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Chicago, Minneapolis, Austin, New York, Los Angeles? What'd Ya Think Of MONSTER HOUSE 3D?

Published at:  Jul 11, 2006 2:35:04 AM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!

Hey Guys & Gals - Harry here... The Austin screening went off fantastic. Prior to the film we screened trailers for EXPLORERS, MONSTER SQUAD, HOUSE and HOUSE 2. Which completely primed the audience for the 80's vibe this film has in spades. The digital 3D was effin' amazing at the Drafthouse. The best part was seeing Tim League giddy after the screening, cuz I didn't get the idea he was even looking forward to it. This one older couple were at the Drafthouse seeing Pirates - asked what the glasses were for - decided to stick around for the screening on the chance of getting in on standby. And did. They came up to me afterwards just so blown away. That's great, when you get people to be completely blown away by the film. I've heard from a friend in L.A. that went nuts over the film. But I'm dying to hear from all of you in New York, L.A., Chicago and Minneapolis - as well as here in Austin. Share via the talkback below - or send your reviews of last night to Harry@AintitCool.Com with the Subject Line "Monster House 3D" in the Subject Line. And we'll add them below here. Or add them in the talkback below. I really feel this is an incredibly wonderful film. But whatever your thoughts - share them...





From AUSTIN



Howdy!



I was one of the fortunate attendees for the Austin AICN 10th anniversary screening of MONSTER HOUSE at the Alamo Drafthouse. I was ready for a fun film and I wasn't disappointed at all! Thank you Harry for 10 years of Ain't It Cool and for hosting a fantastic movie.



I wasn't sure going into this movie if I would be able to enjoy the computer animation. I enjoyed Polar Express, but I didn't LOVE it. The characters were too stiff. The animation wasn't as great as I thought it could be. I was prepared to be disappointed again. Oh how wrong I was to expect to be disappointed! From the opening scene, I was captivated! The animation in this movie is so much better than Polar Express.



Tonight I felt like I had stepped back into time. This movie made me feel like a kid again. I grew up with The Monster Squad, The Goonies, Stand By Me, and so many other great films about kids. I didn't realize just how much I had missed these types of movies until now. Zemeckis and Spielberg have recaptured something that has been missing from the big screen family movies.



The story is a new take on a familiar story. We've all had experience with "that spooky house" on our street. You know the one. The house that you will go 2 blocks out of your way to avoid walking past it. The Boo Radley-esque spooky old man (Nebbercracker) who scares the crap out of every kid in town. The house that you were triple-dog-dared to go up to and ring the bell and run like hell as soon as you did.



Everyone at some point has had experience with the bitchy babysitter (Zee) who acted so sweet to your parents and then turned into a completely different person when you were alone. The babysitter who banished you to your room so she could have her boyfriend come over to the house. The boyfriend (Bones) who thought it was fun to torment you.



And of course, you have the parents and adults who scoff and ridicule you for being afraid of the spooky house. The parents who think your imagination has run rampant. Of course, the disbelief of some of them also leads to some of the funnier moments of the film.



The kids in the movie, DJ, Chowder, and Jenny, are all ordinary kids. The boys are terrified of the house, and yet they both have to act like tough guys in order to try and impress Jenny. Their schemes to try and get into the house to destroy the heart of it are delightful! You can see yourself and your friends at that age scheming to try and come up with your own ideas of how to deal with a house that has come alive and wants to kill everyone who comes near it.



My favorite character in this film, though, is the house. The way it comes to life, the way it lures people in, and the way it attacks it's victims. It is a terrifying house. The expressions it makes, the way it morphs and changes itself, the way it moves, and well, just everything about it. The final battle between the house and the kids is FANTASTIC!



This film has heart. The audience around me was cheering at the end! Everyone had smiles on their faces as they were leaving the theater. It is a fun, action-filled, old-fashioned scary family movie for kids of all ages. That being said, if you have a young child who is easily scared, then this probably isn't one that you want to take them to see. My friend's youngest daughter climbed into her dad's lap at one point in the movie because she was scared, but by the end, she was smiling. This is the best movie I have seen this summer. I think Harry was right on the money to pick this as the 10th anniversary film for AICN! Thanks again for hosting this tonight!



