So here is the always insanely beautiful Jessica Chastain dressed as Merida from Brave for the Disney Dream Portrait which advertises for all the Disney parks worldwide.
To say that this gives me mixed feelings would be an understatement. Dammit Disney, I love Brave but now I am going to think of smoking hot Jessica Chastain whenever I watch it and I DON’T NEED TO DO THAT!
Thanks a lot.
Now that it is officially 2013 we can look back on the year that was at the box office. 2012 set a new record with almost 10.8 billion dollars which overtakes 2009’s total of 10.6 billion. No doubt having so many choices at the theater feature wise helped out receipt totals with many films being in IMAX, 3D, IMAX 3D and theaters that have D-BOX motion chairs.
The big winner of 2012, by far, was The Avengers which took in $623.3 million domestically and over 1.5 billion dollars worldwide as well as setting the single weekend record with $207.4 million in just three days. The Dark Knight Rises did not make as much as it predecessor, The Dark Knight, domestically but made more in worldwide totals.
A few of the surprises of the year were the comedy Ted which was Seth MacFarlane’s first feature film and grossed $218.6 million off of a 50 million dollar budget. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum’s 21 Jump Street came in with little expectations and pulled in over 138 million dollars.
2013 is loaded with releases including the second Hunger Games film, Catching Fire, and the return of The Man of Steel but may have a hard time keeping pace with 2012’s record pace.
Here are the Top 20 releases for 2012 domestically followed by their worldwide totals:
1. [amazon_link id=”B0083SBJXS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Avengers[/amazon_link]- $623.3 million/ $1.51 billion
2. [amazon_link id=”B004LWZWGK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Dark Knight Rises[/amazon_link]- $448.1 million/ $1.08 billion
3. [amazon_link id=”B0084IG7KC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Hunger Games[/amazon_link]- $408 million/ $686 million
4. [amazon_link id=”B007REV4YI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Skyfall[/amazon_link]- $289.6 million/ $1 billion
5. [amazon_link id=”B007857FOO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2[/amazon_link]- $286.4 million/ $799.6 million
6. [amazon_link id=”B008QZ5PY2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Amazing Spider-Man[/amazon_link]- $262 million/ $752.2 million
7. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIHZY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Brave[/amazon_link]- $237.2 million/ $535.3 million
8. [amazon_link id=”B007ZQAKHU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey[/amazon_link]- $228.6 million/ $702.1 million
9. [amazon_link id=”B005LAII1C” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Ted[/amazon_link]- $218.6 million/ $501.7 million
10. [amazon_link id=”B0091JK1B4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Madagascar 3[/amazon_link]- $216.3 million/ $742.1 million
11. [amazon_link id=”B0085Z3B2Q” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax[/amazon_link]- $214 million/ $348.8 million
12. [amazon_link id=”B008518MOW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Men in Black 3[/amazon_link]- $179 million/ $624 million
13. [amazon_link id=”B00A7OJ0DC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Wreck-It Ralph[/amazon_link]- $175.5 million/ $275.7 million
14. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIISU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Ice Age: Continental Drift[/amazon_link]- $161.1 million/ $875.1 million
15. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIHSQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Snow White and the Huntsmen[/amazon_link]- $155.1 million/ $396.3 million
16. [amazon_link id=”B009UWYFFK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Hotel Transylvania[/amazon_link]- $143.9 million/ $311 million
17. [amazon_link id=”B0067EKYDG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Taken 2[/amazon_link]- $138.8 million/ $365.5 million
18. [amazon_link id=”B003Y5H5BA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]21 Jump Street[/amazon_link]- $138.4 million/ $201.5 million
19. [amazon_link id=”080507970X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Lincoln[/amazon_link]- $131.8 million/ No Worldwide Release Yet
20. [amazon_link id=”B0085Z8F4A” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Prometheus[/amazon_link]- $126.4 million/ $402.4 million
Pixar and Disney are the modern masters of animated films. There is no denying the impact they have made on cinema since the first Toy Story hit in 1995. You can begin to name off hit after hit and will no doubt have fond memories of most. Can Brave make a spot for itself among Pixar’s impressive library?
[amazon_link id=”B005LAIHZY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Brave[/amazon_link] is your basic tale of a princess who longs for more than the life that is set before her. Merida’s family rules over other allied clans in Scotland and when it is announced that she will be betrothed to one of the heirs from the other clans she refuses to let her life be determined for her. She finds a witch in the woods and has her concoct a spell that will change her mother’s mind about having her married off but as with most deals made with witches there are certain unknown circumstances.
Like I said it is not the most original of plots. Even when the curse takes effect it never really goes down the darker path you think it is going to turn. It takes a lighter approach which honestly for this movie was a good plan. Maybe it is just how our society has become trained to expect worse things so I applaud Pixar for keeping it more light hearted.
The script is not as sharp and snappy as most of Pixar’s efforts like The Incredibles or Finding Nemo but it is quite funny and a lot of that is due to the casting. Veteran actor Billy Connolly should be given every voice role for “Scottish father” from here on out. His role as King Fergus is the highlight of the fun parts of the movie. Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane and even Pixar alum John Ratzenberger are spot on.
Visually I wouldn’t say that Brave is the best Pixar has ever done (Up) but it is really, really close. Everytime they release a new feature it is simply amazing how much emotion these wizards are able to convey through computer generated characters. If there is an MVP of the group it would have to be whoever had the task of animating Merida’s crazy red locks of hair. It is crazy just how realistic it looks and they should be proud of that amount of work.
Brave was a hit like many expected and even though the film is very entertaining it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Toy Story 3, Up or The Incredibles.
The story doesn’t really tread any new ground when it comes right down to it. But it really doesn’t have to. Let’s not forget that this is a children’s film and should be viewed through more innocent eyes. And while it may not be in the upper echelon of Pixar’s releases just remember that a middle of the road movie from these guys is still better than most films out there. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIHZY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Brave[/amazon_link] should have a spot in your Pixar collection. Don’t look past it.
[amazon_link id=”B005LAIHZY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Brave[/amazon_link]
Disney and Pixar’s latest about a Scottish girl, Merida, who goes against her parents wishes of being a highborn lady and causes a curse to come upon her family after she makes a deal with a witch. Reviews were mostly middle of the road for a Pixar offering.
[amazon_link id=”B005LAII30″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Watch[/amazon_link]
With this kind of star power is there anyway to not call this movie a box-office disappointment? Did anyone go see this during its short run? Four neighborhood watch volunteers begin trying to watch over their community but become involved in an alien invasion.
[amazon_link id=”B005LAII9O” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Savages[/amazon_link]
Oliver Stone tries to recapture some of his Natural Born Killers magic in this tale of two dealers who refuse to join a major drug cartel and have to take on the group when their girlfriend is kidnapped.
[amazon_link id=”B008Y1YK0I” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Lawrence of Arabia[/amazon_link]
The classic tale of T.E. Lawrence’s time in Arabia during World War 1 and winner of seven Academy Awards gets remastered and released on Blu_Ray to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary. It is a movie that should be experienced by everyone at least once.
[amazon_link id=”B0093LE2OC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure[/amazon_link]
Now onto a different kind of “classic” releasing on Blu-Ray this week. The time traveling exploits of Bill S. Preston, Esquire and “Ted” Theodore Logan are here in high def just in time for all the rumors of a third movie. “Want a Twinkie, Genghis Khan?”