The 3D upconversion of “Clash of the Titans” hadn’t been finished in time for its L.A. press junket, so they showed it to us in 2D, on good old 35mm film. But they did screen about seven minutes of digital 3D footage that was “80% done”.

Meh.

I was out of town when “The Last Airbender” was screened for the press — in digital 3D — but I’ve heard nothing but disappointing things about the experience. Jim Emerson and Sam Adams are wondering whether the added darkness and extra blur of the 3D version will lead audiences to shun 3D all over again. They’re expressing the same concerns that flew around when “Clash of the Titans” opened in April; I wondered then whether the largely negative reviews “Clash” were in some way influenced by critics’ frustration with the 3D process; seen flat, it was a pretty enjoyable little movie. Perhaps “Airbender” is running into the same problem.

Anyway, my point is that if you’re in Toronto, “The Last Airbender” is screening at the Carlton Cinemas in 2D, as M. Night Shyamalan  intended the film to be seen before it was swept up in the post-facto 3D craze. I plan to catch it there sometime in the next few days, as soon as I have a window of free time.

Has anyone out there caught it in either version? Thoughts? Opinions?

Also: If you’re down at Harbourfrount Centre and willing to spend a couple of hours outside in the stifling heat this evening, come over to the Sirius Satellite Stage around 8:30 or so for the first of this summer’s Free Flicks screenings. This year’s theme is “food”, and first up is Nora Ephron’s “Julie & Julia“, starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci and many exquisitely photographed meals.

Once again, I’ll be introducing the series on behalf of NOW; my co-host this year is Ali Rivzi of the SUN-TV series “Street Eats“. We will try to get off the stage before we sweat through everything we’re wearing. And you know you want to see that, right?