HDNet Movies
Encyclopedia
HDNet Movies is a high definition-only cable and satellite television channel dedicated entirely to movies. It is the sister channel of HDNet
. Films shown vary in age and category, but all were either transferred from 35mm film to 1080i
high definition or shot in the latter format. Many films shown on HDNet Movies have never before been released in HD on other networks. All films are shown uncut and commercial-free.
release strategy. This strategy subsumes the tiered theatrical release followed by DVD sales followed by broadcast distribution. A notable HDNet film with a day-and-date release was Bubble
, directed by Steven Soderbergh
. This strategy is seen as a blow to the traditional release window of theatrical films. Movies released using this strategy are simultaneously shown on HDNet Movies and in theaters on a Friday (the traditional release day of a film), followed quickly by a DVD
release of the movie on Tuesday (the traditional DVD release day). Soderbergh has signed a deal with HDNet films to make a total of six films released using this strategy; however, HDNet Films allows other directors to release their films day-and-date, not just Soderbergh. Many theaters see this as a threat to their business, and have banned these films.
HDNet Movies shows a film two days before its theatrical release almost every month. A schedule can be found on the HDNet Movies web site.
HDNet
HDNet is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format and available via cable and satellite television...
. Films shown vary in age and category, but all were either transferred from 35mm film to 1080i
1080i
1080i is the shorthand name for a high-definition television mode. The i means interlaced video; 1080i differs from 1080p, in which the p stands for progressive scan. The term 1080i assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a frame size of 1920×1080 pixels...
high definition or shot in the latter format. Many films shown on HDNet Movies have never before been released in HD on other networks. All films are shown uncut and commercial-free.
Controversy
Recently, HDNet Movies has received press concerning their controversial day-and-dateFilm release
A film release is the stage at which a completed film is legally authorized by its owner for public distribution.The process includes locating a distributor to handle the film...
release strategy. This strategy subsumes the tiered theatrical release followed by DVD sales followed by broadcast distribution. A notable HDNet film with a day-and-date release was Bubble
Bubble (film)
Bubble is a movie directed by Steven Soderbergh. It was shot on high-definition video and was made for a relatively small budget of $1.6 million. It also featured some unusual production aspects.In traditional terms, the movie has no script...
, directed by Steven Soderbergh
Steven Soderbergh
Steven Andrew Soderbergh is an American film producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, and an Academy Award-winning film director. He is best known for directing commercial Hollywood films like Erin Brockovich, Traffic, and the remake of Ocean's Eleven, but he has also directed smaller less...
. This strategy is seen as a blow to the traditional release window of theatrical films. Movies released using this strategy are simultaneously shown on HDNet Movies and in theaters on a Friday (the traditional release day of a film), followed quickly by a DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
release of the movie on Tuesday (the traditional DVD release day). Soderbergh has signed a deal with HDNet films to make a total of six films released using this strategy; however, HDNet Films allows other directors to release their films day-and-date, not just Soderbergh. Many theaters see this as a threat to their business, and have banned these films.
HDNet Movies shows a film two days before its theatrical release almost every month. A schedule can be found on the HDNet Movies web site.
KidScene
In April 2010, HDNet Movies started a children's movie block, KidScene, that airs in the morning starting at 6:00 AM ET.List of movies aired on KidScene block
- All Dogs Go to HeavenAll Dogs Go to HeavenAll Dogs Go to Heaven is a 1989 Irish-English animated film directed and produced by Don Bluth and released by United Artists. The film tells the story of two dogs, Charlie B. Barkin and his loyal best friend Itchy Itchiford...
- All Dogs Go to Heaven 2All Dogs Go to Heaven 2All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 is a 1996 American animated family film, and a sequel to United Artists' 1989 animated film All Dogs Go to Heaven. It is directed by Larry Leker and Paul Sabella...
- HolesHoles (film)Holes is a 2003 film based on the novel of the same name by Louis Sachar, who also wrote the screenplay, with Shia LaBeouf as the lead role of Stanley Yelnats...
- The Secret GardenThe Secret Garden (1993 film)The Secret Garden is a 1993 British drama film based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Agnieszka Holland.-Plot:...
- Magic in the WaterMagic in the WaterMagic in the Water is a 1995 family film directed by Rick Stevenson and starring Mark Harmon, Sarah Wayne and Joshua Jackson. It is about a fictional lake monster in British Columbia...
- Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown!Race for Your Life, Charlie BrownRace For Your Life, Charlie Brown is a 1977 animated film produced by United Feature Syndicate for Paramount Pictures, directed by Bill Meléndez, and the third in a series of movies based on the Peanuts comic strip...
- Chitty Chitty Bang BangChitty Chitty Bang BangChitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car is a children's book written by Ian Fleming for his son Caspar, with illustrations by John Burningham...
