This weekend marks a milestone in UK cinema – the release of the first ever 3D movie with subtitles.

Disney’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ has been on release with subtitles on the 2D version since early November. But now, as part of The Walt Disney Company’s ongoing commitment to provide entertainment to as broad an audience as possible, and thanks to new technology which enables subtitles to sit on a 3D film, ‘A Christmas Carol’ becomes the first movie in the UK to become truly accessible in 3D to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ has taken £9.5m at the UK box office, with 79% of takings coming from the 3D screens. But only now has the stereoscopic technology developed to a stage where subtitles can be overlaid on a 3D image, so that people with hearing loss can enjoy the experience of a 3D film. The problem previously has always been where to place subtitles in the 3D space – in front? the middle? the back? Placed incorrectly, subtitles can cause nausea or headache.

Disney Studio’s Technical Executive Director, Saul Mahoney, said: “Dickens’ story was an innovative, socially responsible tale – a celebration of traditional Christmas-time values – family, sharing and charity. The Walt Disney Company believes in the same values, and has worked with the UK film industry and charities representing people with hearing or sight loss, to ensure that the 3D cinema experience can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.”

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Giz3D.com is sad to report that we have just received official confirmation from New Zealand based WingNut Films (Peter Jacksons production company) that the ‘Lord of the Rings’ directors new upcoming two part series of Hobbit movies will NOT be produced in 3D.

Co-writer and Director Guillermo Del Toro has decided to maintain 2D production to ensure continuity between the original trilogy and the two new Hobbit films. This is sure to be a shock to many entertainment industry insiders that had assumed the Hobbit films would be produced in 3D, possibly because Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg are currently working on Tin Tin together (which IS being produced in 3D).

In a brief statement sent to Giz3D this morning, a WingNut Films spokesperson stated that “Guillermo [Del Torro] wants to maintain the integrity of the original trilogy by shooting the movies on traditional 35mm film” they went on to say that “although Peter [Jackson] is impressed with new 3D movie technologies. He will always be passionate about the traditional [2D] film format”.

So there you go, the 3D Hobbit bubble has officially been burst..  doh!

As a fan of Gawker I was surprised to read their nasty review of James Camerons latest creation AVATAR. Especially when they haven’t even seen the film!

Written by Richard Rushfield, the Avatar beat up story is titled “The mounting evidence that AVATAR will suck – an eyewitness account”. Richard Rushfield.. who I (for the purpose of a cheap laugh) will call DICK Rushfield has written this story in two parts [in case you didn't get his subtle opinion the first time].

Dick claims his “eyewitness” is a “real live entertainment worker” that has seen a “fairly large glimpse” of Avatar. I repeat, Dick’s so called “EYEWITNESS” has only seen a “FAIRLY large GLIMPSE” [fills you with confidence, doesn't it ]

He goes on to say:

“The new technology they’ve been using to eliminate the headaches and sickness conducive to old 3D tech has not been used properly in the action scenes throughout Avatar.  The problem is with cutting in between 3D focal points and perspective – the mind cannot adjust to it without a buffer – thus, Avatar is literally vomit inducing.”

Let it be known that just like Dick Rushfield, I haven’t seen AVATAR yet.  For all I know, it may well be a load of crap.. or it might be a masterpiece. Who knows until we actually get to see the film.  But please, lets wait until we have seen it before slamming it.

I would imagine that Rule #1 of movie reviewing would be to actually see the movie.. but what would I know. -Editor

IMAX 3D’s latest feature ‘Hubble 3D’ was produced by the same film making team behind IMAX 3D’s Space Station 3D. It follows the amazing saga of the greatest success in space since the Moon Landing in amazing stereoscopic 3D. Featuring amazing on-orbit coverage of the telescope’s final repair and stunning IMAX 3D flights through distant galaxies.

The spring 2010 release date was timed to mark the 20th Anniversary of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope(s).

