No 3D treatment for new Harry Potter movie

So how does everyone feel about the 3D phenomenon? Is anyone well over that fad yet?

I must say I breathed a sigh of relief after finding out that the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, has been spared from the 3D format…only to discover that this was simply because the movie couldn’t be converted in that format in time and that the second part will be released in 3D.

Source: Warner Brothers Entertainment

Oh well.

This article from The Sydney Morning Herald successfully captivates readers’ attention from the get-go with a catchy headline: “No new dimension to new Harry Potter movie”.

Mentioning Harry Potter in the headline certainly stimulates the interest of most people as it is something we’re all familiar with. However, if you don’t know who Harry Potter is, you should be shunned by society! Well not really…but seriously if you haven’t, not too sure where you’ve been hiding.

Also, who here doesn’t like Harry Potter? Perhaps some of the acting has put you off a little but I’m sure many of you out there are fans of at least the books! Moreover, 3D is still a relatively “warm” topic that readers would still want to read about it.

With Harry Potter 7 Part 1 set to be internationally released on November 18 (November 19 is for the UK and the US), this news comes at a timely juncture.

Also, this piece of information is indeed new (and a little odd I suppose) because many have assumed it would definitely be released in 3D. Disappointing news for some, but great news for others (like me!).

I have to say this was well played by Warner Brothers Entertainment because, as mentioned in the article, had they generated a rushed and Clash of the Titans-like 3D version of the movie, this would have a negative impact on the audience – um who wants their cinematic experience butchered by some dodgy 3D conversion?

There are great expectations from this movie and great anticipation building as people are eager to see what is to become of Harry (even if they might have already read the last book, or not). If many of you are like me and have grown up with the series, you’ve probably become emotionally attached to the ingenious and wonderful world of Hogwarts. A world that J.K. Rowling has so kindly shared with us.

We can also see that the inverted pyramid format is clearly used to reveal in order of importance the most important details of the news: from Harry Potter 7 Part 1 not being released in 3D to seeing “next year…a 3D re-release of Star Wars”. The quotes selected are also credible and support what’s been said.

In terms of layout, the provision of the movie's second trailer is very effective in retaining more people to the page. It definitely works better than having a still image instead. People can then make their own opinion on whether Harry Potter will benefit or not from the 3D format. The comments feature is also great in encouraging readers to join in the conversation and give their two cents.

Facebook movie’s screenwriter Aaron Sorkin hates the net

Facebook, Facebook, Facebook!

Facebook is everywhere. I mean who doesn’t have a Facebook (or should I say ‘fb’) these days? Plus, it’s always in the news, don’t you think?

This isn’t surprising though because it’s something so enormous and influential that it was inevitable that the social network would receive the Hollywood treatment.

Source: Gamer Poop

While the movie, titled The Social Network, has so far been mostly well received, it has also copped a lot for its portrayal of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

However, blogger Jeff Jarvis points out in Shane Richmond’s article that the real issue is the movie’s dismissal of “all this Internet stuff” where it’s alleged that the movie’s screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, hates the Internet. 

And it is this issue that drives Richmond’s post.

Its headline draws us in immediately as it’s straightforward. What is particularly interesting is the paradox that he uses. I mean, why would someone who doesn’t like the internet, write a screenplay for a movie on online media?

A little strange perhaps but the headline’s ambiguity is what draws readers in as they feel compelled to investigate this piece of information. Well, dunno about you but it certainly peaked my interest.

While the start of the article is nothing out of the ordinary, the author cleverly maintains our attention by throwing at us the film’s “big name creators” – Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing and A Few Good Men) and David Fincher (Seven and Fight Club).

The Social Network movie poster. Source: MTV

The short length of the post is also effective in addressing (and alleviating!) the readers’ (short) attention span. Moreover, juxtaposing the words ‘500 MILLION FRIENDS’ in the cropped image (of the movie poster) and the words “a lonely nerd” in the sentence above it is ab-so-lu-te-ly brilliant! 

In terms of sources, the use of two and the provision of their original links, provide credibility, open up discussion and encourage you to form your own opinions. In other words this topic is highly debatable and that’s what makes Richmond’s post all the more interesting.

Sorkin’s first quote – “There’s just too much bad information getting out there and…that’s mostly the fault of the Internet, which isn’t held to any standards of accuracy” – was well selected as it indirectly invites us to join the conversation in the comment box provided.

What’s even greater is that, because it concerns Facebook, ANYONE can join the conversation. This ‘online story on an online social media’ reaches an extensive audience from all around the globe.

…Now is there any chance for a Twitter movie? Anyone?

LENNONYC: Not just another John Lennon film

Source: TopNews

In my previous post, I was right to say that biopics of musical legends will never become ‘out of fashion’. There’s something fascinating about watching the lives of those you admire unfold before your eyes. You get the chance to live their “moment” and personally discover the kind of person they were.

This time the music legend is John Lennon! But wait, hasn’t the life of the former Beatle already been told before…say countless times?

Being a huge Beatles fan, this article certainly caught my attention but I was very wary about reading what this upcoming movie has to offer. However, Ellen Wulfhorst assures us that the latest John Lennon film to be released, titled LENNONYC, stands out from the other ‘nth’ movies that were made about his life. 

She successfully captures our attention from the start by acknowledging that, indeed, “so much has been told about the Beatles that director Michael Epstein knew he needed to say something different…”

Wulfhorst connects with us by voicing, and not dismissing, what we would all think upon hearing a new Lennon movie is to be released: ‘What? Another movie about him?’. She would have bored us had she started like this: ‘A new John Lennon movie will be released…’  

She clearly mentions in order of importance the information that is relevant to her news: Epstein’s focus on Lennon’s immigration to America, the use of previously unreleased audio tapes and his infamous ‘lost weekend’. And what I’m most curious about that ‘long weekend’ is how that’s been portrayed in the film. Many films, such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono: A Love Story, have incorrectly represented May Pang, Lennon’s girlfriend when he and Yoko Ono separated. That could be controversial.

This news comes at a timely juncture with events commemorating what would be Lennon’s 70th birthday on October 9, and the US release of the film Nowhere Boy (a film about Lennon’s adolescence and the Beatles’ formation) on October 8.

Actor Aaron Johnson as John Lennon in Nowhere Boy. Source: Rama's Screen

It will certainly have great impact as people – young and old – are still moved and influenced by Lennon’s artistry today. It would also be emotional as the film builds up to his death.

What’s uncertain though is whether this movie will be released worldwide. It will be a shame if this will only be shown in America. However, thanks to the internet and “legal” downloading, people all over the world would be able to access it.

The story might have been interesting but one of its drawbacks was the lack of images. Furthermore, while links were provided throughout the story, it would have been more beneficial to provide direct links to related stories as a means of credibility and for further reading.