3D Films - Worth the hype?

This Ain't Avatar XXX poster

Hustler, an adult film maker has announced his new feature film ‘This Ain’t Avatar XXX’. This movie will be the first 3D porn movie. Much exciting as it might sound, it only adds to the growing number of movies being released in 3D. I find it really difficult to understand this sudden fixation with making movies in 3D

Experts believe that the technology of viewing 3D is not set to improve for another 8-10 years. It means that we have to bear with the glasses till then. What is the fun in wearing a pair of polarized spectacles all throughout a movie? Some might get away with the Ray Charles look, but if you have the misfortune of having a small face like mine, they keep slipping off. I had a bad experience when watching Clash of the Titans in 3D. For one, it was not exactly a movie worth spending 300 bucks for. Secondly it was a movie converted into 3D during post-production which made it even worse. This is not the same at all when it comes to the actual 3D experience. The difference is not only in the visuals but in the total 3D experience. A movie which is shot in 3D will give a more immersive experience. Whilst a movie converted in post-production will not have the same effect, robbing the audience of the real experience. Thus in many of the scenes in Clash of the Titans, the characters on screen looked like pieces of cardboard and the background looked blurred.

Experts though are optimistic about auto-stereoscopic technology, i.e. watching 3D without glasses. They say it is the future of how we will view all kinds of media. 3D TV have entered the market with Sony and LG launching their products in the US and European markets. These products though are at a nascent stage and still a far dream for us Indians. In such a case my question is why not wait till the technology becomes more common? Why not till then concentrate more on the substance of the movie like the story and the background score, instead of just concentrating on the visuals. It seems that releasing a movie in 3D has become a way for the film studios to earn extra profits by charging the theatre going audiences a premium.

The movie that set the current trend

This becomes evident when you see the sheer number of movies being released in 3D. According to Imdb.com, Avatar's success brought in a lot of 3D titles, an estimate of 60 in all between 2009 and the present day. In fact the trade group International 3D Society say that since Avatar was released, 33 percent of box office earnings are from 3D movies. There are about 43 films being released in 3D between now and the end of 2011. Of this most of them have been converted to 3D in post-production.

Though it is good to see some really good movies about to be released, it brings us to the question. Are 3D films really worth the hype the film-makers are creating? And lastly do we really need to pay over 300 bucks to go see a movie wearing spectacles?

Leaving Home..

It has been a week since I have ventured out my house, courtesy my cold. So having nothing to do on a Saturday evening, I was just staring at my computer screen, when I was suddenly transported back in time. I went back to around this time last year when I had begun working towards coming to the UK. It suddenly seems ages ago.

It's been over two and half months since I have been here in the UK and more importantly away from my parents. Being away from the protective cushion of our parents is not easy at all. The decision to leave home was never easy too. A lot of times I wasn't sure if I was made for it, if I would survive and so many more kind of doubts. But a friend gave me the courage and assured me that I would be able to and that everything was going to be alright. From that point onwards there was no looking back.

I looked for Universities, checked their ranks, researched on the kind of courses they offered, the fee structure, etc. I also had to look for the kind of scores they required from me, be it entrance test or class test scores. I spent so much time on the internet reading, asking strangers on the net or asking my friends who have already had a stint abroad. They were all really helpful. But what really surprised me and touched my heart, was how supportive my parents were of my decision. It was evident how tough it was for them to see me take steps away from them, but they never came in my way. They would listen patiently to me when I would excitedly come to them telling about what all I had found. Though they did not have any idea about the place that I would be going to, they completely trusted my judgments. When I got good scores in my graduation and entrance tests and managed to get into the University of Sheffield, my parents were as happy as anyone. They did a great job of hiding their fears and pain under the hood of happiness and pride.

Then the day of my departure started creeping ever so close and the process of leaving was in full swing. The last month went very quickly and suddenly it was time for me to leave. I am a person who hates goodbyes. So you can imagine my state when it is my parents that I had to say goodbye to. For the last few days before my departure, I had nightmares about the scene which was due to unfold at the airport. But I am grateful to my friends, for they got me late at reaching the airport. This meant that a long and painful farewell was cut short and all I had time was for a wave and a hasty round of goodbyes to my family and friends.

In the UK, it has been a new beginning. Be it living alone, doing chores, cooking, buying groceries or taking decisions on my own, it has been a totally new experience. Maybe it is a change or just a new challenge, but I am enjoying it a lot. I cherish every moment and am thankful for getting this opportunity. But the truth is that I can't wait to go back home. As was immortalized in the words of Robert Montgomery,

"Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest."

I begin to Blog....

My first blog. It seems so late that I have entered into the world of blogging, especially when it is a combination of the two things I like a lot; Technology and Writing. I guess there is no one to blame but me and my laziness. Though I have been planning for sometime now to start blogging, I just kept postponing it, telling myself that I will begin once I find a good topic to write about. Mind you I am still far from finding a good topic to write about. It is because I have been stuck at home due to cold and fever that I had A Need to Write!!!! (I know it sounds corny!!!! But I like it!!!!)

Over time I have realized that it is only when I am bored or pressurized, that I want to write. At other times writing is something that comes down the ladder of things that I like to do. I still have to figure out a way so that I can write like normal writers do, i.e, everyday. I have seen my mom write every day for the last 4 to 5 years and am still mystified as to how she does it. There have been times when I saw her write at her desk and came back to my room and sat down to write. But all I have managed at those times is to think about what games I need to play, what movies do I have to watch, about the upcoming football match, etc. etc. The pen and paper have often gone untouched. But when I am under pressure to write something or am forced to come up with something, I have come up with write ups that have managed to even surprise me sometimes.

Coming back to me starting a blog. As I mentioned, I had been thinking about starting a blog for quite sometime. But it took a chat session with my mom to get me to actually start writing. If this is a window to my future in the Journalism industry, I will be getting a stick from the editor, every time I have to come up with an article for the next issue. Ominous signs I would say!!!!

Okay that is it for now. Will follow up with more posts.
Thank You!! Come again!!!