⇒ Street Fighter Legacy

hate to say it but I'm getting a 'watchmen' kind of feeling...looks too shackled by faithfulness, but I'll reserve opinion until I see it. I hope it's the 'Ong Bak' of fighting game movies--out of nowhere and actually good

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⇒ Iron Man 2

just saw it. If the editing were tightened up, it could have been much better. Great action, though the camera framing and cinematography almost didn't let me see it.

Stay after the credits. I are serious

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⇒ AVATAR

just saw it in 3D.

Good: Technology, stunning visual effects, 3D, Stephen Lang, Zoe Saldana, hardcore action moments.

Bad: Sam Worthington, cheesiness, corny lines, cliched elements, super uncomfortable 3D glasses, admission price. Lucky I wore contacts today otherwise I might not be able to have seen the 3D! Also James Horner's score didn't do it for me.

Should have been better: Sigourney Weaver, James Cameron's dialogue (though Weaver's numbnuts line was full of win).

other thoughts:
CG/technology: Amazing, previously unseen visuals. photorealism at its best. CGI is so good, feels more like you're watching tall people in prosthetics--the avatars retain some human DNA. The visuals/3D are kind of like those holographic stickers you used to buy. You know, the silvery ones, only this time it's photorealistic and this time it's a full movie, with a very definite foreground and background.

General press speak of a jump in 3D graphics and it's true, everything 'til now has been a gimmicky trick. This makes the screen more like a pane of glass; you're looking through a window and on the other side the movie is being played out.

Also creates a deeper depth of field--you don't just watch the screen, you can scan different parts of it in the foreground and background.

Sometimes I'm pulled out of the fantasy by my brain's unfamiliarity/adjustment to what i'm perceiving. It's difficult to process that most of what you're seeing doesn't exist. Careful craftsmanship by Cameron and crew have managed to confound your sense of perception. I think it made use of polarisation or parallax, or both. I definitely get the sense that parallax was involved, which is why I made the sticker comment.

I really like the sensible use of haptics, augmented reality and user interfaces/displays in the movie. Very practical and realistic, none of that excessively stylish yet impractical to use crap flooding movies now.



Story: Ambitious, corny and slightly cliched. Alot of time has passed since Cameron had his ideas for this movie, and since then, other projects (particularly sci-fi or environmental fantasy), have tread the path. e.g. transfer of consciousness into an avatar (the Matrix); natives and profiteers clashing (pocahontas, fern gully); an outsider joining a clan (dances with wolves, last samurai); it goes on.

One thing that really bothered me: Jake's branded as fearless but I think he's more like reckless and stupid. Initially, being in an avatar would be like playing a video game for him, there's very little physical peril--if his avatar dies, he's still alive.



Design: resembles some of his previous work, particularly the mobile suit and military compound (Aliens). There is something Egyptian/American Indian about the Na'vi.

I thought the Thanator was underwhelming. It's supposed to be more badass than the Xenomorph, but I'm not convinced.

For all of Cameron's soaring accomplishments in creating realistic motion-capture characters and his deft handling of the new era of 3D, "Avatar" feels both familiar and overlong. You've traveled this road before, even if now you're doing it in a blinged-out luxury vehicle with personal seat-warmers and a dozen cupholders.

ifc.com

...James Cameron is releasing his first feature since "Titanic." Yes, "Avatar" is a big, big movie, but is it the cinema game-changer the studio is touting it as? Yes and no. From a technology perspective, absolutely. For all the times you've been told that you've never seen anything like this, this time, for reals, you've never seen anything like this.

moviejungle

from mtvsplashpage:
@MykeNorten Saw Avatar. Good movie. Don't like 3-d experience. Worthington worst US accent ever. Saldana cuter as cgi catmonkey.
-Mike Norton, Artist ("Blue Beetle," "Gravity")

I agree about worthington and saldana remarks.

Casting pt 1: @robertliefeld Dear 20th Century Fox, Please sign Steven Lang as Cable and put him in your next X-men film. Thanks, Rob
-Rob Liefeld, Writer/Artist ("X-Force," "Onslaught Reborn")
Casting pt 2: @robertliefeld Steven Lang's performance as Quaritch in Avatar was brilliant. Just attach a cyborg arm to him and presto! he's Cable. Perfect age too.

