It's that time of year where you can bust out the candy corn, curl up in your (either expensive or homemade) costume, and watch some horror films. I don't know whether it was Whoopie Goldberg's fantastic intro to the film in MonsterFest 2000: The Classics Come Alive (it's a thing, look it up), the behind the scenes look, or me just being a ten year old, but Creature from the Black Lagoon has always been one of my favorite Halloween films of all time. Let's dive in, shall we?
Though made in 1954, this film was one of the first ever 3-D movies (I know, fantastic right)? Creature from the Black Lagoon also incorporated underwater scenes, another marvel for the 1950's. I guess one of the reasons I love this film so much is because there is a forbidden love story amid the "horror". Also, this movie was a huge step forward for the collective art department of our industry. The creature's suit was very primitive (from an art department stand point); the actor could barely see, sit, or keep from overheating but was progressive none the less. Another reason this movie is superb is because this movie has made such an impact on the industry; it basically has been name dropped or referenced since it's release (i.e. The Seven Year Itch, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Simpsons). I highly recommend this film both from a cinema and an entertainment standpoint. Happy sailing!
James Cameron's Avatar is a ground breaking movie that has brought a new look to the 3D movie industry. The amazing colors, graphics, and unbelievable sets are what makes this amazing and put on a different level than many other movies of today. But the topic of this weeks posting will not be about any of these specifics of this great film. This blog posting will be dedicated to the striking resemblance that Avatar has with Disney's Pocahontas.I was shocked just about as much as those who will read this are going to be when I am through proving this to you. I begin this comparision with the main characters. In Pocahontas John Smith is a white settler who has reached the new world of North America. He is a part of the large group of white settlers who have come to the Americas to explore and obtain the gold from the Natives that they have found a plethora of. In Avatar the main character Jake Sulley travels into the new world of Pandora through his own Avatar, which allows him to look like the Natives of this planet. Jake Sulley who is an ex-marine is sent there for research, but also has another mission getting this valuable substance called "unobtainium." This is an exact similarity between the two
Next there is the similarity between Jake Sulley and his new found friend Neytiri, who is very skeptical of his reason for being on her people's land. However after passing through a part of the forest where the Tree of Souls, which is what the people of Pandora base decisions off of, gave Neytiri a sign that Jake Sulley was trustworthy. This is the same in Pocahontas with the Mother Willow tree and John Smith.
The next similarity is when the humans attack the Tree of Souls to remove the native people from their home so that they could capture the unlimited supplies of "unobtainium"
This video above will prove the exact copy that James Cameron seems to be responsible for. As lazy as this seems after talking with my roommate he made the point that this is a common folklore narrative. What we have to realize about this film is that it was about breaking new barriers in the 3D world. It achieved that but I just think it is hilarious that this similarity was found, but it doesn't really matter because the films graphics were some of the best I have ever seen.
The Hobbit, produced by Peter Jackson, is a one of the most highly anticipated 3D films yet. Using a total of 48 RED cameras, mounted on special rigs, The Hobbit will be shot in 5k resolution (over 6 times 1080p) at 48 frames per second. This allows for an incredibly sharp image and a very wide depth in the scene. Since the lenses are so large on the RED cameras, they have to use mirrors and have one camera bounce off of it in order to shoot in 3D. The rigs allow the crew to add depth to all access of the movie, they shot in the same style as they would a 2D movie, with dollies and handheld, getting the perfect shot. They allow the audience to feel part of the scene by using a unique set.
The resolution changes the way they create the characters as well, since it is so sharp and intense, they have to recreate a natural skin color on top of the characters skin, adding tones of red. They have to be incredibly careful with the colors as well. This movie seems unique because the 3D planning was done all the way through. Even in pre-production stages, the concept art and designs were all done in 3D. Peter Jackson is a big fan of 3D, even keeping 3D pictures from all of the past Lord of the Rings movies, "the reality is, it's not that difficult to shoot in 3D. I love it when a film draws you in and you become part of the experience, and 3D helps immerse you in that film".
Luckily for me I have a friend that works at a Regal movie theater and get to see a lot of free movies while at home. This means that if the movie ends up being bad I can walk away with no guilt. Being guys, my friends and I had to go see Immortals while over break. Roger Ebert called Immortals "the best looking awful movie you will ever see."
I will support this statement. The plot was a twisted mess of Greek myth and legend that I will try to summarize. King Hyperion, played by Mickey Rourke (who was not in any trailers so I was surprised when he came on the screen.) is mad at the Gods for "letting" his family die. He rises up from slave status commanding a massive army on a quest to destroy civilization and release these powerful warriors, the Titans, to destroy the Gods. Mickey Rourke will go to a town or village, enslave all its people, and rape all its women. The raping has a purpose, he states in the film that he wishes to leave his mark on history for centuries to come by having many, many children. One villager, Theseus, won't stand for this. Theseus is a great warrior who has gained the attention of the Gods and they assist him on his quest to destroy King Hyperion. With such an epic story comes epic violence.
