Movie Review: The Hangover Part II (2011)
By Joel Massieand Mike A. Massie

The Hangover Part II offers another dose of debauched misadventures from the “wolf pack” of comedians sure to please those hungering for more after the original film. A familiar blend of severity and silliness returns to keep the proceedings entertaining, if not a little too serious. Personal injuries and drug-fueled antics don’t exactly lose their edge after a few one-liners attempt to obscure their gravity and all of Zach Galifianakis’ scatterbrained outbursts can’t counteract the repulsiveness of the film’s cruder moments. If The Hangover Part II’s primary mission was to top its predecessor in shock value, it succeeded. We’re not sure if that’s a compliment or not.

On the eve of Stu’s (Ed Helms) wedding in Thailand, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Doug (Justin Bartha), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) convince the normally mild-mannered dentist to join them for one last drink on the beach. When the group of friends awaken the next morning in Bangkok with no memory of the previous night’s transgressions and discover that the bride’s younger brother Teddy (Mason Lee) is now missing, they must once again retrace their footsteps to locate the vanished youth and return Stu in time for his wedding. But when their exploration leads them to vengeful gangsters, cigarette-smoking monkeys, and the return of an old criminal kingpin, remembering their drunken mishaps will be the first thing they’ll want to forget.

Although it’s touted as a sequel and dubbed “Part II,” this follow-up to the hugely successful previous comedy is almost more of a remake. The similarities between the two are abundant, starting with an identical cast, the very same story, a matching tone, equal servings of bawdiness and mayhem, familiar male exposure (what happened to the days of gratuitous female nudity?), a loudly intrusive soundtrack, and all sorts of bodily fluids. The trio’s reaction to unexpected events, panicky situations, mysterious acquaintances, contraband, drugs and unnaturally forgiving wives remains on par with the original as well. If the formula works and fans are itching for more, stick with it, the filmmakers clearly note.

“I can’t believe this is happening again!” screams Stu in a grimy Bangkok alley. The Hangover Part II brings spontaneity to new heights, despite its recycled plot, especially with its interest in severe dilemmas. Lighthearted humor is reserved almost entirely for Zach Galifianakis, who once again steals the show with his wildly eccentric, disturbingly idiosyncratic, stay-at-home son personality and disregard for safety, propriety and poise. The rest is a blend of darkly comical misadventures ranging from disquieting to shocking to downright abhorrent. At every turn the trio is assaulted with violence, questionable pharmaceuticals, threats, filth, sexual deviance and visual nastiness, making the experience a rarer form of comedy, a successful box office venture (based on the first film’s $44 million opening), and even a critical winner (landing the Golden Globe for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy). Too bad this sequel is likely to be panned for the rather ignorant approach to Thailand, a racial error Sex and the City 2 couldn’t escape.

- The Massie Twins (http://GoneWithTheTwins.com)

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Take a moment to check it out on IndieGoGo and also share it with your friends.  All the tools are there.  Get VIP perks, make a contribution, or simply follow updates.  If enough of us get behind it, we can make ‘CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator’ happen.

Please visit http://www.indiegogo.com/CUPIC-Diary-of-an-Investigator?a=36637&i=emal

Click here to view the embedded video.

Making a High Quality Production Without the High Costs
By Scott Duglase

For those in the media business, there is a constant concern of getting the most for their money. The question you will hear most often is: How can we get a high quality production and still come in on budget? Here are three major points in an effort to help answer this question regarding basics for your productions. They can help you reach your goal to get more for less.

High quality production means high definition visuals.

In any production “high quality,” is synonymous with high-definition media output. In the current media milieu of Blu-Ray disks, bigger screens, and better output, HD is simply the way it must be. While HD production can at times be expensive, it is no longer the norm. Shoppers have easy access to pick up HD recording devices for use in home videos. Now is the time to insist on top quality and use HD visuals. Your budget will remain low, but your quality will go through the roof.

High quality production means impeccable sound.

