Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Blogs | Writers | Paid | My Orble | Login

More





Combining two life loves: the cinema and a baby

July 28th 2011 04:26
Babies and cinemas

Well, if you’re like me, combining the two major loves in your life can be a bit tricky. Mine are films and my family. Having recently had my second boy has re-opened the Mums and Bubs door. With my first nutter, I saw a few films and made the catastrophic mistake of seeing films that were too intense and complicated for my delicate post-labour brain. As a result, I fell asleep and cannot even remember what films they were. As I can’t prove my point, you’ll just have to believe me.

This time around, I’m going to choose more carefully. And shock of horrors, I might have to see films that are more mainstream than alternative. This could mean films with a more simplistic storyline, perhaps even bordering on predictability. Hmm, this of course, goes against my cinematic core and will be a massive adjustment, but to use a cliché, beggars can’t be choosers. I’m at the mercy of a few elements: sleep deprivation, brain drain, finding a babysitter for my toddler and local cinema offerings.

My first foray into this round of Mums and Bubs was to see Bridesmaids a few weeks ago. It went well; I snorted and guffawed my way through it. I stayed awake and my baby didn’t, it was perfect. I even ate chocolate. Wiig’s witty dilemmas amused and entertained me successfully. I’ll be doing it again soon, woo hoo.



60
Vote
Comments (4)Comments (4) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Film thoughts
   


The next step

May 26th 2011 05:30


As you might’ve noticed, since having my first baby almost two years ago, both my movie habits and blog upkeep have been dramatically affected. In fact, you could say, sadly, my blog has been somewhat neglected. It’s a pity but seems to be a part of motherhood (and life in general), that sometimes something has to give. And really, it’s OK. It doesn’t mean I no longer love films or I no longer care about writing, it simply means that life has changed and for the time being, it’s hard to do it all. My zest is still there, as well as my intentions but for many reasons such as a basic lack of time, lack of brain power and some days, general oomph, the page stays empty. Hence, my blog remains quite untouched. I still see films thanks to downloads, DVDs and cinemas, but often the opportunity to sit and write is scarce.

So, just days away from my next reproduction experience, it would be easy to wonder if I can keep this blog going at all. Well, I’m going to try. It’ll be infrequent, short but hopefully still sort of sweet. And that’ll do for me.
62
Vote
Comments (12)Comments (12) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Life
   


And so now a film festival can be interactive...

April 1st 2011 23:50
Tribeca Film Festival 2011


Nowadays, distance is not always the massive impediment it can be with the plethora of technology we have available to us. To highlight this occurrence, this year the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) in collaboration with American Express, is giving its USA viewers the chance to watch feature and short films without attending the festival. The online screenings will happen at the same time as the physical screenings, heightening that feeling of almost being there.

The festival, co-founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, aims to support growth and culture in Manhattan after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. With its emphasis on independent films, documentaries and shorts, it has become one of the world’s most important film festivals.

There are several ways a viewer can be involved: a blog, intimate Q&A sessions and interactive filmmaker feeds. While international viewers cannot participate in the films screening, they can engage with film-makers and industry experts through its Q&A component, blogs and other social media methods.

This online experience encompasses five main areas: Festival Streaming Room, Live From..., Tribeca Q&A, Filmmaker Feed, and the Future of Film blog.

In the Festival Steaming Room, from the 12th April, American Express members can reserve a ‘virtual seat’ for online screenings of this year's features and shorts, as well as a selection of award-winning shorts from the previous nine festivals. From the 18th April, it is open to the general public.

From 20th April until 1st May, the Live Action segment will show webcams that screen twenty-four hour red carpet events. This allows interaction with other online viewers and participants as well as inside viewing.

The Q&A sessions will allow audiences to submit questions to a pool of 20-25 film and new media experts such as Tribeca’s Jane Rosenthal, Geoff Gilmore and Nancy Schafer, actors such as Whoopi Goldberg and Brian Williams, and filmmakers David Gordon Green, and Zach Braff. Community members can vote on individual questions, and top-rated queries will be submitted for official response, which will then be made public.

The Filmmaker Feed section makes use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter where viewers can read biographies, updates, video updates and genenally remain up-to-date with any developments as well as interact with other participants. Here, viewers can comment and moan away about all their filmic desires.

And lastly, The Future of Film blog involves film and technology experts commenting on the evolving media environment in featured posts. Participants will be announced in early April once the blog begins, so I guess that will happen any moment now.

So while we Aussies can’t take part in the feature and short films screenings (yet at least), we can still talk to directors, learn inside information and generally feel closer to the festival. It’s not the same as actually being there, but it’s still something and who knows what might happen in the future.


