Hah. Looks like the format wars are over, from DVD Dossier, via Engadget.

We called the store to verify this and were told that, yes, they were wiped out of Blu-ray Discs on Sunday, about seven thousand bucks worth.

We then asked if they sold both high definition formats, HD DVD and Blu-ray.

Once again, the answer was yes. But they still have a “good selection” of HD DVDs, as none were taken.

Two interesting movie-related bits have popped up on BoingBoing already today.

The Color of Money: BB points to an analysis of the colors used in top grossing movie posters. Restrictive ratings and big earners are dark and fleshy colored. [from BB]

Trailers from HELL:

The idea behind the recently launched “Trailers from Hell” website is simple and fun. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, there’s a new video segment in which a renowned movie director comments over one of their favorite b-movie / exploitation / grindhouse flick trailers. Lots of personal memories, inspiration revelations — it’s like having a beer with a filmmaker whose work you dig, and fessing up about crappy movies you’re both ashamed to admit loving. [from BB, via Hurty Elbow]

In the inner right-hand column you’ll see an area labelled “blogroll” - this is where we link out to other great DVD, Movie, Entertainment, or Whatever sites that we UpcomingDiscs bloggers frequent.

Got a suggestion for our blogroll? Your site? Other good DVD sites? Anything else we really should be reading?

Comment it and we’ll add it!

Yes, the rollover to WordPress has… rolled over. The new UpcomingDiscs is live. I’m working feverishly to sort out bugs and inconsistencies; please bear with me. If you see anything specific that needs attention, please comment here.

Good morning, evening or afternoon! I’m pleased to announce that there are big changes in the works for UpcomingDiscs - to bring you more reviews, news, and great movie coverage in a much better format.

In a nutshell, were moving UpcomingDiscs from its current layout, design, and “backend system” to WordPress. WordPress is a fantastic blogging platform that will make UpcomingDiscs easier to read and enjoy - on the site, in your email inbox, and in your RSS reader. WordPress also makes UpcomingDiscs much eas…

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Read on about a minor gripe with a major satellite provider.

I’m going to skip the usual news about what comes out this week because it’s The Untouchables, The Patriot and very little else, and tell you a story about how I, as a loyal DirecTV customer, have been trying to upgrade my equipment.

On/about 5/29, I set up an equipment upgrade appointment from the 3 LNB H10 setup to the 5 LNB H20, so I can get the new HD channels running through MPEG-4. I set up the appointment for 6/16 be…

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Aperion 4-Series: Part One

Aperion Audio 4 Series: 422 Harmony HD, inlcuding:

• 6x 422-LR satellites
• 1x S10 10 inch powered subwoofer, 100 Watts
• 1x 422-C Center Channel

First off, let me preface this review with the declaration that I am woefully new to speaker reviews, and know little of the art or science of speaker design. On one hand, that makes me under-qualified to do an in-depth speaker review, as I won’t be commenting on impedence levels, p…

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This CNET article wishfully prophecies that HD-DVD will surrender mid-year. This prognosis is based on the the fact that there’s a 5:1 ratio of Blu-Ray to HD-DVD players in households - driven mainly by the PS3. Of course, the verdict is still out on whether the PS3 will ever get traction in the marketplace, so take that with a grain of salt.

Personally, I’m going to skip the next-gen physical media ratrace entirely and skip right to HD downloads via A…

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Yes, its coming. And yes, it plays both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs, although apparently for the HD-DVD’s you can only watch the movie - no menu access just yet.

From Kotaku comes news that the Microsoft HD-DVD addon for the XBox360 will sell for $199 US. This includes a “Universal Media Remote,” and for a promotional period will include King Kong as well. So - TCO for HD-DVD is potential as low as $499 (xbox core = $299, plus HD-DVD add on) - not a bad cost of entry and certainly competitive with PS3’s blu-ray hoopla and the BR players on the market.

Amazon has a well deserved reputation as a (generally) excellent retailer and purveyor of leading edge business models. Their new movie download server - Amazon Unbox - however, is according to Cory Doctorow at Boing Boing, rife with awfulness.

From a software client that borders on malware, to TOC’s that sign away your right to your purchased content, the service is plaugued by the typically heavy handed legal stylings of the MPAA.

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There you have it, HDMI over UWB. Time to get creative with your setups!

