Last Seen Blogs
die-forever-alone-forever
The Last Thing
astrologeraskhayakhanna
Untitled
adultnet09
Tech Tribe
hellhoundlair
SCARY just got SEXY
king-mike1
Brain Wack
Text
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Walt Disney Pictures’ Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl defied expectations for a film based in part off a theme park ride. Released on July 9th, 2003, this adaptation stars Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Kiera Knightley and was directed by Gore Verbinski. The film was nominated for more than a handful of awards, including wins in categories like visual effects, sound mixing, lead actor, and makeup and made over $305 million almost a year after its initial release. (IMDb)
The film follows Will Turner, a local blacksmith, who teams up with the down-on-his-luck pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow as they try to rescue the governor’s daughter, Elizabeth Swan, from Jack’s old crew mate, Captain Barbosa. The movie is very well done in every sense of the word when it comes to film: the sets are perfect, the characters are likable, the effects are astounding (mostly done practically as well), and the story is well-established and has a great backstory. Sparrow’s story is explained to Will (as well as the audience) in the middle of the film but only after you can fully understand it does it become even more well done.
In short, Sparrow was the captain of the Black Pearl, an infamous pirate ship known throughout the Caribbean, and, in reaction to Jack not being willing to fully and equally share the earnings of their plunder, is marooned on an island. His old crew mate, Barbosa, established the mutiny and took over, leaving Jack to go [minorly] “mad with the hate” with a desire to kill the man who left him for dead with a one-shot pistol. Jack becomes a legend for his triumphant escape and manages to finally get his revenge by the end of the film. Upon first viewing, the film is great, but if you truly know Sparrow’s backstory, you really relate to him and he becomes less of a random and drunk pirate and more of someone who manages to take back what was once his and his future. It adds more meaning to the very end of the film, where he finally takes the helm of the Pearl. “Now, bring me that horizon,” he says.
The first Pirates film was not only much better than anyone could have anticipated, but it paved the way to more films with even more impressive use of effects (both practical and CGI) and storytelling. Without the initial faith that the first film would do well, the world wouldn’t have been able to see the ever-impressive and fully-CGI Davy Jones in all his tentacle-faced glory. Without the initial faith, one of my favorite franchises of films would have never been made and I’m excited to see where they take us next. (As of the posting of this entry, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is an upcoming, untitled, and unannounced movie that was discovered on the Walt Disney Pictures IMDb page.)
“Drink up me 'earties. Yo ho!” -Jack Sparrow (final shot)
Ryan Dixson, 12/10/2017
0 notes
Text
Iron Man
As the start of what would be become known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man was groundbreaking and helped prove that a superhero movie could great if given the care it needed. The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrance Howard, and Jeff Bridges and was directed by Jon Faverau. It was a hit and won awards for visual effects, sound editing, and best actor and director. After its initial release on May 2nd, 2008, Iron Man would earn a worldwide gross of over $585 million in the first six months. (IMDb)
After giving a weapons demonstration behind enemy lines in Afghanistan, Tony Stark, a self-entitled “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” weapon developer is captured and held hostage. He manages to create a suit of armor to escape and decides to fight to rid the world of the weapons his company created. He is kept alive by a small reactor in his chest and the near-death experience truly changed Stark. Throughout the film, he is as cocky as ever, but his motives will never go back to what they once were.
Director Jon Faverau gave the film the love and care it really needed, as he frequently met with the writers and creators of the comics for clarity on further storytelling. For once, a superhero film was given the time and effort to be awesome. Several VFX companies were hired to reinforce the film and enable it to be jaw-dropping. They brought the vision of an Iron Man suit to life and, thanks to cutting-edge technology, produced effects that looked incredibly realistic. Everything from the suit itself and the HUD to the end battle between Obadiah Stane and Tony Stark is perfect and it’s in this author’s opinion that it’s still as epic today as it was almost ten years ago.
Looking back on the original Iron Man, it’s amazing to see how far we as filmmakers have come. Before this, superhero films were “good” but they weren’t considered by fans as “great” (mainly due to quickly-produced stories). Iron Man was the push that Disney need to purchase Marvel Studios and the proof that the world was ready for a truly epic superhero franchise like the MCU. Having a total of seventeen films so far with more on the way and no sign of slowing down, one can say that Iron Man was the one that started it all.
