STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS Spoilers And Opening Date For The UK Is One Week Early

Let's get the non-spoiler item out of the way first. J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS will be opening a week earlier in the UK than in North America with the UK enjoying a May 9 launch (all formats according to Simon Pegg) and across the pond in the US and Canada, a May 17 date (May 15 in IMAX).

Now let's get something straight about these spoilers. I'm against them. I'm literally against reading them and - get this - I haven't. I am blind copying and pasting this info for those of you who do want to be spoiled for this much anticipated movie. I can't bring myself to read it because I am a die hard Trekkie and I refuse to not see this thing in a pristine form.

SO. If you don't mind being spoiled - these are MASSIVE spoilers by the way - then read on. I know they're massive by the reception it's getting. Whoever wrote this in Brazil broke many a cardinal rule in doing so and he should be banned from the web. Can't stop it now - it's on the Internet and with a life of its own.

**SPOILERS AHEAD** Read at your own risk. This is YOUR decision NOT mine to read this. Know that now. I HAVE NOT and will not read it. 

Hit the jump for more...

Couple of New Photos From The UK And Rome Premieres For THE AVENGERS

Here are a couple of quick photos from the premieres of THE AVENGERS in the UK and Rome.

Gotta love the Hulk's hands lifting up their stage platform!

Source: Disney

Watch: Trailer For STREETDANCE 2

Here's the new trailer for the UK version of the STEP UP franchise, STREETDANCE 2. While I enjoy watching most of these movies for the sheer artistry of the dancers and the inventive 3D use I can't help but wonder if they are squeezing a bit too much out of the genre.

Anyway, if you have seen the previous iterations of this type of movie there is not much in the story department, but the visuals are WOW. And I thought Jon M. Chu's STEP UP 3D was worth the watch.

Here's the storyline:
When top street dancer Ash (Hentschel) is laughed off stage by American crew Invincible, he and his best mate Eddie (George Sampson) set off to gather the best dancers from around the world to take them on - with a dance style they weren't expecting.

With landmark locations, a spectacular fusion of dance styles and an unparalleled vibrancy, the sequel to STREETDANCE sees our hero fall in love with a beautiful salsa dancer as he discovers the magic, power and passion of dancing for the ultimate global dance off.



STREETDANCE 2 is in UK theaters RIGHT NOW (released March 30). If you've seen the movie in the UK - let us know you're thoughts!

3D In The Classroom! How 3D Can Improve Education Through Engagement

I received today an enlightening email from Donald Brittain who is the CEO of Instant Effects. They specialize in 3D products and services but also have a solution for 3D education. I have long held that 3D in the classroom would capture the attention of students in a much more meaningful way than other types of media. With Brittain's team focusing on interactive models of such things as a human head / skull / muscles / brain, etc I can see how they are on to something. 3D isn't just about entertainment!

Take a look at the video clip at the end of this post for more info.

Here's what he had to say:
This short demo video shows how we have optimized our 3D content and interaction methods for classroom use. Through market validation, we found that teachers want “virtual models” that they can interact with and use as a teaching aid. This works better than traditional physical models since they tend to be small, hard to see in detail, and don’t offer the ability to animate to show internal workings and dynamic processes. Other software and media vendors have concentrated on producing either linear media (movies – very passive) or lessons optimized for one-on-one learning (useless in a classroom setting).

We are currently rolling out this education initiative in the UK through a JV with White Space Productions. The JV is called “3D Hub” – see www.3d-hub.co.uk

After this is up and running smoothly, we intend to partner with other companies to address the US and Asian markets, and to broaden our approach to include additional forms of interactive learning and presentation.

In addition to the advantages of using 3D media touted by TI (see, for example, http://www.dlp.com/projector/markets/education/teacher.aspx), our approach also allows:
- Uniformity of curriculum material and presentation method (by using the same virtual models throughout a state/region/country)

- Ability to quickly update material throughout all schools (since all assets are digital, as opposed to physical models and books, etc)

- Lower upfront and ongoing costs (start with 2D projection of the 3D models, phase in stereo 3D when budgets allow)

- Higher level of engagement (interactive media is substantially more attractive to students than static pictures or passive movies, and stereo 3D enhances this)

Check out the video:



What do you think? I know I would have soaked this stuff up as a child in school! All the power to these guys. Hope it's successful and you can bring it across the pond too.

CARMEN 3D Hitting RealD Movie Theaters In The UK March 5

My friend Phil Streather's (2nd photo, pictured on right) company PLF is launching CARMEN 3D in the UK - wish I could see it!

Here's the press release (emphasis is mine):

Principal Large Format produces ‘Carmen 3D’ for Royal Opera House and RealD

When movie-goers across the UK take their seats for ‘Carmen 3D’ this month (opening March 5), they will be experiencing classical opera as they have never seen it before – thanks to the 3D production expertise of Principal Large Format (PLF).

