I feel as though I am using the word "epic" a bit recently, but with major movie sequels being dumped every where we turn this year, I make no excuse for over-using the word.
With Mad Max: Fury Road, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jurassic World and now Star Wars: The Force Awakens. We may as well set up camp at the cinema, these are all worth watching on the big screen!
Official Star Wars - The Force Awakens teaser #1
Official Star Wars - The Force Awakens teaser #2
And of course, we have May the 4th in just a few days - and Amazon have put together (dare I say it) - some epic deals for Star Wars fans!
To continue on with the theme of "The year of epic movie sequels", of course we need to have a movie sequel to Jurassic Park. Of course we do.
In June 2015, we have Jurassic World gracing our screens. Not sure if this is one I'd take our 8 year old to see, or even one I'd show him at home on DVD. Judging by his reaction to the first movie, Jurassic Park (1993) during the T-Rex scene, I'm not so sure. He'll boldly tell you that the movie was AWESOME mind you, but he's still no fan of the movie The Mummy. Still too scary.
Jurassic World trailer
After watching the trailer - no wait - before even watching the trailer - is it even any surprise what the movie will be about? Dinosaurs, sure. But what maketh the dinosaur movie so interesting? Dinosaur Mayhem of course. So expect to see people running, screaming, evacuations, warning sirens, and people getting squashed perhaps. Or eaten alive.
I'm not a huge fan of the Jurassic series, but it's still better than watching a chick flick in my opinion :D While I'm no huge fan, it's not to say that this definitely rates up high in the "epic movie sequels of 2015".
Cue scary music...
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We interrupt this transmission with an ad break from our gift shop:
Whether you're a fan or not, if you do happen to be watching any of the Jurassic movies from home, I have one bit of advice. Turn up the surround sound baby!
I guess it depends on a few factors - how old is your child, how old is your child mentally, have they watched other Marvel movies or The Avengers movie and how did they react to them?
We have an 8 year old, who has watched The Avengers and loved it. He has also stated that we are ALL going to the cinema to watch Age of Ultron. Saying that, we have tried getting him to watch The Mummy (hilarious movie with Brendan Fraser) and he thought it was too scary - while just the other day he watched the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark - and he loved it. Go figure! I guess you have make the educated decision yourself, and be ready to leave the cinema in case it's too scary!
Judging by the trailer, it definitely does seem darker (like the Harry Potter movies that get darker and darker each movie). But if there's a Marvel movie that has either Iron Man or Hulk (and in this case, both) - you know it's bound to be very funny too. If you mix the right amount of well timed funny one liners (very much in the style of Iron Man) throughout a dark super hero movie, I think the little kids and the big kids at heart can definitely cope.
I mean, what kid won't crack up laughing at Hulk slamming Loki about like a rag doll? Puny God.
Marvel's The Avengers trailer (first movie)
Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron (released May 2015)
The Marvel franchise is so clever, it appeals to very young kids (Little Golden Books, colour-in books, action figures), the the slightly older kids (story books, computer games and apps) to the adults (games, costumes and not forgetting what started it all, the comic books). So it's no wonder that kids will be asking to watch these movies.
I am! As I mentioned in an earlier post, while I love elaborate costumes and ball gowns, I'm not into girly, romance type movies. And Mad Max is the type of movie I can get into.
It's been a while between movies, with the first one gracing the screens as far back as 1979. The story line only gets crazier as the movies progress, with Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) and Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome (1985). And this year, come May 2015, 30 years after the last Mad Max movie, George Miller is presenting us with Mad Max: Fury Road.
Just a look into the trailer teasers, the movie looks Epic on Steroids. The effects are maddening, the characters are terrifying and the story line? I'm guessing it will be the ultimate in far-fetched. As it should!
What do I like about Mad Max? It's definitely not the barbaric nature of the film. I can put it down to two things: Mad Max's muscle car - a 1973 Ford XB GT Falcon and the movie locations. Yes, I'm a muscle car nut, and as a photographer - I love the baron lands the film uses. To me, this is what makes the films iconic.
The Mad Max car
My first car was a 1976 Ford XB Sedan. It looked nothing like this beast:
The movies
The trailers
I'm excited to see what the cinematography has to offer in this new Mad Max film by George Miller:
Here's the first Mad Max (1979) movie trailer - quite different from what we're about to see with Fury Road!
Mad Max gifts
Whether you're Mad for Mad Max or muscle cars in general - check out these items!
(In order: picture book, model kit, poster, wall decal, reference book, tshirt, book, toy cars and Mad Max games.)
Muscle Mayhem
And here's a little sneak peek into something I am working on, that is inspired by movies such as Mad Max, Death Proof and Bullit.
It's a photographic project titled Muscle Mayhem, which is to be released.... Oh I don't know - when I finish it! It's been 4 years in the making already, and every single part of making this project has been fun. A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to photograph a replica Mad Max vehicle at Calder Park Raceway (I even got to have a joy ride around the Calder Park Thunderdome!). People came dressed up as characters of the film, and here are some pictures of the day:
Humungous at Calder Park:
A few of my favourite shots, straight from the camera: A couple of shots with my storyboard sketches:
This weekend I'm off to see the new movie, Cinderella! I'm not really into girly, romance type movies - but I am into elaborate costumes! I have already watched a video clip on the making of Cinderella's dress, which was so inspiring. So if this movie is at all good and doesn't make me eye-roll, it's a win-win for me :D
Whether you're a hopeless romantic or just love to frock up - there's likely no chance of us ever owning something as beautiful as Cinderella's amazing ball gown. But, we can always surround ourselves with Cinderella themed goodies! Or throw a Cinderella or Princess themed cocktail party. I'm always up for a bit of glitz and glam and dress-ups :)
I've put together some ideas to get your mind thinking of the various possibilities!
Party fun (Cinderella Cocktail Party or Princess Party)
(In order: glass slipper favours, magic wands, balloons, door entrance curtain, cookie cutters, cupcake toppers, signs, cocktail glasses.)
Costumes
Gifts (for them) and decor (for you)
The movie and soundtrack
The original animated movie and soundtrack
Imagine a girls night in, all dressed up as Cinderella, drinking fairy-tale cocktails and a movie marathon with both the original animated movie and the new Cinderella movie. Perfect!
Customize your own Cinderella merchandise
And just when you thought there was enough merchandise to choose from - Zazzle (a print on demand site) have also got a new range of official Cinderella merchandise on offer. What does that mean? You can choose whatever design you like on almost whatever product you like! Such as these:
