FinFarenath's Diary - media

Funny Facts

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:04:25 +0200

I recently watched the new Star Track movie at the cinema. Strangely the actress of the young Neyota Uhura seemed to quite familiar to me, but I wan't able to remember precisely where I have seen her before. The fun fact was, that after watching Steven Spielbergs "The Terminal" this weekend I had a real good laugther. In that film she plays a Star Trek fan that loves klingons and loves to go to Trekky conventions.

Anyway After looking her up on IMDB it plays out she also plays a role as Neyriti in the new upcoming film "Avatar". One film you should not miss !

Great day at the Zoo

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:15:00 +0100

What a great weekend at the zoo. We went to the Amneville zoo again and this time took some heavy video and photo equipment wih us It was all in all a great time and a lot of fun. Currently I am about to transfer and edit the footage taken there. Current status is:

Footage transfer from tape to drive: [==========] done

Naming and vista of footage [=========-] 90%

Scene categories [====------] 40%

Cutting and Editing [=---------] 10%

Post production / CG [----------] 0%

Music composition and Sound editing [----------] 0%

Composition [----------] 0%

Happy editing

Bolt!

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:43:00 +0100

The antics of a dog who confuses his day job as the canine superhero in a TV action series with his real-life skills is plenty high-concept. But in Bolt - a blithe, digitally animated doggy comedy as zippy as its name - the fanciful premise only paws the surface of what's going on as we look at the big screen.

The basic story bears the distinctive DNA of the Disney family of dramas. Bolt’s a spunky white shepherd voiced by John Travolta. He lives all the time on a Hollywood soundstage that he thinks is the whole wide world ( reminds me ot "Truman Show" ) until he's accidentally separated from his ''person'' and TV costar, Penny ( voiced by Miley Cyrus ), and shipped in a cargo crate to New York City. Of course, imaginary superpowers don't count for much in such a sleepless city of caffeinated, mortal go-getters. But never mind. The dog sticks to his belief in his canine invincibility - and in the constancy of his person, wherever she is. Bolt remains loyal even when hassled by Mittens, a skinny, wiseacre New York alley cat who couldn't have found a more perfect mouthpiece than the one supplied by Susie Essman, the sharp-tongued comedian who berated Larry David so bawdily on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Naturally, Essman plays PG-feisty rather than foulmouthed here. But she projects just the right hiss of mischief. When Bolt believes that Styrofoam packing material is his kryptonite ( a mystery element that weakens him ) Mittens cleverly endorses the lie.

Well, what with one thing and another, Mittens joins Bolt's cross-country trip to get back to Penny and the city of valet parking. And along the duo's hitchhiking route, they meet up in an RV park with Rhino (Mark Walton), a hamster who, giddy pop culture addict that he is, recognizes Bolt as his favorite TV celebrity. Rhino throws himself into the mission (rolls himself, actually, in his Plexiglas exercise ball) with the gallant geek bravado that is the mark of a superfan. Soon, the three amigos are off, off on a classic obstacle-strewn, personal-growth adventure involving funny mishaps, demonstrations of individual heroism, scary scrapes (that, even at their scariest, carry the assurance that things will turn out all right), episodes of losing hope, examples of regaining determination, instances of heartwarming reunion ( oops, did I give something away? ), and moments involving other funny talking wildlife that make cameo appearances. The New York pigeons are particular pips; maybe they're related to the flock that helped Amy Adams' Giselle in Enchanted? chuckles

