Hulu is a website which streams videos of movies and television programming from several major film studios and most of the tv networks, including Fox, ABC, and NBC. I guarantee that Hulu.com contains a lot of recent content that you would never imagine showing for free on the Internet.

Hulu Programming – Hulu Homepage

Let me give you some examples. Go to the Hulu homepage and you get a good idea of the video options. There’s an episode of “The Morning After” which debuts on February 2nd (tonight as I write this) in the “Recent Episodes” feature. Other featured videos includes “Popular Clips”, “Popular Shows”, “Featured Content”, and even “My Videos”, which lets you cull the clips you like the most.

Hulu Featured Content

Among the featured videos on Hulu at present, you get your standard fare of Saturday Night Live skits (two SNL clips showing at present), a glimpse at Katy Perry’s appearance on an upcoming tv show, and a feature involving Brooke Burke on the E! Network. As you can tell, watching Hulu clips lets you keep up with American pop culture and entertainment, if that’s important to you.

The video content ranges from the high-minded to the absent-minded. You can watch clips from “Million Dollar Money Drop”, which I have to admit has to actively pursue the worst decision-makers they can find, while the clip just below features a Charlie Rose interview from PBS–which many might find stimulating, but many others might find to be soporific. (I love Charlie Rose, but I might have to go with the crowd on this one, since it involves Barbara Walters.)

You’ll find a whole list of featured programming just on the Hulu homepage. Here’s a list of tv episodes currently featured.

• House Clips on Hulu
• Family Guy Videos on Hulu
• The Bachelor on Hulu
• The Office Clips on Hulu
• The Biggest Loser on Hulu
• Lie to Me on Hulu
• Saturday Night Live Hulu Clips
• Parenthood Hulu Videos

You can also click on the “More” link right beneath these options to find a wider selection. This takes you to the “Most Popular” videos on Hulu, including streaming vids of Greek, Detroit 1-8-7, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Chuck, Naruto Shippuden, E! News Now, Human Target, Modern Family, The Simpsons, and the all-important Glee.

Hulu Movie Trailers

You can also go to Hulu to watch film trailers and previews for both new releases and upcoming releases. For instance, movies like “Just Go With It” starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Nicole Kidman. There’s also the super-hot model Brooklyn Decker (Andy Roddick’s wife–the lucky bastard) in a key role. Sure, this looks like another mailed-in Adam Sandler performance, but anyone interested already knows that. The point being, this is the latest preview of a big release coming up in just over a week’s time.

Other movie trailers being offered include Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never”–in fact, five different clips. There’s also sneak peaks at “Peep World”, starring Rainn Wilson, Sarah Silverman, and Dexter’s Michael C. Hall, and “Today’s Most Popular” entries like Miss March, The Eagle, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Hulu Load Times

People visiting a video website are going to want (and have) a high-speed connection, but Hulu tries to help out where it can. The site is designed with small thumbnails of the clip in question, but they are small enough and the rest of the design is sparse enough to make navigation and connection times reasonable. That’s important, even for those ready to stream videos.

Hulu “Coming Soon” Page

To see what you don’t want to miss in the coming days and weeks, Hulu also offers it’s “Coming Soon” link, which gives a list of episodes and video clips that should be loaded soon. Each day has it’s own list of soon-to-be-added videos, such as Friday (2/04/11), when Bones episode 6.12 (“The Sin in the Sisterhood”), Grey’s Anatomy 7.13 (“Don’t Deceive Me: Please Don’t Go”), and Private Practice 4.12 (“Heaven Can Wait”) all arrive. I should mention that the Grey’s Anatomy episode title may be one of the wimpiest tv program titles I’ve ever seen.

These programs can be arranged according to “Coming Soon”, “Air Date”, or “Latest”. You can also simply “Browse TV”, so you can search Hulu clips in whichever manner best suits your taste and browsing habits.

Who Owns Hulu?

Hulu is owned jointly by “NBC Universal”, “News Corporation” (Rupert Murdoch’s company), and the Disney Corporation in a joint venture to produce Hulu. Disney is the world’s largest media conglomerate, followed by Time Warner (owner of NBC) in the #2 position, and News Corporation in the #3 position. Therefore, Hulu is owned and operated by a joint partnership of the three largest media conglomerates in the world. No wonder Hulu has the best video clips.

How Does Hulu Make Money?

Hulu makes most of its own from advertising sales. Hulu ads are placed briefly at the beginning of video clips and elsewhere on the sites. The video ads are relatively unobtrusive for streaming video ads, and are what you’re used to on many other video websites out there. Hulu also makes money from subscriptions to “Hulu Plus”, which gives additional content options for paid customers, but I imagine that’s a small part of Hulu’s overall revenue stream.

See also:

1. What Is Google Voice?
2. What Is Satellite Radio?
3. What Is a Pedometer?
4. What Is a MMORPG?
5. What Is Nicotine Gum?
6. What Is a Router Table?
7. What Is a Chair Lift?
   

The question “What are some good movies on Netflix instant play” was a lot harder to answer than it is now. That’s because the selection has grown to include many of the first-run blockbusters and new releases on the video rental market. I even know one person who chose the cheapest of the Netflix plans available because he ONLY uses their instant watch capability.

Most people looking for good movies on Netflix already have their by-mail Netflix queue filled up. But with the many new instant viewing options on Netflix, your instant watch queue might be a little limited.

In fact, if you have haven’t watched Netflix streaming videos since their inclusion of Starz Play in late 2008, you may have given up the idea altogether, or you might only have B-movies and bad movies on your viewing list. So I wanted to talk about the latest good movies from Netflix you can find to watch instantly, since the selection is so much better than it used to be.

You might be asking yourself what’s changed so radically in a couple of years. I’ll give you the answer: Starz Play on Netflix.

Watch Instantly

Using Starz Play, a partnership of Netflix and Starz Entertainment, you can watch over 1,000 first-run movies instantly on your tv or home theater system. When you get on the Netflix homepage, click on the link at the top of the page called “Starz Play” to see what’s available. You can use your Wii or XBOX 360 to sync the Starz Play with your tv, or hook up directly to your television set or computer. You might have to click on the link “Instantly to Your TV” and follow the instructions to know what’s required to set up the instant watch option.

Good Movies on Netflix – Instant Queue

Just like you have a Netflix queue for movies you want sent to you through the mail, you can browse the Netflix instant queue library to see what to add to your Netflix Instant Watch Queue.

If you haven’t streamed movies from Netflix in the last couple of years because you thought their selection wasn’t so hot, check out the latest selection through Starz Play. The purpose of this deal was to allow Netflix to show new releases, blockbusters, and A-list movies in their first-run, instead of less mainstream selections. These are big name movies and critically-acclaimed movies from the big studios–not just B-list productions and niche films.

Good Movies on Netflix Instant Watch

This lets you plan a movie watching schedule with your entire family without taking the time to go to the movie rental store or you forgot to put the right movie at the top of your queue, all you have to do is use the instant watching option accessed through your television screen. Here are examples of good family entertainment movies you could choose on Netflix instant watch

• Up (Disney & Pixar)
• The Princess and the Frog
• Alice in Wonderland
• Astro Boy
• Planet 51
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• Dragon Hunters

If you want viewing for your children that the entire family might not actually watch, you can choose from selections like Strawberry Shortcake: The Sky’s the Limit, G-Force, Ponyo, and Care Bears: Big Wish Movie.

Good Movies on Netflix to Watch Instantly

But don’t think Netflix Instant Watching and Starz Play is just about good kids movies. There are hundreds of mainstream films for an adult audience, always entertainment at the top of the mind of a contemporary audience. Below are some good movies on Netflix available for instant viewing.

• Zombieland
• The Proposal
• Law Abiding Citizen
• Dear John
• The Ugly Truth
• The Crazies
• Surrogates
• Year One
• The Taking of Pelham 123 (remake)
• District 9
• Young Victoria

Looking through the list of current instant watch DVDs on Netflix, there are still plenty of lousy movies. I saw a few Rob Schneider films on the list–always a sign of a bad movie. But the bulk of these films are going to be the selections you would be seeing in the new releases section at your local video rental outlet.

Good Movies on Netflix Streaming

You’ll also find many classic films available for streaming on Netflix. Starz Play can interface with televisions, desktop PCs, laptops, Mac computers, iPads, Wii consoles, and XBox consoles. Name just about any standard electronics able to view movies and you can watch excellent movies through Netflix streaming with it.

See also:

1. Netflix Plans and Pricing 2011
2. What Is Starz Play?
3. Netflix VS. Blockbuster
4. What Is Blockbuster Video?
5. Where to Rent Movies
6. DVD Kiosks
7. Watch Movies Online
   

Starz Play is an streaming video service by Starz Entertainment which lets you watch tv, film, and concert videos instantly through providers like Netflix and Verizon.

You can interface through you Wii or XBox, or watch instantly on Microsoft PCs and Macs using the Silverlight Movie Player.

And if you’re a Netflix subscriber, you can stream videos directly through your home theater system or television set.

What Is Starz Channel?

Starz began as a tv channel back in 1994, when it was known as Starz!. Starz is owned by Liberty Starz Encore, and Encore Channel and Starz are considered the flagship stations in the network.

Starz is known for showing first-run motion pictures on its channel. As of 2008, it boasted over 17 million subscribers.

Starz Play Service Netflix

Starz Play service from Netflix is a partnership between Starz Entertainment, LLC and Netflix, Inc to provide streaming videos to all subscribers to the Netflix online video rental service. The deal was brokered in fall of 2008, and gives users access to over a thousand instant watch videos.

At the time the deal was announced, Netflix already had over 12,000 movie and television titles available through their instant queue. What “Starz Play” provides is premium content and new releases. Everyone who streamed videos from Netflix up until a year or two ago can tell you that Netflix’s instant view options were limited to older titles and (generally) low quality and B-list productions. StarzPlay provides quality to go with that quantity.

Starz Play Quality

When I say Starz Play quality, I mean new releases among tv shows, films, and musical performances. I also mean that these are releases from the big production studios, like Sony, Walt Disney, Pixar, Miramax, The Weinstein Company, IFC, and other studios at that level. So Starz Play quality is top quality entertainment.

Starz Play Netflix

Few people know this, but Netflix subscribers have the option to subscribe only to Starz Play for $6.99 a month. To find this option, log into Netflix and go to the homepage. Then click on “Your Account & Help” in the top right-hand corner of the page. Click on the “Change Plan” link, which should be on your right and towards the upper portion of this page. Finally, scroll down to “Limited Plans” and click on “Show Additional Limited Plans”. The $6.99 option should be the last option on the page (as of this writing).

Starz Play Community – Starz Play Wiki

If you want to keep up with the latest developments with Starz Play and Netflix, go the Starz Entertainment official website and register with “My Starz” to join in discussions on the community message boards, custom schedules, rating & favorites, email & SMS reminders, and eNewsletters. You’ll also be able to find Starz on Facebook and Starz on Twitter. I’m not aware of a Starz Play wiki, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one exists.

Starz Play Verizon

“Starz Play” through Verizon costs $5.99 a month for Verizon FiOS or Verizon High Speed Internet subscribers, or $9.99 a month for everybody else. A Starz Play subscription entitles you to over 2,500 films and videos for up to 3 devices per one membership. You can bundle this subscription with Verizon Games to get more savings.

Starz Play Wii

To watch Starz Play Netflix through your Wii console, go to your Netflix homepage. Click on the “Instantly to Your TV” link, which should be in the center of your page towards the top. This takes you to a page with a whole list of options of interfaces. Scroll down the page until you get to the “Wii Console” option, then click the appropriate “Learn More >” link.

This provides quick and easy instructions for setting up your Netflix account to your Wii. You can instantly watch TV titles and film titles stream via Netflix into your game room.

Starz Play Mac

Netflix Instant Viewing is compatible with Apple MacIntosh, too. You’ll need an intel-based Mac with OS 10.4.8 or later, Safari 3 or higher (or Firefox 2 or higher), and 1 GB of Ram. Mac users complained for years that Netflix wasn’t compatible, but a deal was brokered in late 2008. The Microsoft Silverlight Movie Player is now compatible with both PC and Mac.

Starz Play Review

Depending on the method used, Starz Play lets you watch between 1,000 and 2,500 new releases and mainstream films, television show episodes, and musical concerts. The Netflix-Starz partnership is going to continue at least into 2012, and the titles offered are going to continue to be among the best new releases in the video market.

Whether you buy a subscription through Netflix or Verizon, or whether you want to stream through your television, home theater system, cell phone, XBox, or Wii, you can get streaming videos through Starz Play for less than $10 a month.

See also:

1. Netflix Plans and Pricing
2. Netflix Versus Blockbuster
3. What Is Blockbuster Video?
4. Where to Rent Movies Online
5. Rent Movies at DVD Kiosks
6. Where to Watch Movies Online
7. Netflix Pricing Plans (at OnlyGoodMovies.com)
   

This is the time of the year every film lover and Hollywood watcher wants to know who will get Oscar nominations in 2011.

The Academy Awards tend to come in February or March of the next year, but the last weeks of the old year tend to be filled with Oscar speculation.

When the Golden Globe Awards, which honor contributions in movies and television, are given out in early January, many of the winners of the film awards tend to become favorites to win their category on Oscars Night.

We don’t have the Golden Globes to guide us just yet, but we can look at their nominees to get a few ideas about who is getting buzz in the film industry, while making a few educated guesses of our own.

Below are some of the most likely recipients of Academy Award nominees for 2011. I’ll discuss a few of the movies which keep getting attention at the end of these lists.

