Tag: frank oz

Weekend Shopping Guide 10/19/12: Feed Me, Seymour

The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

(Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

A long, long, long time ago, at the birth of DVD, one of the earliest releases was a cult classic musical comedy that happened to have had its original downer ending reshot and replaced with a happy ending right before it was originally released in theaters. For the DVD, a black & white workprint of the original ending – which featured spectacular practical miniature effects as the film’s monsters took over the world – was included. And then the DVD was pulled, the original ending was removed, and the film was re-released on DVD, making the first DVD release a collector’s item. Over a dozen years later, that ending has been completely restored and finished off for the Little Shop Of Horrors: Director’s Cut (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP), available in lovely high definition for both the original and theatrical cuts, plus a new introduction from Frank Oz and the brilliant effects supervisor who created the now restored sequence, Richard Conway. It also carries over the audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and featurette from the original release. Get this, already.

Thinkgeek time! Worried you or those around you may have had a bit too much to drink? Or want to stop yourself before you get into bad territory? Well, you can estimate your blood alcohol level with the BacTrack Breath Alcohol Detector ($29.99 SRP), which tests in the 0.00-0.40% range. Simply blow into the mouthpiece and get a quick reading of whether you’re soused or not.

I don’t know what I was expecting from the documentary Nina Conti: Her Master’s Voice (Virgil Films, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP), but what we get is a fascinating, heartfelt, and sometimes brutally honest tale of inspiration and obligation, as ventriloquist comedian Conti makes a journey to the US in order to take the puppets bequeathed to her by her late mentor Ken Campbell to their own final resting place. Instead, we see Conti coming to grips both with the complex man who inspired her, and her relationship with her own creations. Just watch it. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, a performance, an interview, and even a sÃ©ance.

While many an armchair collector will snatch up animation cells as some sort of investment, or will cover the idea that they own what is actually seen in the final product, I am a much bigger fan of original production art – the true expression of the artist’s craft, while cells are merely a tracing of that spark. A lot of that very beautiful original production art, from sketches and layouts to model sheets and doodles, is captured in the beautifully conceived A Disney Sketchbook (Disney Editions, $50.00 SRP), which presents all of this art as if you are flipping through actual art pages full of pencil drawings. More volumes of this, please, as this merely whets the appetite.

Disney in the 70’s was an awkward company, desperately trying to maintain the magic post-Walt while churning out a massive amount of live action family films. A few, like Bedknobs & Broomsticks, combined live action, animation, and music in an attempt to repeat the alchemy of Mary Poppins. One attempt that is flawed but is a dear, dear favorite of mine is Pete’s Dragon (Walt Disney, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), the tale of an orphaned boy named Pete, on the run from an evil foster family with his dragon Elliott by his side, who arrives in a sleepy seaside town and turns things on their ear. The music’s fun, the performances are a hoot, and there’s some genuine sentiment in there. Oh, and the new Blu-Ray remastering looks stunning. Get this.

I haven’t really been taken with a Wes Anderson film since Rushmore, as each of his subsequent efforts come across as increasingly affected in attempt to capture a Hal Ashbyian ideal. That said, the most enjoyable film so far has to be Moonrise Kingdom (Universal, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$34.98 SRP), which at its very base is a simple love story between a pair of kids running from a lot of problems on a small, isolated island. Yup, that’s pretty much it. It’s quaint and affecting. Bonus materials include a clutch of featurettes.

The 4th season’s heady, happy high of founding Sterling Cooper Draper Price goes darkly sour as Don Draper drifts into an abyss all his own in the wheels within wheels 5th season of Mad Men (Lionsgate, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP), which is definitely a season that deserves another watch, particularly in the always snazzier high definition of Blu-Ray which allows the visual style of the show to shine. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, featurettes on everything from the history of the period to composer David Carbonara’s score, and a gallery of Newsweek covers.

It’s not the most appealing character design, but while Pixar’s intent is to pull the heartstrings as much as entertain, Dreamworks’ Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (Dreamworks, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) really just wants to entertain and make you laugh.. And it largely succeeds, bringing our still-on-the-run zoo escapees under the big top. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes – and if you act fast, your very own rainbow wig, just like Marty the Zebra wears.

