Written by H. Clent Bowers for THE ARTISTS FORUM MAGAZINE
Edited by Amos White V for THE ARTISTS FORUM, INC
Photos: Courtesy of 3D Film Festival
REVIEWER RATING:
4 out of 5 stars
3D FILM FESTIVAL 2012
LOS ANGELES (September 23, 2012) Who would think after all the years of 3D pictures and old 3D movies that the world would come to the recent developments of today. Yes, 3D is here to stay and in a very big way. The three-day event at LA Live from September 20 – 22, 2012, was not packed, but very well attended. I think they need a bigger build up to the event as I only heard about it a few weeks before it arrived. This is only their 5th year so they have plenty of room to grow as the 3D industry grows and changes. This year there were world premiere 3D games, interactive 3D television exhibits, world premiere 3D films, some recently released 3D films, and a stunning award winning documentary from Switzerland of the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Experience Montreux (USA, 2012)
Introduction and Lifetime Achievement Award for Claude Nobs
Trailer: vimeo.com/50335119
Watching the history of the Montreux Jazz Festival and it’s growth over the past 40 years is nothing less then amazing and awe inspiring. You feel as though you’re in the room. You can almost touch the great artists on stage or feel the city’s surroundings as the 3D experience carries you through the city of Montreux.
To meet Claude Nobs in person is like being in Europe — charming and personable, as if we were old friends appreciating each others artistry. I lived in Europe for several years and I almost didn’t come home. When you are an artist and you meet fellow artist, somehow each of you know it. You embrace it. You accept the newness of creation in each person. Sure, there is still the element of judgement and evaluation of good or bad. But for the most part the experience is really about the freedom to create and be validated as an artist simply by who you say you are. I enjoyed watching the audience during the film as they listened to the commentary of musicians, some of who you know others you have just witnessed, and all the music soaring with the energy of positive creation. This is Experience Montreux in 3D . By going to the website you can read more on how Quincy Jones and Claude Nobs teamed up to make this film possible. A great achievement and worthy award winner.
Spiders 3D (USA, 2012)
Opening Night World Premiere, Presented by Millennium Films & Nu Image
Director: Tibor Takács
Written: Joseph Farrugia, Tibor Takacs, Dustin Warburton
Cast: Patrick Muldoon, Christa Campbell, and William Hope
Trailer: vimeo.com/50163665#
It has been a long time since we have had a new spider movie of the arachnoid kind. This one will not disappoint. The attack takes place in NYC and its origin is from other worldliness. The heroes are none other than New York’s Finest. To tell you more of the plot would spoil the fun. Let us suffice to say that if you’re a sci-fi fan and you liked the old fashioned giant spider movies, you will love this. The story line is what you would expect and done well with the new location and situation. The 3D and graphics are a lot of fun. I twisted, squirmed, grimaced, and not ashamed to say almost screamed. Go enjoy.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 3D: RE-ANIMATION (USA, 2012) (US Premiere)
Presented by: Jeff Broadstreet and Screen Media Films
Cast: Andrew Divoff, Jeffrey Combs, and Sarah Lieving
Non-3D Full Film: youtu.be/ySQo3yZcTfU
Ok we know about the Night of the Living Dead movie. The dead walking for one night and eating human flesh and then the next morning the crisis is over. Right? Well since then, we have had every type of living dead movie one could think of. Seems it plays at our deepest fear that dead bodies will come back and get us. It makes me cold just to think of it as I write. Most of them make no sense at all, but boy are they fun.
Well, Jeff Broadstreet and his crew have come up with a movie that has a story line you can follow – explaining how the dead came back to living and how the hero lives to keep the secret. This plot takes place in a mortuary where the eldest son has taken over for his deceased father. Soon, the folks start coming back to life and eating each other due to a chemical waste spill in a back room. Meanwhile, the younger brother travels home to “get his share of inheritance.” I won’t give the story away ,but this tale is funny and scary at the same time. Great direction, writing, acting, and a good scary score by Jason Brandt. If you like 3D and the living dead franchise, add this one to your list.
Here are trailers of just a few of the great, funny, sci-fi and horror films featured 3D films at the festival this year:
Piranha 3DD Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=_XIyJO6vf3c
Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader Trailer: youtu.be/t1johrDfeC8
A Haunting in Salem Trailer: youtube.com/watch
WE ARE THE WORLD 3D (USA, 2012)
Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=5fAwabimnFA
Later, at another event of the 3DFF held at the Grammy Museum, we watched the Herbie Hancock Imagine Project, We are the World Behind the Scenes, fascinatingly real in 3D, You could almost touch the performers in 3DHD live performance. This documentary should an intimate concert master class with Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, and students… Brilliant! Afterwards, a Q&A was held where Mr. Jones describes to the audience his journey towards the art of making Jazz.
The 3DFF took place at LA Live, The Grammy Museum, the Hyatt Hotel, and the Congo Room in Club Nokia, where we gathered to discuss, meet, and watch live 3D programs on stage and home version LG HD 3D screens around the room. My favorite was the way the ocean comes across in HD3D. Amazing,
I am not sure where this all will lead, but it is definitive that 3D is only at its beginning, with something much more diverse to come. So, hang in there get involved so you are not left behind. The experience of art is evolving to new and exciting heights. See you there next year.
For more information about the 3D Film Festival and their award winners, visit: virtualrealityfestival.com/3d-film-festival
