Thursday, May 20, 2010

New Book Unveils the History of "Shrek" Film

New Book Says Shrek Was Close to Never Being Made

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to a new book, The Men Who Would Be King: An Almost Epic Tale of Moguls, Movies, and a Company Called DreamWorks (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) by Nicole LaPorte, Shrek almost did not happen. LaPorte, who covered DreamWorks, the company founded by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen, for Variety, details many of the fascinating decisions that changed movie history in this new book.

As LaPorte writes, before Shrek, the company was floundering financially, largely because none of the studio’s previous animated films were working. Shrek was DreamWorks’s first, all-out blockbuster; it grossed $484 million worldwide. The fourth installment of the Shrek franchise releases on Friday, May 21.

But DreamWorks Animation’s biggest, most lucrative franchise ironically almost didn’t get made and struggled along for years. As LaPorte writes, in the beginning (way back in 1994) when the project was just being discussed, Jeffrey Katzenberg hired four recent college grads, dubbed the “Propellerheads” who were experimenting with 3-D. The group, which included J.J. Abrams (who would eventually be called the “next Steven Spielberg”), Rob Letterman, Loren Soman, and Andy Waisler. After months of working on the film, their one-minute test so underwhelmed Katzenberg that he shut down production and threatened to scrap the project. Several millions in development costs were written off. As the movie floundered in oblivion, animators began referring to working on Shrek as being sent to “the Gulag.” Several writers (Ted Elliott Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, Roger Schulman) and directors (Henry Selick) gave Shrek a shot but when Andrew Adamson took over, the film was finally set on the right path. At that point, Jeffrey Katzenberg had far less to do with the film, than with other movies he had micromanaged, such as Prince of Egypt and The Road to El Dorado--both flops.

Saturday Night Live actor Chris Farley was originally cast as the voice of Shrek. The animators relied heavily on Farley’s own looks and Tommy Boy hairstyle to draw the early versions of the ogre. After Farley’s death, Mike Myers was brought on to replace him. Myers decided near the end of production to give Shrek a Scottish accent and could not be dissuaded, which meant $4 million in reanimation for the ogre’s mouth and facial expressions.

The film also served as DreamWorks’ biggest ammunition in its battle against Disney. Shrek is essentially the anti-Disney movie, taking beloved characters like Snow White and the Gingerbread Man and turning them on their heads. And Lord Farquaad's pointed resemblance to Michael Eisner was icing on the cake for Katzenberg who was in a heated legal battle with Eisner. Eisner had once called Katzenberg a “little midget” publically during the trial, and as an inside joke, the Farquaad character was made to be very short.


About the Author
Nicole LaPorte is a former film reporter for Variety, where she covered the Hollywood movie industry for several years. She also wrote "The Rules of Hollywood" column for the Los Angeles Times Magazine, and has written for the New Yorker, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, New York Observer, Sunday Telegraph Magazine, and W Magazine. LaPorte is currently the West Coast Reporter for Daily Beast. She lives in Venice, California.


Review: "Shrek the Third" is Disappointing

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 88 (of 2007) by Leroy Douresseaux


Shrek the Third (2007)
Running time: 93 minutes (1 hour, 33 minutes)
MPAA – PG for some crude humor, suggestive content, and swashbuckling action
DIRECTOR: Chris Miller with Raman Hui
WRITERS: Jeffrey Price & Peter S. Seaman and Chris Miller & Aron Warner
PRODUCER: Aron Warner
EDITOR: Michael Andrews

ANIMATION/COMEDY/FANTASY/ACTION/FAMILY

Starring: (voices) Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Ruper Everett, Justin Timberlake, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Cheri Oteri, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Amy Sedaris, John Krasinski, Larry King, Susanne Blakeslee, and Ian McShane

Smelly ogre Shrek (Mike Myers) returns in Shrek the Third, and finds himself in a bit of a fix. When he married Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), he never realized that the union would put him in line to become the next King of Far, Far Away, so when his father-in-law, King Harold (John Cleese), dies, Shrek and Fiona are facing the very real possibility of being the new King and Queen.

