Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Great story, although a bit heavy.

I tried to trace the source of the heavy feeling, and realized that it probably came from the fact that we all know how this film will end, and we don't like the journey. Who likes smart apes taking over the world, anyway?

Really, who likes that?

Also, there's this really disturbing feeling, which I believe comes from seeing animals that are as smart as people. That is creepy, in any culture, in any era. No exceptions. Talking apes are the creepiest. The first time Caesar spoke, I was as surprised as the zookeeper guy in the film. And the second time he spoke, I was still as surprised as James Franco. I think talking apes will always surprise me.

Another thing that surprised me: hearing Tom Felton talk with an American accent. Very good. The other Potter kids should learn from this guy. American accents will be their ticket to Hollywood. And Draco Malfoy got there first.

He was also the first one to hug Lord Voldemort.

I predict that it will only be a matter of time before motion-capture actors will become eligible for an acting award. Caesar's facial expressions are perfect, most of the time using just subtle twitches and gestures, but the result is a wonder to behold. All thanks to Andy Serkis, the Motion-Capture King.

Woah, is Serkis really that small?

And finally, to Ms. Freida Pinto: you're pretty, but one kind of gets used to your face after a while. Also, you don't show any skin. Next time, okay? Good.


Rise of the Planet of the Apes. USA. 2011


Rating: Seven point eight out of ten.



*pics from movietrailers.polportal.com, Movie Fanatic, Dread Central, and Just Jared via I Watch Stuff

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. 3D

I watched this in 3D, despite knowing it was converted, because I thought it would feature a Wile E. Coyote-Road Runner short, which was supposed to come out with The Deathly Hallows Part 1. But since Warner Bros. didn't release that film in 3D, they just released the 3D short with Yogi Bear. Which of course I did not watch. Bummer.

Anyway, something good actually came out of watching this in converted 3D. I have realized that converted 3D isn't all that bad. Why? Because it's fake. Hold up, let me explain.

When you shoot in 3D (using two cameras), you are mimicking human binocular vision. So unless the stereographer does hyperstereo shots (meaning intense, unnatural 3D), the viewer will see the scene the way he sees real life. And after several minutes of looking at a scene which looks like real life, you'll forget you're watching a 3D flick. That is why we need hyperstereo─to jolt us out of our boring reality.

Converted 3D, on the other hand, is so fake, you know it's not real. Which is actually better, because you won't get used to it, and you'll be going, "Oh look, it's actually 3D" every couple of minutes. So it's basically like the filmmakers never want you to forget that you're watching 3D, so they show you crappy converted 3D, which actually has a better stereo effect than non-hyperstereo.

"You lost me at 'stereographer'."

So on to the regular review.

Now that the Harry Potter franchise is over, let us take a moment of silence and remember everything we've lost.

Matthew Lewis' Baby Fat

The Elder Wand

The Resurrection Stone

Quidditch

Voldemort's "No Hug" Policy

Fans Lining Up For the Movie

Tom Felton's Hairline

*Some info from IMDb
pics from Pop Culture Zoo, Tumblr, Swoonworthy, Your Props, Google Search, Blogspot, J-14, and Reuters



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part 2. UK/USA. 2011.


Rating: Seven out of ten.
3D-ness: Six and a half out of ten.



You may also want to check out the other reviews of Deathly Hallows: Part 2 by Sue Denim and Mary Quite Contrary.