Blog Post 6

A new movie version of A Christmas Carol opened November 1, 2009. The new Disney had success for the first weekend and continues to rule the box office.

This 3-D animated film made over $31 million in its first opening weekend. Featuring stylized animation similar to the movie Polar Express, A Christmas Carol features Jim Carrey as the classic miser, Scrooge.

“What Mr. Dickens wrote in the story is completely stylized, including the characters, the descriptions of the cold, the fog, of London, everything. It all has a hyper-reality to it,” said Robert Zemeckis, the director of this new animated film.

A Christmas Carol, the Victorian Christmas story written by Charles Dickens, has been adapted many times throughout the years. This is the first Disney/Pixar animated version of the holiday tale.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol is sure to be a hit among audiences this holiday season.

References:

“’A Christmas Carol’ Dominates Weekend Box Office.” AP. Fox News, November 9, 2009. Web. November 9, 2009. <http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2009/11/09/christmas-carol-dominates-weekend-box-office/>.

“Ghosts of Technology Present.” A. Scott. New York Times, November 6, 2009. Web. November 6, 2009. <http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/movies/06disney.html>.

“3-D ‘Christmas Carol’ fits Charles Dickens’s Vision.” Anthony Breznican. USA Today, November 5, 2009. Web. November 5, 2009. <http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-11-05-christmascarol05_st_N.htm>.

Blog Post 5

The Broadway revival of Brighton Beach Memoirs is closed after a mere week-long run. The Neil Simon play received several positive and negative reviews before the show closed due to “weak ticket sales” said the New York Times.

The Brighton Beach revival production debuted at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City. The play opened October 26, 2009 and closed November 1, 2009.

“I’m dumbfounded,” said Mr. Simon, the writer of Brighton Beach and the father of situational comedy. “After all these years, I still don’t get how Broadway works or what to make of our culture.”

Although Broadway revival pieces can have long runs, the most successful revivals are musicals. Brighton Beach, a drama set in the depression era, focuses on a family’s battle with adversity. Many speculate that during the current recession, audiences may enjoy musicals and storylines that don’t involve current situations. This could be a reason behind low ticket sales and the premature close of Brighton Beach.

Although Neil Simon plays will remain classics, it is doubtful that they will find relevance on Broadway stages. Classic plays like Brighton Beach Memoirs are going extinct and are being replaced by new edgy dramas and shows.

References:

“Brighton Beach Memoirs to Close; Broadway Bound Canceled.” Broadway.com Staff. Broadway.com. October 30, 2009. Web. November 1, 2009. <http://www.broadway.com/buzz/brighton-beach-memoirs-close-broadway-bound-canceled/>.

“Brighton Beach Memoirs to Close on November 1; Broadway Bound Canceled.” Dan Bacalzo. Theater Mania. October 31, 2009. Web. November 1, 2009. <http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/10-2009/brighton-beach-memoirs-to-close-on-november-1-broa_18530.html >.

“Neil Simon Flop May Be a Case of the Missing ‘Wow.” Patrick Healy. New York Times. November 1, 2009. Web. November 2, 2009. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/theater/02simon.html?_r=1&ref=theater>.