Determined to remain an ordinary ogre and return to his peaceful life in the swamp, Shrek sets off with reliable pals Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) on a long journey to find Fiona’s long lost cousin, Artie (Justin Timberlake), an underachieving high school slacker. Making the rebellious Artie accept the throne proves to be a bigger challenge than Shrek suspected.

Meanwhile, Shrek’s old nemesis, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), has returned to Far, Far Away with an army composed of some of classic fairytales most infamous villains, including Captain Hook (Ian McShane) and his crew and the Evil Queen (Susanne Blakeslee) from “Snow White.” It’s up to Fiona and her band of princesses: Cinderella (Amy Sedaris), Rapunzel (Maya Rudolph), Sleeping Beauty (Cheri Oteri), Snow White (Amy Poehler) and, of course, Doris (Larry King), to fight until Shrek and crew return to the country for the final battle with Charming.

Considering the box office success of Shrek and Shrek 2 and the fact that they were actually very good films, Shrek the Third’s mediocrity is shocking. It’s only mildly amusing, and there’s nothing distinguishing about the animation, which actually looks really bad (in terms of character movement and design) in several places. There are too many characters, and not enough of Eddie Murphy’s Donkey who is every bit the star of this franchise that Mike Myers’ Shrek is. Any future installments need a significant overhaul because Shrek the Third looks like the franchise is showing tired, old legs.

5 of 10
C+

Saturday, June 09, 2007

NOTES:
2008 BAFTA Awards: 1 nomination: “Best Animated Film” (Chris Miller)


Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Third "20th Century Boys" DVD Arrives June 1st

APOCALYPTIC PROPHECY AND FRENETIC ACTION REACH A STUNNING CLIMAX IN THE FINAL CHAPTER OF 20TH CENTURY BOYS FILM TRILOGY

VIZ Pictures Releases DVD Of 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, concludes the epic sci-fi film trilogy based on Naoki Urasawa’s acclaimed manga, 20TH CENTURY BOYS, with the release of the final film, 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION, on DVD on June 1st. The film, which will be distributed by VIZ Media in North America, will carry an MSRP of $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN.

VIZ Pictures celebrates the release with a film screening of 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION for one-night-only at VIZ Cinema in San Francisco on Thursday, May 20th at 7:00pm. VIZ Cinema is the nation’s only movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and is located at 1746 Post St., in the heart of the city’s Japan-town. Tickets to attend the movie-only are: $10.00; or attend the film and take home the brand new DVD, a 20TH CENTURY BOYS poster, and more for only $25.00. Trailers and more details are available at: www.vizcinema.com.

Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi and presented in partnership with Nippon Television, the 20TH CENTURY BOYS saga begins in 1969 when a young boy named Kenji and his friends write “The Book of Prophecy.” In the book, they write about a future where they fight against an evil organization trying to take over the world and bring about Doomsday. Years later in 1997, a mysterious cult being led by a man only known as “Friend” has emerged and gained strong influence over society. A series of catastrophic events begin to occur, mirroring the prophecies made up by the young Kenji.

In the final film, the year is Friend Era Year 3 (2017 A.D.) and the World President, Friend, rules humanity. After a deadly virus ravages Tokyo, a wall is built around the city and inhabitants’ lives have been severely restricted. Friend tells everyone that on August 20th, aliens will destroy mankind and only those who believe in him will be saved. But a movement to stop Friend is in motion. Is protagonist Kenji really still alive? What is Friend’s plan for August 20th? Will the mystery behind the true identity of Friend be uncovered? All of the prophecies, schemes and plans will be finally revealed in the saga’s exciting concluding chapter.

“Fateful prophecies reach an exciting climax in the final chapter of the 20TH CENTURY BOYS saga,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of VIZ Pictures. “Our film screening on May 20th at VIZ Cinema will give fans a special opportunity to catch all the frenetic action on the big screen, and we invite audiences to explore all of the 20TH CENTURY BOYS films as well as the manga series that inspired them. There is also a brief recap of previous stories on the very beginning of the movie, so people who haven’t watched Chapters 1 and 2 can catch up on the story.”

