Disneyland Paris 14th July/5th Anniv. Fireworks

NO, i did not take this pic (Iwish)! but it was sooo beautiful i had to share it!

Untitled JJ Abrams Mystery Movie!

Saw Transformers yest. More than the movie, am deeply intrigued by a new teaser trailer which played b4 it.
Its an untitled mystery movie by the creator of Alias, Lost and Mission Impossible 3, JJ Abrams.The trailer just gave the release date, "1-18-08" (unless thats the title too, or maybe is gonna be released untitled?)
It looked very interesting...i came back and tried to look it up...and found the following possibilities on IMDB.
People are guessing a Godzilla movie , "Cloverfield"? and also what I personally thought and wish for too...a "LOST" movie...
Its the same producer, Bad Robot Productions. then the monster sounds, and the movie release date which just when the 4th season of Lost starts!And there have been rumours and plans for a Lost movie going on for a while.
Or maybe its just wishful thinking.
Cant wait to learn more!
Here is a bootleg version of the teaser from Youtube. I am sure Paramount is gonna get it off soon enough...so watch it soon!

UPDATE: Its on at Apple in awesome Quicktime. HERE

In Theatres "Paris Je T'aime"

I think the biggest selling point/distraction (however u may choose to look at it) would be the diversity of the talent involved in this production (both, on and behind the camera).

A collection 18 short films from an interesting mix of filmmakers. Representing their various visions of different kinds of love in different parts of Paris. All true to their own style of film making and story telling.
From camp horror and Wes Craven to a comical love story of mimes from Sylvian Chomet(Triplet...(read more)s Of Belville),from Gurinder Chadha to Gus Van Sant.
With an unexpected cast of actors that are fun to see, Natalie Portman, Catalina Sandino Moreno(Maria Full Of Grace),Bob Hoskins, Elijah Wood,Juliette Binoche,Steve Buscemi etc etc. Something for everyone.
I just wish they did not make a half hearted attempt to connect the stories, it wasn't even required to begin with. Quite the treat, and gotta love this poster!:-)

Read & Be Amused

Poor Mrs.Potts Indeed

LOL! Found this on The Disney Blog. It made me smile, so i thought i'd put it on. I feel bad for these poor actors at Disney World...but i guess its all a part of the charm! The audience didn't seem to mind as they gave an encouraging round of applause for Mrs.Potts.
:-)

"Ratatouille" Opens...

Gone are the days when there use to be ONE animated movie a year(or less) from Disney, much like an event for which one (at least me) would wait a whole year.
Now animated features are quite common place. Though the art & technology improves, the story telling and ideas seem to just go down the drain.
So , ironically, its a very grim time for a fan of this incredible art form, in spite of the abundance of "Product".
Hence, u will understand my enthusiasm for this post and the release of this little film. Though i have already reviewed it, cant help but show my support for it and encourage everyone to buy an opening weekend ticket for this film ,simply cause it deserves it and the right message needs to be sent to suits, who lets face it, run this art form.
Don't worry, you don't have to take my word for it, here are but just a few of the unanimous rave reviews from respected critics (besides the glowing ones already being flashed everywhere by Time, Variety, Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone etc)...

The film is being gushed over for its look (Chicago Tribune: “you have never seen a computer-animated feature with this sort of visual panache and detail”; Minneapolis Star Tribune: “I defy you to name another animated film so overflowing with superfluous beauty”), its story (Beaumont Review: “If rival studios ever adopted Pixar’s story process for their films, there would be no need for critics”; Associated Press: “Ratatouille is free of the kind of gratuitous pop-culture references that plague so many movies of the genre; it tells a story, it’s very much of our world but it never goes for the cheap, easy gag”), and especially its director (Slate: “Brad Bird’s best movie yet, and from the writer-director who made two of the best American animated features of the past decade… that’s something”; New York Magazine: “this puts him somewhere between Chuck Jones and Michelangelo”).

Animators As Voice Actors Too!

WDCC: "DeVil On Wheels"

I was overjoyed when i located this rare limited hand numbered 500 piece release from 2004, but then it turned out to be signed by Dusty Horner (one of my fav. sculptors), made me ecstatic!My FIRST signed piece ever!

