Recently on the SyFy channel a new miniseries was released, like they do every year, called Neverland. Its the origin story of Peter Pan and the rest of the character's we have come to love. Of course like all SyFy shows that base their projects on classic tales, they seem to mix things up and try to reinvent something that really didn't need to be reinvented. We know Peter Pan had many adventures previous to him loosing his shadow. We also know that Neverland is a mysterious world that can be reached by flying to the second star on the right and straight on til morning. In the miniseries Peter Pan has one adventure before loosing his shadow, also, the only way to Neverland is through an orb that transports the person to another world and there is no way of reaching that world without it. Captain Hook is not a pirate at first but is a mentor to Peter in eighteenth century London. It basically takes the J. M. Barrie tale and tries to make a background story but why couldn't they at least match their story to flow with the tale we know?
After watching this miniseries I decided to watch a couple of the films I grew up with. The first being the original animated movie, the story most people go by besides the original literature. It is a great film and I loved going back and watching it as if it were for the first time, I forgot most of the movie being that its been so long, but the movie that I was more excited to watch over all of the rest was Hook. The movie gets a lot of grief and I'm not exactly sure why. If you were a kid when you watched this movie, I'm fairly certain you loved it as much as I did. The score, the actors, the scenery, it all gave me a feel of adventure and fantasy. It made me believe that I could go to this world and not age and live without worry. Having an adventure everyday and acting as a kid is very appealing to me compared to how I live my life now. I'm not complaining but at the moment I'm at a crossroads with stress. I know I am off topic.
Now Hook isn't primarily based on the same literature but if it is a sequel to the original story, its very good with keeping up with what was written over one hundred years ago. The film stays true to the original story and keeps in mind that its a lighthearted story and should be kept that way. Any story with Peter Pan as a character should leave the viewer in a state of wonder. Neverland didn't quite do it for me. It was enjoyable to watch but it didn't really give me the same feeling as Hook or Peter Pan.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
New Demo Reel
I just made a new and updated demo reel with all the work I have done up til now. Enjoy and tell me what you guys think.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas is Here
Alright boys and girls, Christmas is here, and we all know what that means. Presents are under the tree waiting for us to rip them apart and see whats inside while the parents stand behind them to see the looks on their faces hoping it was the gift they wanted. The stockings are stuffed with candy and goodies, Christmas music plays in the background as the parents are secretly happy they don't have to hear those songs for another year after this day. The kids play with their toys as the parents clean up the mess they made while opening the gifts. Before we know it the day is over, the kids are worn out from all of the excitement, and A Christmas Story 24 hour marathon on TBS is finally off until the next Christmas, why its always the same movie every year is beyond me.
Its the day after Christmas I don't enjoy. Packing the decorations, taking out the endless amounts of trash, and taking down the Christmas tree puts me in a mini depression every year. It seems those days after Thanksgiving are the happiest of the year, up until after Christmas day that is. Then before you know it the month is over and everyone goes on with their lives and back to reality. Of course next year will be worse due to the "end of the world" and all, and no I don't believe it will happen for your information, but they made a movie about it and some people take it seriously. For those people by the way get a life, honestly, what evidence do you have other than the Mayan calender running out of days. You ever think they just got tired of making the calender and just decided to end it on December 21, 2012?
Okay, I went off topic there. This day is a great day and I plan on enjoying every minute of it, not because of the presents or the stockings filled with goodies. I will enjoy this day because I will be surrounded by people I love. There are a few more who I wish were here but sometimes we don't get what we want and that's okay because there is always next year, well according to some people anyways.
So I hope everyone is surrounded by loved ones and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
Its the day after Christmas I don't enjoy. Packing the decorations, taking out the endless amounts of trash, and taking down the Christmas tree puts me in a mini depression every year. It seems those days after Thanksgiving are the happiest of the year, up until after Christmas day that is. Then before you know it the month is over and everyone goes on with their lives and back to reality. Of course next year will be worse due to the "end of the world" and all, and no I don't believe it will happen for your information, but they made a movie about it and some people take it seriously. For those people by the way get a life, honestly, what evidence do you have other than the Mayan calender running out of days. You ever think they just got tired of making the calender and just decided to end it on December 21, 2012?
