Flixster Users Choose Avatar as 2009's Best Film

From Business Wire:

Moviegoers Name Avatar, Star Trek and The Blind Side as 2009’s Best Movies

55 Million Ratings Generated by Flixster Users Determine the Year’s Top 10

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avatar, Star Trek and The Blind Side are the best movies of 2009, based on more than 55 million moviegoer ratings at Flixster (http://www.flixster.com/), the world’s biggest online movie community and leading mobile movie-information provider.

“Lots of critics create year-end ‘best’ lists, but Flixster’s top 10 list is determined by what real moviegoers say”

Flixster's list is based on the average score users gave to each of 150 wide releases. "Out of 55 million ratings, only three movies – Avatar, Star Trek and The Blind Side – received more than 90% positive response, which is really impressive," said Joe Greenstein, Flixster’s co-founder and CEO.

"Lots of critics create year-end ‘best’ lists, but Flixster’s top 10 list is determined by what real moviegoers say," Greenstein said.

Topping Flixster’s Top 10 of 2009 list: Avatar, which has received more than 450,000 ratings since opening Dec. 18, and has a 92% positive rating from moviegoers.

"It may be true that you can’t please everybody, but Avatar comes about as close as you can get," said Steve Polsky, president and COO of Flixster. Star Trek was close behind with 91%, and The Blind Side had 90%. "They all have one thing in common: They’re not just for adults or kids, but movies that all ages can enjoy together."

According to Flixster users, the 10 best movies of 2009 are:
1. Avatar (92% positive)
2. Star Trek (91%)
3. The Blind Side (90%)
4. Up in the Air (88%)
5. Inglourious Basterds (87%)
6. The Hangover (87%)
7. Zombieland (87%)
8. Up (86%)
9. Michael Jackson’s This Is It (85%)
10. Taken and I Can Do Bad All By Myself (tie, 83%)

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the year’s lowest-rated movies were: Whiteout (35%); Year One (32%); Dragonball Evolution (30%); Streetfighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (30%); and Transylmania (25%).

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen had the most reviews and ratings at Flixster – more than 3.8 million ratings (76% positive) and 125,000 reviews since June.

Launched in January 2006, Flixster (http://www.flixster.com/) offers its users access to more than 2.3 billion user ratings and reviews, nearly 20,000 trailers, plus quizzes, games, photos and details about more than 75,000 movies. Flixster’s mobile app is available on the iPhone, Blackberry, Palm Pre, and on Android mobile devices. [END]

Luffy is the 100 Million Berry Man

I finished reading One Piece, Vol. 25 (One Piece (Graphic Novels))

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the second of 5 volumes slated for release Tues, Jan. 5th.

Genesis as Comix

I read The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. I actually finished reading this some weeks ago, but various tediums delayed the review's posting until today. This book is a very revealing way to read Genesis, but ultimately, this is more a Crumb comic book than it is biblical.

Spotlight on Ren in Nana

I finished reading Nana, Vol. 20

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. Slimmer than usual volume with big turning point.

Call Them Madness

I finished reading Madness Volume 1

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is supposed to be a boys' love or yaoi manga series, but this first volume focuses on action violence a medieval type world.

Devil's Due Publishing Announces New Digital Comics Offerings

From Devil's Due Publishing:

Devil's Due Brings Mahfood, Seeley, Beranek to Digital Comics

GRRL Scouts, Colt Noble, Loaded Bible, Dracula vs. King Arthur for Sale on iTunes

Devil's Due is adding more titles to its quickly growing line-up of digital comics for the iPhone and iPod Touch. This marks the first announcement of the company making available for sale comics it did not originally publish in print, but the titles are from the library of various creators who each have a natural relationship with the company.

Beginning in December and running through January, the first wave of the digital comics will become available via iTunes, and eventually other digital platforms, including comiXology and iVerse, most retailing for 99¢. Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks is already available at comiXology on the iTunes App store.

The following comics are currently in production, slated for re-release:

- Colt Noble and the Megalords: one-shot special
- Loaded Bible #1
- Loaded Bible #2
- Loaded Bible #3
- Dracula vs. King Arthur
- Carl: The Cat That Makes Peanut Butter Sandwiches
- Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks #1
- Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks #2
- Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks #3
- Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks #4

About Devil's Due Publishing
Proliferators of ComiCulture, Devil's Due Publishing is one of the largest and most established comic book publishers in North America, carrying a diverse line-up of original, creator-owned and licensed properties. Known for launching trends in the industry, from the 1980's retro explosion to unique political satire and collaborations with some of Hollywood's finest, Devil's Due is more than just a publisher - it exists to achieve success through the proliferation of ComiCulture in all areas. DDP's titles include Hack/Slash, Drafted, Sheena, Mercy Sparx, Voltron, and CBS's Jericho. The company currently has over a dozen projects in development with Hollywood studios and producers with a presence in both Chicago and Los Angeles. [END]

DMP to Publish Second Volume of Vampire's Portrait

From Digital Manga Publishing:

Vampire’s Portrait Volume 2 (Yaoi)
ISBN: 1569701334
ISBN13: 9781569701331
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Imprint Name: June
Price USD: $12.95
Writer: Hiroki Kusumoto
Artist: Hiroki Kusumoto
Release Date: December 2, 2009

Size: 6 x 8.25”
Format: Softcover; Page Count: 200pp
Series Volumes: 2 of 2
Recommended Age: Mature 18+
Genre: Yaoi, Fantasy, Romance

Summary:
“I have no intention of forgiving you…” That’s what Sein tells his brother, Verloren, after Verloren wounds him deeply.and this sibling rivalry is what touches off the war between brothers… Sein’s artist client and lover, Lou, steps in to help Sein, but the relationship between Adam, Verloren and Sein is goes so deep that Lou may not be able to step between them…

Other works by creator:
Wild Butterfly (DMP: 9781569705629) [END]