Cool News
The Cutsie-Pooing of ILM's FRANKENSTEIN...
Recently some rather dire news has been reported to
me from a source involved in the entire calamity that
is the fickle hand of UNIVERSAL’s executive
indecision movers and shakers concerning
FRANKENSTEIN.
Frequent readers of AICN are pretty familiar with this
project. It’s the first 100% Digital ILM Feature Film.
According to past sources it was to be a serious and
SCARY horror film in the style of the classic
UNIVERSAL HORROR films of yore, but with the
horror beats of the half century of bumps and frights
that have come since. This was the darling project of
CASEY SILVER, the man responsible for
UNIVERSAL’s fantastic selection of films last year
including BABE: PIG IN THE CITY, OUT OF
SIGHT, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS,
THE BIG LEBOWSKI and others. Unfortunately,
those monkeys in the suits placed the ax across his
neck and not that of the marketing department that
couldn’t figure out how to sell these fantastic films....
CLUE: Make sure your marketing team has actually
seen the films instead of merely responding to the
‘type’ of film.
Casey Silver was the most enthusiastic supporter of
the CGI Animation division at Universal, and after THE
INCREDIBLE HULK fell by the wayside,
FRANKENSTEIN became the project that would
trumpet Universal’s future. FRANKENSTEIN is
currently in production at ILM and was going to be a
dark and frightening PG-13 HORROR film with
nearly photo-realistic animation. From what I’ve
heard the script by Brent Maddock and Steve Wilson
was quite excellent and I’ve seen that dazed look in
the eyes of people that have seen the art direction,
character designs and the few boarded sequences they
had seen. And then there was the 18 second
incredible animation test that we all heard about. In
fact we had people raving about the sheer brilliance
of the test. This was a project that had my utmost
attention.
But then... along came PSYCHO: the remake. See,
there is always a chain of events that cause folks like
Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider and Kevin Misher to have
some sort of schizoid knee-jerk reaction. According
to my informers, Ron Meyer doesn’t think (no duh!)
that the Frankenstein Monster will be well received
by young audiences since they didn’t respond to the
PSYCHO remake. Instead the word is they want to
shift gears and make what sounded like a great
project a G or PG rated family film aimed at the
‘kiddie’ audience.
Ron... my friend... Listen very carefully. PSYCHO:
DITTO didn’t succeed because.... It was a stale,
uncreative shot for shot film school exercise with
non-A list talent with shoddy production design and a
stiff and staid direction with little to no spark or thrill
in this by the steps endeavor into mediocrity. The
reason why YOUTH didn’t like the film was
probably because it was NOT COOL!!! Because it
was BORING AND TEDIOUS. Because everyone
knew exactly what was going to happen! Because it
was the first completely safe horror film in the history
of horror films.
That is not the case here. Brent Maddock and Steve
Wilson’s script is not a loving shot for shot remake of
James Whale’s FRANKENSTEIN. Nor is it a shot
for shot remake of THE BRIDE OF
FRANKENSTEIN or SON OF FRANKENSTEIN or
THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN or THE
HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN or FRANKENSTEIN
MEETS THE WOLFMAN or ABBOTT AND
COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN. No, this is
an original film where the audience will not know
where the horror is.
You guys’ current suicidal plan to turn this horror
film into a feel good action/adventure where you
transform the protagonist of NOVO into a cute
wise-cracking ROBIN WILLIAMS/EDDIE
MURPHY character with talking animal sidekicks
is... without a doubt the most hideously offensive and
shallow thing you could ever do.
Carl Laemmle Jr. and Tod Browning are turning in
their graves watching such a pitiful lot of beauracrats
wet-nursing the results of the latest polling numbers
provided by sources like the NRG, instead of gut
instincts and a knowledge of film. But hey... it’s not
like these three execs even know who they are.
How far have things come?
Well the original writers have been fired, and are set
to be replaced with some comedic writers (that sleep
well knowing that check is growing interest babies in
the ol bank account). One of the original writers, a
Brent Maddock was also the co-director. He was
removed from both positions. SOUNDS
REMINISCENT TO SOME OF THE DEBACLE
THAT BEFELL..... QUEST FOR CAMELOT. His
co-director, Dave Carson still remains aboard.
Meanwhile, my sources tell me that Jim Morris, Ron
Tippe, Chris Kubsch, John Swallow and Doug
Woods are... well a bit unnerved by the current
change of tide. Of course this is all behind the
scenes.. publicly they smile.
Maybe it’s because they know that there is an
upcoming power shift at UNIVERSAL which is quite
headless at the moment. Perhaps they hope to
weather the storm and the kites will fly and lightning
will strike life into this ubercool project.
UNIVERSAL... a comedic version of your
UNIVERSAL production of FRANKENSTEIN has
already been done as perfectly as it can ever be done.
It was called YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, no no, that
wasn’t in the eighties... In fact it came out in the era
you’ll know as Pre-Film (aka before STAR WARS...
no not THE PHANTOM MENACE...)
If this project somehow falls apart or becomes a piece
of shit, the blame will from this day forward fall upon
the necks of Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Kevin Misher
and whatever hack writers accept the writing job to
make this film a comedy.
project. It’s the first 100% Digital ILM Feature Film.