Best Picture Nominees 2011

• “Black Swan” (Golden Globe Nominee) (See also: Black Swan Movie Interpretation.)
• “The Fighter” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “Inception” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “The Kids Are All Right”
• “The King’s Speech” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “127 Hours”
• “The Social Network” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “Toy Story 3″
• “True Grit”
• “Winter’s Bone”

Best Actor Nominees 2011

• Javier Bardem, “Biutiful”
• Robert Duvall, “Get Low”
• Ryan Gosling, “Blue Valentine” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• James Franco, “127 Hours” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Mark Wahlberg, “The Fighter” (Golden Globe Nominee)

Best Actress Nominees 2011

• Annette Bening, “The Kids Are All Right”
• Sally Hawkins, “Made in Dagenham”
• Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Lesley Manville, “Another Year”
• Natalie Portman, “Black Swan” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Halle Berry, “Frankie and Alice” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Nicole Kidman, “Rabbit Hole” (Golden Globe Nominee)

Best Supporting Actor Nominees 2011

• Christian Bale, “The Fighter” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Matt Damon, “True Grit”
• Andrew Garfield, “The Social Network” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Bill Murray, “Get Low”
• Geoffrey Rush, “The King’s Speech” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Jeremy Renner, “The Town” (Golden Globe Nominee)

Best Supporting Actress Nominees 2011

• Helena Bonham Carter, “The King’s Speech” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Barbara Hershey, “Black Swan”
• Mila Kunis, “Black Swan” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Amy Adams, “The Fighter” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Melissa Leo, “The Fighter” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Miranda Richardson, “Made in Dagenham”
• Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit”
• Jackie Weaver, “Animal Kingdom” (Golden Globe Nominee)

Best Director Nominees 2011

• Darren Aronofsky, ‘Black Swan’ (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Danny Boyle, ’127 Hours’
• David Fincher, ‘The Social Network’ (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Tom Hooper, ‘The King’s Speech’ (Golden Globe Nominee)
• Christopher Nolan, ‘Inception’ (Golden Globe Nominee)
• David O. Russell, “The Fighter” (Golden Globe Nominee)

Bonus Oscar Nominee Coverage

Even though the question is “Who will get Oscar nominations in 2011″, I’ll give you a list of the best documentary and best animated feature nominee hopefuls for 2011, as bonus coverage.

Best Documentary Nominees 2011

• “A Film Unfinished”
• “Casino Jack”
• “Exit Through the Gift Shop”
• “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work”
• “Waiting for “‘Superman’”

Best Animated Feature Nominees 2011

• “How to Train Your Dragon” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “Despicable Me” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “Toy Story 3″ (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “The Illusionist” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “Tangled” (Golden Globe Nominee)

Best Screenplay Nominations – Motion Picture 2011

• “127 Hours” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “The Kids Are All Right” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “The King’s Speech” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “The Social Network” (Golden Globe Nominee)
• “Inception” (Golden Globe Nominee)

Who Will Get Academy Award Nominations in 2011?

• The King’s Speech – Who would think a movie about a man getting a speech therapist to overcome a stammering problem could be so good? When the man is King George VI of England and the actors are Colin Firth, Guy Pierce, and Geoffrey Rush, the film can be pretty darned compelling.
• Inception – Inspired by such concepts as dream incubation and lucid dreaming, and such psychological phenomena as introspection illusion and false memories, this Leonardo Di Caprio vehicle written and directed by Christopher Nolan is a mind trip about people who commit commercial espionage through people’s dreams.
• The Social Network – Biopic about the founders of Facebook. Word has it the producers took huge liberties with these guys stories, as one of the guys says they most sat around in front of computers and worked long hours, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a good story, anyway. Jesse Eisenberg finally does something besides moping throughout a whole movie.
• 127 Hours – A completely different biographical film than The Social Network. This is an intense drama which shows the limits of human endurance, and the limits of the human will to live. James Franco stars as Aron Alston, a mountain climber who got trapped by a boulder during a climb out in Utah. Glad to see James Franco get one of these roles.
• Black Swan – Director Darren Aronofsky considers this film to be a companion piece to his 2008 Oscar darling, The Wrestler. This one is about two rival ballet dancers in a production of Swan Lake. Natalie Portman is best suited to play the White Swan (innocence), while Mila Kunis is best suited to play the Black Swan (guile). The excellent Vincent Cassel plays the director of the production.

See also:

1. Biography Movies
2. Comedy Movies
   
3. How to Write a Screenplay
4. How to Become a Movie Producer
5. National Book Award Winners
6. Good Movies for Teenage Girls
7. Rent Movies Online
   

From the Internet:

1. The Academy Awards – Official Site
2. The Academy Awards at FilmSite.org
3. 2011 Oscar Predictions
   

Netflix recently announced new price plans which go into effect on January 11, 2011, so I wanted to go over the Netflix plans and pricing for 2011. Whether you’re prospective customer to the online DVD rental giant, or a continuing costumer trying to figure out whether to change to a new rental plan, you’ll find data to inform your choices.

Netflix Plans and Prices

There are a variety of Netflix plans and prices, including the traditional DVD rental tiers most people are accustomed to, Netflix plans for blu ray rentals, and streaming-only plans. I’ll go over each of these, giving the latest pricing tiers for 2011 and a comparison of the plans based on a combination of cost and service.

A Netflix executive recently stated that Netflix was now primarily a streaming video company–not the by-mail movie rental company most people perceive–though I’m not sure I agree with that assessment. That’s where Netflix is pointing itself, but the day when most of us stream videos to our tv sets, instead of getting movies in the mail, is still in the future. That future might not be too far down the line, though.

For the time being, I’m going to cover the plans and prices you can rent DVDs and blu ray discs via the snail mail, then discuss the streaming option below.

Netflix Plans – Prices

As of January 11, 2011, here are the new prices for Netflix rental plans.

• 1 DVD out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $10.99 a month
• 2 DVDs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $16.99 a month
• 3 DVDs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $20.99 a month
• 4 DVDs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $28.99 a month
• 5 DVDs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $35.99 a month
• 6 DVDS out at-a-Time - Unlimited Rentals – $42.99 a month
• 7 DVDS out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $49.99 a month
• 8 DVDS out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $56.99 a month
• 1 DVD out at-a-Time – Limit 2 Rentals per Month – $4.99 a month
• Watch Instantly Unlimited – No DVDs – $7.99 a month

Netflix Plans Comparison

Now that you see the full list of Netflix plans, let’s discuss several of the most intriguing options. Let’s get streaming videos out of the way first, since it’s what is on everyone’s mind right now. It’s hard to argue with the deal Netflix is throwing out there for customers.

Netflix Plans – Streaming Only

For $7.99 per month, you can choose to avoid the DVD mail plans altogether. That means you won’t be able to get Netflix movie discs mailed to you. Instead, everything is streamed directly to your television set. You’ll need to have your tv set up to interface with your computer, and that might cost you the money to have someone come out to your home to install and prep the electronics. Once set up, the streaming plan is the easiest and most efficient, and you don’t have to remember to drop off your return videos in the mail.

You can see why Netflix executives are pushing this option. The overhead of dealing with the U.S. Postal Service and having to “throttle” customers who rent too many films for the cost structure is eliminated. You click on a button and Netflix streams the video to your home. I’ve found there are some connection issues at time, but this is clearly the wave of the future. For $7.99, you get unlimited film rentals pumped directly to your television.

I tend to wonder if Netflix isn’t making this the introductory price, to get more people to switch over from the mailing plans, and the price won’t go up, once most people have made the switch. But if you have the electronic set-up at your house, this is the best plan, according to bang-for-your-buck.

Netflix Plans $4.99

Now let’s go to the other end of the spectrum. The most basic Netflix pricing plan is the $4.99 a month for a maximum of 2 rentals. I suppose people and families which watch few movies, but want to avoid the trip to the video rental store, can use this plan. I don’t see why anyone would choose this option, though.

For five dollars more, you can get unlimited rentals, while still having the same number of DVDs out at one time. Even if your family has one movie watching night a week and you want 1 disc per week, the unlimited $9.99 plan is going to service your needs better.

Netflix Plans – Pricing

As for the standard “DVD out at-a-time” plans, the best remains the 3-film plan, in my mind. This is one of the price plans which has gone up in price ($2 from $17.99 a month), but that’s because it’s the most popular one of the bunch. That’s because 3 movies at a time let’s people stagger their movie watching, almost always having a film DVD to watch. With the standard 2-day turnaround on shipping, the three-video plan simply works.

You can choose the bigger plans, especially if you’re a film geek or you have a whole family of movie watchers, but the price increase from 3 to 4 videos is a steep $8. I still wonder at the people who need 8 film rentals out at a time, but those people exist.

I imagine these people should be among the first to get the $7.99 streaming option, since they can take those $48 per month in savings to put towards having someone come out and set up a streaming connection between their computer and television. A couple or three months of savings should more than make up for that expense, and then they’ll be paying eight dollars a month for unlimited rentals (not just 8).

Netflix Plans – Blu Ray

To add blu ray rentals to your option list, pay an additional $4.00 a month. Remember that you’ll need a high-definition television to watch blu ray discs at home. There are also streaming plans or blu ray-only plans available, listed below. By the time January 11, 2011 rolls around, the prices on several of these might have gone up, but these were the latest pricing tiers for blu ray rentals I could find.

• 1 Blu Ray Disc out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $9.99 a month
• 2 Blu Ray Discs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $14.99 a month
• 3 Blu Ray Discs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $19.99 a month
• 4 Blu Ray Discs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $27.99 a month
• 5 Blu Ray Discs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $34.99 a month
• 6 Blu Ray Discs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $41.99 a month
• 7 Blu Ray Discs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $48.99 a month
• 8 Blu Ray Discs out at-a-Time – Unlimited Rentals – $55.99 a month
• 1 Blu Ray Disc out at-a-Time – Limit 2 Rentals per Month – $5.99 a month
• Watch Instantly Unlimited – No Blu Ray Discs – $7.99 a month

Netflix Plans – Cost

Whatever the case might be, Netflix remains the best movie rental company in the world. Netflix rental plans are efficient, on the cutting edge, and scandalously cheap. Who knows whether that remains the case in the years ahead–Blockbuster once was the giant of the film rental industry–but as far as 2011 goes, Netflix plans and pricing remain the best.

See also:

1. Netflix or Blockbuster?
2. Blockbuster Video Movie Rental Stores
3. Rent Movies Online
4. DVD Kiosks
5. Watch Movies Online

On the Internet:

1. Netflix Plans
2. Hacking Netflix
3. GreenCine.com Review
4. GameFly Plans

You hear the term all the time, but you aren’t really sure what it means. What is independent film? Sometimes called “indie” film, independent film is a simple word used to refer to films that are made outside of the realm of Hollywood’s major studios. Independent film is seen as a more pure version of film, as it is separated from the cheapening and immoral influence of Hollywood’s deep pockets.

Independent movies are the perfect antidote to the kinds of films being made by mainstream Hollywood studios. Blockbuster films are starved of the element of truth–shlockfests full of explosions and big name actors making millions of dollars by memorizing lines.

At the beginnings of independent film, they were seen as being “everything that the major film studio films were not”–that means artistic and small as opposed to huge and commercial.  Hollywood sells  films that are “safe”, devoid of true emotion, meant to let the film’s viewer escape into the hugely expensive special effects the film provides.  Indie films are the opposite, small-scale movies meant to show life as it really is. In other words–independent films are films as art rather than films as distraction.

Small Budgets, Big Dreams

An independent film is usually made on a tiny budget. The great independent film directors are well-known for financing their movies in very unconventional ways. The director Robert Rodriguez started his indie career by taking part in medical trials.  One-time indie director turned major studio director Gus Van Sant faked a car accident to get his financing from the insurance company. Indie films are made on money that comes from credit cards, loans from family and friends, and pretty much any other financial source, legal or not.

Why Are Independent Movies So Huge?

In the nineties, independent film gained the popularity of mainstream film. Major studios in the past would not come anywhere near indie films because they lack profitability. A small film company called Miramax was instrumental in changing the studio’s attitude toward Indie– the owners of Miramax, Harvey and Bob Weinstein, realized that they could buy films on the cheap from independent film directors and make large profits.

The success of a number of small-budget indie films in the late 80s and 90s (Sex, Lies and Videotape, Pulp Fiction, and Good Will Hunting being pretty good examples)  changed Hollywood’s attitude toward independent film.

Compared to the studio pictures, indies cost nothing at all, can be shot quickly, and use lots of first-time artists who command lower salaries. Independent movies started grossing in the hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide, and the studios sat up and paid attention.

Film Festivals and Indie Films

The Sundance film festival and other film festivals became the place to see indie films. Big name studio executives from LA began to show up to try and buy up the hot indie films from the festival circuit. Big names like Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith and Gus Van Sant were all broke indie film directors who made some of the highest grossing films for very little money. They were all discovered first on the festival circuit.

Indie Film Directors

The stories of the passion of independent movie directors could fill a book. When indie filmmaker Barbet Schroder was busy making the film Barfly, his production cash was cut off and the film was shut down. According to legend, Schroder visited his  producer with a chainsaw, threatening to cut off his own fingers if the film was not refunded. The film was made, and whether or not the producer was convinced by the chainsaw or not we’ll never know.

How To Tell If a Film Is Independent

It is harder to tell an indie apart from a big-ticket film these days, especially because huge studios are now making indie pictures.

In general, independent films have more lifelike plots, gritty and “realistic” characters and dialogue, and their subject matter is usually darker or more mysterious than with big-ticket films.

List of Independent Movies on DVD

You can find a list of independent movies on DVD at almost every online DVD rental service website, but we recommend Greencine for this.

See also: Odd Films

Blockbuster Video is an American chain of DVD, Blu-ray, and video game rental stores. What started as a single movie rental store at a busy intersection in Dallas, Texas in 1985 eventually became the largest video rental store in the country. Blockbuster had incredible business success well into the early 2000s, but then online video rental stores like Netflix started gaining customers. Customers preferred the convenience of sending and receiving movies and games through the mail, and even when they attempted to create their own warehouse video system like that operated by Netflix and others, it never really caught on. As of September 23, 2010, the company is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Blockbuster is still headquartered in downtown Dallas.

Blockbuster Video Successes

Their company is often credited, rightly, with popularizing videotape recorders and VHS playback in the home. Blockbuster filled a need in the late 80s that no one else was involved in — people loved their VHS systems, but no widespread system existed to let them watch movies just once or twice rather than buying them.

Back in 1987, Blockbuster soared again after businessman Wayne Huizenga took control of the company and started to get aggressive. They expanded so often under Huizenga’s reign that customers often found new stores opening in their neighborhood seemingly overnight. Huizenga also spent a lot of time and money buying out Blockbuster’s regional competition.

Carl Icahn took control of ten percent of the company in the early 2000s, when it was first showing signs of trouble. Icahn got the ball rolling on Blockbuster’s entry into the DVD-by-mail business, and though Blockbuster never had nearly as many customers as Netflix, the DVD-by-mail service is still up and running, and had it worked, Blockbuster could have become at least competitive with Netflix.

Are Blockbuster Stores Still Open?

For the moment, your neighborhood store is probably still operating. There are stores closing around the country, leaving people wondering where to rent movies now, but many are in business as usual.

Unfortunately for fans of their stores, that won’t always be the case. The announcement of Chapter 11 bankruptcy carried with it some bleak news for the future — yes, there are still some 3,500 Blockbuster stores currently open in the U.S., but the odds that the “mounting losses, rising debt and better competition” will get any better for Blockbuster in the coming months are low.