Watch your back if you own an “Avdeco” branded component and TV shelf with glass shelves:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=713200

Ars Technica asks today “Is Plasma Doomed?” Citing the fact that LCD’s now overlap with plasma in terms of size and (arguably) picture quality, along with the fact that certain manufacturers are stopping plasma development and production to shift to LCD’s, the author suggests that “Plasma vs. LCD” is comparable to the apocryphal “Beta vs. VHS” battle.

Anyway, interesting observation that plasma is getting clobbered, but personally, I can’t see i…

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Synopsis

A Christmas Story featured a charming, old-fashioned story about Ralphie (Peter Billingsley, Elf), who wanted nothing more in life than to get a Red Ryder BB Gun. His parents (played by Darren McGavin (Raw Deal) and Melinda Dillon (Magnolia)) in the depression era-Midwest kept him in check as he pleaded with them to get it for Xmas.

Now in cinema life, the next summer gave Ralphie the chance to spin tops (and look for the best one possible), while his mother an…

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And so, after a long summer, it has finally come to this: Snakes on a Plane ceases to be a hot-weather fantasy and becomes a reality. Now we can all see whether this creature that became a cult before it was even finished can in any way live up (or down) to our expectations, hopes, and fears. Let us pause, then, and reflect on killer snake movies from the past.

The question as to whether Snakes on a Plane will be any good is completely irrelevant. A look back demonstrates that there has never …

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A CNet article from Austrailia explains that PC Blu-Ray drives aren’t able to play Blu-Ray movies released by studios as there aren’t PC video cards or chipsets capable of handling HDCP.

Not good.

Now - Boing Boing and Slashdot appear to have made the inference that the PS3 won’t be able to play them either. Spurious speculation? Or another nail in Sony’s coffin?

Reader Brian asks:

What happened to the HUDSON HAWK: 15TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION dvd? It was supposed to come out on July 25th and now it doesn’t appear to be available anywhere … Including Amazon.com. Can you research it and let me know as I seriously (seriously) would like to get it.

Anyone have a clue? Comment it on this post!

Fox Home Entertainment will release Thank You for Smoking (starring Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, William H. Macy, and Robert Duvall) in separate widescreen and fullscreen releases on October 3rd. Extras will include an Audio Commentary (by Director Jason Reitman), Deleted Scenes, Two Featurettes (”Making-of” & “America: Living In Spin”), and a Charlie Rose Interview with the cast.

On August 22nd, Fox Home Entertainment will release the Lindsay Lohan teen comedy Just My Luck on DVD. This disc will inclue both anamorphic widescreen and fullscreen transfers, along with a Dolby Digital 5.1 (English) audio track. The extras will include three deleted/extended scenes, two featuretets (”Look of Luck” & “McFly Behind The Scenes”) & a trailer.

On August 22nd, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Silent Hill in separate Widescreen, Fullscreen, and Blu-Ray releases; all of which will be presented with a Dolby Digital 5.1 (English) audio track. Extras will include an audio commentary (by Director Christophe Gans), deleted/extended scenes, and a six-part production diary documentary.

On September 12th, Universal Home Video will release the Anniversary Edition of the Kurt Russell, William Baldwin & Jennifer Jason Leigh film Backdraft. This disc will be presented in an Anamorphic Widescreen transfer, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. Extras have yet to be announced, but we will update this blog as we learn more.

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Synopsis

Everything I know about Jim Brickman could fit into a couple hundred word review about a concert performance he put on at the Walt Disney World resort. But upon further review, Brickman has been reaching out to the older generation for a few years now, producing collaborations and appearing at high profile events to bring recognition to his work.

He’s collaborated with quite a few people, and on his live performance at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the mighty Michael Bolton makes an extended ap…

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HBO Home Video will release the Complete Sixth Season of OZ on September 5th. This 3-disc set will inclued all 8 season three episodes presented in 1.33:1 Fullscreen along with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Extras will include three episode specific audio commentaries (with series creator Tom Fontana and members of the cast), original cast audition tapes, 30-minutes of deleted scenes and an extended cut of the series finale: Exeunt Omnes.

Warner Home Video will release the Complete Third Season of Nip/Tuck on August 29th. This six-disc set will present all fifteen season three episodes in anamorphic widescreen transfers, along with Dolby Digital 2.0 (English) auido tracks. Extras will include a documentary, unaired scenes, and a “revealing look” at the season finale.