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Summer 2009! AVATAR Versus... MONSTERS VS ALIENS?! What Kind Of 3D Showdown Are We Heading For?!

Published at:  Apr 20, 2007 9:56:59 PM CDT

Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.

One of the coolest demos I’ve ever seen for anything regarding exhibition was the 3D digital demo I was shown at Lightstorm a few years ago. They showed me several different pieces of films, some shot in 3D, some retrofitted for it, and it all sort of knocked my socks off.

There was a clip from THE TWO TOWERS where Sam and Frodo were walking around Gollum, interacting with him, and it really sold the illusion. I believed that they were sharing space with this third character, that he was real. And the best moments I was shown were more about drawing you into the screen than things popping out.

Sounds like Memorial Day weekend of 2009 is rapidly turning into the date where we’re going to see just how many 3D films the marketplace can bear, as both Dreamworks and Fox have stepped up to try and claim the weekend as their own. One of these projects is about as presold as any film can be, James Cameron’s AVATAR. The other is a giant question mark with a really blunt title.

Check this out for what few details there are at the moment:



”Both 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. have chosen that date to release what each hopes will be its first 3-D blockbuster. DreamWorks' MONSTERS VS ALIENS will be up against a potentially scarier creature: AVATAR, a science-fiction thriller from James Cameron, the director of Hollywood's biggest blockbuster, TITANIC.

The nation's largest exhibitors, however, say they won't have room for both. As many as 5,000 screens are expected to be equipped to show 3-D movies by 2009, up from 700 today. But DreamWorks and Fox each want all of them. DreamWorks Animation Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, who has been campaigning to get theater operators to accelerate the conversion to 3-D, has told people that he needs 6,000 screens for MONSTERS VS. ALIENS.

You can read the rest of the story right here.


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    Readers Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:01:32 PM CDT

    dude...wait what?

    by datascream

    sounds better then AVP at least.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:17:53 PM CDT

    puhlease

    by darthnoodle

    avatar in 3D?... definitely. Monsters vs. Aliens in any D?...dreamworks animation...probably not. dreamworks animation sucks. i can't think of a single excellent movie they have made.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:18:57 PM CDT

    MONSTERS VS ALIENS also featuring BOOBS

    by alonzo mosely

    Now that would be perfection, they could stop making movies after that one...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:20:16 PM CDT

    BALLS VS SACK

    by nesskid

    I think it is going to be incredible.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:27:09 PM CDT

    How to make money in the movie world

    by nesskid

    I think they should release "Monsters" and then release "Aliens", you know, seperate them for American audiences.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:35:18 PM CDT

    So does it mean "Monsters vs. Predators" will follow?

    by jackpumpkinhead

    And will Paul WusS direct?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:37:34 PM CDT

    3-D Is The Future

    by mad-maximus

    I know it's 2 years away but I am looking forward to Avatar and what this 3-D technology will look and feel like.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:41:19 PM CDT

    As many as 5,000

    by rupee88

    That probably will mean about 3500

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:46:38 PM CDT

    Katzenberg is hurting 3-D

    by rindain

    Pissing off exhibitors by stubbornly claiming the date previously claimed by the GUY WHO PRACTICALLY INVENTED 3-D just reeks of hubris. If Katzenberg really wants to help the stereo format, he wouldn't confuse and alienate the theatre owners like he is doing. Plus, AVATAR is going to be revolutionary while MONSTERS VS ALIENS sounds like CHICKEN LITTLE vs MEET THE ROBINSONS.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:48:56 PM CDT

    5K Screens?

    by strshp2rpr

    Are you fucking kidding me? Who the hell needs that many screens? Thats just absurd. A big blockbuster opens on what, 3,000 and change? And thats for a big name sequel like POTC or Shrek 2. Who does he think he is kidding thinking he will need that many screens for a movie with arguably the most retarded name ever. Has he ever heard of the concept of supply vs. demand. I can't wait till I get to town and give all these fuckers a wake up call when I do things right and have waaaaaay more success.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:57:14 PM CDT

    well the geek community will be there

    by darwinwins

    or avatar. katzenberg can suck it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 10:59:10 PM CDT

    80's polarized 3D

    by mr. brownstone

    that slew of 3D movies in the 80's used polarized 3D glasses instead of red and blue and they looked pretty great as I recall. but they all were all c-grade stinkers and bombed. granted none of them were directed by Cameron or anyone even close to his level with low budgets, but still it makes you wonder. it scared people off 3d for the next 20 years.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 11:23:56 PM CDT

