ScreenCrave.com » robert zemeckis

Robert Zemeckis Shows Us How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack

Damon Houx — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:07:05 +0000

Earlier this year Gnomeo and Juliet showed us the softer side of those porcelain figures that some people put in their yards. But others believe that the inner lives of garden gnomes are filled with jealousy, hatred, spite, and plain meanness. Chuck Sambuchino has penned the novel “How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack,” which Sony Pictures Animation has optioned with Robert Zemeckis and his Imagemovers animation company set to produce, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Robert Zemeckis has been seen on the outs as his Yellow Submarine project got cancelled by Disney, and his use of motion-capture cinema never caught on. But as a Oscar-winner, and as a constant box office performer, he’s only one film away from being back on top. It will be interesting to see if Zemeckis pursues this as a motion capture film, or if he feels that the experiment is over.

There were rumors this might be R-rated, but that is not the case. How family friendly it is has yet to be decided, but animated movies generally cost too much to go for an R. The premise makes it sound like it could either be about a full blown gnome invasion, or about someone who thinks there might be a gnome invasion. I would suspect the latter, so it builds to chaos. But that would make it a variant on Gremlins. It worked before….

Is 2011 the year of the garden gnome?

Disney Sinks Robert Zemeckis’ Yellow Submarine

Damon Houx — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:34:57 +0000

The success and/or failure of project often has a domino effect. And so when the Robert Zemeckis-produced Mars Needs Moms opened to less than $7 Million on a $150 Million budget this weekend, Walt Disney Studios has responded by shuttering his Fab Four project Yellow Submarine, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film had already been cast with Cary Elwes as George Harrison, Dean Lennox Kelly as John Lennon, Peter Serafinowicz as Paul McCartney and Adam Campbell as Ringo Starr .

As The Hollywood Reporter noted, the production had already changed its initial release date, and though Zemeckis has been at the forefront of motion-capture technology, his most successful effort was his first: The Polar Express. His subsequent efforts – Beowulf and A Christmas Carol – did not do as well, with Carol a Christmas disappointment in that it did less than Express and made $137 Million domestically on a $200 Million budget. It also was unfortunate to open near Avatar, which used motion capture (or as it’s often referred to “mo-cap”) in ways audiences responded to with more enthusiasm.

The project is not necessarily dead, as Zemeckis can now shop the project around to other studios, and though there seems to be some questions about the remaining Beatles and their heirs signing off on the final project, working with Beatles music (sixteen songs were already picked for the film) may make this a project that lands elsewhere. But as a kids film there’s no denying that Disney would have the synergy down for any sort of ancillary sales – most specifically toys and games. Part of the question of why the film isn’t going forward may be the cut the studio gets of that – The Beatles likely would be in a situation similar to George Lucas, but if the world’s greatest house for movies aimed at children aren’t biting, that’s got to be a problem for the project.

That said, Walt Disney did not put their full support behind Mars Needs Moms, and the film had a weak release date for a picture aimed at children (off season, bracketed by other kids movies). At some point before release, it appears the film was deemed lesser. The picture originated with Disney when it was run by Dick Cook, and sometimes a regime change will let pictures green-lit by the older studio heads fail because it does the new team no favors. But also if they weren’t behind or didn’t like the finished film, it’s understandable they wouldn’t want to throw good money after bad.

Do you think it’s better for the Submarine flick to keep going or is it better to let it sink?

The Wizard Of Oz Being Remade With Robert Zemeckis?

Krystal Clark — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:39:51 +0000

To say that history repeats itself would be an understatement when it comes to filmmaking. Movies are remade every year, some of them classics, some of them cult favorites, and some of them that just shouldn’t be touched. The latter of that group includes Victor Fleming’s 1939 adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. According to Deadline, Warner Bros plans to remake the film and Back to the Future helmer Robert Zemeckis might direct!

Sources claim that the studio is in early talks with Zemeckis to helm a live action adaptation of the film. Warner Bros owns the screenplay to the property because Ted Turner bought it along with the rest of MGM’s grand library, and conveniently Warner Bros owns Turner’s media empire. This news comes as a shock because there are several “Oz” inspired projects already in the works including Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful, and Surrender Dorothy from Drew Barrymore’s production company, Flower Films.

We were letting them slide on the various spin-offs, but if they actually have the balls to remake the original, “Houston we have a problem.” This is definitely one of those movies that should be left alone. What’s next, Citizen Kane, Gone With The Wind, and Casablanca? The Wizard of Oz has done great for itself over the past 70 years and it doesn’t need a revamp. For goodness sake, the majority of the film is in color. It’s not like it’s a mangy black and white bore-fest!

