A Christmas Carol (ImageMovers)

[Barbossa]

I wonder, with the early November start, will this movie actually still be in theaters at Christmas? I want to go see it but I think it's too early.

[DisneyLuver]

I'm watching it in 3D tomorrow, and I'm sooo excited!
It was originally going to be today, but that didn't work out.

Listening (well, reading) to everyone's thoughts on this makes me uber excited! And apparently the 3D is incredibly impressive.

So, so, so excited to watch this!

[ajmrowland]

Disneyboy, from one Aspie to another, would you link me that article?

And I didn't know about Owen Wilson having Aspergers.

[estefan]

I wonder, with the early November start, will this movie actually still be in theaters at Christmas? I want to go see it but I think it's too early.

Well, The Polar Express was released in Novemeber and managed to hold up quite well through the months. Maybe, they're expecting the same thing here.

Plus, it could also be Disney not wanting to compete with:

a) The Princess and the Frog. No way would Disney put their two big holiday releases a couple of weeks from each other.
b) Avatar. That film will likely take up the IMAX screens as well as the 3-D screens (although some multiplexes, like my local one, have two screens with 3-D projection).

[goofystitch]

I wonder, with the early November start, will this movie actually still be in theaters at Christmas? I want to go see it but I think it's too early.

Most likely. The thing about Christmas movies is that if they are successful, there is a wave. The film makes a lot of money up front because of all the hype, then has a slowdown. Then Thanksgiving weekend comes and gives the film another push, followed by another slowdown. And as it gets closer and closer to Christmas, the film gets another push and is usually out of theaters 1-2 weeks later. So it should still be playing in most theaters by Christmas.

Plus, it could also be Disney not wanting to compete with:
...
b) Avatar. That film will likely take up the IMAX screens as well as the 3-D screens (although some multiplexes, like my local one, have two screens with 3-D projection).

Most movie theaters nowadays have more than one 3D screen, plus both films also play on non-3D screens, so even if Avatar takes away all of A Christmas Carol's 3D screens, it will still be playing. While Avatar will be huge at the box office, it's not so much a family film and the holiday theme will keep families going to see it even with the stiff competition, so I wouldn't say that Avatar will be detrimental to A Christmas Carol at the box office in the same way that another family film, like The Princess and the Frog or Old Dogs, will be.

[The Little Merman]

I hate to be fresh, but it's kind of preposterous to ask whether or not this will still be in theaters come Christmas.

The whole point of releasing it in early November is to attain as large a total gross as possible. If they released it late November/early December, Disney's profit would only be for that month, assuming that the film's intake will bottom out two or so days after the actual holiday.

But it's all ultimately in the spirit of money Christmas! Obviously.

[disneyboy20022]

Disneyboy, from one Aspie to another, would you link me that article?

And I didn't know about Owen Wilson having Aspergers.

Well I couldn't find a direct article about it...but I remember reading a Parade magazine which featured him and about the tough times he has with Asperger's Syndrome.....I can't Find it.....but this is (well not entirely surprising to me...or my mom)

http://www.asperger-syndrome.me.uk/people.htm

Satoshi Tajiri

born on August 28, 1965) is a Japanese electronic game designer and the creator of Pocket Monsters, better known as Pokémon. Tajiri went to work for Nintendo and spent the next six years working on Pokémon. He became friends with Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pikmin, and Donkey Kong, who also became a mentor to Tajiri. As a tribute to Tajiri and Miyamoto, Ash Ketchum (the anime counterpart of "Red" in the games) is named Satoshi and Gary Oak (the anime counterpart of "Blue" in the English games, and "Green" in the original Japanese version) is named Shigeru in the Japanese version of Pokémon. Most recently, Tajiri (along with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata) served as an executive producer for the Game Boy Advance game ScrewBreaker released outside of Japan as Drill Dozer.

Satoshi Tajiri has allegedly been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. He has been described by Nintendo officials as exceedingly creative but "reclusive" and "eccentric

So there you have it...makes you look at Pokemon perhaps a new way....

[pick]

Guys, I have a question. At least here in Brazil, Bocelli's song "God Bless Us Everyone" was featured in Italian, not English. But the soundtrack only have the English version. Do you know where can I find the italian version of the song?

[pap64]

I wonder, with the early November start, will this movie actually still be in theaters at Christmas? I want to go see it but I think it's too early.

Most likely. The thing about Christmas movies is that if they are successful, there is a wave. The film makes a lot of money up front because of all the hype, then has a slowdown. Then Thanksgiving weekend comes and gives the film another push, followed by another slowdown. And as it gets closer and closer to Christmas, the film gets another push and is usually out of theaters 1-2 weeks later. So it should still be playing in most theaters by Christmas.