A group of investors (led by billionaire Carl Icahn) is likely to order hundreds of stores closed in a last-ditch attempt to make a profit. This is terrible news for employees of Blockbuster — the Dallas, Texas company has almost 2,6000 employees, including 7,500 workers earning a full-time wage. As Blockbuster stores close, and if profits continue to drop, there could be a huge number of Blockbuster employees seeking jobs.

If the demise of Blockbuster looks anything like their old competitor, Hollywood Video, the future for these stores is dark indeed. Hollywood Video liquidated just a few months after declaring Chapter 11, and while that company’s website says they’re “in the process of exploring new ways of delivering entertainment”, it looks more like the end for Hollywood.

What Caused Blockbuster Video’s Decline?

Blockbuster points to several factors in explaining what happened to the company — low reserves of cash, a heavy debt load, and competitors who have built better models for distributing DVDs to customers. Think of your own video experience — how many times have you visited any retail store video rental chain in the last year? Now compare that to how much video rental you did, say, ten years ago — Americans just aren’t renting videos the way Blockbuster wants them to. People are watching movies online, or renting them through the mail, using “cable on demand” services and even video rental vending machine services like Redbox.

How bad is Blockbuster’s debt? The company claims they have about $1 billion in assets, but they also claim to be over $1.5 billion in debt. It will be nearly impossible for Blockbuster to gain back the customer base they once had. Eight years ago, Netflix boasted 1 million subscribers. Today, Netflix has well over 15 million members and climbing. How can you win back a customer base that’s found a new way to enjoy movies?

How Blockbuster Could Stay Alive

Though the odds are stacked against them, there is hope for the one-time video rental giant.

By filing for Chapter 11, Blockbuster will probably reduce its debt from $1 billion to about $100 million. They’re planning to pay off $125 million in debt through a financing program for bankrupt companies, and this money will be paid to suppliers, customers, and employees while the company reorganizes. Blockbuster is planning on spending about $40 million on rights to movies, money paid directly to movie studios to keep their stores stocked with current and new DVD titles.

All of those plans may work. Blockbuster could drastically reduce the price of membership in their DVD-by-mail program, holding a 6 month promotion (for example) that cuts rates in half or by some other dramatic amount. That could get them an influx of new customers upset about the rising prices at Netflix. Whether or not this temporary fix would hold with time is up in the air.

Another move Blockbuster could (and should) make immediately — close 1000 low-performing stores. If a store is performing poorly, closing it and focusing your effort on neighborhoods where movie rentals the old-fashioned way are still popular. Blockbuster has long had their fingers on the pulse of the neighborhoods in which they are franchised. Movie stock, classic titles, and video game saturation differ from store to store, reflecting the different dynamics of the neighborhoods in which they do business. They should use this information to trim the fat, and spend the savings on beefing up high performing stores and adding inventory to their online service.

Blockbuster Video is a household name brand — even if you aren’t a member, you know the name and you know what they do. Blockbuster is planning on revamping Total Access (the name of their video by mail service) to be less “mainstream”, including a wider variety of titles, classic movies, animations, foreign movies, indies, etc. The biggest knock on Total Access is that Netflix simply has a better, more eclectic collection, and making small changes like this to existing services could ensure that Blockbuster will be with us for another 25 years.

See Also:

1. Good Movies for Teenage Girls
2. Good Action Movies
3. Adam Sandler Movies
   
4. How to Become a Director
5. IMDB

Megan Fox is a Hollywood actress and sex symbol who has appeared in such movies as Transformers, Jennifer’s Body, and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

She is also a mainstay on “most beautiful” lists in magazines like Maxim and FHM, and is one of the most downloaded women on the Internet. Though she has never received wide acclaim for her acting skills, this brunette is known by every fan boy, and is widely considered one of the most desirable women in contemporary films.

Like many aspiring actors and actresses, Megan Fox got her start on television, with successful stints on tv shows like Ocean Ave. and Hope & Faith. She also has made lesser known appearances on televisions shows like Two and a Half Men and What I Like About You, as well as two made-for-tv movies.

I’m sure, like millions of others across America, I first remember seeing her on an episode of Two and a Half Men and thinking, “Who in the world is that hottie!” With her role as the love interest in the Transformers movies, Megan Fox made those otherwise unwatchable movies (if you’re an adult) extremely interesting, and we can only hope she continues to appear in what’s certain to be a long series of awful movies, though she claims she’s done with the Transformers movies, because she doesn’t want to be type-cast (chew on that one for a minute).

Megan Fox on Television

Here is a full list of television appearances by Megan Fox, who got her start in the 2001 made-for-television drama, Holiday in the Sun. As you might imagine, she tends to play the role of the smoking hot vixen, though that wasn’t always the case.

Megan Fox Television Roles

• Holiday in the Sun (movie) – 2001
• Ocean Avenue – 2002-03
• What I like About You – 2003
• Crimes of Fashion (movie) – 2004
• Two and a Half Men – 2004
• The Help – 2004
• Hope & Faith – 2004-06

Megan Fox Movies

Of course, what got the attention of the general public was Megan Fox’s roles on the silver screen. While she turned heads in the forgettable Bad Boys II, it was in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen that Fox began to get noticed by a wider audience, where she played the foil for star Lindsay Lohan. After a three year hiatus from Hollywood movie roles to accept a recurring role on Hope & Faith, she had her first starring role in a mega-hit, with the 2007 original Transformers movie.

Megan Fox Film Roles

• Bad Boys II – 2003
• Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen – 2004
• Transformers – 2007
• How to Lose Friends & Alienate People – 2008
• Whore – 2008
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – 2009
• Jennifer’s Body – 2009
• Jonax Hex – 2010
• Passion Play – 2010

It’s interesting to note that, for all the considerable attention and fame Megan Fox has received, she hasn’t really appeared in that many big name movies. One of her first vehicles truly for her, Jennifer’s Body, was a disappointment at the box office. Even some of her fans expressed difficulty getting through the entire movie, despite Megan being on-display throughout most scenes of the film. The Jonah Hex movie was another disappointment.

On the positive side, many actors have their duds, and Megan Fox is bound to continue to light up the screen for years to come, so she’s bound to have better results in the future. Once thing is for certain: she should be hot for some time to come, so expect to see her remain one of Hollywood’s most popular beauties, regardless of her box office results. Not everything about Megan Fox is based around films, though: she also appeared in the 2010 Eminem music video, “Love The Way You Life”.

Megan Fox Personal Life

Megan Fox has been in a long term relationship with Brian Austin Green (of 90210 fame) since 2004, when the two met on the set of Hope & Faith. (Brian was 30, Megan was 18.) Since then, they have been engaged twice, broke up for a while in 2009, and eventually married in 2010.

According to past interviews, Megan Fox has dabbled with bisexuality in the past, apparently “falling in love” with a female stripper when she was 18. She is also a fan of comic books, video games, and anime. In other words, roll it all together and she is a geeky fanboy’s perfect woman. Damn you, Brian Austin Green.

This article is part of a series of biography articles we’re posting. Some of the other articles in this series so far include Who Is Taylor Swift?, Who Is Michael Buble?, and Who Is Tiger Woods?

Types of Scripts

Since you’re learning how to write a screenplay, a good starting point is to learn the various types of scripts.

• Spec Script – Also known as a Submission Script, this is a screenplay that’s written with the hope that it will be purchased or optioned eventually. If you’re writing a screenplay for the first time, you’ll definitely be doing a Spec Script.
• Commissioned Screenplay – When a writer is hired to write a specific work for the screen, this is known as a Commissioned Screenplay.
• Shooting Script – Also known as a Production Draft, this is a script that’s been purchased and put through a series of rewrites. In this script, all the shots and scenes are numbered, and they’re broken down into the components needed to film them. This allows the order of filming to be arranged in a way that makes the most efficient use of cast, crew, sets, etc.

Before Writing a Screenplay

Before writing a screenplay, here are a few things you may want to consider:

• Read Screenplays – To get an idea of how the written word translates to the big screen, it’s a good idea to read the work of other screenwriters. You can read as few or many as you like, but it’s a good idea to expose yourself to as many ideas as possible. You can either purchase individual scripts or view them for free at sites such as ScreenWriterCenter and Drew’s Script-O-Rama.
• Take Classes – If you’ve never written a screenplay before, it would be worth your time (and money) to take a course in the subject. Any university with a film department should offer such a class, and it will allow you to become familiar with the fundamentals. Some classes may also require you to write a script as one of the requirements, which can be an excellent motivational tool for those less-than-focused screenwriters out there.
• Learn Proper Formatting – Besides creativity, one of the most important elements of learning how to write a screenplay is knowing the proper formatting. It’s not as simple as opening up Microsoft Works and typing away. There are a number of industry standards for screenplays, and many agents or studios will ignore it if proper formatting isn’t followed. You can find specific instruction on the Internet or in books such as “Screenwriting for Dummies,” “Screenplay,” and “How Not to Write a Screenplay.” Below, I’ve included a few of the most common requirements (there are many more).
• Formatting Requirements – A traditional screenplay is written on 3-hole punched paper measuring 8 1/2″ by 11″. Courier 12 font is normally used, and the top and bottom margins range from .5″ to 1″. The left margin measures between 1.2″ and 1.6″ (allowing for brads to be inserted), and the right margin is between .5″ and 1″. Dialogue margins are indented 2.5″ from the left, and 2.0″ to 2.5″ on the right. Dialogue is usually 30 to 35 spaces at the maximum. In the header of the upper right hand corner, a sequential number will appear on each page (except for the first page).

The average script is between 95 and 125 pages, and one page written in Courier 12 font equals roughly one minute of screen time. Dramatic scripts tend to be longer, while comedies and action films are usually shorter. Keep length in mind when writing your script, as some producers won’t bother to read one that’s considered too long. 125 pages is pushing it, as most modern Hollywood scripts are around 114 pages. The shorter the film, the more showings per day can be worked in at theaters.

While keeping up with all these rules can be a major pain, there is some good news: screenwriting software is available that instantly formats your script by industry standards.

Screenwriting Software

The following are some of the best examples of screenwriting software currently on the market:

• Montage Software (Mac only)
• Final Draft (Mac or PC – One of the default applications used by Hollywood screenwriters)
• Storyist (for Mac)
• Celtx (available on the Internet for free in Mac and PC formats)
• Adobe Story
• BPC-Screenplay
• FiveSprockets (offered for free online)
• Movie Magic Screenwriter (Mac or PC – One of the default applications used by Hollywood screenwriters)
• Movie Outline (Mac and PC)
• Page 2 Stage
• Plot Builder
• Screenwriting Pro
• ScriptBuddy
• Scripped

Screenwriting Tips

The following are screenwriting tips to keep in mind both during and after the writing process.

• Think Original – Try to come up with a script idea that hasn’t already been done 50 times. A fresh screenplay can often enhance your chances of someone in the industry wanting to read it.
• Set a Schedule – No matter what, set a goal to write for a certain amount of time each day. The screenwriting process can be an exhausting one, so it’s important to keep yourself motivated and never give up.
• The Importance of Dialogue – Great dialogue (and actors) can turn an average screenplay into a work of art. Pay special attention to your film’s dialogue, even if the focus is more on action or horror. If you’re unsure of how it will translate to the screen, you can always hire professional actors to read your script aloud (known as a “reading”). This will quickly give you an idea of what needs work.
• Rewrites – Nobody writes a script worthy of an Oscar on their first try. That’s why editing is so important. Read and re-read your script, looking for any dialogue or action that doesn’t drive the film forward in a meaningful way. When you find such an example, cut it from the script with extreme prejudice.
• Heroes Need Villains – Whether your character is fighting Asian mummies or cancer, it’s important to make the enemy seem as capable as possible. What’s a hero without a great villain?
• Shot Selection – While a screenwriter will need to include shots in their script, don’t go overboard. You’ll need to mention a shot occasionally in order to direct the eye of the audience, but leave the rest of that up to the director.

• Active Voice – The actions as described in your script should always take place in the present tense, not the past. Use the active voice.
• Proofread – Before you even think about submitting your script, make sure it’s free from all grammatical errors and misspellings. It’s also a good idea to get someone else to proofread your screenplay.

Register Your Work

Once you’ve completed your screenplay, be sure to register your work. This may not keep someone from stealing it, but it will give you a chance to sue them successfully. While a copyright begins the moment your create a piece of art, that won’t do you much good in court.

The first option is to register your script with the Writer’s Guild of America. It’s quick and easy, although the registration will expire more quickly than you might imagine.

The second option is to copyright your screenplay with the Library of Congress. This is a more involved (and slightly more expensive) process, but the copyright on your work will be valid for decades to come.

Write a Treatment

In many cases, producers will ask for a treatment of your script. This is an abbreviated version of your script that allows them to determine if they want to read the actual product. A treatment includes the title, logline, and synopsis.

• Title – Try to come up with a title that makes the audience want to know more. Simple is better.
• Logline – A one or two sentence pitch that describes the basic premise of your script. This is what producers will usually read first, so make it as compelling as possible.
• Synopsis – This should run between three and seven pages long and outline the script’s most important plot points. The film’s three primary acts will be discussed, and an overview of all the major characters will be given.

As I mentioned in the very first sentence, it’s a daunting task to write a Hollywood script. With so many rules–and the odds working against you–it’s a miracle that anyone ever sells a script in Hollywood. But they do, and thousands of serious spec scripts get written each year with the hopes of becoming the next Juno, Hurt Locker, or Little Miss Sunshine. So hone your skills, put on a fresh pot of coffee, and refuse to stop until you’ve made your own indelible mark on the industry.

See also:

• Resources for Screenwriters
• 2 Day Film School
• Top Film Schools
  

Film School – Attending a quality film school is a great way to learn the nuts and bolts of the business. If this isn’t an option, be sure to watch lots of movies and study their shot composition closely. Here’s a list of film schools to get you started.

Find a Script – You’ll need to find a script to shoot from, preferably one that has lots of dialogue and a limited number of locations. This will keep your budget low. Never use a permission without the permission of the writer.

Hire Actors – While members of the Screen Actor’s Guild can be hired, you’ll have to pay them a minimum amount of money per day. Amateur actors, on the other hand, may work for free (although you may get what you pay for). Posting an ad on Craigslist is a good way to find low-budget talent. Always make sure to have actors sign release forms.

Keep a Schedule – It’s important to know which scenes are going to be filmed each day and what performers will be needed.

Check About Permits – Does your town or city require a permit for filming? Find out before you begin, or you might be facing a fine.

Hire the Crew – Many of the crew may be willing to work for meals and credit on the film, and you can find cheap alternatives by checking local colleges and placing ads on Craigslist. If you can find crewmembers with their own equipment, that’s even better. Various crew positions can be found later in their article.

