Recently in Television, Movies & DVD's Category

I know we've written about this in the past, but I feel like every now and again it's worth mentioning one more time: you can earn 3.0% Cash Back through Ebates when you purchase items from the iTunes store. This includes everything from music and movies to iPhone apps. Granted, you do have to click through an Ebates link, and use your computer rather than your mobile device, but wouldn't you do that if you knew you'd be getting cash back on everything you buy?

Take it from a guy who has an iPhone, two iPods, and about sixty days worth of music in his iTunes account: you can really rack up some cash on these downloads, especially if you are the type who finds it easier to rent or download a movie or TV episode via iTunes rather than catch it the first time through. Also, don't forget that many popular bands also have iTunes-only releases which are usually both inexpensive and filled with little gems like live performances or B-side recordings.

What makes this almost more impressive of a deal is that Ebates offers 1.0% Cash Back from the Apple Store, but 3.0% Cash Back on iTunes purchases - so despite the fact that you don't have anything physical to show for it, you are getting a better deal on cash back when shopping for music and more at the iTunes Store.


What will you find in the Ebates Music & Movies category?

Ladies and gents, every now and then a great sale just falls in your lap. For once, rather than scouting around Ebates for a sale, I had one practically come knock on my front door. See, my friends know me to be an appreciator of fine cinema, and as I own a handful of Criterion Collection edition DVDs of my favorite flicks, they took it upon themselves to keep me in the know -- Barnes & Noble.com is currently offering 50% off all Criterion Collection DVDs or Blu-Ray Discs. So this is your chance to snatch up copies of such classic films as "Brazil", or "Two Lane Blacktop", or Fellini's "8 1/2". So, in other words, these aren't your Disney classics or Jerry Bruckheimer blockbusters. The good news is that most of these movies are hard if not impossible to find otherwise, and you can get all the cool additional features that come with the Criterion Collection without the somewhat inflated Criterion Collection price tag.

So whether you are a film geek (like yours truly) or just know one who is hard to find Christmas presents for, this is a great chance to really make that movie collection of your shine with a little bit of extra independent cred. So if, like me, you get a thrill out of the idea of seeing a weary knight play chess against the grim reaper in Ingmar Bergman's "The Seventh Seal", you will be thrilled to know that you can get the Criterion Collection edition DVD from Barnes & Noble.com for just $14.99, plus 4.0% Cash Back.

Pop up some popcorn and find your movie of choice with some great cash back in our Music & Movies category!

Being from Massachusetts means Halloween is more than a holiday, it's a cultural tradition. Steeped in nearly 400 years of history, The Bay State is home to The Salem Witch Trials, The Granary Cemetery (final resting place for Paul Revere, Sam Adams, and John Hancock) and cobble stone streets so old, you'd think you traveled back in time. With this being said, it should come as no surprise that my all time favorite Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus. Thanks to Ebates Spooky Savings, I can buy this wickedly funny movie at DisneyStore.com where I'll get 5.0% Cash Back and find other savings like up to 25% off all costumes.

A tale of three sisters who travel back from colonial Salem to work their witchcraft in hopes of eternal life, this movie stars two of my favorite actresses; Betty Davis and Miss Carrie Bradshaw herself, SJP. At just $12.99, this movie is more than a sweet treat for a homesick New Englander, it's also a great deal. While others may hit the streets in costume, I'll be curled up on my couch, sipping hot apple cider, and watching my three favorite witches.

Find the scariest savings with Ebates!

I'm not usually one to gush, but man oh man; Electronics Expo has really come up with a great coupon.

For the next eight days, you'll get up to 25% off all TVs storewide at Electronics Expo with code LSTVSALE. Naturally, as is often the case, exclusions do apply, but still, you can save a ton of cash on the HDTV of your dreams, whether you're looking for a big whopping fifty-two incher for your living room, or a nice compact twenty two inch set for your kitchen counter.

Or, just think about if you wanted to really go over-the-top and do an MTV Cribs fantasy TV setup, you could get about thirty monstrous plasma screens to mount all over your house (always including the classics above the bed and in the bathroom) and rack up a ton of savings in addition to a ton of cash back. No matter what, when you apply this coupon code, and combine it with 2.5% Cash Back, you know you'll be getting an amazing deal on a great HDTV.

Find more HDTV deals in our Electronics & Photo category!

Nothing warms my soul quite like the season premiere of my favorite shows. The feeling is akin to old friends returning from a long vacation: it's good to see them again and you know you have a lot of catching up to do. Tonight, Showtime is premiering two of my favorite shows: Dexter (Michael C. Hall has held a fond place in my heart ever since Six Feet Under) and Californication at 9pm and 10pm respectively. If you have not yet watched these shows, I implore you to get caught up with the DVDs as soon as possible and then to watch the new seasons. Or, if you are like me and a new season always makes you want to go back and refresh your memory, it is not too late!

Head over to Deep Discount, which as the name implies, has heavy discounts on everything from DVDs to books and more. Get 2.5% Cash Back at Deep Dicount and pick up the Dexter Three Season Pack (also available in Blu-Ray) for a stunning $82.55, you save over $37 on the list price. Or if a sympathetic serial killer is not your cup of tea, pick up the first and second seasons of Californication for just $30 each with free shipping on all orders at Deep Discount. 

