Sunday, November 30, 2014

Weekend Movie News 11-28-14 to 11-30-14

        Hello ladies and gentlemen, here is some movie news with some of my thoughts and opinions (which will be in BOLD print). So without further ado...


(NOTE: All of these stories come from comingsoon.net)


        In September, Walt Disney Animation Studios announced that a new animated short, titled Frozen Fever, was coming to theaters in Spring 2015, but what about a sequel to the 2013 blockbuster? Frozen is the No. 1 animated hit of all time (and fifth of all time of all movies) with $1.274 billion earned at the worldwide box office. In addition to that achievement, merchandise is still selling like crazy, there’s a rumored stage musical in the works and there’s a new attraction coming to the Norway Pavilion in Epcot that will replace the Maelstrom ride. And let’s not forget that the Frozen characters are now also appearing on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” in the Disney On Ice shows, and in Disney’s theme parks as well.

        In other words, Frozen is everywhere, yet Disney has not said anything about the possibility of another movie. Now, however, it appears that Elsa herself, Idina Menzel, might have slipped up and mentioned the sequel. Talking with The Telegraph, the interviewer mentioned the upcoming short and the rumors of a sequel and stage musical. What could she say about them? “That they’re all in the works, ha ha!” She was then asked if she was signed up for all of them. “Ah, yeah sure… Not the stage show – I don’t know what will happen with that – but the movie hopefully. We’ll see. I’m just going along for the ride,” she added. Menzel could just be talking about the short, but she did specifically say ‘movie.’ Walt Disney Animation Studios currently has an untitled movie scheduled for November 2018, but we’ll have to wait and see if that will be another feature-length story with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf.

        I honestly don't know how to feel about this news. On one hand I really enjoyed Frozen (it wasn't one of my favorite movies of last year) and I'm getting slightly annoyed with all of the Let it Go videos and other crap that the film spun-off, but it makes sense since this is a billion dollar franchise for Disney. On the other hand Frozen ended on such a great note and I just wish that they would just literally Let it Go, 



        The photo below is from the upcoming boxing drama Southpaw starring Jake Gyllenhaal and yes that is him in the photo. Training Day helmer Antoine Fuqua is directing the film, which tells the story of a welterweight boxing champion, Gyllenhaal’s Billy Hope, whose personal life is falling apart despite his professional success. The image debuted on the Golden Globe Awards’ official Twitter feed. Gyllenhaal, who stars in Southpaw opposite Naomie Harris, Rachel McAdams, Rita Ora, Forest Whitaker and 50 Cent, is in theaters now headlining writer/director Dan Gilroy’s stylish neo-noir thriller Nightcrawler. Readers who have already witnessed Gyllenhaal’s extremely gaunt transformation for that film are likely to be doubly-impressed by the actor’s polar opposite approach to Southpaw. Southpaw has been in development for some time, was originally set up at DreamWorks Pictures with Eminem planned to play the Hope role. Scripted by “Sons of Anarchy” creator Kurt Sutter, the film was at one time, said to be a “metaphorical” sequel to Curtis Hanson’s Academy Award-winning 8 Mile.

jake-gyllenhaal-southpaw
(photo courtesy of The Golden Globes/The Weinstein Company)

        This is an amazing transformation. Now there have been some amazing transformations over time, but this one is just mind-blowing. Gyllenhaal looks like a complete badass and this looks like it will be an amazing film. Fuqua is an amazing director and we've seen what he can do with special actors and Gyllenhaal is a special actor. 



        20th Century Fox today announced the voice cast of The Peanuts Movie. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the cherished “Peanuts” gang will make their big-screen debut in state of the art 3D animation on November 6, 2015. In the film, Snoopy, the world’s most lovable beagle – and flying ace – embarks upon his greatest mission as he takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis The Red Baron, while his best pal, Charlie Brown, begins his own epic quest. The Peanuts Movie comes from the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the “Ice Age” films.

        Noah Schnapp voices the role of Good ol’ Charlie Brown, the lovable loser who never gives up. The young actor recently filmed a role opposite Tom Hanks in director Steven Spielberg’s untitled Cold War thriller. Most recently, Noah wrapped work on the indie film We Only Know So Much, based on the book of the same title. Hadley Belle Miller provides the voice for Lucy, known around the neighborhood (and by her little brother, Linus) for being crabby and bossy and humiliating Charlie Brown. Hadley’s voiceover credits include “Sofia the First” and “Jake and the Neverland Pirates,” and she has appeared on stage and in commercials. AJ Tecce voices Pig-Pen, who happily travels in his own private dust storm. AJ appeared in the films Raising Ethan and Stereopsis, and in several commercials. He’s also done extensive voiceover work.

