JBO: Joystiq Box Office, July 13

JBO: Joystiq Box Office, July 13 - July 17

by Kevin Kelly { Jul 17th 2009 at 8:30PM }

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

Recommendation of the Week:

For All Mankind (Blu-ray: $39.98 SRP):Quite possibly one of the most beautiful and touching Blu-ray discs you'll ever own. We're right in the middle of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, and this Criterion Edition Blu-ray of For All Mankind is full of gorgeous, mostly unseen footage brought back from the Apollo missions. It's backed by quotes from the astronauts involved, and a fantastic Brian Eno score. If you watch this and don't tear up at least once, then you're dead inside.

Read for the full list on a system-by-system basis just after the break. As usual, we'll see you at the popcorn st ... well, actually we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift. Plus, be sure to tell us what you'll be watching, or what you've seen recently that bowled you over.

Xbox Live Video Marketplace

Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone (360

to rent HD, 240

to rent SD)
I saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earlier this week, and frankly I didn't expect it to be that good. But it really is. Really, it's fantastic. It's the first time Hogwart's has felt like a real school, the characters are definitely fully fleshed out, and there's real fear and danger in this one. Granted, it's a bit like The Empire Strikes Back, what with the ending and all, but that's my favorite of the Star Wars bunch too. Check out where it all started, in HD to boot.

Netflix Watch Instantly (PC or Xbox Live)

The Wackness (PC or Xbox Live, subscription required: starts at $4.99 per month)
This movie won the audience award at Sundance in 2008, and is a semi-autobiographical story about coming of age in New York City while alternating between selling drug and seeing a shrink. Everyone can relate to that, right? The psychiatrist is Ben Kingsley, and the movie is set in 1994, before the internet, cell phones and Joystiq. Killer soundtrack, and a surprisingly good movie from young writer/director Jonathan Levine.

PlayStation Store

Warehouse 13 ($2.99 HD or $1.99 SD to own per episode)
Imagine if that gigantic warehouse from the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark that Indy revisits in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was real. How would you keep all of that stuff safe and under wraps? That's what the SciFi Channel's (we balk against their SyFy label, ugh) series Warehouse 13 is all about. Sure it's an X-Files ripoff when you factor in the two sexy leads, but Saul Rubinek excels as the warehouse curator, and the objects themselves are fun: a tea kettle that grants wishes, an unreleased record that brings extreme joy to anyone who hears it, and a camera that turns people into black and white 2D cutouts. I wonder if they have the Ark stashed somewhere in there.

Blu-ray Disc

Mad Men: Season Two ($49.99 SRP)
You never would have expected one of the best shows on television to come from AMC, especially since it's not a premium pay channel like Showtime or HBO. Yet, Mad Men proves in it's second season that you don't need those networks with a show like this. It's almost like stepping into a time machine back into the 1960s, and Jon Hamm's Don Draper is smoother than James Bond. Working in advertising never looked like so much fun.

What will you be watching?

Tags: Blu-ray, DVD, Films, JBO, Joystiq-Box-Office, Movies, Netflix, PlayStation-Network, PSN

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

InFaMoUs1- @ Jul 17th 2009 8:39PM

The Wackness was bad at times but a overall good movie.

mr mobius @ Jul 17th 2009 8:40PM

Tempted to delve back into Wall - E, or actually do the Lord of the Rings Special Extended Edition marathon I talked about doing earlier this week.

InFaMoUs1- @ Jul 17th 2009 8:50PM

I'm watching TrueBlood Season 1 and that show is addicting to watch. It reminds me of Twilight but much more violent and graphic. Check out the show if you haven't and reminder the show is pretty intense to watch at times.. well for me atleast.

skatz83 @ Jul 17th 2009 9:14PM

I agree with infamous. True Blood is really, really good. Watching season 1 myself right now. Good luck to mr mobius if you decide on the lotr marathon.

Jason Statham (Aka Vegeta) @ Jul 17th 2009 10:14PM

I keep hearing this but I remember watching the first episode and thought to myself, "This is like Twilight in the south. And it's horrible." I guess I need to give it another shot.

Ashitaka @ Jul 17th 2009 10:18PM

My brother's addicted to that show, he keeps telling me that it's awesome, but I have yet to start watching it.

On another note, all my friends keep talking about Dexter. Have you watched it?

