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Western Digital's New Streamer Adds Wi-Fi and Spotify[teaser]The latest WD TV Live also includes a brand new interface for simpler use. [/teaser] Western Digital doesn't bother too much with individual names for each version of its media streamers. The newest is the WD TV Live, just like the one before and the one before that. The name doesn't change, but the device definitely does. The latest addition - and it's amazing it wasn't put in earlier - is built-in Wi-Fi. No more messing about with cords, no more trying to figure out how to get the internet to your TV and no more dealing with complaints of cables running across the ground. The new WD TV Live player will be shipped with an updated interface as well as Spotify and Dailymotion capabilities. Jim Welsh, VP of Western Digital, says that the company has a commitment to offering up the best to their customers. "By marrying advanced features of the new wireless WD TV Live with quality content from service providers, including a first of its kind service with Spotify, we are excited to deliver on that commitment." You can pick up the newest WD TV Live on Amazon for an MSRP of $129. Source: TWICEPosted Wed Oct 12, 2011 at 07:30 AM PDT by: -
Lenovo Reveals a New Multimedia Remote With Backlit Keys[teaser]There are a few improvements to the keyboard, including the elimination of the trackball and a matte black finish. [/teaser] HTPC junkies are always on the quest for the perfect way to control their setup. There are a lot of options - from wireless keyboards, handheld remotes, motion control mice and more. It's all based on personal preference of course Lenovo's multimedia remotes have always fared well. The company's newest update to their remote features a few improvements that fans have been asking for. To start with, you won't have that glossy black finish anymore - a nice matte black one is in its place. The trackball is gone as well, replaced with an optical pointer and scrollbar. Those fumbling in the dark to try and find the right keys will be happy to know that the latest iteration of Lenovo's remote features backlit keys as well. Lenovo's new remote runs $79 when purchased directly from the company and is expected to ship October 14th. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Oct 12, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Mysteries of Lisbon' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The acclaimed epic drama based on the novel by Camilo Castelo Branco is getting the high-definition treatment this winter. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Music Box Films will be bringing 'Mysteries of Lisbon' to Blu-ray on December 20. 'Mysteries of Lisbon' plunges us into a veritable whirlwind of adventures and escapades, coincidences and revelations, sentiments and violent passions, vengeance, love affairs, all wrapped in a rhapsodic voyage that takes us from Portugal to France, Italy, and as far as Brazil. In this Lisbon of intrigue and hidden identities, we encounter a series of characters all somewhat linked to the destiny of Pedro da Silva, orphan in a boarding school. Father Dinis, a descendent of the aristocratic libertines, later becomes a hero who defends justice, a countess maddened by her jealousy and set on her vengeance, a prosperous businessman who had mysteriously made his fortune as a bloodthirsty pirate; these and many more all cross in a story set in the 19th century and all searching for the true identity of our main character. Specs and supplements are still unknown, but suggested list price for the 3-disc Blu-ray set is $43.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Mysteries of Lisbon' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 20.Posted Wed Oct 12, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD's Interview With 'The Dark Knight Rises' Executive Producer Michael Uslanby Dick Ward [teaser]Michael Uslan may not be a household name, but it appears in the credits of one of the biggest movie franchises around. Uslan has been the executive producer of every Batman movie and animated series since 1989. He's also the man responsible for getting the 1989 movie 'Batman' into theaters in the first place. We got a chance to pick Uslan's mind a bit and learn a little more about what he had to go through to get the first film made, his personal love of Batman, and what the role of an executive producer is in projects. [/teaser] HDD - Dick Ward: You've been an executive producer for, as far as I can tell, every Batman movie or TV show since 1989. The first question is something that a lot of people wonder - what is it that an executive producer does exactly? Michael Uslan: There are different kinds of executive producers. Generally, I find or create properties I believe can become great branded franchises, put a new creative topspin on them, often writing my own concept pieces and treatments. I then try to pull together the right creative package of writer, director and sometimes star to make it attractive to financiers and distributors. But the real answer about how to define my job is: Every day I get to report to a sandbox and play with my favorite toys. HDD: You clearly have a love for Batman. What is it about the caped crusader that captures your interest? Michael Uslan: He’s a super-hero who has no super-powers. His greatest super-power is his humanity. I could strongly identify with him and believe in him. Also, he has the most primal origin story that anyone can relate to on a deeply emotional level. And… he has the world’s best super-villains! HDD: In 1979 you bought the film rights to Batman when no one wanted to get involved in the franchise. What is it that made you believe that Batman would work as a film? Michael Uslan: Same answer as the question above. Plus, no one ever really saw him on the screen as “The” Batman… a creature of the night stalking criminals from the shadows as he was originally created in 1939. HDD: Did you face a lot of rejection when trying to get the 1989 'Batman' film made? Tell us about some of what you went through. Michael Uslan: I was told I was crazy, that it was the worst idea they ever heard, and every studio turned me down. Favorite rejections: "Michael, 'Batman' will never succeed as a movie because 'Annie' didn’t do well." "Michael, 'Batman and Robin' won’t work as a movie because the movie 'Robin And Marian' didn’t do well." "Michael, nobody’s ever made a movie out of some old television show!" "Michael, audiences will only remember and love that Pow! Zap! Wham! funny guy with the pot belly." "Michael, Superman is the only super-hero from the funny papers who is big enough to be made into a motion picture feature." HDD: How did you finally get the first movie picked up and made? Were you happy with the result? Michael Uslan: All the credit and accolades go to the geniuses Tim Burton and our production designer Anton Furst. That vision and their ability to execute it was astounding! It was the first of my Batman dreams to come true, along with Mask of the Phantasm, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. HDD: How did it feel to have years of hard work finally pay off? Michael Uslan: The dreams that you dare to dream really do come true! I always believed in it and in myself and never doubted it would be hugely successful. HDD: After 'Batman Returns' the franchise went in what many consider to be a very unpleasant direction, culminating in 'Batman & Robin,' which upset fans and scored poorly with critics. How did you feel about the film? Michael Uslan: It was the TV series Redux. HDD: After 1997 Batman went into a bit of a hiatus. 'Batman: The Animated Series' was off the air and there were no more movies on the way. How long did it take for talks of rebooting the franchise to begin? Michael Uslan: It isn’t important when the talks began, only when the other genius came aboard, Christopher Nolan… the first director of the 21st Century who should be studied in every film school… and the director who has raised the bar for all comic book based films. HDD: 'Batman Begins' breathed new life into the series - how did the reboot finally happen? Did it take a lot of convincing or were people receptive to the idea? Michael Uslan: How great that the management at Warner Bros. brought in Christopher Nolan and everyone trusted in his vision and his ability to execute that vision. HDD: Which of the Batman films is your favorite and why? Michael Uslan: 'Batman' because it was my dream-come-true after well over ten years, 'Mask of the Phantasm' because some of the best stories about Batman ever made came from the brilliant folks on the animation side, and the Christopher Nolan trilogy. HDD: Tell us about what your involvement in 'The Dark Knight Rises.' Michael Uslan: I love to describe myself as Christopher Nolan’s biggest cheerleader. HDD: What can we expect from the new film? Is there a worry about living up to Heath Ledger's much praised portrayal of The Joker in 'The Dark Knight?' July 20, 2012. Fasten your seat belt! HDD: You pushed to get Batman into theaters and a comic book movie boom followed. Do you feel that your efforts influenced the movie landscape as it is today? Michael Uslan: The first Batman film in 1989 was revolutionary. To this day, Burton’s vision, Furst’s designs, and Elfman’s music seem to reverberate through all genre pictures. Their influence has been enormous and pervasive. Nolan taught Hollywood the art of the successful reboot and Bond, Star Trek, Superman, Spider-Man, et al owe what they are doing to his influence. I’m happy to let history answer this question over the years. HDD: Tell us a little bit about your book, 'The Boy Who Loved Batman.' Michael Uslan: It’s intended to motivate young people so that if they burn with a passion for something in life, my story will prove to them that if they get up off the couch, forfeiting their sense of entitlement that the world owes them something, and instead make a commitment to knock on doors till their knuckles bleed, maintaining a high threshold for frustration, they, too, can make their own dreams come true. HDD: What's next for you? Are you sticking with Batman or do you intend to keep branching out like you did with 'Constantine' and 'The Spirit?' Michael Uslan: I have many fun and favorite projects in the works from the pages of some famous and historic comic books and comic strips and now there’s strong interest in my turning my book into a feature film a la “A Christmas Story.”Posted Tue Oct 11, 2011 at 03:25 PM PDT by: -
'Conan the Barbarian (2011)' Announced for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]The reboot based on the character originally created by Robert E. Howard is coming to high-definition this November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Conan the Barbarian' and 'Conan the Barbarian - 3D' (Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) are coming on November 22. In an epic battle led by an epic hero, Jason Momoa (HBO's "Game of Thrones") stars as Conan, the Cimmerian set on avenging his father's death. The action-packed film, directed by Marcus Nispel ('Friday the 13th'), also stars Rachel Nichols ('Star Trek'), Stephen Lang ('Avatar'), Rose McGowan ('Planet Terror') and Ron Perlman ('Hellboy'). Specs have yet to be detailed, but supplements include two audio commentaries, a history of the Conan franchise featurette, "The Man Who Would Be Conan: Robert E. Howard" featurette that looks at the creator of the famous character plus two additional featurettes that examine the action and fight scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $37.99 while the Blu-ray 3D combo is only a few dollars more at $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Conan