What was the last movie you've seen?

[Stark]

What's a tracking shot?

[prfsnl_gmr]

A tracking shot is technically any shot in a film in which the camera is mounted to tracks to give the viewer a "smooth" view of the action or scene. When I think of a tracking shot, however, I think of a very long take of uninterrupted action or scenery. They are particularly impressive due to the amount of choreography and coordination necessary to execute them properly. This links provides some good examples:

http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2007/ ... est-tr.php

http://filmmakeriq.com/2011/04/25-great-tracking-shots/

Basically, if you notice a few minutes between cuts, then you are viewing what I consider a tracking shot.

EDIT: The Protector has a nearly four minute, uninterrupted shot of the protagonist ascending a very large, spiral staircase and - basically - beating the hell out of every person he encounters on his ascent. The actor is clearly exhausted about two minutes into the shot, but the action continues uninterrupted. It is simply amazing. YOu can watch it if you follow the second link.

[Gamerforlife]

I think it is a shame to only see this as a martial arts film because it is much more than that.

Damn straight. It isn't just a martial arts movie, and the movies it is being compared to is plain silly.

It's like calling ROBOCOP a robot movie because there are robots in it; it isn't. RAID: THE REDEMPTION is its own thing. And it is amazing.

Oh c'mon, it IS just a martial arts movie. You want a movie about survival. There are TONS of movies that handle that subject matter better than The Raid, many of which are in the horror genre. The Raid has zero substance beyond the cool action sequences. The Raid is a mindless action fest, nothing more. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but there are movies that deliver that, plus an awesome story. Some of those movies have fights that are memorable too, while most of the Raid's fights I mostly forgot about after I was done with the movie, except for the last fight. That one is admittedly awesome, but even that fight is bested by plenty of epic, movie ending fights from other martials arts movies.

Also, as I mentioned before, I think a battle that MATTERS adds something to it. Most people will just analyze the fights in The Raid on a purely technical level, but one of the things that makes fights in other movies better than the ones here are that they have stories that make those fights matter. The Raid's story is weak, making the fights mean nothing beyond the simple enjoyment of them on a physical, visceral level. The final battle in The Man from Nowhere is more memorable and classic to me than ANY fight in The Raid for that very reason.

Course, if we take story out of the equation and just rate how badass the fights are in The Raid just in terms of moves, choreography, stunts, etc. I still don't think it warrants the hype it's gotten. I've heard people say it's the best martial arts movie in the past decade, even the best of all time, which is ridiculous. Tony Jaa, Yanin "Jeeja" Vismistananda, Donnie Yen, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan in his prime have done more impressive stuff in their respective movies than what I've seen in The Raid, and that's not even mentioning some other great martial arts stars. And yeah, Bruce Lee too. Enter the Dragon is a better film than The Raid is. Shaolin, that 2011 movie, has way more awesome action in it than The Raid. Granted it not as "gritty" or "urban" or whatever, but as a pure martial arts movie it kicks The Raid's ass.

I know I sound like I'm hating on The Raid. Hey, at least I said that it's GOOD, just a bit overrated. I'm not this guy:

http://www.rogerebert.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... /120329993

As for Ong Bak being better than Chocolate, I'd said my piece on that. I'll reiterate, anyone who believes that is crazy. Chocolate shits all over Ong Bak. Now if you want to compare it to The Protector, I can't comment. I still haven't gotten around to seeing The Protector. I will say though that The Protector is not the first movie to do one long tracking shot with tons of action, but it could be the best for all I know. I'll have to check out that link

[Luke]

It is official.

[AppleQueso]

I am primed and ready for my blinding lightsaber flares

bring it on

[Luke]

I am primed and ready for my blinding lightsaber flares

bring it on

I going out on a limb here, but the new Star Wars may possibly have *gasp* actual sets. One thing I will give to JJ is that he doesn't fuck around with set design.

Remember how awesome it was to see Endor?

___________________


Pillow Pants.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Finally saw Attack the Block and Raid: Redemption.


Attack the Block: Meh. Wasn't nearly as good as I expected, and felt like a "my first movie" deal.

Raid: I'm with GamerForLife here, its not nearly as good as everyone makes out. The action was good, but it missed a little something needed to make it go over the top. Also, I think it would have benefited from poorly done dubs. Just sayin'.

[TheSegaSaturnGuy]

Last night I watched Mirrors. It was a damn scary movie, one of the best I have seen in a while. Not sure why I didnt watch it when it was in theaters.

[noiseredux]

^I slept in this room that last night. Srsly.

[KillerJuan77]

^I slept in this room that last night. Srsly.

Ti West's The Innkeepers?