Spinning off from Tim & Eric, John C. Reilly’s daft, disturbing creation Dr. Steve Brule gets his very own series and very own DVD release with Check It Out with Dr. Steve Brule (Adult Swim, Not Rated, DVD-$19.97 SRP), which contains all 12 episodes plus a small clutch of bonus features. So yes, do check it out.

While not a classic, A League Of Their Own (Sony, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP) certainly has become a fixture in the pop culture firmament, so it’s arrival in high definition is certainly welcome. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, interview, and a music video.

After Anne Hathaway was a princess but before she was a Catwoman, she was the titular star of the fairy tale Ella Enchanted (Lionsgate, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$14.99 SRP), which finds its way into high definition. Its tale of a young woman given the gift of obedience by her Fairy Godmother when she was born, who then determines to return the more-curse-than-gift, is a fun little romp. Bonus materials an audio commentary, featurettes deleted scenes, and a music video.

If you’ve ever wanted to know exactly why anyone would choose to cooperate with the rise and run of the Nazi regime, Nazi Collaborators (Shanachie, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) is a definitive, comprehensive, haunting, and infuriating look at the citizens and circumstances that led to the support of such base evil.

Long before he became Bond, Daniel Craig starred as an Inspector investigating the mysterious murder of a body found in the titular The Ice House (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$19.97 SRP), which just so happens to be that of a husband missing for over 10 years. The disc also contains a featurette on the author of the original novel, Minette Walters.

And for this week’s soundtrack pick, we get a brand new, expanded edition of John Carpenter’s original score for The Fog (Silva Screen, $17.09 SRP), featuring both the remixed soundtrack album done in 2000, as well as the original score cues from 1980.

This week also brings a pair of classic TV releases from the CBS vaults, with the second volumes of both Gunsmoke: Season Six (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$36.98 SRP) and Perry Mason: Season 7 (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$55.98 SRP). While Perry Mason is featureless, Gunsmoke contains the original sponsor spots.

Did you know there was a high-spirited western starring Dean Martin and Brian Keith? Neither did I, but once I found out about Something Big (Paramount, Rated PG-13, DVD-$19.99 SRP), I knew I had to see this flick about a man (Dean) who wants to go out in style, even if it means robbing a stagecoach and running off with a girl, hotly pursued by her fiancÃ© (Keith).

It’s a shame that Alcatraz (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP) ended its run after only a handful of episodes, as it was nice to see Sam Neil and Jorge Garcia working together, even if the JJ Abrams fueled plot – about a mysterious group of prisoners from the infamous penitentiary repeating their crimes in modern San Francisco – was another overwrought puzzlebox. Bonus materials include a featurette, unaired scenes, and a gag reel.

Even when a series gets cancelled, it’s still a safe bet that you may very well see a DVD release, particularly if the show made it a full season – as NBC’s take on the John Grisham novel The Firm (E1, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) did. The 6-disc set contains all 22 episodes plus cast & crew interviews and featurettes.

You can’t get further from 24 than Keifer Sutherland’s touchy-feely role in the goopy sci-spirituality mess that is Touch (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP), which finds him the father of an emotionally challenged son that has the mathematical shining to see how every life on the planet connects. And then they go all Touched By An Angel. Bonus materials include an extended pilot episode, featurettes, and deleted scenes.

So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

-Ken Plume

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October 19, 2012
My Favourite Things – May 2011

May

My name is Aaron Poole. Some of you may remember me as the boring one from the FRED podcast Cabin Fever. Other’s may remember me making fun of their band with my Musical Myspace Tour. But most of you don’t care so let’s just get on with this.

In an attempt to send off the month of May the way it deserves I’m going to present you with a list of the things I’ve enjoyed in the past month. I’m hoping that we can share a common love or, if you missed it, I can show you something you might enjoy. Of course, if you hated anything on the list and think I’m a doo-doo head… well that’s what the comment section is for.

