The Tempest

This is going to be one sick adaptation of the last William Shakespeare story The Tempest (<- Trailer). The gender of Prospero has been switched to Prospera.

Directed by Julie Taymor (Across The Universe, Frida, Titus)

Starring:
Helen Mirren (The Queen, Red, State of Play) as Prospera
Russell Brand (Get Him to The Greek, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 2011’s remake of Arthur) as Trinculo
Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2, Boogie Nights, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time) as Stephano
Chris Cooper (American Beauty, Adaptation., Jarhead) as Antonio
Alan Cumming (X-Men 2, Burlesque, The Smurfs) as Sebastian
Djimon Hounsou (Gladiator, Never Back Down, Push) as Caliban
David Strathairn (The Bourne Ultimatum, My Blueberry Nights, Fracture) as Alonso
Ben Whishaw (The International, Layer Cake, I’m Not There) as Ariel
Felicity Jones (Brideshead Revisited, Cemetery Junction) as Miranda
Reeve Carney (Spread, Snow Falling on Cedars) as Ferdinand
Tom Conti as Gonzalo

Will You Be Smurfing Smurfed When Smurfing The Smurfs?

A 3D Live-Action/Animated adaptation of Smurfs recently started filming in New York….. I don’t know how I feel about that with how bad the Garfield movie was along with how bad, yet entertaining the Alvin & The Chipmunks movies are. But I can see how this may catch the interest of my generation that grew up watching these cartoons along with the obvious attraction it will receive from the kids.

I’m picturing viewing this film at a drive-in. Imagine watching this film in 3D under the stars, that is if 3D ever (most likely not) make it into the drive-in world….. Plus it would most definitely have that distinct smell like you get when watching a concert at Red Rocks. Not saying you get that heavy dose smell of marijuana at every concert there, but hey, this is Colorado.

Hank Azaria is cast to play Gargamel which is an excellent choice in my opinion and he will be a live-action character. The other live-action characters are Neil Patrick Harris (Starship Troopers) & Jayma Mays (‘Glee’) will play an expectant couple whose lives are changed when The Smurfs enter our world (WTF? I don’t know what that’s about) & Sofia Vergara (‘Modern Family’) as Harris’ boss, a cosmetic executive. Ever since Neil Patrick Harris came out of the closet and starred in the Harold & Kumar franchise along with starring as Barney in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ I can’t get enough of him, an amazing comedic actor. I recommend watching Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, it’s a dark comedy done by Joss Whedon (‘Buffy’ & ‘Firefly’) that was a 3-part internet serial which is now available on DVD & Netflix.

The Smurfs obviously all be done in CGI and currently in the voice-cast are Anton Yelchin (Star Trek), Alan Cumming (X-Men 2), Fred Armisen (‘SNL’), George Lopez, Kevin James (Hitch), & Jonathan Winters who did many of the voices on the original cartoon series. Smurfette is being voiced by singer Katy Perry.

Plot Summary:

When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours – in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.  The film is set for release August 3, 2011.

I know I said “WTF? I don’t know what that’s about” earlier and I still don’t. I just think bringing it into the real world takes away from the original feel but honestly can’t have a justified opinion on it until seeing the film, but hopes are low on it being a good film. But I’m not going to say it won’t be enjoyable to see them on the big screen.