This lens isn’t a solo purchase. What the sellers won’t tell you is that you definitely, highly recommended (unless you want to break your camera mount), need a tripod. This lens is good, but not perfect. But if you are expecting a $10,000 lens for this item, then prepared to be disappointed. This lens is cheap for a reason, but still can provide some really nice images if used right. Comparing this lens to any of the more expensive lenses you’ll quickly learn that it takes a little effort to get used to the controls as everything is manual. My...
This was the description in the original post, and Robin explained that filmmaking is hard without collaboration – so support one another! As the short film plays out, it (as it did to others) reminded me of Punch Drunk Love, which if you watch the original trailer below can find the camera and soundscape links quite easily. Also a time when Adam Sandler was doing good in society! The short itself too is fairly obvious to the reasoning of the erratic characters. Much like the film The Assassination of Jesse James, the title of the film tells the viewer exactly...
If you’re like me and got most of your equipment prior to the 4K revolution, making the jump to the extra pixels might not be the most financially suitable option. At first I was very skeptical of 4K, coming straight off the back of 3D and curved televisions. Now, I don’t mean that 4K doesn’t have a use in filmmaking, but when so many “features” are being thrown at you, you really have to question whether the investment is going to stick around in the long run. With that all in mind, 4K filming, and definitely online broadcast has cemented...
When killing is a man’s talent, what effect does that have on the man? With 255 kills, American Sniper follows the real-life heroics of the most lethal marksman in US military history. Clint Eastwood has crafted his best cinematic achievement since Gran Torino, as he assembles an honest depiction of war, romance and the depression, which crawls up inside Chris Kyle. Bradley Cooper, almost unrecognisable, plays a much larger Chris as he packs on 40 pounds in preparation for the role. The raw war violence, which Eastwood has brilliantly illustrated, is high up in the ranks along with Inglorious Basterds...
I regretted not writing a review for the Tree of Life (2011) when it came out, but to be honest I couldn’t even put words in a legible sentence to give the film justice. Each time I think of that film I just know it’s good but can’t express the way it makes me feel as a person. The beneficial fulfilment I have from viewing it so many times. It’s really weird talking about films that way, that they can have this very strong affect on a person. It’s ridiculous that made up people, characters, can make me reassess my...
I’m not too sure if I overhyped this film, or it was just not as magical as I had hoped. It’s difficult to explain. Here are two very magical people, Pamela “P.L.” Travers (played by Emma Thompson) and Walt Disney (played by Tom Hanks), and yet throughout the film I never really sensed any magic. But thats the point of the film, the same way that we wanted Walt (first name to distinguish between the man and the business) to gain the rights to the book. I’m not trying to dismiss any instance that this film is still in fact...
I watched this film from a conversation I had with a friend (below) regarding 500 Days of Summer, Ruby Sparks, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Spectacular Now, and how all four reflect different levels of storytelling. At the time of that conversation I had not seen The Spectacular Now, and to be completely honest I hadn’t really heard anything of it. I googled the film only to see that Shailene Woodley was starring in it – this meant one thing: I had to see it. @markbattistella THE SPECTACULAR NOW might be your cup of tea then (I liked...
This is the final episode we needed, but probably didn’t deserve. I think it is too early to be showing character independence from one another, while I see that doing so allows the series to flesh out into the third season. Which is how I’m viewing this season by the way – a preface to the third season. And it’s not in that, “season two is before season three so of course it’s a preface,” but more of the order of the storytelling goes season one, season three, and oh, here’s what happened in-between. I’m not dismissing this season, but...
I’m in a bit of a pickle. An inner being, psychological conflict. Let’s go through this episode, and see myself tear apart! YES! It’s the episode that has Rocket Jump and YouTube comments up in a stir – drama! I’ve added some screen shots below, but it really amazes me in what the audience wants compared to what we have been given in the past. Fabramaster, a YouTube commenter said, “I remember when vghs had vidio games nit soap operah drama [sic]”. Right on Fabramaster, right on. I remember a time when storylines were gripping, making me want to return....