What do you think of Warner Bros decision to remake The Wizard of Oz?

New DVD Releases: A Christmas Carol, The Kids Are All Right, The Last Airbender

Andrew Payne — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:40:05 +0000

Here’s the bad news: There is absolutely no TV on DVD being released this week. None whatsoever. Well, at least none of note (something tells me Season 5 of Perry Mason doesn’t really resonate with the Internet crowd) so there will be no section on the small screen for maybe the first time in the history of this column.

The good news: There is a TON of new feature films being released this week. Everything you could want from indie critical darling of The Kids Are All Right to the disappointing “3-D” blockbuster attempt of The Last Airbender and all points in between.

So we’re blowing up the format this week with a blurb about the eight feature films being released this week. And, don’t worry, we didn’t forget about informing you of that one little nugget of DVD badness either.

Check it out below…

A Christmas Carol

I want my Robert Zemeckis back! I want the return of the filmmaker who gave us Contact, Forrest Gump, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and the Back to the Future films. Heck, I’ll even take the guy who gave us Cast Away. Anything but this graphic-over-live action nonsense that makes cold movies devoid of a connection.

And it’s so incredibly frustrating that he was seduced by this. Zemeckis was able to churn out film after film that captured the imagination in the way that his CGI stuff tries to do but can’t. It’s like he created that world with real people to extent he had to show what was inside his mind and didn’t realize it was there all along.

So please, Roger. Tell me that your Yellow Submarine remake is just a Wikipedia lie and you’ll return to your brilliant filmmaking within the year.

Click Here to Buy A Christmas Carol on DVD

The Last Airbender

I feel a personal betrayal with this film because I’ve always been an M. Night Shyamalan apologist. More than that – probably his most rampant supporter.

In fact, if you’ve had the misfortune of being within earshot of me over the last decade you’ve probably heard this escape my lips:

“He’s the next Alfred Hitchcock!”
“He’s the best storyteller, he just doesn’t tell the best stories.”
“I’m serious. He’s the best director alive. If he stops writing movies for himself the quality of his films would prove that.”

Then The Last Airbender happened, and, well, I’ve kind of stopped apologizing for Mr. Shyamalan now.

Click Here to Buy The Last Airbender on DVD

The Kids Are All Right

For the first time in maybe the history of film, the Best Actress Oscar race is absolutely loaded. Normally, it’s the easiest category to predict as we struggle to scrape up five good roles for women. Let alone performances.

This year, it won’t be the case and that happy glut is encapsulated in this film: It has two likely nominees. Two! How exciting that we’re finally getting so many good roles that we may actually see vote splitting happen in this category and super-buzzed-about performances like Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong and Anne Hathaway in Love and Other Drugs may find themselves without room.

Yes the Kids, and the roles for women, finally appear to be all right.

Click Here to Buy The Kids Are All Right on DVD

Avatar (3-Disc Extended Collector’s Edition)

Or, as I like to call it: The “Screw You Everybody Who Bought The DVD When it First Came Out. Here’s the Real Special Edition. $3 Billion Wasn’t Enough. Give us More Money. Edition.

Click Here to Buy Avatar (3-Disc Extended Collector’s Edition) on DVD

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

I was at a Dodger’s game this summer and they have a deal with Warner Brothers where they put a trailer up on the jumbotron in-between one of the innings.

Sitting in front of us was a father of three who was kind enough to bring his three young children for a day at the ballpark. He seemed to be enjoying himself until, before the fifth inning, this trailer came on the Jumbotron.

His children shouted in delight, “Cats and Dogs! Cats and Dogs!” He had a look failure and resignation. Failure in that it seemed he’d been trying to hide the fact that this movie existed and resignation that he’d soon have to waste about 50 bucks and two hours watching talking felines and canines.

Marketing at its finest.

Click Here to Buy Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore on DVD

Lottery Ticket

Most hip hop stars begin to slowly transition away from their stage names and toward their real names. Which is why you get billings like Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner.

Li’l Bow Wow, however, just became Bow Wow. Gotta Respect that.

Click Here to Buy Lottery Ticket on DVD

Best Worst Movie

Here’s my problem with a certain type of people. I don’t know exactly how to described them, but I’m sure after this paragraph a light will go off in your head.

This is a person who has never seen an episode of “Breaking Bad”, denounces television for all its evils, yet never misses an episode of “The Real Housewives of Wherever” because it’s just such a train-wreck. This is the person who is an insufferable music snob yet blasts the most disgustingly rudimentary hip-hop whenever you get in the car. And as it relates to this, this is the person who insists on having a DVD collection filled with films like Bubble Boy and Troll 2 because somehow, in their mind, it makes them more of a connoisseur to enjoy crap rather than seek quality.

