So you walk down the corridor towards the toilets, and it’s initially dark, because the lights are on a timer and go out after a bit. Which is good. Partly because it’s saving energy, and partly because it means no-one’s been down for a while and you’re getting the bog to yourself.
But …
What if someone’s in there?
That means they’ve been there long enough for the light to go out, which has to be wrong, one way or the other, surely?
Am I wrong to worry about such things?
Ten principles for good design - Dieter Rams
1. Good design is innovative.
2. Good design makes a product useful.
3. Good design is aesthetic.
4. Good design makes a product understandable.
5. Good design is unobtrusive.
6. Good design is honest.
7. Good design is long-lasting.
8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail.
9. Good design is environmentally friendly.
10. Good design is as little design as possible.Via David Airey
So I went back for a second helping of Inception on Saturday, this time at the IMAX in Manchester’s Printworks (one of the obnoxious buildings I’ve ever had the displeasure of stepping into … but that’s for another post). Much like Christopher Nolan’s previous puzzlebox films, Memento and The Prestige, a second viewing is really rewarding. I spotted a couple of dubious plotholes/contrivances, but nothing major. No, the big problem I had was with the IMAX format itself.
It’s just too big! Unless you’re sat slap bang in the middle of the auditorium, you’re going to get a distorted image. This doesn’t matter too much on the expansive wide shots (Nolan is particularly good at capturing breathtaking aerial shots of cities), but it ruins close-ups. I think he’s an amazing actor, but staring into Leonardo Dicaprio’s gigantic distorted nostrils really doesn’t add much to the viewing experience, you know?
So in summary: go and see Inception. It’s amazing. But only see it in GigantaVision if you know for certain that you’ve got the very best seats in the house.
Unbearably cute pic pinched from Nicole Peterson.
