REX THEATRE: my thoughts, opinions, musings, prayers and brainstorms.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tron Legacy Review
There it is in all its glory: TRON LEGACY. Saw it openning night it was the best.SUMMARY = 20 years after the events in the first TRON film, Kevin Flynn's son Sam attempts to rescue his trapped father and plunges back into the world of the Grid.
MY ONLY QUALM = Now this is my own fault, its not that serious but since I'm not that tech savvy + I haven't seen the first Tron, some of the plot around the middle of the movie was confusing. Kevin Flynn made a great discovery years and years ago with his User ID C.L.U. and the Grid security program Tron, a discovery called The Miracle. This Miracle was the basis behind all the excitement from the trailers about Kevin changing everything like "science, medicine, religion...". The explination was a lil over my head, surprisingly, so I had to reflect on the movie afterward and read the full plot online to understand what happend. This time around I don't want to give spoilers but its an interesting idea and is also the basis for the conflict in the film. But now that I understand it it makes the movie all the more enjoyable, prob just takes a second viewing to get it. Or maybe I was just tired lol.
ENJOYMENT FACTOR = The special effects are so much fun, kinda takes one back to The Matrix somewhat. Like the personalization of computer code always impresses audiences. The Green Code in the Matrices was awesome and the bits in Tron Legacy are great. When programs are de-rezzed its incredible, even without 3D!
The costumes inside the Grid are stellar and they definitely inspire some designs for my Benefactor character. The LED lights resemble circutry all along the suits and its awesome!
Also I think Identity Disks are just as sexy as Lightsabers now, no joke! They're like 2x as ninja as Jedi Lightsabers because they're more close-quater weapons than even 'Sabers. At the same time ID Disks are more important because they double as weapons but if you loose em that's it because you can't defend yourself and there are advantages denied you due to lack of ID codes.
Olivia Wilde of House M.D. fame is hot in this movie, both as an actress and as a character. As Quorra she brings this innocence and curiosity to the role as a program that wants to know more about the world that Kevin Flynn left behind. She's great to watch and the surprise at the end is something I didn't see coming... surprisingly haha.
C.L.U. wearing the younger Flynn's face thanks to CGI effects is cool but I could tell it was an effect, but it didn't really bother me all that much. Who knows what such an effect will be like in 5 or 10 years! they say its amazing to age people but to make them younger is impressive beyond belief.
Daft Punk! Their music is awesome in this movie and they're definitely going on my list of 2010 soundtracks (Inception and Scott Pilgrim are the other two). My favorite song is "Derezzed", look for it in the End of Line club fight scene ^_^
Finally the theme of the movie I left with is that sometimes what people think is perfect or a perfect design isn't all its cracked up to be. You never know what you've got til its gone. And as oxymoronic as this sounds, the things that are most imperfect turn out to be more flawless than we first thought, prinicipal among these are relationships. Don't take family and friends for granted.
Again not a rundown of the whole movie just some things that stood out to me, what I mostly took away from the movie. I really want to see the first one more than ever now and get on the cult following that was born out of this fantastic story. A fine cinematic end to 2010 (granted it'd be cool to sendoff the year with the True Grit remake).
Go see Tron Legacy!
EL FIN
Friday, December 17, 2010
THE AVIATORS TRAILER
It's really just "AVIATORS" but my brother added "the" just because haha. This picture is for me as the director since the other following posters are of the cast members. I LOVE IT!
This idea is the experience itself, in this case traumatic, but nontheless the personified experience. Becasue of his power and presence other ideas and feelings are bent around him and his narrow vanateg point; not necessarily correct vantage point but all the same it can be very black and white. Everything originates with him so that is why he is principal.
This Handler idea is what I've used to train my senses and feelings to be more protected after a traumatic experience. Or, any experience really, it's what we use to help us identify things in the future but it's usually after the nature of what we went through, to watch out for it again and not be taken unawares.
His name isn't as classic as the others, his name is more in line with his nature as a character. But the name speaks for itself he's the idea that won't leave you alone and causes every other feeling to coincide with his nature. The idea judges everything against itself.
The Slayer is any internal we have that is subtle or cunning or just delicate in its nature; this is more from our own motivation anyway on how to go about it.
The Point Man represents any instance where our ideas and emotions take on a very passionate and aggressive nature.
Finally The Rebel. He represents an idea that occurs to you that stands out from all the others and doesn't follow one's normal train of thought, that "No I must be crazy!" feeling we all get when we brainstorm.