CheriBomb



The following review was written by Matt Dentler - Programmer of SXSW and FANTASTIC FEST - upon his IndieWire Blog which is, btw, a great blog to read - if no other reason to follow a major Film Festival programmer's travels around the world and here in Austin. I remember Matt, back when he was in college... heh... crazy. Anyway - he wanted to come see the film tonight. Sure, it's a big studio film - but Matt's not the sort of programmer that just buries himself in Documentaries, Foreign Films and Indie Darlings. He comes to each film wanting to discover something to take to heart with him on his travels. Tonight we talked about the glee of discovered Gil Kenan - and - well - I let Matt tell you what he thought...




How cool is Monster House? The song picked to play over the closing credits is not some Alan Menken bullshit, but "Halloween" by Siouxsie and the Banshees. This new animated feature from Sony, opening nationwide July 21, will likely face an uphill marketing battle for that very reason: the target audience is the audience who remembers Siouxsie and the Banshees. Doesn't sound like Cars or Doogal, does it? But, rest assured, Monster House is probably the most unexpected Hollywood delight of the summer, otherwise known as a "sleeper." Yet, when was the last time a major studio animated feature was a "sleeper?" I don't know how many people will see Monster House, but there's a very clear audience, and that is the people who wouldn't think they should see it.



I saw the film tonight as part of the nationwide Ain't It Cool News 10th anniversary screenings. AICN founder Harry Knowles played host to a great evening at the Alamo Drafthouse on Lamar. It's July 10, and the show started at 10 p.m., to mark the occasion. Before the film began, we were treated to trailers of '80s cult classics such as The Explorers and Monster Squad, and this set the perfect tone. If you don't have a memory or care for either of these two films I just mentioned, read no further. If you do... Monster House is your movie.



More than just your standard, "kids versus the world" adventure film, Monster House is a time-capsule of '80s-era adventure. The "executive producer" credits for Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis are obviously not just for show. This film plays just like Back to the Future or Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, pumping gallons of imagination into a package of skillfull animation and a very witty script. But, who will go and buy tickets? It's a pretty scary film for most little kids, and odds are that most adults won't blindly see an animated feature revolving around children on Halloween. But, perhaps they should. And, perhaps both audiences should see it together.



Set around a trio of suburbia kids on October 31, who must do battle with a very-much-haunted house, the film uses a pretty common American gothic tone as the launching pad for some great characters. The voice talent includes: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, Jon Heder, Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, and Steve Buscemi. Is that just not one of the quirkiest/oddest/coolest/most-inspired vocal casts you've seen in a major animated feature? As rumor has it, the film's concept began as a live-action script, which totally makes sense considering the cutting dialogue and character nuances that you don't normally find in an animated film. Want some proof? That original screenplay was written by Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab, who wrote the acclaimed Jack Black/Ben Stiller TV pilot Heat Vision and Jack, and are working with Sarah SIlverman on her upcoming TV show. Their script was polished by Pamela Pettler, who worked on the screenplay for The Corpse Bride.



Why should I spend so much of your time writing about Monster House? It's more than just an enjoyable film, it's a completely refreshing one. It's the kind of film that probably could not have been made inside the world of the studios without the support of Spielberg/Zemeckis, and that's sad but true. It's almost too smart for its own good. It's the kind of film that has no clear audience, and as many of us know, that sometimes is the number one ingredient for some of the best entertainment.







    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 2:42:32 AM CDT

    first

    by daddyfatsack

  • Jul 11, 2006 2:43:55 AM CDT

    first

    by daddyfatsack

    Wow I'm 1 for 1 on calling first. Off to a good career start I'd say.

    This movie looks kind of cool. Especially that fat kid

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 2:46:32 AM CDT

    It was awesome.

    by sheir

    So, so awesome. The 3D effects were amazing--that pipe made me try and dodge. The leaves in the beginnig were really nice as well. An awesome experience, man.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 2:53:21 AM CDT

    I'll say it again. Rob Schrab and Dan Harmon!!!

    by seeitattheskyway

    If you don't know who these guys are, it's time you figured it out. HEAT VISION AND JACK, Channel101.com, ZOOLANDER, etc. etc.

    These guys are the shit, straight from Wisconsin to L.A. to the World.

