Is Originality Dead in Hollywood?

I  don't know if you've noticed this but creativity seems to be dead in Hollywood, especially in the movie industry. 

You've probably noticed this. 

It isn't exactly that hard to miss. 

After all, everything released in cinemas in the last decade are adaptations of books/comics (apparently every single best seller must be converted into a movie, otherwise it's not really a best seller), or it's a sequel or a prequel to an already existing movie. There's even been a few remakes/reboots. 

Nothing too original in the top blockbusters of the last 13 years. I mean there's the odd completely original movie in there. But they're a rare thing. They're mostly just adaptations, sequels/prequels or reboots. And I'm getting sick of it. For a start, it's making me lazy: there really isn't point reading the book if it's going to end up on the big screen in a couple of years anyway. Or the movie turns out to be a massive let down, because the original was better or the original story was butchered in the adaptation (which I guess also fits into the whole "the original was better" argument). Don't even get me started on sequels. They're pretty much hit and miss, which is better than prequels, which usually suck. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm loving all the Marvel movies, and the latest Batman movies (but not superman. Never really been a Superman fan), and I am looking forward to seeing Catching Fire movie later this year (even if none of the tributes except Finnick look anything like I imagined them [anothet issue with adaptations]). And I'm also really looking forward to the Veronica Mars movie, and I really want Captain Planet to be made into a movie (if only so a whole new generation can experience the awesomeness of Captain Planet). 

But what I really want to see happening again is movies that aren't some kind of adaptation, sequel or prequel or a remake. You know, something that's vaguely original. 

Unfortunately, though, originality seems to have left mainstream culture these days. Although, I suppose that's a good thing for all those struggling indie writers. They're now getting more of a chance at success. Or, at least, they will once people start tiring of all of the unoriginal movies being presented in mainstream cinemas. 

Or maybe it's just me with this issue. Let me know what you think. 

Peace out!

Fox

That Rumoured Dexter Spinoff

Yeah so I've been thinking about this rumoured Dexter spinoff. It's all I've been able to think about since hearing this rumour (I've haven't exactly kept my ear to the ground with these things lately). And honest to god I honestly can't see how there could be a spinoff ... well, actually, seeing the spinoff is easy. Seeing a successful spinoff is a little more difficult. I just don't think it can be done with any of that wonderful Dexter originality. 

I mean, the whole reason Dexter has been so successful is because of its originality: it's all about a serial killer who just happens to also be a cop (blood splatter expert actually. But I'm not nit picking). How many other TV shows like that are out there? 

Not many. 

They give us into an insight into our darker side (which we all try to pretend that we don't have). Dexter even gives us a slight insight into how the mind of a serial killer works, their codes of conduct and how they choose their victims, rah, rah, rah. And did I mention it appeals to our darker natures, that whole serial killer amongst us thing. It's also probably why The Following was so popular (I liked The Following, and therefore assume everyone else did too). Although, truth be told, Kevin Bacon probably also helped a lot with the popularity of The Following. 

But what can a spinoff of Dexter offer us? 

A cop show? 

Because there's nothing like that on TV already. 

But this cop show would be set in Miami with the police solving murders in the beautiful Miami scenery!

Hmmm. Kind of sounds like CSI Miami though (it's been awhile since I watched that. They still solve murders that happened in the more beautiful parts of Miami most of the time, right?). 

So another cop show is out. So how about something a little more Dexter like? A show about some crook who also just happens to be a cop? Hell, the spinoff could even be about Deb continuing on with Dexter's work! It doesn't even have to be Deb continuing his work. It could also be his babysitter, Jamie Harrison is probably a little young to continue on with his father's work (although that would be quite the twist for them to reveal who the killer is after a couple of seasons of them wondering and searching). 

But even that's just relying on the old Dexter formula. Nothing truly original and inspiring there. 

Of course I could be wrong. I could have overlooked something and a Dexter spinoff could actually work. I wouldn't know. I'm not a big Hollywood producer/executive after all. 

But thank god that Dexter executive producer quashed the spinoff rumours for the time being though, right. 

Peace out!

Fox. 

Jus Some Idle Speculation

So the hot news at the moment is that Despicable Me 2 is going to earn roughly about $130 million dollars on its debut while Lone Ranger is only going to earn $50 million and cost Disney a fair bit of money. 

Ok, so maybe that isn't quite hot news (at least not to us. It probably is to the people behind these films), but it is still very interesting. 

Interesting to me, at least. 