So that's a brief rundown of the main characters. Two more characters need casting so I'm working on that. The story is basically that, from context provided by an off-screen narrator, the manhunt that these characters embark on dramatizes a real life human relationship that is in serious trouble of dissolving. So the colorful characters metaphorically embody the real life drama explained by the Narrator. I need to cast him too.
So this promo-type video of photo stills lays the emotional and psychological groundwork for the film. I wish I had designed those pictures first so I could put em in the promo but oh well, its all awesome still. So kick back and enjoy, and know for sure, there's a lot more where this came from. All photos taken by me, the song is called Reset by the band MuteMath.
I am so happy to have finally put some stuff together for this cuz I have been talking about it since September and now at the end of the 2010 I got some things really moving. Really proud of my friends and family for supporting me and making this happen and going on this walk of faith with me.
LOVE U GUYZ GOD IS GOOD!
EL FIN
This idea is the experience itself, in this case traumatic, but nontheless the personified experience. Becasue of his power and presence other ideas and feelings are bent around him and his narrow vanateg point; not necessarily correct vantage point but all the same it can be very black and white. Everything originates with him so that is why he is principal.
This Handler idea is what I've used to train my senses and feelings to be more protected after a traumatic experience. Or, any experience really, it's what we use to help us identify things in the future but it's usually after the nature of what we went through, to watch out for it again and not be taken unawares.
His name isn't as classic as the others, his name is more in line with his nature as a character. But the name speaks for itself he's the idea that won't leave you alone and causes every other feeling to coincide with his nature. The idea judges everything against itself.
The Slayer is any internal we have that is subtle or cunning or just delicate in its nature; this is more from our own motivation anyway on how to go about it.
The Point Man represents any instance where our ideas and emotions take on a very passionate and aggressive nature.
Finally The Rebel. He represents an idea that occurs to you that stands out from all the others and doesn't follow one's normal train of thought, that "No I must be crazy!" feeling we all get when we brainstorm.
So that's a brief rundown of the main characters. Two more characters need casting so I'm working on that. The story is basically that, from context provided by an off-screen narrator, the manhunt that these characters embark on dramatizes a real life human relationship that is in serious trouble of dissolving. So the colorful characters metaphorically embody the real life drama explained by the Narrator. I need to cast him too.
So this promo-type video of photo stills lays the emotional and psychological groundwork for the film. I wish I had designed those pictures first so I could put em in the promo but oh well, its all awesome still. So kick back and enjoy, and know for sure, there's a lot more where this came from. All photos taken by me, the song is called Reset by the band MuteMath.
I am so happy to have finally put some stuff together for this cuz I have been talking about it since September and now at the end of the 2010 I got some things really moving. Really proud of my friends and family for supporting me and making this happen and going on this walk of faith with me.
LOVE U GUYZ GOD IS GOOD!
EL FIN
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Voyage was worth it.
Not really into video reviews anymore so heres another written review, this time of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
I think the book version is the most magical of the series, that said I think it translates well to screen. This probably isn't the most thought out review so I'll write what stood out to me.
The 3rd in the Narnia series brings the two youngest Pevensie kids back tothe land of Narnia along with their cousin Eustace. This time there are no wars to fight or kings to make, just a sea adventure to rescue lost supporters of Caspian's (present king) father from long ago. Turns out the lost lords may have had some help getting themselves lost though, and the adventure kicks up a notch.
That's the summary. Two things that I think could've been done better or they're something that bugged me just a little bit.
1. My friend says King Caspian had a generic English accent and lost his Spanish accent from his debut back in TCoN:Prince Caspian. I hadn't noticed this so I can't be sure. Lol but it bugged me that I didn't notice also. I liked how the cultures broadened in "Narnia2" when Caspian and the other kingdom showed up. They were like Spanish sailors and kings and stuff so the new cultures I welcomed. I'll have to watch Voyage again to see if he lost the Spaniard in him though haha.
2. Everyone loves to see what makes it from the source material onto the screen. The Dufflepuds are one-legged creatures with a huge foot (like Tolkien hobbits) and they bounce around. Now they're pretty crazy and funny characters in the book and are in film... but I realized they were too outlandish. I don't know, maybe I'm too used to more fleshed out creatures like hobbits and elvs and things like that lol, so its prob petty. It was still cool for a second to be reminded of them from the book.
What i liked about the movie and beware, some spoilers.
1. Eustace translated well to film I think. He's so annoying in the book yet has laughs, but in the movie I never really got mad at him. He wasn't nasty to me, he was just funny all the time. The other characters couldn't stand him but I couldn't wait to see him again. Gee I hope that doesn't mean on the flipside, his characterization sucked since I didn't feel his obnociousness as a viewer haha... ohh who cares?
2. Character building/challenges: I happen to like how in all the movies so far, the Pevensie kids feel like a family to me. They believe in one another, they annoy one another, the protect one another and grow together. This year they grew again and faced themselves together through greed and insecurities and the like. And it felt real to me. Sure they always face Narnian problems or even real-world problems but they always have to rise to the occasion as a family for the family or friendship to survive. Its a fantasy about battles, both inside and out I think and I hope that never goes away.
3.Ending transitions: Lion, Witch and Wardrobe ended in a forest turning to a closet, Prince Caspian ended with a tree tunred magic portal and Voyage ends in a huge wave-tunnel. They're so creative and I enjoy them getting back to England after the adventure is over.
4. Creative licensing and lead-ins: the battle at the end of Wardrobe was further expanded and I think it was better for it. The book didn't feature the Beavers or King Peter on a unicorn or the White Witch in a polar bear chariot, but I thought it was cool all the same. Same with with Caspian because the nightly castle-siege scene was made up for the second movie but worked well and set up problems for the group back at camp, plus led up into the mano y mano fight between Peter and Miraz (which was beautifully shot by the way). Finally the final battle with the Telmarines and the River God were nice too, though the walking trees felt a lot like Ents in TLoTR but not as cool, but they tried =/ And I had really wanted to see the River God, Aslan summons him at the end which worked fine for me even though it was different in the book. I don't even remember how different haha. So in Voyage the Green Dream Mist being resposnible for the captivity of the lost lords was cool and I think it added to the magic already within the story. Especially since it stalked everyone and came in full force at the end of the movie. It was a good tool for the Sea Serpent because I knew it would be in the movie. The Serpent being a nightmare creature was a fine touch for me. I think I could lead into The Silver Chair since King Caspian is most responsible for destroying the Mist. I think so because it could very well reveal the Lady of the Green Kirtle who kidnaps Caspian's future son Prince Rilian. If the movie makers want to go that route it won't surprise me, it'll be cool because it builds on the other nicely. That's what happends or can happen with intelligent creative licensing.
So that's a lot haha and I realize I talked about the whole series not just "Narnia3", hadn't planned on that but oh well. Looking forward to the 4th one definitely now, might even get a PG-13 rating haha, not a must but The Silver Chair can be kinda dark. But its all in how you look at it, but, and I'm leaping ahead but The Last Battle is the darkest and weigtiest one in the series, so if I don't get PG-13 for the fourth one then maybe for the seventh hahaha.
For now go check out The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader now in theaters!
I think the book version is the most magical of the series, that said I think it translates well to screen. This probably isn't the most thought out review so I'll write what stood out to me.
The 3rd in the Narnia series brings the two youngest Pevensie kids back tothe land of Narnia along with their cousin Eustace. This time there are no wars to fight or kings to make, just a sea adventure to rescue lost supporters of Caspian's (present king) father from long ago. Turns out the lost lords may have had some help getting themselves lost though, and the adventure kicks up a notch.
That's the summary. Two things that I think could've been done better or they're something that bugged me just a little bit.
1. My friend says King Caspian had a generic English accent and lost his Spanish accent from his debut back in TCoN:Prince Caspian. I hadn't noticed this so I can't be sure. Lol but it bugged me that I didn't notice also. I liked how the cultures broadened in "Narnia2" when Caspian and the other kingdom showed up. They were like Spanish sailors and kings and stuff so the new cultures I welcomed. I'll have to watch Voyage again to see if he lost the Spaniard in him though haha.
2. Everyone loves to see what makes it from the source material onto the screen. The Dufflepuds are one-legged creatures with a huge foot (like Tolkien hobbits) and they bounce around. Now they're pretty crazy and funny characters in the book and are in film... but I realized they were too outlandish. I don't know, maybe I'm too used to more fleshed out creatures like hobbits and elvs and things like that lol, so its prob petty. It was still cool for a second to be reminded of them from the book.
What i liked about the movie and beware, some spoilers.
1. Eustace translated well to film I think. He's so annoying in the book yet has laughs, but in the movie I never really got mad at him. He wasn't nasty to me, he was just funny all the time. The other characters couldn't stand him but I couldn't wait to see him again. Gee I hope that doesn't mean on the flipside, his characterization sucked since I didn't feel his obnociousness as a viewer haha... ohh who cares?
2. Character building/challenges: I happen to like how in all the movies so far, the Pevensie kids feel like a family to me. They believe in one another, they annoy one another, the protect one another and grow together. This year they grew again and faced themselves together through greed and insecurities and the like. And it felt real to me. Sure they always face Narnian problems or even real-world problems but they always have to rise to the occasion as a family for the family or friendship to survive. Its a fantasy about battles, both inside and out I think and I hope that never goes away.
