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Netflix is Working on the Multiple User Problem[teaser]When several users share an account, ratings become useless - Netflix wants to do something about it. [/teaser] Do you now or have you ever shared a Netflix account with someone? Even if you're only signed up for streaming and you don't have to fight over whose disc is whose, there's the problem of ratings. Just because you like something doesn't mean your roommate, wife or significant other will like it and vice versa. Netflix knows that this is a problem for subscribers and is doing what they can to solve it. Optimally, they want to do is set up multiple profiles within each account, likely linked to Facebook accounts. This would give Netflix a simple way to identify each person and allow the service to cater to the individual ratings and recommendations of each. It's not exactly simple though, says chief product officer Neil Hunt. "The fact that most of these user interfaces are essentially delivered in HTML, even to the smart TVs and games consoles," he says, "means that we continue to extend week by week, month by month, to deliver new features, to deliver new capabilities and we have goals and ambitions for that kind of stuff." Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Hulu Plus Hits 1.5 Million Subscribers - Original Programming is On the Way[teaser]Hulu's doing alright, and the company isn't afraid to put its money to use and join Netflix in the original programming game. [/teaser] The idea of adding original programming to a subscription streaming service isn't a new one, but it hasn't really been done before - at least not on the grand scale of a Netflix or a Hulu. 2012 will change all that though, as exclusives are coming to both services. Hulu just announced its first ever original scripted series, known as 'Battleground.' The show takes a look at the goings on behind the scenes of a political campaign and the people that give up their normal lives for life on the road managing said campaign. It doesn't star anyone you're likely to recognize, but the premise seems like it could have some promise. In addition to 'Battleground,' you'll be able to catch the second season of 'A Day in the Life' and a new documentary series called 'Up to Speed,' created by Richard Linklater. Hulu has just reached the 1.5 million subscriber mark with almost no original programming - if 'Battleground' is a hit, it will certainly be interesting to see what kind of bump it causes in their subscription rate. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
CES 2012 Set New Attendance Record and Boasted 20,000 New Product Announcements[teaser]This year's show was the biggest in the history of CES, which certainly bodes well for the industry. [/teaser] The Consumer Electronics Show may be an industry event but in no way is it industry exclusive. In addition to buyers, execs for big companies, TV news teams and writers, non-professional bloggers and fans find their way into the show. In fact, pretty much anyone who wants to go can find a way in. This year, an additional 13,000 made it to CES. The addition of 400 new exhibitors to the show was almost certainly instrumental in getting the number up from 140,000 attendees in 2011. All told, over 20,000 new products were announced and launched at the show and more people than ever were there to see them. That's certainly a sign of interest in the industry and something that will hopefully transform into growth. What should be interesting to see is what happens next year. Microsoft - a CES staple for both its booth and keynote speeches - has already said that it does not plan to return next year. If other companies follow suit, CES 2013 could see a decline. Source: PC MagPosted Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Ranking Steven Soderbergh's Top 10 Filmsby Aaron Peck It was the Sundance hit 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' that put him on the map. The world of independent cinema would never be the same after his first feature-length film premiered at the festival in 1989. Since then, Steven Soderbergh's work has spanned genres. He's careful not to pigeonhole himself. He's taken on comedies, thrillers, and is about to take on the action/espionage genre with his new movie 'Haywire.' Every time he plans a new film, the ensemble cast seemingly appears out of nowhere. Actors and actresses who command leading roles are lining up just to play bit parts. He routinely gets casts that other directors would kill for. [teaser]This month has seen the Blu-ray release of his worldwide plague thriller 'Contagion' and the Criterion release of his masterpiece about the world of drug trafficking, 'Traffic.' So I'd like to take this time to rank what I believe are the top ten favorite Soderbergh films.