Stop by and check out this online magazine featuring a talented team of writers giving you news and editorials on the subjects you’re interested in. In the near future we will be starting a podcast to deliver this information in a different and even more entertaining format, so hop aboard now and embark on the journey with us.

Howard took his daughter to see Twilight: New Moon and gives his review of the film.

Howard reviews Twilight New Moon – 11-30-2009
[See post to listen to audio]

For those interested, below is the trailer for the game that inspired the film.

Attention, PlayStation 3 owners: want to watch a movie streamed instantly from Netflix via your PS3? I’ve got terrific news for you; very soon you’ll be able to do just that.

We’re excited to announce today that Netflix and Sony have partnered to bring you thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed instantly from Netflix to your TV via your PS3 system at no extra charge. When the application launches next month, you’ll be able to access and watch thousands of Netflix choices directly through the XMB. We think that the nearly nine million PS3 enthusiasts and 11.1 million Netflix members in the U.S. will make quite a match.

If you want to get a head start on your PS3 Netflix experience, you can sign up today at http://www.netflix.com/ps3.

For more information, check out the press release below (or click here), and stay tuned to the PlayStation.Blog for further updates on the rollout.

*****

COMING SOON: NETFLIX MEMBERS CAN INSTANTLY WATCH MOVIES AND TV EPISODES STREAMED TO TVs VIA THE PLAYSTATION®3 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

With Movies Streamed Instantly from Netflix, Blu-ray/DVD Playback and Downloadable Videos via the PlayStation®Network, the PlayStation 3 System Offers The Industry’s Most Comprehensive Options for Watching Movies and TV Shows

FOSTER CITY and LOS GATOS, Calif., October 26, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced that they are joining forces to make thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Netflix expects to begin streaming via the PS3 system next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system.

Today’s announcement pairs two of the most popular and fastest growing home entertainment brands in the U.S. The PS3 system’s installed base has reached close to 9 million units in the United States, and Netflix recently reported 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of September 30.

The partnership further solidifies the PS3 system as the most complete home entertainment hub on the market today, enabling consumers to play high-definition games, watch Blu-ray movies, listen to music, view photos, browse the Internet, and download content from PlayStation®Network ? from exclusive games to blockbuster movies and popular TV shows. PS3 system owners will soon enjoy an unparalleled experience watching their favorite movies and TV shows streamed instantly from Netflix, downloading from the PlayStation Network or watching Blu-ray/DVD media. The Netflix offering expands on the entertainment experience delivered to PS3 system owners via PlayStation Network.

For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices such as the PS3 system and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.

“The PlayStation 3 system has always been about more than just gaming, and it will soon be the only platform in the industry to offer consumers such a variety of convenient options for enjoying movies and TV shows,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “Whether you want to watch content on Blu-ray disc and DVD, download it from the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, or stream videos instantly from Netflix, the PS3 system is the only solution that offers it all.”

“As instantly watching movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix becomes an increasingly popular way to enjoy the Netflix service, our goal is to rapidly expand the devices that stream to our members,” said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings. “As a leading game console and Blu-ray disc player, bringing Netflix to the PS3 system is a real win for both Netflix members and PS3 system owners.”

Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system’s Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.

Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now reserve a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. Upon availability, the instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its digital services which include the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one® game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and the PlayStation 3 and PSP systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

About Netflix, Inc.

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than more than 11 million subscribers. For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes. There are never any due dates or late fees. Netflix members can exchange DVDs as often as they want using a postage-paid return envelope. Members can choose from a vast selection of DVD titles and a growing library of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. Netflix is partnering with leaders in consumer electronics to bring to market a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to members’ TVs. These devices currently include Blu-ray disc players and new Internet TVs from LG Electronics; Blu-ray disc players from Samsung and Best Buy’s Insignia brand; the Roku digital video player; Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console; TiVo digital video recorders; and, soon, the PS3 system and Internet TVs from Sony and VIZIO.

Michael Moores comes in to promote his upcoming film, “Capitalism: A Love Story.”

