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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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2003-06-20
are opening wide, only one is making any news.
Everyone is predicting the Hulk will easily win this weekend, and most analysts agree it will break the record for a June opening currently held by Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me at $54.9 million. But how well will it compare to the other monster openers of 2003. Some are predicting The Hulk will beat fellow Marvel Movie X-Men 2. But I think matching Finding Nemo is a more likely scenario. $69 million for an opening weekend, and based on the good reviews, enough legs to get well past $200 million.
The week to week drop-off for Finding Nemo was even better this week than last week. So look for an even smaller drop off this weekend. A box office of $20 million and second place for the year this weekend, after breaking $200 million Wednesday.
Speaking of $200 million, Bruce Almighty was able to cross that milestone on Thursday, completely a week which say it lose very little of its box office. If this trend continues, and it should despite losing nearly 400 theatres, Bruce Almighty should earn $9 million and could overtake X-Men 2 for third place this year.
2 Fast 2 Furious didn’t drop quite as badly during the mid-week, but it is losing nearly 10% of its theatres in just it’s third week. So another 60% drop at the box office should be expected. Still, this leaves it at $8 million for the weekend and just shy of $100 million total box office.
Rugrats Go Wild has held up surprisingly well during the midweek, and a drop of less than 40% could help this movie make a profit, eventually. Look for $7 million on the box office and enough legs to get at least close to $40 million.
Alex and Emma is the second new movie opening wide this weekend. On paper, this movie should be a sure hit. But the terrible reviews, including 0% from the cream-of-the-crop suggest it will be anything but a hit. Look for it to get worse numbers than other ‘also ran’ comedies like The In-Laws and Down With Love. About $6 million and missing the top five is in store.
The last new movie released this week is From Justin to Kelly, which wasn’t screened for critics. Some are comparing it to The Real Cancun; another reality TV turned movie. I think it’s safe to assume From Justin to Kelly will not do quite as badly, with an opening weekend roughly the same as The Real Cancun’s total gross. Or about $4 million, but it may not make the top ten.
Submitted by: C.
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2003-06-16
, and all three movies bombed, to one degree or another. This and larger than expected drops for the rest of the holdovers led to a collapse at the box office. It was down more than 25% from last week, and nearly 25% from the same weekend last year.
As predicted, Finding Nemo returned to first place. However, the numbers were not quite as good as was predicted on Friday. $28.4 million was still an excellent box office, and beating Monsters Inc. record for Computer Animation film is definitely in sight.
2 Fast 2 Furious didn’t drop as far as I thought in the standings, but it dropped harder at the box office. Its plunge to $18.7 million was a whopping 63% drop from its first weekend. This could be the worst second week drop-off of a first place movie, ever. It beat recent examples like Cradle 2 the Grave (60.44%) and 8 Mile (62.25%).
Also earning a lower than predicted box office was, Bruce Almighty. However, it was two places higher on the charts than what I thought. This says more about the weak performances of the new movies than anything else.
On Friday I predicted The Rugrats Go Wild would be the lowest of the new movies, and it actually earned less at the box office than I predicted. However, with a box office of $11.6 million it was the highest wide opener of the week. It also had the best-reviews, but at only 43% it’s nothing to brag about.
Only able to grab half of what I predicted was, Hollywood Homicide at $11.1 million. For a movie that cost more than $100 million to make and advertise, this is nothing short of disaster. The next Indiana Jones movie can’t comes soon enough for Harrison Ford.
The last of the new movies to open wide was Dumb and Dumberer. With only $10.8 million in its first weekend, the pseudo-prequel wasn’t able to match the original’s opening and its reviews were much worse .
Submitted by: C.
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2003-06-13
open this week, it seems likely that a holdover will hold on for top place at the box office.
Returning to first place this week will be Finding Nemo. This fish tale has again held up remarkable well during the week and should only drop by about a third at the box office. $31 million would be an impressive third weekend total and leave the movie just a few million shy of $200 million.
Coming in second place should be Hollywood Homicide, but it could be a close race between it and the next two movies. The ad campaign for this movie is a bit of a puzzle, first it was advertised as a buddy cop action comedy, much like Lethal Weapon. Now it’s being advertised as a serious crime thriller. Chances are, that means the jokes didn’t work out, and the reviews tend to support that theory. With only 32% positive it is one of the worst reviews movies in Harrison Ford’s career. Look for $22 million opener and questionable legs.
