6TH Annual 3D Film Festival Opens With Short Film Competition, Closes With LA Premiere Of Argento’s DRACULA 3D

Los Angeles, CA –– 3DFF, the world’s largest all digital 3D Film Festival, celebrates its sixth anniversary inside Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, with additional activities taking place at the JW Marriott, Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. The three-day festival, presented by 3opolis, and sponsored by RealD, DLP and NVIDIA, opens Thursday, September 19th with “3ology: The Art and Science of the 3rd Dimension”, a first-of-its-kind Opening Night 3D Shorts and Sneak Preview Program which will start at 7pm inside Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14’s luxurious 800-seat Premiere House Theater. The exciting new program will feature 15 short films from around the globe with a preview trailer of “Gravity” (from Warner Bros. Pictures) and an extended clip from “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” (presented by Sony Pictures Imageworks with introduction by stereographer Von Williams). The 3opolis 3D Experience, a free and open to the public event, will take place at the “Mixing Room” inside JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE from 9pm to 1am on both Thursday and Friday night during the festival featuring L.A. artist J.B. Ghuman Jr. (Director/Spork) and DJ Orion.

“This year’s program was designed to embrace the dreams and aspirations of the international 3D community and to honor the independent creative spirit of these amazing artists, who have proven time and time again that they are the beating hearts on the forefront of the Hollywood trenches, each one of them making their way down the road less traveled in pursuit of a dream to become the next generation of technologically advanced filmmaker,” stated 3DFF’s program founder, Christopher Crescitelli.

During the multi-day event, 3DFF will honor film legend Dario Argento, with its Digital Stars of Hollywood Lifetime Achievement Award presented by DLP Texas Instruments. Argento’s latest film, “Dracula 3D,” will make its Los Angeles debut as 3DFF’s Closing Night Film, which will be presented by IFC Midnight, on Saturday, September 21st at 8pm, a few weeks before the film begins a one month run at the Downtown Independent Theater starting on October 4th. “IFC Midnight is excited to present Dario Argento’s first 3D film at the 3D Film Festival. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect venue to Premiere Argento’s depth-defying, eye-popping, fang filled vision,” stated Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment.

As part of its 3D Week promotion held in cooperation with World 3-D Film Expo III and the International 3D and Advanced Imaging Society, 3DFF will host a series of free 3D Academy panels, which will take place inside Regal Cinemas theater number six on Saturday, September 21st. At 3pm, Neo3Do, an autostereo 3D tablet PC company, will present an informative panel entitled “Neo3Do Tablet PC: A 3D Filmmakers Guide to Autostereo Handheld Devices.” Speakers include Neo3Do’s Co-Founders Nick Spriggs and David Briggs, who will share the 3D Academy Stage with Tom Gifford (1tompo1 Youtube Star), Jeff Olm (Colorist/Turbo) and Christopher Crescitelli (Experience Montruex).

At 5pm, also in theater number six, Legend3D, an innovative stereoscopic and visual effects company committed to advancing the 3D medium globally, will present its “2D to 3D Conversion: Animation Challenges” panel, which will be moderated by Legend3D founder, CCO and CTO, Barry Sandrew, Ph.D. and will feature panelists Phil 'Captain 3D' McNally (Stereographer/Shrek 1,2 and 3), Rob Engle (Stereographer/ The Smurfs), Michelle Mazzano (Line Producer/The Little Mermaid) and Jill Hunt (Stereographer/The Little Mermaid).

“Post conversion of animation poses special, unique challenges to the stereographer and conversion vendor. We hope to show how these challenges have been overcome and how new technology specifically targeted toward the conversion of animation is now producing exceptionally high quality 3D content from the top conversion stereographers in the industry,” stated Dr. Sandrew.

3D Film Festival has again joined forces with the Boys and Girls Club of America to present a free screening program for its members and their families. The program will feature several of 2013’s most beloved 3D movies released by Warner Bros. Pictures including: “Pacific Rim” directed by Guillermo del Toro (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures Pacific Rim); and “The Great Gatsby” directed by Baz Luhrmann. The Kids and Family program also welcomes Sony Pictures Imageworks, who will present a special encore screening of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller featuring a sneak preview of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” directed by Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn.

3D game enthusiasts will want to be sure to stop by the 3D Lounge which will be located on the second floor Mezzanine Level of Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 from the hours of 6pm to 10pm on Thursday and Friday nights, with extended hours on Saturday from 10am to 10pm.

The complete slate of all fifty 3DFF films will be published in the coming days.

