In defense of Darwin’s theory
The day of hotly anticipated premiere of your movie has finally came. You're sitting on the best places in the comfortable room, equipped with the latest technology. You are surrounded by your supporters, who are in the same excited about what is happening on the screen, just like you. Ghastly light of mobile phones does not violate the pristine darkness of the hall, and the smell of burnt popcorn does not violate your sense of smell. And most importantly, your ear detects the slightest nuances of a film soundtrack.
Certainly, a lot of the situations, presented above seem no more real than the alien invasion. This is not the case.
The other day the film company Universal has introduced a new service Prima Cinema, which was the latest attempt to Hollywood majors to adapt to rapidly changing market of cinema distribution and home entertainment. For the first time, film lovers will get a chance to see new movies at home on the day of the premiere on the big screen. Naturally, such a pleasure is not cheap: a one-time payment of 35,000 dollars for equipment to receive and decode the signal and another $ 500 for a digital copy of the film, which is provided for a single viewing for 24 hours.
The first reaction of any viewer, who used to go to the movies for $ 8-10, will naturally be a mockery. Nearly one hundred percent of the time this viewer will show the imagination or in the form of assumptions about the inevitable failure of the initiative, or as a pejorative characteristics - "show-off" or practical tips on "HD-ripping the first day." All of this will be to some extent resemble the reaction of a person standing on the sidelines in a cloud of dust from the sports car sped past the cost of a quarter million dollars. That is quite obvious envy.
However, it is this scheme, in the future, has the potential to transform itself from a regular customer to privileges wealthy citizens.
Judge for yourself. Even in its current form service can hardly be attributed to the elite. 35 thousand dollars - the cost of "SUV" in not the most luxurious configuration. Thus, unlike the vehicle equipment will not require any additional investments. As for the session for $ 500, then gathered at his home two dozen relatives and friends, the subscriber will bring almost the price of one "ticket" to the standard. At the same time avoiding all the charms of the public view, as described in the introduction.
Undoubtedly, the scheme to the participation of only one of Hollywood majors, not too attractive. But if there is sufficient interest on the part of users, and it is already locked, and connect it to the other big players. So, come into force natural regulator - the competition, which will eventually reduce the cost and technical devices and pay for a copy of the film.
Of course, services like this in the future will remain in a different price category than the usual trip to the cinema. After all, any services that generate additional facilities should cost more.
Experts about “The Life of Pi” special effects
Leading specialist of the company Rhythm & Hues Phillip Bros on the pages of professional edition VFX Soldier wrote an open letter to "Oscar 2013" winner - director Ang Lee.
Dear Mr. Lee,
Commenting on the situation related to the bankruptcy of Rhythm & Hues, which created an incredible special effects for the film "The Life of Pi", you stated:
"I would like to have the services cheaper, and business - not so cruel. Easy to say but hard to accomplish. Such companies are not so easy to make money. Research and technological development are expensive, and each such studio weighs heavy burden. They have both: good and bad moments, but when it has hard, some studios do not survive. "
In this regard, I note that, despite the fact that research and development activities can be really expensive, and for making movies like yours, it requires modern technology and more computing power, it's not computer chips and hard drives that are so expensive to you. The matter is in artists, that help you create your movies.
So when you say, "I wish to have the services cheaper," - I, as an artist, take it to a personal account. It took hundreds of hours to experienced artists, coordinators and producers have the environment and the characters for the film "The Life of Pi." Not to mention the engineers who wrote the code and built the communication channel R + H. That's where your money gone. Judging by the results of last night you made a great bargain.
By the way, the honor of creating these magnificent sunsets and prospects your operator Claudio Miranda attributed to himself ("Oscar" in the category "Best Cinematography"), a word without thanking to our artists. And the same cartoon characters helped you win the statuette "Best Director." Very nice of you mentioned the team working at the pool. But, perhaps, it was worth to remember about those guys who turned the pool into the ocean and put a tiger into boat?
In the end, it was the work of world level. And after incredibly abusive and negligent representation with the "Avengers" nomination "Best Special Effects", R + H won the award for their contribution to your beautiful film. And at a time when the issue of bankruptcy had sounded from the site, on the national TV, our representative speech was interrupted by the theme song from the movie "Jaws."
