movies

The lovely thing about Google is its certainty.

At least, I think I'm sure about that.

Google's algorithms exist to take the weight from our minds and direct us to where we should be going and what we should be doing. It's a wonderful relief.

Recently, Google declared it could out-Kreskin the critics and the Hollywood marketing men, by predicting, with 94 percent accuracy, which movies would succeed.

It was easy, Google huffed haughtily. All it had to do was look at search patterns.

Conan O'Brien and his team are a touch skeptical of this claim. … Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Help Kickstart a documentary on the cultural impact of "Back to the Future."

- How movie theaters keep cool through summer's scorching months.

- A Web site that exposes Instagram frauds that use #nofilter.

- Kanye, the new Steve Jobs, gets Jobs-signed Apple mouse.

- How Xbox fans in Japan earned the nickname "Gropers."

- Pebble smartwatch coming to Best Buy starting July 7.… Read more

Flipping images is almost as easy as flipping burgers, but DVDVideoSoft's Free Video Flip and Rotate tackles a harder job, flipping and rotating videos in every axis: left, right, vertical, horizontal, 180, counterclockwise, and so on. It can change the orientation of video clips or restore the correct orientation of videos that have been altered. Of course it's free, or it probably would be named something else besides Free Video Flip and Rotate! It's ready for Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.

Free Video Flip and Rotate is totally easy to use. The user interface looks like … Read more

If you've never seen sweaty, headband-wearing dwarves dance to cheesy music, then you should check out the latest "The Hobbit" video diary from Director Peter Jackson.

Though primary shooting for the next two movies wrapped in 2012, Jackson, the actors, and the crew returned to New Zealand in May to kick off a 10-week pick-up shooting schedule.

After many months of inactivity, it takes a lot of work to get a billion dollar movie franchise rolling again -- especially in a remote locale like New Zealand. To ensure Jackson gets those perfect shots needed to complete "The Desolation of Smaug" and "There and Back Again," crews must reopen and modify existing sets and actors must revisit familiar scenes.… Read more

If you'd like to be able to whip up short videos and post them online but don't quite know where to start, Blueberry's BB FlashBack Express might be the tool for you. It records your screen activity, with sound, and posts finished videos to YouTube and other sites. BB FlashBack Express lets you create instructional videos that record every onscreen step, or narrate a slideshow or series of clips to create your own documentaries and short films. It's designed to be as easy to use as possible without sacrificing the capabilities you're looking for. It'… Read more

After a week pockmarked with unfortunately timed sellouts, I want to send you into your weekend with enough deals to make your wallet beg for mercy.

1. The cheapest Blu-ray player ever. We've been rewatching "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy around these parts, and I just upgraded from the DVDs I'd purchased years ago to the Blu-ray editions. No. Contest. If you want the best picture and sound, by a mile, there's still nothing better.

For a limited time, and while supplies last, Newegg has the refurbished Magnavox MBP5320 Blu-ray player with Wi-Fi for $19.99 shipped. … Read more

Whenever I envision the perfect smartphone, it has one key feature: a kickstand. (Bet you thought I was going to say freeze-ray. That's no. 2 on the list.)

Why the deep-seated longing for a pop-out propper-upper? Because my phone is my constant companion, used for everything from reading while I eat breakfast to watching movies on long flights to showing recipes while I'm in the kitchen. (That's right, I bake. Got a problem?) Unfortunately, it's always lying down in the job. I need a way to hold it up so I can keep both hands free.… Read more

Eltima SWF Movie Player for Mac, currently known as Elmedia Player, handles multiple formats in a well-designed package that would be easy to use for all users. The program offers some neat features and performs without any glitches. However, if you want to download Flash animations and videos from the Web, capture a screenshot of the current frame, or enjoy the full-screen mode, you'll need to upgrade to the PRO version.

After installing easily, Eltima SWF Movie Player for Mac displays a menu that offers an upgraded version of the program. This is easily dismissed, bringing up the main … Read more

Walt Disney Co. and Sony Pictures Entertainment are testing out a new way for people to watch the latest films.

The companies are offering consumers in South Korea the opportunity to rent films in-home that are currently running in theaters. According to the Wall Street Journal, which was first to report on their move, Sony offered "Django Unchained" three weeks after it premiered in theaters. Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Brave" were also made available weeks after their theatrical releases.

Film studios have for years attempted to find the right balance between getting people … Read more