37
Vote
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Festivals
   


Sydney's Open Air Cinemas

February 1st 2011 05:05
St George OpenAir Cinema


Combining the cinema with Sydney's long and balmy evenings has become a bit of a tradition for many people over the last few years. It really is the perfect blend: peaceful and beautiful scenery, stars, company, food and a film. Plus, the settings offer the freedom to drink wine or even recline


[ Click here to read more ]
62
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (9)Comments (9) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Festivals
   


Christmas films, why oh why?

December 2nd 2010 22:19
Christmas films
Christmas films

It’s that time of year again. Christmas is looming and inevitably the usual tatty array of predictable festive tales are looming. Now I know I’m sounding Grinch-like but there seems to be a theme or assumption that these are the main kinds of films people want to see in this season. Well, what about me? Yes, I think it’s reasonable to assume that a massive corporation such as Hoyts or Greater Union will be concerned about the little folk like me. I understand the odd festive film, but to be continually and cinematically flooded with its tedious themes? Hmm, it’s a big ask.

[ Click here to read more ]
99
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (12)Comments (12) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Film thoughts
   


Under construction

October 1st 2010 00:30
Under construction.


My blog needs an overhaul and a facelift.

[ Click here to read more ]
120
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (18)Comments (18) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Film thoughts
   


Fish Tank

August 4th 2010 22:05
Fish Tank
Fish Tank 2009

Fish Tank begins with a familiar template, reminiscent of Loach and Leigh, but it doesn’t mean we’ve seen it all before and shouldn’t delve into it. Mia lives with her single working class mum and younger sister in a large decaying council estate maze in Essex. The landscape mostly, though not entirely, is distinguished by blank horizons and vestiges of vanished industries. Words are shrieked as they are felt without pauses for niceness. It is a world where people live too close to each other yet their lives are isolated and only linked by their mutual contempt and abrasion.

[ Click here to read more ]
136
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (13)Comments (13) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Reviews
   


Sex and the City 2

June 7th 2010 09:18
Sex and the City 2
Sex and the City 2

I received the dreaded email the other day: ‘Your Orble blog is inactive’. Fair dues, I understand where they’re coming from. Since creating and sustaining a human life, my beloved blog has been deserted. And Orble has been very understanding and I'm grateful. Every few weeks, I make a silent vow to make time and sit and write my reviews...but somehow it just doesn’t happen. Outsiders might think that my life is one great big tea session with the odd load of washing to do, but nope, it’s busy. It’s a scramble in-between naps, nappies, feeds, food and housework to do other non-baby related things. But, on a quiet aside, my muffin consumption has risen in the last year or so...but surely that’s understandable.

[ Click here to read more ]
202
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (16)Comments (16) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Reviews
   


Micmacs

April 8th 2010 22:32
Micmacs


I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a film like Micmacs which makes it quite a challenge to write some type of a review. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s past films Amelie, A Very Long Engagement and Delicatessen all have a familiar directorial flair for the non-conventional. Amelie is the most successful French-speaking film of all time, yet conversely, Jenuet’s foray into Hollywood, Alien Resurrection (1997) was considered a dismal flop. With Micmacs, Jeunet is back at home in France with his quirky, idiosyncratic tale of a group of social misfits who find a home together. Protagonist, Bazil played by Dany Boon is a hugely popular comedian in France and is best known as the writer-director and co-star of the comedy Welcome to the Sticks (2008


[ Click here to read more ]
155
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (11)Comments (11) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Previews
   


Dedicated method actors

February 22nd 2010 09:32
Method acting, or as it is sometimes known, the Method is a technique where actors rely on using their own emotions for a role. It is believed to be one of the most difficult techniques to learn as there are no technical forms or lessons that can be practised to learn it. The initial approach is to recall a past experience and immerse oneself in the emotion of that experience so as to apply it to the scene presently being undertaken. Thus, this creates a new depth to a part.

The method is thought to have revolutionised acting as we know it today. It is often perceived as the antithesis of the ‘wooden actor’ by using techniques such as sense and memory to achieve realism in acting. Actors often also use vocal intonation or facial expressions to add authenticity. Alternatively, some actors choose to use their imagination to get into the mind of the character and adopt the emotions that the character would have. In both of these approaches, actors can harness real emotions in portraying their characters


[ Click here to read more ]
237
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (13)Comments (13) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Reviews
   


More Posts
July 2011
1 Posts
May 2011
1 Posts
April 2011
1 Posts
Older Posts
210 Posts dating from August 2006
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:
[ View Blog Summary ] [ Create A New Post ]

Tracy's Blogs

305 Vote(s)
9 Comment(s)
3 Post(s)
0 Vote(s)
0 Comment(s)
0 Post(s)
Moderated by Tracy
Copyright © 2012 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]