It was confirmed today that James Cameron’s next two films will both be set on the planet Pandora.

According to Variety, Cameron signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to direct both “Avatar 2,” which has been given a tentative release date of December 2014 and “Avatar 3,” due for distribution a year later.

Cameron told the source, “In the second and third films, which will be self-contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc, we will not back off the throttle of “Avatar’s visual and emotional horsepower, and will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world. I’m looking forward to returning to Pandora, a world where our imaginations can run wild.”

He is going to start working on the scripts for both films in early 2011, after which he will also decide whether or not to shoot them back-to-back.

Released last December, “Avatar” is the top-grossing film, having made $2.8 billion worldwide.

Also, Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman explained to the source, “Avatar is not only the highest grossing movie of all time, it created a universe based on the singular imagination and daring of James Cameron, who also has raised the consciousness of people worldwide to some of the greatest issues facing our planet. We had no greater priority, and can feel no greater joy, than enabling Jim to continue and expand his vision of the world of Avatar.” So, it was not all about the financial matter.

Today’s announcement, though, kind of throws into doubt whether or not Cameron will direct the 3D remake of “Cleopatra,” with actress Angelina Jolie in the title role.

In a hardcore pornography feature-length film that probably cost as much as a minor Hollywood blockbuster to produce, Hustler has released a fully 3D porn parody of James Cameron’s “Avatar.”

“Hustler is no stranger to being at the forefront of creativity, innovation and pushing the envelope,” the company said in a statement Tuesday. “The company has always prided itself on being the first to raise the bar and make the impossible, possible! In keeping with the reputation of being the first — and best— at what it does.”

One expense: More than 40 bottles of alcohol-based blue paint to cover characters to make them look like real “Avatar” characters.

There are three changed elements from the real movie to the porn spoof. The Na’vi are referred to as Na’bi, the planet Pandora was renamed to Panwhora, and instead of being after unobtainium, the humans are after viagratanium

We know you care about this part the most — the flick has a serious storyline. After the original events of “Avatar,” Jake reveals in a video diary that shows a darker side for the Na’bi. The Na’bi turn out to be “fetish-fueled sex fiends” who have a massive orgy after the human corporation leaves, and then reveal their true purpose for keeping humans in a surprise ending.

“It’s one thing when you have a job where you go to work every day and have sex in front of a camera. It’s another experience to come to work, and literally assume the persona of a being completely unlike yourself,” said pron star Misty Stone. “I guess they call that acting.”

And did we mention it’s a 3D movie?

“This is 3D technology at its best,” said Rob Smith, director of operations for Hustler Video. “Characters aren’t seemingly jumping out at you and there’s no need to watch the film in fear that something — or someone — might hit you at any time. That’s not the kind of movie we made.”

“We made a film, where, when you’re watching it in 3D, everything just seems to come alive. It has dimension, depth, and the sense that you could literally walk in to the frame at any second.”

The film is directed by Hustler’s Axel Braun and stars Chanel Preston, Nicki Hunter, Lexington Steele, Eric Swiss and Chris Johnson in addition to Stone.

It has been released on two-disc DVD and Blu-ray packs.

James Cameron’s science fiction epic Avatar did wonders at the box office and more recently on DVD and Blu-Ray. It made more money than any other before it.

Ubisoft was quick to control the license for a video game adaptation and released Avatar: The Video Game a few weeks before the film hit shelves, a decision some say was backwards and silly.

Well, those naysayers feel the force of karma today, as Ubisoft reports the title sold nearly 2.7 million units life-to-date.

“The game Avatar performed ahead of our expectation in the quarter, notably on Wii, and ended up close to 2.7 million units sold in the full year, delivering a positive contribution for the company,” Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said yesterday in a conference call. He added “”The game continues to sell well, notably thanks to the launch of the movie DVD.”

I haven’t played the game, but clearly millions of you have. When I see the game in the cheap bin, I’ll certainly pick it up.

via GameSpot

To complement last night’s “Gears Of War 3″ reveal comes Microsoft’s unveiling of the series finale’s box art and Xbox 360 Avatar clothing this morning.

