Television & Technology News: Reminder: June 12 is Here-- All You Need to Know About Today's Digital Television Transition (2009)

Have you Switched to Digital?

All Full-Power American Television Stations Have Begun Switching from Analog Broadcasting to 100% Digital.

If Still Available: Apply for Your $40.00 Government Coupon Today (see sample below) to Purchase an Eligible Converter Box to Switch from Analog to Digital.

(Converter Box Pictured)

(Product Pictured)

Note: This was an article I originally wrote to prepare readers for the scheduled switch in February. Due to the postponed date and additional funds needed to offer consumers the governmental coupons for converter boxes, today's the day stations are switching to Digital.

And while I can't guarantee how long supplies will last coupon-wise, I wanted to offer an updated reprint of the piece to answer questions, remind you of the transition, advise those who've already purchased a converter box to "re-scan" for channels as now you may have many more to choose from, and also try to ease some of the confusion.

For those of you who are eager to purchase a converter box, one I can personally attest to working is the Philco model from Amazon, which you can find below (note: if you don't already have an antenna, you will need one).

The Conversion:
A Viewer's Guide

In order to offer viewers additional programming options and unprecedented picture clarity along with freeing up airwaves for emergency responders to use, all American broadcasting networks will begin switching to digital today, bringing viewers a wider array of channels and an entirely new TV experience.

(Mad Men Photo Source)

If you have already purchased an HDTV or are connected to cable, satellite, or any other pay service, you will not require a TV converter box eligible through the government program.

(Product Featured)

Q: What are my options?

A: First take a quick quiz to find out what your best solution would be by clicking here.

Other options:

1. Hang onto your existing analog television and purchase the converter box that will plug right into your television to ensure it will keep working after 6/12/09.
   
2. Connect to a cable, satellite, or other pay service.
3. Purchase a television with a "digital tuner."

Q: How do I apply for a coupon?

A: Coupons will be sent to eligible households and are good for 90 days from their mail-date, while supplies last.

If they are still available, you can apply for up to two $40.00 coupons per household by visiting the website online, calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) or by mailing their application (found on the website) to:

DTV 2009 Coupon Program
PO Box 2000
Portland, OR 97208-2000

Another telephone option for the hearing impaired is to dial the English TTY number at 1-877-530-2634 or the Spanish TTY number at 1-866-495-1161.

Be sure to guarantee that elderly friends, family and/or others without internet access are ready for the conversion as well by assisting others in applying for coupons and installing the converter boxes.

To follow up on the status of your coupon, you can visit this link.


(Monk Photo Source)

Q: Where can I use my coupon(s)?

A: You can find participating retailers on a map by clicking here and the coupon(s) received by mail will also include a list of nearby locations. Products are also available online (see below).

Q: How do I know if I have an analog or a digital TV?

A: Consult your owners manual to see if your TV has a built in "digital tuner." If it does, you are all set to begin receiving digital signals. If not, you will need a converter box.

Q: Will I still need an antenna? Do I need to purchase a "DTV" or "HDTV" antenna to receive digital signals on my television?

A: You should be able to receive digital signals with your existing "broadcast antenna," but if you find you cannot, you may want to contact either the retail store in which you purchased your converter box or your local broadcaster. To troubleshoot, click here to learn more about antennas.

Q: How big is the converter box?

A: It would depend on the box but they're roughly the size of a paperback book and most should fit directly on top of any standard small to medium television set.


(Gossip Girl Photo Source)

Q: Will Closed Captioning still be available?

A: Yes, manufacturers are required to provide Closed Captioning which will display on your television as before.

Q: How much are the converter boxes? How do I know if it's an "eligible" TV converter box and are there quality differences?

A: They run anywhere between $40 and $70 and again, all American households are eligible for two coupons to be used on two different boxes, while supplies last.


(30 Rock Photo Source)

All "eligible" boxes must meet the highest technical and performance standards that were determined and set by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to qualify for inclusion into the government coupon program.

To find a list of the eligible makes and model numbers that will work with your coupon(s), click here to visit the NTIA website.

