WTF? Avatar: Special Edition DVD will have 7 more minutes of footage than the theatrical re-release

Talk about a scam. Just when I came to terms with James Cameron re-releasing Avatar in theaters with the gimmick of adding 9 minutes of extra footage, reports have surfaced that a new DVD/Blu-ray version of the film with 16 minutes of extra footage will hit shelves in November. That's not the end either. A 3D version of the Blu-ray will not be available until next year with who knows how much more bonus footage. 

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Avatar: Special Edition trailer

I hope they aren't revealing all the new scenes here. The trailer for Avatar: Special Edition has arrived. The film will be 8 minutes longer than the original and release on more 3D screens than were available when Avatar hit theaters in late 2009. That's really all there is to say, I guess. There are some new Pandoran running beasts in the trailer. That's cool, right?

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Avatar 2-3 may be shot back-to-back, says Cameron

James Cameron is back. With the Avatar re-release set to hit theaters in a couple months, reporters are already hitting him up for another round of sequel information. Speaking on the possibility of back-to-back sequels, he says it's definitely something he's looking into since it could save a lot of money.

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3D movie grosses are not trending "Down, Down, Down" (rant)

No matter how it's spun, the data on the expected 3D explosion just isn't going in the right direction.

This is the first sentence of The Wrap's story titled: "3D at the Box Office: Down, Down, Down." Hit the jump to read why it's a load of bull.

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Avatar Special Edition trailer is here with new footage

I'm skeptical about this, but it's happening. I reported a week ago that Avatar was coming back to theaters with 8 minutes of extra footage. Well, now we have a TV trailer for said, re-release. It should be noted that Alice in Wonderland's release in March did kick Avatar out of many 3D theaters sooner than its success deserved. We shall see if there is any pent up demand to see it on the big screen again.

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Avatar is coming back to theaters with 8 extra minutes of footage

James Cameron is re-releasing Avatar in 3D equipped theaters on August 27 with eight minutes of bonus footage crammed inside it. Fox executives explain:

"Avatar: Special Edition is especially gratifying, because not only has Avatar become one of the most beloved films in history, but after its initial theatrical release we have been inundated with requests to re-release the film in theatres in 3D.  Equally important, we're thrilled that Jim Cameron is able to give audiences even more of what they loved about Avatar." - Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen and CEOs Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman

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Damn, AVATAR looks good in this Blu-ray trailer

Liam at Filmonic posted this TV spot for Avatar's upcoming Blu-ray/DVD release on April 22. I'm equally impressed by this short spot. Avatar is likely to become the highest selling Blu-ray of all time. If you can hold off until later this year though, 20th Century Fox will release a special edition DVD with bonus features and extra scenes. This initial release will be bare bones.

My 2010 Oscar picks (just in time)!

It's Oscar predicting time again. I am very fortunate to have seen all ten films nominated for Best Picture this year, and most other films that aren't in a short and/or foreign language category. I have to say, it's an odd year, but most of these films are quite deserving, except for The Blind Side. How the hell did that get in there? My favorite film of the year, 500 Days of Summer, got snubbed, but I don't control the universe so I can't complain.

So here's how this is going to work. I'm going to pick my favorites for each category. If I feel the need to spout off about a category, I will. These are my picks for what films/actors should win. These aren't necessarily what films/actors I think will win. The Oscars air tonight at 9 p.m. Okay, here we go.

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Movies and Melodies #1 - 2010 Best Score nominees

I'm trying something new. This is the first edition of a new podcast I'm debuting here on Cinema Soldier. It'll air every weekend on TalkLansing.net and MIentertainment.biz--two new internet radio stations in my area (Michigan, US). I produce several shows, write, and run their websites. Click play to listen, or download the MP3 at the bottom of this post. Let me know what you think! Feedback is appreciated.

Movies and Melodies is a weekly show celebrating beautiful and cinematic music on and off the screen. In my first show, I play some of my favorite tracks from all five of this year's Best Original Film Score nominees: Sherlock Holmes, Avatar, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Hurt Locker, and Up. If you like anything you hear, there are links below to purchase or preview all of the music in the show.

• Sherlock Holmes (Original Soundtrack)
• Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack)
• Avatar (Original Soundtrack)
• The Hurt Locker (Original Soundtrack)
• Up (Original Soundtrack)

Click here to follow this show's podcast feed. It will be on iTunes soon. Please shoot me an email if you have a directory where I can't be found.

Movies and Melodies #1 - Nominees for Best Score

AVATAR / POCAHONTAS trailer mash-up - check it out!

Watching a video like this should make me sad. Honestly though, it makes me want to watch Pocahontas. I didn't realize how well the visuals held up since 1996. What beautiful animation. Cameron may not be original, but he picks good movies to copy. Thanks to Sasha at AwardsDaily for tweeting this video. She has a good site. Randy Szuch is the creator.