InFaMoUs1- @ Jul 17th 2009 10:20PM

Have not seen Dexter yet.. That's next for me.

Kevin Kelly @ Jul 17th 2009 10:46PM

True Blood is fantastic. The first 2 or 3 episodes are slow, but once it hits, it's great. Dexter is also great. Here's my cable faves: True Blood, Hung, Dexter, Weeds, Entourage, and Mad Men. Good stuff.

Saria the Cat @ Jul 17th 2009 11:44PM

Dexter and Weeds are great. The best thing is, the first few seasons of both are available on Netflix Instant Watch. I haven't tried True Blood, but will after my Battle Star Galactica journey (just started Season 4). I have a thing for sexy vampires and am an Anne Rice fan so hopefully it'll tickle my fancy.

Television and movies are wonderful.

Judd @ Jul 17th 2009 8:59PM

I've been watching the first two seasons of Weeds, but it's a shame that they only have the first two seasons on the Netflix Watch Instantly.

TheBrainninja @ Jul 17th 2009 9:20PM

I'd disagree that Half-Blood Prince makes Hogwarts feel like a real school, given the total of maybe 5 minutes the movie has the characters in class.

If that's what real schools are like, I obviously did something wrong in my educational career =(

mr mobius @ Jul 17th 2009 9:31PM

If we're also counting TV shows, then I started 24 season 1 this week and am currently at 11am, and wondering why I never got into this show until after 7 seasons have been aired (I hadn't got into House until after season 4 as well so I'm sometimes slow but then the great thing is marathon viewings can be done as no need to wait every week).

Jrinswand @ Jul 17th 2009 9:53PM

Hmm, I've never even heard of For All Mankind. It sounds really cool though. I'll have to check it out... but not before buying the Watchmen Blu-ray on Tuesday. ;)

Or Is It Robert Loggia? @ Jul 17th 2009 10:00PM

It's quite a moving picture. I'd recommend it.

Or Is It Robert Loggia? @ Jul 17th 2009 10:02PM

I'll be watching A Hard Day's Night, and I may take in a little Back To The Future while I'm at it.

ck @ Jul 17th 2009 10:42PM

"I wanna dip my balls in it!!"

Mtv's The State came out this week! The music's all gone, but the skits are still funny. Please tell me I'm not the only one who's excited about this...

"Research is such a restrictive term...I like to call what I do...monkey torture."

Or Is It Robert Loggia? @ Jul 17th 2009 11:09PM

Oh, absolutely. I love The State.

Diskoboy7 @ Jul 17th 2009 10:46PM

Mad Men - For one reason, and one reason, alone.

Christina Hendricks.

Nuff said.

Saria the Cat @ Jul 17th 2009 11:45PM

Just started watching Party Down on Netflix Instant Watch. It's fairly funny.

But I have been on a MAJOR zombie kick lately and am focusing on L4D and zombie movies this weekend...Watching Shaun of the Dead tonight! I heart you, Netflix.

ck @ Jul 18th 2009 12:18AM

Party Down is great! I just got Starz last month and am impressed. If you like Ken Marino...check out The State (first season on iTunes, DVD is out this week).

mgsrocks1 @ Jul 18th 2009 12:32PM

Shaun of the Dead is amaaaaaazing! Have fun watching it. :)

ChiTownRuler23 @ Jul 18th 2009 12:13AM

I seen The Wackness a wile back and IMO i thought it was good, it has its slow points but it makes up for it, oh and the soundtrack was the shit. I never really saw an interest in Mad Men but i might give it a try later on, o and if you haven't seen True Blood i highly recommend you check it out season 2 is looking pretty good so far and stop comparing it to that shit bucket Twilight.

Riley @ Jul 18th 2009 4:04AM

I'm going to go out on a limb here and bet that Watchmen is going to be on the list next week, and probably the pick of the week
Definitely a great movie, especially the director's cut

Dan Houser @ Jul 18th 2009 8:03AM

how amazing they converted 352x240 to 1920x1080 without any quality loss (sarcasm). ppl, this is just new doctored Hollywood footage to put to rest the moon landing lie which has had ppl who knew film suspicious their entire lives. since the day they saw it live on TV. why? too many theories to list. but this, is blatantly hollywood bullshit. nasa's official reason for "remastering" and "gathering footage captured by other agencies" for the original moon landing broadcast, is that they "lost it" ..lol. look it up.