Since there is finally some content coming, I decided to activate trials of both services. I'm only interested in Blu-Ray. Two movies I would like to see that are coming out soon are Employee of the Month and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

I've had very limited success. Netflix *does* allow me to add Hitchhiker's (coming out 1/23) to my queue, but does not have a release date for Employee (coming out this Tuesday, 1/16). Blockbuster does not show either and will not allow me to add either to my queue.

Is this typical of how things work?

Here is a very large thread discussing renting BD's from both companies. There are other threads that would come up a search too if you are looking for feedback.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=756767

I haven't found anything (including in the thread you listed) that addresses the question I'm asking--recently CES-announced releases.

sorry, I thought using the two recent titles as "examples" or what is typical you were searching for feedback in general, not specifically those titles. At least that is the way I read your question.