OUTTAKES #014

REVIEW: Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

Probably the most "shocking" element of the purported "war on terror satire" in "H&K2" is how unconcerned the actual movie is about making it shocking. Yes, the film features (among other elements) an Indian man morphing into a turban-headed terrorist in the eyes of a panicky airline passenger, sexual-abuse of inmates at the titular prison and an ignorant, racist Homeland Security agent (Rob Cordry) who "tortures" a black suspect by threatening to pour out a can of grape soda and - literally - wipes his ass with the 5th Ammendment; but it regards them as being essentially no more or less perilous to the heroes as the myriad non-political roadblocks also thrown in their way. The film takes some of the most divisive "hot button" issues of our time and tosses them off with the same slacker-ly ease it does reliable road-movie/stoner gags about rednecks, hookers, KKK members, bad drugs and misbehaving animals. Call it the height of bad taste or the subtlest form of subversion, but I call it pretty funny.

The original "Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle" got on by taking things easy: Road comedy is easy, because you can just go from location to location and joke to joke. Stoner comedy is easy because it allows for random lunacy. And it cast as it's dual leads Kal Penn (Kumar) and John Cho (Harold,) both of whom had made their bones as sidekicks and were well-equipped for a film that relied on neither shoving their way to the forefront. Even the central hook of doing a mainstream comedy with TWO "ethnic" leads went down easy, as casual-racism turns out to be just something the pair 'deal with' no different than random cougars or bad trips. #2 offers up more of the same.

It's (literally) mere hours after the climax the first film, and the duo are heading off to Amsterdam in pursuit of Harold's recently near-consumated crush. En-route, they encounter Kumar's former girlfriend - on her way to marrying a rich, politically-connected douchebag in Texas. A misunderstanding on the plane involving Kumar's attempt to field-test his newly-invented "smokeless bong" gets them branded as terror-suspects, and the assignment of Cordry's overzealous agent to their case means a one-way ticket to Gitmo. Fortunately for the boys, the prison's security systems leaves a little something to be desired and - one satisfyingly-electrocuted Al Qaeda fellow later - they're hoofing it to Texas, hoping that the aforementioned Douchebag can use his White House connections to fix the misunderstanding... and Kumar giving more than a little thought to busting up the wedding and getting The Girl back.

The model at play here is much more Hope & Crosby than Cheech & Chong, as the stoner humor is basically an excuse to play fast and loose with the rules of logic and pacing. The REAL star-attraction is the natural, beat-for-beat chemistry between the two leads as they bounce from one outlandish situation to another. Despite some of the topical subject matter, it's not really out to take anyone down or score any points, which winds up being helpful because you can't precisely predict which direction the jokes are going to go in: For example, the trailers have already spoiled the fact that the boys eventually encounter President Bush (an impersonator in heavy makeup) himself, few would've guessed the way the film opts to portray him and what role he ultimately plays.

It's funny, basically.

FINAL RATING: 7/10

Stuttgart Germany's FMX '08: 3D Sessions Expanding

I just had a chat with David Maas of FMX and he has passed on some interesting 3D session information for anyone who will be in Germany from May 5th to 8th, 2008. FMX is the primary European meeting of the digital community and is located in Haus der Wirtschaft, Stuttgart, Germany.

Right to the point, here are the 3D sessions that all take place on May 7th:

Wednesday May 07
Bertha-Benz-Saal
11:00 - 12:00
The Business Case for Digital 3D Cinema Exhibition
Charlotte Jones, Analyst, Film and Cinema, Screen Digest www.screendigest.com

12:00 - 13:00
3D-Filmproduction - From Technology to Creativity
Alaric Hamacher, CEO, Virtual Experience www.virtual-experience.de

14:00 - 15:00
A Journey in Stereo: A Case Study on "Journey 3D" And What A Stereo Film Means for VFX
Chris Harvey, Facility Supervisor, Frantic Films www.franticfilms.com
Bret StClair, VFX Supervisor , Meteor Studios www.meteorstudios.com

15:00 - 16:00
The Use of Stereoscopic Depth as a Storytelling Tool
Marc Empey, CG Supervisor, Walt Disney Feature Animation www.disney.com
Robert Neuman, Stereo Lead , Walt Disney Feature Animation www.disney.com

16:00 - 17:00
Glorious Detail: The Magic of 3D Stereo Production
Debbie Denise, Executive Vice President, Sony Imageworks www.imageworks.com
Rob Engle , Stereographer , Sony Imageworks www.imageworks.com

17:00 - 18:00
Creating Believable Characters: Motion Capture on the Virtual Set of "Beowulf"
Parag Havaldar, Sony Pictures Imageworks www.imageworks.com

18:00 - 19:30
Stereoscopic screening of "Beowulf"

The other non-3D sessions look really interesting too - looks like an awesome show! Let me know if you are going...

Where The Hell Are Regal, Cinemark And AMC? Katzenberg Voicing 3D Concerns

In a recent interview by Variety with Jeff Katzenberg, JK expressed his displeasure with the big three theater chains namely Regal, Cinemark and AMC:

"In the last 30 days, things have not progressed as well as I had hoped, expected and, quite frankly, been committed to, by all the parties involved," Katzenberg said in response to an analyst's question. "It's ongoing as we speak literally now, but in terms of getting the big three (exhibitors: Regal, Cinemark and AMC) on board and actively moving forward, I feel as though things have dragged along, and it's been pretty disappointing."

I understand that budgeting for capital improvements can be tricky at best for these massive organizations, however if commitments have been made - and they have - then why the hell aren't they acting much more fluidly?

The theater chains don't stand to gain much more, if any, revenue from moving to digital projection. HOWEVER - digital projection is required for today's 3D technology (Real D, Dolby) where they can and WILL profit substantially through increased ticket prices; up to 50% more in some cases.

To ease the burden of moving to digital - even if they did not convert to 3D - the studios will pay a "Virtual Print Fee" to the theater chains because the studios save money by not having to print film reels and then distribute the very heavy canisters.