    FRY: Wow, the 3D looks great!

    by osmosis jones

    LEELA: Mine's not working...!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 11:25:28 PM CDT

    I guess...

    by mr. brownstone

    Friday the 13th 3D did OK but it had a built in audience who were down for some 3D fun. Still whats the difference between ArriVision 3-D from the 80's and this new digital 3D process other than the digital part? Don't they both operate under the same polarization principle?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 11:38:35 PM CDT

    Damn you Michael Bay

    by mcmlxxvi

    Damn you Michael Bay

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 11:42:25 PM CDT

    AVATAR FTW!

    by datachasm

    what the hell is monsters vs aliens? is it like predator vs aliens, with frankenstein and the wolfman?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 20, 2007 11:52:58 PM CDT

    TEAM AVATAR

    by carbonghost

    the nickelodeon one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 12:26:57 AM CDT

    Michael Biehn?

    by rindain

    Any word on whether Michael Biehn has been cast in Avatar?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 12:41:39 AM CDT

    I just pitched a project with almost the same title.

    by some dude

    Fuck me. 6000 screens? I knew it would sell Happy Meals.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 12:44:05 AM CDT

    Avatar will be the film that . . .

    by jamassie

    kills the $200 million+ super blockerbuster. Avatar will be to the blockbuster what Heaven's Gate was to the New Hollywood of the 70s.

    Seriously. By the time Avatar will be released it will have been, what?, 12 years since Titanic. 12 years of basically nothing. The name of James Cameron will have lost more of its shine than we film geeks want to admit. Even with a A List cast and universally good reviews (neither of which are guarenteed), most filmgoers will probably rather see something that won't challenge them, like lets say Epic Movie 3(Heaven forbid).

    I'm looking forward to this, but I think this film will be a massive disappointment financially speaking and will be the film that makes all the suits in Hollywood give up on super budgeted blockbusters.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 1:04:58 AM CDT

    For Fuck's Sake

    by turnquest

    I've been ignoring this whole 3-D shit for a while...but I mean FUCK. Doesn't this just scream out "YES WE ADMIT , OUR SCRIPTS SUCK, WE HAVE NO IDEAS, TICKET SALES ARE DOWN, LUCAS IS NOT MAKING MORE STAR WARS, AND OUR INDUSTRY IS CANNIBALIZING ITSELF BY GRINDING UP PROMISING DIRECTORS? Not to mention friggin' piracy. Look, 3-D is a bad idea. I don't care for it, people are not going to want to watch movies with glasses or not. Where does this 3-D idea put indies or big-name movies with talking like SYRIANA or ZODIAC? Do I need friggin' John Carroll Lynch "comin' at me!"?

    Movies are not theme park rides nor are they solely for studios willing to whore out their pictures to shoe in zany gimmicks and retarded technological advances. Hey, how about another "_____ Movie" or torture-porn epic ?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 2:19:17 AM CDT

    I am, of course, M Night Shyamalan

    by some dude

    What the fuck is an Air Bender?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 2:33:09 AM CDT

    jamassie

    by kwisatzhaderach

    what are you smoking? as soon as audiences see the trailer for AVATAR they'll be in line trying to get tickets.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 2:47:22 AM CDT

    Me? I'm waiting for NC-17 Beowulf

    by doc_strange

    Complete with naked, CG Angelina Jolie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 3:30:35 AM CDT

    3D GOTTA EAT!!!!

    by motoko kusanagi

    Why can't they just stick to 2D film? DAMN YOU GEORGE LUCAS!!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 3:44:53 AM CDT

    So..we all get to wear dorky glasses on movie dates

    by jon e cin

    I hate wearing those stupid plastic glasses.
    3d is a fun gimmick and always will be. I'll see a few movies in 3d but honestly I'll probably be over it after seeing one or two.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 3:57:16 AM CDT

    3D does not exist in this dojo

    by cobra--kai

    Avatar Vs Monsters Vs Aliens

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 4:25:51 AM CDT

    Threequels in the pipeline?

