Top Twenty (Part One)

Once again, I've decided to re-visit my favorite films of all-time. 
This time, my focus is on my top Eleven through Twenty. 
Now this has been a very interesting process, one that has taken me 
far longer than you might have expected. 
I've just never had to do this before, and the resulting experience 
has been challenging, but it has also been eye-opening. 


Now remember, this list is in no particular order...
But there are SEVERAL films that did not make the cut. 
It was an intense process. 


Due to the massive amount of dedication and writing, 
I've (once again) decided to split this list into two parts. 


Let the countdown begin...




The Last Samurai (Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, 2003)

I'm trying to figure out what it is about The Last Samurai that I liked so much. But it's increasingly difficult to find just one definitive factor. It was probably the way that this movie made me feel. The journey that the character took, and what his experiences in a small Japanese village would make out of him. 


The Last Samurai is the story of Nathan Algren, a veteran of the Civil War who is captured during a ferocious battle with The Samurai. The courage that Nathan shows while surrounded by his enemies allows Katsumoto (the Samurai leader) to spare his life. Taken as a prisoner of war, Algren is confused as to why he's still alive, and held captive in this small Japanese village. Eventually, Nathan and Katsumoto share some commonalities and Algren becomes attached to the friends and people he's met in the village. He embraces their culture and their way of life.


That's the summary in a nutshell, but like all great films, one cannot simply explain the plot, it must be experienced for yourself. 


If you haven't seen it yet, or are worried that Tom Cruise might find a couch in the village to jump on...worry no more. He actually turns in a great performance and he drives this powerful film that takes a fantastic look into a forgotten culture. 


I honestly can't recommend this movie enough, and trust me, I certainly wasn't expecting it to be as great as it turned out to be. 



Final Comments: Highly Recommend. Not For Everyone. 




King Kong (Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, 2005)

There was definitely more than a couple raised eyebrows when Peter Jackson announced to the world that he would be remaking King Kong back in 2004. Coming hot off of his Lord of the Rings Trilogy, there were very high expectations indeed, especially for a movie of this caliber.

Well it's safe to say that he met everyone of those expectations, and in my opinion, he exceeded them.

King Kong tells the story of Ann Darrow, a struggling vaudeville actress who gets the movie role that will change her life forever. Set in 1933, the film showcases a New York during The Great Depression as well as the infamous Skull Island, where the ambitious filmmaker Carl Denham would bring his crew and eventually run into the mighty Kong.

The premise seems silly, and it always has to me.

But I believe that no matter how incredible the spectacle and special effects may be in this movie, the real drive of the film is the characters and the relationship between Ann and Kong.
Which is what thrusts this film to the one of my top spots on the all-time list.
Being able to relate to a 25-foot ape was never one of my aspirations or within the realm of possibility for me, but Peter Jackson makes it possible.
As well as making a damn good movie.

If you haven't seen it yet, this is definitely one to rent or buy on Blu-ray!

I will never forget the first time I saw King Kong. 
Or should I say, the ending of King Kong.
I really cannot explain it in words how powerful it was,
but trust me, there was nothing like it.
It's one of those movies that "gets me" everytime.

And I'm certainly glad that it did.


Final Comments: I Believe Everyone Can Find Some Value In This Film.




Inception (Leonardo DiCaprio, Joesph Gordon-Levitt, 2010)

I'm sure most of you have experienced the 2010 mind-bending classic known as Inception.
Well I'm hoping you have at least.

If not, hopefully you know the drill by now.

Stop Reading.
Get Up.
Buy It/Rent It.
Watch It.

Okay, are you back?
Good.

Inception (set in the present) tells the story of Dominick Cobb, a skilled "dream thief" who specializes in entering the mind through dreams and stealing information. Cobb is offered a shot at redemption when he is given the chance to perform a procedure previously thought impossible: Inception. The planting of an idea that the subject must believe is his/her own.

Most people refer to this movie as the "dream-within-a-dream" movie.
It was also (lovingly) the subject of many jokes and internet memes.

The truth is: Inception is a damn well done movie.
It's from my favorite director Christopher Nolan, and it was based on his original idea that he's had for nearly two decades.

It's great to see a summer blockbuster that actually makes you think.
Especially one that's completely original.
Inception is well-acted, boasts amazing visuals and has got one of the best scripts in a long time.

Those are just some of the factors why it's included in my Top Twenty.
But like many films, this is one that demands to be experienced on the big screen.
But don't worry... if you missed seeing it while it was in theaters, there's always Blu-ray.

There's talk of a sequel on the horizon over at Warner Bros, but I for one, hope that they leave this gem untouched for now, maybe when the prospect of a sequel evolving naturally over the years (i.e. Tron: Legacy) will I concede.

For now, it's a great standalone film, and an experience largely unlike anything that's come before it.



Final Comments: While It May Prove Confusing For Some, It's A Great Experience.





The Harry Potter Saga (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, 2001-2011)

I'll assume that you've seen, heard or at least heard of Harry Potter and are aware of the story.
What you might be curious about however is the fact that I'm including 8 movies in a spot meant for one.


Well I really couldn't justify doing it any other way.


I do have a favorite Harry Potter film, in case you were curious (well actually I have two),
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.


