Review: The Hobbit (Spoilers)

The Lord of the Rings trilogy were the defining films of my childhood. It was the first time that I was aware that movies were actually made rather than just being there. It also later introduced me (via the extensive DVD extras) to the nuances of film making and probably sent me down the path I'm on today.

So you can imagine my reaction to the news that they were going to film The Hobbit. On Sunday I finally got my chance to go and see it! Warning: There be spoilers ahead.

Poster from here

What I watched while I was away

Due to inconsistant posting and lack of internet for a while this is the first Monthly Round Up in a long, long time so instead I'm going to summarise all the stuff you missed me ranting and raving about while offline :)

Tyrannosaur (Paddy Considine, 2011)

Image from here

A powerful film, fully deserving of every accolade it got but one I will never watch again if I can help it. Deeply disturbing, the shocking imagery and moving lead performances will stay with you long after you've finished watching.

The Killer Inside Me (Michael Winterbottom, 2010)

Image from here

Another film with shocking and gruesome imagery, Casey Affleck plays the main character and manages to be both enigmatic and utterly repulsive. Its a slow burner with an inevitable conclusion but what makes the film so gripping is the fab way that Winterbottom plays with tension.

Dune (David Lynch, 1984)

Image from here

I literally have no idea what is happening in this movie...

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (David Lynch, 1992)

Image from here

Ditto

Looper (Rian Johnson, 2012)

Image from here

Might just be one of the best cinema releases of this year. A new, stylish look at time travel in a gritty setting. Loved everything about it once Joseph Gordon-Levitt's make up stopped being a distraction...

What I'm waiting for...

THE HOBBIT. DUH! ISN'T EVERYONE?

3D Nightmares

I had to link to  this article from The AV Club that I stumbled across today when I was supposed to be studying. I loved the LOTR trilogy it was one of the first things that got me really interested in film beyond the casual level and since then I have harboured a secret desire to be a ranger. That aside, I was really looking forward to The Hobbit as soon as it was announced. Then came the details of splitting it into two movies, original characters and stuff that sound suspiciously like padding and I was still firmly holding onto the belief that I would love this film and honestly I still think that's the case mostly because even without this article there is no way in hell I would give up my hard earned cash to see ANYTHING in 3D so I plan to go and see The Hobbit in SD with the glorious filmic grain that is apparently missing.

I went and saw Avatar in 3D when it came out and a few others since but the novelty wore off fast to the point where I won't go and see the film if i can't see it in standard. The point about 3D is that good films are still good films without it while bad films seem plumped up and bloated. It doesn't add anything to the experience. Not to mention the uncanny valley effect that comes from slightly popped out people and objects. It's cold and lacks the texture of film. I don't have anything against digital, in fact I think it's great, but post production means we can still get the warmth of film even if that wasn't the medium used. Because of the distortion that comes with 3D, that isn't possible.

It makes me wonder, with big name advocates like Cameron and Jackson, how far the 3D wave will go and whether someone is going to turn around and say enough is enough.