Also,this makes Cruella DeVill the only character who features TWICE in my WDC Collection. This and "Its That DeVil Woman". But who can blame me?

This piece captures her frenzied driving when she is chasing the milk truck carrying all the dalmatians in the climax of the film.I think its cool that she isn't really seated in the car.This is a high speed chase in bad weather conditions, so she is flying off the seat as she tries to maintain her balance while very unsuccessfully trying to maintain control of the car.Holding on the steering wheel with so much passion and desperation! lol
Her huge fur coat flying like a cape as the car itself is falling apart and off balance on the snow/ice covered dirt road.
The good part about this piece is, if i ever mange to break a piece or whatever,it will only add to its authenticity. There are scratches on the car, the door is falling off the hinges, the metal bumper is out of shape etc etc.
Awesome!

l

Anyone Can Be An Animator!

Hehe, saw this on Cartoon Brew...looks like fun. i wonder how elaborate can this technique get?

In Theatres: "Ratatouille" (Review)

Just saw an advance preview screening of this new Pixar/Brad Bird movie...
In one word - "WOW"
In many ...MANY words-For me this will be a landmark film. not only does it represent Pixar's character animators at the top of their game, but it also marks the FIRST time (according to me) that character animation in CG is hitting the highs that the Nine Old Men did in the 50s and 60s at Disney...its really a gorgeous looking movie too with "heart" and a cool cool food critic voiced by Peter O'Toole (with his very apt, typewriter of death and coffin room) ,who has one of the most well written piece about Critics in general ,towards the end of the film.
The story is about achieving the "Impossible" dream, when everyone says u cant do it and about self doubt and conflict that probably every artist (and non-artist for that matter) goes through.
Though again, u have the Pixar formula with the whole buddy movie concept and what not...but i guess its amazing how they can make soooo many good movies by making variations of different degrees to the same concept!! i guess it goes to the credit...

And on a small but important side note, a personal request -
PIXAR , please,please ,oh please..stop using TV commercials/news programs to get the story/setup/ exposition established. I know it works really well, but its just too easy , and its really becoming my pet peeve against you cause you do it in EVERY movie(wherever u can justify a TV)...i mean come on, its old now, think of a new story telling device already,i know u can...PLEASE!

The end credits are very cool too and so is the short "Lifted" that plays before the movie!
Oh and i caught one in-joke..keep a lookout for a hidden cameo by Bon Voyage (the French bomber bad guy robbing the bank) from "The Incredibles"

Cant wait to see the movie again in 2 weeks on the opening weekend!

Disney/Pixar's "Up"?!?!

A clue about the ever tight lipped Pixar's next production after Summer 2008's "Wall-E".

Buena Vista (the distribution arm of Pixar's parent company, Disney), has set a 12 June 2009 release date for an animated movie called "Up".
No other details known yet, in true Pixar tradition. The name too is obviously just a code or a part of the real title.
Its rumored to be directed either by:
-Pete Doctor(Monsters Inc.)
-Brenda Chapman (Co-Director of Dreamworks' "Prince Of Egypt" and brilliant Story Artist from Disney's"Beauty And The Beast"and others)
-Gary Rydstrom (Award winning Sound Director, getting into filmaking and the director of Pixar's latest short film "Lifted", to be seen attached with "Ratatouille" in 2 weeks!)

We probably wont hear any further details abot "Up" until Wall-E is out next summer.Just like we don't know much about Wall-E until the teaser debuts with Ratatouille (so excited for it,the best looking CG film yet, for me)this month.

So let the speculation begin...

WDCC: "A Loving Embrace"

"The tearful cries of the awkward little duckling have been answered by a graceful mother swan.
The beautiful creature encircles the baby bird with her comforting wings- and for the first time, the "ugly" duckling knows that he is not ugly at all."(Thats from the WDCC Catalogue)..Siiiiigh!
lol
This is brand new first release from new "Silly Symphony Series", and is from the Oscar winning Silly Symphony short called "The Ugly Duckling".
I love the reeds and how the grey strokes of paint on the swan creates a very "2D" effect, much like the original art that inspired this piece.

