The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion |
| Posted: 09 Nov 2012 03:36 PM PST NOV 10 — The 3D debate, about whether it's more than just a gimmick, has been going on for a few years now, ever since the second wave of 3D started to really build up steam with the monstrous success of Avatar. Yes, you read that right, there was an earlier wave of Hollywood 3D movies a long, long time ago, with films like House Of Wax and It Came From Outer Space. Even Alfred Hitchcock weighed in with a 3D effort back then with Dial M For Murder. There was even something close to 4D, way before the last Spy Kids movie claimed a 4th dimension with their sniff cards, when legendary producer William Castle rigged cinema seats with surplus army devices that can cause mild electric shocks to provide even more "jolts" of excitement when he screens his movies. But like I said earlier, these early forays into 3D were unfortunately more often than not just gimmicks, as the movie studios in the 1950s desperately tried to come up with whatever novelty tricks they could to differentiate going to the cinema with merely staying at home and watching television, as they were losing audiences to television by the truckloads back then. We're probably used to the widescreen format now, but back then TVs were square and widescreen was probably the studios' most successful gimmick as each studio or company would have their own version of the widescreen format, from Cinemascope to Tohoscope and beyond. The reason we're used to the widescreen format now is surely because the format has now become not merely a gimmick, but also an important expressive tool in the filmmakers' arsenal, able to convey things in a different way than the square format (often called "the Academy ratio") of movies before that. It's become so prevalent that it's rare to even find a new movie being shot today in the Academy ratio as the default setting for almost all productions nowadays (even TV series) are in widescreen. Which now brings me to the future of 3D. Detractors have always harped upon the fact that 3D movies have always seemed like cheap gimmicks, with the filmmakers usually failing to make proper (let alone creative) use of the extra dimension that comes with the format. It's usually used to just throw things from the screen onto the audience, and in return people always associate 3D with being able to do nothing more than that. In fact, some even complain when a 3D movie doesn't resort to throwing things at them! Defenders of the format say that like any other new technology, it's not the tool that is the problem but the user. In time, great directors will take a stab at filming in 3D, and maybe then we'll see the format's full potential being explored. As a film geek and keen follower of film history, I tend to agree with this camp, as even with the widescreen format you can clearly see how remarkable its usage can be in the hands of a master like Vincente Minnelli, Akira Kurosawa or Bela Tarr and how useless it can be in the hands of journeyman hacks (not naming names!). It's unfortunate that films falling within this latter camp like Cave Of Forgotten Dreams (by Werner Herzog), Pina (by Wim Wenders) and even a children's film like Hugo (by Martin Scorsese) failed to make it to our shores in 3D. I only had the pleasure of watching them in normal 2D on DVD, but even then I could actually imagine how remarkable the play of dimensions would be if I saw them in 3D. While most live action 3D films are trashy commercial vehicles at best, this year has seen a fair share of good ones too, with The Avengers being far ahead of the pack and Dredd giving me quite a pleasant surprise, especially with its "slo-mo" sequences. And props must also be given to trashmeister Paul W.S. Anderson for his last two movies, the obviously not-so-good The Three Musketeers and Resident Evil: Retribution that were still pretty good examples of how to use 3D excitingly. Being Malaysian, I guess the best 3D examples that you can find in local cinemas would be with animated films, and I thought that Steven Spielberg's The Adventures Of Tintin was an outstanding example, outstripping even Pixar movies with its remarkable use of 3D. And just a few weeks ago, we're treated to what's surely one of the most gorgeous looking (and most gorgeously used) 3D animated film yet in Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, a black-and-white stop-motion animation film (yes, believe it or not, a B&W film in 3D!). I watched it twice, once in 3D and after that in 2D just to see the difference, and I can safely say that seeing it in 3D was a heart-stopping experience. And with rumours going around that Jean Luc-Godard's next film will be in 3D (no joke!), I'd have to say that the future of 3D looks quite alive and well! * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. |
| Posted: 09 Nov 2012 03:27 PM PST NOV 10 — The top story in the world of football over the past week has been Celtics' outstanding achievement in the Champions League group stage tie against the mighty Barcelona on Wednesday night in the city of Glasgow. The Scottish side's win was even more remarkable as they came close to shutting out Lionel Messi & Co altogether, that is, until the world footballer of the year's injury-time strike. All credit to the former European champions — Celtic were the first British club to win the European title, way back in 1967 — for putting up a fight where many a star-studded team had parked the bus against the likes of Barca. Yes, you Chelsea, and not just once. At least the Bhoys in green hoops have a history worth talking about compared with teams that bought their success. That, and the passion of their fanatical support, is what carried this team through a night of trepidation against the Spanish giants. One illustrious member of that passionate Celtic fan base is, of course, legendary rock star Rod Stewart. I have to admit it was very touching seeing him in tears at the end of the game. The joy of victory had him overcome with emotion. It also reminded me of his concert I attended in Singapore in 2009. The stage was all decorated in green and the Celtic crest featuring the shamrock leaf covered a large part of the white stage floor. That is a passion for football we do not often see among the rich and famous compared with the stars of movies and music at NBA games. Carrying on, but still on the same Scottish track, the other big news of the week was about another Scotsman, although it came out of the city of Manchester. Alex Ferguson is finally getting the statue he so rightly deserves for all that he has done for Manchester United. Setting aside the first five years of his career at the club, his past 21 years has been one of unprecedented glory…for any club in history. That total of 26 years in charge has seen boys among MU supporters become men, have their own kids, who then continue the support for the same man and his ever-changing band of players. Such a legacy is the dream of many a manager. And to think, he came so close to retiring from management about 10 years ago. Any MU fan who can even begin to doubt Ferguson's ability to lead the club, when their team starts to show some weakness, deserve the lean years that will eventually come when he takes a final bow. It is not likely to happen soon though, based on how his club have slowly reached the summit of the English Premier League this season. It is only 10 games in, but MU has been able to capitalise on Manchester City's jittery defence of the title and Chelsea's distractions. Today, the Red Devils take a trip to the midlands to face Aston Villa at Villa Park (1.30am, tomorrow morning). This has been a very happy hunting ground for Ferguson over the years. One needs to go back to 1995 for the last time that Villa beat MU at home, in any competition. The statistics also show that in more than half of the matches played since then, Villa have ended the match unable to even notch a single goal. With the Villans currently languishing in 17th place, it makes the task even more daunting for the home side. The only chance of a draw coming out of this game is if MU suffer from some post-Champions League blues after their come-from-behind win in Braga, Portugal on Wednesday night. The incentive for Ferguson's men will be the chance to create some breathing space between them and the blues duo of Chelsea and Manchester City, who both play tomorrow night. Man City is at home to Tottenham Hotspur, while Chelsea host a still-poor Liverpool side. All four had their European exploits in mid-week too, with Spurs and the Reds playing on Thursday night in the Europa League. It is hard to see Liverpool bouncing back from that defeat and the long journey deep into Russia where they played Anzhi Makhachkala. Chelsea just could not have asked for a better time to face Brendan Rodgers' men, especially with the recent history between the clubs. Spurs, meanwhile, will be hoping to claim another scalp in Manchester. It is a tough call this match but the quality should show among Man City's star line-up for a narrow win. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. |
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