U2 3D

I saw the U2 3D movie this weekend and I am happy to report it is amazing.

I don't think I need to go into detail about the U2 side of things, because U2 as always gives an amazing performance.

The 3D was visually stunning and unlike any 3D movie I have seen before. I think it is a new technology for 3D and U2 were the test subjects. All the other 3D movies I have seen before used the 3D as a gimmick to have objects come out at you, but this felt different. It was like you were invited into their world and you were standing in the crowd, hovering above the crowd, or onstage with the band. The world on-screen was richer and deeper as a result of the 3D. Also, I did not have any trouble with the glasses or eyestrain or headaches that sometimes results from a 3D movie.

They also used another really cool technique (and I don't know how to explain it) of layering images. The best example I can come up with is the Theatre when they use a scrim with images on the scrim, yet you can see the acting beyond the scrim.

After a few songs into this performance, I was wishing this technology was available during the ZooTV tour, because they seem to achieve visually what is happening on stage with all the graphics. Fortunately, we are given a taste of what that might have been like when U2 performs the Fly. The screen becomes bombarded with the post-modern word images that were very much a part of the ZooTV experience.

I hope this is the future of movies. It would definitely make the cinema experience worthwhile.

The movie/concert performance flies by quickly and I would totally go see it again.

P.S. Don't leave when the credits start to roll. The music of Yahweh is another live performance that kicks into gear about midway through the song.

242 - The Office

I just finished watching Season 2 of the Office and now I am all caught up with the show. I got the dvd a couple of weeks ago - it was dirt cheap at Circuit City - $17.99. It was great watching it on dvd - I am amazed at how quickly I watched the whole season. Each episode features deleted scenes which add and continue the story for another 10 minutes. The deleted scenes are great because they follow up on some of the minor devlopments that were cut due to time.

I loved the BBC's original version and I probably still prefer their characters, but the US characters are starting to grow on me and I look forward to a long run of the show.

I think my favorite episode from last season is "Dwight's Speech."

Yes, I am watching the current season.

229 - Leonard Cohen // I'm Your Man

March recap: music, movie, book

April has begun, so now is my time to look back over the month of March to see what Albums I picked up, movies purchaseds, and books read.

Mogwai - Mr. Beast

An album of mostly instrumental post-rock songs. I listened to this one quite a bit every night as I did the dishes.

Matisyahu - Youth

Every once in a while I pick up an album that I know will challenge my musical tastes. This was that album. Matisyahu is a Hasidic Jew who plays a form of contemporary raggae with a slight mix of hip-hop. It is a very religious album and very Old Testament, with views on the modern world. It is a good listen when I am in the right mood. Unfortunately, hours after I bought the album, I got really sick and was in no mood for any music, let alone reggae. But it seems like it'll be a good spring album.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I really liked the book and the movie is a pretty fun version of the book. I like to see that world come alive on the screen.

The Da Vinci Code

Thanks to BB for loaning me this book. I can honestly say that this book gets people talking. I have never read a book in public before with so many people (strangers) who are curious about it. This was without the cover on and me trying to hide the spine. For some reason, in public places I don't like people to know what I am reading. I find it hard to believe that this book has affected so many people - like they say it has. They ideas aren't new - has anybody taken western civ. in college or just hung out in the dorm room with conspiracy theorist? The book attacks the symbols and traditions of the Catholic church, but we all know that you can't make a judgement on God based on his people. I found the book to be a bit preachy in the same way that I find cheesy christian fiction to be preachy. I felt like I was being hit over the head with the goddess of the sacred feminine. (I was like - Okay, you win. You can make every image and symbol in the world to represent this female goddess. I get it - already!!!) The book acted like it was a big secret that most christian holidays are celebrated on days that were pagan holidays and so when we go to church on Sunday we are secretly worshipping the Sun God??? They don't get that idols and symbols and holidays don't really mean that much to us Christians. Other items where pretty far-fetched, but I'll save those for latter with people who have read the book. I know that they have all these books out that debunk the claims they make in the da vinci code and I would be curious to look through one as I am sure that they hit on the specific claims of the book. But I think Lee Strobel's A Case for Christ answers most of the concerns about the diety of Christ and the authencity of the Gospels.

It's a fun read if you like conspiracy theory thrillers.

Goodnight, and Good Luck.

I don’t have cable TV, so the only news I see if from the 3 broadcasting networks and their local affiliates. To be honest, I never watch the national new due to not turning on the TV until the kids are in bed. I rarely watch the local news, because I would rather be entertained by reruns of the King of Queens and the fact the local news is a joke.

I have to admit it is fun to watch the local news occasionally to make fun of it – in the way where I am talking back to the TV and making fun of their lame attempts of humor. (By the way, I think Anchorman is a funny movie in that aspect.) A lot of times I am yelling at the TV “why do I need to know that.” And I hate the fact that they spend so much time telling you what is coming up in the broadcast. They will show you these little teaser clips and when you finally watch that segment, you gain no new information or clips than what was in the teaser. The local news is a complete waste of time.

This weekend I watched a movie that was really refreshing in its statement about television and the News shows. The movie was Goodnight, and Good Luck. It is a historical piece about at time in our history that I do not know much about: the birth of television (and its news shows) and McCarthy’s quest to find all communist subversives in America. It is a historical view of CBS’s Ed Murrow and his taking on of McCarthy.

The movie itself has so much style – filmed in black and white with cigarette smoke everywhere. There are a lot of great shots with rich shadows. The movie also features a lot of great quotes from Ed Murrow, which seem prophetic put into today’s context. I see this film as one that will be shown in schools.

To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost.

This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.

Stonewall Jackson, who knew something about the use of weapons, is reported to have said, "When war comes, you must draw the sword and throw away the scabbard." The trouble with television is that it is rusting in the scabbard during a battle for survival.

-Ed Murrow