8mm Forum: Finally, a great 3D film

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Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on June 18, 2011, 12:47 PM:

Finally I have seen a 3D movie of significance, where the 3D technology really contributes immensely to the impact of the film. I am talking about Werner Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams, which is actually a documentary film about the Chauvet-Pont- d'Arc cave in southern France, where a team of scientists discovered the magically pristine cavern in 1994, and within it a series of magnificent rock drawings that have been carbon dated to be at least 32,000 years old.
I have been so totally jaded by the endless runs of CGI animated 3D mediocrities that I had basically written off the whole 3D thing, both at the cinema and at home. But this film has turned me around. It uses the 3D technology in such a lovely quiet way which gives the film so much more involvement and interest than could possibly be acheived in 2D. It is an awesome film, which suprisingly ( being a documentary film) is playing at first run theaters such as the Regal chain here in the USA.
One thing I noticed though was the uneven screen illumination. I was sitting on the left side of the theater and I noticed right away that the right side of the screen was quite dim. Bad projector bulb?
No, when I took a break and walked across the theater to the right exit, the right hand side was now bright and the left side was dim! Obviously, the cinemas have installed highly directional screens to boost the brightness of 3D movies, which are dimmed 50% by the 3D glasses. Fine for the people in the middle but a bummer for everybody else. NOT a good idea!
The movie was great but my first cinema experience in over a year reminded me of what I dislike about today's cinema experience. First we had to sit through about 15 minutes of commercials for anything from Coke to auto insurance agency's. Then there was about 20 minutes of the usual modern hyperactive and deafening trailers. It all made me long for the 1950's cinema when we would have someone playing the organ in a beautifully lit proscenium setting, followed by just a couple of trailers and a Pathe Pic.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 18, 2011, 01:19 PM:

When I think of Werner, I think of a great director of years gone by. So, is this a brand new Herzog film I hadn't heard about?

I have always been fond of "Aguirre: Wrath of God" (that last long lingering shot of the broken up raft, with Klaus walking amongst the mocking monkees was always quite wonderful!).

That and his lesser well known ut interesting, "The Mystery of Kaspar Hauser" (based upon a true story, mind you!)

... and I've alway thought Wernors "Dracula" film was thee cool ultimate creepy vampire film. Herzog has this way of lingering, sometimes for minutes on end on just one shot to make a point, and I always loved that very long shot of the ship, unmanned, slowing creeping into port and, upon stopping right where it should, rats come pouring off of it. Absolutely great! (and didn't Klaus make a wonderful vampire?!)

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on June 18, 2011, 01:40 PM:

I remember double features with a cartoon many eons ago. I still haven't seen anything better than It Came From Outer Space with double 35mm projection. The problem with today's 3D is digital projection's lack of light hitting the screen.

Posted by Thomas Dafnides (Member # 1851) on June 18, 2011, 03:58 PM:

The latest poll here in the USA has shown most people prefer the see the latest "Pirates of the Carribean" film in 2D over 3D. Apparently, people have grown weary of the 3D effect........... this is exactly what happened in the 50's when 3D in B&W was introduced.

[ June 19, 2011, 07:28 PM: Message edited by: Thomas Dafnides ]

Posted by Mark Williams (Member # 794) on June 19, 2011, 04:29 AM:

I thought you was going to say Green Lantern lol [Smile]

Posted by Ricky Daniels (Member # 95) on June 20, 2011, 03:08 AM:

Hi Thomas,

I think the problem is that Hollywood has released too many 2D to 3D conversions and the public can see the difference and the layered effect this produces, hence logo's like 'TRU 3D'. Hollywood are not doing the system any justice by doing so!

Best.
Rick

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