That's the blueprint. But Bolt impresses on more levels than just the basic - and in our wised-up, self-reflexive pop culture universe, audiences are primed to play along with the movie's sophisticated meta references to Hollywood culture, New York culture, TV culture, and even doggy culture: Look! It's a joke about Finding Nemo, about Hollywood agents, about pitching screenplay ideas! ( The bright script is by Dan Fogelman and Chris Williams, the sleek direction by Disney pros Williams and Byron Howard. ) In our 21st-century familiarity with the results, we don't give the intricate technobeauty of digital 3-D animation a second thought, taking for granted the subtleties of dimension, perspective, texture, and motion that can be achieved ( with the right software of course ); on a regular old night at the movies, we don't blink twice at seeing the most gorgeous visual shifts and adjustments, delicate and thoughtful as an old master's brushstrokes. There's a stunning throwaway moment when Rhino the hamster rolls in his stupid plastic ball in front of his new compatriots, and the faces of dog and cat, seen through the plastic, are distorted as they would be in real life — yet we pay no attention to the army of animation artists marshaled just for that one passing sequence.

Bolt breaks no great new stylistic ground - and yet it's a sturdy beauty. The cartoon chase scenes are of secondary importance - and yet they're wittier and more exciting than anything in Quantum of Solace. Sweet as sugar yet in anyway fortellable - thats Bolt! See it - it's worth it.

Krabat

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:25:00 +0200

I went to see Krabat in the local cinema last week. Having read the book almost over 10 years ago and only vaguely remembering the details of the story I was curious about that film. Especially when noting that this was a german film production. Which, by the way - you wouldn't have notived, weren't it for the almost boring starting title, that displayed all legal Information about who gave money to support that film in the making in the beginning... Plain white text centered on black background. The rest of the film was stunningly well done.

It is not at all cheesy or goofy. I found the screenplay well written, the acting was impressive, and the plot that keeps you engaged. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a change of pace from American fantasy flicks. A real good story and film all in all. Camera and all technicalities were perfectly played and created.

The basic story takes place at the end of the 30 years war in Germany. It focuses on a young orphan named Krabat. I won't give any more details, except to say that it's an interesting twist on the idea of magic. In a nutshell - the film is not what is in the book, but it is a wonderful and greatly done dark movie, you should see.

New gadget

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:07:36 +0200

Got myself a new little gadget on amazon. A neat little bluetooth to autio adapter. Supporting bluetooth 1.2 and A2DP for high quality this little zig bee is equipped with all you could wish for. Extremely easy and precise control and functionality via the backlit dot matrix display and well descriped functions this adapter only needed about half an hour for full recharge and lasted over 8 hours with continous music streaming via bt.

And the best of all... it only costs less then 20Euro including shipping and all.

My two cents: Thumbs up for this truely cool gadget for only a few bucks.

Kung Fu Panda Score

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:09:54 +0200

Got myself a new CD today. After watching thar marvellous film of "Kung Fu Panda" by Dreamworks and listening to the great score, I went to buy me the CD. Listening to it right now and only can suggest you buy that one too and listen to it

If you don't want to buy the score on CD, you can still listen to it on Streaming Soundtracks. Just go and request songs here.

Hancock

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:37:58 +0200

I went to watch Hancock a tth epctures the other night. I was so much looking forward to see this movie, as the trailers told and promised much - Will Smith as a drunk super hero. Well, sadly the trailer already told all and the only good scenes from the movie already.

Designed around a rather interesting premise of which I will not spoil for those that do see it, the film has no idea where to take its drunken superhero on his way to becoming what he was "meant" to be. Even though cleverly written into the story, the plot's major narrative suffers from bouts with the "seen that," fisticuffs with the "been there" and all out brawls with the "when will this end?" Strangely enough Hancock only runs about 85 minutes and the entire time you are just wondering when the madness will stop.

Sadly not a film to recommend in my eyes. If you have too much freetime on your hands and want to spend your 5 Euro on some film, hve fun. The action scenes are great.. but the rest isn't worth watching twice or bying on DVD.

Kung Fu Panda

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:57:21 +0200

Yesterday evening - after a long day of work and having a good lunch with frienfds - I went to the pictures to see Dreamworks new movie "Kung Fu Panda". Thesopening title started with a fast pace abd introduced a new fresh style of art to the audience. But it didn't stay like that - the film got better and better. I don't want to spoil the film by telling you- but you should definitely see that film. It has a funny, fast and touching story, loveable characters and great pictures. Also great morale is there if you are willing enought to look and see .)