    You were warned here first.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 3:13:08 AM CDT

    3D sucks!

    by quadrupletree

    I just have to get this off my chest, the movie was really good, but the 3D SUCKS DONKEY NUTS. I'm sitting here with a raging headache (still) as I type this. If this is the so called "new" 3D technology it's not new. It's exactly the same shit they had at Disneyland when I was a kid and saw capitain Eeo. After 10 min. it hurts your eyes, and after 2 hours it hurts your insides. It adds nothing to the experience, if anything it completely distracted me from the movie the entire time. Given the choice of seeing a movie in 2D or 3D I'll see it in 2D everytime. In fact if a film maker ever decides to only release a movie in 3D (I'm looking at you James Cameron) I'll skip it completely. I'd rather not see it at all than suffer through 3D. I didn't think it would bother me so much but after the screening some "industry types" (I was at the LA screening) were patting themselves on the back at how great this new technology they implimented is. No. No, it's not.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 3:23:57 AM CDT

    Re: Quadrupletree

    by headgeek

    Wow - couldn't disagree more. Literally everything was crystal clear and dimensional. Wasn't at your screening, but the few people I talked to - loved it and couldn't stop going on about the 3D. I have heard though - that there are some people that really have a problem with the 3D illusion and that it gives them headaches or motion sickness. Sorry that's how it affects you man, I'm just real glad I'm not affected the same way -- as the 3D at the DRAFTHOUSE (sadly temporarily) was just blissful.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 3:56:53 AM CDT

    Chicago screening - one word "Amazing" and thanks AICN

    by whtshark

    Loved every minute of it, thanks again AICN for this special screening and thanks Capone for taking a minute or two to chat and see ya at Flashback! :D

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 4:03:35 AM CDT

    I was delivering food to you guys in the Drafthouse...

    by rearden

    I hope you enjoyed it. I wish I could have been sitting there enjoying the show rather than dragging myself up and down the stairs to get your Cheese Fries (you know who you are). But still... the movie looked cool. Alas. Maybe Ill get a seat at the 20th anniversary show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 4:11:18 AM CDT

    CG 3D can really rock

    by rupee88

    I saw an Imax all-CG feature once and the 3D effect was uncanny. It didn't give me a headache either like an older Imax 3D movie did (the TRex one). This Monster House film looks like a kiddie movie, but I'd probably sit through it if the 3D effect was as good as what I saw at Imax.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 4:48:57 AM CDT

    I loved it.

    by coursinlarry

    This was a movie that I had no interest in. I sort of expected it to get lost in the shuffle of CG movies coming out this summer. After all, it comes out a week before Ant Bully, which is then followed by Barnyard. But, damn, I have to say that so far this summer, my favorite movie is Monster House. No other movie has come close to being as consistent as Monster House was. It was funny, had heart, and it had about a half-dozen moments that made me say "Whoa!" out loud.

    The fact is, the people who would love the movie won't be seeing it. (The only reason I saw it was that I got in free.) But I plan on telling everyone that it's worth the time and money.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 4:52:02 AM CDT

    Yeah, what?

    by coursinlarry

    I was at the LA screening, and I thought that the 3D was perfect. I wish I would have seen the industry types patting themselves on the back, because I would patted them myself. About half-way through the movie, I realized that I had forgotten that I was watching the movie in 3D.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 5:27:27 AM CDT

    New York screening

    by texastab

    The New york screening was, incredibly, only about 1/3rd filled - they didn't even have to check the ID list! Amazing. No mention of Harry, aintitcoolnews, Sony reps -- nothing. It's a shame, because this was among the best 3D I have ever seen, close to "House Of Wax" territory. The audience, what there was of it, seemed to be into the film, but it ain't going to get much buzz from that few people. Why is Sony's marketing department allowing a July opening of what is clearly a Halloween film, what with so much other computer animated competition? I hope they're smart enough to release this in 3D everywhere, not just a handful of theatres. As 2D entertainment, the film is certainly worth seeing (despite some exposition holes), but in 3D this is worth paying for multiple times -- a potential "monster" hit. Maybe a Halloween re-release?

    Congratulations on 10 years of aintitcoolnews Harry. I used to buy movie posters from your dad and you at the All City Garage sale back in 1996, and I got filled in monthly about the progress of the site. Your giddy enthusiasm obviously worked well for you. Come back to New York!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 5:28:23 AM CDT

    New York City Screening

    by wampa_one

    First & foremost, thanks to both you and Sony for the opportunity & congratulations on your ten year anniversary.

