New Disney Archive Series Book: 'Design'

I'm a huge Disney fan (both live and animated films) and I'm giving a shout out to a book series that documents their animated films, the latest is 'Design' and it's just as impressive as the other books: 'Story' and 'Animation' - comprised with storyboards, sketches, character designs over some 256 pages, it's a compendium of artistry from the Disney vaults - it's massive in content and size, and it's quite a heavy book (in weight!) - Highly recommended!

Seattle's Cinerama reopens!

The old classic movie palaces are the best places to see movies and of the nation's best places to see a movie, Seattle's Cinerama is definately in the top ten.  Great to see an individual such as Greg Wood take the reins and present and preserve a great theatre (maybe AMC can close DC's Uptown and give someone a chance here to make the Uptown equal in par):

'Sneak preview of remodeled Cinerama'

By Moria Macdonald

Seattle Times movie critic

Four popcorn poppers at Cinerama, where once was just one? Be still, my heart.
The historic downtown theater, closed since late August for renovations, reopens Thursday for a midnight screening of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part I." And, despite those new popcorn poppers, its biggest change will be one moviegoers may not notice: Greg Wood, the new operator of the theater.

The movie house had been managed by national chain AMC until August, when theater owner Vulcan (Paul Allen's company) severed that relationship. Vulcan hired Wood, who also owns and operates the Roseway in Portland, a 1920s-era theater, which he refurbished and reopened as a first-run cinema in 2008.

"I view it as Seattle's living room," said Wood last week of Cinerama. And that living room's just gotten a facelift. The remodel, says Wood, is primarily a technical upgrade: It now has a new digital projector with 3D capability, an updated sound system, a new giant screen (making for, Wood says, a brighter and more brilliant picture; it'll be the same size as before). Purists needn't fret: The theater still has its film projector and will continue to screen occasional movies in 70-mm or Cinerama (a now-rare, three-strip format). Wood looks forward to bringing back the annual Cinerama Festival, sometime next year.

Though the Cinerama lobby retains its midcentury-kitsch look (the theater dates from 1963), it's been spiffed up with new carpet and display cases for a revolving selection of movie memorabilia, including costumes from "The Matrix," "TRON," "Blade" and others. Moviegoers will see a big change at the concessions counter, which has been redesigned with a new menu and new pricing — a small popcorn, likely to be fresh thanks to all those poppers, is now just $2. Local food vendors have been brought into the mix, such as Cupcake Royale (soon to offer, Wood hopes, movie-themed cupcakes), Theo chocolates and Caffé Vita coffee.

While Wood is pleased with the renovations and new 3D technology (previously Cinerama had to screen even "Avatar" in 2D), he emphasizes that the theater won't be offering blockbusters only. "Because we have 3D doesn't mean we are taking every 3D movie," he said, adding that he hopes to book a mixture of big Hollywood movies ("TRON: Legacy" will follow "Harry Potter"), art-house fare and local film-festival offerings. Presenting that kind of variety, he said, means that everyone in Seattle — not just blockbuster-movie fans — "can come and enjoy the theater."

Lyn Tangen, director of corporate communications at Vulcan, said Wood's experience in making the Roseway a neighborhood destination was part of why he was chosen. "The thing about Greg is that he's very interested in trying to connect with community. We're all behind that. We really like the idea of making the theater more available for community and nonprofit events."

Wood's excited to get on with the business of running the theater, saying he's already begun to book film- festival events for early 2011. And while he's resigned to a lot of driving between Portland and Seattle in the near future, he's grateful for the opportunity to step in and run "one of the most treasured theaters on the planet."

Starting Thursday, all of Seattle gets another chance to find out why.

'Megamind' 3D / IMAX-Digital review

MEGAMIND

AMC Tysons Corner - IMAX Digital 3D

  

Dreamwork's latest animated film is a mixed bag, only in the sense that the film's theme would fit perfectly  along side 'Despicable Me' where the protagonist, the villain, finds his true inner 'good' side.  While the 3D is certainly the highlight of the film, notably in the film's flying sequences and the towering city skyscrapers - one who is wary of heights [me] might freak out how well 'height' is excellently conveyed.  The voice acting is actually good for a change, Dreamwork's animated films seem too preconceived and hype films way too much in this respect.  But here for 'Megamind' Will Ferrell is good and restrained (thank god) and Brad Pitt doesn't act like himself (Dreamwork's 'Sinbad' where he played the lead, was bland, bland, bland).  The animator's also seem to incorporate Tina Fey's facial expressions into her portrayal of Roxanne Ritchi.  Only when Jonah Hill's 'Titan' becomes the key villain does the film become a tad too derivative of 'The Incredibles' (i.e, 'Syndrome').  Even David Cross' role as Minion gives the film much needed humour, which largely seems quite limited and restrained.  Technically, the soundmix is odd, since for a film of this genre one would expect alot of explosions, body pummelling and audio mayhem - it's not overdone and as a result the mix almost hinders the viewer to be fully encapsulated into the film's environment. To bad I didn't hear the full discrete 7.1 mix, since IMAX audio is not set up as such  All in all though I found this film to be quite entertaining, but not 100% 'great' - but still recommended.