The box art, still unofficial, looks extremely predictable so we hope Epic Games decide to get more creative before it’s finalized. And the Avatar gear, which will become available April 20, comes in  both male and female flavors.

Box Art

Anya clothing

Dom gear

Microsoft wants you to use its search engine Bing and is handing free Xbox Live Avatar t-shirts to help promote it.

All you have to do is search the magic phrase into the Bing search engine and voila, your free codes.

I don’t want mine, so here you go.

• • Male Shirt: PHT9P-KXR4Y-BB6BY-VFMPD-THT4T
• • Female Shirt: VFH6P-9FJKK-KKP9G-H4DRH-WTCFM

I’ve been using  Bing more and more recently, but Google will remain king, at least in my eyes.

You know, I actually buy that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin would share a hotel room. Hilarious parody of “Paranormal Activity” and nice intro to a horror film tribute.

OMG!!! Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart. Both look rather bored, although it’s nice to see that KStew dressed appropriately for the Oscars — no converse or daggered skirt. And Taylor Lautner, suit and tie as usual (does this guy own a tshirt?) Did we really just see an Oscar clip package that included “Saw”, “Chucky,” an evil leprechaun and…”Twilight”??? The clip package gave some great examples of why horror movies aren’t taken more seriously. Though I do have to say the “Scream” clips have me excited for the fourth movie.

Young Hollywood on parade continues with Zac Efron and Anne Kendrick presenting art and sound editing. They are the much more impressive duo. For those of you who didn’t get a chance to see “Me and Orson Welles” (which I am assuming was many of you), definitely look for it on DVD. Efron equates himself really well and proves he is a promising leading man.

Nice bringing Morgan Freeman into the clip to show the artistry behind sound editing and mixing. Love what the Oscars are doing to explain these awards to us novices at home. I was expecting “Avatar” to pick up most of the technical categories. This could be a sign that “Hurt Locker” should be the strong favorite for Best Picture now.
And Mixing goes to “Hurt Locker” as well. “Avatar” may be in trouble.

“Because frankly we are sick of bringing out all these ugly actresses.” Martin and Baldwin continue to roll. Sorry, let me just take a minute to admire Carey Mulligan and Zoe Saldana. Both are looking gorgeous. Wow what a double whammy to make them present categories that most people won’t care about. With those two ladies on stage, they will definitely keep my attention — Best Animated Short, Best Live Action Documentary Short Subject, Best Live Action Short. Really cool getting past filmmakers that have gone on to great success off of their short film wins. Taylor Hackford, David Frankel, John Lasseter…really cool. Is it just me or are the Oscars making an effort to really help casual viewers understand the art behind all of the awards? Really cool idea and pretty inspiring.

Funny speech from animated short winner Nicolas Schmerkin. It is always fun to see how these unkowns handle the stage and the audience. Usually they produce some really memorable moments and Schmerkin was no exception.

Oh my god… Ben Stiller is dressed as a Naavi!!! “This seemed like a better idea in rehearsal.” Gotta love how far he will go. I am not sure I will be able to take “Avatar” seriously ever. Again. Suddenly my 4-star review is feeling somewhat foolish. “I will try to stand as far away from them as possible to not demean their moment of triumph.” Ben I forgive you for “Night at the Museum”…one and two.

Yes!! “Star Trek” gets some love. How fun was that movie? It was such a strong summer for really good blockbusters and “Star Trek” was one of the best of the bunch.

Hey Star Wars fans, gear from the critically acclaimed and multi-million selling “The Force Unleashed” is now available in the Xbox 360 Avatar Marketplace.

Available for paid download is everything from Stormtrooper outfits to a Starkiller Lightsaber to an Imperial Officer outfit and much more.

The gear will run you anywhere from 80 Microsoft Points ($1) for a simple t-shirt to 400 MS Points ($5) for the aforementioned Lightsaber.

Maybe consider consulting Yoda before purchasing?

Full list of available items at the Xbox Live Web Marketplace Force Unleashed page.

Here’s the final list. Analysis comes tomorrow!

MOTION PICTURES:

–Picture, Drama: “Avatar.”