The 20TH CENTURY BOYS trilogy is based on the critically-acclaimed manga series created by Naoki Urasawa (also published by VIZ Media, rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) and was a national phenomenon in Japan, selling over 24 million copies.

For more information on 20TH CENTURY BOYS or other VIZ Pictures titles, please visit www.viz-pictures.com.


About VIZ Pictures, Inc.:
Based in San Francisco, California, VIZ Pictures, Inc. licenses and distributes selective Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with focus on Japanese "kawaii (cute) and cool" pop culture. VIZ Pictures strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, 20TH CENTURY BOYS, and TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO. VIZ Pictures is also the producer of NEW PEOPLE, a part of the J-Pop Center Project, a unique entertainment destination bringing Japanese pop culture through film, art, fashion, and retail products. For more information please visit www.viz-pictures.com or www.newpeopleworld.com. © 2009 VIZ Pictures, Inc.


Review: "Shrek 2" Aimed More at Adults than Children

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 90 (of 2004) by Leroy Douresseaux


Shrek 2 (2004)
Running time: 93 minutes (1 hour, 33 minutes)
MPAA – PG for some crude humor, a brief substance reference and some suggestive content
DIRECTORS: Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon
WRITERS: Andrew Adamson, J. David Stem, Joe Stillman, and David N. Weiss with Chris Miller; from a story by Andrew Adamson (based upon characters created by William Steig)
PRODUCERS: David Lipman, Aron Warner, and John H. Williams
EDITORS: Michael Andrews and Sim Evan-Jones
Academy Award nominee

ANIMATED/COMEDY/FAMILY/FANTASY/ADVENTURE

Starring: (voices) Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett, and Jennifer Saunders

I found Shrek 2 to be every bit as funny as the original, but I don’t think it’s quite as surprising or better than the smash hit and Academy Award-winning Shrek. The first film was sweet and sentimental, and despite it’s clunky and peculiar computer-generated animation, it was fresh and different. Shrek 2 is every bit the expensive and glossy sequel, and is mostly disposable entertainment. In fact, the filmmakers have managed to make a movie so entertaining that it’s disposable entertainment as art. I laughed a lot and had a damn good time, but as I do with many big summer films, I’d mostly forgotten it not long after I’d left the theatre. There’s nothing wrong with that, but Shrek 2 is like a cheap candy bar, sweet but not necessary. You can wait for home video.

In Shrek 2, the titular Shrek (Michael Myers) and his wife Princes Fiona (Cameron Diaz) with Shrek’s homeboy Donkey (Eddie Murphy) travel to Far, Far Away, Fiona’s home to meet her parents the King (John Cleese) and Queen (Julie Andrews). The royal parents, however, are not happy to see Fiona married to an ogre, which is what Shrek is, and they’d hoped she’d married Prince Charming (Rupert Everett).

It was Charming who was supposed to rescue Fiona in the first film (and not Shrek as it happened) and break the spell that caused Fiona herself to become an ogre at night. Now, that Fiona has married Shrek, she’s a full time ogre. Charming’s mother, the Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) demands that the King get rid of Shrek, so he hires a suave assassin, Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas), to dispatch Shrek. But when Puss becomes Shrek’s friend, Fairy Godmother throws all her magic behind a diabolical plan to trick Fiona away from Shrek and into the arms of her son.

I found Shrek 2’s humor mainly directed at adults, although children can certainly enjoy it. Much of the comedy is built around sight gags, but there are numerous sly cultural references (visual and spoken), witty asides, puns, etc. that will go right over the heads of the kids and many 20-somethings. There is also a surprising amount of sexual innuendo and crude humor. Once again, I think this film is aimed more at adults than children, much like the old Warner Bros. cartoons from the 1930’s and 40’s. They were originally made as theatrical shorts to be shown before films and weren’t specifically aimed at children just because the shorts were cartoons.