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Bob Weinstein of DIMENSION Films has told Variety that new sequels to the following classic movies will soon be shot and released in stereoscopic 3D:

Short Circuit 3D

1. Scream 4 – 3D (Wes Craven is directing and Neve Campbell has re-signed).
2. Short Circuit 3D
3. Hellraiser 3D
4. Scanner 3D
5. Halloween 3D
6. Children of the Corn 3D
7. An American Werewolf in London 3D
8. Spy Kids 4 3D production

PS. I know I said 8 ‘CLASSIC’ films and I’m sorry (clearly at least numbers 7 and 8 are not classics (in my opinion anyway) -Editor

Blood, Brains and Zombies will receive the 3D Stereoscopic treatment at the 5th Annual Johnny Ramone Tribute on the 3rd of October. The event which is set to be staged at the ‘Hollywood Forever Cemetery’ in California, will host the 3D global premiere screening of George Romero’s classic horror, Night of the Living Dead 3D.  NVIDIA will also be there to show off showcase their 3D Vision stereoscopic 3D technology and give attendees a chance to play this year’s hottest horror game, Resident Evil 5 in 3D.  The event will kick off at dusk with a showing of the full-length, 1977 Ramones concert, It’s Alive, screened outdoors against a 24-foot mausoleum wall. Actress Rose McGowan (Grindhouse) will then introduce the Night of the Living Dead in 3D.

Tickets are publicly available for a cheap $10 per person minimum donation (which includes a pair of commemorative 3D glasses) with proceeds benefiting the Johnny Ramone research fund.

Aside from the whole disrespecting the dead thing, I think a horror movie screened in 3D at a cemetery sounds like fun (if not down right scary). Apparently Picnic dinners, drinks (including alcohol), pillows, blankets and small chairs are permitted. I would also recommend taking some garlic and perhaps a stake or two to fend off zombies.  -Ed

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This is the trailer for Jerry Bruckheimer’s G-FORCE Stereoscopic 3D Movie. This stereoscopic 3D feature film is a Disney 3D release (not Pixar related). Here is the Plot according IMDB:

The story is about a team of trained secret agent guinea pigs that takes on a mission for the US government. A specially trained squad of guinea pigs is dispatched to stop a diabolical billionaire, who plans to taking over the world with household appliances

Screens in North American Theatres 24 July 2009. Europe and Australia will get it soon after (UK July 30th 2009).

You can find a better quality trailer and the official site for My Bloody Valentine 3-D here. My Bloody Valentine 3D premiers on January 16 in North America and February 12 in Australia.  Looks scary enough in 2D, let alone in 3D.  I can’t wait!

 IMDb plot summary is as follows:

After surviving a fatal accident that claimed the lives of five of men in a mine shaft, Harry Warden performed an horrific killing spree on Valentines night in the town of Harmony, killing 22 people before he was shot to death.

Many years later, Tom (the man responsible for the accident) returns to his old town, only to find that the murders have started again. What follows is an adrenaline pumping thrill ride, as Tom, his old flame Sarah and a group of townspeople try to survive the night of slaughter.

Film Producer says: 

My Bloody Valentine is presented in stunning 3D, making blood, brains and various other limbs fly at you in a holy grail of gore.

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Variety has published an interesting story on the 3D Movie industry. Most interesting points are:

- Jeffrey Katzenberg (Dreamworks CEO) says on a $150 million animated film, it costs an extra $15 million to make 3D. To this end, Dreamworks will charge $5 extra for 3D movies as of 2009 (starting with Monsters vs Aliens 3D).

- 3D Movies generate double the audience attendance of 2D Films.

- 3D Movies make triple the revenue of 2D Films.

- 3D Movies run much longer than 2D films (generating more revenue for cinema owners).

- ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ is the highest grossing 3D film so far, making more than 50% of it’s takings from the 30% of cinemas that showed the film in 3D.

- Up to 25,000 screens could be capable of showing digital 3D movies in 2009 (pending stability in the global financial crisis).

Interesting stats but I think the last one is reaching for the stars. Especially considering that when ‘Monsters vs Aliens 3D’ comes out it will only show in 3D on 2,500 screens (maximum).

[Variety]

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF NEW 3D MOVIES Read the rest of this entry »

ICE AGE 3 – Dawn of the Dinosaurs 2009, will be the first 3D Movie in the Ice Age series. You can check out the latest trailer by clicking the image above.