3 New 3D auditoriums at Regal Bethesda!

In a rather mixed bag of news, Regal contiues the digital conversion of it's theater's and downtown Bethesda Maryland is the latest in the DC metropolitan area! Two of the largest auditoriums there are finally made over; # 2 and #10 (as well as #4).  #10 is a great auditorium as it once featured Kodak's now defunct 6-channel CDS 'Cinema Digital Sound' (the precursor to Dolby Digital, DTS, and SDDS digital sound) - 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day' was killer!  The screens are also worthy since they feature side masking and when displaying a scope 2.35 widescreen film really fills up the wall horizontally to great effect. 

Unfortunately... according to management none of the four screens are equipped to playback the new 7.1 discrete soundsystem where four channels of sound are distributed to the rear of the listener/filmgoer - apparently Regal found that Gallery Place was worthy, yet Bethesda, nope! [grrrrrr]  - oh well, can't have it all.  This is great news since there are a number of 3D movies that aren't being seen at my neighborhood AMC, since only one screena at Mazza is equipped as such.

The next Muppet Movie ?!?

a still with Jason Segal - this should be a ton of fun! 

Winnie the Pooh (2011) Official Trailer - HD

'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark' (2010 remake) review

Paramount Theatre - Virginia Film Festival - November 6, 2010

Young Sally Hirst at the beginning of the movie is sent to live with father and his new girlfriend in big old creepy Gothic mansion - she discovers a race of creatures under the basement floor, and decides to let them out - BIG mistake.  Stylistically it looks like a Guillermo Del Toro movie (as it should since he is credited as one of the three writers) but it's up to newcomer director Troy Nixely to deliver the goods, which he does sporadically. The biggest problem is that the characters are on the one dimensional side and it all plays out in the standard 'old dark house' horror cliches and trappings (which do work mind you) but Guy Pearce as the father seems and acts like a total wall flower at times.  Katie Holmes fares a little better, surprisingly. Bailee Madison as Sally does alot of great screaming and smashing of a few creatures to a gory pulp (the audience I saw this with, loved those scenes).  The creatures are a nasty bunch (which resemble leaner spider like 'ghoulies') and the effective 5.1 soundmix has them scurrying in and around inside the walls and speaking to Sally - to freak her and the audience out. Mind you it's a fun horror movie, but one wonders if Del Toro had actually directed this, if characterization might have been better refined. 

The film was followed by a question and answer session with producer Mark Johnson  and I have to say, it was by far the worst Q&A I've had the chance to listen to at the Virginia Film Festival - David Edelstein was snarky and asking unrelated questions to the film which we had just seen and given the fact that we were one of the first audiences to see the movie, more time should have been allotted to our questions for Mr. Johnson.   It was a strange flawed movie for the festival's centerpiece screening, Del Toro was supposed to have been at the Q&A, but cancelled, obviousily his non-presence was sorely missed.

Pulp reunite in 2011

Can we say 'London 2011 summer trip'?  Looking forward to the announcement of the whole Wireless Festival lineup!

new IMAX-Digital screen at the Regal Majestic

Regal Entertainment Group Adds The IMAX Experience to Four Theatres

Press Release Source: Regal Entertainment Group On Tuesday November 9, 2010, 9:00 am EST

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE:RGC - News), a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating the largest theatre circuit in the United States, announced today that the IMAX Experience® will be available at four additional locations in time for holiday movie selections. These IMAX Theatres will showcase films through a newly installed IMAX digital projection system and a specially-designed IMAX screen in an existing auditorium. Two locations will open in November with two more scheduled for December.


“Regal Entertainment Group has embraced the IMAX brand. Together we have provided premium experiences to our patrons for more than a decade. Our moviegoers appreciate the groundbreaking technology that transforms movies into entertainment events not to be missed,” stated Greg Dunn, President and Chief Operating Officer for Regal Entertainment Group. “We’re very pleased to add the IMAX Experience to four more theatres during the busy holiday movie season. The impressive IMAX sound system and amazing images make audiences feel as if they are in the movie, for an extraordinary movie experience.”

