Open Forum Friday: Is The New Digital 3D Format Just a Fad?
With Beowulf coming out this weekend, it marks the first mainstream movie to get a simultaneous and semi-wide release in digital 3D. The new technology is driving many theatres to change their projection format over to digital, with Variety recently reporting that over 50% of the world’s cinema screens are expected to go digital by 2013 (there are currently 4,627 digitally-equipped screens worldwide). Wired also had an article in their latest issue about how many people in the industry believe that 3D is the future of cinema. Do you agree?
In the past, 3D has been nothing more than a short-lived gimmick, not unlike Smell-O-Vision, and it was known for making audiences feel nauseous. The new digital 3D format is different however, and a lot of filmmakers feel that it holds great potential. On the one hand, it provides a draw for people to see a movie in theatres rather than at home, but on the other hand, there are new TVs coming out soon that will be able to do digital 3D as well. For me to be convinced, I think I will first need to see a movie that uses 3D in clever ways to enhance the cinematography and tell the story in better ways. Until that happens, it’s still pretty gimmicky. However, a lot of people are saying that Beowulf in 3D is a completely new and different experience. What do you think? Have you seen Beowulf in 3D? Did you like it? Is this new technology here to stay? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.
Comments (7)
I’m still wanting a chance to see Dial M for Murder in 3d someday.
Other than that, I don’t really have any desire for movies to go 3d. Most of the time it will be nothing but a gimmick anyway.
Posted by scoville on November 16th, 2007Having seen Beowulf in 3d last night, I can say its an incredible experience. I had caught Superman Returns in 3d and was disappointed by it, but Beowulf was on a whole new level. It was an amazing experience to watch. The movie itself was alright but I was so captivated by the 3d. Its quite an intense experience.
However, after Beowulf, its clear this 3d experience will not be for everything. It will benefit mainly action oriented films. Spiderman 4 would be a great choice.
If you have an Imax 3d near you, go see it in 3d. I found it to be a very worthy experience. My $12 was well spent after the first 5 minutes as far as I am concerned.
Posted by Captain N on November 16th, 2007I have seen Dial M for murder in 3D at the BFI in London, England. Like all the early 3D films it was projected with polarised glasses (not anaglyph as many pundits would have us believe) and looked great. The problems with early 3D were mostly in the projection due to misaligment pf projectors, or twin strip systems going out of synch, rather than problems with the film making…Dial M has very few “gimmicks” apart from the scissors coming right into th audiecne – great- but the 3D was used to enhance the power of the drama. Atta boy Alfred!!
Posted by Phil S on November 17th, 2007Also saw Beowulf in IMAX 3D – moral of the story? Keep your pecker in your trousers! Looked amazing in IMAX, a little too much ghosting, but high contrast is always an issue for 3D. Iam going to go and see it in Dolby 3D and Reald 3D to make a comparison…
Posted by Phil S on November 17th, 2007Beowulf was an awesome 3d experience. It was kickass
Posted by Doug Nagy on November 17th, 2007go see Beowulf in 3d, you will not be disappointed by the experience… Atta boy Zemeckis!
Posted by Jewski28 on November 17th, 2007I haven’t seen Beowulf yet, but I did see Nightmare b/f Xmas when it was released in 3D and I was impressed….enough to see it twice. I like the 3D….even if it is a little gimmiky. Maybe it depends if the feature lends itself to 3D in the first place.
Posted by Jason on November 18th, 2007Leave a Reply