I’m starting to find the opening scenes of VGHS to be very stilted. I understand there is a need to get the major plot line for that episode out as soon as possible, but it is really lacking the engagement. Somewhere between the gun fights and action, to the attempt of storytelling interest in the characters are lacking. And I’ve spoken about this before. It really falls into the notion of “I’m not really sure where this series is heading”. There is a continual lack of need to root for a character, a need for me to return each episode...
When VGHS does something right they do it darn good. This is one of those brilliant pieces of the series that makes you go, “this is worth television air time.” And that’s not some cop out flattery line, that’s a genuine really good storytelling. Which you should be able to tell – even in the description below the video – that this is one of the few episodes with minimal high frame rate scenes. What we are tending to see more often than not in western community films, web series, and television shows is the good guy always wins. Even...
I wasn’t completely blown away with this episode. It was part way between good and meh. Not that I don’t like, or haven’t liked anything in VGHS so far but I finished this episode feeling like nothing happened, and oddly hungry. We’re beginning to see Mary Matrix’s (played by Cynthia Watros) side as coach, but it’s nothing more than any parent coaching their kid’s soccer team. She’s supposed to be good, amazing, an actual FPS freak. Yet I’m feeling quite underwhelmed by her character. There’s nothing to show me that she’s going to be as good as Ace from season...
We’re back – well they’re back and this season is bigger, longer, and better than ever before. It’s been great to count down the anticipation of such a high production valued web series and see where things are one year on. So returning into a newly imagined world, we find our three main characters Brian (played by Josh Blaylock), Ted (played by Jimmy Wong), and Ki (played by Ellary Porterfield) in a new world playing together like we would in normal day to day life. Going on quests, while tlaking about your day and plans. It’s a breath of fresh...
I liked this film. Hands down it is a film everybody should watch. Not because it displays amazing chemistry, or portrayal but because it is an amalgamation of many films over the times and how shifting the paradigm creates a wonderful new idea. Honestly, that is film at it’s infant form. Taking something old, reimagine it, and make people love or hate it. We can see this with reboots, and the beloved Avatar which is realistically Pocahontas. But I’m not here to argue about Avatar. I’m here to tell you that this is a great film if you want to...
Following another crazy Christmas season, some of us may have found ourselves with a little extra cash as a result of working the most undesirable shifts of the entire working year. For me, that happened to be Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Australia Day and the ever so joyous New Years Eve. However, nothing dulls the pain of not being able to kick back with a beer over the holiday season quite like splurging on a new console. Since I got my Wii U on Christmas day and have picked up some new titles, I thought it was time I sat...
When I saw this film I was amazed that somewhere, someone (in this case some people) still made intricate, multi-levelled, and both consumer (read Hollywood blockbuster) and acquired (read Art House) styled films. Not only does Cloud Atlas flesh open your eyes to societies, and the evolution of human life – both religious and scientific – but how we are linked from generation to generation, all over the world. It is simply a beautiful film which had the same effect that both 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Tree of Life did to me as a human. These are rare...
The calm before the F-bomb storm A disjointed film that takes you on a journey from nowhere to, well… nowhere. It’s supposed to be the sequel to the 2007 comedy Knocked Up and in some regards it is – same characters, universe, and timeliness. However, it seems to be more of an alternate universe than a continuation from its predecessor. We shift focus into the world of Pete (played by Paul Rudd) and Debbie (played by Leslie Mann) who are still together after the events of Knocked Up. Their children Sadie (played by Maude Apatow) and Charlotte (played by Iris...
“I don’t think you know how long everybody has been waiting for a film like this to be released!” Well that’s what I (and many others) said when we first saw the trailer (below). But was it going to be as awesome as we all hoped? A film full of nostalgic video games, that would appeal to our youth, our parent’s youth but still be relevant to today? HELL YEAH! When you watch it you will feel so… so… “UP, UP, DOWN, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, B, A, START”! Okay, so it’s a pretty cool film with all the...
Wow. Simply wow. You will not be disappointed with this series. Recommended to watch this episode two times over, and then in a start-to-end episode one to twelve. I’m not going to lie, this ending is a little confusing if you’re not familiar with singularity, and the theories behind its existence (if any). But in a nut shell, the programme that released the singularity in episode three has infiltrated every electrical equipment in the world. It knows everything, and anything it needs to. What is nice is the costume runs by Charlie (played by Tanner Thomason) as he speaks to...