Four new Regal IMAX Theatre locations:

Los Angeles – Edwards Valencia Stadium 12 – November 2010

Washington, DC – Regal Majestic Stadium 20 – November 2010

Atlanta – Regal Atlantic Station Stadium 16 – December 2010

St. Louis – Regal St. Louis Mills Stadium 18 – December 2010

IMAX digital projection systems showcase Hollywood blockbusters that have been digitally re-mastered into the unique image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience as well as original documentary-style IMAX content. Films are projected on a specially-designed screen that is slightly curved and moved forward to further immerse the audience. Images of exceptional quality, combined with IMAX's proprietary digital surround sound system and patented theatre geometry create “The IMAX Experience," making audiences feel as if they are IN the movie.


Every Regal Entertainment Group IMAX Theatre also offers IMAX® 3D. When filmmakers choose to integrate IMAX 3D into their movies, images leap off of the screen and into the laps of the audience, further enhancing the feeling of being IN the movie. This is made possible by a combination of IMAX’s powerful 3D projection system – which simultaneously projects two separate images onto the IMAX screen – and polarized IMAX 3D glasses that audience members wear to fuse the two images into a single three-dimensional motion picture. The result is an amazing IMAX 3D Experience where the screen disappears and the movie envelopes the audience.

~

I can't say I'm overally ecstatic over the news, it would have made more sense for Regal to install a RPX system (an alternative to IMAX) that would have had more movies be presented as such .  RPX systems also one up IMAX by featuring discrete 7.1 stereo surround sound, IMAX audio is not.  I'm hoping Regal will upgrade one of the larger Gallery Place auditoriums to feature RPX.

The Word (Nov. 2010 issue 93) covermount CD

Th various artists featured on the accompanied CD include

01. Hellsong - Welcom to the Jungle
from the album: 'Minor Misdemeanors'

02. Lupen Crook - Fantasist in March *
from the album: 'The Pros and Cons of Eating Out'

03. Agnes Obel - Avenue *
from the album: 'Philharmonics'

04. Aloe Blacc - Miss Fortune
from the album: 'Good Things'

05. Badly Drawn Boy - I Saw You Walk Away *
from the album: 'It's What I'm Thinking Part 1'

06. Fran Healy - Holiday
from the album: 'Wreckorder'

07. Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone *
from the album: 'You Are Not Alone'

08. The Orchids - The Girl and the Soldier *
from the album: 'The Lost Star'

09. Mother Mother - Body of Years
from the album: 'O My Heart'

10. Alondra Bentley - Still Be There
from the album: 'Ashfield Avenue'

11. Paul Smith - North Atlantic Drift
from the album: 'Margins'

12. Orchestral Manuevres in the Dark - History of Modern (Part I) *
from the album: 'History of Modern'

13. Heidi Talbot - Hang Me
from the album: 'The Last Star'

14. The Winter Olympics - Feeling European
from the album: Winter Olympics

15. The Duke & The King - Shine on You
from the album: 'Long Live The Duke & The King'

* Highlight songs of the month

'Let it Be - Revisited' (Mojo Magazine Oct. '10)

The latest issue of Mojo (October 2010) was released here in the States and supposedly there is a CD version (I haven't seen it on the newstand), but Mojo also released a 'special limited vinyl edition' as well ($19.99)

01. John Grant - Two of Us
02. Dennis Locorriere - Dig A Pony
03. Phosphorescent - Across the Universe
04. Beth Orton - I Me Mine/Dig it
05. The Amorphous Androgynous - Let It Be (Part 1)
~
06. The Amorphous Androgynous - Let It Be (Part 2)
07. CW Stoneking - Maggie Mae
08. The Besnard Lakes - I've Got A Feeling
09. Wilko Johnson - One After 909
10. Judy Collins - The Long and Winding Road
11. Pete Molinari - For You Blue
12. The Jim Jones Revue - Get Back

this image is of the CD/magazine release version: (for the vinyl magazine edition, all the word except the magazine title and the two top photos are removed and only features Paul McCartney's signature, it's both simple and striking)

Swedish House Mafia 'Until One'

Comprised of the three leading figures of the current electro house scene, Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and SteveAngello the album is a fun mix of the following tracks:

1. Swedish House Mafia vs. Tinie Tempah - "Miami 2 Ibiza" (Album Version)

2. Swedish House Mafia - "Miami 2 Ibiza" (Instrumental)

3. Sander van Doorn - "Reach Out" w/. The Source feat. Candi Staton - "You Got The Love" (Acapella)

4. Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello & Laidback Luke feat. Deborah Cox - "Leave The World Behind"