Mr. Lee, I truly believe that you are attentive and wonderful person. And the talented director. But I also believe that you and other filmmakers, which have business relationships with us, are completely indifferent to the pain and anxiety that cause artists. Our employers are fighting for receiving illegal subsidies to shoot films on the order of film studios. The magnitude of these subsidies are growing, have a great impact on the market and inhibits the growth of wages in this complex, in terms of the economy. Visual effects to your movie are much cheaper than they should be.
Anyway, Rhythm & Hues fantastic place to work with a really strong group of people who treat their employees honestly and respectfully. As Zoic Studios, a great company, cooperation with which I am proud. But I'm beginning to wonder whether I have cited the example of companies are able to survive in such a hostile environment. Survive if the horror stories about unpaid overtime and illegal methods of recruitment will be the norm, because of the fact that you and your colleagues "would like to have the services cheaper."
With this I can not cope alone. Please join me.
Best wishes and congratulations,
Phillip Bros
Leading Specialist
Evolutionary cartoon (“The Croods”)
Now DreamWorks has its own "Ice Age"! However, without ice and mammoths, but with a family of colorful cavemen and beautiful flora and fauna. The story about this family has pleasantly surprised: it is dynamic, fun, energetic, cheerful, and so on in the same vein, in a word, is not boring.
Thanks to Chris Sanders the cartoon "Croods" is incredibly fun to watch. It is fascinating! So much so that the number of wild punches just stop paying attention. Authors were able to present all of this, so that even in adults there is no hint of irritation.
However, all children and adults will be busy contemplating the beautiful: "Croods" even by the standards of Hollywood titans is very colorful cartoon. Prehistoric jungle beasts with the absurd, forbidding rocks and parched deserts, majestic mountains, vast fields and at the snack heroes visit, we can say, the roof of the world. And most importantly - all the bright colors do not climb into the eyes from the screen, yelling excitedly about what they are colorful and almost fragrant. Beautiful just enough so that it is admire and create the desire to close tired eyes.
When the number of bright colors and shades on the screen starts to go off-scale, the characters get into a bit of gorges, caves or labyrinth. They, too, are fine, but they have a different charm, dark and cold. And so - throughout the film skips on a mad family of incredible locations, as if everything was not in ancient times on Earth, and not so long ago on a very, very distant planet. Which has a great future.
The authors do not forget about the humor! Some moments, mostly in one way or another, affect the militant and conservative (and creative) father of the family, are able to really laugh not only and not as many children as their adult companions. Not behind them and beasts, sometimes carnivorous, sometimes - not very much, but always original. Not to mention the hairy-clawed local satellite - a sort of a small and delicate, and most importantly - funny animal, another sign of a successful Hollywood cartoon.
Unbridled joy that seeks to please the greatest number of people. Celebration of life in the neolithic period, which all are invited. All in all, a wonderful way to spend time - even if you have no children to watch this cartoon.
Crowdfunding: a revolution in the movie?
Recently, we often witness the disastrous failures of movies. And it's not just about the film projects worth hundreds of millions, but even movies with modest budgets. May be it is time to stop cutting budgets of entire genres and attempts to save money, but to adopt some new business model that directly appeals to the viewer? For example, crowdfunding.
For those who are not familiar with the concept of "people's funding," briefly explain its essence. Imagine the kind of web site by logging on which absolutely anyone can leave a detailed description of the project and the exact amount required by a certain date. If the idea is supported by the others, they are using one of the popular payment systems to transfer money. Everyone decides by himself how much he is going to give. If by that date the final amount will be collected, the author of the project can get it and spend, followed up by the report. If the amount is not collected, the project is not well served support, and funds are returned to investors.
To say that cinematography is not familiar with this notion will be not true. For example, in 2012, in this way, David Fincher has collected the necessary funds to continue the work on the animated film "Bandit" who has not interested the major Hollywood film studios. Likewise, in March 2013 were collected money to finance the filming of the full-length version of the popular series "Veronica Mars." And if in case the project of Fincher it was about 400 thousand dollars, so here donations were in millions.
So. What if even the most ambitious movies will begin with crowdfunding? Say, well before the start of filming of the next big-budget film, the studio offers potential viewers to vote for it with their money. Of course, we are not talking about the formation of the entire production budget, which now can be up to two hundred million dollars, but only part of it. Say, one-tenth.