This feels like a very quick episode. It nicely sets up the finale, as well as quashing some theories of how the series would end. There are some great lines, and visuals to go with this episode and cannot really fault it on anything – not that I’m looking. However, there are a few that I would like to raise that maybe someone can clear up. Firstly the elevator scene. I’m not sure if there are shots missing, or that I’m confused to why Carolin had to push for the alarm. Not in the sense of why but if the...
Episode nine and ten seem to be back-to-back specials of a more intricate storyline than “save the world before sunset” as you’ll see in episode ten. We pick up directly from the end of episode nine, and follow Charlie (played by Tanner Thomason) and girlfriend/fiancée-to-be Reese (played by Lauren Plaxco) walking the streets looking for their perfect house. It is sweet, and nice to see more human elements to Charlie before the inevitable battle. They are talking about their children, and family that will live happily in the “house with a tyre swing” among other previously discussed cute, lovey-dovey propositions....
Ugh, another time travel film. Well this may not have been my real first reaction, but if I had not seen the cast or trailer it most likely would have. Most efforts in time travel films end in our aspiration and dreams of what we can invent – the advancements in technology – but it gets boring when everything happens without any real processing. Time travel technology is right up there with film computer hackers. Twenty seconds during the leading officers spiel about kids and technology where the hacker is into the most top secret government agency. The sense of...
A little comedy, seriousness, and love. The perfect formula to a mini story within a larger arc of the series. It is becoming somewhat difficult to keep track of the story time compared to real life time, where you’re expecting to be two weeks in the story rather than still three weeks ago, and only 24 hours into the future of the character’s world. But I think this is still something that needs to be addressed in the aspect of web series rather than SYNC’s making. Walking into the SYNC HQ and the guards all battered and bruised is a...
Continuing the story is hard when you’re on the other side of the world, and the viewer knows everything has to take place in America. So there is no surprise with the fact an extraction team come and save Charlie (played by Tanner Thomason) and Yoshi (played by Krista Marie Yu) from the middle of nowhere in China. However, the more important parts of the series are seemingly occurring in the shorter sections of the episodes. For the first 30 seconds of the episodes we see the empty shells roaming around and even being disarmed by US soldiers. These sections...
There is no doubt in the world that this is a Wes Anderson film. The visuals, themes, and actors that he has used over the years all return to allow us all fall in love with cinema (and youth) once again. And there’s nothing like it in the world – young love, first love. Once you’re in it, it’s gone only a distant memory hopefully being felt again. That’s what this film did to me – that notion of realising your passion – but more over provided me with the visual joy. The year is 1965, on a remote American...
I’m not particularly a fan of this episode. It seems all too stilted, underdeveloped, and somewhat not in “sync” (yeah sorry about that) with the other episodes. The singularity has spread – we get that – and the rogue virus agent Charlie shells are roaming, assumably terrorising or controlling the mainland while people scavenge for safety. But something is off putting, making the episode distant from the others, and appearing like a “filler” while the story is being finished. The first quarter of the episode we are with Charlie (played by Tanner Thomason) and Yoshi (played by Krista Marie Yu)...
How on earth would you get from America to Hong Kong when you are a government asset, a “rogue” agent, have no money, passport, or clothes that are covered in blood? If you thought “clever scripting, and a tad of movie magic” then boy put on some new underwear ’cause you are right! Right, so leaving off last episode Charlie is on his way to Asia, to scout out one girl out of two billion people. Yeah I know right, pretty ambitious! But it sort of came to mind, how the hell is he going to travel across the globe...
Episode: One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine So this round up/mixed content/thoughts on VGHS, and is going to explain some of the indirect links to YouTube. So take it in and understand the brilliance (or demise) of their creative work. To begin, the YouTube channel freddiew which I first stumbled upon from their Chrono Trigger video when viewing a Video Copilot post a couple of years ago. Ever since, I have seen all their videos, grown with them, and learnt a hell of a lot of film knowledge from just viewing. There’s more to that, but in...