–Picture, Musical or Comedy: “The Hangover.”

–Actor, Drama: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart.”

–Actress, Drama: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side.”

–Director: James Cameron, “Avatar.”

–Actor, Musical or Comedy: Robert Downey Jr., “Sherlock Holmes.”

–Actress, Musical or Comedy: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia.”

–Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds.”

–Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious: Based on the Novel `Push’ by Sapphire.”

–Foreign Language: “The White Ribbon.”

–Animated Film: “Up.”

–Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air.”

–Original Score: Michael Giacchino, “Up.”

–Original Song: “The Weary Kind” (theme from “Crazy Heart”), (written by Ryan Bingham, T Bone Burnett).

TELEVISION:

–Series, Drama: “Mad Men,” AMC.

–Actor, Drama: Michael C. Hall, “Dexter.”

–Actress, Drama: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife.”

–Series, Musical or Comedy: “Glee,” Fox.

–Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock.”

–Actress, Musical or Comedy: Toni Collette, “United States of Tara.”

–Miniseries or Movie: “Grey Gardens,” HBO.

–Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Kevin Bacon, “Taking Chance.”

–Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Drew Barrymore, “Grey Gardens.”

–Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: John Lithgow, “Dexter.”

–Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Chloe Sevigny, “Big Love.”

Here is the full list of 2010 Golden Globe nominees

1. BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA

1. AVATAR
Lightstorm Entertainment; Twentieth Century Fox
2. THE HURT LOCKER
Voltage Pictures; Summit Entertainment
3. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures/A Band Apart/Zehnte Babelsberg GmbH Production; The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures
4. PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE
A Lee Daniels Entertainment / Smokewood Entertainment Group Production;
Lionsgate
5. UP IN THE AIR
Paramount Pictures; Paramount Pictures

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA

1. EMILY BLUNT
THE YOUNG VICTORIA
2. SANDRA BULLOCK
THE BLIND SIDE
3. HELEN MIRREN
THE LAST STATION
4. CAREY MULLIGAN
AN EDUCATION
5. GABOUREY SIDIBE
PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE

3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA

1. JEFF BRIDGES
CRAZY HEART
2. GEORGE CLOONEY
UP IN THE AIR
3. COLIN FIRTH
A SINGLE MAN
4. MORGAN FREEMAN
INVICTUS
5. TOBEY MAGUIRE
BROTHERS

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE — COMEDY OR MUSICAL

1. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Watermark Pictures; Fox Searchlight Pictures
2. THE HANGOVER
Warner Bros. Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures
3. IT’S COMPLICATED
Relativity Media, Scott Rudin Productions; Universal Pictures
4. JULIE & JULIA
Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing
5. NINE
The Weinstein Company/Relativity Media/Lucamar Productions/Marc Platt Productions; The Weinstein Company

5. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE — COMEDY OR
MUSICAL

1. SANDRA BULLOCK
THE PROPOSAL
2. MARION COTILLARD
NINE
3. JULIA ROBERTS
DUPLICITY
4. MERYL STREEP
IT’S COMPLICATED
5. MERYL STREEP
JULIE & JULIA

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — COMEDY
OR MUSICAL

1. MATT DAMON
THE INFORMANT!
2. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS
NINE
3. ROBERT DOWNEY JR
SHERLOCK HOLMES
4. JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT
(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
5. MICHAEL STUHLBARG
A SERIOUS MAN

7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

1. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS
Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation; Sony Pictures Releasing
2. CORALINE
Laika, Inc.; Focus Features
3. FANTASTIC MR. FOX
American Empirical Picture; Twentieth Century Fox
4. THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
Walt Disney Pictures/Walt Disney Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
5. UP
Walt Disney Pictures/PIXAR Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

1. BAARIA (ITALY)
Medusa Film; Summit Entertainment
2. BROKEN EMBRACES (SPAIN)
El Deseo SA; Sony Pictures Classics
3. THE MAID (CHILE)
(LA NANA)
Forastero; Elephant Eye Films
4. A PROPHET (UN PROPHETE) (FRANCE)
Chic Films/Page 114/Why Not Productions; Sony Pictures Classics
5. THE WHITE RIBBON (GERMANY)
(DAS WEISSE BAND — EINE DEUTSCHE KINDERGESCHICHTE)
X Filme Creative Pool/Les Films Du Losange/Lucky Red/Wega Film; Sony Pictures Classics