Thus, the basis for any decisions on large-scale investments will be based not on abstract ambitions of unnamed film company managers, who are concerned primarily about holes in the financial statements, and a very real audience's request, expressed in completely tangible form.
This scouting all the more important in a situation where the share of international box office is steadily increasing. According to the size of donations can be with the help of simple mathematical calculation to present the film and the estimated return to a particular region of the world.
Naturally, the donation should not be gratuitous. If now, in the era of "wild crowdfunding" investors receive only souvenirs with symbols of the project and other bonuses depending on the amount, in the future should be provided a clear bonus system.
5 unknown roles of Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz. You all know this actress. But for what movies? Most of you with a great degree of probability among the first will call her brilliant debut in "The Mask" or strong performances in "Charlie's Angels." Someone remembered her recent performances in "Knight and Day" and "Bad Teacher." People always mention her more serious work with Martin Scorsese or remember her wild hair, described insane Charlie Kaufman. That's about all. The most popular and vibrant role that is associated with this actress. But it would be unfair to honor her birthday not think of five other roles of Diaz. Those that are less well known, but not the worse in her career.
1. The Last Supper (1995)
After the success of "Masks" Cameron did not immediately land in a swirl of Hollywood filmmaking. First was the role in the independent film Stacy Title, noting earlier nominated for "Oscar" award for her short film Down on the Waterfront. Once in a motley ensemble cast film, she does not get lost and demonstrated ability to work in teams of equal characters. And yet such ambiguous.
Of all these black trash youth films "The Last Supper" stands still clever content. There being thoughtful conversation about many controversial things, including God, politics, Jews and homosexuals. Instructive, some tough story with a logical ending and long aftertaste.
2. Head Above Water (1996)
In 1996, Diaz was shot in four films: in Feeling Minnesota and Head Above Water she had to play a duet with popular actors, Keanu Reeves and Harvey Keitel, respectively. In She's the One, she appeared in the role of femme fatale, force them into the main characters. And, finally, her small role as a dissolute girl in Keys to Tulsa, often easily found on youtube keyword «sex» and «scene».
The plot of "Head above water" - to match all non-serious thriller, in which something has gone wrong. An occasional corpse unexpected visitor makes heroes unwind this difficult situation to the status of insoluble. Nerves, frustration and stupid things never lead to anything good in situations of this kind. Diaz also does not trouble to wear a lot of clothes and prefers to understand the story in only one bright yellow swimsuit.
3. Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (1999)
By 1999, Diaz has reached the status of a real star. Resounding success “There's Something About Mary” brought her crowd of fans and a nomination for the "Golden Globe". Huge fees and roles in blockbusters were very close, but Cameron still finds time to play in one of the stories of Rodrigo Garcia.
Film about loneliness, which could be directed by Inyarittu if filmed drama is not about dogs, and about women. Also somewhat disconnected with each other stories, which in the end did little overlap. In Alejandro this movie could be a richer and more dramatic. Here too superficial stories with very relaxed final and no accent on heroes.
Diaz plays a beauty, which, unfortunately, can not see. But she does not lose the taste for life and tries to somehow compensate for the lack of vision and at the same time to support her sister.
4. The Invisible Circus (2001)
More or less presenting an image of this Cameron Diaz, it's unlikely you'll be surprised by her appearance in the production of this independent, following roles in big projects like Charlie's Angels and Any Given Sunday. Faith's role was supposedly written for her.
Girl Phoebe (Jordana Brewster) decides to go on a trip to Europe in the footsteps of her deceased sister Faith (Cameron Diaz). The older sister was an activist of many American youth movements of the 70's: hippie, went on strike and have always been at the center of events. But in Portugal, something terrible had happened, and there she killed herself. 18-year-old Phoebe, having escaped from the house, decides to find out what caused Faith to jump off a cliff.
The film is about how easy it is to destroy the perfect image or lose your dreams. Life is not as soft and romantic as it may seem at first glance. The attempt to get to the truth does not always lead to positive results. Sometimes it is worth to accept the loss, no matter how bitter it may be.