    Second, what a deliciously awesome movie! Cheribomb mentions it above, but the movie really was like a trip back in time, instantly recalling suburban adventure films like The Goonies, E.T. & The Explorers (which I hadn't actually ever seen until it was on cable this weekend). Spielberg & co. seem to have remembered that you don't need to have animals or ogres to have this much fun in a CG film.

    The CG itself easily surpasses The Polar Express - there are no herky jerky movements like that god awful dance. Instead, they have Chowder, the fat kid, playing basketball like any hyper, unatheletic 11 year old would be, bouncing around himself as much as the basketball. The little blonde girl who loses her trycycle is reminiscent of Boo from Monsters, Inc. in terms of CG cuteness. Seeing it in 3-D made it even more enjoyable. They made better use of the technology than Superman Returns.

    Where I grew up in suburban Western New York, there were so many of these rickety old Victorian houses, but one in particular stood out - falling apart, grass and bushes overgrown, if you lost your puck playing street hockey overshooting it across the street into the yard, it was gone for good & you'd sooner take a dare to run naked through your school hallway than consider going trick or treating there, and the Nebercracker house captures that feel immediately.

    Like any other great 80s movie, this one also remembers that adults are idiots who don't know a damn thing.

    The voice talent is first rate, standouts being Jason Lee as Bones, Spencer Lock as the Hermione-like Jenny, & John Heder as the vidiot oracle, Skull.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 6:07:00 AM CDT

    Quadrupltree, what?

    by cheribomb

    The 3D at the Drafthouse freaking ROCKED! Everyone was talking about how amazing it was! Sorry it sucked for you, but the majority of people who see it in 3D will be blown away by it! ++++++++++++++++++++++Thanks again Harry and AICN!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 6:08:32 AM CDT

    How do people who need spectacles to see with cope?

    by lutz

    I'm short sighted and need glasses to see movies normally. How does it go wearing glasses over your glasses to watch a movie?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 7:37:19 AM CDT

    not enough time

    by bdt

    to adequately geek out over this movie. This and Superman are my two favs of the summer. Monster House is an AWESOME movie for every reason that geeks love movies. Lutz, the person next to me wore the glasses over her glasses, and I never heard her complain. This an entertainment experience and you will find that, once the title of the movie hits, you will not even remember you are wearing glasses, you will become a part of the story and the movie will magically use your own memories and the audio/visual experience to transport you there. Anything pertaining to real life in 2006 will get pulled out from under you. Some fine ride. So have fun.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 7:37:46 AM CDT

    Kathleen Turner is a spitting image of

    by superneal

    COnstance!! Why on earth did she play that role. I know she has ballonned up and her voice does scare small children - but C'mon now. That's embarassing. Movie was fun- about 20 minutes too long though.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 7:46:10 AM CDT

    This 3D blew away Supermans 3D

    by superneal

    In the limited 20 minutes that IMAX had 3d- I was feeling sick. ALso the Superman Returns 3D was a little fuzzy. This 3D was immaculate...And thank goodness the volume was LOUD here in Chicago. For once they got it right where I can't hear my neighboor chomping his Popcorn. Thanks Capone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 8:07:50 AM CDT

    Chicago Screening

    by elvis206

    Capone and his crew did a great job with the Chicago screening. The movie itself was outstanding. Best 3D I've ever experienced at a movie. Thanks to all involved for the opportunity!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 8:25:32 AM CDT

    CheriBomb? More like Cheri . . . um . . . Bong?

    by speakerwiggin

    Dammit! Your name ALREADY ends with "bomb!" ;)

    J/k! Great review chica! KEEP'EM COMING! Can't wait to see it! :D

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 8:45:04 AM CDT

    Mpls Screening

    by hellbob

    Excellent movie! I had been having a hopeful/cynical affair with this from what I'd been hearing.

    The early previews looked rather simple and bland but several early reviews touted the impressive creepiness and menace. Then I heard about the 3D aspect and had pretty much written it off.

    Happily, little if any of this movie is "3D for 3D's sake". There are some scenes that are far more dramatic given the extra, ahem - "depth" of 3D, but it really was just another factor to enjoy rather than a tacked-on effect or excuse for dramatic close-ups (anyone remember those abyssmal movies from the 80's? *shudder*).

    This movie was in turns sweet, creepy, engaging, and endearing in ways that you wouldn't expect endearing to be. The animation was far more fluid and "human" than other attempts like the mannequin-filled "Polar Express". Right up there with "Toy Story" and the other Insta-classics.