Along with great picture quality is the importance of great sound quality. Another area where current technology has come to the rescue is sound. You now have the means for crystal-clear sound without killing the budget. Your speaking audio is not the only thing that should be clear. You want your music and sound effects to be just as clear. With the wide availability of music programs and royalty-free compositions, you can create a production with full orchestra accompaniment without spending a dollar more than the cost of a stock media subscription or a collection of music that you are authorized to use.

High quality production means stunning photography.

If your budget and time resources don’t allow awesome aerial shots, powerful close-ups, or soaring panoramas, this is where the amazing resource of stock photography comes into play. Stock photography means the availability of absolutely high quality photography at a fraction of the cost it would require for taking original photography. A high quality media production demands excellent photography in every way, but low-budget productions simply can’t afford larger cameras, tracks, booms, and other sophisticated, high-dollar equipment. What low-budget productions can do is borrow the product of such advanced photographic equipment, and employ it directly in their own low cost, high quality production.

Of course you will not be able to make a multi-million dollar production on a shoestring budget and that is not what is being said. But by paying careful attention to picture quality, sound quality, and the array of photography selection, we can get pretty close.

Scott Duglase is a marketing executive from Atlanta. He often uses stock footage in his campaigns. HD video stock footage is the only way to go for a high quality production. Stock video footage, specifically, is a powerful way to enhance any production.

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Yes, I am diligently posting Episode One of the series and I’m also pushing 2, 3, and 4 to production. Yes, I know, life events have slowed this production to a crawl, but through it all I have been determined to keep this project alive and well.
(Where does such diligence comes from regarding me and this series? There will be an upcoming article, written by me, about this very subject?)
What to look out for in the coming weeks?
1. All CactusPix websites will be updated and the CUPICtv page will be totally overhauled.
2. The first CUPICtv trailer is coming soon
3. Production information for episodes 2 through 4 will be posted on the CactusPix main site.
4. Episode 1 should be officially ready for webcast in late October, early November.
We will continue to keep you updated on all of the details via our websites, Facebook, and twitter.

DSLR Reviews
By Dusty Lindemann

Nikon D3x, Canon EOS-1D, Sony Alpha… Trying to buy the right DSLR camera? There are some technical things that set them apart but what really sets them apart is your filmmaking style and your ability to be a good technician.

Do you know how to do follow focus, color correction, manage audio levels, pocket dolly and letterbox your movie in post production? The little things make a big difference in the quality of your film.

Follow focus: A follow focus is a focus control device that mounts to your camera lens and controls focus. It is much easier on your wrist and will give you delicate precision when you are trying to rack focus.

Color correction: Color correcting your image in post production will make colors rich and vivid when you play with contract, saturation and luma levels.

Audio: With some firmware, you can install audio level meters to monitor your audio and make sure nothing is overmodulated.

Pocket dolly: With a pocket dolly, you can have a mini version of a traditional dolly and create smooth pan shots that will give your image a cinema quality.

Letterboxing: Although you shot your film with a 16:9 aspect ratio, you can letterbox the image in post production so it has a 2.4:1 aspect ratio and looks like Lawrence of Arabia. The alternative to letterboxing is using an anamorphic lens so you don’t need to do post production to achieve that aspect ratio.

It is true that the little things make a big difference when it comes to DSLR filmmaking so if you can master these tricks, you will become the next Steven Spielberg with a camera that is worth only a couple grand.

To view samples of DSLR movies, visit http://dslrmovies.blogspot.com/

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7 Ways to Learn Filmmaking and Get a Film Education
By Shane M. M. Boyd

If you have been wanting to learn filmmaking but didn’t know where to start, this article will be of some help to you. While you’ll be no Steven Spielberg after reading this article, you will however receive 7 ways to learn filmmaking and get a film education.

Attend a Film College

There are a lot of film colleges to choose from and you can learn filmmaking from any one of them. So just apply yourself and get into a good school. However, if film college is too expensive right now don’t worry. There are other ways to get a film education without going to college.

