Baz Luhrmann Wants To Convert Moulin Rouge! To 3D !

After the great success of The Great Gatsby in 3D Baz Luhrmann says he wants to convert his 2001 film Moulin Rouge! to 3D!

In an interview last week on Entertainment Weekly Radio, director Baz Luhrmann says that Moulin Rouge! 3D might be in the works soon, "Because conversion is getting better and better, I'm going to ask the guys at Fox… maybe can we convert Moulin Rouge! to 3-D," says Luhrmann, who shot The Great Gatsby (released on Blu-Ray Aug. 27) natively in 3-D. "Because I think in a strange way I was trying to make a 3-D movie."

Be sure to go to stores and buy the 3D Blu-Ray of The Great Gatsby if you didn't get a chance to see it in theaters. And if you did get a chance buy it anyways because the 3D was great! And keep an eye out for Moulin Rouge! in 3D whenever it arrives.

Give A 30 Second Video Review Of THE GREAT GATSBY And Win Some Swag From 3ality Technica!

Here's a cool contest for all you 3D aficionados out there! What did you think about the stereoscopic 3D in THE GREAT GATSBY? Feel strongly enough about it to put your voice behind it? Perfect - we've got a contest for you from the good folks at 3ality Technica.

To enter, simply review the 3D in The Great Gatsby in 30 seconds or less on video (on youTube or other social media sites) or write a review – in 140 characters or less – of The Great Gatsby and what you thought of the 3D, then submit it using online form found here.

Top creative reviews will be featured on 3ality Technica's website, and exclusive 3ality Technica swag will be sent to featured reviewers.

Pretty cool contest if you ask me! Here was my review to help you remember some things (not to sway your thoughts or anything).

Movie Review: THE GREAT GATSBY - 9.5 Stars, Spoiler Free!

What a treat! If you've read other critics panning the movie - do not listen to them! I can't emphasize this enough. Make up your own mind. But do go and see it. Take a look at RottenTomatoes. The critics have THE GREAT GATSBY at 49% currently (a joke), while the actual paying audience has it at 84%! These critics are WAY out of touch with reality. Further, TGG enjoyed an opening weekend of $50m+!

I felt reinvigorated and thoughtful upon leaving the theater. Think the opposite of how you feel after a explosion filled action movie. Think culturally relevant. If you don't go see this movie in theaters, in 3D, you are doing yourself a disservice. This is art in motion and in sound.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), a young man from Minnesota, moves to New York to learn about the bond business. He rents a house in the swanky West Egg district of Long Island. He eventually meets his neighbor Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and gets caught up in his world of extravagant parties and people. 

Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this story deals with the allure of fame and fortune, as well as the unbreakable bond of first love.


I'm going to jump right into the review...

Story - 98%. Adapted from one of the greatest writers we have ever known, F. Scott Fitzgerald, THE GREAT GATSBY delivers an extremely satisfying drama that pulls you in and doesn't let go. Brilliant characters illuminate the story from beginning to end and their journey is full of joy and peril. Life can flip on a dime and these characters live it. Almost flawless and wonderfully adapted, you won't want for a better trip away from your own joys and perils.

Acting - 95%. Leonardo DiCaprio is Jay Gatsby. His development as an actor has been a work in progress over the years. I remember seeing him in THE QUICK AND THE DEAD and thinking wow, this kid's going to be amazing in a few years. He hasn't let me down. His portrayal of JG captures his intense yearnings, patience, timidness and ultimately his obsessiveness - all brilliantly done. Director Baz Luhrmann's camera captures every nuance of JG's emotion through all the glitz and glamor of the era. I can't think of better casting. One scene in particular, again in the hotel room - Jay Gatsby reveals a chink in his emotional armor and perfectly summed up my thoughts on DiCaprio as Gatsby: Range and authenticity.

The only reason why I didn't give the acting a 99% or even 100% is Tobey Maguire. I am not a fan. His personality is appropriate diminutive in this movie, hinting at why he was cast, but Maguire just doesn't have believability. Nick Carraway needed to be more in awe, more out of place, more insane (at times) and have much more of a change by the end. He witnesses a great deal of things. Carraway needed to CHANGE much more than Maguire portrayed and I just didn't believe him as an actor. Still, he wasn't horrible. Miscast, but ok.

I've become more and more of a fan of Carey Mulligan of late. I first took note of her in DRIVE - she plays wonderfully enamored women who seem to fall for the wrong man. Perfectly cast as Daisy Buchanan.