5. In Her Shoes (2005)
By 2005, Diaz finally secured the status of a big Hollywood star and for each role receives royalties from six zeros. That does not prevent her in the future to pay attention to smaller projects in caliber, and her images are not limited beauties standing in the frame and fill the void. In Her Shoes - a glaring example.
Tragicomedy about two sisters, ladies adaptation of the novel. One, as it should be - obedient, approximate ugly. Second - Wild Child, drunk and unemployed beauty. And it turned out that they have to live together. Although one even like it. The problem is that the other, then at least and loves his sister, but obviously waiting for her in the direction of movement of work, a stable income and other apartments.
Woman in black, movie review
Young Arthur Kipps London lawyer (Daniel Radcliffe), after his wife died in childbirth falls into depression, which is detrimental to his career. His last chance - a trip to the estate of IL March somewhere in East Anglia. The estate is located in the swamps, on a piece of land, which becomes an island in the tide - a perfect trap, which promptly gets Kipps. Local residents, including attorney Jerome (Tim MakMullan), Kipps trying to send back to London, local moneybags Daly (Kyaran Hinds), by contrast, helps a visitor. Meanwhile, in the house are found ghosts and in the town - dying children, and Kipps tries to understand the dark secrets of IL March.
Of course, the main advantage and disadvantage of "Women in Black" is that it is a film with Daniel Radcliffe. "The boy who survived," became a young man who tries to prove that on the role of Harry Potter his career is not over. In this sense, a trip to Il Marsh - and his chance, though, of course, not the last. Radcliffe switches all over the viewer's attention, but it is worth to his credit, kept a stiff upper lip - by the middle of the picture you forget about Harry Potter and watch Arthur Kipps.
"The Woman in Black" - a picture in which the plot is secondary, but the entourage is primary. The plot of the thriller, say so, is plain, but the film is shot beautifully, rich in fine detail, provided with excellent music, Marco Beltrami ("Scream," "Resident Evil" and so on), and pretty scary. Yes, the techniques, which enjoys full swing producer, have become classics, but the operator Tim Maurice-Jones (who shot classics Guy Ritchie) plays them with great skill. Rightfully deserve applause and artists who have made a picture juicy, dark and truly unforgettable - it wants to stare, it attracts your attention, because the next "Boo!" is particularly impressive.
Another plus, in my opinion - "child" rating. In the film, there is almost no blood or terrible monsters, it is aesthetic, it even can be called intelligent. All evidence of good taste makers.
"The Woman in Black" - a classic example of stories about ghosts, horror, and combining certain theatricality, it is in the tradition of gothic novels. Even if the main role is not starred Daniel Radcliffe, "Woman in Black" could be recommended, including, and not lovers of the genre.
Mirror Mirror, movie review
Indian filmmaker Tarsus Singh gave his adaptation of the infamous tale, trying to maintain a balance between comedy and drama. In the picture there are funny moments of dark elements of the plot, giving a very fresh look at history, we all know very well.
An evil queen wants to love the beautiful Prince, expelling Snow White from the palace. But the girl is not from timid. Her allies are funny gnomes and robbers, but a goal - revenge and restore justice.
Julia Roberts in the role of the Evil Queen, which is almost the best actress in Hollywood and is simply delicious. So much so that even though it is essentially a secondary character in the film, she is still possible to chain almost all of the viewer's attention. She can be as fun, with an innocent smile, and cruel and ruthless. Even in scenes with humor the audience does not leave the impression that the Queen is very dangerous. If you do not believe that Julia Roberts is able to portray the villain, then you'll be pleasantly surprised and impressed by her acting.
The role of Snow White, whose "hair, is black as night" and "skin as white as snow" went to Lily Collins - a young actress with a relatively small track record (she played in "Shepherd" and "Pursuit"), but despite this, she played her character very convincingly, and thanks to some new plot moves almost helped us to show Snow White on the other side. In her attempt to take revenge on the queen, she learned to fence and climb trees better than any actor who played Tarzan.
Generally, some may not like that adaptation is very different from the original source. As such, the fact that the gnomes here are not just hard workers, and a gang of thieves, who were engaged in pious deeds are not, or what the Queen wanted to poison Snow White was not because of her alien beauty. But these innovations and make watching the movie even more interesting. Indeed, sometimes very boring to know in advance that eventually will happen in the next scene.
