Cry for Pixar
Friday, July 4, 2008 ~ 5 Comments
No doubt this will be covered in further detail elsewhere (and to my shame I can’t remember which blog I spotted it on) but this story, buried in the comments on a thread on Metafilter is amazing.
The short version is that, opening viewing one of the first trailers for Wall-E, a girl found herself bursting into tears as she was so moved. She video’d herself doing this, posted it on YouTube, and some Pixar staff found it and emailed her (this was all on a personal basis, not driven through the company at this point). Apparently word got round Pixar and ultimately ends up with the girl and her boyfriend being invited to the staff premiere screening, flown out and put up in a hotel, and then, before they showed the movie, being introduced to the staff as, by that point, everyone knew her story.
Schmaltzy? Yes. But to me it demonstrates the passion Pixar have for their movies.
Having read To Infinity and Beyond!: The Story of Pixar Animation Studios
I never did write up my thoughts about that Pixar book but suffice to say if you enjoy their movies, and are a bit of a geek like me, you’ll LOVE it. It covers everything from business decisions (including why Steve Jobs got involved) through to their commitment to make good movies, regardless of technological barriers.
They are a unique company in many ways, as this story only goes to show.
Round up the usual suspects
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 ~ 6 Comments
I love movies. I love the thrill of them, the cinematography, the way they move you, the way they lift you up and make you soar, or the way they quietly affect you and alter your point of view.
I love big ridiculous blockbusters, loaded with special effects and noises, that don’t care about plot lines or character development, which require you to check your sense of disbelief in at the door.
I love subtle, story-driven movies that pull you along, relying on subtle emotions and plot points to convey a simple message.
I love complex thrillers, twisting and turning, bemusing me as I second guess the next scene, leaving me gasping at the final reveal.
I love old movies, caught in times past, evoking the glamour of Hollywood in lavish technicolour.
There are very few movies I won’t watch. Horror and I don’t get on too well but we have an agreement (I don’t choose to watch them very often, but when I do they try and be smart about how they scare me). And some movies just aren’t really anything, they’re aren’t bad enough to be addictive (all bad things are addictive!) nor good enough to stick in my brain.
I love movies.
Although I fear the tense has changed.
The problem is … and I guess it’s time I confess … well … you see, the thing about movies and I is … well we seem to have had a falling out. One of those “he said”, “she said” arguments that never lead anywhere and start from nothing. I’m not sure how it happened really, I can’t pinpoint it but, well, I guess sometimes you just move on, eh?
Thing is … and don’t tell the movies this… but I kinda miss them, I don’t want to move on. I miss the anticipation, I miss the stories, I miss the happy endings, the sad endings, the laughing and the crying.
Awww to heck with it, movies, if you are out there, and you are listening, please PLEASE COME BACK TO ME!!! Maybe one of my old friends will hear my plea… Shawshank for example, he was always pretty dependable…
Vantage Point
Monday, March 10, 2008 ~ 5 Comments
I always enjoy movies that take a little care to be different and don’t pander to or ‘feed’ the audience too much. Vantage Point manages all this whilst remaining a fairly standard Hollywood blockbuster type movie. The story of a Presidential assasination is played out from several different viewpoints, each one giving us a different view and a little more information as to what is going on. The grizzled veteran bodyguard, the American tourist who gets caught in the middle of the story, to the President himself, each section reveals another twist in the tale before it’s all finally pulled together in a frantic closing section.
Given the restrictions of this method, I was surprised at how well the characters and storyline are slowly filled out. Admittedly there isn’t much room for the actors to be anything other than competent (Sigourney Weaver probably wrapped her entire sessions in a few days), but the assembled cast is experienced enough to give reasonable performances that sit well with the framework of the movie, even if some of the scenes become a little far-fetched (there is a little too much "American pride" at work here on occasion).
Despite the repetition, the pace of the opening sections remains high and as you aren’t being spoonfed too much, you are constantly scanning the screen for information. I’m not sure exactly how many takes each scene took, but there had to be multiple units shooting different people at the same time as you can see characters in the background of some shots that certainly don’t look like they’ve been re-shot.
Of course it’s worth bearing in mind that this is a Hollywood blockbuster, so whilst the style and execution of the movie is well handled, the story is a little predictable. Still, I consider the suspension of disbelief to be an essential part of the cinema going experience and if you like a good distraction then I’d happily recommened Vantage Point.