Rent Your Equipment – You’ll need a lighting kit, regardless of your budget (unless you want to deal with natural lighting). You’ll also need a camera (digital or film), tripod, boom microphone. And equipment for recording audio. Make sure that your camera has at least three chips (3CCD).

Shoot Your Movie – Now it’s time to shoot your movie. Make sure shoot every scene from multiple angles and cover all actors during dialogue. Stay on schedule and stick to the film’s budget.

Edit the Movie – After you’ve wrapped shooting, you’ll need to edit the film and sound. You’ll also need to add music. All of this can be accomplished with various editing software available for the Mac or PC.

Buying Film

You may decide to shoot digitally to keep the costs down. A digital movie camera can be purchased for less than what it costs to rent a film camera for a week (minus the film, of course). If not, you’ll need to purchase film for your camera. This brings up a number of questions, such as where to store the film, where to get it developed, whether to use 35mm or 16mm, and what kind of speed stock to purchase.

Film can drain your budget quicker than anything else, and having it developed only adds to the cost of doing business. There is a bright side, though. In some cases, the film companies may give you a special discount if you’re a student or low-budget filmmaker. This isn’t always the case, however, so don’t get your hopes up.

That’s why I recommend digital for the low-budget filmmaker. It’s slowly become an accepted medium within the industry, and you’ll be able to take the money you saved and set it aside in case of emergency.

Camera Shots

Experimenting with the different type of shots is important when learning how to film a movie. Each shot can change the look and feel of the movie, and utilizing the proper selection can elevate a pedestrian work of art into something truly majestic.

• Long Shot – Also known as a Full Shot or an Establishing Shot, this shot generally shows an entire object or human figure in relation to its surroundings.
• Medium Shot – Shows a figure from the chest up.
• American Shot – Also known as a ¾ shot, it shows a figure from the knees up. Often used in Westerns in order to include the holsters of a gunfighter.
• Close-up – Shows a figure from the neck up.
• Extreme Close-up – Only a certain part of an individuals face or body is visible. Also known as an “Italian Shot,” where only the character’s eyes are shown.
• Two Shot – Two figures are included in the shot.
• Low-Angle Shot – The subject of the shot is seen from a low angle.
• Point of View Shot – The camera serves as the eyes of a character.
• Over the Shoulder Shot – The camera peeks over the shoulder of one character, usually while they speak to another character. Most often used during conversations between characters.
• Crane Shot – Shows the characters from above, often moving up and away from them. The films Touch of Evil and High Noon both feature legendary examples of crane shots.

The Film Crew

It’s not enough to learn how to film a movie. As the process moves forward, you’ll soon find that you need to depend on many others to see your vision appropriately translated to the big screen. The following list includes a number of the film crew positions found in films with an average budget. While they can make your life easier, not all of them are required. This means someone working on a low-budget can cut many of them out and still get the job done.

• Director - Oversees the creative aspects of the film. In control of the cast and crew during filming. Some directors may also serve as producers.
• Production Coordinator – Assists with booking talent, renting equipment, and hiring the crew. If something needs to be organized, there’s a good chance that the production coordinator is responsible for it.
• First Assistant Director – Oversees the day-to-day management of the set, cast, crew, equipment, script, and schedule.
• Second Assistant Director – The chief assistant of the First Assistant Director.
• Stunt Coordinator – Hires stunt performers and coordinates any stunts.
• Production Assistant – Perform general tasks for the production office and assist the 1st AD with set operations. Known as a PA.
• Script Supervisor – Keeps track of what scenes have been filmed and how they differed from the script.
• Production Designer – In charge of makeup, props, costumes, and settings.
• Art Director – Oversees people such as the set decorator and set designer.
• Set Designer – Helps draw up the plans used to construct the set.
• Set Decorator – In charge of decorating a film set.
• Set Dresser – Applies and removes “dressing” to the set, such as drapes, furniture, and carpet.
• Buyer - Buys the items and material that the Set Dresser will be responsible for.
• Props Master – In charge of all props that appear in a film.
• Props Builder – In charge of building all the props that appear in a film.
• Armourer - Deals with any firearms that might be used on the set.
• Construction Coordinator – Oversees the construction of all sets.
• Make-up Artist – Apply make-up to the actors to alter their appearance. This can be as simple as applying rouge or as complicated as making the performer appear to be a monster.
• Director of Photography – The head of the lighting and camera crew, the DP works with the director to achieve a specific look for the film, often by using various filters, lenses, and lighting.
• Camera Operator – Operates the camera on behalf of the Director of Photography.
• Boom Operator – Uses a boom pole to position the boom mic above or below the actors, just out of frame.
• Gaffer – Head of the electrical department.
• Film Editor – Takes the film and assembles it into a story. They usually work with the director to accomplish this.
• Visual Effects Supervisor – In charge of the visual effects department.
• Composer – Writes the score for a film.
• Foley Artist – Creates and records the sound effects for a motion picture.

There’s a lot more to learn about how to film a movie, but hopefully this post has pointed you in the right direction. Making movies is the ultimate team effort, requiring the best from dozens or possibly hundreds of individuals. When it all comes together, however, the finished product is a sight to behold. Now get out there and make some magic of your own!

See also:

• Resources for Screenwriters
• 2 Day Film School
• Top Film Schools

Before you become the next Spielberg or Scorsese, you’ll need to know how to direct a film. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place, as this post is devoted to helping the aspiring director take those first awkward baby steps in the business. Not only will we discuss the responsibilities of the movie director, but we’ll also examine the different types of directors, as well as mistakes commonly made by beginners. By the time you’re finished with this guide on how to direct a film, you’ll be ready to dazzle Hollywood with your talent.

Directing Movies – What Does the Director Do?

So what does a movie director do? Their primary goal is to oversee the creative vision of a motion picture, which means taking the script and translating it into a series of moving images. It also entails approving every detail related to the on-screen product, including lighting, camera angles, set design, special effects, and more. In some cases, the director will also hire key members of the crew (such as the Director of Photography).

Directors will attend auditions and give input into the casting process. They will then work with any actors hired to bring the script to life. This may include a number of rehearsals or none at all. Since actors can often challenge the director’s vision or bring personal baggage onto the set, it’s important for a film director to be able to work well with other (or at least have the authority to fire any troublemakers).

When filming wraps, the director’s job isn’t done. They play a pivotal role in the post-production process, working with the editor to sift through the various shots and select the ones most appropriate to the narrative. The director must also decide which scenes are included in the film and which get cut out entirely. In addition to editing the film, the director will help oversee the mixing of the film’s score and sound.

How to Become a Director – Three Keys to Being a Good Director

While there are many qualities that make a good director, I believe the following three to be of utmost importance. Learning how to direct a film is crucial, but there’s more to the craft that knowing all the terminology and how equipment works.

1. The ability to tell a story
2. People skills
3. Determination

Types of Directors

When learning how to direct a film, it’s helpful to know which kind of director you are. The following list runs down some of the most common types, as well as providing some examples.

• Directors who produce their own films – Eli Roth, Robert Rodriguez, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Quentin Tarantino
• Directors known for B Movies and Z Movies – Uwe Boll, Roger Corman, and Ed Wood
• Directors who compose their own scores – John Carpenter, Robert Rodriguez, Satyajit Ray, Charlie Chaplin, and Clint Eastwood
• Directors who allow their actors to improvise – Werner Herzog, Spike Lee, Christopher Guest, Gus Van Sant, and Jean-Luc Godard
• Directors who want cast and crew to follow precise instructions – James Cameron, Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, and Alfred Hitchcock
• Directors who appear in their own films – Kevin Smith, Mel Gibson, Clint Eastwood, Orson Welles, Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Mel Brooks, and Charlie Chaplin
• Directors who write their own scripts – John Cassavetes, Woody Allen, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Tyler Perry, Billy Wilder, Ingmar Bergman, Terrence Malick, and Oliver Stone
• Directors who also serve as editor and/or cinematographer – Stanley Kubrick, Akira Kurosawa, Joel and Ethan Coen, Steven Soderbergh, and Nicolas Roeg

Joining the Director’s Guild

Membership has its privileges. That’s why you should join the Director’s Guild of America if you have a chance. It’s a union that includes directors, assistant directors, and several other positions in film and television. They protect the creative rights of their members, and one must be a member to work for the large studios. In addition, they have training programs where applicants can gain experience working in the industry. And it doesn’t hurt that guild members are guaranteed a minimum salary per week (in 2005, it was between $8000 and $15,000). To learn more about the Director’s Guild of America, be sure to check out their website.

Tips for How to Direct a Film

• Learn about acting – Since you’re going to be working with actors on a daily basis, it helps to understand them. Take some acting classes when you have a chance. Then the next time an actor is pestering you about their character’s motivation, you’ll know where they’re coming from.
• Map out characters – Once you’ve found a script, read over it carefully to establish the progression of each character. You may want to make notes and share them with each actor, as this should save time once filming begins.
• Storyboards – The use of storyboards are an important element of filmmaking, as they allow the entire cast and crew to understand what your vision looks like. If you want to save time (and money), there are numerous types of storyboard software available to assist you.
• Work with your actors – Pre-production doesn’t cost anything, so take advantage of this phase as much as possible. One of the best ideas is to read through the script with your actors and let them to get a feel for things. This also allows you to give notes on each character and the overall progression of the story. Once sets have been located or constructed, it’s also a good idea to perform “blocking,” where actors are instructed where to stand and move for each scene. In some cases, you may disagree with your actors about a certain line or scene. Hear them out, but remember that you’re ultimately the boss of the production.
• Coordinate with the AD and DP – The Director of Photography and Assistant Director are an immense help during filming. The DP will set up shots and help with the overall look of the film, while the AD will make sure that everything runs smoothly on the set and gets done the way you want it. Communicating your vision to these individuals is absolutely vital to the success of the film.
• Be prepared – Arrive early to the set each day and be prepared for all the scenes that are going to be filmed. It’s also a good idea to walk through each scene with the actors before shooting. Many things can go wrong while you’re making a movie, so always have a back-up plan ready to go. So when disaster strikes (and it will), you’ll be ready to roll with the punches.
• Have fun – Remember that directing a movie should be a fun process. After all, you could be working at a fast food restaurant or digging ditches for a living. Savor the experience and keep a positive mental attitude.

Common Mistakes New Directors Make When They’re Learning How to Direct a Film

When learning how to direct a film, it’s just as important to learn what NOT to do. The following list includes some of the most common mistakes by both novice and veteran directors.

• Always accept criticism from professionals – Even if you disagree with their opinions, it’s important to listen to constructive criticism from those with more experience than yourself.
• Don’t listen to criticism from friends and family – Unless they’re also a director, there’s a good chance your mother or girlfriend doesn’t know a thing about the craft of cinema. While there’s no reason to be rude, just don’t take their opinions to heart.
• Give the actors time – Some directors want to rush and not allow their actors proper time to build characters and hone their performances. Make sure to give your actors all the time they need–within reason, of course. Rehearsal is a good way to accomplish this.
• Don’t coddle the actors – If an actor isn’t living up to expectation, don’t be afraid to replace them.
• Don’t accept amateurs – Even a low-budget filmmaker can find professional actors to work with if they known where to look. You don’t have to settle for family and friends, unless you really want to.

That concludes our look at how to direct a film. There’s plenty more to learn about directing, and the Internet has a wide array of articles dedicated to the subject. Here’s hoping this post sparked your interest enough to seek them out. If so, I’ll be looking for your name up in lights.

See also: How to Produce a Film

Learning how to produce a film can be a tricky proposition, and entire books have been filled with tips and techniques. This article is designed to provide the most basic of information, starting with the development phase and ending with you selling your product to a studio. Along the way, we’ll also cover elements such as finding investors, renting equipment, hiring a director, and tracking down the next Oscar-winning script. While producing a feature film isn’t easy, it’s a rewarding process that allows you to interact with a wide array of individuals and possibly even increase the size of your bank account.

What is a Producer?

Before you learn how to produce a film, it helps to know exactly what a producer does. There are actually a number of different kinds of producers, and this section will take a look at each.

Producer - The film producer, also known as a movie producer, begins the process of making a film. They raise funds for the movie, select the script, hire the cast and crew, and generally manage the overall process. From development to post-production, the producer is involved in the filmmaking process. While the director may have creative control in some cases, the producer often wields equal or greater power (especially in the case of the major studios). The producer can usually fire the director if problems arise.

Executive Producer – This title is normally given to a producer with a financial interest in a film.

Line Producer – A member of a film’s production team, the line producer manages the day to day aspects of a production. They are always present on the set, and they keep track of the film’s budget. They make also arrange deals with vendors and hire members of the crew.

Do Your Homework

While you’ll no doubt learn valuable lessons about how to produce a film along the way, it never hurts to do a little (or a lot) research before you begin. While reading books on the subject might not be a bad idea, it’s even better to attend film seminars and film production classes. Websites and trade publications on the subject are also helpful, and never be afraid to try to network and get advice from those with experience in the field. Another option involves watching the production process unfold, which is where a series like the HBO/Bravo Project Greenlight comes in.

Producing a Movie – Four Phases of Production

Now that you know what a producer does and you’ve put in some time doing research, it’s time to learn the nuts and bolts of how to produce a film. To do so, we’ll walk through the four phases of production step by step.

Development – The first thing you’ll want to do is secure the services of a decent entertainment attorney. Making a movie does a legal side to it, and things can get pretty hairy if you don’t have some manner of representation. In a perfect world, you’ll find someone who’s knowledgeable about entertainment law but still new enough not to charge
rates that are through the roof.

Learn this word and learn it well: deferment. This means a payment that occurs once the film is sold. If you can get a deferment on the salary of the cast or crew, then you won’t have to pay them until the film is sold. This allows you to keep the budget as low as possible, and, if the movie doesn’t sell, you’ll never have to pay off the deferment. This won’t always be an option, but it’s certainly one that’s worth looking into.

Now that you’ve secured the services of an attorney and learned a trick for keeping expenditures to a minimum, it’s time to go out and find yourself a script. Assuming you’re looking to produce a low-budget independent film, you’ll want to seek out scripts that allow you to save money. I’m talking films with plenty of dialogue and a minimum of locations. It’s unwise to attempt to make the next great Biblical epic on a limited budget.

To locate a quality script, spend some time browsing spec script websites, and place ads in industry publications. There are plenty of writers looking to break into the business, so you should have plenty of screenplays to choose from. This trick is finding one that’s actually of a high quality. Optioning a script will grant you exclusive rights for a period of time, usually 18 months. You’ll normally pay a fee to option the script, then another fee if the film goes into production. For writers with no previous experience, you can often buy the script for just a few thousand dollars. If they’re a member of the Writer’s Guild of America, however, expect to shell out a considerably higher amount (although the quality of work is often greater).

