Star Wars: The Force Awakens teams up with Bitmoji to create a spectacular new free theme pack. This unique collaboration immerses your Bitmoji avatar in the Star Wars universe. Each stunningly hand-drawn Star Wars bitmoji features your avatar in a setting inspired by the new movie, dressed in a custom outfit and saying a phrase that can easily be shared in everyday messaging conversations.
– Dress like Rey and roll with BB-8
– Don a Jedi robe
– Co-pilot the Millennium Falcon
– Go lightspeed through hyperspace
– Take the controls of your own X-wing
– Wield a lightsaber in a timeless movie poster-style bitmoji
The new Star Wars: The Force Awakens theme pack is available for free within the Bitmoji app. Get it in the App Store and Google Play. For more information on Bitmoji visit Bitmoji.com. Connect on Twitter @Bitmojiapp and on Instagram @Bitmoji.
ABOUT BITMOJI:
Bitmoji turns people into their own set of personal emojis that can be shared in any chat app. Infinitely more expressive than standard emojis, the free Bitmoji Android and iOS apps make messaging more personal, visual and fun by representing YOU in your own conversations.
Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker and Kanan Jarrus Available Exclusively at Select Retailers
Disney Interactive introduces a new set of six playable limited edition Star Wars™ Light FX character figures for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition. The collectible figures have Lightsabers™ that light up when placed onto the Disney Infinity Base and include Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader from Star Wars™ Rise Against the Empire, Anakin Skywalker, Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic and Kanan Jarrus from Star Wars Rebels™.
Each limited edition Star Wars Light FX character figure is sold exclusively at the following retail stores:
· Luke Skywalker: Walmart
· Yoda: Target
· Obi-Wan Kenobi: GameStop
· Darth Vader: Toys “R“ Us
· Anakin Skywalker: Best Buy
· Kanan Jarrus: Amazon
The Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack, which includes the Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic Play Set, is currently available in major North American retail stores for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One and Xbox 360 and the Wii U™ system from Nintendo. Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition is rated E10+ with Cartoon Violence by the ESRB and developed by Avalanche Software in partnership with Ninja Theory, Sumo Digital, Studio Gobo and United Front Games. Additional Play Sets, Figures, Toy Box Expansion Games and Power Discs are available and sold separately.
All figures and Power Discs from the 1.0 and 2.0 editions of Disney Infinity will be compatible with Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition in the enhanced Toy Box 3.0.
Do you want to build a snowman? This week, our holiday DIY series takes you inside the Candy Cauldron at Disney Springs to learn how to make this adorable white chocolate and marshmallow treat.
Here’s what you’ll need: one candy apple stick (no apples needed, though), three marshmallows, melted white chocolate, a tiny bit of melted milk chocolate, and one cup of water.
Holiday How-To: Making Olaf Marshmallow Treats by ennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog on November 30th, 2015.
Join us for the next chapter of the Star Wars saga in Disney Infinity 3.0. In the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Play Set, players will travel to a galaxy far, far away alongside new heroes and old friends in search for a much-needed ally.
Playable characters include Finn, a soldier on a path to adventure and danger, and Rey, a true survivor who is resourceful and capable. Both will join Poe Dameron, the trusted pilot of the Resistance who uses his expert flying skills to travel the galaxy, and Kylo Ren, an enforcer for the First Order who terrorizes the galaxy with devious acts.
About Disney Infinity
Disney Infinity is an interactive gaming platform where players have unprecedented freedom and endless opportunity to create stories and play experiences starring the beloved characters from across the worlds of Disney. Building on the success of launching Disney Infinity 1.0 and 2.0, Disney Interactive launched its latest installment to the best-selling “hybrid toy/video game,” Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition.
In its third iteration, players will again utilize real-world interactive figures to activate original storylines (Play Sets) in the virtual game worlds of popular Star Wars franchises and create new adventures with a variety of characters from Marvel, The Walt Disney Co. and Disney•Pixar properties in the Toy Box mode. Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition is rated E-10+ by the ESRB and is available now.
James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe come together in this bizarro twist of the legendary tale of Frankenstein. A colorful comedic telling at times that fits the films style but transforms into a nearly blockbuster suspense-thriller for the latter half. It’s one of those movies that no one will probably know for sure what they are getting themselves into, which is part of the intrigue, but afterward I don’t know if I will be remembering this one.
