by Matt Raub, Mar 8 2010 // 1:00 PM
Are you a big fan of USA’s Psych, starring James Roday and Dulé Hill? Then you’re going to want to hop on over to our Twitter all day tomorrow as we host another Twitter Contest for an awesome prize pack to coincide with Wednesday night’s Psych season finale.
From USA:
Don’t miss the most shocking PSYCH finale ever as a killer targets Shawn using scenarios from classic Hitchcock films. Ally Sheedy guest-stars in Psych’s season finale, directed by James Roday — “Mr. Yin Presents” — premiering Wednesday at 10/9C!
Enter to win a Psych Prize Bag filled with:
– Psych Season 3 DVD Set
– Psych Talking Bobbleheads
– Psych Book: Call of the Mild
– Psych Pineapple T-Shirt
– Psych Pineapple Stress Toy
Be sure to check our Twitter Feed all day tomorrow to see the Psych trivia question that will give you a chance to win! Also, don’t forget to catch the season 4 finale of Psych, this Wednesday at 10pm EST!! Good Luck!
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Posted in: Action · Comedy · Contest · Exclusive · Giveaways · News · TV · Twitter Giveaway · USA
Tagged: Ally Sheedy, Contest, Dule Hill, Giveaway, James Roday, Psych, Twitter
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by Bob Starr, Feb 26 2010 // 4:02 PM
This was a big week for news, especially of the comic book movie variety. Surprisingly, even with all that coming out we still have even more items worth talking about on the radar. Batman beats Superman…again, a Star Wars character makes a bid for a mascot job, MGM is still looking for money, Brian De Palma may get paranormal and what cities will Michael Bay reign destruction upon next?
Batman trumps Superman on the auction block
Looks like Batman wasn’t content with beating Superman at the box office, he had to do it at an auction as well. The 1939 first appearance of The Dark Knight sold for a whopping $1,075,500. This beats Superman’s first appearance in comics which sold for 1 million. Sorry, Supes…but, hey, you did land an awesome writer for your upcoming reboot.
Blockbuster struggles to remain relevant in the digital age
Video rental store Blockbuster continues an uphill battle to compete against digital alternatives. The brick-and-mortar business reported a “$435 million in the fourth quarter, compared with $360 million in red ink in the year-ago frame. Revenue dropped 18% to $1.1 billion.” As companies like Netflix and Redbox continue to steal market share some believe Blockbuster has some merit left:
“The drying up of retail competition from the ongoing closures of most Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores; major studios aren’t making their new releases immediately available to Redbox; and Warner Bros. will begin a 28-delay before giving Netflix access to new-release DVDs.”
Personally, I don’t see a rebound at this point and beyond the legit competition Blockbuster still has piracy to content with. Is this the end? We’ll see.
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Posted in: Movies · News · On The Radar · TV
Tagged: 3D, Admiral Ackbar, Avatar, Batman, Blockbuster, Brian De Palma, Conan O'Brien, James Bond, MGM, Michael Bay, Michael Sheen, On The Radar, Paranormal Activity, Superman, The Hobbit, Todd McFarlane, Transformers 3, Tron Legacy, Twitter
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by Bob Starr, Feb 19 2010 // 12:00 PM
This week on the radar we’ve got news on Steven Spielberg’s potential return to dinosaurs, the status of the third Mortal Kombat film, NBC gets a Gold in the ratings competition, and what comic book legend may show up on one of our favorite shows, The Big Bang Theory.
Let’s see what blips are on the radar this week.
Boba Fett, finally the deadliest action figure in a galaxy far, far away
If you’re like me, you grew up on the first generation of Star Wars toys and action figures. You know the ones, they had a massive (sarcasm) five points of articulation. Well, one figure that was sort of an urban legend was the missile-firing Boba Fett. We all heard of it, but rarely saw it. Well, now it can be yours with the purchase of five other figures! Offer expires 3/31/2011, while supplies last, only valid in US and Canada…and a whole lot of other legal fine print I’m sure.
