TV, Movies & Home Theatre - Page 41

Ready Player One is one of the most-anticipated movies of 2018, with Steven Spielberg dipping the movie in so much 1980s pop culture that fans of the book are going to have their minds blown.

The first full trailer to Ready Player One has been revealed, showing off more of the world and the CGI-fest that it looks like it'll be (how else would they show off OASIS, the virtual world inside of RPO).

For eagle-eyed gamers, they'll notice that there's a quick flash of an Overwatch character (seriously, it's less than a second or so). The new trailer really shows off much more of the movie, hopefully without giving too much of it away. I'm expecting some bigger surprises in the full movie, so I'm holding off from here on out.

We all know how addictive Netflix is and how much everyone binge watches everything, but I didn't know there was a huge 1 billion hours of content streamed per week in 2017... a huge, huge milestone for the streaming giant.

Netflix announced that as of Q3 2017 they had over 109 million subscribers, with just under half of those in the US. Each and everyday Netflix is seeing over 140 million hours of content streamed, pushing the 1 billion hours per week number into the stratosphere.

If we consider that Netflix users were streaming 42.5 billion hours of content in 2015 from their 74.7 million users, Netflix has ballooned out in the last two years. This means that with over 1 billion hours per week of content being streamed, every single account is watching an average of 570 hours of Netflix content every year. Crazy.

According to a report from Bloomberg Netflix will be producing a 'choose your own adventure' TV show designed for adults. This decision by Netflix came after a good response in the kids version of the 'choose your own adventure' genre, 'Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale' and 'Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile' both allow for viewers to choose how each story evolves.

The very same principle of allowing the viewer to decide how the story evolves will be added to a new TV series that Netflix is creating, but this time it will be for adults and not children. Giving viewers the option of a 'choose your own adventure' kind of TV show means that viewers will be able to choose a specific storyline, follow it to the end and then re-watch the series from a different perspective granting a entirely new different ending.

Netflix already plans to spend a very large sum of $7 - $8 billion on programming for 2018 and being the largest TV streaming service, Netflix will live up to its title by releasing 30 local-language scripted series and 80 movies. Kids have not been forgotten either, Netflix plans to also product 60 kids TV shows and some animated movies to accompany them as well.

It has only been a few weeks since WB's release of Justice League, which hasn't been doing too well (and Superman's mouth has seen better days) - but now Marvel have dropped the hammer with the first official trailer to Avengers: Infinity War.

Avengers: Infinity War continues to epic tale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a new enemy: Thanos the Mad Titan, which is voiced by the legendary Josh Brolin. Avengers: Infinity War has a release date of May 4, 2018 which isn't too far away and will see most of our beloved MCU characters duking it out. The story is so epic, it'll culminate in the second release on May 3, 2019.

I'm pumped for the movie, but need to see more of it before my hype meter blows up. Let me know what you thought about the trailer in the comments below.

After weeks of rumors, Amazon has confirmed it is going to make a Lord of the Rings TV show, as they've acquired the global TV rights to LotR property. Amazon has signed a multi-season commitment of the series, which will be set in Middle Earth and explore new storylines in timelines that happen before 'The Fellowship of the Ring'.

The deal includes the possibility of a spin-off series, with the new Amazon Prime Original series to be produced by Amazon Studios in cooperation with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line Cinema. Tolkein Estate and Trust and HarperCollins rep Matt Galsor said: "The team at Amazon Studios have exceptional ideas to bring to the screen previously unexplored stories based on J.R.R. Tolkien's original writings".

The upcoming Lord of the Rings TV show will be available as an Amazon Prime Original for Amazon Prime members, where they'll be able to stream the TV series through the Amazon Prime Video app for TVs, including Amazon Fire TV, mobile devices, and the web.

The rumors of a Lord of the Rings TV show just won't stop, but now we're looking at the business side of things and just how much money something like this could cost. Rumor has it, Amazon could pay $200-$250 million for the rights to Lord of the Rings alone.

Amazon and Netflix are both reportedly in talks with Warner Bros. TV and the J.R.R. Tolkien estate about the show, with HBO rejecting The Lord of the Rings TV show because of its exorbitant cost. Deadline is reporting that it could cost somewhere as high as $150 million per season, on top of the $200-$250 million to whoever wins the rights to it.

Considering The Lord of the Rings trilogy made $2.9 billion, 11 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director... this doesn't seem that much to spend. But, after 4-5 seasons it would be bumping through that $1 billion cost. Amazon can take it, and so can Netflix... but will they use the same actors, or change it up?

I said to myself a few days ago that I wouldn't watch the final trailer to Justice League, I said to myself that I have self control... well, I was wrong. Warner Bros. has released the final trailer to Justice League, and I've got to say... I'm beyond pumped.

