Source: Cinema Blend

Side by Side is a documentary that takes a look at the battle raging between film purists and digital mavericks. The doc is produced by Keanu Reeves, and takes an in-depth look at the digital revolution and how it could change the future of filmmaking. It features interviews with David Lynch, Robert Rodriguez, Chris Nolan, Steven Soderbergh, James Cameron and Marty Scorsese. Check it out and let us know how you feel about the subject.

Side by Side Official Trailer (2012) from Company Films on Vimeo.

Titanic 3D opens on April 6th, 2012.

“Well, I don’t want to disabuse her of that fantasy. But have you ever heard of nonlinear storytelling? A lot happens on that planet before she shows up, and before Jake shows up to join her. She’s there for fifteen years ahead of time. I don’t know, but I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. And I’ve already said way too much about Avatar 2 and 3 here and there, but people piece it together like those voice cameos and tell the whole story!, he told Vulture.

Makes sense. What Cameron could have always done was have Grace’s spirit live inside Eywa, and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) could communicate with her that way. But Cameron’s idea would allow for Weaver to get some screen time. And if that doesn’t work, Cameron jokes “there’s always time travel”.

It does make one wonder how Cameron will balance the time between working on this film, and filming Avatar 2, which is supposed to go into production sometime either later this year, or early next year. But he should have plenty of time with Walking With Dinosaurs set for a 2013 release date.

He continues and talks about audience’s expectations since the first film was a rare billion dollar hit: “There’s always an expectation. I had to deal with that after ‘The Terminator’ back in 1984. All of a sudden I had a big hit movie and it was ‘what are you doing next?’ But my job is take the audience on a journey and entertain them,” he added. “The second I am sitting down writing, I just go to Pandora. I don’t think about that stuff, about standing on a red carpet. It has its own life, really. The characters have their own lives.”

Avatar 2 is scheduled for a December 2014 release date, followed by Avatar 3 in 2015.

The Film:

I find plenty of assurance in my personal stance that I’ll never go cave exploring. I’m not claustrophobic, but it’s the fact of what plays out in Sanctum that terrifies me: stupidity. These seemingly experts, with all of the tech and “years” of first-hand experience, are nothing more than archetypes for the Dead Teenager genre, a lifeless term Roger Ebert invented to explain teenagers doing stupid stuff that get them killed. Based on screenwriter Andrew Wight’s near-death experience of leading a diving expedition miles into a system of underwater caves, Sanctum showcases a lesson in what not to do in both real-life and in film.

James Cameron’s name is freely thrown around in the advertising, and it’s not just because he executive produced it, but it’s a child of his Avatar 3D technology. Sadly, director Alister Grierson isn’t James Cameron, as this is obvious. His framing of scenes is all off for 3D. Too many foreground images smash the frame together in an odd collision that doesn’t benefit from the low-lit film. Plus, he films Sanctum in a 80% mixture of close-ups and medium shots that don’t do the 3D justice, especially in IMAX. When we get a rare wide angle, the 3D flourishes.

But the 3D is really isn’t the problem, it’s the character (and lack thereof) development and dialogue. I’m sure the real story of Wight’s survival is interesting, the film just isn’t. The tension only comes as a by product to the dilemma: you’re trapped in a cave. Due to stupidity from the character’s actions and reactions, we get a brutal honesty of the calamity, the claustrophobia is real, the pain is to. With odd continuity errors, no sense of place, the film feels rushed and DTV. It’s not without some merits, but it’s few and far in between to fully care. It’s sad to say that about a “true story”, but Sanctum never rises to the surface. It panics and gasps for air.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Universal Home Entertainment offers up a decent HD release, although some of the issues aren’t really issues as they’re just the film’s intent that hasn’t translated to HD in a ‘wow’ type of way. Some grain, some noise, and some softness damper the transfer. Details remain pretty good though. The DTS track is pretty good, although the sound design isn’t as engrossing as I initially thought.  Nonetheless, on the audio side of things, it’s pretty good.

Commentary: Despite James Cameron’s name being plastered everywhere on the marketing campaign, he isn’t here on this track, that offers up plenty of solid information by Director Alister Grierson, co-writer/producer Andrew Wight and actor Rhys Wakefield.

Sanctum: The Real Story: This 45-minute HD documentary is arguably better than the film, as it covers the three stages of the story, production, and release of the hard movie to make.

Nullarbor Dreaming: Here’s a far more interesting look at what Sanctum was about, as this SD 22-year old documentary focuses on the cave divers and their troubles that loosely led to the film’s events. Runs 45-minutes are is nearly worth the price itself.

Deleted Scenes and a Trailer round out the extras.