- A Little PrincessA Little PrincessA Little Princess is a 1905 children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is a revised and expanded version of Burnett's 1888 serialized novel entitled Sara Crewe: or, What Happened at Miss Minchin's Boarding School, which was published in St. Nicholas Magazine.According to Burnett, she...
- The Indian in the CupboardThe Indian in the CupboardThe Indian in the Cupboard is a children's book by British author Lynne Reid Banks, and illustrated by Brock Cole. It was first published in 1980, and has received numerous awards, as well as being made into a film in 1995....
- The Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandThe Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandThe Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland is the second theatrical feature-length film starring the cast of the popular U.S. children's series Sesame Street...
- Rugrats Go Wild
- Space JamSpace JamAside from Jordan, a number of NBA players and coaches appeared in the film. Larry Bird portrays a friend of Jordan who joins him for a game of golf. When the Monstars steal the NBA players' talent, they invade a game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks, causing the Knicks' Patrick...
- The Muppets Take ManhattanThe Muppets Take ManhattanThe Muppets Take Manhattan is the third of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets, and also the final film before Henson's death. This film was produced by Henson Associates and TriStar Pictures, and was filmed on location in New York City during the summer of...
- Muppets from SpaceMuppets from SpaceMuppets from Space is a 1999 science fiction comedy film and the sixth feature film to star The Muppets, and the first since the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson to have an original Muppet-focused plot. The film was directed by Tim Hill, produced by Jim Henson Pictures, and released to theaters...
- Good Boy!Good Boy!Good Boy! is a 2003 film produced by Jim Henson Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, starring talking alien dogs. The film stars Liam Aiken as Owen Baker, as well as Matthew Broderick, Delta Burke, Donald Faison, Cheech Marin, Brittany Murphy, Vanessa Redgrave, and Carl Reiner were the voice cast for...
- The Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation
- The Adventures of the American RabbitThe Adventures of the American RabbitThe Adventures of the American Rabbit is an animated film released in 1986 by Clubhouse Pictures, and subsequently on DVD by MGM.-Plot:The story begins just after the birth of Robert Rabbit...
- The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley AdventureThe Land Before Time II: The Great Valley AdventureThe Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure, is a 1994 direct-to-video animated film directed by Roy Allen Smith, is the first of many animated sequels to the film The Land Before Time. It was released six years after the original.The tone, lighting and plot of the film was made much softer...
- Free WillyFree WillyFree Willy is a 1993 family film directed by Simon Wincer, and released by Warner Bros. under its Family Entertainment label. The film stars Jason James Richter as a young boy who befriends an orca whale, named "Willy."...
- The Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted TreasureThe Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted KingdomThe Swan Princess III and the Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure is the second and final sequel to the animated film The Swan Princess...
- An American TailAn American TailAn American Tail is a 1986 American animated adventure film directed by Don Bluth and produced by Sullivan Bluth Studios and Amblin Entertainment. The film tells the story of Fievel Mouskewitz and his family as they immigrate from Russia to America for freedom. However, Fievel gets lost and must...
- An American Tail: Fievel Goes WestAn American Tail: Fievel Goes WestAn American Tail: Fievel Goes West is a 1991 American animated film produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblimation animation studio and released by Universal Pictures. It is the sequel to An American Tail, and the fourth installment in terms of the series' fictional chronology...
- Leroy & StitchLeroy & StitchLeroy & Stitch is an animated TV film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. It is a spin-off film of the 2002 animated feature film Lilo & Stitch and the conclusion to the television series Lilo & Stitch: The Series and the franchise as well...
- Air Bud: World PupAir Bud: World Pup-Plot:Teenager Josh Framm's mother, Jackie, has just married her veterinarian boyfriend, Patrick Sullivan. Josh and his best friend, Tom Stewart, have just made their school's soccer team when their coach reveals that their team will become co-ed...
- Jetsons: The MovieJetsons: The MovieJetsons: The Movie is a 1990 animated science fiction film produced by Hanna-Barbera and released on July 6, 1990, by Universal Pictures based on the hit cartoon series, The Jetsons . The movie features the final voice roles of George O'Hanlon and Mel Blanc who both died during production of the film...
- We're Back! A Dinosaur's StoryWe're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (film)We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story is a 1993 American animated film, produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblimation animation studio, distributed by Universal Pictures, and originally released to theaters on November 24, 1993 for the United States. It was rated G by the MPAA...
- BaltoBalto (film)Balto is a 1995 American animated comedy-drama film directed by Simon Wells and produced by Amblimation, and the first of the overall trilogy. The film is based on a true story about the dog of the same name who helped save children from the diphtheria epidemic in the 1925 serum run to Nome...
- Monkey TroubleMonkey TroubleMonkey Trouble is a 1994 family film directed by Franco Amurri starring Thora Birch.-Plot:Nine-year-old Eva Gregory longs for a pet to call her own, but her mother does not think she is responsible enough, and her stepfather is allergic to fur...