In the visualization of scenes Tarsus Singh always had good result, it is enough to recall his psychological thriller "The Cage". Surreal colors incredibly beautiful costumes and the atmosphere is present here, but all in moderation. The director does not let himself get carried away, as Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland," which was a great picture, but still more "picture of Tim Burton's" rather than adaptation of Lewis Carroll tale. Here you can feel the original Grimm's fairy tales with just the free interpretation of the director on some of the events. In particular, peculiar, and some Indian films.
Outcome. A remarkable example of comedy, fantasy and drama. All elements of the film run very smoothly, help you get from watching a real pleasure. He just hit a key positive. The picture does not claim the title of a masterpiece, but only leaves a good impression.
The triumph of tradition. Results of “Oscar 2012″
Culminating ceremony of the 84th "Oscar" in general, has not brought any significant surprises. Some sort of surprise caused except that the distribution of a number of awards in technical categories. And this terry stability, absence of live energy - is the main problem and the main Message Boards around the world.
All the winners in the major categories are worthy of their golden statuettes. Well, how can the success of the protest to call Meryl Streep, claimed the "Oscar" for the 17th! time? Does anyone turns to challenge to dispute the victory of Octavia Spencer, created on the screen such colorful image? If anyone dares to question the acting skills of Christopher Plummer, who for 60 years of his career, won Academy Awards for the first time? In the end, hardly anyone would be against the triumph of Jean Dujardin, perhaps, is not endowed with the talent level, Gary Oldman, but very bright flashed in black and white design.
Actually, this very project, which was quite a bold experiment with form in a very straightforward content, of course, worthy of the highest ratings, as well as its creator, Michel Hazanavichus. In short, all five "Oscars" of "Artist" is well deserved.
Much the same can be said about awards of "Hugo", maybe only a small degree of doubt when it comes to the category "Best Special Effects" and "Best Sound". But in the end, the film academy had every right to dispose of their Gold statuettes that way, and no really weighty argument against it is impossible to find.
In a situation where the list of winners was so boring predictable, and the complete absence among participants of the battle for top honors this blockbuster has not caused increased interest in the ceremony, the only hope for its recovery was associated with the return of almost legendary Billy Crystal. After all, his name is associated with the best, in terms of ratings, during the ceremonies of "Oscar".
But alas. His enchanting solo numbers, and full of subtle humor monologues, apparently, in the past. Either the Crystal older and has lost his former ease, whether the writers wrote their texts based on Eddie Murphy and did not alter them for a new leader, but the show did not happen. That is, like there were impromptu and good jokes, but the overall impression was reduced to an unworthy talent of Crystal definition of "nothing."
Of course, record the number of ceremonies performed on the stage looked much better than last year's youth and organically, and that it could lead to name just a joke. But still ... "No way". And even the famous circus troupe, which presented, as stated, the biggest number only emphasized his dullness of what is happening on the stage of cinema Kodak.
Experts have yet to calculate the rankings, analyze and explain the numbers of individual failures. But it is absolutely clear that we need serious reform of the Academy Awards. It's time to dilute the old man with the young blood that will more clearly understand the ossified brains to a new audience expectations and demands of modern times. Indeed, according to statistics, the vast majority of cinema academics - are men from 50 to 60 years and older. And in this age group tend to greatly mistaken about the value of their life experiences to similar events.
Before the screen is sitting a long time since the generation that sees the world through fiber-optic networks, legacy of Steve Jobs and extremely compressed space of Twitter. Just do not call Chris Rock, James Franco and others like them. Try to return Hugh Jackman, for example. And turn to the list of nominees the next "Fast and the Furious."
Midnight Sun scenario overview
Midnight Sun - a new project of NBC channel, a remake of the Israeli series Timrot Ashan (Pillars of Smoke). Lisa Tsverling (ER, Flash Forward, The Event) wrote the script of pilot episode.
Alaska. The town with a population of about 1,500 people. Residential complex "Midnight Sun", which settled environmentalists trying to change life for better. Their community, but rather a sect, is headed by Maxwell Bennett, a charismatic leader with the appearance of Hollywood star. On the sectarians were not paying attention. Until today ... when all 37 people disappeared in unknown direction. They seemed to have evaporated.