I like this episode quite a bit. It reflects quite a bit of the “make use of what you have” and “secret government locations” that are quite rarely pulled off effectively, and efficiently. Pulling up to a dingy, two-man armed entrance is our beloved Charlie Cooper (played by Tanner Thomason). It somewhat looks like a restaurant, or lane way entrance of something out of their earlier episodes in Tokyo. It is simply perfect. It holds everything that a stereotypical government top secret agency should be. Especially the secret password to enter the building. Okay, so I’m not a complete fan...
The final episode for the season. Wow – it really sums up that initial feeling for the viewing. It begins with your “big event” and the magical setup that is precise from professionals that have done it too many times before. There are two nicely preformed speeches in this episode, and a return for Ace (played Zackary Levi), while Dean Calhoun continues to be that all too funny character. I really think by now, that the creators seriously are playing for the “reverse effect” of traditional Hollywood cinema, by introducing something so cliche only to have a character (who reflects...
This week has been crazy for me. I have been sitting here for the last week thinking to myself, “where the hell are we going to go now one episode out from the season finale?” It’s been hectic, imagining what it would be like, and if it could be pulled off, and would there be a time jump, AHHHHHHHH! But it’s all okay. This episode was just right to make me not worry about a season unraveling itself into distaste. Let’s forge forward! Wowzers, that is one fancy recap of last episode. Comical, detached, and somewhat fitting to the entire...
If I wasn’t such a fan of 80s synth pop, and episode four, this would definitely be my favourite episode. It has a thing for everyone, be it action, adventure (set up), romance, and comedy. But not only that, it has some of the best scripting out of then entire season so far. Okay, okay, I know I probably splurge those words every episode, but this is seriously concrete, drafted content, and each shot is meticulously planned with everything. so shall we begin breaking down the episode? They are really playing off the format of their series. I remember a...
Some drama. Some remorse. Some “I don’t care anymore”. Some wow factor. That’s about it for this review I think. Okay, maybe not but this has the most impact, turning point, amazing affect on the audience at the end than any of the episodes so far. So we start of with a PS2 cover with DXM – tacky yet humorous – and the note of gratitude by Brian. Enter Ted and Ki, and a quiche and the scene goes out the window – literally. So I felt that Ted and Ki, though really great characters and there to aid Brian,...
Now this is a script that knows its editing, and that’s all testament to Sam and Niko’s (and Clint) time on YouTube as well as global films. Or maybe it’s just that Dr. John Wyatt (played by Jai Koutrae) has the best PR representative team that he can regurgitate the same respond over two interviews.. Who knows? What’s important to know is that Dr. Wyatt is unclear to be good or bad officially, despite his appearance to scream evil guy – that is until he enters the car and he initiates some plan in Hong Kong. This is when I...
What feels like the shortest episode yet, is the most intriguing as it removes itself from Brian’s world and places the focus on both Ted and Law. Each episode we delve into adds that extra layer of content to make this a firmly planted series, but this particularly was nice to see external characters grow, while still ultimately influencing Brian’s world. To begin, Ted is that kid we all want to be, and that child to the parent that they fear. With the explicit explanation that Ted faces the same world as the short film Overdrift (below), it is nice...
Everything about this episode is perfect. The story is great, the performances are second to none in value, while the overall feel is inviting. Be warned though, if you are into the series because of the guns, action, and adventure you may be disappointed as this focuses on dancing, neon lights, romance, and coconut. I said in the first review I am fond of opening title sequences because they teach you all about the film/television show without having to tell you explicitly what’s going to happen. The original title sequence is gaming related, 3D animated, and is something you are...
Another week, another lure you into a disliking of the opening scene. Yeah they did it again with the high school production value content, that makes me cringe with fear that each time it won’t be reversed into a play on itself. But it was (phew!) and quite nicely too. Waking up from dreams have always been a scape goat manoeuvre, but in this instance I felt that it was necessary to the cause. Whenever I see cats come out of character’s mouths – this was a first – it needs to be returned to reality, or needs to be...
A slow start to this episode, with stereotypical openings of what feels like high school productions. It’s very text book, with “show your environment” because as it portrays, is a no lose situation. But to open with such a stock standard script really questions if all that budget did go into the title sequence, and not really developing the characters. That is until we move into Dean Ernie Calhoun’s (played by Harley Morenstein) office, where you only get the vibe that the directors are playing, again, off that “fix the awkward moments in film by making it ridiculous”. Now I’m...