Tomorrow marks the season finale of TV's hottest show: True Blood, and there's no fangbanger who's as excited as me. To prepare for tomorrow's evening of vampires, werewolves, and Maenads, I'll be cooking a traditional Lousiana meal and sipping on the newly released TruBlood drink. No, you don't need to be a vampire to enjoy the taste, but you do need to visit the HBO Store for 4.0% Cash Back and other memorabilia, including the book that started it all, The Sookie Stackhouse Diaries.

Being the number one fan of this show, I love that I can shop HBO Store and find beer glasses from my favorite bar, Merlotte's, Bon Temps football jerseys, and cast member t-shirts. There are also posters, the True Blood original soundtrack, and Season One on DVD. Those with a darker side will love Fangtasia t-shirts, and those who prefer the light of day will enjoy finding gear from The Fellowship of The Sun. Regardless of why you love True Blood, you'll find everything to satisfy your sweet fang at the HBO Store.

Find more TV memorabilia in our Music and Movies category.

As a musician and someone brought up listening to music on my parents' console stereo, I've had a longtime love affair with the music of The Beatles. I also happen to be a somewhat avid Rock Band player, so when I heard about Beatles Rock Band, I almost plotzed.

As if that thrill weren't enough, as a way of celebrating arguably the greatest rock band of all time, stores started putting the Beatles Anthology DVD set on sale. Granted, this week it's almost impossible to turn on VH1 and not see some part of the anthology on TV, but this way, you can watch them any hour of any day.

If you're like the drummer in my band, your gripes about music have to do with restoring old recordings or poor mixing and mastering; wishing that old albums could have taken full advantage of modern recording quirks. Well, Beatles fans, your dream just came true. With the Beatles Discography Re-Mastered, the only question left is if you want to retain the original sensibilities of the mono recordings, or if you want to experience the cutting-edge stereo mixes.

No matter what you choose, you'll get 4% Cash Back on all those purchases at Barnes and Noble.com just by using your Ebates account!

You can usually tell the overachievers on the first day of school: they have their textbooks, color-coded notebooks, and assortment of pens. While I cannot deny that I was that person in college, one thing I learned very quickly was to not buy a book until after the first day of class. You may drop the class, get wind of horror stories about a professor, or you may find a better deal online. Like at Barnes & Noble, where they have low prices on thousands of textbooks. Plus, You will get 8% Cash Back from Ebates and free in-store returns! You don't need to hassle with return shipping and waiting for a refund. Instead, you can return your unwanted merchandise to a store and quickly get your cash.

Just as important as studying hard is relaxing with some restorative leisure time. I spent many college weekends laying in bed watching DVDs of my favorite shows, which (for me) was time well spent. So while shopping for textbooks, be sure to shop for some DVD's at low prices. Pick up the highly acclaimed second season of Mad Men, now 50% off along with many more DVDs and get increased cash back from Ebates.


Shop all of our Back to School deals!

On Thursday August 20th at 10 p.m., Project Runway returns for their sixth season. One of the biggest changes is that is will be airing on a new network: Lifetime. Despite Project Runway's new home, not much about the show will change except that now, instead of seeing incessant commercials promoting Kathy Griffin's reality series, we will see trailers for made-for-TV lifetime movies. I am happy for the reprieve.

Look forward to sixteen new designers (meet them and check out their virtual portfolios here) with Tim, Hedi, Nina and Michael Kors back to judge for the new season.

Catch up on all the drama, the highs and lows from seasons past with the DVD's now on sale at Buy.com with 1% Cash Back from Ebates. I was totally obsessed with season four and can't wait to re-watch it. I will pick up my copy at Buy.com for 32% off list price and just $18.89 with cash back too. Get your hands on all the previous seasons, but hurry, they are selling out quick.


Find deals on all your favorite TV shows on DVD and gear up for Fall TV in our Music and Movies Category.

Considering TV has turned into one giant reality show filled with drama, drunkenness, and things best left in the bedroom, it's no wonder smart stylish women (such as myself) are turning to Disney for a lighthearted change. While I have always been open regarding my love of Hannah Montana, or Wizards of Waverly Place, there are still a few amongst us who secretly TiVo Jonas for fear of ridicule. Here at Ebates we love what you love, and in support of WFD (women for Disney) we're offering $11 Cash Back at Disney Movie Club for first time shoppers.

Aside from sitcoms, Disney Movie Club is home to classics like Sleeping Beauty (my all time favorite) Escape To Witch Mountain, and Mary Poppins to name a few. As part of  Cash Back Bonanza at Ebates, we're highlighting the best ways to earn top cash back. So whether you've been meaning to stock up on The Suite Life On Deck, or if you're looking for a great present, do it with Ebates!

Get even more cash back with our Cash Back Bonanza!

A truly unique experience is the shock resulting in the end of a promotional cable bill increase. The worst part is the knowledge that your services have not improved but now cost twice as much. There is no better time to open up your double-the-cost-bill than when a commercial simultaneously comes on the television advertising the same service you have for almost 1/3 of the price. It was in this moment, sometime last month, that I decided to make a change.

