Edit: I did not mean to include the remake of Bad News Bears. It was supposed to link to the original. The problem has been fixed, and those responsible have been sacked.
Baseball has been very, very good to movies. And vice versa. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of the game, you probably love at least a couple of movies about it. There are a few good flicks about football, basketball, hockey, etc. — and one mindbogglingy fantastic film about arm wrestling — but there are tons of great baseball movies.
Since the MLB season is in full swing (wordplay!) and the NCAA tournament is just getting started, I thought I’d share my top ten baseball movies:
1) The Natural
2) Field of Dreams
3) Bull Durham
4) Bang the Drum Slowly
5) The Pride of the Yankees
6) Eight Men Out
7) A League of Their Own
8) The Sandlot
9) The Bad News Bears
10) Major League
For even more on hardball, check out our Baseball Movies & TV List.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The resurgence of 3-D
Today we have a guest blogger: Scott Hinze, Web Content Producer here at Blockbuster Online.
Monsters! Aliens! Commercials! They’re all popping out of movie and television screens in 3-D this year. Some call it a gimmick. Others believe it could revolutionize the way movies are made and consumed. But regardless of your personal tastes on the eye-popping phenomenon, one thing is clear: it’s coming right for us!
Before this year’s over-hyped Super Bowl ads, even before Disney’s Captain EO, 1950s America was captivated by 3-D’s anaglyphic images in titles like Robot Monster, Kiss Me Kate, It Came from Outer Space and the original House of Wax. Half a century ago, it was no fad — in theaters across the country, the 3-D movement was seen as just as viable a step-up in the viewing experience as color and sound. During the Cold War, as people became nostalgic for the innocence of the sci-fi flicks of the 50s, a new wave of 3-D movies hit theaters, pairing the flinch-inducing effect with the super-popular horror genre to produce Parasite, Friday the 13th Part 3, Amityville 3-D, and Starchaser: The Legend of Orin. There was, however, a massive gap between 1991’s Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare and 2003’s Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, when emerging computer graphic effects artists weren’t experimenting with 3-D. But once Hollywood’s computers were upgraded, IMAX and conventional theaters began to see profits in making the expensive conversion to support 3-D films. The trend slowly continued with releases like The Polar Express, Chicken Little, Beowulf and other big-budget animated movies.
This year, 3-D flicks have captured the attention of movie-goers (arguably) more than any other time, and the heads of both DreamWorks and Disney have caught on. Both animation houses will now be making all of their releases in 3-D. For 2009 alone, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, Coraline, Jonas Brothers, Monsters Vs. Aliens, Battle for Terra, Up, Ice Age 3, Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince, G-Force, Final Destination: Death Trip 3-D, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Avatar will all be available in full 3-D glory. Grab your glasses and prepare for low-flying objects — this “gimmick” doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere.
Monsters! Aliens! Commercials! They’re all popping out of movie and television screens in 3-D this year. Some call it a gimmick. Others believe it could revolutionize the way movies are made and consumed. But regardless of your personal tastes on the eye-popping phenomenon, one thing is clear: it’s coming right for us!
Before this year’s over-hyped Super Bowl ads, even before Disney’s Captain EO, 1950s America was captivated by 3-D’s anaglyphic images in titles like Robot Monster, Kiss Me Kate, It Came from Outer Space and the original House of Wax. Half a century ago, it was no fad — in theaters across the country, the 3-D movement was seen as just as viable a step-up in the viewing experience as color and sound. During the Cold War, as people became nostalgic for the innocence of the sci-fi flicks of the 50s, a new wave of 3-D movies hit theaters, pairing the flinch-inducing effect with the super-popular horror genre to produce Parasite, Friday the 13th Part 3, Amityville 3-D, and Starchaser: The Legend of Orin. There was, however, a massive gap between 1991’s Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare and 2003’s Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, when emerging computer graphic effects artists weren’t experimenting with 3-D. But once Hollywood’s computers were upgraded, IMAX and conventional theaters began to see profits in making the expensive conversion to support 3-D films. The trend slowly continued with releases like The Polar Express, Chicken Little, Beowulf and other big-budget animated movies.