There’s something about late 80s, early 90s action thriller films that current times are missing. We are extremely focused on special effects, wide angles action, and turning everything into a comic book version of grittiness. I’m not complaining on the shift, but the move by many to imitate the style of Burton, or Nolan in terms of dark, crushed shadows, and psychological pasts of characters only seems to ruin their uniqueness from what we, as audiences, are used to – fun and clever films. Get the Gringo (a.k.a How I Spent My Summer Vacation), is a nice refresher from all...
Very dark, slightly confusing, yet overly brilliant. This is an episode I recommend watching a couple of times over. Not solely to recognise who is in it, and their importance, but to actually understand what is going on. This is not to discredit the creators, but it is very minimal with the dialogue, and really requires a proper engagement with the audience (as a film in cinema would) because online holds too many distractions. We meet a new, near all Asian, cast that doesn’t distract from the S.Y.N.C. operation, or Charlie’s role as the protagonist. Yoshi (played by Krista Marie...
I judge films, as any other film goer does too. The first thing you do when a film finishes if you go with some friends is ask, “what did you think?” It’s seriously a tough question to answer. Firstly, you were just immersed into the world of the characters, only to follow them wholeheartedly or not, and then place judgement of what should happen in your eyes. Secondly, you actually have to try an remember everything that has happened in the film itself, and regurgitate a constructed argument for feeling a certain way about the film. Gosh that is difficult,...
I’m a sucker for romantic comedies. I really am. And I also love tightly scripted films. If you love both those things like me, then this episode of Sync is for you. There are never really any visual content that leaves you breathless for the entire duration – at least not in our time where digital creation is in the hands of anybody. So to have this episode do that to me is just… magical. There isn’t really anything that’s “wrong”, or to my disliking other than if you aren’t into those genres then you may not like this. It...
Shall we begin? How the heck are these two guys (Sam and Niko) not getting funded, publicised, and worshipped? This is one of the most tightly scripted pilot episodes for a web series I have seen, and reminds me quite fondly of Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing in terms of no room for error. It begins with what seems like a passed out body in the passenger seat, and it’s reveal is executed quite well to set up the remainder of the series. Shells seem to be the “disposable body” that these agents can use to extract information, and then switch...
As I was watching Like Crazy this past week, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a film I saw several weeks before – Hiroshi Ishikawa’s sophomore feature, Su-ki-da. There’s a scene in that film where the two leads, in their teenage incarnations, share their first kiss by a riverbank. It’s a beautifully directed scene which captures the tenderness and the fragility of young love. I bring this up because Drake Doremus’ long distance love story, Like Crazy, essentially takes the idea of young love and runs wild with it, navigating through all its “gory bits” as Felicity Jones’ character,...
Sometimes memories fade away from us, and we try to bring them up again and again, only not to get the effect we were looking for. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, is unfortunately one of those films. Based on the novel by Jonathon Foer, we follow Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) on his journey to discover the mystery that his father had “left for him”. So I emphasise the “left for him” because this film goes on for ages how it was left for him, and then it turns out it wasn’t. Now it’s not that films (or the book) couldn’t...
Hugo oozes charm from each and every frame but more importantly, as a lover of cinema and a great fan of Martin Scorsese, I found Hugo a genuinely touching film. For instance, the scene in which Georges Mêlées’ (Ben Kingsley) recovered films are given a public screening made me weep unashamedly with joy as Scorsese illustrated the charm and wonder of those early experimentations in cinema. I am not joking – I really choked up at that point. This is where the film is at it’s most personal, where Scorsese attempts to share the wonder of his childhood cinema experiences....
Addiction is a terrible thing. It can ruin relationships and destroy any sense of connection that one may have had with the world around them. And while not everyone will know the extent of one’s addiction, it becomes obvious that this intangible condition will change a person and not for the better. Some of these addicted people may be completely oblivious to how much danger they are in but others are fully aware of the situation yet – despite knowing how much destruction their addiction may cause both onto themselves and onto others – wholly embrace it long enough until...