“The truth is…I am Iron Man”
Ryan Dixson, 12/9/2017
0 notes
Text
TRON: Legacy
2010’s TRON: Legacy brought the technological world of The Grid back to the big screen for the first time since the original TRON back in 1982. Released on December 17th, 2010, the modern adaptation of the story of the journey of a son trying to save his father from the video game world he created stars Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, and Olivia Wilde and was directed by Joseph Kosinski. A year after it’s release, the film had made over $400 million worldwide and had also won an Oscar for achievement in sound editing, Saturn awards for best music, costume, actor, and special effects. (IMDb)
TRON: Legacy is a visually stunning film with excellent effects and world creation. For the most part, it’s a CGI film, but, much to this author’s surprise, scenes like Kevin Flynn’s apartment and the End of Line Club were done on a real set. The costumes were created to look futuristic and techy with specially-made light strips to illuminate and perfectly fit the environment they’re in. When it comes down to it though, the soundtrack takes center stage as much as the CGI does. Daft Punk, French electronic music duo, was hired to compose all the music in a style that they’re truly masters in. There are orchestral-style tracks that bring out the emotion behind the scene and then they add just enough “biodigital jazz” to remind you who you’re really listening to when you hear the music. On occasion, Daft Punk goes beyond the cinematic song and delivers a track that not only fits the film but adds some more action to the scene. A perfect example of this is “Derezzed” during the End of Line Club attack. It has a solid beat which adds to the action of the scene and has the techno style of the film amped up just right.
At first glance, this film seems like it would be kind of odd and not really fit for the general audience due to the video game-like nature of the CGI but it had enough Walt Disney Pictures’ love to allow it to resonate with audiences even when the story isn’t like most films they’re used to. If you come for a good story, this one is easy to follow and rally behind. If you come for awesome uses of CGI, TRON if filled to the brim. If you come for the music, Daft Punk outdid themselves. If you come for all the above, well then, you’ll certainly love it. It’s honestly one of my favorite films for the above reasons and more and I can’t understate my opinion that I think it’s a must-see for any movie fan.
Ryan Dixson, 12/8/2017
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
Back to the Future
Back to the Future was one of the big summer blockbuster films of 1985. With Huey Lewis and the News being the initial draw to the theaters, this film later won the hearts of fans and even led to two more films to complete the stories of Marty McFly and Doc Brown. Staring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd and directed and written by Robert Zemeckis, this view on time travel brought light to some of the continuity problems it could create. Initially, the film was pitched to several production companies but rejected by several because the “mother falling in love with her son” aspect being inappropriate for the time. Eventually, Universal Pictures took the project and with a few altercations, the film was made. By the end of it’s theater run in the first year, Back to the Future had made over $350 million. (IMDb)
For a film about time travel, it’s relatively “normal” of a film. Almost all of the movie doesn’t involve any kind of futuristic technology and is about Marty trying to get his parents to fall in love after he interrupts their first meeting. He changes his father from a shy and quiet guy to someone that managed to punch the bully and save his later-to-be wife. Starting all this is Marty accidentally getting sent back in time after terrorists interrupt a test of the DeLorean time machine. He later meets the past Doc Brown and he sends him back to the future. Marty’s actions not only improved his life but cause problems that lead the stars to the next films.
For its time, Back to the Future wasn’t over the top with effects like you’d expect with a time travel film. Instead, it relies on good story telling and a range from hand-drawn lightning and practical effects. Aside from time travel, which isn’t possible (or is it…), the movie is very relatable and has a practicality to it that a lot of other films lack. Take the end clock tower scene for example. There is a real car driving on a real set (at the backlot of Universal Hollywood) with real people and the use of camera angles, shot choice, and editing create added drama and suspense.
The first Back to the Future is a film that almost anyone could watch and appreciate and enjoy at least one aspect of it. It’s a drama involving two people falling in love, it’s a science fiction time travel film, and it’s a drama of an unlikely circumstance and how Marty and Doc Brown deal with it. Having won an Oscar for best effects and nominated for dozens more awards, it’s no wonder why any fan, after rewatching Back to the Future, will say “great scott!”
-Ryan Dixson, 12/7/2017
0 notes
Text
Star Wars: Episode VII- The Force Awakens
The third trilogy of Star Wars films was kicked off on December 18th by The Force Awakens and its new director, J. J. Abrams. It was not only a hit with fans everywhere but is one of the highest grossing films of all time at over $2 billion worldwide. Staring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver, the first Star Wars film since the Walt Disney Company purchased the franchise brought audiences to a new world post-empire. They took what everyone liked and didn’t like about the previous movie and managed to create one incredible film that exceeded the expectations of fans everywhere. (IMDb)
The Force Awakens follows an ex-stormtrooper and a scavenger as they join the Resistance and try to stop the First Order. The film brings back original characters, like Han Solo, Leia Organa, and Chewbacca, and makes them side-characters to the stars and Rey’s finding of her place in the galaxy. Unlike the previous trilogies which were almost all or nothing when it comes to practical effects, The Force Awakens and the new era of Star Wars is different. The creators found the happy middle between amazing CGI and the physicality of practical sets and effects that make for something truly amazing.
From likeable characters to the score that John Williams manages to bring to the table for every Star Wars film, The Force Awakens is the movie that Star Wars was meant to be. In this author’s opinion, if A New Hope had the technology of today and the control that it needed, it would have certainly resembled The Force Awakens. It’s just the perfect combination of the classic Star Wars style revamped to the modern age and with some added flare that CGI never fails to deliver.