    I won't get into the specifics of characters and whatnot, but this really is a great bag of surprises rather than a one trick pony. Be careful about bringing kids under, say, 10 since it does heap on the the creep and the menace, but do bring the kids and prepare for a throroughly enjoyable time!

    Thanks to Harry and AICN, as well as CONvergence and MISFITS for setting this up. It was quite worth the fatigue I have today.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 9:05:30 AM CDT

    Monster House ate my balls

    by varakor

    I was at the NY screening and I thought the film was pretty good, however the whole adventure in teh house could have been broader, like there were more areas the kids could have ventured in. The wife, Constantine, encased in cement... DUDE!! That was scary as hell and somethin I thought i'd never see in a kid's movie. Chowder was my favorite and funny as hell. I felt there were some characters who just wasted screen time and contributed nothing to the film itself such as Jon Heder's character, the arcade geek, and the two cops could have been done in faster. The house itself was great and the kids needed more time in it, before they get thrown up. lol The 3D was amazing well done and I can't imagine watching this film without it. Overall it was a great time, bring on more AICN events!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 9:19:03 AM CDT

    Chicago & Kids

    by cjplotts

    Thank you from both me and my family. The kids (6&9) were a little tense but soon got into it and overall had a good time. The 3D was perfect, clear and I really pity the people who will not see this movie in 3D. Except for the volume in the theater being 140% too loud (I could still hear the movie in the Men's room) a great time.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 9:30:48 AM CDT

    Chicago Screening

    by ageoffroyi

    The movie was excellent, and I was surprised how well done the 3D is, the leafs blowing in the opening segment and the smoke rising from "the heart" were particulary fun to look at. All in all it was good fun, many thanks to Capone for organizing it so well, and I hope there will be more AICN-sponsored Chicagoland events soon.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 9:34:13 AM CDT

    Best news EVER!!! Feed your head, motherfuckers!

    by kentucky colonel

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/10/AR2006071001304.html

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 9:56:43 AM CDT

    Thanks from Chicago

    by scratcher

    We had a surprisingly great time. I wasn't pumped up for the film, but once the 3D started I was mesmerized. I can see why Zemeckis is an evangelist of this technology, and why it might be key to Hollywood keeping people in theaters. I've long wanted to see CG approach the look of stop-motion, and this film was the closest yet, especially the end scenes with the house. Not only did it look like stop-motion, but I felt like I was INSIDE a stop-motion set! Does anyone know how much the addition of the 3D added to the cost or production? I imagine that anyone at Pixar who sees this will be wondering why they didn't make Cars in 3D (was there a 3D version of Chicken Little?) If you plan to see Monster House, make sure you go the extra mile and see it in digital 3D!! It's completely worth it, maybe just for the scene with the nightmare shadow (how would that possibly work in 2D?) The story was good, with few cliches (someone wrote that the parents were 2-dimensional, but what do you expect in 3 minutes of screen time? I wanted more Fred Willard, dammit!). Some excellent voice acting made up for less-than-inspired human models. The real star was the house, and I'd have liked more of that, and more Jon Heder (a Skull & Bones spin-off sequel with Jason Lee??) I think this movie is going to be the boxoffice surprise of the summer, and will do killer word of mouth. If all these craptastic CGI films make so much money, Monster House will be killer. Thanks AICN, thanks Capone (I sat right behind you, and tried not to kick your seat too much)!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 10:12:45 AM CDT

    We LOVED it in Huntsville, Alabama!

    by roguewriter

    Goddamn, I hate living in the south... Grrr...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 10:14:39 AM CDT

    Great screening in Chicago

    by chiguy n da city

    Great movie and 3D effects. My niece, brothers and I really enjoyed it. It was finally nice to put a name with a face as I read all of your reviews (Capone). Thanks a million!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:32:37 AM CDT

    Minneapolis screening

    by 433

    The 3D was great, and the movie was quite fun. I'll have to take my 7-year-old nephew when it's released in a couple weeks. Thanks, Harry!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:33:24 AM CDT

    Very entertaining.

    by psyclops

    I was at the L.A. screening at Mann's Chinese last night and I loved the movie. This has been said before but it does take you back to movies like "Goonies" and "The Monster Squad", when even kid-friendly flicks weren't afraid to get a little dark and twisted. It's good fun and the 3D was pretty impressive. I'll definitely be seeing this one again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:50:21 AM CDT

