Movies to see: Vitus & The Lives of Others
The best movies I’ve seen in the last year are Vitus and The Lives of Others. Vitus is about how extremely bright children are often treated and The Lives of Others is about the job of oppression and the strange nature of trust. Since both movies are complex and interesting, there’s alot more to say about them then that, but I’ll let the movies do the talking.
The trailer for Vitus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfAZ0nBV1Zg
The trailer for The Lives of Others: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3_iLOp6IhM
I’m hoping I can soon add wall-e to my favorite movies.
An unintended benefit of the movie “88 Minutes”
“If you think the plot [of the movie 88 Minutes] sounds like baloney, just wait for its resolution. The only saving grace is the conceit behind the title, whereby our hero is given eighty-eight minutes to live; the countdown unfolds in real time, thus allowing you to call ahead and book a restaurant table.”
- Anthony Lane (his review)
Ouch.
Pixar’s best movie yet?
Pixar may have made their best movie yet. Check out the trailer for wall-e:
(or in a larger size:http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/walle/trailer_large.html)
A camera for the age
A company called Red One started by Jim Jannard, the founder of Oakley (the sunglass company), has created a digital video camera (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/red-one-camera-169222.php) that has a massive 24.4 x 13.7mm sensor. With a sensor that big it basically duplicates the depth of field and selective focus characteristics of film cameras. Steve Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings, recently demonstrated the camera’s power by filming a short film using it.
Red One is bringing the camera to market at a price point ($17,500) that should make digital filming at a super duper high definition (better than current HDTV’s are capable of) very common. Instead of renting a $250,000 film camera, now you can buy a digital camera with equivalent capabilities for less then the cost of most cars.
This tracks a natural evolution of technology in film production that is removing many of the hurdles of creating a tremendously professional work yourself. With youtube, Joost, Netflix, the Xbox360, and iTunes transforming distribution, the entertainment industry is in for a set of significant changes.
Having access to or being the talent that can put together a compelling story, direct, and act remains a significant barrier to entry, of course. But even more people should now have a shot.
