The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

This movie, surprisingly, gets better after each viewing.

I have already watched this in 3D and 48fps 3D in the cinemas.

The little nuances that Peter Jackson pepper all over the movie is very entertaining and the more I watch it, the more I pick up!!

I have previously reviewed this and it is here:

The Hobbit Review (Mov Freak)

It is a shame that I do not have a 3D TV as yet and cannot relive the wonder, that is 48fps 3D.

c'est la vie

My Additional Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 7 2013, 12:25 PM

Willow (1988)

In the 80s, George Lucas was at his peak.

The original Star Wars trilogy made him a ton of money.

The said movies' toys and merchandising (T-Shirt, Coffee Mug etc) is still making him tons of money.

Indiana Jones the first of another franchises was making him tons of money.

Industrial Lights and Magic, a company he founded, specialising in movie Special Effect, because of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, became the industry standard (was making him tons of money)

He started Pixar and then sold it to Steve Jobs... making him tons of money, so as stated he was at his PEAK.

One thing did allude him, the movie rights to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings!!

So much so that he said to himself, what the hey, I'm RICH and powerful, I'll write my own version of The Hobbit and the resulting product is Willow...

I do remember going to the cinema to see this and at the end I went... Meh!!

They wanted the Han Solo-ish main character (loveable Rouge) and selected Val Kilmer to be Madmartigan. Nobody and I say NOBODY can out Han Solo, Mr Harrison Ford...

In The Hobbit and Lord of the Ring, a bunch of guys basically said, Let's Go on a Road Trip, and did, Willow the main character (who interestingly resembles a Hobbit) in forced into a road trip whilst he is constantly always wanting to return to him family at his village.

There are too many elements from The Hobbit and The Lord Of the Rings, which inspires George Lucas while he was writing the script. As good a writer as George is/was, Tolkien he is not.

The RICHNESS which is in Tolkien's writing, is simply non existent in Willow...

More emphasis was place in, can we have a monster here, or, can we do Trolls and we make them walk on a ceiling (eg special effects stuff) rather then giving us rich story or fantasy...

Having said that, this is probably one of the first movie that used the computer's "Morph" effect (way WAY before Michael Jackson's Black and White).

Video and Sound transfer are good, but because of the age of the movie, there are two special effects scenes that seems a little cheesy compared to today's standards...

I also appreciate the fact that this movie introduces Warwick Davis to the world.

The 80s were a mini Golden Age for Fantasy movie. Ranging from expensive Big Budget movies like Willow, Legend and Dragon Slayer, to the more modestly budgeted Beast Master (I still like this), Sword and Sorcery etc (not a complete list, give an old guy a break. Writing all this stuff from memory)

I think with big budget movies like Legend (1985) and Willows (1988) which didn't lose money but made lower then expected returns and cause a drought for fantasy movie!! Movie executive basically went, but fantasy don't sell and would point to those two movies as example...

I'm ranting...

This is a passable movie for a lazy Sunday afternoon...

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 6 2013, 11:56 PM

Thanks for that

Now all I have to do is get a 3D tv/Projector...

Season 01 or 02??

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

If you remember, pixelated game characters, you'll enjoy this little gem.

Gone are the days, when Disney (as in Disney, Disney) sucked at making good CGI animation (Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons, anyone?).

They were trying to dazzle people with their CGI prowess and in the process forgot to tell a good story!

The same thing happened to them after the death of Walt Disney and Disney animation went into a slum, before The Little Mermaid!!

And then something happened. Disney bought Pixar and along with that, came John Lasseter, who reminded everyone at Disney, the art of story telling...

Since then things had gotten better at Disney Animation and they made animation like Tangled and now Wreck-It Ralph!!

Nostalgia galore!

Nintendo and Sega kept popping into my mind when I was watching this!!

So lets do a check list

1) Good story √
2) Cute Characters √
3) All kinds of game related jargon from past and present that is actually cool √
4) Interesting villains √
5) Unconventional couple √
6) Heart warming sequences √
7) Unique movie √

So to keep this simple, great movie, check it out.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 20 2013, 02:54 PM

You are welcome

Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan (documentary) (2011)

Magic

A great documentary about THE GREAT Ray Harryhausen.

I probably watched everything he had done (wait, I might not have seen The Valley of Gwangi and First Men in the Moon)

As Willis H. O'Brien (Special Effects wizard behind the original King Kong) inspired Ray, to be involved with movie Special Effects, Ray in turn inspired people like George Lucas, Steven Spielberg & Peter Jackson to be involved in Special Effect laden movies...

To date, when they have issues with special effects shot, they would still refer to Ray's work as solution to their effect problems!!

