Anything 3D Related Going On At NAB 2008? You Bet!

**SAME DAY UPDATE - There are also some pretty nifty 3D sessions before the conference starts up by way of the Digital Cinema Summit. Check out the battle royal between competing 3D projection companies! Interesting IMAX 3D is not there...

New Dimensions - New Challenges: Real World Experience with 3D
April 12 • 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center S222

Just when you thought you mastered the art of digital video production, along comes stereoscopic production to make your life even more interesting. This session will address some of the interesting challenges and creative solutions that have recently emerged in release of 3D films.

Moderator
- Howard H. Lukk, VP, Production Technology, Walt Disney Studios
Presenters
- Wendy Aylsworth, Sr. Vice President, Technology, Warner Bros.
- John Nicolard, Head of Digital Production, FotoKem Digital Film Services

Stereoscopic Projection Systems
April 13 • 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center S222

The exploding popularity of 3D motion pictures has fueled dramatic innovation in stereoscopic projection technology. It’s come a long way since the days of cardboard red/blue glasses - and even since last year’s Digital Cinema Summit! Hear first hand about what’s new from the leading innovators in 3D imaging.

Moderator
- David Monk, Professor, EDCF
Panelists
- Simon Cho, CTO, Master Image Co. Ltd
- Joshua Greer, President & Co-Founder, REAL D
- Boyd MacNaughton, President, NuVision/Xpand
- David Schnuelle, Sr. Director, Image Technology, Dolby Laboratories

Stereoscopic Movie Making
April 12 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center S222

3D image capture ha introduced a enw set of creative tools for use by the Cinematographer - along with new challenges. Learn about the technical advancements and creative innovations from today’s pioneers in stereoscopic production.

Moderator
- Buzz Hays, Sr. VFX Producer, Sony Picture Imageworks
Panelists
- Jim Mainard, Head of Production Development, DreamWorks Animation
- Steve Schklair, CEO, 3ality Digital Systems
- David C. Seigle, President, In-Three, Inc.

...and this session which is important to 3D movies as the future lies with laser projection with polarization at the light source:

Spotlight on Projection Technology: Is Laser Light Source Practical?
April 12 • 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center S222

The enjoyment of motion pictures is all about lighting up the theater screen with engaging images that tell a story. For over fifty years, short-arc Xenon lamps have provided the light to make movies possible. But is that about to change? Recent advancements in laser technology open the prospect of projection systems with longer life, extraordinary efficiency and a vastly expanded color gamut.

Moderator
- Casey Stack, President, Laser Compliance
Presenters
- Bill Beck, Founder and CEO, Laser Light Engines
- Greg Niven, Exec VP of Marketing, Novalux, Inc.

Thank you to Neil for the heads up - Don't know how I missed all this cool stuff!!

NAB 2008 features a full day of 3D related events! Director Eric Brevig ("Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D") headlines the day - see his photo below as well as a frame from "U2 3D". The show runs from April 14th to the 17th at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Check out the schedule for the 3D related activities:

Monday April 14 – Stereoscopic 3-D Film

Powered by Real D 3D

9:45 am – 10:00 am

Welcome and Introduction

10:00 am – 10:30 am

3-D Primer

The ABC’s of Stereoscopic 3-D Image Capture, Content and Exhibition

Phil Streather, CEO, Principal Large Format and 3-D producer and consultant, “Bugs!” (3-D)

10:40 am – 11:40 am

Art of 3-D Filmmaking

Today’s top 3-D filmmakers discuss how to design and compose in 3-D, the creative and technical constraints and opportunities the medium presents, scripts best suited to 3-D realization and how to use 3-D to expand storytelling.

