Disney/ Marvel Merger

While it's basically a done deal and needing final approval from Marvel stockholders and a pass from some anti trust departments, this merger brings up some interesting points. What does this union mean for Universal theme parks? Universal uses Marvel characters in their parks, rides, roaming characters, merchandise, etc. Once the contractual obligations expire what’s to become of the theme parks? Will they go DC? Will we someday see those characters in Disney theme parks? Maybe a whole new theme park building on what Universal has.
Also what about movie distribution of the upcoming Marvel pics. What company will distribute Marvel movies? Will Disney keep Marvel Studios, merge them into one of their existing production companies, or create a new entity altogether? Marvel movies have been distributed by Marvel Studios as well as 20th Century Fox , Universal, New Line, and Lions Gate. What about Fox and X-Men? Will Sony sell the movie rights for Spider-Man? Hmmmmmmmmm.

Here’s a list of movies released from Disney owned studios..

Pulp FictionClerksTrainspottingTombstoneQuiz ShowGrosse Point BlankThe Sixth SenseThe Joy Luck ClubThe PianoThe CrowThe Royal TenenbaumsGood Morning, VietnamDead Poets SocietyThe RefThe English PatientShakespeare in LoveChasing AmyThe OthersConfessions of a Dangerous MindGangs of New YorkChicagoThe HoursKill BillThere Will Be BloodNo Country for Old Men

Though Bob Iger jokes about Spiderman appearing in the sequel to “A Bug’s Life”, it got me thinking of other crossovers/ wars I’d like to see as a result of the merger. Just for fun, I’m looking forward to THESE crossovers either in comic book form or movie form….

Pinocchio/Punisher crossover
Xmen/ Snow White & 7 Dwarves crossover
Dr Strange vs Aladdin vs Mickey as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice (from Fantasia)
Hannah Montana/Jonas Brothers vs Ms Marvel and the Guardians of the Galaxy
Namor/Namorita vs Nemo/Little Mermaid
The Vision vs Wall-E /Tron
Robin Hood/ Hawkeye/ The 3 Musketeers cross over
The Incredibles/Avengers crossover
Howard the Duck vs Donald Duck
Spider Man vs Peter Pan
Fantastic Four vs Son of Flubber and Jack Sparrow
Black Panther vs Mowgli and Baloo
Ghost Rider & The Sons of Midnight vs The Apple Dumpling Gang w/ The Escape from Witch Mountain kids
Hulk vs The Beast (from Beauty and the Beast)
Daredevil/Goofy crossover


What would YOU like to see?

Monday Morning, August 31, 2009

Happy Monday!

It’s cloudy and rainy here in Greenville, SC today. About 10 to 15 degrees cooler than usual- WHOO-HOO!!. Been a steady to busy day today here at work so far (10am ET)

Here are some things I saw online this morning.

The Walt Disney Company has agreed to purchase Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and its portfolio of 5,0000 characters in a stock and cash transaction, the companies announced today. The deal STILL has ot be approved by Marvel shareholders. Can't wait for Mickey Mouse vs Venom!!!!

In other comic book news, The Green Hornet’s release date has been bumped back from July 7 to December 17, 2010. For no reason really. Seth Rogen is set to star, Michel Gondry to direct and Jay Chou to play Kato.

A European study says working up a sweat may be even better than angioplasty for some heart patients. The study finds that nearly 90 percent of heart patients who rode bikes regularly were free of heart problems one year after they started their exercise regimen. Among patients who had an angioplasty instead, only 70 percent were problem-free after a year.

The NY Times is reporting that The U.S. government has hauled in about $4 billion in profits from large banks that have repaid their obligations from last year's $700 billion federal bailout. The government has also collected about $35 million in profits from 14 smaller banks.

