Title: Copa Cabana
Song / Artist: "Copa Cabana" by 7Minds (remake of the classic)
Vidder: counteragent

Fandom: Alias
Download link: http://counteragent.livejournal.com/10323.html
Notes: Footage from all 5 seasons, no major spoilers.

Overall impression:  A fun vid that doesn't take itself too seriously and is only the better for it - a somewhat weaker second half, but it doesn't ruin just how entertaining the overall product is.

( Review here )

Title: Wish I Could
Vidder: Yusagi (aka darkbunnyrabbit )
Music & Artist: One in a Million, Backstreet Boys
Size: 74.7mbs
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo7HJKD-R8M&fmt=18
Notes: Spoilers up to Journey's End

Wilfred POV - After Journey's End, Wilf is torn and tormented, watching Donna struggle to live an empty life, when he's seen how wonderful she can be. It's only worsened when she has nightmares she can't remember, and tells him on occasion of silly daydreams she has. Wilfred wishes he could just tell her to try and become a better person like she was--tell her that she *had* been a better person, but he can't bring himself to, after the Doctor's warning. One day, though...one day he promises himself, he will tell her. It doesn't make the waiting any better.

**The song is shortened to fit the video.

Overall Impression:  An original idea that never gets a chance to shine due to technical flaws and a poorly edited musical selection.

( Read more... )

Title: Stand In The Rain
Vidder: rbexter93 (iswearisaid )
Music & Artist: Stand In The Rain by Superchicks
Size:34MB
Link:http://iswearisaid.livejournal.com/6069.html#cutid1
Notes: Spoilers up to 2x13 Exit Wounds

Overall Impression:  An excellent song choice but the vid falls short of the possibilities presented within the lyrics.

( Read more... )

Thank you to those who filled out the poll; it is obvious that most people lurk and only a few people are interested in participating in this community in the future. Out of 407 watchers (we bled 10 people since the poll was posted) only 27 people answered the poll, 2 of which were either in error, or were in an attempt to see the results quickly (me). Out of the remaining 25, 8 want the community to cease activity and act as an archive, leaving just 17 people who are interested in participating in future activity. These numbers are very low; however, I would like to test run the review challenge to see if it can work on a small scale, and to see if members enjoy it enough to continue.

Review Challenge Test-Run:
Volunteering vids: December 1st to December 20th
Volunteering review services & vid claiming: December 21st to December 31st
Posting date assignments: January 3rd
Posting period: January 16th to January 31st


In the mean time there is a related challenge community that will be running its first round in July at vid_commentary. Sign-ups are on-going, and the premise is that contributors write or record a commentary for a vid of their choice (not their own), and explain why and how a vid works -- what is its story or argument, its parallels, its metaphors, its colour symbolism and movement? Anything that they feel made the vid say and do what it did is what we are looking for. This is a celebration of vids as if you were asked to create a dvd commentary for a favourite show or movie.

Further information about this challenge, as well as written and recorded examples can be found on LJ and Dreamwidth at the following URLs:

Livejournal Vid Commentary community Information Post
Dreamwidth Vid Commentary community Information Post

My two volunteers and I are finally making our way through the remaining vids up for review (though we could always use more assistance if anyone has time to volunteer), and I would like to get member input before I make a final decision about the fate of the community. the_reel WILL NOT proceed in the same year-round fashion as it did previously, so the only question now is whether it will turn into a challenge community, or if it will close down. If the decision is made to close the community down then I will turn all past reviews into a pdf document that can be downloaded by anyone interested in keeping them, and members will be notified beforehand so that they can grab any posts pertaining to their own work.

If you watch the community, but have no plans to participate beyond that level in the future, then please do not fill out the poll. I welcome your comments below, as you are a very important part of the community, but I am trying to gage potential reviewing/reccing participation levels.

Poll #1393279 Community Future
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

How would you like to see the community proceed?

Thank you for your input!

Title: One Thing
Song / Artist: One Thing by Finger Eleven
Vidder: kazbaby
Fandom: Farscape
Download link: http://kazbaby.livejournal.com/465998.html

Overall impression: A good vid with a coherent narrative arc (beginning, middle, climax, end) and some genuinely poetic and touching moments. I recommend it for fans of Farscape especially, as there are moments they might gravitate towards and find touching.

