For years I have been singing the praises of Pixar and wishing that Dreamworks would get its act together. And I wish that this post was different. But alas, after seeing MegaMind last night, I again have say that Dreamworks' story writing just doesn't make the cut. Not by a mile.
Now here's the thing. Dreamworks has potential. Soooo much potential. They made it big all those years ago with Shrek. Shrek had everything you could want out of an animated film. Beautiful character animation, gorgeous background art, great voice actors, great comedy, suspense, adventure, and oh yea, A GREAT STORY. The reason people went crazy over Shrek, besides it's uniqueness and originality, was it's amazing story.
Did I mention that Shrek was based on a book? Unless I am mistaken, Shrek is the only Dreamworks animated film that was adapted from a book. The writing for the rest of their films, even the Shrek sequels, is just plain sloppy and unmoving.
While I really don't want to compare them to Pixar, I kind of HAVE to. Pixar doesn't even begin animating a film before they have a script so tight that the Oscar committee would probably nominate it without even seeing the movie. They make sure that they have a story that is sure to blow people away, and with very very few exceptions, they have done so every single time. The writers at Pixar push boundaries, they challenge their audience's imagination and preconceptions about what an animated film can be. They don't assume their audience is too dumb to get a concept and they're not afraid to expose an audience that's largely children to things like death, love, redemption, and faith, just to name a few. They make films about things that are important to them, not what they think will sell. (Of course Disney's involvement has diluted that quality in them in past years). The point is, the reason that Pixar is at the top of the entertainment mountain is because of the slogan that they follow every single day: STORY IS KING.
Why is it so difficult for others to grasp this concept? Dreamworks, Disney without Pixar, hell, all the live action studios just don't seem to understand this. Is everyone so money hungry and scared of bankrupcy that they can't see this? Walt Disney did not make Snow White by seeing what Dwarf names would sell the most plush toys. He made it by putting a third mortgage on his own house just to get it made. And it shows. When you watch a Pixar movie, you can tell that people's souls have been poured into every aspect of the creation. Writing, animation, lighting, backgrounds, everything.
When you watch a Dreamworks film... you might laugh a bit but you won't remember the movie after about a month. Maybe you'll remember the joke that had you laughing, but 9 times out of 10 it was the voice actor that made the joke funny, not the writing.
Every time I go to a Dreamworks animated film, I go in hopeful but wary. Just look at the trailers. They usually contain one funny joke after another, with no indication of what the story is about or why we should care. Ok, so comedy is their thing, I get that. But make us care about what we're watching. Make us WANT to laugh with these characters instead of a funny line every 20 seconds. Pixar's trailers usually have a few jokes in there too, but for the most part they suck you into the completely new world that they've created and make you want to be a part of it. And the jokes are just a bonus. (Toy Story 3 was an exception, since we already knew the world and so we needed the jokes to suck us in, but the movie was still awesome)
My main gripe is that Dreamworks has SO MUCH POTENTIAL. Yet every time I go to a Dreamworks film, it falls flat. They're excellent at creating worlds, but there's nothing in those worlds.
I feel like this is a story meeting at Dreamworks:
"Hey, lets make a movie about a panda who wants to do karate!"
"Ok, cool! We can set it in China and have some really gorgeous backgrounds and scenery!"
"Awesome! Now what's gonna happen to this Panda?"
"...Ninja stuff."
"Ok...."
"...It'll be cool ninja stuff! And we'll make him like a fat guy that wouldn't usually do karate! It'll be hilarious!"
"Didn't they already do that with Chris Farley?"
"No, no, this will be better, we'll get someone not as fat.... How about Patton Oswald?"
"Naahh, Pixar just used him, wait how bout Jack Black?!"
"Perfect!"
"Awesome!"
".....so what happens to Jack Black panda?"
"....Ninja stuff...."
"......This is gonna be awesome."
And so a huge animation studio is put to work on Ninja Bear Movie while the writing team tries to make it awesomer and awesomer till they realize they're stuck. When the higher ups realize this, they fire them, hiring new writers who have completely different ideas about what the film should be. Do that a few more times and now you've got a hideous stew of premises and plots that all add up to one thing: "Let's hope Jack Black is funny enough to carry this thing."