This year, 3-D flicks have captured the attention of movie-goers (arguably) more than any other time, and the heads of both DreamWorks and Disney have caught on. Both animation houses will now be making all of their releases in 3-D. For 2009 alone, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, Coraline, Jonas Brothers, Monsters Vs. Aliens, Battle for Terra, Up, Ice Age 3, Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince, G-Force, Final Destination: Death Trip 3-D, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Avatar will all be available in full 3-D glory. Grab your glasses and prepare for low-flying objects — this “gimmick” doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Meet Our General Manager
Today we have a special guest blogger: Bob Barr, General Manager of Blockbuster Online. He’ll be writing regularly for the blog. Give him a warm internet welcome!
Finally!!! Or so I overheard my staff say (I haven’t yet told them I have 0-0 hearing — the equivalent of 0-0 vision, which is even better than the 20-20 we all know is considered perfect) when I wrote this, my first of many blog entries to come. I am relatively new to Blockbuster, and you don’t yet know who am I, where I came from, what do I intend to do, yada yada. So I thought I’d start by introducing myself not simply as the new guy in charge, but as the movie consumer that I am. My:
• All time favorite movie: Dr. Zhivago
• Most recently rented and watched movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still (the recent remake)
• Movie in my briefcase to watch on this trip (currently sitting on a plane): Australia (it’s a long flight, need a long movie)
• Last movie purchase: The Secret Life of Bees (got a lot of points for that one with my wife)
• Next up in my Queue: The Honeymooners: “Classic 39” Episodes 1955 (before I was born and a long story for another blog as to why)
• Number of movies I own: I stopped counting some time ago (think a roomful — I love those 4 for $20 specials we offer online and in our stores)
• Number of movies/TV shows presently in my Queue: 72
• First movie I remember watching in the theater: Goldfinger (it was a Cub Scout field trip while I was living in Europe; my father is retired military)
• Active DVD players in my home: Five
Now, as the new guy in charge, I'll move on with the business of where this post (and others I hope to write pretty regularly) is/are going. You're probably anticipating the standard "under-new-management/can-you-forgive-and-forget-any-poor-experiences-you-might-have-had-in-the-past/let-me-tell-you-about-all-the-things-that-we’re-going-to-do-here-at-blockbuster.com-to-make-your-experiences-wonderful-going-forward" posts. Are you still reading? Phew. Well honestly (you will always get that from me), it is and it isn’t.
I'm not going to say we don't have challenges with our website and online services — I read some (not all) of the email that comes into our Customer Service Department. But we are always working to improve, and I know many of you have been quite satisfied with your service, even writing in to tell us that or offering suggestions for an even better online experience. Thank you to all of you. We will continue to get better, a little every day.
Marathons are run one step and one mile at a time, and start with that very first step. We’ve taken that step, and will run negative splits (for you non-runners, that means we’ll get faster and better as the race goes on). Thanks for being a customer. We do have some great ideas unfolding. And you’ll find out in advance here and on our Twitter page as we launch many new services (like game rental online) in the coming months.
I hope this is a good start to a long relationship. I expect to target most of my blog entries to movies, games and all things digital entertainment that circle in and around my world. In no uncertain terms, I love movies. I watch one, sometimes two movies a night, often rewatching from my growing collection. I’m also re-entering the gaming space — I was a heavier gamer when I was younger. Also, as I checked around, I was told that it might be interesting for me to tell you a little about running this business. Really? Ok. I'll do that as well from time to time. Running this business can be entertaining, too. Talk again soon.
Happy Day…
Bob Barr
Finally!!! Or so I overheard my staff say (I haven’t yet told them I have 0-0 hearing — the equivalent of 0-0 vision, which is even better than the 20-20 we all know is considered perfect) when I wrote this, my first of many blog entries to come. I am relatively new to Blockbuster, and you don’t yet know who am I, where I came from, what do I intend to do, yada yada. So I thought I’d start by introducing myself not simply as the new guy in charge, but as the movie consumer that I am. My:
• All time favorite movie: Dr. Zhivago
• Most recently rented and watched movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still (the recent remake)
• Movie in my briefcase to watch on this trip (currently sitting on a plane): Australia (it’s a long flight, need a long movie)
• Last movie purchase: The Secret Life of Bees (got a lot of points for that one with my wife)
• Next up in my Queue: The Honeymooners: “Classic 39” Episodes 1955 (before I was born and a long story for another blog as to why)
• Number of movies I own: I stopped counting some time ago (think a roomful — I love those 4 for $20 specials we offer online and in our stores)
• Number of movies/TV shows presently in my Queue: 72
• First movie I remember watching in the theater: Goldfinger (it was a Cub Scout field trip while I was living in Europe; my father is retired military)
• Active DVD players in my home: Five
Now, as the new guy in charge, I'll move on with the business of where this post (and others I hope to write pretty regularly) is/are going. You're probably anticipating the standard "under-new-management/can-you-forgive-and-forget-any-poor-experiences-you-might-have-had-in-the-past/let-me-tell-you-about-all-the-things-that-we’re-going-to-do-here-at-blockbuster.com-to-make-your-experiences-wonderful-going-forward" posts. Are you still reading? Phew. Well honestly (you will always get that from me), it is and it isn’t.