Tron: Legacy viral campaign starts to gear up
Disney teased everyone at last year’s Comic Con about a Tron viral campaign. With the highly anticipated film set to open this December online viral goodness have started to trickle out. The first is a new site with a somewhat enigmatic theme to it. Can you figure out what it is? I don’t want to ruin it, but if you must know check this link out.
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Posted in: 20th Century Fox · Business · Disney · Geek · Iron Man 2 · Legal · MGM · MTV · Marvel Studios · Movies · NBC · Networks · News · On The Radar · Prequels and Sequels · Sci-Fi · Social Networking · Star Wars · TV · TV Ratings · Toy Fair · Toys · Warner Bros
Tagged: Avatar, Boba Fett, Jame Bond, James Cameron, Jurassic Park, Mortal Kombat, Sam Mendes, Stan Lee, Steven Spielberg, Tron Legacy, Twitter, Variety
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by Bob Starr, Feb 18 2010 // 11:00 AM
If you haven’t heard by now Clerks and Cop Out director Kevin Smith was asked to leave a Southwest Airlines flight last weekend. The reason, he was deemed a “safety risk”, or in Smith’s words, “too fat to fly.” That’s right, Southwest Airlines tossed “Silent Bob” off a flight. What has the world come to?
Smith has come out and said he wasn’t drinking, acting out-of-the-ordinary, or too fat to fit in the seat:
“Dear @SouthwestAir, I flew out in one seat, but right after issuing me a standby ticket, Oakland Southwest attendant Suzanne (wouldn’t give last name) told me Captain Leysath deemed me a “safety risk”. Again: I’m way fat… But I’m not THERE just yet. But if I am, why wait til my bag is up, and I’m seated WITH ARM RESTS DOWN. In front of a packed plane with a bunch of folks who’d already I.d.ed me as ‘Silent Bob.’”
Armrests securely down, he was all prepared to leave (with his bag stowed no less) when the Captain asked that he be removed. Granted, anything could have happened on that flight, but the fact Southwest Airlines tried to issue him a $100 voucher in response (which he refused) doesn’t help their case.
All that said, a number of people have come to Smith’s defense, including Marvel’s own Stan Lee. Speaking via Twitter, Lee made a few remarks in support of Smith’s case:
@smilinstanlee: The only way Kevin could look really fat would be if he packed his pockets with cards bearing the names of each of his 1,600,000 followers!
@smilinstanlee: Maybe us thin guys who don’t take up the whole seat on a plane should ask for a discount! It ought’a work both ways!
While humorous, Lee’s remarks note one very important thing; Smith has over a million followers on Twitter. Sure, there could be a lot of spam accounts in there but let’s assume even half (I’m sure there are more than that) are real people. 500,000 or so individuals following, listening and generally waiting for Smith to say something.
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Posted in: Editorial and Opinion · Marvel · News · Social Networking
Tagged: Clerks, Cop Out, Kevin Smith, Mallrats, Marvel, Silent Bob, Southwest Airlines, Stan Lee, Twitter
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by Bob Starr, Feb 12 2010 // 3:00 PM
We at The Flickcast are pretty diligent about serving up all the news that comes out each week. However, try as we may to cover it all, some things occassionally slip by. Well, no longer.
Welcome to On The Radar! This weekly post will be your premiere destination for a comprehensive roundup of items that may be developing stories we’re watching, Twitter commentary, or other relevant news that wasn’t quite ready for prime time just yet. In short, a grab bag of geek items which are sure to please.
Let’s see what blips are on the radar this week.
‘Zombieland’ devours video rentals
Zombieland dominated the video lists this week, “…on the Nielsen VideoScan Blu-ray Disc chart, “Zombieland” went three for three, bowing at No. 1 and …racked up 31% of its total first-week sales from the Blu-ray Disc.” Way to go Zombieland, we can’t wait for the sequeal.
