Windowing experiment... Direct to DVD... 'Toy Stories' in 3-D

- The documentary 'Kicking It,' about a World Cup soccer tournament where all the players are homeless, screened at Sundance this year. It was just picked up by Liberation Entertainment and Red Envelope Entertainment, Netflix's DVD distribution arm, according to The Hollywood Reporter. They're going to try to rearrange the traditional release windows: theatrical first, then simultaneous release on TV, DVD, and Internet streaming on Netflix's Web site.

From the press release:

Under today’s announcement, Liberation will be handling North American and Central American theatrical, DVD and ancillary rights to the film. Breaking with traditional release windows, the ESPN television premiere will follow theatrical release, and the film will be provided by REE to Netflix subscribers to rent on DVD or watch instantly on a PC, day-and-date with the ESPN premiere, when DVD sales via Liberation will begin. REE will also promote the ESPN telecast of KICKING IT to Netflix subscribers via their iconic mailers.

- Even if you're not buying direct-to-DVD movies, someone is, according to the NY Times. The headline of this story says it all: 'Direct-to-DVD Releases Shed Their Loser Label.' Focus is on the 'American Pie' series, 'Garfield,' 'Get Smart,' and 'Scorpion King.'

- Disney/Pixar is planning 3-D releases of 'Toy Story' and 'Toy Story 2' for 2009 and 2010, according to Variety.