9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A
MOTION PICTURE

1. PEN‰LOPE CRUZ
NINE
2. VERA FARMIGA
UP IN THE AIR
3. ANNA KENDRICK
UP IN THE AIR
4. MO’NIQUE
PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE
5. JULIANNE MOORE
A SINGLE MAN

10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A
MOTION PICTURE

1. MATT DAMON
INVICTUS
2. WOODY HARRELSON
THE MESSENGER
3. CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER
THE LAST STATION
4. STANLEY TUCCI
THE LOVELY BONES
5. CHRISTOPH WALTZ
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

11. BEST DIRECTOR — MOTION PICTURE

1. KATHRYN BIGELOW
THE HURT LOCKER
2. JAMES CAMERON
AVATAR
3. CLINT EASTWOOD
INVICTUS
4. JASON REITMAN
UP IN THE AIR
5. QUENTIN TARANTINO
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

12. BEST SCREENPLAY — MOTION PICTURE

1. NEILL BLOMKAMP, TERRI TATCHELL
DISTRICT 9
2. MARK BOAL
THE HURT LOCKER
3. NANCY MEYERS
IT’S COMPLICATED
4. JASON REITMAN, SHELDON TURNER
UP IN THE AIR
5. QUENTIN TARANTINO
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE — MOTION PICTURE

1. MICHAEL GIACCHINO
UP
2. MARVIN HAMLISCH
THE INFORMANT!
3. JAMES HORNER
AVATAR
4. ABEL KORZENIOWSKI
A SINGLE MAN
5. KAREN O, CARTER BURWELL
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG — MOTION PICTURE

1. "CINEMA ITALIANO" — NINE
Music & Lyrics by: Maury Yeston
2. "I WANT TO COME HOME" — EVERYBODY’S FINE
Music & Lyrics by: Paul McCartney
3. "I SEE YOU" — AVATAR
Music by: James Horner, Simon Franglen
Lyrics by: James Horner, Simon Franglen, Kuk Harrell
4. "THE WEARY KIND (THEME FROM CRAZY HEART)" — CRAZY HEART
Music & Lyrics by: Ryan Bingham, T Bone Burnett
5. "WINTER" — BROTHERS
Music by: U2
Lyrics by: Bono

15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA

1. BIG LOVE (HBO)
Anima Sola Productions and Playtone in association with HBO Entertainment
2. DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
Showtime Presents, John Goldwyn Productions, The Colleton Company, Clyde Phillips Productions
3. HOUSE (FOX)
Universal Media Studios in association with Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry
4. MAD MEN (AMC)
AMC
5. TRUE BLOOD (HBO)
Your Face Goes Here Entertainment in association with HBO Entertainment

16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –
DRAMA

1. GLENN CLOSE
DAMAGES
2. JANUARY JONES
MAD MEN
3. JULIANNA MARGULIES
THE GOOD WIFE
4. ANNA PAQUIN
TRUE BLOOD
5. KYRA SEDGWICK
THE CLOSER

17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA

1. SIMON BAKER
THE MENTALIST
2. MICHAEL C. HALL
DEXTER
3. JON HAMM
MAD MEN
4. HUGH LAURIE
HOUSE
5. BILL PAXTON
BIG LOVE

18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES — COMEDY OR MUSICAL

1. 30 ROCK (NBC)
Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video and Little Stranger Inc.
2. ENTOURAGE (HBO)
Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
3. GLEE (FOX)
Twentieth Century Fox Television
4. MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
Twentieth Century Fox Television
5. THE OFFICE (NBC)
Universal Media Studios, Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC

19. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –
COMEDY OR MUSICAL

1. TONI COLLETTE
UNITED STATES OF TARA
2. COURTENEY COX
COUGAR TOWN
3. EDIE FALCO
NURSE JACKIE
4. TINA FEY
30 ROCK
5. LEA MICHELE
GLEE