I have to agree with Ray, when a effects shot is film practically (eg with something that is solid) it tends to anchor that effects shot with reality...

On other words, the scene is sold to the audience!

With all the special feature we get with DVD and Bluray, the mystic/secrets of the movie is disclose, making present day movie goes more... jaded in a sense (aiya, CGI lah...)

We no longer suspend our disbelieve...

It is sad in a way...

If you are a Ray Harryhausen fan, please DO NOT miss this.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 21 2013, 12:07 AM

Jesus Christ Super Star The Arena Tour (2012)

I'm not sure if there are alot of Andrew Lloyd Webber fans out there, and have to add, if you are into ROCK concert, you might just like this.

Andrew Lloyd Webber never liked the way this "play/concert" was first presented to the public.

Having the opportunity to re-imagine this, in a rock concert context, he jumped at it.

Visually and sonically impressive, and if the subject matter does not... rub you the wrong way, give this a go.

Oh is you are a Spice Girl fan, an added bonus for you is Mel C plays Mary here!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 24 2013, 11:40 AM

The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition (1939)

This movie was made in 1939.

Until today, it has one of the BEST tornado scene every filmed in a movie...

Think about it. They ONLY had practical effect. How did the PUT a tornado into the scene....

Apparently, magic... and silk stockings...

If you are into old movie and nostalgia, go for it!!

My Two Sen

As far as Andrew Lloyd Weber goes, The Phantom of the Opera, is by far his best work. You are correct, The Phantom of the Opera at The Royal Albert Hall 25th Anniversary (2011) is great.

As far as Broadway/theater is concern, Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary 25th Anniversary (2010) is the best to date. Getting the many different Jean Valjean, appearing and singing "Bring Him Home", priceless...

The only downside to the Les Misérables concert is having Nick Jonas in it. Just my personal opinion people, no need to tar and feather me...

As for as concerts, I do like Hit Man: David Foster & Friends (2008) and Chris Botti in Boston (2008).

Also a very underated concert by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds: Live at Radio City (2007) who doesn't seem to have a large fan base in Malaysia...

So in short, I'm not really a rocker per say, I just listen to everything!!

P.S.

The Jesus Christ Superstar - Live Arena Tour (2012) isn't the First, "rock" Jesus Christ Superstar.

In 1992, there was a Jesus Christ Superstar rock concert by big Australian singers (John Farnham as Jesus, Kate Ceberano as Mary and Jon Stevens as Judas). I actually feel that rocked better then the Live Arena Tour!!

But that was in Australia and they are all rockers there...

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 24 2013, 10:29 PM

Rule of thumb, 720p will look fine on TVs then is 42" and below...

For anything above 42", strongly recommends 1080p.

Screens which are 100" and above (the ones you see demoed in high end retail shops) used propriety material (they are now labeled as 4K or 8K)

4K is 4 times higher resolution compared to 1080p. 8K I'm assuming is 8 times the resolution of 1080p.

When remastering alot of 70mm movies, movie companies are starting to scan the said films using 4K or 8K process, so that if they need to release the material in 4K or 8K, they are ready. (Samsara documentary comes to mind)

So, hope this helps...

My Two Sen

Er... why so many depressing movies in ONE seating??

I have watched Schindler's List and Inglorious Bestards. I have not watched The Pianist though...

Would you believe me if I told you I have nevery watch The Godfather 1, 2 or 3 before??

Just Like Singing in the Rain, it took me the longest time to watch it, and when I did, it was TOTALLY different movie then I imagine!!

The Sweden one or the Daniel Craigy one??

The Arnold one or Jason Momoa

Thank you

Surprisingly, the American version of Dragon Tattoo is actually more shocking (deviant?) in some scenes compared with the Sweden version, which is already pretty out there (the Sweden version)

Jason's Mamao's version of Conan, was reasonable well done, which in itself an issue, because there really was nothing outstanding about it, one forget about it after the viewing.... Which is a shame because production value speaking, it runs rings around Arnold's version.

An interesting tidbit about the new Conan, Jared Padalecki (of Supernatural fame) was a contender for the role (Conan), and worked his ass off to build himself up... but Jason Mamao, got the role

That is sad.

I understand they are looking for potential buyers...

No news on that front?

.... They have been "threatening" to do THAT for the past several season (Since Season 5, I believe)



Wownder what Dean and Sam would do in ten years time...

Hmm.... that may just be DreamWorks SKG

Hahaha. So they want to but Rhythm and Hues in it's entirety or just the Malaysia division?

If they don't do something quickly, all the talents with have quit and goto, I don't know George Lucas (wait.... would that be) Disney Singapore by now.