Working in conjunction with experienced film director Julian Napier and Director of Photography Sean MacLeod Phillips, PLF’s Phil Streather has literally brought a new perspective to Georges Bizet’s much-loved opera, enabling movie-goers and opera fans alike to enjoy ‘Carmen’ in 3D for the first time.

Featuring an all-star cast from London’s Royal Opera House – with Christine Rice singing the title role – and 3D glasses technology from RealD, ‘Carmen 3D’ gives viewers the best seat in the house, taking them on a magic-carpet ride into the heart of the production and immersing them and enabling them to get close up and involved in an exciting story of love, jealousy and betrayal set in 19th-century Seville.

Commenting on PLF’s contribution to this unique project, Phil Streather says: "This production of ‘Carmen’ is truly dazzling, with a vibrant stage design by Francesca Zambello that features crowds of peasants, gypsies, bullfighters and soldiers – not to mention a magnificent horse, a donkey and even some chickens! Working hand-in-hand with the film crew from the start, we were able to craft a truly unique event that is as innovative cinematically as it is energetic and engaging musically, dramatically and theatrically."

“As you would expect with such a cutting-edge project, there were a number of hurdles to overcome along the way, but we, the film crew, the Royal Opera House and RealD are all delighted with the results. We are confident that everyone who sees ‘Carmen 3D’ will be blown away by the experience.”

The libretto of ‘Carmen 3D’ is sung in the original French with English subtitles. The 175-minute movie includes one intermission and is available exclusively in RealD theatres, with cinema screens at locations all over the UK including the Odeon, Cineworld and Vue chains, as well as independent Picturehouses among others.

Principal Large Format (PLF) was founded in 1998 by present CEO Phil Streather. PLF is a production company dedicated to developing and producing award winning 3D Giant Screen (IMAX) features, 3D Theatrical Documentary features and 3D TV.
www.plf.cc

AVATAR Goes 3D on UK's Sky Movies HD Christmas Eve!

James Cameron's AVATAR will make its world premiere on S3DHD television in the UK on Christmas Eve at 8pm says Sky.

John Cassy, Sky 3D’s channel director, stated: "Confirming Avatar in our Christmas line up for Sky 3D is a huge honour and fantastic news for customers. We hope 3D will bring people together to enjoy a whole new television experience over this festive and special time of year."

Great to see!! Wish it was over in North America, but hey congratulations to the Brits! Enjoy. Thanks for the heads up Ian!

SKY Ready To Net 3DTV Viewers In The UK Starting In October!

3DTV owners in the UK rejoice! Starting October 1, you will be able to enjoy Ryder Cup Golf and movies such as MONSTERS VS. ALIENS on your new SKY+HD channel. After in the field testing at more than 1500 locations, SKY is ready for primetime.

As Christmas approaches, other 3D movies will be available including ALICE IN WONDERLAND and HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE.

Further to golf, a variety of 3D sporting events will be on the channel including Premier League football.

The service will work on most 3DTVs including units from Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic.

I am elated that the UK are getting their 3D in the home so quickly! SKY seems to be doing things right so it should be a pleasure to watch. If you are in the UK and getting this service, let me know! I will pass along your thoughts to our readers.

Source: BBC

Live In The UK? Free "Coraline" 3D Tickets!

Jim here. Get your free CORALINE tickets in the UK courtesy of The Times!

Check out this link to fill out a form for your tickets. If you don't use them, make sure you cancel them so that others can use them instead.

It seems you need a section of their newspaper as well: "And please remember you will now need to bring the relevant page from the newspaper with you on the day or the screening along with your online reservation confirmation."

From the website:
To claim your 4 tickets, enter your registered email address or if you are not yet registered for the screening programme click the register link.

Movie Passeword: 8544

Certificate: PG
Screening Date: Sunday April 26
Screening Time: 10:00am for 10:30am start
Locations: Basingstoke Festival Place, Bolton, Bristol Cribbs, Camberley, Cambridge, Cheshire Oaks, Croydon Grants, Cwmbran, Eastleigh, Edinburgh Omni, Greenwich O2, Hull, Leeds Kirkstall, Leicester, London West End, Northampton, Norwich, Oxford, Reading, Sheffield, Swansea, York

Still it is a free movie - so have at it!

New Scar 3D Poster From The UK!

I hadn't heard anything recently from my friends of the SCAR 3D movie and now I get a great update from ShockTilYouDrop - The movie will be previewing on Halloween night and going wide in the UK on November 7th.

If you want to read more on SCAR 3D, check out much more of our in depth coverage of this movie here, here and here. And don't miss my exclusive interview with Norman Twain the Producer!

Let me tell you something - this movie is GRAPHIC. One of those links above takes you to a age verification process to view it and it is nasty. The clip is in anaglyph format (so wear those cardboard glasses if you got 'em), but the movie will be polarized in the modern style.

Fair warning though on that clip.