Showing posts with label Films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Films. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

More Focus On The Frog...


The folks over at the Animation World Network have posted another featurette on Walt Disney Animation Studios latest effort...

This one entitled "The Princess and the Animator" focuses on Mark Henn, the man in charge of animating Tiana in this film. Like a book, each new bit of info on this film is another page that I delight in learning about. Give it a look.

December...

Hat Tip to Latino Review's El Guapo.

Friday, May 8, 2009

The Princess And Frog From An Apple...


Tomorrow the trailer for "The Princess and the Frog" should premiere and then shortly appear on Apple's trailer website...

Unless something unforeseen happens that is what will happen. Should that wish come true, you may find yourself giggly with Disney joy tomorrow night. It's a great trailer and it shows why we love classic hand-drawn Disney animation.

Forthcoming...

UPDATE: Get the YouTube version here.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

How To Be Andrew Stanton...


Creative Screenwriting Magazine's blog has a really nice interview with film maker/screewriter/Pixar Guru Andrew Stanton. Check it out, it's a really engaging discussion...

Hat Tip to The Disney Blog via Pixar Planet.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Mouse Gets Annoying...


Walt Disney Studios has bought the spec script "The World's Most Annoying Man" from Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert with the intent of Andy Fickman producing.

The story is about a man who is forced to travel cross-country with his extremely annoying brother to reach his own wedding in time.

Hilarity ensues...

Fickman(whose company Oops Doughnuts production company is shingled on the Mouse's Lot) is the director of the upcoming March release "Race to Witch Mountain" from Disney.

Developing...

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Muppets Alive!


The New York Times has an article by Brooks Barnes about the Mouse's attempts, both past and present, at revitalizing the Muppets franchise. Under the new regime they've been trying to raise the brand so that it matches other Disney franchises like Winnie the Pooh. It's been more difficult than they expected, but there appears to be a rainbow connection just over the horizon...

I know, I know... bad pun, but hey, I couldn't resist.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

It Had To Happen...


Trying to continually capitalize on the phenomenon that is Miley Cyrus, Walt Disney Studios is currently working on a project to star the former, yes, former star of "Hannah Montana"...

Nicholas Sparks(The Notebook," "A Walk to Remember") is writing the screenplay to feature a non-singing Miley in a role that is intended to broaden her image away from the tween superstar.

Whatayaknow?

Hannah Montana grows up after all...

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The Direction Of Narnia...


The Hollywood Reporter has a nice interview with Andrew Adamson, the director of "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"(perhaps you've heard of it?) that's a bit of a good read. "Speed Racer" opens this Friday and "Narnia" will open the following week, so it's gonna be a busy movie-going season, me thinks.

Have a looksie...

Sunday, April 13, 2008

New Prince, New Poster...


Walt Disney Pictures has released a new one-sheet poster of the main character from the new Narnia film. The emphasis is clearly on the lead character in this one, I'm sure the Mouse is aiming squarely at those tween girls that go to the Hanna Montana concerts and have pics of boy bands like the Jonas Brothers on their walls. From what I've heard the film is more mature and darker in nature than CON: TLTWATW, which should hopefully provide a reason for older Disney fans to go see it as well.

Friday, April 11, 2008

It's All About Family Films, Dude...


Walt Disney Pictures has acquired the spec script "Family Dude," in a preemptive strike from scribes Steven Gary Banks and Claudia Graziosi("Are We There Yet?"... I know, I know). It is described as a comedy. The story follows an uptight, successful finance Suit who gets his neighbor, a lovely single mother with three kids, to go with him to a Montana dude ranch and pretend they are a family so he can close a financial deal. Walt Becker will produce through his Walt Becker Prods. shingle. The Mouse plans on putting the production on the fast track in the hopes that it can avoid the coming SAG strike.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The New Slate...


I guess it would have good to mention the entire slate, huh? Sorry about that...

Here is a listing of the new line up from the Mouse's press release:

_________________________________________________

NEW YORK, April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walt Disney Studios unveiled a diverse and ambitious slate of 10 new animated feature films from Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios to be released through the year 2012 at a New York press conference held today by Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, and John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios.

The line-up includes new films from Disney and Pixar's accomplished team of filmmakers, and features vocal performances by such top celebrity talents as John Travolta and Miley Cyrus ("Bolt"), Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson ("The Bear and the Bow"), Anika Noni Rose and John Goodman ("The Princess and the Frog"), as well as return engagements by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and the rest of the "Toy Story" vocal ensemble ("Toy Story 3"). The roster of new animated features includes six new films from Pixar Animation Studios, four from Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the first four in a series of direct-to-DVD films featuring Disney Fairies from DisneyToon Studios. Starting later this year with the release of Disney's "Bolt," all Disney and Pixar animated features will be presented in state-of-the-art Disney Digital 3-D(TM). Additionally, newly converted 3-D versions of the beloved classics, "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2," are set to debut in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Among the upcoming animated films on the 2008 release schedule are "WALL*E" (Pixar) from Academy Award(R)-winning director/writer Andrew Stanton ("Finding Nemo") opening nationwide June 27th; "Bolt" (Disney) from the talented new directing team of Chris Williams and Byron Howard, due in theatres on November 26th; and the Disney DVD and Blu-ray release of "Tinker Bell," the first in a new franchise of original entertainment set in the world of Fairies, on October 28th. The Studio's 2009 animated slate includes the summer release of Pixar's first 3-D feature, "Up," from director Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and co-director Bob Peterson, the Christmas Day release of Disney's original animated fairy tale "The Princess and the Frog" from acclaimed veteran Disney directors John Musker and Ron Clements ("The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Hercules,") and the Disney DVD and Blu-ray release of "Tinker Bell North of Never Land" (working title). 2010 brings the highly anticipated return of Buzz and Woody in the Disney Digital(TM) 3D summer release of Pixar's "Toy Story 3" directed by Lee Unkrich ("Finding Nemo," "Monsters, Inc."); followed by the Christmas arrival of Disney's version of the classic fairy tale, "Rapunzel," featuring the directing debuts of animation legend Glen Keane and directing partner Dean Wellins, and the Disney DVD and Blu-ray release of "Tinker Bell A Midsummer Storm" (working title).

In the summer of 2011, Pixar's "newt" marks the directing debut of multiple Oscar(R)-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom. Christmas 2011 brings Pixar's first fairy tale, "The Bear and the Bow," from acclaimed filmmaker/writer Brenda Chapman ("The Prince of Egypt"). The Disney DVD and Blu-ray release of "Tinker Bell A Winter Story" (working title) also debuts in 2011. The year 2012 will mark the return of Lightning McQueen, Mater the tow truck, and an international cast of favorite and new car characters in Pixar's "Cars 2," directed by Brad Lewis (producer of "Ratatouille"). Scheduled for Christmas 2012 from Walt Disney Animation Studios is "King of the Elves," an adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story, directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker ("Brother Bear").

Commenting on the announcement, Cook said, "We couldn't be more proud and excited about our upcoming line-up of feature projects. With so many great films literally on the drawing boards and computer screens, we felt that now was the perfect time to give moviegoers all over the world an update on the state of our art. In a year when our Studio is marking the 80th anniversary of Mickey Mouse, the character that started it all for us, it seems especially timely to share our plans for the future of animation. With John Lasseter and Ed Catmull guiding our creative efforts both at Emeryville and in Burbank, this is as exciting a time as any in our history."

Lasseter added, "This is an amazing time for animation at Disney and Pixar, and it's a thrill to be working on such a diverse and original group of films with such an all-star team of filmmakers. The thing I love best about my job is that I get to work at both Disney and Pixar with filmmakers who are passionate about their projects and who are the absolute best in the business. We're excited to be pushing the boundaries of 3-D and computer technology to tell our stories in the best possible way. At the same time, we're drawing on our past to emphasize memorable characters, original edge-of-your-seat stories, and believable worlds. Walt Disney and his creative team taught us how to blend comedy, powerful emotion, and action-filled excitement in our films, and this group of incredible filmmakers is bringing their own originality and sensibilities to the
process."

_________________________________________________

And then there was the detailed breakdown of each movie:


WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS/ PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS RELEASE SCHEDULE
2008 -- 2012:

2008:



WALL*E (Domestic Release Date: June 27th, 2008)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director/Screenwriter: Andrew Stanton
Producer: Jim Morris
Co-Producer: Lindsey Collins
Sound and Character Voice Designer: Ben Burtt
Composer: Thomas Newman, with an Original Song Performed by Peter Gabriel Voice Talent: Fred Willard, Jeff Garlin, Sigourney Weaver, John
Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy

What if mankind had to leave Earth and somebody forgot to turn off the last robot?

Academy Award(R)-winning writer-director Andrew Stanton ("Finding Nemo") and the inventive storytellers and technical geniuses at Pixar Animation Studios transport moviegoers to a galaxy not so very far away for a new computer-animated cosmic comedy about a determined robot named WALL*E.

After hundreds of lonely years doing what he was built for, WALL*E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL*E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL*E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most incredible comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen.

Joining WALL*E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.



BOLT (Domestic Release Date: November 26th, 2008, Disney Digital 3-D(TM))
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: Chris Williams, Byron Howard
Producer: Clark Spencer
Voice Talent: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman

For super-dog Bolt (voiced by John Travolta), every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue -- at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the canine star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet -- a cross-country journey through the real world. Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and with the help of two unlikely traveling companions -- a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voiced by Susie Essman), and TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino -- Bolt discovers he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero. Miley Cyrus ("Hannah Montana") brings her vocal talents to the role of Penny, Bolt's human co-star on the television series.



TINKER BELL (Disney DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: October 28th, 2008)
DisneyToon Studios
Director: Bradley Raymond
Producer: Jeannine Roussel

Enter the magical world of fairies and meet the enchanting creatures of Pixie Hollow, who "nurture nature" and bring about the change of the seasons. Changing the colors of the leaves, moving a sunbeam to melt snow, waking animals from their winter slumber, or giving a patch of sproutlings a sprinkle of water are all within the realm of these seasonal specialists. Tinker Bell thinks her fairy talent as a "tinker" isn't as special or important as the other fairies' talents. But when Tink tries to change who she is, she creates nothing but disaster! With encouragement from her friends Rosetta, Silvermist, Fawn and Iridessa, Tink learns the key to solving her problems lies in her unique tinker abilities ... and discovers that when she's true to herself, magical things can happen.



2009:


UP (Domestic Release Date: May 29th, 2009, Disney Digital 3-D(TM))
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Pete Docter
Co-Director: Bob Peterson
Producer: Jonas Rivera
Writer: Bob Peterson Voice Talent: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger, Jordan
Nagai

From the Academy Award(R)-nominated team of director Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and co-director Bob Peterson comes "Up," a comedic adventure taking off (and lifting spirits) in summer 2009. Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. "Up" takes audiences on a thrilling journey where the unlikely pair encounter wild terrain, unexpected villains and jungle creatures. When seeking adventure next summer -- look "Up."



TOY STORY in 3-D (Domestic Release Date: October 2nd, 2009)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: John Lasseter
Producers: Ralph Guggenheim, Bonnie Arnold
Composer: Randy Newman Voice Talent: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace
Shawn, John Ratzenberger

Originally released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1995, "Toy Story" was the first feature film from Pixar Animation Studios and director John Lasseter. The film went on to receive Oscar(R) nominations for Best Original Score, Best Original Song, and Best Original Screenplay, and earned Lasseter a Special Achievement Award (Oscar(R)) "for the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." The 3-D version of this landmark film is being personally overseen by Lasseter with his acclaimed team of technical wizards handling all the necessary steps in the conversion process.



THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (Domestic Release Date: Christmas 2009)
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Producer: Peter Del Vecho
Composer: Randy Newman
Voice Talent: Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, John Goodman

A musical set in the greatest city of them all, New Orleans, "The Princess and the Frog" marks Disney's return to the timeless art form of traditional animation. The film teams Ron Clements and John Musker, creators of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin," with Oscar(R)-winning composer Randy Newman to tell the most beautiful love story ever told ... with frogs, voodoo, and a singing alligator.

TINKER BELL NORTH OF NEVER LAND - working title (Disney DVD and Blu-ray
Release Date: 2009)


DisneyToon Studios
Director: Klay Hall
Producer: Sean Lurie

In autumn, Tinker Bell is entrusted with crafting a great treasure that can rejuvenate the Pixie Dust Tree. But when her friend Terence offers to help, Tink's temper and stubbornness get the better of her, shattering both her creation and her friendship with Terence. To set things right again, she must embark on a journey far North of Never Land ... and along the way, she will discover an even greater treasure.



2010:

TOY STORY 2 in 3-D (Domestic Release Date: February 12th, 2010)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: John Lasseter
Co-Directors: Lee Unkrich, Ash Brannon
Producers: Helene Plotkin, Karen Robert Jackson
Composer: Randy Newman Voice Talent: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don
Rickles, Estelle Harris, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger

Originally released in 1999, "Toy Story 2" went on to become one of the most popular animated features of all time. The film picks up as Andy is heading off to Cowboy Camp and the toys are left to their own devices. When an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (owner of Al's Toy Barn) kidnaps Woody, and Woody learns that he's a highly valued collectable from a 1950s TV show called "Woody's Roundup," the stage is set for a daring rescue attempt by the gang from Andy's room. The film introduced such other memorable characters from "Woody's Roundup" as Jessie the cowgirl, Bullseye the horse, and the Prospector.


TOY STORY 3 (Domestic Release Date: June 18th, 2010, Disney Digital
3-D(TM))


Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Lee Unkrich
Producer: Darla K. Anderson
Writer: Michael Arndt
Composer: Randy Newman Voice Talent: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace
Shawn, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger, Ned Beatty

The creators of the beloved "Toy Story" films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in "Toy Story 3." Lee Unkrich (co-director of "Toy Story 2" and "Finding Nemo") directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award(R)-winning screenwriter of "Little Miss Sunshine," brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings.



RAPUNZEL (Domestic Release Date: Christmas 2010, Disney Digital 3-D(TM))
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: Glen Keane, Dean Wellins
Producer: Roy Conli

In this new telling of the classic fairy tale, "Rapunzel," audiences will be transported to a stunning CG fantasy world complete with the iconic tower, an evil witch, a gallant hero and, of course, the mysterious girl with the long golden tresses. Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair ... lots of hair, when Rapunzel unleashes her locks in theaters for the 2010 holiday.

TINKER BELL A MIDSUMMER STORM - working title (Disney DVD and Blu-ray
Release Date: 2010)


DisneyToon Studios
Director: Carolyn Gair
Producer: Margot Pipkin

After being confronted by her antagonist Vidia, an irritated Tinker Bell retaliates by taking a photograph of Vidia ... without considering the consequences. Now, the two must set aside their differences and cooperate to prevent evidence of the existence of fairies from falling into human hands.



2011:



NEWT (Domestic Release Date: Summer 2011, Disney Digital 3-D(TM))
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Gary Rydstrom
Producer: Richard Hollander
Writers: Gary Rydstrom, Leslie Caveny

What happens when the last remaining male and female blue-footed newts on the planet are forced together by science to save the species, and they can't stand each other? That's the problem facing Newt and Brooke, heroes of "newt," the Pixar film by seven-time Academy Award(R) winner for sound Gary Rydstrom, and director of Pixar's Oscar-nominated short, "Lifted." Newt and Brooke embark on a perilous, unpredictable adventure and discover that finding a mate never goes as planned, even when you only have one choice. Love, it turns out, is not a science.