But I feel that the series is amazing as a whole, and it's a very incredible journey to see these characters grow and learn over eight films and ten years of movies.


So why is Harry Potter on your Top Twenty list?


Well first I'd like to thank you for that hypothetical question...and for raising your hand.


The truth is: I wasn't a big HP fan when the film series first came out. It actually wasn't until Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets came to DVD (early 2003) that I finally watched the first two movies.
I didn't expect to enjoy them as much as I did, that's for sure. But of course, I loved them, and couldn't wait for the next one(s).


It's just a great series.
I know that I can't convince anyone that you're going to enjoy it, because the truth is, if you haven't seen the movies yet, you probably never will (or are trying very hard to avoid them).


Harry Potter is impressive for a couple of reasons:

One: It's the #1 film franchise in history.
Two: It has managed to create eight films, while still keeping the integrity of the books and the public's (massive) interest.


This is a series that I'm constantly appreciating for its impressive and its dynamic storytelling.
But it's not for everyone.

Like The Lord of the Rings, I believe the appeal of HP to be emotionally broad, while simultaneously limiting  to largely those who like the fantasy genre. I find that if an average person were to give the series a chance, they might find themselves along for the ride and enjoying it for what it is.

But, hey, what do I know?


Final Comments: Not For Everyone, But A Very Fun And Engrossing Franchise.




Marvel's The Avengers (Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, 2012)

The Avengers.... 
Wait that just came out last week!? How can that be on your All-Time list?


This film proves that my All-Time List is constantly evolving,
unlike many All-Time Lists that came before it (I'm looking at you, AFI).
Sometimes people are fixated (obsessively, I would say) on "the classics".
While the classics are always good, I believe that sometimes people need to
embrace "the new" and let other movies move them or excite them as much as
"the classics" did. Just a little side note.

Yes, Marvel's The Avengers came out less than two weeks ago (at the time of writing this),
but that doesn't stop me from declaring that it's an absolutely fantastic film
and it definitely deserves to be included on my "All-Time" List.

I won't bother recycling the plot because I'm sure everybody and their great-grandma has seen the previews/tv spots but believe me when I say Writer/Director Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity) really has done something amazing here...

This movie's got everything.

-Great Visuals (AMAZING)
-Character Development
-A Sense of Humor
-A Fantastic Script

It really is a great movie, I can't repeat that enough.
But I would if I could!

Experience it anyway that you can!

3D, 2D, IMAX, D-BOX...

Whatever!

I've seen this film in every possible format, and it's just as amazing every time!
(This is my new favorite D-BOX movie however).

As well as the aforementioned reasons above, The Avengers is just a great time at the movies. It's pacing is so slick that you barely even notice the 140 minute running time.

I've officially declared it as my favorite Marvel film (by far), and it's my favorite superhero movie only behind Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

Suffice it to say, I haven't been this entertained at the movies in a very long time and cannot wait for the sequel (tentatively scheduled for Summer 2015).



Final Comments: See It. Now.



Stay tuned for Part 2 of the countdown!

Top Twenty (Part Two)

Welcome back for Part 2!




The Dark Knight (Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, 2008)

What is there to say about what is largely considered to be one of the best sequels ever made?
As I've made apparent in my original Top Ten List, Batman Begins is in my opinion, slightly better than
The Dark Knight, but this does not mean, by any means, that it is a bad movie.
In fact, quite the contrary.

I'm sure that if you're reading a blog about movies, you've seen The Dark Knight.
But on the off chance that you haven't...
Make its viewing a top priority of yours,
you definitely won't regret it.

The Dark Knight is every bit as dark, realistic, and gritty as Batman Begins.
What sets it apart is its message.
The first film in the trilogy dealt with what it truly means to be a hero,
and how actions speak much louder than words ever could.
It was the origins of one of the most infamous characters ever created.

The Dark Knight effortlessly expanded on the mythos of the first film. Its message was darker and  more complicated, speaking volumes about the thin line between good and evil.
It also presented the titular character with a threat he had never encountered before,
not a physical threat, but a psychological one.
The Joker.
A character brilliantly portrayed by the late Heath Ledger (who won an Oscar for his performance).

Once again, the script is fantastic, and the performances are top notch.
This film really raised the bar for the superhero movie as well.
Now every time a story is released about a superhero story getting a reboot
(i.e. Man of Steel (2013) The Amazing Spider-Man (July 2012) Fantastic Four (TBD), Daredevil (TBD))
we hear that they want the film to be "darker, grittier, more realistic, like what Batman did".

Christopher Nolan has a natural knack for dwelling into the central character of Bruce Wayne and making him a fascinating character to watch evolve and grow. Character really is his strong suite, and it's largely why his universe works so well. I'm not sure if his vision of the Batman universe will ever be able to be topped (when Warner Bros inevitably reboots the franchise).

Like many of the films that I love, I recommend that you see them instead of reading about them,
so get out there and experience it!

Plus you gotta be prepared for the end of trilogy this summer!

The Dark Knight Rises, the final film in Christopher Nolan's trilogy, opens July 20th.



Final Comments: Great Performances, Great Script, Great Movie.