According to past sources it was to be a serious and
SCARY horror film in the style of the classic
UNIVERSAL HORROR films of yore, but with the
horror beats of the half century of bumps and frights
that have come since. This was the darling project of
CASEY SILVER, the man responsible for
UNIVERSAL’s fantastic selection of films last year
including BABE: PIG IN THE CITY, OUT OF
SIGHT, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS,
THE BIG LEBOWSKI and others. Unfortunately,
those monkeys in the suits placed the ax across his
neck and not that of the marketing department that
couldn’t figure out how to sell these fantastic films....
CLUE: Make sure your marketing team has actually
seen the films instead of merely responding to the
‘type’ of film.
Casey Silver was the most enthusiastic supporter of
the CGI Animation division at Universal, and after THE
INCREDIBLE HULK fell by the wayside,
FRANKENSTEIN became the project that would
trumpet Universal’s future. FRANKENSTEIN is
currently in production at ILM and was going to be a
dark and frightening PG-13 HORROR film with
nearly photo-realistic animation. From what I’ve
heard the script by Brent Maddock and Steve Wilson
was quite excellent and I’ve seen that dazed look in
the eyes of people that have seen the art direction,
character designs and the few boarded sequences they
had seen. And then there was the 18 second
incredible animation test that we all heard about. In
fact we had people raving about the sheer brilliance
of the test. This was a project that had my utmost
attention.
But then... along came PSYCHO: the remake. See,
there is always a chain of events that cause folks like
Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider and Kevin Misher to have
some sort of schizoid knee-jerk reaction. According
to my informers, Ron Meyer doesn’t think (no duh!)
that the Frankenstein Monster will be well received
by young audiences since they didn’t respond to the
PSYCHO remake. Instead the word is they want to
shift gears and make what sounded like a great
project a G or PG rated family film aimed at the
‘kiddie’ audience.
Ron... my friend... Listen very carefully. PSYCHO:
DITTO didn’t succeed because.... It was a stale,
uncreative shot for shot film school exercise with
non-A list talent with shoddy production design and a
stiff and staid direction with little to no spark or thrill
in this by the steps endeavor into mediocrity. The
reason why YOUTH didn’t like the film was
probably because it was NOT COOL!!! Because it
was BORING AND TEDIOUS. Because everyone
knew exactly what was going to happen! Because it
was the first completely safe horror film in the history
of horror films.
That is not the case here. Brent Maddock and Steve
Wilson’s script is not a loving shot for shot remake of
James Whale’s FRANKENSTEIN. Nor is it a shot
for shot remake of THE BRIDE OF
FRANKENSTEIN or SON OF FRANKENSTEIN or
THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN or THE
HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN or FRANKENSTEIN
MEETS THE WOLFMAN or ABBOTT AND
COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN. No, this is
an original film where the audience will not know
where the horror is.
You guys’ current suicidal plan to turn this horror
film into a feel good action/adventure where you
transform the protagonist of NOVO into a cute
wise-cracking ROBIN WILLIAMS/EDDIE
MURPHY character with talking animal sidekicks
is... without a doubt the most hideously offensive and
shallow thing you could ever do.
Carl Laemmle Jr. and Tod Browning are turning in
their graves watching such a pitiful lot of beauracrats
wet-nursing the results of the latest polling numbers
provided by sources like the NRG, instead of gut
instincts and a knowledge of film. But hey... it’s not
like these three execs even know who they are.
How far have things come?
Well the original writers have been fired, and are set
to be replaced with some comedic writers (that sleep
well knowing that check is growing interest babies in
the ol bank account). One of the original writers, a
Brent Maddock was also the co-director. He was
removed from both positions. SOUNDS
REMINISCENT TO SOME OF THE DEBACLE
THAT BEFELL..... QUEST FOR CAMELOT. His
co-director, Dave Carson still remains aboard.
Meanwhile, my sources tell me that Jim Morris, Ron
Tippe, Chris Kubsch, John Swallow and Doug
Woods are... well a bit unnerved by the current
change of tide. Of course this is all behind the
scenes.. publicly they smile.
Maybe it’s because they know that there is an
upcoming power shift at UNIVERSAL which is quite
headless at the moment. Perhaps they hope to
weather the storm and the kites will fly and lightning
will strike life into this ubercool project.
UNIVERSAL... a comedic version of your
UNIVERSAL production of FRANKENSTEIN has
already been done as perfectly as it can ever be done.
It was called YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, no no, that
wasn’t in the eighties... In fact it came out in the era
you’ll know as Pre-Film (aka before STAR WARS...
no not THE PHANTOM MENACE...)
If this project somehow falls apart or becomes a piece
of shit, the blame will from this day forward fall upon
the necks of Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Kevin Misher
and whatever hack writers accept the writing job to
make this film a comedy.
there is always a chain of events that cause folks like
Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider and Kevin Misher to have
some sort of schizoid knee-jerk reaction. According
to my informers, Ron Meyer doesn’t think (no duh!)
that the Frankenstein Monster will be well received
by young audiences since they didn’t respond to the
PSYCHO remake. Instead the word is they want to
shift gears and make what sounded like a great
project a G or PG rated family film aimed at the
‘kiddie’ audience.
