Watching Superbowl XLIII as a Direct TV subscriber is like having a VIP pass for full access to the NFL's biggest event. Festivities begin well before kick-off and they're jam-packed with celebrities, comedy, musical performances and sports expert's interviews. Coaches and winners from Superbowls of the past will be making predictions about the current Superbowl game on Sunday, February 1, 2009.
Tune in for an exclusive "subscribers only" event the night before the Big Game, consider it a sort of Pre-SuperBowl Warm Up on Direct TV. It's the Third Annual Celebrity Beach Bowl hosted by Spike TV (which automatically indicates outrageous fun), and it will feature a flag football game where some of the top names in Hollywood team up with some of the biggest stars of the NFL. This all takes place January 31 in St. Petersburg, Fl.
As a subscriber to Direct TV packages, you'll feel just like you're there and part of the action but with your VIP pass status, you won't have to deal with the headache of transportation from Tampa Bay to St. Pete! The exclusive offer means no parking nightmares, warm beer and cold hotdogs, or nose-bleed seats you paid way too much for. Just the solid comfort of your home, your friends, your home grill, and a front row seat for all of the NFL's biggest action of the year.
The line-up for this year's 3rd Annual Beach Bowl is still sealed but rumors have started that the Playboy channel is involved, which should guarantee the flag football game will be more interesting than ever this year! The NFL Superbowl Package brought to you by Direct TV is like a great big celebration wrap-up party for the end of the NFL Sunday Ticket season. Sports fans that have enjoyed watching their favorite teams all season long can gather all of the excitement from every game this year and channel it into this last "hurrah" in Tampa Bay, FL as the Cardinals take on the Steelers, for Superbowl XLIII.
Check out the great Direct TV deals available now so you can be ready for the big game!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Food Network: Learning to Cook with the Best on Direct TV
The art of cooking should not be taken lightly. It is a subject that many a gourmand will tell you, is a matter of life and death. Perhaps that is something of an overstatement, but it you cannot deny the fact that food important. It’s not just about nourishing our bodies. It’s about a way of life, it’s about friends and family, it’s about living. So, if you still don’t know how to cook, learn. It really comes in handy. You’ll not only impress your loved ones and friends, you’ll also feel good about it. You don’t have to pore over cookbooks or enroll in culinary school either.
Just tune into the Food Network channel on Direct TV. Here you will find dozens of cooking shows to suit any taste. HD TV viewers, beware, some of this stuff is irresistible and the clarity of HD will make you salivate as you watch the recipes come to life.
Paula Deen
Paula is Southern through and through. She learned how to cook from her grandmother over thirty years ago, and now we are fortunate enough to be able to invite Paula into our homes to share those delicious recipes via the power of Direct TV. Paula Deen has a great personality and she makes it easy to learn how to cook anything, whether it be red velvet cupcakes or fried chicken.
The Barefoot Contessa
The star chef of this cooking show, Ina Garten used to work in the White House, researching nuclear energy policy. She soon got out of the political biz and branched out to cooking. Her specialty food store in the Hamptons is a hit. Ina’s style of cooking reflects her values—she loves to entertain family and friends with delicious food. Take advantage of your high definition screen while watching the Barefoot Contessa—her food looks marvelous.
30 Minute Meals
Hosted by Rachael Ray, this show is perfect for beginners as well as busy professionals. Rachael teaches you how to make simple, quick and delicious meals all in half an hour. The recipes range from comfort food to sophisticated entrees. And you will never need more than 30 minutes to make a dazzling meal. An example of the recipes featured on the show includes Chipotle Potato Salad and Show-Stopper Seared Scallops with Lemon Scented Breadcrumbs and Fettuccine with Saffron and Asparagus.
Viva Daisy
Daisy Martinez likes to spice things up with a dose of Latin cooking. She shares all her tips and tricks for creating delicious, quick, finger-lickin’ good home cooked meals inspired by her favorite Latin recipes. You’ll have a blast cooking with Daisy.
