Thursday 20 December 2012

Wreck-it Ralph in 3D is far from a wreckage!

Unappreciated game villain, Wreck-It Ralph, goes out of his arcade game to prove that he can be a hero. Not without leaving a trail of wreckage in the world of arcade games of course! Enter the world of video games as you follow Ralph jump from one game to another in search of heroism while facing obstacles that come in packages both big and small. This movie is loads of fun as we see some childhood game characters making cameo appearances, but does this movie get a new high score for 3D or is it game-over?

Thursday 13 December 2012

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 3D


If you're not a fan of The Lord of the Rings, I urge you not to dismiss The Hobbit prematurely. The Hobbit is a more light-hearted adventure that you don't just watch, but also experience thanks to 3D. I watched this movie in the highly advertised High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D), and it was an unexpected journey of my own. One thing is for sure, movie goers are faced with another dilemma when deciding to watch The Hobbit - "To HFR 3D or not to HFR 3D?" Journey on to find out!

Thursday 6 December 2012

Check-in to Hotel Transylvania in 3D!


Welcome to Hotel Transylvania! *Blah-blah-blah!* In 3D! *Blah-blah-blah!* No, it's not a blah movie.. Try reading that again in Count Dracula's voice. Much better! Hotel Transylvania is an animated family comedy centered on over-protective daddy Dracula who builds a hotel to shelter his daughter and monsters alike from us awfully scary human beings. Talk about getting a taste of your own medicine. Do we check out from Hotel Transylvania pleased with our 3D stay, or do we want our money back?

Silent Hill: Revelation 3D


Nine Silent Hill video games made,
None of which have I ever played.
This movie is worse than the first I'm afraid,
But alas! The 3D justifies the amount paid.

Silent Hill: Revelation is not for everyone. It is better appreciated by the fans. But if you're in for cheap thrills, why not? As for the 3D, you can trust it to be good enough if they include it in their movie title. But there are some things you may want to know about this 3D...

Thursday 29 November 2012

Life of Pi in 3D


Academy award winning director Ang Lee breathes cinematic life into Yann Martel's fantasy adventure novel, Life of Pi, as he provides audiences worldwide, quite aptly put on the movie poster, a journey of a lifetime. Life of Pi is afforded an extra dimension that brings this story to the big screen in surreal 3D as it has the audience follow Pi on an incredible journey of self-discovery in close proximity. But does the 3D bring us on an unforgettable journey, or does it leave us stranded?

Thursday 22 November 2012

Rise of the Guardians.. of 3D?


Rise of the Guardians is not your run-of-the-mill christmas movie. In fact, it isn't really even a christmas movie. Featuring your famous range of legends from Christian folklore such as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, Rise of the Guardians breathes new Attitude into these household names. You're in for an action-packed holiday treat with christmas around the corner. But does the 3D immerse you in a magical world, or are your robbed of all belief in 3D?

Thursday 15 November 2012

Frankenweenie in terrifying 3D!


This November, Tim Burton's 1984 short film has been dug up and brought back to life. This time, as a full-length feature film on the big screen. Yet another stop-motion film in 3D, Frankenweenie is filmed purely in black and white. This is no surprise coming for Mr Burton himself. However, stop-motion films can be tricky to pull off in 3D, and draining colour from the film does not make the task any easier. So, does 3D breathe life into Frankenweenie, or does Frankenweenie create a monstrous 3D experience?

Thursday 25 October 2012

Should you take the BAIT in 3D?


A first-time Australia/Singapore co-production, BAIT 3D is everything its trailer suggests -  a low-budget shark thriller that swims in the same pond as all the other forgettable shark movies. But hey! Singapore actor Adrian Pang is part of the main cast! And he gets a substantial amount of screen time too! Even if you're not a fan, it's always nice to see local talent on an international scale. Enough digression, let me give you what you came for.

Here's how I found Nemo in 3D!


In this day and age of profiteering, it is no surprise that the movie industry has jumped on the band wagon with its own brand of extortion. My apologies for the sharp-tongued remark. But, such is the impression that the highly successful Finding Nemo presents in its recent 3D release. Production costs are much lower, and prior success of the original movie carries the 3D version on its back. Much like the sea turtles on the EAC! Sweet.. Totally.. Even so, who says 3D conversions can't be good?

Thursday 20 September 2012

DREDD: 3D Judgment Time!


In 1995, we were given a peek into a dystopian future where one man (Sylvester Stallone) was the law. Today, Karl Urban fills the boots of the badass Judge Dredd. Making a comeback after 17 years, it would only be lawful to make this movie in 3D. WARNING: This is not a remake of the Stallone movie. In fact, the plot is very similar to The Raid: Redemption, an  Indonesian movie. How ironic it would be if DREDD is slapped with a copyright infringement suit. Anyway, the trial is over for DREDD in 3D. Judgment Time!

Thursday 13 September 2012

'Resident Evil: Retribution' - Evil Goes Global in 3D!


It's been 10 years since the first Resident Evil movie, and the battle against the Umbrella Corporation and the undead still continues. Dear Alice, how the hell are you still alive?? But there is a silver lining to this epically long battle. That is to watch the agonizingly slow depletion of the human race in exciting 3D! This fifth installment of the series is the second to be made in 3D. We can only expect the best from 'Resident Evil: Retribution' in all it's gorious (pun intended) gun-slinging, zombie slaying prowess!