    by palimpsest

    Last time round, Hollywood went loopy making PART 3 of something in 3D: JAWS 3D, FRIDAY 13TH 3D, AMITYVILLE 3D. Cos it the Third part of something in the THIRD dimension. See? SEE? See what geniuses are sat in the swivelly chairs in Los Angeles? So Mystic Palimpsest confidently predicts that Fall/Autumn 2009 will feature: HOSTEL 3D, FANTASTIC FOUR THREE DEE, TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 3D: THE BIT AFTER THE BEGINNING, THE HILLS HAVE EYES THAT HAVE DEPTH PERCEPTION and so on...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 4:27:53 AM CDT

    Rules for this game, if you want to play...

    by palimpsest

    ...that a second sequel/threequel is possible/likely by the end of 2009. And that your title is funny. Run free, my children!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 4:34:58 AM CDT

    I thought they meant another Alien sequel!

    by wormie

    Seeing Avatar and Aliens together, I thought Cameron would be doing another Alien movie - duh! I can't wait for Avatar, although 3D is really just a gimmick. An animated film called Monsters vs Aliens - erm, right, no need to be excited yet.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 4:42:55 AM CDT

    This sounds cool

    by jasper stillwell

    Then maybe we could get like Jack Black and Will Ferrell to do the 'who's on first base' skit, then they could meet Dracula, then the Alien, then Blade then they could cop off with Scarlet Johannsen in a barge on the way to China. Glad to see Hollywood isn't dumbing down or anything.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 4:55:42 AM CDT

    3d will only succeed when we don't need glasses

    by evil hobbit

    but holly shouldn't be so scared about the home theatres taking over, nothing better then the big ass screen.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 5:36:14 AM CDT

    THE HILLS HAVE EYES THAT HAVE DEPTH PERCEPTION

    by ceebeeuk

  • Apr 21, 2007 6:20:42 AM CDT

    whoever said

    by lionbiu

    that 3D is a gimmick is right. My experience with 3D has always been amazing for the first 20 seconds, than pure boredom leading onto pure annoyance and hate. I am sure AVATAR will be the better film so I will check that out, the dreamwork execs are claerly crazy; demanding 5000 screens and actually greenlighting shrek 3 and shrek 4.......JESUS H CHRIST!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 6:59:35 AM CDT

    TOO SOON!!

    by pageiv

    I remember Jaws 3 in 3D. Porn in 3D would be something. Just sayin.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 7:10:49 AM CDT

    MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is based on a comic book called...

    by snapt

    REX HAVOC AND THE ASS-KICKERS OF THE FANTASTIC. If there was ever a title that DIDN'T need changing, it's REX HAVOC AND THE ASS-KICKERS OF THE FANTASTIC. Boo, DreamWorks, boo.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 7:12:41 AM CDT

    Oh, and here's the plot of the comic book...

    by snapt

    "A monster hunter is called upon to battle aliens who disrupt cable TV service." I want to read this comic.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 7:18:04 AM CDT

    THIS YEARS' THREE DIMENSIONAL LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

    by pound sand

    I thought 3-D died with Friday the 13'th part III, Jaws 3 and Spy-Kids? 3-D is like the dancers at a Gwen Stefani concert; something to distract the eye from a totally underwhelming experience.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 7:46:20 AM CDT

    Greatest 3-D movie EVER - Dial M for Murder

    by bronx cheer

    Hitchcock used it to create terrific atmosphere, and resisted the typical 3D experience of jabbing things at the camera. That plus Grace Kelly made for a good time at the movies.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 8:09:26 AM CDT

    3D is a cloud

    by mirrorball man

    Won't there be a problem with overseas distribution? How many movie theaters are equipped with 3D technology outside the United States? And if people outside the US can't see it, doesn't that mean that those 3D movies will lose more than half of their audience?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 8:41:10 AM CDT

    All that's important to me: James Cameron's next flick

    by jdanielp

    Can... not... wait!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 9:13:53 AM CDT

    I've got $5 on Avatar!

    by ogieoglethorpe

    (and another $5 that says MvA changes its release date!)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 9:32:47 AM CDT

    3D Angelina! 3D for the Double D's! Find me some lotion

    by kinghenryviii

    Honestly - this sounds great wit hthe 3D but I'm waiting for the NC17 Beowulf. NOW THAT will be goodness times 10. Avatar will simply be a dream come true.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 9:37:33 AM CDT

    Bad Guys Vs Some Hero

    by cuervojones

    They just don´t even try...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 9:57:48 AM CDT

    3D is alive and well aqt the theme parks.

    by i dunno

    The Spider-Man ride at Universal is pretty awesome. There's also a 3D Shrek that looks pretty good. 3D is perfect for a 5 minute theme park attraction. A 2-3 hour movie? Not so much.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 10:03:38 AM CDT

    Monsters vs Aliens synopsis

    by c4andmore

    Synopsis:
    A monster hunter is called upon to battle aliens who have disrupted cable TV service. Rex assembles a team of monsters to help including Ick!, Dr. Cockroach, the 50,000 Pound Woman and Insectosaurus.