Ron... my friend... Listen very carefully. PSYCHO:
DITTO didn’t succeed because.... It was a stale,
uncreative shot for shot film school exercise with
non-A list talent with shoddy production design and a
stiff and staid direction with little to no spark or thrill
in this by the steps endeavor into mediocrity. The
reason why YOUTH didn’t like the film was
probably because it was NOT COOL!!! Because it
was BORING AND TEDIOUS. Because everyone
knew exactly what was going to happen! Because it
was the first completely safe horror film in the history
of horror films.
That is not the case here. Brent Maddock and Steve
Wilson’s script is not a loving shot for shot remake of
James Whale’s FRANKENSTEIN. Nor is it a shot
for shot remake of THE BRIDE OF
FRANKENSTEIN or SON OF FRANKENSTEIN or
THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN or THE
HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN or FRANKENSTEIN
MEETS THE WOLFMAN or ABBOTT AND
COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN. No, this is
an original film where the audience will not know
where the horror is.
You guys’ current suicidal plan to turn this horror
film into a feel good action/adventure where you
transform the protagonist of NOVO into a cute
wise-cracking ROBIN WILLIAMS/EDDIE
MURPHY character with talking animal sidekicks
is... without a doubt the most hideously offensive and
shallow thing you could ever do.
Carl Laemmle Jr. and Tod Browning are turning in
their graves watching such a pitiful lot of beauracrats
wet-nursing the results of the latest polling numbers
provided by sources like the NRG, instead of gut
instincts and a knowledge of film. But hey... it’s not
like these three execs even know who they are.
How far have things come?
Well the original writers have been fired, and are set
to be replaced with some comedic writers (that sleep
well knowing that check is growing interest babies in
the ol bank account). One of the original writers, a
Brent Maddock was also the co-director. He was
removed from both positions. SOUNDS
REMINISCENT TO SOME OF THE DEBACLE
THAT BEFELL..... QUEST FOR CAMELOT. His
co-director, Dave Carson still remains aboard.
Meanwhile, my sources tell me that Jim Morris, Ron
Tippe, Chris Kubsch, John Swallow and Doug
Woods are... well a bit unnerved by the current
change of tide. Of course this is all behind the
scenes.. publicly they smile.
Maybe it’s because they know that there is an
upcoming power shift at UNIVERSAL which is quite
headless at the moment. Perhaps they hope to
weather the storm and the kites will fly and lightning
will strike life into this ubercool project.
UNIVERSAL... a comedic version of your
UNIVERSAL production of FRANKENSTEIN has
already been done as perfectly as it can ever be done.
It was called YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, no no, that
wasn’t in the eighties... In fact it came out in the era
you’ll know as Pre-Film (aka before STAR WARS...
no not THE PHANTOM MENACE...)
If this project somehow falls apart or becomes a piece
of shit, the blame will from this day forward fall upon
the necks of Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Kevin Misher
and whatever hack writers accept the writing job to
make this film a comedy.
Wilson’s script is not a loving shot for shot remake of
James Whale’s FRANKENSTEIN. Nor is it a shot
for shot remake of THE BRIDE OF
FRANKENSTEIN or SON OF FRANKENSTEIN or
THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN or THE
HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN or FRANKENSTEIN
MEETS THE WOLFMAN or ABBOTT AND
COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN. No, this is
an original film where the audience will not know
where the horror is.
You guys’ current suicidal plan to turn this horror
film into a feel good action/adventure where you
transform the protagonist of NOVO into a cute
wise-cracking ROBIN WILLIAMS/EDDIE
MURPHY character with talking animal sidekicks
is... without a doubt the most hideously offensive and
shallow thing you could ever do.
Carl Laemmle Jr. and Tod Browning are turning in
their graves watching such a pitiful lot of beauracrats
wet-nursing the results of the latest polling numbers
provided by sources like the NRG, instead of gut
instincts and a knowledge of film. But hey... it’s not
like these three execs even know who they are.
How far have things come?
Well the original writers have been fired, and are set
to be replaced with some comedic writers (that sleep
well knowing that check is growing interest babies in
the ol bank account). One of the original writers, a
Brent Maddock was also the co-director. He was
removed from both positions. SOUNDS
REMINISCENT TO SOME OF THE DEBACLE
THAT BEFELL..... QUEST FOR CAMELOT. His
co-director, Dave Carson still remains aboard.
Meanwhile, my sources tell me that Jim Morris, Ron
Tippe, Chris Kubsch, John Swallow and Doug
Woods are... well a bit unnerved by the current
change of tide. Of course this is all behind the
scenes.. publicly they smile.
Maybe it’s because they know that there is an
upcoming power shift at UNIVERSAL which is quite
headless at the moment. Perhaps they hope to
weather the storm and the kites will fly and lightning
will strike life into this ubercool project.
UNIVERSAL... a comedic version of your
UNIVERSAL production of FRANKENSTEIN has
already been done as perfectly as it can ever be done.
It was called YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, no no, that
wasn’t in the eighties... In fact it came out in the era
you’ll know as Pre-Film (aka before STAR WARS...
no not THE PHANTOM MENACE...)