Dropping all the way to third is 2 Fast 2 Furious. This movie had dropped every day of its release till the 1.1% gain in Thursday’s numbers. And it looks to drop massively on its second weekend. It was tracking roughly 35% below Finding Nemo by the end of the week, and that trend should continue into the weekend. Which leaves the movie at $20 million this week at the box office.
Next is the second release of the week, Dumb and Dumberer. Last week we had a pseudo-sequel open, now we have a pseudo-prequel. It has different actors, different director, different writers, different producers … and much worse reviews. Still, beating the original’s opening of $16 million should be the goal this weekend, but don’t expect this movie to have anywhere near the legs. $50 million total should be as good as it gets.
Right behind is Dumb and Dumber’s star Jim Carrey’s latest movie Bruce Almighty. How’s that for a forced segue. This movie is showing great legs and should earn another $15 million this weekend. That would put it over Batman Forever for second best Jim Carrey movie. And in probably just one more week it will cross the $200 million mark.
In sixth place is the last of the movies opening wide this weekend. The Rugrats Go Wild is a crossover effort with both Rugrats and Wild Thornberrys. And while the two previous Rugrats movies did well, they no longer have the following they once had. And the first Wild Thornberrys movie under-performed at the box office to the tune of only $6 million opening weekend. Good news is The Rugrats Go Wild is the best-reviewed new opener this week, but that’s not saying much. Look for $12 million opening weekend and the last of the theatrical releases for either franchise.
Submitted by: C.
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2003-06-11
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
American Wedding
Current Content: A rather large warning about the film’s content was added to the site.
Delgo
Current Content: This was the only new site on this list that wasn’t a placeholder site. And by that note, it wins the essential Weekly Website Award almost by default. But that is not to say it’s a bad site, far from it. The content is good, focusing more on images than text. There’s a very short synopsis, and equally short character bios, plus several photos. Each of the crew has a filmography and awards, plus several photos. There’s also a scrapbook, which is quite amusing. But the most unusual feature is the Digital Dailies where you get to look at the making of Delgo through some of the Dailies. Warning, some of these dailies are several megs long. And getting through them all could take days. The one complaint I have is about sound, or the lack of it. This is a silent site, which really detracts from the surfer’s enjoyment.
Dumb and Dumberer
Current Content: Just before its release into theatres, the site gets one more update. This time instructions on how to view the ‘glow in the dark’ site. Like most of the content that has been on the site, this update is simply a joke. In fact, there’s little on the site that isn’t a joke. There is no synopsis, no cast and crew bios, etc.
Elf
Current Content: Last week, just after I uploaded the Weekly Website Update, this site was updated. Not much, just a new trailer and such. But this week I check it out, and it’s back to the old site. It may switch back after I’ve posted this story.
Gigli
Current Content: Just the synopsis and cast and crew (no bios.)
Good Boy
Current Content: Another site that was released was just the bare bones, this time with only the synopsis and a teaser trailer. Although the dogs in the background a little something. More should be added at the release date nears.
Hollywood Homicide
Current Content: Despite being a major release from a major studio, this site doesn’t have a flash site just two days from its opening. There were some images added to the site, but that hardly makes up for the lack of flash.
The Hulk
Current Content: A new science section opened this week. It talks about Adrenaline, Gamma Radiation, Nanotechnology and DNA, all of which appear in the movie. It’s quite interesting to read, but hopefully isn’t necessary to watch the movie.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life
Current Content: New trailer is up, and so are the international sites.
Radio
Current Content: The third ‘teaser site’ opening this week. This one has just the trailer.
Rugrats Go Wild
Current Content: This site is obviously meant of kids, and it does a good job of creating an interactive environment for them to play with. There is also a lot of content, from synopsis, trailer and character info to a few games and downloads like wallpapers and screensavers.
Stuck on You
Current Content: Just the trailer. However, there is some sound and a short music clip.
Submitted by: C.
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2003-06-04
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
2 Fast 2 Furious
Current Content: This site starts with a warning not to perform any of the stunts found within. So I was looking forwards to seeing some really dangerous stunts, but alas, the only stunts shown were in the trailers and TV Spots I had already seen. But besides that disappointment the site was ok. It had all the usual suspects (Synopsis, trailer, cast and crew bios) but it focuses a lot on the real stars, the cars. The biggest complaint was the music. The clip was too short and too repetitive to add to the site. I quickly turned it off.
L'Auberge Espagnole
Current Content: This website finally launched, two weeks after the movie opened. The main page has a collage of people, clicking on some of them will take you to that actors filmography. Others take you to the synopsis, trailer, photos, etc. It’s a little different, and the novelty helps.
Bad Boys II
Current Content: The second six issues is up, sort of. There are two need wallpapers and buddy icons in the download section, and the gallery has six new images. However, the story section is marked coming soon and the video section is just a repeat of issue one. Granted, it is almost a week early so the rest of the new content should be there by next week.
Brother Bear
Current Content: Starts with an intro by Bob and Doug McKenzie, I mean Tuke and Rutt. Besides the talking caribou, there’s the trailer and a clip of the movie’s theme song, ‘On My Way’ by Phil Collins. More should be added as the release date nears.
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
Current Content: The game that had been marked coming soon is up … and it’s just the demo for the new Charlie’s Angel video game. Bit of a disappointment there.
The Eye
Current Content: The English version of the website is sparse, with synopsis, cast bios, trailer, images and a spoiler section on where the ghosts can be seen. There is also a section for reviews and where to find theatres playing the movie. No animations, no sounds.
From Justin to Kelly
Current Content: This is a surprisingly well done site. It has tons of information including synopsis, production notes and cast and crew bios. Multimedia like photos, behind the scenes with much more marked coming soon. Plus lots of downloadables like AIM Icons, wallpapers, screensaver, and poster. The animated segues are pretty good, but the music is a bit of a distractions. Individual clips are too short and at least one of them has looping problems.
Godsend
Current Content: After weeks of coming soon the site launched this week, sort of. Right now it only have the trailer. But that’s something.
The Last Samurai
Current Content: The second section is up, this time on the seven principles of the Samurai code.
The League
Current Content: The Nautilus section has been added to the site. And while the graphics used are quite impressive some of the information borders on technobabble. I was hoping for more.
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
Current Content: Right now there’s just four posters and a trailer. But the movie is nearly half a year away, so I’m sure we’ll see plenty of updates before then.
Love the Hard Way
Current Content: This has the beginnings of a good site. Good information (synopsis, cast and crew bios, a section on the music in the movie) and it has good segues between sections. But it has no sound, which really detracts from the enjoyment. The trailer and images are still marked coming soon, so maybe sound will be added then.
Rugrats Go Wild
Current Content: Another week, another small update. This time it’s a Spike Clickable for your desktop.
Swimming Pool
Current Content: This is actually Francois Ozon’s website. But it does have a lot of information on his latest movie, including synopsis, trailer, etc.
Underworld
Current Content: This is a cool site with some unusual features. In fact, it has very little of the usual features, just the synopsis and trailer. The rest of the site includes character bios, a vampire and lycan history, user-submitted sightings and a preview for the video game. Some of the sightings are particularly interesting to read, but there are too many to go through all of them. Of note, there is two different versions on the website, one for Vampires and one for Lycans. However, only the graphics, intro and segues change, the content is the same for both. Lastly, the music and sound for the site is better than most. Music clips are long enough and loop well enough to avoid being repetitive, while adding to the site’s atmosphere. And it is that atmosphere which helped this site win the impeccable Weekly Website Award.
Whale Rider
Current Content: This is a good site hampered by a somewhat overdone menu system. When you move your mouse over a section with more than one option it expands sideways, pushing the other options away and some off the screen. But besides that small complaint this was an enjoyable site. There’s plenty of information to read: synopsis, cast and crew bios, production notes, location notes, and even a glossary of Maori terms. There is also the trailer and plenty of images to look at as well as three wallpapers, a screensaver and a poster to download. Another positive is the background music, which worked well with the site and the clip was long enough to avoid being repetitive.
Submitted by: C.
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2003-05-28
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
Alex and Emma
Current Content: The new flash site launched this week, with the exact same content as the regular site. Just with animated introduction / segues and audio clips. It’s a nice to compare the effectiveness of the regular site with the flash version. The one complaint with the flash site, the production notes are far too long to be one section, it should have been broken up like it is on the non-flash site.
Bad Boys II
Current Content: The first of six issues was released this week. This issue contains the synopsis and cast and crew, (no bios), both the teaser trailer and the full trailer, half a dozen images, two wallpapers and two buddy icons. In two weeks, and every two weeks after that, a new issue will be released. It’s not a bad site, but the lack of sound is a disappointment.