To investigate the case is taken Sam Fuller, a deputy of sheriff. Local people used to the oddities of Bennett, but there is a limit. To the surprise of Sam in a few hours of all interested in the FBI, from which comes on the scene agent Leah Kafka. Feds fifteen years closely followed by Maxwell, suspecting him in several acts of eco-terrorism. Bennett owns real estate across the country. His organization received solid contributions. Four years ago, Bennett moved to Alaska, where he founded the "Midnight Sun". Since then, nothing remarkable. The FBI believed that all this time he was getting ready for something serious and the disappearance of people - this is just the beginning of action.
The plot of Midnight Sun can’t be called original. How many TV series / movie about the mysterious occurrences have we seen? Hundreds! However, the script is notable for a rare piece: the main character, Leah Kafka, appears only on the fifteenth page, when a quarter of the history is behind us (in the pilot script - 63 pages). During this time, Lisa Tsverling (Screenwriter) has time to look at Bennett people and walk on their premises through the eyes of four year child, to present a dozen of characters, to initiate an investigation, headed by Sam. If we do not read series description, then we can decide that Sam - the main character. In modern cinema, it is impossible: if the protagonist is not represented in the initial stage, he is obliged to be present in the second. Serial world operates on slightly different rules. But still - a brave and risky move.
Leah - the observer, she does not make decisions, the search for missing directs and coordinates the sheriff Garth Harring. But in order to please and be remembered by the audience, the hero must act, so Leah takes the initiative: poll of local residents, tells them how to organize a search. But her good intentions do not like sheriff, who without the help of "lady in expensive clothes," does well his job. Thus, the writer introduces a line, which is always running - a stranger in a small town, coming into conflict with the local population.
Since Leah is not so simple. She hears strange voices and a bit of suffering hallucinations. Since coming to Alaska, have passed three days, but Leah has not closed her eyes because of the constant sunshine. Her glitches are the blame of insomnia, or something else?
Closer to the finale the girl will establish relations with Sam, with whom she investigates the matter, and they have a number of clues. However, the pilot can’t just go to the blackout. Over the last ten pages of interesting facts emerge about the past of the protagonist, forcing a fresh look at the story. In addition, because of certain events in Leah's suspicions appear that the inhabitants of the town is full of skeletons in the closet. Can she trust them?
Midnight Sun - unhurried detective with good characters and the desired portion of the mystical and mysterious elements. Hopefully, if the channel will order a series, further action is not reduced to the countless secrets for the sake of new secrets, and will emphasize on the characters, atmosphere and stick to more or less verified storyline.
“Hugo”, movie review
The boy orphan Hugo lives in a small room in the Paris train station. All day long he was watching undergoing people, where everyone has their own thoughts, feelings and goals, whether it's florist, head of the station cafe with a cute little dog in her arms, a librarian or a lame stationmaster. Only occasionally Hugo secretly sneaks through the crowd and the smoke from the arriving train to find some food and, most importantly, find the missing parts of a very mysterious invention, which once he with his father found in the walls of the city museum.
Before us is a wonderful story where the boy with beautiful blue eyes, innocent, was a link between past and present, between reality and dreams. In this case, filled with fairy-tale movie, where the word fairy tale ends just as the opening credits end, we learn from the inside of what it means to lose something that truly love, and most importantly how to fix within a internal clock mechanism, which lacks only a couple of parts to restore its once-forgotten "I". It's easy slyness of the director with the children's hopes and disappointments, under cover of a Christmas tale, the audience dipped into a thin story about people who love what for them was the meaning of life. No wonder more than once spend an internal parallel with the Polish animated short film "Cinema", which lasts only 12 minutes, but with these minutes reveal the hopes and dreams of a man who puts his life into something that truly loves - in the movies.
Everyone remembers and knows the Lumiere brothers, but how many remember and know those of others who stood at the sources, developed the first steps in making a real run with a distance of "The Future". This film Martin Scorsese removed for all those who love the movie wholeheartedly, as if each shot bringing tribute to all those who once upon a time gave people an opportunity to plunge into something unforgettably beautiful. Something great, thanks to which we can dream, idealize, admire, feel illusion, disappointed, afraid to wait for a happy ending and just keep what each of us dearly. Keep time!


(2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)