Technically, Shrek 2’s animation is much improved over the first film, but PDI, the company that animated both Shrek films has nothing on Pixar, the studio behind Toy Story and Finding Nemo. There is a crucial difference between Pixar and PDI. Pixar does computer animation in the tradition of Disney animated classics: animated films that are fairy tales aimed at children, but also appeal to adults who are “young at heart.” PDI creates broad PG-rated films that attract kids simply because they are animated but are also written to attract adults with rough humor and sarcasm.

The standout voice talents in the film are Eddie Murphy, John Cleese, and Jennifer Saunders. Their performances are what we would expect of actors that are both fine comedians and comic actors, and they are really good at adapting their particular talents for virtually any kind of comedy.

8 of 10
A

NOTES:
2005 Academy Awards: 2 nominations: “Original Song” (Adam Duritz-composer/lyricist, Charles Gillingham-composer, Jim Bogios-composer, David Immerglück-composer, Matthew Malley-composer, David Bryson-composer, Dan Vickrey-lyricist for the song "Accidentally In Love")and “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” (Andrew Adamson)

2004 BAFTA: 1 win “Kids’ Vote”

2005 Golden Globes: 1 nomination: “Best Original Song - Motion Picture” (Adam Duritz, Dan Vickrey, David Immerglück, Matthew Malley, David Bryson for the song "Accidentally In Love")



Vanessa Williams to Be Wicked Housewife

Apparently, ABC has announced that Vanessa Williams, just off the recently cancelled "Ugly Betty," will join the cast of "Desperate Housewives" for its seventh season in 2010-11.  I'll post ABCs fall lineup as soon as I find it.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Review: Eddie Murphy Made the Excellent "Shrek" Even Better

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 16 (of 2002) by Leroy Douresseaux


Shrek (2001) – computer animated
Running time: 90 minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes)
MPAA – PG for mild language and some crude humor
DIRECTOR: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
WRITERS: Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S. H. Schulman with additional dialogue by Cody Cameron, Chris Miller, and Conrad Vernon (based upon the book by Shrek! William Steig)
PRODUCERS: Jeffrey Katzenberg, Aron Warner, and John H. Williams
EDITOR: Sim Evan-Jones
Academy Award winner
ANIMATION/COMEDY/FANTASY and ADVENTURE/ROMANCE/FAMILY

Starring: (voices) Michael Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel, and Jim Cummings

Shrek (Michael Myers), a reclusive ogre, suddenly finds his home in the swamp beset by the denizens of hundreds of fairy tales. They are refugees of a hate campaign by a little despot named Lord Farquaad of Duloc (John Lithgow). Farquaad promises to remove the fairy tale beings from his home if Shrek rescues Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from a fearful fire-breathing dragon. By marrying a princess, Farquaad would become a king. The talkative Donkey (Eddie Murphy) joins Shrek as his faithful steed on the quest to rescue the princess for Farquaad, but love has other plans.

From Pacific Data Images (PDI) and DreamWorks, respectively the computer animation studio and movie studio behind Antz, Shrek is a lively and funny cartoon that kids can watch but that is really aimed at adult viewers. With the requisite toys and novelties, the film is sure to attract children, and the film contains enough gross and childish humor to keep their attentions. Shrek’s success, however, is in its ability to tap into grown-up sensibilities. Literally having a pack of writers working on the script gives Shrek’s story multiple layers. The movie is filled with pop culture references, film references, bawdy humor, sight gags, and sly asides, and the romantic and sentimental aspects of the film are quite convincing.

The voice actors really carry the movie. Myers is, as always, able to create several character voices, and he creates two others in this film besides Shrek: the Narrator and one of the Three Blind Mice. Ms. Diaz has a nice performance as the princess, but she saves her best work for the film’s last quarter. John Lithgow, an accomplished actor who has played a few wacky villains in the last decade, revealed his comic chops in the television series “Third Rock from the Sun.” He doesn’t fail to please here; his Farquaad is nasty, petty, deceitful, and quite vindictive – a potent little menace who really deserves his comeuppance.