I just wish that people would start to realize that cutting corners doesn't get you money faster, it cuts your standards faster, till all you've got is sequel after sequel of films that did well because there was nothing better to go see and at least it looked pretty. Funny jokes will get you box office success but how many people will remember your film when they leave? What will your legacy be?
At times I feel like Salieri in Amadeus, who can appreciate others' genius in music but cannot write it himself. I know great writing when I see it, and conversely, I know crappy writing when I see it. I may not be the best writer in the world, but then I'm not working for one of the biggest studios in history. STEP UP THE GAME and prove me wrong Dreamworks writers. Knock my socks off and prove that you have what it takes to make a film that moves people and doesn't just make them laugh. You have a great gift, please don't waste it. I'll be watching.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Cartoons In My Head
I was recently asked the question:
"If you had to choose one fictional character that personifies your personality, who would it be and why?"
After a lot of thinking I realized that there is not 1 but 2 characters that I simply cannot deny are the perfect representation of my personality and how my brain works. Are you pondering what I'm pondering?
I think so Brain...
That's Right. Pinky and the Brain are a perfect example of the constant back and forth that goes on in my head on a daily basis. Two halves of a personality that is in constant bickering (not quite a battle) with itself. This is not to say that I have multiple personalities or anything like that. ("Not that there's anything wrong with that!") Allow me to explain.
When I was growing up, I watched a lot of TV. I blame this for the reason why instead of understanding Calculus in High School, my brain was already full of useless trivia and theme songs, and therefore could not grasp how x could possibly equal 5 (or any other arbitrary number for that matter). At the age of 10 I could list for you the entire afternoon lineup of Nickelodeon, and what I flipped to when Mr. Wizard came on. (It was Bill Nye in case you were wondering.) THE SHOW that I raced home after school to watch well into High School was Pinky and the Brain. (and of course Animaniacs. Thank you Steven Spielberg!) I could totally relate to them, and knew instinctively that one would never survive without the other. And my brain is the same way. My personality is the same way.
For example, let's look at a current issue in my life. Weight loss and fitness. The Brain says that I need to lose weight and that to do that all I have to do is eat less, exercise more, and simply forget about the fact that sugar is one of my main reasons for being. Pinky on the other hand, rejoices in fun, fun, silly willy! and couldn't care less about diets and muscle tone. If it were up to Pinky, I would already be 400 pounds and gleefully finishing off a pie as I type (or at least try to reach the keyboard). So obviously Pinky doesn't have all the say, and neither does Brain. It's like one of their (of course) failed attempts to take over the world. Brain plans and scrutinizes every little detail and corner of a plan, while Pinky plays with his dryer lint. Then when Brain is finally at a stopping point and looking for a little encouragement, he springs the plan on Pinky, who being unfettered with calculations and graphs, immediately sees the blatant flaw in the logic of the plan. But it's too late. Brain has already congratulated himself on a flawless plan and what the hell does Pinky know anyway? So they proceed and inevitably the flaw that Pinky saw at the very beginning is their downfall.
STORY OF MY LIFE. Remeber that weight loss analogy? Brain is all set to exercise and get fit and finally look good in a size small when all of a sudden Pinky walks in and says "Hey Brain, don't forget about that cake in the fridge! Nah ha ha!!" Brain rolls his eyes at the idea that my will power could ever fail me again, now that I'm determined, and starts exercising. Not just exercising, but working out, upping levels before my heart and lungs even knew that we were warming up. When the working out is done, I limp and pant over to the fridge to get some water. But guess what's in the fridge. Yup, the yummy nummy cake that Pinky pointed out at the very beginning. Narf.
"What are we gonna do tomorrow night, Brain? Same thing we do every night Pinky, try to take over the world."
"If you had to choose one fictional character that personifies your personality, who would it be and why?"
After a lot of thinking I realized that there is not 1 but 2 characters that I simply cannot deny are the perfect representation of my personality and how my brain works. Are you pondering what I'm pondering?
I think so Brain...