Michael Moore visits – 09-23-2009
[See post to listen to audio]

WAY too friggin long…
Why did this movie have to be 2 1/2 hours long? I have no clue.

Meaningless, confusing action sequences
Who taught Michael Bay pacing? Clearly nobody did. The battles at the beginning of the film are just as meaningful as the battles at the end. They’re not building toward anything. There was simply no climax. It was just “Argh…smash two robots together.” And really, it kinda looked like that over and over again. Half the time you couldn’t tell which robot was doing what to what other robot. This was the result of two things, horrible editing that had jump cuts lasting all of a second, and…

Horrible character design
I’ll be the first person to defend certain decisions when it comes to redesigning characters from the source material. While I would have liked to see more iconic costumes in the X-Men movies, I understood why they went the direction they did. In the first Transformers movie, I accepted some things and let others slide because it wasn’t TOO horrible. Let’s take a look.

Optimus Prime: He’s pretty much all there. The classic red and blue, the iconic helmet. The flames are a bit unnecessary, but OK, they got most of it. I like it. He’s gonna have the same voice from the cartoon too?? Well then I’m sold!! Let’s move on…

Bumblebee: He’s still pretty much metal and yellow. Not bad. Wait, he’s not gonna be a VW Bug? That’s where his name comes from!! I don’t know about this…

Starscream: Hmmmm…he’s just all metal…no distinguishing color. I hope they don’t do that with any of the other robots or it’s gonna be tough to pick him out. At least he has a shape just like a jet. I can’t see them putting in another one of those. No high-pitched annoying voice?? But that’s what makes Starscream the whiny bitch he is! I’m getting a little aggravated now…

Megatron: OK…WTF?!?! These two things have nothing in common!! It looks like they mashed up tin foil and said, “Alright, good enough.” He doesn’t look like Megatron, he doesn’t sound like Megatron…and he’s gonna turn into a jet-like space-shippy thing?? I understand not doing the gun, but at least in some forms they had Megatron turn into a tank. (Fortunately he did briefly in the sequel) That’d make more sense, but ANOTHER jet?? He’s got no color either. How do you tell him and Starscream apart in the middle of robot combat when you only see them on screen for mere seconds at a time. Oh…that’s right…you doooooooooooon’t.

Blatant racism
Who’s idea was “the twins”? I can’t say it better than this excerpt from an article on IGN:

In the film, the ‘bots have gold teeth, talk about “popping a cap in [a character's] ass,” and say they don’t read. In my review, I called Mudflap and Skids “the Amos ‘n’ Andy of the Autobots and two of the most offensive characters in recent cinematic history. What were the filmmakers thinking? The ‘it’s just a movie’ defense doesn’t fly on this one, folks; whereas George Lucas had wiggle room to defend himself with Jar Jar Binks, there is none here for Bay and company to fall back on. It’s just too blatant to be deemed anything but obvious and in poor taste. Mudflap and Skids will pull anyone with a half a brain right out of the movie, and they taint the overall viewing experience and prove to be an embarrassment for all involved.” – IGN.com article “Bay Defends Transformers Twins“

Sad, pathetic attempts at humor
How many times are we going to cut to Sam’s parents being goofy? Is that robot humping her leg? Why would it do that, it’s a robot? Wait a second, did I just see robot testicles?? OK, I’m out…officially…done.

The fembot
Hot actress, no doubt. But…if the Transformers could disguise themselves as humans all along, why wouldn’t they all do that?? Sure would make it easier to get around undetected.

The damsel in distress
I’m pretty sure that at some point or another, just about every male character was leading Megan Fox by the hand as they were running from danger. Can she not run fast enough by herself? This gets confusing as they seem to want to make her like a now-typical badass female lead at times, but yet at others whenever trouble comes along someone has to grab her hand and lead her from danger.

I can honestly say that halfway through this movie I was bored beyond belief. I refuse, however, to walk out of movies in the off chance that they improve by the end. This one did NOT, so I had only one thing I could pay attention to to keep myself entertained for the rest of this train wreck…

Surprise, surprise…