Courtesy of Make Magazine

By Sherri L. Smith, BlackWeb20.com

3D used to be this cheesy effect used in B-grade horror movies. And if the idea of horrible scene design wasn’t bad enough, the garish red and blue 3D glasses only increased the cheese factor. But as Hollywood got better with its magic, utilizing advanced animatronic creations and in this generation computer-generated images, it seemed like 3D was a thing of the past. But 3D is far from dead making a come back in animated movies like Disney’s ‘UP’ and Columbia Pictures and Sony’s upcoming flick  ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’. It’s also making a return to its horror roots in ‘The Final Destination’.

Courtesy of Oz 3D Optics

But as we move deeper into the realm of High Definition images, consumer electronic companies are scrambling to differentiate themselves, 3D is becoming a viable option. We’ve already seen the first camera able to take pictures in the third dimension, courtesy of Fujifilm. So far, the camera has been receiving mixed reviews with some sites dubbing it “the coolest camera of the year” and others the complete opposite.

Over in TV Land,  Sony is officially throwing its hat into the 3D ring, with Sony CEO Howard Stringer stating, “”3D train is on the track–and we’re the ones to drive it home.”

Driving the charge will be the Sony Bravia LCD TV.  According to CNET, the 3D compatible television is set to hit stores in 2010 and will have a high frame rate and a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels per eye. In addition, Sony is planning to roll out 3D compatible blu-ray players. The PlayStation 3 will also be getting into the act, with attendees at this  year’s IFA consumer electronics fair getting to play Wipeout HD in stunning 3D.

3D has been a cheap gimmick for so long that it’ll be hard to accept it as a viable addition to our entertainment experience. If Sony can convince consumers to embrace the tech, the future is ripe with possibilities, especially if they can do something about the dorky glasses.

BlackWeb20.com covers website and application launches; culturally relevant Internet industry news; and mainstream Internet industry news from an African-American perspective.  They also analyze emerging web trends and how they apply to web properties that target African-Americans or African-American culture.

Historically, Walt Disney Studio has had a less than savory record regarding images of African Americans in its animated works, so it was with great excitement that the Black community received the media giant’s first Black princess – well, after Disney tweaked the role here and there following a healthy dose of Black outrage. Read the rest.

The man who helped make Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett soul music legends has died at age 91. Wexler, who helped produce hits including Franklin’s “Respect” and many other notable tunes by seminal Black recording artists, passed away last week at his Florida home. Richard Schiff portrays Wexler in the 2004 feature film Ray, starring Jamie Foxx.

Disney wants Spike Lee to shut up

Execs backing a forthcoming Spike Lee flick agree with Clint Eastwood that Lee should “shut his mouth.” Lee recently called out Eastwood for the lack of Black actors in two of Eastwood’s war movies, in an obvious attempt to draw attention to Lee’s forthcoming Miracle at St. Anna, a film about Black soldiers in Europe during World War II. Eastwood dissed Lee in return, before Lee called him “an angry old man.” But Disney’s afraid that Miracle at St. Anna, starring actor Michael Ealy, could possibly lose recognition, Lee tells Entertainment Weekly. “I get the thing, ‘Well Mr. Eastwood is so well-beloved,’ and this may have ramifications at Academy time,’” Lee says. “But it’s over. I said what I had to say. He believes what he believes. And that’s that.”

Diddy drops two new fragrances. After succeeding with Unforgivable – aided by the controversy over a sexually suggestive commercial – Diddy’s back with more in the fragrance department. The I Am King cologne has been announced as Sean John’s next product. I Am Queen will follow as the fragrance for women – or for men who want to smell, well…different. Macy’s will begin selling the new cologne in December, just in time for Christmas. New reality show, new colognes and new money – what a combination.

Disney recreates first Black princess for musical set in New Orleans.
Having remade the main character – its first-ever Black princess – Disney is moving forward on plans for the musical The Princess and the Frog. The first storyline was scrapped after critics argued that it was stereotypical, featuring a girl named Maddy who worked for a White woman and was saved from a voodoo magician with help from her voodoo fairy godmother. The updated story is being kept close to the vests of film execs, but it’s reportedly set in New Orleans and takes place in the Jazz Era. The princess’ new name is Tiana, and Disney says that she and other characters will be presented “with the greatest of respect and sensitivity.”

2 Live Crew leader gets VH1 show
Luther “Luke” Campbell is set to join the rapper reality TV show ranks with his new show “Luke’s Parental Advisory.” The leader of the once-controversial 2 Live Crew, who battled for freedom of speech in his sexually explicit raps, will debut his program on VH1. Among other happenings explored on the show are Campbell ’s planned wedding to a successful lawyer and his confiscation of porn tapes from his 15-year-old son’s bedroom. “Luke’s Parental Advisory” hits the tube Aug. 4.