‘Avatar’ 3D boosts Cineplex ticket sales in Canada
3D showings of Avatar did wonders for Cineplex’s bottom line in Canada, “Despite running for only 13 days during its latest financial frame, “Avatar 3D” was Cineplex’s biggest boxoffice performer during the fourth quarter to Dec. 31, and has done around $74 million in Canadian ticket receipts to date.” No surprise really given the popularity of this film and the fact 3D showings are still being sold, out or causing line-ups.
Geek flicks drive Viacom profits
DVD and Blu-Ray disc sales from Star Trek, Transformers 2 and G.I. Joe stimulated Viacom’s fourth quarter earnings to the tune of $694 million. Not bad considering the $173 million it made in the same quarter in 2008. Also helping was the indie hit Paranormal Activity which increased operating expenses by 24%.
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Posted in: 3-D · Action · Blu-Ray · G.I. Joe · Geek · Interviews · Legal · Lionsgate · MGM · Marvel · Marvel Studios · Movies · News · On The Radar · Prequels and Sequels · Reboots and Remakes · Star Trek · Transformers
Tagged: Ant-Man, Avatar, Captain America, Contagion, Cowboys and Aliens, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, On The Radar, Robocop, Stan Lee, Steven Soderbergh, Terminator, Twitter, Zombieland
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by Chris Ullrich, Feb 12 2010 // 2:00 PM
Responding to rather vocal criticism from much of the online community, Google is making adjustments to its two-day-old Google Buzz service to enhance, and enable users to more easily manage, privacy. Buzz, as it currently exists, was to be Google’s answer to Twitter and Facebook with a dash of FriendFeed thrown in, but so far it seems off to a somewhat rocky start — at least when it comes to user privacy concerns.
The changes, to be implemented later today, include:
• More visible option to not show followers/people you follow on your public profile
• Ability to block anyone who starts following you
• More clarity on which of your followers/people you follow can appear on your public profile
These changes will hopefully help users feel more comfortable with the service. I, for one, turned it off due to concerns that my contact list was being viewed by anyone who follows me, regardless if they are someone I know. With these new privacy features, let’s hope Google gets Buzz going in the right direction again.
Do you use Buzz? Or, is it something you’re not interested in? Let us know in the comments.
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Posted in: Google · News · Tech · Web
Tagged: Facebook, Google, Google Buzz, Internet, iPhone, Social Networking, Software, Twitter
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by Matt Raub, Feb 11 2010 // 11:00 AM

While you’re already getting your big Academy Awards party ready in time for the telecast on March 7th, we’ve got something for even bigger movie fans to enjoy. Of course, we’re talking about a movie marathon!
All month long, Turner Classic Movies will be running over 360 Academy Award nominated and winning films, back to back, with an interesting twist. In the vain of the game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” each film will have a common actor or actress from the previous film.
For example, tomorrow night’s schedule consists of The Graduate with Anne Bancroft and William Daniels, which goes into Reds which stars Daniels and Jack Nicholson, into Chinatown with Nicholson and John Huston. Though we’re already about two weeks into the marathon, there are still plenty of great films to look forward to, including some TCM firsts like Gladiator, Titanic, Alien, and Trading Places.
We’re also going to be helping you celebrate the upcoming 82nd Annual Academy Awards on March 7th with a great prize pack, so be sure to keep an eye on our Twitter for details on how to win.
In the meantime, check out the schedule for this weekend’s films on TCM, and be sure to download the full schedule in PDF format. If not, you could always watch them blind and try to figure out the common actor/actress. Have fun!