    No seriously, just Google it

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 10:04:42 AM CDT

    Also

    by c4andmore

    based on the comic Rex Havoc, that makes more sense

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 11:17:31 AM CDT

    3D ruins fast cut action sequences.

    by reelheed

    It takes too long to 'get your eye in' to each shot. It's fucking pony. 3D sucks. Totally ruined the few action scenes in supes returns which made the movie TOTALLY POINTLESS! I will never see another 3D film even if I have to gouge out both of my eyes to avoid it. 2 dimensions > 0 dimensions > 3 dimensions.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 11:30:52 AM CDT

    3d screen

    by isildur29

    we have one at my theatre and it is showing meet the robinsons... i find nothing very special about it and the 3d feels forced because characters are constantly throwing things towards the screen...LAME

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 11:37:05 AM CDT

    Is it just me or what, i have no excitement for AVATAR

    by darthbakpao

    i have a bad feeling Avatar is going to flop bad...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 11:39:52 AM CDT

    i meant "...flop badly."

    by darthbakpao

    i just don't care about Avatar, Cameron should do Battle Angel Alita instead...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 12:08:29 PM CDT

    WTF IS AVATAR???

    by liljuniorbrown

    Seriously. I've heard of the cartoon Avatar the air bender and I know from mythology what an Avatar is but I'm just thinking there has to be something else to it for all the excitement on this site.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 12:41:58 PM CDT

    WeinerPenis

    by jamassie

    I'm not questioning Cameron's abilitiy to sell tickets, I'm questioning the devolving cinema audience's ability to buy tickets to see good movies.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 12:48:37 PM CDT

    "The Director of Titanic"

    by darthbakpao

    do you think they will put that on Avatar's poster?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 1:27:14 PM CDT

    Bravo WeinerPenis

    by gideon9595

    I totally agree. I'm not much of a Cameron fan. But he has shown he knows the market.
    I'm fracking colour blind....so none of this 3D crap is going to do me a hell of good anyway. (I think its a bullshat gimmich anyhoo)
    Poor old blindies left out again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 1:41:23 PM CDT

    gideon9595...

    by rindain

    Cameron isn't using the red-blue 3D, he's using polarized 3D, so you'll be fine.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 1:57:42 PM CDT

    I've never seen convincing 3d

    by modlight

    I hope they can get it down

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 2:08:18 PM CDT

    I agree Bronx Cheer

    by klink77

    I saw Dial M for Murder 3d several years ago in Chicago. It was the best looking 3d film I ever saw, I didn't mind wearing the glasses for that one. One question, are they going to have 3d sex scenes too? That'd would be great. 3d will fail again in my opinion. I'd rather see a movie at IMAX.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 2:44:04 PM CDT

    I forgot about the Terminator 3D attraction

    by i dunno

    also at Universal, that's pretty cool. It can be done to look awesome but not for more that a few minutes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 2:50:59 PM CDT

    movies designed with 3D in mind.

    by rindain

    There has not yet been a full-length film designed with the new polarized 3D in mind. Journey 3D, Avatar and Monster vs. Aliens will be the first three. I think when the public sees a film designed from the ground as a 3D film they will realize that they are seeing something revolutionary.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 2:56:47 PM CDT

    It was embarrassing enough

    by bannedontherun

    purchasing a ticket to see my girlfriend Molly Ringwald in Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone. But to sit there alone with 3D glasses on... and my Members Only jacket, probably... the horror.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 3:03:15 PM CDT

    Cube 3D

    by the artist fka vesuvio

    Welcome to the future of films.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 3:03:58 PM CDT

    In other news.

    by the artist fka vesuvio

    Shia Lebouf has been confirmed as the cube on Cube 3D.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 3:11:51 PM CDT

    And by the way,

    by the artist fka vesuvio

    Titanic is a piece of shit. Actually, it's the most overrated piece of cinematic shit of all history. An ordinary, idiotic, written-by-retarded-chimp love story disguised under the veil of its equally ordinary 200 million budget production.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 3:32:17 PM CDT

