kodak,s film workshop

yesterday i had the privilege to join a workshop with Kodak, the workshop focused on using 16 mm film for movies, we were instructed on the film itself along with loading the film, practical uses of the camera,and lighting. I then shot several scenes changing jobs on every short films, from director, lighting, camera operator, and so on. i was given the chance to use the prototype graycard it was the first time it had ever been used. the green card -color target was developed by Kodak and it includes skin tones along with colors-R,B,G,C,M,Y, and K,W. it is the only one of its kind.
personal note, i would really like to thank Kodak for that opportunity, the thoughts of the possibilities that may change how the entire industry see light is mind boggling. i due know however its just a personal high.

"Slumdog Millionaire"

"Slumdog Millionaire" is a heart felt story that love overcomes all, by Danny Boyle. shot from every angle imaginable the film is hard to view at times but keeps your attention. the story line is simple and you know how it ends very quickly, including the Bollywood ending. I enjoyed the film very much but its idealism make it fall short to other films this year like "The Wrestler" and "Gran Torino" who's story lines run much deeper, and maybe missed by most. the film also fall short when it come to acting, against films as "Doubt" staring Streep, Adams,and Hoffman, "The Wrestler" staring a brilliant piece of work preformed by Mickey Rourke accompanied with Marisa Tomei, also Eastwood carries a cast of unknowns in Torino but rises as the cream of the crop, but the story is a hard pill of reality for most to swallow. one other issue with Slumdog was the main character Jamal Malik, played by Dev Patel as the 18 year old, and the 2 other actors who play Jamal in his earlier years,(Azharuddin Mohammad Ismal), youngest Jamal , and (Tanay Chheda), plays the middle Jamal, steal the movie out from under Patel. This U.K. picture set in Mumbai India is full of disturbing imagines of the city and its people make the story line a little more believable.

"Religulous"

Bill Maher asks the questions I've asked for years how can intelligent people "believe in a talking snake", a man live in a whale for three days, big fish"? his journy take us across the world, in search of answers. light hearted and down right hilarious, Director Larry Charles along with Maher vision makes this a must see.

The story of Jesus "not original, written 1280 B.C the Egyptian Book of the Dead describes a god Horus,...Horus is the son of Osiris,...born to a virgin mother,...he was baptized in a river by Anup the Baptizer,... who was later beheaded, ...like Jesus, Horus was tempted while in the desert,... healed the sick,.. the blind,... cast out demons,... and walked on water,.. he raised asar from the dead, "Asar" translates to "Lazarus", ..oh yeah, he had 12 disciples, ...yes, was crucified first, and after 3 days, two women announced,...Horus, the savior of humanity, had been resurrected."

"God Krishna, India 1000 years B.C., carpenter, born a virgin, baptized in a river,"

"Persia god Mithra , 600 B. C. born December 25th, preformed miracles, resurrected on 3rd day, known as the lamb, truth, life, savior, The Messiah."

"many gods born December 25th"

Alan Rosenthal, reading

i found this very helpful as i struggled to find my own direction in making a documentary, it helped me set a plan in motion for the project. the truth is that true art shows you the way, the artist can not force it. it will take you where it want to go and the artist can only follow it's lead and guide others to see what they see.
really interested in seeing "Berkley in the Sixties" i believe i may have seen it previously but not sure maybe some parts of it.

NOTE: wasn't able to read "lighting" it wouldn't download, found class instruction exactly what i may need, for some interviews.

"friday the 13th"( Imax) don't touch "Jasons KUSH"

premise: touch Jasons Kush and he will kill you.
rehashed same old same old think parts 2-4.
"Friday the 13th #13, will it ever end"
intense shots w/ a few small jumps, here and there make this a great rental. no need to spend money. effects are good, little humor here and its a little nostalgic of movies past. same story line. nothing new. returns plot back to first 4. slasher/teen/nudity/typical.
note: trademark on J.K.
THIS IS NOT A REMAKE OF "FRIDAY THE 13TH", more like remake of part 2

harry met sally

this Rob Reiner film set on location in New York, gives you a look of different aspects of the city with a host of shots from many angles . the scenes are vivid and full of live as shown in real time. Reiner's direction differers as he cuts to black to show a segment of time has expired, also cutting from scene to scene while dialog continues. this piece of work looks a love from a male and female prospective. giving it the title of greatest romantic comedy of its time and maybe to date.

screening

screenings this weekend of "TAKEN" AND "DEFIANCE"

Gran torino

"Gran Torino" this film by Clint Eastwood is a refreshing piece from all the Hollywood trash that is produced in green screen format. Eastwood portrays an ex Korean war vet Walt Kowalski who recently lost his wife. this film is full of life lessons. Kowalski is sicked by what appear to be a form of lung cancer. with nothing else to live for he looks to leave the earth quickly and rejoin his wife in the after life. This film is full of sub plots, Kowalski is driven to end his life, but before doing so he befriends a Hmong family. Walt gives his life is to make up for his past.