The NTIA advises consumers to visit the converter box manufacturer's website to determine quality and comparisons between the box models and you can also discover rankings by searching directly for "DTV consumer box ratings" through Consumer Reports Online.

Q: Will my VCR or DVD player still work after I plug my converter box into my analog TV?

A: Yes, it should work just as before but if you want to receive "over-the-air" programming via your VCR, TiVo, DVD-R, etc. plug the converter box into that component instead of the TV.

Q: Will I receive High-Definition TV with the converter box?

A: No. Analog televisions are incapable of receiving or displaying true High-Definition resolution but the picture quality will improve dramatically. If you specifically want to view High-Definition television, you may want to "recycle" your Analog television (visit this website for eco-friendly tips) and purchase a new HDTV.

One bonus of moving directly to HDTV is that you would then be ready for the full digital revolution via Blu-ray and other HDMI components that can hook into your computer, Netflix account, Video on Demand and more.

(Samantha Who? Photo Source)

Likewise, if you need additional troubleshooting you can explore the FCC's guide by visiting their website here.

To learn more about the switch, the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, and other FAQs, please visit the NTIA's dedicated website by clicking here.

Movie News: Summer Movie Season Officially Kicks off 5/1

With tonight's world premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine right here in Tempe, Arizona-- summer movie season officially begins with the film that will kick off the box office mayhem when it opens this Friday, May 1.

Other major contenders squaring off to earn your viewership include Terminator: Salvation, the sequel to the box office smash Transformers, another installment of Harry Potter, and J.J. Abrams' hotly anticipated Star Trek.

For details on these films and other upcoming releases, stay tuned to our Trailer & Photo Gallery as we bring you new details on some of the most eagerly awaited titles along with those that may fall below the radar.

Recently, I took part in a survey along with other movie bloggers over at MovieBlips and ShowHype as we made our predictions about Summer 2009 which you can check out by clicking here.




Bookmark this on Delicious

Print Page

Music Review: Bruce Springsteen -- Working on a Dream (2009)

Own Bruce Springsteen's Brand New Album



Or Download on iTunes

Bookmark this on Delicious

Print Page



In PoliSci 101 we were presented with a horrifying statistic that over 70% of Americans couldn't name our Vice President. Never one to remain subtle and after all-- being the youngest and nerdiest co-ed in freshman year at sixteen-- I believe my initial response was to laugh out loud, completely convinced that it was our none-too-comically-gifted professor's weak attempt at ironic humor.

Taking me up on my disbelief, we were all told to write down the VP and hand the sheets to the front of the room and lo and behold, even 70% of those in college hadn't the foggiest idea who Mr. Al Gore was at the time. I open with this anecdote to interject a privately held pop-culture theory which you're more than welcome to laugh at or disregard which is my inherent belief that if you were to ask those same 70% of people to do so, they'd be more than capable of rattling off the lyrics to a ridiculous number of pop songs.

Taking it even further-- similar to the way it's said that Mozart can be absorbed in the womb and the endless psychobabble recorded about nature vs. nurture and just how reliable young memory is-- I'd venture to guess that most Americans born in the 1970s through the early to mid 1980s grew up with the the near frightening ability to recall verbatim all of the lyrics of any given song by Elton John, Billy Joel, and especially the man who was the soundtrack of 1980s suburbia-- Mr. Bruce Springsteen.



From "got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack/I went out for a ride and I never went back/like a river that don't know where it's flowing/I took a wrong turn and I just kept going," from the Updike Rabbit Run styled "Hungry Heart" to "the highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive" in my favorite "Born to Run," or the warning about "glory days well they'll pass you by in the wink of a young girl's eye, glory days"-- the lyrics and music of the man known in my youth simply as The Boss seemed as vital as any major institution or corporation be it Coca Cola to the U.S. Government (at least to my particular generation anyway).

Moreover, it seemed like he, Joel, John, and other musicians were the new leaders in rock and the layer of the music and society was blended together very similarly to the way that Dylan's, The Beatles', The Beach Boys', The Rolling Stones', and others were so ingrained in the DNA of the generation that came before mine.