For fear of sounding like Andy Rooney, I will end my rant there and offer a solution. In my effort to end my indentured servitude to the cable company empire, I down-graded my service and signed up with Netflix, through Ebates and got $13 Cash Back, which is essentially one month free, plus you get a two-week no obligation free trial. Coupled with cash back, you get over a month of free service from Netflix. Have the DVD's shipped or watch instantly on your television or computer.

Find more ways to save with Ebates!

You know it, I know it, and most people across the country know it -- yesterday marked the long-long-long awaited release of the sixth installment of the Harry Potter film franchise with "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince". Most folks predict that with this movie, the Potter franchise will out-earn James Bond in total box office revenue, and I know a few employees who came in a little bleary-eyed this morning from going to the midnight showing. One thing you have to love about the release of each new Harry Potter movie is a new wave of Harry Potter merchandise, from wands, robes, and broomsticks to all seven Harry Potter Books as well as tons of supplemental readings.

So where should you go for all your Potter-lovin' needs? Everybody should know by now, both Borders and Barnes & Noble have everything any bibliophile could ever ask for, and they have a ton of other assorted Potter-phenalia for you muggles out there. One merchant that impressed me was Sears: they have almost two hundred different Harry Potter products for sale, and there's also the Scholastic Store - remember, Scholastic is the company that publishes the Harry Potter books, so they have the rights to all sorts of cool Potter stuff. Wherever you choose to shop - make sure you head there through Ebates and earn some cash back on your purchases!

Anyone out there seen the movie yet? I haven't gone, but I'm really excited - comment your thoughts of it (without spoilers!).

I fear you might have missed the word about Blu-Ray. Fortunately for you, I have two bits of good news! 

First - if you are indeed looking for HD DVD Sales, you can probably find some HD DVDs still on eBay, since that's where everyone should go to find pretty much everything.  And when you're getting something at a used price with 3% Cash Back, it's as good as a sale.

Second - if you are looking for Blu-Ray stuff on sale, the HBO Store currently has great deals on all sorts of Blu-Ray editions of their famous shows and miniseries. Just cruise on over there, use this coupon for 15% off any order plus 3% Cash Back.

So even if you're still feeling a little down about the whole Blu-Ray format thing, you can take some solace in the fact that now HD DVD Sales are more plentiful, as the video discs are now the abandoned format. 

As I previously mentioned, this past Saturday marked the release of the Twilight DVD. It is no surprise that millions of copies were sold, more stampedes ensued, and people everywhere got their Twilight on. While it may be hard to believe, some people like myself who consider themselves Twilight fans, did not get their copy over the weekend or partake in pre-order extravaganza (you missed some good deals on the Twilight DVD with Coupons). But fear not - all hope for getting a great deal is not lost! Here is a list of the top Ebates merchants who offer the Twilight DVD with cash back and coupons too:

• Barnes & Noble $23.75, 4% cash back: Exclusive Barnes & Noble DVD and Twilight Skin for your cell phone, mp3 player or ipod. And enjoy free shipping on orders of $25+. 
• Borders $23.79, 4% cash back: Get free shipping on orders of $25+, and shop for the exclusive Borders Twilight DVD, set to ship in May due to high demand. 
• Buy.com $21.78, 1% cash back
• Best Buy $17.99, 1% cash back
• Target $17.99, 4% cash back: Target exclusive three-disk deluxe version, now 22% off!

And, if you are looking to outfit yourself in some Twilight gear for the ultimate viewing experience, shop the fan destination du jour Hot Topic and get 6% cash back through Ebates.

Find more coupons on the hottest new releases here.

Although I have always seen March as the figurative "Wednesday" of the calendar months, it is a surprisingly eventful time of year. We can thank March for bringing us St. Patrick's Day, daylight savings, the first day of Spring, and the release of the Twilight DVD! Twiligters everywhere have been most eagerly awaiting March 21st, the day that they can get their warm, regrettably non-vampire hands on their very own copy of the "blockbuster" movie. Intelligent Twilighters (ahem) will be picking up their copy through Ebates and at either Barnes & Noble or Borders, where they can earn cash back and get exclusive coupons and deals on the movie.

At Borders, you can get 4% cash back and an exclusive copy of the DVD, plus an 18-month Twilight calendar (because twelve months of Twilight is not enough), so every month can be just as exciting as the last with the cast of the novel/movie gracing the pages (Tell me, which month will Rob Pattinson be?). And, enjoy free shipping on orders of $25 or more!

Barnes and Noble has an exclusive DVD as well, and upon purchasing you get a free Twilight skin for your cell phone, PDA, or MP3 player and 4% cash back! Show off your "Twilight-Cred" with this exclusive gift and get free shipping on all orders of $25 or more when you shop at Barnes and Noble.com.



Hurry, these deals end soon and the DVD will be officially released in just a few days, so get your copy now.


Find more coupons and deals on DVDs, books, and movies here.

This coming weekend, we'll find out the end of that sentence time and time again. As Oscar season dawns upon us again, there are folks like Allie and Poppy who are all abuzz over what the latest in red carpet fashion will be, while others like myself are most interested in what movies come out on top.  When I first decided to write an Oscars blog, I was hoping to feature most of the movies nominated this year; however, there's one problem with that: most of those movies are currently in theaters, and I can't think of any Ebates merchants that offer discounts on movie tickets.

So, instead, I thought we could take this moment to look at some past successes, so we can see what this year's competitors will be stacked up against through the lens of history. I took a little time scouring some merchants to find the lowest possible prices on DVDs of previous "Best Picture" winners. So here we go:

Weekends are always a delight for me, as it's my favorite time of the week to bring you what I feel is an extra-special, interesting, or otherwise noteworthy product that you should know about. Today's top pick is not only noteworthy, it's downright fascinating! Behold: the Axion 7" Dual Widescreen Portable DVD Player.

Now, before you ask me "Why does that exist?" ask yourself just how much more awesome your life would be with a second screen. Go on! Do it! The correct answer is "far more", in case you were wondering, as this little Axion Dual-Screen DVD player brings twice the fun to any occasion. Stuck facing someone at a lunch table you'd rather not deal with? Pop open your DVD player! Afraid of an oncoming assailant? Make him/her laugh with one of your favorite movies - while you watch at the same time too! Amazing!

Hyperbole aside, this little gadget would likely prove invaluable to anyone looking to entertain a gaggle of children, a round table full of bored friends, or anyone in just about any other situation where one display isn't enough. While each tiny 7" screen may not be much on its own, the fact that the player can accurately power two LCD screens (that can practically display 720p visuals) is an outstanding feat in its own right. Scoff at it all you want, but I'd bet cold hard cash that this little Dual Widescreen portable DVD player has come in handy in more than one occasion. If you're ready to find out just how great the dual-screen life is, head on over to Newegg and pick one up for just $129 (that's $20 off!). Only then will you be able to see how wonderful two simultaneous screens of awesome truly is.

With the bulk of our HDTV series over, it's time to relax and get ready for the impending awesome that is your amazing new HDTV. If you missed out on our tips in the previous three installments (featuring HDTV info, hands-on research, and the final touches to complete your HDTV heaven), feel free to give them a peek to help you pick out the best HDTV for your last-minute football party, or just to help you choose your new 'tube any time of year. Now that the gruntwork's behind me, how about I let you in on my own experience picking out a great HDTV online?

Much like I recommended earlier, my HDTV quest started with a bit of research. For starters, I had to pick out which kind of a HDTV set I wanted. Would LCD or Plasma be the best for me? After a bit of reading, I opted to go for the LCD since my living space is rather well-lit, and I wanted the vibrant colors of the LCD over the black depth that makes Plasmas shine in dark settings. Also, since I tend to watch/play a lot of things like video games and news stations that have stagnant images that tend to "burn into" screens, I didn't want to take the risk of damaging my TV. The choice was clear; I just needed to figure out what TV was right for me.

Shortly thereafter, I hit the streets to see if the LCDs actually delivered. To my surprise, they did. Set after set, the HDTVs with LCD technology looked generally brighter and clearer than their Plasma counterparts; so much so that I still opted for the LCD after picking out a little "motion blur" on the majority of the sets. With that said, one brand consistently stood out as the cream of the crop (especially when price was considered), and that brand was Samsung. While this may come as a bit of a surprise to some, Samsung has been one of the foremost manufacturers of LCD computer monitors for years now. With years and years of LCD production under their belt, it's obvious that Samsung is doing something right with the technology, as their screens looked great at practically any size.

Out of all of the Samsung models, though, the 650 series stood out to me as the TV with the best bang for my buck. While the 750 and 850 models are fine and dandy (and include a few superfluous additions in the way of inputs and features), the overall image quality varies so little, they might as well be overpriced doppelgangers. The 650 series features outstanding 120hz technology that eliminated most motion blur and makes people look "more real than real," and has speakers that outshine the 850 according to many reviewers. The viewing angle was outstanding and the picture was superb; I just had to get it.

After picking out the model of HDTV that impressed me the most, I ran back to my computer to find the best price. After looking around at Best Buy.com, Newegg, and even WalMart, I opted for Abe's of Maine for a few choice reasons. First, the HDTV was over $400 cheaper than in stores (and approximately $100-200 less than its online competitors) and featured free shipping. In addition to the free shipping, it included a free wall mount ($80+ value) and NO TAX. Toss in the $10 promotional code and 1% cash back, and I just couldn't say no. All in all, my combined savings came out to be somewhere in the $600-700 range just by doing my homework and shopping on the internet. Imagine how much you can save, too!

Within a week of ordering my HDTV, it was at my house. After gently unloading it from the shipping truck, I had a friend of mine lend me a hand with unpacking and setting it up in my house. It only took a few minutes to plug in the TV and unpack the remote, and viola! An HDTV of my dreams, in my very own home, with no dead pixels and no noticeable problems at all (knock on wood!). It's not too late to use in-store pickup and still save hundreds of dollars, so go get your big game HDTV before kickoff to ensure you have the best Super Bowl party yet!

As reported earlier this week, a Sex and the City Sequel has been confirmed as your favorite set of New York City BFFs are on board for a follow up to last summer's mega hit spinoff to the cult-classic television show. Like many devoted fans, I am not sure how I feel about the news. I could never NOT be excited to see ladies of Sex and the City, but the last film did not even remotely compare to the greatness of the television show. And a sequel to the movie could be even more of a departure from the individuality and greatness that spoke to so many single women for so many years. This same sentiment is shared by most SATC fans I have spoken to about the news, but we do have sometime to make up our minds about it.  The release of the second film is obviously a long way out, shooting is not even rumored to begin until this summer.


So whats a fan to do in the meantime? Satiate you desire for quality time with your favorite friends by watching the series from start to finish. If you don't have the complete series, start building your collection now and catch up with the gals one season at a time. Get the complete series collectors set from Target for 67% off at just $99 with 4% cash back. You'll save almost $200! It could possibly be one of the best ways on earth to spend a hundred bucks and it will provide endless entertainment. Looking to give a Valentines Day gift to someone special? This is a fantastic gift for a Valentine if you are not looking to go the "jewelry and chocolate" route.

Regardless of how you feel about the first installment to the SATC movie franchise, it really is a feel-good watch and a necessary addition to the DVD collection. Get it from Best Buy for just $24.99 (for the special collectors' edition) with 1% cash back and speedy shipping. By the time you have exhausted all Sex and the City moments on DVD, you will, like me, be ready for some more... just in time for the sequel!

When it comes to ABC's show Lost, people fall into two categories: those who don't watch the show and Lost Fanatics. This show requires a lot of patience from viewers, so there are not a ton of fair-weather lost fans out there; either you like it or you don't. As such, tomorrow night is either just another Wednesday night, or the much-anticipated season premiere. For those of us who feel like we have been waiting too long (officially, it has been eight months and eight days - I was secretly hoping they would have made the wait time connect to the ever-perplexing "lost numbers"...) for the new season, tomorrow's season premiere feels like a long time coming. I have been waiting in anticipation and started preparing for the big day over the weekend. I checked on the functionality of my DVR to prevent any technical mishaps that would cause it to not record the two hour episode fully or at all, because if you miss a second, you miss the entire episode.

More importantly, I caught up on past episodes to refresh myself on the eventful moments of seasons past. I previously purchased my LOST DVD collection through Ebates at Barnes & Noble, with 4% cash back. Seasons 1-4 are available (sold separately) for $43-$48, you save between 10-20% of the original price. They ship very quickly and for free, so soon enough you will be catching up yourself. You can also pick up a complete set at eBay with 3% back, the current bid for one such set is just over $100. If that is all too much of a commitment or a strain on your pocketbook, you can rent season 1-4 through Netflix and get $18 back for signing up.



Just as important as how you prepare for tomorrow night, is what you wear to enjoy the first episode of the rest of your life. An appropriate choice is this official Lost Dharma Jumpsuit from the ABC TV Store, for $89.95 with 4% cash back. When purchasing this item, you get a set of free Dharma tattoos with purchase (enter TATTOO at checkout). Show off your devoted fanaticism and buy this suit, that can be worn over clothes (as demonstrated by this dapper looking headless man in the photo pictured above). Likewise, It makes a great gift for any fan in your life and will pay for itself when you have to go to a spur of the moment costume party. Buy this suit, catch up on DVDs and increase the level of excitement every time you tune into an episode of your favorite show, and be prepared for anything that LOST brings your way.

As a new season of Fox's super-sized mega hit "reality" show American Idol is upon us, voyeurs, I mean viewers, say hello to a new batch of eager contestants thirsty for their fifteen minutes of fame. In the dawn of new faces, like Bikini Girl and Eccentric, we so easily discard the winners and the losers of seasons past; the embarrassing, the sad, and the institutional. I ask myself, what is the legacy of the William Hungs of the world, where do the Fanjayas turn after the Sanjayamania turns into a bad pop-culture hangover? The American Idol roadkill get book deals, or even better recording contract and the fans get a paperback or glossy-covered CD relic to remember them by.



So if you still miss William Hung and his socially-awkward alien like behavior, you can pick up his DVD documentary/album, Hanging With Hung, for only $9.99 at Borders with 4% cash back. Because, really don't you miss his powerful rendition of the intoxicating "She Bangs"? Plus, it will make a great addition to your DVD collection, as visitors marvel "Wow, I cant believe you actually own that."





If you are less in to William Hung, and a more of a late blooming "idolizer", you can pick up Sanjaya's Memoirs of the Idol experience, Dancing to the Music In My Head: Memoirs of The People's Idol and reminisce about his fascinating journey from "obscure" high school teenager to "obscure" reality star to just plain obscurity. You will also get to learn whats next for Sanjaya, as his story reminds readers that the world is his oyster and so it is your own. Get a copy for 20% off, and just $15.99, at Barnes and Noble with 4% cash back.





Exceptional literature is not only reserved for the contestants, but also the judges. If you want to live the good life a la Randy Jackson, get a copy of his attempt at writing in the form of Body With Soul from Alibris for a modest $4.98 with 3% cash back. This potpourri of information mixes memoir, a wellness program and inspirational advice, courtesy of Randall Darius, better known as Randy Jackson. Get your copy and let him guide you to "the best you" this year.

If you ever find yourself as an American Idol reject: your fifteen minutes of fame expired and all your friends and relatives can't stand you anymore, there is hope for you yet. You will leave behind a rich legacy of  vague memories of your television moments, a couple of unwatched YouTube videos, and just maybe some amazing literature.

Once again it's my favorite time of the year. A time when openly laughing at someone's else performance is not only social acceptable, but welcomed. A time when such serious questions as "Does Ryan Seacrest Date?" come up frequently in conversations, a time when a mouthy brit has something more to say than "Sharon!".

Of course I'm talking about American Idol.

After a six month break, American Idol is back at it with season eight. A new season means new contestants, new fights between an intoxicated Paula and an angry Simon, and of course new chances for Randy to call someone his "dawg". Along with the banter and shameful auditions comes a new judge by the name of Kara DioGuardi. Not familiar with the name or face, I did some research on the latest Idol judge and have come to two conclusions. The first is that she is responsible for nearly every major pop song you've ever heard. The second is that her face seems to be the handiwork of an over-zealous plastic surgeon. While one's personal relationship with a scalpel is really none of my business, it does make for an interesting character. Any concerns I had about her not being as entertaining as the other judges were quickly squashed, when she attempted to out-sing the bikini girl from last night's Phoenix auditions. I have no doubt she will entertain us as much as Paula's attempts to remain sober.

For those who missed last night, the series premiere kicked off with auditions in Phoenix where a young woman by the name of Arianna stole the show. As if her voice wasn't good enough, creating her own charity for the elderly puts her on my "Definitely going to Heaven" list. Less fun was the boring Tuan who wasn't bad enough to laugh at, but was bad enough not go to Hollywood. Hopefully tonight's auditions being held in Kansas City will offer some crazier moments. It's audition time, and I have my popcorn handy, and my DVR remote ready.

For the superfans out there who can't get enough, or for those of you who misplaced your copy of From Justin To Kelly, you too can now sing along with American Idol Karaoke Revolution. I found this gem at Barnes & Noble for just $49.99. Available for XBOX 360, Playstation, and Wii, this mega fan must-have is the only way to audition for the judges. Assuming that waiting in line amongst thousands of people isn't your thing, in which case neither is driving to the nearest store in standing in line. Luckily with Ebates you'll receive 4% cash back all from the comforts of your own home. You can sing along with favorite contestants or alone, I prefer to have some support, as I've been known to shatter glass with my vocals. But hey, at least I'm aware of it. So here's to another season of American Idol, and another season of knowing not to quit my day job!

For those of you who share in my love of auditions gone bad, here is my all time favorite audition..EVER. Enjoy!

As a general rule, I try not to use this blog as a soapbox to reach out for video game convertees. Sure, I'll toss the idea out every once in a while, keep you informed about a great title that could make your weekend, or just point our a few hot titles for the season, but I've yet to truly emphasize a game as much as Valkyria Chronicles. Not only is the one of the best games of 2008 (universally heralded by the pitifully few who played it), but it's a completely refreshing, unique take on a genre that I think too many have skipped over for all the wrong reasons.

For those who've yet to hear about this curious little title, Valkyria Chronicles is an anime-inspired Strategy Role-Playing Game (RPG) for the PlayStation 3. It tells the tale of Welkin Gunther, a 22-year-old university student-turned-tank commander who must lead his militia against the invading evil East European Imperial Alliance. It's 1935, and just as any historian would likely let you know, the Eastern European Imperial Alliance has been encroaching upon the peaceful Atlantic Alliance for years now. What began as a small group of soldiers making their way throughout the Eastern Bloc in the later 1920's steadily grew into a great hulking behemoth of an army that takes every city and country along their path, obviously hearkening back to the way Hitler came to power around the same time in our own worldview.

Valkyria Chronicles is a "Strategy RPG", meaning that you control multiple characters one by one against opposing forces. Usually this is done on a grid of some sort (restricting your movement to a set amount of squares), but instead things are handled a bit differently. Each character has a motion gauge that corresponds to their class, meaning that the weaker Scouts can move the farthest to examine their surroundings, while the trigger-happy Shocktroopers have a much more limited range to use to eliminate foes. Battle takes place whenever your unit is in range of the enemy: you simply press R1 to go into combat mode, "Square" to cycle through your weapons, aim, and fire. You control each character separately, yet each of their action follows one another seamlessly; miraculously invoking the feeling of what it would really be like to control an entire army advancing troop-by-troop through enemy lines.

Equally refreshing is the game's story, as it's surprisingly not something that's pulled out of the aether and tacked onto some haphazard anime characters - it actually feels like a living story you create and interact with on a constant basis. Instead of "feeling" like a normal video game with incessant battles and generic story lines, Valkyria Chronicles tells its tale through a virtual "storybook" that you progress through chapter-by-chapter, with events, dialog, and battles that flesh out the story that take place in bite-sized increments along the way. The artistic design is breathtaking from top to bottom, with luscious watercolor landscapes belying the gritty reality of wartime atrocities. After all, war is real. Battles are real. And when you launch headfirst into battles with the team you personally assembled from scratch, you feel it too.

Unfortunately, too many factors have played into Valkyria Chronicles selling less than 100,000 copies in the US since its release - a fate worse than death for any multi-million dollar video game company. Even though it's doing a pinch better overseas, the sad fact is that too many people are skipping over this original, beautiful title in favor of other holiday plunder, or putting it onto their "to buy" list in case there's ever a sale. To this I must cry: Don't! It's a shame when such an original game comes out and doesn't receive the recognition it truly deserves, as the video game industry needs much more games that take risks and innovate like this one. Give the free demo a try on the PlayStation Network, or pick it up from any one of our wonderful retailers (might I suggest Newegg.com for $56.99 with 2% cash back?). It's a stellar game that's worth even the tiniest bit of time, even if you don't think you'll care for it much. I know that I hardly care for Strategy RPGs myself, yet this game has me gushing more than a steamrolled pack of Gushers. Try it; you'll like it!

Let's take a few minutes and analyze our home theater setups, shall we? Just how many electronic devices do you have hooked up to your TV at the moment? If you're like most people, you're probably looking at a TV, a cable box, a DVD player of some sort, possibly a receiver, and maybe even a videogame console or two if you're so inclined. As the number of electronics devices that populate our living areas increase from year to year, the amount of control juggling that goes into relaxing in front of the tube grows exponentially. For me, it takes three remotes,  four clicks, and two spilled drinks to even start my evening wind down, and that's not even counting the videogame controllers! Things are just getting absurd around my place, which leads me to believe that the Logitech 880 Universal Remote just might be my only hope for sanity.

While any Tom and Dick Harrison can go out and grab an obnoxiously large and clunky universal remote from the corner store for $10, the Logitech 880 sets itself apart through its easy-to-navigate color LCD screen and intelligent PC setup, features that make it one of the best remotes out there. It's incredibly easy to use, remembers any and all necessary commands for a particular input, and even stores "favorite" settings to make your life that much easier. Want to push one button and listen to the CD in your CD player? Done. How about booting up your Xbox after an all-night DVD marathon? Even easier. Even though it may seem a little silly at first, the sheer convenience of having one remote to perfectly handle the handful of remotes you have strewn across your coffee table cannot be understated.

If you're ready to save some time, and give your fingers (and arms) a break from all the reaching and juggling, the Logitech 880 Infared Remote Control can be had from Newegg for $150; a small price to pay for a lifetime of convenience. This is $50 less than you can find it anywhere else, and includes free shipping, so hop on this offer before the free shipping won't make it to your doorstep by the 24th! It's the perfect gift for the gadget-laden guy/gal who has everything!

It's a rainy afternoon here in San Francisco, the first of the season, really. If there's one thing that the rain makes me want to do, besides stay in bed, is stay inside and watch TV all day. There's one problem with that these days (besides the whole being employed thing) and that is my opinion that there is nothing good to watch on regular network television these days.  Sure, there are some entertaining shows on in the evenings, but if it's before six o'clock, and you don't want to watch the news or talk shows, you're pretty much out of luck.

Don't give up hope... there is an easy solution - TimeLife.com! Most of you mainly know Time Life for their music collections, which are amazing. I can't express well enough how well these folks manage to assemble box sets of music that so accurately represent eras, genres, or artists' careers. They especially appeal to compulsive music hoarders like myself, who can't pass up the chance to own original archive recordings from bands in a ten-disc set.


But what most people don't realize is the vast collection of TV series box sets offered by Time Life. I have seen commercials for their box sets of older shows like the The Smothers Brothers or Get Smart, but I had no idea that they also had a handful of modern shows including personal favorites like Undeclared and Freaks and Geeks.

Not only are all these shows at already low prices, they all come with 6% cash back and a whole slew of coupons. That means you can get all 147 episodes of the cartoon The Real Ghostbusters with 6% cash back and free shipping, so stay in, make some popcorn, and take your TV (or stereo) for a trip down memory lane for a whole lot less with TimeLife.com.

If you are shopping around for a new TV, you can't miss out on this great deal. Okay, here's the deal. We're talking about a 50" High Definition Plasma TV for Only $1,262. Yes, a 50" Plasma for about $1200! Try beating that.  We're talking about the TH-50PX80U from Panasonic. The TH-50PX80U reproduces over 4,000 shades of gradation each for red, green, and blue.

Get it Abe's of Maine with free shipping on your order plus 1% Cash Back from Ebates!

Shop on!

This holiday season, stuff their stockings with the gift of choice: give your friends and family Borders gift cards! Borders just joined Ebates and we're rewarding you with 3% Cash Back on all gift card purchases (all other Borders merchandise is not eligible for Cash Back). Your recipient can redeem their gift card for books, DVDs, music, children's books and more. You can even personalize your gift card with a favorite photo! Why scour the stores for the perfect gift when a Borders gift card lets your recipients pick their own? Gift giving has never been easier!

Why is this great news? According to Apple's Wednesday press release,

• MGM has the largest modern film library in the world

• Its movies have received 208 Academy Awards in its history, making it one of the biggest award winning collections of films in the world

• Beginning today, iTunes customers will be able to purchase legendary films such as “Dances With Wolves,” “Mad Max,” “The Great Train Robbery” and “Rocky,” with other titles to be added in the coming weeks.

Oh, and to top it all off, you'll earn 3% Cash Back at iTunes when you start at Ebates! Maybe it's time to pick up an Apple TV so you can relax and watch those classic MGM movies on your tv, not your computer! The cheapest way to get your hands on an Apple TV is at Target- it's $299.99 with 4% Cash Back.

Hmm...4% Cash Back equals a total of $11.96...hey, now you can afford to buy Rocky on iTunes!

Who has the time to watch every new movie as it arrives in theaters? Besides, when a movie and popcorn for two cost more than a month of satellite TV,  it's probably wiser to wait for the DVD release. With yesterday's announcement of the 2007 Oscar nominees, you may be tempted to see some of the year's films that you may have missed!

