Video, Film, and Television

What The World Needs Now Is Thor

by

What the world needs now is a hunky Asgardian beating the crap out of people with a hammer.

Ok, actually this is what Superhero films and the superhero genre need.  After seeing the previews for the Thor movie, I'm not only enthused about it, I think the film has the chance to get Superhero movies out of a rut.

There have been many Superhero films over the last few decades.  Many have been quite good and artistic, often with excellent actors.  Chistopher Reeve's Superman was excellent (and a fun film).  Nolan's Batman was dark and noirish and well-done.  The Rami Spiderman films were pretty good (early on at least) and had excellent casting – I'd in fact say Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus was amazing.  There's a lot of good stuff out there.

It's just it always seems to be the same stuff, over and over.

Read more

The Last Failbender

by

OK, let me put it simply:

  1. The Last Airbender film sounds like a dismal mess.
  2. I haven't seen it, so my commentary is based more on the reactions I've seen and what I think they mean.
  3. Whenever I do see it, I somehow doubt even if I enjoy it, it'll change much of #2.

So, let us ask, progeek and profan-wise, what the incredibly bad reviews and dismal reception for the Last Airbender film mean for future media endeavors.  This is a big enough flop, that I think it bears analysis.

So let's break this down into things I'm sure about and think are possible, and are unsure about.

Read more

The Value of 3D

by

I have an ambiguous relationship with the whole 3D movie/game/tv/whatever trend.  On one hand, I love new gadgets and neat technology, and I like a good spectacle.  On the other hand, it seems like it's becoming an annoying fad and everyone is jumping on the visually appealing bandwagon.  Despite the challenges, despite lousy conversions of 2D films to 3D (Clash of the Titans comes to mind), people are barreling ahead with 3D.  Apparently, there will be a 3D release of "The Last Airbender," which fills me full of dread (taking what appears to be a visually stunning film and running 3D after the fact?  Not good.)

Now, I think 3D is going to be inevitable.  It's approached a fad status, people are interested in visual quality, but I'm expecting 3D to be a very bumpy road for moviemakers, game makers, and hardware people.  The problem is that people don't "get" 3D, they don't ask the question anyone should ask about a new technology, gizmo, process, etc.

Does it add value?  If you don't ask that question you're either ignorant or just trying to jump on the bandwagon.

Read more