If this project somehow falls apart or becomes a piece
of shit, the blame will from this day forward fall upon
the necks of Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Kevin Misher
and whatever hack writers accept the writing job to
make this film a comedy.
their graves watching such a pitiful lot of beauracrats
wet-nursing the results of the latest polling numbers
provided by sources like the NRG, instead of gut
instincts and a knowledge of film. But hey... it’s not
like these three execs even know who they are.
How far have things come?
Well the original writers have been fired, and are set
to be replaced with some comedic writers (that sleep
well knowing that check is growing interest babies in
the ol bank account). One of the original writers, a
Brent Maddock was also the co-director. He was
removed from both positions. SOUNDS
REMINISCENT TO SOME OF THE DEBACLE
THAT BEFELL..... QUEST FOR CAMELOT. His
co-director, Dave Carson still remains aboard.
Meanwhile, my sources tell me that Jim Morris, Ron
Tippe, Chris Kubsch, John Swallow and Doug
Woods are... well a bit unnerved by the current
change of tide. Of course this is all behind the
scenes.. publicly they smile.
Maybe it’s because they know that there is an
upcoming power shift at UNIVERSAL which is quite
headless at the moment. Perhaps they hope to
weather the storm and the kites will fly and lightning
will strike life into this ubercool project.
UNIVERSAL... a comedic version of your
UNIVERSAL production of FRANKENSTEIN has
already been done as perfectly as it can ever be done.
It was called YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, no no, that
wasn’t in the eighties... In fact it came out in the era
you’ll know as Pre-Film (aka before STAR WARS...
no not THE PHANTOM MENACE...)
If this project somehow falls apart or becomes a piece
of shit, the blame will from this day forward fall upon
the necks of Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Kevin Misher
and whatever hack writers accept the writing job to
make this film a comedy.
to be replaced with some comedic writers (that sleep
well knowing that check is growing interest babies in
the ol bank account). One of the original writers, a
Brent Maddock was also the co-director. He was
removed from both positions. SOUNDS
REMINISCENT TO SOME OF THE DEBACLE
THAT BEFELL..... QUEST FOR CAMELOT. His
co-director, Dave Carson still remains aboard.
Meanwhile, my sources tell me that Jim Morris, Ron
Tippe, Chris Kubsch, John Swallow and Doug
Woods are... well a bit unnerved by the current
change of tide. Of course this is all behind the
scenes.. publicly they smile.
Maybe it’s because they know that there is an
upcoming power shift at UNIVERSAL which is quite
headless at the moment. Perhaps they hope to
weather the storm and the kites will fly and lightning
will strike life into this ubercool project.
UNIVERSAL... a comedic version of your
UNIVERSAL production of FRANKENSTEIN has
already been done as perfectly as it can ever be done.
It was called YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, no no, that
wasn’t in the eighties... In fact it came out in the era
you’ll know as Pre-Film (aka before STAR WARS...
no not THE PHANTOM MENACE...)
If this project somehow falls apart or becomes a piece
of shit, the blame will from this day forward fall upon
the necks of Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Kevin Misher
and whatever hack writers accept the writing job to
make this film a comedy.
upcoming power shift at UNIVERSAL which is quite
headless at the moment. Perhaps they hope to
weather the storm and the kites will fly and lightning
will strike life into this ubercool project.
UNIVERSAL... a comedic version of your
UNIVERSAL production of FRANKENSTEIN has
already been done as perfectly as it can ever be done.
It was called YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, no no, that
wasn’t in the eighties... In fact it came out in the era
you’ll know as Pre-Film (aka before STAR WARS...
no not THE PHANTOM MENACE...)
If this project somehow falls apart or becomes a piece
of shit, the blame will from this day forward fall upon
the necks of Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Kevin Misher
and whatever hack writers accept the writing job to
make this film a comedy.
of shit, the blame will from this day forward fall upon
the necks of Ron Meyer, Stacey Snider, Kevin Misher
and whatever hack writers accept the writing job to
make this film a comedy.
-
+ Expand All
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Very, very slowly you god forsaken execs.
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Why am I not surprised? Next thing we'll hear, all the characters are now toys in some kid's room & when he's not around they come to life, & then they give Frankie a microchip so he's smart, and gets over his fear of fire.
Please god, let an animated film come out in the U.S. that isn't aimed at either kids or the whole family! Then let it be a huge success. Please, oh please! Something like Akira, or Prince of Egypt without the songs. Or Episode One without the real actors. Forget trying to make the widest audience happy, and make some art! Some kickass art that'll widen your audience.
DOn't ruin Frankenstein, or waste ILM's stupendous talent. When Lucasfilm produces an all CG feature, or Pixar does something hardcore, that'll be a day to celebrate because it'll rock!
Let's hope FinalFantasy doesn't end up straight to video. That may be our only hope. -
...we must make a pact to destroy these freaking execs who screw every goddamn good thing up. And they won't be able to do anything to us... 'cause we're famous!!!! ;-)
-
Treat a film as a money making product & you drain it of all artistic creativity. Alien 3 was a howling disaster because the men in suits got nervous & indecisive & made drastic changes, for the worse, wasted a heap of budget & ruined a potentially good movie.
