DreamWorks' Full Upcoming Slate

Today, The Hollywood Reporter revealed DreamWorks' full upcoming slate from now until the summer of 2016. This answers quite a few questions I've had over the years. Of course we know that The Croods and Turbo already had their release dates set for a good while, while Mr. Peabody & Sherman was moved up to November 1st. This way, it has a little room to breathe before competition.

Happy Smekday! also finally got a release date: November 26th. Usually DreamWorks aims for the first week of November, but I guess they secured that date in order to get there before Disney gets it. Disney usually schedules their newer films for a late November release, so it'll be interesting to see where Disney's 2014 animated release will end up. Maybe it'll be a summer release, who knows. Me and My Shadow and How to Train Your Dragon are still hitting theaters on March 14th and June 20th respectively.

The Penguins of Madagascar opens March 17, 2015. This was announced at the San Diego Comic-Con, but I assumed it would get a May/June release like the first and third Madagascar films. I'm not particularly looking forward to this one, but it's obviously going to keep the franchise going. I just hope they don't go ahead and make a fourth Madagascar.

Trolls comes out on June 5, 2015. Two years ago, DreamWorks announced that they were going to do a film based on the Good Luck Troll dolls. But then again, this could be Trollhunters, a Guillermo del Toro project. Who knows, Cartoon Brew states that it's a working title. Jason Schwartzman and Chloe Moretz are attached to the cast.

B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, I'm guessing, is a reworking of Boo U. Seth Rogen will provide the voice of the lead. This will open on November 6, 2015. I have a feeling that date will change.

The untitled Mumbai musical is set to be released on December 19, 2015, which will probably end up being called Monkeys of Mumbai. Out of all the upcoming projects, I always felt that this has a lot of potential. The music will be provided by none other than Stephen Schwartz (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Prince of Egypt) and A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire).

That'll be four films in one year. A bit ridiculous if you ask me. I was fine with DreamWorks three-a-year plan, but they're really dead-set on churning out movies. I have a feeling this one is going to move. Kung Fu Panda 3 opens on March 18, 2016 and How to Train Your Dragon 2 opens on June 18, 2016. I have a feeling one of the 2015 films will be moved back to 2016, but who knows.

So there you have it, DreamWorks' full upcoming slate. I must say, they really are ramping things up here. What do you think? Which of these films are you looking forward to? Which ones are you not looking forward to?

The Walking Dead

…is about how I feel right now.  We had so much fun this weekend that I’m surprised I’m still awake to tell you about it.

We had baseball games Friday and Saturday.

Stayed out waaaaay past our bedtimes at Six Flags.

Cheered on the Yellow Jackets at Georgia Tech’s home opener Saturday night.
 
Attended our first classes in the new Sunday school year.  The baby loved being able to go for the first time!!

Wrapped up the last day of the pool season at the club this afternoon.

Aaaaaannnnnddddd, we made it to Bird’s first soccer game!  I should be asleep in approximately 2.5 seconds!
xoxo

Back to the Sea

It seems as if the sequel to Andrew Stanton's Pixar classic has been confirmed, just in time for the film's 3D theatrical re-release. Though I'm not really putting much credence in that article (where is that "interview" where Stanton confirmed a Finding Nemo sequel?), I'll still offer my thoughts on the subject.

Since Toy Story 3, Pixar has done quite a couple of sequels all within five years. This was certainly unusual for the company, as many people from the studio have said that they only go through with sequels if they have a great story. Prior to Toy Story 3, Pixar only made one sequel and that was it. Toy Story 3 was fantastic, and definitely lived up to the first two films and some minds, even surpassed them. There was no reason to be skeptical either, since Pixar was behind it after the Disney-Pixar merger and unlike the Hollywood business model, it wasn't coming right off of the success of Toy Story 2. The people at Pixar had a genuinely good idea, while also having to overwrite the potential bomb that Disney's Circle 7 studio has in the making.

As I've said before, Pixar making more and more sequels isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as they are great films. Again, I am not supportive of more sequels, but we don't know until we see them. Look at their upcoming slate. We're still getting three originals, originals which sound like game-changers for the animation medium and the whole idea of family films. People have become skeptical because of the sequel to their anthropomorphic automobiles film, but I still reject that mindset because Monsters University could turn out to be a masterpiece for all I care. Even if I give the film a B or something, I still won't be shattered. Brave didn't get the A+ I usually I give to Pixar films, but so what? They can't just make A+ films for the rest of eternity, or A-grade films, that's just ridiculous to expect.

So... Finding Nemo 2...

Personally, I don't want it. If it turns out to be an excellent film, I will gladly eat crow. I'm not saying it's going to be a surefire disaster, it's just that I don't believe there needs to be a sequel. It all just screams unnecessary. On the other hand, I think Monsters University was necessary, since it will tell us more about Mike, Sulley and the monster world itself. It's nice to see their past, instead of having them go on a new adventure. Monsters, Inc. was a film you could NOT do a sequel to in my eyes. I have the same feelings towards Finding Nemo.

Unless it isn't "Finding" Nemo this time around. Maybe it's going to be about something else. If they announce that the plot will be about Marlin losing him again, I won't be happy. However, if it's something different, I'll have some hope. Though Toy Story's sequels had the "get back to Andy's house" structure, the three films were all unique. Cars 2 wasn't anything like its predecessor. Monsters University is obviously going to have a much different plot than Monsters, Inc., so they may just come up with a new idea for this film. From all the rumblings we've heard, the Brain Trust at Pixar loves the idea. We didn't hear any of that when Cars 2 was in production, and we've heard that the Brain Trust is all for the Monsters University story.

