Ok, so there’s this renowned film critic named Roger Ebert. Some of you may have heard of him.  Well, he just listed this 3 minute YouTube video, “Idiot with a Tripod” as Oscar-Worthy. Uh…Whositwhadda??  Here are his arguments:

“This film deserves to win the Academy Award for best live-action short subject.
(1) Because of its wonderful quality. (2) Because of its role as homage. It is directly inspired by Dziga Vertov’s 1929 silent classic “Man With a Movie Camera.” (3) Because it represents an almost unbelievable technical proficiency. It was filmed during the New York blizzard of Dec. 26, and Jamie Stuart e-mailed it to me with this time stamp: December 27, 2010 4:18:18 PM CST.”

And here are my counter-arguments

• Quality. Ok the film isn’t even listed at any resolution higher than 360p. Show me something at 1080p and THEN we’ll talk.  But let’s say Roger is talking about the quality of imagery.  Ok, fine, he has some interesting shots taken with his Canon 7D, but show me a first year film student who couldn’t shoot similarly framed shots with their own Canon 7D/5D/t2i.  Maybe it’s the fact he documented this small moment in time and that’s what’s so beautiful?  Ok, sure, but let’s be honest. OSCAR-WORTHY!?
• Homage.  So you’re admitting that these 3 minutes aren’t even sprung from an original idea? “Man With A Movie Camera” is gorgeously shot, 68 minutes in length, and pushed film to new heights when it was released in 1929.  This is not innovative.
• Quick Turn-around. This is what gets my goat.  I have friends that turn out more beautiful work by the end of a standard work day.  Shit, all of the videos that we created as a part of the Samsung Mobile Explorers Program during the Olympics were written, pre-produced, shot, captured, transcoded, edited, post-produced, and published to the web in under 12 hours!  I’m not saying the quality of “vision” is any better than this, but it’s just an example of how 24 hours is NOT an example of  ”unbelievable technical proficiency”.  This guy stole someone else’s music and edited snow footage to it.  Not even that well I might add.

Dear Mr. Ebert,
If you want to see some amazing quality and  technical ability, please check out some of my YouTube friends: FreddieW, DeStorm, Mystery Guitar Man, Totally Sketch, Black Box TV, and, hell, ME.  We regularly churn out amazing work in LESS time than this guy from New York.  He just happened to email you a link to his.  Well guess what, check your inbox tomorrow. I bet you’ll realize just how wrong you’ve been.  Welcome to new media, my friend.

~Ethan Newberry

PS – Normally you’re pretty awesome.

Above is the much talked about second trailer for Tron: Legacy.  The concessus I’ve gathered is that people trust the visuals, but are still weary of the story.  I have two words: JEFF BRIDGES.  It’s The Dude, people! Everything will be just fine.

People have also been talking about how young Jeff Bridges doesn’t necessarily break the uncanny valley, stinks of CG, and just fails as a character.  While I understand the arguments that the technique could use some finesse (especially around the mouth with audio syncing and the skin textures being far to perfect), I am 100% able to suspend my disbelief purely because of the awesome that riddles this trailer and the hope it brings.  From the Recognizers sheer mass and the obviously fantastic art direction to the glowing suits and kick ass Light-Jet revealed at the end.  There’s no doubt that this movie will be a fun ride into a newly imagined computer world.  I’ve even heard rumors Disneyland is looking to expand their theme parks with a Tron ride!

Now as my previous article states, I’ve been stoked as hell for the soundtrack.  Once I got wind that Daft Punk was at the helm, my nerd-boner went full staff, raising a flag of pure man-glee.  We got a sneak into the sound they are creating in the first trailer and a bit in this second trailer as well.  Then today, we are able to listen to 6 tracks off the album.

My first reaction, “Oh, No.”  I am finding the sound so lackluster and generic that I fear disappointment come November when the album is released.  The tracks do nothing to tell me that Daft Punk had ANY influence in them at all.  To me, Daft Punk are the type of artists that push sound to new levels.  They bring electronic production to the mainstream while still revolutionizing the genres.  By following the link below, you too can listen to the tracks and hear for yourself.  I, for one, am having doubts about this album being nothing more than a generic partner-disc to the film.

Here is the link to the tracks: 6 Tron: Legacy Tracks by Daft Punk

My only hope is that the rest of the album fleshes out Daft Punk’s sound; that interspersed tracks feature what they are known for and the audience has been dying for.  More beats, more tempo, 8 bit, sonic walls of pure electronic bliss.  This album has the potential to reach new audiences and create an entirely new soundtrack paradigm.  By listening to these small samples, I’m believing studio execs are controlling the wrists of our electronic robot gods.  My advice to those execs, is to take your hands off and let the artists do what they do best: revolutionize the film’s soundtrack and explode our eardrums with awesome.

The Nike Vomero+ 5's

So a few posts ago (here), I talked about my struggle to find a decent shoe to run in and form a long distance relationship with (hehe, get it?)  Well, I’m happy to report that after judicious use the Nike Vomero+ 5 has proven itself to be a fairly good shoe.  I only have a couple of qualms and points of interest before you go and purchase your pair.  (continue reading…)

The Nike Vomero+ 5's

I’m both a distance runner and a big, heavy boy.  Two seemingly opposite qualities.  How can a big, 6’1″ 195lb ginger boy run marathons without dying from body jiggle and breaking his own knee joints?  I tell you, it has a lot to do with the shoes, running form, and lube. Lots of lube.  (continue reading…)