Digital Film for The Depression Era
Posted by thegreatredhope
The year is 1933: Gangsters run amok, robbing banks in downtown Chicago. The great depression has the United States in dire straits. All of this is captured with...handheld digital cameras?
So I saw Michael Mann's 'Public Enemies' last night. Overall I enjoyed the flick quite a bit, but there was something that kept tearing my attention away from the story: They shot a good chunk of this film on handheld digital cameras. This was a big surprise to me, since none of that style really came through in the trailers. But I want to establish that I'm all for advances in film tech and directors experimenting to get the best possible shots for their films. But handheld digital cameras emulate such a modern style and atmosphere; I'm not sure how appropriate they were in a 1933 gangster movie. The way digital cameras pick up light or sound is so inherent to a post-millennial, '28 Days Later'-style of filmmaking. It just comes across as very "unnatural" for a strong period piece. It's odd to see that shaky-cam style with all the little dancing pixels picking up G-Men firing tommy guns out of a Ford Model-T.
Maybe I'm too accustomed to seeing epic period pieces shot like epic old-school Hollywood films. There was a great sense of realism that Mann brought to the events depicted in the film. But overall, it was a very strange thing to witness, to say the least. It was almost as if I was watching footage of rehearsals on set, shot by a PA. Which, considering how it all plays out, wouldn't be the worst thing to watch.
Episode 14: Death to Infidels
Posted by thegreatredhope
We're back! This week we're on the hunt...for a big purple rhino...named Smoochy. That shouldn't surprise you, since that's the motivation for just about every character in this week's movie, Death to Smoochy. Danny DeVito directed this ramshackle comedy with more brutish tones and violence than 27 prison riots. But that's what they call "black comedy". So it's funny, right?
What could be so horrible about a kind-hearted man wanting to spread messages of love, respect, proper eating habits, and respecting one's step dad...all while donning a huge purple rhino outfit? Teach us, Edward Norton! It's like behind-the-scenes at Sesame Street for adults, no? Well, for better and for worse. I failed to mention the Nazi rally and the murders. Oh, the murders. A little intrigued? Well, you should be you puffy rhinoceros! Listen in, and you'll leave with a wonderful insider's perspective of the world of children's television. We certainly feel more enlightened.
You know what else is enlightening? Our new theme music, courtesy of Chewbaska. They're noticeably less corrupt than the average children's TV show host.
Don't forget the Twitter, don't you dare!
@movieguyjon :: @calamityensues :: @thegreatredhope :: @tccommentary
This Iron Man Doesn’t Suck.
Posted by calamityensues
I read on Animenation that the third Tetsuo movie has wrapped principal photography. Excellent.
I have only seen the first one, but it was dark and disturbing and, well, fucked up. Tetsuo II: Body Hammer, however, I have not have the pleasure of seeing. What we have here is a metaphor for society's dependence on technology. Or maybe we have some crazy shit going on for no reason. It's nuts.
I guess that's all I got to say about that. Watch it!
Episode 10: Monkey Flashback Incorporated
Posted by calamityensues
There comes a time in a person's life when he or she needs to come to terms with their past. That time came for dem TCC boyz with the screening of this film, Being John Malkovich. It is with great, newly found clarity that we present episode 10, filled with life affirming humor and warmth.
Although, I find this film more dark and depressing that any form of humor. Well, for the most part.
I'm rambling.
By the way, we got new intro music by Chewbaska. It's good, because it's ska. And everyone likes ska.
Oh, and the Twitter...
@movieguyjon :: @calamityensues :: @thegreatredhope :: @tccommentary
3D: Ironically Shallow
Posted by thegreatredhope
How do we feel about this new 3D craze? Are we liking it? Do we care? Or, are we seeing straight through the shallow attempt at "innovation" to its lazy core known as "gimmick"? I believe the latter. Not to sound too bitter, though. I like shiny new technology as much as the next guy. In fact, I can recall quite a few times the faux-Zippo lighter app for the iPhone had me totally transfixed. It was EXACTLY LIKE a REAL ZIPPO O-M-G. And yet, Apple never claimed that simulated lighters were the future standard for cellphones. Nor should they, since in the end, it's just a damn gimmick. An obvious one. So why is it that the public seems to accept the 3D craze as a legitimate bar-raising?
This ain't exactly a rennasaince in the filmmaking world. By my count, there have already been TWO (count 'em) TWO 3D crazes in the history of commercial film. I'm sure we're well aware of the first: An attempt to pack the drive-ins and showcase those extra-scary atomic monsters in the 50's, and something about serial killers in the 80's. It seems, to the layman sociologist, that the 80's 3D revival had less staying power than in the 50's. Think about all those ridiculously cheesy films from the 80's that serve no purpose for existing outside of their 3D effects. They're now perceived ONLY as crappy, cheap excuses to show off 3D. Did any of them muster their way into the permanent social pop psyche? With or without 3D? Jaws 3D did, but not for any respectable reasons.
OK, we can live with those, since it was a good deal of second-rate horror films and sequels. But imagine living with the onslaught of 3D films today and seeing them outside of their gimmicky appearance. Will ANYONE care about Monsters Vs. Aliens' 3D prowess in 5 years? I'm concerned the studios are trying to get as much of an impulse cash-in as possible. At this point, it seems like anything will be placed through the 3D ringer. Disney's tuning up a few of their old films, and most future animated films will come equipped. Just some food for thought. How long will that effect be cool? Even on a movie that you really like? I guess it's convenient that the theaters can charge a little more for each ticket (hey mac, those glasses ain't free!). Like I said, it's a cash-in. Prepare thyself to experience an onslaught of films that won't exist beyond this little time bubble of a forced 3D renaissance.
You show me a film that was given the new-fangled 3D treatment purely to enhance the story, (and honesly, what story ever in the history of time has hinged solely on its dimensionality?) and I'll show you a shallow film.
Until Next Time.
OMG, It’s A Lost Film From The 1950s!!!
Posted by calamityensues
I normally don't go for movies that are so obviously style over substance, but this looked cool:
It's got, like, aliens and stuff. Also, it's the 1950s. It kinda reminds me of Matinee!, but in a "not at all the same movie" sort of vibe. Also, the dad from The Wonder Years is in it.
Despite the bad review I have read for this film, I'll check it out.
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Welcome Back TCC
Posted by movieguyjon
Let's compare TCC to Doctor Who for just a moment here. Whenever the great Doctor dies, he goes through a regeneration and becomes a completely different actor. That's pretty much what's happening here. We're transforming from a podcast/blog to a blog. What this means is that things are going to be changing throughout this week. The design will be completely different and the types of posts you're going to see here will be changing as well. The biggest difference is that we're no longer limited to film in our scope. Now, we'll be writing on a variety of topics such as television, anime, and web video(i.e. Legend of Neil, The Guild, and future web series).
I hope you rejoin us in the coming days for a new and improved Technicolor Commentary! Allonsi!