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LOOKING AHEAD: Dreamworks

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Ultimate Entertainment

Dreamworks Studio ambitiously tried to compete with Disney by cranking out movies every few MONTHS (the studio would come out with about three a year) but as many can attest, more is not always best. Critics weren’t too pleased and audiences didn’t show up (a deadly combination).

After miss-fires like Turbo and Mr. Peabody and Sherman the studio is struggling to say the least. With their most promising new franchise (How To Train Your Dragon) not doing as well as they hoped and depended on, their putting their weight on older franchises that have worked in the past (see Penguins of Madasgar). In true Dreamworks fashion, they’ve got plenty of upcoming films but few promising ones.

Both Home and B.O.O: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations seem a little too Monsters VS. Aliens to me so I’m not expecting anyone to care.

Me and My Shadow has an incredible title (just think of the possibilities) but because this is Dreamworks and not PIXAR don’t expect this to be touching or emotional in any way. Sure enough, the synopses makes it out to be a Rise of the Guardians storyline about a shadow lord trying to take over the world. Dammit. It could’ve been so good.

Kung Fu Panda 3 will carry the studio to 2016 with a truly impressive concept. Bryan Cranston and Rebel Wilson join the cast as Po’s father and love interest making it all the more hilarious.

The only reason I put up Boss Baby is because it’s about a baby in a suit with Kevin Hart and Alec Baldwin on board (I’m sorry but to me that sounds amazing!!!).

Captain Underpants, based on the ridiculously popular comic book, sounds like it could pull a Lego Movie on us and actually be somewhat good. They’ve spun the story so that it’s the story of a High School teacher (played by Ed Helms) who turns into the famous superhero by his students (one of them being Kevin Hart). Just hear me out.

How to Train Your Dragon 3 will be interesting to see how it plays out. The franchise has been well received by critics and audiences but it never amounts to much. We’ll see if this third attempt can really push the franchise into Shrek territory (meaning piles of money).

The Croods 2 and Puss and Boots 2 both seem like the the type of movie you’re aware about but that you’ll never actually see. They aren’t mainstream enough to be a must-see and aren’t PIXAR enough to be critically loved.These two are sure to be passed over.

Madagascar 4 is one that’s different. Their last installment (Europe’s Most Wanted) hit a sour note by playing too young. But their spin-off movie (Penguins of Madagascar) is being praised as hilarious to all audiences. It’ll be interesting to see which one this movie is.

All these movies seem good as box office sells, but none have chances at award shows (excluding How to Train Your Dragon 3 and Puss and Boots 2). They are the type of movies that have big stars and interesting concepts but no audience. Unlike PIXAR, fans don’t have a loyalty to Dreamworks. They might be aware of the movies, they may even like the trailers, but there is going to be a better movie opening that same weekend. They are pleasant if their not painful but in most of these movies, their forgotten.

The Amazing Spiderman 2 Predictions

Image | Posted on February 4, 2014 by Ultimate Entertainment

The Amazing Spiderman 2 Predictions

With two trailers coming out this week, it looks like The Amazing Spiderman 2 will be the biggest release of the summer pleasing fans and critics alike. With the origin story that we know too well out of the way, Sony, a company trying to be seen between Marvel and DC, can now be free to tell fresher stories about the famous web slinger saving the city. If the rumors are true, AKA the clues Sony intentionally placed in the trailers, then there is going to be a lot going on in this sequel. Not only will there be three (yes three!!!) villains, were likely seeing the foundation for the Sinister Six that will either appear in the next film or in their speculated spin off. While the Rhino will certainly make an appearance, it seems it will be more of a cameo while Electro takes the spotlight until the Green Goblin steals it from him. On top of that, Gwen Stacey might have her all to known death in the second installment (we were considering it a spoiler but everyone already knows!!!). At this pace, we can now see why Mary Jane (played by Shailene Woodley) was taken out in pre-production. But can they juggle all these elements as it is? I don’t know. While it’s certain it won’t be boring, we think it might be a little too much. We think the interesting, although unrealistic character of Electro (played excellently by Jamie Fox) deserves more attention than he’s going to get. While Sony may make him the MAIN villain, meaning more screen time, our attention will always be on the Green Goblin or at least the lead up to him. And then on top of that adding the Sinister Six? I think it would be fine having them in the next movie with a more clear, focussed plot for this installment, but instead were seeing this crazy mashup. Now, of course it’s too soon to really say if there can be clarity in the chaos of plot lines through the script, but what we can say is that the movie will impress Comic Book fans. While the first one was more dark and gritty, this epic will be more true to the comics visually. For one thing, the suit impressed fans of the hero on the page, saying that they finally got it right. And now I’ve heard from many Comic Book fans that each shot seems straight from a panel of the comics. While some may relate the lighter brighter tone to Sam Raimi’s adaptation of Spiderman, I think (or at least hope) that it’s similar to The Avengers. What made the 2012 flick a success by all standards was how strikingly close it was to the comics and hopefully that’s what we see here. While I like the darker, grittier first I can understand them polishing it to fit the desires of everyone. So far The Amazing Spiderman 2 is shaping up to be a success the question now is whether they can handle the many elements or collapse under all the weight.