By: preme | On: 23 Oct, 2008
The awesome ladies from SarahConnorSociety.net and Multipleverses.com have put together a fantastic article talking about the problems with Monday nights and it’s not just about Sarah Connor but all shows in general. Specifically Kate, who wrote the article, makes a shit load of right on points about the packed schedule. I’m not going to repost her entire article but I will post a couple quotes.
- The ratings blogs and entertainment publications are in a quandry wondering what is going on. The answer is simple. MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!
- A lot of people in the media have a pre-conceived idea of the average sci-fi fan. They see us as geeks, dweebs and dorks who go to comic book conventions. That may be but we are also the most educated and diverse group in the tv and movie viewing landscape.
- The television landscape has gotten more and more crowded with more choices and people watching a great variety of programming than ever before. We also watch on more than just television. Online viewings, video on demand, iTunes, Amazon Unboxed and yes lets not forget the bane of the studios- torrent downloads mean we as viewers have other places to catch our favorite shows.
That’s all I’m going to steal from Kate but you should really read what is written there. It makes sense and it should be spread around the net. All networks need to rethink their programing and start respecting their demos because they don’t know what the deal is obviously.
By: preme | On: 23 Oct, 2008
I think The Incredible Hulk with Edward Norton was the biggest surprise of the year. People weren’t expecting anything good coming from it because of the disaster of a movie Ang Lee did a couple of years before. Part of me still enjoyed Lee’s Hulk by the way. There isn’t any doubt here that this Incredible Hulk turned out to be an awesome movie. I think when the year is out, The Incredible Hulk will end up on my top ten list.
After this film made its theatrical run, its box office total world wide brought it to $262 million bucks on a $150 mil budget. Although a profit was made, the problem is that the domestic take was only $134 million. Studio’s like breaking even domestically before movie along with a sequel. So because of this, there wasn’t any sequel talk at all. A lot of people including myself thought another Hulk film was less likely.
The head of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige had something to say about that. The Hulk will eventually come to the big screen again. He tells MTV, “Now we have a Hulk that we can be proud of and that is a better match and fits more with the tone of what had been in our comics and what we want him to be in our films going forward.” Feige wants us to be pacient while other Marvel characters get their shot. “The truth is that Hulk has had two films in the past five years, and it’s time to give some of the other guys a turn. But certainly what we are doing is suggesting and cross-pollinating the characters between films, and like reading a comic, I’d like to set that expectation that anything can happen - and anyone can pop up - in anybody else’s story,” he says. “I would expect that people may see the Hulk again soon before he is again carrying his own film.”
This is great news. I’m glad that The Hulk will get another film for himself but I’m also pumped that he’ll be able to get cameos in the next couple of Marvel films. I do hope very much Ed Norton will be willing to return to play the character. His involvement with the film is honestly why it was so good. Since the next Marvel film doesn’t come out until 2010, I think it’ll be a while till we hear anything else.
Source: Cinematical
By: preme | On: 21 Oct, 2008
Here comes the next movie blockbuster theme park. Transformers will be developed into a theme park by Univeral Parks & Resorts, Hasbro, Inc. and DreamWorks Pictures. Click the concept photos above and below for larger photos. Lets take a look at the press release:
The attraction will fuse 3D-HD media, mega special effects and stunning robotics with a ride system that will transform perceptions of theme park experiences. The rides are scheduled to make their debuts in early 2011, first at Universal Studios Singapore and then at Universal Studios Hollywood. In “Transformers,” Earth’s humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between the friendly Autobots and the evil Decepticons, which are able to change into a variety of objects, including cars, trucks, planes and other technological creations.
Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts, said: “‘Transformers’ will be a jewel in our collection of world-class rides based on great movies. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Hasbro, DreamWorks, director Michael Bay and the film’s executive producer, Steven Spielberg, who has been responsible for so many of our signature rides and attractions.” Steven Spielberg serves as creative consultant to Universal Parks & Resorts and has worked closely with the company in the creation of some of the world’s most innovative theme park attractions. Those attractions include Jurassic Park-the Ride, a featured attraction at UP&R parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Japan, the E.T. Adventure at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Japan, and the “War of the Worlds” sets at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Hollywood, said “‘Transformers’ represents a perfect match for our theme park: an exhilarating blockbuster with a great story, clever humor, non-stop action and flawless special effects. It has all the elements necessary to become one of the world’s most exciting theme park rides and a centerpiece attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.”