Additional Sponsors and Content Partners include Simple DCP. Neo3Do, Legend3D, Warner Brothers, IFC, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Dreamworks Animation, AEG, Network Live, Regal Cinemas, Marketsaw.com, Dream Factory 3D, 3DContentHub.com, MTBS3D.com, Insight Media, Out in 3D, Gen Audio, LA Metro, INGRI:DAHL , 3D Academy of Stereoscopic Arts & Sciences, International 3D Society & Advanced Imaging Society, World 3D Film Expo III and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Festival Hours of Operation:
Thursday, September 19th 6:00pm to 1:00am
Friday, September 20st 6pm to 2:30am
Saturday, September 21st 10:00am to 10:00pm

L.A. LIVE discounted parking rate of $5 for 4 hours with Regal Validation. Best parking for 3DFF attendees is located in the West Garage. Save time and money plus get special 3DFF discounts when you take the LA METRO transit system. Bring your L.A. Metro Card to the 3DFF Box Office to learn more.

Ticket prices range from $12.50 to $25 and can be purchased in advance online at www.3DFF.org. For additional information please visit us online at www.3DFF.org or contact a representative at the number provided below.

For Festival Sponsorship, Media Contact and Partnership Opportunities
Christopher Crescitelli | Festival Director, 3D Film Festival
T: 415-871-1707 E: chris@dreamfactory3d.com

COWBOYS AND ALIENS Feeling Blue This Weekend? THE SMURFS Are Neck And Neck!

Well THE SMURFS is a 3D movie so obviously COWBOYS AND ALIENS are a bit handcuffed for winning the box office weekend, but still it is a closer race than I thought would happen.

Both movies are clocking in at $36.2 million, this despite pre-estimates that the western sci-fi mashup would easily win the duel (some pegged them making $45-50m!). They thought that THE SMURFS (estimated at $20m) would be great counter programming. In the end it seems THE SMURFS can be vicious and carnivorous.

THE SMURFS actually smurfed everyone and came out on top for Friday with and estimated $13.4m to COWBOYS AND ALIENS $13m. Kinda stunning.

Personally I thought the marketing for COWBOYS AND ALIENS sucked badly. Folks didn't really know what to expect and that my friends is dangerous. Even Harrison Ford's "Give him to me now, or I'll take him" lacked punch in the trailer. Perhaps Favreau was too intimidated by Ford to push him. Yeah I know, I would be intimidated too when you have to direct Hans Solo, Indiana Jones and the President all rolled into one. I have yet to see it (going VERY soon) but I have my reservations. Plus the fact it SHOULD have been a 3D movie. Favreau just doesn't get that yet. Maybe that's another reason why he backed out of IRON MAN 3 and had no interest in directing THE AVENGERS (though he is Executive Producing).

Now THE SMURFS have hit everything bang on, right from it's cookie cutter, sure-fire family marketing, to an excellent voice cast, to enlisting the talents of Rob Engle (3D Visual Effects Supervisor) and his team at Sony. I'm trying to tee up a conversation with Rob very soon - it's been hard as we just moved yesterday and our lives may be in a new house, but still very much in boxes. Posting this from Starbucks!

So really, why SHOULD I be surprised with this round of box office? Or any of us? :-)

Box office stats courtesy of Box Office Mojo

THE GREEN HORNET: Advanced Review - 8 Stars

There are no spoilers in this review, but you are open to discuss anything you wish in the comments section.

Click on the images to enlarge.

One sentence to sum this review up: THE GREEN HORNET is the best 3D conversion I have ever seen. It rivals and is the equal of native 3D in many scenes!

This movie sets new ground for 2D to 3D conversions. The stereo in this movie is, at times, PERFECT. I do not say that lightly as you know. Congratulations to all involved - Sony (Grant Anderson / Rob Engle), Legend 3D (Barry Sandrew), Stereo D, Venture 3D and Sassoon Film Design. It is a massive achievement and sets the bar so much closer to native 3D.

Let's talk about the few negative issues first and get them out of the way. As a general comment, the 3D is over used. Unfortunately there are few if any breaks in the constant barrage of stereo viewing for your eyes to rest and therefore at the end of the movie you can expect a headache. Minor ache of course; mine lasted about 15 minutes, but still it was there. Would it stop me from seeing it again? No way! I am going again ASAP. The moments that TGH captures that are perfectly done far outweigh tired eyes.

Yes, the 3D was over used, but scene by scene it is spectacular. Some scenes though were needlessly amped up with stereo conversion (yes, that is Jim Dorey saying that!) that in my opinion could have been used to rest the audience's eyes. Scenes like when the District Attorney is in Britt Reid's office and you can literally see the DA's nose in 3D - sticking out at you. It adds nothing to the story, does not draw you into the scene and in fact dials you out as it is so obvious. The DA is standing too far back to be able to see his nose like that even if you were really in the room with him. It was exaggerated and unnatural to me. It makes you think about the 3D and not the dialogue. That's not good. I even took my glasses off later in the scene to see the image separation and of course there it was.

Another scene was more about communication between the director, cinematographer and the on location 3D expertise. When Britt and Kato first sit in Black Beauty (their pimped out crime fighting car - or is it crime committing car!) there is an overly generous dolly movement from left to right that is far too fast for the stereo conversion (and it would be in native 3D as well imo). Too much eye strain again to enjoy that moment and distracting from the dialogue. In 2D it would have been fine, but remember this movie has full time 3D so it was a strain when it could have been a more restful moment to enjoy.

