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Post by hellogirls on Oct 29, 2014 16:53:47 GMT -5
"Dragon" sequel sends Dreamworks revenue soaring; shares rise(Reuters) - DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc reported a 17 percent jump in third-quarter revenue, helped by the strong box-office showing of its most recent movie "How to Train Your Dragon 2".DreamWorks' shares rose 6.5 percent in extended trading on Wednesday after the results handily beat analysts' estimates in spite of the lack of a major movie release in the quarter. Although the "Dragon" sequel, released on June 13, failed to light up the company's April-June quarter, box offices worldwide warmed up to it in the third quarter. "How to Train Your Dragon 2", a sequel that picks up five years after the protagonist "Hiccup" and his dragon "Toothless" united Vikings and dragons on Berk Island, contributed a little more than half to the studio's feature film business revenue of $142.4 million (88.94 million pounds). Going forward, DreamWorks is betting on "Penguins of Madagascar", due for release in November, to reverse the disappointing performance at the box office of recent movies such as "Mr. Peabody & Sherman." "Penguins of Madagascar" is a spin-off of the popular "Madagascar" franchise, featuring four cartoon penguins - Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private - as a team of spies. The studio, which made the popular "Shrek" and "Kung Fu Panda" series, is aiming to make more sequels as they require less advertisement costs and their international ticket sales often exceed those of their predecessors. The company's net income rose to $11.9 million, or 14 cents per share, for the quarter ended Sept. 30, from $10.1 million, or 12 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue rose to $180.9 million from $154.5 million. Analysts had expected a profit of 6 cents per share on revenue of $177.4 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. DreamWorks' shares, which have lost about a third of their value this year, were trading at $24.16 after the bell. au.news.yahoo.com/technology/a/25383283/dragon-sequel-sends-dreamworks-revenue-soaring-shares-rise/
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Post by hellogirls on Oct 30, 2014 17:47:44 GMT -5
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Post by pepper on Nov 17, 2014 14:22:14 GMT -5
variety.com/2014/film/news/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-breaks-homevideo-sales-records-for-fox-dreamworks-animation-1201358466/‘How to Train Your Dragon 2′ Breaks Homevideo Sales Records for Fox, DreamWorks Animation November 17, 2014 | 10:50AM PT Marc Graser Senior Editor @marcgraser DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon 2″ has lifted off on homevideo platforms, generating record sales results for 20th Century Fox, which distributed the film this summer. The sequel has sold 2 million units on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, making it the top Digital HD family title from 20th Century Fox ever, Variety has learned. It’s also the biggest seller across all platforms for a film that was released during the summer, although those pics are just now starting to roll out. Either way, the results are good news for DreamWorks, which is banking on “How to Train Your Dragon” to be a long-running franchise for the toon studio with multiple sequels planned. The film is the year’s highest grossing animated film, with $619 million in worldwide box office so far. And its results on homevideo are a bright spot for studios that are looking to encourage more families to purchase films on digital platforms. They’re especially positive as the holidays are approaching, typically when consumers snatch up a number of high-profile films on homevideo. Fox had been hoping for a big number for the “Dragon” sequel, given that it backed the toon with the largest marketing campaign it’s put behind a DreamWorks Animation title since it began releasing the studio’s films, starting with “The Croods” in early 2013. Altogether, a four-month campaign across TV, print, in-theater and online helped generate strong pre-orders.On TV, media buys included ads that targeted kids on Cartoon Network, Disney XD, Nick, NickToons, Teen Nick and Boomerang, while moms were reached on Bravo, E!, HGTV, TLC, Food, Oxygen, NickMom, and We. Media buys targeted families on “The Voice,” “Modern Family,” “Today,” “Good Morning America,” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Fox also produced a live action promo with Nickelodeon talent to promote the release, a first for the studio. Print efforts included ads in Entertainment Weekly, Yahoo, USA Today, Parade, and in-theater ads promoted the toon with family titles. Elsewhere, the ambitious campaign included a partnership with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, with the toon’s Hiccup and Toothless delivering the game’s ball Nov. 2. And naturally, social media was utilized to push #DragonsDay as a trending term on Twitter in order to promote the Digital HD release, and encourage consumers to have viewing parties.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 22:44:24 GMT -5
It is good to see the movie is doing so well, just goes to show what creative minds made that story come to life. I loved the first and I am going to purchase the second to add to my Gerry collection.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 22:50:32 GMT -5
I wonder if Gerry might be asked to do some voice work for the next dragon movie even though he was killed. You know like if Hiccup thinks of his father and what he might tell him in a certain situation. That would be so nice to hear his voice again in that part.
Well off to bed have a good evening/day.
