Blog Archives
The Great (Protected) Fall of China
And you thought only Superman could see through things?
Vertigo sufferers may not need apply for directions to the longest and highest glass bridge in the world. Eye-popping views are not uncommon with bridges of all shapes and sizes, but China has clearly raised the thrill-factor to a new level. And, impressively, this ground-breaking sight was constructed for the everyday visitor. That means experience climbing Mt. Everest is not a prerequisite, which was a courteous touch on the part of Haim Dotan. The Israeli architect has certainly made his impression in far away China.
The six-meter wide bridge stretches 430 meters over a 300-meter-deep valley between two cliffs in the beautiful Zhangjiajie Park, said to have inspired the scenery for the sci-fi movie “Avatar.”
–CNN
CNN also reported that a bungee jump will be set-up at the bridge. YouTube videos will follow shortly…
Mr. Dotan’s imaginative creation will also be conducive to the artistic, fashion-forward and, quite frankly, the brave: Fashion runway shows.
Safety inspections may be slightly more frequent than other, more pedestrian bridges. However, seeing and speaking with safety professionals and engineers might be nice, even if to just put visitors at ease.
That would be the transparent approach.
A Lift Back in Time
Sequels, historically, have a mixed record. How about a non-sequel sequel?
The 2011 film Crazy, Stupid, Love starring Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Emma Stone and Julianne Moore is a wonderful cinematic achievement. Akin to the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy, the casting, writing and acting was pitch-perfect and clever throughout with fun twists and fantastic settings we wish we could hang-out in on the weekend or on vacation.
Great escapism.
Speaking of escapism…
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s chemistry in Crazy, Stupid, Love is clearly evident. Remember the Dirty Dancing-inspired scene with the famed lift? It’s fitting the two would make a movie that expands their burgeoning romance from that dynamite move.
Despite not being their first reunion on film (Gangster Squad in 2013), the brand new teaser trailer for La La Land is, in terms of tonality, a similar feel-good spirit for the actor and actress as their beloved roles as Jacob Palmer and Hannah. The classical, dreamy aura reminds us of the Golden Age of Hollywood, inviting us into a world that serves as confirmation for why we enjoy movie magic and how this magic is created.
This film is unapologetic in celebrating Hollywood’s bright, shining spotlight elevated on and for the stage of suspended belief.
La La Land doesn’t look crazy or stupid, but full of love.
Makin’ it Rain in Da Desert
“Make it rain” is slang for throwing money into the air to demonstrate one’s unrestrained wealth.
On a related note, it appears the UAE (United Arab Emirates) will be “making it rain” by throwing a few of their endless money piles into the air in order to literally make it rain.
“The scientific reasoning behind the scheme is that an artificial mountain forces air to rise, cool, condense and form clouds, resulting in rainfall. The process is known as cloud-seeding, but can sometimes have undesirable outcomes. In March, cloud-seeding caused havoc in the region when over 11 inches of rainfall poured down in under 24 hours.”
–Elisabeth Perlman, Newsweek
The details are not rock solid yet, but the UAE’s proposed use of capital for designing and building a mountain should surprise exactly nobody. Dubai (well, new Dubai) is a builder’s paradise with ultra-modern and jaw-dropping skyscrapers, malls, hotels and islands. No idea is too crazy nor too expensive, at least thus far. Motivated by the movie adage, “build it and they will come,” the UAE has apparently modified its branding to the world beyond attracting tourists and residents by envisioning a potentially groundbreaking artificial simulation of Mother Nature herself.
Having visited the UAE and seeing and experiencing the outrageous projects they were undertaking in person, which included chilling in the sky bar at 5-star Burj Al Arab hotel, standing in snow in the indoor ski slope at Ski Dubai, looking down at the Palm in its early stages from the top of a skyscraper and eating the best buffet ever at the luxurious Emirates Palace, there is no doubting their capabilities.
Constructing a customized mountain with special powers like a kid playing with LEGO’s?
Sounds about right for the UAE.
However, is attempting to manipulate natural weather patterns a good idea?
Money can buy, solve and influence many things, but actively injecting oneself into the ambiguities of the weather and nature can increase the risks of unpredictable and, therefore, uncontrollable problems arising.
Remember Jurassic Park?
You may say that re-engineering dinosaurs will never happen. And it probably won’t. But there’s an indoor ski slope in one of the hottest places on the planet. Who would’ve believed that?
There was a lot of rain in Jurassic Park, if you recall.
Just saying that when it rains, it pours with a bite.
RD’s BFG in HD
There are no aliens, dinosaurs, sharks, artificial intelligence or adventure-prone professors (along with his trademark father-son struggle/dynamic), yet there’s new evidence that begs the question:
Has Steven Spielberg done it again with a giant that is uniquely big and friendly?
The full trailer for The BFG was released today.
As is the case for any movie that combines CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) with real actors, the challenge is to seamlessly join the two forces within one environment without interruption. This cinematic synchronization is important because suspended belief needs to be constant for the audience to maintain its fluidity in storytelling, as well as enhance the believable factor. The absence of this relationship on-screen can generate (if even temporarily) imaginative detachments for the viewer.
A couple scenes from the trailer above reveal a slight disconnect where you can distinguish the real person and the imaginary backdrop. Is this simply an unavoidable consequence of filming in such high definition? Whatever the reason, the legendary director has earned the benefit of the doubt from his fans. Audiences should see this film in its entirety to fairly judge its comprehensive visual technique and merits.
Visually, this movie has a grand, glowing feel. The famed book of the same name certainly received the movie magic treatment.
Just as BFG author Roald Dahl did with his classic books, Steven Spielberg is taking a chance venturing off into a fantasy world and, ultimately, into our imaginations.
That’s something we can all connect with this summer.
Disney’s The BFG arrives in a theater near you July 1st.
P.S. Was it a good idea to reveal The BFG in his entirety in the trailer?
Jimmy's Daily Planet 