Are You Experienced? BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK Premiere's October 14th

Yes, I say "experienced" because Ang Lee's BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK will be something you've never seen before and sets the stage for "the new platinum standard" of modern stereoscopic 3D. This is a game changer and a world's first.

It's not just 3D anymore guys. It's 4K 3D shot at 120 frames per second! From everything I've heard, this is THE way to experience the format. I've seen 3D shot/shown at 48 and 60 frames per second created by James Cameron, but never 120. Apparently, all aspects of the alleged "soap opera" effect disappear at 120 - something I have yet to see.

But the real trick is going to be for the masses to see it in 4K3D @ 120. Most cinemas can go to a maximum of 60 fps, not 120. There will have to be major capital investment by theater owners (new projectors!) in the future to be able to screen movies like BILLY LYNN in the premium format, and I certainly appeal to them to do so earlier rather than later, but it's a foregone conclusion that it won't be anytime soon.

If you will be in New York after the premiere, apparently the theater that is being used for the New York Film Festival premiere of the movie (AMC  Lincoln Square) will keep the dual laser projectors in place for the theatrical run. So there's that.

From FSLC (Film Society Lincoln Center): Lee’s stunning adaptation of Ben Fountain’s novel is the story of an Iraq war hero (newcomer Joe Alwyn) who comes home with his fellow members of Bravo Company for a victory tour. This culminates in a halftime show at a Thanksgiving Day football game—a high-intensity media extravaganza summoning memories of the trauma of losing his beloved sergeant in a firefight. Lee’s brave, heartbreaking film goes right to the heart of a great division that haunts this country: between the ideal image of things as they should be and the ongoing reality of things as they are. With a brilliant supporting cast, including Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Garrett Hedlund with Vin Diesel and Steve Martin.

I know most of the 3D team behind this movie personally and trust me - these guys are at the top of the game, starting with the Stereographer / Stereo Supervisor, Demetri Portelli and Production Systems Supervisor (2D, 3D, All Digital Workflow), Ben Gervais along with 3D Systems Technicians, Brian Cassar and Sandra Lombardi. The team also set up a 3D digital lab and entire DI lab in Ang's office which housed Nathan Shields (Toronto), Daniel George (Toronto), Michael Buck (LA) and Derek Schweickart (LA) who also did LIFE OF PI with Ang.

Production Systems Supervisor Ben Gervais was quoted (Variety) talking about the audiences thus far: "Test subjects that have seen some footage have commented that 40 minutes after seeing battle footage, they're still shaking." Really underscores their accomplishment!

Stereographer Demetri Portelli used Stereotec lightweight rigs with F65 cameras and of course Master Prime lenses (same as he did on LIFE OF PI, 47 RONIN, TS SPIVET). He and Gervais manufactured their own mirrors specifically for this project and they modified the fiber cable on set workflow, to suit the needs of production. They used Panavision Woodland Hills for prep and accessories. The key element was building a complete 4K stereo DI in Ang's office watching 120 FPS which was only made possible by Baselight (a Filmlight color grading system which they also used on HUGO).

Says Portelli: "It is also the first film graded at 120/4K/3D on Christie projectors with the digital master being projected at 28 foot lamberts! As (audiences) will see during the 12 minutes at IBC, and then the whole experience at New York Film Festival - our huge thanks to Christie projectors for their support in getting these images on the screen."

I've talked to Ang Lee as well specifically about 3D and future plans - as usual he's humble, yet obviously an extremely gifted filmmaker. Lee will also receive the IBC International Honor For Excellence (International Broadcasting Convention) next month in Amsterdam.

We are in good hands here. I can't wait to be wowed. My anticipation is through the roof for this movie and I've got to find some way of seeing it in 4K3D @ 120 fps.

NYC road trip anyone? :-)

Movie Review: X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST - 9 Stars - No Spoilers - Amazing 3D!

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST has the best 3D I have seen other than THE HOBBIT movies, GRAVITY and HUGO! Truly an achievement.

If you are an aficionado of 3D then go see this movie (on the largest screen possible) for the stereo alone! Of course the movie is worth while seeing for all it's other components but the 3D really stood out for me.

The team of John Harper (Lead Stereographer), Brent Robinson (Stereographer - Second Unit / UW Camera Operator), Ben Gervais (3D Production Systems Supervisor), Brian Cassar (Stereo Rig Technician) and Jeff Amaral (Stereographer, Splinter Unit) nailed it! They were using 3ality Technica rigs for the production which I continue to hear absolutely wonderful things about from the actual crews that use them. A great group of stereo professionals!

Harper called them "a Dream Team of true believers." and I heartily concur. I have met most of these guys and they are consummate pros - passionately involved in blending their creative eye with today's leading technology advancements.

I don't know what small portions were converted but Stereo D was involved to a degree with some shots - probably the tight space scenes or post production touch ups based on the director's eye or studio influence. Not sure, will find out. This is usual for most tentpole native 3D productions.

What 3D did I love? Well if you watched the trailers there is one scene where Quicksilver is running around a room doing Quicksilvery things and that shot is staggeringly well done! It made the movie for me. Icing on the cake. Robinson was particularly proud of this scene and said "The Quicksilver 3D was probably the coolest thing I've done." I also really enjoyed the inside of a 'control room' that features a prominent TV show from the late 1960's and the curvature of the shot was very well done. Further there is a scene where outside light is being shone through a window down over a character and on to a chess board. Really beautiful.

The cast of course is another dream team. How can you go wrong? I felt the story was lacking in a few areas but the pacing was incredible and it kept you on the edge of your seat throughout. Character Development rated my lowest and understandably so - with so many characters it's hard to go into any depth of where they came from, but at this point there is solid understanding of many of these franchise centerpieces - Wolverine in particular. I appreciated the screen time and further exploration of Ellen Page's Kitty Pryde. She really is VERY important to this plot.

I would have liked to see more detailed effects development for the sentinels. I know that's a personal thing and what they have in the movie is fine, but with the abilities that they have I felt something was missing. Something more sinister. That's my opinion.

Overall, if you want a movie that is WELL WORTH YOUR MONEY, then X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST is it. They spent $200 million on this thing and it shows. Believe me when I tell you - go see it. It's all up on the screen and more.

I'll discuss more in the comments without anything held back regarding spoilers. Feel free to speak your mind!

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST is now playing!