Martha Marcy May Marlene (MMMM) begins its theatrical run across select theatres in Australia this week but the film has been floating around the festival circuit for well over a year now after debuting at the Sundance Film Festival early last year to some very favourable and warm reception. I’ve had to hear how good this film was for over a year and was dying to see it. I had an opportunity to see it during the Melbourne International Film Festival some time last year but was late to the party as sessions for the film quickly became full. Yep,...
As a bright way to start the New Year, and at the risk of sounding like something of a fanboy, I must confess openly and unashamedly that I love Natalie Portman. So does Mark. We love her ability and what she represents as an actor. Getting the opportunity to direct her one-day would be a dream come true for us (it’s not outside the realm of possibility). This article is supposed to be a ‘profile’ of Ms. Portman, but really, if you want to know her biography, or a list of the films she has appeared in you can go...
Robert Elswit, ASC knows pretty pictures and excels particularly at shooting in large outdoor spaces. His filming of the city of Dubai, the floating shots of the Sahara that surround it, and the towering Burj Al Arab, are by turns sumptuous, magnificent, and awe-inspiring. Bangalore at dusk through Elswit’s lens is a wonder to behold. Elswit and IMAX is a recipe for a surefire visual orgasm. But Elswit knows how to frame people too. A two-shot is never just a two-shot with Elswit behind the camera. He makes us understand the relationships between the characters, and between the environment and...
An opening sequence of a film is meant to capture you, grab you at the shoulders and shake you vigorously, yet still make you want to watch the remaining 115 minutes. The Descendants did exactly that with the opening monologue by Matt King (George Clooney), as you sit there and think for a second, “well yeah, I guess that’s true”. This film isn’t any different to your usual dysfunctional family, who happens to be in a pickle where some loved one is on the brink of death, while the main character has to stop being the reserved number two character...
I want to like Adam Sandler, I really do. All he wants is to make us laugh and that’s a noble ambition. Underneath his struggle with angry neurosis and unrestrained rage that he tends to purport as the burden of the ‘everyman’, Sandler is really a pussy cat. Every Happy Madison production forcefully illustrates this myth. Sandler is good guy at heart and if he becomes violently enraged at someone it’s usually because they deserve it and if they don’t he really doesn’t mean to be like that anyway. The truth is that, like a naughty school kid, Sandler only...
With Hanna, Joe Wright claimed that he was influenced by the fairytales he read as a child, but while the fairytale references are (overtly) present, I suspect Wright owes more to Luc Besson than the Brothers Grimm. Hanna follows the journey of it’s titular child assassin (played by Saoirse Ronan, pictured above), a journey that largely consists of running as fast as she can from ruthless CIA director Marlene (Cate Blanchett), while trying to locate her father (Eric Bana). Ronan’s performance alone makes the film worth watching. She instinctively understands what viewers only realise later in the film: at its...
I highly recommend seeing this film – it isn’t your usual Australian film. It was different. Not in the sense that it was innovative or brought something new to the table in terms of filmmaking, but different for Australia. There were no outback scenes, hardship story lines of living in a desolate country with no water, and every second word wasn’t “mate”. This film was actually the opposite. It’s everything that an Australian wants to see in a film, to tell the world that this is unidentifiable to our homeland, but we’re damn good at making films! Well… almost. There...
Old age, transfiguration, magic, and a heart warming love story. What else does someone want when they watch a film? Well if you’re Hayao Miyazaki then that’s all you need to make a highly crafted animation of Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). And for me, well that’s all I needed to have to relive and explore the great depths of our subconscious. The entire film revolves around the notion and representation of a heart. Do you follow it, or just do things to please others? Without one would you indefinitely turn into a monster, or can the symbol of a heart...
Ah, the early 1960’s were a simpler time. A time where a room without wafting cigarette smoke was not worth going into, where scotch was considered a hearty breakfast and where woman were openly insulted in board meetings. Although this probably doesn’t sound like the ideal location for most people reading this, Mad Men (2007) manages to draw its viewers into a time that defies the conventions of our day and age in the most intriguing possible ways. The series pilot, ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’, drops the viewer into the world of the self proclaimed ‘Mad Men’ of the...