20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES –
COMEDY OR MUSICAL

1. ALEC BALDWIN
30 ROCK
2. STEVE CARELL
THE OFFICE
3. DAVID DUCHOVNY
CALIFORNICATION
4. THOMAS JANE
HUNG
5. MATTHEW MORRISON
GLEE

21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. GEORGIA O’KEEFFE (LIFETIME TELEVISION)
Sony Pictures Television
2. GREY GARDENS (HBO)
Specialty Films and Locomotive in association with HBO Films
3. INTO THE STORM (HBO)
Scott Free and Rainmark Films Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films
4. LITTLE DORRIT (PBS)
Masterpiece/BBC Co-production
5. TAKING CHANCE (HBO)
Motion Picture Corporation of America and Civil Dawn Pictures in association with HBO Films

22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION
PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. JOAN ALLEN
GEORGIA O’KEEFFE
2. DREW BARRYMORE
GREY GARDENS
3. JESSICA LANGE
GREY GARDENS
4. ANNA PAQUIN
THE COURAGEOUS HEART OF IRENA SENDLER
5. SIGOURNEY WEAVER
PRAYERS FOR BOBBY

23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION
PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. KEVIN BACON
TAKING CHANCE
2. KENNETH BRANAGH
WALLANDER: ONE STEP BEHIND
3. CHIWETEL EJIOFOR
ENDGAME
4. BRENDAN GLEESON
INTO THE STORM
5. JEREMY IRONS
GEORGIA O’KEEFFE

24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A
SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. JANE ADAMS
HUNG
2. ROSE BYRNE
DAMAGES
3. JANE LYNCH
GLEE
4. JANET McTEER
INTO THE STORM
5. CHLO‹ SEVIGNY
BIG LOVE

25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES,
MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

1. MICHAEL EMERSON
LOST
2. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
3. WILLIAM HURT
DAMAGES
4. JOHN LITHGOW
DEXTER
5. JEREMY PIVEN
ENTOURAGE

Just crowned the second-highest grossing movie of all time after “Titanic,” “Avatar” continues to stir up controversy over its politics. Religion has entered the mix as The Vatican publicly criticizes the blockbuster.

The Vatican newspaper, “L’Osservatore Romano,” said the film "gets bogged down by a spiritualism linked to the worship of nature.” The Vatican radio station said it turns "ecology into the religion of the millennium."

Moviegoers are apparently not discouraged by the controversy, however, and “Avatar” has raked in $1.34 billion so far.

One of Blast’s resident film critics weighs in on the top 10 movies of last year.

10. Funny People: While many didn’t connect with Judd Apatow’s third film, I found it to be his most complete and satisfying feature to date. Boasting an honest and emotionally unguarded performance from Adam Sandler as George Simmons, a famous comedian who finds out he is dying- and then that he isn’t. While the film proves a bit ungainly at times, it’s both sweet and wickedly funny.

9. District 9: Along with "Star Trek" and "Avatar,” “District 9″ proved that Sci-Fi can be both smart and tons of fun. Neil Blomkamp’s first feature is exciting, thrilling, brutal and packs a surprising and rather emotional punch at the end. First time actor Sharlto Copley makes a great unlikely hero as Wikus and Blomkamp is definitely a director to watch.

8. Up: Yet another classic from Pixar. As gorgeous and intelligent as you would expect from Pixar, which can seemingly do no wrong. And "Up’s" opening, which tells a couple’s 60 year story in 10 minutes, is as emotionally affecting as anything I saw all year.

7. The Road: John Hillcoat’s second feature is as unflinching as his first. An adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel tells the story of a man protecting his young son as they journey across a post-apocalyptic U.S., rife with cannibalism and haunting reminders of an entire culture lost. Viggo Mortensen gives yet another fine performance as the desperate father and strengthens his status as one of the finest actors working. The film doesn’t shy away from the dark nature of the subject matter, but still earns its somewhat hopeful ending.