( Read more... )

The ability of this community to properly service its members is at an all time low, and under its current format is not encouraging participation; therefore, some changes need to be made. If you have any vids that you would like to submit for review, then you have until Friday March 20th at 11:59pm [PST] to do so, after which time the community will be closed to incoming vids. Between the cut off date and June 1st I or one of my two volunteers will review all vids on the waiting list, and the future of this community, as well as any changes to the format that might improve both its efficiency and interaction with community members will be assessed.

Thank you for your understanding!

Vid Submit Deadline: 11:59pm [PST] Friday March 20th.
Downtime: 12:00am Saturday March 21st until June 1st.

It is that time again, and I am seeking reviewers and reccers for the month of March. HELP ME! Vids have been submitted in the following fandoms:

Alias
Battlestar Galactica mresundance
Doctor Who/Torchwood (3 1 vids for review) rae1013
Farscape mresundance
Heroes (3 vids for review) deathisyourart
Lost
Stargate: SG1
Supernatural millylicious
X-Files

MISC & SMALL FANDOMS: RPS Brad Colbert & John Stewart

MOVIES: The 300
MOVIES: Speedracer

Recommendations: Every two months I am going to ask for a volunteer to recommend vids in a (or many) specific fandom(s), and this month I am looking for someone to cover Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Prison Break and Merlin. If anyone would like to grab another fandom that currently doesn't have vids submitted for review I would appreciate that as well!

The vids up for review can be accessed by clicking on the "Vid Submission List" link on the left of the page, or by going to the same section in the memories. If you would like to volunteer to review a vid or two for us, then please just comment below and I will give you posting access. Thank you!

Title: Believe
Song / Artist: “Believe” by The Bravery
Vidder: giandujakiss
Fandom: Supernatural
Size: 14.8 MB (small) and 35 MB (large)
Link: http://giandujakiss.livejournal.com/700111.html
Why you should download this vid: One of the most representative vids of the recent season and a strong overview of Sam and Dean’s relationship (Winchest galore). Sharp editing will leave you breathless; this vid beautifully conveys the desperation and desire between Sam and Dean as their relationship unravels.

Title: Pretty
Song / Artist: “Pretty” by The Cranberries
Vidder: proofpudding
Fandom: Supernatural
Size: 24 MB
Link: http://proofpudding.livejournal.com/83148.html
Why you should download this vid: “You won’t change me.” A hypnotic and chilling character study of Ruby with particular focus on Ruby and Sam.

Title: Sweet Baby
Song / Artist: “Sweet Baby” by The Gossip
Vidder: lcsbanana
Fandom: Supernatural
Size: 36 MB
Link: http://lcsbanana.livejournal.com/1797678.html
Why you should download this vid: Jo was screwed by the show; this vid is a scathing and lucid meta on the subject, sewn together by some powerful and thought-provoking symbolism.

Title: Different Kind of Pain
Song / Artist: A Different Kind of Pain by Cold
Vidder: ruskiebiz
Fandom: Supernatural
Download link: http://ruskiebiz.livejournal.com/67434.html
Description: Dean/Castiel

Overall impression: A technically proficient vid which was, at times, visually beautiful and involving, but would have benefitted from stronger and more varied clip choices.

( Read more... )

Title: OMG!
Song / Artist: Oh My God performed by Mark Ronson feat. Lily Allen
Vidder: obsessive24
Fandom: Doctor Who/Torchwood
Size: 46.77 MB / 36.15 MB
Link: http://obsessive24.livejournal.com/232683.html
Why you should download this vid:

A fun, beautifully edited, bouncy vid that really does each of the companions justice while drawing very interesting links between them. The use of music is truly ingenious. Did we also mention fun?

Title: Low Red Moon
Vidder: Melymbrosia (untrue_accounts)
Fandom: Supernatural
Music & Artist: Low Red Moon by Belly
Download link: http://untrue-accounts.livejournal.com/108740.html
Overall impression: a little long, but still a very effective, atmospheric look at Ruby's relationship with Sam in Season 3.

( And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. )

In this post there are reviews and recommendations for Anime & Video Games, Criminal Minds, Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, Iron Man, The Dark Knight, Tin Man, Mirrormask, A Dog's Breakfast, Supernatural, Stargate:Atlantis, Veronica Mars, Starsky & Hutch, Terminator the Sarah Connor Chronicles, and Harry Potter.

( Reviews )

( Recommendations )