Saturday 8 September 2012

29 Februari in 3D.. Malaysia boleh!


For those who are oblivious to cultural products not originating from the West (guilty as charged!), 29 Februari is a film produced by our neighbours, Malaysia. The movie revolves around a man who was born 29 February 1896, and ages only every four years on his birthday. I think it is definitely worth a mention that this is Malaysia's first 3D film! If you were wondering, yes, this movie is in Malay, and no, there are no subtitles. But 3D knows no race, language, or religion. So let's see how the 3D debutant fared!

Friday 31 August 2012

ParaNorman in "Eye-Popping 3D"?


Having worked with Tim Burton in 'The Corpse Bride' and being storyboard supervisor for 'Coraline', Chris Butler is now the proud father of 'ParaNorman'. The director and writer for the latest clay animation film promises his audience eye-popping 3D effects. Quite a bold move for the first time director, and that too for only the second ever stop-motion film to be made in 3D after Coraline. So.. does ParaNorman make our eyes pop? Read on to find out. Full scream ahead!

Thursday 30 August 2012

Step Up Revolution in revolutionary 3D?


'Step Up Revolution' is the fourth addition to the Step Up franchise. Are you thinking what I'm thinking B1? I think I am B2. How the hell are they coming up with more of these movies?? Yet another poppin' and lockin', break dancing movie, with a reused and re-abused plot. But wait, there's more! It's in 3D! This is the second Step Up movie featured in 3D after 'Step Up 3D'. Surprisingly, the 3D element of this movie was underplayed in its advertisements. Was there any reason for that? You might want to read on..

Thursday 23 August 2012

Katy Perry: Part of Me in 3D.. literally!


the 3d guru
Watching 'Katy Perry: Part of Me' would have never crossed my mind if not for its feature in 3D. I didn't know half the songs by her. I didn't even recognize what she looked like. All that has changed now that I have watched her movie. As The 3D Guru, all of that shouldn't, and didn't, matter to me. My focus was on the 3D worth of this movie. At the same time, it is hard to ignore the content of the movie. So now, I can consciously avoid Katy Perry and her music.. Just kidding! Let's see how the 3D fared in this movie.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Did fortune favour Brave in 3D?


the 3d guru
Disney and Pixar venture into a 'Brave' new world that deviates from the familiarity of previous movies like Toy Story or Up. Set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. An archery-loving princess at the forefront. Four armies of warriors boasting an inventory of axes, spears, and swords. Need I go on? I was sold to the 3D potential of this movie, if not the story. Hats off to Disney’s advertising bravado and good luck to Pixar's first princess movie. Fast forward to release day, does Brave live up to its 3D potential?

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Ice Age: Continental Drift, breaking grounds in 3D?


the 3d guru
10 years on, we see the fourth installment of the Ice Age series coming to the big screen. Being the second 3D movie in the series after Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs in 2009, we would expect all the kinks from the previous movie to be ironed out. Unfortunately, I can’t compare the two… I didn’t watch the previous movie… But that allows me to make an impartial judgment of this movie right? So here goes!

Monday 9 July 2012

A 3D take on Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter


the 3d guru
I am not here to judge the movie, only it’s 3D value. That being said, the 3D did its job in this movie, breathing much needed life into a dead, or perhaps “undead” genre. Abraham Lincoln once said,"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." That is exactly what the filmmakers did when they decided to make this movie in 3D. So what did I think about the movie? Well… for a worn out genre, let’s just say it exceeded my expectations. More importantly, how was the 3D?

Sunday 1 July 2012

The Amazing Spider-Man in 3D: How amazing was it really?


the 3d guru
Amidst the hype of the return of a “new and improved” Spider-Man to the big screen, I had high hopes for its greatly advertised feature in 3D. This is the beginning of a new era after the world was left jaw hanging from Tobey Maguire's reign as your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. But now, The Amazing Spider-Man in 3D? Just imagine the promise of webs shooting at you, Spiderman swinging from building to building. Amazing... NOT!

Thursday 21 June 2012

Madagascar 3: Europe's most wanted.. 3D movie?


the 3d guru
The third installment of Madagascar sees Alex the lion and gang come to the big screen in 3D for the first time. A well-loved series with promise of enhanced visual experience. One can just imagine the fun you’ll have watching the shenanigans of these “wild” creatures in 3D. Add a circus theme into the mix and *poof* … No, not Ko Ko Krunch, but something just as special onscreen! Well, that’s just the expectation of fans and moviegoers alike. But does the 3D deliver?

Friday 15 June 2012

3D Judging Categories

I have developed 5 simple categories upon which I assess the quality of 3D in movies. Some of these were adopted from a section in the Cinema Blend website. I have modified and localized them for Singaporeans and Asians alike. Each category is given a score out of 5. The total score, out of 25, will determine if you should or shouldn't watch the movie in 3D.

Birth of The 3D Guru

I am sick and tired of the movie industry picking our pockets. No. That doesn't sound right. I am sick of bending over for the movie industry. That's more like it. Now how many of you have felt this way with the huge wave of 3D movies hitting the big screen?