I mean, besides Lone Ranger being a big budget movie, Disney hasn't exactly spared any expense in spruiking it either. Ads for it are everywhere and everyone is talking about it on their TV programs. It's all about the Lone Ranger. I'm sure Universal has spent their fare share on advertising for Despicable Me 2, but the media isn't as saturated with Despicable Me 2 as it is with the Lone Ranger. 

The Lone Ranger is supposed to be the movie to go and see. It's the bees knees. 

Except that (as I've already said) it's probably going to cost Disney a large amount of money due to poor performance. 

But why is that?

It's not like they skimped with advertising. Disney is a known and trusted (ok, maybe not so trusted. We're still scared about what they'll do with wonderful franchises like Star Wars. But they're still well known) company. And with Johnny Depp and one of Hollywood's rising stars Armie Hammer leading the cast there shouldn't be any problems drawing people in with the cast. Plus if there was, Gore Verbinski is directing. It pretty much should have the same magic as The Pirates of the Caribbean had (and didn't that do well!). It is a combination that has proven to be extremely successful in the past. 

Not that any of that should matter, really. It's the Lone Ranger, after all! Everyone is familiar with the Lone Ranger. People should be flocking to the cinemas based on that alone. I don't know about you, but I was ready to do just that when I first heard that they were making a Lone Ranger movie. 

But then I heard who was starring in it, and I had some doubts. Still I waved them away. I could overlook Johnny Depp being the Lone Ranger. He might even bring some of that Captain Jack Sparrow magic to the role. 

Only he's not the Lone Ranger. 

And that's what has turned me off from going to see the Lone Ranger. The role of Tonto is just Johnny Depp in another funny hat. Don't get me wrong, I live Depp in some of these funny hat roles. He's what made Pirates of the Caribbean, and I can't imagine another Sweeny Todd (I need to see the play). But, besides voice acting, that's pretty much all we've seen Depp do lately: funny hat roles. 

Maybe Depp can bring the same Captain Jack Sparrow magic to Tonto. Maybe he can't. It's not something many people will be able to tell you for awhile, because they're in no hurry to see the Lone Ranger. 

Then there's the whole Depp is playing an Indian character. That really upset the hidden politically correct person inside of me. There's something about that that I just don't like, and I'm sure it's offensive in some way. Even if Depp has been adopted as a son of the Comanche, I'm still sure it's not PC (and I do apologise for this whole PC thing, it's not something I usually do). 

I think with this, Disney has tried too hard to recreate the magic of previous successes and reused the same formula when they clearly should've tried something different. Maybe even something a little more original than using the same leading star, director and producer. They've tried to recapture something that can't be caught, and it's going to cost them. Where as, Universal has done something differently, even if it's with a sequel. They've done something to win the trust of film goers enough to part with their hard earned. 

Just a thought. 

Peace out!

Fox

It Is Time for a Captain Planet Movie

Ok, so last week we heard rumours that Sony is in final negotiations for a Captain Planet film, sparking excitement in the hearts of 90's kids everywhere who grew up watching the animated series on TV. 

Well, actually, tentative excitement would be more accurate. We've heard these rumours before and we're still without a Captain Planet movie. There were even rumours of a live action TV series being made in the late 90's (although, I only heard this the other day). 

I've said before that rumours and hearsay are the best kinds of evidence. But in this case, they're really not. They just get everyone's hopes up only to smash them again when nothing happens. We just have to wait with bated breath (and crossed fingers), and hope that something happens this time. 

But that begs the question: why hasn't there been a Captain Planet film made yet?

I mean, since X-Men debuted in 2000
(wow, that was a long time ago), superhero movies have proven to be extremely popular with movie goers. So much so that there's even been reboots in a very short amount of time. So there's very little doubt about the public wanting superheroes. Plus, you know, so many people grew up watching Captain Planet as kids. Everyone will flock to the cinemas just to see their favourite Eco hero on the big screen. It'll be just like what happened with Tomorrow When the War Began all over again. 

And then there's the whole Eco hero thing: in the last decade or so, saving the environment has become a big thing. It's all about going green and saving the world. What better way to help spread this message and get people to start thinking more about the environment than with a massive blockbuster propaganda movie? I mean, let's face it, that's pretty much what the TV series was back in the day: short twenty minute episodes of pro environment propaganda. But you know what, it worked. It made so many kids more aware about saving the world and looking after the environment. It helped to convince me that littering wasn't cool (although I did always want to meet Captain Planet and the Planeteers). 