Of course, this is despite the fact that all styles and artists were soon devoured by musically hungry fans including this reviewer whose appetite for anything fresh, groundbreaking, or contemplative helped add a second level of appreciation for Springsteen's homage to the acts that came before him. Yet, the reason that in lieu of his millions, he's still our favorite American "blue collar" rocker-- is because he speaks to everyone in a multitude of ways whether it's just in fun tunes you can appreciate with the window rolled down in the summer breeze or on a more academic level piecing together the Woody Guthrie inflections or other inspirations laced throughout.



Although, Springsteen and his incomparable E Street Band were never an act that relished in the fleeting activity of hit-making. No, instead by weaving important narrative threads even through the songs that became an anthem of my youth as Springsteen's arguably most famous album Born in the U.S.A. (complete with the cover of his rear in denim which stunned the grade schooler in me), we realized had a whole lot to say in its titular song that kids repeated and sang along to instinctively before realizing what the message of "U.S.A." was in regards to the Vietnam War.

And frankly, just as much as reports indicate that books you encounter as a child become a central part of you, I'm also a fervent believer that all of the arts impact you in the exact same way whether it's in the form of music, film, painting, theatre, dance or whatever medium you behold and the children of the '80s definitely benefited from having another extremely important "professor" to help steer us towards humanity and compassion in the otherwise yuppie era of the Reagan and Bush administrations.

Moving effortlessly between the topical, hard-hitting story-songs including a few that earned him either Golden Globe and/or Academy Award nominations and statues like the brilliant "Streets of Philadelphia," and 2008's "The Wrestler" for the Mickey Rourke film by director Darren Aronofsky which is included as a bonus track on his newest album, Springsteen bravely took risks throughout his career to speak out on topics that compelled him.

From working with humanitarian efforts to becoming the musical voice of our post 9/11 nightmare with his incredibly inspiring songs from 2002's The Rising and daringly taking on the Bush administration with his protest filled former 2007 record Magic-- I wasn't quite sure what to expect with 2009's Working on a Dream which astonishingly marks his twenty-fourth album release.

Mixed and recorded primarily at Atlanta's Southern Tracks with additional work completed in New York, Los Angeles, and New Jersey, as Springsteen reveals in the Columbia Records press release, he became increasingly excited at the prospect of returning to pop production sounds during the end of recording Magic.

In his fourth collaboration with producer and mixer Brendan O'Brien, Springsteen and the E Street Band tried to channel "the energy of the band fresh off the road from some of the most exciting shows we've ever done," with an album he proudly shares is comprised of songs that were all penned "quickly," utilizing "one of our first few takes."

Although the audacious wild, wild west tongue-in-cheek eight minute opener "Outlaw Pete" about a baby who "robbed a bank in his diapers" will immediately recall the same Young, Guthrie, Dylan, and Seeger influences that have colored his work in the past-- Springsteen pulls a fast one on listeners.

He does so by abandoning the old-fashioned but symphonically produced story song intro to Working on a Dream and moving right into the jubilant, upbeat, and radio friendly pop sensibilities via his infectious ditty "My Lucky Day" that culls from the country sounds of the folk beginning and segues it with keyboards and a toe-tapping rhythm.



In the titular follow-up that gently slows things down to a nice, easier listen sound with a '60s inspired chorus as he sings about "working on a dream" that "love will make.. real someday," he introduces us to the main thread of the album in an effort that sounds overwhelmingly hopeful as opposed to the darkness of some of his previous records, despite that fact that true to Springsteen's more realistic nature, the melancholy and self-inventory of life, love, and the paths we take are woven throughout.

Still, in a wonderfully addictive record-- one of my two favorite works in 2009 so far and running a close second to the debut album from Glasvegas-- that's been deservedly compared to the music and technique of Phil Spector and Brian Wilson, Springsteen lightens up a bit and lets us in more than in some other work which kept us at an arm's length in ways that seem to more nakedly reveal his thoughts rather than singing about the thoughts and conditions of others.