Gladiator (Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, 2000)

Gladiator.
Alright now here's a seemingly random title on this list.
Well, I suppose it's not any more random that The Last Samurai, is it?
So I take that back.

Gladiator is a period epic that focuses on the General Maximus (brilliantly played by Oscar Winner Russel Crowe), who would become a slave, and eventually a Gladiator, in Ancient Rome under the rule of "Caesar". A small description but if you haven't had the opportunity to experience this one yet, I don't want to give too much away.

Director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) really knocked this one out of the park, and it ended up taking home a few well-deserved Oscars (including Best Picture).

What I love about this movie is the way that it makes me feel. I mean I could go into this one not being in the best mood and when it got to the end of the movie (although there is much drama throughout the film) I would feel a sense of hopefulness and serenity. It's very hard to explain but once you see the movie I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

Overall though it's definitely a solid movie all around.
Not to mention, it has a great score by Hans Zimmer that I still listen to all the time.

Ridley Scott really nailed the emotion in this one.
What I love about this movie is the array of different ways that it makes you feel.
There's great action, so that's good for action lovers.
There's also a solid love story.
Great drama.
Not to mention it has a sense of humor to it and it doesn't take itself too seriously.

These are just some of the reasons that it's one my favorites.
Get out there and see it for yourself!

This film seamlessly puts you into ancient Rome as well, like it doesn't even try.
You are in the period, it's rather hard to describe over text, but you absolutely
believe everything you're witnessing as though it really could have happened.
It's pretty rare for a movie to make you feel that way,
and I definitely feel that Gladiator succeeds in doing this. 

It's a little graphic at times, so prepare yourself.
Hope you like/liked it though!



Final Comments: A Tad Too Brutal For Some, But A Very Powerful Movie.



The Others (Nicole Kidman, Fionna Flannagan, 2001)

There were many of my favorite movies that did not make it to this list, I assure you.
I literally spent hours trimming down my favorites.
Some were very hard to lose, and it took some convincing on my part to lose them anyway.
The Others was never close to being lost.
Not even for one second.
I love this movie, and I probably always will.

But what makes it so special?
Isn't it just a scary movie with Nicole Kidman?


Ah.
Well, the simple answer to that question is No. The Others is not simply another scary movie.
Like The Sixth Sense (which made it to my Top Ten), The Others is an expertly crafted psychological horror film. As well as being much more than that. But we'll get to that in a second. First allow me to summarize the plot for you.

The Others takes place in The Jersey Islands in the mid-1940's. Nicole Kidman plays Grace, a wife and a mother of two, who is patiently waiting for her husband to return from World War II. She is literally confined to her house because her children suffer from a rare (real) disease which causes them to be allergic to sunlight. Grace soon begins to suspect that they are not the only ones in the house; she begins to think the house may indeed by haunted.

What I absolutely love about this film is the atmosphere that it creates. The atmosphere of a horror film, or psychological horror film, is absolutely essential to the overall tone of the film.
This is where The Others shines.
Its period setting along with the fact that the characters use candlelight as opposed to electricity really adds to the mood and the tone of the film.
The natural elements also play a huge role here, especially the fog.
The fog really is essential to the story, and the director's use of it is amazing.

Now I don't want to hype this one up for you too much,
because if you haven't seen it, I don't want you to hate me if you don't like it as much as you'd like to.

And I honestly wouldn't expect you to.

This is one of those movies that hit me on a very personal level,
so I wouldn't expect you to absolutely love it like I do.

I would highly recommend it however.
This is a movie that has the power to transcend the horror genre and exist as a film that can be labeled in many different genres. There's great drama here, and the delicate relationships between the characters makes this film feel very real and poignant.

I won't say anymore.
But The Others is available on Netflix Instant Streaming if you want to check it out!

In case you were curious, some other titles that were vying for this spot were:

-The Machinist (2004)
-The Ring (2002)
-The Shining (1980)
-Se7en (1994)
-Buried (2010)

Definitely check these ones out too if you haven't seen them yet!




Final Comments: Full Of Plenty Of Thrills And Dripping With Atmosphere,
This One May Surprise You.




Stranger Than Fiction (Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal. 2006)

Things get a little more interesting as we make our way to the end of the list.
And I'm guessing that you didn't expect this one to be on here.
Don't worry, I'm not crazy, and this isn't a typo or an accident.

Stranger Than Fiction is actually one of my favorite Comedy-Dramas,
and maybe, just maybe, it could be one of yours too.

Stranger Than Fiction is the story of Harold Crick, a lonely IRS agent who is suddenly wise to the fact that his life, and everything that he does, is being narrated by a disembodied woman's voice. That voice is scarily accurate about Harold, who he is, and what he does everyday.
Unfortunately for Harold, that voice has just inadvertently told him that he is going to die.

Thus begins the story.

Stranger Than Fiction is actually one of only three Will Ferrell movies that I like (Step Brothers and Anchorman are the other two). It's very well done, and its fascinatingly original premise was one that I found myself immediately drawn to.

It contains some great performances by actors like Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman, and Will Ferrell is actually great in a "semi-serious" role, which sort of blew me away (much like Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

As well as the performances, I admire this movie for so easily switching between Comedy and Drama, as though it doesn't really know what it is, but whatever the film is trying to make you feel, it completely succeeds in conveying those emotions.

