tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post252717630055543413..comments2023-12-31T01:23:39.943-05:00Comments on Mayerson on Animation: Two Trailers; Two TragediesMark Mayersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00065971589878678848noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-12312746043734305512008-03-13T12:34:00.000-04:002008-03-13T12:34:00.000-04:00PS Alvin and the Chipmunks does look horrible, I a...PS Alvin and the Chipmunks does look horrible, I agree there! But I don't think that you can put these two movies in the same category!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-22101070554961655362008-03-13T12:30:00.000-04:002008-03-13T12:30:00.000-04:00I think what you mean by 'easily digestible' is 'a...I think what you mean by 'easily digestible' is 'appropriate for the target audience of today'. I certainly wouldn't want kids to see a fish blowing out his brains with a gun anymore! I think this old Horton movie has its charm, but it's way too slow and outdated. The repeating rhymes are a snooze.<BR/><BR/>I am an animator too, and I do think every Seuss movie that has been made until now has been horrible. But I think that setting the movie to the original rhyme is also a bore and doesn't make a complete film. I think outtakes of the rhyme in appropriate places is just perfect. I also think that typecasting the elephant as a large, slow creature is way too predictable, and wouldn't have made for interesting animation. The longer, funny dialogues is exactly what is in right now. As long as the dialogue is funny and solid, I would only think this would be a challenge to the animators, not a chore.<BR/><BR/>One thing that the Seuss books always did for me was capture the imagination of the worlds. None of the movies have done that so far with limited sets. I love the way they CG'd the world and the characters. I am hoping that they finally got it right, but it certainly looks that way! We'll know after we see the whole movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-79771928150642783912007-08-11T16:45:00.000-04:002007-08-11T16:45:00.000-04:00I wonder, did the Suess books ever translate well ...I wonder, did the Suess books ever translate well into other languages. I have no idea, I'm just guessing the rhyming element meant they would lose pretty much.<BR/><BR/>So my theory, based on no evidence, is that they decided to get rid of all the rhyming language because it would be wasted on the foreign markets anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-31754711335424207892007-08-08T18:33:00.000-04:002007-08-08T18:33:00.000-04:00Unlike my poor GAC compatriot Thad, I was at least...Unlike my poor GAC compatriot Thad, I was at least spared the Chipmunks trailer when I saw The Simpsons Movie, so I'm not nearly as tramatized as I Should be.Kevin W. Martinezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12350124651239271608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-7577061666440415032007-08-08T16:32:00.000-04:002007-08-08T16:32:00.000-04:00Not working in film myself [yet], it seems to me t...Not working in film myself [yet], it seems to me that the creative forces at Blue Sky set about to make a faitful rendition of Seuss, but I'd bet money the suits at Fox forced them to miscast the voice talents and such to make a more "easily digestible" film. Seems the suits never learn that an original [even if wacky like the original Seuess, or loving rats in "Ratatouille" or even the zany Stitch from "Lilo and Stitch"] idea left un-dumbed down is many times eaten up by audiences, treasured and stands the test of time. The Suits seem to wanna make a quick buck with a bunch of known gimmicks and pop culture additives that seem to draw audiences to the movies- but I'm hoping the masses have just about had enough and can look past gimmicks to see there is no lasting substance in most of these films.Adam Kaszyckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04273004311222938589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-27429347961992097002007-08-08T16:25:00.000-04:002007-08-08T16:25:00.000-04:00All this has happened before and it will happen ag...All this has happened before and it will happen again, unfortunately.<BR/><BR/>When I saw the Alvin trailer preceding the Simpsons movie, the crowd in the audience booed. Even none of the kids in the audience laughed- they knew better.<BR/><BR/>It reminds me of a syndrome I witnessed in first-year animation college. When brand new 'artists/directors/producers" got the opportunity to test out the medium, they got a feel of what they could do.<BR/><BR/>Then one person got the idea to animate something somewhat risky.<BR/><BR/>Suddenly there were masses of people emulating this, but going way over the edge, not because it was necessary, just because they <B>could</B> do it. Their films became vehicles for their private repressions: scenes of characters being torn apart, guts splaying all over the place, perverse sexual scenes, urination, defecation, the list goes on.... Like a mad doctor who becomes power hungry.<BR/><BR/>Nothing about entertainment value, everything about what they wanted to see happen.<BR/><BR/>The Alvin incidence leads me to believe this is a 30-something director with the immature mind of a depraved 7-year old. <BR/><BR/>Praising this content type in this movie only reflects the maturity level of the one giving the praise.Larry Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03189215786770308247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-57572308546349000682007-08-08T13:12:00.000-04:002007-08-08T13:12:00.000-04:00Most of you who are against this film are just jea...Most of you who are against this film are just jealous. Jealous just like people who think Barry Bonds shouldn't be honored for hitting his steroid-induced homeruns. Jealous just like those who are mad that George W. Bush stole elections and is leaving our democracy for dead in a dark Washington DC alley. You jealous do-gooders! Go away!