“We are thrilled to be working with Universal Parks & Resorts and DreamWorks to create this ‘Transformers’ attraction because we believe it will deliver an ultimate one of a kind immersive ‘Transformers’ experience for our fans around the world!” said Brian Goldner, President and CEO of Hasbro, Inc.
Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer of Resorts World at Sentosa, the mega resort that is home to Universal Studios Singapore, said: “It is great that Asia will be the launch pad for the first Transformers attraction. Transformers was introduced in the United States in 1983 but traces its roots to Asia. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron are familiar names to Asian audiences, who grew up with the robot toys and love the movie. When Transformers opens in Universal Studios Singapore in 2010, it will be the first of its kind in the world. We may see a surge of Transformers mania.
-Phil
By: preme | On: 08 Sep, 2008
Everyone wants to get into the potentially lucrative animation game, and “Igor” illustrates the intriguing internationalization of the genre. The often striking animation was designed at the Sparx Animation Studios in Paris, with a large staff of Vietnamese artists. Although the visuals tantalize and the actors providing the voices add a lot of sass, the result is only so-so. Boxoffice prospects look to be modest at best.
Screenwriter Chris McKenna says he was inspired more by Frankenstein movies than by sunnier Disney cartoons. The story takes place in the kingdom of Malaria, where evil scientists rule, aided by their hunchbacked servants, known as Igors. But one of these Igors (voiced by John Cusack) dreams of advancing beyond his rank. When his master dies, Igor decides to enter the annual Evil Science Fair himself and burst the bounds of servitude. Rivals try to foil his plans before the inevitable happy ending.
The animation style, drenched in darkness, owes more to “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas” than to recent Pixar hits. The visual style grows a bit monotonous, but a more serious problem is that the story is undernourished, and the wit erupts only in flashes. Although Molly Shannon does what she can with Eva, the monster who dreams of being an actress, the script could use more wickedly satirical touches.
Production Status:
Released
Logline:
A hunchbacked lab assistant has big dreams of becoming a mad scientist and winning the first place prize at the annual Evil Science Fair.
Genres:
Comedy and Animation
Release Date:
September 19th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:
PG for some thematic elements, scary images, action and mild language.
Distributors:
The Weinstein Company, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM)
By: preme | On: 19 Aug, 2008
Terminal Island, New York: 2020. Overcrowding in the U.S. penal system has reached a breaking point. Prisons have been turned over to a monolithic Weyland Corporation, which sees jails full of thugs as an opportunity for televised sport. Adrenalized inmates, a global audience hungry for violence and a spectacular, enclosed arena come together to form the ‘Death Race’, the world’s biggest, most brutal sporting event. Five-time NASCAR champion Jensen Ames is a man who has become an expert at survival. After eight years of hard time, he has only six weeks before reuniting with his family. But when Weyland demands a driver to headline the big game, Ames is forced to submit. Donning the costume of mythical rider Frankenstein, the racer becomes an instant crowd favorite, an unequaled sporting superstar. His face hidden by a metallic black mask, one convict will be put through a brutal three day challenge, with the trophy being the ultimate prize: freedom. The only catch is that he must survive a gauntlet of the most vicious criminals in this post-industrial wasteland to claim it. Driving a monster car outfitted with machine guns, flamethrowers and grenade launchers, Ames must now kill or be killed to win the most treacherous spectator sport on Earth: ‘Death Race’.
Also Known As:
Death Race 3000
Production Status:
Released
Logline:
In the year 2020, a series of race car drivers compete in an ultraviolent race using heavily armed cars.
Genres:
Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Remake and Sports
Release Date:
August 22nd, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:
R for strong violence and language.
Distributors:
Universal Pictures