And that’s my issue – it’s not a badge of honor to avoid most of one medium and just watch the crappy portion. It’s stupid and it’s ignorant and documentaries like this only contribute to that philosophy that allows the selectively crappy consumer to feel entitled.

Click Here to Buy Best Worst Movie on DVD

The Extra Man

All right, I’ve run out of blurb steam. All I know is that I see just about everything with Kevin Kline (I still consider his work in A Fish Called Wanda as the finest film performance of all time) and when I saw this on the list of releases this week I had to think long and hard as to whether or not it was a straight-to-DVD release.

Click Here to Buy The Extra Man on DVD

And, Just So You Know, This DVD Exists…

This movie stars French Stewart and Pauly Shore.

The sad thing? In 1993 that cast would’ve meant an April release date and a $15 million first weekend.

Robert Zemeckis Returning to Live Action with Timeless?

Krystal Clark — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:18:42 +0000

Robert Zemeckis has strayed from live action films so long that we’re beginning to think he hates real people. The director of last year’s CGI animated A Christmas Carol, may be taking on his first live action project in a decade according to Deadline. Zemeckis has his eye on a sci-fi flick that will feature time travel called, you guessed it, Timeless.

It’s been almost a decade since Zemeckis’ last live action film Cast Away hit theaters back in December of 2000. And even though it featured real people the majority of the movie was Tom Hanks talking to inanimate objects. Hmm, starting to notice a pattern with this man. If Timeless has caught his attention there must be something about the script that stirs him creatively. It was written by Mike Thompson and is being set up as a major tent pole project.

The plot for Timeless is being kept under wraps but it’s said to be based on a time travel pitch that was given at Warner Bros. Ever since working on The Polar Express back in 2004, Zemeckis has been submerged in the world of motion capture and animation. It would be great to see him take on this job. And since it has to do with time travel, is anyone else having Back to the Future flashbacks?

Would you like to see Zemeckis do more live action work?

Robert Zemeckis to Direct Dark Life

Krystal Clark — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:25:07 +0000

Last month it was announced that director Robert Zemeckis‘ Northern California based studio ImageMovers was closing its doors at the request of its parent company Disney. That would have been a deathblow for some but Zemeckis is still working and still collaborating with the House of Mouse to bring his next project to life.

After the initial closure of the digital studio, Disney remained optimistic about doing more work with Zemeckis and according to Variety, what’s left of ImageMovers has partnered with them once again to produce a new film entitled Dark Life. The movie will be based on the book of the same name by Kat Falls and more than likely feature motion capture effects.

The story will center on an underwater teenage boy and a surface girl who join forces to uncover a government conspiracy. It’s set in the near future where the water levels have risen extremely high due to global warming and some children have developed supernatural powers.

The story sounds interesting because it tackles an environmental issue that’s relevant and can resonate with a lot of people. I’m just concerned with how he’s going to pull this off. Will he attempt to use practical effects or will it all be green screen motion capture? I’d like a balance between the live action and the special effects but does Zemeckis even remember how to do that?

What do you think of Zemeckis taking on Dark Life? Have you read the book?

Robert Zemeckis’ ImageMovers Studio Closes

Krystal Clark — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:36:31 +0000

Director Robert Zemeckis‘ digital studio ImageMovers will be closing the doors to its Northern California facility. According to THR, The Disney-based studio run by Zemeckis, Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey will shut down its Marin County based location causing hundred’s of employees to lose their jobs.

ImageMovers announced today that after the director wraps production on the film Mars Needs Moms, the company will be shut down in its entirety by January 2011. Even though this sounds like the end of an era for the director and his business partners he still has several motion capture projects on the horizon including the remake of The Yellow Submarine. With that in mind, Disney is hoping to ink another long term deal with the trio that will include the Beatles-inspired project.

When ImageMovers was at its peak it employed 450 people and currently occupies two converted aircraft hangars on 120,000 square feet on a former Air Force base. Disney released an official statement regarding their decision to part with the studio citing the unstable economy as the main reason behind the closure.

“Bob and the entire IMD team successfully built a state-of-the-art studio and produced an amazing film, ‘A Christmas Carol,’ at a time when the dynamics of the industry are rapidly changing,” Disney Studios president Alan Bergman said in a statement. “But, given today’s economic realities, we need to find alternative ways to bring creative content to audiences, and IMD no longer fits into our business model.”

