Hot Filmmaker's Topic: the Sony Handycam Full HD 3d Camcorder

Even though many people argue about the future of 3D and the preferences of Indie filmmakers differ, this jewel by the main innovator Sony gives you a massive amount of goodies for the price. There is the Optical Steady Shot image stabilization, and you can view the 3d footage without glasses. With two Full HD sensors, it makes the 3D shooting experience much more layered, and the 2D just as clear and dreamy as ever. Even if your outdoor setting is at the peak hours of brightness, the LCD has glare reduction that will still give you an accurate means of quality controlling what you just shot.

You can get immaculately blur-free footage with this camcorder, and the 3-way shake cancelling gives you optimal sharp results even if you are cruising at warp speed. Well; maybe not warp speed, but you get the idea. A 17x extended zoom would be amazing at locations like the ocean or a cityscape from a distance. I have not myself been able to play with this camera, but can only imagine the possibilities when put in the hands of all the creative talent out there today.

Supposedly the glasses free LCD is better on Fuji models, but as someone that worked in a major broadcast center; I really always stood by the Sony brand. Whatever your preference, there are so many innovations out there right now that the future will have a lot of changes. For quick still images, the camera is 20 mp. Let's hope now that every good film in progress won't have to have a Kickstarter campaign just to get funding, what I believe is a sad new norm in the industry due to risk level. to view this model, click:
 here

"The Mosquito Coast"; Harrison as an inventor gone awry

Far from the epic adventure and thrills of the Indiana Jones franchise, a picture came out in 1986 that was under the radar for quite some time. "The Mosquito Coast" was a story of an inventor named Allie who takes his family to the lush foreign jungle, to escape consumerism and the capitalist structure of the states. Supposedly Jack Nicholson was the first pick for this film, and although that could have been a good choice; Ford is still a silver lining to this tale.

Helen Mirren is his wife, and a young River Phoenix is one of his sons Charlie. Some said this was boring and others like to comment on how it is Harrison's only movie that perhaps has not even made its money back. Being the son of missionaries who traveled to Bangladesh and other locations in Southeast Asia, I was drawn to it immediately. Shot mostly in Belize, the spirit of the jungle is definitely conveyed well. Allie invents in ice machine that does not impress the family's landlord, who is disappointed that the asparagus on the farm has not been tended to.

 And he is a die hard atheist, not impressed by the efforts of local missionaries to convert and mold the natives. After arriving in an area that he deems perfect, Allie begins to build a civilization, with massive water systems and buildings. He even invents an ice machine that forever transforms the jungle economy and keeps the locals in amazement. As he slowly goes mad, he starts to mistreat his children and wife more. Even though it may never be said out loud, they are most likely yearning to get back to the states. After a violent conflict they all end up at the coast, where they build a lean to and Allie lies, telling them that America has been destroyed by nukes.

They almost perish in a storm, and it is quite painful to watch the family stranded by the sea, with a man who is now delusional. In the end of the movie the family drifts down the river again, starving and very distraught. A few other key things happen that I will not spoil, and we are shown a portrait of someone who went so far over the edge that he takes others down with him. A simple parallel to "Apocalypse Now" is not justice; this is an entirely different jungle tale. Some of the best parts are Allie's early rants about what is happening to America, and while in states of pre-delusion; he is half right.

This is not a movie for a "big night" on the blu ray, or for your blockbuster viewing of the week. But it could be perfect for a Sunday afternoon or a college class on social studies or political science, there is a lot to be said here. You have to go in a bit guarded, because it becomes a little dismal. But Harrison's performance is stellar, he seems utterly committed to success... a bit like Jonny Depp in "Ed Wood".

There are plenty of things wrong with the film. As a fan of things like Anthony Bourdain and having traveled a lot myself I can cuddle up to it a bit more. But anyone who loves film will surely enjoy watching a very mainstream actor take on a very deeply disturbed person. It is not epic, but so valuable in many ways. "The Mosquito Coast" shows us a much different heart of darkness, not as bloodthirsty; but still with a yearning for the barter of the villages and the lapping mouth of the river.

"Orange is the New Black"; First Impressions

Said to have already been renewed for another season, "Orange is the New Black" is the story of Piper Chapman,(Taylor Shilling) who is sent to prison for being in possession of a large amount of drug money. Created by the brainchild that served us up "Weeds", the expectations for the series were high. I got the chance to sit down and go through the first two episodes tonight.

At first I was skeptical and did not know if the leading character of Piper would appeal to me. Jason Biggs, of the "American Pie" franchise, is cast as Piper's fiancee, and I felt so neutral about him that I had no idea if I would enjoy this journey. He is really quite endearing as the perhaps half-employed writer who has to take her to prison and see her off to being locked up. She is the epitome of someone who would "not make it" behind bars, delicate and not street smart.

I was a fan of "Weeds" but was leery going into these first episodes, and should not have been. It is refreshing, dark, and shines enough light into a scary place while reminding you that you do NOT want to be there. The flashbacks are really set up quite perfectly. We see some of the same old cast of  "Weeds" and they are given ample room to shine and show us their same quirks with another storyline.

