"What magical spell does it cast on all who read it? What is the secret of The NeverEnding Story?" This unforgettably fantasy adventure movie originally opened in theaters in West German in April 1984 - a full 40 years ago this month. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, and for a look back at a classic trailer that has re-appeared online, enjoy these previews for Wolfgang Petersen's classic The NeverEnding Story. In this big screen adventure, a troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a book. He ends up journeying through strange lands, encountering all kinds of creatures both kind & evil, making some friends & enemies along the way. Barret Oliver stars as Bastian, with Noah Hathaway as Atreyu, Tami Stronach as the "Moon Child", plus Patricia Hayes, Sydney Bromley, Gerald McRaney, and Moses Gunn. If you grew up in the 80s or 90s like me, you...
- 4/28/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The Neverending Story is living up to its name. As first reported by Variety, late German author Michael Ende’s fantasy novel is once again being adapted for a new live-action film series.
The movies will be a joint effort from Michael Ende Productions (overseen by his estate) and See-Saw Films, with Iain Canning and Emile Sherman producing for See-Saw and Roman Hocke and Ralph Gassmann for Michael Ende Productions.
Published in 1979, The Neverending Story was a bestseller in Germany and became a global success after being translated into 45 languages. The novel revolves around a lonely boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux who discovers the titular book at an antique bookstore. As he begins reading about a young warrior named Atreyu tasked with saving the Empress of Fantastica, Bastian eventually finds himself as a character in the story.
There isn’t a creative team attached to the project as of yet,...
The movies will be a joint effort from Michael Ende Productions (overseen by his estate) and See-Saw Films, with Iain Canning and Emile Sherman producing for See-Saw and Roman Hocke and Ralph Gassmann for Michael Ende Productions.
Published in 1979, The Neverending Story was a bestseller in Germany and became a global success after being translated into 45 languages. The novel revolves around a lonely boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux who discovers the titular book at an antique bookstore. As he begins reading about a young warrior named Atreyu tasked with saving the Empress of Fantastica, Bastian eventually finds himself as a character in the story.
There isn’t a creative team attached to the project as of yet,...
- 3/20/2024
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
Clockwise from top left: Moon (courtesy Liberty Films UK), Die Hard (courtesy 20th Century Studios), The Iron Giant (courtesy Warner Bros.), The Truman Show (courtesy Paramount Pictures)Graphic: The A.V. Club
YouTube offers a veritable treasure trove of free movies ready to watch at your convenience. Comedies, dramas, hidden gems,...
YouTube offers a veritable treasure trove of free movies ready to watch at your convenience. Comedies, dramas, hidden gems,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Ian Spelling
- avclub.com
Sometimes it seems like Stephen King has done literally everything a person could do. As of this publication he has written over 70 books and over 200 short stories. He directed a movie where the Green Goblin was a killer truck possessed by a comet. He wrote an episode of "The X-Files." He did a cameo on "The Simpsons." Twice. He even did an "X-Men" comic book once.
So it probably comes as no surprise that Stephen King's work has been adapted into an episode of "The Twilight Zone." Indeed, the only things that are surprising about it is that it only happened once, and that hardly anyone has heard of it nowadays. But it's real. It's based on Stephen King's short story "Gramma," it was adapted by sci-fi luminary Harlan Ellison, it co-stars Piper Laurie from "Carrie," and it's part of the H.P. Lovecraft Cthulhu mythos.
That's a whole lot to cram into a 21 minute story,...
So it probably comes as no surprise that Stephen King's work has been adapted into an episode of "The Twilight Zone." Indeed, the only things that are surprising about it is that it only happened once, and that hardly anyone has heard of it nowadays. But it's real. It's based on Stephen King's short story "Gramma," it was adapted by sci-fi luminary Harlan Ellison, it co-stars Piper Laurie from "Carrie," and it's part of the H.P. Lovecraft Cthulhu mythos.
That's a whole lot to cram into a 21 minute story,...
- 10/17/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
Few scenes get me as much as that scene in "The Neverending Story" where Atreyu and Artax attempt to cross through the Swamp of Sadness. "Everyone knew that whoever let the sadness overtake him, would sink into the swamp," reads Bastian (Barret Oliver) in the film. Of course, anytime a scene begins with that kind of narration, you know things are not going to end well for at least one of the characters on screen. And it's true. Artax, that beautiful, beloved white stallion, lets the swamp get the best of him. The horse refuses to take one more step and slowly begins to sink into the mud while a panicked Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) desperately tries to get his horse to move. "Please," he pleads. "You're my friend!" And there I go again crying into my dog's fur as I hold him close to my chest and sob. This scene...
- 1/29/2023
- by Miyako Pleines
- Slash Film
Up until a few years ago, there was a shady little pub here in Brno, Czech Republic, that only had one desirable feature: A six-foot statue of the lovable Rockbiter creature from "The NeverEnding Story." I would even take people there to suffer bad beer just so we could marvel at that unexpected monument to Wolfgang Petersen's dark fantasy adventure. It wasn't the only legacy of the film's enduring popularity around here; Limahl's title song, which was a hit single across Europe, is still played on regular rotation on the local radio station. It is one of the many benefits of living in the Czech Republic.
"The NeverEnding Story," based on the first half of Michael Ende's epic fantasy novel, was Petersen's next project after spending three years making his tense U-boat drama, "Das Boot." The German director received an Oscar nomination for his troubles but wanted...