In brief, I would say this pairs similarities with the recent Johnny Depp SHERLOCK HOLMES movies with Victor Frankenstein (McAvoy) playing the eccentric lush whose overly talkative and socially awkward while Radcliffe plays his toned down intelligent sidekick that helps keep things in order. The London setting, time period and almost steam-punkesque stylization of each elaborate set seems almost too familiar though this it is something I love.
VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN follows the quick wit and snappy dialogue with a good back story and strong buddy film set-up that leads into an entirely different film for the second half. There was far more action than expected and a few darker moments that helped it feel more like a Frankenstein film rather than a new SHERLOCK HOLMES saga. Although, there are some very Sherlock Holmes style twists. However, for some reason, and I still cannot put my finger on it exactly, the movie felt odd and out of place. Maybe it was it being too bright and cheery looking, or perhaps it was McAvoy’s annoying over-the-top canter. Regardless let’s dive deeper.
The film looks further into Frankenstein’s protégé Igor Strausman, the hunchback we all know of from past films. VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN begins at Barnaby’s Circus where we meet the shy hunchback played by Radcliffe as a crippled clown. Upon a visit by experimental scientist Victor Frankenstein along with a predicament that places Radcliffe as a savior for a fallen trapeze artist named Lorelei (Jessica Brown Findlay), Victor realizes this man is being underused and breaks him out of the circus to join him in his groundbreaking experiments.
As we all know, Victor’s experiments get a little out of control and his obsession is leading him to a creation of a monster. While noble, Victors passion to create life raises many controversies with society. Victor and the newly named Igor must find every means possible to continue their work while a bible thumping constable (Andrew Scott) is on a mission to take them and their demonizing efforts down.
The cast was all excellent, though perhaps their direction by Paul McGuigan was a little off. Radcliffe did exceptional while with his his hunch and you’ll see, post-hunchback. He took it the right direction, though I don’t know if I can say the same for McAvoy. He was clearly led to play Frankenstein a bit crazy and obsessed at times, which plays true to the character, but at times McAvoy comes across as someone just acting insane rather than actually mental.
There was a moment in the film during one of the many high intensity conversations from Frankenstein to Igor that I realized there was never moment of calmness from McAvoy. While I understand the need to show Frankenstein a certain way, I couldn’t help but want to slap the man and just yell for him to calm down. However, I must give credit to some excellent interactions between McAvoy and Andrew Scott. There is some great tension and superb writing that I would champion in this film, but those are just short little bursts that get lost in a jumbled tale of two movies.
As I said earlier, I can’t put my finger on one thing that doesn’t work other than the film having two tones and includes a rushed timetable that seems forced and unnecessary. A love story for Igor to show his humanity and how Frankenstein sees love nearly as a distraction didn’t help matters either. There are some good themes sprinkled throughout including a darker story of Frankenstein’s past, but none of it was enough to get past some of the ridiculousness.
Lets not forget that this is a FRANKENSTEIN movie after all. Realism can be thrown out the door, but VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN strives to be real with the science behind it all in an attempt to make it seem like it is somewhat possible. At first it was refreshing to see, but later became far-fetched and a stretch when other moments in the film featured such absurdity that made times of serious scientific babble seem displaced.
Above anything else, the questions raised by this film made it the most thought provoking Frankenstein to date. Sure, these are the same subtle themes as before, but that’s the best thing to come out of this film. While I love witty British humor and colorful turn of the century period pieces, especially of those abroad, something fell flat. It’s possible that it was all entirely too clean at times and maybe a little overly manufactured. While beautiful, too light at times to make me take it seriously. I understand the films focal point was the humor at times, but other there were too many ways this could have gone but never chose a path I wanted to follow.
Definitely entertaining, but maybe better as a Sunday movie while laying in bed as I reading through my latest social media blurbs.
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.
Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr surprised the audience at Jimmy Kimmel Live with a brand new trailer and poster for MARVEL’S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR!
Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” opens in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2016.
The world’s most beloved acorn-loving movie star is having the best National Nut Day ever, as Ice Age’s Scrat celebrates his debut as a giant character balloon in the 89th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® this November. Star of the blockbuster Twentieth Century Fox/ Blue Sky Studios’ “Ice Age” film franchise, Scrat, will be transformed into a ballooning behemoth, chasing a colossal acorn down the Parade route and into the hearts of millions of fans this holiday season.