[/teaser] 10. 'Erin Brockovich' There's flat character issues here, along with a paper-thin plot, but this was the film where Soderbergh was able to wrangle Julia Roberts' ultra-star power and bring her down to earth in the role of Erin Brockovich. Squeaking in at number ten, this is my least favorite of his top films, but it's hard to deny the drama and humor injected into the story and the great directorial job done with one of the world's biggest (and sometimes most insufferable) stars. 9. 'Solaris' The lovers and the haters of Soderbergh's remake of Andrei Tarkovsky's 1976 sci-fi masterpiece are pretty evenly split down the middle. Count me on the side that really enjoyed the minimalistic visual tone that he provided here. Yes, it's a slow, methodical movie, but Soderbergh does slow and methodical very well. Buoyed by a great Clooney performance, 'Solaris' had to make the top ten. 8. 'The Limey' If you haven't been able to catch 'The Limey' you really should make time for this first-rate crime thriller starring Terrance Stamp in one of the best performances of his illustrious acting career. There's a decidedly visual aesthetic applied here by Soderbergh, like in many of his other films, that makes watching the movie an entrancing experience. When are we gonna get a Blu-ray release? 7. 'Ocean's Eleven' It's the who's who of Hollywood. A gigantic ensemble cast that would make any director drool. Here superstars like George Clooney and Brad Pitt are working side by side, making Matt Damon look like he was called in to play a bit part. This is the only 'Ocean's' movie I enjoy watching. It's witty and clever, pure popcorn entertainment. It has that frenzied Soderbergh pace to it, bouncing around from character to character, but somehow we never get lost in the fray. 6. 'Contagion' I still think 'Contagion' was one of the best thrillers of last year. It's not packed full of action or intrigue, but it's plenty suspenseful. It was a fresh take on the disease thriller. Soderbergh created a world of fear which was much scarier than the disease itself. Plus (spoiler!), Gwyneth Paltrow got scalped. Scalped! Only Soderbergh can amass this cast of A-list actors only to chop the top off the head of one of the biggest names on the bill. 5. 'Che' Soderbergh's epic about Ernesto "Che" Guevara is long, and for that very reason you may have not ventured in to take a peek at it. However, once you start watching it you'll find it hard to stop. Benicio Del Toro is mesmerizing as the Cuban militant. There's something to be said for a director that can take a 270 minute epic and make it a compelling character study without veering off into snoozeville. 4. 'The Informant!' People may disagree with my high ranking of 'The Informant!' but I stand by it. Here's a movie that I didn't ever expect much from and instead got everything I could have wanted and more. The key is that it contains the best performance of Matt Damon's career; It's also his most underrated. Damon plays Mark Whitacre, a top employee in the agricultural industry who turns informer to report to the feds about the illegal dealings of his company. He loves the cloak and dagger routines they put him through. The movie is genuinely funny, and never really got its due. 3. 'Out of Sight' He had a good foundation. Any Elmore Leonard book is a good basis for a screenplay. However, from movies like 'Be Cool' we've learned that it's all too easy to screw up even some of the best fictional writing out there. 'Out of Sight' remains one of the great modern day crime thrillers. Soderbergh toned down the visual trickery and his at times oddball stylistic choices and was able to craft a very marketable caper film. The biggest story here though, isn't that 'Out of Sight' was when we kind of all took notice of Clooney and realized, "Hey maybe this guy can be a movie star." No, it was the fact that Soderbergh somehow got a borderline fantastic performance from one Jennifer Lopez. You know, the same woman who has starred in such hits as 'Maid in Manhattan,' 'The Wedding Planner,' and 'Monster In Law.' I don't know how he did it, but as director Soderbergh was able to squeeze out whatever acting ability Lopez has. 2. 'Sex, Lies and Videotape' It's a classic now. There's no way around it. It's the movie that really jumpstarted the whole independent film craze. A movie that showed everyone that low-budgets weren't barriers that couldn't be overcome. Soderbergh wrote the movie in less than two weeks. A thrilling psychological study, it remains a masterpiece. 1. 