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The Last Furry Action Hero
The 1984 cult classic ‘Gremlins’ has stood the test of time–well, at least 34 years thus far–as a case study in the cinematic quality and effectiveness of practical effects. Specifically, puppeteering. While CGI (computer-generated imagery) has its place in films, that place should be limited and difficult to decipher or not distracting from reality.
Gizmo is proof of this.
Once again: That movie called ‘Gremlins’ achieved this impressive feat in the mid-’80s. Yes. It’s true.
And the rewards for dedication to practical effect artistry in the ever-innovative movie industry almost can’t be measured in tangible metrics. The expectation for good storytelling demands the best of everything while we escape into a fantasy setting, which includes two-dimensional ropes for audiences to hang onto.
This expectation even reaches (well, reached) into our own reality.
Warner Bros. understood that blurring the line–and even creating a direct link–between a movie and our daily life is the most valuable metric.
A metric that shouldn’t be tracked past midnight.
Happy Monday!
It’s not a photo of the first script read-through, as was the case for the 2015 cinematic blockbuster The Force Awakens…
(see below)
(Walt Disney Studios)
but Stranger Things just may be the television-equivalent for science-fiction fans these days regarding its popular ’80s nostalgic experience, which may validate its video release of their first table read for the highly-anticipated third season.
(see below)
The first table reads for The Force Awakens and the forthcoming third season of the Netflix phenomenon was photographed in black and white…three years apart…with no connection between the two aside from shared cultural popularity. Hmm?
Well, that’s a strange thing to see.
Have a Better Week Than Last Week.
Going Inside the Theatrical Snow Globe
Do you think movie trailers are long today at around 2 1/2 minutes?
Travel back to 1941 (a few years ago) and then add another minute to the audience’s first glance at a film.
Well, a glance behind the curtain of the film that hasn’t been released to the public.
Perhaps back in the old days, this burgeoning new medium known as cinema required such transparency to succeed with the masses? Seventy-seven-years later, what do you think of the first trailer for this little-known indie flick.
Believe it or not Ripley, but the set-up to the trailer in the trailer as the trailer spotlights a certain kind of movie magic and charm.
They sure don’t make movies movie trailers like this anymore.
Happy Throwback Thursday!
From Burnt to Burns
Two years meets the time required to be considered a flashback, right?
Regardless of the rules of the social media protocol, it does for today’s installation of Flashback Friday.
A favorite blooper interview (not a blooper reel, but a full-fledged blooper interview) of Jimmy’s Daily Planet is from a couple years ago. Actors Sienna Miller, Daniel Brühl, and Bradley Cooper are promoting their 2015 film Burnt with Willie Geist of NBC’s TODAY Show. While the movie is beautifully (and deliciously) shot with an intriguing story, there are occasional pops of cringe-worthy soundtrack selections and dialogue cooked from over-priced self-immortalization. And this is the fault of the writing and producing, not the acting. Still, despite these flaws unmistakenly burned around the edges and partly into the main story, there’s a great, entertaining movie in Burnt that leaves us all striving to one day afford to eat at the fictional Adam Jones at the Langham.
Luckily, we can experience the real chemistry (and improvisational comedic chops) of actors Sienna Miller, Daniel Brühl, and Bradley Cooper.
If there’s a funnier food dish than Wienerschnitzel said in perfect German, please let me know.
Happy Flashback Friday!
Jimmy's Daily Planet 