“Ice Age’s rambunctious Scrat is sure to be a giant balloon fans of all ages will go nuts for!” said Amy Kule, Executive Producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “A comically whimsical creation, we are thrilled to welcome Scrat and his acorn to the giant balloon line-up of this year’s Macy’s Parade. Our team and millions of Ice Age fans lining the streets of New York City and in homes across the country will be cheering Scrat on as we wait to see if he catches the ultimate treat on Thanksgiving Day.”
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate a global icon such as Scrat then immortalizing him in one of the most beloved and cherished American events, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Zachary Eller, Senior Vice President, Marketing Partnerships, 20th Century Fox. “From the moment we began discussing a way for our Ice Age herd to participate, we knew that Scrat chasing that just out-of-reach acorn was the only possible idea!”
Transformed into massive prehistoric proportions in front of more than 3.5 million spectators and over 50 million television viewers nationwide, Scrat will measure approximately, 59-feet long, 24-feet wide and 41-feet tall. Always focused on the hunt and chasing his favorite snack, he is posed ready to pounce on the 21-foot tall acorn that is just slightly out of reach. And what a treat it would be, as it would take more than 15 million real acorns to fill Scrat’s helium version!
The 89th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on NBC-TV, on Thursday, November 26, 2015 from 9 a.m. – noon in all time zones. Twentieth Century Fox Pictures/Blue Sky Studios “Ice Age: Collision Course” will be released worldwide in Summer 2016.
And if you missed it, below is the brand new Scrat’s Animated short.
Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters.
ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE, opening in theaters everywhere July 22, 2016, stars returning cast members Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Keke Palmer, Wanda Sykes, and Jennifer Lopez. Joining the herd are Stephanie Beatriz, Adam DeVine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Jessie J, Nick Offerman, Melissa Rauch, Michael Strahan and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year as Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk® deck the halls for a wintry calendar of cool holiday activities at The Entertainment Capital of L.A.
A very, merry “Grinchmas” returns to Universal Studios Hollywood as the theme park celebrates the Who-lidays with The Grinch, his faithful dog Max and a roster of Whos from the town of Who-ville. “Grinchmas” runs weekends on December 5-6 and 12-13, then continues daily from December 18, 2015 through January 3, 2016.
The Universal Plaza, an elaborate grand piazza at the heart of the theme park, will serve as the backdrop for the lighting of the towering “Grinchmas” tree – a whimsical centerpiece twisting and spiraling 60 feet above visitors and providing the ideal setting for merry holiday-making memories, while The Grinch, his adorable dog Max and the Who-ville Whos entertain guests nearby with fun-filled photo opportunities.
As part of the fab-Who-lous event, Martha May Who-vier and the Who Dolls will take center stage by the “Grinchmas” tree performing energetic musical sets to usher in the Christmas season in style. The Wholiday Singers – a hip boy-band ensemble – will perform nightly a cappella concerts featuring a mix of Christmas favorites and pop rock.
The spirited “Grinchmas” event also will capture guests’ imagination with a variety of inspiring activities designed to create long-lasting memories. These include:
Who-ville Post Office – Visitors will have a chance to partake in the “Grow Your Heart 3 Sizes” campaign when they share their good deeds on a postcard and mail them to The Grinch. In return, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. and Random House Children’s Books, the publishers of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, will pay it forward by donating a book to a child in need through First Book on behalf of the sender.
Trim up the Tree Lot – Guests can design and personalize their own “Grinchmas” ornaments to help decorate the venue’s other “Grinchmas” trees or take them home as a keepsake.
Who-bilicious Cookie Dec-Who-rating – Freshly baked gingerbread and Christmas tree cookies will be available for purchase, and guests can create their very own amazing treats with an assortment of delectable frostings and tasty toppers.
Story Time with Cindy-Lou Who – Cindy-Lou Who and her Who friends will gather guests of all ages – tall and small – for an engaging storytelling show of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, featuring special effects and audience participation.
The spirit of “Grinchmas” also will come to life aboard the world-famous behind-the-scenes Studio Tour with engaging performances by unforgettable Who-ville Whos re-enacting popular scenes and songs from the family favorite at the original film sets from the blockbuster film, “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Universal Studios Hollywood’s newly introduced Annual Passes add additional cheer to the holidays as special stocking stuffer gifts. For more information or to purchase one of three new passes: the Gold Pass, the California Resident Plus Pass or the California Resident Pass, please visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/tickets.
