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DirecTV Gains Subscribers in U.S., Massive Jump in Latin America[teaser]Customer retention is now the main focus for the U.S. side of the company. [/teaser] DirecTV managed to avoid losing customers this past year - most television providers weren't so lucky. The satellite TV company added 125,000 subscribers in the U.S., which doesn't live up to expectations but is certainly better than losing those folks. Latin America is where DirecTV is going really well. They're up 590,000 subscribers as compared to the 378,000 from last year. According to Bernstein Research analyst Craig Moffett, "Latin America is now the core business." DirecTV has increased spending in the U.S. with a focus on retaining customers. If analysts are right, we can expect to see more of that in 2012. Source: Wall Street JournalPosted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'La Haine' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Mathieu Kassovitz' gritty 1995 French drama is planned for Blu-ray this spring. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, the Criterion Collection says 'La Haine' is coming to Blu-ray on May 8. Mathieu Kassovitz took the film world by storm with 'La Haine' ('Hate'), a gritty, unsettling, and visually explosive look at racial and cultural volatility in modern-day France, specifically the low-income banlieues on Paris’s outskirts./p> The Blu-ray will feature a 1080p transfer, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: English-language audio commentary by Kassovitz; Introduction by actor Jodie Foster; Ten Years of “La haine,” an eighty-minute documentary that brings together cast and crew a decade after the film’s landmark release; Featurette on the film’s banlieue setting, including interviews with sociologists Sophie Body-Gendrot, Jeffrey Fagan, and William Kornblum; Production footage; Deleted and extended scenes, each featuring an afterword by Kassovitz; Gallery of behind-the-scenes photos; Trailers; and a new essay by film scholar Ginette Vincendeau and an appreciation by acclaimed filmmaker Costa-Gavras. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'La Haine' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 8.Posted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Sharp Launches Sound Bars That Split into L/R Speakers[teaser]It's a unique design that Sharp hopes will catch some attention. [/teaser] Soundbars are interesting components. They're designed to add high quality sound - far better than TV speakers at any rate - while keeping down the clutter. They sit just in front of your TV, rather than positioned around the room. Of course, when you decide to upgrade to a proper surround system, that soundbar is out of the picture. Sharp's latest release helps to bridge the transition. While the HT-SL75 and HT-SL77 both function in the way you'd expect soundbars to function, they offer a feature you won't find elsewhere. The soundbar can be split into two pieces that are used as left and right speakers. You can go with whatever style you prefer based on the room and the look of the speakers. Plus, when you decide on an upgrade - bam - L/R speakers right there. Both the SL75 ($329) and SL77 ($449) are 2.1 channel systems that come with the soundbar, stands for vertical positioning and a subwoofer. The 77 ups that to a wireless subwoofer. Source: eCousticsPosted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Deal of the Day: 'The Godfather Collection' Blu-ray $25 at Amazon[teaser]Amazon presents an offer you can't refuse…[/teaser] For today only, the online retailer is selling 'The Godfather Collection' on Blu-ray for $25 (60% off suggested list price).[/teaser] Click here to pull the trigger on this essential collection before you wake up and find a horse's head lying next to you in the morning.Posted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 08:26 AM PST by: -
'Mimic: 3-Film Set' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]All three films in the horror franchise launched by Guillermo Del Toro will be bundled together on Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is working on 'Mimic: 3-Film Set' for Blu-ray on May 1. Directed by Oscar® nominee Guillermo Del Toro (Best Writing, Original Screenplay, 'Pan's Labyrinth,' 2006), this cut transforms 'Mimic' into a film that Del Toro fans and newcomers alike will embrace as the definitive version. The film stars Academy Award® winner* Mira Sorvino ('Mighty Aphrodite') and Academy Award® nominee* Josh Brolin ('No Country for Old Men') along with Jeremy Northam (Showtime's "The Tudors"). This all new cut of the film, featuring seven minutes of restored footage, introduces subtle character moments that transform Mimic into a film that Del Toro fans and newcomers alike will embrace as the definitive version. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Introduction and Audio Commentary from Director Guillermo del Toro; Reclaiming Mimic- Featurette with Del Toro discussing his vision for the film and how he completed the new version; A Leap in Evolution: The Creatures of Mimic- Featurette looking at the creatures in Mimic; Back into the Tunnels: Shooting Mimic - Behind the scenes featurette; Deleted/Alternate Scenes; Outtakes; Gag Reel; Storyboard Animatics; and Theatrical Trailer. 'Mimic 2' - Four years ago, a group of scientists successfully stopped a plague that threatened to overrun the population of New York City. Though all of the "Judas" bugs were thought to be dead, those that survived have undergone another terrible transformation and are once again threatening human life. The disc includes a couple of featurettes and deleted scenes. 'Mimic 3: The Sentinel' - When residents of an apartment complex begin to disappear, the unthinkable happens - the mutant Judas bugs are again stalking their prey. Left nearly helpless, a man enclosed in a plastic bubble, his sister and their best friend have no choice but to exterminate their insect enemies. The disc includes audio commentary with the writer/director, a behind-the-scenes featurette and cat auditions. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Mimic: 3-Film Set' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 1.Posted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Blockbuster On Demand Being Pulled from TiVo[teaser]This isn't the first device to lose Blockbuster on Demand recently - the install rate has shrunk rapidly. [/teaser] Blockbuster has just announced that its On Demand movie service is being pulled from TiVos, stating that the newly updated platform will no longer work on TiVo systems. The list of supported devices is shrinking and it looks like Blockbuster On Demand is on the way out. Of course, this doesn't mean that Blockbuster is quitting the streaming game. The new Blockbuster @Home service that's been rolled out to Dish subscribers could well be on its way to the rest of us. Priced right, this alternative could make Netflix look pretty weak, considering how few 28-day release windows Blockbuster deals with. The other alternative, of course, is that Blockbuster really has created a version of the Blockbuster On Demand platform that doesn't work with any of the devices currently on the market. Since Blockbuster and Dish seem to like money, we're guessing that's not it. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Transformers Prime: Season One' Blu-ray Clips[teaser]Check out some clips for the first season of the hit animated series coming to home video this March. [/teaser] As previously reported, Shout Factory will release 'Transformers Prime: Season One' on Blu-ray on March 6. From Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the writing team behind the megablockbuster Transformers feature films, and executive producer Jeff Kline comes an all-new series of sophisticated adventures for the Autobots, Decepticons and their human allies that boasts stellar computer animation and an impressive voice cast including Adam Baldwin ('Chuck'), Clancy Brown ('Lost'), Jeffrey Combs ('Re-Animator'), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ('G.I. JOE: Retaliation'), John Noble ('Fringe'), Tony Todd ('Final Destination') and Gina Torres ('Firefly'). 'Transformers Prime' deepens the epic mythology of both the Autobots and Decepticons, while starting fresh for a new generation of fans. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Arcee, Ratchet, Bulkhead, and many others are back to "roll out" against Megatron's latest attempt to conquer Earth. And Megatron proves to be more powerful than ever, having acquired a rare element that allows him mastery over life itself. 'Team Prime' may be few against the Decepticon hordes, but they find increased strength via bonds forged with three human teenagers. Make no mistake, 'Transformers Prime' delivers heavy metal action, and nail-biting suspense - but it also takes the human drama to levels as yet unseen by the franchise. The 4-disc set will feature all 26 episodes with Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks and supplements include: original "making of" special, audio commentaries, featurettes, animatics, and more! -- Including a 96-page Transformers: Prime prequel graphic novel by IDW Publishing! Here are a few clips from the release: "Con Job:" "Partners:" "Show Intro:" Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Transformers Prime: Season One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 6.Posted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Cloud Atlas' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The Wachowski's fantasy epic will hit Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be bringing 'Cloud Atlas' to Blu-ray on May 14. Past. Present. Future. Everything is connected. From the creators of The Matrix trilogy and the director of Run Lola Run comes an exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future. As one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution. The story is a time-shifting weave of six interlinking narratives, with diverse settings from the savagery of a Pacific Island in the 1850s to a dystopian Korea of the near future. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: A Film Like No Other; Everything is Connected; Spaceships, Slaves & Sextets; The Bold Science Fiction of Cloud Atlas; The Impossible Adaptation; The Essence of Acting; and Eternal Recurrence: Love, Life, and Longing in Cloud Atlas. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Cloud Atlas' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 14.Posted Mon Feb 20, 2012 at 01:15 PM PST by: -
Bethesda Not Allowed to Release 'Fallout 3' and 'Oblivion' Bundle on PS3[teaser]PC and Xbox 360 gamers will be able to pick it up this April. [/teaser] Bethesda has announced a new double pack of both 'Oblivion' and 'Fallout 3' that will be coming out this April for the Xbox 360 and PC. The PC version will run $20 while Xbox owners will have to shell out $30 and there's currently no information as to whether or not DLC will be included. As cool as that game release is, there's the question of a PS3 version. As it turns out, Bethesda wants to release the bundle on PS3 but can't. "At present we are not being allowed to release it on PS3," says a statement from the company. "We will continue to try to change that, and would release it if we are permitted." Source: GameSpotPosted Mon Feb 20, 2012 at 10:30 AM PST by: -
'Puss in Boots' Comes Back to Theaters February 20th[teaser]A $5 ticket gets you $5 off the Blu-ray or DVD, an art print and a 3D showing of the film. [/teaser] You've still got a few days before you can pick up 'Puss in Boots' on Blu-ray, but if you want to see it again in theaters, or check it out for the first time, AMC is giving you another chance. On February 20th, select theaters will be showing the Oscar nominated film again. For $5, you'll get to see the movie in 3D, receive an art print and a $5 off coupon good for the Blu-ray or DVD. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be going to the Will Rogers Institute, a program designed to help research and treatment of lung diseases. The institute is also the leading provider of neonatal ventilator equipment. Source:Posted Mon Feb 20, 2012 at 06:30 AM PST by:
