were even released in the theater (Monsters and Freakonomics were available last fall that way). They were priced at 9.99 and 12.99 for an HD rental.
The only way I'd consider one of these deals is if it was a movie that I was super excited about and I had a group of people at my house watching with me. And if its going to be a month after it hits the theaters then I'd just wait till I could buy or rent it on DVD or Blu-ray. 30 dollars just to see something a month or two before you could rent it for 4 or 5 seems really steep to me.
I just heard on the 4/1/11 and had heard some other discussion as well that Sony Pictures is going to allow people to watch movies at home that were recently in the theaters about a month ago for $30. I agree that this is costly, because unless you have a great theater, you do not get the theater experience. I do question why hotels can offer movies with a similar window for $12.95 or so, and you and your family who are staying in the same room can watch the movie for much less, on someone elses television. Of course, this is part of the home experience.
This would make much more sense to me if it were priced similarly to what hotels are charging, and if you have a great system, you get to watch it in hi def with great sound. If they did the release simultaneously with the theater release, this premium makes sense. After a month, it makes little sense to me pricewise and it is again studios looking to free us from our hard earned cash.

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic