This week’s episode of our podcast WE ARE MOVIE GEEKS The Show is up! Hear WAMG’s Michelle McCue, Jim Batts and Tom Stockman discuss the weekend box office, and next weekend’s releases. We’ll review HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2, THE GREEN INFERNO, THE INTERN, SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, STONEWALL, COMING HOME and THE MARTIAN. We’ll also preview SACARIO and THE WALK. We’ll discuss Spike Lee’s DO THE RIGHT THING and Ed Wood’s PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, in advance of local screenings of both of those films this week . WE ARE MOVIE GEEKS The Show is a weekly podcast and can be heard streaming at ONStl.com Online Radio.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 was number one at this weekend’s box office with a staggering $47.5 million. The monster comedy adventure from Sony Pictures Animation stars Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi and Mel Brooks . The sequel is Sandler’s best debut ever and if estimates hold, a record for a September opening. (Review)
Another film with dazzling worldwide weekend box office results is LOST IN HONG KONG.
Rentrak’s Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian commented, “Actor, director Xu Zheng enjoyed an incredible global weekend as his ‘Lost in Hong Kong,’ the highly anticipated follow up to 2012’s ‘Lost in Thailand,’ grossed a spectacular $100.559 million in just 6 territories. Sony’s ‘Hotel Transylvania 2’ also made its mark in 42 international territories and took the top spot in North America with a combined $76.7 million worldwide.”
The top 12 worldwide weekend box office estimates, listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, are below.
1. Lost In Hong Kong – Multiple – $100.6M
2. Hotel Transylvania 2 – Sony – $76.7M
3. Everest – Universal – $46.9M
4. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials – 20th Century Fox – $42.4M
5. Intern, The – Warner Bros. – $30.0M
6. Visit, The – Universal – $11.7M
7. Black Mass – Warner Bros. – $11.5M
8. Inside Out – Disney – $8.4M
9. Throne, The – Unknown – $7.9M
10. Fack ju Gohte 2 – Constantin – $7.5
11. Third way of Love, The – Multiple – $7.5M
12. Minions – Universal – $7.2M
The top 12 domestic weekend box office estimates, listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, are below.
1. Hotel Transylvania 2 – Sony – $47.5M
2. Intern, The – Warner Bros. – $18.2M
3. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials – 20th Century Fox – $14.0M
4. Everest – Universal – $13.1M
5. Black Mass – Warner Bros. – $11.5M
6. Visit, The – Universal – $6.7M
7. Perfect Guy, The – Sony – $4.8M
8. War Room – Sony – $4.3M
9. Green Inferno, The – High Top Releasing – $3.5M
10. Sicario – Lionsgate – $1.8M
11. Pawn Sacrifice – Bleecker Street – $1.0M
12. Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation – Paramount – $0.9M
A worthy animated sequel, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 has lively monster design, fangtastic visuals, great characters, gorgeous animation, and a top-notch voice cast. It’s a lot of fun and if you liked the first one, you won’t be disappointed with the follow-up. Drac (Adam Sandler) and his pack of classic Universal monsters are back and everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania. Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is concerned that his red-headed half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire. So while his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) is busy visiting her human in-laws (Megan Mullalley and Nick Offerman) with her husband Johnny (Andy Samburg), “Vampa” Drac enlists his monster friends Frank (enstein), Murray (the Mummy), Wayne (the Werewolf) and Griffin (the Invisible Man) to put Dennis through a “monster-in-training” boot camp. But Drac’s grumpy and very old, old-school dad Vlad pays a family visit to the hotel and when he finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood – and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania – things get batty!
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2’s screenplay by Sandler and Robert Smigel isn’t strong, but the film’s big laughs, and there are a lot of them, come from the visual side of the equation. Director Genndy Tartakovsky is clearly a big fan of the animated works of Chuck Jones and Tex Avery, cartoon legends who knew that you could earn just as many guffaws from a silly walk, a smash cut, or a stylized facial expression as you could from a well-delivered ‘spoken’ joke. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 is full of funny fast-flying gags and non-stop monster visual puns that would make Forry Ackerman proud. It’s a kid’s movie but since the talent behind both HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA films clearly has such affection and respect for the Universal movie monsters, older Monster Kids like myself will appreciate it as well. Adam Sandler, much more likable here than his recent live-action stuff, provides the voice for Count Dracula as sort of a cross between Lugosi and a Jewish grandma. Cee-Lo is not back as Murray the Mummy, a good thing since his excruciating auto-tune rap songs in the first one were a low point. David Spade returns as an invisible man who gets big laughs pretending to have an invisible girlfriend. Kevin James is back as Frankenstein but isn’t given much to do while Steve Busceli as Wayne the Wolfman is a scene-stealer again. There are some welcome new characters in the sequel. Megan Mullalley and deadpan Nick Offerman voice Johnny’s California human parents and Drac’s Uncle Vlad is voiced by comedy legend Mel Brooks. The sequel seems a notch less witty than its predecessor (someone yelling at Drac “I like your chocolate cereal!” may be the only line I laughed out loud at), and the focus is more on the zany, out of control gestures made by the characters instead of a genuinely substantial plot, but I still recommend HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2.