Tim Burton was given the freedom to make Batman as he wanted to & it became an unlikely hit,a dark & somber huge success.
George Lucas recently said that movie making is an art form not a business, listen to the man, he's doing something very, very right! -
Don`t bust a gut over it, People in power will always screw up.
Dictators do what they like, politicians lie, film execs bastardize everything they get their hands on.
YOU get to their place in the Hollywood food chain and see if the money doesn`t freeze your artistic integrity.
Shit happens, you`ve just got to learn to live with it.
The good side of this (there has to be one!) is that those little gems of art that do get made, shine a whole damn sight brighter. -
I can't believe that these people would want to fuck up a given like Frankenstein. Universal has turned into a studio driven entirely by market value and not by art. They recently announced a sequel to Chucky, for Christ's sake, as if we need another one of those. Some studios fall, like Orion, or United Artists (for a while, anyway), or New World. Universal deserves to be next. It's the studio that Spielberg built, anyway, at least in the 70's and 80's. Let it burn, and maybe they can concentrate their idiocy into their theme parks.
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It might not be too late for Frankenstein. Remember, one of his contemporaries 'The Mummy' is opening sometime in May. Now I admit I haven't been following that project's development that closely (Brandon Fraiser's in it after all ;) but from what I can gather, it's supposed to be a fairly 'mature' remake of the Boris classic. If it does well (i.e. doesn't get killed by Star Wars), perhaps the powers that be at Universal will shy away from a kiddie version of Frankenstein.
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The last time I saw that garishly coloured Universal globe logo in the theatre was back when I went to see The Lost World! No wait, tell a lie, I saw Out Of Sight... on video though! Universal has too much money to go completely down the tubes, but come on, make some movies I wanna see! (Along with The Mummy and Man On The Moon!)
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It really ticks me off that Universal took such a dive last year, especially since they released so many great films! Look at Harry's list above. Babe: PITC, Out Of Sight, Fear and Loathing, Bride of Chucky, Big Lebowski...yeesh! What do they have to do?!? And then they have a hit with PATCH ADAMS, for Christ's sake. Argh! What the hell is wrong with people, going to see that POS after ignoring quality films all year. Universal's slate looks pretty good this year, too, with Mystery Men and Man on the Moon. Let's hope they make some freaking money and things turn around.
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Why not? Kinda'like New Coke and Classic Coke. Twice the box office(I mean, if that's all that matters to these CPAs).
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We need to make mononoke a hit. Maybe then the studio execs will realize that a "serious" animated film can be a success. I'm just wary about the title, a friend of mine mentioned recently how movies with "princess" in the title never seem to do well. the classic example being the princess bride. everyone loves it, great movie, but it failed at the box office. maybe they should just stick with "mononoke hime"
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Dear people at Universal... Yeah you, the cheeba-hounds in the closet. Pack up your stash and listen up. You want to blame your misfortune on big-budget flops from last year; films with vision but lousy promotional service. You want to neuter Frankenstein CG for the sake of "playing it cool for kids" based on PSYCHO 98? What, have y'all moved onto crack when I wasn't looking? PSYCHO 98 made the fatal mistake of insulting the audience's intelligence. Sure you can't re-do a Hitchcock classic in your own fashion. Don't do it then. But no, they did do it shot for shot. This is not an Anne Heche backlash either, Universal, so keep her private life out of the fact that you folks did something really dumb and drove up rentals for the original flick. Kids will not find a cute-ized Frankenstein any hipper. In fact, the Disney Formula being proposed is so hackneyed, it's amazing Disney is still churning out half-hearted bombs with it. WISE UP! Hire Maddock back, let him and ILM's Carson do what they want and for Heaven's sake, DETOX NOW! Thanks.
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How many of the recent Disney clones have done any halfway decent boxoffice? Its obvious that the Universal powers have lost faith in this project and are hoping to make back their money via home video.
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I was readin what John McLame was saying about animation for adults. A while back (almost a year, I think) I downloaded a trailer for a movie called Blue Planet. It was CG and was an R rated sci-fi actioner. The trailer even cursed and made fun of the kiddie fair that had been done with CG. The main character crushed an ant and an action figure and said "Play time's over. Let's kick some ass." It looked awesome! Can anyone tell me what happened to it? If you can, email me at
dante@the-projector.com
I'd appreciate it. I'd love to see it.
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Someone should take printouts of this entire piece and shove them up the respective asses of the Universal suits behind this farce. There is NO WAY IN HELL a quality idea like the one for Frankenstein should be raped because a lame-ass piece of tripe like Psycho:Ditto flopped like the hunk of shit that it was. I sincerely hope that Universal takes it in the shorts on this one, because there's gonna be no backing out for the dickhead suits this time. I only hope that they don't try to pass the responsibility for this turkey to ILM. The technology is there, you bunch of shitheads, USE IT FOR THE RIGHT MOVIES!
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Why not just string together a few Groovy Ghoulies episodes and release them as a feature film? It will be much cheaper and will do the same box office.