Emeril Live
Emeril Lagasse knows how to cook. This celebrity chef started out working in a Portuguese bakery and now he’s opened a chain of restaurants, hosted a series of TV shows and has become one of the world’s most renowned chefs. On Emeril Live, you’ll learn how to cook practically everything. One day he’ll do Vietnamese—Egg Drop Shrimp Noodle Soup, Banh Xeo crepes—and the next he’ll try his hand at Italian. Be sure to tune in, you won’t want to miss Emeril.
If you own a Direct TV HD DVR, do be sure to set up high definition recordings of these shows so you’ll have the recipes available whenever.
And if you don't yet have satellite TV, check out the many available Direct TV packages, so you can experience your favorite cooking shows in high-definition clarity. You'll almost be able to smell and taste the delicious dishes!
Just tune into the Food Network channel on Direct TV. Here you will find dozens of cooking shows to suit any taste. HD TV viewers, beware, some of this stuff is irresistible and the clarity of HD will make you salivate as you watch the recipes come to life.
Paula Deen
Paula is Southern through and through. She learned how to cook from her grandmother over thirty years ago, and now we are fortunate enough to be able to invite Paula into our homes to share those delicious recipes via the power of Direct TV. Paula Deen has a great personality and she makes it easy to learn how to cook anything, whether it be red velvet cupcakes or fried chicken.
The Barefoot Contessa
The star chef of this cooking show, Ina Garten used to work in the White House, researching nuclear energy policy. She soon got out of the political biz and branched out to cooking. Her specialty food store in the Hamptons is a hit. Ina’s style of cooking reflects her values—she loves to entertain family and friends with delicious food. Take advantage of your high definition screen while watching the Barefoot Contessa—her food looks marvelous.
30 Minute Meals
Hosted by Rachael Ray, this show is perfect for beginners as well as busy professionals. Rachael teaches you how to make simple, quick and delicious meals all in half an hour. The recipes range from comfort food to sophisticated entrees. And you will never need more than 30 minutes to make a dazzling meal. An example of the recipes featured on the show includes Chipotle Potato Salad and Show-Stopper Seared Scallops with Lemon Scented Breadcrumbs and Fettuccine with Saffron and Asparagus.
Viva Daisy
Daisy Martinez likes to spice things up with a dose of Latin cooking. She shares all her tips and tricks for creating delicious, quick, finger-lickin’ good home cooked meals inspired by her favorite Latin recipes. You’ll have a blast cooking with Daisy.
Emeril Live
Emeril Lagasse knows how to cook. This celebrity chef started out working in a Portuguese bakery and now he’s opened a chain of restaurants, hosted a series of TV shows and has become one of the world’s most renowned chefs. On Emeril Live, you’ll learn how to cook practically everything. One day he’ll do Vietnamese—Egg Drop Shrimp Noodle Soup, Banh Xeo crepes—and the next he’ll try his hand at Italian. Be sure to tune in, you won’t want to miss Emeril.
If you own a Direct TV HD DVR, do be sure to set up high definition recordings of these shows so you’ll have the recipes available whenever.
And if you don't yet have satellite TV, check out the many available Direct TV packages, so you can experience your favorite cooking shows in high-definition clarity. You'll almost be able to smell and taste the delicious dishes!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
VH1 Where Are They Now: Calling Jim Carrey’s Sense of Humor
For a brief moment in the 1990s, Jim Carrey was the end-all, be-all of American humor. Kids aged 10 to 16 lined around the block to check out new releases like The Mask, Ace Ventura, and Liar, Liar. Alas, these movies are now relegated to satellite TV and cable, and we’ve seen precious little of Carrey’s hilarity in recent years. The real question is: did Jim outgrow us, or did we outgrow Jim?
It all began with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. This is one of the seminal movies of our collective lifetime, a film filled with emotion, wit, and animals running around all over the room. More than anything else, it was laugh out loud funny. You never knew what kind of antic Carrey would come up with next, or what ridiculous outfit he would end up wearing. Add a cameo appearance by Dan Marino, and you have the recipe for a great flick.
Next came Dumb and Dumber, another movie that has made its way into the pantheon of classic American humor. Along with Jeff Daniels, Carrey played an ignoramus traipsing around Colorado getting himself into trouble. Here’s an example: a sports neophyte, Carrey’s character ends up with his tongue stuck to the chair lift at a ski resort. How’s that for hilarity?