ImageMovers signed a deal with Disney back in 2007 and the partnership only managed to produce A Christmas Carol, which grossed 137 million domestically. In their eyes, the film was an expensive investment that didn’t yield the desired result.

Are you surprised that Zemeckis’ studio is closing? Do you think his brand of filmmaking in too costly?

A Christmas Carol Poll: Is Jim Carrey All That?

Mali Elfman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:42:42 +0000

For those of you who have had a chance to see Robert Zemeckis‘ latest motion-capture film A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey as Scrooge, Jim Carrey as The Ghost of Christmas Past, Jim Carrey as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Jim Carrey as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, what did you think about the choice to use the same actor four times over? Of course there are a few moments with Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, and Robin Wright (no longer Penn) mixed in, but really the star of the show is JIM CAREY.

He’s shown us time and time again that he is one of the best and most popular physical comedians out there who has shape-shifted many times over. But did it work for you? Vote below…

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

In my opinion, it worked. Although I am normally against an actor playing multiple roles in a film because it begins to get cheesy, for this film it added to it. It’s easy to see how all the ghosts are in fact parts of Scrooge himself and how if he did have some sort of vision he would like place himself in each of them. Also, Jim Carrey is a great man for the job. He does not do the same part four times over, but reinvents each character so that you don’t see the same person reappearing on screen but four amazing characters.

Further Reading:

A Christmas Carol: Movie Review

Mali Elfman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:30:52 +0000

It’s that time of year again when we’re about to be inundated with the Holiday spirit. Bah-Humbug! Our first film attempting to spread the Christmas joy (all the way in early November) is Robert Zemeckis’ latest live-action-animation, IMAX 3-D film A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carey multiple times over. This isn’t the original 1908 version, the 1938 film, 1951 adaptation titled Scrooge, or the 1949, 1971, 1982 (parts 1 and 2), 1984, 1989, 1994 (Flinstones version), 1997, 1999, 2000 or 2004 TV versions, or the straight to video versions by “Sesame Street,” “The Muppets,” or “Barbie”… but it sure feels a whole like all of them. The only difference is that this one is done in Zemeckis’ favorite half animation style and is in IMAX 3-D.

Is it worth it? Let’s discuss.

The Players:

Written/Directed: Robert Zemeckis
Novel: Charles Dickens
Cast: Jim Carey, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Colin Firth

The Plot:

You’ve heard it before… Charles Dickens’ timeless classic of an old miser who likes to say “Bah-Humbug” and must face the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come, in order to save his soul. The journey reminds him of what he’s lost before and what he stands to lose if he does not change. Jim Carrey plays Scrooge, as well as the three ghosts (Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come). By the end (if you think this is a spoiler you probably thought someone telling you the boat sunk in Titanic was a spoiler) he finds the joy in life and Christmas and finally opens his heart to those around him.

The Good:

The Danger: This is a Christmas story that many parents are happy to plop their little ones down in front of while they sip the cooking Sherry (yes my references are dated). You can’t do that with this film. The set up is genuinely scary, extremely loud and the 3-D makes it literally jump out at you. I can’t imagine too many little ones sitting in front of this without crying and running out of the room, but for all us jaded adults it does give it something new and edgy to enjoy.
The Humor: In some of the darkest moments Zemeckis is able to pull it back and make it fun again with the use of a few good jokes and Carey’s performance…
The Ghosts of Christmas: Carey plays all the roles and does so very well. Even though they’re classic characters he’s able to bring some of himself to each of them. Even when the scenes are at their scariest, his humor allows for people to take a breath and enjoy his performance (especially with the Ghost of Christmas Past).
The Story: You just can’t say anything bad about the actual story of this film without insulting Charles Dickens. It’s a classic. Sweet, predictable, you know exactly what’s next, but it’s still fun and in a way triggers memories of Holidays gone past.
The Look: Zemeckis is going to keep using this style of filmmaking until it works damnit! At times, it’s absolutely beautiful to watch and something about it add to the perfect Christmas….

The Bad:

The Eyes: Other times it still doesn’t work. After Polar Express everyone complained about the characters having “dead eyes.” The eyes aren’t dead in this film, but they are slightly delayed, which makes the performances, no matter how good they are, look slightly stilted.
Unnecessary: I get that the look is cool, I get that it’s a classic and that everyone and their mom has recreated it so why not do something different, but is it really necessary? Can we not find the version we all love and rent it? Does this new style really warrant a new film? Is it worth all the money, time, energy to make something like this? Personally, I’m not sure. It was fun but nothing awe-inspiring. Please chime in if you feel differently one way or the other because I’m still undecided.
The Pacing: We all know what’s going to happen, lets get on with it. There are moments where you wish things would speed up just a bit.
The Last Line: As the film progresses so does the cheesiness. By the last line, it’s so over the top and shoved down your throat that you’ll be spewing Holiday spirit (and not in a good way). The start of the film and the fear was so strong, I wish the ending could have found a better place to go.

