20 Things to Know About SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS From Our Set Visit; Plus Video Blog Recap and Guy Ritchie Interview

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 14th, 2011 at 10:00 am

Moriarty (Jared Harris) is sitting at a table inside the Hotel De La Ville in Paris surrounded by people.  He’s reading a newspaper inside the cafe.  After a few seconds, someone walks in to tell him something.  While I can’t hear what they’re saying, the news must be important since he gets up after hearing it.  As he rises out of the chair, the focus of the shot pulls to an old man sitting at a table in the foreground of the frame.  The man is unremarkable.  He wears a suit of no importance.  He has a long grey beard and long grey hair.  I didn’t notice him until the camera pulled focus.  As Moriarty leaves the room and the man jumps out of his chair, I realize it’s Sherlock Holmes in disguise.

But let me back up a second.

Back in January, I got to visit the set of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows when the production was filming 45 miles outside London at Waddesdon Manor.  While on set, I got to participate in group interviews with Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, producers Susan Downey and Lionel Wigram, and director Guy Ritchie.  As you might imagine, I learned a great deal about the Sherlock Holmes sequel, and if you hit the jump, you can read my “20 Things to Know” and watch a video blog about the visit.

Paramount Shows 18 Minutes of TITANIC 3D; Reaction and Video Blog Recap

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: October 28th, 2011 at 2:00 pm

When James Cameron first announced he’d be post converting Titanic for a 3D re-release in April 2012, I was a bit skeptical.  After all, I think most of us can agree that post converted movies are usually substandard to ones being shot in 3D, and since the movie is 15 years old, I figured it would be an insane challenge to get it right.  However, earlier today I visited Paramount in Hollywood and got to see about 18 minutes of the converted film on the big screen.  So what did I learn?

Never. Ever. Bet against James Cameron.

The footage I saw this morning left me speechless.  I’m not joking around when I say it’s the best post conversion I’ve ever seen and it looks like they originally shot it in 3D back in 1997.  In addition, Cameron told us before they post converted they created a new 4K master and did a full color correction and cleaned the film.  So even if you see the film in 2D or 3D in April, you will not believe how crystal clear the images are and how good the film looks.   However, before you start to think Cameron made any changes to the actual film, he told us they are not editing a single scene.  He’s not pulling a George Lucas.  Hit the jump for more.

30 Things to Know About UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING From Our Set Visit; Plus Video Blog Recap

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 22nd, 2011 at 9:00 am

Back in early May, I got to visit the set of Underworld: Awakening when the production was filming in Vancouver.  While on set, I got to watch Kate Beckinsale and Michael Ealy film a few scenes that take place towards the end of the film, watch the brand new RED EPIC 3D cameras in action (which looked amazing and they’re also being used on The Hobbit and The Amazing Spider-Man), learn the interesting and unique way that directors Mans Marlind & Bjorn Stein work together, and I also got to participate in group interviews with producer Richard Wright, Stunt Coordinator/2nd Unit Director Brad Martin, as well as Beckinsale, Ealy, and directors Marlind & Stein.  It was a really fun day on set that I’ll recap after the jump.

FINAL DESTINATION 5 Set Visit Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: July 12th, 2011 at 12:05 pm

The set visit video blogs I post are usually professional.  We usually stay on topic. We usually just talk about what we did on set, the highlights from who we interviewed, and what we thought.  But when I recorded a video blog with Devin from Badass Digest after getting back from the set of Final Destination 5 in Vancouver last December…let’s just say that it was a lot looser than what I usually post.  Of course it might have been because we’d been drinking.  It could have been because Dolph Lundgren was sitting at a table near us as it started.  Or it could have been because it’s a video blog about Final Destination and everyone knows it’s all about the new and innovative ways to kill people.

However, while I might have scared some of you off, during our loose and rambling conversation, we still talked about what we did on set, what we learned, who we interviewed, and what you should be looking forward to.  In addition, we even had one of the cast members (PJ Byrne) join us towards the end, as he was on his way to the bar and we convinced him to jump in.  Watch the antics after the jump.

