Beginning Monday, Redbox patrons will be shelling out an extra 20 cents for daily DVD rentals.  The DVD price increase news overshadowed reports of strong third quarter performance and while the dust still settles from the Netflix decision to sharply increase prices.

Reportedly, Coinstar (Redbox’s parent company) nearly double earnings in an announcement this week, but share price fell on Thurday after news of the price increase hit the streets.  The price for a DVD at the Redbox kiosks will rise to $1.20 per day on Monday, however, Blu-ray disc and Xbox game prices will remain at the current $1.50 and $2.00 price respectively.

Coinstar tested the increased price in select markets before the decision was made and found that there will be minimal impact on demand.  The blame for the increase is pinned on the rising cost of DVDs and processing debit card transactions.

[via USA Today]

So much for that brilliant idea…

Apparently, the move to spin off Netflix’s DVD rental business into a separate business was too much for shareholders to stomach.  In a blog post on the company’s official blog today, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said Netflix was not moving forward with its previous plan to separate the DVD rental and streaming business.  The comment section of that blog post got nasty pretty quick, with numerous customers calling for Reed Hastings’ head.

Following the recent addition of Mad Men to Netflix’s instant streaming offerings, AMC’s other hit show, ‘Breaking Bad’, is now available with the complete seasons 1-3 online.

Find it here on Netflix.

Sony was pimping the new Green Hornet 3D movie very hard tonight at its CES 2011 press conference.  In fact, Sony brought out the big guns with the Black Beauty, which carried Seth Rogen and Jason Chou onto the press conference stage.

Check out the surprise reveal in the video below.

This video boils down to being a massive trailer for 2010 . . . all of it.

Complete list of films here.

James Cameron recently confirmed in an interview with Daily Variety that he and 20th Century Fox will be bring Pandora back to the big screen in Avatar 2 and 3, which are scheduled for release in December 2014 and December 2015, respectively.

To date, Avatar has grossed nearly $2.8 billion, making it the highest box office grossing film of all time.

[Daily Variety via Wired]

James Cameron’s Avatar is finally coming to Blu-ray in the way it should – with a massive Extended Edition version that features a third cut of the film adding 16 more minutes to the run time, and a ton of special features.

The new box set will include all three versions of the film:  the original theatrical release, theatrical re-release from August 2010, and special edition extended cut.  Additionally, there will be family edition cuts with foul language removed for the two theatrical cuts.

Special features include a feature-length documentary on the making of the film, over 45 minutes of deleted scenes, interactive scene deconstruction, production shorts and quite a bit more.

Avatar Extended Collector’s Edition should be available on November 16 at a retail price of $54.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

More details in the press release below.

Avatar Extended Edition Press Release

LOS ANGELES, CA. (October 5th, 2010) – Director James Cameron is unlocking the secrets of Pandora and taking fans on a guided tour of his vision with the highly anticipated release of AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray and DVD releasing November 16th in North America and rolling out internationally from November 15th. These exclusive Extended Collector’s Editions come with iconic, collectible packaging to get fans to experience Pandora like never before. With three versions of the film, AVATAR fans will get an all-new extended cut of the film and hours of never-before seen material including over 45 minutes of amazing deleted scenes!

“I told our team — let’s do the ultimate box set of Avatar, with everything in it the fans could possibly want. There’s an extended length cut that’s sixteen minutes longer, plus documentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, artwork and over 45 minutes of deleted scenes. Everything worth putting into a special edition is in this set,” said James Cameron.

The three-disc AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and Theatrical Special Edition Re-Release DVD will both feature the original theatrical release, a special edition re-release, family audio track with all objectionable language removed and new collector’s extended cut with sixteen more minutes including an exclusive alternate opening Earth scene. Viewers will journey to the depths of Pandora with filmmakers during “Capturing Avatar“ an in-depth feature length documentary covering the 16 year filmmaker journey including all new interviews with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew exploring James Cameron’s unique vision for the film seen by more than 310 million people worldwide. The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It is also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time.

The AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray will also have even more bonus material and interactive viewing. Through the unparalleled, interactive technology of Blu-ray, fans can dive further into the world of the Na’vi and experience the #1 international sensation from behind the scenes, with a “master class” on the production of the film. Leveraging the interactivity of Blu-ray, viewers can experience the full film in three stages of production: Performance Capture, Template (1990’s video game version) and Final as well as a composite of all stages in “Pandora’s Box”. This will be supported with interviews by Jim Cameron and the filmmakers and serve as a “master class” on the making of AVATAR.