The trailer really covers the death of Superman and how it has affected the world, with the trailer opening in Smallville - well, at least in Lois's mind. Lois is dreaming of Clark, which is a very emotional scene. The trailer cuts to Lois waking up realizing that it was a dream, to the TV saying that crime, violence, terror, and war are all on the rise - in the post-Superman world.

Bruce tells Diana that he's been dreaming of something dark coming to Earth, and that he needs to build a team to be prepared. Bruce tells the other heroes that "divided, we are not enough". Bruce continues, saying: "the world needs Superman, and I made him a promise, which is why I've brought you together".

There are hundreds of millions of Netflix users, with most of them using the most popular $9.99 per month plan.

Netflix has just increased this plan by $1 per month to $10.99 per month, while the Ultra HD plan goes from $11.99 per month to $13.99 per month. While consumers probably aren't happy with the news, Netflix stock reached an all-time high of $194.39 after the price increase news was released.

Are you happy with the price increase?

Ah, Apple... you sneaky devils. When the company announced their new 4K-capable Apple TV, they left out an important fact: you can't download 4K movies to watch them later, you have to stream them.

Apple will let you watch 4K versions of your movies on the new Apple TV, but having to stream them while letting you download HDR and Dolby Vision, and even HD streams, just doesn't sound right. So if your internet connection isn't up to scratch at the time, or there's congestion at certain times of the day - oh well, you won't be able to watch 4K movies because you can't download them before hand.

In Apple's own support document, they state: "You can download a local copy of an HD movie, and you might be able to download HDR and Dolby Vision versions, but you can't download a 4K version". You'll also need a 25Mbps connection in order to stream 4K in the first place.

The last few Terminator movies haven't been good at all, but now there's a new Terminator movie on the way from Skydance and Paramount.

During a private event, James Cameron announced the news of a new Terminator movie that would see the return of Linda Hamilton, who was last scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Cameron said: "As meaningful as she was to gender and action stars everywhere back then, it's going to make a huge statement to have that seasoned warrior that she's become return".

He continued: "There are 50-year-old, 60-year-old guys out there killing bad guys", in reference to older actors still making big action movies, finishing by adding "but there isn't an example of that for women".

Wonder Woman has become the #5 superhero movie of ALL TIME, hitting $408 million in box office numbers in the US according to estimates from comScore.

These numbers are just for the US box office, where #4 is The Dark Knight Rises with $448 million, #3 is Avengers: Age of Ultron. Wonder Woman can't beat these numbers, but hitting #5 is an achievement in itself. Here's the top 5 superhero movies of all time in the US:

If you look at the numbers, DC now has 3 of the top 5 movies in the #5 superhero movies of all time in the US... a huge achievement considering the amount of movies in the MCU including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the two Avengers movies - oh and Guardians of the Galaxy. Wonder Woman deserves its coveted spot, so let's hope this leads positively into Justice League which drops in November.

Apple is expected to unveil their new 4K-capable Apple TV on September 12, with reports coming out that Apple hasn't finalized deals with movie studios for 4K content.

In order for the new Apple TV to be successful in pushing 4K content, there needs to be a decent sized library of 4K content, right? You can pay $11.99 for Netflix which lasts an entire month with unlimited playback of not just the huge library of TV shows and movies, but a continuously expanding library of 4K content as well.

Apple is reportedly looking to charge $20 per 4K movie, which is quite expensive in comparison to current digital 4K content services. Apple has secured big deals at the last minute before, where back in 2010 the company secured huge book publishers within days of launching iBooks.

The upcoming release of Terminator 2: Judgment Day on UHD Blu-ray will be one of the biggest releases of the year, featuring a beautiful 4K restoration of one of the best action movies ever made.

T2 on 4K Blu-ray comes in a $175 edition that includes a life-size T-1800 endoskeleton arm, which even rocks James Cameron's signature. There will be only 6000 of the limited edition Terminator 2: Judgment Day 4K Blu-ray packs made available, and at $175 they should be pretty damn quickly.

The new 4K Blu-ray pack includes a new documentary Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger ("Uncle Bob"), Edward Furlong {"John Connor") and other cast members. Even at $180, it's not that expensive when compared against the $330 pack that was packaged with a 6-disc Blu-ray and chrome skull.

If you haven't experienced 4K Blu-ray in all of its pixel glory... you really owe it to yourself. On the right TV, the high-res 4K Blu-ray content looks absolutely amazing. One of the best experiences so far is Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but now Marvel and Disney are getting into the 4K Blu-ray game.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 director, James Gunn, took to Facebook that the first Disney movie that will be released not just in 4K but HDR, will be the awesome Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, a perfect release considering he shot the movie with Red's slick Weapon 8K camera. Gunn explained: "4K Ultra HD is almost certainly the best way you can see this movie at home - with more definition and the most vibrant colors possible on your home screen, and with the brightest brights and the blackest blacks. A being composed of light truly appears to be a being composed of light!".