It seems many people agreed with my review of Halloween II. The 3D extravaganza “The Final Destination” took the top spot, followed by Inglorious Basterds, then Halloween II. Last weekend's top grosser, Inglourious Basterds, held more than half its ground, down a passable 47 percent to an estimated $20 million. While clearly no Saving Private Ryan, it's generated $73.8 million in ten days and is on track to be Quentin Tarantino's second most popular move theatrically behind Pulp Fiction. District 9 continued to perform above the norm, off 41 percent to an estimated $10.7 million for $90.8 million in 17 days. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra rounded out the Top Five with an estimated $8 million and has made $132.4 million in 24 days.

I’m MORE than ready for football season to kick off OFFICIALLY to where the games count.

SEE YA!!

Halloween II 2k9 Movie Review

2 out of 5 stars





Just saw the new Rob Zombie movie, "Halloween II", his second remake of the 'Halloween' movie franchise. I wasn't expecting (or wanted) an exact, scene by scene remake. I do feel this movie fails for me for the most part, but has SOME redeeming qualities; not enough to entirely save it for me. I initially had hopes and was surprised after the first few minutes. The movie starts strong. Takes place as the first remake ends. Then proceeds to bringing itself to present day Haddonfield, Illinois (around a year after the first movie) befire delving deeper into the psyche of Myers.





One GOOD thing about this movie is that this is the most intense, most brutal Michael Myers ever. Good kills, decent effects- though the foley (added sound effects) for this film got on my nerves at times. You have to see it to get what I mean. I was worried about the hoodie I saw Michael Myers wearing in the trailers, but it wasn't as bad or as prevelent as I thought it would be. It actually made sense. Overall this movie has even less to do with the original story than Zombie's first or previous remake. The Sam Loomis was totally different than the Loomis in the prior movie and I found myself wanting Michael to kill this version of Loomis. McDowell's portrayal was NOTHING like Donald Plesence's version.





Acting was OK in the movie. The girlish male who played young Michael Myers in the first film has been replaced with a more believable actor. Tyler Mane does a good job as Myers. Danielle Harris returns as well as Brad Douriff. Weird Al Yankovich (plays himself in this film and tells a good joke about the "Mike Myers" name). Malcom McDowwel, Margot Kidder, and Bill Fagerbakke (from the old sitcom 'Coach' or the "M=o=o=n, that spells..." retarded character from the TV version of Stephen King's 'The Stand'). Rob Zombie's wife- Sherry I think, plays the Myers mom.





Overall a decent mix of old music, newer tunes, and remakes of older rock tunes. While the film still lacks a song like the creepy charm of the Chordette's 'Mr Sandman' in the original films, the remake of "Love Hurts" (sung by the same woman who sings 'Mr Sandman' in the previous remake, Nan Vernon) during the credits in the end of the film comes close.





I don't believe die hard fans of the previous films will like this movie at all other than the somewhat decent story and good kill and dream scenes. The kids (late 20's and younger) will probably dig this film a lot. If it wasn't named "Halloween" or used names form the previous movies, this would probably get as high as 3 or 4 out of 5 stars from me.

I didn't like the ending of the movie.

***********************

Among the trailers shown before the film were: the new 'Wolfman', 'Alice in Wonderland', 'Saw VI', and a creepy one called 'The Road' which stars Viggo Mortensen as a guy trying to protect his son and wife after a natural weather phenomenon eradicates most life on the planet.

Welcome To The Innaugural Blog

Where to start.

I did one of these bloggy things for about 2 years on Yahoo!'s old 360 format. Some days were better than others. I was actually surprised as to how many people subscribed or at least joined my blog once to see what it was about. I usually type whatever's on my mind and add some things I saw on the internet that interested me. I REALLY liked the interactive aspect; which many people didn't participate in. I was and remain VERY grateful to the ones that did, even the ones I disagreed with and who disagreed with me.

Here are some things you MAY want to know about this bloggy thing.

• agreement is NOT necessary
• I cannot type worth anything
• I am not ALWAYS right
• my opinions are MY opinions and shouldn't be blindly followed or trusted until you PERSONALLY confirm the validity
• your views and opinions are welcomed
• your comments and emails are always welcomed

Thanks for reading, correcting me, criticizing me, agreeing with me, backing me up, setting me straight, etc.

So here we go....

John