The BJMDDS General Discussion Thread......

[Harvey danish]

Over 2 years ago a fire in a Hollywood backlot, turning several famous outdoor sets into ashes and apparently setting iconic giant gorilla King Kong free. At least, that's how the fact-meets-fantasy story line goes in "King Kong 360 3-D," an immersive addition to the studio tour opening July 1.

Rather than simply move past the real-life blaze that destroyed the theme park's original 30-foot-tall animatronic ape in 2008, the fire has become part of the revamped attraction's mythology, addressed by tour guides and featured in footage broadcast inside the tour's trams. One doctored image ominously depicts the figure of King Kong emerging from the smoke.

"The fire presented us with a unique opportunity to rebuild King Kong, which had been without a doubt one of the most popular stops on the studio tour," said Universal Studios show producer Valerie Johnson-Redrow. "The initial thought was, of course, to go back to Peter Jackson's 2005 film and reimagine King Kong in an entirely new way for the studio tour."

Instead of recreate the animatronic Eighth Wonder of the World that burned down alongside exterior sets from "Back to the Future" and "To Kill a Mockingbird," Universal Studios enlisted Jackson and his team at special effects company Weta Digital in New Zealand to craft an entirely new adventure that would transport visitors to his rendition of Skull Island.

During the breakneck three-minute encounter, the computer-generated battle-scarred big ape tussles with a dinosaur gang on the side of a cliff. As the beasts seemingly smash into and lunge over the tram, a system underneath the winding vehicle jolts in sync with the action while bursts of air and water mimic King Kong's breathy roar and the dinosaurs' wet slobber.

The sequence, which was previewed for the media Tuesday, is screened 60 frames per second from 16 hidden high-definition film projectors on two 40-foot-tall, 180-foot-long curved screens. The screens envelop the tram inside a soundstage, nestled in a new hillside location on the backlot across from the newly rebuilt New York set.

Before boarding the tram, riders are given 3-D glasses and instructed by Jackson in a video when to don them for the brawl, which at one point cleverly depicts the last car of the tram being ripped off. Some moments, such as King Kong toying with his prehistoric prey and a foolhardy tourist snapping a photo, can only be viewed from certain vantage points.

Joe Letteri, visual effects supervisor for "King Kong" and "Avatar," said the team was tasked with several challenges in bringing 3-D to the studio tour. Most noticeably, the gorilla-versus-dinos smackdown is entirely seamless, so there are no cuts during the battle, and unlike a typical 3-D movie, the audience isn't always looking in the same direction.

"Everyone is seeing something different because they're not facing the same screen," said Letteri. "Every time someone goes through this ride, they're going to have a different experience depending on where they sit and look. We're making sure that everybody in the tram — whether in the front or the back — experiences something interesting and exciting."

The attraction was first constructed 20 miles away inside the massive 281,000-square-foot hangar where Howard Hughes built his 200-ton plane dubbed the Spruce Goose and where James Cameron filmed several scenes for "Titanic" and "Avatar." A mock tram filled with balloon-headed mannequins was fabricated to aid technicians in tweaking the audiovisual systems.

"King Kong 360 3-D" is expected to breathe new life into the venerable 46-year-old tram tour, which includes stops at the Bates Motel from "Psycho" and Amity Harbor from "Jaws." Attendance at Universal Studios Hollywood dipped from 4.6 million in 2008 to 4.3 million in 2009, according to the most recent report from the Themed Entertainment Association.

The theme park's sister resort in Orlando, Fla., has already experienced a surge in visitors since the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Islands of Adventure theme park earlier this month. Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, Calif., is also drawing big crowds this summer with the debut of the high-tech "World of Color" lagoon show.

"The hype surrounding Kong is certainly going to give people a reason to visit and see it for themselves," said Duncan Dickson, who teaches theme park management at the University of Central Florida. "The allure of seeing something totally new and remarkable in 3-D, and the fact that Peter Jackson is involved, is going to make people naturally curious."

[Harvey danish]

I can see it now...................with my 3-D eyeglasses of course a 3-D Bond!!!!!!!!......with the right man for the role..

[katied]

send the chap best wishes on his up and comming B Day... Blue ray... what better gift to Dad .....

He's hitting a milestone this year-70- though you wouldn't know it,he looks much younger!

[Mazer Rackham]

Bloody Vampires are back! $30m in one night you've got to be shitting me!

[Harvey danish]

waiting till July 23rd Salt................may break down and see Iron man 2 this Holiday weekend...

[bjmdds]

Harry Potter trailer on line now. Looks mighty tasty. Mazer, why isn't Indy 4 seen on any cable channels? Where is it? Hiding it?