"The NeverEnding Story," based on the first half of Michael Ende's epic fantasy novel, was Petersen's next project after spending three years making his tense U-boat drama, "Das Boot." The German director received an Oscar nomination for his troubles but wanted...
- 1/26/2023
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
When you think of director Wolfgang Petersen (who passed away last year), the first thing that comes to mind is probably not a movie about ailing Empresses, heroic young boys, and giant, flying luck dragons. After all, a glimpse of Petersen's filmography doesn't really seem to suggest that he's the kind of guy too interested in fantasy movies for children. Much of his resume is studded with impressive hits like 1981's "Das Boot" and 1997's "Air Force One." Both of these films are firmly based in reality and depict both militaristic and political storylines, with "Das Boot" focusing on a German submarine in World War II and "Air Force One" honing in on a terrorist attack aboard the President of the United States' plane with not a single luck dragon is in sight.
Still, there is one movie of Petersen's that, while great, doesn't quite fit with the rest of...
Still, there is one movie of Petersen's that, while great, doesn't quite fit with the rest of...
- 1/25/2023
- by Miyako Pleines
- Slash Film
Writing and directing a short is a potential passageway to creating a full-length feature film.
Aspiring directors use this medium to create a proof of concept on a small budget that can go on to win on the short film festival circuit and be picked up by investors, leading to larger projects and paving the way to a career in Hollywood.
Shorts are not uncommon to be made as proof of concept for a feature film, especially by first-time directors. Multiple Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper, for example, had to prove to the studio heads that he was capable of directing A Star Is Born, also starring Lady Gaga, in 2019 by creating a short.
The box office hit Smile, directed by Parker Finn, is a recent success story of how a short can go on to launch a career. Finn’s short film for Smile initially titled Laura Hasn’t Slept...
Aspiring directors use this medium to create a proof of concept on a small budget that can go on to win on the short film festival circuit and be picked up by investors, leading to larger projects and paving the way to a career in Hollywood.
Shorts are not uncommon to be made as proof of concept for a feature film, especially by first-time directors. Multiple Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper, for example, had to prove to the studio heads that he was capable of directing A Star Is Born, also starring Lady Gaga, in 2019 by creating a short.
The box office hit Smile, directed by Parker Finn, is a recent success story of how a short can go on to launch a career. Finn’s short film for Smile initially titled Laura Hasn’t Slept...
- 11/17/2022
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
The late Wolfgang Petersen's 1984 film "The NeverEnding Story," while ostensibly a fantasy film, lacks the genre's expected sense of lighthearted, dazzling wonderment. Indeed, the film's fantasy sequences bear a tragic note of muddy entropy, and fantastical characters live in a state of resigned abnegation. Despite amazing special effects and myriad imaginative monsters, "The NeverEnding Story" is most notable for its overwhelming ennui. A savvy youth might be so beleaguered by the film's sadness, they may find its final moments of triumph to feel artificial, like the hero may only be imagining his own escape from pain. The film ends with a moment of mourning, of acceptance that a parent is dead. Some find the film uplifting. Others may not.
The plot of "The NeverEnding Story" follows a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) who recently lost his mother and who is beset by bullies at school. When he absconds...
The plot of "The NeverEnding Story" follows a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) who recently lost his mother and who is beset by bullies at school. When he absconds...
- 8/16/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Wolfgang Petersen, whose German-language film “Das Boot” launched a successful Hollywood filmmaking career that included star-studded films like “Air Force One” and “The Perfect Storm,” has died, a representative told TheWrap. He was 81.
Petersen died Friday with his wife Maria Antoinette by his side after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Also Read:
Academy CEO Hints at Oscars Ceremony Having Producers for ‘Multiple Years’
Petersen’s film “Das Boot” or “The Boat” (1981) launched his career in Hollywood after the close-quarters WWII submarine drama received six Academy Award nominations. The film starred Jürgen Prochnow as the German U-boat Captain, and was made into an English-language miniseries by the BBC.
His first Hollywood venture was the live-action fantasy “The NeverEnding Story” (1984), which he co-wrote. The now-cult classic follows a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) who stumbles upon a fantastical world accused via a magical book. The world merges with his own when...
Petersen died Friday with his wife Maria Antoinette by his side after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Also Read:
Academy CEO Hints at Oscars Ceremony Having Producers for ‘Multiple Years’
Petersen’s film “Das Boot” or “The Boat” (1981) launched his career in Hollywood after the close-quarters WWII submarine drama received six Academy Award nominations. The film starred Jürgen Prochnow as the German U-boat Captain, and was made into an English-language miniseries by the BBC.
His first Hollywood venture was the live-action fantasy “The NeverEnding Story” (1984), which he co-wrote. The now-cult classic follows a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) who stumbles upon a fantastical world accused via a magical book. The world merges with his own when...
- 8/16/2022
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Wolfgang Petersen, who rode his acclaimed German-language film “Das Boot” into a career directing Hollywood blockbusters such as “In the Line of Fire,” “Air Force One,” “The Perfect Storm” and “Troy,” has died. He was 81.
The news was confirmed by his production company.
“Das Boot” (1981) was the harrowing story of life aboard a German U-boat during World War II; the genius of the film was that Petersen accomplished the unlikely feat of making audiences feel for the ordinary men serving on the submarine, who were all at least nominally in service to the Nazi cause — even the captain, played by Jurgen Prochnow, who himself parlayed the role in the film into a career as a character actor in Hollywood. Offering suspense and tragedy, “Das Boot” was nominated for six Oscars — an enormous number for a foreign film — including two for Petersen, for director and adapted screenplay. On the IMDb’s list of 250 top-rated films,...
The news was confirmed by his production company.
“Das Boot” (1981) was the harrowing story of life aboard a German U-boat during World War II; the genius of the film was that Petersen accomplished the unlikely feat of making audiences feel for the ordinary men serving on the submarine, who were all at least nominally in service to the Nazi cause — even the captain, played by Jurgen Prochnow, who himself parlayed the role in the film into a career as a character actor in Hollywood. Offering suspense and tragedy, “Das Boot” was nominated for six Oscars — an enormous number for a foreign film — including two for Petersen, for director and adapted screenplay. On the IMDb’s list of 250 top-rated films,...
- 8/16/2022
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
by Nathaniel R
Wilford Brimley and 80s child star Barret Oliver in Cocoon (1985)
A beloved character actor passed away this weekend. Wilford Brimley was born and died in Utah, but he became a fixture in mainstream Hollywood for a couple of decades for his earthy appeal and facility with adorable curmudgeons. Though he'd been acting since the 1960s he didn't crossover into true fame until the mid 80s...
Wilford Brimley and 80s child star Barret Oliver in Cocoon (1985)
A beloved character actor passed away this weekend. Wilford Brimley was born and died in Utah, but he became a fixture in mainstream Hollywood for a couple of decades for his earthy appeal and facility with adorable curmudgeons. Though he'd been acting since the 1960s he didn't crossover into true fame until the mid 80s...
- 8/3/2020
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Turner networks TNT and TBS have put four projects in development led by a sequel to the 1985 film “D.A.R.Y.L.” that would star Tony Hale.
The TV sequel, like the movie, will come from Paramount, with Jody Lambert and Matt Oberg writing. Hale would star as an older version of Daryl (played by Barret Oliver in the film) a government-created robot with superhuman reflexes and mental abilities.
Additionally, TBS has the sci-fi comedy “Space” from Sony, and TNT has two dramas “The Fall” and “Liar’s Club.” The Hollywood Reporter first reported on the development slate.
Also Read: Thom Hinkle to Exit as Head of Originals for TNT, TBS and TruTV
Here’s the info on the new series courtesy of TNT and TBS.
TNT
The Fall
Logline: A captivating paranoid thriller about a woman whose dark secrets start to unravel her seemingly perfect life. Inspired by the Albert Camus tale of the same name.
The TV sequel, like the movie, will come from Paramount, with Jody Lambert and Matt Oberg writing. Hale would star as an older version of Daryl (played by Barret Oliver in the film) a government-created robot with superhuman reflexes and mental abilities.
Additionally, TBS has the sci-fi comedy “Space” from Sony, and TNT has two dramas “The Fall” and “Liar’s Club.” The Hollywood Reporter first reported on the development slate.
Also Read: Thom Hinkle to Exit as Head of Originals for TNT, TBS and TruTV
Here’s the info on the new series courtesy of TNT and TBS.
TNT
The Fall
Logline: A captivating paranoid thriller about a woman whose dark secrets start to unravel her seemingly perfect life. Inspired by the Albert Camus tale of the same name.
- 6/26/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
“Indy, why does the floor move?”
Everyone knows that Art Hill, in front of the St. Louis Art Museum, is a great place to go sledding in the winter. But did you know it’s a great place to see movies in the summer?
Inspired by the remarkable story behind Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds, these four films follow the search for something vital—whether it be truth, treasure, or justice. Discover other lives, other eras, and other worlds with these Epic Quests.
The We Are Movie Geeks gang always goes to these, so if you wanna hang with the cool kids, you should go too. It’s free and they set up a big screen at the bottom of the hill. There are food trucks and beer and wine for sale. You can even go dine in the museum’s restaurant before the show if you got money to burn.
Everyone knows that Art Hill, in front of the St. Louis Art Museum, is a great place to go sledding in the winter. But did you know it’s a great place to see movies in the summer?
Inspired by the remarkable story behind Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds, these four films follow the search for something vital—whether it be truth, treasure, or justice. Discover other lives, other eras, and other worlds with these Epic Quests.
The We Are Movie Geeks gang always goes to these, so if you wanna hang with the cool kids, you should go too. It’s free and they set up a big screen at the bottom of the hill. There are food trucks and beer and wine for sale. You can even go dine in the museum’s restaurant before the show if you got money to burn.
- 5/14/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Tami Stronach is best known for playing the sick Fantasia ruler, The Childlike Empress -- opposite Barret Oliver as the Falkor-riding Bastian -- in the 1984 sci-fi film 'The NeverEnding Story.' Guess what she looks like now! Read more...
- 1/23/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Remember cute little Bastian from “Neverending Story?” How about “D.A.R.Y.L?” How about “Cocoon?” How about the fact that this kid was in every movie in the 80’s that featured a 7-10 year old boy. His real name? Barret Oliver. Unfortunately as soon Barret went through puberty and had a role in “Cocoon II: The Return,” his acting career pretty much ended. Though we’ll never forget the infamous “Call my name!” scene from Neverending Story will we? Oliver was a great little guy back then. Cute as a button. But puberty does happen to a man and Hollywood is an unforgiving
Whatever Happened to Bastian From Neverending Story?...
Whatever Happened to Bastian From Neverending Story?...
- 1/16/2016
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
Last week, EW published The 55 Essential Movies Kids Must Experience (Before Turning 13). Predictably, given that we published a post on the Internet whose headline contained a concrete number and the word “essential,” we got some impassioned feedback from readers—many of whom were eager to suggest additional great movies kids should see that we’d left out.
As we noted last week, “This isn’t a list of the 55 ‘best’ kids movies, nor a compendium of hidden gems. Rather, it’s a survival-guide syllabus of films that we all need to know to be able to speak the same pop-cultural language.
As we noted last week, “This isn’t a list of the 55 ‘best’ kids movies, nor a compendium of hidden gems. Rather, it’s a survival-guide syllabus of films that we all need to know to be able to speak the same pop-cultural language.
- 7/3/2014
- by EW staff
- EW.com - PopWatch
An avid young reader is plunged into the fairytale realm of a magical book in this imaginative fantasy adventure from action director Wolfgang Petersen. Barret Oliver is the lad who is literally immersed in the story when he finds himself playing a brave young warrior on a quest to save the kingdom of Fantasia. A charming children's fable with many a wonder to behold, not least its iconic, shaggy dragon-dog, Falcor.
- 5/1/2014
- Sky Movies
Frankenweenie has arrived on Blu-ray and DVD Combo pack from Walt Disney Home Entertainment. Directed by Tim Burton with the voices of Charlie Tahan (Charlie St. Cloud), Winona Ryder, Atticus Schaffer (The Middle), Catherine O'Hara (Where The Wild Things Are), Martin Short (The Santa Clause 3), Martin Landau (Ed Wood), and Robert Capron. Whenever you watch a Tim Burton movie, you can be sure to experience a unique universe full of interesting characters with dark and creepy tones. Frankenweenie has plenty of that Burton style, and the Blu-ray has a bunch of extra footage that will keep you entertained for hours after the film ends.
John August penned the story that follows Victor Frankenstein (Tahan), a lonely boy whose only friend is his dog Sparky. Victor's parents Edward and Susan (Short and O'Hara) sign their son up for the baseball team in an effort to gain him some friends. Sparky chases...
John August penned the story that follows Victor Frankenstein (Tahan), a lonely boy whose only friend is his dog Sparky. Victor's parents Edward and Susan (Short and O'Hara) sign their son up for the baseball team in an effort to gain him some friends. Sparky chases...
- 1/11/2013
- by Jim Napier
- GeekTyrant
Most of ComicMix’s readers know that Tim Burton made his live action Frankenweenie short (starring Barret Oliver, Shelley Duvall, and Daniel Stern) while at Disney and was too quirky for the Mouse House so left to carve out a career of his own. The short was visually stylish, creepy, and filled with affection for the horror films of his youth. Since then, he has created his own brand of horror (Edward Sciossorhands, Legend of Sleepy Hollow) and has reinterpreted classic works (Batman, Alice in Wonderland, Dark Shadows, Planet of the Apes) with varying success.
Last fall he finally released a feature-length version of Frankenweenie and while it underperformed at the box office, it is a creatively satisfying effort, and a great family feature. This can now run with The Nightmare Before Christmas as annual Halloween viewing for which I am grateful.
As with most great tales, this is a love story.
Last fall he finally released a feature-length version of Frankenweenie and while it underperformed at the box office, it is a creatively satisfying effort, and a great family feature. This can now run with The Nightmare Before Christmas as annual Halloween viewing for which I am grateful.
As with most great tales, this is a love story.
- 1/9/2013
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Tim Burton's characteristic gothic vision returns to the screen this Friday with Frankenweenie , the black and white, stop motion-animated, feature-length adaptation of his 1984 short film of the same name. The original film heralded the '85 release of Burton's first feature - Pee-wee's Big Adventure - and starred Barret Oliver, Daniel Stern and Shelley Duvall. Oliver played a young boy whose dog is killed in an accident and resurrected in Frankenstein-like fashion. The animated redo expands on this idea and introduces a slew of monstrous surprises as well as a talented vocal cast of Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan and Atticus Shaffer. ShockTillYouDrop.com had to chance to speak with Burton about the project and you can check...
- 10/1/2012
- Comingsoon.net
Tim Burton's characteristic gothic vision returns to the screen this Friday with Frankenweenie, the black and white, stop motion-animated, feature-length adaptation of his 1984 short film of the same name.
The original film heralded the '85 release of Burton's first feature - Pee Wee's Big Adventure - and starred Barret Oliver, Daniel Stern and Shelley Duvall. Oliver played a young boy whose dog is killed in an accident and resurrected in Frankenstein-like fashion.
The animated redo expands on this idea and introduces a slew of monstrous surprises as well as a talented vocal cast of Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan and Atticus Shaffer.
Shock Till You Drop met with Burton in Austin, Texas where the director was showing off the film before a Fantastic Fest crowd.
Read more...
The original film heralded the '85 release of Burton's first feature - Pee Wee's Big Adventure - and starred Barret Oliver, Daniel Stern and Shelley Duvall. Oliver played a young boy whose dog is killed in an accident and resurrected in Frankenstein-like fashion.
The animated redo expands on this idea and introduces a slew of monstrous surprises as well as a talented vocal cast of Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan and Atticus Shaffer.
Shock Till You Drop met with Burton in Austin, Texas where the director was showing off the film before a Fantastic Fest crowd.
Read more...
- 10/1/2012
- shocktillyoudrop.com
For Tim Burton, this year is 2005 all over again. In 2005, the director first released the big-budget, live-action Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the summer, followed by the stop-motion animated Corpse Bride in the fall. The latter earned Burton his first and only Oscar nomination (for animated feature film). Cut to 2012. Burton’s big-budget, live-action horror comedy Dark Shadows, his eighth collaboration with star Johnny Depp, hits theaters this weekend. But waiting in the wings is Frankenweenie, a 3-D stop-motion animated monster movie that’s very dear to Burton’s heart.