It's a fascinating little movie, one that I believe I'll always admire for its originality and heart.

There were a lot of comedy-dramas that were considered for this spot like:

-The Science of Sleep (2006)
-Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)
-Being John Malkovich (1999)
-Sideways (2004)
-Up In The Air (2009)


Yet, I found myself constantly coming back to Stranger Than Fiction as the obvious choice.
And now when I finally put it on here, I'm confident that I made the right choice.



Final Comments: A Little Gem That I Hope You're Able To Find Value In.



Titanic (Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, 1997)

Only one more spot left, and I couldn't see it going to any other movie.
I kept coming back to this one in my mind, and after seeing it on the big screen this past April,
it only reaffirmed why I consider Titanic to be one of my favorite movies of All-Time.

Everyone knows the story of Titanic, so there really isn't any point in rehashing the plot.
If you don't like Titanic, hey, there's not much I can do about it.
I guess all I can do is apologize, because I really can't justify not loving the hell out of this movie.

I think what impressed me the most about the film, even at a very young age, was its scope.
The whole experience, everything about Titanic felt like it was huge, and it certainly was.

Paramount took a huge leap of faith when James Cameron proposed a film with the biggest budget
of any film. Ever (at that time). This was a film unlike any the world had ever experienced,
and director James Cameron was the only man who could have done it justice.
It was his vision that made the film work.

Now of course there are the iconic moments,
such as Leo's infamous declaration: "I'm the king of the world!!"
to "I'll never let go, Jack"...

But overall I believe Titanic is an exercise in great, absorbing, filmmaking at its absolute finest.

What makes this movie fascinating to me, is the fact that there's something in this for everybody.
It sort of hits every demographic and every age group, which is a feat that this is not easily achievable.

-There's a great love story.
-It's a period piece.
-It's based on actual history.
-There's great drama.
-There's brilliant action/high stakes.

Its universal appeal is what it makes it stand out in a lot of people's minds.

I fell in love with this movie from the very first time that I saw it when I was 9. I knew I witnessing a great movie, and I could never really explain what I loved about it, until now of course.

James Cameron is a brilliant director and his level of passion and his eccentricities are something that I can relate to, and as a (hopeful) future filmmaker, it's something that I really admire.

Cameron's next feature film, Avatar, almost made the list, but after much debate,
and due to all the aforementioned reasons above, Titanic definitely deserved the spot.



Final Comments: Highly Recommend. Like Nothing You've Ever Seen.




Well, that's all folks.
We've come full circle,
and now you know my Top Twenty movies of all-time (as of May 2012).

I really hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
If you have any comments, please feel to let me know!

How Many Moviegoers Does It Take To Screw In A Light Bulb?

I stumbled upon THIS article recently, and it led me to do some pondering of my own. 
Having been an avid fan of films for my entire life, I have come to be more rigid and inevitably more biased when it comes to my choices and opinions of cinema.
Ideally, it shouldn't be this way, and I understand this.
I should want to see every movie that Hollywood produces and tries to sell me on. 
But unfortunately, there's a problem with that. 


A big problem. 


Some movies are just plain awful. Unfortunately, there really isn't an unbiased way to approach that subject, so I figured I would just be honest and clear. 


Some movies are terrible. Well let's use the word terrible to be nice. We wouldn't want to use any other words to describe them, as this is a PG-13 rated blog. 


It's the truth. 


But moviegoers understand that not every movie that they pay to see will be gold. 
Sometimes, movies are a gamble, one that does not pay off...for anyone. 


But the scary thing that I've come to find is, in spite of what I have learned and what Hollywood might want me to believe, there are a LOT of crappy movies out there. 
And their presence and numbers far outweigh the great, good, or even decent movie choices.


But why is this?
How could this have happened?
Who would want this sad but true fact to be the norm in our society?


The answer is: We caused this. 


But how is this possible, you might ask?


Allow me to explain. 


Pretend that Hollywood is a small child, and doesn't know any better than to cry and scream when it wants attention. 


Now pretend that the movie-going community (us) is this child's mother. 


Now let's also pretend that the crappy movies that no one really likes, yet continues to see on a weekly basis, is the child's constant cries. 


The child keeps crying for attention, and the mother keeps giving that attention to him. 


Again. 


And again. 


And again. 


The child doesn't know any better, all it knows is that by crying, it can get all the attention (money) that it needs and by understanding this primitive and rudimentary formula, it will continue to do so until a change in behavior by the mother can be seen. 


Ah metaphors, you gotta love em. 


Hopefully this makes sense. 


We are causing this problem. Everyone keeps complaining about how many bad movies are out there, yet almost every single weekend, those same crappy movies that are the source of negative attention keep appearing on the Top Box Office Reports. 


-The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
-Underworld: Awakening
-The Devil Inside
-Contraband
-The Vow
-New Year's Eve
-Little Fockers


...Should I go on?


-The Roommate
-Hall Pass
-Clash of the Titans
-Valentine's Day
-G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
-Meet the Spartans
-Baby Mama
-Semi-Pro
-Max Payne


You know what all of these movies have in common?
They were all number one at the box office the week that they came out. 