According to most critics, things started to turn south with The Cable Guy, also featuring Matthew Broderick. While the critical acclaim might have been lacking (many thought the movie was too “dark”), the majority of audiences loved the act. Carrey played a (you guessed it) “Cable Guy” who develops a man-crush on Broderick after installing his home theater system (including HD TV, HiFi stereo, karaoke system, etc.) for free. The entire movie is absolutely ridiculous, but remains funny throughout.
Perhaps in response to the critics, the next movie Carrey made was Liar, Liar, a rather sophomoric tale about a lawyer who suddenly finds himself unable to lie. It might have been an accurate depiction of the legal profession, but the humor just didn’t translate to this new role. While it found success in theatres, appreciation of this one hasn’t lasted to this day like most of his other early movies.
After these huge blockbuster successes, Carrey moved to more serious fare, like the Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. These movies are great, and reveal Carrey’s aptitude as a respectable actor, but the kid in you has to wonder where he really went. Anyone who grew up to Ace Ventura on repeat can quote lines from the movie by the dozen, so it almost seems like “real acting” stole Jim away. Of course, you have to understand his development, but it’s still a rather hard pill to swallow.
Today, these movies are in gorgeous HD, available on pay per view and at your local video store. If you have satellite TV as I do, you can also catch them on Direct TV's many movie channels. A viewing in chronological order will do much to open your eyes to Jim Carrey’s comic evolution. Just don’t expect any new releases to match his former brilliance.
It all began with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. This is one of the seminal movies of our collective lifetime, a film filled with emotion, wit, and animals running around all over the room. More than anything else, it was laugh out loud funny. You never knew what kind of antic Carrey would come up with next, or what ridiculous outfit he would end up wearing. Add a cameo appearance by Dan Marino, and you have the recipe for a great flick.
Next came Dumb and Dumber, another movie that has made its way into the pantheon of classic American humor. Along with Jeff Daniels, Carrey played an ignoramus traipsing around Colorado getting himself into trouble. Here’s an example: a sports neophyte, Carrey’s character ends up with his tongue stuck to the chair lift at a ski resort. How’s that for hilarity?
According to most critics, things started to turn south with The Cable Guy, also featuring Matthew Broderick. While the critical acclaim might have been lacking (many thought the movie was too “dark”), the majority of audiences loved the act. Carrey played a (you guessed it) “Cable Guy” who develops a man-crush on Broderick after installing his home theater system (including HD TV, HiFi stereo, karaoke system, etc.) for free. The entire movie is absolutely ridiculous, but remains funny throughout.
Perhaps in response to the critics, the next movie Carrey made was Liar, Liar, a rather sophomoric tale about a lawyer who suddenly finds himself unable to lie. It might have been an accurate depiction of the legal profession, but the humor just didn’t translate to this new role. While it found success in theatres, appreciation of this one hasn’t lasted to this day like most of his other early movies.
After these huge blockbuster successes, Carrey moved to more serious fare, like the Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. These movies are great, and reveal Carrey’s aptitude as a respectable actor, but the kid in you has to wonder where he really went. Anyone who grew up to Ace Ventura on repeat can quote lines from the movie by the dozen, so it almost seems like “real acting” stole Jim away. Of course, you have to understand his development, but it’s still a rather hard pill to swallow.
Today, these movies are in gorgeous HD, available on pay per view and at your local video store. If you have satellite TV as I do, you can also catch them on Direct TV's many movie channels. A viewing in chronological order will do much to open your eyes to Jim Carrey’s comic evolution. Just don’t expect any new releases to match his former brilliance.