[FormerBondFan]

Harry Potter trailer on line now. Looks mighty tasty.

I thought the trailer showed a little too much.

[Kristatos]

Bloody Vampires are back! $30m in one night you've got to be shitting me!

To quote the American Voices segment of The Onion: "If Bela Lugosi had lived to be 127, he'd be the biggest star in the world right now". And Scashman would probably be calling for him to play the Robert Pattinson role in Twilight.

[Omega]

Harry Potter trailer on line now. Looks mighty tasty. Mazer, why isn't Indy 4 seen on any cable channels? Where is it? Hiding it?

It's been on HBO already right? I know I saw it on EpixHD in an Indiana Jones Marathon not a month ago.

[Omega]

Bloody Vampires are back! $30m in one night you've got to be shitting me!

To quote the American Voices segment of The Onion: "If Bela Lugosi had lived to be 127, he'd be the biggest star in the world right now". And Scashman would probably be calling for him to play the Robert Pattinson role in Twilight.

Bela Lugosi was the man! There is a recent picture of Moore in the news section he has not aged well. At 127 if he had lived he would add some legitimacy to the vampire movie business A movie not long ago had a retake on the silent film Nosferatu where the director unknowingly found a real vampire to play the lead in his movie

[Captain Nash]

Was checking out IMDb earlier and noticed that Pierce of the Brosnan has at least four films in the pipeline. Though the follow up to The Thomas Crown Affair is still in development. One wonders if this film will ever be made.
I'm starting to think maybe not.
Anyway, the film that caught my eye and the reason for this post is St.Vincent. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1373238/. The premise of this films sounds quite good I thought, and the cast is shaping up to have some real talent involved. If Pierce can pull off a good turn it could be worth a watch. One to keep an eye on methinks.

[Kristatos]

It's been a while since we've seen a new film from Walter Hill. From his IMDb filmography, it looks like he has mainly been directing TV episodes for the last decade.

[FormerBondFan]

I happened to own Last Man Standing, which I haven't watched since 8 years.

[Kristatos]

I happened to own Last Man Standing, which I haven't watched since 8 years.

That's the last thing I remember seeing of his too. It was very disappointing, as I recall, but bad enough to kill his career? I wouldn't go that far.

[FormerBondFan]

Aren't most of WH films consist of gritty violence? I haven't seen any of his films except the one I have.

[Harvey danish]

Own a copy of Last Man Standing was done well.. especially that guy who plays a Doctor on the show SCRUBBS.. portraying a Texas Ranger and giving Bruce Willis a dressing down..

[Harvey danish]

Andrew Garfield has been cast as Peter Parker in Sony's "Spider-Man" reboot, the studio announced via press release on Thursday.

Sony managed to keep secret one of the most sought-after scoops in Hollywood history.

Garfield only learned late this afternoon that he's been chosen to play Peter Parker.

Blow-Up at Overture Leads to McGurk and Rosett Resignations
Andrew Garfield to Play Peter Parker in 'Spider-Man' Reboot
Exclusive: Mary McDonnell, Alison Brie Join 'Scream 4'
NBC Replaces 'Love Bites' With 'The Apprentice' on Fall Schedule
..He was just presented to the international press in Cancun, Mexico who had gathered to see previews of Sony's upcoming movies, a spokesman from Sony told TheWrap.

Garfield happened to be at the event promoting Sony's big-budget thriller "The Social Network," in which he plays Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

From TheWrap.com: Fear and loathing in 'Rango'?

He was told that he got the part and then immediately went out to be introduced a the new Spider-Man to a room filled with journalists from around the world.

Marc Webb directs the film from a script by Jamie Vanderbilt. Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin produce.

On selecting Garfield, director Marc Webb said, “Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents. He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”

Commenting on the announcement, Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, President of Columbia Pictures said, “Spider-Man is a classic superhero -- a young man who balances his responsibility to serve humanity and crush evil with the shyness and normalcy of someone struggling to find himself. The role demands an extraordinary actor. You need someone who can magically transform himself from Peter Parker into Spider-Man. An actor who will depict the vulnerability of youth and the strength and confidence of a legendary figure at the same moment. We have found that actor in Andrew Garfield. From the first time we saw him in the upcoming film The Social Network, to his glorious screen test, which floored all of us, we knew that we had found our new Peter Parker.”

From TheWrap.com: 'Kids': A wrinkled Bening, a wrinkled marriage

Producer Avi Arad added, “I’m incredibly excited about Andrew Garfield. In the Spider-Man tradition, we were looking for a smart, sensitive, and cool new Peter Parker who can inspire us and make us laugh, cry, and cheer. We believe we have found the perfect choice to take on this role and lead us into the future.”

