Poketo » Movies

Famous Sci-Fi Locations

Poketo — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:52:05 +0000

A lot of science-fiction movies use extravagant computer graphics to create fantastical environments. But the rapid advancement of that tech can date a movie fast–try watching the Star Wars prequels now without cringing. Sometimes, using architecture that already exists can serve a scene better than a fabricated one. Oobject has put together a list of them, here are some of our favorites.

The diva scene from The 5th Element, made to look like a theater in a massive space cruiser was filmed at The Royal Opera House in London.

Rick Deckard’s home in Blade Runner was filmed at the Ennis House in Los Angeles, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. You can see Wright’s telltale Mayan-inspired bricks.

The asylum scenes in 12 Monkeys were filmed at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, an austere prison that once held Al Capone.

Browse through other buildlings featured in Terminator, Sleeper, A Clockwork Orange, and more here.

Cinematic Photography

Poketo — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:00:51 +0000

I met Armen Perian on the night of the Portugal. The Man x Los Angeles, I’m Yours show. He was front row, asking me if it was cool to take photos. He was cognizant of the crowd, the band and wanted to be a fly on the wall to simply document this incredible performance. Halfway into the set, I could see he was positioning himself for some great shots. Over the blaring music, I handed him my phone and told him to type in his email so that we could reconnect after the show.

Later, I find out that Armen is a film major at Art Center with a great love for photography–you can see that clearly from these shots and a bunch more on his Flickr–moody, beautiful, cinematic.

At only 19 years old, Armen started taking photos his junior year in high school and was positive that was his career path. Up until attending his first year at Art Center he switched his focus to film, wanting to explore the narrative and collaborative aspect of filmmaking. Looking at his still photography, narrative still comes through, I look forward to seeing what he does with moving images. Here is a video he put together quickly of the Portugal. The Man performance for “Los Angeles, I’m Yours”.

Portugal. The Man x Poketo from armen perian on Vimeo.

Tom Ford’s A Single Man

Janet Lee — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:20:46 +0000

For a while now, I had kept Tom Ford’s first film, A Single Man on the back burner, and finally got to see it last night post-Golden Globes. I had my reservations about the film–would this be a 90 minute Gucci commercial? Too many good suits and too little depth? To my surprise, even though it did end up like an extended Gucci commercial of sorts, it almost had to be that way. In fact, it was my favorite part of the movie and anyone could feel Ford’s heavy role in the creative aspect of the film. Colin Firth’s character was so wonderfully tragic, but the cinematography, costume design, and set design were pristine, clean, and beautiful.

This scene reminded me of a commercial the most. The dramatic violin, the unusually long fixation on ‘Carlos’ lips. The back and forth of glances from one hot man to the other. It wasn’t too bad to watch

And this was my favorite scene just for the way it successfully, and quite emotionally captured Firth’s memory of his lover on the beach.

It’s so good to see Tom Ford see the potential in Colin Firth as an actor–outside the real of romantic comedies. You almost feel like Firth was born for this role. I hope after this film, people put him in more challenging roles. He’s got the intensity for it, and his accent and good looks don’t hurt either.

Reacquainted With Jacques Tati

Janet Lee — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:00:41 +0000

While clearing out my 2009 drawers to make room for the junk-to-be in 2010, I was delighted to see that I had managed to save some of my “Intro to Film” books from college. I’m sure many of our film fanatics out there are well aware of French filmmaker, Jacques Tati and his most celebrated film, Mon Oncle. But it was just now, 3 years after taking the course that my appreciation and fascination for this film, so inherently Chaplinesque and ahead of its time, have come to fruition.

A funny film which artfully combines themes of modernity in postwar France and the culture’s obsession with all things mechanical and uncomfortable Mon Oncle is also stylistically crafted–opposing the the charm of old Parisian neighborhoods to the sterility of new buildings that replace them.

The best part of the film is of course the uncle himself, played by Tati. “Mr. Hulot” is the beacon of light for his niece, Gerard, and gives little G a whole new way of looking at life, behind the everyday occurrences of high tech kitchen gadgets, uncomfortable geometric architecture, and a mother and father who both have lost their own sense of identity for the sake of modernity.

Finally, a scene that really captures the essence of the whole film:

I would love to blow up these screen shots and hang them on my wall one day. Le sigh.

Inception

Janet Lee — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:46:52 +0000

Leonardo DiCaprio’s been in a ton of movie trailers recently, but there was one film in particular, Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan that gave me shivers right before watching Sherlock Holmes (also a great movie). The synopsis is vague–something about the “architecture of the mind,” but the cast is grade-A including Joseph Gordon Levitt, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Marion Cotillard, and Ken Watanabe.

Did anyone else watch this in theaters and get super excited about it? Christopher Nolan is a cinematic visionary in the Hollywood film industry with a highly successful track record that includes Memento and The Dark Knight. More than the protagonist, I’m interested in the villains in all of Nolan’s movies. Can’t wait to see the sick and twisted bad guys he has in store for this one!

Movie Posters of the decade

Angie Myung — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:54:43 +0000

The site for film buffs, The Auteurs picked out their favorite movie posters of the decade that I wanted to share with you all. Many of these are Japanese versions of the posters for the Japanese audience.

I really enjoy this site, not only for their content but also for their goal of giving everyone their own film library to watch Antonioni, Truffaut, or Kurosawa anytime they wished. Just because you aren’t invited to the Cannes, doesn’t mean that you should miss out. Their point is “Popular doesn’t always mean good”, which I couldn’t agree more.

For the holiday break, I’ll be doing a lot of that – watching a lot of good (and sometimes bad) movies and I hope you guys will get to do the same!

Youtube Culture

Poketo — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:45:35 +0000

We’ve all seen the countless renditions of “Single Ladies” and the funny pranks posted on Youtube, but there are definitely deeper treasures to be found! Recently I came across The Youtube Screening Room and instantly fell in love. I’m sure some have already come across this wonderful venue, but for those who haven’t, I definitely recommend dropping a visit.

Great for when you need a dose of indie film culture, sample a few of their featured films and find yourself filled with different emotions, searching for symbolism, and downright enjoying these creative pieces. For those who are admirers of stop-motion, here’s a beautiful piece featured on The Youtube Screening Room called, “Madame Tutli-Putli”, presented by the National Film Board of Canada, and winner of the Canal Award for Best Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival. Hope you enjoy!

Fantastic Mr. Anderson

Angie Myung — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:08:16 +0000

Saw the one of the most fantastic films in a very long time, Fantastic Mr. Fox directed by the fantastic Mr. Wes Anderson. I loved his other films, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, but I think Fanstastic Mr. Fox is by far my favorite movie by him.

Everything about the film is wonderful, the acting, the cinematography, the stop motion animation. Mr. Fox is played by George Clooney, Mrs. Fox played by Meryl Streep, and Ash, their son played by Jason Schwartzman. All the voices were done in actual barns and in the fields, instead of taking place in a recording studio.

Fantastic Mr. Anderson also directed the best American Express commercial of all time.