We are causing these movies to be made, and get sequels.
Because we're feeding Hollywood all the wrong signals. 


"Oh you guys like this crap? Let's make more! Let's make a lot more! It's what the people want!"


Money talks. 
And there really isn't a more prevalent example than the screaming that money does in Hollywood. 


I believe that the system can be changed if we speak up about this! Just like we vote for our President and Governor, we have the ability to show the big studios that we don't really want all this crap that they think that we want. 


It's a vicious circle, 
one that will literally continue as long as movies do, unless we put a stop to it. 


But what can you do to stop it?


Well there's a couple of ways to solve this problem.


One: Check out the reviews. 

Reviews have the ability to tell you if you might like this movie. Now as I mentioned in an earlier blog, reviews aren't always accurate, but for the most part, you're going to be able to tell if it's an award-winner, or a piece of crap. 


For instance, if you went on Rotten Tomatoes and saw that the movie you were thinking about seeing is getting a 2% (which happens a lot more than you may think), do you think you'll enjoy that movie?


NOPE. Probably not. 


Jack and Jill, the abomination starring Adam Sandler, garnished a mere 3% on Rotten Tomatoes. 


It ended up winning every single Razzie Award it was nominated for (more awards than are categories).


And still this movie got $25,000,000 on its opening weekend, on its way to $150,000,000 worldwide by the end of its run. 


This is the message that we're sending Hollywood, people. 
That THIS is the kind of crap that we want to see all the time. 
If they could do it, I'm sure 99% of the people who saw that movie would want their money back.


Two: Think before we leap. 


Let's use our brains, and not be motivated by factors that we have complete control over. 
Watch the previews. 
Read summaries.
Look at the poster.
Be informed about the movie. 


Let's not go in blind here. 


Maybe wait a week and then ask your friends what they thought of it?


There's a lot of possible solutions to the problem. 


The Studio's Side:


Now the studios are gathering the information and studying what makes money and throwing their money into a lot of crap these days. 


I've come up with a theory about how the studios could solve the problem as well. 


You know how it seems that like twenty five movies come out every week?
Well the majority of those twenty five movies are going to be crap, because they are hastily written and thrown together as fast as possible to make a quick buck. 


I feel like if all that apathy was eliminated and boiled down into one or two GOOD movies a week, we might be off to a good start here. If we took the resources, willpower, writers and money and the studios allowed a little more time to actually hire good directors who care about the project, this might be a step in a very good direction. 


I think that audiences will appreciate the time that is spent on this films and the studios might realize that making GOOD movies, movies that everyone can appreciate, can be rewarding and will still make a profit for them. 


We see this happening a few times a year, but I believe that ALL or at least MOST of films made today have the ability to be good, if the appropriate amount of time and energy is put forth into those projects. 




There's a lot more that can be said, but alas, it all boils down to the same point. 
No more enabling. 
Let's nip this problem in the bud and show the studios that we're smarter than they think we are. 

Immersion: 3D

"What the hell is 2D?"

If you find yourself asking this question when you go to the movies and looking at the options flashing on that sign, don't worry, you're not alone.

I should however, take this time to welcome you to the year 2012.

There are an array of different ways to experience a film now.
As opposed to the way it used to be.
Which was just:

You go to the movies.
The end.

Well now when you go to the movies, after hearing all those people who used to do the mentioned description above complain for ten minutes about the prices of everything,

You can see (certain) movies in:
-3D 
-IMAX
-IMAX 3D 
-D-BOX (Motion Seats)
and of course, good old 2D (which is just a regular film, i.e. two dimensions (sight and sound)).


So what are these formats exactly?


They're not entirely just a brilliantly concocted scheme by the Hollywood studios and directors to get more money out of you, although I know we'd all like to think that.
And because sometimes it's true.
But note the sometimes.
Not all the time.

So where to begin?

Well instead of talking about every possible avenue of immersion in modern cinema,
I'll break the experiences down into the two most popular categories.

3D and IMAX.


3D

The origin of 3D goes all the way back to 1915.
Back then, its existence was limited to little more than a rarity however, due to the fact that the technology and the hardware was very expensive at that time.
The interesting technology would be temporarily abandoned until the middle of the 20th century.
It wouldn't be until the 1950's that the popularity of 3D movies really began to surge.
Back then, the technology was still primitive, and it was largely used as a gimmick in horror movies and whatnot. I'm sure you've seen this "older" technology a few times or at least seen those cheesy blue and red glasses.

If you don't know what 3D is exactly, basically it's a system that uses technology to trick the eye to make an image on a flat surface appear as though it has depth.

Although it's been around for ages, in 2006 the world was formally introduced to a more advanced form of 3D known as the Polarization System. This is now the standard for all 3D films.

Since I don't want to bore you with every possible detail, check out a brief history of 3D HERE.

In 2009, everything we knew about what 3D could be changed.

With the creation of "Avatar", director James Cameron wanted the audience to feel immersed in the world that he meticulously crafted. With this aspiration came the Fusion Camera System that Cameron himself along with Vince Pace created specifically for Avatar.

The technology allowed the viewer to feel as though they were actually visiting the world of Pandora, just as the characters in the film were. Instead of throwing things at the audience and using the 3D technology as a pure gimmick, viewers felt immersed in the film, helping to allow the film to feel like a spectacular event when seen in 3D. It was an experience literally unlike any other that had come before it.

