Re: Countdown to Release | SPOILER THREAD

[David H]

thats a bit weird I prophesized Smaugs eye back in Bree months and months ago.

What's weird about that? We all know you have special powers, what with reading encryption spells and all.

I just take you powers for granted {{and try to remember never to look into your eyes..... }}

[Mrs Figg]

oooh guys you make me blush.

[Mrs Figg]

from www.stuff.co.nz 10/8/2012

48fps Hobbit unconfirmed for Wellington


The home of The Hobbit may miss out on seeing the movies in their full double-frame glory.

Movie industry magazine Variety reported this week that Warner Bros will release 48-frames-per-second (fps) versions of the film only to select locations, "perhaps not even into all major cities".

None of Wellington's cinemas are yet confirmed as getting a 48fps copy of the first movie, which will have its world premiere in the capital on November 28.

Asked whether any Wellington cinemas had secured 48fps stock, Sir Peter Jackson's spokesman Matt Dravitzki referred The Dominion Post to Warners.

Warners could not be reached for comment and the film's New Zealand distributor, Roadshow Entertainment, did not return calls.

The Miramar Roxy Cinema - refitted with the help of Jackson and fellow Oscar-winners Sir Richard Taylor and Jamie Selkirk - was getting the necessary technology upgrade to show 48fps but was not yet confirmed to receive a copy, operations and film manager Daminda Dias said.

"We expect to get it, but you never know."

Carmen Switzer, general manager of Event Cinemas, which runs the Embassy Theatre, said it was "presumed" the cinema would get a 48fps copy.

However, it had not had this confirmed, though it would have invested in the technology necessary to show the faster film by the film's launch.

The Embassy is expected to host the premiere, though this is not confirmed.

The Hobbit will be the first wide-release feature film to be shot in 48fps.



This is a bit odd.

[David H]

I'm afraid that's normal. The companies that do the promotion and distribution are completely separate from the production company.

Once the movie is "in the can" PJ and company are out of the loop. All they can do is ask for a favor.

[Pettytyrant101]

Be suprised however if the premiere of a film he has been making such a big deal of the technology of didnt have the tech for the premiere.
And if it doesnt have it there then its unlikely it will be shown at 48fps anywhere in NZ his home country- I cant see PJ letting that be the case.

[Mrs Figg]

You would have thought the cinemas would have been eager to return calls and get on board. It all seems rather haphazard and sour grapesy.

[David H]

I'm sure that any cinema that invests in the 48fps equipment will eventually get a a print. The question is will they get it in time for the premier.

If the distributors are only making a dozen 48fps prints and putting them into carefully chosen test markets until they see how it's received, Wellington could be SOL.

[Pettytyrant101]

whats SOL?

[David H]

Sorry, an Americanism.
Sh*t
Outa
Luck!

[Pettytyrant101]

Ah that makes senses now!
But I just cant see PJ after all his bluster on the tech letting the world premiere go by without it.
Wouldnt exactly scream confidence in the tech especially given the bad press it already got.

[Sinister71]

Wellington will surely have 48fps since it is PJ's baby and he wants to show it off to everyone. I know the theaters here have told me there are no plans to upgrade to new technology anytime soon. The theater I usually go to just upgraded to 4K resolution about 6 months ago. So i know they won't be upgrading. Well no biggie to me anyways cause I plan on 2-D 24fps anyways

[Eldorion]

I will laugh so hard if after all of PJ's pimping and pushing for 48fps it ends up in half a dozen theatres in New York and LA and nowhere else.

I sort of doubt that it will be that restricted but it seems less and less likely that there will be a wide release in 48fps. The studio seems to be reconsidering their investment on this one. On the other hand, a lot can still change before December.

[Mrs Figg]

what with the crisis and other nasty things I think the cinemas will think twice before shelling out cash. After all its only the Hobbit at the moment that is in 48fps, they may think why should we spend money for one film that people have said looked rubbish in an industry screening. these were the very people he invited and then he critisized them calling them bloggers, I think they are getting cold feet and are a bit snarky with PJ a a result. hence the lack of returned telephone calls etc.

[Pettytyrant101]

Well you reap what you sow and all that.

[Eldorion]

Another potential problem for the new format is that James Cameron is still planning to shoot the Avatar sequels in 60fps. PJ claims that the difference between 48 and 60 is negligible but Cameron seems determined to go for the higher frame rate. Unless there are projectors that can show films at both frame rates then I could see many theatres, especially those outside of big film-going cities, holding out on updates until it's clear which format will win.

[Pettytyrant101]

Mmm which format will they be shooting porn on?- that will decide who wins!
(Thats not as frivolous as it may sound- there was an excellent BBC documentary 'The Secret History of Pornography'- turns out vhs, dvd, internet, 3g services- all only existed and got going on money from porn in their early years and the availabiltiy of porn on those services led directly to their success in the marketplace. So basically PJ- shoot some porn to make your format a success. )

[Mrs Figg]

Dwalin does Dallas.

[halfwise]

[Eldorion]

TORn posted an interesting editorial from one of their staffers and for once it's actually somewhat critical of PJ. The guy raises many of the same points that have come up here, including calling PJ out for his bizarre misrepresentation of the Appendices and Tolkien's abortive 'LotR-ization' of The Hobbit.

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/08/23/61133-jacksons-hobbit-too-much/

What really leaped out at me was this paragraph:

I am surprised that Tolkien fans, no matter how much they may love Jackson’s films so far, have been quiet and let him get away with this revisionist (to put it politely) history. If such a thing had been written by, say, George Lucas, everyone would be loudly calling him out for promulgating such claptrap; but — so far — Jackson has not squandered the fans’ goodwill as Lucas did.

I think that's as close to a condemnation of TORn's fanboy culture as we're ever going to see from within the site. Still, I salute this guy for being willing to call out his own site. I'm glad to be posting on a site where we don't need that kind of wake-up call. We might go a little too far in the other direction at times but I don't think we've had a total break-down of objectivity regarding PJ. Most of us seem willing to give him credit where credit is due, especially with the original LOTR films.

[chris63]

The Arkenstone.

[David H]

promulgating such claptrap

. . .

[Mrs Figg]

I think that staffer wrote a fair and objective article. It made sense and was cool in its tone, without condemnation or finger pointing. I agreed with what he said.

[Pettytyrant101]

Bit wishywashy but as Eldo says that TorN are putting this sort of stuff out there says a lot about how far PJ seems to be going.

[halfwise]

The article taken by itself is not wishy-washy, only perhaps the conflict with the typical stance of ToRN.

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I have to suppose the arkenstone will be digitally enhanced - seems a bit dull in these pictures.

[Pettytyrant101]

It is by my standards Halfwise.