There’s a reason I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.

It’s so I can see the amazing landscapes that Earth has to offer from the comfort of my spaceship.

Landscapes like the ones documented in Crew West (@crewwest) Dustin Farrell’s (@dustin_farrell on Twitter) Landscapes: Volume Two.

 

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/29950141]

 

 

Usually, I’m not one for most short films, but this one just has such amazing scenery that it puts it over the top for me. Time-lapse photography has turned some of the most scenic places on the Earth into moving movie magic.

Enjoy the show, and let me know what you think too. Also, if you liked this for the scenery, check out the movie Baraka. And if short film cinematography is your thing, check out this award-winning short by Arev Manoukian:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVuUwvUUPro&w=420&h=300

 

Enjoy the views, guys. Talk to ya soon!

– Mike

WARNING: MEDIUM-SIZED FAIRLY RATIONAL RANT APPROACHING.

Can anyone honestly say that they LIKE 3D movies?

(Rhetorical question. I’m sure some can – there’s a defense force for everything nowadays.)

In any case, the way I see it is that  3D movies in 99% of their use take potentially good (or already-great) visuals and dumb it down so you can feel like the rock from that movie explosion is blurry and coming towards you at an average speed.

Why do I feel this way? When you have 2D classics like The Lion King being marred by blurry “advanced technology”, plus an extra hike on ticket prices to see a 20 year old movie, you make Mike something something.

(Go crazy.)

Just take a look at The Lion King’s Rotten Tomatoes score. 89% would be great for most movies…but this is The LION KING. Arguably the greatest animated film of all time. Other than reviewers looking to stand out (saying The Lion King has story/pacing problems? Get outta town), the only reason I can see for anyone not loving this movie’s current incarnation (which is said to be the same as the original other than the added dimension)?

Three. Dee.It’s big, bad, and unwelcome in my eyes.

Aside from the value problem with 3D movies, there’s the intrusiveness. I don’t know about you guys, but it’s hard for me to feel anything emotionally from a movie when I have novelty glasses on my face. The first 15 minutes of Disney Pixar’s UP were some of the most heart shredding ones in movie history, but all I could think about was “man, I’d probably feel something if I didn’t have these ridiculously thick plastic glasses on my face.” I could talk more about the darker image, the limited field of view, and the nausea it creates for some… then again, those are pretty self-explanatory.

 

3-D is a waste of a perfectly good dimension. Hollywood’s current crazy stampede toward it is suicidal. It adds nothing essential to the moviegoing experience. For some, it is an annoying distraction. For others, it creates nausea and headaches. It is driven largely to sell expensive projection equipment and add a $5 to $7.50 surcharge on already expensive movie tickets. Its image is noticeably darker than standard 2-D. It is unsuitable for grown-up films of any seriousness. It limits the freedom of directors to make films as they choose. For moviegoers in the PG-13 and R ranges, it only rarely provides an experience worth paying a premium for.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/roger-ebert-on-why-3d-movies-suck-2010-4#ixzz1YhYvzb9V

That’s not to say that 3D doesn’t have some  decent applications. For instance, the only reason to see the live action Pocahontas, James Cameron’s AVATAR was the visuals — they were spectacular (wish I could say the same for the story). Or more recently, Thor was a decent flick with 3D that wasn’t so intrusive.

I hope movie companies soon come to their creative senses and only apply it to movies that actually benefit from the technology instead of making a cash grab with it. But as long as people keep paying for the tickets, I guess that dream is for naught.

What do you think about 3D movies? Lemme know in the comments.

Ciao.

– Mike

PS Roger Ebert agrees with me so I must be right.

Don’t call it a comeback (-to-school).

New blog, new year, new focus. A handful of focuses, actually. As varied as a group of several different things are varied. All within the planet known as Me. Major things about me, like music, video games, particular social interactions, movies, sports, funny stuff, and especially school. That’s a biggie. Especially because in this moment, and several moments over the next year, I will be eating, sleeping and breathing  it.

Many people would say that my school life has started again for the year…but it never really ended. Over the summer, I did have fun and also got to relax after completing the first year of Creative Communications, but come early August, I was back in the school hustling and bustling in meetings with various people over double-digit hour days. Why, you ask?

Independent Professional Project.

Consider it a thesis-like project that every second year member of the program I am currently in at Red River College must complete. They have a variety of spreads and fields, from video game ‘zine to fully produced radio dramas. But they have one thing in common — a student (in some cases, two) works extremely hard on it all year so they have a great example of what kind of greatness they are capable of. Something to that effect.

I (along with my IPP partner and great friend Michelle) will be handling a rebrand for the Red River College Students’ Association as our project. What does this mean? Tying up loose ends, making sure everyone is aware of this organization, and getting into the nitty gritty of what makes organizational communications tick. Analytical, methodical, systematical, fantastical. I’m a “details” type of guy, so this project is basically perfect for me.

It’s a big job, but we think we can handle it. And yes, I will spill some of my adventures and wisdom gained from doing this project here on my blog.

I seek self-improvement all the time, and the only way to get it is to really challenge yourself. It won’t be easy, but it’s indicative of the kind of year I want to have not only from a educational and experiential standpoint, but also in several other facets of my day to day life.

I think rapper/scholar Nelly said it best when he said “if hard work pays off, then easy work is worthless.” I want to make that my mantra this year, grab it by the horns, and finish my first degree/diploma (you read right, I’m getting both in 2012) as strong as possible.

There’s a lot on my plate, so I’ll have to keep a good eye on it. But don’t worry, blog reader faithfuls, I’ll take you along for the ride. It’s been a bit of a layoff, but I’m back for good now.

Promise.

If you have any comments for me, I’d love to hear from ya in the comments box. And make sure to follow me on Twitter (@mbadejones) for more on my daily escapades.

Ciao, goodbye, etc.

– Mike “Mike Badejo” Badejo

PS Here’s the Seinfeld clip that inspired this post’s title (sorry, embedding disabled by request):