Frankenweenie is a remake of the 1984 black-and-white, live-action short of the same name,...
Frankenweenie is a remake of the 1984 black-and-white, live-action short of the same name,...
- 5/12/2012
- by John Young
- EW - Inside Movies
A military cyborg boy goes on the run in the 80s family sci-fi, D.A.R.Y.L. Ryan takes a look back at a decent movie with a misleading poster...
Ah, D.A.R.Y.L. One of the less commonly discussed family movies of the 80s, but one firmly lodged in my mind, largely because of its poster and subsequent videotape cover. Depicting a small boy at the helm of an Sr-71 Blackbird (inarguably the coolest aircraft ever designed), it immediately captured my youthful imagination.
Imagine my disappointment, then, when I discovered that D.A.R.Y.L. is not an all-action adventure about a kid hurtling about in a stolen aircraft, but a fairly low-key drama about a cyborg child slowly integrating into normal family life. The aircraft theft only occurs in the final reel, and is mere minutes long - if you thought the aerial action in Firefox came along disappointingly late in the show, as I did,...
Ah, D.A.R.Y.L. One of the less commonly discussed family movies of the 80s, but one firmly lodged in my mind, largely because of its poster and subsequent videotape cover. Depicting a small boy at the helm of an Sr-71 Blackbird (inarguably the coolest aircraft ever designed), it immediately captured my youthful imagination.
Imagine my disappointment, then, when I discovered that D.A.R.Y.L. is not an all-action adventure about a kid hurtling about in a stolen aircraft, but a fairly low-key drama about a cyborg child slowly integrating into normal family life. The aircraft theft only occurs in the final reel, and is mere minutes long - if you thought the aerial action in Firefox came along disappointingly late in the show, as I did,...
- 3/30/2012
- Den of Geek
Burtonjuice... on Thursday nights we're looking at Tim Burton films chronologically. Previously we covered his early shorts including the perfect goth calling card in Vincent (1982).
a boy and his dog. til death do they part
As you may have heard Tim Burton is currently rethinking Frankenweenie as a feature film. The Frankenstein story is so familiar as a myth that its ripe for either riffing on and spoofing in. But the short film is so successful at 29 minutes that it's strange to imagine it padded with another hour of footage. I thought I'd type up "things I didn't remember about the original Frankenweenie" but realized that the list would be far far too long as I didn't remember a single thing beyond the premise, that it was in black and white, and that particular boy (Barret Oliver, a major child star in the 80s. What became of him?) and his dead doggie.
a boy and his dog. til death do they part
As you may have heard Tim Burton is currently rethinking Frankenweenie as a feature film. The Frankenstein story is so familiar as a myth that its ripe for either riffing on and spoofing in. But the short film is so successful at 29 minutes that it's strange to imagine it padded with another hour of footage. I thought I'd type up "things I didn't remember about the original Frankenweenie" but realized that the list would be far far too long as I didn't remember a single thing beyond the premise, that it was in black and white, and that particular boy (Barret Oliver, a major child star in the 80s. What became of him?) and his dead doggie.
- 3/30/2012
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Leave it to Tim Burton to bring a twisted take to the classic boy-and-his-dog tale. Way back in 1984, Burton teamed with Disney to create "Frankenweenie," the heart-warming tale of a lad who reanimates his dead pet with electrical impulses. Nearly 30 years later, Burton in now revisiting the film -- which starred Shelley Duvall, Daniel Stern and Barret Oliver -- in animated form, with Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short and Martin Landau providing voice work for the stop-motion revamp. As the film's new trailer -- which will play in in front...
- 3/1/2012
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Tim Burton is going back to the well of his early career, to re-imagine and expand upon his beloved 1984 short film, Frankenweenie. Originally a live action piece starring Shelley Duvall, Daniel Stern, and Barret Oliver as little Victor Frankenstein, a 1950's era boy, who employs scientific means to bring his beloved dog, Sparky, back from the dead, the updated Frankenweenie looks to be another entry into the animated oeuvre of Mr. Burton. Burton's two previous big animated films, The Nightmare Before Christmas and James And The Giant Peach, were both directed by Henry Sellick. This time out Burton steps into the directors chair himself to oversee the stop motion magic.Frankenweenie 2012 features the voice talents of many actors from Burton's past films, including Winona...
- 2/22/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Gerald McRaney better dust off the hat he wore in "Deadwood."
The former "Major Dad" is set for another Western adventure as he joins the cast of Quentin Tarantino's southern-flavored "Django Unchained," according to Variety.
No word on who McRaney will be playing, but for those familiar with the script, we bet we'll be seeing him as Spencer 'Big Daddy' Bennett, a slave owner whom Django (Jamie Foxx) encounters early on in his quest to free his wife, Broomhilda.
McRaney joins a cast that includes Christophe Waltz as Django's trusty ally, Dr. King Schultze; Leonardo DiCaprio as the main villain, Calvin Candie; and Samuel Jackson and Kevin Costner as Stephen and Ace, two of Candie's minions.
Gerald McRaney recently played George Hearst on HBO's Western series, "Deadwood." He was recently seen on the big screen in "The A-Team" and "Get Low" and will next be seen in the WWII adventure,...