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Posted in: Academy Awards · Classics · Events · Filmmaking · Movies · News · TCM · TV
Tagged: Academy Awards, Alien, Chinatown, Contests, Gladiator, Graduate, Oscars, Reds, Titanic, Trading Places, Turner Classic Movies, Twitter, Twitter Giveaway
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by Chris Ullrich, Feb 9 2010 // 1:00 PM

During a special event today at Google Headquarters in Mountain View, CA, the search giant unveiled its new Google Buzz approach to sharing and several new features designed to enhance its Gmail service and bring it more in line with other mainstream social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Google Buzz, which works inside the Gmail interface, includes the following features:
• Auto-following. We didn’t want users to have to peck out a totally new social graph. There has always been a giant social network under Gmail.
• Rich, fast sharing experience. Same nice Gmail UI and keyboard shortcuts. Special attention to media.
• Public and private sharing. We want things Google can index, but also private messages.
• Inbox integration. The inbox is the center for communication.
• Just the good stuff. Some much social data, we need to filter the noise.
• Go to google.com on your iPhone or Android phone web browser.
• New application for Buzz.
• Update to Google Maps for mobiles. Android, Windows Mobile and Symbian today
According to Google, they will be rolling out the starting today so keep an eye out. One question to consider, though, is if Google’s answer to social networking will actually be successful or not? As someone who uses Twitter and Facebook daily but has less time for something like Friendfeed (which Buzz is similar to) I wonder if users will take to these new features or not.
Also, if you’re interested, there’s a video produced by Google that explains Buzz a bit more after the jump.
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Posted in: Google · News · Social Networking · Software
Tagged: Android, Facebook, Google, Google Buzz, iPhone, Mobile, Social Networking, Software, Twitter
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by Chris Ullrich, Feb 8 2010 // 2:00 PM
There’s no denying Twitter’s popularity. It’s everywhere and many people use it all day, every day. So, if you need to Tweet while on the go, you need an smartphone with a Twitter app on it. The iPhone has several, with Tweetie and Twitterific probably being the most popular.
That’s great, but what if you’re using a cool Android powered smartphone like Verizon’s DROID? Fortunately, there’s a app for you too in the form of Seesmic. And now, the folks who make Seesmic have updated their app with some cool new features.
Among the new features are multiple account support with cross-posting, extra large font size, auto-correction of typing, automatic profile updates, on device twitter password management and optional timeline position memory so you jump back to the last tweets that you were reading.
The latest version of Seesmic is available now for free from the Android Market. If you check it out, be sure to come back and let us know how it compares to other Android Twitter apps like Twidroid and Tweetcaster.
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Posted in: Google · Mobile Apps · News · Software · Tech
Tagged: Android, DROID, Geek, Google, iPhone, iTunes Store, Seesmic, Social Networking, Software, Tech, Tweetie, Twitter, Twitterific
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by Matt Raub, Jan 8 2010 // 3:00 PM
Say what you will about fans of ABC’s LOST, but they are certainly imaginative. From a Lost-inspired painting of the “Last Supper”, to an entire art show dedicated to it, the fans are always looking for some way to incorporate Abrams, Lindelof and Cuse’s mysterious island into their daily lives.
Now it looks like fans want to experience the island for themselves…as a ride. What started off as a joke from California blogger and Lost fanatic Jon Stueve, who originally threw the idea of a Lost ride into the ether, fans are now hungry for the idea. The Examiner reports:
“In a random tweeted conversation between Stueve and someone he follows, photos of Disneyland led to the statement, ‘Let me know when they’ve made Tom Sawyer Island into Dharma Island.’ Having it out there, Stueve thought the idea was 1) humorous, and 2) had potential, so he made another public tweet. He was flabbergasted when Doc Jensen tweeted back, ‘I TOTALLY SECOND LOST_WFTB’s CALL FOR TURNING TOM SAWYER ISLAND AT DISNEYLAND INTO #LOST ISLAND! GET ON THAT, DISNEY!’”
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Posted in: ABC · Abrams · Action · Fandom · Fantasy · News · TV · Web
Tagged: ABC, Disney Land, Fandom, J.J. Abrams, Lost, Petition, Twitter
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