This isn't something that just recently surfaced either. John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners uncovered the slow moving theaters at NAB 2008 when he said "If the studios want this to happen in time for 2009, the deals have to be struck, and they have to be struck right now". They still haven't responded with the action required!

To be honest, the comments made by Fithian would have held much more water if he hadn't blamed Steven Spielberg for much of this inaction. As I posted earlier - that's ridiculous.

So where are we? Well let's see - we have:

1. The big three animation studios going fully 3D from now on - Pixar, Dreamworks and Disney have all committed to their future movies being 3D.
2. Massive budget 3D movies in production: Avatar for one with a $250m wallet (my projection).
3. Proven audience acceptance of 3D: "Beowulf" and Hannah Montana's concert movie both exceeded expectations. Even with increased ticket prices, the experience reigned supreme.
4. Overwhelming studio and directorial response to 3D: All major studios have 3D projects (see 3D movie list) - in FACT there are over 50 3D projects lined up to 2012 - and count James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Tim Burton, Robert Zemeckis, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez, and even upstart directors like Thomas Jane, as converts.
5. COMMITMENTS to roll out digital screens and 3D conversions over and above the existing ~1000 screens (See 3D theater list).

So, ummm - why the hell are the theater chains dragging their feet? Wake up and butter your toast guys; the time is NOW.

I invite representatives from those theater chains to get in touch with me via the "Contact Me" form below to present their side of things - until then, I am very disappointed as well. It's not just the studio executives you are letting down here guys - its the fans. Word is out.

Horror Movie "1.8 Days" Being Shot In 3D?

** UPDATE (April 30): I have confirmation from Chuck Fallaw from Movie Tao Productions and "1.8 Days" is definitely being shot in 3D. Further he pointed me to a few videos cleaning up the Gary Busey tirade - or lack thereof! Inside Edition edited the clips and then lied on tape to make it appear as though he was yelling at the photographer when he in fact never did. This is a standard Busey appearance and nothing more. Sure he may still be crazy, but he did not abuse the photog! Here is the photog's website and a couple of YouTube videos clearing it up here and here. Gary just enjoys his work - that's all - right? Thanks for the clarifications Chuck!

**SAME DAY UPDATE: Appears it WILL be in 3D according to this poster from their official site! Awesome... Which makes Busey all the more nuttier. ADDED to the 3D Movie List!

Haha - I think Gary Busey has got himself into a little trouble here! Perhaps he let slip that his upcoming movie "1.8 Days" is going to be shot in 3D and then got upset when Inside Edition (known for its journalistic integrity) mentioned it during his interview.

He proceeds to go berserk! Wow - this guy is a piece of work. Check it out this video interview!

Via: TheseBootsWereMadeForStalking.com

Old James Cameron "Avatar" T-Shirts Surface: Circa 1996 !

Wow - "Avatar" has been in development for a looooong time! This t-shirt was made back in 1996 when Digital Domain was working on preliminary concepts - and the guy who obtained this shirt says he has no idea what "The Ultimate..." means. Hmmm. Well it sure sounds as though the confidence level for this movie has been high for a long time too.

That "longevity of conception" as my t-shirt owner friend says, gives us hope that this movie will not turn out to be a dud like other super hyped sci-fi films (Matrix sequels, etc). That and the fact that James Cameron is helming it! The idea for "Avatar" has been around for so long that it really has grown into its own. Man, JC must be so passionate about this film - like a parent would be for a child really.

We are still working on obtaining some of those Avatar T-Shirts that someone saw being worn on the Star Trek set last year. I can't wait to see those - those creatures sound so hostile don't they?

Karl Urban Signs On For 3D Pic "Relentless"

Karl Urban has signed on with Baldwin Entertainment to bring "Relentless" to the big 3D screens. The film will be helmed by Demian Lichtenstein ("3000 Miles To Graceland") who just finished shadowing James Cameron as he was shooting "Avatar" to pick up the tools of the 3D trade. Lichtenstein also gleaned 3D prowess from Phil McNally and James Mainard over at Dreamworks.

The $25 million feature will be focused on "...four extreme sports professionals who survive a plane crash in the Amazon jungle, and must use all their survival instincts as they are hunted by a group of homicidal natives." according to Variety.

"I am fascinated with the new 3-D technology and know that this script is a perfect match to take advantage of the unlimited potential of what 3-D can do,” Lichtenstein commented. “After being mentored by James Cameron on the set of his new 3-D film ‘Avatar,’ I knew that 3-D movies are no longer just a fad. It is the future of filmmaking."

Sounds like a great premise for a movie and without Urban in a viking outfit this pic should be golden.

If I were a director in Hollywood right now, I would damn well be on Cameron's tail too - watching his every move. If you are not positioning yourself RIGHT NOW, then you are playing a fool's game...

Horrorween 3D To Be Picked Up By... Sony?

In a recent interview with Film School Rejects about producing horror movies and "Zombie Strippers", Jenna Jameson states that:

"...she is signed on for two more horror films through Sony – Sick, which she describes as “a thriller/horror movie” and another comedy-horror flick called Horrorween."

Which obviously leads me to believe that Sony is about to make a pitch for the upcoming horror spoof movie that our contest winner will also be in! Sony does not have an stake in Horrorween as of yet, but this appears to validate rumors that Sony may acting soon.

Steven Spielberg may be interested in the comedy as well - his sister Nancy is also involved with a leading role!

Check out the long list of roles/cameos in Horrorween! Jenna and Brad Milne are in both Zombie Strippers and Horrorween 3D.

SHORT FEATURE: CINDY GOES TO A PARTY

So, why am I giving you a second short before our feature presentation of Carnival of Souls? The first reason is obvious... I'm buying more time to write the review. The second reason is that Herk Harvey, director of Carnival of Souls, turns out to have also helmed over 400 educational and industrial films throughout the 50s and 60s. You MSTies out there may remember Mike and The Bots take on Herk's expressionistic classic Cheating. Cindy Goes To A Party isn't quite so sturm und drang as it tells the lighthearted story of a little girl upset over not receiving an invitation to a friend's soiree. The night before the party Cindy's fairy godmother, apparently channeling Bjork, appears to inform her she will indeed receive an invitation, but only if she stops being such an uncouth slob and follows the rules on how to properly behave at a get together. For the most part the dictates the fairy godmother lays down are pretty much common sense, although one does directly contradict that invaluable life-lesson we all learned from St. Elmo's Fire, "It ain't a party till something gets broken!"