On September 25th, there’s a monster family reunion when HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 opens in theaters.
To celebrate the new film, WAMG is giving away FIVE monstrously fun prizepacks!
Winners will receive a HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 prize pack:
Mini poster
Blobby Putty
Fangs
School supply pack which includes pen, paper books, ruler and stickers
Answer the following: Which actors played Dracula, Frankenstein and The Wolfman in Universal Monsters movies?
For a chance to win, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWERS AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
1. Must have a U.S. mailing address.
2. No purchase necessary.
We will contact the winners by email.
Drac’s pack is back for an all-new monster comedy adventure in Sony Pictures Animation’s HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2!
Everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania… Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire. So while Mavis is busy visiting her human in-laws with Johnny – and in for a major cultural shock of her own – “Vampa” Drac enlists his friends Frank, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to put Dennis through a “monster-in-training” boot camp. But little do they know that Drac’s grumpy and very old, old, old school dad Vlad is about to pay a family visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood – and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania – things are going to get batty!
The film is directed by Genndy Tartakovsky and features the voices of Adam Sandler (Dracula), Andy Samberg (Johnny), Selena Gomez (Mavis), Kevin James (Frank), Fran Drescher (Eunice), Steve Buscemi (Wayne), Molly Shannon (Wanda), David Spade (Griffin), Keegan-Michael Key (Murray) and Mel Brooks (Vlad).
See HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 in theaters on Sept. 25, 2015.
The film is rated PG: SOME SCARY IMAGES, ACTION AND RUDE HUMOR.
Fifth Harmony, the award-winning girl group whose top 10, platinum hit “Worth It” is currently rocketing up the charts, has recorded the new song “I’m In Love With A Monster” for Sony Pictures Animation’s HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2, it was announced by Lia Vollack, president of Worldwide Music for Sony Pictures. The sequel to the monster hit, which took in over $350 million worldwide, will be released in theaters on September 25.
“I’m In Love With A Monster” will be heard in the film as well as in the new trailer, which launches this week. “I’m In Love With A Monster” is produced by Harmony Samuels and written by Harmony Samuels, Carmen Reece, Sarah Mancuso, Edgar Etienne, andEricka Coulter.
The new song will be released by Syco/Epic Records next month.
Commenting on the announcement, Vollack said, “There are few groups out there that can match the incredibly fun feel and animated vision that Genndy Tartakovsky is bringing to HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2, and Fifth Harmony knocked it out of the park. The song is exactly what we were hoping for.”
Ally, Normani, Dinah, Camila, and Lauren of Fifth Harmony said, “We’re incredibly excited that our song, ‘I’m In Love With A Monster,’ will be part of Hotel Transylvania 2! The movie is hilarious and so much fun!”
Drac’s pack is back for an all-new monster comedy adventure in Sony Pictures Animation’s HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2! Everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania… Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire. So while Mavis is busy visiting her human in-laws with Johnny – and in for a major cultural shock of her own – “Vampa” Drac enlists his friends Frank, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to put Dennis through a “monster-in-training” boot camp. But little do they know that Drac’s grumpy and very old, old, old school dad Vlad is about to pay a family visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood – and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania – things are going to get batty!
The cast includes Adam Sandler (Dracula), Andy Samberg (Johnny), Selena Gomez (Mavis), Kevin James (Frank), Fran Drescher (Eunice), Steve Buscemi (Wayne), Molly Shannon (Wanda), David Spade (Griffin), Keegan-Michael Key (Murray) and Mel Brooks (Vlad).
The loveable Monster Squad – Dracula, Frank, Wayne, Griffin and Murray – return in the new trailer for Sony Pictures Animations’ HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2.
The Drac pack is back for an all-new monster comedy adventure.
Everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania… Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire.
So while Mavis is busy visiting her human in-laws with Johnny – and in for a major cultural shock of her own – “Vampa” Drac enlists his friends Frank, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to put Dennis through a “monster-in-training” boot camp.
But little do they know that Drac’s grumpy and very old, old, old school dad Vlad is about to pay a family visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood – and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania – things are going to get batty!
The cast includes Adam Sandler (Dracula), Andy Samberg (Johnny), Selena Gomez (Mavis), Kevin James (Frank), Fran Drescher (Eunice), Steve Buscemi (Wayne), Molly Shannon (Wanda), David Spade (Griffin), Keegan-Michael Key (Murray) and Mel Brooks (Vlad).