Character Development - 92%. A wonderful and gradual exposure to Jay Gatsby was timed perfectly to continue with the wonderful and gradual exposure of what he was up to! Maguire's character should have gone deeper visually (the story was fine). I loved the evolution of Daisy 's character into the pure state of confusion. I must revisit this movie again soon to see how Luhrmann did it! Normally I am watching technique as much as the story itself, but I was lost in this movie so many times that I simply must investigate Luhrmann's technique in certain scenes once more. The hotel room scene toward the end in particular.

Suspension of Disbelief - 88%. I am conflicted on this section because on one hand sits the most wonderful treatment of Times Square I have ever seen for that era or any era for that matter (especially with the 3D), but on the other rests some fairly poorly painted mattes that had me shaking my head. Further the industrial blue collar zone outside of New York looked like more of a fantasy than reality. Like a purgatory. Perhaps it is meant to be that metaphor. I haven't read the book (I know!) so I can't comment on the various book club discussions on it's meaning. Perhaps it's due to it being told through the memory lens of an insane Carraway. Regardless, Times Square was amazing and I so wanted the camera to linger on that scene for much, much longer. The modern score helped draw me in as well. Not as a historical piece no, but as if I were there - accepted into - and at home with these characters.

Directing - 98%. What can I say? Almost perfect. This is art to me. Something I could watch over and over and over again and see something new every time. Without exception. That's art. It reminds me of standing in The Louvre and ogling paintings for hours, then going back and doing it again. It's moving to see beauty and it's all the more rare these days to see it in a motion picture. Heck, THE GREAT GATSBY belongs IN the Louvre. There are some continuity issues (pen position on paper, etc) but that's nitpicking (it did however break my suspension of disbelief). Baz Luhrmann's movies are pieces of art, but none as effectively done as THE GREAT GATSBY. It's a tour de force of imagery, sound and story magnificently woven with the unforgettable strands of a literary classic in stunning 3D immersion.

Sound / Score - 95%. Luhrmann took a big risk (as he likes to do; ROME + JULIET in Shakespearean tongue for example) with the music for GATSBY using modern day artists and their music as the thunder behind his visual lightning. And when I say modern artists, I mean an impressive list of the who's who in today's music: Jay Z, Beyonce, Amy Winehouse, Lana Del Ray, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Bryan Ferry, will.i.am, Fergie, The xx and U2. Of course there's a little Cole Porter in there too. Some small amounts didn't work - like Beyonce's "Crazy In Love". All that did was flash some of the music video in my mind. For me, 95% of it worked. Big time. It drew me in. I was engaged and actively participating in all the grandeur. Just a wonderful, wonderful double edged palette knife of sight and sound being mixed together and presented on the giant Real D screen. Thank you Baz Luhrmann for taking risks.

Cinematography - 99%. Yeah. It's tight. As close to perfection as you can get with actually being perfect. The lighting! WOW. Just spot on lighting. I was just sitting back thinking to myself "Just soak it all in". I was in awe of just how magnificent everything looked! Opulence. Opulence. Opulence. The makeup was amazing too. Closeups betrayed nothing out of place. Even when Gatsby returned from the rain (in the trailers), his closeup and full shot was flawless - arguably one of the most important shots of the movie (Jay meeting Daisy again). Why not 100%? Some of those matte paintings. That's it.

Visual / Special / Stunts - 82%. The only real weakness of the movie. Matte paintings were weak. The car racing scenes were great but could have been better. Times Square brought me back over 80% satisfaction though.

Stereoscopic 3D - 95%. This my friends, is a BIG deal. THE GREAT GATSBY is an adult drama that utilized 3D the way it was meant to be - to draw you into a story. Just as Luhrmann's use of visuals and sound draw you in, his artistic use of 3D sealed the deal. I WAS there. In the parties. In the emotion. In the story! You have to see it to believe it.

A standing ovation for 3ality Technica for their impeccable native 3D services and equipment! I'm proud to have them as a sponsor. I truly am.

One shot in particular has Jay Gatsby throwing an object into his pool on an angle from the camera and the resulting splash was just at the right perspective (perfect really) to have me 'think' to move, but not too much to have me flinch! Such subtle command and control of the moving going experience has me giddy with anticipation for the new tentpoles that are shooting in native 3D. Luhrmann probably did the pool splash just to show you he could toy with you if he wanted to - he just doesn't want to water down his movie. Nothing that I can recall breaks the plane of the screen. It was all about immersion into the decadence of THE GREAT GATSBY. Luhrmann used 3D as one of his tools in this obvious labor of love. And I indeed loved it!