“It’s easy to poke fun at this stuff" says Ken Smith, author of the book Mental Hygiene, "and one of the reasons I wrote [my] book is because that’s all people are doing. There’s actually a deeper story behind them... [The films] were made by some of the most liberal and progressive-minded people of their time. Their goal was noble: to help children become well adjusted, happy, and independent (within limits). The films look corny and manipulative to us today, but not because the people who made them were evil and stupid... The people responsible for these films were driven by a sincere desire to guide young people toward behavior that they felt would make them happy." Ironically enough, it's seems to be the same "liberal and progressive-minded people" who are the most likely to criticize these films today. New York Times critic Richard Woodward, writing in 1994, stated that "for dubious indoctrination... nothing quite compares with films created during the 50's expressly for teen-agers. "More Dates for Kay" [1952]), described in the program notes as "one of the most insidious and sexist social-guidance films ever made," applauds the many original and degrading ways an intrepid young woman goes about meeting boys... The issues ignored were also similar during this period. Blacks and other minorities make only fleeting appearances in these films. Women are routinely belittled by the authoritarian male narrators. A seething bias against homosexuals is pervasive." Um... oops.

Call me nuts, but maybe the educators were just messing around in areas best left to the children's parents. If we're to believe the Catechism, "parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. This requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgment, and self-mastery - the preconditions of all true freedom... The home is the natural environment for initiating a human being into solidarity and communal responsibilities. Parents should teach children to avoid the compromising and degrading influences which threaten human societies." Sounds like a plan to me. Now if we can just get all of us parents to go along with it.

A Look At Final Destination 4 - 3D: Cast Chairs

**UPDATE April 28th - The child actor in this photo is Preston Strother. Thanks Nick!

If someone knows who this child actor is, let me know. Here is a photo of what the cast chairs look like on Final Destination 4 3D - this was from the pool scene where, presumably, someone meets their demise in some gruesome fashion.

What is interesting to me is the double monitor setup in the background for viewing the takes - one for each eye? I know the Pace Fusion system they are using allows for real-time viewing of stereoscopic scenes, but perhaps they didn't license portion of the technology for FD4 3D?

Photo source: Upcoming Horror Movies

Confusion Reigns Over Conflicting Reports! Is There A THIRD Hobbit Movie Planned??

SAME DAY UPDATE: Interview with Guillermo del Toro and TORn on April 25th:

GDT: You know, I traveled to New Zealand just a little while ago, and one of the main reasons for going was to sit down and talk about the second film. ‘The Hobbit’, the book, is really one self-contained film, so for the second movie we sat down and worked it out. When we did this we got really excited because this second film is not a ‘tag on’, it’s not ‘filler’, it’s an integral part of telling the story of those 50 years of history lost in the narrative. There will be certain things that we will see from the first movie but from a different point of view, but it will feel like a volume, in the 5 volumes of the entire story. It will not feel like a bridge, I’ve been hearing it called ‘a bridge film’, it’s not, it’s an integral chapter of the story, and I think we’re all on the same page.

In essence this tells us that THE HUFFINGTON POST is WRONG. I will be deleting this post shortly. Granted GDT is not very clear here, but anyone can see that the second movie will NOT be part of the book as the book does not cover those years! Grrr. Thanks Arianna.

Pure speculation at this point based on two conflicting reports: The Huffington Post has posted on April 24th that New Line has corrected an error in that the first Hobbit movie will be based on "The Hobbit" book by Tolkien and that the second movie will bridge that first Hobbit movie with the three "Lord Of The Rings" movies. The Huffington Post states:

"Please note that this version DELETES INCORRECT reference to second movie spanning time between "Hobbit" and "Rings"; New Line now says movies are based on book only."

This new information is completely different from the official word posted April 24th from the official movie blog of "The Hobbit" known as The Hobbit Blog. The official blog states:

"Del Toro will move to New Zealand for the next four years to work with Jackson and his Wingnut and WETA production teams. He will helm the two films back to back – telling the story of “The Hobbit,” and its sequel, which will deal with the 60-year period between “The Hobbit” and “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the first of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy."

So these conflicting reports could indicate a number of things:
1. There will be a THIRD movie that links "The Hobbit" 1 & 2 with the LOTR trilogy!
2. The period of time between "The Hobbit" and LOTRs will be left empty cinematically. (UNLIKELY as hundreds of millions of dollars would not be generated).
3. The Huffington Post is in error.
4. The official Hobbit Blog is in error.
DISCUSSION: If there were two movies based on "The Hobbit" book alone (which Guillermo del Toro would do a simply EXCELLENT job at in my estimation!) and a third installation between "The Hobbit" and LOTRs directed by the man himself, Peter Jackson - isn't that THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS?

The more 3D movies the better... :-)

"Game OverThinker" update

FYI, I've added the latest episode(s) over at the "Game OverThinker" blog and the YouTubes. Happily, this little side-project has really started to "blow up" over the last few weeks. Take a peek if you're so inclined...

Episode Five:
http://gameoverthinker.blogspot.com/2008/04/episode-five-patriot-games.html

Episode Six:
http://gameoverthinker.blogspot.com/2008/04/episode-six-pr0n.html

REVIEW: Pathology

Hardcore horror fans are reflexively distrustful of theatrically-released films at this point. So goes the logic, anything that doesn't arrive with angry protesters on it's heels or circulating-legends of how much 'good stuff' got cut out to get an R just won't be worth the time. While not without basis, this mistrust means that on occassion worthwhile entries that might HELP the genre's theatrical-reputation like "Pathology" wind up having to wait for DVD to get deserved attention. Too bad.