Plus, it could also be Disney not wanting to compete with:
...
b) Avatar. That film will likely take up the IMAX screens as well as the 3-D screens (although some multiplexes, like my local one, have two screens with 3-D projection).

Most movie theaters nowadays have more than one 3D screen, plus both films also play on non-3D screens, so even if Avatar takes away all of A Christmas Carol's 3D screens, it will still be playing. While Avatar will be huge at the box office, it's not so much a family film and the holiday theme will keep families going to see it even with the stiff competition, so I wouldn't say that Avatar will be detrimental to A Christmas Carol at the box office in the same way that another family film, like The Princess and the Frog or Old Dogs, will be.

I know it was that way with The Polar Express. The movie was released before Thanksgiving, it did so-so numbers, but when Thanksgiving came and the Holiday season started the movie picked up and became a solid hit.

[Prince Edward]

I went to see it today and the movie was really good, better than I have expected! It was quite dark but also funny and moving (I got tears in my eyes at some points) at the same time. And I love the 3D! There was much laughter during the showing I attended, it seems like people really enjoyed it. I want to see it in theatres again before X-Mas.

Let's hope A Christmas Carol will be a hit for Disney, they have according to New York Times used 175 million dollars to make the movie and they have also made a real effort to advertise it (also here in Norway btw with the use of frequent TV-ads for example)...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/busin ... carol.html

On Wikipedia one can read about the reception for The Polar Express back in 2004. Perhaps A Christmas Carol will get the same reception...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Polar_Express_(film)

[Brer Brandon]

A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite books, and I will generally watch any re-telling of it at least once. I love how versatile the story really can be. My favorite versions in fact have often been the ones that place the story in a different context without sacrificing its heart and meaning. That is why my favorite Scrooges have been Murray, Caine, and McDuck.

Despite my love for the story, I didn't plan to see this because I feel Jim Carrey has only ever made three good movies (Truman Show, Man on the Moon, and Eternal Sunshine) and I wanted to stay out of the Uncanny Valley. Also, it's way too early for Christmas movies for me (not until the day after Thanksgiving). However, as so many positive reviews from people whose opinion I respect (such as Roger Ebert and surprisingly, Owen Gleiberman) raved about it. I wanted to see it. It helped that my local theater was unveiling its first 3D screen this weekend too.

I was shocked and amazed at how good this was! While the dead eyes thing isn't completely resolved, it was nowhere near as distracting and unsettling as in previous movies. Also, despite my love of nontraditional takes on the story, I really appreciated how faithful this one was. So many great elements of the book that are usually neglected by movies/TV are included such Want and Ignorance, and all of the ghosts flying over London after Marley's visit. I loved how London itself was made into such a character. With adaptations filmed on soundstages, London is not given the sweeping, bustling feel that it deserves. The sweeping views of the city reminded me of similar views of Paris in Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. Other details left me impressed like the factories in the background (this was during the Industrial Revolution after all). I loved Silvestri's score and his overt and subtle inclusions of traditional carols. This soundtrack will definitely make its way into my Christmas music collection. Overall, I loved how truly spooky the whole production was. There were only a few severe mis-steps in my opinion: the Fezziwig sequence threw any sense of real human limitations and movement to the characters out the window. And I could have done without the whole shrunken Scrooge chase sequence. It went on way too long.

This movie put me in the mood for Christmas. I am usually one to complain about Thanksgiving getting the shafted, but this movie has me so ready for Christmas.

[pap64]

See, the positive reviews are proving my point; People are mostly attacking the use of mocap and that Jim Carrey is the lead instead of fully criticizing the film for its merits.

There seems to be a good movie underneath the technology, and I think Disney saw that despite the CG tricks. Otherwise, they wouldn't have promoted the film since the summer time with the train tour.

Like I said, I am not fully convinced with motion capture, but if the movie is good then I shall give it credit where its due.

I'm mainly referring to the posts over at Cartoon Brew (aka Jerry Beck's site). Over 60 comments in the Christmas Carol news story and only a handful come from people who HAVE seen the film and gave their thoughts.

[Margos]

I felt the exact same way about the entire thing, Brandon. The detail was impressive, as was the faithfulness. I was especially pleased to see Ignorance and Want, since they are one of the darker points in the book, and, yes, are frequently neglected by adaptations. I've never seen them presented the way they were this time. They're always just kids that stand there and do nothing. They gave me chills this time, still haunt me more than 24 hours later. That whole sequence in the room (?) with the clock had that effect.
Gotta love Silvestri! On an interesting side note... I babysat my brother today, and we watch Disney movies together. We saw this last night, and this morning, what does he choose to watch but "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Lilo and Stitch!?" He doesn't even know about score composers and whatnot, I just found it interesting. So, yeah, I've gotten quite an earload of Silvestri over the last two days. Loved the score for both of those movies, but the one for "A Christmas Carol" tops them both, I think.