A Rosy Picture...Or Two?

Blatant Rip Off? Inspired? Homage?Nothing really like it??
Whatever be the case... i may be biased but i think the Original Beauty And The Beast poster from 2001 is far more elegant, with the silhouettes being more subtle ,giving dominance to the rose , a very important prop/symbol by itself in context of the film.

Beauty & The Beast :IMAX SpecialEditionin (2001 ReRelease Poster)

I Know Who Killed Me (2007)

In Theatres: "POTC3: At World's End" (Review)

I could very well copy paste my review from last year for POTC 2 and it would quite apply to this one too(and that would not be a bad thing).
People have been going on about how long and complicated and confusing it is...though i can see why they would say that, it dont stop me form endorsing this film.
This one is deffinately darker and has some cool swashbuckling Sp FX as usual. I thought the escape from Davy Jones' Locker and the Maelstrom battle was quite creative and cool.

Now days when all franchises are being milked to death with one sequel after another,i think its not a bad when the worst critisizm for this 3rd installment in this very "Original" franchise is that it has way TOO many ideas which havnt been devloped to their best possibities.
Honestly am sick of seeing bad super hero movies and the sorts.They rely on the built in fan base for a big opening and special effects with no real idea/story at the core.Summer movies dont have to be like that.
SO u can understand my preference for a film with too many(though not fully capitalised on) ideas over the former.

The probelm (i feel)with the last 2 Pirate films seems to be that they were rushed.Rushed to meet release dates and much of the story evolved on the fly.
Though this Trilogy is now over, if there r to be more POTC movies, i hope the writers get the time to hammer out some really well thought out scripts.These 2 writers seem capable and creative enough in my opinion.
SO far they have created a coolworld with very interesting and fresh mythology /characters, & i coudl really see future POTC movies being really terrific adventure movies if done the right way!
In a nut shell,after investing in 2 Pirate movies, the concluding part was a promise well kept.I was entertained and was very satisfied with the resolution.
And yes..do stick around till the end of the End Credits, for a short scene which works as a very nice book-end to the very first scene of the very first POTC.Its really amazing how that 2 min shot alone, kinda makes it clear who the whole trilogy was about.
Perfect end to this 3 part story.

Lisa Gerrard, Live In Toronto

Last weekend was a dream come true.I have wanted to see Lisa from the day i heard her for the first time.
She is not a very commercial/popular artist, so for those unaware...Lisa Gerrard used to be one half of a groundbreaking husband-wife band called "Dead Can Dance"(DCD).
After they split up, Lisa has continued having a great solo career with collabrative albums and doing scores for films (Gladiator with Hans Zimmer being the most popular).
I dont think i can compare her music or her voice to anything or any other artist that i am aware of.
Seeing her live was as fullfilliing, mezmerising and jaw dropping as i would have hoped(And having 2nd row seats wasnt too shabby either).
DCD used instruments and sounds from around the world spanning various ages and time periods with elaborate orchestartions.
Lisa predominantly used and continues to sing in gibberish,using her spectacular goose bump inducing voice as an instrument.
I know i am really plugging her here, but i think i owe it to her, She just makes me soooo happy!
So go discover her music, she has a new album out called "The Silver Tree" and also "The Best Of Lisa Gerrard", the former also has a few pieces from the DCD era.

Here are a couple of songs that she performed at the concert...the first is "Now We Are Free" ,which she wrote for Gladiator- and "Sanvean",one of my fav pieces by her.

**(I must appologise and warn about these clips.They have a very VERY annoying sound of me breathing at times. It seems the best view was near my eyes, and my nose happens to be in the same region and what can i say, seeing her perform 10 feet from u, it aint easy to breath normally.But its worth it, if u have slightly higher tolerance threshold)**

In Theatres: "Shrek The Third" (Review)

Was not the biggest fan of the original Shrek,but it kinda grew on me over the years.Though i did think Shrek 2 was quite good. I dunno what i was xpecting from Shrek 3, but after hearing only bad things online and 43% freshness rating on RottenTomatoes, maybe i reduced my expectations.
So when i went to see it, i was pleasantly surprised.I found myself being quite entertained, and i did laugh more than just a couple of times.The designs were as ugly as Shrek stuff usually is, but had some very nice animation moments , like the Frog King dying sequence!
Am not sure if this movie "needed" to be made.Cuase Shrek 2 advanced the plot considerably from Shrek 1 but am not sure if 3 acheives the same in terms of Character deevlopment, their arcs etc etc.
All said and done, it was a fun 90min(or whatver its running time)
and it did not create any strong reactions in me (postive or negative) to write anymore about it.