    NY Screening

    by lilogre

    I got there at 9:50 and thought there was no way I was going to get in and got in. Come on NYC AICN'ers. We have to represent. THANKS HARRY. THE MOVIE WAS AWESOME. 3D WAS EXCELLENT. Great throwback to the days of GOONIES, YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES, GREMLINS, etc...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:46:10 PM CDT

    NY SCREENING

    by the knight

    I had a blast.. Not sure if anyone seen me but I was holding the Jaws Log in my hand... Great crowd... Talked about Bryan Singer, Xmen, M.Night and every other summer movie out there... Movie was great and Thanks Harry... Truly cool guy...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:56:51 PM CDT

    3D gave me a headache, too

    by magnetozx

    I was at the LA screening, and the 3D gave me a headache too. At first it just hurt my eyes, so I had to keep taking the glasses off. By the end of the movie I had a major headache. Don't get me wrong, the 3D *looked* really good, just had a negative effect on me. But overall, I thought the movie was great, and I'd loved to see it again without the distraction of 3D.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 1:22:05 PM CDT

    Chicago!

    by blacklodgebob

    My brother and I had a blast at the Chicago screening. We need more Chicago and NY AICN events! I have to say that although the 3D for superman returns gave me a giant headache, it was great here. Someone mentioned it before, but the "nightmare shadow" scene was for sure the best 3D in the movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 1:22:25 PM CDT

    Chicago: Loved the 3d

    by the funketeer

    I'm one of those people who usually get a headache from 3D movies but this stuff was great. I didn't feel sick at all. It's possible you were sitting too far off to the side. Sometimes it doesn't work as well without a nice centered view.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 1:45:01 PM CDT

    MonsterHouse Question

    by killaarmy

    Forgive the ignorance but is this movie a one time thing? I'm going to assume its new(ish) but will it be shown in theaters in the future (I was not able to get to NYC for the show)?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 1:47:30 PM CDT

    Disappointment

    by x-ray cat

    I was disappointed but probably for no other reason than the fact that I really hyped this movie up for myself. There was something about the trailers and marketing campaign that just made it feel like something really new and different, and really it was just an above average kids movie. Also, what the hell was everyone referring to about how the kids swear in this movie? Did we get an edited cut in LA or did people just remember wrong? Harry claimed in his review that Jenny's line is "Let's cut the bullshit" but she definitely said "Let's cut the crap." This movie was a hard G, straight up. Very cool effects and a few badass moments (I love when the house gets trashed and then reassambles itself as a walking razorsharp wreck), but it's still just not quite as special as something like Goonies, at least to me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 1:54:45 PM CDT

    MonsterHouse Answer

    by killaarmy

    Yea. answered my own question.... ignore the silly post above

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 2:00:01 PM CDT

    My kid is dying to see this ...

    by itchy

    he's 6, and he thought the preview was just balls. I have to admit - it looked pretty darn good. I resisted animation my entire adult life, but after seeing The Incredibles (which I thought was phenomenal), I've kind of changed my tune.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 2:21:18 PM CDT

    Little question.

    by ilk

    Will the 3d version get a wide release?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 3:00:25 PM CDT

    gag reflex

    by blacklodgebob

    All kids movies should contain the line "it stimulates the gag reflex?" Was that a bit much or was it just me?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 3:30:52 PM CDT

    magnetozx

    by quadrupletree

    Glad I'm not the only one. I completely agree, it *looked* awesome. I couldn't turn my eyes away from it even though by the end it was like jabbing my brain cavity with a hot poker. I feel like I did in the 90's when everyone was standing around at the malls looking at those stupid sterographic posters going "ooh see the dolphin" and I'd try and try and couldn't see anything and just end up giving myself a headache. It sucks to be in the minority on this cause I feel like I'm missing out on something cool, but cest la vie. I just hope that studios don't rush head long into this technological wonder and forget about consumer choice, because for some people who love cinema this 3D thing is definitely not an advance.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 3:46:14 PM CDT

    quadrupletree

    by magnetozx

    Heh, yeah, I could never see anything on those stereographic posters either. One time I thought I saw something in one of the posters, and got all excited and was like, "There! I see a castle!". Then my friend, who already knew what was on the poster, said, "Uh, there isn't a castle." :(

