The Hobbit is a go!

[Paladin]

After much, too much legal jockeying over the mostly dead carcass that is MGM studios, the deal is done and Peter Jackson will get to make "The Hobbit" and the bridge film to fill in between "The Hobbit" and LotR. Filming starts in February 2011.

[Tai]

what bridge film? They are making up a script?

[Creole Ned]

The Hobbit is being split into two films and rumor is the second one may try to more closely bridge the gap between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, which may or may not include making things up..

Also, Jackson has been quoted as saying The Hobbit will be shot in 'wondrous 3D'. Ugh. I'll stick to the non-wondrous 2D version, myself.

[Tai]

fuck, really? I hate this 3d shit. :(

[samuelk]

I don't mind 3D when it's done well.

3D is to 2D like Surround Sound is to Mono.

[Kermit]

As long as ALL of the effects are drop away I don't mind too much, but 3D tends to give me headaches and any pop-out style effects immediately remove my suspension of disbelief. I also don't appreciate the premium charged at the ticket counter.

I won't camp out in line for the Hobbit, but I'm anxious to see it.

[Creole Ned]

I don't mind 3D when it's done well.

3D is to 2D like Surround Sound is to Mono.

Wha?

Comparing 2D to mono sound is kind of nutty. There's a huge difference between mono and stereo, which is where a comparison would make more sense. 3D movies are usually dim, you have to wear stupid glasses and pay more. So you can have your surround sound and I'll happily stick to my 'mono'. :P

[samuelk]

Wha?

Comparing 2D to mono sound is kind of nutty. There's a huge difference between mono and stereo, which is where a comparison would make more sense. 3D movies are usually dim, you have to wear stupid glasses and pay more. So you can have your surround sound and I'll happily stick to my 'mono'. :P

I wasn't comparing 2D to mono sound. I was saying that the enhancement that 3D offers over a 2D film is similar to the enhancement that surround sound offers over mono (or stereo over mono or whatever). I was only looking at the technology itself and not the physical inconvenience of the glasses -- which, I admit is a downside to a lot of people -- or the increased ticket price.

Out of the 15-20 3D films that I've seen in the past 2 or so years, only one was too dark, and that was the Jim Carey "A Christmas Carol" film. And I wear glasses normally, so the 3D glasses don't bother me.

My point in comparing 3D to surround sound was that the technology doesn't change the movie itself, but attempts to enhance the viewer's experience.

But the attitude of "I hate this 3D shit" is really overblown when it's a guarantee that any movie shot in 3D will be available to watch in 2D is well.

Plus, I'd bet that The Hobbit won't be affected by being filmed in 3D. I doubt Peter Jackson is going to alter the script just so he can insert some "Hey, look, stuff is coming right out of the screen....SCARY!" moments.

That kind of 3D gimmick has, thankfully, not been used as much as it was in the early days of "red/blue glasses" 3D.

[Creole Ned]

In Vancouver it's nearly impossible to see a first-run movie that's available in 3D in a 2D version, since all of the major theaters here can run 3D. That typically means waiting for the movie to hit 2nd run theaters months down the road or waiting for it on video. I also don't have full vision in my left eye so the 3D effect does nothing for me.

Thus my grumpy old man reaction to 3D.

[Kermit]

I have no physical excuse, I just don't like it and I'm grumpy.

[Paladin]

I guess we're lucky here. All 3 local theaters have 3D screens, but almost all movies that come out in 3D have 2D showings as well. Also, I suspect Peter Jackson is about as thrilled with making the movies in 3D as you are. He's got an established look for the world and he's probably going to want to stick with it as much as possible.It's probably more a condition of the studio, which wants the higher ticket prices 3D movies command, especially for something that's as close to a sure-fire blockbuster as this.

[Paladin]

And finally, officially.... filming has begun!

[Tai]

Might be time to rewatch the trilogy! :)

[Paladin]

Perhaps... but then, the extended editions hit on Blu-Ray in June.

[Tai]

My TV does 720, is that enough for bluray? I don't understand any of this shit. =P

[Paladin]

That is enough for blu-ray. Blu-ray runs at the same resolutions as HDTV. It won't be as detailed as 1080p, but your familiar with that.

[Tai]

cool, thanks :) I shall wait for those then.