Overall:

It’s a fun film, but it always has been. If you’re looking for something for the family, as long as you don’t have any kids 6 or under, it’s an easy to watch, remake of a classic. Nothing more, nothing less.

Rating: 6.5/10

Check out the film in theaters November 6th!

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Roger Rabbit Sequel Will Use 3D and Motion Capture

Krystal Clark — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:42:14 +0000

While out promoting this weekend’s A Christmas Carol, director Robert Zemeckis spoke to MTV about the long awaited sequel to Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The original film that starred Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, and the voice of Kathleen Turner over 20 years ago was an animated/live action sensation for the director who plans on pushing the envelope once again for the follow up.

With the amount of technological advancements that have been made these days, Zemeckis could easily churn out a special effects driven sequel, but that’s not his plan. He wants to leave some things the way the are, even though he does want to incorporate 3-D and motion capture into mix.

“All the other characters that [the cartoons] would sort of have fun with would be magnificent in performance capture technology,” he explained. I wouldn’t use it for the cartoon characters, because I think they should stay two-dimensional because that’s what — I wouldn’t dimensonalize Roger,” he said. “And I couldn’t dimensonalize Jessica even if I wanted to because she doesn’t have a nose. We wouldn’t want to give her a nose.”

Keeping Roger and Jessica in 2-D is a great way to maintain the feel of the original film. No one wants to see an over the top version of either of those characters, they’re lively enough just the way they are. The real question here is what will the humans look like? Will they be all motion capture? Won’t that take away from the initial animated-live action contrast that made the first film so amazing?

One can only hope that Zemeckis has a grand plan up his sleeve that will make both forms of technology work.

What do you think of 3-D and performance capture being used in the next Roger Rabbit movie?

New A Christmas Carol Photos

Krystal Clark — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:44:07 +0000

Six new images have been released for the upcoming 3-D animated film, A Christmas Carol. There are a few shots taken directly from the film, and a few images that show the director and crew behind the scenes. It’s really interesting to see the kind of prep work that goes into this type of animation.

Check out the photos…

The film stars Jim Carrey as the voice and digital image of the story’s villain, Ebenezer Scrooge. The film has all the traditional imagery that you would expect from the Charles Dickens’ classic, but with a layer of 3-D graphics. Even though I am partial to my old school Muppet’s version of this story, these photos do make me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

A Christmas Carol will hit theaters on November 6th, and is directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Further Reading:

What do you think about the latest photos from the film? What’s your favorite version of A Christmas Carol?

Source: Latino Review

Narnia Scribe Adapting Airman for Disney

Krystal Clark — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:02:17 +0000

If you were a fan of Beowulf or are awaiting the Robert Zemeckis take on A Christmas Carol, this next next film might be the one for you. According to Variety, screenwriter Anne Peacock will write the feature adaptation of the novel, Airman. Zemeckis will be producing the project through his ImageMovers company, which is known for creating 3-D, motion capture films.

Peacock has already had some success with novel adaptations, being the creative hand behind the 2005 hit The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Based on a book by Eoin Colfer, Airman centers on Connor, a boy who lives on an island off the coast of Ireland, where his father is the king’s bodyguard. When the king is murdered, Connor is blamed for the crime and thrown into prison where he passes the solitary months designing a flying machine that he will use to save his family.

Airman will cost Disney a cool 150 million dollars to make, and will be directed by Gil Kenan. A lot of people have negative opinions about the motion capture and 3-D work that Zemeckis and Co. perform on his films. I personally think they look great, and I can’t wait to see how this one will turn out.

Are you a fan of Airman? How do you feel about feature adaptation of the story?

ScreenCrave.com » robert zemeckis

Robert Zemeckis Shows Us How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack

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New DVD Releases: A Christmas Carol, The Kids Are All Right, The Last Airbender

A Christmas Carol

The Last Airbender

The Kids Are All Right

Avatar (3-Disc Extended Collector’s Edition)

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Lottery Ticket

Best Worst Movie

The Extra Man

And, Just So You Know, This DVD Exists…

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Robert Zemeckis to Direct Dark Life

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A Christmas Carol: Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 6.5/10

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Further Reading:

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Roger Rabbit Sequel Will Use 3D and Motion Capture

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New A Christmas Carol Photos

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