Friday, December 31, 2010

To make a sequel or not to make a sequel?

Truly one of the questions most filmmakers are faced with after the success of their movie. What do they usually decide?  They decide to make the sequel thus destroying the franchise completely! It is a major risk making sequels to a movie. For a few simple reasons... 1. You have to think of a completely new storyline. 2. Introduce new Characters 3. You have to try and make it as good as its successor but as we all know it never is as good as the first.

I wonder what goes through the production company's mind when the idea of a sequel comes up. Possibly something like this " Sequel? You should just say an opportunity to get more money out of this film!". What do the fans of the film think? Some would think" Nice a sequel! We must go and see it!" and others would think more logically and think "No! You are heading into a disaster! Don't do it I beg of you!" I am one of those who thinks it stupid that there is a sequel but will watch it anyway.

One sequel that NEVER should've been made was Titanic 2. They build the Titanic 2 and try to sail it from America to Paris. With the Arrogance of thinking that they will make it and not sink like it predecessor did. It's no spoiler to say that they're wrong. They even have the "You're gonna die an old woman" speech! One positive i found out of it was that James Cameron didn't direct it and none of the original cast returned.

After the sequel has been released they decide to release a third film. Then the fourth, then fifth etc.
Take a look at the Shrek franchise. Shrek was good then they released Shrek 2 and it wasn't as good but still enjoyable then it all went downhill with Shrek the Third. Now Shrek Forever After and rumors are being spread of a Puss in Boots movie. The Shrek franchise is a prime example of  "milking a movie for all that it's worth".

Movies like The Harry Potter series need sequels because there is more than one story. Movies like Titanic and  the Simpsons movie don't need sequels. Yes it's true that Mat Groening is thinking of making a sequel.

However sequels are something that will always darken our days. As long as there are "money hungry" producers and film Companies out there sequels will continue to be made.

I must commend Disney Pixar as they never really release sequels and when they do the sequel is as good as the first. Toy story is a fine example of that. I'm hoping i can say the same about Cars 2 Grand Prix.

Only time will tell....

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Post-production 3D does it work?

I find that there is nothing more annoying than a post-production 3D movie. For those of you who do not know what post-production 3D is. It is a movie made into 3D after being shot and is in the process of being edited. When the Director feels that it is a better idea than just a normal 2D movie. It never really is! So which movies are post-production 3D films? Well, a few would be Clash of the Titans, Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Narnia: the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Last Airbender.

I feel that 3D works better with Animation films. Such as Megamind,Despicable Me,How to train your Dragon and Monsters vs Aliens. I only saw Megamind in 3D but was told all the others were good in 3D. Although I did see abit of Monster vs Aliens on one of those Sony Bravia 3D TVs. Megamind 3D was nothing short of amazing   ! It had me leaning far back into my chair when a long pole came out at me.

What exactly do we expect from a 3D film? We expect to be avoiding things flying out at us from the screen or to have that feeling that we are in the middle of the action. However post-production doesn't deliver this experience. Sad to say but very true. What I'm not saying is that you should never go to watch a 3D film if it's not animation. By all means go and watch any 3D film you like. All I'm saying is that the 3D would be much better if the film was shot in 3D.

So post-production doesn't work. But if a movie was shot in 3D it would be entirely different.

We can only hope that film makers realize this. James Cameron is working on 3D glasses free 3D technology though. Only time will tell how that project will workout.  
                                                                 

House of Flying Daggers - Movie Review

I was given this dvd by a friend of mine. Who said " This dvd is for your Movie education". I sat down to watch it and didn't know what to expect. Firstly i looked at the Title and thought " House of Flying Daggers? sounds like a married couple with some serious issues!" However that is not the case.

The House of Flying Daggers is a secret organization who aims to kill the Government. Assassins to put it into simpler terms.

Now we come to Mei. What a Character! She's blind and almost everyone she faces needless to say loses. Which is to be expected from a member of T.H.O.F.D ( beating everyone she faces not being blind that is).
When we first meet her she is disguised as a showgirl at a brothel called Peony Pavilion. Where she meets Captain Jin for the first time. The Lieutenant challenges her to play the Echo game. A game which i can't exactly explain but the just of it is that the Lieutenant flicks beans at drums that are all around her and she has to hit those  precise drums in order. Which is an amazing scene i might add!. However things don't look well for Mei when she tries to kill the Lieutenant and gets arrested. She is discovered to be a member of T.H.O.F.D and is threatened with torture if she doesn't reveal the whereabouts of the T.H.O.F.D base. However Jin busts her out and they are now "on the run". Will they be able to get away from the Government?

How about the action in the movie? The action is really good. Some of the best action scenes include the Bamboo scene and the Battle in the Snowstorm. I must warn you that there is some gore but not very much.

An added bonus is that the entire movie is in Mandarin. There are English subtitles so everyone can understand it. I just feel it adds to the movie. Another thing i must warn you about is the "Passion" scenes they don't get to rough but just be very weary of them.

If you like Foreign or Action films. Then i suggest House of Flying Daggers

(Three out of five) ***







Watch the House of Flying Daggers trailer here:

Prologue

People who know me will know exactly what this blog is going to about. For those of you who don't. It's my favorite subject Movies. In my blog i will review movies and share my opinion on the latest movie news. I cannot however promise to review the latest movies but i will review dvd's and movies when i see them in the cinema.

If you agree or disagree with my views please feel free to comment. Hope you enjoy my views.