This is a slicked-up new spin on the "mad doctor" theme, wherein the godlike power/perspective afforded to Men of Medicine drives some practitioners to amorality and unspeakable acts - the sort of films Vincent Price turned out by the dozens once upon a time. Here, the medicine in question is Forensic Pathology (thanks again, "CSI!") via our hero (Milo Ventimiglia) a rising-star Pathology prodigy doing his residency at a prestigious hospital while awaiting marriage to his super-rich super-hot fiance (Alyssa Milano.) Upon arriving, he discovers that the residents all live/work in fear of an elite clique of brilliant, hard-partying young super-docs led by Gallo (Michael Weston.)

Not only do Gallo's crew torment the other residents with all the cruel subtlety of the villians from "Mean Girls" along with flaunting drug-fueled hedonism after hours (both the male and female members toss Lauren Lee Smith's seemingly-nymphomaniacal redhead temptress back and forth like a softball)... their REAL kick is an elaborate murder game by which one member of the team creatively-murders a deserving (or maybe not..) victim and challenges the others to figure out how they pulled it off. Soon enough, our hero is drawn into their world for the intellectual challenge, the goading of the very Tyler Durden-like Dr. Gallo and a quickly-out-of-hand infatuation with the Smith's insatiable seductress.

Now thats a nice, nasty premise for a thriller if I ever heard one. The script comes courtesy of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, who between this and their debut collaboration "Crank" are setting themselves up as masters of creative excuses to wallow in movie-mayhem. "Pathology" is good-looking bad people doing horrid things for their (and our) amusement; and as far as that goes it's a damn fine exercise in that particular subgenre. You get nasty murders, nastier autopsies and then the infrequent elaborate kinky sex scene - often all staged around the same medical equipment. Ew. But it's all engaging enough that it's hard to stop looking.

That said, yeah... it's not QUITE as nuts as it needs to be, though I've got to say there's a moment of blunt, hammer-force visual poetry involving a certain character's autopsy near the end that's damn near the kind of diseased-genius that you used to only be find in Luis Bunuel movies (you'll know it when you see it.) This is no classic, but it's not for lack of trying - and I bet it finds more than a few fans among ACTUAL Pathology residents.

FINAL RATING: 6/10

Guillermo Del Toro DIRECTS BOTH HOBBITS!

Wow - a stunner! GDT has officially been signed to direct both Hobbit movies as reported by Variety.

SO - I have to get my WETA sources in order for these major MAJOR projects! I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.

While I think PJ would have been the better choice for at least the second movie, we shall see what the Magician from Mexico can deliver! I am definitely prepared to be awed by what he has up his sleeve. HAVE FUN GDT!!

AND AGAIN - NO CONFIRMATION THAT THE MOVIES WILL BE 3D YET AS REPORTED HERE FIRST!

I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!

A big welcome to everybody dropping by via The Curt Jester and The Hermeneutic of Continuity. My thanks to Jeff and Fr. Tim for the kind words.

For those of you who don't immediately run screaming back the way you came, wondering what form of temporary insanity caused Jeff and Fr. Tim to send you here, I hope you enjoy the show. If these kinds of movies are your thing and you've got one you'd like to see me take a shot at reviewing, I happily take requests. That being said, I am an abysmally slow blogger, managing 2-3 reviews a month, so it may take a few weeks (or five) to get to your favorite. Anyway, admissions free, so I hope to see a lot of you again soon.

OUTTAKES #013

The Catholic Frog (Notaden Bennetti) is a yellow or greenish Australian myobatrachid about 4 cm (1.5 inches) long. It was named for the dark, cross-like pattern on its back. - Encyclopedia Britannica

 

 

 

 

Quick Post: Display Week Goes 3D!

Check out this brand new 3D lineup for Display Week 2008, May 18-23, 2008, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For those not attending the full Symposium, the session registration cost is $100.

Here is the agenda for 3D related sessions:

Session 1: Wednesday, May 21 / 2:15 pm - 3:35 pm / Petree Hall

2:15 pm Introductory Remarks

2:20 pm It's Not Real Life: Stereoscopic Content Creation, Phil McNally, Dreamworks Animation - 3D movie-making can be thought of as a 3D to 3D conversion process, as 'real life' space is different from the recreated space in a stereoscopic theater or monitor. Creative decisions are shaped by the potential of spatial storytelling pushing against the limitations of the technical processes, the audience's ability to view the content, and the social expectation of 'the movie experience', where the accepted monoscopic camera and editing styles may not be compatible with stereoscopic movie space. How much of this do we understand and how much more needs to be invented?

2:45 pm Adapting "3D" CG Films for "3D" Presentation: The Technique and Technology, Rob Engle, Sony Pictures Imageworks - Sony Pictures Imageworks has now produced four stereoscopic films which have been released in film and digital 3D venues. From "The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience" to "Beowulf", this talk will review our past work with an emphasis on how the capabilities and limitations of technology influence the art.

3:10 pm Stereoscopic Live Action: Content Capture and Post Production, Steve Schklair, 3ality Digital Systems - When shooting live action with two camera heads, it is critical that the captured images be properly coordinated to a fine tolerance in order to ensure a high-quality image when presented on a stereoscopic display. This talk will discuss methods and tools to achieve such coordination throughout filming and post-production, using examples from the production of "U2 3D".

3:35 pm Break

Session 2: Wednesday, May 21 / 3:55 pm - 5:15 pm / Petree Hall

3:55 pm Introductory Remarks

4:00 pm Post Production for Stereoscopic Movies, Norman Rouse, Quantel - Post production of stereoscopic content usually takes place on non-stereoscopic systems working in conventional pipelines that have been adapted for a stereo project. Now, dedicated stereo post production products are coming onto the market for stereo films, broadcasting, special events, and other applications. This talk looks at the latest techniques of stereo post and invites debate on monitoring stereo projects in different environments with different delivery requirements.

4:25 pm Dolby 3D Digital Cinema, Jeff McNall, Dolby Laboratories - Dolby has introduced a revolutionary new technology that is now being used by movie theatres worldwide to present 3D stereoscopic features. It is a unique 3D cinema viewing experience based on color separation technology that doesn't require the use of active shutter glasses or the installation of a silver screen.