        Noah Johnston is Schroeder, a mini musical genius who is rarely separated from his toy piano or his idol, Beethoven. Noah voiced a role in Monsters University, and his television credits include “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Show with David Letterman,” and “The Daily Show.” Newcomer Venus Schultheis voices Peppermint Patty, a fearless born leader and a natural athlete who is up to any challenge…except studying. Venus wants to be a nurse and a cosmetologist, working on people’s hair and nails while they are in the hospital or a nursing home. (If you see Venus’s hair, you’ll understand!) She enjoys snowboarding, skim boarding and tennis. Alexander Garfin gives voice to Linus, the benevolent, blanket-clutching philosopher who always has a kind word for everybody…even his bossy older sister, Lucy. Alexander’s numerous credits include the feature Salt, the television series “Law & Order SVU” and “Saturday Night Live,” and on stage, “On Borrowed Time” – and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. “

        Francesca Capaldi voices Little Red-Haired Girl, who has captured Charlie Brown’s heart; now, if only he could muster the courage to speak to her! Francesca had a guest-starring role in Disney’s “A.N.T. Farm” and on CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother,” is a series regular on Disney’s “Dog with the Blog,” and has appeared in the film 3-Day Test, as well as in several commercials. Mar Mar voices Frankin, Charlie Brown’s good friend and confidant, and the only one who never has an unkind word about our hapless hero, or anyone else for that matter. Mar Mar has worked on the TV series “Austin & Alley” (on the Disney Channel), “Guys with Kids,” “Bubble Guppies” and “Good Luck Charlie.” Mariel Sheets voices Sally, Charlie Brown’s little sister who believes the world owes her an answer for some of its most perplexing problems, such as: why does she have to go to school? Mariel has worked in film, appeared in national commercials, and done voiceovers for television, radio, and online.

        Rebecca Bloom gives voice to Marcie, Peppermint Patty’s best friend, loyal follower, and complete opposite. Rebecca was featured on “The Tonight Show,” and has had roles on stage in “Annie,” “The Jungle Book” and “How to Eat Like a Child.” William Alexander Wunsch voices Shermy, Charlie Brown’s friend, who is straight laced and dependable. William has extensive live performance experience, appeared in several commercials, and on “Saturday Night Live” with Jim Carrey. Anastasia Bredikhina voices Patty, and Madisyn Shipman voices Violet – best friends who always side with the popular crowd. Anastasia is a trained actor, dancer, musician and model; Madisyn has appeared on “Modern Love,” “Sesame Street,” “Saturday Night Live” and “The Daily Show.”

        I really enjoy this casting. Now I think it was obvious to all of us that the film was going to cast a lot of unknown actors and actresses because they are children and they are playing children. This could be a real steeping stone for the young cast and I hope they all have very successful and long careers. 



        Twentieth Century Fox has, according to Deadline, officially given the green light to the long-awaited Independence Day 2, putting the film on track for its previously announced June 24, 2016 release. That means that the alien invasion sequel will hit the big screen almost exactly 20 years after the original. The studio is eyeing a May production start and will now move to close the directing deal with Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, White House Down). As was previously reported, Will Smith is not coming back for the sequel. Additional casting is planned to begin as soon as Emmerich’s deal is officially signed. Right now, the studio has only given the green light to a single film. Previous updates have suggested that the studio would make two franchise sequels and film them back-to-back. Apparently, those planned have changed and any potential third film will be largely dependent on the second film’s success. The outlet also reports that Carter Blanchard, best known for the short-lived 2009 series “G vs E,” rewrote the first draft of the script that was done by Emmerich and Dean Devlin, and then James Vanderbilt. Emmerich is also set to produced with Devlin and Harald Kloser. The original Independence Day opened on July 3, 1996 and earned an impressive $817.4 million worldwide.

        This is great news. Now I have been against an Independence Day sequel from the very beginning simply because there is no need for one. But for everyone involved I'm glad they all have jobs and it will give them something to do. All I know is I just hope the film can try to live up to the original film just a little bit.



        Following the first banner earlier this month, Warner Bros. Pictures has released a second banner for Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice which you can check out below. Marking the first-ever adaptation of one of Pynchon’s novels, Inherent Vice begins when when private eye Doc Sportello’s ex-old lady suddenly out of nowhere shows up with a story about her current billionaire land developer boyfriend whom she just happens to be in love with, and a plot by his wife and her boyfriend to kidnap that billionaire and throw him in a loony bin… well, easy for her to say. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio Del Toro, Martin Short, Jena Malone and Joanna Newson, Inherent Vice hits limited theaters on December 12.

inherentvicenewbannersmall

        I really like this banner. Now it may cause some controversy, but listen folks it's just a movie. I really like how it uses the whole cast to depict The Last Supper and its kind of funny (but in a good way). I really love the cast and the trailers for the film have looked fantastic and I cannot wait to see the film.

        So there you have it ladies and gentlemen, which of these stories peaked your interest or was there another story that interested you? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                                         Jonah Sparks

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