Although, the rise in Green did kind of coincide with 911, and Captain Planet and the franchise's fans do like to use the term "Eco-terrorist". Maybe the powers to be felt that a movie that contained the term "terrorist" and wasn't about some crazy Middle Eastern people trying to bring down America wasn't appropriate. Or maybe they were scared that it would spawn a whole new breed of terrorist that wanted to save the environment and not focus on any kind of political agenda (egads! The horror!). Green Peace and anyone else concerned about the environment were already creating too much noise and getting too much attention (those bastards). 

But now, a decade or so on and things are completely different: the world's leaders are talking about what can be done to save the environment and prevent climate change, the world isn't so highly strung about the term "terrorist" and (more importantly) superhero movies have more than proven themselves to be popular. 

The world is ready for a Captain Planet movie. And now is the perfect time for a movie about a superhero who is all about saving the environment and preventing climate change. Let's hope that these rumours about Sony and their final negotiations are true and we finally get to see our beloved Eco hero on the big screen. 

Will There Be A Justice League 2015 Movie?

Ok so let me begin with something everyone already knows: the sequel for Man of Steel is set to go ahead before the actual Man of Steel has even been released. Old news. As is the news (it can't really be called news if it's news to no one) that Zach Snyder, Christopher Nolan and David Goyer will be returning with the sequel. 

This has sparked speculation about whether or not the Man of Steel sequel is a sign that there'll be a Justice League movie. A sign that DC Comics is going to follow in Marvel's footsteps and develop a movie franchise. After all, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are some of the most famous superheroes around. 

Except there isn't too much online on whether or not there'll be a Justice League movie in the near future. Just a lot of speculation. As well as a little bit of heresay and conjecture (which are arguably the best kinds of evidence there is). Nothing solid. 

There being no Justice League movie seems just as likely as there being a movie. 

And then there was that announcement last week about the possibility of the Man of Steel sequel hitting the big screen as early as next year. That's certainly thrown some fuel into the speculation mill: why else announce a sequel before the original has even hit the big screen, especially in the such near future (did that make sense?)? 

Apart from creating a massively high stress work environment for everyone involved. 

So while we're still without any kind of solid evidence (which are overrated) about there being a Justice League movie. 

But then, there's also the whole "there's already a team of superheroes" in Hollywood thing. Is there really room for another team that is very similar?

Yeah, ok based on Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down, there is room for two different superhero teams in Hollywood. Although (and this is just my personal belief) that would just be sad and a sure sign that creativity in Hollywood is dead. Really dead. 

But it turns out that there might have been a Justice League movie on the cards back in 2008 when a Wonder Woman movie almost hit the big screen. There's rumours that that movie was the precursor to a Justice League movie. But that never happened because, you know, the writer's strike, which is a shame because Megan Gale would've rocked as Wonder Woman. Don't get me wrong, the writer's strike was important and for a good reason, it just makes me sad when I read about all the awesome movies and TV programs that we missed out on as a result (I should just stop looking back in the past, I guess). 

And just think about it, if that Wonder Woman movie had've gone ahead it could've been the Justice League we all flocked to the cinemas to see past year. Or we could've flocked to the cinemas twice to see two different superhero teams save the world. *cough, cough* Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down! 

Peace out!

Fox

Sesame Street Is Actually a Hip Place

So I remember Luxo and Luxo Jr being on Sesame Street when I was a kid. I'm sure you do too. In case you're wondering, they're the living desk lamps Pixar use in some of their short films before the feature film. 

Yeah, you're with me now. You know who I'm talking about, and you remember them on Sesame Street. 

I don't know about you, but I was actually a little excited when I first saw them before seeing Toy Story (I'm sure that's the first Pixar movie with them I saw. But I'm going from memory, and my memory is shocking). Not that I ever admitted that I recognised Luxo and Luxo Jr from Sesame Street. At least I hope I didn't. That would've been a serious blow to my non existent cred in the school yard. 

But it turns out that those living desk lamps aren't the only characters to appear on Sesame Street. Hell, they're not even the first. 

I'm sure that this doesn't come as a surprise to most of you. Sesame Street was (still is?) a popular TV show. Even if it is aimed at toddlers. So it's no surprise that some famous characters have done cameos on the show. The fact that it's aimed at toddlers is also probably why I don't remember any of these famous cameos. Who remembers what they saw on TV as toddlers anyway. Plus these cameos were probably more for the parents forced to watch Sesame Street with their kids more than a subversive plot to get small kids to like certain pop culture icons before they're old enough to recognise these icons. 

