3D Blu Ray's high price for depth

Well five weeks ago , I bit the bullet. For a couple of months I had been moaning about our old first generation HD TV. The fates conspired and we found ourselves in the position of being able to afford a newer model. My pick list of must have attributes were that it had to be Plasma, 1080p and 24 fps capable. My wife's condition was that it had to be a 50 inch screen and her reasoning? Well it was practical why replace a 40 inch tv with with a  40 inch surely bigger is better. A flawless argument. ( I wasn't going to disagree with her faultless logic)
    But fate was on our side as due to 2012 new TV lines coming out our local electrical retailer was holding a major TV sale and  we found we could afford a better model than we had previously been considering  a Panasonic with 3D functionality.
    So? I hear you ask.
    Well as each new Home Entertainment breakthrough comes out, were asked to pay a premium. Here that premium is software related. I follow the wonderful  Bill Hunt and his site Digital bits and there have been a number of posts about the poor take up of 3D in the home. Well now that I work in Wellington CBD I can go window shopping which then occasionally and when the wife isnt looking ends up in a purchase. I managed to get three films relatively cheaply, Piranha 3D, Coraline 3D and finally my favourite of the moment Tintin ( I love this movie, Spielberg , Jackson and the magic of Weta). Tintin was the most expensive, at $39.99 and that is a price I can live with.
    So a few facts, the average Blu ray price in New Zealand, non 3D is roughly between $34.99 and $40.00. The first thing you notice is a lack of consistency in pricing. But with 3D content, the prices  have been in the range of $40 - $56.
    3D is cool when done well, when done badly it offers nothing to a movie. Coraline is even more magical in 3D and has become the de-facto demo disc in our house. But I managed to get that for $19 I cant justify any purchase of a  3D blu ray at $56.
    So Mr Studio, if you wanna the format to take off, don't screw us over the pricing. $34 flat, or $56 3D, its a no brainer.

Battleship

Well despite the quiet, I have been attending my local cinema, but I decided that one film was a no brainer, that the hype and its popularity made it review proof. Suffice to say I loved it, that its success is well deserved as it brought out the ten year old in me who grew up on UK Marvels incredible hulk magazine. So thank god for the Avengers and I feel a return trip to the cinema coming on. Special note, in this film the 3D is worth it.
    So Battleship, I saw this two weeks ago as for some reason New Zealand and Australia got the film first. I held off posting on it, because I thought I would hold off until it came out Stateside.
    I knew it was based on the board game, and to be honest it references the game in a clever fashion , its an okay film, its just not a great film. But I'm not going to slam it for that, Transformers to me is not a great movie, but it was a success. There is a lot to like in this movie, but at the same time a lot to hate. Its quite simply a gladiatorial contest between Alien scouts and the elite of the Earths navies, all fought in  a controlled arena whilst an alien scouting party attempts to create a transmitting beacon on Hawaii to communicate to the invasion fleet.
    It''s not Independence day and at times it feels like Michael Bay light, only in that it lacks his excesses and feels more controlled. The first hour feels slow but once the action kicks in the pace picks up. This is a pure popcorn movie, characters are cardboard cut outs, they do stupid things for no reason at all, and then do something outrageously heroic five minutes later. For what it is its okay, but how will it withstand the juggernaut that is the Avengers? I honestly don't think it will, it just can't compete. Put simply having seen both there is good reason why Avengers is doing repeat business.
    

Pirate Band of Misfits

Aardman have that rare quality of consistency in hitting creative highs. From humble beginnings they have developed into one of those great little success stories. They under the skilful guidance of Pete Lord have exercised and developed their imaginative skills to entertain young and old. Being a Brit I was brought up with Morph Lord's popular plasticine creation , a tempestuous clay character who hindered the artistic processes of Tony Hart, and who made the occasional guest appearances on Children's TV and magazine show Blue Peter. Over the years pop videos and Oscar winning shorts have marked the progression of this Bristol powerhouse.
      A few years ago I was fortunate enough to see some of their work first hand, when attending an animation expo in Cardiff around the time of Nick Parks Wallace and Gromit the Wrong Trousers. I remember marvelling at the sheer detail and craftsman ship that went into the creation of the props.
     I remember the magic of their animated everyday conversations, the evolution of their characters and the short films that began to earn them honours. I remember my heart sinking a beat when their Bristol Warehouse burnt down, destroying a lot of classic props.
    So having missed Arthur Christmas this year, I was determined to see their latest work Peter Lords Pirate Band of Misfits based on Gideon Defoes comic novels. Once again they deliver on all fronts, delivering a film that has more originality and fun in each frame of skilful animation than a single episode of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. This film from its spot on voice casting and excellent use of British 80's rockabilly and punk delivers on all fronts, a humerus high energy romp ably abetted by some brilliant voice work from Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleason, Russell Tovey and Imelda Staunton.