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  • Jul 11, 2006 5:15:13 PM CDT

    even more props from chicago

    by soup74

    my girlfirend and i had a great time. thanks for doing this in chicago. my opinon on the 3-d is really middle of the road, it was fun for the first 20 minutes, but i kind of forgot about it as the movie went along. perhaps that a compliment to the movie. at least it didnt give me a headache. But main reason for my posting is so that you see all the out-pouring of love from the chicago area and try and hold more events here. thanks again harry and capone.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 8:32:00 PM CDT

    Why is this movie getting so much hype here?

    by zikade zarathos

    I've heard it's OK, at best from a couple people who've seen it, and the trailers didn't look THAT great.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 9:17:17 PM CDT

    It's Zemeckis and Spielberg back in form

    by terry_1978

    That's why it gets so much hype.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 10:41:44 PM CDT

    Saw it...

    by alexndrph

    ... at a visual effects society screening. It was an entertaining movie, worth seeing. A couple things though. The character Chowder couldn't have been much more stereotypical or annoying. He was nothing more than the generic fat-kid sidekick, with hack child-actor mannerisms. The parents were generic clueless idiots. I know that's a staple of 80's movies, but it's such a tired concept. I mean, they didn't even notice the house was gone. There was no reason for this to be a fully CG movie. The movie wasn't stylized enough to warrant it. I think it would have worked a lot better as a live action film. The CG was very well done by Imageworks, they did a good job. They were especially successful in taking the rough motion capture data, adding real animation, for smooth combined performances. Aside from a lack of strong characters, and a questionable choice of medium, it's still worth seeing, just not more than once.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 11:40:12 PM CDT

    The Henry Selick syndrome

    by half vader

    Yeah it's too bad people are already hyping up the Speilberg/Zemeckis thing with the actual director getting bugger-all recognition, like Henry Selick with Nightmare Before Christmas. Shame. They barely even remembered to tack his name on the trailer. BTW I haven't seen it yet but yeah the fat kid and the babysitter seem to be the usual cardboard cut-outs (I'll reserve the rest of my judgement 'til I see it). One thing about Chicken Little in 3-d - they should have known all that rain would look like crap due to convergence problems. The rest of the stuff looked great though - too bad the film was complete shite. Nice to see you stopped blaming the tech., Quadruple. Does suck that it makes you sick though.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 11:42:05 PM CDT

    justification is needed for animation?

    by scratcher

    Do the characters in a story have to be anthropomorphic animals or insects or vehicles in order to justify the use of animation? Since when is this needed? The Adventures of Prince Achmed could have been filmed live action for the most part as well, so what? One thing that struck me during Monster House (when the kids get trapped in the entryway) was that the Harry Potter books would have been better served with this treatment than live action. It's an entertaining and well-written film, and I'd rather see more animation like this than a season full of Ant Bullies and Barnyards.

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  • Jul 12, 2006 12:10:12 AM CDT

    Oh and another thing re: Barnyard

    by half vader

    Does anyone know if that thing has input from Gary Larson, or are they just ripping him off with the design? Mind you I'm not sure which is worse. Also has anyone come up with an answer as to why the cows with udders have male voices?

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  • Jul 12, 2006 10:39:01 AM CDT

    Does the 3-D add anything?

    by sinbad22

    We drove a long way to see CHICKEN LITTLE in 3-D, and I didn't see much of a difference. SUPERMAN RETURNS was a little better. How does this film compare to those in regards to the 3-D effects?

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  • Jul 12, 2006 4:58:48 PM CDT

    I wonder if 3D will ever make it to the home... n/t

    by crayotic

  • Jul 12, 2006 11:55:24 PM CDT

    new york was only 1/3 full?

    by chiahead

    Oh MAN!! I'm now really really upset that I didn't get a confirmation email. I had a hunch that the NY one would be a little under appreciated- what a missed opportunity. Okay. That's it. Harry?? Are you listening? If you ever need someone to facilitate an NYC event again, you just give me a ring. I'll stand there with a clipboard and lanyard or something and look important. I'll even, heaven forbid, return confirmation emails. Although from what I understand that's really out of fashion these days.

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  • Jul 12, 2006 11:57:01 PM CDT

    oh, and one more thing...

    by chiahead

    congratulations all the same on 10 years. that's really the reason to celebrate- i'm not trying to be petty or anything, seriously.

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