The spirit of the season continues with a wintertime transformation of Universal CityWalk, beginning the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 27 through Friday, January 1, 2016. A spectacular 40-foot tall Christmas tree will glisten with 200,000 LED icicles choreographed to the lights and sounds of the season in the “5 Towers” plaza. Santa Claus will make nightly appearances and offer special photo opportunities at “5 Towers” plaza while evening snow falls hourly at the heart of CityWalk. Visits from St. Nick, along with free concert performances and an eclectic ensemble of talented street performers will make CityWalk the ultimate L.A. holiday destination. Admission to Universal CityWalk is free.
Starting Today, players can collect, fight and dominate in Star Wars™: Galaxy of Heroes, from Electronic Arts Inc. and Lucasfilm Ltd. The game challenges players to collect iconic characters from every corner of the Star Wars universe, build powerful teams, and craft cunning strategies to battle through memorable locations. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes is free to download and available Now in the App Store and Google Play.
“We’ve created a game for Star Wars and RPG fans where you can mix and match your favorite characters from across all the films and TV shows, creating squads with heroes from both the light and dark sides,” said John Salera, Executive Producer on Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes at Capital Games. “The game is simple to control but has incredible depth and breadth. You can strategize on which characters complement each other most, then make your custom teams more powerful with new gear and loot you win from battles, on all the planets and epic locations that you love, anytime, anywhere.”
Players are challenged to become legendary Holotable masters as they collect characters from the original trilogy and prequels to Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: The Force Awakens™. From Luke Skywalker and Darth Maul to Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku, each character has powerful, upgradeable attacks and abilities to help players build powerful teams to dominate in strategic turn-based combat. Missions span a variety of iconic worlds including Hoth, Bespin, Tatooine, Coruscant, and more. Players can also test their collection and strategy against other players in ranked PVP battles.
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes launches with more than 60 collectible characters and will grow and evolve over time with the Star Wars universe.
*Network fees may apply and includes in-app purchases.
In “Sanjay’s Super Team,” the new short film from Pixar Animation Studios, accomplished artist Sanjay Patel uses his own experience to tell the story of a young, first-generation Indian-American boy whose love for western pop culture comes into conflict with his father’s traditions.
Sanjay is absorbed in the world of cartoons and comics, while his father tries to draw him into the traditions of his Hindu practice. Tedium and reluctance quickly turn into an awe-inspiring adventure as the boy embarks on a journey he never imagined, returning with a new perspective that they can both embrace.
During a recent Press Junket, we had the Exclusive opportunity to privately sit down with Director Sanjay Patel and Producer Nicole Paradis Grindle to talk about about the new short.
Q: Where did the inspiration come from for the story, is this a true story?
Sanjay: Yeah it totally happened for sure. I was sharing the story with John Lassetter about a little boy in India, ignoring his own roots and who’s obsessed with super hero comics, and he comes to appreciate his culture. And then I also told John about how I grew up and how every morning my dad worshiped this God and Shrine and I worshiped my Gods on TV. John was intrigued with my story and history.
Q: Where did the idea come from for the concept of the Temple and the Gods fighting the monster?
Nicole: We went through so many different concepts. It was more of little Sanjay’s interpretation, turning into this Anime, super hero kind of battle. It took time, and all of these different artists working with Sanjay, who were throwing in all these brilliant ideas.
Sanjay Patel (Director) joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1996 an animator on “A Bug’s Life.” Since then he has animated on many of Pixar’s feature films, including “Toy Story 2,” “Monster’s Inc.,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Cars,” Toy Story 3” and “Monsters University.” In addition to animating, Patel also storyboarded extensively for “Monster’s Inc.,” “The Incredibles” and “Toy Story 2.” For the Cars Toons “Mater’s Tall Tales,” Patel stepped up to act as animation supervisor on many of the shorts in the series.
Growing up in San Bernardino, Calif., in a Gujarati family, Patel’s earliest artistic influences stemmed from two very different worlds: comic books and Saturday morning cartoons, and the Hindu gods and spiritual culture that came to define his upbringing. After pursuing his artistic interests at the Cleveland Institute for the Arts, Cal-Arts and Pixar, Patel eventually turned his attention back to his roots, creating art, graphic novels and picture books that re-envisioned Hindu mythology in a modern, pop-culture way.
“Sanjay’s Super Team” is Patel’s personal story and a “mostly true” chronicle of his journey to understand the Hindu world so important to his parents. Patel resides in Oakland with his fiancé and their son.