Moderator: Perry Hoberman, USC, Associate Research Professor, USC, School of Cinematic Arts, Interactive Division

Peter Anderson, ASC, 3-D director of photography and VFX supervisor, “U2 3D”; “T2 3-D”; and “MuppetVision 3-D”

Eric Brevig, director, “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D”; visual effects supervisor, “Men in Black” and “Total Recall” (Academy Award for Special Achievement in Visual Effects)

Phil Captain 3D McNally, global stereoscopic supervisor, DreamWorks Animation; stereoscopic supervisor, “How to Train Your Dragon” (D.A.); “Monsters vs. Aliens” (D.A.); and “Meet the Robinsons” (Disney)

Vince Pace, CEO, Pace; executive producer, “Hannah Montana Concert Film”; 2nd unit director of photography, “Avatar”; and director of photography & producer, “NBA Finals Game #2”

Rick Rothschild, executive show director, SVP, Walt Disney Imagineering; “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” (Walt Disney World Resort); “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” (Disney’s Animal Kingdom); “Captain EO” (Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort)

Sean Phillips, director/cinematographer, MacLeod Productions and director, “Sea Monsters” (3-D); cinematographer/VFX Supervisor, “Magnificent Desolation” (3-D); and cinematographer “Bugs!”

11:50 am – 1:00 pm

Case Study: Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D

Production and postproduction of the first live action/visual effects film created exclusively in 3-D for digital 3-D release.

Moderator: Rob Hummel, president, DALSA Digital Cinema

Eric Brevig (Photo), director, “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D”; visual effects supervisor “Men in Black” and “Total Recall” (Academy Award for Special Achievement in Visual Effects)

Charlotte Huggins, producer, “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D”; “Fly Me to the Moon” (3-D); and “Encounter in the Third Dimension”

Ed Marsh, VFX Editor & 3-D Consultant, “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D”; and editor/creative producer, “Ghosts of the Abyss” and “Aliens of the Deep”

Chuck Shuman, director of photography, “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D”; director of photography for VFX, “Lord of the Rings I, II, & III” and “The Indian in the Cupboard”

Paul Martin Smith, editor, “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D”; “Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace”; and “Behind Enemy Lines”

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Lunch

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Case Study: U2 3D

Expanding the language of 3-D through innovations in sound, image capture, graphics and post.

Moderator: Jim Mainard, head of production development, DreamWorks Animation

Peter Anderson, ASC, 3-D director of photography and VFX supervisor “U2 3D”; “T2 3-D”; and “MuppetVision 3-D”

John Modell, co-founder, 3alty Digital Entertainment; producer, “U2 3D”

Tim Sassoon, president, Sassoon Film Design; “Mummies 3D”; “Sea Monsters”; “Wild Child”

Steve Schklair, CEO, 3ality Digital Systems; 3-D/digital image producer, “U2 3D”

Olivier Wicki, editor, Blue Rock; editor, “U2 3D”; U2 “Original of the Species”; and MAC “Haute Voltage”

3:05 pm – 3:30 pm

Live 3-D Transmission from Los Angeles

Steve Schklair, CEO, 3ality Digital Systems;

Howard Postley, COO/CTO, 3ality Digital Systems

Also I have word that RED is supposed to officially introduce us to their Scarlet 2K Pocket Pro at NAB! That is one product I am really looking forward to seeing. If you are aware of Red you know they make very affordable cameras - their Red One system is ~$16,000 and it is a 4K camera! I believe the Scarlet is going to be a 2K camera and priced in the $3,000 to 5,000 range but hey I could be wrong. Not likely, but hey :-)

Don't forget that the Red Ones can be arranged in 3D configuration! Bob Johnston, Executive Producer at Paradise FX tipped me off on that one...

If you want the full NAB 2008 schedule, I have posted it here. Thanks Rochelle for the updates!

Tintin Original Artwork Fetches Over $1.2 Million

Wow. The Europeans love Tintin. First of all over 200 million Tintin comics books have been sold worldwide in 6o languages. And now the original oil artwork for the cover of "Tintin in America" just sold for €764,200 (over $1.2m) at a Paris auction (Artcurial) on Saturday.

The auction included 650 original comics of the Belgian creator, Hergé (Georges Remi) who passed away in 1983.

The Tintin frenzy seems to be really picking up in Europe and the chatter from overseas definitely points to a kind of warning to Spielberg, Jackson and company: Do the job right.

