In Theaters: Nov. 19-26 Nov 21, 2009
From "Polar Express" director Robert Zemeckis. (STL). (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Movie capsule reviews Nov 21, 2009
A Christmas Carol Robert Zemeckis s second try at 3-D motion-capture holiday storytelling (after 2004 s dire The Polar Express ) is a marked improvement: A darkly detailed marvel of creative visualization that does well by Dickens and right by audiences. Jim Carrey (or his digital facsimile) gives a sharp, reined-in performance as Scrooge, and while the film sometimes panders, it just as often soars. (Boston Globe)
Palm Coast gears up for 10th birthday Nov 18, 2009
Following the parade, the Flagler County School District will present the movie "Polar Express" outdoors in Central Park. Those attending should bring their own blankets for the movie. (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Local)
Modern Spin of the classic 'A Christmas Carol' Nov 18, 2009
Producer Robert Zemeckis, who has also produced movies such as "Beowulf" and "Polar Express," is joined by Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke to create an excellent 3-D experience with good character design. This movie is the perfect choice for the holiday season. (The Seahawk, NC)
Review: 'Christmas Carol' Lively Update Nov 7, 2009
In this Disney Dickens, the folks who brought us the now-classic "Polar Express," director Zemeckis and friends, use the same filmmaking technique, which uses motion-capture, a special-effects process in which an actor's performance is recorded, digitized and then animated. Although the characters look a bit waxy, and at times appear a bit creepy with their strange blank stares, the technique actually works in perfect harmony with the oftentimes rubber-faced comedian Jim Carrey, who embodies... (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Robert Zemeckis' 'Christmas Carol': Bah humbug. Too many special effects Nov 7, 2009
The filmmaker has long been fascinated by the possibilities of motion capture, which he played with exhaustively in "Polar Express," a mesmerizing experiment if you could get past its children-of-the-dead look. There's a flicker of life in the eyes this time, but something creepily Stepford remains. (FOX59, IN)
Early origins for uncanny valley Nov 6, 2009
Many people who watched films such as Beowulf, Polar Express and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within reported that, despite the impressive 3D animated effects, the people portrayed were not entirely convincing. Many explanations have been put forward for such responses, said Princeton neuroscientist Dr Asif Ghazanfar who carried out the research on the monkeys. (BBC News -- Technology)
Disney's "A Christmas Carol": Bah, humbug! Nov 6, 2009
And what's up with having the same star play almost all the parts, just as Tom Hanks did in "Polar Express". Have we learned nothing from. (Salon)
Filmmaker Zemeckis shares draw of 3-D films Nov 6, 2009
His "Polar Express" inspired DreamWorks animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg to declare, "It was the most exciting experience I'd had in a movie theater." ... Then came "The Polar Express," which incorporated Hanks into multiple roles, the animated epic "Beowulf" and now "A Christmas Carol," in theaters today. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
'Carol' captured for modern filmgoers Nov 5, 2009
Zemeckis' version of "A Christmas Carol" was filmed using "performance capture," the same technique the director used to bring "Beowulf" and "Polar Express" into theaters. Performance capture allows cameras to track even the slightest movements the actors make because they're wearing a suit draped from head to toe in reflective markers. (CNN)
Fans crave another bite with 'New Moon' Nov 1, 2009
That dollar total puts it ahead of such blockbusters as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Batman Forever" and "Polar Express.". More than 9 million DVDs of "Twilight" have been sold to add another $165 million to the coffers. (Fresno Bee)
Narnia Scripter Flies Oct 21, 2009
(City of Ember, Monster House) is directing for Zemeckis, who does love him some mo-cap as his Polar Express, Beowulf, and upcoming A Christmas Carol make clear. According to Variety, the project is based on a book by Eoin Colfer and focuses on the story of a boy who lives on an island off the coast of Ireland. (IGN FilmForce)
49 favorite Arizona getaways Oct 6, 2009
You also can book now for the Polar Express, a Christmas-themed ride that starts Nov. 13 and runs through the holidays. Williams on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff, about 175 miles north of Phoenix. (AZCentral -- Travel)
How 3D Movies Work With Digital Tec... Oct 5, 2009
Many point to 2004's "Polar Express" as the start of this trend, where just 66 IMAX theaters with 3D accounted for 25 percent of the film's returns. Better 3D quality with polarization technology. (Suite101.com)
Where the wonder goes Oct 4, 2009
Jumanji (1995) and Zathura (2005) became ordinary Hollywood family films, noisy and acceptable, but Robert Zemeckis tried to pour the Allsburg magic into a digital bottle with the 2004 motion-capture project The Polar Express. The results were to the original what a wax dummy is to a human being: a soulless simulacrum. (Boston Globe)
