Recent Posts
I should really preface this article with a brief note, after watching Clash of the Titans in 3D at the weekend, I was mortifed at the lack of value it added, hence the following.
Does anyone out there in Orble land remember the 3D of yester year? Granted you had to don the red/blue glasses that gave the world that awful coloured tint (known as anaglyph), but do you remember how that 3D really affected the audience? Characters and elements actually popped out of the screen and flew directly towards you, the audeince physically ducked, or tried to touch the items hovering seemingly out of reach. This was 3D, not the digital 3D we are forced to sit through with films such as Alice in Wonderland and Clash of the Titans.
3D from the old school
It seems odd but a lot of the people that come out of media screenings I attend seem to have the same consensus when I ask them about modern (post 08) 3D films, and it basically boils down to the following. "Digital 3D adds a level of depth, by that, I literally mean you can see deep into the world on screen, there is perspective. However, things do not come out of the screen towards you, they do not make your jump, duck or stretch up into the air, the world is limited by the axis of the screen and trapped inside the box."
3D from the new school
In saying this, I also question how much value 3D actually adds to the cinema going experience? (not in terms of $ which I know is a great deal) It seems films made of of beautiful cinematography and scenery would steer well clear of the cheap novelty nastiness that is 3D, in fact the worst films I have seen of late have been in 3D (titans, alice). Moving forward, 3D enabled devices (such as Nintendo DS3D and iVision - google them, very cool) will use special screens to trick the eyes and mind into thinking an image is in 3D, no doubt taking a 3D experience from the novelty it currently is (put on the goofy glasses and embrace the Worthington) to something quite special.
At this stage I am on the fence of the 3D debate, on one hand it trully is technology sucking the life out of true cinema, on the other, I yearn for a Lord of the Rings, or Jurassic Park 4 in 3D, I want a 60 foot Trex cramming it's jaws into my face!
Well, into the future brave friends.
After all of my far more talented movie reviewing counterparts selected their picks for the best films of the decade, I thought I would do the same, there is clearly some crossover here with the other lists on Orble, but what can I say, good taste travels .
10. Love Actually
I know I shall be stoned for including this film, but I can honestly say, like other films on this list, that I have seen this movie over and over and it never looses it's charm. The delicate humour and wonderful interlocking plot makes this film, although hardly aesthetically brilliant, one of my favourite films of all time.
The moment that broke me : When Lisa Thompson recieved the Jonie Mitchell CD instead of the Gold heart locket , puts on the CD, cries in the bedroom, then pulls herself together to face the husband and kids , what can I say it got to me.
9. Sin City
There is something magical and truly haunting about this film, the unique use of colour and spectacular mise en scene really elevate this film to something special, unusual and clever.
The moment that broke me: Jessica Alba's stunning introduction.
8.Donnie Darko
Ah yes, there is a lot of talk about this film, why? To be honest, I am not sure, the cinematography is pretty standard, the acting, average, special effects, average, I think the thing with Donnie Darko is the way it messes with your perceptions and with you mind. I have yet to watch a movie that confuses and entertains so much as this, perhaps my Gylenghall affection has tainted my eyes ?
The moment that broke me: When I first saw that bunny mask, horrifying.
7.Elephant
Gus Van Sant's powerful, beautiful coming of age film is something that has stayed with me over the years. The simpleness of costume, lighting, set design and music really set this film into a kind of whispy world of suffering and pleasure, brutally honest and overwhelming at times, a must see.
The moment that broke me : Van Sant's longest shot ever, as Eric walks slowly across the school field towards the school buildings, just nothingness, it is fantastic, embrace it.
6.Mean Girls
Again, I know I will be hated on for this selection, but the truth is, this is the most quotable movie ever, also , possibly the funniest. There is not point even arguing with me over this one, Tina Fey's unique brand of humour is right up my alley.
The moment that broke me : "Random Girl: I Wish We Could All Get Along Like We Did In High school. I Wish I could bake a cake full of rainbows and smiles, that we all could eat and be happy. Someone: SHE DOESN'T EVEN GO HERE! Ms Norbury): Do You Even Go To This school? Random Girl: No, But i have a lot of feelings.Ms Norbury: Just Leave." GOLD
5.Moulin Rouge
Fast paced, colourful and brimming with spectacle, this film is pure fun, shadowed by moments of sadness. A delight of every form, so different from anything we have seen before.
The moment that broke me : Tango De Roxanne
4.Pans Labyrinth
Perhaps the only foreign language film I have ever seen that I did not struggle through, aside from that, truly amazing, the characters that make up the fantasy are spectacular, everyone I urge to watch this film comes back to me with mouth agape, speechless.
The moment that broke me: The demon in sitting at the end of the table , with eyes in his hands.
3.The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
What can be said about Jackson's award winning masterpiece, I could not choose just one, all of them make up the greatness. From the characters, to the sets, to the effects, to the music, it is all there and mastered to perfection.
The moment that broke me: Meeting the Elven Arwen (Liv Tyler)
2.Paranormal Activity
I must admit, the hype was destined to ruin this film for most, however, personally this film blew everything else I had seen out of the water. No blood, no gore, no special effects (really) no cheesy horror music, no VAMPIRES, just two people scared to death. I was petrified, and nothing scares me anymore, my eyes watered beacuse I could not blink my eyes, I walked odd I left the cinema. What and experience.
The moment that broke me : I cant choose, it is either when you see the cloven footprints in the powder on the floor, or when the sheet is slowly dragged to the floor
1. AVATAR
Ah yes, I caved, how could I not, visually arresting and beautiful, Cameron's AVATAR deserves the hype and is truly epic, what a world to experience!
