Minoan Art

The earliest Greek art, indeed in Europe, dates back to the Bronze Age. On the small Max Burn Aegean island of Crete (now a part of Greece), the Minoan Civilization developed, roughly in parallel with that of Ancient Egypt. For right to bare legs example, Minoan art relied on a schematic style (repetition of human figures, for example) that was commonly found in Egyptian art as well. Art was comprised of carvings and painted pottery until 1500 BC, when what is frequently iRenew Bracelet called the “Palace Period” emerged, and wall painting first appeared in Europe, although only fragments survive today.

Unlike Egyptian art, however, Minoan art reveals a naturalism and subtlety not seen in the plaque attack art of Egypt. Their seafaring orientation lent a natural subject matter, which is reflected in Minoan painting. “Frescoe with Dolphins” (1500-1450 BC) that today still hangs in the remains of the Palace of Knossos, Crete, shows an amazing knowledge of the oceans and sea animals, like the dolphins.

Another fragmentary painting that remains from the Minoan Civilization is “Toreador Fresco” slim ts (1500 BC). Encapsulated in this artwork is one of the recurring themes of Minoan culture and art, bull jumping. Thought in some way to be connected to Minoan religious practices, the painting depicts 3 acrobats leaping over the horns of a bull. The fresco is most unusual Baby Bullet in that it depicts a time lapse sequence, in which we see the acrobats grabbing the bull’s horns, then another mid-vault, and the final acrobat landing with arms outstretched.

Mycenaean Art

Succeeding the Minoan Civilization, on mainland Greece, the Bronze Age Mycenaean Civilization was in full flower. Its history and legends were captured by Homer in his epic poems, “Iliad” and the “Odyssey,” which reflect the end of the Mycenaean period Atlanta bankruptcy attorney (“the heroic age”). One of the most enduring artworks from the time is a “Funeral Mask” (1500 BC) thought to be that of King Agamemnon, who led the Greeks to victory in the Trojan Wars. All that is truly known is that the golden death mask is from a royal tomb.

Fragments of Mycenaean paintings were found at two sites: Tiryns and Pylos, with scenes from everyday life. In contrast to Minoan art, Mycenaean was much more serious in nature. The Mycenaean Civilization collapsed around 1100 BC, marking the end of the Bronze Age and the end of pre-history (that is, the period of history before written records existed). By 650 BC, Greece had emerged as Europe’s most advanced civilization.

Emergence of Greek Pottery

Following the Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations, a record of painting is nearly lost in Greek art. Where the Egyptians, Minoans, and Mycenaeans used frescoes, later Greeks painted on wooden panels that disintegrated Esramag.com over time, and the main artistic record is instead found in pottery remains. Pottery always served a specific use (storage jars, drinking vessels, containers for perfume, and so on). On this pottery, a new trend was foreshadowed: Silk n Sensepil the Greek fixation on the human figure, something that would become a central motif of Ancient Greek art.

Exekias, one of the most famous known potters, signed at least two of his works (black figure pots) that remain to this day. His most famous, “Dyonysos in His Boat” (540 BC) is important not only because of its perfect balance, but also because it signals the new direction that representation would take–away from symbols to a style that shows the world more as it actually is.

Another change in the development of pottery can be seen in the “red figure” technique, in which human images were not painted but instead formed when a black background was applied around them, letting the red clay show through. “Pallas Athena” (480 BC) and “The End of the Party” (490 BC) are two important examples of this style.

Portraying the Human Form

The focus on the human figure is first seen in Greek pottery and later in sculpture. The portrayal of the human body by the Greeks in their artwork had a direct impact on its inclusion and development in Roman art, and later in Western art in general. The early Greek statues, such as “Kouros” (late 6th century BC) were based on the Egyptian grid system. Gradually the lines of the body lost their stiffness–as seen in “Kritios Boy” (480 BC)–and eventually emerge into sculptures that capture the musculature of a natural human form, as in “Discus Thrower” (450 BC).

Etruscan Painting

With the expansion of the Ancient Greek Civilization came a new artistic development, found on the Italian peninsula in the 8th century BC. Influenced by Greek artistic changes, yet uniquely its own, the Etruscan style was greatly admired by the Greeks. Early Etruscan art was typified by wall painting, and an important example remains in the “Tomb of the Leopards” (470 BC) at Tarquinia. The mural shows a joyful group of revelers, drinking and playing instruments.