There’s No Basic Filmmaking Degree

Having said that, don’t expect to enroll in a college and get a “filmmaking degree” that is universally accepted. Every Film College has their own special degree. Some are geared for television, some are geared for movies or short films. Others still do not offer a degree, they simply offer a filmmaking certificate. So know what you are in for before you enroll in a Film University.

Learn Filmmaking On Your Own

Many of the best directors in the business did not attend film college. Some of the greatest of all time were self taught, and you can be too. There are many film courses and filmmaking courses you can purchase for a small fee. If film school is too expensive, simply buy an online filmmaking course and start there.

Make Films on Your Own

To be a successful filmmaker, you’ll need to make films. Practice making films every week or every day even. If filmmaking is your passion, then this part will be easy. It’s like a star quarterback practicing throwing the pig skin. It’s just plain fun.

Put Together a Demo Reel

While you learn filmmaking, keep copies of your best work. Simply put your work on DVDs and save them. You can even store them on your computer’s hard drive. The reason you’ll want to do this is some film companies want to see your demo reel before they even talk to you. If you continue to build your reel while you learn filmmaking, odds are you’ll have hours and hours of footage to share. This will look quite impressive when you’re applying for filmmaking jobs.

Become an Independent Filmmaker

If you have no interest in working for a major motion picture company, then you can just do it yourself. This way, you’ll have the freedom you want and the money will soon follow.

Buy Books and Courses About Filmmaking

Become a student of your profession. Continue to further your education and learn filmmaking from the professionals. You can buy books and courses online for next to nothing that will help you further your filmmaking education. You can learn a lot of filmmaking tips that you won’t learn in film school.

Learn Filmmaking Tips That Will Save You Time and Money at Movie Making Tips

Get Filmmaking Tips from Top Experts Such As Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, David Hoffman and Alfred Hitchcock at Movie Making Tips

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DSLR Filmmaking
By Dusty Lindemann

DSLR filmmaking is disrupting Hollywood and creating a new era in the filmmaking world. Everyone can become a star now and walk the red carpet because of a camera that cost as little as $700 and has an image that looks like a million dollars.

DSLR cameras can record high definition images at 1080p30, 1080p24 and most likely 1080p60 in the near future. The extreme express card that media is recorded to can store four minutes of footage for every gigabyte of data. Therefore, a 4 gb express card can store 12 minutes of footage. A 64 gb express card can store 256 minutes of footage. That is a ton of footage and the images are amazing!

It’s hard to believe that these little cameras are keeping up with traditional cinema cameras in Hollywood. Sometimes DSLR cameras are used to shoot cutaway shots for tv shows like 24, feature films and commercials. Their small size and light weight allow them to shoot footage in confined space and on the run – something not possible with the bigger, unwieldy cameras in Hollywood. Just imagine the possibilities and what the future will bring.

But what will the future bring? Will Hollywood studios crumble? Will business models adapt to the trend of cheap filmmaking that looks like it had a Hollywood budget? A film that once cost a million dollars to make can now be made for a few grand. What will happen? This is up to you. If you want to be a filmmaker, there has never been a greater opportunity to make your mark than now.

To watch samples of DSLR movies, visit http://dslrmovies.blogspot.com/

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7 Low Budget Film Making Tips to Help You Make Your First No Budget Film
By Shane M. M. Boyd

If you are considering getting into the movie making business, it is crucial to understand that low budget film making is the best place to start. Even if you are considering Film College, consider making your own no budget film before you even begin. This article gives you 7 low budget film making tips to help you make your first no budget film.

Use A Camera You Already Have

There is no sense in buying a big fancy Hollywood type of camera. Many B movies have been shot on digital cameras. And the digital cameras today are pretty good. Even if you don’t own one, borrow one from a friend or relative.

Don’t Cast Actors, Cast Amateurs

Many times you can cast amateur actors for little to no cost. Don’t look for normal actors; look for people you already know that will fit the part. Your goal here is to learn low budget film making, so keep your movie budget super low. Don’t waste it on actors.