While the big news (for some) is Johnny Depps $50 – $75 million paycheck for signing on for the fourth ‘pirates’ installment. The big news for us is that this movie will be in 3D! Thats Disney 3D to be precise. With the quantity of 3D movies being spat out by disney these days, soon a story like this will not be worthy of posting as the majority of movies will be produced in 3D. In fact in Jeffrey Katzenberg (Dreamworks CEO) is right, “all movies will be in 3D”. Unfortunately we can’t quite see that happening somehow and 2D cinema purists will take some time to convince that 2D movies are an endangered species.

Well I called it long ago but now the news is official. Disney will release their Academy award nominated, 1991 classic Beauty and the Beast, in 3D. Disney have been pioneers in animated technology since the days of Walt introducing the first moving animated feature with sound and the the first color animated film. When Micheal Eisner took over Disney he raised enormous revenue (in the short term) by releasing all the disney classics on video, something that had never been done before (mainly as disney re-released their classics in the cinema every few years). When DVDs were introduced they milked the cow again, so it comes as no surprise that Disney (even without Eisner) are tapping the 3D market to repackage their movies.

The film’s original producers will use the 1991 film computer files to regenerate the film in 3D, a process that is expected to take 10 months. One of the producers said “By going back to the original animation files, which have been carefully archived for 17 years, and using the separate background, effects and character animation elements, we’re able to come up with a fun and unique 3-D experience for existing and new fans of the film.”

-I think this is great news, I am just annoyed they are starting with Beauty and the Beast and not one of my favs like Aladdin or the Lion King. I can’t help but think that these ‘2D to stereoscopic 3D’ converted classics will be beaten by the new pixar ‘CGI 3D in Stereoscopic 3D’ classics. Just like CGI 3D beat normal 2D animated films previously.

3DX (Singapores four-day 3D festival) is in full swing and Dreamworks CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg said in his address:

“In five to seven years, all movies will be made in 3D” Katezenberg goes on to say “Everyone will have their own glasses. It will become a fashion statement.”

Other big news from 3DX is Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts in Singapore’s announcement that the Singapore Government are setting up a fund of over 10 million Singapore dollars (7 million U.S. dollars) to grow the 3D media industry over the next two years. The fund will support content projects, 3D infrastructure, production and post-production facilities as well as training initiatives for 3D film makers over the next two years. Lee also said a piece of land has been designated for media infrastructure. “The government will provide the basic infrastructure and private developers will be invited to build and operate the media support facilities,” he said, adding “We believe there will be growing demand for such facilities from international content creators.”

The Latest release from Disney 3D hits North American 3-D cinemas tommorrow (1st January 2009 for the rest of the World). ‘Bolt’ is the story a dog who plays a heroic dog in a hit TV show and has some trouble recognizing that he doesn’t actually have superpowers. This becomes a problem when he is accidentally shipped from Hollywood to New York City. From there he has to make his way home with the help of a old cat and an overweight hamster in a plastic ball. See Trailer Below:

The first 3DX, 3D movie festival has started in Singapore today and runs til the 23rd. Featuring special addresses from Jeffrey Katzenberg of the Dreamworks fame and James Cameron who will be releasing his latest feature AVATAR in 3D (2009). A Stellar line up of 3D industry heavyweights will run various workshops and a smorgasboard of the latest 3D movie offerings will be screened daily. To check out the full details of the 3DX festival and to see the movies that are being shown visit the official site.

So you want to find a 3D Cinema near you? Well Currently there are three main competing 3D technology vendors. IMAX, REALD & Dolby Digital 3D:

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOLBY DIGITAL 3D THEATRE LOCATIONS

CLICK HERE FOR THE REALD THEATRE LOCATIONS

CLICK HERE FOR THE IMAX 3D THEATRE LOCATIONS

The above links will help you find your nearest 3D theatre / 3D movie cinema locations (worldwide).

This is the Second Teaser Trailer for Pixars UP. This movie will be released in 2009 and is produced in stereoscopic 3D. Disney Digital 3D is the Distribution Partner.