The surprising thing is who some of these famous cameos include. Apart from Luxo and Luxo Jr, Pixar's living desk lamps, guests have included C-P3O and R2-D2, Batman and Superman, The Wicked Witch of the West (who apparently upset a lot of people with her appearance and use of witchcraft), Richie and The Fonz, right down to Max the Magician who is actually Gob Bluth (and yes, The Final Countdown is played when Max is introduced. That's how we know it's actually Gob Bluth). 

Like I've already said, I don't remember any of these famous character cameos. Although some of them were either before my time (I'm assuming that C-P3O and R2-D2 cameod around the time of a Star Wars movie release to cash in on the popularity), and Max the Magician aka Gob Bluth appeared on the street in 2008, which is well and truly after my time. But still, Sesame Street doesn't just cameo famous fictional characters. 

Some of these characters come from shows that aren't even aimed at toddlers! The cameos of these characters in particular have got to be for the benefit of the ever suffering parents, or that subversive plot to brainwash small kids into liking what we like plot I mentioned earlier. Or a combination of both (there's no reason why it can't be both). I mean, the superheroes were merely used to teach the kids about things like road safety and why the letter S is cool (which are forms of brainwashing).

Actual living and breathing celebrities also frequently appear on the street. You'd think that I'd remember a couple of celebrities appearing. After all, I still very clearly remember all of the Play School presenters from when I was a kid (I can't believe I made that admission. Forget I said that, ok).

I think ever since (or shortly after I started) school, I've always thought of Sesame Street as this super uncool little kids show, even though I was slightly jealous that the kids on the street appeared to have little to no adult supervision and did whatever they wanted (and they never strayed morally, which was also another reason why I thought of it as an uncool little kids show). And I did privately think it was cool that Pixar used those parent and child desk lamps (I confess that until tonight I didn't know their names, or that they even had names). But it turns out that Sesame Street is actually quite a hip and happening place (even if everyone is dreadfully dull and completely unflawed morally). 

But now enjoy some YouTube clips of some of these cameos I've mentioned, and see if you remember any of these. Or let me know if there's other famous fictional character cameos that I missed. I'd like to hear.

http://youtu.be/e9ajy13-v9c (Luxo and Luxo Jr)

http://youtu.be/qOdFrqaCKzA (C-3PO and R2-D2)

http://youtu.be/u2OAJj8llRY (Batman and Robin)

http://youtu.be/0_A863kF8cs (Superman)

http://youtu.be/weB3srg6o4c (Richie and The Fonz. I assume this clip was done for Sesame Street, as they're talking about why brushing your teeth is so important)

http://youtu.be/LsuvBrXcm0Q (Max the Magician/Gob Bluth)

Peace out,

Fox

Where I Wonder About Beauty & the Beast

Ok, so Beauty and the Beast hit our
airwaves last week and it's probably getting decent viewing ratings because it's on after Offspring and there's not too much else to watch at 9:30 Tuesday nights. Plus the title will also be helping to get people's interest: it's a story we all grew up with and people would be curious to see a modern, non Disney take on Beauty and the Beast. 

The problem is, I can already tell what the story arc is: it's just your run of the mill quest story;

The protagonist, Catherine Chandler, learns that a parent, in this case Chandler's mother, was murdered due to some dark secret she was keeping. Naturally, Chandler wants to learn more about this dark secret and does all in her power to do so. Luckily she's a cop (they're always cops, too), so she has the resources to help with this. She very quickly enlists the help of a dark and mysterious stranger, Vincent Keller, who just happens to have supernatural abilities (they almost always have supernatural abilities, and they almost always have encountered one another years earlier), who can help her find the information she needs when conventional methods fail. 

Of course, there's going to be trust issues with this partnership, but they'll quickly learn that they can't operate as well without the other helping out, and become firm friends. 

During their quest to find out what happens to Chandler's mother, Chandler and Keller will come up against evil forces (presumably some kind of government agency if not the government itself, and will might even have people with supernatural abilities of their own), save countless of innocent lives by thwarting said evil forces, and learn a lot about themselves and each other along the way. 

And when they do uncover the truth about Chandler's mother, there will undoubtedly be questions that will lead to next season's story arc.

Sounds familiar, right? 

But hopefully, the writer's will be able to hide this and still draw audience's in week after week, because let's face it, we need more scripted TV on our airwaves instead of all this "reality" shiz that we're currently stuck with