Hugh Grants brilliantly vain, but loveable Pirate Captain wants to win the Pirate of the year award. But luck is not on his side, but when attempting to boost his treasure chest he comes across Charles Darwin the romp kicks in and the fun really begins. The scenery is filled with in jokes right down to the little Blue Peter badge on Pirate with Gouts hat. I enjoyed this some much I saw it a second time with my Mrs but in 3D and I have to begrudgingly admit, the 3D is done well  does add something magical to the mix. But there is so much going on that on second viewing I spotted more humorous asides missed on the first viewing.
If you want some cool Brit comedy that is most definitely family friendly then you cannot go wrong seeing this little screen gem. So out and support the magic of originality and fun.

Now I think I will revist my art of Chicken Run book a savour their unique magic.

Jo Nesbo's Headhunters

 This Norwegian gem is a brilliantly dark , black comedy that will have you laughing and hiding behind your fingers in equal measure. This crime thriller delivers, to the point you don't know if to laugh or scream. Based on Joe Nesbo's novel this tells of a corporate head-hunter Roger Brown who to support his wife's tastes and lifestyle also operates as an art thief. The character as introduced is not appealing in any sense of the word, he comes across as arrogant and shallow but like all good anti heroe's his salvation is at hand but it will be bloody.
  As in all good thrillers Mr Browns world is turned upside down after he is introduced to the handsome Clas Greve (played by Game of Thrones Nickolav Coster Waldau) . Browns fall from grace is bloody and quick, and he is soon forced to flee for his life. All darkly funny and bleak to the point that you cannot see any way out for Brown.
  This Norwegian film is pure fun, the pace is fast, the humour brilliantly dark if it is remade the only directors I could think of that could do this tale justice would be either Danny Boyle or The Cohen Brothers. But in all honesty this would be my preferred version.  Highly recommended, especially for the dog fight alone enjoy this twisting turning dark comedy thriller I promise you will not be disappointed. In closing Morten Tyldum's direction is brilliant, stylish fast paced so kudo's for a job well done.

Attack the Block

 

Joe Cornish is the director of this gem, which is being released in New Zealand this week. His comedy pedigree is high quality being one half of the Adam and Joe show. He also contributed along with Edgar Wright and Steven Moffat to the Adventures of  Tintin screenplay, and if you have seen the Sean of the Dead blu -ray , DVD then you will have seen his making of documentary, and his make up test as a zombie.

The films plot is simple  a young woman Sam played by Jodie Whittaker is robbed by a gang of hoodies but when an unexpected meteor crash  provides enough distraction she escapes. The gang are in turn attacked by a viscous little alien. The arrival of more means they are forced to take refuge in a London tower block  and the battle for survival begins. The same tower block that Sam calls home.

 This  horror, action comedy has a tone not unlike Sean of the Dead, its background is firmly grounded in reality, which makes the arrival of the aliens stand out. Nick Frost makes a memorable appearance as Local Drug dealer Ron and the films star John Boyega  commands the screen as anti hero Moses. The humour is natural and unforced, the effects memorable and at 88 mins the film moves along at cracking pace.

A total blast and a must see, go have fun and see some damn good acting , what more can you ask for.

The Raid

  

The past two weeks have been film nirvana for me. Every choice  I have made, has revealed a gem, and restored my faith in the magic of cinema. Its easy to lose when your drowned in formulaic fare that plays too safe and in so doing, leaves one hungering for the real McCoy.
   
The Raid is a cinematic kick to the gonads that demands your attention. This is a cinematic action nirvana The plot is simple, a 20 man SWAT team is sent to a 15 Storey tower block ,tasked with arresting the criminal overlord who rules with ruthless efficiency from the security suite located on the buildings top floor. Once the first gun shot is fired, mayhem ensues. Directed  by fellow Welshman Gareth Evans this is a master-class in cinematic on-screen fighting. The geography of the brutal fight scenes is a joy to watch unfold, at no time are you confused or lost in the events unfolding. The fights are extreme, wire free and brutal, this is not a balletic martial arts experience, it is cold, ruthless brutality but of the type that has you clinging to the edge of the seat.
   The films star and one of the fight choreographers Iko Uwais is a revelation, and along with his colleague Yayan Ruhian they have put Indonesian fight choreography firmly on the map. Yayan also plays the films memorable villain, Mad Dog the Overlords right hand man.
    If you love action, martial arts and films that grab you at the throat until the closing titles this is a must see and yes a sequel is on the cards and I for one can't wait.

John Carter Fan Trailer 2 "Heritage"

John Carter firstly is not a bad film, it has its faults yes, mainly in pacing, and a few story emissions and maybe a little too much exposition. However as a boy post Star War's this was a series of books I soaked up, finding it hard to believe it came from the man who gave us Tarzan. This is a fan made trailer, and maybe how this tale should have been sold. I found this films marketing to be its biggest achilles heal and a terrible misfire on Disneys part. This film though not perfect deserved better than this.