Producer Laura Ziskin said, “We are thrilled to have Andrew Garfield for this new incarnation of Spider-Man under Marc Webb’s direction. We were fortunate enough to meet with a group of fantastically talented young men. In the end, we all agreed that in addition to being an extraordinary actor, Andrew had the right mix of humor, youth, and pathos, along with an underlying sense of strength and power necessary to bring Peter Parker and Spider-Man to life on screen.”

Garfield previously appeared in Robert Redford's "Lions For Lambs" and Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." He recently starred in IFC Films' "Red Riding" trilogy. He next stars in Mark Romanek's "Never Let Me Go," which Fox Searchlight will now release on September 15.

He beat out a number of Hollywood's most talented young actors for the coveted role, including Jamie Bell, Josh Hutcherson, Aaron Johnston, Anton Yelchin, Frank Dillane and more.

Garfield is represented by CAA and The Collective.

[FormerBondFan]

Andrew Garfield has been cast as Peter Parker in Sony's "Spider-Man" reboot, the studio announced via press release on Thursday.

Sony managed to keep secret one of the most sought-after scoops in Hollywood history.

Garfield only learned late this afternoon that he's been chosen to play Peter Parker.

Blow-Up at Overture Leads to McGurk and Rosett Resignations
Andrew Garfield to Play Peter Parker in 'Spider-Man' Reboot
Exclusive: Mary McDonnell, Alison Brie Join 'Scream 4'
NBC Replaces 'Love Bites' With 'The Apprentice' on Fall Schedule
..He was just presented to the international press in Cancun, Mexico who had gathered to see previews of Sony's upcoming movies, a spokesman from Sony told TheWrap.

Garfield happened to be at the event promoting Sony's big-budget thriller "The Social Network," in which he plays Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

From TheWrap.com: Fear and loathing in 'Rango'?

He was told that he got the part and then immediately went out to be introduced a the new Spider-Man to a room filled with journalists from around the world.

Marc Webb directs the film from a script by Jamie Vanderbilt. Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin produce.

On selecting Garfield, director Marc Webb said, “Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents. He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”

Commenting on the announcement, Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, President of Columbia Pictures said, “Spider-Man is a classic superhero -- a young man who balances his responsibility to serve humanity and crush evil with the shyness and normalcy of someone struggling to find himself. The role demands an extraordinary actor. You need someone who can magically transform himself from Peter Parker into Spider-Man. An actor who will depict the vulnerability of youth and the strength and confidence of a legendary figure at the same moment. We have found that actor in Andrew Garfield. From the first time we saw him in the upcoming film The Social Network, to his glorious screen test, which floored all of us, we knew that we had found our new Peter Parker.”

From TheWrap.com: 'Kids': A wrinkled Bening, a wrinkled marriage

Producer Avi Arad added, “I’m incredibly excited about Andrew Garfield. In the Spider-Man tradition, we were looking for a smart, sensitive, and cool new Peter Parker who can inspire us and make us laugh, cry, and cheer. We believe we have found the perfect choice to take on this role and lead us into the future.”

Producer Laura Ziskin said, “We are thrilled to have Andrew Garfield for this new incarnation of Spider-Man under Marc Webb’s direction. We were fortunate enough to meet with a group of fantastically talented young men. In the end, we all agreed that in addition to being an extraordinary actor, Andrew had the right mix of humor, youth, and pathos, along with an underlying sense of strength and power necessary to bring Peter Parker and Spider-Man to life on screen.”

Garfield previously appeared in Robert Redford's "Lions For Lambs" and Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." He recently starred in IFC Films' "Red Riding" trilogy. He next stars in Mark Romanek's "Never Let Me Go," which Fox Searchlight will now release on September 15.

He beat out a number of Hollywood's most talented young actors for the coveted role, including Jamie Bell, Josh Hutcherson, Aaron Johnston, Anton Yelchin, Frank Dillane and more.

Garfield is represented by CAA and The Collective.

This Spidey 4 affair is such a big waste of time. Why can't they just focus on the other superheroes?

[Harvey danish]

sorry about the double takes must be my nerves still trying to get use to not having the "right guy" for Bond...

[Harvey danish]

Brosnon has put out several films I enjoyed other than Bond.. and am waiting for future films to view... FORMERBOND.........has a point another Spidey??????? makes me want to vomit day glow.. so many other stories, characters out there to be made.... are negotiations with the major heads who pull the strings at a stand still ?? Has the Bond franchise come to a halt?? and when will Moneypenny have an encounter of the physical type with Bond???? All these need to be asked ......after all enquiring minds want to know??? BJMDDS chime in with words of wisdom........... were ever you originate...........