3-D movies can be watched at home
By Bruce R. Miller | Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2008
If you haven't seen the new 3-D television sets, you could be missing out on the next big trend.
Yup, you still have to wear glasses. But now, you can wear them in the comfort of your own home and see dozens of films.
Some, like "Journey to the Center of the Earth," actually improve when they're viewed in 3-D. In regular 2-D, well, "Journey" suffers.
In the new film, Brendan Fraser stars as a professor who leads his nephew (Josh Hutcherson) and a mountain guide (Anita Briem) into worlds unknown.
They encounter all sorts of creatures (and simple geographic phenomena) as they journey to find Fraser's missing brother. Once they learn his fate, it's a matter of getting out. Using a little ingenuity and a lot of strength, they never seem destined to die, but the trek does have its tense moments.
Director Eric Brevig never lights on any concept too long, suggesting this is a film meant for pre-teens. He keeps his effects pretty elementary, too, and surprises in 3-D with things like spit and sticks.
A train ride, taken from the passengers' perspective is particularly thrilling. It's something even Spielberg and his "Indiana Jones" crew might admire.
Fraser is hardly a mental giant in this, but he does provide enough common sense to convince us he's the right man to lead the journey. Hutcherson is standard-issue kid actor and Briem is a typical leading lady. Together and individually, they get into enough trouble to make the time fly by.
While Jules Verne might think his book has been gutted, it's just enough to drive audiences into theaters for something that might have seen a bit musty.
In 2-D, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is a mildly pleasing adventure. But in 3-D, it's a hint of better things to come.
Also: 'Animal House'
Before "American Pie," before "Superbad," before "Porky's," there was "Animal House," the granddaddy of raunchy teen flicks.
Set in the '60s at Faber College, the film follows the worst fraternity on campus. John Belushi is a ringleader of sorts; Tim Matheson plays the frat president.
Directed by John Landis, the film has so many great lines -- and situations -- you'll laugh even louder when you realize how puny subsequent films have been.
In the 25th anniversary edition (which is out this week), you also get a mini yearbook (complete with doodles that seem suspiciously like the ones in National Lampoon 1964 High School Yearbook) and reminiscences from the cast members.
Alone, the film is work rediscovering. But the extras (packaged in a frat house-like box) are like a Savings Bond you didn't remember having.
Also this week:
Film: Abbott and Costello: The complete collection; Annie Leibovitz; "Hank and Mike"; "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl"; "The Little Rascals"; "Polar Express 3-D"; "Run for Your Life"; "Tinker Bell"; "Zombie Strippers"
TV: "The 4400," the complete series; "Brotherhood," season two; "The Flintstones," the complete series; "Good Times," the complete series; "Sanford and Son," the complete series
Yup, you still have to wear glasses. But now, you can wear them in the comfort of your own home and see dozens of films.
Some, like "Journey to the Center of the Earth," actually improve when they're viewed in 3-D. In regular 2-D, well, "Journey" suffers.
In the new film, Brendan Fraser stars as a professor who leads his nephew (Josh Hutcherson) and a mountain guide (Anita Briem) into worlds unknown.
They encounter all sorts of creatures (and simple geographic phenomena) as they journey to find Fraser's missing brother. Once they learn his fate, it's a matter of getting out. Using a little ingenuity and a lot of strength, they never seem destined to die, but the trek does have its tense moments.
Director Eric Brevig never lights on any concept too long, suggesting this is a film meant for pre-teens. He keeps his effects pretty elementary, too, and surprises in 3-D with things like spit and sticks.
A train ride, taken from the passengers' perspective is particularly thrilling. It's something even Spielberg and his "Indiana Jones" crew might admire.
Fraser is hardly a mental giant in this, but he does provide enough common sense to convince us he's the right man to lead the journey. Hutcherson is standard-issue kid actor and Briem is a typical leading lady. Together and individually, they get into enough trouble to make the time fly by.
While Jules Verne might think his book has been gutted, it's just enough to drive audiences into theaters for something that might have seen a bit musty.
In 2-D, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is a mildly pleasing adventure. But in 3-D, it's a hint of better things to come.
Also: 'Animal House'
Before "American Pie," before "Superbad," before "Porky's," there was "Animal House," the granddaddy of raunchy teen flicks.
Set in the '60s at Faber College, the film follows the worst fraternity on campus. John Belushi is a ringleader of sorts; Tim Matheson plays the frat president.
Directed by John Landis, the film has so many great lines -- and situations -- you'll laugh even louder when you realize how puny subsequent films have been.
In the 25th anniversary edition (which is out this week), you also get a mini yearbook (complete with doodles that seem suspiciously like the ones in National Lampoon 1964 High School Yearbook) and reminiscences from the cast members.
Alone, the film is work rediscovering. But the extras (packaged in a frat house-like box) are like a Savings Bond you didn't remember having.
Also this week:
Film: Abbott and Costello: The complete collection; Annie Leibovitz; "Hank and Mike"; "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl"; "The Little Rascals"; "Polar Express 3-D"; "Run for Your Life"; "Tinker Bell"; "Zombie Strippers"
TV: "The 4400," the complete series; "Brotherhood," season two; "The Flintstones," the complete series; "Good Times," the complete series; "Sanford and Son," the complete series
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