Cabin Fever
Current Content: There a new section for downloads with the teaser trailer, wallpaper and a link to the Cabin Fever discussion board.
Capturing the Friedmans
Current Content: This site consists almost entirely of old photos. When you move the mouse over the photo an audio clip from the movie plays. It is an intriguing idea, one that was executed well. However, a little more background information than what was provided could have helped draw in surfers.
Elf
Current Content: None, you are just redirected to a Naughty or Nice contest.
Finding Nemo
Current Content: An excellent site with a lot of information, but mostly is filled with extras. Several different previews can be seen, there are wallpapers to download and games like Cruising with Crush to play. There is also Mr. Ray’s Classroom where surfers can learn more about the world’s coral reefs. Combines with the background sounds, and little animations that fill the site and you have this week’s winner of the authoritative Weekly Website Awards.
Garfield
Current Content: Nothing, in fact the link just redirects you to Fox’s movie index. But the movie is more than a year away, so this is not a surprise.
Hotel
Current Content: Warning, this site contains foul language, nudity, violence and the most incomprehensible content I’ve seen in a long time. Compared to this Identity’s flash site was linear to the Nth degree. At least the Identity site has a sense of cohesion to it. This just felt like random images and quotes. Might shock some, but I didn’t find it engaging enough to shock me.
The Italian Job
Current Content: A clip or two was added, as were several interviews with the cast members. There are still a few more clips still marked coming soon.
Rugrats Go Wild
Current Content: Another game, Jungle Stumble, was added to the site. There are no sign ups needed to play this one.
Sinbad - Legend of the Seven Seas
Current Content: A lot of multimedia was added to the site. Two featurettes and four interviews were added. Overall, it’s a lot a video to watch. There is also a coloring book with the four main characters.
The Three Marias
Current Content: Very small site with only a short synopsis, a few images, one quote from one review and some viewing dates. There is more information in the press kit, which can be downloaded from the stills and more section.
Together
Current Content: While this film has the usual information (synopsis, cast and crew bios, trailer, image gallery) it focuses on the behind the scenes more. Finding the right actor, composing the music, the culture of modern day China, etc. Speaking of music, while there is some, the clips are too short and do not loop. So you hear the piece only once when you change sections. This is too bad, since the subject matter would lend itself perfectly to more background music. Another downside is the animation, what little there is doesn’t fit well with the site as a whole.
Uptown Girls
Current Content: The song was removed from the site. No other changes were made.
Wrong Turn
Current Content: Very little was added to this site just before its release, just a couple of TV spots. But the site has previously won the weekly website award, so very little was needed.
Submitted by: C.
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2003-05-23
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
Bruce Almighty
Current Content: A very well balanced site that has everything a site should have in both content and format. Content wise it has the usual synopsis, trailer, extensive cast and crew bios. It also has an image gallery, wallpapers, screensaver, e-cards and information on the soundtrack marked coming sound. Its format is also good with an animated intro, animated segues, and good use of sound effects. They could have emphasized Jim Carrey a little more, but maybe that’s just me.
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
Current Content: The second episode of the animated prequel is up, There should be one more per week till the release date arrives.
Gigantic
Current Content: This is a low frill website. It has the trailer and a few photos, but what it has the most of is behind the scenes information. What it doesn’t have is sound, which is strange for a website for a documentary about a band, (They Might Be Giants.)
Hollywood Homicide
Current Content: The flash site still hasn’t launched, but three new sections opened on the main site. A short synopsis, a very funny Police Blotter and a comparison of New York, Chicago and L. A. cops.
The Hulk
Updated Content: Added over a dozen clips of Stan Lee talking about the Hulk, from early character concepts to the latest movie.
The In-Laws
Current Content: This site is great. It not only does it have great content with synopsis, trailer, cast and crew bios, soundtrack information. It also has lots of extras, two TV spots, image gallery, poster, screensaver, wallpapers, e-cards, lots of buddy icons, etc. This site is one of the best when it comes to the use of sound. Not only is the background music is good, (The main page has a flawlessly looped clip of Get Down Tonight by K.C. and the Sunshine Band.) this site is also one of the best when it comes to the use of audio clips. For example, Plan The Wedding section (new this week) is a perfect example of the use of sound; each part has background music, sound effects and audio clips. All this made The In-Laws website the winner of the irrepressible Weekly Website Award.
The Italian Job
Current Content: A couple of clips and a few more wallpapers are filtering in. But that interface is driving me nuts, especially with the clips.