Try to avoid scripts that include animals, children, and lots of explosions. The latter requires and expert to handle such things, otherwise you could wind up with serious injuries on the set. Children and animals are notoriously difficult to deal with, so try to bypass them if at all possible. Also stay away from scenes that require shooting on the water (how do you think the Waterworld production went so over budget?).

While the producer keeps everything moving in the right direction, you’re also going to need a director to handle the creative side of things. You’ll need someone who can stay on schedule, work well with actors, and generally has their act together. You can always search through Internet films to find potential directors, as well as attending festivals devoted to short films and student films. Plenty of directors are looking to break into the industry, so the biggest challenge is simply finding one with real talent. If you’re willing to spend a little more money on a director, you can also consult the membership of the Director’s Guild of America.

Unless you have piles of extra money sitting in the bank, you’ll also need to find investors to fund the film. Friends and family can always be approached, but the serious money may need to come from an outside source. Keep your ears open for local businessmen and wealthy types who are looking to invest in a project. You’ll need to make a professional presentation to sell them on the project, and you’ll also need to illustrate how they’re going to make a profit. Most investors aren’t keen on just throwing money away. In most cases, the investor will be the first person to receive money if the film sells. The remaining money will then be split between the producer and the investor, with any deferments coming out of the producer’s cut.

When searching for investors, make sure to deal with reputable individuals who can afford to absorb a loss. This way, you don’t have to worry about threatening phone calls or physical confrontations if the film fails to get sold. Also be aware that some investors may make certain demands before they commit, such as changing a scene or having a spouse or relative cast. Before you accept such demands, make sure you and the director will be able to live with them in the long run.

Pre-production – Now that you’ve got a budget, director and script, you need to hire your crew. Make sure you hire people who will take the shooting process seriously and work hard. Professionals with limited experience are always a good option, as are film students (the latter will work for far less money).

If you’re really ambitious, you can hire a Unit Production Manager to keep track of the budget and hire crew members, or you can save money by doing this yourself. An Assistant Director will go over the script and develop a shooting schedule. A Director of Photography will operate the camera and give the film it’s visual look, although the director may serve in this capacity for a low-budget production. You may also consider people to build a set or handle lighting, although money can be saved by getting other crew members (non union) to wear multiple hats.

Equipment will need to be rented, and this includes cameras and lights. You can shoot in 35mm or 16mm, but film is very expensive to wok with. To save money, you may want to shoot with digital video instead. Such a camera can be purchased for the cost of renting a film camera for just a week. DV has become an acceptable format, so this is the way to go for a low-budget production.

Once you know where you want to shoot, you’ll need to make sure that the owners sign a location release contract (your lawyer will be able to help draw up such agreements). Unless you’re just dying to shoot at a particular location, avoid paying to do so. To save money, you can always offer the property owners a small role in the film.

Actors are also a must, unless you plan for your film to simply consist of buildings and plants. It’s important to get the highest-quality actors available, and theatrical performers will often work for low wages in order to add a film credit to their resume. Members of the Screen Actors Guild will demand higher wages (a minimum of $100 per day up to thee days, and $75 per day after that), but their talents are often superior (although not always).

Ultimately, you want performers who embody the roles they’re playing, regardless of their level of experience. You and the director can conduct the casting process yourself in order to save money, and it’s always a good idea to let the director in on the process, since he or she will be the one working with the performers on a daily basis. Amateur actors will often work for peanuts, while performers with representation will have their agent conduct the negotiations for salary.

Production – Now it’s time to shoot the film. The director will largely take over at this point, although you’ll need to make sure that he and the crew stay on schedule and under budget. Feed your cast and crew regularly, and try to give them at least 10 hours between shooting days.

Making a film can be an arduous process, so you want to ensure that everyone is fed and as rested as possible. When production is completed, make sure to throw a wrap party for the cast and crew. It’s a great way for everyone to unwind.

Post-production – Once shooting is completed, it’s a good idea to take a little time off to recuperate from the stress and strain. A few days are an appropriate length of time, and no longer than a week is suggested.

Now it’s time to begin the editing process, which will mainly be conducted by the editor and the director. The same process will also be done with the music and sound, and the producer should oversee each phase to make sure things are going according to plan (and schedule).

Film Festivals – Selling You Film

Once your film is completed, you’ll need to sell it to a distributor. This is where film festivals come in. These events are held annually all over the world, and they allow filmmakers and distributors to come together to do business.

Filmmakers normally pay an entry fee to have their works considered, although this isn’t always the case. If your film is accepted, it will be seen by members of the public, as well as representatives of various studios. If any of the latter individuals are interested, they’ll approach you about the possibility of purchasing your movie. While getting money up front is the best possible option, many distributors prefer to offer residuals based on how well the movie does. Other options include self-distributing your film on the Internet.

• Sundance Film Festival – The largest independent film festival in North America.
• Cannes Film Festival – Founded in 1946 and held in Cannes, France, this is the most famous film festival in the world and one of the most prestigious.
• Tribeca Film Festival – Held annually since 2002 in New York City.
• Berlin International Film Festival – Founded in 1951, this is the largest publicly-attended festival in the world. Held at the same time as the European Film Market, an annual film trade fair.
• South by Southwest – Annual film festival held in Austin, Texas. Created in 1987, the festival focuses on new directing talent and is frequented by names such as Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez.
• Ann Arbor Film Festival – Started in 1963, it’s the oldest experimental film festival in North America.
• San Francisco International Film Festival – The oldest continuously running film festival in North America.
• Toronto International Film Festival – Second only to Cannes in terms of prestigious film festivals.
• Cartagena Film Festival – The oldest film festival in Latin America, focusing on Latin American television, video, and film.
• Raindance Film Festival – The largest independent film festival in the United Kingdom.
• Venice Film Festival – The oldest film festival on the planet, it has been held annually on the island of Lido, Venice, Italy since 1932.
• Telluride Film Festival – Founded in 1974, the Telluride Film Festival is one of the more expensive and exclusive festivals in the world.
• After Dark Horrorfest – An annual horror film festival featuring eight indie horror flicks and a handful of unannounced movies. Movies shown are later released on DVD as “8 Films to Die For.”

For even more options, be sure to check out this list of film festivals from A1 Movie Reviews.

Now that you have an idea of how to produce a film, get out there and start putting together the next surprise indie hit. The entire process is a demanding one, but attending film festivals, rubbing elbows with celebrities, and making a potential profit all make it worthwhile.

See also: How to Direct a Film

The following article will provide practical advice on how to sell a screenplay, including agents, cold calling, and copyrighting your work. We’ll also look at some of the most common terms used when discussing scripts, including the dreaded “development hell.”

How to Copyright Your Screenplay

Once your screenplay is written, it’s a good idea to copyright it. While it’s unlikely that an agent or studio would actually risk litigation and steal your idea, there’s also no point in taking any chances with something you’ve worked so hard on. There are two ways to copyright a script, but please note that sending yourself a copy in the mail isn’t one of them. This method will not stand up in court, so forget what you’ve heard. The following are the only acceptable ways:

• The Writers Guild – A writer’s union that allows you to copyright your script. You don’t have to be a member to do so, and the fee is $20 per script. This can be done quickly, and the entire process can be accomplished online.
• Library of Congress – While a copyright exists the moment that you create your work, it will need to be registered in order to bring a lawsuit. The best way to do this is toregister it with the Library of Congress, although it will take longer than the Writers Guild. The beginning fee is $35, although certain options may cause the price to rise.

If you’re really serious about protecting your work, you’ll want to register with both the Writers Guild and the Library of Congress. It does take a time, effort, and money, but it’s nowhere near as taxing as actually writing a script. Before you learn how to sell a screenplay, this is the first step you should take.

Start Small

If you’re looking to sell your screenplay, it’s important to start small. The best people to target are independent producers. These are men and women who specialize in finding promising scripts and combining them with actors and directors. Once this has been accomplished, the resulting package of talent is sold to a studio. The best way to get in touch with a producer is to first have an agent. First of all, this will keep you from getting suckered by one of the many con artists running around Hollywood. Secondly, it assures the producer that you’re a reputable individual who won’t sue if the studio turns down your script and releases something that bears a slight resemblance to your story a decade later. Finally, Hollywood is all about who you know. Having an agent is like having an automatic friend in Hollywood, and that kind of help can never be underestimated.

Before directing Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino sold the screenplay for True Romance, and he also did an uncredited re-write for Past Midnight. John Sayles is another example. While he’s directed films such as Lone Star and The Secret of Roan Inish, many of his projects have been funded by writing genre scripts for films such as The Howling, Piranha, and Alligator. Starting small can lead to big things.

How to Sell a Screenplay in Hollywood – Finding an Agent

Finding an agent is not an easy task. It takes perseverance, people skills, and (sometimes) talent. Before you begin, make sure you possess at least two of the three qualities just mentioned.

The first thing you’ll want to do is make a list of potential agents. Again, it’s best to start small, as major agencies won’t accept unsolicited scripts. The best option is to obtain a copy of the Hollywood Agents and Managers Directory. This periodical is published twice a year, and it details every reputable agent currently working in Hollywood. A one-year subscription will cost you $80, while a single issue runs around $50. It’s well worth the price if you’re serious about learning how to sell your screenplay. You can also purchase The Agents Directory or The Guide to Literary Agents, books that are published annually.

It’s important to target an agency that deals in the genre of film you’ve written. This will save you time in the long run and maximize your chances of finding an agency that will potentially represent you.

Agencies located in Hollywood and Los Angeles are the best to target, while those in New York should be secondary considerations. For additional tips and ideas on what individual agents are looking for, you might consider attending a writer’s conference. This is also a great way to network, and there’s no telling what you might get accomplished over a couple of drinks after the conference has concluded.

Once you’ve compiled a list of talent agencies you’re interested in, you can either send out query letters or try cold calling. Either option can be a frustrating proposition, and this is where you’ll need to use all your skills of perseverance. Query letters should be no longer than a page and succinctly tell the agent what your screenplay can offer them. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope and maintain a professional attitude at all times.

If you decide to cold call, be prepared to deal with lots of receptionists, many of whom won’t be willing to give you the time of day. Don’t give up, though. Small agencies may have actual agents answering the phone, and this could lead to an invitation to send in your screenplay for review. Just remember: never send an unsolicited script to an agency. It will wind up in the trash. In fact, you may even receive a letter from their legal department kindly asking you to not send unsolicited material.

Making the Sale

When you secure an agent, then the process of selling your screenplay will begin. The agent will contact producers throughout Hollywood, pitching them on your idea. Any that are interested will then be sent your script, and then it’s simply a matter of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. Keep in mind that the agent doesn’t work for free, and they’ll usually receive a small percentage of whatever you get paid for your project.

Types of Sales

Anyone who wants to know how to sell a screenplay should be aware of the three major kinds of deals.

Development Hell – A very rare deal that virtually guarantees that the screenwriter will get paid (often double) even if the project is derailed. This kind of deal is hardly ever made, as it often allows the writer to sue the producer or studio if things go horribly awry. Don’t expect this one to ever come up.

Option – Basically, a producer rents your script for a specified period of time. You get paid for this rental, and you cannot shop the script to anyone else while it is being optioned. During this time, the producer can choose to buy the script, or he can let the option elapse. If the latter happens, ownership and control of the script reverts back to you. The usual fee for optioning a script is under $50,000. A common deal in Hollywood.

Sale – This occurs when a producer buys your script outright. This usually ranges from $60k to $100k, although screenwriters with excellent track records can often demand higher salaries. In some cases, you may be offered a deal such as “100 against 300.” This means that you would receive 100k for the sale and another 300k of the film actually got made. There’s also a chance to receive residuals, meaning the writer will receive profits from DVD sales and other forms of merchandising. Your agent will negotiate such points for you, but only writers with a great amount of clout can usually expect the premium deals.

See also:

• 15 Awesome Resources for Screenwriters
• Screenwriting at the Open Directory Project
  
• How to Write a Screenplay
• Syd Field
  

Promising to be a big year in movies, 2011 has plenty of blockbusters already on a release schedule. From the end of the Harry Potter film series to a couple of highly anticipated literary films, 2011 has something to offer every movie fan. Here’s a breakdown of the ten films we’re most looking forward to.

2011 Movies List

The Green Hornet – Scheduled for a January 14th release, The Green Hornet is another in the long line of superhero movies. Sure, films featuring comic book characters are almost as old as Hollywood, but it seems if you want to make a bundle in the film industry these days you have to stick your hero in a funny suit. Seth Rogen co-wrote and stars in this effort from Michel Gondry, of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind fame. The romantic lead is Cameron Diaz, maybe a strange choice in that she hasn’t really had a hit since the early part of this decade. The presence of Gondry and Rogen mean this could be more than another superhero flick. (You can order the old Universal serial here: The Green Hornet on DVD.)

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf – Tyler Perry is known for a string of movies aimed at the African American market. The “Medea” series is super popular in the world of DVD rentals (and doesn’t perform too shabbily at the box office either) but this film could represent Perry’s breakout into more culturally aware movies. Based on a classic piece of contemporary American literature, Perry’s film tackles sensitive subject matter as well as comedy. Fans of the long poem of the same name worry that Perry is too commercial a director to do the text justice. We’ll have to wait until March 11th to see for ourselves. (Get ready to see the movie by reading the book first: For Colored Girls Who Have considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.)

The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made – We at AskDeb love the Muppet movies. The only Christmas present I could ask for in 2011 is a pair of tickets to this, the first Muppet movie for wide release since the early 90s. See that blank spot on your 2011 calendar for December 25th? Fill it in. You’re busy that day. Get ready for this one by watching re-runs of the television show: The Muppet Show on DVD.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Though a date has not been set, expect to see this film adaptation of a book club classic some time in December of 2011. Stieg Larsson’s book has done time on just about everyone’s night stand, and with Daniel Craig set to star in the American version of a film already released in Denmark this year, this may be one book-turned-movie that sits comfortably in the black. Get the Swedish version on DVD to prepare for the remake: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Or if you’re really adventurous, read the entire series: Stieg Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy.

Jane Eyre – In April of 2011, Dame Judi Dench and Mia Wasikowska (Alice from Tim Burton’s recent Wonderland reboot) will bring the classic story of Jane Eyre to the big screen. Charlotte Brontë’s novel is still required reading in American schools and the story of a governess and the terrible secret of her boss is as popular today as ever. Though film versions of classic literature are not always huge financial successes, the familiarity of the title and the presence of Dench and co-star Michael Fassbender could put butts in the seats in a big way. To get ready for this one, watch the Masterpiece Theater version of Jane Eyre first, or read the book: Jane Eyre.

