1. A surprising new twist in the ever-continuing Netflix saga: Dreamworks has decided to ditch its current deal with HBO and offer the streaming service the exclusive rights to its output, at about $30 million per movie — a $10 million increase in revenue. [via NYT]
2. Goodnight, sweet prince: Arch West, the Frito-Lay executive who invented Doritos back in the early ’60s, died last week in Dallas at the ripe old age of 97; according to his daughter, the family plans on “tossing Doritos chips in before they put the dirt over the urn.” [via The Daily Beast]
3. Here is your first look at Luck, the Michael Mann horse-racing drama that stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte and is set to air on HBO some time in January. Thoughts?
4. Lou Reed and Metallica have debuted the first full track off of their forthcoming collaboration album, Lulu, which is due out on November 1. Listen to “The View” here.
5. The world we live in: Can you believe that Dolphin Tale nearly beat Moneyball at the weekend box office — and that neither film could match the $22.1 million haul by The Lion King 3D? [via Vulture]
Bonus Buzz: A Visual History of Literary References on ‘The Simpsons’
How To Train Your Dragon tells the story of a young Viking named Hiccup who befriends a wounded dragon. Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson and Jonah Hill provide voice talent for the 3-D animated film, which opens next March.
Will it do for scary green dragons what Shrek did for scary green ogres? We’re sure that’s what DreamWorks is hoping, but from the trailer after the jump, it’s hard to tell. The thing that made Shrek a box office smash was the fact that it was a children’s story laced with adult humor. This one seems more action-based, which could be a misstep. We’re also thrown off by the fact that Ferrera is voicing the blonde love interest. It’s like Betty Suarez has turned into Amanda Tanen overnight.
Take a look and let us know what you think.
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1. After the disappointment that was Vista, Microsoft launches Windows 7 today (video). [via The Today Show]
2. Because all reverends look alike: MSNBC anchor Contessa Brewer introduced Rev. Jesse Jackson as Rev. Al Sharpton during a live interview yesterday. [via Gawker]
3. Inspired by memories of performing Handel’s “Messiah” in churches as a kid, Andrew Bird will play five church shows around Minneapolis and Chicago in December. [via NME]
4. After a little over a year Shrek the Musical — DreamWorks attempt to challenge Disney’s strong Broadway presence — will close on January 3rd. [via Variety]
5. Johnny Depp plans to play guitar with Babybird, one of his favorite British rock bands, at London’s Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen in November. [via Guardian]