1) American Idol / Paul F. Tompkins

Listen, you don’t have to enjoy the show to know that it’s watched by the majority of people. I have a penchant for singing competitions (and judging people from the comfort of my armchair) so Idol ticks a lot of boxes for me. I don’t expect the winners to go on and be legitimate musicians. In fact, I don’t expect to ever hear from these people again once the show is over. But for the 3 months or so that the show is on, I dig it.

I get emotionally invested in geeky beardy kids like Casey Abrams. I get reminded by my girlfriend that I shouldn’t look at Haley Reinhart that way because she’s 8 years younger than me. Yes, I got shocked by Pia getting eliminated so early and yes I got shocked that Jacob is that camp. I’m a sucker for it all.

Haley and Casey talking about how much they like me too.

In addition to the show was the wonderful Paul F. Tompkins recaps done for nymag.com. Or is it techincally vulture.com? I can’t tell anymore. MAKE SENSE INTERNET! Anyhoo… Paul would give a run down on his opinion of each show and cut through all the bull to ask the serious questions. Like, who does Randy really believe was in it to win it? And will Steven like any of the performances?

I laughed, I cried. I mostly read. Now that the show is over I would highly recommend reading his recap of his recaps which offers a nice run down on his thoughts on American Idol in general and the task of writing about it twice a week. But if you want to go back over his run and share in the laughs through hindsight just click this dang link here.

2) Jonathan Hickman on War Rocket Ajax

Jonathan Hickman is one of the best comic writers working today. There, I said it. Too controversial a statement? Let’s say that he’s one of my favourites then. But secretly I’ll know I’m right and that he’s one of the best. Whatever gets you through the day, reader person. His Marvel comics S.H.I.E.L.D., Secret Warriors and Fantastic Four are all great reads and considering I’ve never cared about the FF books before his run, that’s saying something.

“Bring me the head of Johnny Storm”

He recently guested on the podcast War Rocket Ajax which is hosted by big time blogger Chris Sims and Matt Wilson. Hickman talks openly about his work at Marvel and behind the scenes info about what he’s currently working on. It’s a fascinating conversation especially for anyone interested in working in the comic industry as he’s quite frank about what it’s like to create them.

You can listen to the show by clicking this fandabidoozy link. It would be rude of me to say that you can skip to his interview about two thirds of the way into the show so I won’t say anything like that.

3) Jim Henson

May saw the 21st anniversary of Jim Henson’s death. Jim was a man of unending heart and his creations influenced millions of children (and grown ups) around the world. The Muppets and Sesame Street still survive to this day and if you haven’t seen Labyrinth yet then for the love of god GO! DO IT NOW!

Upon hearing of the anniversary I decided to look for some video footage of Jim’s memorial service. I remembered hearing that there were some nice things said and done. Well, I had heard right and I ended up crying like a baby.

Here is a video of Jim’s long time collaborator and friend Frank Oz describing a story highlighting Jim’s crazy sense of humour.

And here are a number of Muppeteers singing a medley of Jim’s favourite songs.

If you’re not wiping away a tear at this point you’re a monster with no soul. FACT.

4) Jesse Lonergan

I discovered Jesse’s blog a couple of months ago and dug it instantly. He is a comic writer/artist who has been noted for his range of dancing Star Wars characters and Superheroes. But I personally enjoy his strips a lot more.

To give you an idea, his About Me page is littered with comics about him and his wry sense of humour is clear.

But specifically in May he began regularly updating his blog with sketches from a moleskin notebook that he draws in everyday. About nothing in particular, they are a neat look into the daily life of a stranger to me.

So to check out more of the above head on over to http://jesselonergan.blogspot.com/

5) Barack O’Bama

Regardless of what you think of the man politically, it can’t be denied that the current President of the United States is a wonderful orator. He recently visited my home town of Dublin and gave a speech to 20,000 Irish men and women on the streets.

It was great fun for everyone involved and the speech itself is a nice comment on the relationship between my tiny island and America over the years. At the very least he got a good giggle from me by stating “I’m Barack Obama, of the Moneygall Obamas. I’ve come home to find the apostrophe we lost somewhere along the way.”

