Google recently released the Zeitgeist 2011: Year In Review on Youtube. It's an awesome piece of short filmmaking using collected data and media from the past year. The editing is phenomenal, props to Whirled Creative and Director Scott Chan. The narrative is really refined, watch it a few times to notice the juxtopositioning of ideas in even the most subtle sections.
What strikes me is how, no matter what part of the world we live in, our humanity is something we experience together, collectively, and in an era of new media technology, social media, and pooled information, we get a true birds eye view of our world. It can be a big as a revolution in Egypt, to an intimate moment when a deaf woman hears herself for the first time from a medical marvel, today it's possible to experience things never thought possible, and we share it together.
See the Google Zeitgeist website to enjoy specifics if you want to mine the data. It's fascinating how similar we all are.
Check out this fantastic reel of productions that used Avid Technology this year as found on their website. (Your truly might have a shot or two in there too from some of our projects. Keep an eye out!)
First off, I have to say, I love 80's movies. I love "Say Anything", "The Breakfast Club", "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", and even, dare I say, "Rad"? (I totally still have a copy on VHS)
The original films released in the 80's capture a time of economic prosperity, a post modern affection for the 1950's, and a raunchiness that can only be found in that genre.
They're fun! The angst filled romances were epic in a way only dabbled in today through medicore soap/drama television. But in a 1980's movie, we only have "one night" to work it all out, one chance to fall in love, make wrong's right, and that makes it a blast to watch.
In the last several years, there's been attempts at this teen/post college genre. "Girl Next Door", "Hot Tub Time Machine", "I Love You Beth Cooper", and even "Napoleon Dynamite" employed some of our favorite devices from the time period, but in "Take Me Home Tonight" they do it one step better.
"Take Me Home Tonight" feels like it was produced by John Hughes in 1988 and then locked up in a time capsule for our pleasure. There's not a lot of references to pop culture other than Suncoast Video and the occasional image in the opening titles. The bulk of the film is earnest to it's time. In fact, I'd argue that right now is the perfect time to release it. In the midst of our economic downturn, topic's like the value of higher "education" on the top of our political discussion (our hero in the film graduated from MIT), and greed taking over wallstreet (the film discusses what's "really" important in life), Take Me Home Tonight makes us think... a little, but lets us fall in love a little too with the nostalgia of being young. Thematically the film resounates true and the critics missed the mark completely.
The music is amazing. The soundtrack contains such hits as...
Video Killed the Raido Star by The Buggles
Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran
Situation by Yaz
Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue
Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A.
Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
and probably my favorite Let My Love Open the Door by the great Pete Townshend
SPOILER ALERTS FROM HERE ON...
SPOILER ALERTS FROM HERE ON...
SPOILER ALERTS FROM HERE ON...
Anna Ferris ("Scary Movie", "Observe and Report") is perfectly cast as Topher Grace's ("That 70's Show", "Spider Man 3", "In Good Company") twin sister, Wendy Franklin. They feel earnestly like siblings through the writing. Teresa Palmer (as Tori Frederking) is about the most beautiful woman I've seen on film in a while, she's pitch perfect as the Matt's (Topher's) sweet but seemingly unatainable high school crush. Filling out the cast is Mr. Chris Platt ("Parks and Recreation") as Kyle Masterson and Dan Fogler ("Mars Needs Moms") as the first time cocaine snorting/car stealing Barry Nathan.
And extra props to Imagine Entertainment for using the old school logo at the beginning. Awesome. Director Michael Dowse did a brilliant job capturing the 80's without being a spoof of it. Clearly everyone involved in the production gets it.
Is "Take Me Home Tonight" an A++? Absolutely not, it's a B+ at best. But it's a solid, film and those of us who enjoyed the films of the 1980's will absolutely fall in love with this little gem.
Parent's don't take your kids to see it, it's only for us 80's kids. There's sex, nudity, cocaine and drug use, violence and more. Everything you'd expect from and 80's movie, just not appropriate for the little one's as dictated by it's MPAA R rating.
Artoftheguillotine.com has launched the Editing Association Video Series in collaboration with American Cinema Editors, the Australian Screen Editors and the Canadian Cinema Editors. According to the site, the next episode with be an interview with Juilian Clarke, Editor of District 9.
In addition the site has a great knowledge base and new backend for social networking and focusing your interest feeds. Gordon's podcast is great! He has some amazing editors as guests.
(In response to the formspring.me/flickgym question widget)
Who's the Most Underrated Actor? ...Kevin Cooney.
Who is Kevin Cooney? I guarantee you've seen him before. He's popped up on "Boston Legal", "Cold Case", "Medium", "Nip/Tuck", "Mad Men", and more in the television world.
In features, Kevin appeared in "Charlie Wilson's War", "Seven Pounds", "Austin Powers in Goldmember", "American Pie 2", "Clear and Present Danger", and so many more.
Still can't picture him? Check out his imdb and you'll instantly know this Doctor, Lawyer, Congressman, General, Principal, Journalist, Archbishop, Pilot, and CIA Councilman.
I was so fortunate to meet Kevin when I was just a fourth grade kid in Orange County and he spoke with our class about his great job. He inspired me to get into entertainment with his subtle performances and clearly professional attitude. At the time, Kevin had recently played a supporting role in the Academy Award Winning Film "The Trip To Bountiful". It's a fantastic film if you haven't seen it.
So who's the most underrated actor? Kevin Cooney. A man who everyone knows, and so few of us appreciate how wonderfully he supports the story without upstaging. A brilliant actor, with 106 imdb acting credits, I think it's time we take some notice.
Invitation to Attend Avid’s Live Web Chat with Avatar Editorial Team
Avid will host a live Q&A Web discussion with Avatar Editor Stephen Rivkin and Assistant Editor Jason Gaudio -
· Friday, Feb. 26 at 11:00 AM PT – 12:00 PM PT
· To participate: http://www.avid.com/avatar
Attendees will be able to pose questions to the editors, gain unique insight into the creative process behind the film, learn about emerging and innovative production techniques like 3D filmmaking and walk away with an insider’s view of where the industry is headed.
For more information, visit Avid.com’s Industry Buzz.
One of the best joys of the Sundance Film Festival every year is that a few films pop out of the pack that will likely make a mainstream mark. Fox Searchlight made the wise choice to snatch up Max Mayer's "ADAM", a beautifully whimsical film about a young man Adam (Hugh Dancy) who meets a young woman Beth (Rose Byrne) after she moves in a few floors above. After a couple of unusual encounters, Beth finds herself falling in love but confused with Adam's behavior. Adam confesses that he has Asperger Syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder, and the real life challenges of a relationship take on a whole new experience.
The film could have gone the route of a sappy, tele-drama, but it doesn't. In fact it's smart, warm, funny, and deals with the conflict in a fair way, even when conflicts get dark. If you like Hallmark movies, you adore this film, if you hate them, I promise you'll be hooked and enjoy it. It plays like a modern day "Say Anything" and fans of that film will likely be pleased with the upgrades.
It should be noted that Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving round out the cast as Beth's parents and are both wonderful to watch. Frankie Faison also plays Harlen, Adam's best friend, as a wise advisor and father figure to Adam when he most need support.
If you're not familiar with Autism Spectrum Disorders, it's time to learn. The statistics are striking and require massive research. Every year the Walk for Autism raises money to support. I volunteered last year in Los Angeles and had a great time. It was one day of work and we raised millions at the Rose Bowl. If you have a chance, check into your local chapter, drop some cash or volunteer, and if you don't know why it's so important go here and learn. It'll make watching Adam, even more enjoyable.