That's Right. Pinky and the Brain are a perfect example of the constant back and forth that goes on in my head on a daily basis. Two halves of a personality that is in constant bickering (not quite a battle) with itself. This is not to say that I have multiple personalities or anything like that. ("Not that there's anything wrong with that!") Allow me to explain.
When I was growing up, I watched a lot of TV. I blame this for the reason why instead of understanding Calculus in High School, my brain was already full of useless trivia and theme songs, and therefore could not grasp how x could possibly equal 5 (or any other arbitrary number for that matter). At the age of 10 I could list for you the entire afternoon lineup of Nickelodeon, and what I flipped to when Mr. Wizard came on. (It was Bill Nye in case you were wondering.) THE SHOW that I raced home after school to watch well into High School was Pinky and the Brain. (and of course Animaniacs. Thank you Steven Spielberg!) I could totally relate to them, and knew instinctively that one would never survive without the other. And my brain is the same way. My personality is the same way.
For example, let's look at a current issue in my life. Weight loss and fitness. The Brain says that I need to lose weight and that to do that all I have to do is eat less, exercise more, and simply forget about the fact that sugar is one of my main reasons for being. Pinky on the other hand, rejoices in fun, fun, silly willy! and couldn't care less about diets and muscle tone. If it were up to Pinky, I would already be 400 pounds and gleefully finishing off a pie as I type (or at least try to reach the keyboard). So obviously Pinky doesn't have all the say, and neither does Brain. It's like one of their (of course) failed attempts to take over the world. Brain plans and scrutinizes every little detail and corner of a plan, while Pinky plays with his dryer lint. Then when Brain is finally at a stopping point and looking for a little encouragement, he springs the plan on Pinky, who being unfettered with calculations and graphs, immediately sees the blatant flaw in the logic of the plan. But it's too late. Brain has already congratulated himself on a flawless plan and what the hell does Pinky know anyway? So they proceed and inevitably the flaw that Pinky saw at the very beginning is their downfall.
STORY OF MY LIFE. Remeber that weight loss analogy? Brain is all set to exercise and get fit and finally look good in a size small when all of a sudden Pinky walks in and says "Hey Brain, don't forget about that cake in the fridge! Nah ha ha!!" Brain rolls his eyes at the idea that my will power could ever fail me again, now that I'm determined, and starts exercising. Not just exercising, but working out, upping levels before my heart and lungs even knew that we were warming up. When the working out is done, I limp and pant over to the fridge to get some water. But guess what's in the fridge. Yup, the yummy nummy cake that Pinky pointed out at the very beginning. Narf.
"What are we gonna do tomorrow night, Brain? Same thing we do every night Pinky, try to take over the world."
Monday, July 26, 2010
Light Cool Relief
Hey all. I found a recipe a few days ago that called to me from the page. I'm not usually the kind to try a recipe as soon as I find it, let alone cook very much at all. But this one is so simple... and it involves chocolate syrup.
Joy's Frozen Hot Chocolate.
I tried it as soon as I got home and it was SO DELICIOUS!!
The recipe made about 3 large glasses full. I think next time I will use a bit less chocolate syrup than the recipe suggests because it was VERY chocolaty. Which is usually not a bad thing but when you're really hot sometimes you just want ice. Try it and let me know what you think, or if you have another smoothie type recipe you think I might like post a comment!
Joy's Frozen Hot Chocolate.
I tried it as soon as I got home and it was SO DELICIOUS!!
The recipe made about 3 large glasses full. I think next time I will use a bit less chocolate syrup than the recipe suggests because it was VERY chocolaty. Which is usually not a bad thing but when you're really hot sometimes you just want ice. Try it and let me know what you think, or if you have another smoothie type recipe you think I might like post a comment!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Text me Goodnight
There are some times when maybe it should be all about me.
I know I'm old fashioned compared to the rest of my generation. Everyone is a high tech, high speed, multitasking machine. It's not like I'm in the Stone Age. I know how computers work (mostly) and I can fix more than basic problems on them. But I don't have the newest model and I don't shell out big bucks for the latest versions of programs I use. I have a cell phone and it takes pictures and I can text. But again, I don't have the latest phone and shell out my paycheck for internet service and apps that are cool once and then I'm over them.