6. An Education: Director Lone Scherfig’s delicately told story about Jenny, a London teen in the 1960′s, who falls for the wrong man. Nick Hornby’s script is beautifully constructed and heartbreakingly honest. And Carey Mulligan is sensational as Jenny, embodying innocence and a woman’s maturity in equal measure. Mulligan easily earns the comparisons she has been getting to Audrey Hepburn. While she has been somewhat overshadowed by Meryl Streep so far this awards season, Mulligan’s performance was the best by an actress I saw all year.

5. Avatar: The year’s most singular cinematic experience. James Cameron’s first film in 12 years is a visual triumph and demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Using newly designed Performance Capture technology Cameron creates an entire world and a new species, the Na’vi who feel like living, breathing and most importantly, feeling creatures.

4. The Hurt Locker: Katherine Bigelow’s visceral and thrilling tale follows William James, a bomb unit member serving in Iraq. The action is fierce and genuinely exciting and Jeremy Renner turns in a star-making and award-worthy performance as James, an adrenaline junky who only feels alive when he is deciding which wires to cut to defuse a bomb. "The Hurt Locker" keeps the tension dialed up to the max and brilliantly captures the violence and destruction that follows an explosion. Bigelow, who has a real chance to be the first female director to win an Oscar, delivers the best and most muscular action film in years.

3. 500 Days of Summer: Along with "Up in the Air" proves that romantic comedies don’t have to be mind-numbingly predictable. Director Marc Webb and a smart script make this tale of love found and lost wholly original. "(500) Of Summer" shows that a love story does not have to have a happy ending to be funny and romantic.

2. Inglorious Basterds: Quentin Tarantino’s ode to cinema and Nazi killing is a delight from start to finish. While Brad Pitt is fun as Aldo Raine, the hillbilly leader of the Basterds, it’s Christophe Waltz who walks away with the movie. Waltz’s turn as "Jew Hunter" Hans Landa is the year’s finest performance and Landa proves to be an instant classic screen villain. "Inglorious Basterds" is Tarantino’s ode to the power of cinema, which he proves by rewriting history in grand fashion. When Aldo Raine looks into the camera at the end of the film and says "I Think this might be my masterpiece" it is hard not to agree with him.

1. Up In the Air: Jason Reitman continues his ridiculously hot start to his directing career with his third and finest film. "Up in the Air" takes flight thanks to three fine performances from George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anne Kendrick and a funny and perceptive script by Reitman- seriously the guy is ridiculously talented. The film is smart, funny, thoughtful and engaging. Clooney is better than ever as Ryan Bingham, a man who slowly comes to question his entire way of life. Not much to say that hasn’t been already, but in this case the hype is well deserved. "Up in the Air" is as good as advertised.

James Cameron’s “Avatar,” the box office smash hit recently eclipsed over $1 billion in ticket sales and Cameron is talking, but not about the money, rather about the habits of gamers.

He said, in Sunday’s New York Times, that Sigourney Weaver’s character, Grace, smoked cigarettes as a critique of gamers everywhere.

Cameron went on to say Weaver’s character was never meant to be a role model and her smoking habit was intentionally placed in the film as commentary on her compulsive need to be an Avatar, and not in the real world.

"We were showing that Grace doesn’t care about her human body, only her avatar body," Cameron said. Augustine’s destructive behavior "is a negative comment about people in our real world living too much in their avatars, meaning online and in video games."

There you have it. Straight from Cameron’s mouth.

Source: Wired

Xbox Live’s Major Nelson, today announced that beginning tomorrow, you’ll be able to purchase pets for your Avatars.

Ranging from the mundane to the extreme and furry, for 240 MS Points, the following can be yours to love like your own!

Large Dog, Pug Dog, Dog in Bag, Cat, Siamese Cat, Long Haired Cat, Goldfish, Guinea Pig, Monkey, Bird, Snake and a Pony.

If I had an extra 240 MS Points kicking around I’d most definitely buy myself any of those creatures, I mean, who hasn’t dreamed of owning a pony I’m not actually a 12 year-old girl?

Here’s a look at how you’ll look with a cute little pet in tow.

