Attorneys for Michael Jackson’s doctor want to release outtakes from his concert film ‘This Is It,’ reports Billboard.
Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death, wants access to over 100 hours of raw footage that was filmed during the singer’s last days.
Sony Pictures is, of course, fighting the request, but Murray plans on using the clips to defend himself and show that Jackson was in good health before he died.
Lawyers for Murray and Sony attorneys are due in court Thursday. Murray is charged with giving Jackson an overdose of anesthetic propofol and other sedatives.
I don’t think releasing footage of a very ill Jackson is going to solve anything. People are trying to move on, and he’s just dragging it out. The charge has been laid, you’re guilty, now pay the price.
Though Michael Jackson may have passed on, his ability to entertain and astound certainly has not.
Following on the heels of Tuesday night’s $2.2 million haul at a series of midnight showings, “This Is It” took in another $7.4 million in its first full day of release and another $12.7 million overseas. According to mtvnews.com, overall the film tallied a worldwide total of $20.1 million, a jaw-dropping amount for a midweek release, specifically a documentary.
According to distributor Sony, Wednesday’s total is the best daily gross for a film on a Wednesday in October. Placing nearly $1.5 million ahead of last weekend’s box-office champ “Paranormal Activity,” the movie about the King of Pop now seems poised to reign supreme at movie theaters nationwide on Halloween weekend. It is setting its sights on the all-time champ “Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert,” which tops the list with $65.3 million.
More. That’s the key word when discussing Naughty Dog’s PS3 exclusive hit sequel Uncharted: Among Thieves.
He definitely works hard for his money!
They have given us more of everything we loved from Uncharted: Drake’s fortune. More witty commentary, more weapons, more items, more actions, more explosions, more girls, more modes of play, more… well, you get the idea.
Recently, this writer had eye surgery, and as such, I have had a hard time staring at screens for long periods of time while my eyes healed. Let me tell you, this title was so much fun to play and so hard to put down, that I very well could have destined myself blind in the future from eye strain, especially at a time when my eyes are at their weakest.
Normally I would choose my Xbox 360 over the PS3 due to control preference and number of friends online, however, Sony comes out with amazing exclusive titles from time to time that bring me back to the PS3 powerhouse. Titles like Uncharted: Drake’s fortune, Metal Gear Solid 4, Little Big Planet, and now, Uncharted: Among Thieves. Read more…
The event was packed with tons of PS3 games
SONY HOLIDAY PRESS EVENT 09: A casual analysis.
Ahsan says:
So then, let’s talk about the Sony holiday press event
April says:
You really don’t care about my well being do you? >. < anyways, What did you think?
Ahsan says:
Where do I begin, I loved the fact that the entire event was held in such an inconspicuous place and just felt like a modern art gallery.
April says:
I know! It looked like an empty building and right on the upper floor was the event. Like some secret organization having a meeting or something!!! Read more…
Barnes & Noble Inc. Is expected to unveil an electronic-book reader to compete with Amazon.com’s creation Kindle.
The ‘Nook’ is the newest e-reading technology. It features a colour touch screen and Google Android OS technology.
While the convenient, stylish e-reader is sure to save customer’s money on novel purchases, it doesn’t come cheap. The ‘Nook’ has a reported retail price of $259…similarly priced to Amazon’s model.
E-readers can also be purchased through Sony, IREX Technologies Inc. and Plastic Logic Ltd.
Just when you thought you knew exactly what to buy this holiday, Sony announces a new model of their slim PS3.
The slimmer PS3 has been a runaway hit since its launch in September and has sold more than a million units world wide in a matter of three weeks. The new model is identical to the current slims save for the fact that now it has a larger hard disc drive (HDD).
With 250 GB and a retail price of $349.99 you are getting one sweet deal.
The added hard drive space is quite a nice touch as these days download content has taken off drastically.
I say shell out that extra 50 bucks and get the 250GB it’s totally worth it.
Go get some!
The PSPgo has been available at retailers all across North America since Oct 1 2009.
With its launch Sony has announced that at least 17 new games will go up for digital download. Titles include key franchises such as Gran Turismo, God of War, Tetris, and many more. Read more…
Tech giants Panasonic and Sony plan to bring 3D viewing to the small screen by 2010, Reuters.com reports.
Last week Panasonic unveiled a 50-inch high-definition 3D plasma television with glasses that make images appear as if you can reach out and touch them.