Top Five Aussie Flicks
If you pay any attention to cinematic news, you will have heard plenty of talk about foreign films. There is a whole world (yes, literally) of cinema beyond the borders of the United States, and great things are happening in it. If you don’t have much patience for subtitles, consider taking in some Australian movies. Australian cinema has been booming in recent decades and has its own unique flare, but all in the English language (with that great accent, mate)! Whether you rent them on DVD or stumble upon them while flipping through satellite TV, here are the top five Aussie flicks that you shouldn’t miss:
Mad Max:
You might not know this is a 100% Australian classic, considering the movie was originally dubbed by American actors for its release in the United States! In fact, you might not know even that American-Irish Mel Gibson was raised in Australia. Unless you rent this on DVD you will probably get the American dub, although if you are lucky some satellite TV stations might broadcast the original soundtrack so you can hear the young, then-unknown Gibson with full Aussie accent. As one of Australia’s all-time top grossing films, there is no better place to start than with this classic post-apocalyptic thriller. Check out this or its sequel, Road Warrior, in High Definition format for the full experience.
Strictly Ballroom
From director Baz Luhrmann comes this very off-beat comedy. A young star in the sport of ballroom dancing must stand up against tradition and expectations by dancing his own unorthodox steps with an unlikely partner, as he strikes out against what is considered “strictly ballroom.” If you liked Luhrmann’s later creations, like Romeo + Juliet starring DiCarprio and Danes, or the flashy Moulin Rouge, check out this quirky movie and see where this distinctive director got his beginnings.
He Died With a Falafel in His Hand
The movie is as unusual as its title, and I might never have known about it if I hadn’t randomly come across it one night thanks to the endless variety satellite TV. Based on a novel by the same name, the film is a colorful depiction of the 20-something lifestyle as the main character moves around different shared housing situations, in each new house finding roommates weirder than the last. Features fantastic writing, acting, and soundtrack.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Are you getting the idea yet that Australian cinema can be pretty deranged? That’s absolutely why I love it so much. In this distinctive film the title character is a bus, driven by three drag queen performers as they quest about the Australian outback, with plenty of glitter and glamour to flash in the High Definition version. The characters are likeable and well-developed as the trip reveals personal dramas, mechanical failures, and the reality of running into violent prejudice – as well as unexpected friendships.
Crocodile Dundee
This light and fun romantic comedy certainly succeeded in its initial attempts to appeal to a larger global audience. The savvy Dundee character is the best kind of hero, being a quick and clever sportsman with a sense of humor who can handle himself in the outback of Australia or on the streets of New York City – even if he makes the occasional faux pas along the way.
Expand your horizons and become a foreign film buff – and do it without learning a foreign language! With the endless variety of channels on Direct TV, you can catch all of these and many more international classics. There are some great Direct TV packages, especially movie buffs, that I strongly recommend checking out.
Mad Max:
You might not know this is a 100% Australian classic, considering the movie was originally dubbed by American actors for its release in the United States! In fact, you might not know even that American-Irish Mel Gibson was raised in Australia. Unless you rent this on DVD you will probably get the American dub, although if you are lucky some satellite TV stations might broadcast the original soundtrack so you can hear the young, then-unknown Gibson with full Aussie accent. As one of Australia’s all-time top grossing films, there is no better place to start than with this classic post-apocalyptic thriller. Check out this or its sequel, Road Warrior, in High Definition format for the full experience.
Strictly Ballroom
From director Baz Luhrmann comes this very off-beat comedy. A young star in the sport of ballroom dancing must stand up against tradition and expectations by dancing his own unorthodox steps with an unlikely partner, as he strikes out against what is considered “strictly ballroom.” If you liked Luhrmann’s later creations, like Romeo + Juliet starring DiCarprio and Danes, or the flashy Moulin Rouge, check out this quirky movie and see where this distinctive director got his beginnings.
He Died With a Falafel in His Hand
The movie is as unusual as its title, and I might never have known about it if I hadn’t randomly come across it one night thanks to the endless variety satellite TV. Based on a novel by the same name, the film is a colorful depiction of the 20-something lifestyle as the main character moves around different shared housing situations, in each new house finding roommates weirder than the last. Features fantastic writing, acting, and soundtrack.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Are you getting the idea yet that Australian cinema can be pretty deranged? That’s absolutely why I love it so much. In this distinctive film the title character is a bus, driven by three drag queen performers as they quest about the Australian outback, with plenty of glitter and glamour to flash in the High Definition version. The characters are likeable and well-developed as the trip reveals personal dramas, mechanical failures, and the reality of running into violent prejudice – as well as unexpected friendships.