My point? Those things are cool and if you like them that's great. But I think too much technology (Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto) really is a problem. Case in point: When I'm out with a friend-and this has happened with a couple of different good friends of mine-we'll be walking down the street talking and enjoying the sights or sitting at a table in a restaurant waiting to be served. They pull out their cell phones and start texting with other people or even answer their phones and start talking to someone else.
This is RUDE.
Don't do it.
At least when you're with me. How big of an idiot do I feel like when I'm sitting in complete silence while you're having a conversation with someone who's not even there. Why did you even come out with me? Should I have saved you the time and just texted to you how the food was or what I did by myself?
I refuse to pull out my cell phone and ignore them back while I'm out with them. The amount of time that I get to spend with my friends lately is very small so I look forward to seeing the people I care about. My cell phone is for emergencies and convenience. Your cell phone should not be the main focus of your attention, especially when you're on a social outing with someone in the flesh. I get scared sometimes that this society really is going to be like the predicted future in Wall-E. Everyone will be an obese baby staring at screens from morning to night. I'd rather be the quirky robot given my choices.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not against using your cell phone EVER while you're out with others. One text here, a minute or two call with someone there. But only if it's important and in moderation. It seems like the rules of common decency are changing. And I don't like it. The times that I spend with my friends are special to me. Rare and appreciated. To be ignored in favor of a little machine that gives a false connection to someone else while I'm having that time hurts a little, I'm not going to lie. I know no offence is meant, but I guess I just haven't caught up with the rest of my generation yet. I still think it's normal to have conversations face to face. What do I know? I'm old fashioned.
I know I'm old fashioned compared to the rest of my generation. Everyone is a high tech, high speed, multitasking machine. It's not like I'm in the Stone Age. I know how computers work (mostly) and I can fix more than basic problems on them. But I don't have the newest model and I don't shell out big bucks for the latest versions of programs I use. I have a cell phone and it takes pictures and I can text. But again, I don't have the latest phone and shell out my paycheck for internet service and apps that are cool once and then I'm over them.
My point? Those things are cool and if you like them that's great. But I think too much technology (Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto) really is a problem. Case in point: When I'm out with a friend-and this has happened with a couple of different good friends of mine-we'll be walking down the street talking and enjoying the sights or sitting at a table in a restaurant waiting to be served. They pull out their cell phones and start texting with other people or even answer their phones and start talking to someone else.
This is RUDE.
Don't do it.
At least when you're with me. How big of an idiot do I feel like when I'm sitting in complete silence while you're having a conversation with someone who's not even there. Why did you even come out with me? Should I have saved you the time and just texted to you how the food was or what I did by myself?
I refuse to pull out my cell phone and ignore them back while I'm out with them. The amount of time that I get to spend with my friends lately is very small so I look forward to seeing the people I care about. My cell phone is for emergencies and convenience. Your cell phone should not be the main focus of your attention, especially when you're on a social outing with someone in the flesh. I get scared sometimes that this society really is going to be like the predicted future in Wall-E. Everyone will be an obese baby staring at screens from morning to night. I'd rather be the quirky robot given my choices.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not against using your cell phone EVER while you're out with others. One text here, a minute or two call with someone there. But only if it's important and in moderation. It seems like the rules of common decency are changing. And I don't like it. The times that I spend with my friends are special to me. Rare and appreciated. To be ignored in favor of a little machine that gives a false connection to someone else while I'm having that time hurts a little, I'm not going to lie. I know no offence is meant, but I guess I just haven't caught up with the rest of my generation yet. I still think it's normal to have conversations face to face. What do I know? I'm old fashioned.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Yes. I'm Here. Posting. Yay.
So yet again it's been forever since I posted and blah blah I'm so ashamed, angst. (Seriously I really did want to write in the last six months, it's just, I had this thing...a job...that happened and now... *sigh* I have no excuse)
I got inspired to write again tonight because of another blog on Blogspot called Hyperbole and a Half. It's literally the funniest blog I've ever read (not that I've read a ton, admittedly). Go explore it, you will cry laughing.