Now since Avatar was filmed in 2007, (it took two years for all of the special effects and post-production to be completed) James Cameron lent the technology that he created to other studios that had seen what the system could do. So before Avatar was released in December of 2009, films like The Final Destination (2009) and Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) were filmed using Cameron's Fusion System.

Both of these films were praised for the 3D effects, however like so many 3D films that come before them, these directors and filmmakers were using the 3D as more of a gimmick than anything else.

Since Avatar, 3D has exploded in popularity, and for a while it seemed that 3D had the ability to change movies forever, or at least that's what the ambition and technical accomplishment of Avatar would tell us.

But then, a mere three months later, the world would be introduced to the fiend that would part the film-going community right in half.

With Avatar, audiences saw an amazing experience unlike any they had seen before.
But for a lot of the studios, all they saw was that people were going to pay more for 3D,
so that's what they were going to give the masses...by any means necessary.

Big Mistake. 


Enter: Clash of the Titans (2010).


With the release of Clash, audiences were introduced to the process (*cough* abomination *cough*) known now as the post-conversion. Essentially what this means is that the film is not filmed with 3D cameras, and most be converted to 3D afterwards using computers and many meticulous hours of labor.

Alright, so not all post-conversions are terrible.

But this one was.

It sucked.

Like, imagine writing a twenty-five page paper on the subject of carrots
and their effects on modern day society, whilst in hell.

SUCKED.

Warner Brothers just didn't know what they were doing.
It was as simple as that.

All they knew was that Avatar made 2.7 billion dollars and they wanted a piece of that.
So what they did was have the film hastily post-converted as fast as humanly possible in order to make its planned release date and be able to boast that it was in 3D.
The process of post-conversion can take anywhere from six months to almost a full year to be done right (i.e. Titanic 3D, The Green Hornet).

Clash of the Titans was done in a little less than one month.

The result was a film that had virtually no extra depth and was not immersible at all.
It wasn't even gimmicky.
It was just bad...and blurry.

The reactions were incredibly negative.
So negative in fact, that a lot of people were convinced that this is what 3D was, completely putting Avatar out of their minds, and the experience that it brought to the table.

But it made money. 500 million dollars.

So the studios didn't stop there.
And neither did the audience backlash against 3D.

Two years later, and here we are.
A mixed bag of movies that are properly filmed in 3D like:
Tron:Legacy
Hugo
Coraline
How To Train Your Dragon
Pirates of the Caribbean:On Stranger Tides
Transformers:Dark of the Moon
Prometheus

hidden in a sea of films that are post-converted to save money like:
Thor
Captain America
Green Lantern
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
The Last Airbender
Men in Black 3
John Carter
The Chronicles of Narnia 3
Wrath of the Titans
Priest
Alice in Wonderland
.
...And a whole bunch of people who have yet to experience what 3D has the ability to truly do
because they have been so put off by the post-conversions that do little more than give them a headache.

To be fair, the studios know a little more what they're doing now.
They take their time post-converting, learning from the massive mistake that was Clash of the Titans.
But I agree with James Cameron.
3D is not just a gimmick, it has the ability to make us feel more connected and immersed in the experience.

Is it worth the extra $2 to $4?
Absolutely.

Just as long as you pick the film that you're planning on seeing in 3D well.
Do a little research before you decide to see it.
The following list HERE will show you all the 3D films to date and the future releases.
As well as whether it was filmed in 2D, or 3D.

Now that you know the history of this fascinating technology,
Please understand that the future of 3D is still uncertain.
And its reputation and capabilities have been shaken.
But you can make a difference in its fate.

Choose well.

Stay Tuned for Part 2!

Immersion: IMAX

Welcome back for Part 2.



IMAX


I'm sure everyone has heard this term thrown around.
But what exactly is this IMAX you speak of?
Sounds like an expensive Japanese speaker brand.


Well IMAX is a little hard to describe in words, as it turns out. 
What I can tell you is that to see a movie partially filmed with IMAX cameras is an experience that you will not soon forget. 


Like 3D, IMAX theaters have been around for a while, the 1970's actually. 
Back then, it was undoubtedly a revolutionary format and an incredible way to experience cinema, 
but it was used only for documentaries that never exceeded 40 minutes in length. 
It wasn't until the year 2000 that the studios started converting their movies to play in IMAX theaters. 


Okay, IMAX is a different way to see movies, but what makes it different than seeing a movie at my local movie theater?


-The standard full IMAX screen is about two and a half times the size of an average movie theater screen.
-The screen goes all the way to the floor, and all the way to the ceiling, completely immersing you. 
-The projector used to screen the film is about the size of a Volkswagen Bug. 
-The IMAX cameras are able to capture a much higher resolution than normal, so the super-massive image
appears much sharper.
-The film size used is 70mm, compared to the standard 35mm size used to project film, (click HERE).
-The increase in resolution allows the audience to be much closer to the screen. 
-The rows of seats are at a very steep angle (up to 30 degrees), allowing every person to be facing the screen directly. 
-IMAX theaters place speakers both directly behind the screen and around the theater to create a three-dimensional effect, so the "laser-aligned" sound experience is unparalleled in quality. 