    "3D ruins fast cut action sequences"

    by cuervojones

    I hope that!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 4:21:21 PM CDT

    anyone seen the new tech in action?

    by tehdude

    Rindain is right. This new style of 3D will be different. It will be there to place the audience in the scene as if you were there, not about through rocks at your face. I am excited about this as I trust James Cameron's eye. Yes he has filmed some cheesy screenplays, but there is no denying the guy knows how to use cinema.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 5:22:44 PM CDT

    Another Dead AICN Catchphrase

    by the_shogun_gunslinger

    ..."THIS YEARS LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE"...

    its dead now and was never funny to begin with. let it die

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 5:23:27 PM CDT

    ps. AVATAR WILL FLOP WITHOUT KIRSTEN DUNST!!!!

    by the_shogun_gunslinger

    now thats a good catchphrase

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 5:42:32 PM CDT

    Avatar=Episode1 all over again

    by alienindisguise

    I just hope if James has had this idea sitting in his brain for so long that it hasn't been just collecting cobwebs.I know 3d is a huge part of his film but I just hope he's gonna take the time to make it good and focus on story, acting, etc. and not just worry about the 3d element. I honestly want a balls to the wall awesome sci fi flick but after the damn near 10 year dump Lucas took on all of us I'll be cautious come summer '09, One thing that will take away any love I may have for Avatar is if I see the poster and it has the title flying out at me...hells no

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 5:51:58 PM CDT

    NIGHT IN THE MUSEUM 3-D

    by mace tofu

  • Apr 21, 2007 5:53:16 PM CDT

    REDLINE 3-D

    by mace tofu

    lol not with #1's BO : )

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 5:55:57 PM CDT

    ASS 3-D

    by mace tofu

    The future of movies...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 6:02:24 PM CDT

    SCREW THE HATERS! THIS IS EXCITING

    by proman1984

    A 3D movie with Aliens and monsters? Fuck! I'm there!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 6:37:34 PM CDT

    I don't think Avatar will be that good either

    by rupee88

    Cameron is just too old and lazy at this point to produce something else spectacular. I'm in favor of anyone getting a real sci-fi movie made though.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 6:39:29 PM CDT

    How much hype can build for Avatar in two years?

    by performingmonkey

    I'm guessing it's a lot, considering everyone is already hyped for it, it's taken on mythical status, as has Battle Angel. Maybe it'll build so insanely that the movie will be a let-down no matter what. The Phantom Menace springs to mind, although there were MANY valid reasons for people to hate the movie. I appreciate TPM a lot more now, considering Lucas managed to make two worse movies in the six years that followed it. It's great if only for the Maul duel and the podrace.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 7:09:44 PM CDT

    Now we have 3 films for Summer 2009 (for now)...

    by filmnerdjamie

    ...MONSTERS VS. ALIENS, AVATAR & the SUPERMAN sequel. My $$$s on JURASSIC PARK IV also coming out that summer!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 7:18:23 PM CDT

    well if this new 3D is as good as you say it is

    by mr. brownstone

    I'm getting excited about it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 7:32:48 PM CDT

    3-D does look awesome if done right

    by rupee88

    I saw this really cheesy 3-D IMAX film and while there was no script, it was made for 3-D and the effect was mindblowing. Of course it was all CGI...I've never seen great live-action 3-D, but Cameron may pull it off. The script and story may not be great, but I bet he pulls off the tech side of it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 7:33:55 PM CDT

    Strshp2rpr

    by rupee88

    Blockbusters open in 3000+ theaters, not screens. The number of screens is probably around 6000 or 7000 for some releases...maybe much more.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 8:39:05 PM CDT

    Monsters Vs Slashers: the prequel

    by napoleon park

    "Monsters vs. Slashers" the classic Universal monsters (Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman, Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoo) are enlisted by a wizard to battle Michael Myers, Freddie, Jason, Scary-Face and Leatherface. Monsters win. Round two: "Monsters Vs. Aliens" - aliens shred them. Pt. 3: "Aliens Vs. Predator: this time it's war to the death". Predators win. Pt. 4: "Predators vs. Superheroes: In Defense of Earth". Superheroes win. Pt. 5: "Man vs. Super-man", in which the worlds governments rise up to exterminate the perceived mutant and meta-human "threat". There's your five film, ten year arc right there. Good luck organizing the rights to all those licensed characters.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 8:44:15 PM CDT