The former "Major Dad" is set for another Western adventure as he joins the cast of Quentin Tarantino's southern-flavored "Django Unchained," according to Variety.
No word on who McRaney will be playing, but for those familiar with the script, we bet we'll be seeing him as Spencer 'Big Daddy' Bennett, a slave owner whom Django (Jamie Foxx) encounters early on in his quest to free his wife, Broomhilda.
McRaney joins a cast that includes Christophe Waltz as Django's trusty ally, Dr. King Schultze; Leonardo DiCaprio as the main villain, Calvin Candie; and Samuel Jackson and Kevin Costner as Stephen and Ace, two of Candie's minions.
Gerald McRaney recently played George Hearst on HBO's Western series, "Deadwood." He was recently seen on the big screen in "The A-Team" and "Get Low" and will next be seen in the WWII adventure,...
- 9/14/2011
- by Bryan Enk
- NextMovie
Friendly dragons, enchanted books, and a theme song by Limahl? It can only be The Neverending Story. Louisa takes a fond look back at a fantasy classic...
Of the many messages people tried to impart to kids in the 80s, one was put across in such an extraordinary way that it couldn’t fail to make an impact. More important than learning not to suffocate in abandoned fridges or avoid climbing electricity pylons to collect some kid’s kite, was the lesson of 1984’s The Neverending Story. That message? Do what you dream.
It’s a bit suspect as advice goes. Taken literally, doing what you dream not only seems ill-advised, but would require incredible financial resources. People are bound to feel uncomfortable about all those naked public transport journeys, too. The whole thing just seems impractical.
The message is much easier to swallow, though, when not taken literally. Doing...
Of the many messages people tried to impart to kids in the 80s, one was put across in such an extraordinary way that it couldn’t fail to make an impact. More important than learning not to suffocate in abandoned fridges or avoid climbing electricity pylons to collect some kid’s kite, was the lesson of 1984’s The Neverending Story. That message? Do what you dream.
It’s a bit suspect as advice goes. Taken literally, doing what you dream not only seems ill-advised, but would require incredible financial resources. People are bound to feel uncomfortable about all those naked public transport journeys, too. The whole thing just seems impractical.
The message is much easier to swallow, though, when not taken literally. Doing...
- 6/27/2011
- Den of Geek
Walt Disney Pictures has distributed a press release containing the official synopsis of director Tim Burton's new stop-motion animated movie, Frankenweenie, a feature-length adaptation of his 1984 short of the same name that starred Barret Oliver, Daniel Stern and Shelley Duvall.
After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.
Next Showing: Frankenweenie is slated to open October 5, 2012
Link | Posted 2/16/2011 by BrentJS
Catherine O'Hara | Martin Short | Tim Burton | Winona Ryder | Martin Landau | John August | Frankenweenie...
After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.
Next Showing: Frankenweenie is slated to open October 5, 2012
Link | Posted 2/16/2011 by BrentJS
Catherine O'Hara | Martin Short | Tim Burton | Winona Ryder | Martin Landau | John August | Frankenweenie...
- 2/16/2011
- by BrentJS Sprecher
- Reelzchannel.com
Tim Burton's 1984 live action short puts an English bull terrier into the Frankenstein story. We have a closer look at Frankenweenie...
Yesterday we looked at Tim Burton's 1982 six-minute stop-motion animation about a young boy with a morbid imagination and a fondness for Vincent Price. Two short years later, Burton would revisit elements of Vincent, in a live action short that was a take on Frankenstein's monster, reimagined as an English bull terrier named Sparky.
Another gem on the special two-disc edition of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the twenty-nine minute black-and-white film is both a great half hour of singular storytelling and another look at the early work of Tim Burton, as a director of bodies besides those made of clay, and the creative mind behind the concept and story of the new Frankensteins.
Mom and dad, (Ben and Susan Frankenstein, played by Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern...
Yesterday we looked at Tim Burton's 1982 six-minute stop-motion animation about a young boy with a morbid imagination and a fondness for Vincent Price. Two short years later, Burton would revisit elements of Vincent, in a live action short that was a take on Frankenstein's monster, reimagined as an English bull terrier named Sparky.
Another gem on the special two-disc edition of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the twenty-nine minute black-and-white film is both a great half hour of singular storytelling and another look at the early work of Tim Burton, as a director of bodies besides those made of clay, and the creative mind behind the concept and story of the new Frankensteins.
Mom and dad, (Ben and Susan Frankenstein, played by Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern...
- 6/1/2010
- Den of Geek
If you can stand Giorgio Moroder's oh-so-80s theme song and are willing to accept that movies without CGI can be worth watching (you know, like black-and-white films), The NeverEnding Story will be a worthwhile addition to your hi-def family film collection. This 1984 fantasy film has all the classic elements of the genre from the period when it was made (little people with big ears, animatronics creatures and obvious blue-screen work). These, together with its action-packed story, should provide enough fun to keep the kids happy while parents of the right age enjoy a trip down memory lane.
Want to know more? The NeverEnding Story is the first of three films that were based on a fantasy novel of the same name by German author Michael Ende. This one was directed by Wolfgang Petersen, who later went on to make a name for himself in Hollywood with such films as Air Force One,...
Want to know more? The NeverEnding Story is the first of three films that were based on a fantasy novel of the same name by German author Michael Ende. This one was directed by Wolfgang Petersen, who later went on to make a name for himself in Hollywood with such films as Air Force One,...