the Barbarian (2011)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 22.Posted Tue Oct 11, 2011 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Roku Releases $49 LT Media Player - Adds HBO Go[teaser]The LT does the very basics of what a Roku player is designed to do. It streams. [/teaser] Roku players keep getting fancier and fancier. What started as a fairly bare bones media streamer has expanded into a file playing, Wi-Fi packing, high definition, game playing machine. The LT takes us back to simpler times. The Roku doesn't do 1080p - you'll have to settle for 720 - but it does have built in Wi-Fi and the ability to stream from any of the 300 available channels. Local files are out too, since the SD card reader has been nixed. At $49 though, it does just what it needs to. Roku's channel selection just got a bit bigger too. They're adding HBO Go, which will allow HBO subscribers to watch content directly on their Roku player. Of course, if you're not an HBO subscriber, you get nothin'. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Tue Oct 11, 2011 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Malcolm X' Blu-ray Dated Again[teaser]After a year of delays, the Spike Lee joint is finally coming to Blu-ray in January. [/teaser] As previously reported, Warner Brothers delayed 'Malcolm X' on Blu-ray due to an issue with music rights, but now it seems those problems are resolved and the new release date is January 31. 'Malcolm X' was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Costume Design and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Denzel Washington. The release will be a digibook with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Commentary with Spike Lee, cinematographer Ernest Dickerson, editor Barry Alexander Brown, and costume designer Ruth Carter; By Any Means Necessary: The Making of Malcolm X documentary; deleted scenes with introduction by Spike Lee; trailer; and a bonus DVD - 1972's Academy Award-nominated documentary Malcolm X. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Malcolm X' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under January 31.Posted Tue Oct 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Baba Yaga' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Corrado Farina's 1973 cult classic will put a sleazy curse on Blu-ray in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Blue Underground will bring 'Baba Yaga' to Blu-ray on February 28. Legendary sex symbol Carroll Baker ('Baby Doll,' 'The Sweet Body of Deborah') stars as a mysterious sorceress with an undying hunger for sensual ecstasy and unspeakable torture. But when she casts a spell over a beautiful young fashion photographer (the gorgeous Isabelle De Funes), Milan's most luscious models are sucked into a nightmare world of lesbian seduction and shocking sadism. Are these carnal crimes the result of one woman's forbidden fantasies or is this the depraved curse of the devil witch known as 'Baba Yaga'? George Eastman ('The Grim Reaper') co-stars in this provocative EuroShocker (also know as 'Devil Witch' and 'Kiss Me Kill Me') written and directed by Corrado Farina and based on the notorious S&M comic Valentina by Guido Crepax. Blue Underground is now proud to present 'Baba Yaga' restored from pristine vault materials and packed with eye-popping Extras, including never-before-seen erotic outtakes from the Italian Censor's archives as well as the director's own private collection. Specs and supplements are still forthcoming, and suggested list price for the Blu-ray will likely be $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Baba Yaga' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 28.Posted Tue Oct 11, 2011 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Changes Back - No Qwickster After All[teaser]Turns out a few million pissed off subscribers can make a pretty big impact! [/teaser] "There comes a time for every man who becomes rich and deserts his friends, when he goes back to how it was. For me, that time is now." - Philip J. Fry The folks over at Netflix have come under some heavy fire recently because of price changes and decisions that would only inconvenience their customer base. The splitting off of the DVD division into a separate company appears to have been the straw that broke the camel's back. In response to the outcry across the internet, Netflix has completely pulled the plug on their planned change. There will be no new site, no need for two accounts and two subscriptions and no further inconvenience. They're still gonna jack those rates on you if you like discs and streaming though. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says that the price is going to stay stable, and that there's no chance they'll revert back to the old pricing scheme. "While the July price change was necessary, we are now done with price changes," he writes on the Netflix blog. Source: NetflixPosted Tue Oct 11, 2011 at 09:55 AM PDT by: -
'Apollo 18' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]Houston... We have the "found footage" from the top-secret NASA mission on Blu-ray this December. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is working on 'Apollo 18' for Blu-ray on December 27. Officially, Apollo 17, launched December 17th, 1972 was the last manned mission to the moon. But a year later, in December of 1973, two American astronauts were sent on a secret mission to the moon funded by the US Department of Defense. What you are about to see is the actual footage which the astronauts captured on that mission. While NASA denies its authenticity, others say it’s the real reason we’ve never gone back to the moon. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Apollo 18' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 27.Posted Tue Oct 11, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by:
