What is Page 2? Page 2 is a compilation of stories and news tidbits, which for whatever reason, didn’t make the front page of /Film. After the jump we’ve included 36 different items, fun images, videos, casting tidbits, articles of interest and more. It’s like a mystery grab bag of movie web related goodness. If you have any interesting items that we might’ve missed that you think should go in /Film’s Page 2 – email us!
Read More »
.
Please Recommend /Film on Facebook
/Film reader Derek Stettler has compiled a video titled “Reel Wisdom: Lessons from 40 Films in 7 Minutes,” which does just what it claims. Here is more from the editor:
I made this video because I love films and I think there is great wisdom inherent in the film medium. This video represents some of the best wisdom from films, edited together as a single coherent piece of advice on everything from life, death, and purpose, to anger, regret, and destiny. In creating this video, I tried to feature a broad array of films, from action/adventure and sci-fi films, to dramas and traditional/CG animated films in order to show how all genres of film have something important to say.
Watch the video embedded after the jump.
Read More »
Kung-Fu Panda was silly fluff, but likeable enough as a child’s introduction to kung-fu movies. (Assuming someone wouldn’t just show their kids the safer Jackie Chan movies at some point — maybe those come after Panda.) Taken against the Shrek and Madagascar sequels (and before How to Train Your Dragon) it made DreamWorks Animation look better than usual. But would I want to see six Kung-Fu Panda movies? Probably not.
Six films is what DreamWorks is planning, according to Jeffrey Katzenberg. And speaking of How to Train Your Dragon — for which we knew at least one sequel is in development — expect to see at least three films in the series. Oh, and at least four Madagascar movies. Read More »
DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon opened to a lackluster $43 million in its opening weekend, leading many to call the movie a financial failure. Great reviews (like the ones on /Film) and incredible word of mouth led to a larger and longer than expected run at the box office.
The movie has now been in theaters for 95 days (or 14 weeks) and has grossed a total of $215.5 million domestically, surpassing Kung Fu Panda to become DreamWorks Animation’s highest grossing non-Shrek franchise movie of all time. And while DWA is technically independent of the live action DreamWorks SKG, it is interesting to note that Dragon is expected to surpass Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan to become the highest grossing domestic non-Shrek franchise film in the history of both companies.
Thanks to /Film reader ishneak for the tip.
Wikipedia has a list of the highest grossing films of this decade so far, and kottke noticed that of the top 20 films at the box office, only one movie was not based on a past film or tv show (remake/sequel), or an adaptation of an established property (be it a comic, book, play, toy…etc).
Which is the only original feature film to make it into the the top 20 grossing films of this decade (so far)? Answer after the jump.
Read More »
In this episode of the /Filmcast, David Chen, Devindra Hardawar and Adam Quigley find out what this whole Mumblecore deal is all about, try to write the plot of the new Asteroids film, assess the career and etymology of Nimrod Antal, discuss the look of Public Enemies, and get excited about the trailers of Jennifer’s Body and The Informant. Special guest Dan Trachtenberg joins us from the Totally Rad Show.
You can always e-mail us at slashfilmcast(AT)gmail(DOT)com, or call and leave a voicemail at 781-583-1993. Join us next Monday at 9 PM EST / 6 PM PST at Slashfilm’s live page as we review Bruno.
Download or Play Now in your Browser:
[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/slashfilmcast/Slashfilmcastep58.mp3]
Subscribe to the /Filmcast:
Read More »
DreamWorks Animation is not only developing a sequel to Kung Fu Panda, due out June 3rd 2011, but they are co-producing a television series for Nickelodeon. Nickelodeon has ordered 26 episodes after the success of The Penguins of Madagascar. The series premiered on the television network on March 28th, and has become the second-most-watched program among kids 6-12 on television, behind only Spongebob.
No details are known about the new show, only that it will be titled Kung Fu Panda: The Series. To me the title sounds like it won’t be a spin-off, but instead follow the future adventures of Po the Panda. I doubt that Jack Black or any of the other A-list talent from the computer animated feature film, will be providing their voice talents for the show.
Read More »
WALL-E got completely snubbed at the 36th Annual Annie Awards. For those of you who don’t know, the Annie Awards is an all-animation award show presented by the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972. The awards range form Character Animation in a Feature Presentation to Production Design in an Animated Feature Production, the the more obvious, more prestigious Best Animated Feature award.
DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda beat WALL-E in every single category, including Best Animated Feature, Animated Effects, Character Animation, Directing in an Animated Feature, Production Design, Storyboarding, and Voice Acting categories. WALL-E didn’t even receive nominations in the Writing, Music, and Character Design categories. In Fact, Kung Fu Panda ended up taking home 15 statues in all (including the short film spin-off). Now I understand that Kung Fu Panda completely surprised everyone. It’s an awesome movie, no question about it. But the story is essentially a pared down version of Star Wars, the supporting voice acting is passable at best, and some of the character designs are just sloppy.
I’m sure the commentators will just write my rant of as being a WALL-E/Pixar fanboy (which I’ll freely admit). But I think everyone will agree that an award show for animation (the Annies are basically consider the Oscars of animation) to award Kung Fu Panda a whopping 15 statues, and present WALL-E with not even one, is completely ridiculous. You can read the full list of results after the jump.
Read More »
