Fun(ding) Times...

I meant to post this yesterday, but it was another case of life getting in the way...

Steven Spielberg's reincarnated DreamWorks and the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group announced that they've completed the first phase of funding for films for the new company. Which basically means they now have the money to move forward with a slate of films.

I've always assumed that the company will still be known as DreamWorks since the name is owned by Spielberg through Jeffrey Katzenberg, of course. He could essentially call it anything he wants but everyone believes it'll still be that name and they're probably right. I wish they'd call it something else simply because the name will be associated with the animation division and many people will assume that their animated films are by default Disney... which they're not. Here's a name for Spielberg to use free of charge: "Amblin." My two cents.

For those of you scratching your head as to how this is in any relation to Disney, hang on. The distribution deal for DreamWorks that expired/expires this year will now be handled by the Mouse. The deal with Paramount after it bought the company became a point of contention and the relationship became very stressful for all the movie moguls involved. A Hollywood divorce on a corporate scale was what happened and Spielberg's team went looking for a new partner. Universal was widely expected to be the suitor given Spielberg's longtime association with the company, when that didn't happen Disney found themselves in the position of new lover, so to speak. Lovers are temporary and disposable in Tinseltown so it's an appropriate name I believe. But basically that's the short and skinny of it. The first films as part of the agreement will appear sometime next year.

Of course, the theme park attractions will have to be negotiated at a later date...

Homage/Copy = Desperate/Envy...

Blue Screen of Death! Oh nooooooooooooooooo!


I'm stuck! I'm stuck! Someone get me out.
They say imitation is the best form of flattery...

What you see above it the logo for the new Microsoft Stores that are going to be popping up all across America. Coincidentally, they're going to be very near Apple Stores. I wonder... when the power goes out or their security system goes Kablouy! does the room trap you in a living example of the "Blue Screen of Death?"

It's funny that Number One is chasing Number Two, isn't it? Why is it Bill Gates company feels the need to copy what Steve Jobs company is always doing? Oh well, I guess we can look forward to the stores reflecting the Apple experience somewhat since they've hired many executive who helped start the Little Fruit Company's stores. But will they have a Genius Bar? I mean, really... these are Windows computers after all. Hehe... sorry, but you guys know I'm a Mac Guy/Apple Dude.

It's all about the product, it's all about design, baby...

Disney's Original Alice...

Walt Disney's first star has finally faded out...

Virginia Davis, who stared in Disney's first foray into animation in Kansas City with the "Alice Comedies" has passed away. Walt really began his career with these comedies that were a hybrid of live-action/animation. When he moved to Hollywood, Davis followed him out to make twelve more shorts and then went on to act in several other films of the day, "Three on a Match" and "The Harvey Girls" among others. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.



Another piece of what made the magic is gone...

Wedding Bells...

The new trailer for Touchstone Pictures' "When In Rome" starring my future ex-wife, Kristen Bell is out...

Hey, don't blame me because she wanted the divorce when she caught me with my future ex, ex-wife, Audrey Tautou. I just can't help it since I'm a sucker for foreign girls, but do you think she'll ever take me back?

Falling in love all over and over again...

Hat Tip to Latino Review.

Foreign Surrogates...

I wonder what this film is about? I don't care, man! It stars Bruuuuuce!



Here are three new foreign posters for Touchstone Pictures "Surrogates" film...

Look, it's Bruce Willis!



Sigh, how I long for the days of Drew Struzan, when posters helped tell the story and not pitch the actor starring in it.

September is just a month away...

Beautiful, Scary Music (Part Two)...

Boo!


And it's only a short two months away for the other park as well...

Wouldn't you like to get a copy of this?

Trick or Treating in the Japanese Park that started it all...

Last Of The Last Son Of Krypton...

What a strange turn of events the court case of Kal-El is taking...

Warner Bros. lost a big one today. The rights to the Superman character slipped away a bit more. The family of Jerry Siegel won additional rights to the famed visitor from another planet. What rights you may wonder?

Well, the rights to the character almost seem to have been split in half with the Judge in the case acting like Solomon.

The Siegel family gets:

The depictions of Superman's origins from the planet Krypton.

Superman's parents Jor-El and Lara.

Superman as the infant Kal-El.

The launching of the infant Superman into space by his parents toward Earth.

Krypton exploding, the landing on Earth in a fiery crash.

Daily Planet Reporter/Superman's love, Lois Lane.

The Daily Planet newspaper.

The love triangle relationship between Clark/Superman and Lois.

Warner/DC Comics get:

Superman's ability to fly.

The term Kryptonite.

The arch-villain Lex Luthor.

Superman's pal Jimmy Olsen.

Clark Kent's Daily Planet Editor Perry White.

All of Superman's vision powers and the expanded origins.

Strange, but it follows a long fight and an evolving copyright code that have resulted in the creators' of Superman being in a more powerful position than in any case filed before. Both creators have long passed, but Siegel has heirs, Joe Schuster didn't. The expiration of the copyright on Superman only applies to the publication of Action Comics No. 1, all work after it is considered work for hire and therefore owned by the Warner.

The big announcement is that full ownership of Superman will go back to the Seigels in 2013 and Warner will have to be in production of a new film by 2011 if they are going to be able to retain film rights to the character. Otherwise the family will be able to set up a deal for comics, television and films at other studios. Of course, without several of his powers, friends and abilities.

What does this all mean? I'm not a lawyer, but I can tell you that the plans for going forward with a new Superman film just got put on the front burner. All those pitches that Warner was taking just received added importance. The Warner Suits are probably going to have a meeting very soon to decide what direction to go.

Will they go with Mark Millar and Matthew Vaughn's take? The three picture, nine hour epic tale of the Man of Steel from his Kryptonian origins to his last days on a dying Earth in the far off future? Doubtful because it's doesn't set the character on a continuing road of adventures; it's too finite.

Or the other rumor about the Wachowski Brothers rebooting the franchise as writer/producers and James McTeigue directing. I personally would have them direct it, not McTeigue. Neo is essentially a Superman variant in "The Matrix" anyway.

Not that Warner would listen to me, but again... Brad Bird. Get Brad Bird to write and direct it. That would create a Superman film with heart, emotion and set him up for a wonderful series of adventures in the 21st century.

Or it could possibly go with one of many other screenwriters and directors who have been meeting with Suits for the job. Either way, Warner had better get things going quickly or the rights to this famed character will go up,up and away.

Truth, Justice and the American Way...