'Traffic' 'Traffic' is to Soderbergh what 'Schindler's List' is to Spielberg. It's his magnum opus. It's the rare time where all the quintessential Soderbergh elements – dozens of characters; intersecting storylines; experimental filming techniques – all meshed into a grandm unified whole. In 2000 Soderbergh was nominated as Best Director twice. Once for 'Traffic' the other for 'Erin Brockovich.' The fun part is that if you didn't know Soderbergh directed both of them you'd swear they were directed by different people. However, 'Traffic' truly bears his mark as a filmmaker (he also acted as cinematographer using the name Peter Andrews). It's experimental, it's large in scope, and it has that trademark ensemble cast that everyone fawns over. With all those elements he was able to weave together numerous tales of the way drugs and the war on them affects everyday life here in America. How would you rank Soderbergh's films? Are there some that were left off this list like 'King of the Hill,' 'The Underneath,' 'The Good German,' 'The Girlfriend Experience,' or 'Kafka,' that you would add to the list? Please let us know in the forums. Click on the link below and let us in on what movies would make your top ten list of Soderbergh films.Posted Tue Jan 17, 2012 at 02:15 PM PST by: -
Top 5/Bottom 5: Steve Buscemiby Aaron Peck Steve Buscemi is now the star of one of HBO's most popular and elaborate shows. On 'Boardwalk Empire' Buscemi plays Enoch "Nucky" Thompson. He may appear to the people of Atlantic City to simply be the city treasurer, but in reality he's an underwold crime kingpin making a killing in bootlegged liquor sales. Buscemi is the right man for the job. He's unassumingly dangerous. He doesn't look like he could destroy you, but when he starts talking there's no doubt that he'd make you pay. [teaser]Buscemi has been in his fair of stinkers over the years. Pretty much any time he teams up with Adam Sandler you know you're in for a crappy Buscemi experience. On the other hand, whenever Buscemi teams up with the Coen Brothers, you know you're likely in for a great movie and performance. Let's take a look at Steve Buscemi's career and see if we can narrow down his top five and bottom five movies shall we?[/teaser] The Best 'The Big Lebowski' I'm on record, somewhere, as saying I don't get the big deal about 'The Big Lebowski.' I know just about everyone loves the movie, but I personally don't have that abiding love for it as most people do. That's okay though, because I can admit that it's a very competently made Coen Brothers movie and as I looked over Buscemi's filmography I couldn't find a movie that should bump 'The Big Lebowski' out of the top five (although, 'Barton Fink' and 'Miller's Crossing' came very close). I don't hate the movie, far from it, it's just not on my list of favorite movies of all time like it is with so many other people. 'Fargo' Another Coen Brothers movie and another memorable performance from Buscemi. Not only does he do a great job as Carl he also provides for one of the most memorable death scenes in all of cinema. I know it's not actually him being fed into that wood chipper, but still, whenever you think of Buscemi, doesn't the wood chipper scene jump right to the front of your mind? 'The Messenger' No one saw 'The Messenger' and that's a shame. I saw it at Sundance and thought it was a fantastic, realistic story of what it must be like to be the soldiers that have to go tell families that their loved ones have died on the battlefield. Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson play the two soldiers tasked with the somber duty. Buscemi isn't in the movie for very long, but his appearance is commanding. He plays a distraught father who takes his rage out on these two messengers. If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing this movie, seek it out. 'Monsters, Inc.' 'Monsters, Inc.' remains one of Pixar's best movies and Buscemi was the perfect voice for the slithery villain Randall. His voice brought just enough unease to the character to create a very believable cartoon villain. 'Reservoir Dogs' Quentin Tarantino's early classic is still remembered as one of his best. And who can forget the performance Buscemi gives as Mr. Pink? His rants are still some of the most memorable scenes of that movie. The scene that always sticks out in my mind is when he lays into Mr. White when they fight about taking Mr. Orange to the hospital. The Worst 'Armageddon' It's big, dumb, and uses Buscemi in a "Gee look at how crazy I am" role, which is never where his talent really flourishes. I know that 'Armageddon' may be on people's guilty pleasures lists, and that's fine, but there's no real denying that it’s a bloated, melodramatic mess. 