The Resurrection of the Christ – Hoping to cash in on the success of 2004′s The Passion of the Christ, little known producer Bill McCay (credited mostly with religious themed projects) is set to release this dramatization of the story of Christ’s resurrection on Easter of 2011. The Passion of the Christ was a monster hit at the box-office, drawing in over $370 million domestically and another $240 million overseas. Will this film take off without the kind of advertising dollars afforded The Passion? Easter is not traditionally a big movie time, so unless the faithful come out in droves, this could be a big Hollywood whiff.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II – What is there to say about the final installment of this beyond-popular book and movie series that hasn’t already been said? The end of an era in movies, part two of The Deathly Hallows is coming to a theater near you on July 15. Prepare by reading the entire Harry Potter series in hardcover.

Scream 4 – If you needed another installment of the once popular Scream series, April 15 is your day. Director Wes Craven returns for yet another Ghostface Killer film, as does Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Lauren Graham. and Hayden Panattiere. This film follows (who else?) Sidney Prescott, only it is set a decade after the third Scream installment. If April seems like a weird month for a horror movie, remember Scary Movie 4 and the 2010 reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street, both of which made over $40 million at the box office. (You can prepare for this one by watching the entire series on DVD: Scream Trilogy on DVD.)

The Hangover 2 – Since people are still talking about The Hangover thirteen months after its release, it is only natural that a sequel is made. The original film has earned nearly $500 million in less than two years, and continues to add revenue thanks to rental popularity and overseas receipts. On May 26 of 2011, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis return to the big screen for a second paycheck. No word on cameos by Mike Tyson. Watch the unrated Blu-ray of The Hangover to get ready.

Transformers 3 – When a movie earns over $700 million worldwide, sequels must be made. When that movie’s sequel earns even more than the original (nearly $900 million worldwide and counting) you should plan for an entire franchise. On July 1 of 2011, the third part of the Transformers franchise will start tearing up box office records. Michael Bay’s films are nothing if not explosive, and even though Shia LeBeouf is not the draw he once was, expect a huge showing from this action flick. My plan is to skip this movie entirely and watch the entire series on DVD: Transformers: 25th Anniversary Edition.

Whether you like your big screen flicks with a touch of action or the heart of a great piece of literature, Hollywood has something lined up to convince you to fork over twenty bucks. It appears that while the tried and true tactic of making endless sequels to hit movies is not quite dead, the year 2011 is steering more towards original ideas than recycled plots and familiar characters.

Read more articles related to what movies are coming out in 2011 at the following sites:

• Netflix Pricing Plans
• Only Good Movies
• A1 Movie Reviews

Four new Marvel movies are coming out in 2010 and 2011. All of them are Avengers-related.

First up is Iron Man 2 in May of 2010. Scarlett Johansson stars alongside Mickey Rourke and Robert Downey Jr..

Fans of Marvel movies will have to wait almost a year for another film, but the wait will be worth it. May of 2011 offers The Avengers by Louis Laterrier. Then we’ll see Thor, directed by none other than Kenneth Branagh, hitting theaters in June of 2011.

Just one month after Thor, The First Avenger : Captain America pops up on the big screen.

Rumor has it that other Marvel projects are in the works, including movies involving Black Panther, Cloak & Dagger, Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Power Pack and Shang-Chi.

Ever since Disney acquired Marvel, people have been wondering if that means that Pixar will be making Marvel movies any time soon. This seems unlikely, as Pixar’s lineup has always been original material. In fact, their next three or four films scheduled are either original or sequels to their originals. I doubt we’ll see Pixar’s involvement in the Marvel movies series any time soon.

What New Marvel Movies Are Coming Out?

If you’ve been looking forward to new Marvel films the next two years will be a great time for you. Sure it is a bummer to have to wait until 2011 and get all three movies within three months of each other, but at least you know the movies are coming down the pipe.

Want to learn more about the Marvel Universe? Take a look at Marvel Encyclopedia, available via Amazon. It’s an affordable way to get caught up on the hundreds of characters that are Marvel’s intellectual property. (And we get a small commission if you buy it using our link, which helps us keep this site live.)

This is part of a series of posts about what movies are coming out in 2010. Some of the other posts include:

• What New Horror Movies Are Coming Out in 2010?
• What Movies Are Coming to DVD in 2010?
• What Movies Are Coming Out in 2010?
• What Movie Sequels Are Coming Out in 2010?

Update–September 27, 2010 – My friend Shane Rivers has just published a post about Upcoming Horror Films at Only Good Movies. Check it out for the latest info about this October’s slate of new horror movies..

A LOT of new horror movies are coming out in 2010.

If you’re like me you’re weary of the same old shlock that Hollywood’s been putting out for the last couple of decades. We’ve had so many “romantic comedies” mixed in with countless reboots and rehashed plots you’d think there was a writer’s strike going on.

Luckily for fans of horror films, 2010 looks like a more than decent year. Each month has an exciting movie and while some are sequels or reboots there is plenty of original material coming out in the next year.

January 2010

Daybreakers, starring Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe

Early reviews of this film are good.

Legion is a horror movie about angels. I like the sound of that.

February 2010

The Wolfman, starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins

If this film hadn’t swapped directors (Mark Romanek to Joe Johnston) maybe early murmurings would be more positive. Still, a great cast and a cool setting usually means a great horror flick.

March 2010

Season of the Witch, starring Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman

If you’re ready for another Nic Cage-led instant B-movie classic, this film’s for you. According to reviews, Cage is playing a Crusader without an accent. That’s right, we get to hear the real and completely anachronistic American accent of Cage throughout the film. Go see this horror film because it may be one of the worst movies released since Cage’s last travesty.

April 2010

A Nightmare on Elm Street

A Nightmare on Elm Street

The most anticipated horror film of the year.  We’re hearing all kinds of crazy rumors about A Nightmare on Elm Street. Some people say that the new Freddy (played by the quite talented Jackie Earle Haley of Watchmen fame) is an improvement, others say it is a detraction. Some say the new makeup effects make Freddy’s burns look “too realistic”, although I can’t see that being a bad thing. One thing is for sure–this is one reboot worth buying early tickets for. (Get ready for the remake by watching all of the original movies, which are available at Amazon cheap. And if you buy something from Amazon using our link, we’ll make a small commission, which helps pay for the hosting on the site.)

May-June 2010

Honestly there’s no horror movies coming out during early summer that are worth seeing. Go check out Prince of Persia in May and The A-Team in June. Seriously.

July 2010

Predators, starring Adrien Brody and Topher Grace

The long-awaited direct sequel to Predator, this film is Robert Rodriguez’ old spec script he shopped around for years but never got made. Yeah, I know, another reboot. But this one’s got Predator dogs! Predator freakin’ dogs, man! Get over it.

August 2010

Friday the 13th, Part Two

Though we’re unsure if this film’s gonna make it out on schedule, we think it may be worth a spot on your calendar. Rumor has it, the film’s gonna be in 3-d, though the fact that none of the original cast want anything to do with it isn’t a good sign.

September 2010

Priest, starring Paul Bettany and Christopher Plummer

Yes, another movie in 2010 in which Paul Bettany plays a holy figure in a horror setting. Hopefully this film will be better than January’s Legion.  Unlikely, as they were both directed by the same person. Expect your standard “vampire western” here, lots of big guns and nasty vampires.

October – December 2010

Look out for any of these titles which are as yet unscheduled but are worth watching:

After.Life – Liam Neeson and Christina Ricci star in this weird movie about a woman being buried alive. I want to see this right now.

Splice — Guillermo del Toro produced film about the horrors of genetics. Looks really brainy and beautiful.

Ravenous — A woman and her brother are trapped in a house with a man-eating tiger while a hurricane rages outside. Seriously. If I could make this kind of thing up, you think I’d be blogging right now?

This post is part of a series of posts about movies in 2010. The other posts include:

• What Movies Are Coming to DVD in 2010?
• What Movies Are Coming out in 2010?
• What Movie Sequels Are Coming out in 2010?

We currently only know the names of movies coming to DVD in 2010 for January and February, and a few hints about March.

The early DVD season will be dominated by Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which did big numbers at the box office. Expect I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell to be big at frat houses and 16 year old boy’s sleepovers everywhere.

Here are the upcoming 2010 DVD releases that we know for sure right now.

Movies Coming to DVD in January 2010

• Trucker
• Big Fan
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• Lorna’s Silence
• Post Grad
• The Final Destination
• Brothers At War
• Departures
• 

  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

  Downloading Nancy

• Halloween II
• In The Loop
• X Games 3D: The Movie
• Che
• Death In Love
• Gamer
• I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell
• The Escapist
• Whip It!

Movies Coming to DVD in February 2010

• Good Hair
• Couples Retreat
• Zombieland
• Free Style
• Dare
• Law Abiding Citizen
• Revanche
• Amelia
• Black Dynamite
• Love Happens
• The Time Traveler’s Wife
• Coco Before Chanel
• Private Lives of Pippa Lee
• Women in Trouble
• Crude
• Dead Snow
• Motherhood
• The Informant!
• The Vicious Kind

Movies Coming to DVD in March 2010

• Ponyo
• Matlock: The Complete 4th Season
• Have Gun Will Travel: Season 4, Volume 1
• Capitalism: A Love Story
• The Stoning of Soraya M.
• Walker Texas Ranger: Seventh Season
• Hawaii Five O: 8th Season
• Monk: Season 8
• South Park: The Complete 13th Season
• Bigger Than Life
• Days of Heaven

You might also be interested in this article about good movies to rent at Only Good Movies. Also, please note that if you buy something via our Amazon link, we make a small commission. (So please pre-order some DVDs!)

This post is part of a series of posts we’re making about 2010 movies. Other posts in the series include:

• What Movies Are Coming to DVD in 2010?
• What Movies Are Coming out in 2010?
• What Movie Sequels Are Coming out in 2010?
• What New Horror Movies Are Coming out in 2010?
• What New Marvel Movies Are Coming Out?

Lots of movie sequels are coming out in 2010. It’s going to be another year of Hollywood churning out sequels and reboots.

People complain about the lack of originality and repetitive nature of Hollywood movies, but some films demand sequels. Sequels can be great–think of The Godfather Part Two, The Wrath of Khan, or The Empire Strikes Back? Those series wouldn’t be nearly as rich without their sequels.

Some great movie sequels are set to appear in 2010. Here’s the sequels to look out for at your local box office.

• Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too – Yes, another Tyler Perry movie. I’d say the world was sick of these things if they’d just quit making money at the box office.
• Scream 4
• Spy Kids IV
• Sex and the City 2 – Surprised that another one is coming out? You shouldn’t be. The first was a huge hit in its demographic. The original was a real critical flop, so don’t expect too much from the sequel.
• Little Fockers
• Tron: Legacy
• The Descent: Part 2
• Iron Man 2 -
  

  The Wrath of Khan

  Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and Robert Downey Jr. hit the silver screen for this superhero sequel. Expect lots of flash and little substance, typical of comic book sequels.

• Wanted 2
• Mortal Kombat: Devastation
• The Haunting in Georgia
• Toy Story 3
• Austin Powers 4
• Shrek Forever After – I’m looking forward to this sequle mostly because of the plot. Expect Shrek to be cast into a “dark world” where Rumpelstiltskin is King, and Ogres are the prime target of huntsmen.
• XXX: The Return of Xander Cage
• Super Troopers 2 – Nine years after the original appeared, Super Troopers 2 has a lot to live up to. The original is a cult classic, and comedy sequels are not known for their awesomeness.
• Hairspray 2
• The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
• Kung Fu Hustle 2
• Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
• Step Up 3-D
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
• Resident Evil: Afterlife 3-D
• Rambo V: The Savage Hunt – The verdict is split on when this film will actually premiere — let’s be optimistic and say this film about Sly Stone’s most famous character busting up a prostitution ring will make it out this year.
• Untitled Tintin Sequel Project
• Conan
• The Thomas Crown Affair 2
• Predators
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• Beverly Hills Cop IV
• Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps – The plot sounds like the new Wall Street will be an action movie. Gordon Gekko, fresh from prison, helps a young investor find the killer of his mentor.
• Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
• Hostel: Part III
• Naked Gun 4

You might also be interested in some of the following:

• The 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2010
• 12 Hot Actors and Actresses to Watch in 2010

This post is part of a series of posts we’re making about 2010 movies. Other posts in the series include:

• What Movies Are Coming to DVD in 2010?
• What Movies Are Coming out in 2010?

• What New Horror Movies Are Coming out in 2010?

Looking at the year ahead, 2010 should be an excellent year for films.

Fans of fantasy have The Sorceror’s Apprentice as well as the new Harry Potter film to look forward to, while those of you who love 3-D movies can get excited for Step Up, Alpha and Omega, and Piranha.

If you like reboots, 2010 will be right up your alley. Look for new versions of classics like Wall Street, Robin Hood, Tron, Rapunzel, and Alice in Wonderland, as well as new takes on Repo Man, The A-Team, and Red Dawn.

Here’s a breakdown of the most anticipated films of the year listed by the month they’re scheduled to appear.

Remember that films often change their release schedule, and every movie on this list is subject to the whims of the production company.

It is going to be an awesome year.

January 2010

Fri, Jan. 8 Youth in Revolt

Fri, Jan. 15 The Spy Next Door

Fri, Jan. 22 Tooth Fairy

Fri, Jan. 29 When in Rome

February 2010

Fri, Feb. 5 Dear John

Fri, Feb. 12 The Butchering Ghost

Fri, Feb. 19 Shutter Island

Fri, Feb. 26 The Crazies

March 2010

Fri, Mar. 5 Alice in Wonderland

Fri, Mar. 12 Green Zone

Tue, Mar. 16 The Back-Up Plan

Fri, Mar. 19 Season of the Witch

Fri, Mar. 26 How to Train Your Dragon

April 2010

Fri, Apr. 2 Repo Men

Fri, Apr. 9 The Losers

Fri, Apr. 16 Piranha 3-D

Thu, Apr. 22 Oceans

Fri, Apr. 23 Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps

Fri, Apr. 30 A Nightmare On Elm Street

May 2010

Fri, May. 7 Iron Man 2

Fri, May. 14 Robin Hood

Fri, May. 21 Shrek Forever After

Fri, May. 28 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

June 2010

Fri, Jun. 4 Killers

Fri, Jun. 11 The A-Team

Fri, Jun. 18 Toy Story 3

Fri, Jun. 25 Grown Ups

Wed, Jun. 30 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

July 2010

Fri, Jul. 2 The Last Airbender

Fri, Jul. 9 Despicable Me

Fri, Jul. 16 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Fri, Jul. 23 Salt

Fri, Jul. 30 Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

August 2010

Fri, Aug. 6 Step Up 3-D

Fri, Aug. 13 Ramona and Beezus

Fri, Aug. 20 Priest

Fri, Aug. 27 The Lottery Ticket

September 2010

Fri, Sep. 3 Born to Be a Star

Fri, Sep. 10 The Town

Fri, Sep. 17 Warrior

Fri, Sep. 24 Guardians of Ga’Hoole

October 2010

Fri, Oct. 1 Alpha and Omega 3-D

Fri, Oct. 8 The Zookeeper

Fri, Oct. 15 The Social Network

Fri, Oct. 22 Red

November 2010

Fri, Nov. 5 Megamind

Fri, Nov. 12 Rapunzel

Fri, Nov. 19 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Wed, Nov. 24 Red Dawn

December 2010

Fri, Dec. 10 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Fri, Dec. 17 Tron: Legacy

Wed, Dec. 22 The Green Hornet
Visit the following pages for more information about 2010 blockbuster movies and for the best movies of 2009 blog posts.