Okay, I went off topic there. This day is a great day and I plan on enjoying every minute of it, not because of the presents or the stockings filled with goodies. I will enjoy this day because I will be surrounded by people I love. There are a few more who I wish were here but sometimes we don't get what we want and that's okay because there is always next year, well according to some people anyways.
So I hope everyone is surrounded by loved ones and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The Teddy Bear
Christmas Eve is once again upon us and in light of the holiday I like to remember a gift that some children don't find as appealing today as they did in the past. The teddy bear, still popular as a collectable in some circles, was once Christmas's number one gift almost one hundred years ago: but does anyone know where the teddy bear came from and how it received it's name?
In November of 1902 our 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was invited on a bear hunting trip in Mississippi. The trip was a success for everyone on the hunting expedition except for President Roosevelt. So a man by the name of Holt Collier cornered, clubbed, and tied up a black bear and offered him up to the president. The president declined killing the animal saying that its unsportsmanlike to take an animals life in that fashion. Clifford Berryman, a cartoonist for the Washington Post, caught word of what the President did and drew a political cartoon. The cartoonist drew the bear looking sweet and innocent as the president waved off the animal as if not wanting anything to do with the killing.
Morris Michtom, a candy salesman and stuffed animal maker, saw this drawing and decided to create a stuffed animal based on the sketch. The bear was made and placed in his store window with a sign reading 'Teddy's Bear;' this was done soon after he sent the bear to the president himself and received permission to use his name. The stuffed animal was a success and so Michtom founded The Ideal Novelty and Toy Co.
In 1906 other manufacturers got in on the craze, people began seeing the stuffed animal everywhere. Children had their picture's taken with them and even Theodore Roosevelt used the bear as his mascot in his re-election campaign.
When the bear was first made they were created to resemble a bear with small eyes and a long snout. Today the teddy bear has a shorter snout and larger eyes which makes them more attractive to the buyer, giving them a baby like quality.
It's not a forgotten toy but the bears popularity isn't as strong as it once was. So maybe along with giving your kid that ipod or game system he or she has always wanted, why not give them a teddy bear as well? I am willing to bet fifteen to twenty years from now the bear will still be something they hold onto.
Morris Michtom, a candy salesman and stuffed animal maker, saw this drawing and decided to create a stuffed animal based on the sketch. The bear was made and placed in his store window with a sign reading 'Teddy's Bear;' this was done soon after he sent the bear to the president himself and received permission to use his name. The stuffed animal was a success and so Michtom founded The Ideal Novelty and Toy Co.
In 1906 other manufacturers got in on the craze, people began seeing the stuffed animal everywhere. Children had their picture's taken with them and even Theodore Roosevelt used the bear as his mascot in his re-election campaign.
When the bear was first made they were created to resemble a bear with small eyes and a long snout. Today the teddy bear has a shorter snout and larger eyes which makes them more attractive to the buyer, giving them a baby like quality.
It's not a forgotten toy but the bears popularity isn't as strong as it once was. So maybe along with giving your kid that ipod or game system he or she has always wanted, why not give them a teddy bear as well? I am willing to bet fifteen to twenty years from now the bear will still be something they hold onto.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Ever Wonder Where Christmas Traditions Come From?
I'm sure one time or another in your life you asked yourself why do we do the things we do on Christmas, such as putting a tree in the house or hanging lights outside. It almost seems as if it should be the other way around and in some cultures might be looked at as ludicrous. But I am here to tell you that it didn't come from some crazy drunk who decided to randomly do these things or just pop out of thin air. We do them for a reason and though we may have forgotten the stories behind our traditions it's nice to know where they came from.