The technology tricks your brain with high-speed shutters working in sync with the glasses to form a double-layered image.
“When the TV is showing the left image, the shutter closes the right eye so people can see only the left image,” explained Keisuke Suetsugi, manager in charge of high quality AV development.
“And the next moment, when the TV is showing the right image, the shutter glass is covering the left.”
For a minute there, the entire history of pop music was hanging in the balance of some very unsteady hands. Michael Jackson’s esate, now in the control of his family, is famously known to include the entire Beatles discography but TMZ assures us the Fab Four’s musical history will not be included in a massive auction scheduled for April.
Jackson’s personal effects, many from his fabled Neverland ranch, will be auctioned to boost the assets in order to pay off the debt claimed by a number of creditors, according to the Guardian UK. But the Beatles catalogue, and the rest of Jackson’s publishing catalogue, will stay in the trust of his kids who can expect to profit more from it in the long-term than any immediate return if it were sold now.
In financial reports released in August, Jackson’s bottom line net worth was calculated to be $1,360,839,979, according to TMZ who viewed the documents. Of that, though, $1,150,000,000 is the Sony-ATV Publishing Trust holding the Beatles catalogue. The Jackson trust purchased ATV in 1985, after McCartney turned down the opportunity, and merged it ten years later in a deal with Sony. Now the third-largest music publishing company in the world, it owns the rights to music by Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Eminem, Willie Nelson and Taylor Swift, to name a few.
They said it wasn’t going happen, they didn’t know Sony!
Well after months of rumors and speculations it’s now official.
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc announced the new
PlayStation®3 (CECH-2000A) computer entertainment system, featuring an extremely streamlined form factor with a 120GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
This new model will be available as soon as SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 for a retail price of $299 CDN!!!!! To add to the insane deal maker all 80 gig units will fall down to $299 as well and 160 gig units slashing down to $399.
There you go! you HAVE NO REASON not to go out and get a PS3. Unless you have absolutely no money on you…
Sony Pictures confirms Oct. 30 as the release date for Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” movie, which documents the King of Pop’s final concert rehearsal.
The film is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson and will be drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage – all captured in high definition.
To add to the experience, “This Is It” will also offer certain sequences in 3-D, along with interviews with some of Jackson’s closest friends and creative collaborators.
It’s not just for boys or the Japanese anymore. Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced a new Limited Edition Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack. Similar to the Madden and Daxter packs that came before it, the Hannah Montana kit will include: a copy of Disney Interactive’s Hannah Montana: Rock Out The Show video game, three episodes of the tv show on UMD, a 2GB Memory Stick Pro DUO and, of course, a lilac-coloured PSP-3000.
Gamers can customize their PSP with fashionable vinyl stickers also included. “The new Limited
Edition Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack plays a central role in SCEA’s larger ‘Girlz Play Too’ initiative and we’re committed to bringing a steady stream of female-friendly content to consumers,” says John Koller, the company’s Director of Hardware Marketing. “While SCEA has a broad range of PSP owners from under 12 to over 45 years old, we saw a tremendous opportunity for us to connect with the female and ‘tween’ demographic and create a PSP system that girls will love.” Sony has certainly been throwing a lot of support at the PSP lately. Some gamers can look forward to portable entries from Ubisoft’s Petz and LittleBigPlanet, while others await the new Assassin’s Creed and Soulcalibur games.
The Hannah Montana Pack has an MSRP of $199.99 and is out now.
Guess what is in stores now? Singstar Queen, the newest title in the series that has been trying to fill the big shoes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band with it’s vocal-only styles. Being released for the PS3 and PS2, this game promises to bring the thunder Freddie Mercury-style. What may push this newest title and give it the edge is right there in the title: Queen.
The game features over 20 of the most popular and memorable Queen singles ever released. I personally suggest you Wayne’s World it and headbang the chorus to Bohemian Rhapsody. So I will finally be able to play a singing game where I actually know the words. This could be the beginning of a new era, where I do not suck at singing games.
Man I love Queen.
Cheers.
A deal involving Sony Pictures, to acquire rehearsal footage from Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” concert rehearsal is being finalized. According to Variety, the distribution company hopes to give the film a theatrical release this Halloween.
