Bionicle: Next Generation - The Empire

I cannot take credit for anything on this one except all the 3D animation. But the music, the editing, the modeling and some compositing were all done by the great team at BNG (which I'm apart of). I look forward to showing everyone more that I and others will be doing for this ambitious project.

Surprise!

What could this be? Hmm...

Check back December 1, 2011 to find out.

Sintel

This was made by the Blender Foundation and was released online by them not that long ago. It is truly amazing!

Thomas Doubt

This is one of our first Macnstrobe Movies in a long time. Enjoy!

(Note, this is the unfinished version, there is at least one scene that needs pickup shooting done, and obviously audio and visual effects)

Maybe.. Hopefully..

Well.. it's summer again.. and Macnstrobe Films has been practically been non existent for the last 6-8 months and in all truthfulness it's demoralizing, discouraging, disheartening, saddening, etc... Hopefully with the start of summer some progress will be made. But the question is.. progress on what? As a member of Macnstrobe I am most definitely NOT proud to admit that I have no idea whatsoever about works in progress, ideas, or anything at all about what Macnstrobe has in store right now. I'm trying not to worry but something must change. We must get back on track. Or at least start, or start over. Soon.

What's Happened?

Has there been a writer's block? Has Macnstrobe been too busy lately? Have we quit on Macnstrobe? Where are all the ideas? The posts? The updates? Does anybody know? You don't? Well me niether... and I probably should... so would somebody from Macnstrobe PLEASE fill me in?!? ASAP

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

I saw this movie a few weeks ago and within the first ten minutes, I was laughing my head off. And what was so neat about it, was that it was all good clean humor.
The story, for those who don't know, is about a small town that used to be famous for it anchovies. That is until the world realized that anchovies were disgusting. So the economy of the town plummeted, and all they had to eat was anchovies.
Then young inventor Flint Lockwood (his inventions inspired, but usually dangerous) decides to change all that by building a machine that will change water to food. That way, no one has to eat anchovies anymore. Unfortunately, when he tries to reveal it, he fires it into the clouds. Soon, hamburgers begin to rain from the clouds.
Because of the way Flint set up the system, he is able to control what food come out. Unfortunately, there is an overload, and the portions get larger. And he realizes that everyone needs to escape, and he must shut down the machine.

The last parts of the movie are so hilarious, because they parody scenes (sometimes to exact shots) of other movies. Such as Tron, Independence Day, Day After Tomorrow. And, one of the best parts, when Mr. T's character jumps through a flying nacho, and the hole that he made is the shape of a T.
This definitely was the best animated movie I've seen all year.

Movie Reviews

Hey everyone, Max here. I know its been like forever since we've posted, the number one reason being is that all of our current projects are still very much on the drawing board, so its very hush hush.
But I thought, to pass time, we could review some movies we've seen recently, be it old or new (preferably new). So I will be posting, later this evening, with a review of the awesome movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
And I hope that some other Macnstrobe members will post some too.

Please take this survey

Thanks ahead of time for helping us

Macnstrobe Meeting Coming Up Soon

Well, as pre-production is nearly over, we will be having a Macnstrobe meeting very soon. So be looking for the annual Macnstrobe Meeting Podcast soon.
We will be addressing a couple things in that meeting:

• Winter's Dream - The Cast, the Crew and the Schedule
  
• Future Projects - Ideas, brainstorming, voting
  
• Departments

There will probably be more, so look for the Meeting near the end of October.

Casting

Casting and crewing (is that a word?) for Winter's Dream has begun. We have at least one actor confirmed for the part of Christian. (His name is Anthony)
We also have a location scout, and art director. (Bart and Jo)
So keep an eye out, and we will post more of the cast as it forms.

30 minute mark!!!

We have reached the thirty minute mark in the film. We are about a third of the way done, of course, since we will be scripting the first draft out of sequence, we are nearly at the 60 minute mark.

Back on the horse

Stan and I are back and rolling. We are fast on track once again. I am currently trying to get pre-production under way. I will be trying to get a storyboard artist sometime soon. Possibly even today. (who knows) Anyway, we plan to start filming ASAP, but we still need full (or at least partial) script approval from the board. Keep watching for announcements on pre-production, and the storyboard artist.