And :Shrek 2 is still the best Shrek movie for me
:"Meet The Robinsons", Best Animated Movie of 2007...so far
: Of the 3 major 3-quels of the summer (Spidey3,Shrek3,Pirates3), Shrek 3 is in the lead...so far

WDCC: "Delicate Dance Of Winter"

Finally , after months of searching, i got me one of these.
This is a numbered edition of ONLY 500 pieces , and hence ,is long gone and was tough to get my hand on.

Its by Kent Melton, and features the Frost Faries from The Nutcracker Suite of the 1940 Fanatsia.
The Frost Faries playfully are turning a lake into ice as a fallen autumn leaf begins to freeze over with icy goodness!

It simple but yet elegant in its delicacy and fetaures over 190 Swarovski Crystals.
Its a part of the grouping of the 3 pieces done in this series. This,"Delicate Dance Of Winter", "Celebration Of Spring", and a 3rd "Touch Of An Autumn Fairy", which i dont have...yet!
;-)

Loreena Mckennit LiveAt Massey Hall

have always been a fan of her melodies and her choice of instruments and their orchestration, but nothing could prepare me for the amazingly rich concert that she put on. No less than 9 members to the band , and some real cool instruments from around the globe, including some that i did not even know existed, like Kanoun, Uillean Pipes, Bodhran,Oud etc etc..it was just too cool.
She covered most of her big numbers and from her new album An Ancient Muse. If u havnt, u must try her out, wont regret it.
Here are a couple of my fav tracks, though these both r more instrumental based.
Marco Polo and Santiago.

In Theatres: "Spider Man 3" (Review)

I guess it must be summer! Its been a while since i had my intelligence insulted by a film.
With glaring plot wholes, boring, underdevloped characters SM3 really tests ur patience for the looooongest 2 1/2 hrs at the movies.
Specialy when the movie was being advertised as this explorations of this cool darker side of SM/Peter , inner conflict and all..and all u get is a shockingly ridiculous cheezzzy ,camp thing...u cant help but feel dissapointed.
Have nothing against cheezy, but if u gonna do it, do it well...like Moulin Rouge...its cheezy as hell but its a masterpiece!
Even the SpecialFx and stuff..nothing havnt seen before, a couple of scenes stood out, but other than that, way too many fast cuts with wrapped in an overload of sound effects,which leads me to think that even the director did not knwo what was happening in those shots.

Charcters seem so unmotivated, come and go , cry and do whatver they have to. It took 2 .5 hrs for the sand man charcter to say "i really did not want this" and he then just blows away!
after 2.5 hrs in hell, is that the climax/resolution i get??? come on!!
i dont even wanna talk about "Venom".. pretty dumb!
The film was struggling to find its style and the dumbest screenplay did not help.
I guess if Spidey 1 & 2 weren't good, i would not have been so disspointed with this movie.
A terrible waste of talent , time and money.

WDCC: "Spinning A Spellbinding Story"

This is one HUGE piece! Its 12 inches high and 10 inches wide! (surely the heaviest piece i have seen or own).
This is the 4th piece in my collection by one my fav. sculptors, Dusty Horner, the same guy who did "Trust In Me" and "You So Totally Rock,Squirt!".
The 3 mesmerized mermaids on the(amazingly well sculpted) rock in the middle of the Mermaid Lagoon are focussed on Pan and his yarns. The way the characters are posed , ur eyes are immediately drawn to Pan and his hand pointing out at into the open space and kinda makes the world at large a part of the sculpture. Which i think is very apt, considering the moment captured here is about Peter and his adventures and stories out there, in lands and with people the mermaids from the Lagoon will never really experience themselves, but only through his stories.
Perfect!
:-)