Nicole Paradis Grindle (Producer) joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1995 as producer of the “Toy Story Activity Center” interactive computer game. She has managed numerous departments on many of Pixar’s feature films, including “A Bug’s Life,” “Monster’s Inc.” and the Academy Award®-winning feature “The Incredibles.” Grindle acted as the production manager on Pixar’s Oscar®-nominated short “One Man Band” and on Pixar’s Oscar®-winning feature “Ratatouille.” She served as the associate producer for both “Toy Story 3” and “Monsters University.”
Grindle came to Pixar with seven years of animation-related production experience. At Colossal Pictures, she worked on MTV’s “Liquid Television” as associate producer and “The Wish That Changed Christmas” as producer. She began her feature film career at Industrial Light and Magic on “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Grindle graduated from The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and holds a Master of Arts degree in documentary film from Stanford University. Grindle resides in San Francisco with her husband and two children.
“Sanjay’s Super Team” opens in theaters on November 25, 2015, in front of Disney•Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur.”
On Friday Nov 13, Paramount Pictures’ film The Big Short hosted a press conference at The Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. After screening the film the night before, press was able to discuss the movie with those involved in creating it. Participating talent included: Actors Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, and Hamish Linklater, Producer Jeremy Kleiner, Screenwriter Charles Randolph, Author Michael Lewis, and Director Adam McKay.
The Big Short is a movie about a group of lucky Wall Street men who made out big after betting against the housing industry, investing in credit default swaps, predicting the financial crash of 2008. Carell, Gosling, and Bale’s characters are all based on real-life people. Director Adam McKay created an adaptation of Michael Lewis’ book “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine”. McKay began the conference by explaining his desire to share this story on the big-screen.
“I started reading all the books I could get my hands on and a certain point when you are doing that you come across The Big Short. And a bunch of people told me I have to read it…I picked it up around 9:00 and was in bed and just started reading it and couldn’t put it down. It had this page turning energy to it. Yet at the same time it was explaining financial esoteric to me and then at the same time the characters were heart breaking and real and specific…When I was done with it I was just like, this is one of the books of our times.”
Q. For you Jeremy, people have a hard time describing this movie or categorizing this movie. As a producer, how would you describe this film?
A. Jeremy Kleiner:
“I like to describe this film not by using found language used to describe other categories of films but rather to treat it as its own terms. I think the film is a supremely personal expression of a filmmaker in command…I think the cast that is up here today expressed that in the range of their work. I love to talk about the film as Adam’s film that expresses his personal sensibility in a wonderful way.”
Q. Steve, staying on Adam for a second, you have obviously worked with Adam a lot before. What do you think it is about Adam that makes him the right person to write this movie?
A. Steve Carell:
“He’s weird! Smart, weird guy. We’ve known each other since the late 80s… He’s always the funniest person in the room. Every time I work with him he is always the person with the most unique and funniest idea. The idea you wish that you had. The one that when he gives it to you, you hope you don’t screw up. I agree, I think he is the perfect choice to do this. When we first talked about the script, Adam said it is very dense and complicated material but more than anything I want it to be entertaining. And I thought the script reflected that. Ya he is sort of the dream director to work with as an actor.”
Q. Ryan, what was it that attracted you to this particular character and the movie frankly. What made you want to do it?
A. Ryan Gosling:
“The jheri curl. You had me at jheri curl! You know I love Adam’s movies and in some ways they are not even movies, they are like friends of mine or something. I will check in with Stepbrothers and see how it’s doing. I love them and to be able to work with him at all was exciting and then to get this script and see it’s sort of a departure for him and to be a part of that as well has made it more exciting. I have learned a lot from the script, and the book, and the research process. I think Adam and even with a combination of Michael, their work its very unique this film. Its very inclusive and there is no grandstanding. Adam has a way of maintaining a sense of humor about something that is obviously very upsetting.”
Q. Christian, most of your scenes are alone. Is that easier or more difficult to work that way? Secondarily, what was it like to see the film for the first time having not necessarily work with everybody?
A. Christian Bale:
“I didn’t meet with anybody. I just met Steve last night. Ryan and I have met before. I really love just working by myself. It’s so much fun!…But it’s amazing how much you can get done when there is nobody else. I mean we shot for nine days I think and we just banged out pages so quick. And when you are by yourself there is no real continuity you gotta worry about. So each and every take you can do whatever you bloody want. So I prefer to make every film that way. Sounds great.”
Q. Charles, you were the first person to sort of tackle Michael’s book. How did you approach that task and what was the most difficult part of that process?