4:50 pm 3D Exhibition in the Digital Age: Bringing a New Dimension to Entertainment, Rod Archer, Real D - The digital cinema projector has proven to be the platform on which stereoscopic cinema presentation is at last possible. These projectors solve the first challenge of 3D cinema, presenting two movies at once: the left and right eye views. The final challenge in 3D exhibition is to enable the audience to see these two movies stereoscopically, separating the right and left images into the correct eyes of the audience. There are three fundamental ways to accomplish this separation; with time, color, and polarization. This talk will present practical ways to use each of these methods in public exhibition theaters and explain their benefits and detriments.

Shared Q&A Session: Wednesday, May 21 / 5:15 pm - 6:00 pm / Petree Hall

For more info on all the events check out www.sid.org. Looks like an awesome lineup!

Quick Post: 3D Samsung Series 4 Screens In Action !

Just a quick post to show off the new Samsung Series 4 HD Plasmas using an advanced software algorithm to eliminate dither noise and false contour lines to reproduce clear images, including fast moving action scenes.

Photo and source: CNET Asia - Samsung AV Roadshow 2008.

iZ3D Drops Price On 22" 3D Gaming Monitor

Here's some great news for you gamers out there - iZ3D has dropped their price from $699 to $599 for their 22" 3D gaming monitor. It's a great deal so I thought I would drop a note MarketSaw readers - I have this same monitor and its awesome. I use it in 2D mode as well for daily use and posting on MarketSaw!

This same monitor is one of the prizes that a lucky MarketSaw reader will win in our first 3D Contest!!

For more information or to purchase go to www.newegg.com or www.iz3d.com.

Full disclosure: iZ3D is a sponsor of MarketSaw.

DVD Format Studying Inclusion Of 3D Technology!

Its happening guys! There is a groundswell of interest in 3D and it is not stopping with only the theaters. The DVD Forum is now undertaking the first steps toward including 3D technology in their DVD formatting! Here is what they do:

The DVD Forum is an international association of hardware manufacturers, software firms, content providers and other users of Digital Versatile Discs.

The Forum's purpose is to exchange and disseminate ideas and information about the DVD Format and its technical capabilities, improvements and innovations.

The Forum works to promote broad acceptance of DVD products on a worldwide basis, across entertainment, consumer electronics and IT industries.

Here is the RFI from their site dated April 21st, 2008:

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Dear Company:

The DVD Forum is planning to study (the “Proposed Study”) the possible incorporation of 3D movie technology into The DVD Forum format specifications for DVD-Video and HD DVD-Video (the “DVD Format Specifications”). The DVD Forum plans to study only the feasibility and potential merit of incorporating 3D movie technology into the DVD Format Specifications. Please note that The DVD Forum has made no decision to incorporate such technology into the DVD Format Specifications and does not intend to select any specific 3D movie technology for inclusion at this time. After studying each proposed 3D movie technology, The DVD Forum will decide whether 3D movie technology should be incorporated into the DVD Format Specifications. As part of this study, The DVD Forum may also consider whether measures to achieve compatibility with existing DVD-Video and HD DVD-Video players would also need to be implemented in the event 3D movie technology is incorporated into the DVD Format Specifications.

The purpose of this request for information is to gather information to assist The DVD Forum in connection with the Proposed Study. Interested companies are encouraged to submit information and proposals to The DVD Forum for consideration.

Please send all information and/or proposals to the following e-mail:
secretariat@dvdforum.gr.jp

All submissions must be sent via email to the individuals listed above NO LATER THAN May 17, 2008 (JST). All submissions MUST be accompanied by a signed copy of the attached Consent Form (PDF), executed by a legally authorized representative on behalf of your company. Submissions that are not accompanied by a signed copy of the attached Consent Form will be returned to the respondent and will not be considered by The DVD Forum in connection with the Proposed Study. Accepted submissions will not be returned.

Working Group 1 of The DVD Forum will begin notifying respondents after May 17, 2008 of the start of the Proposed Study. Accordingly, please include the name of your company’s contact person and such individual’s email address in all submissions.

Best regards,

Secretary Office of the DVD Forum

BRING ON THE 3D DVDs GUYS! There is certainly enough 3D movies in the production hopper to make it happen right now - 2009 will be the year of 3D.

Media Maven? Miley Cyrus Writing Memoirs At 15

Ahem. Writing memoirs is typically reserved for when you have enough memories to fill a book. Apparently Miley Cyrus and Disney have decided that she does in fact have enough. We all know that a corporation is going to strike hard and fast while a commodity is hot, but I don't know about completely swamping all media channels being very wise. Cyrus recently had a massive sold out concert tour and quickly followed that up with a hugely popular 3D movie about the same concert tour.

The book will focus on the relationship of Miley and her mother and how other families could learn from them.

Yeah, ok. But has her mother seen the recent photos of Miley on the Internets? (no I am not posting a link). What is with teens and Internet photos/videos today? Surely they realize that they are writing their own history books for everyone to read for an eternity! If they are not careful she will just become another Disney girl gone bad. So please do be careful. Oops, they did it again.

"Fly Me To The Moon" Exclusive Premiere: Jules Verne Festival - Paris, April 26th

Going to Paris? Well then check out the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival running from Friday, April 25th to 27th. I have been talking with Johannes Palmroos who has been very passionate about getting the word out about this fine show AND the excellent content that very much includes 3D.

Here's what James Cameron and George Lucas had to say about the show:

"The Jules Verne Adventure Festival is quite unique. It celebrates the spirit of authentic adventure and exploration, which we all need today and in the future."

James Cameron

"This Festival is much more than a just a film festival. That’s why it is much more interesting. As Jules Verne did, it helps us to think outside the box."

George Lucas

An awesome addition to this year's show is the exclusive premiere (outside of Belgium that is!) of the FULL 3D feature "Fly Me To The Moon"! In fact there are several interesting 3D screenings namely:

Friday 25 April @ 20:30 - Trailer and hopefully also segments of "Voyage to the Center of the Earth 3D" will be shown in 3D before the documentary "Tara".