Crocodile Dundee
This light and fun romantic comedy certainly succeeded in its initial attempts to appeal to a larger global audience. The savvy Dundee character is the best kind of hero, being a quick and clever sportsman with a sense of humor who can handle himself in the outback of Australia or on the streets of New York City – even if he makes the occasional faux pas along the way.
Expand your horizons and become a foreign film buff – and do it without learning a foreign language! With the endless variety of channels on Direct TV, you can catch all of these and many more international classics. There are some great Direct TV packages, especially movie buffs, that I strongly recommend checking out.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Top 5 Movies of 2008
Another year has come and gone, and Hollywood remains up-and-running, despite the many issues which 2008 laid at its doorstep. Whether it was writer's strikes or the global financial meltdown, it hasn't been an easy year to be a Hollywood producer. Nonetheless, these guys have shown again the resilience of the industry and the reason why they're the most important movie-producing location on the planet. We've been treated to some exceptional films this year, monetary woes aside. There has been drama along the way, some with real human value, and some that just makes people laugh at how absurd the industry can be at times. In the end, this year will go down as a year in which excellence in film recovered some terrain...may 2009 be so generous too!
So here you have it, my personal picks for the five best films released in 2008. Hope you enjoy, and make sure to check out your cable or satellite TV listings to learn when these gems will be on the tube. Hopefully you'll be able to savor them, as I do, in brilliant Direct TV HD on my 60-inch Samsung. It's almost better than seeing them in the theatre.
1) There Will Be Blood: Daniel Day Lewis deserved the Oscar, hands down. The ability to evoke pity for a ruthless and unscrupulous oil baron from the turn of the century can only be evidence of one thing: a brilliant actor coupled with a visionary director. This movie brought back a human touch that has been disappearing from Hollywood films.
2) The Dark Knight: Far and away the best addition to the Batman series ever. This movie brought back the darkness that true Batman comics fans had been yearning for. The tragic death of protagonist Heath Ledger only served to rocket this movie even further up the box-office charts. It is without a doubt the finest performance that the young talent ever gave, may he rest in peace. Do the man some justice and watch this one in HD.
3) Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay: Yes, there had to be an indie film on the list! But don't be fooled: these two mischievous delinquents fully deserve their place on this list, as they have managed to cause moviegoers to double over in laughter in a way few comedians can. The rants and raves of these two intrepid voyagers are the fodder for a night of endless hilarity.
4) Quantum of Solace: Ahhh....Bond, will we ever tire of you? No. This latest addition to the Bond series is a killer. With new gadgets and more sexy women, Bond gets out there to kick butt in more places on this planet than in any previous installation. Revenge has never been so sweet as Daniel Craig makes it in this film...another high definition must.
5) The X-Files: I Want to Believe: A refreshing break from the usual style the makers of the X-Files cultivated over more than a decade, this installation has more the feel of a police drama/thriller than an ET-flick. Yet the movie is produced and edited with excellent taste; not to mention the always anticipated event of Mulder and Scully finally getting it on! At long, long last...thank you.
Perhaps you differ with my criteria, but most people would agree that these movies all were classics and dominated the year's releases. Sure, some reader is begrudging our omission of at least one sample from the sports movie or feel-good, family-friendly genres. Perhaps 2009 will be a better year for them...we shall have to wait and see.
In the meantime, why don't you upgrade your home theatre with the best programming available? There are some great Direct TV packages available right now; check them out!
So here you have it, my personal picks for the five best films released in 2008. Hope you enjoy, and make sure to check out your cable or satellite TV listings to learn when these gems will be on the tube. Hopefully you'll be able to savor them, as I do, in brilliant Direct TV HD on my 60-inch Samsung. It's almost better than seeing them in the theatre.
1) There Will Be Blood: Daniel Day Lewis deserved the Oscar, hands down. The ability to evoke pity for a ruthless and unscrupulous oil baron from the turn of the century can only be evidence of one thing: a brilliant actor coupled with a visionary director. This movie brought back a human touch that has been disappearing from Hollywood films.
