Robin Williams: 1951-2014

   Good Morning, Vietnam
   Aladdin
   A.I. Artificial Intelligence
   Dead Poets Society
   Hook
   Night at the Museum
   Jumanji
   The Butler

July 21, 1951 - August 11, 2014

   What do all of these films have in common? The comedian-actor Robin Williams starred in each one of them, as either leading or supporting characters. He gave the iconic voice to the Genie of Aladdin, brought Theodore Roosevelt to life, flew the skies as Peter Pan, became President Eisenhower, and escaped from a magical board game in Jumanji. Also, he made millions of Americans smile and giggle during nearly all of his film and stage performances.
   Sadly, the actor was announced dead today, at sixty-three years of age. His talent and skills will be missed, though we can still look back and smile at his comedy (and also serious) performances.
   So goodbye, Genie; Teddy Roosevelt; Peter Pan; Prof. Phillip Brainard; Dwight D. Eisenhower; Alan Parrish; John Keating; Adrian Cronauer.
   As a small homage to him, here are just two profound quotes of his:
   "No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world."
   "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."
   Now, of course, much can be said and discussed of his relationships, addictions, and beliefs. However much I might disagree with some aspects of his beliefs or life, just take a moment to remember an actual living being who died and to remember his accomplishments.
   Also, this is a chance to reflect on how life is but a burning straw...gone in an instant, compared to eternity. We are here on earth for a main purpose: to glorify the Creator God. Our lives are just a drop in the bucket of eternity, yet the Lord can use them in mind-blowing ways!

Flubber

Aladdin

Dead Poets Society

Jumanji

Night at the Museum

                                                 
                       

The Butler

                                                                                                                         

Hook

Revenge of the Directors

   Some of you might have noticed a "Twitter war" between director J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII) and Zack Snyder (Man of Steel and the upcoming Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice).

 The whole thing began when Snyder posted a photo of Superman dressed as a Sith Lord...

...and now J.J. Abrams has recently tweeted this Bat-3PO photo:











 


 

   (Of course, there are a few other pictures that you can find on either of the directors' Twitter pages)
   So it's now Master Abrams vs. Darth Snyder. Harmless fun, of course, but now we have the Revenge of the Directors going on. Who needs a seventh Star Wars film or a Superman vs. Batman movie when we've got a great plot lined up right now?!
   The question is, when will Zack Snyder strike back? "Wonder Leia?" "I am your father" featuring Superman and his father? There are a couple of ideas. Now we just have to wonder how long this duel will last and what will come next for the directors far, far away...

Too Much "Frozen" Might Give You Frostbite

 Can't get "Let It Go" out of your head? Are you wishing that "for the first time in forever," you could forget about  Frozen for a while (maybe a long while)? Perhaps you were hoping to get a break from the film "in summer." If the above describes you, then an apology is in order...because Frozen is continuing its reign.
   As if the first billion-dollar movie (and best-selling soundtrack to boot) was not enough, Disney has announced a book series continuing the adventures of Elsa and Anna. The first two books are scheduled to be released on January 6, 2015: Anna and Elsa #1: All Hail the Queen and Anna and Elsa #2: Memory and Magic. Erica David (known for her adaptions of the How to Train Your Dragon film) is writing the books. The publisher, Random House, also has planned to release a couple of books later in 2015, with several more per year.
   Wait, don't go! There's more. Since 1994, Disney has adapted many of their films into Broadway musicals. Just a few of these include Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, and Newsies. So, yes, you guessed it; Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that Frozen is going to have a Broadway adaption. Now it's still in early development, so it won't be around for a couple of years yet. It will include all of the songs found in the film, and will also likely have some new ones as well.

   So if all of that isn't making your head spin, just hold on. In the finale of ABC's third season of Once Upon a Time, a familiar blonde woman appeared, wearing an icy blue dress. Frozen is on its way to the fourth season of Once Upon a Time. It, of course, has the classics like Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, and the Wicked Witch of the West. Now we jump to...Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff. Whoa! But there is even more of a twist: Elsa just might be a villain. The fourth season is set to air on September 28, 2014.
Yes, Elsa and the world of Frozen are coming to television.
   Well, Disney is obviously milking Frozen for as long as they possibly can (which, it seems, will be for the next few years...), but what is your take on all this? Can you hardly wait or is too much Frozen going to give you a frostbite?

"Transformers: Age of Extinction" is Still Alive

   Michael Bay's Transformers: Age of Extinction is currently on the top of 2014's highest-grossing films, passing X-Men: Days of Future Past and Maleficent by over two-and-a-half million dollars worldwide. The film has, so far, made over one billion dollars, the nineteenth movie to do so.
   To further prove that this action flick is not extinct, it is the fourteenth highest-grossing film ever (the only 2014 film thus far to be greater than the fiftieth highest-grossing film). But it still wasn't enough to get close to the cultural hit Frozen, though it still gaining money in theaters.
   It all makes one wonder, why is this mega-movie raking in all the dough? What exactly draws the international community into theaters to watch this film? Perhaps it is the thrill of the action scenes, perhaps the dialogue of the film, or yet maybe the actors.
   Whatever the case, Transformers: Age of Extinction may be well and living, but it is not quite "frozen" yet (pun intended!).

(Here are the stats of 2014's highest-grossing films and also the stats of the all-time highest-grossing films.)

Welcome: An Introduction to Movietown News

   Movietown News is the new blog from Family-in-Mind Reviews. There are no reviews here, but extra content related to movies. Hopefully you will enjoy the future posts on Movietown News!