Movies

Best Nerd-Approved Movies To See Before You Die


Best Nerd-Approved Movies

Not to quote Ned Stark, but, "Winter is coming." And what better way for any self-respecting nerd to spend the season than hunkered down in the glow of some of the best nerd-approved films of all time. But you've watched your favorite films a billion times, so how do you find the films you haven't seen yet, but should?

Well, today I'm putting my Cinema "Minor" to work and that means digging through film history and pulling out title gems that are too often overshadowed by Avatar or the all-impressive Star Wars. These films will change your life (or they should), so sit down, strap in and load these puppies up in your Netflix queue. Here are the best of the best in their respective categories. Enjoy these films. You will be a better nerd for watching them.

*Note: All films should be watched in the aspect ratio they were shot in and if possible, watch the director's cut. None of this "4:3" nonsense when a film was shot in widescreen. Also, may of the older films on this list are now on Blu-ray. For a more technical overview of a specific film's transfer to Blu-ray, please query The Blu Ray Blog. Now, please... enjoy the show.

Straightup Nerd-Tastic Films (AKA Category 1)

Dark City
(1998)
Film Notes: If you liked Metropolis, The Matrix, and Inception, you have to see this film. I wrote an entire master's thesis on it. If you can, watch the commentary by Rober Ebert.

The Fifth Element
(1997)
Film Notes: This eye-candy adventure is one of the most charming, beautifully shot, creative, colorful sci-fi films of all time.Read more

The Best and Worst Things to Buy in June


money in wallet

June has more daylight hours than any other month, which means you have more time to shop. But don't get duped into buying things at a higher price.

Arm yourself with this list of the best and worst things to buy in June from dealnews.com editor Beth Pinsker and you'll be sitting pretty.

Father's Day
The National Retail Federation says that this year's spending will be the highest in eight years. There are a few bargains to be had, mostly on tools. So if your patriarch is a fix-it guy, you can count on sales at Lowe's, Sears, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and even Meritline.

Adventure
June is a month when people start to think about visiting nature, and the National Parks have been making it easy by giving out free admission passes.

Movie Tickets
With Memorial Day comes the release of the first wave of summer movies. Be on the lookout for movie theater ticket deals from Regal, AMC, Fandango, and Groupon. Read more

Written Off!

By Pen Densham, award-winning screenwriter


Oscar

The Oscars are coming! While the usual pundits are busy sharpening their predictions and betting on the biggies -- the Best Actor, Best Director, Best Picture -- I would like to say a word for the oft forgotten Writing nominations.

Scripts are the seeds of thought that movies grow from. Not many films get made without them (not ones you'd like to rest your eyeballs on, anyway).

Writers are like ancient monks, spending their lives hunkered in lonely cells illuminating movies with their imaginations. They seldom get the attention they deserve and yet they take enormous risks with their time and effort.

Maybe, as few as one screenplay in a hundred gets made. Hollywood often undervalues the writer, treating them more like a handyman or a plumber, bringing them in to fix a loose end in a story, like it was a leak. They like giving them explicit instructions and then they fire the poor scribe when the story doesn't hold water.

Believe me, I am not complaining. I chose to be in this business with all its idiosyncrasies both good and bad. Where else could a guy who left school at 15 write a script with his partner about Robin Hood and get paid a million dollars? But, for every winner like our Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, I have a shelf of unmade scripts that I've invested years into and equally believe in.

As a member of the Academy, I am sworn to secrecy about my Oscar votes. Read more

Harry Potter Movie Fans Should Watch Out for Cybercriminals

by jessica on Sat, 2010-11-13 05:00


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows threat screengrab

The November 19th release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is set to be one of the biggest films of the year in a dramatic end to one of Hollywood's largest franchises, but security software company PC Tools warns fans – be careful when you search.

Cybercriminals are targeting unsuspecting fans for identity fraud and spam with websites popping up in online searches promising to offer a free download of the movie, and fake users of the sites are posting attractive blog comments like "Me and my wife watched this movie here. This movie is great =)"

Here's how the scam works:

  • First, a user searches for previews and other release information for Harry Potter online
  • Results claiming to offer a free download of the new movie appear
  • Users are directed to complete "offers" asking them to give away personal information or download a potentially malicious toolbar that may collect personal IDs and passwords.
  • Here, users are asked to fill in personal details and are informed they may also be able to win an iPad
  • Once personal details are entered and the registration is activated, users are then asked to enter a survey, after which the web page remains stuck in a "checking for completion" phase
Read more

Best Buy Unveils Movie Mode Mobile App

by jessica on Mon, 2010-06-14 13:28


Best Buy Movie Mode App

Best Buy today unveiled a mobile application designed to "transform the way moviegoers engage and interact with the films they enjoy." Dubbed Best Buy Movie Mode, the free app will work first with the July 9 release of the RealD 3-D CGI feature "Despicable Me."