3.Ending transitions: Lion, Witch and Wardrobe ended in a forest turning to a closet, Prince Caspian ended with a tree tunred magic portal and Voyage ends in a huge wave-tunnel. They're so creative and I enjoy them getting back to England after the adventure is over.
4. Creative licensing and lead-ins: the battle at the end of Wardrobe was further expanded and I think it was better for it. The book didn't feature the Beavers or King Peter on a unicorn or the White Witch in a polar bear chariot, but I thought it was cool all the same. Same with with Caspian because the nightly castle-siege scene was made up for the second movie but worked well and set up problems for the group back at camp, plus led up into the mano y mano fight between Peter and Miraz (which was beautifully shot by the way). Finally the final battle with the Telmarines and the River God were nice too, though the walking trees felt a lot like Ents in TLoTR but not as cool, but they tried =/ And I had really wanted to see the River God, Aslan summons him at the end which worked fine for me even though it was different in the book. I don't even remember how different haha. So in Voyage the Green Dream Mist being resposnible for the captivity of the lost lords was cool and I think it added to the magic already within the story. Especially since it stalked everyone and came in full force at the end of the movie. It was a good tool for the Sea Serpent because I knew it would be in the movie. The Serpent being a nightmare creature was a fine touch for me. I think I could lead into The Silver Chair since King Caspian is most responsible for destroying the Mist. I think so because it could very well reveal the Lady of the Green Kirtle who kidnaps Caspian's future son Prince Rilian. If the movie makers want to go that route it won't surprise me, it'll be cool because it builds on the other nicely. That's what happends or can happen with intelligent creative licensing.
So that's a lot haha and I realize I talked about the whole series not just "Narnia3", hadn't planned on that but oh well. Looking forward to the 4th one definitely now, might even get a PG-13 rating haha, not a must but The Silver Chair can be kinda dark. But its all in how you look at it, but, and I'm leaping ahead but The Last Battle is the darkest and weigtiest one in the series, so if I don't get PG-13 for the fourth one then maybe for the seventh hahaha.
For now go check out The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader now in theaters!
FIN
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Crazy Writer's Fury!!!
Wow I am up to date on my script for AVIATORS! The photo project that flopped on my hitRECord profile lol has now bloomed into something real that my friends and family are getting in on. Took principal photography for the first time back in September. Been shooting pictures of locations all over town. Now this sunday the cast and I will get together to capture more exciting shots that will inspire and frame the drama for my short film.
And up until recently I finally decided a short film could be made out of this!
So there's the Prologue, Chapters, 1, 2, 3 and 4!
I'm thinking, honestly, that this might become a short miniseries, like The Walking Dead on AMC or something or V on ABC? Short mini TV shows. Only this would maybe go on hitRECord or youtube or Vimeo or something. But I am so amped I have written the first four parts of this narrative. I am literally looking for fresh ideas on where to procede cuz its like a cliffhanger right now, no joke.
I still need the narrator for this project. I think after I have all the footage (filmed) I can focus on the script for the narrator's dialogue then. I'm comfortable with that cuz the pix and the filming is RIGHT NOW!
BUT I AM SO AMPED IT'S NOT FUNNY!
So glad I have written it all out. Just have to focus on more pix for mapping out scenes, and then actually scripting it out of my notebook haha. I can't wait.
Thank you God, this week has been awesome!
And this weekend will be the icing on the cake ^_^.
Peace out!
FIN
And up until recently I finally decided a short film could be made out of this!
So there's the Prologue, Chapters, 1, 2, 3 and 4!
I'm thinking, honestly, that this might become a short miniseries, like The Walking Dead on AMC or something or V on ABC? Short mini TV shows. Only this would maybe go on hitRECord or youtube or Vimeo or something. But I am so amped I have written the first four parts of this narrative. I am literally looking for fresh ideas on where to procede cuz its like a cliffhanger right now, no joke.
I still need the narrator for this project. I think after I have all the footage (filmed) I can focus on the script for the narrator's dialogue then. I'm comfortable with that cuz the pix and the filming is RIGHT NOW!
BUT I AM SO AMPED IT'S NOT FUNNY!
So glad I have written it all out. Just have to focus on more pix for mapping out scenes, and then actually scripting it out of my notebook haha. I can't wait.
Thank you God, this week has been awesome!
And this weekend will be the icing on the cake ^_^.
Peace out!
FIN
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