It has been reported that Sony is paying approximately $60 million for 80 hours of rehearsal footage of Jackson. The footage currently belongs to AEG Entertainment, the company responsible for promoting Jackson’s 50 shows in London.
Kenny Ortega will reportedly assemble the movie which Sony plans to released on October 30, according to MTV News. The “High School Musical” director shot the original footage. According to Variety, the rehearsal film will feature “at least three” videos, and one of them could be an alternative version of Jackson’s hit “Thriller.
Alright, hot off the presses we have Sony and their E3 announcements
For starters the PSP Go (the worst kept secret) has been officially announced. The unit will retail for approximately CDN $249.99 MSRP. The system is said to have a more digital storage focus, with a 16 gig flash memory and the options to add your own memory stick. With an array of new applications to take advantage of it, such as “SensMe” a mood based music application used to manage and create playlists depending on you mood. Along with that we now have a central application Media Go! allowing transfer of digital content via your PC to the PSP. Launching along side The PSP GO will be the loooong awaited Gran Turismo for the PSP both of which are coming this October.
Its important to note that the PSP G0 wont be replacing the PSP 3000 model. Sony plans on supporting the UMD centric model as well as its new flash drive counter part; offering applications and services that will work for both units. Read more…
A camera that can upload photos moments after taking them will be available in Canada in April.
Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-G3 can upload photos and videos in any Wi-Fi hotspot thanks to its built in web browser.
“Research shows that our customers greatly value sharing images and video clips, but they often forget or don’t have enough time if they wait to get home to upload images,” said Mio Ozawa, manager of digital camera marketing at Sony Canada. “Our new Cyber-shot DSC-G3 camera provides the simplicity and convenience of sharing in the moment, while the impulse is still fresh in people’s minds.”
LightBox Interactive announced a deal with Sony today that allows them to create exclusive software titles for PlayStation platforms.
The new software development company, LightBox Interactive, was formed by Dylan Jobe, former Incognito Entertainment Studio Director.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with Dylan and his team in their new endeavor at LightBox Interactive,” said John Hight, Sony’s director of internal development. “Through pioneering many online and community features on PlayStation network with the multiplayer game Warhawk, this team is established as leaders in the online category. I look forward to seeing what kind of further innovations they bring to the PlayStation platforms through this new development deal.”
Sony Canada yesterday unveiled its new 52″ BRAVIA flat-panel LCD high definition television, featuring 240Hz high frame rate technology. The television will be available in select Sony Style retail stories and other dealers across the country.
The television incorporates Sony’s new Motionflow 240Hz technology, which allows for a exceptionally clear and detailed image with nature motion. The technology also quadruples the frame rate of conventional LCD TVs.
Other image improvements include Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), which gives a contrast ratio of 50,000:1 and BRAVIA Engine 2, Sony’s digital video processor that transforms all incoming signals to match the TV’s 1080p resolution.
The television is also compatible with the BRAVIA Internet Video Link module that attaches to the back of the product. The Internet Video Link service streams on-demand entertainment including movies, TV programs, YouTube videos and other content not found on network or cable/satellite TV. Finally, the television features Digital Media Port compatibility, which gives access to video and music from portable media devices like Walkman and iPod players.
This television retails for approximately $4,199.99.
Since the release of Metal Gear Solid 4, there has been little noise on the big name, big hype, Playstation 3 exclusive front. That is, until the world caught wind of the interestingly titled, and bizarrely detailed Little Big Planet (LBP). Announced in early March of 2007 this title has been an unstoppable boulder of hype and discussion until it was finally released October 21st, then delayed due to music controversy to be released a week later.
The basic premise is that you control ‘Sackboy’, a generic doll in a world of colourful art and creation that rivals Katamari’s world in craziness. You travel this new land exploring unique areas helping artistic creatures here and there with a final goal of collecting as many bubble points as possible as well as items you can use to customize your Sackboy or create worlds of your own.
This is why I was so disappointed when I lost interest in the game after a couple of days. You see, the best part, the most intriguing part of the game is the customization, creating your own ‘Sackboy’ (the basic avatar character you begin with) and making amazing levels from scratch are what this title is all about. The gripe I have is that a) the average person doesn’t have enough time to spend creating worlds or personalizing every aspect of the game, and b) in order to get the pieces to customize, you must go through the ‘story mode’ and find all these thousands of items, and the actual game play just isn’t that fun. Basically you walk from left to right collecting bubbles, pushing things, grabbing things and jumping. Every once in a while you place a special sticker you find somewhere onto an item and you usually get more bubbles points and items to collect. It loses interest, fast.