Saturday 26 April 20:30 - The Jules Verne award ceremony is followed by the 40 minute "Dolphins And Whales 3D" as well as the full feature "Fly Me To the Moon"in an exclusive premiere! (Tony Curtis will be present at this screening)

Sunday 27 April, 10:00 (morning) - "Ocean Wonderland 3D" and "Sharks 3D".

Tickets and additional info about other events can be found at www.julesvernefestival.com.

All screenings are at The Grand Rex. 1, Boulevard Poissonnière. 75002. Paris.

Ahhhhh... Nothing like Paris in the spring - à bien tôt!

SHAMELESS PROMOTION

 

I hope everyone will forgive me if I drop slightly out of character for a moment and offer a bit of shameless promotion for an old friend. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending Brent Cash's stateside album release party and snagging a freshly minted copy of How Will I Know If I'm Awake. I'm just getting around to mentioning it because, friend or no friend, I wanted to give  the disc a few spins (and, yeah, I'm talking about vinyl on a turntable) before I recommended it.

So now, with a clear conscience, I can honestly say... holy crap, is this good! I know, given the fact that this blog caters to the rubber monster suit crowd, that a lushly orchestrated Burt Bacharach style pop album might not appeal to everyone's taste. But if you are at all a fan of pop music and appreciate the history of the art form (and I'm talking about going a little further back than The Backstreet Boys), then this is something you'll want to check out. Which isn't to say the album is some nostalgia trip where Brent apes his favorite bands from days gone by. No, this is the work of a mature artist who knows what he wants to say and how to put it into music. His music.

But instead of listening to me gush over the thing, you can hop over to Brent's MySpace page and read a bunch of review snippets from professional critics who know how to gush better than me. (Well, they get paid for it anyway.) Then head over to the album's website where you can hear some sample clips. Then go buy it. Trust me, if you're looking for something you can pop in and feel the cares of the day melt away, this is the one.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled goofiness.

REVIEW: The Forbidden Kingdom

To Hong Kong action fans, the concept of seeing Jackie Chan and Jet Li appear in a one-on-one fight sequence - to say nothing of an entire FILM - together has always come with a set of hypothetical questions, first and foremost being "what sort of film?" The high-concept comedy stunt-spectaculars that Chan is the king of? The harder-edged action-thrillers where Li more often finds himself? The old-school throwbacks where both have staked solid ground? The martial-arts genre is surprisingly diverse. One thing that can be certain, "American-Produced Family Film Where They Co-Star Opposite a Time-Displaced Teenaged Kid" was never at the top of the list. But, here we are, and THIS is the film that bring's us Kung-Fu cinema's most anticipated matchup since Bruce Lee met Chuck Norris in "Return of The Dragon."


Now, it's not so much that either man oughtn't be making movies for children. Chan's ouvre tends to play family-friendly as a rule, and Li has done films acting opposite kids before (though few Westerners would call "New Legend of Shaolin" a family flick, trust me.) No, the concern - at least among those serious enough about such things to be concerned - was that two living legends of Chinese action cinema would have their historic clash in yet another weak, watered-down Western imitation (or worse, PARODY) of their native genre.


It brings me no small measure of satisfaction to be able to report that THIS concern, at least, is essentially unfounded: If anything, "The Forbidden Kingdom" may be TOO Chinese for it's own good. While the story itself isn't the most original ever concieved in the broad strokes, in the details it's so tightly-packed with Eastern mysticism and mythology and it starts to resemble "Legend of Zu." Genre fans, let me put it this way: When The Monkey King enters the plot, the film doesn't stop to explain to the American audiences who, exactly, he is.


The technical star of the piece is Michael Angarano, the rising star younger fans may recall from the criminally-overlooked "Sky High." Here he's Jason, a bullied Boston teenager who worships the vintage Kung-Fu movies he buys from an elderly Chinatown shopkeep (Jackie Chan in startling old-age makeup.) During a robbery of the shop by local bullies, he ends up in the middle of the fray trying to protect a valuable antique fighting-staff... and finds himself (and said staff) yanked back into a mythical version of Ancient China and in the company of a wandering kung-fu master (Chan again, here inhabiting a version of his famous "Drunken Master" characterization as folk hero Taoist saint Lu Yan) who believes the boy is here to (you guessed it) Fulfill The Prophecy.


Short version: The Magic Staff is the weapon of The Monkey King (Jet Li plus some more surprising makeup work) a legendary hero who was turned into stone by the Jade Warlord, who has since ruled the land as a tyrant for hundreds of years. The Staff must be returned to Monkey King in order to free him, a task to which beautiful assassin Golden Sparrow (Yifei Liu, which I'm thoroughly convinced means "holy SHIT!" in Mandarin) and the mysterious fighter Silent Monk (Li again, looking like himself) offer their services. You may also have guessed that returning the staff means walking right into the Jade Warlord's stronghold on Five Elements Mountain - their paths blocked by master-assassin White-Haired Demoness (Li Bing Bing, who is approximately as hot as her name is fun to say) - and that reviving Monkey King is also Jason's only hope of returning home.


Okay, okay. YES, it's "The Wizard of Oz" crossed with "Journey Into The West." And if you think you already know whether or not Jason will get home AND exactly what will occur when he does... yeah, you're probably right. I'm not of the mind that this counts as any kind of serious flaw - children's films and kung-fu movies are both, if nothing else, case-studies in the proper usage of formula-plotting. The answers to the two important questions are as follows: It's a terrific, fun little movie and (most importantly) Chan and Li's centerpiece one-on-one dustup is one for the books.

Going back, I'm still struck as to just HOW hard the film works to NOT cheapen the cultural-iconography it's mining. Li's turn as the Monkey King is absent from the American marketing entirely, likely because the iconic character (one of the most important figures in Chinese mythology and martial-arts fantasy films) A.) isn't well known here and B.) the interpretation of him seen here is as traditional as one can get... and some American fans of Li's harder-edged work likely aren't prepared to see him wearing simian facial hair and performing "playful chimpanzee" pantomime. His native fans, though, are probably going to go (literally) ape for this, as it's the kind of work he doesn't do nearly enough and throws himself into it with gusto.

