I now shop on Overstock for knock off version of the DWR stuff. A lot of the trademarks on the designs for Eames, etc. have expired, so there are some pretty crappy versions of some mid-century mod-ish things (shell chair and rocker, Bertoia mesh chair, ghost chairs) in the reasonable range. And they'll last long enough as long as you don't have any very heavy friends.
I read this last week, excellent article. I sort of miss getting Fast Company- it was the Wired of business mags (in terms of being go-go for everything they covered that month being the greatest thing since sliced bread), but it had a few interesting things every month.
@ms_priestypants: heh heh, that's one of the principles of the article. DWR was basically founded as the place to get all these licensed pieces (especially ones that hadn't been available in ages). One of the signs of a fall was when they started having their in-house designers do knockoffs of popular licensed pieces, which they would then drop from showrooms/catalogs. But they didn't advertise this fact. You could tell something was subtly amiss.
The only thing I've ever been able to afford from DWR is books and stocking stuffers. Still, I got a great design appreciation education just by reading the catalog.
@ms_priestypants: I've seen one of the Dwell pre-fab houses in real life. It looks like a cross between a mobile home and a shipping crate. F-u-u-u-gly.
You all are more than welcome to drop off your Eames, Airstreams and Kithauses at my place if you tire of them.
DWR problems are vast, as described in the meandering article. But they once upon a time used to be a reliable shop for licensed design. I still don't know where to get the George Nelson pendant lamp now, which seems to be the latest DWR victim (no it wont be Modernica). And DWR wouldn't dare fuck with Herman Miller, but it's probably too late now, if I get HM it won't be from them.
@ms_priestypants: That is an imaginary parade the Time bombs would march in. We always talk about "someday when we build our own." when we get the new Dwell.
@ninety_nine: Yeah, fuck Foster for posting a link to an interesting article instead of hang-wringing about whether or not we'll need Snake Plissken to lead us thru this terrible snowpocalypse to Christmas! I don't know why I even keep having the Internet.
@ninety_nine: I'm impressed that you're such a devoted reader of Fast Company. I didn't even bother to read this retarded rag when I was employed by Fortune Small Business (RIP), which was a direct competitor.
And Bryan, I realize it's a wonderland, but I don't know where you are getting this "realism" feel. I think the 3D-ness will help in the theater but if i were watching at home, I would be so bothered by the attempts to squish live action/CGI together. I mean, the Red Queen looks really off to me as does everything else.
My excitement for both this film and Avatar is tempered by the fact that those 3D glasses hurt like a motherfucker when worn on top of my normal thick astigmatic lenses... I'll be more enthused about 3D technology when they can, like, just beam it into my brain.
@Wendy_Kroy: I would say I completely agree, as I have the same problem, however I find 3D horribly frightening. Apparently I have difficulty separating reality from fiction. The dancinig chocolate at Hersehey Park even freaked me out. I hope there's a 2D version coming out as well.
Curiouser and curiouser! Seriously, now I'm really looking forward to this. At first I was a bit hesitant, but knowing this isn't some dark freaky remake (and instead a "return" to Wonderland), I'm impressed. Can't wait!
Do we really think it looks good? I sort of think it looks like a crazy-quilt of interesting visuals and not a whole lot of character development or comprehensible plot. My favorite thing so far is Helena Bonham Carter resting her feet on a pig.
@braak: I feel like you see evidence of SOMETHING in the way of personal interaction, though, if it's a good movie. They usually pull out the most interesting parts of the film to showcase, and here it looks like the most interesting parts of the film are the epic battle scenes and Johnny Depp being charming and crazy.
@Perhaps Not: Sometimes, but a lot of times, when compared to huge things flying around, interesting character parts seem much less interesting by comparison.
On the other hand, Alice doesn't really have any lines in the trailer at all, so.
I'm just holding off on making a judgment about that; trailers are not a reliable source of information about anything except if there is a jabberwock.
@hortense: Agreed. Johnny Depp looks like he will be fantastic but, I always thought the creepiness in Alice came from the storyline itself, not flashy CGI effects.
@Banjo-Sea Kitten: There is also a BBC version in B&W that is dark and sinister in its own right, but I need to check out the Cary Grant version, heck I am president of the Cary Grant Fan Club!
I always think that kid's imaginations are more disturbing than anything computer generated imaging can make. Stop-still animation and old school puppetry is still the winner in my book since the rudimentary design looks closer to how people dream, rather than computer high-tech stuff, which makes me teeth hurt.
@pony_express: and the musical scores which "think" they have to inch you along and overwhelm...oh, don't get me started. Plus, the flatness of CGI. Every freakin movie looks and sounds the same these days.
There are always some brilliant elements in Burton's films, but I've never been huge fan. And Depp needs some new tricks.
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@ms_priestypants: heh heh, that's one of the principles of the article. DWR was basically founded as the place to get all these licensed pieces (especially ones that hadn't been available in ages). One of the signs of a fall was when they started having their in-house designers do knockoffs of popular licensed pieces, which they would then drop from showrooms/catalogs. But they didn't advertise this fact. You could tell something was subtly amiss.
The only thing I've ever been able to afford from DWR is books and stocking stuffers. Still, I got a great design appreciation education just by reading the catalog.
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@lionel-mandrake:
@Juancho:
You all are more than welcome to drop off your Eames, Airstreams and Kithauses at my place if you tire of them.
DWR problems are vast, as described in the meandering article. But they once upon a time used to be a reliable shop for licensed design. I still don't know where to get the George Nelson pendant lamp now, which seems to be the latest DWR victim (no it wont be Modernica). And DWR wouldn't dare fuck with Herman Miller, but it's probably too late now, if I get HM it won't be from them.
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12/16/09
Also, THE STORY DOESN'T NEED CHANGING, it's already perfect. He's made it into fucking Braveheart, with Johnny Depp doing his mincing queen schtick.
12/16/09
And Bryan, I realize it's a wonderland, but I don't know where you are getting this "realism" feel. I think the 3D-ness will help in the theater but if i were watching at home, I would be so bothered by the attempts to squish live action/CGI together. I mean, the Red Queen looks really off to me as does everything else.
12/16/09
And I can't stand the wait!!
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On the other hand, Alice doesn't really have any lines in the trailer at all, so.
I'm just holding off on making a judgment about that; trailers are not a reliable source of information about anything except if there is a jabberwock.
Which there is.
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I remember seeing the 1933 movie version with Cary Grant on TV when I was a teen and loving its weirdness.
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Best version ever. Check it out.
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I always think that kid's imaginations are more disturbing than anything computer generated imaging can make. Stop-still animation and old school puppetry is still the winner in my book since the rudimentary design looks closer to how people dream, rather than computer high-tech stuff, which makes me teeth hurt.
12/16/09
There are always some brilliant elements in Burton's films, but I've never been huge fan. And Depp needs some new tricks.
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