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...but "Psycho 98" the only safe horror film ever! Please!!!!Any horror film of the last ten years has been safe, I miss the days of truly evil, not likeable cool, villains. Remember how much we all wanted Freddy dead at the end of Nightmare, he wasn't cool, he was evil! Linda Blair was not cool, she was evil! I miss "let's root against them, hope they get cut up into tiny pieces by a blender" evil!
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Disney is getting better with their musical stylings. I've said it before, but after Tarzan and Fantasia the evil-villian with a sidekick, strong plucky female without a mother, bland male lead, chubby bumbling father, seven songs and a dance number is going away. The animation and art direction is still the best (The colors in Hercules? I dunno...), and hell, they keep the animation industry afloat. That last part is the most important part to me I guess, keeping people drawing. So screw it, they can do what they want. The industry is in a slow-down, and they are the only company that consistantly keeps hiring people. I like a regular paycheck for drawing. Whatever... (god what a lame post)
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While I agree with you in part Lane, I think that you are overly-legitimizing greed on the studio execs part. You're saying that the execs are just giving the people what most of the people want - which is true. Kind of like "the invisible hand" in economics - the studio execs are just responding to the "demand." However, I think this is a rather unfortunate view of film and moviemaking. But, it is the reality of film today. One of the other posters quoted Lucas from this past 60 Minutes when he likened moviemaking to art. In Lucas's view, moviemaking should be a labor of love, not driven solely by economics. (Lucas must feel a certain degree of horror with what has come post Star Wars. In a sense, he created economics-driven movie making - but this was through no fault of his own since Star Wars was, after all, a labor of love.) Now that we have economics-driven moviemaking, I think that the unfortunate reality is that the only way to get out of this system is to work through the system. We will have to DEMAND movies that are about something, have something to say, or present old ideas in entirely fresh and new lights. If the demand for quality moviemaking arises, I think the possibility exists that film as art will return. I don't think this will happen anytime soon, but you can't blame me for hoping.
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I seem to recall predicting that this movie would prove to be too cute for its own damn good some time back - in AICN forums no less. But Harry: since when is this new? I mean, the original story writers you praise so highly characterized this as a movie in the old style, in the sense of being scary but carrying a low enough rating to let the kids in.
Besides, the DAMN UNIVERSAL CLASSICS ARE CUTESEYPOO! Boris Karloff's monster belongs in a Disney cartoon, Colin Clive and The Pretorius guy ought to be in My Fair Lady. I personally enjoy them for what they are, and like them better than any modern horror film, but, Guys, anyone who tells you that they're eerie or profound or artistic is either lying or a fool. -
I agree: "Rock and Rule" was one of the most original pieces of animation to never get distributed. I believe Nelvana actually made the claim they were "getting out" of animation due to the final product... yeah, right! And on a similar note, "ElfQuest" the movie, the stalled Wendy and Richard Pini project now backed by Marv Wolfman's production company, appears to be on track and currently slated for CGI animation as well (I got details if ya want 'em, Harry!) The point: so what if "Frankenstein" winds up looking like "The King and I" (the animated version)? There's still a few more cool projects out there, many helmed by people that won't compromise quality, character, and story just to cater to a "sure thing." So until more adults realize that "cartoons aren't just for kids" and studio executives realize that because "it worked once so that's all they want to pay for," great projects are gonna get slaughtered. And it's up to us to cause as much a stir as possible to promote it or put it down... spread the word!
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The real horror of Universal's CGI Frankenstein is the bastardization of a great concept for another lame-ass Disney imitation. Just when the idea of ILM being given a chance to really show their stuff, It falls victim to cowardice and fear on the part of those brainless suits at Universal. I stated in another post that Hollywood does NOT know how to make movies anymore. This is just another of MANY examples. Sigh! As usual, that fool Lane is wrong again ( imagine that!) when he states that it is not the execs fault. How wrong can you get. It has everything to do with those dumbshits! They are the ones changing the game plan at the last minute just when it looked like a sure win. Instead of trying something cool and new, they get cold feet and decide they want another hacked, half-baked Disney clone to try to compete with all the other pathetic Disney clones.
It is truly sad and I hope either ILM wises up and gets out of this doomed project, or it finishes only to bomb like I know it will.
Listen up you idiots at Universal!! Only by taking chances on something new will you be rewarded (remember, you jackholes passed on Star Wars back in '75, even when Lucas had just delivered your biggest hit in years- American Graphitti)WAKE UP!!! -
Yes, I went through my Transformers phase, and absolutely loved the tv series. Come on, I was like 11 years old. I thought I was the only one who really enjoyed that film, it was very dark. The film did kill the Transformers franchise, after they did the series like the film. It was just too dark, and everyone was mad that Bumblebee and that human father and son wasnt there. Somebody told me Octomus Prime is now worth in the hundreds, I am now kicking myself, because of the evil known as garage sales.
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When I saw this story I laughed, because just yesterday I went to Universal Studios and was reminded of what a crappy output they've produced of late. If it weren't for the Jurassic Park and Back to the Future franchises, there wouldn't be all that much to the theme park. Regarding Frankenstein, Universal is completely wrong to fuck with one of their most lasting horror icons in this way. They seem to be forgetting that "B" horror movies made their reputation back in the days when they were still run by Carl Laemmle, Jr.
