30th June 2008

IMAX NEWS

Last week I attended a screening of Dreamworks' animated smash hit Kung Fu Panda at the IMAX theatre at Waterloo. Here's the official synopsis:

Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po (voice: Jack Black) is the biggest fan of kung fu around… When he’s unexpectedly chosen to fulfil an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality and he joins the world of kung fu to study alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Mantis (Seth Rogan), Viper (Lucy Lui) and Monkey (Jackie Chan) – under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat.

It's a great family film, with enough sly humour to keep the adults entertained. It's not Pixar great, but it's certainly the best non-Pixar CGI film since the original Shrek. It has appealing characters, good performances, beautiful art design, and a witty script.

It works very nicely on the huge IMAX screen, although it didn't seem as pin-sharp as it might have been.

May I make two suggestions? If you go to see it at the IMAX, sit far back enough that you can take in the whole screen. It's a very kinetic film, with lots of fast-moving action. My other suggestion is that you go into the theatre knowing who provided the voices. I made the mistake of going in without this knowledge, and spent the entire film wracking my brains trying to think who was played by who!

Other forthcoming IMAX presentations:

The X-Men Trilogy and Mystery Men All-Nighter:

Saturday 12th July - this event will be introduced by Sir Ian McKellen (Magneto!) himself. The films are 35mm presentations (filling about a third of the IMAX screen).

The new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, will be showing from July the 25th. The film was partly filmed with IMAX cameras, and so certain scenes will be in native IMAX format (if you see it at an IMAX cinema!)

The BFI Southbank / BFI IMAX Graphic Images: Comic Book Movies season also includes IMAX screenings of 300 (on July 1st and 2nd) and V For Vendetta (on July 22nd).

Full details are available from the cinema:

The BFI IMAX is located at South Bank, London SE1. Nearest tube is Waterloo. Tickets can be bought in advance from the ticket desk or by Tel: 0870 787 2525 or online from www.bfi.org.uk/imax. Ticket prices: IMAX DMR films - Adults £12.50, Concs £9.75, Children £8.00. After Dark All-Nighters: Adults £25.00, Concs £18.00. Standard tickets: Adults £8.50, Concs £6.25, Children £5.00

BOOK NEWS

Telos Publishing have announced a number of interesting titles for the second half of 2008. Here's the press release... click on the titles for links to Telos' website:

AUGUST 2008

Something in the Darkness: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Torchwood Series Two

By Stephen James Walker

A companion guide to Telos' best-selling guide to the first series of Torchwood. Stephen James Walker unpicks the series, looking at the development and build up to transmission, and then extensively reviewing and analysing the transmitted episodes.

SEPTEMBER 2008

A Family At War: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Till Death Us Do Part

By Mark Ward

Mark Ward looks at the background and development of Till Death Us Do Part, one of the most popular and controversial comedies ever to appear on British television. Also contains a complete episode guide to the series.

Taboo Breakers: 18 Independent Films that Courted Controversy and Created a Legend

By Calum Waddell

Eighteen key films are analysed and discussed by Calum Waddell, with extensive interview contributions from the producers, writers, directors and cast.

OCTOBER 2008

Silver Scream: Volume 1: 40 Classic Horror Movies 1920 - 1941

Silver Scream: Volume 2: 40 Classic Horror Movies 1941 - 1951

By Steven Warren Hill

Steven Warren Hill looks at the early days of horror film and discusses and analyses 80 key titles from the period (40 in each volume). Eighty classic films from The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari to The Thing From Another World.

It lives Again! Horror Movies in the New Millennium

By Axelle Carolyn

Presented in a handsome large format, full colour illustrated hardback edition, Axelle Carolyn's assessment and analysis of the state of horror in the 21st Century will be of great interest to film buffs, critics and viewers alike. With an Introduction by Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent, Doomsday) and a Foreword by Mick Garris (Masters of Horror, The Stand, The Shining, Riding The Bullet, Desperation, Bag of Bones).

DECEMBER 2008

Monsters Within: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Doctor Who 2008

By Stephen James Walker

Continuing Telos Publishing's unrivalled coverage of Doctor Who, the 2008 series is subjected to analysis and discussion as Stephen James Walker continues Telos' series of titles looking at the new series of Doctor Who.

Last week's Zeta Minor News can be viewed here.

Previous Zeta Minor News entries can viewed here.