Fantastic news on International Women’s Day, finally a woman wins the Oscar for best director. Well done Kathryn and about time too. Also a victory of 2D over 3D as Avatar fails to be awarded best film. Although many are now saying that 3D is spreading fast and the days of 3D drama are on the way.
Good news also for the old Regent cinema in Leven in Fife, West Scotland. Opened in 1922, the like many old cinemas, the Regent had been running as a bingo hall, but after being leased to the Leven Community Cinema Group this old Art Deco gem has been given a new lease of life and plans to open in a few days. Go Leven, the Regent and all who dream in her.
Showing posts with label avatar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label avatar. Show all posts
Monday, March 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Oscars and cinemas in need
As the nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards are announced it’s no surprise that Avatar has made its presence known. Does its success at both box office and award nominations prove that 3D is here to stay? Or merely that Mr Cameron knows a thing or two about creating best selling features?
In terms of 3D, its presence is starting to be felt outside of the multiplex experience as Sky announces it will launch this format in pubs soon. More here. And if you have ever wondered how regular films are converted into 3D, here’s all you to know.
The story that caught my eye this week is that UK supermarket giant Tescos are venturing into the world of film production - how things are changing in production as well as distribution and exhibition. It’s a move that I find both inspirational and appalling in the same breath.
On a much sadder note, comes the news that many beautiful old cinemas are under threat. These grand old ladies of Art Deco are incredible, historically important buildings that need long sighted planning and care, not short sighted demolition. It was a fight to keep Miami’s incredible Art Deco and where would South Beach be without it? Councils are merely thinking quick profits and easy solutions and in the process quietly, but definitely, destroying an important part of our social heritage. If they were castles where kings had slept, those that rule might think differently. But these are the palaces of the people where dreams are born, romances blossom and personal histories forged. Shame on those who let this be reduced to rubble.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Muppets and Avatars
Yes it’s finally coming soon to a cinema near you. The much hyped, much anticipated, much banged on about 3D sensation Avatar. Read the first reviews here. Love or hate 3D, you have to go and see it. Will it be a triumph of spectacle over narrative and CGI over character development? Or simply a darn good film. Either way its anticipated box office revenue will ensure a profitable end to a very profitable year at the UK box office.
This year has also proved that smaller independent cinemas can no longer delay converting to digital. With a slate of 3D titles lined up for 2010, and, at least in the short term, serious profits to be made with this format, no venue can afford to ignore the winds of change any longer. And at the other end of the artistic spectrum, with only one 35mm print of The White Ribbon in the UK, even those cinemas who balance their books on specialised titles, can’t afford not to convert.
So what deals are on the table for the cash strapped UK indy? Well the UK Digital Funding Group has gathered pace and screens are joining together to barter for a favourable Virtual Print Fee deal for all. And the light of public funding is shining from Europe for all those cinemas who screen European titles, as the European Commission prepares a funding stream that aims to help cinemas acquire digital projection. Read the full story here.
On a wider note, I’ve just hot footed it back from the Future Projections conference in London which explored new ways of presenting the moving image. As pubs and restaurants start to use film as a bait to bring in more custom and the traditional separation of leisure activities crumble away, new business models and new ways of presenting film are beginning to emerge. And as student numbers decline in the UK, bums on cinema seats are set to also decline on week day nights unless venues start thinking creatively about how to fill them.
But you know, as excited as I am about the change in the air and the brave new future of the moving image, right now I’m more excited about heading off to my nearest and dearest old art deco cinema and sinking into that old red velvet seat to watch, what I’ve no doubt will be a sold out screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol in glorious 2D.
This year has also proved that smaller independent cinemas can no longer delay converting to digital. With a slate of 3D titles lined up for 2010, and, at least in the short term, serious profits to be made with this format, no venue can afford to ignore the winds of change any longer. And at the other end of the artistic spectrum, with only one 35mm print of The White Ribbon in the UK, even those cinemas who balance their books on specialised titles, can’t afford not to convert.