Brit teenager Thomas Sangster was also revealed to be the choice to play the Tintin lead last week - quite a week for Tintin fans indeed. Can you feel the momentum building on this? You bet. Kids are going to love it, Europeans are nuts for it and I suspect there will be a hook or two for older audiences in North America announced soon. The worldwide box office on this 3D trilogy could be SCARY...

Source: CBC
Further Reading: Tintinologist.org

Are We Seeing The Future Of Animation? Gaming Developer Hired For "Avatar" Backgrounds And Effects

We knew that James Cameron is a gaming aficionado and that he has a vision of how the movie industry and video gaming may converge down the road... But how far down the road?

Seems we may have arrived. Cameron has gone out and hired Jacob Stephens, a classically trained and experienced video game designer away from Lucas Arts to join his "Avatar" effects team where he will be focusing on background and animation / design. Sure, this perhaps has happened before but I have not heard of it. Cameron gets it! He realizes just how closely related these two entertainment industries are and is seeking to optimize it. Stephens has created over 50 other video game environments that have gone on to win awards and become best sellers including several of the Star Wars games.

"I've been trying for years to find a job where my skills could be used in film, and it looks like I finally have" stated Stephens.

Cameron of course is working with Ubisoft to create "Avatar" the video game as well.

I can clearly envision Cameron building a stable of versatile movie AND game designers and using the exact same backgrounds and environments made for one in the other. Think about it: It saves a heckuva lot of development time and also translates the feeling and immersion from one medium to the other. Its all part of the same franchise regardless! Makes perfect sense. Of course Cameron makes perfect sense most of the time.

December 2009 seems like an eternity doesn't it? Well the wait is going to be well worth it. Can't wait to pick up a game controller for the game either!

Image courtesy of Press & Sun-Bulletin

REVIEW: Stop-Loss

It's been a given that the overwhelming majority of "Iraq movies" have been anti-war. Less fortunately, it's also been a given that the overwhelming majority of them also haven't been especially good. In the rush to come out "in time to do some good," they've mostly been sloppy, poorly thought-out and heavy-handed. So, at first it might seem that calling "Stop Loss" the best of the bunch is damning it with faint praise. But the fact is, this is the first "Iraq movie" that feels like it has a reason to exist outside of condemning the war.

The title refers to the policy by which a soldier's tour of duty can be (legally) extended more-or-less indefinately in time of war. Our lead is a decorated Iraq vet (Ryan Phillipe) who, upon learning that he's being denied his expected end of service, goes AWOL in a fit of rage and eventually confronts the possibility of desertion as an option to avoid re-deployment. He's joined by a (platonic) female-friend on what begins as a long-shot attempt to seek the aid of a friendly Senator, and meanwhile the fellow local members of Phillipe's unit (including her fiancee, a gung-ho gunman played by Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon Levitt as the loose cannon) are grappling with issues of their own.

Let's be blunt: It's an anti-war movie, no bones about it. So if you're not opposed to the Iraq war you're probably going to disagree with most of it's central thesis. More to the point, if the very IDEA of an anti-war movie is something that you read as in bad taste or even bordering on the traitorous, you're probably not going to be able to appreciate it for any other merits it may have. I'll gladly lay my cards on the table as being broadly opposed to continuing the Iraq War for strictly tactical and logistical purposes (the War on Terror is real, Islamic Terrorism is a threat and there are thusly more important places and problems that require our attention.) That being said, it's fairly hard for me to imagine an "anti-war" movie being more fair and open-minded about itself than this one.

Simply put, this is the first Iraq Movie that doesn't feel like a lecture. It's more interested in the human toll circumstances take on it's characters than making broader political points. There's no obligatory mention of torture or rendition. The soldier characters aren't racists, psychopaths or ignorant. There's no "big twist" about one of the characters being bad or covering anything up. If you're looking for a polemic, this isn't it. In fact, it's third act turns on a series of revealed motivations that cast Phillipe's character's self-righteous anger and infrequent speechifying in a different light than one might expect, and a final scene that ought to give "pro-war" supporters who opt to give the film a chance genuine pause (and will probably also cost it fans among those expecting a straighforward Bush-slam.)