I'm not going to say we don't have challenges with our website and online services — I read some (not all) of the email that comes into our Customer Service Department. But we are always working to improve, and I know many of you have been quite satisfied with your service, even writing in to tell us that or offering suggestions for an even better online experience. Thank you to all of you. We will continue to get better, a little every day.
Marathons are run one step and one mile at a time, and start with that very first step. We’ve taken that step, and will run negative splits (for you non-runners, that means we’ll get faster and better as the race goes on). Thanks for being a customer. We do have some great ideas unfolding. And you’ll find out in advance here and on our Twitter page as we launch many new services (like game rental online) in the coming months.
I hope this is a good start to a long relationship. I expect to target most of my blog entries to movies, games and all things digital entertainment that circle in and around my world. In no uncertain terms, I love movies. I watch one, sometimes two movies a night, often rewatching from my growing collection. I’m also re-entering the gaming space — I was a heavier gamer when I was younger. Also, as I checked around, I was told that it might be interesting for me to tell you a little about running this business. Really? Ok. I'll do that as well from time to time. Running this business can be entertaining, too. Talk again soon.
Happy Day…
Bob Barr
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Summer Movie Preview
The big box office blockbuster is a rite of summer, like cookouts, family road trips, sunburns, camp, and, here in Texas, holing up like a creepy loner in your air-conditioned home for 4-5 months because it’s eye-meltingly hot with 1000% humidity outside.
This summer is shaping up to be one of the biggest for movie releases. Here are some we’re most anticipating:
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Released 5/1)
I’ve heard good things and not so good things about this movie. Bottom line is that it’s definitely a movie I should see. I need to get on that.
Star Trek (Released 5/8)
I saw this on opening day, and I’ll be seeing it at least one more time before it comes out on DVD (then I will own it forever). JJ Abrams knocked this one out of the park, and that’s coming from someone who grew up watching the Star Trek movies and The Next Generation.
Terminator: Salvation (5/21)
True story: I was at a pub last month when the trailer for this came up on the TV. My waiter immediately stopped everything he was doing and remarked, “If this movie is bad, I’m gonna be SO. ANGRY!” While I’m not as emotionally invested as he, I do think this has a lot of potential.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (5/22)
I liked the first movie, and the cast is even better this time around.
Up (5/29)
It seems like either Pixar or Dreamworks (and sometimes both) have a big animated movie every summer. Which is sweet. Up looks particularly good.
Land of the Lost (6/5)
I was on the fence about this movie, but then I remembered that I like Will Ferrell and love Danny McBride. Hoping for some moments of hilarity.
Dead Snow (6/19)
Quiz: What’s better than zombies? Obvious Answer: Nazi zombies. I’ve been looking forward to this ever since one of our product buyers saw it at Sundance and regaled me with tales of awesomeness.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (6/24)
Wait, when did Michael Bay start making big summer action movies? Did I miss a memo? Anyway, I am a fan of giant robots.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (7/15)
I myself am not a big Potterhead, but my boss would most likely fire me for leaving this off the list. That is, if it actually does release this time. Zing!
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (8/7)
Okay, Hollywood, this is it: another chance to delight my inner child or give him a brutal roundhouse kick to the face. I have high hopes for a G.I. Joe live-action movie.
Is there something you’re looking forward to that I left off the list? Don’t agree with me? Send me an email using the contact link on the right, or hit up our Twitter page. Want to get caught up before you see some of these sequels? Check out our Summer Sequels list.