    New 3D is Polarized, But Better than 80s

    by kevinwillis.net

    In that you can move your head just about any which way without doing anything to diminish the 3d effect. The only drawback of 3D is that, generally, it does not seem as bright as a standard movie--probably because we're wearing polarized glasses and the light value is split between each stereo channel, ending up with something that is only 75% as bright, maybe a little less, than normal.
    That being said, I saw Meet The Robinsons in 3d and it was gorgeous. A little dim, but otherwise beautiful, and I have a little trouble with 3d movies, and if I can enjoy it anybody can.

    That having been said. I saw the preview for the 3D version of Nightmare Before Christmas and it looked way better than Meet the Robinson's. If retro-3d-fitting movies works that well, they should do it to more event movies. A good reason to bring something back to the theater, be it a Star Wars anniversary or Poltergeist (shit, if it looks that good on Nightmare, I bet a 3d Poltergeist would rock) or Tron (heh--I'm dreaming, there, I know) or Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
    The 3D stuff is great, and can be more than a gimmick, and the best way to leverage 3d is going to be with special 3D versions of movies that are also in wide release as 2D movies, or special re-releases of properties where 3d is likely to attract an audience back for that old property. ET, Star Wars--I'd go see a 3D Raiders of the Lost Ark in a minute. Or, speaking of Cameron, I'd be happy to see a 3d version of Terminator II. The film was awesome. Retrofit the original Superman the Movie or Spiderman, I'd go catch those, too. I'd love to re-experience old movies in 3d.
    Nightmare Before Christmas gets re-released in 3d this October, so I can't wait for that (I missed it in 3d the first time around). And Vincent will be in 3d now, too! And Meet The Robinson's featured a Chip 'N' Dale cartoon, done in polarized 3d, that had originally been done in stereoscopic 3d back in 1955. That was the bomb.
    And I confess, my favorite part of 3D in Meet the Robinsons was the open Disney logo. Damn, that was cool.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 8:57:31 PM CDT

    I'm shocked...

    by kenny8

    ..at the amount of hate towards 3d here!

    I saw Elvira in IMAX 3D and have never been the same since.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 10:49:45 PM CDT

    C'mon, why end it there Napoleon?

    by the artist fka vesuvio

    Possibilites are infinite. Pt. 6 "Men VS Capcom", Pt. 7 "Capcom VS Sitcoms", Pt. 8 "Sitcoms VS Rocky", Pt. 9 "Rocky VS Predator", Pt. 10 "Aliens VS Predator" wait.. no, now I'm taking this too god damn far.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 21, 2007 11:36:18 PM CDT

    Real D

    by chlorine_dream

    the technology used is from a company called Real D (www.reald.com) pretty cool stuff

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 12:12:21 AM CDT

    Will Avatar be 40 frames per second?

    by rindain

    from AICN Cameron interview: "Lastly, he wanted people to understand something in regards of the Digital projectors that would be being placed in theaters around the world. These projectors have the capacity to screen things at up to speeds like 120 to 140 fps. The entire industry is going to be shifting to higher frame rates, probably somewhere above 40fps where suddenly the strobing you see or can detect on those big massive battle scenes in films like TROY, which instantly make you disconnect. Those will go away. And on AVATAR and BATTLE ANGEL ALITA it is absolutely necessary to have those higher frame rates, one for the sheer projection of the Stereo images, but also the sort of images he's planning on putting out there are just the type that at 24 fps, would start to kind of break-up and become unintelligible."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 12:12:33 AM CDT

    you guys are missing the point

    by mastashake

    There was a great article about this in Popular mechanics, I wish I could find it. But soon the technology will get even better. The point of the new tech is to get less "hey i am in a theater and some guy in the third row has funny looking hair" and more " HOLY CRAP! Matt damon is killing a guy with a pen and his pinky finger!! RIGHT BESIDE ME!!!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 12:19:14 AM CDT

    or

    by mastashake

    instead of "I am sitting on my couch in the living room and I smell the porkchops that are cooking in the oven." it's more like "it's arrested development, and I am lying on a couch in the middle of a bluth family meeting. It is all happening around me."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 12:23:44 AM CDT

    oh wait

    by mastashake

    arrested development was canceled... that's right... cause they knew 3d was coming, and they knew that arrested development in 3d would BLOW EVERYONES MINDS!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 1:10:30 AM CDT