“Blue Ray” is what people often called Blue-Ray disc storage, which is simply an optical disc storage technology meant to supercede DVD.

Though the Blu-Ray disc is exactly the same size as CD and DVD discs, Blue Ray stores more information and displays it better. Blue Ray technology is used with high-definition televisions and with the Playstation 3 game system.

Blu-Ray storage is an upgrade from the existing technology, because it allows the disc to store roughly six times the information a standard DVD could store. Data retrieval requires a shorter wavelength ray compared to the DVD laser retrieval. Since the DVD wavelength uses a 650 nanometer red laser and the Bluray wavelength uses a 405 nanometer blue-violet laser to retrieve date, the name “blue ray” was used early on to define the optical disc storage device. This was shortened to Blu-Ray for marketing purposes by Sony.

Blue Ray technology was made possible by the invention of the blue laser diode by Shuji Nakamura, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Blue-Ray marketing was delayed for six years due to a dispute over the blue laser diode’s patent.

Blue Ray or HD?

Eventually, Sony began marketing “blue-ray players” and Toshiba began marketing a competing technology, called High-Definition or “HD DVD Players”. This was similar to the marketing war between Betamax and VHS in the early days of the VCR. Like the battle that VHS won, the two competing systems would not be viable indefinitely, so the Blue-Ray War became a marketing battle for the life of the systems.

Eventually, Toshiba took its DVD HD players off the market, admitting that Blu-Ray Disc Players would be the next stage in storage disc technology development. Toshiba now markets its own version of the Blue-Ray disc player.

The high definition optical disc format war, as it came to be called, appeared to be a format war among equals at first. On the HD DVD side, three of the Big 6 movie studios gave support, along with Microsoft, several big PC firms (including Toshiba) and Wal-Mart. On the Blu-Ray side, 3 major Hollywood studios joined Hitachi, Panasonic, Sharp, Pioneer, Samsung and a number of other companies on the Blu-Ray Disc Foundation.

Blu-Ray sales started strongest, but many predicted the participation of Microsoft, Wal-Mart and Warner Bros. would tip the balance in HD DVD’s favor. Attempts were made to come to an agreement, but the Blu-Ray firms had lost billions on royalty rights on DVD, and they refused to change their technology to suit the compability desires of Microsoft and their personal computer allies.

Many movie production firms and studios adopted both technologies when selling their movies to the public, while Netflix and Blockbuster rented both Blue Ray and HD DVD discs. HD DVD had a cheaper price, though Blue-Ray was considered a better system with one or two add-ons its competitor did not have.

Warner Bros Blue Ray Decision

Eventually, Warner Bros., which has the largest share of the American movie market, decided to discontinue its use of HD DVD discs. This began a wave of defections to the Blu-Ray camp, as Best Buy, Netflix and Blockbuster announced they would use Blu-Ray exclusively. The Warner Brothers decision is seen as the pivotal decision in the format war.

The final strike against HD DVD was the decision by Sony to include a Blu-Ray player in its Playstation 3 console. Microsoft’s XBox game console did not have the ability to play HD DVD discs. This was a major advantage, because PS3 users bought millions of blu-ray discs, while video game rental companies and video rental companies also ordered blue-ray discs by the millions. HD DVD could not compete, and Toshiba announced in 2008 it would take its HD DVD players off the market.

Related Posts

• What is a Blu-Ray Disc Player?
• What is a Plasma Screen Television?
• What is a HD Ready Television?
• Should I Become an Early Adopter?
• What is the Best By-Mail Movie Rental Service: Netflix or Blockbuster?

Some other sites worth taking a look at include:

• Good Movies to Rent
• Horror DVDs
  
• Good Movies to Watch
  

Top 10 Movies for Back to School

With school in most parts of the country up and running, I figure its time to gather a list of my favorite movies for “back to school” time. Yes, kids are supposed to be concentrating on their studies, finding dates for the big dance, and learning new ways to cut class and get away with it — but trust me, having a few good movies around will really help when your kids get bored.

Here are my favorite fifteen movies from my own childhood — movies that could distract me from a bad day or keep my friends and I entertained for a couple of hours during a sleepover.

Napoleon Dynamite (2004) —

We’ll start off with a silly movie. This cult classic features tons of nerdy characters just trying to get by during the toughest time of their lives — high school. Come for the silly dialogue and cheeky pop culture references, stay for the dance moves at the end that will have your kids in stitches.

Stand By Me (1986) —

Besides launching the careers of Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell (and featuring an amazing cameo by Kiefer Sutherland) this film is an important moment in the lives of those of us raised during the late 70s and 80s. This was one of the only movies that used a few dirty words and showed a dead body that my mother would ever allow me to see before the age of 12. I suppose what my mother valued in the movie was the overall lesson, something about the innocence of childhood, the upside of telling the truth, and the true bond formed between young friends. But don’t worry — your kids won’t be hit over the head with the lesson.

The Breakfast Club (1985) —

You can’t have a “Back to School” movie list without this great one from the 80s. The Breakfast Club set off a million teenager’s inner moodiness. Something about the story, or maybe how the entire movie is shot in the empty library and halls of a high school, gets me nostalgic for the simpler times of high school. Considered by many to be the finest film that John Hughes ever made, The Breakfast Club is still as on point about high school life today as when it was made over twenty years ago.

Pretty in Pink (1986) —

Another film involving John Hughes (this time as writer), Pretty in Pink is a classic 80s teenage angst movie. To many people, Pretty in Pink is a bit too dark and much too close to reality to be a good choice for a movie night. If the story is too twisted for you, concentrate on the great soundtrack, the oh-too-cute relationship between Andie (played by the unsinkable Molly Ringwald) and Duckie (Jon Cryer). In this movie, two very different worlds collide, just like what your kids may be going through in a typical American high school.

Grease (1978) —

Alright, alright, I know — it’s a musical. But for those of us who’ve been exposed time and again to High School Musical, catching this classic musical of American teenage life in the 50s will be a sweet distraction. This is what American movie-musicals should be like. From John Travolta’s hilarious portrayal of the clueless Danny and the love story between he and Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy, you and your family will be distracted from the troubles of the day. Get ready for some ultra cheesy songs to be broken into at the beach, on the bleachers, in the school’s garage, at sleepover parties, or just about anywhere you can imagine. It’s a musical. Your kids may complain at first, but they’ll be begging you for the soundtrack within a week.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) —

This may not strike you as the best choice for a Back to School movie. After all, the plot revolves around a young guy (Matthew Broderick’s Ferris) skipping a day of school and getting in all kinds of trouble with his friends. This is a tongue in cheek nod to suburban teenage ennui (hang in there with me for a second) — after all, Ferris has no real troubles to run away from. He’s a popular student at an upper-middle-class high school. He has the pretty girlfriends, the toys, and the bright future. So he fakes an illness, steals his girlfriend from the school, and runs off with her and his best friend ti explore the big city of Chicago. Consider it a moral about appreciating what you have — if you must.

Rebel Without a Cause (1955) —

Expose your kids to some culture. Rebel Without a Cause is considered one of the great works of cinema in the 20th century — and it is the perfect back to school movie. When John Stark (played by the incomparable James Dean) shows up in a new town and starts at a new high school, things get tough for him and for the new community he’s a part of. This is classic cinema, with spot on 1950s slang and style throughout. Natalie Wood and Dennis Hopper make appearances. Your kids will be in awe of Dean’s performance, and they may learn a lesson along the way. God forbid.

Footloose (1984) —

Another film about moving from one town to another — Footloose is a kind of 80s update of Rebel Without a Cause. Substitute Kevin Bacon for James Dean playing the hip and streetwise Ren McCormack. Between Bacon’s Walkman and all his fancy dancing, a city with no music and “no dancing” turns into a hotbelt of fancy free teenagers. Bacon’s character struggles with all the typical high school stuff — being the “new kid in town”, learning the ins and outs of a new culture, and trying to become part of the “in crowd”. Your kids may laugh at the ridiculous 1980s soundtrack and fashion, but you’ll be transported back to a simpler time.

Back to School (1986) —

So this movie has the “back to school” feature right in the name. Probably the “funniest” movie on the list, Rodney Dangerfield provides lots of one liners (some on the blue side) while he plays a rich guy who goes back to college at the same school as his young son. Lots of laughs, another cheekily 80s soundtrack, and some unbelievable attraction between the hideous Dangerfield and his stunning female lead.

Lean on Me (1989) —

One of the only “serious” additions to this list. An urban school, full to the brim with violence and crime, is turned around by the mayor and superintendent as well as teacher Joe Clark who steps in as the new principal. Morgan Freeman is brilliant as Clark, who makes the point to his rowdy student body that their future is in their own hands. A great “message” movie for kids, and one they’ll actually enjoy, “Lean on Me” is a staple of high school movie time.

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What is the iTablet?

The iTablet is Apple’s next attempt to shake up the entertainment industry — this time with a kind of revamp of some older Mac technology.

Apple’s cult hit Newton was a kind of early PDA. It was hugely popular among a percentage of the population, but is a well known flop in the computing industry. This time around, Apple is introducing a device, known for now as the iTablet, that is portable and lets its users download movies, play games, and read digital books. According to insiders, more and more pieces of entertainment are being marketed with multimedia trappings — think of CDs released with digital booklets, or movies that come with trivia games, etc.

This new iTablet device will likely be hitting stores sooner than you think. Tech analysts have been discussing an Apple tablet device since a reference at an Apple conference in 2004 sparked rumors about a return to the Newton. Many of these bloggers are now suggesting that the iTablet could see a launch in the early part of 2010.

The iTablet will be a touch screen internet ready gadget that aims to do what Microsoft failed — compete with Amazon’s Kindle, SOny’s Reader and another device that Barnes & Noble is set to release. The iTablet, which will be similar to an iPod Touch device according to insiders, is expected to have a 10 inch screen. Some writers have suggested that the new iTablet product would be just another extension of Apple’s massive iPod line — a holding that owns more than 70 percent of the American digital music market — due to the iPod’s recent loss of market share. In fact, just last week, Apple announced that iPod sales were sagging between 7 percent and 8 percent. Tech writers say that the iTablet product could breathe new life into the iPod line or fill a specific niche in Apple’s product line.

So why is Apple pouncing on an even more modern way of delivering content? Besides expected losses from the still widespread online piracy of music, the recording and film industries have taken a huge hit in the bankbook from the standard behavior changes found in all consumers — this iteration of entertainment consumers are moving away from traditional means of ownership. In layman’s terms, no one’s really buying albums and movies anymore, at least not from the usual places. In 2007, sales of download singles rose 27 percent while sales of physical CDs and albums dropped a massive 25 percent this according to the RIAA. One potential bright spot for musicians interested in making more than just singles — downloaded albums rose 34 percent.

In an effort to push back against this trend, record industry types and film studios are hunting desperately for new ways to get people to buy their products. Part of what they’re doing is revamping the product — the most recent album I bought (digitally) came with a beautiful digital “booklet” and a video of an interview with the band. This kind of material not only generates the all important industry “buzz”, but it also creates a need for different kinds of devices to enjoy them. For instance, I can’t enjoy the digital video that came with the album unless I’m using a music player that plays video, and even then I can’t leaf through the digital booklet unless I have a device that can read that sort of file, and on and on.

Expect Apple’s new iTablet device to be polarizing — remember, when the iPod came out there were plenty of people willing to line up against it, for whatever reason. If Apple can build on the parts of the Newton that were succesful, while drawing in some new customers to the world of PDAs and portable display units, the iTablet is a sure winner.

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What is Food Inc.?

“Food Inc.” is an upcoming documentary by filmmaker Robert Kenner, probably best known for his film The American Experience, which won an Emmy in 2006.

One of the best reviewed films this year (a quick Google search of the film’s reviews revealed only one negative review, posted by an anonymous blogger), “Food Inc.” promises to be an eye opening experience for Americans, who probably don’t give a second though to exactly what it is they’re eating. Kenner’s goal with “Food Inc.” is to change, or at least slightly alter, that behavior.

You may remember a documentary called “King Corn” a few years back, in which a couple of recent college graduates head to Iowa to raise an acre of corn in an attempt to track where exactly that corn goes. As the two amateur farmers eventually found out, their corn was going, well, everywhere. The two corn producers found corn in just about every item in the grocery store, and learned that the majority of their corn would be used as artificial sweeteners in soft drinks. In fact, the corn they grew wasn’t even edible, it was a product designed to be used in other products, as sweetener, filler, or animal feed. This fact led documentary participant Michael Pollan (also a participant in “Food Inc.”) to state a very scary fact — “The modern farmer can’t even feed himself.”

“Food Inc.” is hoping for a larger appeal, and is enjoying a more massive release, than the under the radar activity of “King Corn”. The new film by Robert Kenner will enjoy a Hollywood-style premiere in New York City, LA, and San Francisco on June 12th before being released in thousands of theatres across the country later in June. While “King Corn” was an arthouse indie film, “Food Inc.” will be available to more Americans, and hopefully, make a larger impact.

According to Kenner, the problem with American eaters (and eaters in other parts of the world) is that we crave the unhealthiest elements in fast food — fatty and practically devoid of real nutrition, this convenient food source quenches our desire for three basic needs: sugar, fat and protein. According to one documentary participant, Polyface Farm owner Joel Salatin, ” . . . we want it faster, fatter, bigger and cheaper.” Salatin is upheld as a successful model of proper and nutritious farming in the film. Salatin raises his livestock without the use of pesticides, growth hormones, or fertilizers. His biggest product is known as “salad bar beef” — cattle that graze on grasses and native forage rather than the corn that most cattle producers use. The problem with corn? Its not meant to be part of cow’s diet, resulting in diseases (like E. coli) which require large amounts of antibiotics. You can see where this is going.