- 3/24/2010
- CinemaSpy
This week sees more new film and TV releases on Blu-ray and DVD. Among the ones we’re more interested in this week are The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Ponyo, The Neverending Story, the Syfy miniseries Alice , Kurt Russell in Elvis, and the original Clash of the Titans (with Sir Laurence Olivier, pictured above).
Check out all the new releases below.
Film
Bitch Slap (Unrated) ~ Debbie Lee Carrington, Michael Hurst, Kevin Sorbo (DVD)
Clash of the Titans ~ Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, Maggie Smith (Blu-ray and DVD)
Cold Souls ~ Paul Giamatti, Boris Leskin (Blu-ray and DVD)
Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey ~ Curious George (DVD)
Gentlemen Broncos ~ Jermaine Clement, Sam Rockwell (Blu-ray and DVD)
Ninja ~ Scott Adkins (Blu-ray and DVD)
Poltergeist: The Legacy Season 2 ~ Derek De Lint, Patrick Fitzgerald (DVD)
Ponyo (Two-Disc Edition) ~ Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson (Blu-ray and DVD)
Return To The 36th Chamber ~ Gordon Liu (DVD – 2010)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin...
Check out all the new releases below.
Film
Bitch Slap (Unrated) ~ Debbie Lee Carrington, Michael Hurst, Kevin Sorbo (DVD)
Clash of the Titans ~ Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, Maggie Smith (Blu-ray and DVD)
Cold Souls ~ Paul Giamatti, Boris Leskin (Blu-ray and DVD)
Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey ~ Curious George (DVD)
Gentlemen Broncos ~ Jermaine Clement, Sam Rockwell (Blu-ray and DVD)
Ninja ~ Scott Adkins (Blu-ray and DVD)
Poltergeist: The Legacy Season 2 ~ Derek De Lint, Patrick Fitzgerald (DVD)
Ponyo (Two-Disc Edition) ~ Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson (Blu-ray and DVD)
Return To The 36th Chamber ~ Gordon Liu (DVD – 2010)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin...
- 3/3/2010
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
Chicago – I think it’s funny that so many parents commented on “Where the Wild Things Are” being too dark and scary. Clearly, they didn’t grow up in the same era of ’70s and ’80s fantasy films as I did when kid’s movies could be honestly terrifying. “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” and, of course, “The Neverending Story” recognized that kids need a good cry and a true scare as much as they need to be entertained. Wolfgang Petersen’s excellent adaptation of the beloved book by Michael Ende was dark, complex, and riveting. It’s nice to own it on Blu-ray but it deserved a better release.
Blu-Ray Rating: 3.0/5.0
It seems likely that the HD version of “The Neverending Story” is timed by Warner Brothers to release on the same day as Spike Jonze’s masterful “Where the Wild Things Are” because they are both dark fantasy films...
Blu-Ray Rating: 3.0/5.0
It seems likely that the HD version of “The Neverending Story” is timed by Warner Brothers to release on the same day as Spike Jonze’s masterful “Where the Wild Things Are” because they are both dark fantasy films...
- 3/1/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Children's fantasy film The NeverEnding Story may be set for a return to the big screen. This time with more money, better special effects and maybe, a better ending.
Per the Hollywood tradition of rebooting beloved films, Warner Bros, along with Kennedy/Marshall Co. and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way are all looking to resurrect the popular tale.
Based on the work of Michael Ende's original German-language book, the 1984 film focused on a boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux (Barret Oliver) who discovers a different world inside a book entitled The NeverEnding Story. Magic and fun ensue.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the retread will "examine the more nuanced details of the book that were glossed over in the first film."
No writers are attached to the project. No fans either.
Per the Hollywood tradition of rebooting beloved films, Warner Bros, along with Kennedy/Marshall Co. and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way are all looking to resurrect the popular tale.
Based on the work of Michael Ende's original German-language book, the 1984 film focused on a boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux (Barret Oliver) who discovers a different world inside a book entitled The NeverEnding Story. Magic and fun ensue.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the retread will "examine the more nuanced details of the book that were glossed over in the first film."
No writers are attached to the project. No fans either.
- 2/27/2009
- ReelLoop.com
Classic children's movie The Neverending Story is set for a remake.
The 1984 fantasy, based on the German book of the same name, was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starred Barret Oliver and Noah Hathaway.
It went on to spawn two sequels, 1990's The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, and 1994's The NeverEnding Story 3: Escape From Fantasia.
Movie executives at Warner Bros. and the Kennedy/Marshall Co. are now in talks to bring the tale up to date for a new generation of cinema goers.
The 1984 fantasy, based on the German book of the same name, was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starred Barret Oliver and Noah Hathaway.
It went on to spawn two sequels, 1990's The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, and 1994's The NeverEnding Story 3: Escape From Fantasia.
Movie executives at Warner Bros. and the Kennedy/Marshall Co. are now in talks to bring the tale up to date for a new generation of cinema goers.
- 2/27/2009
- WENN
Warner Bros., Kennedy/Marshall Co., and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way are in talks to re-imagine the 1984 children's fantasy classic "NeverEnding Story."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film studios are in negotiation to revive the 25-year-old franchise with a modern twist.
Based on the German novel of the same name by Michael Ende, the original film, directed by Wolfgang Petersen, centered on a loner of a lad named Bastian Balthazar Bux, played by Barret Oliver, who discovers a parallel world in a book titled "The NeverEnding Story."
As the boy delves deeper into the book, he finds his own life intertwined with the plot of the novel, wherein a hero (Noah Hathaway) in the land of Fantasia must save the universe on behalf of the Childlike Empress.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film studios are in negotiation to revive the 25-year-old franchise with a modern twist.