'G-Force' For every classic like 'Reservoir Dogs' an actor like Buscemi still, for some reason, gets roped into doing a voice for a CGI hamster in a movie like 'G-Force.' Granted Buscemi's part in the movie is actually the funniest the movie gets, but that's like saying those pieces of corn are the best part of that turd. 'Grown Ups' Every time Buscemi teams up with Sandler I shudder. Such a great actor under used, and usually exploited because he looks unusual. I really wish he'd stop doing movies like 'Grown Ups' with Sandler. 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry' Another bit part in another Adam Sandler movie, sigh. Here Buscemi plays an investigator who is trying to find out if Sandler's marriage to Kevin James is legit. Just typing that sentence makes me quiver. I still can't un-see that movie. 'Mr. Deeds' Last, and definitely least, is Buscemi in yet another Adam Sandler movie playing a character literally called Crazy Eyes. Need I say more? What are your Buscemi top and bottom fives? Please let us know how you'd rank Buscemi's illustrious acting career in the forums. Click on the link below and make your voice known.Posted Mon Jan 16, 2012 at 02:05 PM PST by: -
Vizio Launches a Google TV Powered Blu-ray Player and Streamer[teaser]Both will be shipping in 2012 with prices yet to be announced.[/teaser] Remember when Vizio was a brand that home theater enthusiasts scoffed at or just plain ignored? This year's CES really goes to show that those days are behind us. They may not be the highest rated company around, but they're definitely not slouches when it comes to cool new products. Their latest Blu-ray player, for example, handles 3D movies, boasts Vizio Internet Apps, and comes with a QWERTY remote. Oh, and the VBR430 also packs the Android powered Google TV platform which gives you access to thousands of apps, the Chrome web browser and a glut of content. If you've already got yourself a Blu-ray player but you still want Google TV you can check out the VAP430 streaming player. It offers the Google TV platform of course, but a few other bonuses like HDMI inputs with pass-through functionality so you can hook whatever you like up to the streamer and switch sources without having to change the channel. Both the Blu-ray player and streamer will be available this year, but pricing hasn't been announced for either. Source: PR NewswirePosted Mon Jan 16, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Panasonic Unveils 2012 Plasma TVs[teaser]Six new series are launching, only one of them lacks 3D.[/teaser] Panasonic is launching a total of 17 new TVs this year, with sizes and features ranging from the entry-level to the high end. Every single one of them packs a 1080p resolution, and all but one - the U50 - offers 3D capabilities. At the top of the six different lines is the VT50. You'll be able to pick up Panasonic's flagship in 55" and 65" sizes and you'll find everything you've come to expect from a high end television. You get 3D capabilities, the Infinite Black Ultra Panel for dark blacks, built in Wi-Fi, Viera Connect for your internet apps and 2D to 3D conversion. The VT50 also packs CALMAN calibration software and an ISFcc calibration mode so you - or someone who knows what they're doing - can get your set looking just right. It also gives you 8-Train speakers with 3D Real Sound for more immersive audio. Though if you're buying a top of the line TV you should really shell out for some speakers. The VT50 and the rest of Panasonic's new plasma sets will be available this year though a specific launch date and price have not yet been set. Source: PanasonicPosted Mon Jan 16, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Sharp Shows an 85" 8K Resolution TV at CES[teaser]Now we just need something to watch on it. And the crazy amount of money it would take to buy it. [/teaser] CES is a time for companies to show off all their new products, getting consumers and businesses excited for the upcoming year. It's also a time to show off really exciting prototypes like Sharp's 85" 8k resolution TV. 8k, for those that don't feel like Googling or mathing it out, is a resolution of 7,680 x 4,320. That's 16 times higher than 1080p and, according to folks at the show it sure makes a difference. "No matter how close we got," writes Engadget's Richard Lawler, "we couldn't see the pixels." This is, of course, a prototype with no plans for release or mass production. Still, it's a nice glimpse of the potential of upcoming hardware. Source: EngadgetPosted Mon Jan 16, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