Yes you can haz Pony via Major Nelson

Fittingly enough, Fox is using its NFL coverage this Sunday to help jumpstart the media blitz for James Cameron’s new mega-epic "Avatar."

The film’s new trailer will be shown on the Cowboy Stadium’s enormous four-sided diamond vision screen- the world’s largest video display- just before noon this Sunday. The trailer will also be broadcast live to the audiences watching “Fox NFL Sunday,” the channels NFL pregame show.

Fox is calling the viewing party "the largest live motion picture trailer viewing in history."

"Avatar," which reportedly cost upwards of $200 million to produce, hits theaters December 18th.

We know gamers are also professional football watchers. Why else would Activision kick off a fierce Modern Warfare 2 ad campaign during Sunday Night Football last week?

Well, if you can’t get enough of the National Football League, Microsoft unleashed a slew of NFL jerseys into the Avatar Marketplace today.

You’ll find jerseys from all 32 teams and they look all well and good, but they’re not cheap.

360 MS Points, or $4 buys you just one outfit, compared to the normative free or $1 for most other licensed items.

But after all, fashion isn’t cheap, right?

Tech giant Panasonic announced a nationwide truck tour designed to lure us all into the cutting edge world of 3D TV’s, and 3D films like “James Cameron’s Avatar.”

The “3D Full HD Home Theatre Tour” is powered by three expandable tractor-trailers, which were custom built for the event. Each vehicle houses a theater powered by Panasonic’s plasma technology that uses a custom built Blu-Ray player to deliver 3D content to screens.

“Panasonic is proud to once again lead the way into the next frontier in home entertainment” said Bob Perry, Executive Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Through our Full HD 3D Home Theater Truck Tour, consumers will, for the first time, have a chance to experience the immersive world of Full HD 3D TV for themselves, and we have no doubt that they will love what they see.”

The purpose of the tour is to help consumers build an understanding of available 3D Full HD technologies that will soon be available. Panasonic has also announced it has partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. and Lightstrom Entertainment for the purpose of Global promotion of James Cameron’s AVATAR Film. This film will be the first 3D live action film and is due to hit theaters Dec 18, 2009.

Panasonic provided some of its latest products to help create AVATAR, and the film will debut in theaters worldwide in both 2D and 3D. As part of the partnership, Panasonic will launch a global advertising campaign tied to AVATAR, which will promote numerous Panasonic products, including 3D. It will mark the first time Panasonic has run a worldwide advertising campaign focused on a single film.

The Panasonic Full HD 3D Home Theater Truck Tour is expected to run through March 2010 with the scheduled stops being released at a later date. Not sure about Boston yet.

James Cameron, the director of Avatar, on the set

Avatar is the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. More than ten years in the making, Avatar marks Cameron’s return to feature directing since helming 1997′s Titanic, the highest grossing film of all time and winner of 11 Oscars including Best Picture. WETA Digital, renowned for its work in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and King Kong, will incorporate new intuitive CGI technologies to transform the environments and characters into photorealistic 3D imagery that will transport the audience into the alien world rich with imaginative vistas, creatures and characters.

LOS ANGELES — When James Cameron took the stage at the Los Angeles Theater on Broadway at Ubisoft’s pre-E3 briefing, big news just seemed to happen.

His upcoming film “Avatar” was deemed technologically impossible when Cameron wrote the film treatment 14 years ago. Even in the 21st century, the movie has taken four years of development for its December 18 release.

The movie will be epic. It’s a mix of live action and computer graphics technologies that were invented for this film. It’s set in the 22nd century, on a distant moon where humans have come into conflict with a native race.

Oh, and, it’s also in 3D.

Of course there’s going to be a video game for this kind of movie, right? But here’s the kicker: The game will be released before the movie and feature an entirely original plot.

“Games derived from movies, let’s face it, sometimes have kinda sucked,” Cameron told the crowd, “and I didn’t want anything associated with ‘Avatar’ to suck.”

So Cameron’s people gave Ubisoft complete access to the film’s CGI database and has been working closely with the game developer.