Anyway. I figured instead of waiting for a topic to show itself in my overworked, undermassaged brain I would just write so that I could say that I started writing again. So I did. And I am. This is it. Writing. Booya. There, some more writing. I am awesome already.
Seriously there's no topic today. Just mental excrement. It's late and I had a very long day. You understand.
Again in all seriousness, I really would like to get this blog back up and running. Especially since Hyperbole and a Half has proven to me that you don't need an overall theme or direction to keep one going and for it to be successful. (Thanks for the inspiration Allie!) You just have to do it and keep at it. So try I will. No I won't try. I'll do. There is no try. (I learned that from Yoda, my Muppet friend.)
Is there anything that you would like to see from this blog, or want from me? I don't know who I'm talking to but I'm sure you'll know who you are when you read this. All of you. I'm babbling, I'm very tired. But I'm also...oh shit...what's that word where you sleep during the day and are awake at night? Seriously this is scaring me why can't I think of it? Narcoleptic? No that's when you fall asleep for no reason. Ummm... Narcotic. No......... (I had to look it up, I'm so ashamed) NOCTURNAL was the word I was looking for, as I'm sure you already knew and were thinking I was damaged as you read that. I'm sorry you had to see that. At least I was close. Sort of.
As I was saying before my head exploded, I'm pretty much nocturnal so even though I'm wide awake my brain is fully aware that I did a shit ton of stuff today and therefore should be very unconscious right now so as to recharge. But bah. I work evenings during the week so I can sleep in. ("Hah" says fate, as it warms up the lawnmowers that pick a different morning each week to smite my peaceful 9 AM slumber)
Anyway, welcome back to me, says I. Life has been pretty good lately. I've been working steadily for six months, two jobs, working six days a week, new car as of last month, going to Disney World in September so summer needs to end as soon as possible, and as long as things continue like this my plans of moving to Florida within a year and a half are still on track... Life is good.
I got inspired to write again tonight because of another blog on Blogspot called Hyperbole and a Half. It's literally the funniest blog I've ever read (not that I've read a ton, admittedly). Go explore it, you will cry laughing.
Anyway. I figured instead of waiting for a topic to show itself in my overworked, undermassaged brain I would just write so that I could say that I started writing again. So I did. And I am. This is it. Writing. Booya. There, some more writing. I am awesome already.
Seriously there's no topic today. Just mental excrement. It's late and I had a very long day. You understand.
Again in all seriousness, I really would like to get this blog back up and running. Especially since Hyperbole and a Half has proven to me that you don't need an overall theme or direction to keep one going and for it to be successful. (Thanks for the inspiration Allie!) You just have to do it and keep at it. So try I will. No I won't try. I'll do. There is no try. (I learned that from Yoda, my Muppet friend.)
Is there anything that you would like to see from this blog, or want from me? I don't know who I'm talking to but I'm sure you'll know who you are when you read this. All of you. I'm babbling, I'm very tired. But I'm also...oh shit...what's that word where you sleep during the day and are awake at night? Seriously this is scaring me why can't I think of it? Narcoleptic? No that's when you fall asleep for no reason. Ummm... Narcotic. No......... (I had to look it up, I'm so ashamed) NOCTURNAL was the word I was looking for, as I'm sure you already knew and were thinking I was damaged as you read that. I'm sorry you had to see that. At least I was close. Sort of.
As I was saying before my head exploded, I'm pretty much nocturnal so even though I'm wide awake my brain is fully aware that I did a shit ton of stuff today and therefore should be very unconscious right now so as to recharge. But bah. I work evenings during the week so I can sleep in. ("Hah" says fate, as it warms up the lawnmowers that pick a different morning each week to smite my peaceful 9 AM slumber)
Anyway, welcome back to me, says I. Life has been pretty good lately. I've been working steadily for six months, two jobs, working six days a week, new car as of last month, going to Disney World in September so summer needs to end as soon as possible, and as long as things continue like this my plans of moving to Florida within a year and a half are still on track... Life is good.
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