1-18-08
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 ~ 33 Comments
I think I’m safe, for now. Wherever I go it isn’t long before they find me.
It seems The Mezin are connected to every aspect of humanity, from culture and religion to our most advanced technology
I have to be more careful contacting all of you. When I began I thought I could safely speak about his writings and perhaps save us all…
but now it seems I will have to find a more subtle way to share his visions.
If this is the first message you have received from me do not give up hope! There are others that have gone before you, the way has been found, you only need to search and you will find the answers you seek. We will all have a role to play. We are getting stronger, our voices will be heard!
I have more of Haas’s writings, once I find a secure way to transmit them I will leave you clues to find them.
The more I read the more I realize Haas was right………
United 93
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 ~ 5 Comments
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
Having cancelled our UGC/Cineworld monthly passes towards the end of last year, we’ve kind of fallen away from watching movies at all. However we are now getting to the point that the movies coming on TV (via Sky Movies) are ones that we missed at the cinema, starting with this one.
It’s the story of the final flight that was hijacked on September 11, 2001, the flight that didn’t hit the intended target. The passengers decided to fight back, and the plane crashed in a field. No-one survived.
Putting aside certain issues - at what point do movies like this cross the boundary from ‘faction’ into documentary - it’s a hugely engrossing and moving film. Shot in a very documentary like fashion, we see all sides of the story in real-time. The incredulity that quickly turns to a stunned fear on the part of the ‘officials’ involved at the FAA, and in the military, the spreading fear and anger that permeates the aircraft itself, and the determination and nervousness of the terrorists themselves.
Of course the movie is entirely made up of guesswork, most of which comes from the transcripts of calls made by people on the flight to their loved ones back home. However, by keeping the flight and it’s passengers central to the movie, you are never given any let up in the tension, and this leads to a hugely affecting movie. Despite knowing how it ends, I did begin to feel myself drawn in, to begin to hope that the passengers would be able to wrest control of the plane itself. The final moments are shattering.
This movie caused a lot of commotion when it was released, but I suggest it’s a movie that should have been made when it was, and one that should be watched.
Dead Man’s Chest
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 ~ No Comments
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
It’s hard to be critical of a movie like this, a movie which is hugely tongue-in-cheek and which is the middle of a trilogy. As it happens this isn’t a bad movie, but I think it suffers from having to both live up to the mark set by the first movie whilst balancing the storyline to allow for the third movie to happen.
But, as I say, it’s hard to be critical. If anything it’s slightly too long, some scenes could’ve been cut as they didn’t really add much, and feels just a little too contrived at times… but then along comes Johnny Depp, or Bill Nighy (or Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd who I recognised immediately somehow…) or even.. wait for it.. Keira Knightley! Yes, I thought she was quite good in her slightly expanded role, not to mention bloody sexy at certain points.
It’s worthwhile remembering that this is a Disney movie, so you are as well to sit back, enjoy the ride and not look too closely at the papier mâché mountain.
X-Men 3
Monday, June 5, 2006 ~ No Comments
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
I’m a big fan of Bryan Singer. He may not be the best director ever but there is a certain style and realism he brings to his movies that I like. He’s very adept and camera sleight of hand and seems to have the right ‘image’ in his head.
Just a pity that, after the first two X-Men movies, he didn’t do this one.
I think the main problem with X-Men 3 was that it was just too formulaic. Too calculating, and ultimately too damn insulting.
Without giving any plot away, there is a shot right after the death of one of the characters. It’s a poignant moment but it’s just so very clumsily handled. We get some gentle classical music, as the camera slows pans back out of the, now, empty room.
The annoying thing is that this SHOULD have been the best of the 3 movies. It was all nicely setup in X-Men 2, the closing scene of the phoenix swooping under the lake setting the scene. Unfortunately it was all a bit flat and there was a distinct lack of surprise or suspense. Even in the action scenes you knew what was going to happen, there were no surprises, it was all to familiar.
So, now matter how good the special effects were (and they were good), and no matter how climatic the storyline was (and it was VERY climatic) it never really gripped you, sucked you and pulled you along. Instead you are left thinking, “Well, *I* could’ve directed that…”.
Shame.