Do yourself a favor, go see this movie. Treat it like a cultural event... for the edification of your mind. Because that's what it is. Art. Culture. Life. Bravo Baz!

THE GREAT GATSBY is now playing.

Thank you to Empire Theaters for the screening! The Real D presentation was well lit and sounded remarkable!! The service was the typical excellence I have come to expect.

New TV Spot For THE GREAT GATSBY: Non Stop Parties!

Here's a new TV Spot for THE GREAT GATSBY musically paced by Fergie's "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody". Certainly the movie is going to dazzle and time will tell if the score is commendable - but I love the pace of what I have seen so far.

Baz Luhrmann's movie is significant for stereoscopic 3D because it marks the first foray into a true drama as opposed to something like HUGO which was more of a family adventure film. It's important as a 3D aficionado to get out and see this movie because it's breaking new ground here. History in the making! 3ality Technica provided 3D rigs and services for the shoot. 

THE GREAT GATSBY features music by Jay Z, Beyonce X Andre 3000, Will.i.am, Fergie + Q Tip + Goonrock, Lana Del Rey, Florence + The Machine, The Bryan Ferry Orchestra, The XX, Gotye, Nero and Sia.

Here's the movie's storyline:
THE GREAT GATSBY follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

THE GREAT GATSBY opens on May 10.

New Character Posters For THE GREAT GATSBY

We've got a couple of new character posters for Baz Luhrmann's upcoming take on Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY featuring Myrtle Wilson (played by Isla Fisher) and Tom Buchanan (played by Joel Edgerton).

Clearly dazzling colors and impeccable style will be front and center for the movie and I can't wait to see the visuals in native 3D!

Here's the movie's storyline:
The Great Gatsby follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

THE GREAT GATSBY opens May 10, 2013.

THE GREAT GATSBY Moved To May 2013

I'm disappointed with this move simply because I believe that it's a holiday movie. Especially for the New Years crowd. Oh well, we knew it was happening and I'm sure THE GREAT GATSBY will do well kicking off the summer with a new release date of May 10, 2013.

Despite the new date, I still think it will be nominated for awards just based on marketing materials alone. Baz Luhrmann looks like he has hit another home run.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
THE GREAT GATSBY follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

For all of our coverage on THE GREAT GATSBY, click here.

THE GREAT GATSBY Moves To Summer 2013 Avoiding The Crowded Christmas Season

In a bit of surprising move, Warner Bros. has picked up it's Christmas Day opener THE GREAT GATSBY and moved it to next summer.

Says the studio: "Based on what we’ve seen, Baz Luhrmann’s incredible work is all we anticipated and so much more. It truly brings Fitzgerald’s American classic to life in a completely immersive, visually stunning and exciting way. We think moviegoers of all ages are going to embrace it, and it makes sense to ensure this unique film reaches the largest audience possible."

I say a bit surprising as the movie is kind of a festive type affair perfect for holiday season parties and New Years Eve and further it removes it from consideration for 2012 awards. That said, there are a number of tentpoles opening in the Christmas timeframe and to best highlight the beauty of the movie it should have a cleaner swath around it at the box office. Time will tell if it was the right move.

Here's the movie's storyline:
THE GREAT GATSBY follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

Stay tuned for more info and the exact date of release once we receive it. THE GREAT GATSBY is now slated for release in the summer of 2013.

**SAME DAY UPDATE! New TRAILER AND IMAGE From THE GREAT GATSBY Featuring DiCaprio, Maguire And Bollywood's Bachchan

**SAME DAY UPDATE - The trailer has now been released for the movie as well!! Get your first look at what is in store for us with this classic tale. 

It's hard to get a feeling for the storyline from the trailer but the visuals are astounding! Imagine this in 3D!

Amitabh Bachchan is very well known in India but THE GREAT GATSBY will actually be his first Hollywood appearance. He is playing Meyer Wolfsheim, a suave money lender alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire in the shot.

Unfortunately for Bachchan it is only a cameo as he won't be in the rest of director Baz Luhrmann's movie but the shot looks gorgeously lit and composed.

Here's the official storyline for the movie:
THE GREAT GATSBY follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles. 



THE GREAT GATSBY opens on December 25. The movie was shot on 3ality Technica rigs.