A Christmas tree, known as the evergreen tree throughout history, was not referred to as a Christmas tree until the 16th century in Germany, but it wasn't until the mid nineteenth century when it started to become a common feature in Britain and America when the middle class followed the example of Queen Victoria and her German husband Prince Albert who placed a tree in the palace. The evergreen is a symbol of eternal life at the time of year when all plant life has died. The evergreen was also used in pagan winter celebrations a thousand years before Christ was born.
Christmas decorations and lights have been a tradition in the United States since the beginning of the twentieth century. Many shops and businesses would place lights in their display windows but it wasn't until after World War 2 when decorations became more affordable for households. The tradition started not by lights on display but as fire started by the pagan's during the winter solstice to celebrate the coming of the sun and the longer days that will bless them in the coming year.
The Christmas bell is something that has been affiliated with the holiday's for many years, the bells were used in ancient traditions to keep bad spirits away during the darkest winter days. Those traditions made the bells a sound of happiness and was made stronger with the association of Santa. Scandinavians would also fit their reindeer's with these bells so that they could be found in heavy fog and winter storms.
The reason's we kiss under the mistletoe come from medieval times when women used to wrap the plant around their wrists and waist to boost their chances of conceiving. This came from the belief that the mistletoe, which grows on top of apple trees, had a magical force because it lived through the harshest winters and still gave apple trees their fruit. The fact that it could reproduce and grow without roots gave it more of a mystical quality.
Lastly the origin of Santa Claus. Some know the origin of Santa Claus came from Dutch settlers who told stories of Sinter Klass, we know him as Saint Nicholas who was depicted in engravings in the eighteenth century as a man dressed in robes that gave gifts to the needy. Many believe that this man was Nicholas of Myra, an ancient bishop who was honored because of his giving nature. St Nicholas is only the foundation of what we know of Santa Claus, the rest actually comes from the poem all of us know which was written in 1822 by Clement Clark Moore. The poem was under the original title "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," but we also know this poem as "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Many of the traditions we follow are unknown to us at times but its always nice to know why we place trees in our living rooms and hang lights on our gutters.
A Christmas tree, known as the evergreen tree throughout history, was not referred to as a Christmas tree until the 16th century in Germany, but it wasn't until the mid nineteenth century when it started to become a common feature in Britain and America when the middle class followed the example of Queen Victoria and her German husband Prince Albert who placed a tree in the palace. The evergreen is a symbol of eternal life at the time of year when all plant life has died. The evergreen was also used in pagan winter celebrations a thousand years before Christ was born.
Christmas decorations and lights have been a tradition in the United States since the beginning of the twentieth century. Many shops and businesses would place lights in their display windows but it wasn't until after World War 2 when decorations became more affordable for households. The tradition started not by lights on display but as fire started by the pagan's during the winter solstice to celebrate the coming of the sun and the longer days that will bless them in the coming year.
The Christmas bell is something that has been affiliated with the holiday's for many years, the bells were used in ancient traditions to keep bad spirits away during the darkest winter days. Those traditions made the bells a sound of happiness and was made stronger with the association of Santa. Scandinavians would also fit their reindeer's with these bells so that they could be found in heavy fog and winter storms.
The reason's we kiss under the mistletoe come from medieval times when women used to wrap the plant around their wrists and waist to boost their chances of conceiving. This came from the belief that the mistletoe, which grows on top of apple trees, had a magical force because it lived through the harshest winters and still gave apple trees their fruit. The fact that it could reproduce and grow without roots gave it more of a mystical quality.
Lastly the origin of Santa Claus. Some know the origin of Santa Claus came from Dutch settlers who told stories of Sinter Klass, we know him as Saint Nicholas who was depicted in engravings in the eighteenth century as a man dressed in robes that gave gifts to the needy. Many believe that this man was Nicholas of Myra, an ancient bishop who was honored because of his giving nature. St Nicholas is only the foundation of what we know of Santa Claus, the rest actually comes from the poem all of us know which was written in 1822 by Clement Clark Moore. The poem was under the original title "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," but we also know this poem as "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Many of the traditions we follow are unknown to us at times but its always nice to know why we place trees in our living rooms and hang lights on our gutters.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
When WIll Reality End?