The app acts as a translator during the theatrical end credits for the special language of the Minions, the movie's alien characters. The app will also translate the Minion language throughout the entire movie on Best Buy's exclusive "Despicable Me" DVD, when it is released later this year.

A phone in Best Buy Movie Mode automatically dims the mobile screen, silences the ringer and discourages texting while viewing the movie as well.Read more

Best Buy Launches Online Movie Service

by jessica on Tue, 2010-05-18 10:05


Best Buy

Best Buy today announced CinemaNow, its new digital video service which will give customers instant access to new release movies and TV shows.

The service will initially be available on LG connected Blu-ray players purchased from Best Buy, and will be available on additional devices from various manufacturers, including Insignia, later this year.

Connected devices from Best Buy with CinemaNow will have the ability to buy or rent from a library of new release movies and TV shows, with no subscription required. Movie rentals will be $2.99 - $3.99 per movie and purchases at $9.99 to $19.99.

"With the introduction of CinemaNow, Best Buy continues our commitment to evolve with our customers as their demand for digital entertainment grows," said Chris Homeister, senior vice president of entertainment for Best Buy. "The convenience, selection and flexibility of the CinemaNow service offers customers more freedom in the way they choose to consume entertainment from Best Buy. This service, which complements our existing suite of digital entertainment brands, will be available to customers in their homes and on-the-go through a broad array of devices and will be brought to life in store with the help of our Blue Shirts and Geek Squad Agents."

Win Gladiator on Blu-ray and a PS3 Prize Pack

by jessica on Tue, 2010-03-30 14:49


Gladiator on Blu-ray

Blu-ray Unleashed just announced a new giveaway. Head on over to www.facebook.com/BlurayUnleashed to enter to win Gladiator on Blu-ray and a PlayStation 3 prize pack consisting of the "Resistance: Fall of Man" PS3 game and two PS3 dualshock 3 wireless controllers!

Prize Details: One winner will receive one copy of Gladiator on Blu-ray and a Playstation 3 prize pack containing one copy of the "Resistance: Fall of Man" Playstation 3 game and two Playstation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controllers. You must reside in the United States and be at least 18 years old to enter. The sweepstakes starts March 30, 2010 at 09:30 am (PDT) and ends April 01, 2010 at 09:29 am (PDT). Read the Official Rules here.

Blu-ray Unleashed has been giving tons of prizes away lately. So far the company has given away The Fourth Kind and Couples Retreat on Blu-ray....there's no telling what's next! Want to stay up to date on all giveaways and Blu-ray news? Become a fan of Blu-ray Unleashed on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Best Buy to Launch Video-on-Demand Service

by jessica on Thu, 2010-03-04 16:31


Best Buy

According to a post on Best Buy's Reward Zone Twitter account, the company will be launching a new video-on-demand service called Blue Sky Video.

"Blue Sky Video is actually something that will be coming out soon and there will be more information to follow shortly", a Best Buy employee named Sarah posted to the Reward Zone Twitter account earlier this week.

All of the specifics as far as availability etc. wasn't mentioned but Dow Jones Newswires said that the service will allow Reward Zone Premier Silver members "one free movie rental download each month."

We'll keep you posted.

Sony Gives BRAVIA Buyers Early Rental of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

by jessica on Tue, 2009-11-10 15:05


Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Sony has announced they will offer owners of BRAVIA HDTVs and Blu-ray players the opportunity to rent "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" a month before it is available at retail stores.

Those who purchase a networked BRAVIA HDTV or Blu-ray Disc player and register the device between Nov. 9, 2009 and Jan. 4, 2010, will receive a free 24-hour rental of the movie in HD. The movie will become available on December 8, 2009.

If you already own a networked BRAVIA HDTVs or have earlier BRAVIA models equipped with the BRAVIA Internet Video Link, the movie will be available to rent from Dec. 8, 2009 through Jan. 4, 2010, for $24.95. Read more

Blockbuster to Offer OnDemand Movies on Motorola Phones

by jessica on Fri, 2009-08-21 07:00


Blockbuster logo

Blockbuster and Motorola announced this week that the Blockbuster OnDemand service will be coming to Motorola phones. Motorola handset owners will be able to access and download thousands of movies that are available through the OnDemand service.

Important to note, this is the first time Blockbuster has jumped on the mobile video bandwagon. Perhaps it will give Apple some competition? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Pricing information, when the service will be available, and which Motorola handsets will have this service has not yet been announced. Read more

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