So what deals are on the table for the cash strapped UK indy? Well the UK Digital Funding Group has gathered pace and screens are joining together to barter for a favourable Virtual Print Fee deal for all. And the light of public funding is shining from Europe for all those cinemas who screen European titles, as the European Commission prepares a funding stream that aims to help cinemas acquire digital projection. Read the full story here.
On a wider note, I’ve just hot footed it back from the Future Projections conference in London which explored new ways of presenting the moving image. As pubs and restaurants start to use film as a bait to bring in more custom and the traditional separation of leisure activities crumble away, new business models and new ways of presenting film are beginning to emerge. And as student numbers decline in the UK, bums on cinema seats are set to also decline on week day nights unless venues start thinking creatively about how to fill them.
But you know, as excited as I am about the change in the air and the brave new future of the moving image, right now I’m more excited about heading off to my nearest and dearest old art deco cinema and sinking into that old red velvet seat to watch, what I’ve no doubt will be a sold out screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol in glorious 2D.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
4D, facelifts and the best Sci-Fi ever
It'll come as a surprise to no one that when the trailer for Avatar went online on Apple's site it broke the download record with over 4 million streams. Cinema audiences will finally be able to view this much hyped epic, first conceived by James Cameron over 14 years ago, in full 3D glory when it hits the big screens on 18 December. You can catch Cameron sharing his views on 3D here. And fans of 3D will be thrilled with the news that 3D adverts are on the way.
However, as the engaging, intelligent, beautifully shot, thoroughly thought proving and deliberately low tech Moon proves, it takes more than good CGI to make a good sci-fi movie.
My favourite film related story of the week is the announcement of a new "digi-novel" - a combination of book, movie and website and a taste of things to come as traditionally separate mediums of entertainment start to have fun together. Check out the full story here. While although not cinema related, the slightly unnerving prospect of a digital advertising system that watches you also caught my eye.
Back to cinema and there's plenty of news pouring out of the UK. 4D cinema hits the headlines as the London Eye opens a new 4D cinema attraction, which they've billed as the greatest cinema attraction in the world. And plans are afoot to merge the UK's two flagship film bodies - the UK Film Council and the British Film Institute. Full story here.
UK independents worried about the cost of digital and the very real prospect of going out of business if they don't find the cash to convert, have been thrown a possible lifeline by the Cinema Exhibitors' Association. The Association has confirmed its plans to establish a funding group that will seek the finance to aid the UK's smaller cinema operators to survive the big switch over. Closer to home my much loved local - the Cameo - is asking its cinema goers to help them raise the cash to fund a facelift for this historic old gem.
And to end where I started, in the realm of good sci-fi, Blade Runner has recently been voted the greatest sci-fi film of all time.
However, as the engaging, intelligent, beautifully shot, thoroughly thought proving and deliberately low tech Moon proves, it takes more than good CGI to make a good sci-fi movie.
My favourite film related story of the week is the announcement of a new "digi-novel" - a combination of book, movie and website and a taste of things to come as traditionally separate mediums of entertainment start to have fun together. Check out the full story here. While although not cinema related, the slightly unnerving prospect of a digital advertising system that watches you also caught my eye.
Back to cinema and there's plenty of news pouring out of the UK. 4D cinema hits the headlines as the London Eye opens a new 4D cinema attraction, which they've billed as the greatest cinema attraction in the world. And plans are afoot to merge the UK's two flagship film bodies - the UK Film Council and the British Film Institute. Full story here.
UK independents worried about the cost of digital and the very real prospect of going out of business if they don't find the cash to convert, have been thrown a possible lifeline by the Cinema Exhibitors' Association. The Association has confirmed its plans to establish a funding group that will seek the finance to aid the UK's smaller cinema operators to survive the big switch over. Closer to home my much loved local - the Cameo - is asking its cinema goers to help them raise the cash to fund a facelift for this historic old gem.
And to end where I started, in the realm of good sci-fi, Blade Runner has recently been voted the greatest sci-fi film of all time.
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