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Today Shane Kim (VP in charge of the MS gaming division) confirmed (via filefront) that MS and Bungie are evolving for the better.

“While we are supporting Bungie’s desire to return to its independent roots, we will continue to invest in our ‘Halo’ entertainment property with Bungie and other partners, such as Peter Jackson, on a new interactive series set in the ‘Halo’ universe. We look forward to great success with Bungie as our long-term relationship continues to evolve through ‘Halo’-related titles and new IP created by Bungie.”

Halo 3 which has now officially made 300 million dollars for MS in it’s first week of release, looks to be the biggest hit of the holiday season. This is an unprecedented move on Microsoft’s part. Bungie was bought by Microsoft in 1999. Since then Bungie has made one of the top selling game franchises in history. During the development of Halo 3, Bungie had dropped several hints that they had a couple new IPs in the works. This move will allow them to decide what projects they do over what Microsoft would like them to do.
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Today Yahoo Movies posted the trailer for, “Sweeney Todd,” Tim Burton’s new film which stars Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter. The film is about a barber named Sweeney Todd who returns to his home after being banished by the local government. Unfortunately Sweeney returns to find that his family has been murdered. Depp then of course sings about it and then goes on a murderous rampage. That’s right, Tim Burton has made a musical starring Johhny Depp about a murderous barber. Enjoy in beautiful QT via Yahoo Movies or just watch the you tube below.

In an interview with Moviehole, a former Firefly/Serenity cast member Alan Tudyk (Wash) expressed with great excitement that a Serenity 2 is now very much being considered by Universal. What caused this massive change of opinion in the franchises profitability?

They had to put the new DVD out because they’ve been selling out of the other one and so Universal’s like “So, let’s do another one.” And now, there’s now a chance there’s going to be another movie”. – Alan Tudyk

This offers no guarantee that this project is greenlit or even going to be released theatrically. Even Alan acknowledges that a direct to DVD release would be ideal. Considering the latest Serenity DVD release was considered mostly a money grab (with just another commentary and better cover art), it just may have saved the franchise with positive sales. We will keep an eye out for more news as it comes out. Specifically if the series creator Joss Whedon makes a comment regarding this story.

Vudu is launching a $400 set top box that will let you purchase ($20) or rent ($1-4) high-def movies, which are downloaded to the Vudu box over a high-speed internet connection. It promises a big selection, easily accessible – the long-sought “blockbuster in your living room.”

• Read this review from Paul Stamatiou to get up to speed. [image credit goes to PS as well]
• Now, if you’re interested, read my opinion here. Spoiler: I think Vudu sucks.

Now: please share your thoughts in the comments: is Vudu the future? Would you buy one? Why or why not?

As with many big media announcements, the superficial awesomeness of NBC’s move – offering downloadable versions of popular TV shows (Heroes, The Office, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, etc. [see Last100]) – is dimmed by the conditions that come with them.

• The service will be called “NBC Direct” [from AP]
• It will launch on a test basis in October, expanding outward from there. [from BloggingStocks]
• Plus: Yes, NBC will be offering downloadable tv shows. [originally found on Ars]
• Plus: Yes, they will be free. [from The Marketing Shift]
• Minus: They will be ad-supported, with embedded, unskippable ads interupting playback, presumably like commercials [from: theStreet].
• Minus: Its US only. I won’t be able to use this.
• Minus: For Windows only. Sorry Apple and Linux types. [from Paid Content]
• Minus: It (may) require a propiertary player that needs to be downloaded and installed [from TG Daily]
• Minus: Downloads will only play for SEVEN DAYS from the episode air date. [from Jeff McManus]

So – on the upside, previously you had to pay $2 to download these shows from Apple’s iTunes – now they are free. On the downside – they come with ads and a bunch of limitations and restrictions.

As others have noted, NBC’s offering is more comparable to the “catch up” services offered overseas that let people catch missed shows. At a high level, this service is more competitive with DVR’s than it is with iTunes or piracy.

NBC has noted plans to offer “download to own,” subscription, and rental services over time. I’m looking forward to seeing what ludicrous prices and conditions are attached to those.