Much of Etruscan work, however, had a sinister edge, fixated on the fleeting nature of life. In “Mourning Women” (late 5th century BC), a fresco from a tomb at Rivo di Puglia, the scene depicts brightly colored mourners who lament the inescapable advance of time.

Classical Period

The most important painter of the Classical Period of Ancient Greek art (475-450 BC) was Polyanotos, yet none of his work remains. We know of his most famous painting “Discus Thrower” only from the writings of ancient Greeks. The most important surviving painting from the 4th century BC is “The Rape of Persephone” (340 BC), which is located in a tomb complex that also contained the remains of Philip II of Macedon.

Full of richness and life, this naturalistic painting is the explanation by the Greeks of seasons. Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, goddess of fertility, who is carried off to the underworld and will re-emerge as Spring.

Hellenistic Art

Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, the rise of the city-state emerged, and so did Hellenistic art in Ancient Greece. Alexander’s cosmopolitan influence had already taken place and was flourishing through a mix of Eastern and Western styles. Hellenistic culture prevailed in the region until well after the Roman Empire took hold.

The Eastern influence meant a blossoming of art for its own sake, with more decorative embellishment, and religion relegated to the background. In place of religious subjects, art focused instead on gardens, Smoke Assist still life, portraiture, and capturing the daily life of Greeks. The art was also much more widespread. Paintings could be found in barbers’ and cobblers’ shops as well as palaces (as recorded in ancient writings).

Art during the Hellenistic age was also more focused on “truth,” even when this meant the depiction of violent, dramatic scenes. The definitive example of this philosophy can be seen in “Laocoon and His Two Sons” (1st century AD), Shake Weight a sculpture that depicts a horrifying scene. Taken from Virgil’s “Aeneid,” the sculpture depicts a Trojan priest and his two sons in the process of being strangled by sea monsters, a revenge from the gods.

Rediscovered in 1506, the sculpture had an important effect on Renaissance artists, such as Michelangelo, who called “Laocoon and His Two Sons” a “singular Magic Mesh miracle of art.” The sculpture’s influence continued, and El Greco later painted three works based on the Laocoon story as well.

Hooray for Movie Awards season and the cutthroat competition between this year’s very deserving group of nominees! And although the majority of the nominations were snagged by some popular wizards, bridesmaids and tributes, there is plenty of Movie Awards love and Golden Popcorn to go around. Kinda.

Speaking of Movie Awards love, we have to give it up to first-time nominee Oliver Cooper for putting together this very clever campaign video and Facebook page.

“These are the nominees for Best Onscreen Dirtbag, but only one of them has a proven track record as a douchebag,” the ad begins. “He’s been called a crude, pushy creep, and ‘the most annoying movie character since Jar Jar Binks.’”

MTV News recently caught up with the Best Onscreen Dirtbag nominee to discuss his creative campaign efforts.

“I’m stoked. I’m putting all my hours in the campaign to win this Dirtbag award,” Cooper said. “My strategy is to talk to as many people as I can to win this thing. I’m traveling across the country,” he joked. “We don’t have much money right now, I’m taking Greyhound buses to different cities telling people why I should win.”

The “Project X” star went on to say that he’s going for strong word of mouth, as well as a few sympathy votes.

“We’re going to put up more videos and hopefully catch a following, get people onboard, who liked the movie or hated me,” he said. “There are probably more people that hated me.”

“I’m trying to gain as much weight, let myself go as much as possible,” he continued, speaking to how he’s getting ready for his big night on June 3. “I want people to really think of me as disgusting. ‘God that guy is despicable. How can he possibly be in movies?’”

Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.

Tags MTV Movie Awards, Oliver Cooper, Project X

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/05/18/oliver-cooper-best-onscreen-dirtbag/

Daisy Fuentes Dania Ramirez Danica Patrick Daniella Alonso Danneel Harris Deanna Russo Denise Richards

“He said, ‘I’m an only child; there’s, like, so many of you,’ ” Khloé recalled in a chat with Ryan Seacrest on Friday (May 18).

Fans will get to see Kanye warming up to the Kardashian crew themselves when E!’s “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” returns for another season on Sunday. But Khloé told Seacrest her husband, Lamar Odom, had similar trouble getting used to her very large family.

“I remember Lamar, at first it took him a minute to get used to us, but now Lamar loves it,” she said. “With Kanye I was like, ‘Why are you hiding in our pantry in my mom’s kitchen?’ And he’s like, ‘There’s just so many of you guys, and you guys are all so loud and friendly and talk.” And I’m like, ‘Get used to it buddy, because I like it.’ It’s just a lot at one time.”

Being an only child like Yeezy is added to his initial discomfort, but he isn’t the lone only child the Kardashians have welcomed.

“[My boyfriend] Scott [Disick] and Lamar are only children too,” Kourtney shared. “I think we attract only children. I don’t think [Kanye] knows what’s going on [when he hangs out with us]. Like, what we’re talking about, are we being serious? Is this a joke?”

The initial shock of the Kardashians seems to have worn off, though. Usmagazine.com spotted Kanye hanging out with Kim and her family at Kourtney’s May 12 baby shower. In one snapshot, a smiling Kanye sits next to Kim, who’s playing with her nephew and Kourtney’s son, Mason.

Khloé’s hubby, Lamar, has also apparently bonded with Yeezy. The pro baller even seems to have his sights set on the music industry. “Lamar raps to [Kanye] all the time. Kim is like, ‘You’re going to freak this guy out,’ ” Khloé said. “But it’s funny.”

Will you tune into see Kanye on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians”? Tell us in the comments!

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685402/kanye-west-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians.jhtml

Hilarie Burton Hilary Duff Hilary Swank Isla Fisher Ivana Bozilovic Ivanka Trump Izabella Miko

By Jessica Marshall

Ahhh birth. The miracle of life. And one of Hollywood’s favorite plot points.

Birth scenes in movies range from shouty and grunty to creepy and gooey and often leave viewers with the highly philosophical question: What is that baby really covered in?

You’ll get birth scenes in spades when you catch “What To Expect When You’re Expecting,” the new star-studded rom-com opening today. Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Chris Rock and Anna Kendrick are just a few of the celebs who bring to life the wacky rollercoaster ride that anticipating a brand new bundle of joy can be.

It’s loosely based on the bestselling self-help book by Heidi Murkoff (there’s probably a well-worn copy stashed somewhere in your parents’ house), and focuses on five couples as they anticipate parenthood. There are lots of preggo bellies, raging hormones, slapstick humor and moments of sheer terror ? err, joy.

But just like giving birth in reality, you should be prepared. There are many different types of cinematic births. Here is a smattering of a few of the more notable ones to get you ready for “What To Expect.” Think of it like taking a pre-film Lamaze class.

Violent Birth: “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ? Part 1″
The birth of Renesmee, the half-vampire, half-human spawn of Bella and Edward Cullen, is a bloody good time. Punctuated by the sounds of ripping flesh, flashing red and yellow lights, and what seems like gallons of fake blood throughout, this highly anticipated birth scene flat-out induced seizures in several folks around the country who saw it in theaters. It’s definitely not for the squeamish.

Water Birth: “The Back-Up Plan”
This rom-com stars Jennifer Lopez as a perennial bachelorette who gets artificially inseminated in a moment of desperation, only to meet her soul mate later that day. The film is notable for a certain scene in which JLo’s character and her would-be baby daddy (Alex O’Loughlin) witness a home water birth, complete with a plastic inflatable pool, animalistic noisemaking, unidentified floating objects and a bongo-drumming hippy, played by a hilarious pre-”Bridesmaids” Melissa McCarthy. Words cannot describe this chaotic scene that brings the term TMI to a whole new level.

The Creepy Supernatural Birth: “Children of the Damned”
If you’ve always dreamed of having kids at the same time as all of your best friends, we’re pretty sure you didn’t mean it to happen like it does in this 1995 John Carpenter flick (a remake of a chilling 1960 classic) starring Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley and Linda Kozlowski. This horror movie opens with an evil presence sweeping through a small American town, mysteriously knocking up its female residents. Exactly nine months later, there’s a blond baby boom that starts with a mile-long caravan of cars on their way to the hospital (which is actually a barn converted for the occasion) and ends with a shrill chorus of howling moms and mewling, questionably human, infants. This one isn’t so much gross as it is creepy.

The Sympathy Pains Birth: “Nine Months”
Hugh Grant plays his signature role of the ever-bumbling bachelor in this 1995 Chris Columbus romantic comedy. When his girlfriend (Julianne Moore) finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, Hugh’s character is forced to man up in the course of nine months and stick with her. He does, but not before he faints (along with the also-bumbling and squeamish doctor played by Robin Williams) in the delivery room after getting an eyeful of the process.