JOHN CARTER Video Blog: Reaction to Footage, the Teaser Trailer, and a Lot More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: July 11th, 2011 at 8:00 am

John Carter can’t stand up.  When he does, he falls over.  Finally, after putting in a lot of effort, he’s able to take a step and he jumps about thirty feet.  He’s stunned.  Looking around, he has no idea where he is and what’s going on.  Of course, if you were transported to Mars from the 19th Century, you’d also have a tough time figuring out what just happened.

What I just described is part of a scene from director Andrew Stanton’s (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) first live-action movie, John Carter.  Based on the celebrated novel, A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter is Disney’s first film in what they’re hoping is a franchise starter and based on what I saw, it just might work.  The reason I know this is the other week I got to go to San Francisco (along with some other online reporters) to see the first teaser trailer, watch some footage, and interview Stanton for almost an hour.  I learned so much about this very cool looking film, so I suggest hitting the jump for more.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Set Visit and Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: July 5th, 2011 at 10:01 am

I’m standing in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. I see Snape positioned where Dumbledore used to stand at the top of the steps. As the new Headmaster, Snape is addressing a room full of students. He’s telling them that anyone who knows the whereabouts of Harry Potter – whether it be student or faculty – needs to come forward with any information or the punishment will be severe. Snape continues with the news that the school has the best magic protection and Harry Potter will not be able to enter the grounds. The former potions teacher walks among the students, looking at them, his gaze intense and his dialogue slow and methodical. He’s clearly hoping someone will tell him something. As he finishes saying his last line he looks up because he hears the voice of Harry Potter saying, “I don’t think the protection was good enough.” All the students turn, looking shocked. Harry Potter has returned to Hogwarts.

The next day, I’m on a plane, flying back from London. Yesterday was March 23, 2010 and I was standing in a place I’ve only seen in the movies, as I was one of the lucky online journalists invited to Leavesden Studios outside London to visit the set of the last Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. As a huge fan of the books and the movies, getting to stand in the Great Hall and Dumbledore’s office was a huge thrill and something I will remember forever. But while getting to see those sets was amazing, we did so much more. Hit the jump for my report and video blog.

THE MUPPETS Set Visit (Video Blog)

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: June 20th, 2011 at 8:00 am

I’m standing inside The Muppet Theater.  On my right, I can see where Statler and Waldorf would sit and heckle the performances.  On stage in front of me, I watch as some of the crew attempts to get everything perfect so they can get the next shot.  As they adjust the lights and moves some of the background pieces, director James Bobin is sitting nearby looking at everything on two small monitors.  Eventually he’s happy with the set up and someone calls “action.”  Almost immediately, a hush falls over the room as some hidden speakers start to play something I recognize.  As I look at the stage, I watch Kermit and Miss Piggy sing Rainbow Connection.  I’m suddenly 8 years old and smiling from ear to ear.

But let me back up a second.

Earlier this year, I got to visit the set of The Muppets on two separate occasions.  The first time was with a group of online reporters while the production was filming in Glendale, California and we watched as Amy Adams and a huge group of Muppets filmed a scene in a car.  The second time I got to visit the set by myself and that’s when I got to see The Muppet Theater.  While Disney is releasing The Muppets, the production actually built the theater on the Universal backlot.  As a child that grew up watching The Muppet Show, getting to walk around that set was something I’ll never forget.  Hit the jump for more.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS Reaction (Video Blog)

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: May 21st, 2011 at 6:48 pm

Earlier today I got to watch Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class.  While we’re not allowed to write a review, we’ve been given permission to write our initial thoughts.

If you were nervous the latest chapter in the X-Men franchise might disappoint, I’m happy to report it’s a huge home-run.  Everything from the great script to the awesome performances by the entire cast (with special mention to James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender) makes this X-Men film my favorite in the franchise.   Also, the film is loaded with incredible action and a ton of Easter Eggs for the fans.  Even the sets and costumes are great.  Trust me, as soon as the movie is over, you’re going to wish the next chapter was coming out next week.  Hit the jump for more.

GREEN LANTERN Set Visit Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 11:00 am

When you visit a movie set, you never know how many of the secrets will be revealed.  Sometimes you leave without learning much about the movie, and when the trailer is released and it tells you the whole story, you wonder why everyone was so guarded.  However, every once in awhile, you visit a set and you’re told everything.  In the case of my visit to the set of Green Lantern last summer in New Orleans, it was the latter.  While I walked in thinking Green Lantern might be a cool movie, I left absolutely blown away by the scope and scale of Warner Bros. next comic book movie.  Trust me, while the first trailer for Green Lantern was lackluster, everything I saw and learned on set told me director Martin Campbell’s Green Lantern is a full scale space opera and it smashes open the door for future comic book movies to tell even bigger stories.  I’m truly excited to see the finished film and if it comes together the way I think it will, Green Lantern will show audiences and the studios that comic book movies don’t have to stay on Earth, or even in this galaxy, to tell their story.

But let me back up a second.

It’s August 2010 and I’m in New Orleans on the last day of principal photography on Green Lantern.  While it’s hot and humid outside, I’m standing in a large air conditioned studio being shown hundreds of pre-production images.  They’re lined up on a few walls and each image shows a scene or location in the movie.  Again, while some set visits are guarded, the Green Lantern production is confident in their story and they’re willing to show us everything.  As I walk from drawing to drawing, I’m imagining the movie in my head, and I can’t believe where they take this story.  Much more after the jump.

Some Thoughts on Kenneth Branagh’s THOR; Plus Video Blog Review

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 17th, 2011 at 2:00 pm

If you were nervous that Marvel would somehow not be able to bring Thor into the same universe their previous movies occupy, don’t be.  I’m happy to report Thor is not only great, but it kicks open the door to so many other characters.  If audiences respond (which they should), over the next few years, look for many other larger than life characters on movie screens.

But let me back up a second.

A few days ago, on the Paramount lot, I was part of a very small group that got an early look at director Kenneth Branagh’s Thor.  Since my set visit, I’ve known Thor had a great story and it was extremely respectful to the way Jack Kirby and Walter Simonson brought the character to life.  What I was unsure about was the CGI.  Could I believe that Asgard was real?  When Thor throws Mjolnir in battle, would it do the damage I’ve always imagined?  Could Marvel bring Thor into the same universe as Tony Stark and make it work?  Would the movie explain Bifrost, Heimdall and the Rainbow Bridge to average movie goers and make them believe it wasn’t science fiction?  I had so many questions going in, but I’m so happy to say that while I do have some nitpicks with the movie, overall I walked out of the theater extremely happy.  Continued after the jump.

CinemaCon: New Footage from GREEN LANTERN, HARRY POTTER PART 2, HAROLD AND KUMAR 3, CONTAGION, More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: April 1st, 2011 at 12:07 am

While some of the studios at CinemaCon start their presentation in the slow lane, Warner Bros. showed up in 5th gear and opened their panel by world premiering footage from Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar, Final Destination 5, The Hangover Part II, Contagion, Green Lantern, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Crazy Stupid Love, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, A Harold and Kumar Christmas in 3D, and a number of other big releases.  For a film nerd like me that’s been looking forward to a number of these movies, it was awesome.

Shortly after the presentation ended, I recorded a video blog with Peter from /Film and Alex from Firstshowing.  Since we decided to just talk about the new footage from Green Lantern and Harry Potter, I’ve also written a bit about the other movies before the video.

While many have been nervous about Green Lantern based on the footage from the first trailer, all three of us were blown away by what WB showed.  Also, the footage will be at WonderCon tomorrow, so fans will get the chance to see it for themselves.  Trust me, after tomorrow’s presentation, the buzz online about Green Lantern is going to be very strong.  Hit the jump for more.

CinemaCon Video Blog: Reaction to the THOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, and SUPER 8 Footage

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 29th, 2011 at 1:07 am

On Monday night at CinemaCon (formerly ShoWest), Paramount, DreamWorks and Marvel world premiered a lot of footage from their 2011 slate to attendees.  Thankfully, I was in the Coliseum theater so I got to watch 20 minutes from Kenneth Branagh’s Thor, almost 20 minutes from Joe Johnston’s Captain America: The First Avenger, 22 minutes from J.J. Abrams Super 8, a number of scenes from Kung Fu Panda 2, and 15 minutes from Puss in Boots.  While all of the footage looked great, the footage from Thor and Captain America made me wish both movies were coming out next week.  Trust me, all you haters that have been writing Thor doesn’t look good, you’re all going to eat some humble pie once you see the movie.  Also, while I’m not one of those folks who thinks Super 8 is the greatest gift to cinema in 2011, I will admit the footage looked very impressive and I think it could be this generations Stand By Me.  I’m excited to see the finished film.

