Links of the Day [2.23.12]

broderic on February 23, 2012

Should there be a Best Animated Film category in the Academy Awards? I've think I've read many blog posts about this subject. Does a separate category devoted to a different medium detract from the concept of "best film?" The expanded field of films for Best Picture works fine in bringing in a nomination for an animated film as Toy Story 3 received one last year. Plus, the Academy got rid of the Best Black & White Cinematography and collapsed this particular tradecraft into one category for all films so there is a precedent.A look at this year's nominees highlight a weak bunch of films. Without Pixar, the category shows its weakness. After all, to be nominated for an Academy Award is to be recognized for some level of greatness that transcends time and place, and these nominees don't do that. It's like they are good relative to each other, but not great relative to the medium as a whole.So, should the Academy give up on the animated films category hoping that a reward of a best picture nod in the expanded field is good enough. Are there instances of animated films that can win against live action?

http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/43506/oscarmetrics-the-case-for-eliminating-the-best-animated-feature-awardhttp://www.avclub.com/articles/soft-cels-how-the-academys-animation-rules-fight-t,69793/

The Secret World of Arrietty

broderic on February 22, 2012

Even without the master, Hayao Miyazaki, at the helm, I was going to watch The Secret World of Arrietty because I am a fan of animation and of anime. So I found myself at the local nickelodeon for a Saturday matinée surrounded by a full house of parents and kids. I try to avoid the kiddy matinée, because the restless kids don’t make for a good movie experience. I had to ignore all the fidgeting and the fusty parents, and when I did I had a wonderful time.

Every time I watch a Studio Ghibli film, I am left to wonder how can a male dominated society like the Japanese produce wonderful animated films with realistic female leads. Pixar is just finally finished its first film with a female lead. Disney has its princesses and all that they connote and denote.

3 of 5 stars

Fifth BrowserMetrics Annual Oscar Pool

broderic on February 22, 2012

Sorry folks, I’m stopped at four. Five is a step too far — sort of like a movie franchise that doesn’t realize it should’ve ended at three. Besides there are better apps for that…

Let me leave you with the 2011 SciTech winners. And Milla Jovovich.

Link of the Day [2.13.12]

broderic on February 13, 2012

We are living in a time of transition from analog to digital. We have only just begun, and it is going to take awhile before we get there. What it's going to look like is anyone's guess. I believe we're still another 15 years before we're fully there, so there's still a lot of growth and pain to go through.So what happens to our old, analog stuff? And what will happen to our new, digital stuff? Again, it's anyone's guess, but there will be unintended consequences. We will have to relearn old tricks. We will have to redo our processes. We will have to re-imagine new ways.Today's link begins to discuss the digital transition for the film industry. Will our future be as rough as it is for the film industry? Who knows?http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/index.php?s=pandora

Bookshelf

broderic on February 12, 2012

I put up a bookshelf to house my manga collection. It’s 31″ x 80″ x 15″ and it’s already full. Plus, I’m not even done buying manga. O well, I probably need another bookshelf. Or better yet, I should sell off some of the manga I don’t need.

Towards the end of stocking up this bookshelf, I got lazy and stacked ten or so volumes randomly. These are the candidates for the trash bin. But I can’t. There’s some Tezuka there such as Dororo in a beautiful rendition. I liked the story, but don’t want t hold onto it for now.

I’m becoming one of those hoarders. What happens if I have to move? Who will pack this up?

Link of the Day [2.09.12]

broderic on February 9, 2012

Ignore the fact that they have no proven starting pitching. Ignore that their bullpen will be called into action more often than not. Ignore that their fielding is terrible. Ignore that hole in their lineup at the fourth spot. Ignore all the other weak hitting spots in that lineup. Ignore the front office that doesn't know what direction to take the organization in. Ignore the owner who is long past his welcome. Ignore the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays; teams and organizations that put to shame the one on Eutaw Street. Ignore the shambolic state of the Orioles. We still play in the prettiest ballpark in the US.I've got my season tickets, but with the offseason moves and changes I'm not sure what to look forward. I've got opening day tickets, but may get rid of them to make some money back. Or sell off the Boston or Yankee series tickets to make some money back. I will still watch games in the best ballpark in the US.http://www.camdenyards20.com/