It's hardly without it's imperfections: The too-polished young cast occasionally makes it comes off like an Abercrombie & Fitch reworking of "Coming Home" and a few stabs at irony (Toby Keith's moronic "Courtesy of the Red White & Blue" pops up for ironic effect) are cheezy as hell. More substantially, the 2nd act meanders somewhere between a road movie and an episodic tour of talking points as the heroes meet various other folks (fellow stop-lossed soldiers, a grieving family, an injured comrade, a military funeral) impacted by the war. It's not enough to put it under, and a brave ending makes up for A LOT of the smaller issues.

Worth your time.

FINAL RATING: 7/10

OUTTAKES #012

Alright. I'm about sick of being sick. Another four days down the drain doped up on antihistamines, unable to form a coherent thought, and falling hopelessly behind in work and blogging. What would Benny Hinn and the rest of those boys say?

Check Out This Review Of the Recent Dallas Maverick's 3D HD Game

The Star-Telegram has run a review of the recent Dallas Mavericks NBA game that was broadcast live to the Magnolia Theater via satellite with 305 patrons watching with their mouths wide open.

Apparently the best moment of the game came when Stackhouse drove the baseline, beat his man and then dunked HARD on Tim Thomas - lots of 3D layering and stunning action. Check out the highlights in 2D on ESPN right here. Stackhouse was dunking all game it seems - he had a massive one hander at the 15 second mark of that clip.

"Four special binocular-style TV cameras were used in the telecast. Mike Anastassiou tells people to just imagine a high-def picture... now make it four times better. That's 3-D HD."

"It will take 8-10 years before consumers will be able to easily buy 3-D TVs that don't require glasses," Mark Cuban wrote in an e-mail. "Hopefully, in the short term, we can push the costs down enough to do 10 or so Mavs games next year."

"I think it's [going to be] mainstream in '09 for movies, with limited 'live' special events, like Mavs games, concerts, plays," Cuban e-mailed. "At some point in 2010, you will see it in bars and special-entertainment environments."

Mainstream in 2009 is an understatement. 2009 will be THE year for 3D movies, mark my words.

Cuban is also working on 3D theaters in which you do not need glasses to view events / movies - read more about that here.

To see the whole Star-Telegram game review - jump on over here.

Image courtesy of AP

From Under Bite To Over Kill: Williamson Cast In Final Destination 4

Mykelti Williamson has been cast in New Line's "Final Destination 4" which will be shot in 3D. Producer is Craig Perry.

His role is unknown at this point. He is best known for his part in "Forrest Gump" where he played "Bubba" with a protruding lower lip and a particular appreciation for shrimp.

He joins a cast made up of Shantel VanSanten, Bobby Campo, Hayley Webb, Nick Zano, Krista Allen and Andy Fiscella. It was interesting to see some of the casting auditions on YouTube.

If you are interested in hearing what the opening sequence will be like in the "innovative ways to die movie of all movies" check it out here.

Final Destination 4 has already begun shooting in New Orleans this month.

Source: Variety

"Calling All Robots": Disney, Zemeckis, Performance Capture and 3D?

Disney is teaming with Robert Zemeckis' ImageMovers Digital to bring us a performance capture movie entitled "Calling All Robots" which will utilize the very same technology used in "Beowulf". This obviously hints at the project being 3D, but this has not been confirmed as of yet. I'm working on it!

Michael Dougherty will write the movie which is said to lean on the history of Godzilla genre pictures. He also wrote "Trick 'r Treat" (due for release soon) as well as the big budget "X2: X-Men United", "Superman Returns" and "I, Lucifer".

This is yet another feature project that was brought to fruition because of today's exciting performance capture technology - it simply was not possible before now. That gets my blood pumping let me tell you; remakes and sequels are all well and fine but when Hollywood starts bringing out the projects that were collecting dust because of technical challenges - it lights a fire. It is exactly what we need right now - challenging projects that push the envelope of what is possible. Add in that third dimension and you have the immersion and originality that is so sought after today. Onward and upward!

Check back for 3D updates on this project!

Source: Variety

Thank You To Our Sponsors

A special thank you to the following sponsors for our shared passion in 3D:

:: Passmore Lab - 2D to 3D Conversion with No Upfront Cost.