The moment that broke me: The Pandora forest at night, heavenly
Global media sources have been telling us for months now that James Cameron (of Titanic fame) has been dreaming of AVATAR for 14 years, but had to wait for technology to catch up with his vision, well that time is now and what a vision it is.
Official Movie Poster
AVATAR is be far one of the most visually interesting films to grace our screens in recent years, the vibrant colours and spectacular vistas truly take your breath away.
Cameron takes little of the epic 3 hour film to set up characters or establish any real background story, what we need to know we learn fast:
1. Alien Planet "Pandora" - the only known location of one of mankind’s most sought-after minerals, and most expensive, 'Unobtainium' , no I am not kidding, it is actually called that in the film *cringe*.
2. Pandora's native inhabitants the "Navi" live in a giant tree above the richest deposit of 'Unobtanium' in Pandora, hence they need to be moved so the typical greedy American's can come in and mine it out.
3. The scientists wish to study the Navi culture and get involved with their people in an attempt to move the Navi from their homes so they essentially don’t have to murder them all to get to the unobtainium below their giant tree home.
4.To do this they use 'some form' of technology, which is NEVER explained , to transport their minds into giant blue AVATAR alien like bodies, which they can then freely control as long as they stay 'linked' in giant coffin link pods back at base.
That is all we know, and all we really ever know, the story descends fairly rapidly into typical Hollywood clichés and norms, boy meets girl, boy lies to girl, girl and boy fall in love, torn apart by war, we have seen it ALL before. Humans want to destroy everything, natives seen as savages but really are kind natured and intelligent, yet they still live in a tree, etc, it has ALL been done.
So at this stage I am sounding very negative and with good cause, this film is NOT the best film ever made, it is NOT groundbreaking (aside from the technology used to make it, here I refer to Cameron’s 3D motion capture technology), and it is most certainly not anything we have not seen before.
It is however many things, many great, amazing, pleasurable things.
It is a feast for the eyes and ears, the Pandora forests are heavenly and light up the screen with colour and movement in this tactile world that really does take over as the lead in the film, screw Worthington, how did he get the job again? Let’s talk BENAL!
The sounds of Pandora too are heavenly, surrounding you at times really making you jump.
The monsters/creatures of the forest are simply overwhelming! You have a lot of them to meet and each one makes your jaw drop in adoration.
Cameron’s animation is FLAWLESS, everyone I spoke to highlighted the fact that they forget they were watching an animated film, this I must stress is the real triumph of AVATAR, you completely absorb into the 3D world and embrace the light up trees, infinite mountains and novelty sized moons.
The film certainly has highs, Zoe Saldana's Neytiri is captivating, a warrior princess if you will with the most enticing eyes and spirit, after the forest, she is the standout.
Sigourney Weavers Dr. Grace is our minimal humour outlet, here it is really important to note that the film is not uplifting like Titanic, it does not make you cry, nor make you laugh, it rests on this plateau of "I am enjoying this, but I do not really care about the characters".
Worthington, as mentioned above rocks the highest levels of simplicity, doing not much but run around, or mumbles, or yell, but for some reason you like him, a lot, perhaps the adorable Aussie accent which thank GOD is not disguised by some half assed attempt at making the film more marketable in the USA.
AVATAR is a film you should definitely see, 100%, go see it tomorrow, and PLEASE see it in digital 3D at a decent cinema, you need a big screen and new speakers, trust me on this one. However, approach with caution, do not believe the hype, sure it is special, yes it is hauntingly, powerfully aesthetically beautiful, but like a Californian teenager, the beauty really masks what is on the inside, a limited plot and predictable story.
For the sheer spectacle of visiting Pandora I am giving AVATAR 8 out of 10
Jesus
I will be among the first to see this film in Australia tonight, stay tuned for my review tommorow
Ladies Gaga's newest album, if you can call it new, is a combination of her orginal "The Fame" album and 8 delicious new tracks that compilment her original tracks and also elevate this new version of the album to brilliant heights
[ Click here to read more ]
Today, whilst enjoying numerous email threads throughout the workday, I was astonised as to the reaction of one of my "colleagues" I use the term loosely as she really is a waste of space, a useless species of non-english speaking background who needs things explained to her over and over and over again!
Anyway, this person we shall call "CANCAN" sent a photo of a costume she planned on wearing to a costume party, who it is, is not important. I saw the picture and wrote back to the thread "CANCAN, you know you can't wear that, haha" - clearly, haha indicates a joke here people
[ Click here to read more ]
September 30th 2009 07:18
Enjoying my fave prime time TV series last night I was confronted by a somewhat amusing and agrivating commerical entitled, "JESUS all about life!"
Check it out
[ Click here to read more ]
For any one that indulges themselves in a daily train or bus journey and can appreciate the pain and suffering one goes through on each trip I implore you to channel your energies and live the following with me:
- Snifflers: Tissues are readily available and should be used whenever you feel the need to inhale large amounts of snot and muscus through your nasal cavities into your throat. Honestly, do people not understand how utterly disgusting this sounds. Vile, vile human beings
[ Click here to read more ]
So today I saw that Kyle Sandilands has been saked off Aussie Idol over the whole " I was raped" 12 year old girl thing.
Now, I know rape is not a clever thing to discuss on the radio, pretty much ever, but how much of it was really Kyle's fault
[ Click here to read more ]
|
|
|
Add Comments
Comments (5)
Read More
Comment by JESUS
on Triangle
What's Love?
gonna check it out
peace