program aimed at subsidizing the cost of converter boxes.

Yet the signs of trouble were there: the coupon subsidy program was running out of money, waiting lists were growing, and not enough public education in general was being done about the transition, the coupon program or how to hook up the converter boxes, which some have found troublesome.

“When government took their hands off the steering wheel of public education, a lot of confusion crept into the marketplace,” said Joel Kelsey, policy analyst for Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports.

The Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration dispute that, pointing to what the agencies see as extensive education efforts, supplanted by those from private industry groups like the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Broadcasters.

The NAB, for example, started its educational campaign in November 2006, according to Shermaze Ingram of the organization.

Misconceptions continue
Still, as late as October, 41 percent of Americans “believed every single TV needs to be a digital TV in order to get a signal,” said Kelsey, citing a Consumers Union poll.

“About 25 percent believe that every television, whether it’s digital or not, whether it’s hooked up to cable or not, has to have a converter box. And 21 percent believe everyone needs to sign up for cable or satellite service in order to keep a picture on their television sets. Consumers remain extremely confused.”

TVs do not have to be digital, but they do need to be able receive digital broadcasts. The main ways to do that are by buying a converter box to take a TV’s signal from analog to digital, and using an antenna as well; subscribing to a cable or satellite service; or buying a digital TV.

The Nielsen Co. said recently that while 85 percent of households are ready for the digital transition, nearly 6 percent are not at all, and another 9 percent are “partially ready.”

“Partially ready” means “you may have four TV sets in the house, and three are connected to cable and one is an analog set that isn’t,” said Anne Elliot of the Nielsen Co. “It means at least one working TV set in the household would not be able to get a digital signal.” That set could be one that is “used in the kids’ bedroom to watch DVDs,” for example, she said.

Some have moved to new TVs
A year ago, the digital transition was reason enough for many to justify signing up for cable or satellite service or to buy a new TV. At the end of 2007, more than 50 percent of American households owned a digital television, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.

In February 2008, the NTIA started making available two $40 coupons per household to help offset the cost of two converter boxes, which range from $50 to $80 each.

The coupons are only good for 90 days, and that, too, became part of the problem early on. If consumers were requesting the coupons, many weren’t redeeming them. By mid-April, for example, nearly 11 million coupons had been requested, with more than 500,000 of them redeemed, said Todd Sedmak, NTIA communications director.

In the first half of last year, there were limited choices of converter boxes on the market. And some consumers may have set aside the coupons and forgotten about them.

Coupon problems
During the summer, when more converter boxes went on store shelves, efforts to extend the 90-day expiration date were rejected by Congress.

At the end of the year, the NTIA said the $1.34 billion funding ceiling for the coupon program was about to be reached. As of last week, more than 47 million coupons had been mailed out since the program began.

More than 21 million of the coupons have been redeemed, while more than 14 million of them expired. Meanwhile, more than 3 million people are on a waiting list for the coupons.

The way in which the coupons are redeemed has also been an issue. Brick-and-mortar retailers like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Radio Shack require in-store redemption, while some of the better converter box deals — including those for the cost of a coupon — can be found online.

“We think retailers need to have cheaper options available, and not just boxes for between $50 to $80,” said Kelsey. “With a $40 coupon, that’s still a relatively significant cost for someone who once got something — television transmission — for free.”

And like many things technological, setting up the boxes has not been a snap for everyone.

“It’s about as easy to setup a converter box as it is to set up a VCR,” said Kelsey. “That said, it’s not easy for everyone. So if you’re not used to this, or you’re not technically inclined, a lot of folks are wondering what to do and how to hook it up.”

Once the boxes are connected, getting a signal can still be a problem and an antenna may be needed. There’s no subsidy program for antennae, and some can be expensive.

More time for preparation
Chris Traver of Gresham, Ore., who had an analog set, decided to forego the converter box option and to buy a new TV earlier this year. Philosophically, he’s opposed to the converter box subsidies.

“We don't need the financial assistance and I do not support the government-sponsored program,” he said. “I do not believe it is the government’s responsibility to help pay for my choice in using television-based entertainment through the coupon program.”

A four-month delay to digital TV may not solve everyone’s problems, but will at least offer time to provide more consumer education and a chance to get more funding for coupons, says Kelsey.

That’s especially important for those most at “risk,” such as the poor, disabled and elderly, said Mark Lloyd, an attorney and vice president of the national Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

“The focus now really should not be on blame, but how we can make sure that Americans get the equipment they need and the assistance they need to be able to move forward,” he said.

He Man is back... Again.

Hey kids, remember He-Man and the Masters of the Universe? In 2002 Mattel was hoping you did and relaunched the series with cool sculpts by the legendary Four Horsemen. While the fans seemed to like it, the kiddies did not, so Mattel is trying it again with online exclusive figures.
So far the line consists of He-Man, Skeletor, and Beast Man, with Stratos, who will be available February 15th, and Mer-Man a month after that. Oh, I can't forget Faker (I loved that guy!), who will first be available at the New York Comic Con.
Like the last line, these guys are sculpted by the Four Horsemen, but this time around they look very much like their original counterparts but with added poseability. They retain the same muscle-bound, hulking feel of the originals but it looks like they now bend at the knees, ankles, wrists, and the shoulders appear to be ball-jointed. Mer-Man comes with 2 interchangable heads -the original and package art look! Another nice update, the figures can now store their swords on their backs when they don't feel like holding them.
According to Mattel, this line will include "the entire pantheon of MOTU characters." This includes She-Ra, The New Adventures of He-Man (remember that mess?), and unproduced characters from the mini-comics.
So, are they a hit this time around? Well, He-Man, Skeletor, and Beast Man are already sold out. Skeletor is going for $51 bucks on eBay with 2 hours left, and there is a He-Man that's been bid on up to $66!
So, if you're intrested, I suggest you check out Mattycollector.com and get em' while the gettin's good. Oh, and you have to be 18 to purchase, guess Mattel has given up on the youth market.

New Movie Trailers from the Super Bowl spots.

In what was probably one of the best Super Bowls of all time (minus the Steelers' win), NBC happened to slip a commercial or two in there, including the premiere of a number of new movie trailers. In case you missed them, here are a few to catch you back up. [Make sure you hit the HQ button on these videos, because there's so much going on that the quality can get lost in the pixalation.]

LAND OF THE LOST


G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA


STAR TREK


TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN