Wow........big news......Pixar, the mecca for animation is bought out by Disney.
Am I really that suprised?
No.
Now, I know that Disney has ben floundering and grasping for a smash hit animation film for the past 10 years. They were pumping out crappy movie after crappy movie. I think the last Disney movie I bought was....was.....Tarzan. But then there was the cash cow, Pixar who was everything Disney wasn't. Disney was riding the coat-tails of Pixar with the 5 contracted films they partnered with them. And Disney was even so desperate for a hit that they threatened sequels and more sequels. Michael Eisner and his "cheapquel" legacy. Pixar basically edged them out. Hands down. It was artists against greedy executives. The artists mentality won. You can see it in the films.
Then Michael left the building amid cheers of "das boot". Everyone loved to see him go. And animation would hopefully get back on track after his departure.
Well, one could only dream.
Then steps in Bob Iger. What would he do to pick up the pieces left by Eisner?
First on the agenda....repair relationships with Pixar.
In comes Steve Jobs.
Now I understand Steve Jobs to be a bright man. I questioned whether he would sell to Disney. But as soon as I heard what he was being offered out of the deal, I knew he would take the bait. Call it a gut feel....or call it a great opportunity (wouldn't anyone leap at the change to own controlling shares in Disney stock...not to mention almost 4 billion dollars richer). And Apple possibilities under the Disney arm....hmmmmm.......expect big things in the Apple pipleline.
Now we have "Disnar", or "Pixney". Circle 7 (the cheapquel dept) is on shakey ground. Lasseter is head of Creative. Where would this take Disney now?
In my opinion, it couldn't get any worse for Disney. In fact, I think this move saved Disney (as time will surely tell) I am excited to see what lies ahead.
I wish Jobs, Lasseter, Catmull and Iger the best.
Bring back 2d while your at it. 2d was never dead. It was the stories that died....not the medium.
Congratulations Pixar and Disney! May this be a great chapter in animation history.
And to Eisner, .....may a thousand fleas infest your armpits....forever.
January 31, 2006
January 18, 2006
Story is "always" KING
You know it, I know it.......heck, we all know it.
So why is Hollywood cranking out the crappy films.
Ok...lets narrow it down a bit....
Valiant- Under the guise of Disney, Vangaurd managed to create a visually wonderful film. I liked the animation, renders, environments, lighting, colors etc. I think the character design lacked and was short of original memorable characters. Overall, it was a snoozer. The story was really really really boring. My kids were even begging me to turn it off. That says alot doesn't it? Aren't kids supposed to love anything animated? sheeesh
Madagascar- This is chalked up to the film that could have been. I love the designs, animation, characters etc. I am not a fan of pop culture, and especially pompous star power behind characters. (instead of paying 20 million to a movie star, put that 20 mil to the picture!!!!) The casting for voices was as lame as lame can get. Chris Rock, Focker???? oh man.....And the story.....oh, the story.....in a nutshell, it all sucked coconuts.
Hoodwinked- Do you even want to hear my rant here? I surely don't want to waste your time....and my time. One phrase describes how I felt about this film, "Sad Attempt at Polishing a Turd".
Willy Wonka- Why...oh why.....??????? The original reigns King. Sorry Johnny and Tim. You made it into a freak show.
And the list goes on and on.
I think the freshest film I have seen in recent years is "Napolean Dynamite".
It wasn't tainted by Hollywood. It was new and refreshing.
Even effects and CG wizardry nowadays can't replace a good story. Look at the effects in the Wizard of Oz. They were fantastic and revolutionary for the era, yet because the story was so strong, it has become the most successful films of all time.
Hollywood isn't creating new films. It's all redo's and sequels. They are chasing fast money.
Indies are on the rise....watch out Hollywood.
We know a secret.
Story is always "King".
So why is Hollywood cranking out the crappy films.
Ok...lets narrow it down a bit....
Valiant- Under the guise of Disney, Vangaurd managed to create a visually wonderful film. I liked the animation, renders, environments, lighting, colors etc. I think the character design lacked and was short of original memorable characters. Overall, it was a snoozer. The story was really really really boring. My kids were even begging me to turn it off. That says alot doesn't it? Aren't kids supposed to love anything animated? sheeesh
Madagascar- This is chalked up to the film that could have been. I love the designs, animation, characters etc. I am not a fan of pop culture, and especially pompous star power behind characters. (instead of paying 20 million to a movie star, put that 20 mil to the picture!!!!) The casting for voices was as lame as lame can get. Chris Rock, Focker???? oh man.....And the story.....oh, the story.....in a nutshell, it all sucked coconuts.