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-56379059132108693582007-08-07T12:33:00.000-04:002007-08-07T12:33:00.000-04:00"I wholeheartedly agree on both films. When I saw ..."I wholeheartedly agree on both films. When I saw the Alvin trailer I was just sickened and shocked...that this is what animated films have come to. "<BR/><BR/>If you were actually sickened from this scene, I feel bad for you. Get a life. It was hilarious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-29249308199655243582007-08-04T19:31:00.000-04:002007-08-04T19:31:00.000-04:00I saw both of these embarrassing trailers last nig...I saw both of these embarrassing trailers last night at the Simpsons Movie. Phew- who stepped in that?!Thadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04443425643665474645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-88075793395372434932007-08-04T12:12:00.000-04:002007-08-04T12:12:00.000-04:00While these both look awful, I'll take this new Se...While these both look awful, I'll take this new Seuss movie over both that horrid Grinch movie (also starring Jim Carrie) or the equally awful Cat in the Hat film with Mike Myers. At least this one doesn't make the main character look like some strange deranged man-beast.Brandon Starrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08763671148763486079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-91208114904611537202007-08-02T22:46:00.000-04:002007-08-02T22:46:00.000-04:00ooops, I forgot to ask what I meant to. I can't w...ooops, I forgot to ask what I meant to. I can't wait to get the More Silly Symphonies DVD with my dad as a young (23) man pitching on the Disney softball team! Can you imagine that at age 64 I've never seen a movie of him at that age? Really special. I loved some of the closeup shots you posted of Floyd G and others. Any chance you have a closeup of Dad's head? If so, please let me know. Thanks. Best to you, Linda (LinKen2467@aol.com)Linda Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08671985244103242679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-40602833902866433802007-08-02T22:43:00.000-04:002007-08-02T22:43:00.000-04:00Mark, I ditto your thoughts 100% ... and I am an "...Mark, I ditto your thoughts 100% ... and I am an "heir" who is trying hard to preserve the work of my dad (Hardie Gramatky, Disney animator, author-illustrator of Little Toot books, watercolorist) in an authentic way that honors his creativity! I'd love to read more of your blog. We have a website (gramatky.com) but are just getting littletoot.org up and running. Thanks for the comment about copyrights not lasting after the creator's death plus a few years (we needed that to figure out how to do these restorations well). A restored edition of Little Toot is coming out in September, back to Dad's original colors and art! Yay. Best to you, Linda Gramatky SmithLinda Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08671985244103242679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-27444180744377369822007-08-02T11:31:00.000-04:002007-08-02T11:31:00.000-04:00Thank you for the link, Amir!Mark: as usual I agre...Thank you for the link, Amir!<BR/>Mark: as usual I agree with you completely and whole-heartedly!<BR/>-JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-27457930899788294872007-08-01T23:40:00.000-04:002007-08-01T23:40:00.000-04:00sant arellano, pretty much, I'm with you. Jim Care...sant arellano, pretty much, I'm with you. <BR/><BR/>Jim Carey can be a lot more (or a lot different) than a giant caricature of whoever he is aping. <BR/><BR/>What direction what he being given? Really. The lead actor in "Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind" was played by the same actor as the lead in "The Mask" and the "Ace Ventura, Pet Detective" silliness. <BR/><BR/>What direction was he given? <BR/><BR/>This goes back the the director and the producers. <BR/><BR/>Animated performances look pretty good to me... but the animators are tools for the director as well.Erik Westlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16191332666813397165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-88150063257103832672007-08-01T16:12:00.000-04:002007-08-01T16:12:00.000-04:00"Honey, have you ever felt, that feeling of dreadf..."Honey, have you ever felt, <BR/>that feeling of dreadful fear<BR/>like an elephant speaking to your ear?"<BR/><BR/>Even if the animation looks very good, the Dr. Seuss language in the Clampett short will surely be missed by many.<BR/><BR/>I bet Jim Carrey could do Horton perfectly, he just needs to be directed along that path.Sant Arellanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181175561703367047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-450282059053250022007-08-01T08:20:00.000-04:002007-08-01T08:20:00.000-04:00Bob Clampett's 1942 short "Horton Hatches the Egg"...Bob Clampett's 1942 short "Horton Hatches the Egg" is the best adaptation I've ever seen a Dr. Suess story.<BR/>The whole cartoon is available <A HREF="http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/horton+hatches+the+egg/video/x14l0p_1942dr-seuss-horton-hatches-the-egg" REL="nofollow">here.