Love is a motif that runs throughout with both positive and negative connotation in the musically impressive "What Love Can Do," that gives the E Street band a chance to show off as well as in the admittedly silly yet still somehow so-daffy-it-works concoction "Queen of the Supermarket" that finds a man pining for the beautiful check out girl that he can't bring himself to speak to but whose smile "blows this whole f***ing place apart." While a few of the lyrics and the idea of love among the flourescent lights and unflattering uniforms has met with some dismay in certain reviews-- it's a refreshing track and one in which Bruce gets in touch with his inner adolescent girl who pines for the handsomest boy in school who doesn't know she's alive.

From the definite Spector meets Wilson medicinally soulful uplift of "This Life" that first sounds like a purposely retro track before his contemporary vocal sets in to the far bluesier, dive-bar by the side of the railroad tracks number "Good Eye"-- Springsteen's testing himself in a variety of styles in a way that makes the album even more fascinating on repeat plays.

Moreover, unlike some of the younger acts today such as the excellent but stuck-in-neutral Coldplay, he's unwilling to make an album filled with a dozen tracks that all sound the same. While "Tomorrow Never Knows" sounds a bit like Bob Dylan-lite despite some truly pretty lyrics and the darker "Life Itself" makes a weaker companion for the second half of the record-- he once again sweeps us off our feet with the orchestral infused "Kingdom of Days," the familiar but instantly likable 60's British style "Surprise, Surprise," and the heartfelt, understated, intimate "The Last Carnival" which Rolling Stone notes is an elegy for the sadly deceased E Street band member Danny Federici, who passed away as a reult of cancer in 2008.

Yet although "Carnival" was initially supposed to close his stellar twenty-fourth album Working on a Dream, Springsteen surprised everyone with one of the record's best songs included as a "bonus" with the Oscar nominated, Golden Globe award-winning song "The Wrestler" which he wrote in honor of his friend Mickey Rourke who'd phoned him and the two chatted about his role in Aronofsky's film that was a highly personal one for its star whose life seemed to echo that of his fictitious character.

One of Springsteen's most haunting and deceptively simple, beautiful tracks-- "The Wrestler"-- is an album standout and one that not only should've received the Oscar this year but also reminds us just how amazingly gifted the man I first came to know as The Boss is at inserting himself empathetically into any character or situation.

Compassionate, powerful, romantic, funny, sad, and warm-- while CD sales have fallen in the wake of the digital age and I shudder to imagine which musicians are now informing the youth of this generation, I hope that in addition to those like this reviewer who have evolved along with his music over the past few decades, others will seek it out to recall the type of music and lyrics we're missing from the mainstream today.

Namely it's the type of songs that somehow make their way into our DNA so that at three in the morning we wake up with a song stuck in our head or feel like we've met any one of the dozens of individuals Bruce Springsteen becomes in his character pieces that remind us that even though a ridiculous number of us can't name our Vice President, we're constantly reminded of our humanity and responsibility to one another.

And in the end, part of this is via Springsteen's gifted ability to have us figuratively walk-- at least for the length of a track-- in another person's shoes, or at the very least, share a headphone with them to remind us that we're all more alike than we'd initially assume.

Track-List:

1. Outlaw Pete
2. My Lucky Day
3. Working on a Dream
4. Queen of the Supermarket
5. What Love Can Do
6. This Life
7. Good Eye
8. Tomorrow Never Knows
9. Life Itself
10. Kingdom of Days
11. Surprise, Surprise
12. The Last Carnival

Bonus Track:
The Wrestler

Film Festival News: The 2009 Phoenix Film Festival Runs 4/2 through 4/9 -- Details & Showcase Feature Films Info.

9th ANNUAL
PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL

KICKS OFF THIS
THURSDAY, 4/2!

WHAT:
The 9th Annual Phoenix Film Festival – Arizona’s largest film festival.

WHEN:
Thursday, April 2nd through Thursday, April 9th, 2009

WHERE:
Harkins Scottsdale 101 & Cine Capri
5000 Mayo Blvd. – PHX
(one block South of LOOP 101 & one block East of Scottsdale Rd.)



CELEBRITIES:
Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour) Virginia Madsen (Sideways), Amy Smart (Crank), Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me), Yeardley Smith (The Simpsons), Johnathan Schaech (That Thing You Do!)





OPENING NIGHT:
• The 9th Annual Phoenix Film Festival kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with the screening of showcase
feature The Answer Man, starring Jeff Daniels. Director John Hindman will be in attendance.

• Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock will be on hand for a Q&A following a screening of the film Hi
My Name Is Ryan, about a local Phoenix performance artist, at 10 p.m.



FRIDAY:

• Public Film Screenings begins at 9a.m.
• Friday morning marks the 3rd Middle and High School Educational Outreach Seminar.
Students will engage in panel discussions with local, national, celebrity, and independent
filmmakers on topics such as documentary films and narrative films
• Jonathan Schaech (That Thing You Do!) will attend the screening if his new film Poker Club
at 7:40 p.m.
• Jolene, a film staring Chaz Palminteri, Durmot Mulroney, and Denise Richards shot entirely in
Arizona, screens at 7:30 p.m.
• You can see the Sundance hit, Fuel, a documentary about our dependence on oil, at 7:15 p.m.
• Friday Night Party from 9p.m. to 1a.m.

SATURDAY:

• Public film screenings begin at 9a.m.
• The gorgeous new Disney documentary Earth, will screen at 4:45 p.m.
• Waiting For Ophelia will screen at 9:15 p.m. Actress Yeadley Smith (the voice of Lisa
Simpson) will host a Q&A session after the film.
• Virginia and Elaine Madsen will host a Q&A after a screening of their film I Know a Woman
Like That at 7:30 p.m.
• The world premiere of Official Rejection, a documentary about film festivals featuring
interviews with Kevin Smith, Jenna Fischer, and Bryan Singer.

SUNDAY:

• Public Film Screenings begin at 9a.m.
• Screening of the short film Cowboy Dreams, starring Bill Engvall. He will host a discussion immediately following at 5 p.m.
• The Merry Gentleman, the directorial debut from Michael Keaton, will show in the Cine Capri
at 7:00 p.m.
• The Sunday night Awards Party begins at 9:00 p.m.

MONDAY:

• Public film screenings begin at 5p.m.
• Baby Boomerang, a WWII documentary that took over 14 years to make, will be shown at 5:30
p.m.

TUESDAY:

• Public screenings begin at 5p.m.
• Another chance to see the film that wins Best Picture at the festival, at 7:10 p.m
• American Violet, starring Alfre Woodard, Michael O’Keefe and Tim Blake Nelson screens at
7:00 p.m.
• At 7:20 p.m. you can see The Burning Plain, starring Kim Basinger and Charlize Theron.

WEDNESDAY:

• Public screenings begin at 5p.m.
• 500 Days of Summer, the highly buzzed about film starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and
Zooey Deschanel screens at 7:20 p.m.

THURSDAY:

• Public screenings begin at 5p.m.
• Screening of Closing Night film, Love N’ Dancing, followed by a discussion with stars Amy
Smart and Tom Malloy.

LATE NIGHT:
New this year, The Midnight Movie Mamacita will present a series of horror and
SNACKS: thriller films on Friday and Saturday nights. These will include Grace, Alien Trespass,
and Bronson, among others. These start at 10:00 p.m. both nights.

EDUCATIONAL:
The Phoenix Film Festival and IFP Phoenix invites teachers and
OUTREACH students interested in the art of filmmaking to participate in a series of educational
Seminars that take place during the day throughout this year’s festival.

TICKETS:
• Opening Night Event - $40
• Individual - $10
• Flex - $30
• Festival - $150
• VIP - $425

Visit the Official Phoenix Film Festival Website for More Information

Explore Some of 2008's
Acclaimed PFF Features

Bookmark this on Delicious

Print Page

SHOWCASE FILMS

I Know a Woman Like That
Directed by: Elaine Madsen
Run Time: 101 minutes
Screening Time: Saturday, April 4th at 7:30 PM
A documentary exploring the lives and discovery of opportunities that women ages 64 to 94 have.

500 Days of Summer



Directed by: Marc Webb
Starring: Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Run Time: 95 minutes
Screening Time: Wednesday, April 8th at 7:20 PM
An offbeat romantic comedy about a woman who doesn't believe true love exists, and the young man who falls for her.

