TVSquad

September first brings Labor Day, back-to-school, impending autumn, and... Cinemax HD. TV Squad received a press release stating that as of September first, Cinemax will be the only 100% HD channel, promos and all.

So what's this mean to us as viewers? I'm having a hard time wrapping myself around this one. Sure, they mention some new-ish movies they will premiere, like The Bourne Ultimatum, Shrek the Third and The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. But to me, Cinemax is synonymous with B movies from a decade or so ago, one of those channels that you get for free in your cable TV movie package bbut never watch.

I know what you are thinking... your burning question that you are too embarrassed to ask...

Is a series-ending black-out even more vibrantly black in high-definition? Well, subscribers of HBO and Cinemax will find out next year when the entire multiplex of pay-cable channels goes hi-def.

According to Bill Nelson, chairman and CEO of the networks, the conversion to HD for all 26 HBO and Cinemax channels will begin later this year and be completed by the 2nd quarter of 2008.

After securing all the Star Wars films on DVD, the first thing I did was to start with The Phantom Menace and watch all of the films in story order. Of course, I had to make due with Lucas' egregious digitally "improved" versions of the original trilogy. Sure, now you can get the original theatrical versions on DVD, but back then they weren't available. Why not just attach a vacuum hose to my wallet, George?

Sorry, I'm getting off the subject, which is that in November, Cinemax will be airing all six Star Wars movies both in release order and in story order. Now you can see how how Anakin turned from a young lad on Tatooine who wasn't a very good actor into the Dark Lord of the Sith with James Earl Jones' vocal cords. You'll also see Leia help smuggle both the Death Star plans and two cinnamon buns strapped to the side of her head, thwarting the Emperor's diabolical plan to win the Intergalactic Bake Off and Craft Fair. Cinemax on Demand will also be offering all six movies starting November 2nd, plus video extras, including a deleted scene in which a group of confused Ewoks take turns pooping into R2-D2.