Luz Verde
I haven't been very active with my camera lately, so to spark some inspiration I've put together a new gallery of photos captured and processed on my iPhone. I can upload on-the-go, so expect to see the odd update on the new Luz Verde site.

Uploading of photos is also done via the iPhone using the very smart FTP Picture Upload app which also resizes and creates a thumbnail image. Photo comments are posted using Mobile Safari and a custom build CMS.

If you want to see another couple of great iPhone galleries - I recommend Greg Schmigel's photo blog and the Flickr stream of Sion Fullana. Some very nice work there considering the contraints of the technology.

iPhone Photo Tools

There are now hundreds of apps for the iPhone that let you take and manipulate photos. I use and recommend the following:

Photogene: This appears to be the most sophisticated photo editing app for the iPhone. Cropping, histogram, gamma correction, colour temperature adjustment and a whole lot more.

Cool fx: Very nice range of filters and effects from Tiffen. I probably use this app the most to get the filter effects and colour adjustments.

QuadCamera: Allows you to take 4-8 photographs in sequence (like a photobooth).

4 Days ago
 
Machuca (2004) I’ve seen my share of failed ‘coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of [insert war/political struggle]’ films, so it’s refreshing when you see it done well. This is a sincere effort to draw attention to Chile’s bloody history through the eyes of two children. It may even be the best film to come out of Chile. The performances, the historical realism, and the human aspect are spot on. Essential
17 Days ago

 
Ha-Ushpizin (Ushpizin) (2004) This is one of those quaint foreign films that critics love to call ‘delightful’. A devout couple in one of Jerusalem’s orthodox neighborhoods are broke and pray for a miracle. Two escaped convicts enter the scene and while the miracle arrives, their faith and tolerance is tested. It’s a beautiful story and lot of fun. Recommended
17 Days ago

 
Death on the Nile (1978) I am a huge Poirot fan, and while I’ve never really thought about it, I find a good murder-mystery to be the perfect form of entertainment. This telling of the Agatha Christie classic is not as clever as Murder on the Orient Express, but Peter Ustinov does his job well and the ensemble cast provide good support. The basic premise of how these people all came to be where they are requires a significant suspension of disbelief - something that nagged at me throughout. Recommended
17 Days ago

 
Mamma Mia! (2008) It seems the real success here is creating an ABBA musical movie that isn’t terrible. Somehow all the silliness and poor choreography works as entertainment. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s a light and flimsy story with ABBA songs sometimes very awkwardly inserted. Average
17 Days ago

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Lady Eve (1941) Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda shine in what must be one of the best comedies of the ’40s. Father and daughter card sharks try to take a naive and wealthy young man but love gets in the way. I think the word ‘zing’ was invented for moments like those captured here on screen. A timeless piece of cinema from Preston Sturges. Essential
20 Days ago

 
À ma soeur! (Fat Girl) (2001) French writer/director Catherine Breillat deals with female sexuality in a provocative and uncompromising tale about two sisters on a summer vacation. Camparisons with Todd Solondz’s work are valid in that teenage angst is portrayed in all its awkwardness. The controversial ending is either a tasteless joke, or a complete transcendence. Recommended
20 Days ago

 
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) A shopping mall is overtaken by a gang of organized crooks and ... why am I still writing? Kevin James wasn’t terrible, but the entire premise and delivery serve to illustrate how difficult it is to pull off good slapstick comedy in a modern setting. Avoid
20 Days ago

 
Baby Mama (2008) SNL regulars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler team up in a mediocre comedy about a businesswoman who dreams of having a baby but discovers she is infertile. It never shows any real depth and suffers greatly from its predictability. Avoid
20 Days ago

 
 
 
The Devil at Your Heels (1981) A remarkable documentary that follows the five year journey by the late Ken Carter to jump a rocket-powered car across a mile-wide stretch of the St. Lawrence River. It’s not your typical daredevil story, there is a lot of heart as one man's obsession turns into a broken dream. Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, it went on to win the Genie Award for Best Documentary. Essential
21 Days ago

 
La mala educación (Bad Education) (2004) Pedro Almodóvar deals with the subject of sexual abuse in the church in this mystery crime drama story starring Gael García Bernal. It’s not the writer/director’s best film but features many of his signature trademarks - fans will not be disappointed. Recommended
21 Days ago

 
The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls (2009) Documentary profiling New Zealand’s comedic, singing, dancing, lesbian twin sisters. It’s well made with a good mix of old footage and interviews with people who have known them throught their long career performing together. Even if you’re not a fan their journey is life-affirming and inspirational. Recommended
21 Days ago

 
Palookaville (1995) Two friends bungle a jewelry store heist but persevere with a plan to rob an armored truck. There are lots of quirky comedic moments and Vincent Gallo does well in his role as one of the not-too-smart crims. Average
21 Days ago

 
Matando Cabos (2004) A dark, offbeat comedy set in Mexico City about a kidnapping-gone-wrong. While not as cleverly executed as a Guy Ritchie or Tarantino film in the same genre - it does share the comedic style and makes for entertaining viewing. Recommended
21 Days ago

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kiss Me Deadly (1955) Everything you could want in a noir film. A mysterious female hitchiker, cars rigged to explode, sleaze, a gigantic wall-mounted answering machine, cold war paranoia, a mystery box and a loosely coherent plot. Need I go on? Brilliant. Essential
25 Days ago

 
Dean Spanly (2008) Kiwi director Toa Fraser follows up No. 2 with a pretty good Edwardian tale starring Peter O’Toole, Sam Neill and Bryan Brown. It’s an eccentric tale that is both original and engaging, but it does require a great deal of patience and imagination. Average
25 Days ago

 
Hunger (2008) Debut film from UK director Steve McQueen that recreates the last six weeks of the life of Irish republican hunger striker Bobby Sands. It’s a visually beautiful film that does not seek to lecture on the politics of the time, but rather just tell of how the film affected individual characters involved. There are a lot of unconventional film devices used including an impressive 17 minute narrative segment. Recommended
25 Days ago

 
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) Nice premise - a young boy (the son of a commandant at a concentration camp) creates a friendship with a Jewish boy in the camp. A touching story told through innocent eyes. The problem is it’s entirely implausible, overly sentimental, and highly exploitative. Not helped by the upper-class English accents that come off sounding terribly self-righteous. Even as a parable it does not work. Avoid
25 Days ago

 
This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) A documentary attacking the validity of the American movie ratings board (MPAA). I learnt a lot and was left in no doubt the current system is a sham, but the director’s tone/intent came off more as a personal vendetta rather than a meaningful critique of the ratings system. Average
25 Days ago

 
 
 
 
 
 

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This is my version of a lifestream - a single flow of posts from my Twitter account, Film Reviews, and occasional journal entries.

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2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004