    WeinerPenis

    by green arrow

    Agree with you completely on the new Star Wars movies. My kids get them completely, just the way I did when I saw the original trilogy. They are pretty good, when taken into the whole of the saga. And don't you realize that most of these talkbackers have banged nothing hotter than the palm of their hand?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 1:28:22 AM CDT

    Colorblindness Is Not An Issue With 3D

    by uglymood

    @gideon9595:

    Stereovision does not have anything to do with whether your eyes can perceive color or not. It has to do with different images being fed to each eye. Even with the old anaglyph red/blue 3D system, it made no difference whether you could see color: the red and blue lenses were simply filtering out one wavelength of light that reached the eye. In fact, a person with complete colorblindness would see anaglyph 3D better than someone with "normal" color vision because they wouldn't experience color rivalry (that shimmering effect you get with red/blue 3D before your eyes acclimate).

    The only people unable to view 3D are those with vision in one eye, or those unable to fuse the two images returned by the eyes into one image. (For my first twenty years I had crossed eyes and double vision, and was unable to see 3D.)

    Depth perception, whether in real life or movies, has absolutely nothing to do with color. Please do not spread misinformation.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 1:47:25 AM CDT

    On The Other Hand...

    by uglymood

    While I'm glad that Cameron is trying to mainstream modern 3D, I'd also like to point out that his stereo cameras toe-in toward the focal point, which is a leading cause of eyestrain in stereo projection. If he's going to preach 3D, it would be nice if he'd preach correct 3D. Since the turn of the 20th Century stereo photographers have known that you keep the two cameras parallel. You get a little less depth, but you also don't get people staggering out of the theater clutching their heads in agony.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 2:43:55 AM CDT

    WTF is Monsters vs. Aliens

    by womb2doom

    Colour me ignorant but is this just some ploy for a lower rank movie to get a bit of publicity and then shift release dates?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 2:50:17 AM CDT

    The point was jfp2006,

    by turnquest

    That this is a fuckin gimmick cuz the studios know they can't actually make good movies. And the secondary point to which you refer to is that the studios intend on making this 3-D thing far more than what it is, a stupid ploy to focus even more attention on their hopeless sequel/prequel/remake/reimagining shite.

    No, they want to take to the extreme of making EVERY movie that in which they can possibly convince the filmmakers 3-D. I mean, you can already see it happening. So what you end up having is a two-tier system, either the thrillride 3-D pictures and the 2-D movies. This doesn't leave anyone hoping for an actual increase in script quality or craftsmanship in good straits. I mean, forget about any low-budget movies in 3-D, for a long damn time. As a side act, to those interested, ya sure, go ahead and have certain movies in 3-D. But to make it the norm is revolting and demeaning to film in general.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 2:55:03 AM CDT

    How many Dee?

    by napoleon park

    Okay, I saw "Stewardesses in 3-D" at the Savoy. (Nostalgia for back when people used to talk about "grindhouse" movies - remember that?)
    The 3-D effects on the "3rd Rock From the Sun In 3-D" episode worked for me. The VHS of Cat Women On The Moon, not so much. I collected most of Ray Zone's "3-D Zone comics during the '80s 3-D comics craze.
    Never been to an Imax theater, though. whatever the latest version of the 3-D effect is, I just have one question: will it be easy to use for the minority segment of the audience that wears GLASSES, or will it just be another uncomfortable pain in the ass like every other version so far> just wonderin', is all.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 6:55:05 AM CDT

    WeinerPenis and Green Arrow and the Prequel Trilogy

    by one9deuce

    Sorry guys, but you're both trying to turn a subjective argument into an objective argument. You like the prequels now, good for you, but don't try to say that they are as good as the Original Trilogy. They aren't. I don't care for the 3D thing, it's a gimmick and always will be a gimmick.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 9:40:00 AM CDT

    with 3D some are worried

    by bizarrojerry

    people are anticipating movies made just for the sake of the 3D, and not caring about a story, etc. I don't really see much of a difference between that and a movie all based around special effects. Now, is Avatar that Japanese cartoon with a little bald kid that's on Nickelodeon?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 12:50:48 PM CDT

    So is it the glass-less 3D?