Prior to it’s release, I had my doubts about a new trilogy. The original Skywalker story had been told already and concluded upon the destruction of the second Death Star at the end of Return of the Jedi. Somehow, the writers found a way to turn this skeptic into a believer because I was not only wowed from the first word but am at a loss for words to truly describe the film further. At this rate, Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi will certainly be another epic Star Wars adventure and to say I’m excited to see it would be an understatement.
-Ryan Dixson, 12/6/2017
0 notes
Text
Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones
As the second Star Wars installment since the original trilogy, Attack of the Clones continues the origin story of Anakin Skywalker, later known as Darth Vader. Staring Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, and Ewan McGregor, George Lucas’s fifth Star Wars film gives audiences a look into the galaxy before the Empire. Almost a year after it’s initial release (May 16th, 2002), the film had already made over $310 million and brought more cool effects than you could shake a lightsaber at. (IMDb)
Attack of the Clones picks up ten years after its predecessor The Phantom Menace. The new trilogy depicts the galaxy in it’s hay day: a republic. Unlike the original trilogy, which utilized practical effects and real sets, the new trilogy is dominated by the use of the computer and the technology of the day. The efforts to make the world for real was replaced by the green screen and digital effects and set creations. A set piece like the city of Coruscant or the Geonosian arena would have been too costly to produce for real and certainly wouldn’t have turned out nearly as nice as the computer-generated versions did. The amount of detail the skyscrapers have is truly amazing, and the digitally-created creatures were as lifelike and realistic as possible and is still very impressive today.
Incredible CGI aside, one certainly cannot overlook the sound design. Ben Burtt (head sound designer for dozens of films ranging from the Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Wall-E and Red Tails) and his team truly outdid themselves with their work on Attack of the Clones. They were responsible for making “galaxy far, far away” seem familiar and relatable to the viewer and to bring life into creations the world hadn’t seen before. Take the beasts in the Geonosis arena scene for example: they are three different and unique creatures that seem as though they are real with the help of CGI and the sound work his team brought to the table.
As a whole, the second trilogy of the Star Wars saga gets a lot of criticism from fans. They dislike them strongly because they believe it doesn’t have good enough story and act like CGI took over Lucas’s mind and dominated the movie. Personally, as someone that enjoyed them, it’s this author’s opinion that it’s not all accurate. Yes, there are very little practical sets and almost no practical effects to find in the films surrounding Attack of the Clones, but the futuristic world that we wanted to see wouldn’t have lived up to the expectations if it hadn’t been green screened in. Is it a little overboard? Yes. Is it reason enough to hate these films entirely? No, because it’s a style choice that best fit the world Lucas wanted.
-Ryan Dixson, 12/5/2017
0 notes
Text
Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope
May 25th, 1977, marks the birth of a new era of space and science fiction films. Star Wars (later titled “A New Hope”) was director and writer George Lucas’s gift to the world and to say it was a hit would be an understatement. Having talent like Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Alec Guinness, this summer blockbuster captured the audience’s attention and sparked the imagination of millions of soon-to-be die-hard fans around the world. The film was nominated for over 50 awards, won dozens of them, and made $410 million by the end of that year. (IMDb)
In it’s basic sense, A New Hope is an unexpecting and down-on-his-luck farm boy who must save the princess and save the galaxy from the evil overlords who wish to rule it. In reality, it’s much more than that. Lucas brought a new take on the space drama film. In exchange for the usual shiny, bright, and clean futuristic style the people were used to, he gave them something gritty, grimy, and characters who were unlikely heroes. Yes, this is a futuristic movie (although it’s set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”), but it clearly has been around for a while and the darkness the empire brings to the galaxy is evident in every shot and every sense.
A New Hope also had some of the best and cutting-edge effects of its day. Most, if not essentially all, effects are practical. Take the Death Star trench run scene for example: the star fighters are real miniatures added on top of the footage, the Death Star surface is a large model, and the cockpits were real sets that the actors would sit in. Although the blaster bolts are added on top of the film, the explosions are real models with real charges blowing up. Extrapolate this to every scene in the movie and you can get a feeling about how revolutionary this film really was. Unlike today, where all of this would be digital effects, it had a physicality to it and must have been breathtaking to watch for the first time.
In the modern day, it’s hard to get one’s hands on the original Star Wars the way it really was. In efforts to modernize the movie and make it still look cutting-edge and impressive, a large amount of it has been redone with the help of computers. The dogfights are now CGI star fighters doing over-the-top maneuvers, Jabba the Hutt is very over-done, and Mos Eisley Spaceport is hard to watch without noticing the extent that the computer has altered it just to name a few. Even with all the changes, A New Hope will always have a special place in my heart. It’s the first Star Wars movie I watched with my dad and my first introduction to the world I would still love and follow to this day.
The force was certainly strong with this one.
-Ryan Dixson, 12/4/2017
0 notes