Idiots

AACS, a system to be used in both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) players, will require that those players downconvert video over their analog outputs. But only if the studio decides to use this feature.

… the affected analog signal must be “down-converted” from the full 1920×1080 lines of resolution the players are capable of outputting to 960×540 lines—a resolution closer to standard DVDs than to high-def. Standard DVDs are typically encoded at 720 horizontal by 480 vertical lines of resolution.

The 960×540 standard stipulated in the AACS agreement represents 50% higher resolution than standard-def, but only one-quarter the resolution of full high-def. Whether a particular movie is down-converted will be up to the studio.

Sneaky...well, I can't say "buggers" can I?

Brokeback Mountain retained its position at the top of the midweek box office for a second day in a row Wednesday although playing in just 682 theaters. The Oscar front-runner earned $740,000 -- $105,000 more than second-place Glory Road. The film is due to expand to 1,194 theaters this weekend -- nearly doubling the number of venues after slowly expanding over the past six weeks. Daily Variety said that the decision to accelerate the release pace was taken in order to take advantage of excitement over the film that was generated by the film's win at the Golden Globes and would likely expand even wider if it garners major Oscar nominations on Jan. 31.

Very crafty distribution strategy.

That's a lot like CTHD, isn't it?

Did it start that narrowly? I don't remember.

I'm never seen Judy Davis be anything less than fierce, comedy or drama. For example, she was amazing as George Sand in the frothy "Impromtu". Oh, wait. There's Adela Quested from "Passage to India", where the character gets overcome by hysteria, but I have to say I've never quite bought her in the role (despite liking her presence in the film very much) because Judy Davis gives out such aura of quiet intelligence and strength that Adela comes across never quite as fragile as she's supposed to be.

Of the younger generation, I'd say Toni Collett consistently comes off as forceful and strong, no matter which role she plays.

If you think Underworld: Evolution is crap, say, "It's crap." But saying that a werewolf/vampire movie is a retread of The Matrix just because the leading lady is in latex sounds stupid.

I'm hoping it's less "crap" and more "deliciously cheesy."

Yes, I'm going for Beckinsale in latex and I don't care who knows it.

Did it start that narrowly? I don't remember.

It started out in two cities and spread in waves. I remember being very, very bitter because you in LA saw it *months* before it reached Charlotte.

I remember being very, very bitter because you in LA saw it *months* before it reached Charlotte.

Hey, don't look at me. I was in Michigan. It's them you resent. And rightfully so.

Of the younger generation, I'd say Toni Collett consistently comes off as forceful and strong, no matter which role she plays.

The three movies I associate her most with are Muriel's Wedding, Velvet Goldmine, and The Sixth Sense. In each she struck me as being swept up by events without actually having much agency or applying her will to making choices.

I just saw Underworld 2 and thought it was pretty damn awesome; better than the first.