Ben Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms, uh - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, with his portrayal as Batman being one of the best received - even after the job Christian Bale did in The Dark Knight Trilogy.

It wasn't long ago that we reported on Aquaman being penciled in for an October 2018 release, but now Den of Geek are reporting that the solo Batman movie will be released in summer 2018. Warner Bros. has previously teased that two DC movies would be released in 2018 - the first, on July 27 - the second, on October 5.

Warner Bros. has confirmed Aquaman for October 2018, so it looks like Batman could be the summer tentpole movie for DC and Warner Bros. in 2018.

Hollywood makes billions of dollars a year with just a handful of movies, but what would happen if massive releases were thrown onto the market two weeks after they debut at cinemas?

According to sources of Bloomberg, Hollywood studios are working on new plans that would see rentals of their new movies released two weeks after they hit cinemas. Bloomberg's sources said the rentals would be quite expensive, priced somewhere between $25 and $50 - but if you saw a new movie with a few friends or family members, it would exceed that price easily.

Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara said during an investor conference this week that he has plans for a new home movie plan, and that he and his studio are ready for premium rentals. Tsujihara said: "We're working with them to try and create a new window. But regardless of whether it happens or not - whether we are able to reach that agreement with them, we have to offer consumers more choices earlier".

Warner Bros. has finally given the standalone Aquaman movie a release date, with October 5, 2018 being slotted in according to Deadline.

Aquaman is being directed by James Wan, who has directed Furious 7, Saw, The Conjuring, Death Sentence and more. Aquaman was teased briefly in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice earlier this year, with Jason Momoa reprising his role in Justice League next year.

Wan has teased Aquaman: "I kind of don't want to give too much away but know this: The spirit that I'm going for is like a classic sort of swashbuckling action adventure, sort of high seas adventure story. It's ultimately a quest story in the spirit of Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Romancing the Stone".

Netflix is finally beginning to hit the PC with 4K content, but you're going to be locked to using Windows 10, and more horribly - Microsoft's not-so-popular Edge browser.

It's a massive limitation, and unlike the source of this news - The Next Web, which report that it could be Microsoft made this move to "ensure battery efficiency", as not every person has a laptop with a 4K display. The problem is, the current limitation of Netflix resolution support is 1080p, with the next step being 4K.

Worse yet, you'll require Intel's next-gen Kaby Lake processor to play 4K content for now. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. Microsoft must have paid a considerable sum to Netflix for this stupid exclusive crap, and so did Intel. Microsoft's expensive new, super-awesome Surface Studio rocks a gorgeous 4500x3000 display... and thanks to it not rocking Intel's 7th-gen Kaby Lake architecture, 4K streams aren't going to work with Netflix.

The best cinema experience I've ever had was seeing Interstellar in IMAX, thanks to Christopher Nolan shooting the movie in 70mm - so the news that Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow shooting Star Wars: Episode 9 in 65mm has me beyond excited, and I'm not even a Star Wars fan.

Shooting movies in 65mm provides an IMAX level of quality and resolution, so the final product is a crisper look when played through projectors and on massive TVs. The grain from 35mm was present in J.J. Abrams' The Force Awakens, but that won't be the case in Episode 9 - as 65mm will result in hyper-realistic detail.

Chief Marketing Officer and President of Kodak's Consumer and Film Division, Steve Overman, said that as more directors are taking advantages from the technology available, better and higher quality films are being made. There are large advantages to using traditional film over digital, with Interstellar from Christopher Nolan and his upcoming work on Dunkirk to impress thanks to Nolan's love of film.

Netflix is splashing around some big money for its upcoming 1970s hip-hop drama 'The Get Down', with costs of around $16 million per episode - and with the 12-episode order, we're looking at a total of $190 million for the show.

Baz Luhrmann is behind the project, as he has co-created the musical drama that is set in New York during the 70s, with iconic musicians like Nas and Grandmaster Flash thrown into the mix, and Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, and Pulitzer-winning writer Stephen Adly Guirgis, as well as the massive sets and huge cast, as Slashfilm reports: "there was no way this show was ever going to be cheap".

Deadline is reporting from their sources that Netflix is paying around $16 million per episode, and if we compare this to the $10 million per episode of Game of Thrones in S6, HBO wins by a long shot. Variety reports that The Get Down was originally budgeted with $7.5 million per episode, but Lurhmann pushed for more and more, leading to the $16 million per episode number. But are the numbers on Netflix's side?