2) The Dark Knight: Far and away the best addition to the Batman series ever. This movie brought back the darkness that true Batman comics fans had been yearning for. The tragic death of protagonist Heath Ledger only served to rocket this movie even further up the box-office charts. It is without a doubt the finest performance that the young talent ever gave, may he rest in peace. Do the man some justice and watch this one in HD.
3) Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay: Yes, there had to be an indie film on the list! But don't be fooled: these two mischievous delinquents fully deserve their place on this list, as they have managed to cause moviegoers to double over in laughter in a way few comedians can. The rants and raves of these two intrepid voyagers are the fodder for a night of endless hilarity.
4) Quantum of Solace: Ahhh....Bond, will we ever tire of you? No. This latest addition to the Bond series is a killer. With new gadgets and more sexy women, Bond gets out there to kick butt in more places on this planet than in any previous installation. Revenge has never been so sweet as Daniel Craig makes it in this film...another high definition must.
5) The X-Files: I Want to Believe: A refreshing break from the usual style the makers of the X-Files cultivated over more than a decade, this installation has more the feel of a police drama/thriller than an ET-flick. Yet the movie is produced and edited with excellent taste; not to mention the always anticipated event of Mulder and Scully finally getting it on! At long, long last...thank you.
Perhaps you differ with my criteria, but most people would agree that these movies all were classics and dominated the year's releases. Sure, some reader is begrudging our omission of at least one sample from the sports movie or feel-good, family-friendly genres. Perhaps 2009 will be a better year for them...we shall have to wait and see.
In the meantime, why don't you upgrade your home theatre with the best programming available? There are some great Direct TV packages available right now; check them out!
The Evolution of Reality TV
The majority of kids and teenagers growing up in the 1990’s could easily recite from memory the following mantra: “This is the true story... of seven strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World.” MTV’s smash hit reality show first appeared on the scene in 1992 and sparked a revolution in television programming. The dawning of the Real World started America’s obsession with reality TV and the progression has taken viewers in many different directions. From extreme sports in Fear Factor to mind games in Big Brother to dating shows such as the Bachelor, reality TV has become a fixture of American television viewing. For an industry that started by putting seven strangers in a house and taping their every move, reality TV has become of the highest grossing sectors of the entertainment industry.
The original Real World season was filmed almost like a low budget horror movie with poor lighting and a horribly grainy picture. With the progression of technology and the introduction of high definition television, the antics of the housemates are now captured in unbelievable clarity, even under the cover of darkness. The progression from low budget shows to the blockbuster reality series such as Survivor and American Idol shows the American obsession with reality TV. Both Survivor and American Idol have reached top ratings for an entire season among viewers, out pacing scripted shows with professional actors. This in turn has lead to additional reality TV programming with series such as VH1’s Surreal Life and Discovery Channel’s Little People, Big World.
The popularity of these shows probably stems from the golden idea of everyone getting their 15 minutes of fame. A show like American Idol allows people from all over the country to audition for their chance to make it big in the entertainment industry. Survivor also takes an ordinary person, puts them on national television, and gives them the opportunity to win 1 million dollars. The idea that anyone could possibly win this contest draws a large audience to cheer on the average Joe just like them. Seeing a family member, friend, or acquaintance on a HD TV perpetuates the cycle of people’s desire to become part of the scene.
Although the average person can now audition to become a reality TV star, Americans still have an obsession with the royalty of the entertainment industry. This preoccupation with celebrities has paved the way for shows such as Growing up Gotti, The Simple Life, and The Hills. Ratings for Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton’s reality show, The Simple Life, surpassed many scripted shows. Although Lauren Conrad may not have been a well-known name before the MTV reality show, The OC: The Real Orange County, she was able to create a successful spin-off of the show with a new life in LA. The Hills continuously receives high ratings and has given the reality stars a new level of celebrity. Although reality TV may have started as a low budget show, it is now a thriving multi-million dollar industry that shows no signs of letting up any time soon.
Catch Real World and your other reality favorites in HD on Direct TV, the leading provider of satellite television programming in the U.S. There are some great Direct TV packages available now, so don't wait!
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