The Bonus View is Giving Away 20 Blu-rays During Sunday Night's Golden Globes Live-Blog!!!I know you sit around waiting anxiously for the next edition of the Bonus View Digest. Well, here we are again, but this time we've got a mega-special announcement. This coming Sunday The Bonus View will be alive with activity. Normally, we're silent on Sundays, but we'll be live-blogging the Golden Globes on the 15th and we hope that you'll join us. Oh and there's more! We'll be having TONS of giveaways! [teaser]Last year we had tons of fun during our live-blogging events. The Oscars were a blast and we gave away a bunch of free Blu-rays to other chatters. This year the live-blogging Golden Globes event will be even bigger. We're giving away 20, count them 20, Blu-rays to all of you who will be joining in on the chat with us. Not only will you be able to chat with us live and get showered with our unfiltered wit, but we're also showering you with prizes galore. How could your Sunday night get any better?[/teaser] So, we hope you'll join us for our live-blog on Sunday. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you all there. Josh and Aaron will be there running things and hoping to make the chat go as smoothly as possible. It should be a lot of fun. Don't miss it, or you'll miss your chance at scoring some free movies along with missing out on some great camaraderie between writers, readers, and movie buffs. Besides the impending live-blogging event – which everyone is coming to, right? – we had a lot of fun at The Bonus View this week. Check out some of the highlights below. Blu-ray News Josh covered the weekly look at the new Blu-rays hitting store shelves this week. This was the week to pick up hot films like 'Moneyball,' and 'Killer Elite.' Also, 'Boardwalk Empire' hit Blu-ray this week, which should have HBO fans in a buying frenzy. With Uncovered, Aaron discussed some of the newly released artwork for upcoming titles like 'Immortals,' 'J. Edgar,' and the highly anticipated 'Bond 50' anthology. Aaron also returned to his popular feature Off The Shelf where he revisits movies that have been sitting on his shelf for a while. This time he rewatched the stop-motion favorite 'Coraline' and observed 20 random things about it. Theatrical News There was no shortage of theatrical news this week, starting off with a trio of reviews from Luke Hickman. He reviewed 'Joyful Noise,' 'Contraband,' and the unsettling drama 'We Need to Talk About Kevin.' Luke also covered 2011's Biggest Box Office Bombs. E discussed the very unfunny, and might I add depressing trailer for 'The Three Stooges' in this week's Trailer Park. This week's Mid-Week Poll also had to do with going out to the cinema. We asked you which critically acclaimed movie of 2011 was your favorite film. The conversation has grown to one of the most popular threads on the site. Weigh in with your opinion now. Home Theater News Watch out for those supposed 3000 hour rated projector bulbs. In the post 507 Hours Josh found out the hard way this week that these bulbs may not last as long as they're supposed to. If you don't feel like hitting the theater this weekend and would rather check out what you can stream into your home check out our weekly Netflix Stream and VUDU posts. If you're looking for a recommendation, Josh recommends an erotic thriller starring Rob Lowe (I know, sounds awesome right?) in his VUDU Diaries post called 'Bad Influence.' That's it for this week. Be sure to join us this Sunday at 8:00pm EST/5:00pm PST for our live-blogging coverage of The Golden Globes. Remember, we're giving away at least 20 Blu-rays during the telecast so you're odds are very good when it comes to winning. So join us for a night of fun, laughs, and contests. We hope to see you there! And by there, I mean right here!Posted Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 11:40 AM PST by: -
Panasonic Reveals Six New Blu-ray Players - Four of Which are 3D Capable[teaser]The 3D players can convert streaming content from Netflix, YouTube and more to 3D.[/teaser] While some of the biggest news from CES has been the launch of new TV technologies, Blu-ray players aren't to be forgotten. Panasonic has six that they'll be releasing in 2012, a few of which offer some potentially exciting features. All four of Panasonic's new 3D Blu-ray players are capable of smartphone control, 24p output for VOD movies, a new processor and the ability to convert 2D content to 3D. That includes DVDs, Blu-rays and anything on Viera Connect aside from Skype, which means 3D Netflix is possible. Three out of the four players also give you a 192kHz/32bit Audio DAC. Panasonic's whole line of new players get some nice new features, like the ability to play back FLAC files. They also feature what they call "Digital Tube Sound" which helps to simulate the warmth of an actual tube amplifier. Source: PanasonicPosted Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by:
