From today's USA Today
usatoday.com
Ripple effects we'll be feeling next year
Will history repeat itself? We think so. Certain events noted in 1998 give us a clue as to
what direction popular culture will take in 1999. USA TODAY's entertainment writers
foresee 10 trends for the coming year.
8. A big show on the small screen
DVD, or digital video discs, made a big leap toward being the next big thing in home
viewing. The format packs a high-resolution movie with surround sound on a 5-inch disc,
along with extras such as bonus footage and making-of documentaries.
After holdouts by Disney, Fox and Paramount, every major studio has embraced the
format. Retailers have 2,000 films to sell on DVD, including hot properties such as Lost
in Space, Godzilla and Tomorrow Never Dies, plus classics such as Gone With the
Wind and The Wizard of Oz.
The price of trying DVD has continued to drop; players now sell for under $300, and
Warner Bros. sells DVD movies for under $15. And video stores such as Blockbuster and
Hollywood Video are renting DVD players and movies, too. Analysts say 1999 could be
DVD's coming out party: The number of releases is expected to skyrocket, and players in
U.S. homes should reach 2 million.
— Mike Snider, USA TODAY |