THE BEAR AND THE BOW (Domestic Release Date: Christmas 2011, Disney
Digital 3-D(TM))


Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Brenda Chapman
Producer: Katherine Sarafian
Voice Talent: Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson

A rugged and mythic Scotland is the setting for Pixar's action-adventure "The Bear and the Bow." The impetuous, tangle-haired Merida, though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father's kingdom and her mother's life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark, ancient curse to set things right. Director Brenda Chapman ("The Prince of Egypt," "The Lion King") and the storytelling wizards of Pixar conjure humor, fantasy and excitement in this rich Highland tale.

TINKER BELL A WINTER STORY - working title (Disney DVD and Blu-ray
Release Date: 2011)

DisneyToon Studios

Producer: Sean Lurie

The fourth, as-yet-untold story of Tinker Bell and her fairy friends will take place in winter, completing the cycle of the seasons.



2012:



CARS 2 (Domestic Release Date: Summer 2012, Disney Digital 3-D(TM))
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Brad Lewis

All the world's a racetrack as racing superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe's fastest and finest in this thrilling high-octane new installment of the "Cars" saga. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a new world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades around the globe. "Cars 2" is being directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar(R)- winning film "Ratatouille."



KING OF THE ELVES (Domestic Release Date: Christmas 2012, Disney
Digital 3-D(TM))


Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker
Producer: Chuck Williams

Legendary storyteller Phillip K. Dick's short story (his only experiment in the fantasy genre) becomes the basis for this fantastic and imaginative tale about an average man living in the Mississippi Delta, whose reluctant actions to help a desperate band of elves leads them to name him their new king. Joining the innocent and endangered elves as they attempt to escape from an evil and menacing troll, their unlikely new leader finds himself caught on a journey filled with unimaginable dangers and a chance to bring real meaning back to his own life.

Hat Tip goes to Cinematical

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Endless Summer...


Thanks to all of you that responded to my list of the Top Five Scripts Hollywood Never Made. I thought we'd take a second to look at the movies coming out over the next few months. This summer promises to have an amazing amount of new releases at the box office...

Let's see, we have "Iron Man", "Made of Honor", "Mister Lonely", "Son of Rambow" on May 2nd, "Speed Racer" on May 9th, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian", "Midnight Meat Train", "What Happens In Vegas", "Padre Nuestro" on May 16th, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" on May 22nd, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", "Sex and the City: The Movie", "Starship Dave", "Savage Grace" on May 30th, "Kung Fu Panda", "You Don't Mess with the Zohan", "Mongol" on June 6th, "The Happening", "The Incredible Hulk" on June 13th, "Get Smart", "The Love Guru", "Religulous" on June 20th, "Wall-E", "Wanted" on June 27th, "Hancock", "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery" on July 2nd, "Hellboy II", "Tropic Thunder" on July 11th, "The Dark Knight", "Mamma Mia!", "Space Chimps" on July 18th, "Step Brothers", Untitled Ice Cube Family Comedy", "The X-Files 2" on July 25th, "He's Just Not That Into You", "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor", "South of the Border" on August 1st, "Eagle Eye", "Journey 3-D", "The Pineapple Express", "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2", "Blindness" on August 8th, "Dragonball", "The International" on August 15th, "Case 39", "I Know What Boys Like" on August 22nd, "Trailer Trash" on August 29th and that's just what I remember that's coming out this during the coming weeks of warm weather. So I thought I'd put together a list.

Here is Blue Sky Disney's top picks of the summer starting from number one:



Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull(Paramount Pictures) - The first Indiana Jones movie in 19 years is the movie that holds the most anticipation for me. The Man in the Hat returns in his first adventure based on a Disney themepark attraction... errr. Wait. Or is that reverse? Either way, seeing this larger than life character back on the silver screen is a welcome sight and the only movie that is truly an "event film" for my friends and me.

Release Date: May 22nd



The Dark Knight(Warner Bros. Pictures) - Christopher Nolan's second run at the Gotham vigilante runs a close second to Indy as we get to see the further adventures of one of the most fascinating characters in comics. Featuring Heath Ledger in his last, fully completed role as the clown prince of crime, this film has a lot to live up to... "Batman Begins" is the most fully three dimensional representation of the caped crusader. Popcorn and soda for all.