[ajmrowland]

Disneyboy, from one Aspie to another, would you link me that article?

And I didn't know about Owen Wilson having Aspergers.

Well I couldn't find a direct article about it...but I remember reading a Parade magazine which featured him and about the tough times he has with Asperger's Syndrome.....I can't Find it.....but this is (well not entirely surprising to me...or my mom)

http://www.asperger-syndrome.me.uk/people.htm

Satoshi Tajiri

born on August 28, 1965) is a Japanese electronic game designer and the creator of Pocket Monsters, better known as Pokémon. Tajiri went to work for Nintendo and spent the next six years working on Pokémon. He became friends with Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pikmin, and Donkey Kong, who also became a mentor to Tajiri. As a tribute to Tajiri and Miyamoto, Ash Ketchum (the anime counterpart of "Red" in the games) is named Satoshi and Gary Oak (the anime counterpart of "Blue" in the English games, and "Green" in the original Japanese version) is named Shigeru in the Japanese version of Pokémon. Most recently, Tajiri (along with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata) served as an executive producer for the Game Boy Advance game ScrewBreaker released outside of Japan as Drill Dozer.

Satoshi Tajiri has allegedly been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. He has been described by Nintendo officials as exceedingly creative but "reclusive" and "eccentric

So there you have it...makes you look at Pokemon perhaps a new way....

well, that's definitely interesting.

And I think you might like to check out this site.

[SpringHeelJack]

I can't find anything online about Owen Wilson having Asperger's or Jim Carrey having Tourette's... are you sure about those?

[disneyboy20022]

I can't find anything online about Owen Wilson having Asperger's or Jim Carrey having Tourette's... are you sure about those?

Well....I know for sure that I read or my mom read that there was article in the Parade Magazine years ago..that featured Owen Wilson and having Asperger Syndrome........and I think i heard that Jim Carrey has tourette's was from a nurse at a hospital when I was a kid......but I am sure about Owen Wilson having asperger's more than I am about Jim Carrey having diagnosed Tourette.....due to the fact I saw the parade article in a sunday paper years ago...perhaps back in 2004 or 2005....and maybe earlier like in 2002

EDIT - a little ways back on topic.....to the thread....Carol is #1 with $31 million

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091109/ap_ ... box_office

[Matt]

I can't find anything online about Owen Wilson having Asperger's or Jim Carrey having Tourette's... are you sure about those?

Well....I know for sure that I read or my mom read that there was article in the Parade Magazine years ago..that featured Owen Wilson and having Asperger Syndrome........and I think i heard that Jim Carrey has tourette's was from a nurse at a hospital when I was a kid......but I am sure about Owen Wilson having asperger's more than I am about Jim Carrey having diagnosed Tourette.....due to the fact I saw the parade article in a sunday paper years ago...perhaps back in 2004 or 2005....and maybe earlier like in 2002

EDIT - a little ways back on topic.....to the thread....Carol is #1 with $31 million

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091109/ap_ ... box_office

WOW, I cannot believe how well this movie did in it's opening weekend. I am going to see this tomorrow in Digital 3D IMAX experience. I cannot wait! One of my local theaters installed IMAX screens in them. This is going to be so cool! For a dollar more, you cannot go wrong lol.

[pap64]

WOW, I cannot believe how well this movie did in it's opening weekend. I am going to see this tomorrow in Digital 3D IMAX experience. I cannot wait! One of my local theaters installed IMAX screens in them. This is going to be so cool! For a dollar more, you cannot go wrong lol.

Even then, people are calling this a "flop" already. Apparently, the mixed reviews, the "too early" comments and the child scare factor affected the movie's overall performance. Either Disney expected much OR people are exaggerating because of the hate the movie is getting.

[goofystitch]

Even though the film was number 1 this weekend with $31 million, it came in under expectations. Analysts expected it to earn between $40 and $50 million.

[pap64]

[quote="goofystitch"]Even though the film was number 1 this weekend with $31 million, it came in under expectations. Analysts expected it to earn between $40 and $50 million.[/quote

I doubt the film would have ever reached 50 million in one weekend. Yes, it's a Disney film. Yes, it's a Jim Carrey film. And yes, it's a Christmas film. But its a bit of the off season for movies and people aren't going to rush out to see a movie that's been done to death already.

Still, 30 million is good.