Though it contains a few high notes, just as it was for poor old Julius Caesar, March is not going to be an especially kind month. March is the last month that we’re likely to see HD DVD players on store shelves as Toshiba phases those products out. In terms of movie releases, the titles that come out from Universal and Paramount this month are pretty much their last on the format.

Ironically, the HD DVD exclusive studios are outdone by Warner, the studio that helped kill off the format, who will continue to release titles for another couple of months (unless they change their minds).

The two Paramount movies released this week are the last from that studio, and that includes titles from their associated studio, DreamWorks who cancelled next week’s release of Bee Movie.

The movies listed below are the ones that are definitely available through Amazon on March 4, however you may notice that other sites have listed an additional title or two. Those titles may have been cancelled, or had other changes to their release dates.

Into the Wild (2007) Emile Hirsh, Marcia Gay Harden Directed by Sean Penn Rated R

Things We Lost in the Fire (2007) Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro Directed by Susanne Bier Rated R

No Reservations (2007) Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart Directed by Scott Hicks Rated PG

One of the the closing questions in today’s Wall Street Journal interview with Toshiba president, Atsutoshi Nishida is, “Does a failure make you more risk-averse?” to which Nishida-san replies, “If you don’t take risks, you make no progress. Situations change constantly, so if we can’t change with them, then there’s no future for us.”

Asked about his unconventional decision making process among Japanese leaders, Mr. Nishida said, “I don’t operate just on logic. I’m practical but I also have enthusiasm, which is the side of me that’s not practical. If you have that in addtion to a strong will to achieve your goals, then you can overcome any adversity. For example, I used logic to rationally make the decision to quit HD DVD, but my enthusiasm allows me to move forward.”

There’s a bit more to read over in the full interview at the Wall Street Journal article if you’re interested in hearing from the Toshiba chief, including a sidebar with “5 Tips from Atsutoshi Nishida on Overcoming a Crisis.”

• Toshiba’s Plan for Life After HD DVD at the WSJ

Now that Paramount has stopped making new discs, their entire HD DVD collection is about to enter the “get them while they last” phase. Paramount rolled out a huge discount on about two dozen titles earlier in the week, and this showed up at Amazon, DeepDiscount.com and Fry’s right away. We’ll have to see whether that discount is extended to more titles in the coming week or further down the line. The new low pricing on those titles ($10 or $11.95 depending on the store) is bound to make them sell out faster than the movies that haven’t gone on sale yet, so you might want to consider whether to get them now or keep waiting.

Universal had a promotion in February that resulted in Amazon’s month-long 50% off sale, and $12 titles at DeepDiscount.com. Warner had a similar sale, and it looks like their new one for March has started up and brings some new savings on Harry Potter titles among others.

The sales can only get better and continue from here on in, so here’s a quick recap of the promotions that are going on right now:

• Selected Paramount titles 60% off at Amazon and DeepDiscount
• Planet Earth and Sunrise Earth sales at Discover Channel Store
• Amazon 50% off sale on 150 titles which includes the bigger sale on selected Paramount titles
• 56 Warner titles up to 57% off at Amazon
• Plenty of popular discs for $10 and $12 at DeepDiscount.com