The star of the show, however, is Eddie Murphy as Donkey. We’ve come to take Murphy for granted. He hasn’t taken on oh-so-serious roles like other comedians, so many critics and moviegoers don’t think of him as a good actor. His Donkey is a jiving talking huckster, at one moment cowardly, brash the next, and a mentor when he has to be. The role fits Murphy like an old glove, but he makes Donkey so vital, so fresh, so funny. Like one of Robin Williams’s caricatures, Murphy is a chatterbox, but he doesn’t wear thin; even his mumblings are funny. His verbosity never annoys, and Donkey is the axis upon which this story turns. Lose him and you have a passable, middling movie.

Shrek is a surprise, and it went on to win the first Oscar® for Best Animated Feature. It is truly for all ages. Funny and touching, it is Hollywood product that is near perfect entertainment – well put together by its cast and creators.

8 of 10
A

NOTES:
2002 Academy Awards: 1 win: “Best Animated Feature” (Aron Warner); 1 nomination: “Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published” (Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S.H. Schulman)

2002 BAFTA Awards: 1 win: “Best Screenplay – Adapted” (Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S.H. Schulman); 5 nominations: “Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music” (Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell). “Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects” (Ken Bielenberg), “Best Film” (Aron Warner, John H. Williams, and Jeffrey Katzenberg), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” (Eddie Murphy), and “Best Sound” (Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer, Wylie Stateman, and Lon Bender

2001 Won BAFTA Children's Award Best Feature Film (Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson, Aron Warner, and Jeffrey Katzenberg)

2002 Golden Globes: 1 nomination: “Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy”


"Cross Game" Anime Streaming at VIZAnime.com

VIZ MEDIA STREAMING NEW ANIME SERIES CROSS GAME ONLINE AT VIZAnime.com

Joining The Highly Anticipated Preview Of The Manga

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the very special North American premiere of the new anime series - CROSS GAME, a story set against the backdrop of baseball that explores the bonds of love shared between family and friends. CROSS GAME is streaming free on VIZ Media’s VIZAnime website (www.VIZAnime.com) beginning today.

The news follows an announcement last month of VIZ Media’s planned preview of the CROSS GAME manga series, which is scheduled to also go live today, on the company’s Shonen Sunday website (www.ShonenSunday.com). The manga series, created by Mitsuru Adachi, is scheduled for release under the Shonen Sunday imprint on October 12, 2010.

CROSS GAME is a moving coming-of-age drama that is heartfelt and true and flows delightfully with a light and amusing touch. The series centers around a boy named Ko, the family of four sisters who live down the street, and their shared passion for the sport of baseball.

“VIZAnime is a convenient new one-stop web destination where visitors stream hundreds of episodes from not only classic VIZ Media anime properties, but also brand new series like CROSS GAME,” says Andy Nakatani, Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “CROSS GAME was created by one of the most talented names in manga and the anime counterpart is a wonderful adaptation of the well-crafted story of baseball, adolescence, tragedy and newfound love. We invite fans to explore VIZAnime and see what the growing buzz is all about.”

VIZAnime is a free-to-use interactive web destination that is now the permanent home to some of the company’s best-loved animated series. New content is now added on a weekly basis.

Series currently featured on VIZAnime includes BLEACH, BUSO RENKIN, DEATH NOTE, HONEY AND CLOVER, HIKARU-NO-GO, INUYASHA, INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT, KEKKAISHI, NANA, NARUTO, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, ONE PIECE and THE PRINCE OF TENNIS.

To view subtitled CROSS GAME animated episodes (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and other VIZ Media animated titles please visit www.VIZAnime.com.

For more information on the CROSS GAME manga (rated ‘T’ for teens) and other titles from VIZ Media’s Shonen Sunday imprint, please visit http://www.shonensunday.com/.