This is probably the future for “films” unfortunately.  Apple has announced and unveiled its new movie download system intefrated for use with iTunes.  Jobs announced yesterday that all future films made by Disney’s four studios (Disney Tune, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax) will be available on iTunes for as low as $9.99 per download.  Besides future films, 75 additional older titles will also be available.

     Here’s how the pricing system will work: brand new movies will be sold at $12.99 for pre-orders and the week of release.  They will then jump to $15 after the first week.  It’s the older films that will be $10.

     Several studios did not jump on the wagon insisting that the price was too low and would hurt DVD sales.

      iTunes is not the first to offer downloadable movies.  Other services like cinemanow.com, vongo.com and others have already started this service and at lower prices, but with the same problems of quality and availability.

     Here’s my two cents…
     Why would I download a movie from iTunes that I cannot watch on my TV (you have to watch on your computer monitor) without purchasing the new iTV component for $300?  The download is of inferior quality, does not come with any extras (commentaries, blooper reels, trailers, interviews, documentaries, etc.), is not available in 5.1 surround sound and has to be watched at my desk.  Not to mention it lacks the artwork and smell of a brand new DVD.  All of this for pretty much the same price as actually buying the DVD that comes with all these extras and quality.  If it was $4 dollars, or the average price of a rental, I might re-consider.

     I agree that this is a step in the right direction; that movie downloads is the wave of the future and probably will step up in service and quality; while stepping down in price.  But for now, I’m just not ready to accept this ludicrous new deal.

from movieweb.com…
     On November 28, Warner Bros will be releasing the ultimate Superman boxset.  The 14-disc set will include all four original Christopher Reeve, Superman films as well as a special edition version of each, plus the Richard Donner cut of Superman II (of which, 20-40% has never been seen). 

     I can’t see myself buying this huge set, but I can’t wait to see the Donner cut of Superman II.  This was the best of the series in my opinion and I can’t wait to see all the unseen footage from the director who was fired from the gig oh so many years ago.
[via]   

     The Academy of Motions Pictures Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that Ellen DeGeneres has been tapped to host next year’s Oscars.  Ellen has hosted the Emmy’s twice and the Grammy’s twice, so she has the experience and in my opinion, the wit, charm and humor to pull it off well.

     I think the only fault here is that she is not a true movie personality.  She has done a couple of bit parts in smaller films (EdTV) and voiced characters in the films Dr. Doolittle and Finding Nemo.  Besides that, she has her talk show and her short-lived sitcom, Ellen.  So she has roots firmly planted in television, but not film.  I would’ve liked to see someone solidified in the movie industry to host the Oscars. 

     A couple of ideas running through my head would be Robin Williams, Steve Martin, Steve Carell, Christopher Walken, or mostly, I’d like to see Billy Crystal return.  He’s been my favorite and he has the experience.  I also think Jon Stewart should be given a second chance as he really started to warm up last year by the end of the night and deserves another shot.  But quite honestly, the Oscars have a lot more to worry about than the host when it comes to a quality show.  I won’t even go there.  You can read my re-cap of last year’s show if you want that rant.

The MoviePatron web blog is back up and on it’s own server. No more blogger or blogspot.  This is a new and improved version of the old blog.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think of the style and look.  It can be changed and edited very easily, so send in some suggestions.

Some new features include the ability to categorize stories into various subjects.  You can find these categories in the toolbar to the left to more easily find something you may be looking for.  Also, special posts may be listed as a page number - also in the upper left. You can also browse posts by clicking on the calendar dates on the left.  This is all very new, so enjoy and check back soon for more info and news items that I find noteworthy,  Updates from the Toronto After Dark Film Festival will be posted here in October as well, so be sure to follow that.

 It’s very late and I must retire now.  More posts coming very soon.

~Drewbacca
MoviePatron.com