YES! Stephen Lang as Cable would kick ass. But a new X-Men movie probably wouldn't.



Final thoughts:
1. Cameron shoulda gone full hardcore and filmed the whole movie in the alien native tongue, like Mel Gibson did on Apocalypto (which was another kind of mind-blowing).

2. I passed by a remark that called Avatar the 'Holy Grail' of 3D. I disagree, while the tech is very impressive and reaches new heights, the movie could have still been made without it. But that's like having the Matrix without Bullet-time, LOTR without Gollum, Wizard of Oz without the flourish of colour. If you ever make a movie that cannot exist/be shown in any other form except as a 3D feature-presentation, that's the Holy Grail.

Way better than the last movie I saw (Watchmen). That piece of sh!t put me off cinema 'til now.

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⇒ new Yuen Woo Ping

King of Beggars

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⇒ anticipation

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⇒ toy story 3

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⇒ good hair

Good Hair, Chris?!? What the eff?

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⇒ Awesome

movie summaries
here are a few highlights:
W: Unspeakable disaster afflicts America. Then terrorists attack.
WAR OF THE WORLDS: Immigrants face difficulty acclimating.
KING KONG: Endangered animal stolen, shot.
KARATE KID: Boy gains acceptance through violence.
BATMAN: Wealthy man assaults the mentally ill.

not awesome: raw account of law grads in US: shitlaw primer

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⇒ inception teaser

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⇒ weaps from cult movies

Tim Doyle's 40 cult movie weapons
name 'em all and get a prize. I can get about 37...

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⇒ Professor Layton: the Eternal Diva

Layton's got his own movie:


Ghibli-pretty

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⇒ star trek (2009)

My friend got me into a 'mystery screening' last night--I'm shocked at how good it is. Tight storyline and amazing visuals. I'm not a big Star Trek fan, rather I'm a sci-fi fan and will see almost anything sci-fi, but this is a strong movie! More accessible than any of the previous movies, better pacing, far more epic and interesting too.

Not perfect, some things felt too little or too much (more hand to hand combat than all ten previous movies combined?), and some characterizations didn't work for me. On the plus, Spock, Uhura, Bones, Checkov and Scotty were very good (Checkov and Scotty's accents and delivery were tight).

Go see it, it's really good!
[ NOT NORMALLY A STAR TREK FAN ]

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⇒ watched watchmen

From a very respected 'graphic novel' comes a very mediocre movie. Had this been made 20 years ago it might have been slightly better. Poor direction, mostly poor performances, characters I don't care about, sloppy or uninventive action scenes and a garish, awkward soundtrack really sunk this movie for me. I think an original soundtrack would have really aided in lifting this movie beyond it's telemovie feel--better yet, an intrumental-only original soundtrack. Nena Hagen's 99 red balloons felt so out of place in the middle of the movie and something about hearing pop music while watching big blue Dr Manhattan attend a funeral makes me wanna break out in fits of ridiculous giggles.

I understand Snyder's trying to respect the source material but he's so chicken or uninventive that he pretty much lifted the script and cinematography from the panels of the source. Some things which work in print don't work on film. Same goes for Snyder's 300. And Rodrigues' Frank Miller's Sin City. Although Rodrigues' came right out and said that's what he aiming for. Action-wise, Snyder's whole schtick seems to be 'slo-mo'..."Hey, I think I'll slow this scene down...". Yeah great, what else you got? Snyder seems to be the opposite end of modern action-direction spectrum. Either too much shaky-cam and action edited too quick, or Snyder's slooooooooooooooooooo-mooooooooooo...Action cinema needs a reboot.

What worked for the me:
the visual effects were pretty ok I guess...
the cast really looked like their graphic novel illustrations (save for 'Ozzie')...
Billy Crudup's detachment? Though that might have been him experiencing all time at once and realizing this movie blows chunks.

What really broke my suspension of disbelief:
-overlong intro to 'times they are a changin' '
-excessive use of bloodstained smiley badge...we get it...it's iconic, it's merchandise...
-Patrick Wilson's Nite Owl. Half the time he talked just like that evil dude in Cinderella Man or he was Clooney-Batman. You know what I mean.
-Blue wang. If you're going to cut out the explanation as to why he's sometimes clothed/undressed/commando, why even show it?
-That thin, Zoolander-esque be-nippled, toupee wearing douche dude is THE smartest man alive? Gimme a f#ckin' break. I'm not the smartest anything but at least my password isn't plain english or the very publicly known object of obsession. Why was he giving us 'blue steel' the whole time?
-Silk Spectre. What was her superpower? Did she have one? So this 90lb ho goes around kicking ass in skintight latex with no powers at all?
-Intelligence--it had none.