Hoodwinked- Do you even want to hear my rant here? I surely don't want to waste your time....and my time. One phrase describes how I felt about this film, "Sad Attempt at Polishing a Turd".
Willy Wonka- Why...oh why.....??????? The original reigns King. Sorry Johnny and Tim. You made it into a freak show.
And the list goes on and on.
I think the freshest film I have seen in recent years is "Napolean Dynamite".
It wasn't tainted by Hollywood. It was new and refreshing.
Even effects and CG wizardry nowadays can't replace a good story. Look at the effects in the Wizard of Oz. They were fantastic and revolutionary for the era, yet because the story was so strong, it has become the most successful films of all time.
Hollywood isn't creating new films. It's all redo's and sequels. They are chasing fast money.
Indies are on the rise....watch out Hollywood.
We know a secret.
Story is always "King".
January 17, 2006
Elle-Phant
Here is a pic I drew in about an hour the other day. I think it's fun. Not perfect by any means....any comments welcome.
Wizard Of Oz
I have been quite intrigued this past month with the life of L. Frank Baum. I just bought the 3 disc box set of "The Wizard Of Oz" and have enoyed every minute of every interview, biography, documentary, and of course the film.
L. Frank Baum was a genius. The impact of his stories have affected generations and will affect generations to come.
I have asked myself, "Why isn't Hollywood making pictures like this anymore?"
Well, for one, I think Hollywood anxiously pumps out anything that will make a quick buck. They also want to entwine political and social agendas in all their pictures. They are trend followers instead of trend setters. They goop in gore, violence and sex where they don't belong. These are just some of the reasons. I am sure there are many more.
L. Frank Baum wrote a classic that will surely stand the test of time. It stands as one of the greatest films ever made.
L. Frank Baum was a genius. The impact of his stories have affected generations and will affect generations to come.
I have asked myself, "Why isn't Hollywood making pictures like this anymore?"
Well, for one, I think Hollywood anxiously pumps out anything that will make a quick buck. They also want to entwine political and social agendas in all their pictures. They are trend followers instead of trend setters. They goop in gore, violence and sex where they don't belong. These are just some of the reasons. I am sure there are many more.
L. Frank Baum wrote a classic that will surely stand the test of time. It stands as one of the greatest films ever made.
January 11, 2006
January 03, 2006
Amazing Movies
So I finally got to see two movies this weekend that I have been drooling over since they were released. I am proud to say that I saw King Kong and Narnia.
Let me first say that the benchmark in CG has been set so high, that for any of us indies to compete is nearly impossible without those huge budgets.
I loved Narnia. I loved the story, the script, the characters, the actors.....especially Aslan. All I can say is, "Wow". It was very child friendly and will definately be in my dvd collection the moment it is released.
Kong was great too. I must say, I heard alot of hooplah surrounding the length of the film and the glutenous self promoting Peter Jackson chiseling a chunk of Kong for himself. I myself didn't think the film was too long. There were a few script flaws that I didn't care for, and I thought the jungle scene was cheated by being way too short....but I still enjoyed the film. It was chalked full of amazing ape action. The gorilla was supurb. I also enjoyed Ann Darrow. She was perfectly cast. The least favorite line was "It was beauty killed the beast." Lame!!!!!!!
Any, it was still great fun. I will be excited to see them again on dvd.
Let me first say that the benchmark in CG has been set so high, that for any of us indies to compete is nearly impossible without those huge budgets.
I loved Narnia. I loved the story, the script, the characters, the actors.....especially Aslan. All I can say is, "Wow". It was very child friendly and will definately be in my dvd collection the moment it is released.
Kong was great too. I must say, I heard alot of hooplah surrounding the length of the film and the glutenous self promoting Peter Jackson chiseling a chunk of Kong for himself. I myself didn't think the film was too long. There were a few script flaws that I didn't care for, and I thought the jungle scene was cheated by being way too short....but I still enjoyed the film. It was chalked full of amazing ape action. The gorilla was supurb. I also enjoyed Ann Darrow. She was perfectly cast. The least favorite line was "It was beauty killed the beast." Lame!!!!!!!
Any, it was still great fun. I will be excited to see them again on dvd.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)