It’s awards season and Frankenweenie has already been nominated for five Annies and earned the accolades of the New York Film Critics Circle and LA Critics. As part of the campaign to earn more, Disney has okay-ed the release of the scripts for the film… Read More »Frankenweenie Script Available Online
I don’t know about other Disney fans, but the Nightmare Before Christmas DVD is on heavy rotation in our home starting in early October and running through December. The stop-motion animation classic evolved from a poem written by Tim Burton. This video features a reading… Read More »“The Nightmare Before Christmas – Tim Burton’s Original Poem” narrated by Christopher Lee
I first met Atticus Shaffer by accident. It was the premiere of Real Steal and I was with my son. The place was packed and he lost me in the crowd. I called his name.
“Atticus!” I shouted above the din of Hollywood chatter.
“Yes?”
I looked down and there was Atticus, just not my Atticus. It was only slightly awkward. I then spent the next few minutes (don’t worry, my son appeared, too) talking to his father about the name we both chose for our sons and the different responses that we get from people. For example, “Did you know that name is from a movie?” ranked high with both of us.
The answer, of course, is yes, an excellent movie, but we got the name from the book. Stay in school, kids!
This time, when I met Atticus Shaffer and his family it was in the quiet comfort of a hallway in the Loews Hollywood Hotel, and when I met his mother I had to recap the original tale. Still awkward.
However, Atticus was excited to see me again. He grabbed my hand for a surprisingly firm shake and asked, “How are you, Sir?” Then we chatted for a moment before I excused myself out of their family time. I’m not one to intrude.
I walked away thinking about the horror stories one hears about Hollywood and childhood, and it was nice to chalk one up for the good guys.
It turns out that the role Atticus plays in Tim Burton’s latest horror story homage Frankenweenie isn’t quite as nice. Edgar “E.” Gore is two parts laboratory assistant and one part Peter Lorre, and skews heavily toward the weaselly and sneaky. You know the type.
I was attending Disney’s premiere of the film in Hollywood, part of an invited group of bloggers, and prior to the screening we had the opportunity to sit down with Atticus and his Frankenweenie costars, Charlie Tahan (Victor) and Robert Capron (Bob). Here is some of that conversation:
Note: Whit has already posted his review of Frankenweenie. We both saw the same film, but somehow, I came out a bit less enthused. Here’s my review: Tim Burton’s latest film is a stop motion tribute to the black and white sci-fi and horror classics… Read More »Frankenweenie – My Review
I’ll cut to the chase, Tim Burton has done it again. Disney’s Frankenweenie, based on Burton’s previous short film of the same name, opens October 5, and it is a fantastical romp through the stresses, relationships, and learning curve of childhood. At the same time, the film serves as something of an homage to the classic horror film genre and Burton’s own distinguished career (but in a fun and modest way). Frankenweenie is a project of passion for Burton, and you can feel it.
Set in the modest town of New Holland, Frankenweenie tells the story of young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) and his little dog Sparky. They are surrounded by a gallery of eccentric individuals full of small town pride, and, to a lesser extent, blissful ignorance (according to the wonderful speech by science teacher Mr. Rzykruski, voiced perfectly by Mr. Martin Landau).
Mr. Frankenstein urges his son, a science and film fanatic, to go outside and make friends via the team play of organized sport. Victor agrees, and momentarily excels — until the scene we all know is coming: Sparky dies.
I wore new shoes down the white carpet layered like so much cotton upon Hollywood Boulevard because I refused to be the one responsible for soiling Tim Burton’s night. Everybody knows that new shoes don’t scuff. Look it up. Besides, there were plenty of dogs sniffing around (mostly alive from what I could tell), and I figured one of them would take the honors. It never happened. Not a single stain. That, my friends, is Disney magic.
It was the premiere of Tim Burton’s latest Disney feature, Frankenweenie, held at Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, and the night was spotless (although I did get some cupcake leavings on my freshly pressed pantsuit).
The premiere was a black and white affair, followed by a private party that was partially in color. Both were filled with the stars from the film, including Tim Burton:Read More »This Frankenweenie Premiere Post is Black and White and Read All Over
Disney launched today “10 Days of Frankenweenie,” a new free level pack for the hit mobile game Where’s My Water? Free. Inspired by Disney’s stop-motion animated film “Frankenweenie,” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Tim Burton, the level pack features new black and white levels that combine… Read More »Where’s My Water Mobile Game Adds Free Frankenweenie Themed Levels
A couple months ago I gave my list of people who I believe deserve the honor of being a Disney Legend. With less than one year till the 3rd D23 Expo, I thought I would choose some more eligible Legends. WARNING! There are some that… Read More »Wishcasting the 2013 Disney Legends: Part Deux