    by johnno

    Wasn't Panasonic saying they were gonna roll out those 3DTVs in 2008? I'd fucking hope so, and no Avatar by James Cameron isn't related to any TV cartoon on Nickelodean. BRING ON THE FUTURE!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 2:01:08 PM CDT

    but it is a gimmick

    by lionbiu

    except for developing more scripts and giving the indie market the much needed push, we are getting a 'reimaganing' of a gimmick from the early 80's. I hope James is focusing on the script and not just the 3D.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 2:38:15 PM CDT

    uglyMood

    by gideon9595

    Hey Dude, I'm not "spreading misinformation"...I can not see standard 3D images or movies. I can't make out those magic picture images, and I also think you are a twat.
    Besides that your post was insightful and I appreciate the correction.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 3:35:09 PM CDT

    Bukakke Party: The IMAX experience

    by cuervojones

    Lame joke. Anyway, James Cameron is God.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 4:09:52 PM CDT

    3D??? Who Cares???

    by comicsniper

    Let me know when they invent '4D' technology for movies. Maybe then I can go back in time and avoid seeing the giant turd that was 'Gone in 60 Seconds'!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 5:45:02 PM CDT

    Has anyone seen the holograms in youtube?

    by dioxholster

    seriously it was some euro company presenting holograms. could this be the next best thing after 3D. nope no way. i also think 3D sucks. as mentioned before, directors will start changing their techniques to consider the depth aspect and movies like batman begins with its fast action-sequence/fast cutting
    will appear no more. imagine watching matrix reloaded for the rest of cinema history.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 5:57:10 PM CDT

    hahaha....dioxholster...

    by hyphin

    ....it would be cinema purgatory..Yay! mindless action and car chases!...i really want something to make sense..huh...more mindless action...pretty.......whats going, then?...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 8:10:02 PM CDT

    dioxholster...

    by rindain

    Are you saying you liked the frenetic close-up editing of the Batman Begins fight sequences? I couldn't tell a damn thing that was going on. All that choreography...what a waste!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 22, 2007 9:56:04 PM CDT

    How does this differ from....

    by sluggo72

    The 3D that was around in the early 80' for movies like MetalStorm, Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (I think was in 3D).
    They were dodgy as, but still interesting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 2:09:56 AM CDT

    BUCKAROO BANZAI was in 3D????

    by motoko kusanagi

    *runs-off-to-check-dvd*

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 4:18:28 AM CDT

    I have a serious question...

    by zombieisadouche

    What the fuck is going to happen when these movies are released on home video? To me, it seems like there's so much money to made on DVD, Blu-ray, pay-per-view type shit that they're gonna be seriously fucked if they put a lot of cash behind movies that can't even be seen PROPERLY at home. Whose going to want to see it on DVD when it's this neutered piece-of-shit compared to the theatrical release?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 6:20:48 AM CDT

    Monsters vs. Aliens???

    by lord_soth

    Fucketh me!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 11:03:43 AM CDT

    Didn't they already try 3-D?

    by insane tiki

    Instead of rehashing a cheap gimmick, if you want to put more asses in the seats, how 'bout you make some good movies?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 11:28:43 AM CDT

    why use this 3D technique???

    by bishop6

    the polarised glasses give off horrible ghosting effects on the image, even the latest Superman returns at Imax was HORRIBLE..I could hardly concentrate on whats going on as I could see it 2 of everything.

    They SHOULD be using the powered polarised glasses, they give a MUCH clearer picture and 3d effect.

    Until they do this people will get quickly tired of the bad image produced by the cheap sunglasses..

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 1:43:18 PM CDT

    ZombieisaDouche....

    by dioxholster

    thats kind of the point isn't it.. they want more people to go to the theaters. What worries me is that they say over 5,000 theaters with 3D by 2009, well what about the international audience. This will be a big problem since almost half of their income comes from international screens.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 2:55:18 PM CDT

    OK. I was wrong about Buckaroo Banzai

    by sluggo72

    It must have been the title that got me al confused.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 4:05:00 PM CDT

    Does anyone here know about the other 3d techniques..

    by bishop6

    I guess y'all are pretty clueless when it comes to whats out there..the old stereoscopic glasses are ancient history..people are already doing full color holograms now

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 23, 2007 8:41:54 PM CDT

    Although it's clear that Cameron...

    by jaka

    ...is working at making feature films again, I won't be marking any dates on my calendar until someone tells me they've seen a film he made in a theater, AT LEAST a preview of one.

    Reply to Talkback

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