:: Real D - The Global Leader in 3D.

:: iZ3D - 3D Monitors for a 3D World.

:: Text Link Ads.

:: Google Adsense & Referral Ads.

OUTTAKES #011

For those of you who get the above reference, please pray for my immortal soul. (I'm not right in the head, I know.) The shaky start to my sophomore year on this blog continues due to a number of personal difficulties. (Which could use a prayer or two also, now that I think of it.) I'll get my act together soon, but until then, there's always room for more cartoons...

"Fly Me To The Moon" 3D Is Tracking VERY Nicely!

It seems that the nWave Picture's "Fly Me To The Moon" (awesome official movie website!) could have a box office out of this world.

The 3D animation features the voices of Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Robert Patrick, Nicollette Sheridan, Kelly Ripa and "Buzz" Aldrin as himself! We polled MarketSaw readers this month and here are the results of the question:

"What is the 3D movie you are looking forward to the most for the remainder of 2008?"























We are not the only site tracking the orbit of this movie. Check out the results of a SliceOfSciFi poll on their website - they have "Fly Me To The Moon" winning their Fantasy and Animation category.

IMAX Adding 31 More Regal Theaters

IMAX has been busy. They inked a deal with AMC Entertainment for 100 theaters back in December, 07 and now they have announced a pact with Regal Entertainment for an additional 31 theaters. Their IMAX screens can exhibit both 2D and 3D films and they are officially on the wide release distribution for Dreamworks Animation's "Monsters vs. Aliens", "How To Train Your Dragon" and "Shrek Goes Forth" pegged for 2009 and 2010 releases.

IMAX will have about 300 theaters running by the end of 2010. While this number falls well below competitive 3D projection screen numbers, IMAX is known for gloriously large screens. Keep up the good work IMAX.

3D fans in Alaska (you know who you are!) take note that one of the theaters opening will be in Anchorage.

THE GAME OVERTHINKER: Episode 3

Told ya it might be awhile, but here is the latest OverThinker episode: "The Kirby Confessions."

What Is Powering The 3D Revolution? Cameron / Pace 3D Production & RealD's 3D Projection

Sure there are other options out there, like the RED One system is stereo configuration and Sony for example. But there is a clear leader and visionary emerging and they are out of the starting blocks like lightning. A lightstorm perhaps (gentle nod towards Cameron's production company).

The Vince Pace, James Cameron 3D camera system is simply the best out there right now based on ability to deliver, availability and experience. The RED system definitely is the most affordable (each camera is about $16k plus peripherals, versus ~$100k for each Pace camera [Sony]).

Take a look at the Cameron/Pace system contribution:
- Mark Cuban is using them for a live NBA game that will be broadcast via satellite to the Magnolia Theater in Dallas on a 40' screen this Tuesday night (March 25th). This follows about a year of activity since Pace/Cameron was used for a 3D live broadcast of the NBA All Star Game last year and a 3D HD game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs in last years finals.
- Feature films have readily adopted using the technology AND the expertise of the Cameron/Pace operators. Some movies that used them include: "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" (which was turned around in record time); "Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3-D" and "U2 3D".
- They are in the depths of creating "Avatar", a ~$250m (my estimate) 3D sci-fi thriller. The consensus is that this movie will be the turning point for 3D for the masses and will mark the dawning of a new age of cinema.

What I really admire about Pace/Cameron is that they are not enshrouding their technology in secrecy but rather leasing out the technology and helping others achieve their 3D productions. Sure it is a business model and it is working for them, but they are also the undisputed leaders in 3D Production (like RealD is the leader in 3D Projection). It is simply awesome that they are willing to spread this around.

RealD Visionaries
Speaking of RealD, they are undoubtedly the world leader in 3D Projection installations around the world. I have a hard time keeping up with all of their theater updates (found here)! Other options include IMAX 3D and Dolby 3D.

What is even more thrilling is that they are not simply resting on their laurels but aggressively expanding AND innovating. Their recent XL technology allows for the projection of 3D movies on to screens larger than 60' from a single projector! This was never possible before in the quality required for large audiences (some 2 projector systems exist for this, but are a challenge to align properly risking headaches/nausea) as 3D movies split the light beam essentially into two streams (one for each eye) and therefore a dimmer picture is produced. XL is much, much brighter and solves the dim 3D problem!