Source: THR

Must See: First Official Photos From THE GREAT GATSBY

Baz Luhrmann's THE GREAT GATSBY has released its first official photos and they don't disappoint. Of course it is a $127 million production, so expect much more of where that came from as they stretch the dollar in Australia.

One can almost imagine what it would feel like to be sitting with them during that era. Clearly the wardrobe will be stunning. I'm anxious to see more - a teaser trailer perhaps.

Here's the movie's storyline:
“The Great Gatsby” follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits.

As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

THE GREAT GATSBY stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton and Carey Mulligan.

Supposedly Oheka Castle (pictured) on the Gold Coast of Long Island was a partial inspiration for Gatsby's estate. Gorgeous or what? I love the reflecting pools and landscaping!

Can't wait to see what Luhrmann has created here.

THE GREAT GATSBY opens December 25, 2012.

First Look: Baz Luhrmann's THE GREAT GATSBY

We are finally getting to see some production shots from the much anticipated Baz Luhrmann (MOULIN ROUGE, AUSTRALIA) production THE GREAT GATSBY. The movie is being shot in NSW, Australia.

The star power attached to the feature is significant: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan. Enjoy the shots!

Here's the storyline:
“The Great Gatsby” follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits.

As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

Source: Celebuzz via Collider

THE GREAT GATSBY To Be Shot In 5K With RED Epic's And 3ality Digital Rigs DEFINITELY In Native 3D!

Here's final confirmation that Baz Luhrmann's THE GREAT GATSBY will be shot in 3D.

Moreover, cinematographer Simon Duggan is shooting it in an astounding 5K resolution with the RED Epic cameras using 3ality Digital rigs! Panavision is providing those camera / rig setups. Apparently Duggan and Luhrmann completed tests last month in NYC and were "very happy" with the results.

“It’s not that much bigger than a standard film camera,” Duggan said, adding that the EPIC also allows shooting hand-held or with a Steadicam.

Shooting starts in August next month in Australia and wraps in December.

The movie is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Soon enough, however, Carraway will see through the cracks of Gatsby's nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness, and tragedy await.

How about Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby), Joel Edgerton (Tom Buchanan), Tobey Maguire (Nick Carraway) and Carey Mulligan (Daisy Buchanan) for the core cast?

Love it! I saw Edgerton in WARRIOR at CinemaCon this year and let me tell you that he and Tom Hardy NAILED it!! Keep your eyes open for that one (opening September 9), even if it is only in 2D :-)

Apparently Alex Proyas PARADISE LOST will be taking up a sound stage during that shooting window as well, sharing space with Luhrmann at Fox Studios Australia.

Of course this isn't the first major movie to be shot with the tandem of RED Epics and 3ality Digital rigs - THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and the two HOBBIT movies are also utilizing the setup. More when I get it!!

Thanks for the heads up on this Mark!

Source: if

It's Official: Baz Luhrmann's THE GREAT GATSBY Will Be In Native 3D!

According to THR, Baz Luhrmann's THE GREAT GATSBY is going to be shot in native 3D and distributed by Paramount.

Leonardo DiCaprio has been attached to play Jay Gatsby. Sydney, Australia has won the set location and it's estimated $120m influx of related spin off economy for the area.

More when I get it...

Oliver Stone, Michael Mann And Baz Luhrmann Talk S3D!!

Check out this video of Oliver Stone, Michael Mann and Baz Luhrmann at this year's CES. In particular pay attention to Mann's comments on 3D. A friend of mine is hosting the panel - Geoff Boucher of the LATimes.

Oliver Stone has said that filmmakers shouldn't shoot in 3D unless they have the budget for it; otherwise it is putting too much pressure on yourself. The statement makes sense, but it makes sense for just about any line item in a budget! Create your vision within your scope is what I like to say.

Baz Luhrmann has interestingly said (via THR) that he might shoot THE GREAT GATSBY in 3D, but no final decision has been made. He HAS workshopped 3D for the project however, which is a positive.

Have a look at the clip and then we can discuss Mann's comments...



Whoa there! A Michael Mann narrative drama in 3D! I would LOVE to see that happen. He is one of my favorite visionary directors - HEAT will always be one of my favs. So after hearing about Coppola and his continued interest in 3D, and now this trio (though Stone did not say he was planning a S3D project) - I would have to say 3D is "crossing the chasm" as it were and building for a storied place in Hollywood's legacy!