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Thanks for mentioning that, Jet. I couldn't find any of the monster stuff when I visited the LA one in March which was soooo lame, even in the comics shop on the City Walk. I mean, more Back To The Future stuff than you'd ever need but none of their horror classics (other than a couple of things for the original Psycho). It was so sad to see them have no respect or regard for their past, other than just a quick parade on by. I remember thinking "I miss this." as I took the tram on by the sorority house where Bluto looks through the window from Animal House. Weird how a set can feel like somewhere you've been before.
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Not that I don
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What a fucking surprise. I knew this project wouldn't last in its original conception. Naturally the Suits (the smart ones who do all the thinking for us poor, uneducated audience members) decided to turn an excellent idea into a cutsie-poo fantasia project. Another smartass sidekick? Oh boy! I can't wait. Just like Disney (or Di$ney as I call it) fucked up THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, with singing comedy-relief gargoyles, FRANKENSTEIN will be another gag-fest which appeals to a "younger" audience. God forbid Di$ney release a dark PG-13 animated film without music or comic-relief animals. You mean no McDonald's tie-ins? No stuffed toys?? Universal is really shooting itself in the foot with this one. Granted, last year the Big U released two of my faves, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, and OUT OF SIGHT, and this year's Number One Must-See for me is MAN ON THE MOON, but I really wish they would stick with their original concept. Now I fear this will turn into another KING AND I (which had the fucking GALL to add yes, animal sidekicks in it; no, I didn't see this piece of garbage, I saw clips from it on SISKEL AND EBERT -- that's enough for me). I just wish Universal would reconsider, and take a risk with this one. I believe it has potential as a serious, dark tribute to the classics of the 1930s and 1940s. If not, then unfortunately we can expect FRANKENSTEIN toys galore, along with promos from Taco Bell, and the inevitable ice show: FRANKIE ON ICE!! Ugh. It's just too horrible to think about ...
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You people need to get a grip already! What is WITH all this Disney-bashing? The only film of theirs of late that I would call HORRIBLY over-Disney-a-fied is Hercules. That one was a paint-by-numbers lame fest. Ok, Hunchback had those statue things, but other than that, it was great! Hunchback was FAR darker than Prince of Egypt. Speaking of that, you all must now also rip on Dreamworks, for Prince of Egypt was NO DIFFERENT than any other recent Disney flick, expect for that it was WORSE. Sorry! LaneMeyers, I must address this part to you. You didn't say 'I didn't LIKE all those Disney movies' you said 'They sucked' which goes beyong your opinion and therefore becomes something that you're trying to convince us is fact. That being the case, I must now voice my strong digression with you. Some of those films, sure, maybe you could say sucked. But Beauty and the Beast? GIMME A BREAK!!! Do you have ANY concept of films? Do you just hate things because they are animated? I really, seriously must question your motives on that one. Not only because I love that movie, but because it's such a triumph of filmmaking in general. I don't work for Disney, but give them a break! However, maybe Iron Giant WILL raise the bar of animation that Prince of Egypt barely tried to budge. No songs is a start. Songs are OK, but only when they are good. POE's songs, IN MY OPINION, brought the movie to a dead halt whenever they came on and were unneeded, thin and otherwise lame. But that's just my opinion. ONE LAST THING. Lanemeyes, you said South Park was good and all Disney movies suck. So, if they stuck pointless swearing in Lion King, or the word whore, it would have been alright? Funny, Casablanca was pretty good and they didn't swear once...
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Yes, 'Hunchback' blew. 'Pochahooters' was flat out boring. Everything about the Disney formula has been played out. John Lassiter of Pixar made it absolutely clear that there were to be NO songs in 'Toy Story' (Toy Story clearly should have been nominated for an Oscar for best picture). I guess it is upsetting because to make one of these movies it is a commitee process with many story people, broad-based humor, and it gets diluted after countless executive viewings. Functionally and logistically it is flawless- every shot and cut is perfect, but when words like "this will appeal to girls 4-11 and this character will appeal to boys 12-14" get batted about, it is disapointing.
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I totally agree with you, Justin Sane. All us AICNers should make a pact to over-throw the studio executives. Only then will we truly and consistently be able to say, "Ain't it Cool?" about the films coming out of Hollywood.
To paraphrase Marx:
Let the studios execs tremble at a filmmakers' revolution. The directors have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.
YOUNG FILMMAKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!!! -
Where do these executives who make these decisions come from? From what positions were they promoted to the jobs they hold now? Did they work their way up from marketing? It seems these are people who have not one artisitic bone in their entire body and yet they control the destinies of films created by truly artisitic people. They use polls and other marketing oriented methodsm to determine the direction of films instead of letting the writers and directors do what they're being paid to do. How many times have we heard of films in which the endings have been changed do to test screenings? It's just not right. The best argumuent against this type of film production is Star Wars. George Lucas has absolute control of the Star WArs franchise. It's his baby and everything is done his way and it's the most successful and profitable franchise in the history of films (at least I thinkm it is). How about almost any film by Speilberg? I realize that the film industry is a business and profits are important but it seems to me that the best films (and the many of the most profitable films) are the ones where the artists, writers and directors who put their hearts and souls into the films are allowed to do what they do best. Just once I'd like to see a really great mature animated film produced in the U.S. How about a little "U.S.Anime" to go with all the Japanime that's produced.