The RealD polarized 3D glasses are lighter and cost FAR less than the Dolby alternative. In fact the RealD glasses can be branded for a movie and allowed to be taken home rather than confined to the theater (with the added risks of theft, damage, cleanliness). The glasses are a major reason for their success. Bono of U2 recently designed his own RealD glasses for a premiere of "U2 3D". Those customizations are a powerful marketing tool.

With the 3D revolution resting in the capable hands of Pace/Cameron and RealD (who are standing on the shoulders of the 3D pioneers) I have little worry about the execution of the vision. Let's rev this 3D engine up and experience the thrill of cinema once again through the eyes of a child. I remember what that was like and I am giddy about bringing it back!

Full disclosure: RealD is a sponsor of MarketSaw / Pace Technologies is not currently a sponsor.

Companies: [Pace] [RealD]

REVIEW: Horton Hears A Who (2008)

Slowly, through the process of trial and error, Hollywood is getting closer to figuring out how to turn Dr. Seuss books into feature-films. Sadly, the process wasn't far along enough to prevent "The Grinch" and (moreso) "The Cat in The Hat" from miscarriage; and "Horton" here doesn't QUITE stick the landing... but at least there's steady progress and hopefully it'll all be worked out by the time "The Butter Battle Book" lands on the to-do pile.

Like most Seuss stories, "Horton" is a nonsense tale in nonsense language, told in a straightforward voice at a semi-rapid pace: Horton is a jungle Elephant who, one day, here's a voice coming from a dust-speck and discovers that said 'speck' is actually a tiny but inhabitted world: Whoville, home of the Who's who are as oblivious to 'our' existance as we are to theirs. Horton's nemesis, a snooty Kangaroo who's devotion to empiricism borders - paradoxically - on the religious, makes it her mission to see that the "insane" Horton is locked up for 'hearing voices' and that the speck be destroyed to make a point... which Horton, naturally, cannot allow.

Concieved in the period before Seuss's narratives grew more explicit in their message-making (there's NO mistaking, for example, what "Butter Battle Book" is saying about the Cold War nor "The Lorax's" position on the evironment) "Horton" has been interpreted as everything from a parable of racial equality to an anti-McCarthyism fable to a condemnation of atheism; and it's stern refrain of "a person's a person no matter how small" has of course made it a favorite 'claimed work' of the Anti-Abortion movement. And, let's face it: If you WANTED to stage a fairytale for the 'against' side of the reproductive-rights debate, an elephant protecting tiny life from a (notably female) villian who's evil is predicated on a belief that only that which can be seen is real is pretty-much exactly what you'd be looking for.

But, honestly, such business would almost-certainly be both presumptive and in poor taste: When Dr. Seuss wanted to deliver a message, he was VERY clear about it - and in "Horton," the pleas for belief in the unknown are strictly in the realm of general fairytale magic... not some sort of religious message. It's natural to try and apply bigger meaning to small stories, but in this case it does more than a little disservice. It's a movie about an elephant talking to people on a speck, leave it at that.

The problem with doing Dr. Seuss in movie form is that movies have to be at least 90 minutes long, and his work was brief by design. "Grinch" and "Cat" stumbled by opting to use overplotting and comic tangents for padding, and while "Horton's" slightly-denser original story eases the need for this somewhat it still winds up feeling a little long in the tooth - mostly because it opts to expand the running time but not the story itself. The characters are just as broad, and the story just as basic, as it was as a short book; now it's just spaced-out by chase sequences (good idea) and comic digressions (not such a good idea.) A better movie could likely be made by deepening the characters (WHY is Kangaroo such a bitch-on-wheels?) or ratcheting up the tension, but the shot-for goal here seems more to be light comedy than Pixar-style ani-drama.