5. Axwell - "Nothing But Love" (Remode)

6. Steve Angello & AN21 - "Valodja"

7. TV Rock - "In The Air" (Axwell remix)

8. Sebastian Ingrosso - "Kidsos" w/. Justice vs Simian - "We Are Your Friends" (Acapella)

9. Prok & Fitch pres. Nanchang Nancy - "Walk With Me (Axwell & Daddy's Groove Remix)"

10. Steve Angello - "Tivoli" w/. Empire Of The Sun "Walking On A Dream" (Acapella)

11. Benny Benassi presents The Biz - "Satisfaction"

12. Steve Angello & Laidback Luke feat. Robin S - "Show Me Love"

13. Steve Angello - "Knas"

14. Sebastian Ingrosso & Dirty South - "Meich" w/. Coldplay "Clocks"

15. David Guetta feat. Sebastian Ingrosso, Dirty South & Julie McKnight - "How Soon Is Now" (Main Mix)

16. AN21 & Max Vangelli - "Swedish Beauty" w/. Louie Vega & Jay `Sinister' Sealee starring Julie McKnight `Diamond Life' (Acapella)

17. Supermode - "Tell Me Why"

18. Adrian Lux - "Teenage Crime" (Axwell & Henrik B Remode)

19. Steve Angello - "Monday"

20. Miike Snow - "Sylvia" (Sebastian Ingrosso & Dirty South Remix)

21. Axwell - "I Found U" (Remode)

22. Daft Punk - "One More Time"

23. Swedish House Mafia - "One"

24. Swedish House Mafia feat. Pharrell - "One (Your Name)" While the sound on the whole is a bit 'commercial' at times with some cheesy vocals once in awhile, it still is an album that make you move, the progression and pacing though is impressive and with it all culminating to the Mafia's mega hit 'One' it ends on a definite high.  Recommended.

'Black Swan'

BLACK SWAN

Culbreth Theatre - Virginia Film Festival - November 4th, 2010

Darren Aronofsky's latest film is quite possibly his best yet - it is also the best movie of the year.
The cast is stellar but it's Natalie Portman's performance as Nina that will catapult into an obvious contender for Best Actress at the next Academy Awards.  As a dancer who is given the opportunity to be the lead in a production of 'Swan Lake' she is both estatic and reserved, but when another dancer, Lily played by a scorching Mila Kunis is also interested in the role - conflict ensues.  Also Barbara Hershey's role as Nina's mother almost steals the movie away from Portman.  Aronofsky style for 'Black Swan' uses a multitude of cinematic devices, from an evocative soundmix to tight close ups, he creates a claustrophobic story that slowly builds to such frenzied epic porportions, the ultimate ending left me totally emotionally whipped.

North by Northwest - 4K DLP (Industry screening)

from D-Cinema Today:

Cypress, CA—Nov 8, 2010

Christie Presents World’s First Full Feature Screening in 4K DLP Cinema®

Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece “North by Northwest” presented flawlessly on Christie’s premiere 4K Solaria Series Projector

Christie^®, the leader in digital cinema projection, has presented the world’s first full feature screening in 4K resolution DLP Cinema^® before members of the Hollywood community.  Held at the famed Mann Chinese theater complex in Hollywood, California, the screening was presented for the annual Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) technical conference.   

SMPTE is the leading technical society for the motion picture industry. The 4K presentation on a Christie Solaria CP4230 projector, featured Alfred Hitchcock’s classic, “North by Northwest,” which was meticulously restored by Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) with a process that included the highest available scanning resolution and played back using an Integrated Media Block from Doremi Cinema. 
 
“We were impressed by the 4K presentation of this timeless Hitchcock chase thriller,” said Wendy Aylsworth, SMPTE Engineering Vice President and Senior Vice President, Technology, Warner Bros. Technical Operations.  “The image looked superb, and the audience gave the film enthusiastic and rave reviews.  Both Motion Picture Imaging’s restoration and the digital presentation were excellent.”
 
“The audience saw details in the 4K restoration that were unlike anything ever seen before,” said Brian Claypool, Senior Product Manager, Entertainment Solutions for Christie.  “It’s not an easy thing to showcase new technology to an audience of engineers and technicians who belong to every discipline of the film industry.  To get such a positive reaction from them is proof that superior 4K has arrived, and Christie’s 4K DLP Cinema solution meets the industry’s highest standards in image quality for spectacular 2D and 3D presentations.”