A. Charles Randolph:
“Plan B and I agreed early on that we were going to honor the book and the complexity of the narrative in terms of all these characters and all these arcs. It was really a matter of figuring out how to dramatize this information and how to do it in the most entertaining way possible. Adam, added this layer to it that was just genius. His ability to deepen it and make it entertaining on a whole different way. Adams voice brought it all together.”
Q. Michael Lewis, why do your books make such good movies? And secondarily, is there a book of yours that you would like to see turn into a movie?
A. Michael Lewis:
“None of my books were written as movies. I didn’t have in the back of my mind when I decided to write about credit default swaps that someone was going to make a movie of it…I think the books have been lucky in the hands they’ve landed in, in the movie business…It tracks passionate interest. (answering the second part of the question) “Liar’s Poker” was my first and it seems to me the most obvious. And I have actually written a script for it…I think people don’t want to go see a movie about Wall Street. It’s a hard subject to get to a popular audience.”
Q. I would love to ask Steve, Christian, and Ryan if you met your counterparts before you did the movie?
A. Steve Carell:
“I did, I met the person this was based on. We had breakfast and I went over to his apartment and met his family. So ya I got to pick his brain and find out how he factored into this world. And I was frankly surprised to be offered this part. I was very excited. Although I felt like one of these things is not like the other. When you say Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling and Christian Bale. I talked to Adam before I started, and Christian was shooting his stuff, and we were talking about characters. And I said, ‘How’s it going’ and he said ‘Christian is unbelievable. It’s incredible. It’s transcendent.’ And I’m like great! I get to follow that! So it was intimidating because this entire cast is full of great actors. Every part really stands on its own.”
A. Christian Bale:
“I did meet with Mike Burry and I just think the guy is wonderful. He is such a charming man and so phenomenally interesting and we talked for hours and hours. And incredibly generous with his time and his thoughts to me. I really wish I could see it with him one day.”
A. Ryan Gosling:
“Yes, I got a chance to meet the guy that my character is based on. The situation was little different in my case as well because the character that I play has a role in the film but he is also the narrator and tour guide through this world and sometimes felt like talk time host. I would have to break the forth wall and introduce a new guest or new segment. I really had to take some liberties with that character because obviously it’s very different from the real person.”
Q. There is a layer of levity I love. I am just curious about your inspiration for some of the scenes where we saw people you would never expect, like Selena Gomez or Chef Anthony Bourdain explaining a very complex financial transaction. How did that come about?
A. Adam McKay:
“Taking these pop icons and familiar faces we are use to seeing everyday, in a fun entertaining format, suddenly telling us real salient financial information. In the case of Selena Gomez, we know her as a pop star and suddenly she is explaining one of the more complex financial instruments you can buy. That was a definite theme throughout the movie. We also knew practically too that there is just no way to explain these complex instruments without some sort of device. When the idea came about with well let’s play with pop icons, let’s play with popular culture, somehow it felt right.”
Q. Sometimes, it’s too much to follow. Do you follow the Wall Street Journal?
A. Christian Bale:
“For me, I am terrible with numbers. It went in one ear and stayed there throughout filming and as soon as I was done filming it went out the other ear again. What I found with watching the film, it’s entertaining first and foremost and so you get it…The industry tries to make you feel dumb and it works. You understood the point and that’s the whole essence of it. I was really surprised and really proud of myself that I did get it.”
The Big Short hits theaters December 11th with a limited release and world wide December 23rd.
Players can now race in a world where dinosaurs rule with the The Good Dinosaur: Dino Crossing game for mobile devices, inspired by the new Disney•Pixar film, “The Good Dinosaur,” in theaters November 25th. Available on iOS and Android devices, The Good Dinosaur: Dino Crossing lets players join unlikely friends Arlo and Spot as they make their way across treacherous terrains.
In this endless hopper-style game, players will trek across the world as far as they can, while evading various obstacles like terrifying pterodactyls, raging rivers and more. For some extra help, players can utilize power-ups to slow down time, use shields against obstacles and more. As they progress through the game, they will unlock new characters to play with like Butch, Nash, Ramsey and other daring dinosaurs.
In the game, players will be able to test their skills in three different game modes: Arlo and Spot’s adventure in Journey Mode, Endless Mode or rack up berries in Berry Bonanza mode. For some added competition, players can connect the game with Facebook to share their top scores with friends and snapshots of their in-game adventures.
The Good Dinosaur: Dino Crossing is now available for free on Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore.