Why don’t more cattle producers use Salatin’s method? This is the big question of “Food Inc.” Our national farming system is set up so that farmers of industrial corn and soy earn subsidies, allowing them to produce cheaper goods for the mass market. This means that cattle producers like Salatin have to charge higher prices. Most Americans will go for the cheaper product every time. This is a fact of life, especially when economic times are hard.

Throughout the film, viewers will learn scary statistics about the state of our national health, which are directly related to our massive consumption of cheaper foods.

Besides statistics and interviews, there are disturbing images throughout “Food, Inc.” The idea, says Kenner, is to “lead viewers to a conclusion that’s hard to swallow”. That conclusion? In plain English, our food and our food choices are making us sick. Our country’s healthcare system is plagued by diabetes and obesity, and this method of farming is harming both the environment and our basic human rights.

There is good news. Unlike many of the scare tactic documnetaries produced in the past (including “King Corn”), “Food, Inc.” offers viewers simple solutions to the problem. Not only is there information in the film to help Americans make better choices, by the distributor of the film, Participant Media, has put out a book to accompany the information found in the film. This book, also titled “Food, Inc.,” will serves as a kind of “field guide” for how to take part in the necessary transition to a sustainable food system.

Did David Carradine commit suicide?

Kung fu movie legend David Carradine, who recently revamped his career in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill’ movies, has died at the age of 72.

While there has not yet been confirmation of the reported suicide, reports made by Thai police and officials from the hotel where Carradine was staying during a movie shoot seem to insist that Carradine’s death was anything but natural.

Carradine was found dead in his hotel room in Bangkok, where he was set to shoot a new movie called “Stretch”. The Nation newspaper, citing Thai police sources, is reporting that Carradine was found hanged in his hotel closet and that “it may have been a suicide”. There’s been no other confirmation of that report so far, and Carradine’s agent told The Nation that he believed the actor died of natural causes. This conflicts directly with reports by those at the scene of Carradine’s death. Thai police told the BBC that Carradine was found by a hotel maid “with a rope around his neck and body.”

The Nation report claims that a preliminary police investigation found that Carradine hanged himself with a curtain cord, and that he was dead for at least 12 hours before he was found by hotel staff. The report also states that there were no signs of assault or foul play.

Carradine’s manager, Chuck Binder, is calling the news “shocking.” He reports that Carradine “was full of life, always wanting to work,” and that he was ” . . . a great person.”

Sources at the hotel where the 72-year-old actor was found dead told journalists “We are currently cooperating with the Thai Police who are still investigating the matter. As investigations are presently in progress, we are not in a position neither to discuss this case nor reveal any details pertaining to the case, moreover out of respect for the family members.”

Meanwhile, an employee at The Nation — the Bangkok paper that broke the story of Carradine’s death and potential suicide — spoke with journalists about their reporting, saying that Carradine had been invited to dinner with the film crew on June 3 and did not show up, causing alarm. The film crew was unable to contact him, but believed he was resting “because of his age.”

Carradine’s career is a long and rich one, with over 200 movies and TV shows under his belt, including his most famous roles on the hit ’70s show ‘Kung Fu’ and years later, more than 80 episodes of ‘Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.’ His breakout film role came in 1976, when he played Woody Guthrie in the biopic ‘Bound for Glory.’

Younger movie fans will likely only know him as the title character ‘Bill’ in Quentin Tarantino’s 2003-04 ‘Kill Bill’ movies, in which Carradine played the leader of a group of assassins who was eventually killed by one of his own disciples. Carradine also tried his hand at production and direction, and had roles in many television commercials.

The Carradine family name has a long history in Hollywood besides David. David’s father John Carradine and his brother Keith have also had showbusiness success, with John’s most famous role in the movie Stagecoach, and Keith Carradine is a Tony and Academy award winning actor and songwriter, who appeared more than once with his brother David, including a role in “Kung Fu”.

David Carradine, born John Arthur Carradine in December of 1936, was nominated for four Golden Globe Awards.

Why did actress Lucy Gordon commit suicide?

British actress Lucy Gordon, famous for playing reporter Jennifer Dugan in Spiderman 3, has reportedly committed suicide in her Paris apartment, according to France-Info radio. The report was released Thursday, May 21. Lucy Gordon took her own life by hanging on Wednesday, just two days before she would have turned 29 years old.

Police in the French capital said the body of the 28 year old Gordon, who was picked recently to become the new Jane Birkin in a film about the life of French pop singer Serge Gainsbourg, was found hanging from the ceiling of her mansion block apartment near the River Seine.

Said one officer who was in her apartment: “It was a horrific scene. The young woman had taken her own life in terrible circumstances. We are not seeking anyone else. It was a clear case of suicide.”

As far as why Lucy Gordon took her own life, we may never know. Police report there was no suicide note, and so far no one as stepped forward to fill in the blanks missing from this terrible story.

The actress, born in Oxford, had also worked as a model, but was perhaps best known to American audiences as the woman who played the character Jennifer Dugan in the third instalment of Spiderman.

She appeared in around a dozen other films, after making her big screen debut in 2001. Gordon has two films that are still in post production — “Cineman”, a French thriller, and the aforementioned biopic about the French star songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Trailers for the movie were broadcast at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this week. The film’s Director Joann Sfar and producers Marc du Pontavice and Didier Lupfer said in a statement: “(The movie) owes a lot to the generosity, gentleness and immense talent of Lucy Gordon.”

Gordon was set to appear as Swinging 60s actress and singer Jane Birkin, a coveted role that many insiders were surprised went to so little known of an actress. Miss Gordon’s good looks and passion for France and all things French probably won her comparisons to Birkin in real life, leading to her casting in that role.

The Gainsbourg biopic, Vie Heroique, is currently being previewed at the Cannes Film Festival. A Cannes festival organiser said: “We are devastated by this news. All those attending the festival had been hugely impressed by Lucy’s work. She was a star in the making.”

Lucy Gordon’s agents confirmed Gordon’s suicide.

Gordon had only recently moved to Paris from New York, and was set to celebrate her birthday. She has been working more and more lately, including a role in the cult film Brief Interviews with Hideous Men — a film based on a book written by David Foster Wallace, who also took his life in the past year.

Since her debut in the 2001 movie Perfume, Lucy Gordon has appeared in a variety of films, including French director Cedric Klapisch’s The Russian Dolls, American filmmaker John Krasinski’s Brief Interviews with Hideous Men and Spiderman 3. She had just finished making the bio-pic about Serge Gainsbourg when news of her suicide reached the film world.

Her last two films will be premiering over the next two years. Cineman will have its French premiere in the summer of 2009, while Vie Heroique is set for a potential Fall 2010 release in America.

Mr. ZZee (also known as Mr. Z or Mr. ZZEE) is the infamous celebrity sex tape broker responsible for myriad celebrity sex tapes and the ensuing cocktail of embarassment and publicity that follows.

It is said he is the mystery man behind several best selling celebrity sex tapes, but so far, Mr. ZZee has not disclosed his true identity — probably a good thing considering the rash of lawsuits that are no doubt waiting to be filed against him.

On Sunday night, May 10th 2009, Mr. ZZee began to leak information about a new celeb sex video– the so called “Hoopz” tape.

The Hoopz tape is an amateur video of female celeb Hoopz, real name Nikki Alexander, who is best known for her work on VH1 reality shows Flavor of Love and I Love Money.

The full video will reportedly be made available for online pay per view purchase and on sale in DVD format at your local sleazy retailer. Hithiphop.com posted four Hoopz tape promo pictures that were first leaked on celeb gossip site on221.com. The pictures show Hoopz (censored) in some rather compromising positions with “her boyfriend”, according to reports. Rumors of the contents of the tape were making the rounds quickly on the internet, including the fact that Hoopz apparently displays a “wild side ways cowgirl position that must be seen to be believed”.

Infamous celebrity sex tape broker Mr. ZZee, the mystery man behind the sex tape of Hoopz’ fellow VH1 reality star Buckeey, has merely stated that he “acquired a hardcore sex video starring reality TV star Nikki Alexander aka Hoopz”. We have no idea yet where he got the tape from, although another rumor floating around the web suggests that Hoopz herself sold the tape. Nikki Alexander was the star and winning contestant of VH1’s first season of Flavor of Love and the spinoff I Love Money.

From what I’ve seen of the video, it is surprisingly high quality. Many amateur sex tapes, even of celebrities, feature bad lighting, poor angles, and questionable identities. Hoopz’ video is quite different — the video is high quality, and features multiple positions, the use of at least two cameras with multiple camera angles. For now, only screen shots and a short video clip are available for public viewing.

Why do celebrities make these tapes? The key part of that question is the word “celebrities”. Bigger names don’t need the flash in the pan attention garnered by cheesy amateur sex videos, while “celebrities” and reality stars find their names falling out of popularity, and release these videos as a kind of last ditch effort to keep their celebrity alive. The other side of the question is — do celebrities have a hand in these tapes at all? Many celebrities, like Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson, claim their sex tapes were never meant to be released. Often, a jilted lover or “friend” of the celebrity releases the videos to make money for themselves. Remember, celebs — be careful who you let into your home.

Fun Questions About Movies to Ask Friends

Everyone watches movies these days, so here are some fun questions to ask you friends about the movies.

1. What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
2. What was the best movie you saw this last year and why?
3. Who’s your favorite director and why?
4. Do you like black and white movies? Why or why not?
5. Do you read movie reviews? If so, which reviewers do you enjoy? If not, why?
6. What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen? Do you like horror movies? Why or why not?
7. Who’s your favorite actor and why/
8. Do you cry at movies? If so, which movies make you cry?
9. What’s the funniest movie you’ve ever seen?
10. Would you rather see a movie at the theater or at home on DVD? Why?

Fun Questions to Ask Friends About TV

Even more people watch tv than go to the movies. So here are some fun questions to ask your friends about tv.

1. What’s your favorite tv show of all time and why?
2. How many hours a week do you spend watching tv?
3. What’s your favorite tv station and why?
4. What was your favorite tv show when you were growing up?
5. Who’s your favorite actor on television and why?
6. Would you rather watch a sitcom, a reality show, a police drama, a legal drama, or a medical drama? Or something else? Why?
7. Has a television show ever moved you to tears? If yes, which one and when?
8. Do you watch the news on tv? How often?
9. Have you ever been on tv?
10. If you were a character on a tv show, which one would you be?

Fun Questions to Ask Friends About Books

This one is a little tougher, because a lot of people don’t read books anymore. But here are 10 fun questions to ask friends about books anyway:

1. Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
2. Do you prefer to read fiction or nonfiction? Explain your choice.
3. If you could be a character in any novel you’ve ever read, who would you be and why?
4. Has reading a book ever made you cry? Which one and why?
5. How many books do you read each year?
6. Have you ever written (or started to write) a book?
7. Name one book you had to read but hated, and explain why you hated it.
8. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?
9. If you could pick a book you’ve read to make into a movie, which one would you choose?
10. What was your favorite book as a child and why?

10 Sexy Questions to Ask Your Friends

Depending on your relationship with your friends, you might or might not be comfortable asking them sexy questions. If so, just skip past this list of 10 sexy questions:

1. Have you ever been involved in a threesome? Would you consider doing so in the future?
2. At what age did you lose your virginity?
3. What’s your favorite sexual position?
4. What’s your favorite foreplay activity?
5. Have you ever faked an orgasm?
6. Have you ever had a one night stand?
7. Which 3 celebrities would you most like to have sex with?
8. What’s the kinkiest kind of sex you’ve ever had?
9. Do you own any sexy underwear? How often do you wear it?
10. How often do you have sex each week?

Fun Questions to Ask Friends About Money

Money is a less sensitive issues than sex with some people, but others might find it even more personal. Here are 10 lighthearted and fun questions about money you can ask a friend:

1. What would you do if you had a million dollars?
2. Are you a spender or a saver?
3. How much money do you save on a regular basis? (As a percentage of your income?)
4. Do you have a personal written budget?
5. When you go to a meal dutch, would you prefer to itemize the receipt or just split it in half?
6. When you’re on a date, do you think the man should pay or not?
7. What’s the most expensive gift you’ve ever given someone?
8. What’s the most expensive gift you’ve ever received from someone?
9. If someone offered you a million dollars for a night of sex, would you do it? Would it matter if the person were good looking or not?
10. Do you invest in the stock market? What kind of investing strategy do you use if you do?

Fun Questions to Ask Friends About Music

Almost everyone listens to music. Here are a few fun questions about music you can ask your friends:

1. What’s your favorite kind of music?
2. Who’s your favorite singer or band?
3. What’s your favorite album?
4. What’s your favorite song?
5. Do you like to sing karaoke?
6. Are you a good dancer?
7. Do you like musicals? (movies or theater)
8. Has a song ever made you cry?
9. If your life was a song, what would the title be?
10. If you could be a particular singer or musician, who would you be?

Fun Questions to Ask About Games

All of us played games of some kind growing up, and some of us still play games now. Here are some fun questions on the subject:

1. What was your favorite game to play as a child?
2. Do you play video games now?
3. What’s your favorite gambling game?
4. Do you prefer card games or board games?
5. Do you ever play drinking games?
6. Are you good at Chess?
7. Have you ever played Dungeons & Dragons? Did you like it/
8. Do you ever play solitaire when you’re bored?
9. Are you good at Trivial Pursuit?
10. Have you ever been on a game show? Which one?

Dilemmas

Dilemmas are questions you have to think about. Thinking aloud about your answers with your friends can be a lot of fun, and it can shed a lot of light on why your friends are the way they are.

1. Would you rather be rich or healthy?
2. Would you rather be good looking or rich?
3. Do you believe in the death penalty? Why or why not?
4. Have you seen Sophie’s Choice, and if so, do you think she made the right choice or the wrong choice?
5. Would you like to know the day you’re going to die ahead of time? Why or why not?
6. Would you rather have super strength or super intelligence?
7. Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?
8. Would you rather spend the rest of your life without a significant other, or would you rather have a partner who is extremely difficult?
9. Would you rather spend life in prison or be executed?
10. Should marijuana be legalized? Why or why not?

And that’s that. 80 fun questions to ask friends. Hope these break the ice at your next party or first date. For more creative questions we recommend the The Complete Book of Questions: 1001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion book.

See also:

1. Fun Questions to Ask Anyone
2. Questions to Ask Your Boyfriend
3. Good Speed Dating Questions
4. Popular Questions and Answers
5. Falling in Love with a Friend
6. Questions to Ask a Guy
7. How to Handle a Jealous Girlfriend
   

Related:

• Relationship Questions
• Questions to Ask Friends from  100 Questions Before Marriage