Ultimately, I had a better time watching the first Watchmen trailer--you know, the one with Smashing Pumpkins' on it. Now give me back my two and a half hours.

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⇒ tech+gaming+geek news roundup:

techvideoblog.com/reviews/online-video-sites-hd-quality-comparison/
www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-for-dad/
www.kotaku.com.au/games/2008/12/flowers_a_breath_of_fresh_air-2.html
www.kotaku.com.au/games/2008/12/watch_a_portugese_dog_and_a_statue_of_napoleon_play_street_fighter-2.html

i ♥ katamari, so logically i'm looking forward to the next thing from creator Keita Takahashi, Noby Noby Boy. And Katamari's on iPhone!

Noby Noby Boy 'TGS 2008' trailer

TicTacToe in LBP:


New Wolverine movie teaser out:
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE HD

actually looks kinda watchable. I just hope it's not dogsh!t like X3. Still not crazy about: Will.i.am, Gambit, wirework, name of movie, small-ish looking final battle.
Why: If you're a successful musician, stay in that profession; looks nothing like the ladykillin' ragin' cajun we all ♥; I love wirework, but from what I've seen, it's not sharp enough to overcome the 'floaty' feel; why not just call it 'Wolverine'? The action (again from what little I've seen) seems smaller and less crazy than his X2 throw-down with Deathstrike.
like: Dog Logan goin' to War(s), Sabretooth's last line.
Huge Jackman looks bigger, beefer than and real-er than 'Incredible' Hulk!

zomg, I'm a nerd! Boing!

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⇒ one of sydney's darkest weeks

i don't mean the lack of illumination, but the doom and gloom global credit crisis, topsy-turvy weather, horrific crime, meaningless assault and turd in dessert incidents.

btw, someone finally said it: "...if the Academy gives Heath Ledger a pity Oscar (thereby ignoring the whole 'drug addict dad who left his daughter fatherless to pursue a habit') I'll kill someone." from here
Thank you! They're actors, people! Their day job is pretending to be someone else! What the f#ck is all this 'I was so inspired by your performance' bs?!?!?! GAH!!!!

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⇒ ip man

sifu Yip Man was Bruce Lee's master--taught the Bruce Wing Chun, pushing hands, what have you...
Makes sense they decided to make an exciting movie about his life, which I have no doubt will contain a Harry Potter scene with baby Bruce (you know these filmmaker types, they likes themselves theatrical liberties!). Punch-errific teaser:

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⇒ misery

friday: Hayley's last day at work...free morning tea, free lunch ('gourmet' pizza). The chick serving us was nice though...'nice'.
Drinks after work...cabana bar kinda sucks, now that i think about it...chat with JDB revealed much...I wonder what he truly thinks of me. I just want his respect and acknowledgment is all...I hold him in such high regard...he's like Mr Miyagi to my Daniel-san.

friday AM: re-arranged/moved stuff around my room. Oh shiz, i didn't realize I had all this 'stuff'. Moving it around was a bad move--it was already in its most efficient configuration. Bad move further compounded by poor planning. Then laziness. So it's a slighgtly tidier (?) mess right now.

saturday: was planning on doing washing, going to the gym, etc. BUT sh!tty weather prevailed. Rained for hours on end...come on Spring, do your thing! Add to that, the late friday finish and I'm in no condition for gymtime.

saturday AM: watched some movies (Zathura ok--what i caught anyways, but jeebus, Mummy Returns is a steaming turdpile!). Stumbled across US Open mens' semifinals. I knew the US Open was on but didn't realize channel 9 would be broadcasting it. Federer triumphed over Djokovic, 3 sets to 1. Nadal in trouble against Murray (2 sets to love, Nadal leading 3rd set). Their play is suspended.

sunday: didn't get enough sleep, owing to tennis, so I'm here at home...lazing. It's not raining but it's friggin' cold and miserable...my aunt not well. Hope she recovers.