The Film: Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray: Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Of course, Cameron is a guru on all things 3D, but after recently seeing Bay’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon’s latest trailer in 3D, Bay is looking to top prior action films in the format – and that’s a good thing.

This is taken from a chat the two director had called 3D: A Transforming Visual Art – A Conversation With Michael Bay and James Cameron. Check it out:

To watch more, visit tag

Source: Hey U Guys

There’s no word on who long the film will stay in theaters, but we can fully expect a 3D Blu-ray release to be released afterwards.

Avatar 2 is slated for release in December of 2014.

Here’s the official press-release (via Collider):

“Legendary filmmaker and 3D visionary, James Cameron has teamed up with acclaimed cinematographer and fellow 3D pioneer, Vince Pace to form CAMERON – PACE Group (CPG), which seeks to accelerate worldwide growth of 3D across all entertainment platforms including features, episodic and live television, sports, advertising and consumer products, pioneering a new generation of camera systems, services and a variety of creative tools that are innovative, powerful and easier to embrace. Cameron and Pace unveiled the new company this morning during a press conference at the 2011 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

CPG will build upon the strong foundation of PACE and the 3D technology to which its co-founders have individually and collectively contributed, such as the revolutionary FUSION 3D system. In combination, Cameron’s and Pace’s technologies, products and services have been responsible for $4.7 billion of box office receipts and have played an extensive role in 25 features, seven concert and music entertainment projects and 40 sports productions worldwide, including “Avatar,” “TRON: Legacy,” “Resident Evil: Afterlife” and “U2 3D.” This history puts CPG in a unique position to respond to the growing demand for high-quality 3D entertainment and to provide 3D technology innovations that serve studios, filmmakers, directors of photography, producers, networks, studios and broadcasters. The company plans to take full advantage of its position to drive innovations in technology and deliver products, services and creative tools in unprecedented ways.

In addition to making advanced technologies, tools and services available to the global entertainment community, CPG will serve as an industry advocate for 3D technologies, practices and creative tools that will help filmmakers and other content producers realize 3D’s full potential as a creative and powerful storytelling and live broadcast medium. It will also drive public advocacy by setting the “gold standard” for the public’s perception of 3D, which will result in compelling, engaging and high quality 3D entertainment.

“Our goal is to banish all the perceived and actual barriers to entry that are currently holding back producers, studios and networks from embracing their 3D future,” said James Cameron, Co-Chairman of CAMERON – PACE Group. “We are dedicated to building a global brand that is synonymous with high quality 3D and spans multiple channels, from features to episodic television, and changes the boundaries of what is understood to be 3D material.”

“CPG’s mission is to step up industry-wide efforts to help filmmakers realize 3D’s full potential as a creative and powerful storytelling medium and accelerate the growth of the next generation of 3D solutions across all platforms,” said Vince Pace, Co-Chairman and CEO of CAMERON – PACE Group. “Through our expanded reach and new generation of 3D solutions, we will deliver a variety of creative tools including SLATE²SCREEN™ 3D production services, educational workshops for industry professionals in FUSION 3D and FUSION 3D Mobile Workflow Units that support end-to-end solutions for both the live and recorded production environments. CPG will deliver CAN DO solutions.”

CAMERON – PACE Group already has an extensive list of current and upcoming projects, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “The Three Musketeers,” “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” “Life of Pi,” and “47 Ronin.” For a more extensive list of CPG projects, as well as a comprehensive overview of CPG’s available products and services, please refer to, www.cameronpace.com.

PACE has begun the formal rebranding process and its operation under the CAMERON – PACE Group banner is effective immediately. CPG will be headquartered in Burbank, CA, at the current home to PACE. CPG is going to expand PACE’s technology impact by developing new solutions and implementing current solutions worldwide. These activities will require the company to both expand its existing staff of engineers and technicians and fill a number of newly created positions. Qualified and talented industry professionals, design engineers, software engineers and technicians interested in shaping the future of 3D entertainment are invited to learn more at, www.cameronpace.com.”

Then the magazine asked him if he’s re-teaming with Cameron on a project. His answer? “Could be.”

Avatar 2 is scheduled for release in December of 2014.

Cameron notes that he “fully intends” to use this technology for Avatar 2 and 3, and is scheduled to offer a demonstration sometime later today. DreamWorks Animation CEO Katzenberg mentions this will be a “quantum leap” in film-making. Animators usually have to wait days to see their works, but this will allow “be able to see and create their work in real time. I can’t tell you how transformative that will be for our storytelling. … That is an extraordinary and revolutionary change in the process,” Katzenberg said.

Brazilian jungles and indigenous people for Avatar 2? Thoughts?

Source: Hollywood News