Brooks – who takes on the role 40 years after helming the horror-comedy classic Young Frankenstein – said, “I’m had a wonderful time with the character Vlad. He’s been around for eons and he’s a pretty crabby guy. Basically, he reminds me of me.”
Director Genndy Tartakovsky returns to direct the sequel to the 2012 worldwide hit.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 opens in theaters on September 25, 2015.
Sony Pictures Animation today announced the casting of Oscar-, Tony-, Grammy- and Emmy-winning writer, director, performer, composer and producer Mel Brooks in the sequel to the 2012 worldwide hit, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2.
Brooks has been cast in the role of Vlad, the ancient, undead and incredibly grumpy father to Dracula (Adam Sandler). Dracula, Mavis, Jonathan and all of their monster friends are back in the brand new comedy adventure: when the old-old-old-fashioned vampire Vlad arrives at the hotel for an impromptu family get-together, Hotel Transylvania is in for a comic collision of supernatural old-school and modern day cool.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 is slated for a September 25, 2015 release, and is being directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, produced by Michelle Murdocca, executive-produced by Sandler, Allen Covert,and Ben Waisbren, and written by Robert Smigel.
Brooks – who takes on the role 40 years after helming the horror-comedy classic Young Frankenstein – said, “I’m having a wonderful time with the character Vlad. He’s been around for eons and he’s a pretty crabby guy. Basically, he reminds me of me.”
Selena Gomez and Andy Samberg also return for the sequel
Brooks isn’t the only icon who will be voicing Vlad, as Sony Pictures Releasing International is securing the talents of additional high-profile stars around the world to voice the ancient one for the non-English versions of the film.
So far, these regional Vlads include: France’s Michel Galabru, the esteemed 92-year-old actor who has appeared in more than 200 films; Japan’s Junji Inagawa, whose voice is instantly recognizable as the “go to” narrator of horror films, radio programs and DVDs; Holland’s Bram Van Der Vlugt, who, for decades, was the most requested Dutch TV/film “Sinterklaas” (Saint Nicholas); and Belgium’s Jacques Vermeire, the well-known Flemish performer with decades of memorable comic television and feature film performances.
Sony Pictures Animation today gave an update on their lineup of upcoming projects – which includes the animated motion picture debut of a classic comic strip figure, an original tale from one of the form’s most multi-faceted filmmakers, as well as the continued expansion of two of the studio’s most popular worlds.
Bob Osher, President of Sony Pictures Digital Productions, states, “I am really excited by the variety of our upcoming projects as well as the amazing talent working on them.”
Sony Pictures Animation has hired animation industry veteran Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2, Gnomeo & Juliet) to direct an all new, fully computer-animated film featuring the world’s most popular blue creatures. The family adventure, currently going by the working title The Untitled Smurfs Movie, is anticipated in theaters August 2015. Jordan Kerner (The Smurfs) is producing, with Mary Ellen Bauder (Hotel Transylvania) co-producing. The original two live action/CG hybrid Smurfs movies from Sony Pictures Animation grossed a combined $910 million worldwide.
Genndy Tartakovsky will return to the director’s chair for Hotel Transylvania 2, , scheduled for September 2015, which will bring back Adam Sandler’s Dracula. Sandler and Robert Smigel are taking on writing duties for the comedy.
The uber prolific Genndy Tartakovsky is also busy working an all-new CG take on the comic strip hero, Popeye, all the while developing an original idea for Sony Pictures Animation titled Genndy Tartakovsky’s Can You Imagine?, described as a fantastic journey through one boy’s imagination. Producer Michelle Murdocca will once again work closely with Tartakovsky.
Concept art from the Sony Pictures Animation project tentatively titled “Genndy Tartakovsky’s CAN YOU IMAGINE?”
Kelly Asbury, who was nominated for the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or for Shrek 2, offers, “I’m really excited about taking the Smurfs in a completely new fresh direction. We’re not making a Smurfs 3 film. Our character designs and environments will be stylistically closer to the original artwork created by Peyo. Our story will explore the beginnings of the beloved little blue creatures in a fun full CG animated comedy-adventure for every generation to enjoy.”
13-time Emmy Award nominee Tartakovsky himself says, “It’s good to be back at the Hotel Transylvania, and I’m very excited to work on Popeye, a character that I’ve loved since I was a kid. I’m also looking forward to developing an entirely new and original animated feature here at Sony Pictures Animation. This is an exciting time for me and for the studio.”
Behind-the-scenes with Director Genndy Tartakovsky on Sony Pictures’ animation HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA.
Michelle Raimo Kouyate, the President of Production for Sony Pictures Animation, is working closely with filmmakers on those projects while overseeing an extensive development slate for the animation studio. Imagery and animation on all Sony Pictures Animation films will be provided by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
