Promotional campaigns for films are designed to do one thing: Sell tickets. Unfortunately, they sometimes mislead viewers into expecting something a film doesn’t deliver which can taint the viewing experience.
This might be the case with James Cameron’s “Avatar” which was released Friday with an incredible amount of hype – both grass-roots and manufactured through an advertising campaign that might lead viewers to expect the greatest movie known to the history of humankind. Continue reading “Movie review: Avatar’s visuals dazzle”
This morning in the U.S. the Golden Globe nominations were announced and while entertainment junkies like us enjoy the whole list, there are a couple of noms of special interest (Peter Jackson and Weta related) we wanted to point out, but we are going to make you click once to see the list: Continue reading “The Golden Globes of interest are . . .”
The digital effects company Weta has wrapped production on James Cameron’s Avatar, but they still have plenty of work on their plates. According to MarketSaw, the Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson collaboration of Tintin is their next order of business, which will be followed by the upcoming film, The Hobbit.
According to the site, Weta’s first delivery for Tintin is due at the end of January, which means they’ll be working through the Christmas holiday. They’ve also been informed that their next assignment will be the Guilermo del Toro adaptation of The Hobbit, and their taking the necessary steps to prepare for the shoot. Weta is building two new indoor stages behind Weta Digital just for the film’s production that’s expected to start later next year. More..
Hundreds of items of science fiction art and collectibles created by Weta Workshop began their journey to China Friday night for a fundraising exhibition set to be visited by up to one million people. About 150 paintings by artist and Weta designer Greg Broadmore, along with props and rayguns, would be exhibited in The Exceptional Exhibition – Weta Workshop introduces the World of Dr Grordbort’s, the New Zealand Press Association reported on Friday. More..
What exactly is going on with the two-part adaptation of The Hobbit? The world seems to be holding its breath in anticipation, including us, but as the calendar turned to November, we turned to a trusted rock-solid inside source and found a dragon’s treasure of updates. Continue reading “Exclusive Hobbit update: Casting, monsters, costumes!”
Message board member Elven was lucky enough to attend the KEA dinner in Sydney this week and sends in this great report:
“If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, unless its an Oscar, it would be a much merrier world.”
-Prof Tolkien.
I have just returned home from a wonderful night at the Danks Street Depot Cafe in Sydney after listening to KEA’s special guest speaker ‘Richard Taylor’ talk and inspire an audience. People hung onto to his every word and laughed heartily at his stories – we enjoyed it so much we almost forgot about dessert. The food was glorious – the menu designed by NZ chef Jared Ingersol, and there was plenty of wonderful NZ wines available for the tasting.
Richard spoke for a good hour on his career and the movies WETA had been involved with much passion, and gave reference and credit to those people who had helped him along the way. His presentation was punctuated with some very funny anecdotes about Oscar Couture, Meet The Feebles and Taxi Drivers – but his story held a special message regarding success and talent and doing what you do, no matter what that might be, to the best of your ability – turning your life into an art.
Continue reading “The KEA Dinner with speaker Richard Taylor … a great night!”