That's right, you just got nerded on. 




So this amazing, one-of-a-kind experience can be seen simply by walking down to my local IMAX theater any time that I want to?


Not Exactly.


Let's start at the beginning. 



The first IMAX movie that I chose to see was 'Spider-Man 3' back in May 2007.
It was undoubtedly a cool experience but this was before I knew the true power of the IMAX experience. 


I walked out of the theater thinking that what I saw was pretty cool, but I wouldn't see every movie this way, 
especially because to see a movie with "The IMAX Experience" costs $8 to $10 more than a normal movie. 
Also, what I saw didn't fill the whole screen, so I felt like I was a little cheated. 


That all changed in July 2008. 


Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception) is my favorite director. 
And if you read my top ten list, you'll know that Batman Begins is one of my favorite movies. 
So naturally, I was very excited for the release of The Dark Knight that summer. 


But when I heard that Christopher Nolan was using IMAX cameras to film part of The Dark Knight, 
I was very, very intrigued. 


Alright, stay with me here. 


Now, IMAX documentaries (which are actually filmed with IMAX cameras) are only about 45 minutes long because the length of film needs to be about three times longer than a normal film because...well it's a little too complicated to briefly explain. 


But 45 minutes is about as much real IMAX footage as one can currently include in an IMAX release.
So when people are paying to see an IMAX documentary (which up until 2008 was all you can see in true IMAX) they are paying $18 for a 45-minute movie. 


So, The Dark Knight was estimated that 25 minutes of its running time was in true IMAX.


This had never been done before. 


So as I mentioned above, I was very very intrigued. 


So as I made my way to my seat, (first in line naturally, cause that's how I roll) in the Regal IMAX in Dublin, 
a lot of thoughts were going through my head. 


I wasn't expecting to be amazed, I just faith in Christopher Nolan that he knew what he was doing. 


The lights went down, the Warner Brothers logo flashed, at this point the black bars appeared on the top and bottom of the screen (like they do on a Widescreen DVD), and the image filled about half of the screen.


And then...


BOOM.


I'm flying over Gotham City, completely immersed in the film, like I had never been before. 
The screen was way past my feet, past my sides and above my head, 
completely filling my peripheral vision. 
Giving me the sense that I was IN the movie. 


I'm telling you, in those first moments of The Dark Knight, 
I literally felt like I was going to fall out of my chair. 


What a rush. 


The first nine seven minutes were IMAX, followed by many other memorable scenes throughout the film. 
Also whenever the camera pans over Gotham, IMAX cameras are utilized.


Now I know that simply telling you about the experience is nothing like actually experiencing it for yourself, but that's what I want you to do!


You can hear what Christopher Nolan has to say about the IMAX format by clicking on THIS article.


Everyone in the world needs to experience true IMAX for themselves, at least once in their lives. 


Now IMAX cameras are very loud, so they're hard to use in scenes that take place indoors.
IMAX cameras are incredibly expensive (500,000 dollars per camera).
The cameras are very large and awkward, and they require constant changing of film and attention. 


Suffice it to say, IMAX cameras are somewhat of a pain to use. 


But when they are used, the experience is completely amazing. 


But there's a catch.


See, it is a rarity that a film is actually FILMED with IMAX cameras.
So that means that the vast majority of movies that you see advertised in IMAX, are not actually true IMAX, and will not fill the whole screen all the way. 
It will also not be as high of resolution as a film that utilizes IMAX cameras. 


But that's not to say that it's still not a cool experience. 


Because it definitely is, 
I just believe that there really is nothing like experiencing a TRUE IMAX film. 


Now so far there have technically only been three films that have utilized IMAX cameras:


-The Dark Knight (25 minutes)
-Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (10 minutes)
-Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (25 minutes)


I've seen all three of these films on an IMAX screen and they were all great. 


Although it wasn't the complete IMAX ratio, TRON: Legacy featured scenes that were "vertically enhanced" using HD IMAX to enhance 40 minutes of the film to fill the screen almost entirely. 


This was a great experience in IMAX 3D.


The next film to be released in "True IMAX" is Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises which he claims will feature twice as much time in IMAX, amounting to an estimated 60 minutes in IMAX!


Hopefully I'll be first in line for that midnight show. 


Now, some IMAX theaters have converted to digital projectors now. 
Which is actually a problem if you want to experience "true IMAX". 
The digital projectors don't have the capability to fill the screen entirely, 
even with a movie that is FILMED in IMAX. 


So, I've provided you with a list of IMAX theaters that still have film projectors, 
so when you see The Dark Knight Rises in IMAX (because you should!!),
you'll be getting your money's worth, and the best experience possible.
Check out the list HERE.


The next film after The Dark Knight Rises to feature "true IMAX" will be J.J. Abrams' sequel 
Star Trek 2 (which hits theaters May 17th, 2013).






And there you have it. 


The two most popular ways to be immersed in cinema as of 2012. 


Whatever format you prefer, I highly recommend that you try both in their full glory!


Both 3D and IMAX have the ability to make your movie-going experience much more than just a simple ordinary experience. 


But enough talking, get out there and Experience it!


Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises (true IMAX) hits theaters on July 20th. 


Ridley Scott's Prometheus (true 3D) hits theaters on June 8th.

The Last Blog On The Left

Horror movies have always been a source of fascination for me.

I honestly feel that there isn't a genre that splits audiences more.
Either you love them or you hate them.
Or the way I would put it: either you understand them, or you don't.

Now not understanding a genre of movies is not a bad thing, so if you don't like horror movies,
I'm not mad at you or anything.
For instance, I've never been a fan of the sub-genre that is "Gangster Movies".


Why you may ask?


Well it's not just simply the fact that it's about gangsters, that would be far too simplistic of a reason, no the truth is that there's nothing there for me to relate to or better yet, appreciate. Now you may be thinking that there's nothing to appreciate or relate to in horror movies, and I would have to respectfully disagree. If the characters are enticing and based in reality, I can most certainly relate to their problems, drama or personalities. But I find that with the majority of the "gangster movie", all the characters care about themselves and only themselves and are redeemed only by finding out what an asshole they are at the end of the movie, and even then they hardly ever change. And I for one cannot relate to this lifestyle or the majority of the choices that these characters make.

But, it's not a crime not to like certain genres of movies.
It's simply a matter of stating a preference.

'THE "HORROR"'

But I've always been a fan of scary movies. There's just something about being scared in a safe and controlled way that can be very exciting, and fun.

I've seen many theories about why people love horror movies, for instance I read this article, which you can check out HERE. The article basically suggests that we actually enjoy the concept of being scared, as well as the relief from the threat at the end. The article brings up a good point. One that I've been fascinated by for a very long time.

I believe that this love of being scared in a controlled way stems back to the early days of our species as Neanderthals. Back then, our systems/bodies were equipped with a defense mechanism now commonly known as the "fight-or-flight" response. Basically, if there was a very large animal staring you down, your blood starts pumping faster, you're more alert and you're ready to respond. At this point you would have two choices, you can either stay and fight, or take the more logical choice and get the hell out of there.

Suffice it to say, this defense mechanism was very useful for our cavemen buddies.

But the problem is that we still have this defense mechanism to this very day.
But we don't really have an outlet for this anymore, it's been mostly ruled out (probably due to the fact that we don't have lions in our backyards waiting to kill us every day).


I believe this is a core reason that we enjoy doing things that are potentially dangerous, but are also controlled and safe, allowing for a sane outlet for this seemingly bizarre behavior. ( i.e. roller coasters, skydiving, bungee jumping, and of course scary movies ).

Now this theory isn't true for every human being on the planet of course. Like I mentioned earlier, and I'm sure you're very much aware of, some people straight up hate scary movies. They'd rather die than be exposed to a dark auditorium full of ghosts, monsters or whatever may go bump in the...um...theater.

Neither group is wrong or right, necessarily.
And neither group is crazy, no matter how many times you might hear that from your friend who absolutely refuses to see Paranormal Activity with you.

Now besides the reason that dates back to our ancestors, horror movies have the ability to transcend their given genre and become much more than just "scary" movies. The great horror movies, or the horror movies that top my list are the ones that make you think, and really have an emotional core driving the experience.

As opposed to just some crazy guy killing drunken, sex-crazed teenagers for no reason. I'm not a huge fan of these movies, but there's a couple that I have caught myself being entertained by. Like something like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

Hey they're called guilty pleasures, people.
Don't judge.

But for the most part, I enjoy the psychological element of horror movies more than anything else.
Which is why I think that "scary" movies for the most part, get a bad rap.
They're not all "slasher" movies.
Remember the difference between "movies" and "films"?
Well the same rules apply here.
Not all "scary" movies are "slashers", that has its own separate sub-genre.

'THE "SLASHER"'

Take for instance movies like "The Sixth Sense" or "The Ring".
These are actually two of my favorite movies.
These movies are brilliant for their way of creating a thick, brooding atmosphere and experience unlike any other. They make you think and emote, as well as having the ability to provide damn good scares.

There's also:

The Shining
1408
The Others
Shutter Island
The Blair Witch Project
The Silence of the Lambs (Best Picture Winner - 1991)


Oh.
And say what you want about "Paranormal Activity", but those movies do what they were intended to do, scare the s*** out of me, and they do it very well.
The same could be said for something like "The Grudge".
Now this movie got a bad rap, but I understand that it's not for everyone.

I mean I wouldn't take your great-grandma to see it for her 109th birthday,
but if seen with the right understanding of what the movie is supposed to achieve,
and allowing it to take you in and be along for the ride,
I believe that it could surprise you with its level of atmosphere and decent scares.

'THE "PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER"'

Now I could go on forever in defense of the psychological horror genre to people that don't like horror
movies, but to do that would be the equivalent of trying to talk a vegetarian into a hearty bowl of beef stew.


I understand that they're not for everyone, but all I'm asking is to give them a chance.
They're not all "slasher" movies.
And you may actually enjoy them!
I realize that that concept might seem very foreign to someone who is scared to death of watching horror movies, but if you don't have a reason (like my strong dislike of gangster movies, due to the inability to relate to those characters) than you should give them a try!

I know you may have heard this a million times, but you really never know what you like until you try.