Blockbuster's Disappointing $99 video box

Blockbuster recently launched the MediaPoint player, selling it for $99 from its Web site. With it, your first 25 movie rentals are free.

The slim box made by 2Wire Inc. connects to your TV and your home broadband line. Using the included remote control to order a movie, it downloads so you can begin watching after a few minutes.

Blockbuster and others realize the days of the movie rental store are numbered, but Blockbuster's first box for playing Internet video on your TV doesn't measure up to the existing devices. The present line up:

http://www.blockbuster.com/ondemand

http://www.netflix.com

http://www.apple.com/appletv

http://www.vudu.com

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The Simpsons take on Steve Jobs

Steve Mobs!

Springfield gets an (M)apple store...courtesy of Emperor of the Universe and Ruler of Mapple! Any indy filmmakers can parody anyone.

He's like a GOD who knows what we want! This Simpsons clip is a parody of the very first Apple advertisement and TV commercial in "1984."

Yes, Big Brother is watching you! Enjoy!

Insomnia Student Film Festival

Apple.com is featuring the Insomnia Film Festival, a 24-hour production marathon to be judged by Fred Armisen, Nora Ephron, Terry George, Mary Harron, James Mangold, Mira Nair, Jim Sheridan, Barry Sonnenfeld and Luis Valdez.

The Festival offers entrants a chance at the SlingJam award, SlingJam being the peer-based film sharing and review website started by very-Harry-looking Harry Potter movie producer David Barron.

From the IFF website:

"Members of the winning team will receive a private group video iChat with David Barron. This one hour face-to-face discussion will offer the winning team the chance to have their Insomnia film critiqued, and their questions answered by one of Hollywood's leading producers."

If he's smart enough to turn a tallent search into a film festival, he's probably smart enough to sell your film ideas. Worth the tight deadline for the chat.

See the IFF site at Apple.com for details:
http://www.apple.com/education/insomnia/prizes.html