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Did NBC's promotional shove help or hurt 3D?

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 3rd 2009 at 9:44AM


Love it or hate it, 3D has been on a tear in 2009, and it enjoyed the biggest audience yet over the last two nights with a quick Super Bowl ad and follow up hour long 3D episode of Chuck, both on NBC. However, given the mixed opinions, and the questionable tech used to bring 3D to homes that aren't really equipped to deal with it, we're not sure if the movement went forward or backwards last night. Our friends at Cinematical and TV Squad have chipped in opinions on the Monsters vs. Aliens promo (embedded after the break) and special TV event, but what about you? As a glasses-only affair it required an audience a bit more prepared than usual than usual for TV, and there were plenty of chances for problems and misunderstanding. PR reps for theater 3D companies were quick to point out their stereoscopic technology provides much higher quality (we agree) than you saw on NBC, and while that begs the question why bother at all, it seems like the chance to seed the potential of 3D -- even with a subpar anaglyph display -- was too big of an opportunity to ignore.

Read - I don't care what NBC is saying... 3D on TV still doesn't work
Read - Poll: Did You Like The 3D Superbowl Movie Commercials?

Continue reading Did NBC's promotional shove help or hurt 3D?

Monsters vs. Aliens 3D promo gets detailed

by Darren Murph posted Jan 4th 2009 at 9:25PM


For those searching for a few more details on how exactly the Monsters vs. Aliens 3D trailer will be seen on Super Bowl Sunday, you've arrived at the right place. According to a new AP report on the topic, around 150 million 3D glasses will be given away for free at Pepsi / SoBe Life Water displays at 28,000 locations including grocery, drug and electronics stores and big-box retailers -- in other words, you shouldn't have to look hard to find 'em. The three minute promo will utilize Intel's InTru 3D and ColorCode 3-D technologies, which are said to be far superior to the old red-blue Anaglyph system. In fact, those without 3D glasses will still be able to make out what's going on. Oh, and if you were even the slightest bit curious as to how serious DreamWorks Animation is about pulling this off, get a load of this: the outfit's CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg is calling the stunt "perhaps the biggest media-advertising event in history," noting that it will involve "tens of millions of dollars." Gulp.

[Image courtesy of AP Photo/Matt Sayles]

Monsters vs. Aliens trailer, Chuck to air in 3D in February on NBC

by Darren Murph posted Jan 3rd 2009 at 11:27PM


This won't come as any surprise to folks watching the absolutely thrilling Chargers vs. Colts matchup on NBC, but 3D has officially hit the mainstream. NBC has been feverishly pushing a 3D airing of a Monsters vs. Aliens trailer on Super Bowl Sunday, and a 3D episode of Chuck will follow later in February. We were even blasted with a shot of Jerome Bettis rockin' some super ugly 3D glasses, of which you'll be able to procure yourself for free in the coming weeks at select Pepsi and Sobe kiosks. Obviously, since the ads were shown to all watching tonight's tilt, no special television will be needed to enjoy the eye-popping content; now, let's just wait and see if any 3D clips are snuck into the actual Super Bowl.

[Via TVByTheNumbers]

Blu-ray releases on November 11th 2008

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Nov 10th 2008 at 2:34PM

Hell Boy 2 Blu-rayJust when we thought there wasn't another comic book movie this holiday season until The Dark Knight, along comes Hellboy, which we somehow forgot about. It's available both in regular and extra geeky, the latter will set you back another $20, but while both include a digital copy, only the Collector's Edition includes a scary looking figurine and we're not sure what else. Also this week, Weinstein has the made for TV movie about the NASCAR legend, Dale Earnhardt, which is sure to be a popular stocking stuffer for Blu-ray NASCAR fans -- not sure how many of those there are. Star Wars fans can look forward to the animated feature Star Wars: The Clone Wars, while WW2 junkies can can relive Band of Brothers for the first time on Blu-ray. That isn't the only TV show series this week though, as Warner has both the first season of Chuck and the third season of Supernatural. And finally, Fox offers up the first, and regrettably, the only season of Firefly.

HDTV Listings for September 29, 2008

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 29th 2008 at 4:33PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • NBC (1080i) has the season premiere of Chuck at 8 p.m., Heroes at 9 p.m. and season premiere of Life at 10 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) lines up The Big Bang Theory at 8 p.m., followed by How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Worst Week and CSI: Miami
  • ABC (720p) has Dancing with the Stars at 8 p.m. and Boston Legal at 10:01 p.m.
  • Fox (720p) brings Terminator: SCC at 8 p.m. followed by Prison Break
  • CW (1080i) has Gossip Girl at 8 p.m. followed by One Tree Hill
  • ESPN (720p) presents Monday Night Football with Ravens/Steelers at 8:30 p.m.
  • USA (1080i) has WWE: Raw at 9 p.m.
  • Mojo HD (1080i) drops in Pressure Cook at 9 p.m.
  • TNT (1080i) has Raising the Bar at 10 p.m.
  • HBO (1080i) presents Taxi to the Dark Side at 9 p.m.

Best Buy employees compare real store to Chuck's 'Buy More'

by Darren Murph posted Sep 18th 2008 at 8:29PM


We know, it's off the beaten path a bit, but Sound & Vision's latest writeup comparing the actual Best Buy with 'Buy More' in NBC's quasi-hit Chuck was too good to ignore. The site rounded up a couple of Best Buy / Geek Squad employees and asked them to compare their experiences with scenes in the show. Comically enough, we learn that at least some Squaders do indeed joyride in their company car, employees actually do have to undergo training to interact with and persuade customers, and yes, workers are beaten over the head with selling those ridiculous replacement plans. If you're in need of a chuckle (ahem), there's quite a few waiting in the read link.

HDTV Listings for September 24, 2007

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 24th 2007 at 3:12PM

What we're watching: ABC, NBC and CBS are rolling out their fall premieres, with several returning shows and a few brand new ones. In between standbys like DWTS and Heroes, keep an eye out for the series premieres of Chuck, The Big Bang Theory and Journeyman.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

Continue reading HDTV Listings for September 24, 2007





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