</A>Amir Avnihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06878436029210223623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-68295301088597967442007-07-31T23:09:00.000-04:002007-07-31T23:09:00.000-04:00Why yes, Anonymous, as you can plainly see. We bit...Why yes, Anonymous, as you can plainly see. <BR/><BR/>We bitter, boarding, blogging types all quite agree. <BR/><BR/>Seuss' harmonious sounds and such were nowhere to be found. <BR/><BR/>oh dear. oh dear. oh dear. oh dear!<BR/><BR/>They should have hired you to write what we all wish to hear. <BR/><BR/><BR/>-- and I won't even brag about for whom I don't write --Erik Westlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16191332666813397165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-27742888272637588332007-07-31T06:48:00.000-04:002007-07-31T06:48:00.000-04:00big Alittle awhat begins with a?angryanimation ner...big A<BR/>little a<BR/>what begins with a?<BR/>angry<BR/>animation nerds<BR/>whith quite a lot to say.<BR/><BR/>big B<BR/>little b<BR/>what begins with b?<BR/>bitter<BR/>boarding<BR/>bloggers<BR/>who like to disagree<BR/><BR/>c C c C<BR/>c c c<BR/>can't new<BR/>cartoon content<BR/>capture classic<BR/>comedy?<BR/><BR/><BR/>-- and I don't even write sitcoms :) --Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-23054570017833264102007-07-31T02:24:00.000-04:002007-07-31T02:24:00.000-04:00"Can't you folks even wait to see the Horton film ...<I>"Can't you folks even wait to see the Horton film before you start to trash it?"</I><BR/><BR/>Hi, Anonymous , <BR/><BR/>Well, here's the thing : what's been trashed (apparently) is the book by Dr. Seuss .<BR/><BR/>So, yes, some of us are certainly expressing our grave concern for the apparent tin ear that the screenwriters have when they chose to substitute their TV sitcom dialogue writing style in place of Dr. Seuss's whimsical, musical rhyming dialogue. <BR/><BR/>If the trailer is an accurate representation of what the movie is like then I really feel no desire to see it , not any more than I needed to see the crass, ill-conceived live-action adaptations of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas or The Cat In The Hat. <BR/>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-26378234535408857712007-07-30T22:19:00.000-04:002007-07-30T22:19:00.000-04:00Can't you folks even wait to see the Horton film b...Can't you folks even wait to see the Horton film before you start to trash it?<BR/><BR/>hahaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-88247822831059651802007-07-30T21:03:00.000-04:002007-07-30T21:03:00.000-04:00You pretty much hit the nail on the head, exactly ...You pretty much hit the nail on the head, exactly what I thought about the Horton trailer....such a shame.Richie Blitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13785943548916566759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-72518994100463424902007-07-30T20:46:00.000-04:002007-07-30T20:46:00.000-04:00You're quite right, David, the approach taken by c...You're quite right, David, the approach taken by casting such actors is completely wrong for the subject matter. The whole point of Seuss's "Horton Hears a Who" was to show the visual contrast of huge elephant Horton vs. the infinitely miniscule Whos, yet portraying Horton as a the proverbial "gentle giant" who is capable of immense compassion for any creature he deems as being physically vulnerable. Casting the ironic and cynical Jim Carrey goes entirely against type. Though Carrey has certainly proven himself to be capable of playing characters with pathos in several dramatic films, it doesn't seem to be the case here, judging by the trailer. Instead we get the more familiar comically obnoxious Jim Carrey. A character like Horton requires a voice and performance of gentle sincerity. Frankly, Jim Carrey would be the last one to come to my mind as a casting choice.Pete Emsliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01451607722482352366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-70243862902101558552007-07-30T20:15:00.000-04:002007-07-30T20:15:00.000-04:00Er, I meant to write Jim Carrey, not "Jim Jim Carr...Er, I meant to write Jim Carrey, not "Jim Jim Carrey." It sounds like I'm trying to make some (inexplicable) joke, but I wasn't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-68776274826554041112007-07-30T15:18:00.000-04:002007-07-30T15:18:00.000-04:00Dr. Seuss in particular seems to be victimized, in...Dr. Seuss in particular seems to be victimized, in the modern feature films, by the belief that his stories somehow call for a pointedly sarcastic, urbane, aggressively in-your-face comic: be it Michael Myers or Jim Jim Carrey (who takes his second Seussian role as Horton; I'm inclined to believe it's no coincidence).<BR/>This approach may well have been inspired by the aggressive, iconoclastic nature of the original Cat in the Hat; but the key difference is that the Cat was never aggressive or iconoclastic in the banal, almost bullying manner that Carrey and Myers have brought to these roles.<BR/>It effectively makes the characters and stories unpleasant and everyday where they were formerly delightful and fantastic. (Hmm... maybe I'm not saying anything that others haven't already observed.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27501132.post-59206849164969504402007-07-30T14:47:00.000-04:002007-07-30T14:47:00.000-04:00I wholeheartedly agree on both films. When I saw t...I wholeheartedly agree on both films. When I saw the Alvin trailer I was just sickened and shocked...that this is what animated films have come to. And then I saw Horton and I was so excited to see pretty art direction that I was able to overlook the awful dialogue and miscast characters for the length of the trailer. Then I saw it again and it all stood out to me. :[ I hope they prove us wrong...Bill Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559832218267916942noreply@blogger.com