Disney to remake Yellow Submarine Sep 14, 2009
Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook said the new film will be directed by Robert Zemeckis using the same motion-capture effects employed in Polar Express. Meanwhile, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has been confirmed as the name of the new film in the series. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
A look at this fall’s movies Sep 13, 2009
A Christmas Carol Robert Zemeckis ( The Polar Express ) dares to work his motion-capture magic again, this time on Charles Dickens, with Jim Carrey playing several parts in the tale of poor old parsimonious Ebenezer Scrooge. The Fantastic Mr. Fox This might be a brutal year to get one of the three slots in the Oscars animation category - if you care about that sort of thing. (Boston Globe)
Warner Bros. Creates DC Entertainment Sep 10, 2009
-- The Green Lantern," Warner Bros. Pictures next big superhero tentpole release, recently cast Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. The film has a projected second quarter 2011 release date. -- Lobo, based on the DC Comics anti-hero, has Guy Ritchie attached as a director; Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Rona are producing for Silver Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures. -- Warner Premieres direct-to-platform DVD animated release of "Green Lantern: First Flight" debuted... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Polar Express tickets on sale now Aug 28, 2009
Polar Express train tickets on sale now ... Polar Express train tickets on sale now ... Tickets are now available for Grand Canyon Railway's presentation of the Polar Express, a popular train ride with a holiday theme. (AZCentral -- Travel)
3-D movies are hot, but theaters may charge more May 30, 2009
The "Superman" relaunch two years ago had limited 3-D elements, as did Robert Zemeckis' "The Polar Express" in 2004, and familiar titles with built-in audience appeal could legitimately be retrofitted with 3-D.. So which old titles merit the 3-D reboot. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Best song? More like most mediocre May 21, 2009
Accidentally in Love and Believe hail from animated movies, Shrek 2 and Polar Express respectively. And this year, there are two foreign-language contenders, Al Otro Lado Del Rio from The Motorcycle Diaries and Look to Your Path (Vois Sur Ton Chemin) from The Chorus/Les Choristes. (MSNBC -- Academy Awards)
It's Christmas in Cannes as Disney previews 'Carol' May 19, 2009
The movie, which was filmed in digital performance-capture like Zemeckis' Polar Express (2004) and Beowulf (2007), stars Carrey as Scrooge and all three ghosts. The format allows the elastic-faced comedian to literally stretch. (USA Today -- Life)
'Tenderlointreon' a hit with young film fans May 2, 2009
The movies have been a popular draw ever since, Heath said, with films such as "The Wizard of Oz," "Transformers," "Iron Man" and "Polar Express.". For Halloween, kids made their own scary shorts - "Don't Go in the Green Building," about a haunted apartment building in the Tenderloin, and "Stow Lake Witch," an ode to "The Blair Witch Project" about a haunted lake in Golden Gate Park. (San Francisco Chronicle)
A battle in the 3rd dimension: Studios vs. theater owners Apr 2, 2009
In 2004, Katzenberg went to see The Polar Express in part for entertainment, in part to check out the competition. He says he came out a changed man. (USA Today)
3D or Not 3D: That Is the Question Mar 28, 2009
Since then, IMAX had become a reliable adjunct to the movie-theater business, both in its own documentaries and in special versions of movies like The Polar Express and The Dark Knight; but it accounts for only a small part of movie ticket sales. Why Not. (Time.com)
Robotics developer studying autism Mar 2, 2009
His favorite example is two films that came out in 2004 -- "Polar Express" and "The Incredibles.". "Polar Express" tried to make its characters as realistic as possible, while "The Incredibles" used a much more cartoonish approach to its characters. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Top talent stars in 3D films Feb 27, 2009
- "Monsters vs. Aliens (March 27) DreamWorks' computer-animated release earned a big Super Bowl push with a 3D commercial. Reese Witherspoon, Keifer Sutherland, Hugh Laurie, Seth Rogen, Stephen Colbert (as the President) provide voices. The Army houses five bizarre monsters to keep them away from the public but decides to deploy them when aliens attack. - "Up" (May 29) Like "Wall-E," Pixar raises the ante with "Up," telling a poignant story with a point. Edward Asner voices Carl, a crotchety,... (Erie Times-News, PA)
‘Beowulf' Computerized, 3D, nude Angelina (7) Feb 16, 2009
Robert Zemekis, the director who did something similar in Polar Express, a Christmas movie in which Tom Hanks was the voice of a phantom train conductor, attempts to further the process with Beowulf. Early on, all the characters tended to resemble Barbie dolls with about as much facial expression, plus an occasional view of buttocks (which would never be seen in a Barbie movie). (Desert Entertainer, CA)
