Top Stuff from 2007 #6 - Beowulf in 3D

Beowulf in 3D

3-D feature films have been around since the 1950s, but for decades they have been terrible to view. I avoided the recent 3-D releases of SUPERMAN RETURNS and HARRY POTTER like the plague, but something about BEOWULF told me to give it a shot. I finally decided to try the 3-D experience after a 20 year personal haitus and was I shocked by the improvement in quality. It took me several minutes to train my eyes to relax and not try to focus on things, but when I finally did...what a world to behold. In the end, the film experience was served well, not only by Alan Silvestri's aggressive score, but by the 3-D effects which managed to stay away from the realm of the "gimmicky." Judging by the number of trailers for 3-D enhanced feature films coming, it looks like the genre is going to see its resurgence continue. With home theater systems and oversized computer monitors serving up more and more of the public's moviegoing experiences, Hollywood would be smart to further invest in the advantages the big screen affords them. BEOWULF in 3D was simply one of the most memorable theater experiences of 2007 and if future projects match its quality of implementation, I foresee myself and other moviegoers dawning those big, nerdy glasses a lot more often.

Top 5 Stuff from 2007 is around the corner...

Win a copy of the BEOWULF Soundtrack!

Enter this month’s caption contest for a chance to win a copy of Alan Silvestri’s score to "BEOWULF."

Check out the contest rules HERE. Enter the contest HERE.

Beowulf (Soundtrack) by Alan Silvestri Reviewed with 3 Soundclips

I Have Come to Score Your Movie!
review by Christopher Coleman

"They say...you have a movie here...
They say... your movie is cursed...
I am Silvestri ... I will score your movie."

Being anonymously written somewhere around the 8th century, the poetic tale of the hero, BEOWULF, has long been a part of western thought and consciousness. It has been analyzed and written about by countless scholars and made into a handful of films. The latest effort to transport the beloved poem into the present is director Robert Zemeckis' fully, computer-generated version. The choice to go "CG" has been met with varying degrees of acceptance, some saying that the use of computer graphics has cursed the film. In the light of successful marriages between traditional photography and photorealistic CG work in recent years, it is viable to question the directors choice. What might the cost be, if any, for succumbing to the seduction of CG?

Regardless of where you might land on this issue, one Zemeckis choice that has gone unquestioned was calling upon his long time collaborator, ALAN SILVESTRI. The two have had successful and memorable collaborations on projects such as: the BACK TO THE FUTURE trilogy, FORREST GUMP, CONTACT, and most recently THE POLAR EXPRESS (Zemeckis' first all CG film). Once gain Silvestri has arrived to score Zemeckis' movie.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE

Beowulf: The Movie and The Music: First Impressions

NO SPOILERS!

I don't normally post about movie-going experiences, but having just returned from an early showing of Robert Zemeckis' latest 3-D, animated venture, BEOWULF, I feel its a special occasion. What put this occasion over the top was the fact that this presentation of the film was in digital 3-D. Now, the last time I saw a film in 3-D was when the glasses were made of paper, one lense blue and one red. I was in for a treat with the strides that have been made in the realm of 3-D projection.

It took a few minutes for my eyes and head to adjust to not trying to watch the film in a 2-D fashion. Finally getting my eyes to relax and just watch was actually something I had train myself to do. After 15 minutes, I was fully acclimated to this new environment.

Let me just say this about the film. If you have the opportunity to see it in 3-D...DO SO! About half way through I thought just how much the 3-D aspect added to the film. Hard to fathom it without it now. Still, if you don't see it in 3-D, I'm guessing you'll still enjoy the flick. BEOWULF is some kinda ride!

What is deceptive is the fact that it is animated. Don't be fooled! Zemeckis has made an adult film here. On more than one occasion, I found myself reacting, "I can't believe Zemeckis went there." This ain't no POLAR EXPRESS. There is on Disney-sanitization going on in these pixels.

Now, having heard the ALAN SILVESTRI's score just prior to seeing the movie, I have to admit...I was slightly (only slightly now) underwhelmed. As you might expect, having seen the film, my appreciation level has risen. Silvestri's score works very well in the film and will undoubtedly be enjoyed to a greater degree by those who watch it.

It's early days yet, but the 46 minutes of score on the soundtrack seem to capture the key moments...certainly the key themes, but further listens may change my thoughts there. The track order has definitely been arranged to provide the best listening experience as opposed to chronological order.

BEOWULF, the 3-D film, is the most fun I have had at the movies in quite some time. A visual feast, matched by a decent screenplay, good voice acting, and lifted by Silvestri's score. One last thing is that I have a permanent keepsake of the whole experience - one that I will dawn to work and see what sort of fashion statement it makes.

Look for my full review in the upcoming days...In the meantime, go see BEOWULF.

New Contest! Win BEOWULF AND 300 POSTERS!

Well, who doesn't want to win great movie stuff? Tracksounds and Moviegoods.com is proud to bring you the WHO WANTS TO WIN MEMORABILIA poster contest! You could be ONE of FIVE WINNERS of the poster print from the film BEOWULF!

If you are among the FIVE WINNERs, in addition to the BEOWULF poster you will receive the 300 poster print as a bonus prize!

This CG-Blood-Spectacular contest is now open! Enter here!

ALAN SILVESTRI conducting BEOWULF!

Recently came across a few YouTube videos from Soncinemad 2007, which was held this Summer in Madrid. Perhaps the most mouth-watering is ALAN SILVESTRI giving us a peak at his upcoming score BEOWULF. Listen for yourself, but I say this is very, very promising! If you're one of those who was thrilled with Debney's LAIR, then I think Silvestri has something to offer you! (Update: Apparently there will be an official soundtrack release as Amazon.com is listing a release date of 12/4/07 from Warner) Merry Christmas.

BEOWULF TRAILER ONLINE w/ MYSTERY MUSIC

"I'm here to kill your monster."

Ok then...let's get to it!

Director Robert Zemeckis' upcoming 3-D Animated, feature film of BEOWULF will release on November 16, 2007. The trailer has recently been released with, at this point, unidentified music attached to it.



Of course, for the film itself, the long-standing collaborative relationship between Zemeckis and composer ALAN SILVESTRI continues. The site itself features more unidentified score...perhaps some early stuff from Silvestri? Sounds a little aggressive and modern for him, but perhaps it is. Whatever it is, it works well on the site.

The trailer boasts some very impressive visuals...much more intriguing than Robert Zemeckis' last foray into the 3-D realm - THE POLAR EXPRESS. BEOWULF is shaping up to be quite a big-deal for holiday viewing.

Check out the trailer here...or the official site here