AVATAR Extended Collection’s Edition: 3-Disc Collector’s Edition Blu-ray:

Disc One

• · Original Theatrical Version
• · Special Edition Re-Release
• · Collector’s Extended Cut – 16 more minutes and exclusive alternate opening

Family Audio Track (All Objectionable Language Removed)

• · Original Theatrical Release
• · Special Edition Re-release

Disc Two

• · “Capturing Avatar“ An in-depth feature length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew
• · Deleted Scenes – including over 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes
• · Production Materials

Disc Three

• · Open “Pandora’s Box” and go deeper into the filmmaker process
• · Interactive Scene Deconstruction: Explore the various stages of production through 3 different viewing modes
• · Production Shorts: 17 featurettes covering performance capture, scoring the film, 3D fusion camera, stunts and much more
• · Avatar Archives including original scriptment, 300 page screenplay and the extensive Pandorapedia
• · BD-live Portal with additional bonus materials

AVATAR Collector’s Edition: 3-Disc Special Edition DVD:
Disc One

• · Original Theatrical Version
• · Special Edition Re-release
• · Collector’s Extended Cut – 16 more minutes and exclusive alternate opening

Disc Two

• · Original Theatrical Version
• · Special Edition Re-release
• · Collector’s Extended Cut

Disc Three

• · “Capturing Avatar“ An in-depth feature length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew
• · Deleted Scenes – including over 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes

AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition will be available on Blu-ray Disc and DVD everywhere in the United States and Canada on November 16th. International release dates and product information may vary by market. Please contact your local Twentieth Century Fox office to confirm country specific information.

If you haven’t seen this short yet, check it out above.  Then check out the ‘making of’ below.  Words like, “wow” and “brilliant” will surely follow.

Reinforces the creative artist’s mantra “It’s not about the gear”, don’t it?

[via PetaPixel - more at Cnet UK]

As if $2.7 BILLION in gross revenue isn’t enough already, James Cameron’s Avatar is returning to theaters on August 27, 2010 and is being billed as Avatar: Special Edition. 

This second coming of Pandora is being shown only in 3D on IMAX and RealD screens. You’ll get 8 minutes of new footage, and Cameron promises new creatures and action scenes to be part of that additional footage.

I’ve heard from a number of friends and family who missed the film in 3D, opting to “wait for DVD.”  Their impressions were largely different from mine, having seen Avatar in both IMAX and RealD screenings.

If you missed it the first time around, this is a movie that is made to be seen on the big screen and in 3D.  If you’ve watched it on DVD or Blu-ray in a sad 2D encounter, you probably already understand this point well.

RealD has just introduced youth friendly glasses that are a bit smaller than the adult size glasses we’ve been use to for a while now.

Kids can watch Toy Story 3 in 3D this weekend with a pair of RealD 3D glasses that actually fit their face.

If you’re interested you can read the press release after the break.

Press Release

RealD Introduces Kid-Sized 3D Glasses

Available Nationwide in USA and Canada at Theatres Showing Disney●PIXAR’s “Toy Story 3” Opening June 18th

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Just in time for summer movie season, RealD Inc. announced today that kid-sized RealD 3D glasses will be available nationwide in the USA and Canada beginning June 18th at theatres showing Disney●PIXAR’s “Toy Story 3.” Sealed in individual packaging to ensure they are sanitary and quality assured, kid-sized RealD 3D glasses are smaller versions of standard RealD 3D cinema glasses and designed to fit children 8 years of age and under. Kid-sized RealD 3D glasses are already available in select international markets.

“The little ones will be able to comfortably enjoy the great summer movies coming out in RealD 3D wearing glasses designed just for them”

“The little ones will be able to comfortably enjoy the great summer movies coming out in RealD 3D wearing glasses designed just for them,” said Joseph Peixoto, President of Worldwide Cinema at RealD. “Kid-sized RealD 3D glasses are made to the same high-quality standards as adult size RealD glasses with each individually packaged in sealed bags ensuring they are clean and fresh for every moviegoer.”

Visit www.RealD.com/theatrelocator to find a RealD 3D-equipped theatre playing “Toy Story 3” and other family-friendly movies. You can help keep 3D green by dropping RealD 3D glasses into the collection bins located outside the theatre after the movie.

About RealD Inc.

RealD Inc. is a leading global licensor of stereoscopic (three-dimensional), or 3D, technologies. RealD’s extensive intellectual property portfolio enables a premium 3D viewing experience in the theater, the home and elsewhere. RealD licenses its RealD Cinema Systems to motion picture exhibitors that show 3D motion pictures and alternative 3D content. RealD also provides its RealD Format, active and passive eyewear, and display and gaming technologies to consumer electronics manufacturers and content producers and distributors to enable the delivery and viewing of 3D content on high definition televisions, laptops and other displays. RealD’s cutting-edge 3D technologies have been used for applications such as piloting the Mars Rover, heads-up displays for military jets and robotic medical procedures. For more information about RealD, please visit www.reald.com or www.facebook.com/RealD3D