3D, Flattening

TheWrap reports some rather damning statistics from the opening weeks of Thor 2 in the US, and it's info that studios should use to honestly consider upcoming productions:

With around 80 percent of its 3,841 screens offering the format, roughly 39 percent of Disney’s Marvel superhero sequel’s $85.7 million opening weekend grosses came from 3D. That’s still about $33 million, but a solid majority of moviegoers opted to see it in 2D rather than put on the glasses.

If it always looked great, from production (or post-conversion) to in-theatre execution, the story might have been markedly different. Hollywood cannot offer its customers the promise of an unparalleled, high-end experience and deliver less-than-adequate results. You can only rip people off for so long.

Daily Grab 105: Hold Onto Your Butts

Since full reviews are embargoed, I can't write a brief post "reviewing" Jurassic Park 3D, which my wife and I saw through extremely exacting and skeptical eyes this morning.

Instead, here's a grab of Samuel L. Jackson from the movie paired with some brief impressions like these offered by Jeff Wells last Wednesday, albeit at much shorter length. I have a great deal more to say about this, but I'll observe the insane "embargo" for now. Based on Jeff's piece being out there unreprimanded, I honestly consider the "embargo" as dead as a goat in a T-Rex paddock.

JP3D exceeded all expectations possible, with the new depth of field revealing detail that neither me nor my wife had caught previously. This is our mutual favorite movie, and we've seen it dozens and dozens of times each. The new sound master, presumably the same 7.1 mix from the Blu-ray, is also a crisp, clean, hiss-free revelation. Previously muffled or mumbled lines and sound effects are now clear as a bell. As big a deal as the original release's surround sound was, this was an immensely pleasant surprise.

This may sound odd, but foliage is where the 3D shines most. Trees, brush, blades of grass: these are less obtrusive "popups" than new depth of imagery that make me wish I had a 3DTV. The 3D only enhances, and never detracts from the experience. The car in the tree? Forget about it. The Brachiosaur sleepover? Breathtaking. The Run of the Gallimimus? More thrilling. "Clever girl"? More harrowing, and a grander moment for Muldoon.

The only minor picture quality issues I had were a few takes that are similarly soft in the Blu-ray. It's been 20 years since I saw this in its original 35mm incarnation, so I can't say for sure that it's DNR rather than softer focus in one take versus the one following (specifically where Grant finds the dino eggs).

I plan to see JP3D at least three times during its run, and Universal would be smart to try to keep it on screens throughout the summer, even alongside the big, soon-to-flop tentpoles we get each year. If a theater has a DCP sitting around and Explosionfest XXtreme 3D has sold no tickets, they should drop it for what could be a strong repeat hit.

You'd be amazed how many people out there have never seen Jurassic Park. Judging by the audience this morning, there are many more than one might assume.

Daily Grab 51: On Pointe

(Yes, I know it's "en pointe")

Criterion's first 3D Blu-ray release is the ambitious, beautiful, and deeply moving dance performance art documentary (ish) hybrid Pina, from the great Wim Wenders. One of my biggest missed-in-theatres regrets is now on my shelf. I'll have to revisit it if/when I get 3D capable equipment.

My favorite and most unique college film class experience came from taking Dance in the Movies, taught by an amazing dance historian, critic, and professor: Dr. Sally Sommer. I can't calculate how much I owe the person who introduced me to Madam Satan and so many more, especially Saura's Carmen and Jamaican sensation Dancehall Queen.