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⇒ Full retard

Robert Downey Jr: never go full retard

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⇒ week 13 summary

Useful vinegar http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/06/5-unexpected-ways-to-clean-with-vinegar.html
How to make a note into an envelope http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Note-into-an-Envelope

Marty mcfly’s 2015 kicks! http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/06/the-2015-mcfly.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_eponymous_laws
http://www.news.com.au/travel/gallery/0,26362,5032753-5007153-1,00.html
http://www.kongregate.com/games/Reflexive/music-catch
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/06/10-useful-apps-to-reduce-your.html
http://www.labnol.org/internet/search/better-yahoo-search-features-not-in-google/1690/
http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=7423
http://www.superherohype.com/news/batmannews.php?id=7422
http://www.superherohype.com/news/hellboynews.php?id=7412
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/06/25-absolute-essentials-for-networking.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Chill-a-Drink-Quickly
http://www.wikihow.com/Hack-a-Coke-Machine
http://www.wikihow.com/Appreciate-Inorganic-Matter
http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Friction
http://www.wikihow.com/Do-Simple-Chromatography
http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Classical-Physics
http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Your-Power-and-Horse-Power
http://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-Safely
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Exercise-to-Help-You-Lose-Weight
http://www.theage.com.au/news/how-tos/jobs-queue/2008/06/28/1214472820094.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tag_cloud
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_down
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technorati
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folksonomy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Duke_University_lacrosse_case

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23956716-7485,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23950599-663,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23955940-5001021,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23951300-5012985,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23953596-5001021,00.html
http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_touch_diamond_vs_samsung_i900_omnia-review-262.php
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/07/5-critical-life-lessons-you-can-learn.html
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/07/totlol-video-site-thats-totally-kid.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motivational_poster
http://9rules.com/
http://www.motifake.com/index.php?viewtop=4&sid=10371

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23963774-5014108,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23962519-5014117,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23962783-5014108,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/business/money/story/0,25479,23963349-14327,00.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/web/blog-your-way-to-happiness/2008/07/01/1214678045763.html
http://producten.hema.nl/
http://www.cracked.com/article_16446_if-tattoos-actually-told-truth.html
http://www.cracked.com/article_16458_5-terrible-life-lessons-hollywood-loves-teach-you.html
http://www.cracked.com/article_15049_marvel-comics-vs-science-5-most-absurd-superhero-origins.html
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=borked


http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/02/art-of-negotiation-fifteen-steps-to.html
http://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-plasma-lcd/?gclid=CMiLpL_FpZQCFQNaFQodXXpntQ

Anti-smoking star wars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sidL5s9bDU8

Live Free or Die Hard censorship http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=4522&In=WikE

DIABLO III
The lord of destruction returns! http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/28/blizzard-unveils-diablo-3/


Sequels many people actually want:
Diablo III
Starcraft II
The Dark Knight

Sequels some people want:
Streetfighter IV
Metal Gear Solid 4
Ocean’s 13
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Bourne Ultimatum

Sequels...do not want:
Die Hard 4
Shrek 3
Pirates... 2
Pirates... 3
Spider-man 3
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Resident Evil: Extinction
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
Saw III
Rush Hour 3


Lists of lists of lists:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_films

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⇒ design of cinema

Warren Manser (A.I., Spider-Man, Army Of Darkness, Serenity, Speed Racer)

James Clyne (A.I., Minority Report, Galaxy Quest, X-Men 3, Titan A.E., The Fountain, Transformers, Star Trek, Avatar, Battle Angel)

Miles Teves (Men In Black, Terminator III and IV, Iron Man, Outlander)

Nathan Crowley (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Mystery Men, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight)

Guy Hendrix Dyas (Indiana Jones IV, Superman Returns, Galaxy Quest, X-2: X-Men United, Brave New World)

Ryan Church (Star Wars Episode II and III, Avatar, Outlander, Star Trek, John Carter Of Mars)

Alex McDowell (Minority Report, Watchmen)

Jeannine C. Oppewall (Cat People, Pleasantville, The Happening, Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Richard Hudolin (Battlestar Galactica, Stargate: SG-1, Doctor Who)

Daren Dochterman (X-Men 3, Chronicles Of Riddick, Sky High, Get Smart, Dragonball, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Creature From The Black Lagoon)

source: Design Genius

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