I can't understand what the fascination is with reality television. Only about a decade or so ago we hit a new beginning in television and it doesn't seem as though it will end any time soon. If anything television is getting worse with every passing year. I know some of you will say reality television started over twenty years ago with the premiere of Real World on MTV, and some will even say the beginning started in 1973 with the debut of An American Family on PBS; but those were just reality shows and they were unique in their time. In 2000 there was a change, the change being not one or two, but several reality shows were now on a network and the numbers have grown since then.
Years ago I could tune into the Discovery channel and watch an actual documentary about our planet. I could watch E! and see actual news about movies, music, and theater. Today I turn to those same channels and see American Chopper, The Kardashian's (which I still can't understand why they are popular), or just a typical reality show that has nothing to do with the actual channel they air on. You can't even classify them as reality since a good deal of what you watch is set up to be more dramatic or comical, depending on the situation.
Even the game show has evolved into a reality show, with all the drama and story lines that come with a written show. The Amazing Race, Survivor, and Fear Factor are the new game shows that rule television; but why do we have to put all of the drama that usually goes with written stories into these shows? Shows like Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire are but appetizers now for the game shows everyone waits for in primetime.
Why do studios place these shows on the air you ask? Because they are a bit cheaper to place on television compared to shows like Terra Nova or Fringe. Reality television is a cheap way to make a buck for the producers. I'm not saying all reality is terrible but it does seem to be a little out of hand. We make people, who have no talent, into stars like the Kardashian's, Paris Hilton, and Spencer Pratt. What is it about these people that we find so intriguing? Is it because they're rich? Is it because we wish we could have their lives? Those are valid reasons but I don't plan on wasting my time watching someone else live their life.
Talent shows, still considered a reality show according to Wikipedia, are what rule the airwaves today. American, Idol, America's Got Talent, and The X Factor are what people flock to now. They are entertaining and I applaud them for this one reason, because they are looking for talent that has been overlooked and are giving people a chance that wouldn't get one if it wasn't for the shows help. Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Terry Fator, and Melanie Amaro (the first winner of the american version of The X Factor) wouldn't exist in the spotlight if it weren't for these shows.
I do wish that one day some of these reality shows would disappear and maybe more sitcoms and hour long shows would return to the primetime line-up. I probably won't get my wish but it's a nice thought.
Years ago I could tune into the Discovery channel and watch an actual documentary about our planet. I could watch E! and see actual news about movies, music, and theater. Today I turn to those same channels and see American Chopper, The Kardashian's (which I still can't understand why they are popular), or just a typical reality show that has nothing to do with the actual channel they air on. You can't even classify them as reality since a good deal of what you watch is set up to be more dramatic or comical, depending on the situation.
Even the game show has evolved into a reality show, with all the drama and story lines that come with a written show. The Amazing Race, Survivor, and Fear Factor are the new game shows that rule television; but why do we have to put all of the drama that usually goes with written stories into these shows? Shows like Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire are but appetizers now for the game shows everyone waits for in primetime.
Why do studios place these shows on the air you ask? Because they are a bit cheaper to place on television compared to shows like Terra Nova or Fringe. Reality television is a cheap way to make a buck for the producers. I'm not saying all reality is terrible but it does seem to be a little out of hand. We make people, who have no talent, into stars like the Kardashian's, Paris Hilton, and Spencer Pratt. What is it about these people that we find so intriguing? Is it because they're rich? Is it because we wish we could have their lives? Those are valid reasons but I don't plan on wasting my time watching someone else live their life.