The main thing it gets right is to accomplish the story in animation, as opposed to the costumed-human approach of the prior two Seuss features. It's kind of amazing to see that Seuss-style devices and architecture don't even appear physically-probable in animation, but it beats the hell out of watching Mike Meyers stomping around amid giant crazy-straws. Jim Carrey voices Horton, Steven Carrell is the Mayor of Whoville with whom Horton makes first contact.

It's more than a little impressive to see how thoroughly Carrey, never thought of as an "under"-actor, dissapears into a vocal turn as Horton. This is still where the flights-of-fancy and pop culture references come in, sure, but he strikes the right balance in that it always seems to be "Horton doing a funny voice" as opposed to "the actor voicing Horton breaking character." Carrell, for his part, is working much of the same "responsibility-juggling parent" mojo he had going in "Evan Almighty" and "Dan in Real Life" to similarly likable effect.

Could be better, could've been a lot worse. The kids will like it, and thats the important thing.

FINAL RATING: 7/10

Umm - What The Heck Is Steve Jobs Up To? Apple Files A Wacky 3D Projector Setup!

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Further details of the Patent Application in yet another diagram shown to the left. The system does indeed take into account the position of the observer to create a personal viewing experience no matter where you are in the audience and you are NOT required to wear glasses. Apple states that processing power today makes this technology possible.

[macrumors]


Well, well, well. What do we have here? Check out the diagram to view exactly what Apple has in store for the masses in the coming years. Or not. What the heck does it mean? Damned if I know. I'd be curious to hear what you think it is.

[via Gizmodo]

DEBATE BELOW: Is this a 3D home entertainment device, 3D business presentation device or a 3D commercial projector system?

Guillermo del Toro Hinting At Only Directing The First Hobbit Movie

I have said here before and I will say it again - del Toro loves "The Hobbit" and truly gets it, but his grasp of other Tolkien works, let alone trying to bridge "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring" is sorely lacking.

Here is an quote from a recent (March 18th) interview of del Toro with TORn:

“At this stage anything I say is of no consequence for I am not yet signed to do “The Hobbit.” Negotiations advance but are still ongoing.”

“All I can say is that I am diligently going through all Tolkien material related to Middle-earth but only as a way of bridging a gap in my reading. I still respond the strongest to “The Hobbit,” but as an avid reader of Mythology I find a lot of his other writings fascinating. A perfect Cosmology forged from very eclectic sources.”

This is his del Toro's own admission and I don't hold it against him at all. So when it comes down to directing the two Hobbit movies our theory still holds a TON of water: Jackson will helm and produce the SECOND Hobbit movie meshing together the Hobbit and LOTRs eras while del Toro will direct with Jackson producing the first Hobbit movie.

Of course Jackson could just helm both. He has managed to have Spielberg direct the first Tintin movie (that we predicted here) to free up time for such endeavors. We also continue to think that Zemeckis will helm the second Tintin and Jackson bringing up the the third.

And yes, we are still certain that both Hobbit movies will be shot in 3D. Awesome stuff.

Still trying to get word from my sources on up to the second developments! Stay tuned...

Livin' In A Sangster's Paradise: Tintin Lead Finally Cast?

According to the Daily Mail Thomas Sangster has been cast as the lead in 3D movie trilogy "Tintin" along with Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock. Steven Spielberg is directing the first with Peter Jackson helming number 2. This is in the face of earlier reports that Kristen Myburgh had been close to signing on (see the fan art below of Kristen as the lead - thanks "AllAboutTintin" for the image).

Here are some excerpts from the item:

"A London schoolboy studying for his A-levels is about to sign up to play comic book hero Tintin in a trilogy of films to be directed by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson.

Thomas Sangster, 17, from South London, has already been to Los Angeles to work on preproduction test sequences with both directors.

Sangster, you may recall, was the lad who starred in the Richard Curtis film comedy Love Actually, where Liam Neeson played his stepdad and his leading co-stars were Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy (who, actually, walked off with the picture)."

"The Tintin film, though, is shrouded in secrecy - to a most frustrating degree.

Sangster's London agent refused to respond to multiple telephone messages.

However, on the agent's website there's chatter about Sangster being in the middle of his A-levels but that, despite this, he would be flying "to LA for preproduction of his next project . . . watch this space".

