The Sky's the Limit

...when it comes to rip-offs.

Take a look at this:

"Sky High" Trailer

I think Disney really wants this Super-Hero School movie to be their "Harry Potter." It's even got a super-hero Quidditch. Here's the thing- It actually looks pretty good. The effects seem top notch, and the trailer made me laugh.

So what do you think? Is this a rip-off that could be as good as it's inspiration? Can you think off any other past copy-cats that were better than the predecessor? This movie also comes hot on the tail of "The Adventures of Sharkboy & Lava Girl," which I think has a younger target audience. Will that affect it's perception? Share your thoughts; Leave a comment.

3-D: Dolby, Disney, Digital

For those of you who felt yesterday's court ruling was a blow against technological progress, here's some news to brighten your day. Disney & Dolby Labs have partnered to roll out new digital projection equipment with 3-D technology developed by Industrial Lights & Magic to 100 new screens in 25 markets. This more than doubles the current 80 digital screen around the country. Also, they seem to have a surprisingly forward thinking attitude: All of the companies involved are free to pursue further relationships with other companies to further develop 3-D & digital projection technology.
The deal is being put in place primarily for the benefit of Disney's new 3-D toon, Chicken Little, to be released November 4th. ILM's new software allows the 3-D version of the film to be created from the artists original 3-D computer models, rather than simply cutting out and moving pieces of the 2-D image. After Chicken Little, other films will be able to take advantage of the new technology and equipment as well. It also seems to me that the new digital projectors will be capable of showing traditional 2-D digital films. This will be most beneficial for films produced with an entirely digital workflow, preferred by directors like George Lucas and Robert Rodriguez.
Congrats to Disney & friends. Glad to see that you have more in mind for digital technology than just deleting excessive cleavage from Lindsay Lohan's kid pics.

Look Out Grokster

The Supreme Court made it's decision today in the case which pits file-sharing kingpin Grokster against Film Industry Reps. Normally, I am opposed to legislation which has the potential to limit technological development, while being in favor of prosecuting individuals who use that technology for illegal purposes. However, it is important to be clear on exactly what the court has said in this case. They have not ruled against Grokster explicitly. They have only opened to door for Grokster to be sued, if and only if, it can be proved that Grokster intended to promote the use of it's products for illegal activities. The burden of proof is still on the plaintiff to demonstrate that this was Grokster's intent. This makes sense to me. If I drive you to the bank, and tell you that robbing banks is fun and profitable, put a gun in your hand, and give you the combination to the vault, I am just as liable, if you choose to rob that bank. The gun or the car manufacturer is not. There is a differentiation, and it needs to be respected.
Go make some back-up copies of your favorite DVD for your own personal use. Convert your CD collection for use on a new digital device. You should have those rights. But if you haven't purchased your own copy of the newest DVD, don't go surfing for it on Grokster. The hundreds of artists who worked on that film deserve to make a living too. Most of them aren't millionaires. All but a few of them are average people, just like you.

Box Office Results

Well, no one will ever believe it, but I had Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Herbie switched in the first draft of my pics for the weekend. I should have gone with my first instinct, and I would have been 100% right. But that doesn't count for anything. So this one is for all the studios who put George's Star Wars script second in their to-read pile back in 1977. Ah, if only we could go back and change that one decision... In the end, the Smith's did a bit better ($16.8m) than I expected, and Herbie did a little worse ($12.8m). Also not surprising is the success of Land of the Dead on a theatre-average basis ($4,550) which also beats out the more widely distributed Herbie ($3,621). Thus proving that given the choice, people would rather see flesh-eating undead than Lindsay Lohan in a dead franchise.
(Ed. Note: Variety and, more importantly, everyone in my office who has seen it, have given Herbie positive reviews. It may be a perfectly good movie, but it seems to be another in a string of remakes, like "Bewitched", that represent material that audiences just don't care too see. Studios who continue to avoid being innovative and taking risks can expect to see this trend of disinterest continue. 18 weeks ought to be a wake-up call.)