Short Circuits

Last update: September 1, 2008 - 10:50 PM

short circuits

A brief look at new and noteworthy experiences among DVDs, video games, gadgets and the Web.

DVD

Catching up on Blu-ray

Besides today's high-def rerelease of "Transformers," many other movies that were previously available only in the now-obsolete HD DVD format are slowly coming out in Blu-ray from Paramount, Universal and Warner. The other big reissue comes Oct. 14, when "The Ultimate Matrix Collection" finally hits Blu-ray. Recent Blu-ray redos include "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "End of Days," "Heroes: Season 1," "Miami Vice" and "U-571." Upcoming catchup titles include "Hulk" on Sept. 16; "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up," "Dawn of the Dead," "Land of the Dead" and "The Thing" on Sept. 30, and "Casino," "Constantine" and "Eastern Promises" on Oct. 14.

RANDY A. SALAS

Today's other top DVDs: "The Big Bang Theory" (Season 1), "Desperate Housewives" (Season 4), "Eli Stone" (Season 1), "Ghost Whisperer" (Season 3), "Honey West" (full series), "Life" (Season 1), "Married Life," "The Promotion," "Quark" (full series), "Supernatural" (Season 3), "Then She Found Me."

GAMES

Spaced 'Invaders' art

All the fun stuff at the recent Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, was overshadowed by controversy. As part of an exhibit celebrating the 30th anniversary of "Space Invaders," French-American artist Douglas Edric Stanley created a version of the game in which you try to prevent the aliens from destroying the World Trade Center. Taito, which owns "Space Invaders," described Stanley's use of the game as "wholly unauthorized" and said it was considering legal action against him. Finally, Stanley unplugged the installation, saying, "The American response to this work has been, frankly, immature, and lacking the sophistication and consideration that other parts of the world have so far shown the work."

LOU KESTEN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

satisfy your inner geek

Get daily technology news and musings from Randy Salas at startribune.com/technobabble.

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