Kaena: The Prophecy
Current Content: This site concentrates mostly on background information for the movie, there’s information, and images, for the characters, the races, the locations, and even the fauna. There’s also the more traditional website content like synopsis, trailer and movie clips, cast, crew bios, and some more unique features like behind the scenes, interviews, and even a very in-depth look at how the main character (Kaena) was created. But by far, the most unusual feature is a section called The Prophecy. I’d describe it, but really I can’t. You have to see for yourself.
The Last Samurai
Current Content: The official site was launched, but there’s still very little content. Right now it’s just the trailer and a little background history of Japan.
Respiro
Current Content: A very unusual style to this website. The content scrolls continuously past, first the synopsis, then a biography of the director and then a statement from him. Next is a biography of the lead actress, Valeria Golino, then an image gallery and the poster. The final section is for the trailer, which was just made available this week. The unique and engaging way this site was put together is definitely worth checking out.
Rugrats Go Wild
Current Content: The Thornberrys adults are added to the Spike search game, and a new Animal Rescue game. However, you have to log into Nick.com to play the game.
Submitted by:
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2003-05-14
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
L’Auberge Espagnole
Current Content: No change from when I first reviewed it. A website is still marked coming soon, but since the movie opens this Friday, they don’t have a whole lot of time.
Battle of Shaker Heights
Current Content: Like all Miramax movie sites, this one has just the synopsis and cast and crew (no bios) and a trailer marked coming soon.
Casa de los Babys
Current Content: This site uses the same format as other films from IFC. The content is also similar with a synopsis, trailers, cast bios, and some behind the scene information.
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
Current Content: The first of the animated adventures is up. More episodes will be shown as the release date comes closer.
Down with Love
Current Content: Three clips from the movie are available. They’re fun clips that fit well into the cheesy 60s feel of the rest of the site.
Dumb and Dumberer
Current Content: There’s a slashdot parody called slashdumb.
Freddy vs. Jason
Current Content: A trailer and a quiz have been added to the site.
The Last Samurai
Current Content: None, just the flash intro.
The Matrix Reloaded
Current Content: This is the only site I know that comes with schematics to help you navigate, and you need them. There are literally dozens of buttons, and none of them are marked. However, when you move your mouse over them, the Navigation Display does tell you what it does. Normally this focus on style at the detriment of ease of use would irritate me to no end. However in this case, once I got used to the interface it added to the overall atmosphere. As for the actual content, there’s a lot. 10 different trailers / TV spots, dozens of images, cast and crew bios, posters, wallpapers, etc. Then there are the more unusual aspects, like the 360 degree Quicktime VRs. When you add in all the content from the first movie and other Matrix sources (comic books, anime, video games, etc.) you could surf this site for days. And it’s the combination of style and content that lets this site win the immutable Weekly Website Award.
Pokemon Heroes
Current Content: Like most Miramax films, this site lacks any real content. It does at least look different, but there’s only a trailer and synopsis to keep the surfer interested.
The Punisher
Current Content: None, just a placeholder site. But it does say when the site will launch, June 20th.
Rugrats for Wild
Current Content: Three more Rugrat adults are added to the Spike search game, as are some e-collectibles. However, you have to log into Nick.com to get them.
The Sea
Current Content: This site just has the bare bones, trailer, synopsis and cast and crew (no bios.)
Sinbad - Legend of the Seven Seas
Current Content: A new flash intro was added to the falsh site.
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
Current Content: Just the trailer and a section on the 3-D aspect / synopsis of the movie.
Sweet Sixteen
Current Content: No changes since I last reviewed the site.
Submitted by: C.
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2003-05-07
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. It’s been a slow week, no new site really jumped out at me and none of the old sites added enough content to warrant the award. But after reviewing each site once more, I was able to come to a decision. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
Alex and Emma
Current Content: The original placeholder site has been replaced by another placeholder site, with the promise of a flash site to be launched soon. All the previous content is still there (synopsis, trailer, and photo gallery) and there is a poster and some wallpapers in the download section. Screen savers, buddy icons and a short story contest are all marked coming soon.
Cabin Fever
Current Content: So far the only content is synopsis and the teaser trailer. There’s a cast list, but that just links to IMDb. The movie isn’t released for four months, so there’s plenty of time for content to be added. Although right now only Images are marked coming soon.
Daddy Day Care
Current Content: No changes since the last review.