This summer is shaping up to be one of the biggest for movie releases. Here are some we’re most anticipating:
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Released 5/1)
I’ve heard good things and not so good things about this movie. Bottom line is that it’s definitely a movie I should see. I need to get on that.
Star Trek (Released 5/8)
I saw this on opening day, and I’ll be seeing it at least one more time before it comes out on DVD (then I will own it forever). JJ Abrams knocked this one out of the park, and that’s coming from someone who grew up watching the Star Trek movies and The Next Generation.
Terminator: Salvation (5/21)
True story: I was at a pub last month when the trailer for this came up on the TV. My waiter immediately stopped everything he was doing and remarked, “If this movie is bad, I’m gonna be SO. ANGRY!” While I’m not as emotionally invested as he, I do think this has a lot of potential.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (5/22)
I liked the first movie, and the cast is even better this time around.
Up (5/29)
It seems like either Pixar or Dreamworks (and sometimes both) have a big animated movie every summer. Which is sweet. Up looks particularly good.
Land of the Lost (6/5)
I was on the fence about this movie, but then I remembered that I like Will Ferrell and love Danny McBride. Hoping for some moments of hilarity.
Dead Snow (6/19)
Quiz: What’s better than zombies? Obvious Answer: Nazi zombies. I’ve been looking forward to this ever since one of our product buyers saw it at Sundance and regaled me with tales of awesomeness.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (6/24)
Wait, when did Michael Bay start making big summer action movies? Did I miss a memo? Anyway, I am a fan of giant robots.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (7/15)
I myself am not a big Potterhead, but my boss would most likely fire me for leaving this off the list. That is, if it actually does release this time. Zing!
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (8/7)
Okay, Hollywood, this is it: another chance to delight my inner child or give him a brutal roundhouse kick to the face. I have high hopes for a G.I. Joe live-action movie.
Is there something you’re looking forward to that I left off the list? Don’t agree with me? Send me an email using the contact link on the right, or hit up our Twitter page. Want to get caught up before you see some of these sequels? Check out our Summer Sequels list.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Animation on Blu-ray
We fully-grown adults of the blockbuster.com Content Team are in no way ashamed to admit that we love animation. And why not? Cartoons aren’t just for kids anymore, especially with studios like Pixar and Cartoon Network offering something for everyone in their animated features and series.
But is animation worth watching on Blu-ray? How could you even ask such a question, hypothetical person from the internet? High-def cartoons have vivid color and great sound, not to mention tons of special features that give you a glimpse into the animation process. Want proof? Check out some of the titles below:
Cars
Ratatouille
Pinocchio
Sleeping Beauty
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Venture Bros.
Madagascar
Afro Samurai: Resurrection
Igor
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Batman: Gotham Knight
But is animation worth watching on Blu-ray? How could you even ask such a question, hypothetical person from the internet? High-def cartoons have vivid color and great sound, not to mention tons of special features that give you a glimpse into the animation process. Want proof? Check out some of the titles below:
Cars
Ratatouille
Pinocchio
Sleeping Beauty
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Venture Bros.
Madagascar
Afro Samurai: Resurrection
Igor
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Batman: Gotham Knight
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Classics on Blu-ray
We’ve been talking a lot about newer movies with high-falootin’ special effects that look great on Blu-ray. But they aren’t the only films worth watching in high def. Some of our favorite classic movies will also look fantastic on your HD home theater.
I’m not going to get into too much detail (because I don’t know any of the details), but Hollywood has found a way to make these movies look better than ever:
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Casablanca
The Third Man
Quo Vadis
The Day the Earth Stood Still
The Robe
Beat the Devil
South Pacific
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
How the West Was Won
The Longest Day
The Pink Panther
Becket
The Professionals
The Sand Pebbles
Cool Hand Luke
Planet of the Apes
Patton
The French Connection
Dirty Harry
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Kramer vs. Kramer
Raging Bull
Gandhi
I’m not going to get into too much detail (because I don’t know any of the details), but Hollywood has found a way to make these movies look better than ever:
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Casablanca
The Third Man
Quo Vadis
The Day the Earth Stood Still
The Robe
Beat the Devil
South Pacific
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
How the West Was Won
The Longest Day
The Pink Panther
Becket
The Professionals
The Sand Pebbles
Cool Hand Luke
Planet of the Apes
Patton
The French Connection
Dirty Harry
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Kramer vs. Kramer
Raging Bull
Gandhi