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Screw the Universal remake of "Frankenstein". I want my "Rock 'N' Roll Frankenstein". Check out the web site:
http://www.rrfrankenstein.com -
Well--who is surprised by what the suits pull these days?
I wish they would try to do the novel as it was written(The De Niro pic was a joke)--there is such a powerful story there. Get rid of the mute flat head and make it the articulate "Daemon" of the novel! Its so easy.
Ughhhh!
I think the only solution will be when small little companies take advantage of the technology and start producing their own fx- films instead of relying on the big studios. The time has come...
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Maybe the old-time studio execs weren't princes, but at least they loved movies. Over the past twenty years the old guard has been replaced by souless wall-street types who see films as any other "product" - a product that must reflect bogus marketing statistics. Yes, "Star Wars" changed everything. Studios believed they now had the "formula" for successful event movies. But what the studios forgot was they actually had nothing to do with creating "Star Wars". (Fox hated the movie initally) Star Wars, like all the classic films, came about because talented artists, (not suits), had a vision and found a way to express it without, or in spite of studio interference. What Universal plans to do with Frankenstein is tragic, but not suprising. Predictable, in fact, in its stupidity. Disney has nothing to lose in remaking idiot movies like "That Darn Cat." But Universal seems determined to shit all over its history in pursuit of the almighty dollar. First "Psycho", now this... What's next? A CGI remake of "The Thing" with songs from The Backstreet Boys?
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Ye shall reap what ye sew.
When are the suits gonna learn that this kinda crap never seems to work. Tinkering with any film in mid-stride ALWAYS equals box-office failure. (IE ALIEN3)
If you really don't wanna make the pic, cancel it, don't fuck wit it.
out, geeks.
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Did anyone else read Jeff Lavin's "Return of the Wolfman" when it was released last year? It was really pretty good! It took up from the last minutes of "Abbott & Costello meet..." right up to today. The characterizations were strong, and especially Larry Talbot was dead solid perfect (No pun intended.).
This is a splendid example of how classic characters can be updated into a storyline with modern sensibilities AND MADE TO WORK! It actually even made "Chick and Wilbur" into legitimate characters.
I was seriously pumped to hear that Ol' Uni had green lighted "Frankenstein". I'm even looking forward more to seeing "The Mummy" than "Phantom Menace" (but it's close.) I hope that the 'wigs at "Seagram's Studio" actually read these posts, and sees the outpour of support for an original horror film, and not the pastiche they seem intent on making.
Now, with that said...
Anyone know where I can get a copy of the "Frankenstein" script? 8^<)
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I noticed in your critique that you mentioned Casey Silver as the brains behind Big Lebowski. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Big Lebowski was made and released by Gramercy. How does Silver take credit for it when he works for an opposing company? I do give him credit for Out of Sight, Fear and Loathing, and the upcoming Man on the Moon project, but Babe II was a dreadful mess of a film that deserved every critical lashing it got. It was a total miscalculation from the get go, and Silver is mainly responsible for the final outcome. He didn't deserve to be canned, but he was at fault, plain and simple.
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This is completely unrelated, but is anyone else having trouble logging on to Countingdown? Maybe it's my service, but I've been having trouble getting over there for at least the past 3 days. I want my EYES WIDE SHUT! (OK, and STAR WARS, too.)
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countingdown isn't responding, and theforce.net had hacker problems earlier this morning....
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I respect Disney for what they did in the past( Fantasia, Pinnochio, Dumbo, Bambi, and 101) in the last ten years(Roger Rabbit, Aladdin, Hunchback) and for what they can do in the future. I've heard wonderful things about Atlantis and I can't wait to see Keane's lastest creation. I think The Simpsons is the greatest show in tv history, but I can't understand the popularity of SouthPark. I thought the Jesus vs. Santa Claus episode was hilarious, but the novelty wore off. One last thing- why do people assume talking animals are created for children?
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Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper...Super Duper! Now that's good frankenstein! Boy do I wish they'd rerelease that! Whoo! You know, if ILM goes tyhrough with this, don't you think it would be perfectly legal for Lucas, upon hearing the power the suits seem to have over his own company, to go down to hollywood and just open up a giant can of whup-ass at universal? That would be a good movie too. George could be played by Andy Richter. Anyways, If there's one thing I hate, it's a remake. They always remake good movies. Why not re-make bad movies, like Doctor detroit or something? But, supposing the Frank CG film does get made, and turns out to be crap, I hope no one will go to see it because they read it sucks on the internet. The only way to get the studio execs is to hit em where it hurts...their wallets. BOOM!
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even though this was posted three days ago, I still feel its an april fools prank....YOU CANT GET ME HARRY!!!!!!!!!!
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One word: PIXAR
If it's true that Pixar's secret film four project is called "Monsters, Inc", then maybe ILM is trying to do the slimeball move that Katzenberg did and race them to market with a CGI monster movie (anybody remember the "Antz" and "A Bugs Life" controversey?"
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