Release Date: July 18th



Speed Racer(Warner Bros. Pictures) - The modern, live-action take on the 60's anime show comes to us courtesy of the warped, gender-bending minds of Andy and Larry Wachowski. When I first heard about this I wasn't too excited... especially after seeing the extremely disappointing sequels to "The Matrix". I've had the script for this for about four months and am glad I didn't start to read it. After seeing the trailer I want to be surprised... it's really trippy. If you haven't seen the trailer, go have a looksie. It's a tale colored in Skittles and unlike anything I've seen in a long time.

Release Date: May 9th



Wall-E(Disney/Pixar) - Andrew Stanton's last animated movie till next decade has all the charm and sweetness one would expect from the director of "Finding Nemo'. Not only does the animation show why Pixar is at the top of computer graphics animation, but it presents one of the best examples of why John Lasseter was put in charge of the Mouse's animation.

Release Date: June 27th



The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian(Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media) - The second adaption of C.S. Lewis' Narnia saga appears to be taking a more epic and darker road as the success of the first one has given Walden Media and Disney more confidences in laying down the bling for a grander continuation of this fantasy.

Release Date: May 16th



Iron Man(Paramount Pictures) - A movie based on a second tier comic book character getting a big budget presentation? I wasn't that keen on seeing this until I heard that Robert Downey Jr. had been cast. Then Jeff Bridges and a star studded cast peeked my interest. The preview looks good, faithful and quite fun. This project has gone a long way since Tom Cruise was attached to this project.

Release Date: May 2nd



The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor(Universal Pictures) - I read this script almost two years ago and loved it. Very much in the vein of the original movie. A truly fun read... I hope that the film is as good as the script. It's by the writers/producers of "Smallville" who just so happen to have written a script for Disney called "Jungle Cruise". My only disappointment so far is that Rachel Weiz didn't return as Evie...

Release Date: August 1st



X-Files 2(20th Century Fox) - A huge fan of the television show. I enjoyed the first film, didn't think it lived up to the hype and wasn't as good as a movie as it was as a series. That being said, I'm looking forward to seeing Skully and Mulder in action again, I just hope everyone else is as well.

Release Date: July 25th



Hellboy II(Universal Pictures) - I had actually never read Mike Magnola's bizarre hero from hell until after I saw the first film. It was a pleasant surprise. I've read them all now and really enjoyed the film for what it was able to accomplish in compacting a story into a couple hours and showing us this universe. Looking forward to seeing another dark adventure of the employees of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD). I've been impressed with what Guillermo del Toro has been able to get up on the screen with the budgets he's given.

Release Date: July 11th



Get Smart(Warner Bros. Pictures) - As a kid, I grew up watching this show and thought it was a riot. A great take on what would have happened if James Bond was an idiot... Steve Carell is perfectly cast as Maxwell Smart the agent that defends the world with his shoe. Seeing the world in peril never looked so funny.

Release Date: June 20th

Buy a lot of popcorn... it's going to be a long summer. Let's hope it's going to be a good one as well.

Monday, March 24, 2008

In Memorium: Jules Verne...


On this day...

One hundred and three years ago, Imagination fades a bit as French writer Jules Verne, the original "Steampunk" author and inspiration for many Disney films and attractions passes away in France.

Great minds leave behind trails... he leaves behind whole worlds.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Mars Investigations Hired By The Mouse...


The lovely and talented Kristen Bell, whom played in one of the few TV shows of the last few years that I consider great, "Veronica Mars" and then went on to become a villain in the hit television show "Heroes" has been cast in "When in Rome" for Walt Disney Studios. Mark Steven Johnson(Daredevil) will direct the romantic comedy written by David Diamond and David Weissman, the tale of a lonely New York curator looking for that elusive thing we like to call love. She steals magical coins from a famous Roman fountain and is pursued by some men that aren't exactly what she expected Cupid to send her way. Filming should begin by the end of April.