Computer Animation Arts

Deadpool 2 (PG-13 Re-release) Ryan Reynolds shared a picture (above) of Deadpool on Twitter this week. In the photo Deadpool is seen taking on the role of the Grandfather (played by Peter Falk) in a recreation of The Princess Bride (1987). Fred Savage, who played the young boy in the 1987 can be seen reprising his role too. There hasn't been any official announcement yet but its thought to be a shot from a PG-13 re-release of Deadpool 2 scheduled for the December. If this is the case it is likely that Deadpool 2 (PG-13) will use the same narrative framing device to account for the adult sequences being cut from the original film. 

A message from Kath following today's screening of Blade Runner 2049 : Hi All, Hope you enjoyed the screening this week of the new Blade Runner film. As promised here is my email. Please message me with your essay title/ideas that you are working on and I will reply. kath.abiker@canterbury.ac.uk Some info on the films - the original and the new version - as well as a good quality source on the film and its relationship to postmodernism. Happy watching and reading. Kath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFAdUuqrlVU https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/08/blade-runner-2049-review-a-future-classic http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/blade-runner-2049-review-spectacular-profound-blockbuster-time/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304073162_Postmodern_Theory_and_Blade_Runner

The original scene... The appropriation...

Yep.

Oh, what camp, ironic marvellousness is this?  For any soon-to-be year 2 students enjoying this, welcome to the wonderful world of postmodernism! (Now where did I put my flares?)

This cheered me up no end! Please share as widely as possible!

I saw this - and thought of our CAA Year 2 students and their current foray into the wonderful world of postmodern pastiche and meta-fictional japes...

In light of the US Election today - and some of our recent postmodern-themed conversations about 'dead white men' and covert ideologies dressed up like reality, this animation from Sophie Koko Gate captures the mood nicely!   Straight White Men from Sophie Koko Gate on Vimeo .

At last we have the answer to the question, "What do you get if you cross Trumpton with The Wicker Man? " Radiohead 's creepy video for their latest, Burn The Witch ...

Disney animator Eric Goldberg's couch gag for The Simpsons ...

How timely for our Year 2s:  a postmodern satire on a film you've recently enjoyed! Somehow, this is quite depressing :(

In 1998, director Gus Van Sant remade Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho  - pretty much shot-for-shot, give or take a few additions, notably some subliminal cuts of seemingly random images.  It was universally panned by critics: Rotten Tomatoes states "Van Sant's pointless remake neither improves or illuminates Hitchcock's original."   It certainly seemed like an odd choice for a respected director, and an intelligent director at that.  Watching the remake is a very strange experience.  It feels familiar, of course, but also synthetic: it's Psycho -flavoured all right, but it isn't a real flavour; it's artificial and unsatisfying, as saccharine is to sugar.   One might be tempted to think the Psycho remake is a knowing art-house appropriation in the style of Sherrie Levine , who likewise enjoys disrupting existing legacies and superimposing parasite meanings on revered or especial cultural artefacts... Pointless remake or another postmodern mind game...

Yep, that pretty much does it.

Well, it's a bit late/early for meta-fiction related content on this blog, but I saw this and it made me 'laugh out loud'.

Just when the second years thought they'd seen and heard the last of postmodern meta-ness!  Check out this short, sweet exploration of a) the meaning of life or b) the labour-of-love that is animation...

More Death Of The Author fun and games here as the seemingly irreconcilable worlds of Breaking Bad and Frozen are mashed together to comic - and strangely moving - effect.  In a previous post, I suggested how Disney might be 'queered' in terms of the meanings ascribed it by audiences , and here, the original intent of two distinct texts are again re-enscribed for parodic effect.

Saw this - made me smile!

While exploring the realms of hyperreality within my  postmodernism research, I came across an interesting article showcasing a selection of hyperrealistic paintings from artists around the globe, discussing their techniques. The attention to detail and realism within to their work provoke a self induced argument that make you question whether or not they are photographs or paintings. There are plenty of examples out there, these are a just a select few, take a look! Off the Track, by Denis Peterson  (Urenthanes on Wooden Panel) Berkeley Pinto, by Robert Bechtle  (Oil on Canvas) Volkswagen , by Don Eddy  (Acrylic on Canvas) Gap Outlet, Waterside Shops, by  Tom Blackwell  (Oils on Canvas) Supersandwhich! by Tjalf Sparnaay  (Oil on Linen) Monument Square by  Anthony Brunelli  (Oil on Linen) 1908 Indian Racer by Peter Maier  (Oil on Canvas) Bahama Surf by Charles Hartley  (Oil on Polyester) ...

I was fully prepared to hate this movie on principle - I mean come on - but discovered to my growing disquiet that I was rather charmed by the faux-stopmotion CGI and the meta-gags.   The LEGO Movie - harmless fun, or another symptom of our cultural bankruptcy and enslavement by mega-corporations?   Discuss!