Meanwhile, the supporting cast (of characters) start to look like a Chinese version of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Not only is Chan's Lu Yan a historical folk hero, Golden Sparrow and the Demoness are re-interpretations of characters that both appeared in golden-age kung-fu film and literature. Only the hardest of hardcore fans are going to catch this stateside, and it doesn't detract from the movie-proper, but this kind of genuine respect for the genre and it's origins from the Weinsteins of all producers is damn impressive - to the point that you almost forget that the Chinese characters living IN CHINA are primarily speaking English (or trying to, and it's probably a mistake handing most of the exposition to Chan, but no matter.)

Hardcore kung-fu fans? Don't let the rating and the kids-fantasy aspect turn you off - it's a damn good bit of work. Family-filmgoers? Believe the hype: It's the kung-fu movie you can take the kids to without worry AND enjoy yourself.

FINAL RATING: 8/10

Hobbit Helmer News THIS WEEK! Stay Tuned...

According to Cinematical, we should have word this week on whether Gulliermo del Toro will be doing the Hobbit movie(s) or not. Interesting that he should phrase it that way! Or not. What does that mean? :-)

Del Toro told the floor at the NY Comic Con that we should have the news in 4 or 5 days and that was yesterday! I wonder if they will disclose that the Hobbit(s) will be shot in 3D at that time? Hmmm.

We still fully expect to hear that del Toro is doing the first Hobbit movie ONLY with Peter Jackson helming the second. Alternatively, they could co-direct both of them (but the chances are much smaller for that to happen). Of course we are still holding out for Jackson to just do it all. Just like LOTRs and all will be the same as it was before!

No recent word out of Jackson's camp as to what is going on!

REVIEW: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" arrives under the banner of the Judd Apatow Takeover of Hollywood, and runs in roughly the standard Apatow "house style" (short version: Male-centric romantic-comedy with scatology increased to the proportionate dimensions of the emotional angst) but owes more credit to it's writer/star Jason Stegel, who hear quite literally redefines the concept of an actor "baring his soul" to the camera. Not only does he now-famously appear onscreen fully nude, he turns in an achingly real and affecting performance - throwing himself before the audience unguarded and unafraid. He's a star.

He casts himself in the evidently semi-autobiographical role of Peter Bretter, a 30-something slacker musician earning a tidy-enough living composing the cheezy music for a CSI-style TV show who's beautiful rising-star lead actress Sarah Marshall (Kristin Bell) he's dating as the film opens... with their breakup. Or, rather, her unceremonious dumping of him. Encouraged by his best bud (Bill Hader) to soothe himself with one night stands but finding them insufficient, he tries for Plan B: A Hawaiin vacation to a cozy resort... which he quickly discovers is ALSO where Sarah has shacked-up with her new squeeze, swarthy British pop singer Aldous Snow (Russel Brand.) On the bright side, he develops an instant rapport with sexy resort employee Rachel (Mila Kunis.)

You can probably plot the movie out on your own from there - there's nothing terribly surprising in the broad strokes, as the whole point of this new strain of y-chromosome rom-coms is to go through the standard motions from the guy's perspective. The surprises are in the details, mainly in Stegel's refusal to cast anyone as a straight-on villain: Even the seemingly built-to-hate Snow winds up perversely endearing in his oblivious self-satisfaction. And while Sarah is eventually a decidedly unlikable figure, she's also essentially human.

Getting into any more of it would only be possible by giving away the jokes, including a climax that comes about as far out of left field as one can get in a romantic comedy and still be on tera-firmer. But you should absolutely check it out especially if you liked "Knocked Up" or "Forty Year-Old Virgin."

FINAL RATING: 8/10

New Internet Trailer: "Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D" - More Background And What To Expect At The Theater

This trailer adds a lot to the original attempt, which was almost laughable really.

In this reboot of the original, they have added a little background to the clips as well as what to expect while watching the movie. They are not pretending to be a serious movie here folks - THIS IS NOT AN AVATAR WANNABE. They recognize the movie for what it is: A ride. An amusement park ride.

I have said this before, if a movie critic walks into a horror movie and critiques it against say, "Juno", then in most cases the horror movie will fail miserably. Many critics do this - they simply do not distinguish and appreciate the genre and rate it accordingly.

So do yourself a favor and before you go into the "Journey 3D" theater, make sure you are expecting a ride and you will enjoy yourself (probably!). But if you go in expecting to not see the flagrant misuse of 3D objects comin' at ya and stomach turning roller coaster rides then save yourself the time.

After seeing this trailer, I have a greater understanding of expectations and that's half the battle with pre-movie marketing vs. the actual experience. I am still a bit concerned, but hey - I will give it a chance. I like rides like most other people!

Here is the brand new trailer!

Jim Dorey Says Its Gonna Be Gory!

Put on your Hostel splatter protection gear folks, this is going to get NASTY.

Alexandre Aja, the director of "The Hills Have Eyes" (another nasty bit of work there too) is also directing the "Piranha" remake which will be shot in 3D and is pegged for a July 24th release in 2009. SciFi.com has a short interview with him where he fires off this rocket:

The prospect of directing the first R-rated live-action 3-D movie was "the only reason that we're making that movie. We are thinking, ... let's imagine, like, a real horror movie, a real R-rated movie, in 3-D. That would be the ultimate experience. That would be the ultimate immersion of the audience into the nightmare."

"Basically, it's about fish killing and eating drunk, stupid college kids," he said with a laugh. "So it's really about that. Yes, it's fun. Yes, it's going to be about ... the revenge of the piranha. They messed up with the lake. They messed up with nature." He added that the movie will explore "what would be the ultimate scary thing that could happen to you. ... And that brings fun ideas of how to be really gory."

Horror films in modern 3D are not new (See Scar 3D and a new horror spoof Horrorween which YOU could actually be in!) but you can see the direction things are going already. Take what works today in 2D and amp it up in 3D and really take 'em for a ride!

"There is ... a fun dimension in the real gore," Aja said. "I mean, we're going to explore that in Piranha. Piranha is super gore. It's like, we are ready to break all the records of blood used."

Welllll... I must say that sounds very interesting. Wonder if Aja will doubled up a few thousand times on this recipe:


How To Make Fake Blood!

In A World Of 3D Firsts: "The Incredible Hulk" 3D Magazine Cover

Empire Online (via Filmonic) have announced that the world's first 3D magazine cover is all about the upcoming "The Incredible Hulk" movie starring Edward Norton. Wow - is this really the first EVER 3D magazine cover? I would have thought that it had been done before, but meh.

Go back to the Empire Online site for an interactive preview of the cover on Monday, April 21st, 2008. Apparently it is all done through computers if they are going to have a preview on their site. I have seen posters that carry a few seconds worth of motion as you walk by - My guess is we are going to have to click and hold the image and move it back and forth.

What I find very ironic is that "The Incredible Hulk" is not even a 3D movie! (I guess there are a few of those types of movies coming out... Indiana Jane or somthin' too?) It's like going back in time to buy the world's first full color magazine cover and the movie is "Citizen Kane". But is that gonna stop me from clicking through on Monday? Nah :-)

INTERMISSION: ME ME MEME

 

So, I just reopen the doors and I'm already taking an intermission? Sure, why not, especially since our old pal Archistrategos over at Ecce Ego, Quia Vocasti Me has decided to tag me with another meme. This one appears to be one of those "get to know me" type of things, which is kind of funny considering I use an alias. (Sort of. Mwa Ha Ha!) But, let's give it a shot anyway and see if I can stay in character while giving honest answers.

WHAT WAS I DOING 10 YEARS AGO?
In April of 1998 Netflix went into business with a whopping 900 titles. I couldn't have cared less, though, because I was still going to the movies at that time and I was getting really psyched for the release of the American version of Godzilla coming out in May. Come on, those adds were really cool. I'm much wiser these days.

FIVE THINGS ON MY TO-DO LIST:
[1] Watch more movies. I've been working too much lately. Besides then I'd have more reference material and could blog more. [2] Blog more. Seriously. Blogging keeps me studying religion and I've got so much more to learn. [3] Pray more. Cause blogging and books only get you so far. [4] Confess more. Cause it's easy to make praying all about yourself if you're not careful. [5] Quit accepting memes that are all about me!

THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A BILLIONAIRE:
[1] Make a lot of family members and friends very happy. [2] Make a lot of charities even happier. [3] Since I wouldn't have to make a profit, probably open up a small theater showing my kind of movies just for the fun of it. (There had to be a selfish one in there, I'm not a saint you know.)

THREE OF MY BAD HABITS:
[1] I often end up watching "just one more short movie" before I go to bed and end up not getting enough sleep. [2] I drink way too much Diet Coke. [3] I refuse to acknowledge any possible connection between my ingestion of liters of caffeine and my inability to sleep.

FIVE JOBS I'VE HAD:
In no particular order: [1] Stock Boy. [2] Staff artist at a Happi Names store. [3] Graveyard shift worker at a door factory. [4] Real Estate Appraiser. And, wait for it... [5] Asst. Manager/Projectionist at a few movie theaters. Didn't see that one coming, did you?

FIVE SNACKS I ENJOY:
Also in no particular order, my favorite munchies when it's time to pop in a DVD: [1] Chips & salsa. [2] Gobstoppers. [3] Doritos. [4] Peanut butter & saltine crackers. [5] Popcorn. But not with buttery flavored topping on it, because, thanks to a previous job, I know darn well what's in there.

FIVE PLACES I HAVE VISITED:
[1] Panama City Beach, Florida. Where they filmed 1972's Frogs. (Heck yeah!) [2] St. Augustine, Florida. Where they filmed 1955's Revenge Of The Creature. (I even went to Marine Land!) [3] Houston, Texas. Where they filmed 1976's Futureworld. [4] Savannah, Georgia. Where they filmed 1982's The Slayer. And most important of all... [5] Nashville, Tennessee. Where they filmed 1974's The Burning Hell! Oh, the worms, the tormenting worms!

FIVE PLACES I'VE LIVED:
[1] Phenix City, Alabama. Where they filmed 1955's The Phenix City Story (I grew up in "Crime City". Hooray!) [2] Columbus, Georgia. Where they filmed 1976's Kiss Of The Tarantula. [3] Stone Mountain, Georgia. Where they filmed 1987's Voyage Of The Rock Aliens. [4] Waveland, Mississippi. Where they filmed 2005's skateboard epic Call To Fly. [5] Orange, Texas. Where not only did they film the 2007 documentary Southern Fried Bigfoot, but they used to have a cool roadside attraction called Swamp Thing (that's him in the photo up at the top, just in case you were wondering what that was all about).

And that's it. Whew, that was a pretty hard one and it really contains way too much about me. Time to get back to my anonymous seat in the dark where I belong.

"Avatar" Na'vi Motion Capture Suits Analysis: Location For Tail Spotted !!

My source and I went through some more of his photos of the "Avatar" wardrobe room that show slightly different angles and discovered what we believe to be where the Na'vi's tail is attached during performance capture in "The Volume" (an area which is surrounded with cameras capturing the actors movements and facial expressions). Look for the red circle in the first image. I have attached the original high res shots as well - click to enlarge (large files!)

Further, my source points out that the motion capture suits above the main rack are for CHILDREN. Lots of them!! So again, children play are a factor in a James Cameron movie - which I think will add that extra layer of tension. That also means that there will be a very large chance of ALIEN NA'VI CHILDREN AS WELL in the movie! It'll be great to see how Cameron pull off younger aliens too... Man is he having fun with this one.

We will get you some more "Avatar" pics as soon as we can! Nobody else is doing it, so we'll pick up the slack!! :-)