Don’t Shoot Complex Scenes

Keep your scenes simple. Don’t spread your actors into several rooms and try to bounce back and forth. Keep about 3-4 people in the same room, in the same shot. Don’t get any more complex than a close up shot occasionally.

Keep The Movements Simple

You are not making a Hollywood movie just yet, so don’t put any chasing or running scenes in the movie right now. Those are just too hard to film. Use the dialogue of the movie to advance the plot. Right now you really can’t use fancy images or movements the way high budget movies do.

Shoot At Ordinary Locations

The best places to shoot movies is at your home, parks, your vehicle and basically anywhere else you can shoot without paying a fee. Talk to your friends and see if they’ll let you shoot at their place. Maybe a relative of yours has a cool venue like a warehouse or something they’ll let you shoot at. Keep it simple for now.

There Is No Perfect Take

Don’t wait around for the perfect take or the perfect scene. Your actors are not being paid so they are not going to want to wait around for your to get the perfect shot. Take all the shots you need and edit later. Your goal here is to release a low budget movie, not a Hollywood production.

Good Is Good Enough

Remember, you are learning low budget film making before you even waste your time of film college or film schools, so good is good enough. Edit the film and roll it out the door for production. If you enjoyed the whole movie making process, then you can look into some filmmaking courses that’ll help you learn filmmaking.

Get your FREE Filmmaking Tips and learn how to avoid the 7 Sins of First-Time Filmmakers. Get Important Filmmaking Secrets and Tips from working professionals at FREE Filmmaking Tips

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Best Beginner Telescopes
By Aidan James

I’m sometimes asked to recommend the best beginner telescopes and my first comment is often “the one you are most likely to use”! It’s not that I’m intending to be blunt or to cause further confusion but seriously one of the over-riding factors is going to be whether you are going to be inclined to haul a big heavy telescope around or whether you are really only going to use something very light and portable.

You see all things being equal the diameter of the lens or mirror (depending on what type of telescope you get) tends to govern what you can achieve with the telescope. Bigger is generally better, in that the bigger scopes capture more light and allow greater magnification for seeing those deep-sky objects.

Magnification however is a two edged sword, too much and you will just end up with a fuzzy image so there is a trade-off to be balanced. In very broad terms, take the diameter of your lens or mirror in millimetres and multiply it by 2 to know the upper limit of magnification for the scope.

Refractors tend to produce slightly sharper images than reflectors but good big refractors can be difficult to use properly and very expensive. Reflectors on the other hand are easier to manufacture so are cheaper and often more easily handled by beginners. That said a simple small refractor is easy to grab for a quick casual session on the roof or deck and can be a handy little instrument in the city or suburbs where light pollution can overwhelm larger reflectors anyway.

Buying for kids and living away from the suburbs? The big Dobsonian telescopes are really excellent, so simple to use, giving great views but really best away from the city, (they are pretty cumbersome to transport too).

Catadioptric telescopes are sort of a half refractor and half reflector and are capable of capturing great images, indeed they are often used by astro-photographers but that is a subject a little more advanced than the usual beginner level telescope buyer needs to get too wrapped up in.

Another over-riding factor is the obvious one of budget. There are some really awful scopes out there aimed at beginners but in truth likely to give the poor buyer such a bad experience that it turns them off amateur astronomy for ever after! Avoid those eBay and department store ‘bargains’ if you want a good experience or want to encourage a young astronomer.

Amazon however has some truly excellent telescopes on offer from a variety of good brands like Celestron, Orion, Sky-Watcher, Meade and others at really great prices. Be aware though that depending where you are in the world you might not be able to purchase from there because of international warranty arrangements.

Read more on purchasing the best beginner telescopes or grab a bargain at Telescopechoice.com.

