Author: James Partridge

Could the 3D fad be coming to an end? Let’s hope so.

Posted by | Jun 20, 2011 |

It looks like 3D’s gloss may finally be wearing off, prompting Hollywood studios to rethink their future plans. “It’s about time!,” I hear you cry. According to media analyst Richard Greenfield, cinema-going audiences are turning their backs on 3D in droves. In a Hollywood Reporter article, Greenfield cited ‘top sellers’ data  on Fandango (an online US ticketing website) stating, “2D movie ticket sales for Warner Bros weekend release Green Lantern and the final installment of Harry Potter are outpacing 3D ticket sales, in a possible latest sign of 3D fatigue.” These statistics are even more significant given what Greenfield called a “massive 3D promotional push” for Green Lantern. Greenfield went on to say, “We continue to believe U.S. consumers are frustrated with the amount of 3D movies Hollywood is producing, especially when combined with excessive ticket prices. In addition, we suspect the darkness of 3D is starting to impact movie satisfaction (this was a key problem with Pirates 3D, with both Green Lantern and Potter starting off with darker imagery and then layering on 3D glasses that darken the images further).” Greenfield again highlighted the disappointing performance of a range of recent 3D releases by adding, “While the higher ticket prices of 3D could allow the 3D box office take to exceed 2D box office, ticket sales are clearly skewing 2D.” Hollywood studios have been riding on the coattails of...

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! New Zealand International Film Festival preview.

Posted by | Jun 16, 2011 |

Summer – meh. Autumn – yawn. Spring – too springy. But winter… it’s a wonderland! We’ll, not if we’re talking about the weather in Wellington but it is if we’re talking about the New Zealand International Film Festival. It’s the biggest, baddest, mother-festival we have and for us film nerds, it’s New Zealand’s film nirvana. I’m looking forward to the hand-trembling excitment of the day the festival programme is released, the head-exploding choices I’m going to have to make, and the 6am line up for tickets on release day. Thankfully it’s New Zealand and I didn’t have to write ‘6am the previous day’. No sleeping bags required here people! Admit One will be there for all the fun, so read on to see how we’ll tackle coverage this year and for the times the fest will be in a town near you. As always, tell us about your love for the fest and what films you hope are part of it. The first thing you need to know is that the Auckland programme launches next Tuesday – 21 June. Admit One will post the entire line-up then. A majority of these films will screen elsewhere, so you can start picking your ‘must sees’ then. Although some films have already been announced, like the UK indie hit Submarine, that’s kinda old news now so I’ll wait for the full list...

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What’s in a name? ‘The Dam Busters’ removes the N-word.

Posted by | Jun 14, 2011 |

I was reading on stuff.co.nz yesterday that a decision had finally been made to change the name of the dog in Sir Peter Jackson‘s remake of The Dam Busters to ‘Digger’. “So what?”, I hear you say. Well, for those unfamiliar with the original story or film, the dog’s actual name is ‘Nigger’. And yes, he’s a black labrador. Hmm, probably a very wise call me thinks. However, it has caused great debate, even in these more politcally correct times. The Dam Busters’ script writer, and well-known actor, Stephen Fry revealed the change in an interview with UK paper The Daily Mail, saying: “There is no question in America that you could ever have a dog called the N-word. It’s no good saying that it is the Latin word for black or that it didn’t have the meaning that it does now,” explained Fry. “In the (original) film, you’re constantly hearing ‘n-word, n-word, n-word, hurray’ and Barnes Wallis is punching the air. But obviously that’s not going to happen now. So Digger seems okay, I reckon.” However, many historian are upset by the change. Curator of the RAF Scampton museum, Mervyn Hallam, said “It’s not a problem with coloured people, it’s the people in power creating the problem. Sod their political correctness and sod human rights”. Hallam continues, “They should keep the dog’s name the same – it’s ridiculous that they...

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