April 14, 2008
'Prince Caspian' less 'Fairy Tale,' More Swashbuckling Says Publicist Ernie Malik
Making Of Book Coming and a Third Installment
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Entertainment Editor
What tentpole features lie beyond May 1?
Early buzz hearkens that Hollywood's Summer of 08 will have more laughs and less sequels. However, the definition of sequel may be similar to the industry's infamous creative accounting system when determining a percentage pay out for a director or star. The film industry's authority, Variety, counts three pure sequels as “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” (May 16), the Batman follow-up “The Dark Knight” (July 18), and the recently added, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II” (Aug. 8).
All Pictures © Walt Disney
One of the first big summer family friendly adventures will be “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.”
For a “peek” of “Caspian.” courtesy of publicist Ernie Malik (“We Are Marshall”), the chronicles this time have less of a “fairy tale aura ” and more “swashbuckling” action than 2005's “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.”
“The same four children return, all ably supported by a big screen newcomer named Ben Barnes. While swashbucklers may appeal to a male audience, girls will swoon over this matinee-idol handsome young Brit,” Malik said.
“Evil personified jumps off the screen in the guise of the story’s villain, Miraz, wonderfully embodied by Italian movie star Sergio Castellitto. He was a delight to watch on the set.”
The sequel returns Aslan the Lion, but anticipate new CGI characters, brand new special F/X make up from Oscar winners Howard Berger and Tami Lane (who took home the coveted gold statue for the first film), and an amazing array of costumes as well.
Publicist Malik has written the “official Making of…” book which contains lots of scenes from “Prince Caspian” and remembering Empire Books from his stay in Huntington, he projects “it may be available in that wonderful bookstore you folks have in the new downtown mall.”
THE REMAINING SUMMER FILM WRAP
Meanwhile, as Hollywood studios proclaim “originality,” a question surfaces: Should revived franchises count as a sequel? Variety believes dormancy akin to originality recognizing that longer time passes, the more likely the film “stands alone,” rather than benefiting from an earlier entry. They do not count “Indiana Jones 4, ” “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” (Aug. 1) and “X Files” (July 25) in the sequel category since members of the largest movie going demographic likely do not remember theatrical releases between eight, ten and 19 years ago.
Despite those split hair definitions, the summer slate does not have a spider, shrek or Caribbean to bank on, rather, the emphasis rests on laffers, which in 07 mostly provided the only escape from super adventure epics.
Fiscal balancing acts exist between the risk of new material versus a franchise/sequel: The new pic usually does not have the tentpole budgets necessary to keep the cast and filmmakers on board for continuations. Think the 2007 trio of “Knocked Up,” “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” and “Superbad.”
Translation and warning… I think that jubilant California corporate managers have seized upon the idea that make a comedy for millions less then count millions in profits at the boxoffice. The concept worked when pitted against action, superheroes, and other big time franchises. Comedy reigned as the alternative i.e. “Knocked Up,” “Steve and Larry,” and “Superbad” (not to mention the big-budget “Evan Almighty” which didn’t produce enough viewers to justify building the ark).
As you look at the release chart (which is subject to change and , of course, not all films will play all areas), surely, comedy (which might help dose memories of recession, gas prices, and mortgage payments) has replaced the giant mega hundred million tent pole this year. Only, there appears to be one every other week and sometimes two in the same week.
Prediction: Many will not find an audience as they will compete for the same viewer demographics.
“Made of Honor,” “You Don’t Mess with Zohan” and “Get Smart” appear potentially sure things. Maybe Will Smith’s “Hancock” too. As the dates turn to mid-July and August, the number of releases per weekend increase and several will hit the skids as audiences prefer to wait for the discount or DVD.
Meanwhile, a lone musical (Mamma Mia!) hopes to take “Hairspray’s” niche, but upon examination of the schedule, dramas and particularly those with an adult appeal appear missing. Usually, one or two of them emerge against the happy faces of summer as ‘must see’s’ for the non-adolescent or student generation.
Pull one or two from the archives and a studio might find acceptance from a nearly always forgotten demographic in the summer mix.
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'Prince Caspian' less 'Fairy Tale,' More Swashbuckling Says Publicist Ernie Malik
Making Of Book Coming and a Third Installment
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Entertainment Editor
What tentpole features lie beyond May 1?
Early buzz hearkens that Hollywood's Summer of 08 will have more laughs and less sequels. However, the definition of sequel may be similar to the industry's infamous creative accounting system when determining a percentage pay out for a director or star. The film industry's authority, Variety, counts three pure sequels as “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” (May 16), the Batman follow-up “The Dark Knight” (July 18), and the recently added, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II” (Aug. 8).
All Pictures © Walt Disney
One of the first big summer family friendly adventures will be “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.”
For a “peek” of “Caspian.” courtesy of publicist Ernie Malik (“We Are Marshall”), the chronicles this time have less of a “fairy tale aura ” and more “swashbuckling” action than 2005's “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.”
“The same four children return, all ably supported by a big screen newcomer named Ben Barnes. While swashbucklers may appeal to a male audience, girls will swoon over this matinee-idol handsome young Brit,” Malik said.
“Evil personified jumps off the screen in the guise of the story’s villain, Miraz, wonderfully embodied by Italian movie star Sergio Castellitto. He was a delight to watch on the set.”
The sequel returns Aslan the Lion, but anticipate new CGI characters, brand new special F/X make up from Oscar winners Howard Berger and Tami Lane (who took home the coveted gold statue for the first film), and an amazing array of costumes as well.
Publicist Malik has written the “official Making of…” book which contains lots of scenes from “Prince Caspian” and remembering Empire Books from his stay in Huntington, he projects “it may be available in that wonderful bookstore you folks have in the new downtown mall.”
THE REMAINING SUMMER FILM WRAP
 |
| © Paramount |
Despite those split hair definitions, the summer slate does not have a spider, shrek or Caribbean to bank on, rather, the emphasis rests on laffers, which in 07 mostly provided the only escape from super adventure epics.
Fiscal balancing acts exist between the risk of new material versus a franchise/sequel: The new pic usually does not have the tentpole budgets necessary to keep the cast and filmmakers on board for continuations. Think the 2007 trio of “Knocked Up,” “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” and “Superbad.”
Translation and warning… I think that jubilant California corporate managers have seized upon the idea that make a comedy for millions less then count millions in profits at the boxoffice. The concept worked when pitted against action, superheroes, and other big time franchises. Comedy reigned as the alternative i.e. “Knocked Up,” “Steve and Larry,” and “Superbad” (not to mention the big-budget “Evan Almighty” which didn’t produce enough viewers to justify building the ark).
As you look at the release chart (which is subject to change and , of course, not all films will play all areas), surely, comedy (which might help dose memories of recession, gas prices, and mortgage payments) has replaced the giant mega hundred million tent pole this year. Only, there appears to be one every other week and sometimes two in the same week.
 |
| © Sony Pictures |
“Made of Honor,” “You Don’t Mess with Zohan” and “Get Smart” appear potentially sure things. Maybe Will Smith’s “Hancock” too. As the dates turn to mid-July and August, the number of releases per weekend increase and several will hit the skids as audiences prefer to wait for the discount or DVD.
Meanwhile, a lone musical (Mamma Mia!) hopes to take “Hairspray’s” niche, but upon examination of the schedule, dramas and particularly those with an adult appeal appear missing. Usually, one or two of them emerge against the happy faces of summer as ‘must see’s’ for the non-adolescent or student generation.
Pull one or two from the archives and a studio might find acceptance from a nearly always forgotten demographic in the summer mix.
E-mail HNN Yahoo Google
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
