Swans Blogs

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Journal 4: Pete's Dragon

Pete's Dragon

When I first found this article written by Sean O'Neil I looked at the picture first and I thought hmmm Puff the Magic Dragon.. I will finally be able to see what exactly that is. But then as I read more closely I found that Disney is remaking Pete's Dragon.

URL to image of Pete and his dragon

As Disney remakes every movie under the sun, they forgot about this 1977's partly animated TV show. I have never seen or even heard of Pete's Dragon, but supposedly it was widely tolerated back in the 1970's. The show is about an orphan, a cartoon dragon and a town full of old, and I would say creepy, fishermen and aging comedians. I do not understand why anyone would find this show entertaining but then again, it is for children and it was mad in the 1970's, a time with not of great as technological advances as today.

To read more about this wacky cartoon of the olden days that will one day be airing on our HD televisions check out The A.V Club article http://www.avclub.com/articles/disney-realizes-it-hasnt-remade-petes-dragon-yet,93995/

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Journal Brief Screening Report

Bridesmaids

One of the most important scenes in the movie in my opinion is the toast to Lillian from Helen and Annie. The girls get up to do their toast and by the time one girl is done saying something the other will already have the microphone in her hand about to go off rambling up a recent trip to Paris or a ridiculous childhood story, depending on who was speaking. The girls continued to say something more extravagant or more memorable to Lillian for a few minutes until they not so gracefully end in singing a duet to Lillian. They were both a few champagne glasses in and having aggressive fun but still didn’t save Annie from enjoying her company any more than it did when they first met. In fact it made it worse.

Cover

I believe this scene is important because it is first where Helen and Annie meet. The scene sets up what the rest of the film is going to be like because it lets you know right off the bat Helen and Annie are competing and will continue to compete for Lillian’s attention throughout the film. Helen and Annie are Lillian’s best friends. Annie, her long term childhood friend, has been chosen over Helen to be her maid of honor. But that is not the issue at first. Their fighting and distrust in the movie adds much of the humor contained.

The scene occurs during Lillian’s Engagement party which is being held at Helen’s extraordinary home. Right before the scene you are introduced to Annie’s mother, who in my opinion is not that important to the story. The scene occurs a little under 1/3 through the movie. The following scene after the engagement party was important because it was when Annie is first introduced to officer \Roads who continues to remain in Annie’s life throughout the film.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Journal 3: Favorite Movie

My Favorite Movies

Warning Chick Flick Spoiler...

The Wedding Planner

One of my favorite movies is The Wedding Planner. It is a movie with Wedding Planner ( Jenifer Lopez) who plans all these extraordinary wedding yet hasn't been able to find the perfect person her plan hers with yet.Until she suddenly was saved by a man who she then falls for after they randomly encounter each other a few more times. The twist is she ends up meeting his fiance to plan their wedding and when they have their first meeting, the two see each other again and as you all probably expect cannot hold back their feelings, and end up together in the end. My summary just poorly explained the plot a lot of the same movies in the genre of Romantic Comedies.

I really enjoy romantic comedies flicks, they are full of love, struggling relationships, and of course a happy ending. Almost all of my favorite romantic comedy flicks involve the same plot or similar problems. Another of favorites is How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. The actor Matthew McConaughey always helps add to a romance in my book too. But besides Matthews adorable face and charm, I like these movies for number of reasons. First off, who doesn't enjoy a comedy? and if you don't then I am sure you still can find pleasure and laugh at movies that think they are comedic while they may not be. However, most people can find at lease one moment humorous in a comedy. But that's besides the fact of why I enjoy romantic comedies. I also take a liking to the romantic story. I am a girl and I still dream of those fairy tale stories in the end yet I have had some of the situations occur in my life. So sometimes I can relate to back to some of the instances in my life and my experiences. Many girls enjoy romantic stories put it together with a more humor and it makes it more comfortable for males to view as well!

So who doesn't love a little romance and a little humor at the same time, add some failing and raising relationships and some awkward moments and voila! A romantic comedy.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Journal 2: The Grinch Stole X-Mas Again...

Animated "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Remake

The Original Book picture found here

I chose to read Krystal Drew's article " Animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas remake in the Works" because it attracted me and immediately reminded me of my childhood. When it comes to the classic How the Grinch stole Christmas, it could be categorized as a favorite holiday story or film or it can be categorized as one of the more popular of Dr. Seuss's classics. However we look at it, the different versions of the original story of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" keeps it alive and living today.

The Original Cartoon

When a title of a story or film pops into our heads, most of us imagine the book pictures and characters as well as the characters and scenes from the movie. However, when the title How the Grinch Stole Christmas comes into our minds, many of us could have a few different pictures in our heads. I am sure most of us know the story pretty well by now but, Hollywood is not convinced that we have gotten enough of the Grinch in our lifetime so Universal Studios is producing a remake of the cartoon.

Live Movie. Can be found here

The story, published in 1957, is one that has been shared for decades now. Later made into a cartoon in 1966, which is a cartoon that most of us have grown up watching and loving around Christmas or the Holidays. After years of just a cartoon, a live- action version of the film was released in 2000 starring Jim Carey as the voice of the Grinch. This is also a Holiday favorite that I have somewhat grown up with just as much as the original story and cartoon. My little sister would agree that this is in fact the original Grinch Movie. The new live action film does not take the place of the original cartoon in my heart. However, 13 years later, the producers and directors are at it again. This time, they are remaking the 1966 cartoon version of the film.

How I fell about this? Hmmm I do like it. Not one bit. If the cartoon is remade, I feel like people will lose a sense of their childhood favorite movies. The cartoon is a classic and has been around for over 50 years meaning that is over 50 years of people viewing the cartoon as a child. We have already scared children by remaking the real version. What is next? Let me guess, How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2? or just a remake of the actual story itself.

I believe that the remake is simply an easy way out of creating a whole new child film from imagination. Dr. Seuss's familiar classics like The Lorax and Horton Hears a Who! have been made into animated films as well recently and they did pretty good in the box office. I believe that producers are running out of ideas so their only option is remake classics and make them appeal more to current and future generations by adding amazing graphics or by making them 3-D.

Therefore, I believe that the remake will cause the memories of the original cartoon to die in our hearts a little. However, I do believe that the different versions will allow the story to live on in the entertainment world and in the current generation and the future just as it has been doing for years.

To read more about the Grinch remake check out....
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/02/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-remake-in-the-works.html