Every prison story is just a little bit different. But this one taking place in a women's prison is actually quite refreshing. There are the same sexual stereotypes that go along with the setting but they are played out a little differently than normal. Without really giving too much away, some of the best things that could happen to Piper happen, and some of the people she would want to see least are also there to greet her. No one wants to be behind bars, and there are many things that are inappropriate about this story.

It really has to be that way, because each prison is its own take of Hell on Earth. With only two episodes down, I can see some interesting alliances, and enemy forces at work as well. You really do wince when watching Piper first hit the cell block, and just calling her and her fiance "yuppies" don't do them justice. They have their own special kind of hipster love; with funny little quirks. Reminding us of where we don't want to go is part of what "Weeds" got popular for, and I have a feeling that I and much of the rest of the viewing world will be eating up the remaining episodes of this show quickly. Even if it is sneakily by flashlight, after lights out.  

Early Sneak Peek trailer released for Ridley Scott's "The Counselor"

When it was announced that Ridley Scott would take the helm for a Cormac McCarthy novel's translation to film, many wondered just what it would be like. "No Country for Old Men" was a divine masterpiece, and this tale of a lawyer in too deep with the drug trade probably will be as well. Many have questioned the cast of Pitt, Diaz, Cruz, and Bardem's ability to shine; I have no doubt that it will. Drug dealing tales are always fast paced and salivary; the double crossing, hot locations and briefcases full of contraband will always tide the viewer over. Yes, Penelope has been in other drug movies (Blow); but this one should have a certain kick to it to get viewers excited. When I read McCarthy's "Cities of the Plain" I was engrossed; the desperado entity meeting all the other elements involved should create wonderful fireworks for a film.

Horror Movie list from the 1970's!

The 1970's were a very defining time for horror. While there were some movies that didn't meet the bar, this inclusive list is full of a lot of the ones that did. "Young Frankenstein", "Halloween", "Piranha" and "The Swarm" are many of the fun ones on the list. Sometimes the long pauses, imperfect editing, and glitches of the genre have a lot to do with these great movies. This was the decade where a lot of real terror came to screen, and of course launched the slasher films in higher volume. From big blockbusters like "Alien" to other treasures like "The Brood", it's one fine period of horror that could be known as the best. It doesn't always take computer generated effects to get you to jump out of your seat! Here is the website with the list:

100 great 1970's horror films: 

Ace does fly High indeed; in Scorsese's "Casino"

It's a harrowing thing to be told of all the secrets of the desert and threatened to be buried out there yourself. The 8th film by Scorsese featuring the iconic Robert De Niro as Sam "Ace" Rothstein, "Casino" is the story of a gambling professional hired by the Midwest arm of the mob to oversee the fluid operations of the Tangiers in Las Vegas. The outfits overseen by the character in real life were the Stardust, Hacienda and Fremont casinos in the newly booming desert empire in the 1970's.

What many claim is Joe Pesci's maturely signature role, he plays the true enforcer behind the scenes, making sure that the mob gets money off the top and everyone stays in line. Rothstein's wise move of always making the right bets for the mob in the beginning really pay off (for a while) as making him a golden child of the teamsters, who are not allowed to go past Kansas City to make money.

Full of wonderfully crafted scenes that guide you through the operations, security, lavish entryways and valet areas of the casinos, the narraration splits between De Niro and Pesci perfectly, as Pesci's temper really, really starts to get the best of him. To say the least, he stomps on, intimidates, steals money from, and extends his smart middle finger in the direction of anyone who crosses him. "Goodfellas" is an obvious gangster masterpiece, with the same craft of showing you the players like illustrious mobbed up individuals with their own unique traits. The sheer fact that the blinking lights, rows of slots, and violent humor gets to go a step further here with the locale make it that much better.

 The issue of very lax gaming laws in the 1970's is the reason why Rothstein is allowed here in the first place; you could at that time operate while your license was pending. As in many other epic plots, a woman enters the scenario and changes everything. When I first saw the film I thought Sharon Stone was not going to belong, that she was hideously miscast. Nope; she is a hustler named Ginger who as Rothstein tells us "can keep a man up for days before sending him home broke and disheveled".

A hybrid of true gold digger with another bipolar side possessing a bit of heart, her ex boyfriend Lester (James Woods) is a constant thorn in Rothstein's side, and he cannot see her attraction to the loser who sometimes "doesn't have enough gas money to pick up his own check". Her and Rothstein marry, and she eventually goes down a path of addiction and deceit. Many other scandalous things happen and red flags are raised on Rothstein's gaming license; with a true to life ending of what usually happens when you try to cheat the establishment. Full of music like the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and The Moody Blues, there is a hardcore type of jangling going on here that can make you feel like you are eating a steak buffet at 4 in the morning.

 "Casino" is one of those depressing tales that doesn't depress you all the way, watching someone take over like Rothstein is a cinematic adventure. Webs of production don't get spun like this every day in Hollywood, and it is a trademark; a homage to a bustling time when you could stand up straight and take what you wanted if you had the balls to.