Still, I just think one doesn't need to be made. To me, a lot of great films are unique on their own, especially animated classics. Personally I don't want to hear that sequels to any of the post-Cars films are being considered, either. The big question is: Why sequels?

Think of the Disney studio, after World War II had such a terrible affect on them. Did Walt do sequels to his beloved films to stay afloat? No, he didn't. Sure, characters from earlier films appeared in the package anthology features (i.e. Jiminy Cricket in Fun & Fancy Free), but he didn't do Bambi 2 or Snow White 2 to keep his studio alive in the 1950s. He kept tackling new stories, and Walt Disney Animation Studios has a history of staying far away from sequels despite how lucrative their classics are. It's telling that the only sequels Disney ever did were to Fantasia and The Rescuers.

Which is was I don't believe Pixar is doing sequels to just keep the business going. It'd be easy to say they've sold out, they're now just all about the money, etc. I don't think so. Toy Story 3 was fantastic, Cars 2 was gap filler (I still believe Bob Iger coaxed John Lasseter into doing it, rather than Lasseter actually having a brand new idea) that none of the Brain Trust seemed to care about. Monsters University has potential... But this does mean that it's okay for Pixar to just do more sequels?

It's a tough issue for me at the moment, because a great Finding Nemo sequel would be a real miracle. At the same time however, I just don't really want one.

What is your take on this? Do you believe that a sequel to Finding Nemo is necessary? Or do you think it's not a good idea? Do you believe that Andrew Stanton and co.'s new idea will work? Or do you think it's just a way to get people excited? Sound off!

Six Flags Over Georgia

We made our annual trip down to Six Flags last night and, with the PCP coming in at just a hair over 48”, a whole new world of thrill rides were ripe for the riding.  We’ll bring the baby back in a couple of weeks but since it was just Mommy, Daddy and the big boy, we spent five straight hours riding the rollercoasters!

The PCP was asleep in the car before we were out of the parking lot.  And this morning I felt every second of my thirty-six years :-)

xoxo

Spelling is Fun

The PCP had his very first test last Friday– in spelling!  We practiced all week using flash cards, with me calling out words, and by playing games and taking practice tests on Spelling City.  So, the night before the big test we had a little “Spelling is Fun” themed supper.  This all came to fruition as I was making my weekly Publix / Trader Joe’s run and spied Spaghetti O’s from A to Z.  Let’s just go ahead and say that, while it was cute, this meal was far from gourmet…

A black and white gingham fabric remnant made for a cute table runner and I pulled out my Dollar Tree letter magnets to decorate the table.

The aforementioned Spaghetti O’s from A-Z made for a kid-tested mother-approved quick fix entree.  Toasted whole wheat bread was cut into each person’s first initial.  Trader Joe’s alphabet cookies made for sweet place cards!
 
We had so much fun trying to make words out of the letters in each spoonful!

Trader Joe’s alphabet cookies and milk served up in vintage Savannah jars made for a cute centerpiece.  The Dollar Tree school bus has seen a lot of mileage in these little school themed snacks and suppers.

The guest of honor in all of his shirtless glory.  (This is the same strange child that sleeps in a polo.)  Let’s just say that we have a newly implemented rule around these parts – no shirt, no supper!

And for posterity’s sake, a pic of the baby who bumped his sweet head on the corner of the island as he was rushing to the table.  Doesn’t that sad face like to break your heart?

The best news of all?  The PCP aced the test, getting 10 out of 10 correct.  YAY!

Fingers crossed he does it again today!!
xoxo

Alabama Cupcakes {Free Printable}

The PCP’s teacher professed to be a huge Alabama fan and to love baking so, with football kicking off, I put together a cute little themed treat for her.

I put Honey’s extensive sports knowledge to the test by quizzing him on Alabama’s colors, mascot and logo and then pulled together everything Mrs. B will need to bake cupcakes for her team this football season. I lucked out with some serious sales and the grand total for the gift rang up to under eight dollars. The sprinkles and cupcake liners are from Michael’s and the basket is from Dollar Tree.

I created labels for the Crimson Cake, Fan Frosting and Spirit Sprinkles and made a set of four different cupcake flags.  (Thanks Mother for cutting them all out!)

   

And because I did all this work and don’t know a single other Alabama fan, I thought I’d share it out here in the event that any of y’all roll with tide (or whatever it is Alabama fans say.)  :-)
Alabama Cupcakes

Right before we handed it over I thought to myself “She did say Alabama and not Auburn, right?!?!  And that A does stand for the right team, right?!?!?”.  That’s what I get for sticking my nose into something I know nothing about (sports.)  Relief flooded over me when she seemed to be genuinely thrilled. Now, I need to get myself in gear and make one of these for Georgia Tech!
xoxo

Best Animated Short - 1977

Hmm. I just realized a certain inherent flaw in my "Who was born in this year" game for these introductions. The fact is, I don't know very many people. I couldn't think of anybody that was born in 1977 that I knew until I cheated and looked up the birthday chart that I've been keeping for people in my med school class. (As it turns out four of my classmates were born in 1977. Actually two of them are no longer with us but with the class of 2014 instead. Such tragedy.) Also, the attending physician for my infectious disease rotation in Akron, OH was born in 1977. Still, I can't keep doing this, as the oldest person in my class was born in 1955, and there were 23 years of animated shorts that came before that.

One thing I can do, of course, is take somebody born in that particular year and talk about their life.

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