Don’t get me wrong, there is more to this game than the dull gameplay and customization. Collecting keys to unlock special mini-game levels and doing any level with friends or online is always something to break up the monotony. The big seller is being able to play other’s creations, whether it be a batman themed world or the first level of Super Mario Bros. or some magical concoction that grabs players 5 trophy achievements for doing nothing, we are able to see other peoples minds at work. Unfortunately, playing the actual levels are still not so fun.
The graphics of the game, while somewhat simple in terms of textures and what they actually are, are intensely detailed, the Sackboy looks like a real-life doll and the stickers and items you collect can range from realistic snapshots to abstract art pieces. The animation of each Sackboy goes as deep as customizing the expression they carry and positioning their arms, head, or torso any which way you like to express yourself to the fullest. The creepy artistic aspect of the non-playable characters are all very smooth and fluid as well, adding to their creepy-ratings, and with the upcoming haloween date, more and more spooky happenings seem to be popping up everywhere.
The level designs offered by developer Media Molecule are all based on real world experiences and designed to give players a glimpse at what’s possible with LBP. While these levels are excellently designed, they seem to lack the chaos a gamer who thinks they know what other games like can offer with their online creations which can range from masterpiece to frustratingly unplayable. The opening sequence for this title will have your eyes bugging out with the sheer amount of possibilities shown immediately.
With a game as deep and immersive as LBP, you would assume there to be a relatively steep learning curve. Luckily however, each time you encounter something new, you are given a voice over narrative, and sometimes even a video telling and showing you how to use this new tool (such as utilizing the Playstation Eye camera to bring pictures into your LBP world). The voices are calm, clear and concise, slow enough for the listener to comprehend, but not too fast that you miss the important details. The musical scores are also very well attended to, while they work perfectly with the game’s vibe, they seem to be underappreciated and most times not even noticeable when playing. Which I suppose is better than the alternative.
Controlling your very own Sackboy could not be easier, X to jump, R1 to grab and square brings up your in-game menu. You can also use your Six-Axis controller to change where your Sackboy is looking / thrusting their pelvis, and control their arms with the two analog sticks. Playing through the game, if you fall into spikes or gasses, get hit by a baddy, or get stuck and have to ‘pop’ yourself, you get sent back to the checkpoint, do this enough times and its game over, but move onto the next checkpoint and you reset your tries count. The only things you have to look out for are when you play online. Interesting choices in camera work, lag, and frustrating co-Sackboys messing up puzzle chain reactions can irritate avid gamers, but hey, it’s a learning experience so go easy on the little sack.
All in all, with this being Sony’s big title exclusive of the holiday, you can expect plenty of future downloadable content and with players constantly creating worlds, there really is no end to the game. Create, Play, Share; the slogan of this insanely cute imaginative game really rings true as you not only make worlds for yourself to enjoy but others around the world, and the effort is given back by other players tenfold. If you have the time to go around collecting pieces then even more time to create an interactive world, LBP will be used to its fullest potential, if however, you have a job, school, social life or other obligation, you might not be able to enjoy all aspects LBP has to offer. That being said, with player created content going mainstream at an unprecedented speed, maybe Little Big Planet is just the first in a massive leap towards the new gaming future?
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 5.0/5
Sound: 5.0/5
Replay Value: 5.0/5
Earlier this week, Sony Canada introduced its new Bravia LCD TV. The Bravia features 240Hz high frame rate technology that delivers high quality motion detail, and feature an extremely thin design measuring just 9.9mm, or about the thickness of a CD jewel case.
The new motion technology feature, called Motionflow, allows images to be delivered in great detail and crispness with natural motion. Other picture enhancements include Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), which helps deliver a contrast ratio of 50,000:1, and Bravia Engine 2, Sony’s digital video processor that enhances all incoming cable or satellite signals to match the TV’s 1080p resolution.
Sony will also be releasing its 40-inch diagonal 1920 x 1080p KLV-40ZX1M flat panel LCD monitor. This monitor will also be only 9.9mm deep and weigh approximately 26 pounds. The monitor will also feature a wide colour gamut LED backlight and Sony’s Motionflow technology.
Both of these models will be available by the Holiday season in Canada.