Max's Top Five, 4/5

(Synopsis of my Number 2 favorite movie from 10,000 BC)
10,000 BC is the story of young hunter D’Leh (Steven Strait), set out on a bold trek to rescue his kidnapped beloved (Camilla Belle) and fulfill his prophetic destiny. He’ll face an awesome saber-toothed tiger. Cross uncharted realms. Form an army. And uncover an advanced but corrupt Lost Civilization. There, he will lead a fight for liberation – and become the champion of the time when legend began.

I love this movie because of its willingness to stray from traditional epics. Normally, there is a prophecy, and only the one who was prophesied about can fulfill said prophecy. But this movie changes that!

(This next movie tied for second, its called Princess Bride, this synopsis is from IMDb)

A kindly grandfather sits down with his grandson and reads him a bedtime story. The story is one that has been passed down through from father to son for generations. As the grandfather reads the story, the action comes alive. The story is a classic tale of love and adventure as the beautiful Buttercup is kidnapped and held against her will in order to marry the odious Prince Humperdinck, and Westley (her childhood beau, now returned as the Dread Pirate Roberts) attempts to save her. On the way he meets an accomplished swordsman and a huge, super strong giant, both of whom become his companions in his quest. They meet a few bad guys along the way to rescue Buttercup.

I love this movie just because of its story and comedy. It is both a romantic comedy, and a romantic fantasy. As the grandfather tells the boy:

Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...

Max's Top Five, 3/5

(This is the synopsis of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, my Number 3 favorite movie)
When Mr. Magorium, the extraordinary 243 year-old proprietor (Dustin Hoffman) of a spectacular toy store, announce that he will at long last hand over the reigns of his wonder-expanding store to his unconfident young manager, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman), the store decides to throw an unusual tantrum. The playful toys that fill the store turn gray and quiet--and only Mahoney and a skeptical accountant named Henry (Jason Bateman) can revive them, if, with the help of a superdexterous 9 year-old (Zach Mills), they can fins the source of the magic within themselves.

I love this movie because it is original and clever. The acting is excellent. One of my favorite parts, which is also the saddest part, is Mr. Magorium's death. I love what he says to Mahoney concerning his death.

When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written 'He dies.' That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with 'He dies.' And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words 'He dies.' but because of the life we saw prior to the words.
I've lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I'm only asking that you turn the page, continue reading... and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest 'He died.'

I think that was just awesome!

We're Still Waiting, Max

OK, so, I'm here to talk about why the script progress has seemed to have hit a brick wall. The system Max and I worked out was that Max would come up with the idea for the scene, and then I would provide the dialogue. Unfortunately, Max has still failed to provide me with the next scene, so I am unable continue the script. Hopefully, Max realizes how ANNOYING IT IS TO WAIT FOR HIM but until then, I will keep bugging him to catch up with what he has to tell me so the script progress can continue. Wish me luck... (I'll need it).

Max's Top Five, 2/5

This movie is one of my favorites, and probably my favorite of all the Star Wars movies. The effects may not be as great as the Prequel Trilogy, but the story is excellent. I appreciated it much more after seeing Star Wars Episode III. It's sad, seeing the legacy of Anakin Skywalker.
From the little boy on Tatooine, to the Jedi that destroyed the Sith. The ending has always been a bitter-sweet moment for me. After everything that we've seen in the Star Wars Saga, it finally ends. Its also amazing, seeing Anakin in his former glory (played by Hayden Christensen) standing beside the greatest Jedi Masters ever.

Max's Top Five, 1/5

Okay, so my number 5 favorite movie is "The NeverEnding Story".
I've always liked this movie because its strong use of child actors, but also because those children were excellent actors. The film is not very action-packed or violent, which is different for a fantasy movie, but it really doesn't need those things.
The story is not truly given, and is somewhat ambiguous, but that is why it is called: "The NeverEnding Story".
My favorite scene is when Bastien talks to the Childlike Empress. I loved Tami Stronach played that part so grown-up, despite her age.

My Top Five Favorite Movies

Hey, Max Matthias here. I thought it'd be cool to do a couple of posts on my favorite movies. So for the next five days I will be posting on my Top 5 favorite movies. I'm hoping that Lou, Stan and perhaps even our mysterious friend Bart will post their top 5 then as well.

Where has the progress gone?

Well, you may have noticed that its been awhile since we posted on our progress for Winter's Dream. The reason for this is that we haven't really made any more progress. Unfortunately, we have all started school, and because of our busy schedules, it is hard for Stan and I to have our daily meetings. We will all be together on 6th, so we may even finish it then.