Official Rejection



Directed by: Paul Osborne
Featuring: Kevin Smith, Jenna Fischer and Andy Dick
Run Times: Saturday, April 4th at 7:00 PM; Sunday, April 5th at 4:35 PM
A documentary that follows filmmakers along the film festival circuit and the pitfalls, triumphs and comic tragedies that they encounter.

The Poker Club
Directed by: Tim McCann
Starring: Johnathon Schaech, Judy Reyes and Johnny Messner
Run Time: Friday, April 3rd at 7:40 PM
A poker night with the guys turns deadly when they accidentally kill a burglar in this horrifying thriller.

Jolene



Directed by: Dan Ireland
Starring: Denise Richards, Dermot Mulroney and Michael Vartan
Run Time: 120 minutes
Screening Times: Friday, April 3rd at 7:30 PM; Sunday, April 5th at 3:45 PM
Jolene follows a young girl on her quest to find herself as she passes through a series of relationships, adventures and misfortunes which take her across America.

The Merry Gentleman



Directed by: Michael Keaton
Starring: Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald and Tom Bastounes
Run Time: 110 minutes
Screening Times: Sunday, April 5th at 7:00 PM
A young woman moves to Chicago to start a new life where she meets a suicidal hit man and a worn, alcoholic detective.

Waiting for Ophelia
Directed by: Adam Carl
Starring: Yeardley Smith, Patrick Day and Amy Sloan
Run Time: 99 minutes
Screening Times: Saturday, April 4th at 9:15 PM; Tuesday, April 7th at 5:20 PM
A couple celebrates their anniversary with friends and family, but as they wait for a guest to show, it is clear that the night is not shaping up to be what they expected.

Were the World Mine
Directed by: Tom Gustafson
Starring: Judy McLane, Tanner Cohen and Nathaniel David Becker
Run Time: 95 minutes
Screening Times: Saturday, April 4th at 7:15 PM
In this musical film, Timothy stumbles upon a love potion while preparing for his high school play and he creates a fantasy dream world where most of the town is gay.

Earth



Directed by: Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield
Run Time: 90 minutes
Screening Time: Saturday, April 4th at 4:45 PM
Feature-length version of the documentary TV series "Planet Earth" (2006), following the migration paths of four animal families. Narrated by James Earl Jones.

Is There Anybody There?
Directed by: John Crowley
Starring: Thelma Barlow, Michael Caine
Run Time: 95 Minutes
Screening Time: Friday, April 3rd at 8:30 PM; Wednesday, April 8th at 7:10 PM
Edward is an unusual ten year old boy growing up in an old people's home run by his parents. His days are spent tape-recording the elderly residents to try and discover what happens when they die. Increasingly obsessed with ghosts and the afterlife, he meets Clarence, the latest recruit to the home, a retired magician with a liberating streak of anarchy.

The Burning Plain
Directed by: Guillermo Arriaga
Featuring: Kim Basinger, Charlize Theron
Run Time: 106 Minutes
Screening Time: Tuesday, April 7th at 7:20 PM
A drama with a two-tiered storyline concerning a mother and daughter who try to form a bond after the young woman's difficult childhood.

Fuel
Directed by: Joshua Tickell
Run Time: Friday, April 3rd at 7:15 PM
An insightful portrait of America’s addiction to oil and an uplifting testament to the immediacy of new energy solutions. A surprising array of environmentalists, policy makers, and entertainment notables take us through America’s complicated, often ignominious energy past and illuminate a hopeful, achievable future, where decentralized, sustainable living is not only possible, it’s imperative.

American Violet
Directed by: Tim Disney
Starring: Alfre Woodard, Nicole Beharie, Michael O’Keefe, Will Patton
Screening Date: Saturday, April 4th at 8:30 PM; Tuesday, April 7th at 7:00 PM
A twenty-something African-American single mom struggles to make ends meet in a small Texas town. When cops arrest her in a drug sweep, she insists on her innocence. Refusing a plea bargain that would allow her to avoid jail time, she stands up against a corrupt law enforcement and judicial system.