Talent shows, still considered a reality show according to Wikipedia, are what rule the airwaves today. American, Idol, America's Got Talent, and The X Factor are what people flock to now. They are entertaining and I applaud them for this one reason, because they are looking for talent that has been overlooked and are giving people a chance that wouldn't get one if it wasn't for the shows help. Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Terry Fator, and Melanie Amaro (the first winner of the american version of The X Factor) wouldn't exist in the spotlight if it weren't for these shows.
I do wish that one day some of these reality shows would disappear and maybe more sitcoms and hour long shows would return to the primetime line-up. I probably won't get my wish but it's a nice thought.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tintin: Is it Worth the Money?
Tintin starts out with a score from John Williams playing with an almost Catch Me If You Can feel; the credits that role are also reminiscent of the same film with Tintin running from danger with his trusty dog Snowy. As the story begins we meet Tintin in a city street getting his portrait sketched; in this scene there is a nod to the original character drawing that can be seen in his first outing in the 1929 comic. I was very surprised on how much the animation has advanced since the last time I watched a movie with the goal of making the character's look real, and I do just mean these kinds of films excluding Avatar. I exclude Avatar because it wasn't primarily an animated film.
The story was fresh and was something I haven't seen on the silver screen before. The 3-D wasn't as great as advertised, so save the extra few dollars and watch it in regular 2-D. In the beginning it did take a while for the story to get its pace but it did pick up about thirty minutes into the film and I enjoyed the adventure from that point on. I'm not into reviews that give away spoilers. Never been a fan to find out what will happen in the movie before seeing it. I'll say though they do leave the movie open for another adventure but in what way is something you will have to find out for yourself.
The character's are what made the whole story worth the ticket. The two bumbling detective's, the drunken sea captain, and a clever villain made the experience that much more enjoyable. The character of Tintin was also wonderful to watch but it was Snowy that stole a lot of the scenes, of course no real dog could do what Snowy did but its fun to think its possible.
I was a fan of Tintin when I was a child. I never read the comics but I watched the cartoon series in the early nineties and it was something I always looked forward to every week. I loved how it almost captured the same feel of the cartoon and my expectations were primarily based on what I watched on television and not the actual comics.
The question is though was it worth the money to buy a ticket for this film? Yes it is worth the ticket and yes its worth your time, but if you do go to see this film I wouldn't pay the extra money to see it in 3-D. I can't promise everyone will like it because everyone likes different things. Its great for kids over the age of five and is also enjoyable for the parents who take them.
By the way, The Hobbit trailer plays before the film. It definitely is worth at least a walk in to see the previews if your going to see another movie around the same time Tintin starts.
The story was fresh and was something I haven't seen on the silver screen before. The 3-D wasn't as great as advertised, so save the extra few dollars and watch it in regular 2-D. In the beginning it did take a while for the story to get its pace but it did pick up about thirty minutes into the film and I enjoyed the adventure from that point on. I'm not into reviews that give away spoilers. Never been a fan to find out what will happen in the movie before seeing it. I'll say though they do leave the movie open for another adventure but in what way is something you will have to find out for yourself.
The character's are what made the whole story worth the ticket. The two bumbling detective's, the drunken sea captain, and a clever villain made the experience that much more enjoyable. The character of Tintin was also wonderful to watch but it was Snowy that stole a lot of the scenes, of course no real dog could do what Snowy did but its fun to think its possible.
I was a fan of Tintin when I was a child. I never read the comics but I watched the cartoon series in the early nineties and it was something I always looked forward to every week. I loved how it almost captured the same feel of the cartoon and my expectations were primarily based on what I watched on television and not the actual comics.
The question is though was it worth the money to buy a ticket for this film? Yes it is worth the ticket and yes its worth your time, but if you do go to see this film I wouldn't pay the extra money to see it in 3-D. I can't promise everyone will like it because everyone likes different things. Its great for kids over the age of five and is also enjoyable for the parents who take them.
By the way, The Hobbit trailer plays before the film. It definitely is worth at least a walk in to see the previews if your going to see another movie around the same time Tintin starts.
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