Anyway, while we’ve been asked not to reveal anything specific from what we saw tonight, I recorded a video blog with Peter from /Film and Alex from FirstShowing and we recapped what we got to see and our thoughts on all the footage.  Hit the jump to check it out, and look for a lot more from CinemaCon tomorrow.

DreamWorks Animation 2011 Preview: KUNG FU PANDA 2 and PUSS IN BOOTS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 12th, 2011 at 10:03 am

Yesterday I attended a DreamWorks Animation 2011 preview at the DGA in Los Angeles.  With the company getting ready to release Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss in Boots later this year, CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg took the stage and showed the assembled press the first 45 minutes of Kung Fu Panda 2, and then the first 13 minutes of Puss In Boots.   In between the footage, we got to hear Kung Fu Panda 2 director Jennifer Yuh, Jack Black, Antonio Banderas, Puss In Boots director Chris Miller, and Guillermo del Toro talk about their films.  Did you know del Toro is very involved in Puss In Boots?  He’s also executive producing Rise of the Guardians for the studio and helping out on all their animated movies.  Needless to say, this is very good news.

Anyway, shortly after the presentation ended, I recorded a video blog with Peter from /Film and our thoughts on the footage and what we learned are after the jump.  And if you missed my article detailing all the DreamWorks Animation movies through 2014, you can check it out here.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 4: ON STRANGER TIDES Set Visit Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: February 3rd, 2011 at 12:01 am

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is sitting at a huge dining room table in a equally huge room.  The table is in the center, and there is tons of space on every side.  The walls are opulent.  Guards are in the back of the room. Sitting across from Sparrow is King George II (Richard Griffiths) and nearby is Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) – who is now a privateer.   Even though Jack Sparrow has been captured, you can’t help but think this is exactly where he wants to be as he’s heard the King has the map to the Fountain of Youth.  After some back and forth discussions, Sparrow is going to end up with the map, and his escape plan will be put into action.

Let me back up a second.

A few months ago, I got to visit the set of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides while the production was filming at Pinewood Studios outside London.  While on set I got to see the many stages that were built for the movie, interview most of the cast, and speak with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and screenwriter Terry Rossio.  As a big fan of the Pirates movies, I have to say it was incredibly cool to see the huge production up close.  Also, while I was unsure if a 4th film was necessary as I was let down by the 3rd, everything I learned on set tells me that the filmmakers understood the problems of the 2nd and 3rd films and this new chapter will capture the magic of the first.  I left London excited by what I saw and I’m truly looking forward to May 20, which is the release date of On Stranger Tides.  For more on the set visit (which includes an epic two part video blog), hit the jump:

BATTLE: LOS ANGELES Set Visit Video Blog

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 27th, 2011 at 9:00 am

In October of 2009, I was invited to visit the set of Jonathan Liebesman’s Battle: Los Angeles while the production was filming in Shreveport, Louisiana.  At the time, I didn’t know much beyond the basics (aliens attack and the Marine’s have to kick ass), but with sci-fi being my favorite genre, I knew that I wanted to see the production up close.

While my set visit illuminated what the film was going to be about and how Liebesman planned to shoot most of the film with handheld cameras, by now most of you already know the basics as the awesome Battle: Los Angeles trailers have been very popular with our readers.  However, for the few that haven’t seen them, Battle: L.A. gets released March 11, and it stars Aaron Eckhart, Bridget Moynahan, Michael Pena, Ne-Yo, Michelle Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ramon Rodriguez and many others.

Even though there are a number of “aliens attacking” movies on the horizon, I really believe Battle: Los Angeles is going to be very cool and most of it stems from being on set and seeing firsthand what the production was trying to accomplish.  More after the jump:

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