The ’80s Birth: “She’s Having a Baby”
Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern (long before she became the mistress of ?Downton Abbey?) star in this late-’80s comedy from John Hughes about newlyweds adjusting to society’s expectations of them ? namely that they immediately start popping out babies. The film is pretty light-hearted until the end, when they actually have a baby. Then it turns all crazy dramatic when there’s a complication with the birth and Kevin Bacon’s character ends up sobbing like a little girl in a hospital waiting room. Don’t worry though, it has a happy ending.

Bonus ? The Man Birth: “Junior”
Now this one doesn’t happen often in movies, but it bears mentioning because, well, it’s not everyday that you see Arnold Schwarzenegger giving birth via c-section. The Governator takes one for the team in this 1994 Ivan Reitman comedy that reunites him with his ?Twins? co-star Danny DeVito, playing a devoted fertility research scientist who agrees to become a test subject and carry a baby to term ? in his own body. This one gets bonus points for the hilarious (and kind of terrifying) dream sequence brought on by pregnancy hormones in which Arnold’s character gives birth to a baby that has his adult face.

What’s your favorite weirdo birth scene? Sound off in the comments and on Twitter!

Tags Children of the Damned, Junior, Nine Months, She’s Having a Baby, The Back-Up Plan, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1, What To Expect When You’re Expecting

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/05/18/what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-movie-birth-scenes/

Jennifer Garner Jennifer Gimenez Jennifer Love Hewitt Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell Jennifer Scholle Jennifer Sky

If those figures are true, he may become the richest rock star on Earth, sitting on a massive pile of green that could allow a man who already had the world at his fingertips to push into a rarified stratosphere that’s the envy of the many one-percenters he already counts as friends. According to Rolling Stone the singer, who cannot sell all his shares at once, has pledged to use much of the money raised from his investments to aid charity work in Africa.

Bono addressed the rumors of his (alleged) impending money bomb while speaking to MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell on Friday morning. “Contrary to reports, I’m not a billionaire or going to be richer than any Beatle — and not just in the sense of money, by the way; the Beatles are untouchable — those billionaire reports are a joke,” he said. “In Elevation, we invest other people’s money — endowments, pension funds. We do get paid, of course. But, you know, I felt rich when I was 20 years old and my wife was paying my bills. Just being in a band, I’ve always felt blessed. I got interested in technology because I’m an artist, I’m interested in the forces that shape the world, politics, religion, the stuff we’ve been talking about today. Technology is huge, I wanted to learn about it. People might say that’s odd, but I think it’s odd if artists aren’t interested in the world around them. I’m always chasing that. Facebook are an amazing team, a brilliant team. It’s a technology that brings people together.”

But if one person were to obtain that windfall, what could $1.5 billion buy you? We broke it down, by-the-numbers:

6.9 million Famous for his signature Bulgari shades, if Bono were to get his hands on the full stash, he could hit the Amazon.com marketplace and get nearly seven million pair for cheap at $215.77 a piece.

12.5 The giant claw stage that U2 schlepped around the world for their record-setting 360 Tour was insanely expensive. With each of the three structures they built coming in at $40 million a piece, Bono could build nine more with the Facebook loot.

300,000 Speaking U2 tours, on their famous 1992 Zoo TV outing, one of the highlights were the blinged-out Trabant cars that were hung from the lighting rigs. The famously low-budget East German cars were never expensive, but if Bono were ever thinking of expanding his car collection, he could snatch up more than 300,000 1989 models for the money.

39.4 million: In the recent documentary, “From the Sky Down,” U2 basically admitted that they’d gotten a bit full of themselves by the time their 1988 ode to Americana, Rattle and Hum, was released. If Bono is feeling especially embarrassed about all the cowboy hats and blues discovery of that era, he could try to wipe out some trace of it by buying nearly 40 million Blu-Ray copies of the DVD from Amazon.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685414/bono-facebook-ipo-billion.jhtml

Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie Amy Cobb Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros Ana Hickmann

Juno Temple grew up to live every little boy’s and little girl’s fantasy. Not only did she get to work with Batman in “The Dark Knight Rises,” but it was announced today she’ll be starring alongside Angelina Jolie in Disney’s “Maleficent,” playing a fairy. Meeting a superhero and living in a Disney fairy tale ? it’s the stuff that makes up childhood dreams!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Temple joins Imelda Saunton and Lesley Manville as Thistletwit, one of the pixie fairies who take care of Aurora while she’s exiled to a cottage in the woods. All three of the fanciful creatures are described as “neglectful and superficial.”

“Maleficent” is a unique take on the classic fairy tale, “Sleeping Beauty.” Jolie is playing the title character, an evil witch who casts a spell on Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) on her 16th birthday sending her into a permanent slumber.

When she spoke to EW.com, Jolie said that though the story is told from the villain’s perspective in the film, it doesn’t cast a bad light over Aurora. “It’s not anti-princess,” she said. “But it’s the first time they’re looking at this epic woman… I hope in the end you see a woman who is capable of being many things, and just because she protects herself and is aggressive, it doesn’t mean she can’t have other [warmer] qualities.”

She continued, “It sounds really crazy to say that there will be something that?s good for young girls in this, because it sounds like you?re saying they should be a villain. [Maleficent] is actually a great person. But she?s not perfect. She?s far from perfect.”

“Maleficent” is set to hit theaters March 14, 2014 and the movie is said to begin filming this June in London.

Are you excited to see “Maleficent” coming together? Spill your thoughts in the comments and on Twitter!

Tags Angelina-Jolie, Juno Temple, Maleficent

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/05/17/juno-temple-angelina-jolie-maleficent/

Brody Dalle Brooke Burke Brooke Burns Busy Philipps Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle

“I was so excited,” she said about the opportunity to watch the film. “It’s rare when you see concept art, it’s always cooler than the movie ends up being. It’s inspiration, I suppose. That’s the way Rupert Sanders got the job as director, is kind of putting together this five-minute version of the movie and presenting the darkness and lightness of the world.”

As someone who got the chance to watch Sanders’ concept art video at Comic-Con last year (and is a fan of his previous work with commercials), I can confirm that the visual ideas he had for the movie were breathtaking. We get a sense of that in the trailers and clips released for the film, but it’s definitely exciting to hear that Sanders’ clear vision fully translated onto the big screen.

“I thought that it was insane because it felt like two different people did it. It was like so, so beautiful when it was light and so exuberantly happy, and then when it was dark, it was wretched, it was disgusting,” Stewart said of the concept art. “When I first saw the movie, I saw that. And I was really like, wow! Everything I wanted it to feel like, everything I wanted it to say, it’s there.”

“Snow White and the Huntsman” also stars Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth. It’s due in theaters on June 1.

Are you as excited as Stewart was to see this movie? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Tags Kristen-Stewart, Snow White and The Huntsman

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/05/17/snow-white-huntsman-swath-kristen-stewart/

Amanda Bynes Amanda Detmer Amanda Marcum Amanda Peet Amanda Righetti Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci

“I was so excited,” she said about the opportunity to watch the film. “It’s rare when you see concept art, it’s always cooler than the movie ends up being. It’s inspiration, I suppose. That’s the way Rupert Sanders got the job as director, is kind of putting together this five-minute version of the movie and presenting the darkness and lightness of the world.”

As someone who got the chance to watch Sanders’ concept art video at Comic-Con last year (and is a fan of his previous work with commercials), I can confirm that the visual ideas he had for the movie were breathtaking. We get a sense of that in the trailers and clips released for the film, but it’s definitely exciting to hear that Sanders’ clear vision fully translated onto the big screen.

“I thought that it was insane because it felt like two different people did it. It was like so, so beautiful when it was light and so exuberantly happy, and then when it was dark, it was wretched, it was disgusting,” Stewart said of the concept art. “When I first saw the movie, I saw that. And I was really like, wow! Everything I wanted it to feel like, everything I wanted it to say, it’s there.”

“Snow White and the Huntsman” also stars Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth. It’s due in theaters on June 1.

Are you as excited as Stewart was to see this movie? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Tags Kristen-Stewart, Snow White and The Huntsman

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/05/17/snow-white-huntsman-swath-kristen-stewart/

Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Chelsea Handler Cheryl Burke China Chow

Despite the fact that “disco fever” lived and basically died in the 1970s, Summer’s music continues to live on. Her many unforgettable hits like “Last Dance,” “Love to Love You Baby” and “She Works Hard for the Money” transcended genres and left an indelible mark on all pop culture, from the music charts to television and film. A quick perusal of Summer’s eclectic IMDb page demonstrates the fact that her music is the go-to for filmmakers and show-runners looking for that perfect dance number in their TV show or film.

“Her songs are so iconic that people use them as shorthand either to convey disco or those songs lend themselves to montage-type stuff,” Entertainment Weekly music editor Leah Greenblatt told MTV News. ” ‘She Works Hard for the Money’ is always used for when a lady is going about her business. Songs like ‘Love to Love You’ and ‘I Feel Love’ are almost like a ‘bow-chicka-bow-wow,’ in that they always convey sex, whether that’s in an ironic way or in a real way.”

Two relatively recent comedic examples include the memorable love scene/orgy in “Zoolander” set to “Love to Love You” and Cameron Diaz’s group dance number in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” set to “Last Dance.”

“A lot of her songs were almost cinematic in the way that their lyrics and music were arranged,” Greenblatt said of the repeated use of Summer’s songs for television and film. “A lot of [scenes] can go out or end on ‘Last Dance.’ ‘She Works Hard for the Money’ is all about when a woman has to go out and earn in a movie; it’s the perfect music cue. And when someone is having a threesome with a Sherpa [like in 'Zoolander'], her music was so great for that.”

Greenblatt went on to say that Summer’s songs will continue to provide the soundtrack to key moments in our lives.

For photos of Donna Summer through the years, click here.

“There was a time when disco was really derided and dismissed, but it would be really hard to find a person over 25 or 30 who doesn’t have these songs as part of their DNA. Whether or not you liked disco, it’s really hard to deny her voice and her talent,” she said. “Her music stands out because she was such a great singer and because a lot of her songs were about emotions too. You can really feel in her voice that she means it.

“Also, how many artists have music that has been featured on ‘Sex and the City,’ ‘Parks and Recreation’ and in ‘Frost/Nixon’?” Greenblatt added. “For whatever reason, comedians love to use her too. There’s the campy tributes but also a sincere love for her. And anytime anyone takes their clothes off [in TV or film], someone has got to play ‘Hot Stuff.’ “

Share your condolences for Donna Summer’s friends, family and fans in the comments or on Facebook.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685346/donna-summer-music-tv-movies.jhtml

FSU Cowgirls Gabrielle Union Garcelle Beauvais Genelle Frenoy Georgianna Robertson Georgina Grenville Gina Carano

So the summer movie season is officially in full swing, with all kinds of big blockbusters hitting theaters each and every week, offering up action-packed experiences of the highest cinematic quality and the best visual effects studio money can buy. And no matter how impressive the 3D or digital technology, there’s only so much you can experience from your seat in a crowded movie theater.

For those of you thrill-seekers out there who are looking for a little extra bang for your buck and willing to take a trip to the west coast, Universal Studios has taken the best elements of the fancy cinematic 3D technology and incorporated it into their latest, cutting-edge attraction with “Transformers The Ride 3D.” Think “Star Tours” but with amped-up, in-your-face-battle-action involving Optimus Prime, Megatron and trusty Bumblebee.

MTV News was lucky enough to snag an invite to come check out the ride just before it opened to the public. Here’s a rundown of what to expect:

The ride is built around several aspects that will be familiar to fans of the film franchise. As you enter the ride space you are swept up in joining a tactical effort to stop Megatron and the Decepticons from mounting an attack and getting control of the AllSpark. As soon as passengers are belted into their EVAC vehicles, the real fun begins and you are literally thrown into the middle of a robot battle. The individual passenger cars weave in and out of the story, with stylized 3D projections in front of you that make it seem as though you’re part of the fight. The actual movement of the cars includes major twists and turns, as well as huge butterfly-inducing drops that simulate the cars flying through the air and dangling from Transformers’ finger tips. Not to mention the characters literally get in your face via the projections and 3D glasses.

In collaboration with Industrial Light & Magic, Universal created a ride with high definition 3D media that brings every metallic feature of your favorites to life. The ride also uses advanced flight simulation technology. Every move in battle sends you whipping through air, crashing into buildings, flipping your sense of reality. It truly is a multi-sensory, adrenaline-jolting experience.

During our disembarkation, one of our colleagues pointed out that the 3D rides are likely a glimpse into the future of what movie-going might become: highly-technical, multimedia and multi-sensory extravaganzas. We can definitely see the value in transforming (no pun intended) more popular film franchises into theme park rides, particularly when Universal has produced such a fun alternative to the “Transformers” movies with its entertaining and satisfying new attraction.

-additional reporting by Azia Celestino

Tags Transformers The Ride

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/05/17/transformers-the-ride-3d/

Fergie Foxy Brown Freida Pinto FSU Cowgirls Gabrielle Union Garcelle Beauvais Genelle Frenoy