Down With Love
Current Content: The two interactive sections are up. The first section has quizzes and poll (both with one for men and one for women), and Catcher Block’s Bachelor Pad for men to test the Casanova power.
Dumb and Dumberer
Current Content: Some more features were added, including a pop quiz and bunch of trailers to watch. And they mean the kind you pull with your car. There’s also the official trailer offered in several sizes, including the smallest resolution I’ve ever seen.
Freaky Friday
Current Content: This remake doesn’t open in the theatres until August 8th, so the limited content is not surprising. Right now the only content is synopsis, trailer and the poster.
Freddy vs. Jason
Current Content: Right now this site has almost none of the usual features. No synopsis, no trailer, no cast and crew. There are quite a few images, including wallpapers and a poster. There are background sounds that are a little moody, but too short. You can also vote for who you think would win in their duel to the death.
Godsend
Current Content: None. Just a notice saying the site is under construction.
The League
Current Content: The full trailer is up, not just the teaser trailer.
Man on the Train
Current Content: A simple site with a synopsis, trailer, cast and crew bios, and some quotes from critics. There’s very little animation and no sound, which offers little to keep surfers interested.
Rugrats Go Wild
Current Content: Three adults from the Rugrats tribe are added to the Spike Search Game. Also the game, Undersea Adventure is now available.
The Trip
Current Content: This site focuses more on behind the scenes than most sites do. In addition to the usual, there are sections on the origins of the story, the locations, production design, etc. And while the transitions are good, the lack of sound is a distraction.
Wrong Turn
Current Content: This is the first site I’ve seen with a warning for parental supervision. But unless they plan to add a lot more, this has more to do with marketing than with actual content. What content they do have (synopsis, cast and crew bios, image gallery) is well done and the transitions between sections are very good. The slashing animation and sound add to the overall experience. Speaking of sound, once again the background sound is a little short, but it does enhance the surfers’ experience. It is this weeks winner of the indecisive Weekly Website Award.
Submitted by: C.
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2003-04-30
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
The Dancer Upstairs
Current Content: A very understated website and I’m not sure if that is good or bad. Too flashy would be a distraction, but as it is it’s not very memorable. Besides the usual synopsis, trailer and cast and crew bios, there are 10 images that can be sent as e-cards and 2 clips from the movie.
Down With Love
Current Content: The movie is set in the 60s, and the website flaunts it. The style, the sound effects, the music all scream 60s, in a cheesy by charming way. Speaking of the music, it loops flawlessly, but some clips are a little short. There’s the usual synopsis, trailer, photo Gallery, cast and crew bios, as well as downloads like wallpapers, screensavers and Buddy Icons. There are two interactive sections, but they are still marked coming soon.
The In-Laws
Current Content: Two new TV Spots were added to the video section. Also, in the non-flash section, there are extensive production notes I failed to mention last time.
The Italian Job
Current Content: A flash site was launched with a section for each character, including the Mini. Each section has an actor bio, image gallery and several facts about heists, traffic jams, Venice sinking and other (marginally) related info. Each fact appears in a pop-up menu but if you move the mouse cursor off of it, it immediately closes. This was quite annoying, especially for the longer bios.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Current Content: Added this week was the Lizzie Party Planner, complete with invitations, simple pizza recipe, outfit suggestions and some simple Italian phrases. I found this section the most valuable as previously the only Italian phrase I previously knew was, “Dio mio! C'e' un' ascia nella mia testa!” Two more features, The Music Diva Makeover and Lizzie’s Vespa Tour, are marked coming soon.
New Suit
Current Content: This site has all the usual players, synopsis, trailer, cast filmographies, photo gallery. And it has simple, yet effective intros to each section. However, after the intro, there is no sound. And this is a shame, cause the site would have benefited from a little more sound.
Owning Mahowney
Current Content: Just the usual bits (synopsis, photo gallery, cast and crew bios) with the trailer still marked coming soon. The transition to and from each section is well done and the music, while a little short, is effective.
Rugrats Go Wild
Current Content: This week the four Thornberrys kids are added to the Spike Game. Other features are still marked coming soon.
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
Current Content: The trailer is now available.
Spellbound
Current Content: The movie is a documentary about the National Spelling Bee Championships, and the web site plays well to the subject matter. The chalkboard theme is not only fun, but doesn’t interfere with the information. Most of which focuses on the eight contestants from the movie. There’s also the synopsis, trailer, crew bios, release dates and a game of Hangman that I found strangely addicting.