Try to ignore the guy talking at the very start. He’s our current head of state.
Click this linkymabob to watch.

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And that’s it! My favourite things of the last month.

– Aaron Poole is the creator of the “hustle” dance craze. He is also more acurately an editor for FRED and rarely leaves the house. If you like what you read here check out his blog http://aaronfever.blogspot.com

June 1, 2011
FROM THE VAULT: An Interview with Frank Oz

I first met Frank Oz on the set of Muppets From Space, in January of 1999. We got on quite well, and made plans to do an in-depth interview sometime in the near future.

Towards the end of the year, our schedules finally met in the middle, and we had quite a long conversation, marked by Oz’s complete candor about his time with the Muppets, his move into directing, and much more. I also learned that Frank Oz swore.

Like a sailor.

It was an endearing verbal affectation that sticks out in my memory to this day. Here was an iconic performer who brought to life a fair chunk of my childhood – Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Cookie Monster, Animal, Grover – and he cussed. A lot.

From the vaults, I present to you my chat with Frank Oz…

KEN PLUME: You were born in England. When did your parents move to the States? Why did they?

FRANK OZ: I was born in Hereford, England in 1944. We moved when they had an opportunity to get a visa, about 1950. My Dad always thought Europe was a bit too small for him. He wanted to see the United States…

The typical immigrant story. He wanted a better life for his children, too. He always tried to get the visa and it didn’t come up. Even before the war he wanted to come to the United States.

At that time you had to have six months residence supported by a sponsor in the United States. He finally found a sponsor in Montana, bizarrely enough, so in 1951 he took my brother and I and my mom, who I think was pregnant with my sister, from Belgium to Montana.

PLUME: What was your father’s profession?

OZ: He was a window trimmer, like for Ladies’ apparel stores.

PLUME: Your parents were both puppeteers, weren’t they?

OZ: Right.

PLUME: What was his profession in the States?

OZ: He stayed a window trimmer. He was a freelance window trimmer.

PLUME: So the puppeteering was a hobby…

OZ: It became a hobby, right.

PLUME: Did your parents foster puppeteering within the family?

OZ: No. My brother had no interest in it whatsoever and my sister didn’t have interest in it till later years. My brother was into cars. It was something that I latched on to because it was a way to please them and it was a means of expression for a shy, self-effacing boy.

PLUME: Did it come naturally to you?

OZ: I have no idea. In the beginning I imagine you’re a kid, you don’t know what the hell you’re doing. It took awhile. At that time, it was only marionettes, not hand puppets.

PLUME: Where were your interests growing up?

OZ: The usual things: girls and sports. That was the interest, mainly. I never wanted to be a puppeteer. I stopped puppeteering when I was about 18. I puppeteered when I was eleven years old to 18 to make extra money to go to Europe, which I made half of and my parents gave me half.
I bought a tape recorder and some stuff and went to Europe for three months when I was 18. The puppeteering was only there as a hobby. I wanted to be a journalist. When I was 19 and after I had spent about a year in college, Jim Henson asked me to come out and try puppeteering for awhile.

PLUME: Where did you first meet Jim (Henson)?

OZ: They have these puppeteers conferences, which I never used to go to… ever…except for this one I went to when I was 17 years old and Jim happened to be there.

PLUME: Jim Henson wanted to hire you right out of high school, right?

OZ: He saw what I did there, and I was working with an old friend of mine named Jerry Juhl, so he hired Jerry, who went on to be the writer for the Muppets. Two years later when I finished high school and was in college, he asked me to come out to work part-time with him. I tried to continue my studies at CCNY in New York, but that lasted only about a semester or two. I continued on with the Muppets. What was going on was too exciting.

PLUME: What were your first impressions of Jim during that first meeting?

OZ: He didn’t have a beard. At that time I was 17, so he must have been about 23. He was this very quiet, shy guy who did these absolutely f***ing amazing puppets that were totally brand new and fresh, that had never been done before.

(continued below…)

October 17, 2010