Based on the German novel of the same name by Michael Ende, the original film, directed by Wolfgang Petersen, centered on a loner of a lad named Bastian Balthazar Bux, played by Barret Oliver, who discovers a parallel world in a book titled "The NeverEnding Story."
As the boy delves deeper into the book, he finds his own life intertwined with the plot of the novel, wherein a hero (Noah Hathaway) in the land of Fantasia must save the universe on behalf of the Childlike Empress.
- 2/26/2009
- icelebz.com
It's becoming more frequent these days - classics reimagined due to Hollywood's starvation for good materials to work with. Now, "The Neverending Story" will be remade. Still, it's not all bad news though, the film would be remade by The Kennedy/Marshall Co. ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way company if discussions turned a thumbs up. The original film, which was based on the German-language novel by Michael Ende, was helmed by Wolfgang Petersen ("Troy") and starred Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Alan OPpenheiler and Tami Stronach. The story followed Bastian (Oliver), a boy who opens a world called Fantasia within a book called "The Neverending Story." The more he reads, the more he is intertwined within the story of the hero called Atreyu (Hathaway) and the Childlike Empress (Stronach) and comes to realize his ultimate importance in the story. Petersen adapted the screenplay alongside Herman Weigel.
- 2/26/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
It's becoming more frequent these days - classics reimagined due to Hollywood's starvation for good materials to work with. Now, "The Neverending Story" will be remade. Still, it's not all bad news though, the film would be remade by The Kennedy/Marshall Co. ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way company if discussions turned a thumbs up. The original film, which was based on the German-language novel by Michael Ende, was helmed by Wolfgang Petersen ("Troy") and starred Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Alan OPpenheiler and Tami Stronach. The story followed Bastian (Oliver), a boy who opens a world called Fantasia within a book called "The Neverending Story."...
- 2/26/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
It's becoming more frequent these days - classics reimagined due to Hollywood's starvation for good materials to work with. Now, "The Neverending Story" will be remade. Still, it's not all bad news though, the film would be remade by The Kennedy/Marshall Co. ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way company if discussions turned a thumbs up. The original film, which was based on the German-language novel by Michael Ende, was helmed by Wolfgang Petersen ("Troy") and starred Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Alan OPpenheiler and Tami Stronach. The story followed Bastian (Oliver), a boy who opens a world called Fantasia within a book called "The Neverending Story."...
- 2/26/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"The NeverEnding Story" might keep going.
Warner Bros. and a pair of top-tier production banners are in the early stages of a reboot of the 1980s children's fantasy classic.
The Kennedy/Marshall Co. ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Leonard DiCaprio's shingle Appian Way are in discussions with Warners about reviving the 25-year-old franchise with a modern spin. The studio recently acquired rights to the property, clearing the way for a potential remake.
Born out of a German-language novel by Michael Ende, the film centers on a boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux who discovers a parallel world in a book titled "The NeverEnding Story." As the boy, a loner, delves deeper into the book, he increasingly finds his life intertwined with the plot of the novel, in which a hero in the land of Fantasia must save the universe on behalf of an empress.
The new pic -- which...
Warner Bros. and a pair of top-tier production banners are in the early stages of a reboot of the 1980s children's fantasy classic.
The Kennedy/Marshall Co. ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Leonard DiCaprio's shingle Appian Way are in discussions with Warners about reviving the 25-year-old franchise with a modern spin. The studio recently acquired rights to the property, clearing the way for a potential remake.
Born out of a German-language novel by Michael Ende, the film centers on a boy named Bastian Balthazar Bux who discovers a parallel world in a book titled "The NeverEnding Story." As the boy, a loner, delves deeper into the book, he increasingly finds his life intertwined with the plot of the novel, in which a hero in the land of Fantasia must save the universe on behalf of an empress.
The new pic -- which...
- 2/25/2009
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Featuring the voices of Chris Sarandon, Catherine O' Hara, and Danny Elfman
Directed by Henry Selick
Rated PG
Review by Christian Carvajal
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of those rare and impeccable movies that have entered the American consciousness. Its characters are as likely to appear on present-day T-shirts as Darth Vader or Cookie Monster. Walk into any Hot Topic in any shopping mall in the Western world, and you’ll come away with the impression that The Nightmare Before Christmas is the Goth Godfather.
Roger Ebert raved about its “completely new” landscape and “visual richness”—“so abundant [it deserves] more than one viewing.” It may come as a surprise, then, that the movie made less than fifty million dollars in its initial U.S. run, finding the bulk of its adoring audience only via the Disney Channel and home video.
I don’t...
Featuring the voices of Chris Sarandon, Catherine O' Hara, and Danny Elfman
Directed by Henry Selick
Rated PG
Review by Christian Carvajal
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of those rare and impeccable movies that have entered the American consciousness. Its characters are as likely to appear on present-day T-shirts as Darth Vader or Cookie Monster. Walk into any Hot Topic in any shopping mall in the Western world, and you’ll come away with the impression that The Nightmare Before Christmas is the Goth Godfather.
Roger Ebert raved about its “completely new” landscape and “visual richness”—“so abundant [it deserves] more than one viewing.” It may come as a surprise, then, that the movie made less than fifty million dollars in its initial U.S. run, finding the bulk of its adoring audience only via the Disney Channel and home video.
I don’t...
- 8/26/2008
- by Christian Carvajal
- GetTheBigPicture.net
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