Let's talk: Disney's Summer Releases

[Peter Pirate]

As Joan Rivers' wuld say "Let's talk"...

Herbie seems to achieve mediocrity from the reviews yet it's going to make quite a bit of money. Anyone seen it? Was it a dog from the get go or was it a 'just miss'. LL is a big draw, perhaps she's what's driving the box office?

Sky High. Looks good to me and Joel Siegel just gave it a very good review on GMA. Will this be a classic Disney family flick or go the way of Herbie?

Chicken Little. Look's good to me, but when the heck is it coming out? It appears Disney has a lot riding on this litle guy and I think it will pass muster based on the trailers I've seen. He's cute (lot's of fuzzy sales), it should be exciting (I think Eisner probably made the right choice changing the main character to a boy rather than a girl). Anyone?

 

[rocketriter]

Herbie was better than it was cracked up to be. This kind of movie doesn't have to be Shakespeare (and isn't). But our kids--9 and 12--had fun watching it. That, of course, is why it's making money. Fun is good.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I agree. I don't expect every family release to acheive the high standards of say Princess Diaries, but it is nice to have them (the film makers) try. As I recall the original Herbie (classic) wasn't really high art either so it would seem expectations for the remake shouldn't have been too grand.

 

[FrozenTundra]

Herbie is just one of them flicks that I don't think the big Multiplex Theatres mind leaving on the marquee for an extended period because during the summer it will continually draw a fair amount of kids.

As for the other two films ???? Basically, I've given up trying to figure out what the public wants to see. I think "Stealth" will hurt the opening of "Sky" and my thoughts on "Chicken" is that it will be Mega or Bust, no middle ground.

 

[raidermatt]

Like the apparent Packer fan, FrozenTundra, I don't pretend to know what the public will like.

Haven't seen Herbie, but it seems to be doing about what could be expected. For what I'm sure was a fairly low to mid budget movie (the marketing budget on this had to be big), its not a huge hit, and its not a bomb.

Its only been in the last day or two that I'd even heard of Sky High. Doesn't sound particularly interesting to me, but like I said, I have no idea if the public will agree.

Chicken Little- I believe this is a holiday release, 11/4. Like with Home on the Range, I'm not as bullish on this as you, but again, I readily admit to not being able to figure out the public. The trailers don't look that great to me, but some of Pixar's trailers haven't appealed to me either.

You didn't mention Valiant, which I think is due to be released in the US on 8/19. Its the CGI animated film from the Vanguard studio, with which Disney signed a distribution deal, ala Pixar. Its about homing pigeons in WWII. I think I saw a trailer awhile back.

Its not getting a very good release date for an animated film, so I tend to think its going to find reaching "hit" status to be tough going.

 

[Indy333]

I wish Disney would bring The Indiana Jones Adventure to Walt Disney World....

 

[FrozenTundra]

Well, so far I was wrong about Stealth and didn't expect Crashers or Willie Wonka to remain at the top. But Sky has made half its cost back in 4 days and looks like it will make a few bucks.

Looks like Herbie is finally dropping off the charts, but is starting to make some money overseas. But depending on what/who you read, movies need to make about 3 billion over cost before they make any money for the studio.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I like that Sky High continues to get good reviews as. After all, quality is what much of the crowing is about around here.

 

[Parkhopper]

While at the NFFC Convention a few weeks ago, we were treated to a seminar with Dick Cook (head of Walt Disney Studios). After telling us about some upcoming movies (like Sky High, Chicken Little and Pirates 2), we were given an advance screening of a movie that was just completed. This will be released in September. The movie was called, "The Greatest Game Ever Played". It is a golf movie about a young man named Francis Ouimet (same spelling as the current head of Disneyland, Matt Ouimet) who was a poor caddy and entered the Open and played with Harry Varden. I can tell you that I am no fan of golf (find watching paint dry more exciting), but this movie (with no big name stars) was sit on the edge of your seat holding your breath, EXCITING!! It is a film much like Rocky or Miracle, or Remember the Titans.

If you get a chance to see it - DO!! I really don't think you will regret it!

Suzi

 

[MomofKatie]

The movie was called, "The Greatest Game Ever Played". It is a golf movie about a young man named Francis Ouimet (same spelling as the current head of Disneyland, Matt Ouimet) who was a poor caddy and entered the Open and played with Harry Varden. I can tell you that I am no fan of golf (find watching paint dry more exciting), but this movie (with no big name stars) was sit on the edge of your seat holding your breath, EXCITING!! It is a film much like Rocky or Miracle, or Remember the Titans.
Suzi

We saw the trailer before Sky High- it does look good. I believe that the lead character is played by Shia LeBeuf- he's not a big name to adults, but to kids, he's huge! He is the star of Even Stevens, a Disney Channel origional show.

 

[crusader]

Anybody wanting to move this beyond the summer can peruse the remaining 2005 releases here:

http://www.film-releases.com/film-release-schedule-2005.php

Take a close look at Nov. You'll see Harry Potter coming out two weeks after Chicken Little as well as a great deal of competition surrounding that release.

Disney has several films yet to come out this year but does appear to have reduced the number, particularly through the Touchstone/Miramax labels. Right now they are ranked upper mid-range in the market. However, in looking at the remaining lineup, I don't have a strong feeling they'll move this up - unless Nov. beats my expectations.