The acting could have been much better in my mind, but the comedic relief moments were superb as one would expect in a Seth Rogen project. It was a pleasure to see Christoph Waltz in the villain role again - this time much less serious than with INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. Waltz saved this movie's acting score from being much lower in my review. And I am simply not a Cameron Diaz fan anymore. Did not enjoy her performance whatsoever.

Let's break down the aspects of my review:

Stereoscopic 3D (9 stars):
Again, perfect 3D at times. Gorgeous to watch, yet for those few times where the 3D was overly done and the overall over use of stereo brought down the score for me.

Story (8 stars):
I immediately thought to myself at the end of the movie that the story could have so much more about how these characters have changed (more on that below) but there was so little development involved. I did enjoy the angle in which Rogen explained how they were going to be different from other super heroes and act like a criminal to gain their trust (again no spoiler here).

Acting (7 stars):
Could have been so much better! I can see Rogen's enthusiasm for the role come through in his acting but I still don't think he was perfect for the role of TGH. Jay Chou was bang on though. Loved him. Again Cameron Diaz did NOT belong and Waltz was a joy to behold and carried much of the movie.

Character Development (6.5 stars):
The writers missed the mark on this one. I saw few changes in Britt Reid and only one resonated with me at all (I will talk about them in the comments - where spoilers are allowed) so I was disappointed. I got nothing from Diaz and Chou for development. Waltz's evolution was ok.

Suspension of Disbelief (7 stars):
As I said, the 3D at times was distracting and actually pulls you OUT of the movie a bit. I didn't enjoy that. However, other scenes brought you sublimely INTO the movie! Confusing I know, but there it is. I heartily enjoyed the movie though and was able to suspend my disbelief most of the time.

Directing (8.5 stars):
Michel Gondry did an amazing job with this project! He turned it into his own. Loved the pacing and how well everything held together, save those few stereo moments. More character development and story would have been prudent.

Sound / Score (8 stars):
TGH does not have the caliber of score as say TRON: LEGACY, but it is a good score. It suits the genre and action so go with it! :-)

Cinematography (9 stars):
One of the clear strengths of TGH! Perfect at times. Really draws you in. More attention has to be paid to the mash up between the camera work and stereo conversion but overall was superbly done.

Special Effects / Stunts (8.5 stars):
Another strength of the production. You can tell that a lot of money was spent on this production ($100m+, not including marketing). Nothing cheap about this movie. It is truly something to see for yourself - Black Beauty alone is worth the price of admission :-)

The few and small complaints I have are few and far between. This movie's 3D was superb and non-stop. I heard the audience's react to everything! I pay attention to those things. Even a simple static shot (no dolly movement which is often used to accentuate 3D) of the exterior of the Reid estate looked simply and utterly GORGEOUS. A couple behind me gasped at the clarity of it. It was shocking. Like you were really there. A perfect shot and conversion. Scenes like this rival native 3D - I defy you to tell the difference in that particular shot. This is a first for me guys. Conversion can be that good.

Then there was the mash up between the stereo work and the cinematography and it was amazing too. One particular shot again had the Reid estate but this time with a lateral movement and as the frame swept by the home, it transformed into the coffin of Britt's father (no spoiler as this is revealed in the trailer). It was an amazing and artistic effect, even with the obvious differences in those object sizes. Nicely done. This was a case of the 3D truly bringing out the creativeness of that scene. Loved it.

Some have complained in the past that you are not getting your money's worth with some 3D movies, that the stereo is hardly noticeable - well with TGH, you walk out of the theater knowing that you just saw spectacular 3D. No doubt about it. It is an experience to be had. Sony has a winner here and not only in the theater!

THE GREEN HORNET will excel in 3D home theaters too. It is that good. I am kinda curious how native 3D pundits (I am one!) will react to this movie. Personally I think that if the correct amount of attention is paid, and the right amount of money is paid, we are getting very close to 3D conversions rivaling native 3D.

THE GREEN HORNET is, in its own way, the poster child of stereo conversion. The first of hopefully many more 'rising bars' for conversion.

Special thanks to Empire Theatres for the screening.

Couple Of Interesting Videos: "Beowulf 3D: a case study" And "The digital stereoscopic cinema: the 21st Century"

Thanks to Andrew over at Stereoscopic.org for these very interesting videos taken during their recent Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XIX Conference:

First up is Rob Engle, Sony Pictures Imageworks who talks about creative and technical challenges encountered during the production of "Beowulf 3D" (note the 3D sections have been blanked out at the request of Sony):



And we also have Lenny Lipton of REAL D talking about today's technology changes in the motion picture industry as it pertains to 3D:



Thanks Andrew for permission to embed these videos - be sure to check out their site right here.