Alien Trespass
Directed by: R.W. Goodwin
Starring: Eric McCormack, Jenny Baird
Run Time: 90 minutes
Screening Time: Saturday, April 4th at 10:10 PM; Sunday, April 5th at 5:15 PM
A spaceship crash in 1957 California leads to the escape of the alien life form Ghota.In order to capture the Ghota, a benevolent alien named Urp takes over the body of an astronomer and enlists the aid of a waitress named Tammy. But, unless Urp and Tammy are successful, mankind is doomed.

Not Forgotten
Directed by: Dror Soref
Starring: Simon Baker, Paz Vega
Run Time: 100 minutes
Screening Time: Saturday, April 4th at 10:30 PM; Monday, April 6th at 7:10 PM
Set in a Tex-Mex border town, Not Forgotten is a classic psychological thriller about Jack and Amaya Bishop, a couple who must come to terms with their tortured pasts in order to save their kidnapped daughter. It is a tale taut with intrigue and steeped in Latino mysticism, where the line between what's real and what's imagined becomes hopelessly blurred.

Plague Town
Directed by: David Gregory
Run Time: 88 minutes
Starring: Josslyn DeCrosta, Erica Rhodes
Run Times: Friday, April 3rd at 10:20 PM; Saturday, April 4th at 10:15 PM
An American family visiting their Irish roots accidentally stumbles on a horde of bloodthirsty mutant children.

My Apocalypse
Directed by: Chris LaMont
Run Time: 82 minutes
Screening Time: Friday, April 3rd at 9:45 PM
Stewart Savage lives in a soft-focus universe, where his girlfriend adores him and his family is wholesome. He also lives in a world where he strangles his girlfriends, hates his job and prefers the psychotic solace of the world inside his head. Unaware of the rift between preferred and actual reality, Stewart brings his latest girlfriend home to meet the parents for a family birthday celebration, not fully realizing that she is his latest victim.

Grace
Directed by: Paul Solet
Starring: Jordan Ladd, Gabrielle Rose
Run Time: 85 minutes
Screening Time: Friday, April 3rd at 10:10 PM; Wednesday, April 8th at 9:20 PM
Madeline Matheson is eight months pregnant and determined to deliver her unborn child, Grace, naturally. When an accident leaves Grace dead inside her, Madeline insists on carrying the baby's corpse to term. Weeks later, when Madeline delivers, the baby miraculously returns to life... With an appetite.

Bronson
Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Tom Hardy, Matt King
Run Time: 92 minutes
Screening Time: Saturday, April 4th at 10:00 PM; Tuesday, April 7th at 9:20 PM
In 1974, a misguided 19 year old named Michael Peterson decided he wanted to make a name for himself and so, with a homemade sawn-off shotgun and a head full of dreams he attempted to rob a post office. Swiftly apprehended and originally sentenced to 7 years in jail, Peterson has subsequently been behind bars for 34 years, 30 of which have been spent in solitary confinement.

Red Corvette
Directed by: Brenton Covington
Starring: Patrick Adam, Cristen Irene
Run Time: 89 minutes
Screening Times: Friday, April 3rd at 10:00 PM
A young man finds a lost cache of marijuana and turns his life and the life of his friends upside down.

Wet Hot American Summer
Directed by: David Wain
Starring: Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce
Run Time: 97 minutes
Screening Time: Friday, April 3rd at 10:30 PM
It's the last day of summer camp before everyone goes back to the real world, but there's still a summer's worth of unfinished business to resolve. Camp director Beth struggles to keep order while she falls in love with the local astrophysics professor who is busy trying to save the camp from a deadly piece of NASA's Skylab which is hurtling toward earth. All that, plus: a dangerous waterfall rescue, love triangles, misfits, cool kids, and talking vegetable cans.

Television & Technology News: All You Need to Know About the Digital Television Transition (2009)

February 17, 2009:

All Full-Power American Television Stations Will Switch from Analog Broadcasting to 100% Digital at Midnight.

Apply for Your $40.00 Government Coupon Today (see sample below) to Purchase an Eligible Converter Box to Switch from Analog to Digital.

(Converter Box Pictured)

(Product Pictured)

In order to offer viewers additional programming options and unprecedented picture clarity along with freeing up airwaves for emergency responders to use, all American broadcasting will switch from analog to digital in mid-February.

