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: 10 Sep, 2008
Bertram Pincus is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy, who pesters him into breaking up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen. That puts Pincus squarely in the middle of a triangle, with spirited results.
Production Status:
Released
Genres:
Comedy and Science Fiction/Fantasy
Release Date:
September 19th, 2008 (wide)
Distributors:
DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Pictures
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
By: preme | On: 20 Jul, 2008
Explorer Rick O’Connell to combat the resurrected Han Emperor in an epic that races from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid Himalayas. Rick is joined in this all-new adventure by son Alex, wife Evelyn and her brother, Jonathan. And this time, the O’Connells must stop a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse who threatens to plunge the world into his merciless, unending service.
Doomed by a double-crossing sorceress to spend eternity in suspended animation, China’s ruthless Dragon Emperor and his 10,000 warriors have laid forgotten for eons, entombed in clay as a vast, silent terra cotta army. But when dashing adventurer Alex O’Connell is tricked into awakening the ruler from eternal slumber, the reckless young archaeologist must seek the help of the only people who know more than he does about taking down the undead: his parents. As the monarch roars back to life, our heroes find his quest for world domination has only intensified over the millennia. Striding the Far East with unimaginable supernatural powers, the Emperor Mummy will rouse his legion as an unstoppable, otherworldly force… unless the O’Connells can stop him first.
Genres:
Action/Adventure and Sequel
Release Date:
August 1st, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:
PG-13 for adventure action and violence.
Distributors:
Universal Pictures Distribution
Production Co.:
The Sean Daniel Company, Sommers Company
Starring:
Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh, John Hannah
Directed by:
Rob Cohen
By: preme | On: 18 Jul, 2008
Mamma Mia! is the worst-directed “good” movie ever. If it wasn’t for the effervescent charms of ABBA’s sparkling songs, and the brave earnestness of the uniformly superb cast, it would be an unbridled disaster. No matter her impressive theatrical résumé, director Phyllida Lloyd is the song and dance version of Uwe Boll. Her choices behind the lens are so shockingly bad, and her grasp of cinematic language so surprisingly weak, that you wonder how amazing this movie would have been had someone with a modicum of moviemaking skill shown up to take control.
A prime example of Lloyd’s motion picture incompetence comes toward the very end, when Streep is singing her heart out to “The Winner Takes It All.” It’s an emotional moment, the pinnacle ballad in a character’s crazed, out-of-control life. As the Oscar winner delivers a knock-out performance, her delicate gestures giving way to facial expressions racked with regret, Lloyd circles the actress, her camera constantly swirling around the action. By the fourth or fifth revolution, we want the visual merry-go-round to stop, if only to give Streep a chance to connect. But instead, the audience must endure more whirling dervish nonsense before a final shot saves everything.
Much of Mamma Mia! is like this, random moments of acting/musical brilliance boondoggled by Lloyd’s aggravating designs. A pier-side chorus line of “liberated” ladies really sells “Dancing Queen,” even if our filmmaker can’t capture the moment properly for maximum impact. Our young lovers sing “Lay All Your Love on Me” with the appropriate passion, even as their director adds goofy men in scuba gear as a Monty Python-like distraction.
And remember, this is a good movie, a film buoyed by ABBA’s undeniably infectious music. The minute one of their classic kitsch hits comes cascading across the speakers, all flaws are forgiven, carried away on puffy cotton candy clouds of pop chart charms. It’s hard to maintain a sour attitude with ’70s staples like “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” or “Take a Chance on Me” bouncing in your brain. And given the fact that Streep, Brosnan, and Seyfried acquit themselves admirably, we have no real qualm with the content.
Also Known As:
Mama Mia!
Mamma Mia! The Movie
Production Status:
Released
Genres:
Comedy, Musical/Performing Arts and Adaptation
Release Date:
July 18th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:
PG-13 for some sex-related comments.
Distributors:
Universal Pictures Distribution