An executive who worked with Sangster in Los Angeles recently told me: "Thomas seems to be the one.

"He was just great, but I'm not certain if anything has been finalised yet."

"I've heard various tales about the third film: some say Spielberg and Jackson will direct it together; others claim that James Cameron, who made Titanic, will be at the helm."

Well you heard here that we believe that Robert Zemeckis will direct the third iteration of "Tintin" and it will definitely NOT be Cameron.

The anticipation is sky high for this 3D movie trilogy especially in Europe and everyone's hoping that it will be contagious in North America. With the sheer power directing them and the talent being assembled how could it not?

Awesome premise for 3D as well - a young Indiana Jones type running around Europe on grand adventures!

[Source]

OUTTAKES #010

Dreamworks Animation's "How To Train Your Dragon" 3D Cast Revealed...

Variety reports that Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel and Christopher Mintz-Plasse will lend their voices to the much anticipated animation from Dreamworks: "How To Train Your Dragon" 3D.

Peter Hastings is directing and Bonnie Arnold is producing.

"Comic adventure is set in a mythical world and centers on a scrawny teenage Viking who must capture and subdue a wild dragon. Story is based on the book by Cressida Cowell.

Project marks the second film the studio will produce in Ultimate 3-D; the first is "Monsters vs. Aliens." "Dragon" is slated for a domestic release on March 26, 2010."

Check out other exclusive sneak peaks at concept artwork here and here.

OUTTAKES #009

In Chicago Until Thursday

Hey guys - I will be in Chicago until Thursday of this week at a conference and Internet access will be intermittent, but I will still be monitoring my site, email and sources and will update ASAP. Hopefully you won't notice much difference!

Man am I CRANKED!! Crank 3D on its way!!!

/Film is reporting that Crank will have a 3D installment made and I am dying to hear more already. Yes, only the original stands today (that movie was simply awesome - first time I laughed out loud - in a theater - in years!) but Mark Neveldine has confirmed that they will begin shooting "Crank 2" at the end of April, this year and that "Crank 3" will be in 3D!

They do have a movie in between the two movies to shoot too ("Jonah Hex") but we could be looking at a 2011 release of Crank 3D.

I was so happy with the original Crank and I am a big fan of Jason Statham. It is just my kind of movie. I could take a few more of these NO PROBLEM. And in 3D? All the action sequences are gonna rock to be sure!

Good News For "Battle Angel" Fans: Manga Preserved!

I have heard it from a couple of different commenter's as well as discussion boards that the action scene passed on to me by my "Source #3" does not hold water because of several things including the fact that cars and bullets are illegal in the original story. Well my friends it turns out that you are right. I have been on the horn with my sources for some time now and #3 just got back to me with the good word - here is his email:

"Cameron was rewriting someone else's draft for the studio -- but he wasn't happy with much of it. For what I know, Cameron had to rush to complete his makeover, and even when he did, he still had so much he wanted to change. Unfortunately because he had to rush off and begin everyday work on Avatar, he did the best he could.

From what I've been told now, Cameron has completely reworked the draft to match the manga. What existed before with the amazing, almost surreal action sequence is now gone, obliterated within development hell.

Cameron's still furiously typing away at Battle Angel while cutting Avatar and working on that respectively. The screenplay in its form is still damn action-packed and dramatic, as well as being well written. It still isn't where it should be, and Cameron's working away on making sure that (it will) hold up.

What he's worried about? Making sure his actress doesn't despise the new draft he's writing. After all, she too is a big fan of the manga, and was told from the start to read much of the script with the pretense that cities, characters, and events would most likely change."

So there you are. You were right and my source #3 has cleared the air - the battle scene that was mentioned has been canned in favor of the original intent of the manga. My other two sources are solid on their information however. I don't mind passing this info on to you as I report it when I get it and that action scene was definitely part of the script at one point - but obviously scripts evolve and with Cameron at the helm it has to be perfect. His creativeness is unparalleled and I can't begin to imagine where he will take us with Battle Angel - but I know I am damn excited by it.

Hmmm. His actress is a manga fan too. Who the heck is it?

Image via JoBlo