After all a wonderfiiul Film worth watching ... at least once in cinema and lots more at home when its out.

Cool 3D cover art

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:38:01 +0200

Found some cool new cover art of the Inheritence cycle book "Eldest" on the web. This is the illustration of the japanese edition of Eldest split in multiple small books. With cool rendered 3D head of Thorn.

Android OS

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:21:20 +0200

Googles free open source OS Android has a promising look for mobile applications and might as well deliver in a more wider range then iPone might be able. Interested? Read all about in the Wired Magazine here.

85 days...

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:23:28 +0200

... until the third of four books of the inheritence tri... well.. quadrilogy is in stores. After Christopher Paolinis success in writing Eragon and Eldest now comes the first part of the "third book" named Brisingr. After the not so well recieved film that nearly flopped in europe I am excited to read on in the story and to know about what will happen and how all those substory elements are woven in and how they might continue.

In my personal opinion those first two books were wonderful storytelling. They also have that essence of telling a story also from the views and thoughts of a female dragon - which is rather rare to find in literature. And if you find, the stories are not that good most of the times. So after a long wait and even more waiting afterwards I hope I can stand in the bookstore in 85 days from now and get my own book of Brisingr.

I will tell you what I think of it after reading through

Nice weekend

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 18:49:43 +0200

Yesterday I enjoyed the somewhat summerlike weather and had a little BBQ. With a good bonfire afterwards. Was some real good relaxing day - if only my health would be better. I had a real good deal of trouble with my body yesterday.

At any rate, today was a little better hopefully. Otherwise I would have not been able to attend to the symphony I was at. At the Jahrhunderhalle near Frankfurt was the Lord of the Rings Symphonic Suit ant the concert war marvellous. The orchetra at least. The only drawback from the performance was the lousy technical crew. There was a 50Herz ground humm in the speakers all the time they used for the vocal backups. But in general a very wonderful concert to enjoy.

The big screen...

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 09:16:56 +0100

Also ( forgot to mention ) I had a testsetup for my cinema yesterday. And since the StarWars III came out on DVD yesterday we had a lot of fun watching it on the big screen with 4,80 meters width. Ohhh ha, I only hope I will not be stuck in front of that all day when I have the final setup. But the result is great. Homecinema here I come bounces around

Erm...just need the money to buy a new lamp for my projector... well.... and.. need the money for that grins Guess this dragon has to wait a while still smirks

A fine day

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 16:34:29 +0200

Yesterday I went to the movies. It was great to have a good laugth again. I really liked the movie a lot. ( Wallace and Gromit, it was, by the way. )

Well.. today was not much of an interesting one. I spent most of the time in front of huge piles of paper, calculating my financial situatin and calulating the date on when I will be broke... so not a real mood up thing to do.

Anyway. Tomorrow my grandfather wants to visit a freind who's birthday it is, so I will be driving him there and be spending the whole day sitting there, knowing noone and feeling like a young hatchling in comparison to all the old ppl there.... oh well... I am sure I will survive... slips in a neoprene suit... just for caution

What a marvellous day.

nospam@example.com (FinFarenath) — Thu, 04 Aug 2005 20:37:50 +0200

This day was a true blast. I had the whole day free and formyself. In the morning I met with a lioness, I haven't seen for over a year now. We went to the zoo and spent the whole morning there. Sadly she needed to leave at noon already again because she was just on her way through here. So I stayed at the zoo, sat down at the manewolves and drew. Well, of course I took some cute photos of the cubs too and in the afternoon I met with another friend, drinking some idecoffe and watching a movie. "The Island" - a very interesting film with a good deal of philosophy behind it. Anyway.. home I am again and I guess I will just take a good book and enjoy the evening on my balkony in the dawning sun... Night night, All.