See my Squidoo lens for more on how to choose a good beginners telescope and some specific recommendations. Telescopes for Beginners, helping others get a start in astronomy or check out my hub Choosing a Beginners Telescope

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Super Massive Black Hole Formation
By Dennis Huff

A super massive black hole is thought to form from the joining of smaller black holes. Since black holes take in matter, over time they grow. If two black holes come together, and then another and so on, a super massive black hole is eventually formed. Most super massive black holes exist within the center of galaxies. Our own milky way galaxy has one, and it is thought that all galaxies have one of these giants at its center. So, are they the result of the joining of many smaller black holes? It is quite possible that they can form in this way, but I believe the majority of them form in a different manner.

There is an evolution to the formation of a galaxy. I maintain that there is an evolution to everything, including the universe. In order to paint a clear picture of the evolution of a galaxy to include super massive black holes, we have to go all the way back to the beginning. If there was one, and it does not matter what beginning we start with. I don’t care if it was the big bang or the Nothing Universe, the only thing that matters is matter. That we have the material needed to build ourselves a galaxy. If you believe in the big bang than you believe that a singularity exploded to form the known Universe. In this case there would be a little added step in the evolutionary scale. In this case sub atomic particles would have to come together to form protons, neutrons, and electrons. Any unstable, exotic particles would disappear as the universe began to cool. It is important to point out that the big bang is not really thought of as an explosion by all. Some rather like Guth’s Inflation theory. This still relies on a hot and dense singularity that expands rather than explodes. The expansion would be extremely fast, perhaps exceeding the speed of light.

The other competing theories are the steady state, and osculating universe. The steady state maintains the universe has and always will exist much as it has. If this is the case than this hypothesis of mine is out the window. The Osculating universe maintains that the universe expands and contracts in a never ending cycle of beginnings and ends. In this case my hypothesis is still valid. The evolution of the universe fits nicely with my Nothing Universe hypothesis. As the nothing atoms were destroyed the materials left behind were protons, neutrons,and electrons. For more on this idea, you can read my article entitled, “The Nothing Universe”.

After the event that lead to the formation of the universe, protons and electrons came together to form hydrogen. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe followed by helium. Hydrogen was first. Helium formed next, thanks to star formation. Once Massive clouds of hydrogen began to form, the process of separation began. Within this expanse of hydrogen, stars began to take shape as enough hydrogen came together to sustain fusion. The processes within this star will form the higher elements. All over this cloud, proto stars are forming as they become the first known stellar objects in the universe. All of this is taking place in the outer regions of the hydrogen cloud. At this point all of the hydrogen has separated as dictated by gravity and galaxies are beginning to form. In each of these clouds, at the center it is becoming denser and denser. Proto stars are starting to form, but there is too much matter in this region. Perhaps a super massive star forms or starts to form. These super massive stars could have existed in the center of each galaxy, but there life spans would be extremely short. Burning up their fuel rapidly. Since there is so much material in this region of space that even if a super massive star forms it can not maintain hydrostatic equilibrium. And, it is thought that anything over around a 150 solar masses would want to push itself apart. The core generation would be enough to over come its own gravity, in theory.

The center of each young galaxy could have been a nursery for these massive stars. Eventually one of these stars collapsed to form a black hole, which immediately began to feed on the surrounding material. Eventually this black hole will have consumed all of the available material nearby and what is left is a super massive black hole. There is the other possibility that Multiple black holes form in this region, consuming the material around it until there is nothing left to feed on but each other. This, of course would be the same as the currently held ideas about their formation. I believe that one large black hole forms and then consumes the abundant material around it, that is present in the center of these young galaxies. This explains why each galaxy has a super massive black hole at its center, because that is the region of space where the most material collected as the early universe began to separate into galaxies.

In the outer, less dense regions, the remaining material has come together to form stars. These stars will go through their evolutions, to form black holes or go super nova. The death of these stars will provide the material for the next stage in the evolution of our universe, the formation of solar systems. If super massive black holes exist outside of the center of a galaxy than it is more likely that it formed by two or more black holes coming together. The ones at the center of each galaxy form as a result of the evolution of a galaxies formation. As hydrogen came together the center is the most dense. Super massive ones form here. The outer regions are less dense, and so we find black holes there.

Dennis James Huff

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