Groundbreakers: Top CGI moments on film

Image source: wikimedia.org

Many of today’s audiences casually take CGI work for granted, which is a shame.  Thirty years ago, we hardly had this tool to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality.  But today, almost every big-budgeted action film makes use of this technology. 

On that note, we present to you our favorite CGI moments on film.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

For many of us born in the ‘80s and ‘90s, this was one of the first times we encountered amazing CGI.  The antagonist, the terrifying T-1000 was made of liquid metal, and the CGI used to create it just blew everyone away.

Jurassic Park

When the first “Jurassic Park” came out, everyone everywhere was taken by surprise.  Steven Spielberg set the bar so high with the CGI dinosaurs that people actually thought they were giant robots.

Spider-Man

Before Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man,” we had choppy editing to show some dude in costume swinging from building to building.  But Raimi used full-CGI sequences and edited them seamlessly to create a then-once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Lord of the Rings

For us, the CGI work from The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the gold standard of CGI work.  From creating entire labyrinthine caverns to whole orc armies, Peter Jackson took CGI technology and blew the door wide open.

Avatar

James Cameron created an entire world (and almost an entire film) on CGI.  That on its own merit deserves recognition.  “Avatar” is the king of CGI films, for better or for worse.

Joe Cianciotto is a San Francisco Bay Area-based architect. He is a movie buff and enjoys a diverse selection of genres, including superhero films, independent science fiction, mumblecore, and Golden-age dramas and epics. For more on Joe and his interests, visit this page.

Time for a change? Know when it’s time to get a new smartphone

They say one would instinctively know when it’s time to replace a smartphone.  But this is easier said than done these days with the endless temptations to upgrade (even if one doesn’t need it) or to switch to another brand.  What should be the signs and considerations to look out for when replacing one’s phone?

Image source: CNET.com 

The current one has persistent issues

There’s nothing a hard reset can’t do in restoring smartphones to factory default software and settings and get back in the swing of things.  But if there are persistent problems such as more-than-frequent crashes and black screens, it might be time to trade in the device for a new one.

Can’t download the latest OS

Another pressing reason to get a new phone is the inability to download new software updates.  This is important for security purposes, as updates are made to fix flaws in the older systems and to prevent vulnerabilities to attacks and hackers.

The battery always dies on you

This goes beyond the occasionally forgotten charging time; the battery actually dies halfway through the day, even when on a full charge.  If a phone is dying more quickly after a full charge, it may be time to replace the battery or altogether get a new phone.

Image source: Pixabay.com  

Everything’s painfully slow

Another strong case for replacing one’s phone is the nightmare of waiting an eternity for it to start or switch from one app to another.  The device takes so long to respond after a call, and moving from Facebook to WhatsApp seems like slow torture.

Pictures already look ugly

This might not be a big deal for everyone, but for a number of people it’s important to have an acceptable level of quality in images and videos.  If the phone’s lens was scratched or bumped in the past, it can also affect the expected quality.

Joe Cianciotto is an architect based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He likes staying updated on the latest gadgets, drones and cameras. Read more on this page.