Justin Timberlake has been proving his worth recently in the acting world and has finally started to catch the eye of some superstar directors and in this case, the Coen brothers. Since his quality performance in the hit 'Social Network' Justin has been in multiple films and has now been offered a big chance in the up and coming film 'Inside Llewyn Davis'.
I'll be the first to admit that I have never been a fan of films that are supposed to highlight the problems with the youth of London, but the latest film attempting to delve into this murky, lack-lustered genre is a film called 'Sket' and with this derogatory term as it's name, it's a wonder why it was never set out to succeed. I just believe films like this do the exact opposite of what they intend to do, and instead glamourize crime and the poor manner in which groups of people act today and give a bad name to the rest of teenagers living in London and doing well and setting examples. In the review from Totalfilm below, they adhere with my views and continue to say: "it lacks sufficient cred".
Sket Review
Shock news this week as it has been confirmed that the gruesome "Human Centipede 2" has been given authorisation and the go ahead to be put into British cinemas. Although it states the film has been made viewable by not showing the full cut in the U.K., it has been noticed that they are only removing less than two minutes from the film. Must have been a remarkably graphic two mintues we're missing...
Human Centipede II to Get UK Cinema Release
After reading a review about the latest film 'Abduction' including Taylor Lautner (co-star from Twilight) in a story about a teenager who goes off the rails after realising that the people who raised him aren't his real parents. However after reading the review, it has brought to my attention that it is poorly made and Taylor has been milked for all that he is worth.
Abduction Research
Paranormal Activity took the world by storm in 2007 with it's low budget film which was still very effective. After the sequel, there is now going to be another film to compelte a trilogy, and by the look of things; so far I'm impressed. The film yet again has the same concept, but this time is set in the past of the main female character in the first paranomal activity to explain how she has been haunted since a child.
Below is an article that I have read and researched into about a new film festival that has been established in Toronto. Damon Wise, the author of the article describes how the festival has the bustle of a European festival like Cannes, but still has the style and professionalism which we expect from the Americans. The main films mentioned and shown were: The Descendants, Anonymous and Rampart along with all the celebrities which star in them.
Toronto Film Festival 2011
More exciting news as the successful, action-packed macho film 'The Expendables' announces more star-studded names will be included in the forthcoming sequel. Nicolas Cage and John Travolta have now been added to the mix alongside Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris. I believe these two names to be a very wise choice as their on-screen conflict in 'Face Off' was brilliant, and if they can create the same sort of characters again; it will could be very exciting to see.
Nic Cage and John Travolta for Expendables 2
What significance does the continuing development of digital media technology have for media institutions and audiences?
Introduction:
In the film industry technology is a key factor not only for the production of the film, but also for the exhibition of the film and the way in which we consume media and in recent years the proliferation of technology has taken a massive increase. We now have the ability to view films at home with nearly the same experience as we would receive at the cinema except with the comfort of your own home, and we can also buy cameras with outstanding quality and that are quick and simple to upload to computers and make films. So do we need to go to the cinema anymore? Or is technology galvanizing the way in which we consume media and the way it's created?Conclusion
Overall, it is clearly denoted that the proliferation in technology has had a major impact on the film industry and most of which being negative; as we can now use social networking sites, games consoles and items like iPad's in order to watch films at home with a similar sort of quality and with a community. This has then lead to less people going to cinemas and thus a decline in the film industry. However, on the other hand this 'boom' in technology has lead to a greater quality of films which emit a greater sense of realism to the audience, and with the introduction of iMAX to cinemas (which cannot be recreated at home yet) the audience may feel more inclined to visit the cinemas. Also, with the possibility of augmented reality in the future the audience may grow again, and it is the proliferation of technology which keeps the audience immersed in film.
To what extent does digital distribution affect the marketing and consumption of media products?
In today's world digital technologies are at the greatest they've ever been and they are advancing all of the time, and this is why there we are at the epicenter of the proliferation in the way we consume media, films are distributed but also the amount of content that is being produced. However, there is a clear divide between the large conglomerates and the smaller ones and how they budget their films to use digital technology. But does using the latest technology advertising campaigns and production determine success?
In the 2009 sci-fi 'Avatar' by James Cameron, the film broke multiple boundaries not only for the budget ($237,000,000) but also for the technology that is used during the production in order to create a micro-cosm and ultimately include the reader in this new virtual world. The film was shot on HDCAM's and was exhibited in the biggest theatres, iMax and cinemas and also in 3D. The use of the multiple types of the film being viewed was completely down to the use of new digital technology which has now revolutionised the way in which we consume media, as lots of films are now being released in 3D hoping for the same success. However, this is ultimately not the case as in Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland' which went straight to DVD after as little as a fortnight in cinemas. This reflects how 21st Century Fox effectively marketed their film by uses of new digital technologies like social networking sites Facebook, YouTube and Twitter along the way in order to advertise their film to the widest audience possible.Furthermore, this use of 360-degree branding clearly signifies how the film has constantly pestered and been in the view of audiences in order to make them see the film. THis would then clearly suggest that the quality of the film is therefore less important, and the use of digital technologies to effectively market the film is key to success; as the media industries are diversifying and they are therefore distributing on multiple platforms and this use of 'push media' is key to their success.
On the other hand, Tomas Alfredson's 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' released in 2011 by Working Title completely defies this idea as the film had, in comparison a minuscule budget of $21 million and included no computer generated images or 'fancy' screenplay. However, what the film did possess was a compelling narrative which lured in the audiences and this clearly reflects how the use of digital technologies is not always a necessity in the production of films as 'Tinker Tailor' still went on to receive three BAFTA awards including: 'Best Screenplay' and 'Best technical achievement'. In addition, the film did not have the budget for 360-degree branding and instead used an interactive viral campaign to engulf the audience of their niche market; where they dressed up as spies and handed out tickets to the premiere of the film. This kind of marketing was a lot cheaper along with their YouTube channel and Twitter page for interactions with the digital world. The success of their marketing was highlighted in the fact that the film bettered high budget films like 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol' and 'The Descendants' in its opening weekend. I believe that this is a clear reflection of the fact that digital technologies and push media are not essential for making the film a success but they have affected the consumption of media in the world today as we no longer live in a world where video games, films and television exist seperately, but they have instead formed one platform of digital technology which was exploited by 'Avatar' to its widest audience possible. Whereas, 'Tinker Tailor' exploited a niche market with the use of less digital technologies but still managed positive and high level acclaim. Therefore affecting the way other films use digital technologies for exhibition and distribution, but also how we consume media as the viewers.
To conclude, the use of digital technologies has not only affected film and the way it is produced and filmed but also our everyday lives due to the fact that technologies are coming together, for example Xbox and Netflix which allows people to not only view films in their own home but also to share the experience with friends over the internet. This has lead to people not going to cinemas as digital technology has made it simple for people to recreate the ambiance and atmosphere in their own home. Also, the creation of the internet has invited the proliferation of piracy, and as we are now in Web 2.0, it has never been easier to share content and yet again highlights the negative effects on film of technologies advancing. However, there are also great positives of having digital technologies and the idea that the quality of films are increasing and the way they are distributed through digital technologies has made it easier for us as viewers to consume. Thus highlighting how film is now in our lives more than ever due to push media, and as convergence binds our technologies with old and new but also our platforms; the film industry is set to only endure its rewards.