And it’s worked out well. Actually, Ubisoft has been able to create its own items and vehicles for the Avatar world, some of which are now being incorporated into the movie.

According to Yannis Mallat, president of Ubisoft Montreal, the game developer put together more than 100 shots that will be in the feature film.

“Our expertise has come full circle,” Mallat said. “Avatar is using groundbreaking technology, and the result is truly spectacular.”

It’s perhaps the best synergy of movie and video game in history.

“They’ve developed the game properly. It’s a fantastic game,” Cameron said.

The game will also be in full stereoscopic 3D. Cameron, who calls himself an avid video gamer, said it was the first time he’s ever been scared in a video game.

“I set out with Ubisoft to create the ideal model for how a game and a movie could be co-developed … with neither one being the red headed stepchild of the other, and I believe that we’ve done that,” he said.

LOS ANGELES — We’re about an hour away from the Ubisoft press conference, but two big, big reveals just surfaced from a source briefed Ubisoft’s lineup:

According to the source, James Cameron will be on hand to talk about the video game adaptation of his film “Avatar.”

Also, details will be announced about a new Red Steel 2, a totally revamped sequel to the 2006 Wii game, which got poor reviews for its bugs and plot flaws despite an interesting control scheme.

We’ll see how this pans out in an hour.

Bored with your mandatory Xbox Live avatar? Into all sorts of footwear?‚  If so, Microsoft made some new digs available to your‚  Xbox Live mini-me avatar today ranging from a mundane pair of flip flops to ladies’ white 60′s boots.

Microsoft was even kind enough to include the sandals with socks look sarcastically promising stares from the ladies should you choose to adorn your avatar with the pair.

For the male contingency, flip flops, high top sneakers, socks and sandals, and 70′s Leather Platforms are available for your likeness.

According to the quip, those from Venus (ladies) have what Microsoft calls sunny day sandals and the aforementioned white 60′s boots ready to slip on.

When you fire up Xbox Live and the avatar editor you’ll see the new footwear highlighted by a gold star for easy perusal.

Have a look at the new shoes below.

Via Major Nelson.

1960's boots.

High Tops

Sandals with socks

Sunny Day Sandals

LOS ANGELES — This fall, instead of saying “What’s on TV?,” players can turn to their Xboxes and see what is on Xbox Live.

Microsoft is introducing, for the first time, an entirely new interface for the Xbox 360, and are making some serious additions.

“[We are going to be] greeted by entirely new interface and dashboard,” said John Schappert, corporate Vice President of Xbox Live software and services. “[We are] creating a brand new Xbox through the magic of software.”

The new interface is a cross of all the best qualities from the PS3 and Wii. The layout is a lot like the PS3′s, with various screens like “My Xbox, “Games,” and “Community,” plus new ones like “Movies” and “Primetime”. There is a new avatar system, where players can create a representation of themselves to represent their own personality and style. At first glance, it seemed like the design opportunities for Xbox avatars stretch a lot farther than those for the Wii.

“The thing about avatars, they do more than sit in your living room,” said Schappert. “[With them, you can] create, share and have fun with all of your friends.”

Your “living room” is your personal Xbox page which contains your downloads, current games and achievements. It is the opportunity to move beyond your “living room” that makes the new interface so interesting. Up to eight friends can create their own “Live Party” so that they can chat and interact with each other. Each player’s avatar is what represents them in the “Party.” Through this private channel, the players can share photos, movies, or just chat with each other.

“This generation of consoles will change the face of home entertainment more than any before it,” said Schappert. “The biggest, most revolutionary changes will happen online as more and more people control each other and the games and entertain they want.”

One of the biggest changes is the addition of Xbox Live Primetime, a channel which allows hundreds of people to star in their own game shows due to a new partnership with Endemall, creators of shows like 1 vs. 100, Deal or No Deal, Big Brother and Fear Factor.

Endemall’s 1 vs. 100 is coming as a playable game show to Live Primetime this fall. Players can choose to be the “one”, a part of the “100″, or an audience member in the game. Winners in Primetime are able to win real prizes as well.

“It combines the best of television with the best of games to deliver a new experience for the whole family,” said Schappert.