(Mad Men Photo Source)

If you have already purchased an HDTV or are connected to cable, satellite, or any other pay service, you will not require a TV converter box eligible through the government program.

(Product Featured)

Q: What are my options?

A: First take a quick quiz to find out what your best solution would be by clicking here.

Other options:

1. Hang onto your existing analog television and purchase the converter box that will plug right into your television to ensure it will keep working after 2/17/09.
2. Connect to a cable, satellite, or other pay service.
3. Purchase a television with a "digital tuner."

Q: How do I apply for a coupon?

A: Coupons will be sent to eligible households and are good for 90 days from their mail-date. Additionally, they are available to be applied for now through March 31, 2009, while supplies last.

You can apply for up to two $40.00 coupons per household by visiting the website online, calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) or by mailing their application (found on the website) to:

DTV 2009 Coupon Program
PO Box 2000
Portland, OR 97208-2000

Another telephone option for the hearing impaired is to dial the English TTY number at 1-877-530-2634 or the Spanish TTY number at 1-866-495-1161.

Be sure to guarantee that elderly friends, family and/or others without internet access are ready for the conversion as well by assisting others in applying for coupons and installing the converter boxes.

To follow up on the status of your coupon, you can visit this link.


(Monk Photo Source)

Q: Where can I use my coupon(s)?

A: You can find participating retailers on a map by clicking here and the coupon(s) received by mail will also include a list of nearby locations. Products are also available online (see below).

Q: How do I know if I have an analog or a digital TV?

A: Consult your owners manual to see if your TV has a built in "digital tuner." If it does, you are all set to begin receiving digital signals. If not, you will need a converter box.

Q: Will I still need an antenna? Do I need to purchase a "DTV" or "HDTV" antenna to receive digital signals on my television?

A: You should be able to receive digital signals with your existing "broadcast antenna," but if you find you cannot, you may want to contact either the retail store in which you purchased your converter box or your local broadcaster. To troubleshoot, click here to learn more about antennas.

Q: How big is the converter box?

A: It would depend on the box but they're roughly the size of a paperback book and most should fit directly on top of any standard small to medium television set.


(Gossip Girl Photo Source)

Q: Will Closed Captioning still be available?

A: Yes, manufacturers are required to provide Closed Captioning which will display on your television as before.

Q: How much are the converter boxes? How do I know if it's an "eligible" TV converter box and are there quality differences?

A: They run anywhere between $40 and $70 and again, all American households are eligible for two coupons to be used on two different boxes.


(30 Rock Photo Source)

All "eligible" boxes must meet the highest technical and performance standards that were determined and set by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to qualify for inclusion into the government coupon program.

To find a list of the eligible makes and model numbers that will work with your coupon(s), click here to visit the NTIA website.

The NTIA advises consumers to visit the converter box manufacturer's website to determine quality and comparisons between the box models and you can also discover rankings by searching directly for "DTV consumer box ratings" through Consumer Reports Online.

Q: Will my VCR or DVD player still work after I plug my converter box into my analog TV?

A: Yes, it should work just as before but if you want to receive "over-the-air" programming via your VCR, TiVo, DVD-R, etc. plug the converter box into that component instead of the TV.

Q: Will I receive High-Definition TV with the converter box?

A: No. Analog televisions are incapable of receiving or displaying true High-Definition resolution but the picture quality will improve dramatically. If you specifically want to view High-Definition television, you may want to "recycle" your Analog television (visit this website for eco-friendly tips) and purchase a new HDTV.

One bonus of moving directly to HDTV is that you would then be ready for the full digital revolution via Blu-ray and other HDMI components that can hook into your computer, Netflix account, Video on Demand and more.

Q: Do I need to wait for February 17, 2009 to experience higher quality on my analog television?

A: No, in fact the NTIA encourages consumers to buy their boxes early to ensure that they're working properly, take advantage of in-store demonstrations on how to set them up so you can assist others, and improve your current picture clarity.


(Samantha Who? Photo Source)

Likewise, if you need additional troubleshooting you can explore the FCC's guide by visiting their website here.

To learn more about the switch, the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, and other FAQs, please visit the NTIA's dedicated website by clicking here.