Veronica Guerin
Current Content: So far just the synopsis, trailer and cast and crew (no bios.) But the film won’t be released for nearly half a year, so there’s plenty of time to add more.
X-Men 2
Current Content: This site is as huge as they come. Tons of animations and sound, information on cast, crew and characters, trailers, video clips behind the scenes, press conferences, etc. This is what a movie site should be. Of course, the people at Fox probably spent more on this site than the production budget of some of the other films on this list. But never let it be said that the incontrovertible Weekly Website Award can’t be swayed by flashy graphics.
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2003-04-23
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
City of Ghosts
Current Content: Nothing new since I last reviewed it. Movie clips are still marked coming soon.
Confidence
Current Content: For a movie that promises a lot of style, the website was a little tame. It hit all the right notes, (synopsis, trailer, cast and crew bios) but it didn’t have the pizzazz I was hoping for. Some of the extras include wallpapers, screensavers and a game.
A Decade Under the Influence
Current Content: The film is a documentary about the influences in American cinema during the 70s. This site focuses on biographical information of both the interviewers and the interviewees, but the usual synopsis and trailer are there. My favorite feature is the very extensive timeline of the 70s. The way they put together the image gallery is also very well done. It is an excellent mixture of style and substance.
Dumb and Dumberer
Current Content: A new button was added that’s marked do not press. When you do you hear a clip from the movie. It’s the same clip every time you press, so there’s no need to press it more than once. Hopefully, there will be more clips added as the release date nears.
Identity
Current Content: Easily the best atmosphere for a site this week, perhaps the best atmosphere for any site I’ve reviewed. It’s very had to describe, no description would really give it justice. You just have to check it out for yourself.
The In-Laws
Current Content: Just a little bit new this week. In the downloads section there’s a new screensaver, and the song list for the soundtrack is available. Unfortunately, only the one song is available to listen to.
It Runs in the Family
Current Content: A good site that focuses on the family members and the actors that play them. Not only is there text, but there are audio and video clips for each character. Excellent information that is probably destined for a feature packed DVD section. There is also synopsis, trailer, wallpapers, etc.
Jeepers Creepers 2
Current Content: This week the trailer and some background music were added. The background music is creepy, but a little short to be effective.
The League
Current Content: The name has been shortened from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to just The League to coincide with the launch of the new website. While the site does contain the usual synopsis and trailer, the heart of the site are the vast character bios. Each of the 7 characters in The League have their own section complete with an introduction, why there were chosen, wallpaper and AIM Icons to download, Image Gallery and an E-Card. And there is more marked coming soon. The background music is effective, but not particularly noteworthy. Overall an excellent site.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Current Content: The first 5 days of Lizzie’s Diary have been added to the site.
Manic
Current Content: The interactive character bios that make up the heart of this site are very well done, very intriguing. There is good use of sound and music throughout the site. There is plenty of multimedia including a trailer, movie clips and interviews with the director. Written information includes cast and crew bios, and production notes.
Mondays in the Sun
Current Content: This website has almost as much information on the director and the producer than it does on the film itself. The synopsis and character bios are joined by bios of and interviews with the director and the producer. There is also a few storyboard pictures and some information on the music that plays in the background of the site. There’s an extensive list of the cast and crew, but none have bios except the two mentioned above.
The Real Cancun
Current Content: This site spends most of its time on introducing the participants, cause there’s really nothing else to talk about. There’s your usual synopsis, trailer, and clips, lot of clips. But unless you’re already psyched to see this movie, the website does little to persuade you.
Respiro
Current Content: A very unusual style to this website. The content scrolls continuously past, first the synopsis, then a biography of the director and then a statement from him. Next is a biography of the lead actress, Valeria Golino, then an image gallery and the poster. The final section is for the trailer, which is not available at this time. The unique and engaging way this site was put together is definitely worth checking put.
Rugrats Go Wild
Current Content: Starts with you helping Spike find the lost kids, which should keep the kids entertained. The site also has a synopsis, the teaser trailer and the Rugrat kids’ character bios, but most of the rest is marked coming soon. There are some jungle sounds for the background, but the loop is far too short and repetitive.
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
Current Content: Not a lot of content, but the movie doesn’t open for another 2 months. So far there is just the synopsis, character bios and a create your own wallpaper. But a trailer is marked coming soon.
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