You can always buy DVD's, but most of the time one viewing is plenty. Why not rent? Ebates has four DVD rental services and each one is a little different.

Ebates offers the ever-popular Netflix as well as Peerflix, Movielink and Cinemanow. Did you know that if you sign up for Netflix (for the first time) through Ebates you earn $18 Cash Back? That adds up to about one month of free movie rentals! I have been using Netflix for a couple years and love it. Peerflix is a community in which you exchange DVD's with other members while Cinemanow and Movielink feature downloads (perfect for those of you with Apple TV!).

The subject of holiday movies can reveal a lot about a person- and their family! While some cozy up with Jimmy Stewart's tear-jerking, seasonal homage to the everyman, others might choose...well, something a little non-traditional. Say, John McClane hurling Hans Gruber off the Nakatomi Plaza Hotel while "Silent Night" warbles softly in the background.

Hey, my family watches Ingmar Bergman's four hour paranormal epic Fanny and Alexander every Christmas Eve. So what?

I did a little research (and by research, I mean I Googled "favorite holiday movies" and YM'd my coworkers) and have hopefully covered most of the popular holiday movies. I wanted to include Better Off Dead, but decided that just maybe, Gremlins was more deserving of a spot on this list.

So what are your favorite holiday movies?

           

Online Poll Using WebSurveyor

Online Poll Using WebSurveyor

Over at DeepDiscountDVD.com, they're running a "Buy One Box Set Get One Free" sale.

While most of the selections could probably be featured in this article, they could come in handy. Even if you don't have time to watch all of the Gallagher Sledge-O-Matic collection, you could pick up a couple of these as holiday gifts, "I'm sorry you're sick" presents, or even just "Thinking of You (and your bizarre love of 21 Jump Street)" friendship tokens.

Some would suggest queuing these on Netflix (and getting $18 Cash Back with Ebates upon joining), but you've probably got some friends or relatives who'd appreciate Hercules or Xena on DVD!

And, hey- I don't know one woman who hasn't curled up in front of Lifetime Television for Women on a Sunday afternoon. Cut out the middle man; buy Danielle Steel volumes one through four! Nothing says "relaxation" like an unending supply of Jaclyn Smith.

On a budget? Tired of leaving the Apple Store with nothing but your sleek, titanium-encased dreams? Try buying a refurbished Mac or iPod.

I know, the r-word kind of gets stuck in my throat, too. It's hard for me to imagine my iBook in the arms of another. Word on the street, though, is that refurbished Macs and iPods are just as good as the brand new ones, but at a fraction of the cost. Apple has a very stringent refurbishment process, so you can feel confident about your purchase.

If you still aren't 100% convinced, remember that all machines are covered by Apple's One Year Limited Waranty. You can even buy Apple Care for total reassurance. (Which I always recommend since the coverage is more than generous. My 2002 iBook turned out to have some irreparable glitches, so Apple issued me a new iBook- even though I'd had mine for 2 years already- all because I had Apple Care. How cool is that?)

An Ebates member named Michael (not the same one from a couple days ago!) had this to say about his experience with Apple Certified refurbished computers: "As a member of Ebates, I have purchased several refurbished products and will continue to do so over the next couple of years.  The product is just a good as new and I save several hundreds of dollars in addition to getting my big fat check."

Although most of you aren't Mac users (let's not go there), many of you love the iPod. Apple is reducing their refurbished iPods up to $80 off!

Make sure you start with Ebates so you can get some Cash Back, too!

Online Poll Using WebSurveyor

I've been thinking about these past few months; about you, me,...about us. I've been reflecting on the many evenings we've spent together, the lazy mornings, the afternoons at home, sick with the flu.

I feel remorse when I think of all the times we could have shared; the many  long nights at Videomax...I didn't have to wait in those agonizing lines, watching my late fees rack up while  my life slowly rolled away- much like the tape in a dusty old VHS.

I could have been with you, Netflix, safe at home with a bowl of popcorn and Six Feet Under, or the Second Season of Diff'rent Strokes ("Whatchoo talkin' bout, Willis!" ).  I could have been watching The Lord of The Rings: Two Towers Widescreen, Special Extended Edition on the very day it was released with nary a care that for most video  stores, it would be out of stock. Those empty shelves in the "New  Release" section of Videomax would have been but a memory...

z

If I had only known that Ebates would give me $18 Cash Back,  upon signing up with you for the first time, maybe I would have acted  sooner- that's nearly two months worth of joyous laughter, tender tears  and precious, DVD-watching memories- for hardly any money at all! I  could have saved the money I threw away on late fees and five-day new  releases and saved it for something better: a shiny new DVD player, a flat screen TV , or perhaps an adorable mailbox in which you can comfortably wait for me to pick you up, dear friend.

At least I can take heart in the fact that others will soon love you the way I have, Netflix.  Others will come to appreciate your sweet, sweet queue: your way of  knowing just what they like to watch, when they want to watch it.  They'll understand your many plan options, each one suited to an  individual's wants- and needs, whether they want one, two, or three movies at a time.  They'll also take pleasure in that $18 from Ebates, and know that in their mailbox, next to your delicate red envelopes, they'll find an even fatter Big Fat Check.