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Post by hellogirls on Nov 20, 2014 5:22:14 GMT -5
DreamWorks' 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' breaking records and misconceptions
There's been an interesting misconception around DreamWorks' "How to Train Your Dragon 2" that seems to need correcting. Most eyes tend to be on domestic box office tallies, so the film's $176.8 million haul feels like a failure stacked against the 2010 original film's $217.5 million. But globally, "Dragon 2" blew past the original's $494.8 by over $100 million, settling in at $618.8 million, enough to make it the highest grossing animated film of the year.
And now, it's breaking records at home, too. Variety reported earlier this week that the sequel has sold two million units on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, making it 20th Century Fox's top Digital HD family title ever.
It just seemed like a stream of facts worth embossing as the Oscar season heats up and the Best Animated Feature Film race finds its stride. A lot of love has been thrown "The LEGO Movie's" way (the film made nearly 50% more than "Dragon 2" stateside but didn't come close to the sequel's worldwide tally). I'm a fan of that romp as far as it goes; it just doesn't match "Dragon 2" for scope, craft and story. But I've already made the case for Dean DeBlois' film in the Best Picture race, let alone the animated feature scramble.
It's an interesting year for the animated features. All of the movies that seem to have a real fighting chance also have perceived knocks against them. "Big Hero 6" (which is delightful in a Saturday morning kind of way) has the Marvel stigma. "The Boxtrolls" (gorgeously designed and wrought) didn't capture critics the way Laika's previous films have. The GKIDS movies are, well, low profile, shall we say. "Dragon 2" has this misconception regarding its financial success and "The LEGO Movie" is dealing with brand stigma as well.
Most expect "LEGO" to pull out the win for ingenuity in a sea of brand and aesthetic familiarity. But my fingers will be crossed for DreamWorks' best film and franchise to date, a thrilling piece of work that still rates as one of the very best films — period — of the year.
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Post by hellogirls on Nov 20, 2014 5:25:00 GMT -5
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Post by lovey on Nov 20, 2014 8:44:28 GMT -5
Wow that's great that the film might get nominated for best song.. smiley-bounce013
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2014 10:12:02 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2014 10:16:47 GMT -5
How To Train Your Dragon 2-For the dancing and th…:
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Post by hellogirls on Nov 20, 2014 10:25:43 GMT -5
If they do nominate one of these songs for Oscar, I think it would be another one. I don't remember now which one.....
Maybe this one:
Where no one goes
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Post by embla on Nov 20, 2014 10:26:42 GMT -5
I love this song! It`s just so nice to hear Gerry sing again! 
But that Craig... Destroying the song like that!  It shouldn`t be allowed.  smiley-laughing025 (of course it sounds good in the actual movie) . |
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Post by embla on Nov 27, 2014 9:07:12 GMT -5
5 reasons why 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' should be nominated for Best Picture Oscar
There are a boy and his dragon who deserve to have a safe landing among the Oscar nominees for Best Picture. Sure, "How to Train Your Dragon 2" will be nominated for Best Animated Feature, but it's worthy of much higher academy consideration, too. Here are my five reasons why:
1. Three in 87 years? Come on!
Twenty-two years ago "Beauty and the Beast" made history by being the first animated feature to score a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Eighteen years later -- and only after the Academy decided to up its Best Picture nominations from five to as many as 10 -- "Up" pulled off the same feat along with "Toy Story 3" the following year (2011). Those are just three animated films in the Oscar's 87-year history that have managed to squeak into the ultimate awards category. If Oscar is paying attention, this year we should see another added to that exclusive list: "How to Train Your Dragon 2."
2. Animated Feature Oscar just isn't enough.
Yes, it's great that animated films get their due at the Oscars with their own category, but let's face it. It just isn't the same. "Toy Story 3" may have won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2011, but it didn't reign as Best Picture. That title belonged to "The King Speech." Animated films need one of their own to take the big prize home so that opens the door for all others. "Beauty and the Beast" arguably came the closest with its historic nomination and it may well be another story about a beast and the one he loves that'll make history in the big race.
3. Oscar needs heart, and "Dragon" has it.
"Gone Girl," "Boyhood," "Birdman," "Selma," "The Theory of Everything" -- all are top contenders for the Best Picture Oscar according to our Gold Derby racetrack odds, but which one of these would you sit the entire family down to enjoy? Which of these is one you'd watch to lift you up on a day you're not feeling so hot? Which of these could make you laugh, cry and teach you about love and life all in just 102 minutes? Which of these has the most heart? The only one to claim all of these is "How to Train Your Dragon 2" and that's a message the Oscars desperately need after taking nearly 30 years to award something lighthearted like "The Artist" in 2012.
Oscar-winning sound wiz Randy Thom doing double duty on 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'
4. Oscar needs popular, and that "Dragon" is.
At the beginning of nearly every Oscar telecast we always hear the host boast about how the Oscars are being watched by about a billion people worldwide. So, to keep those worldwide billion interested, you surely want to include films they've all actually watched. While there have been two more high-profile animated films out this year -- "The Lego Movie" back in February and the three-week-old "Big Hero 6" -- sandwiched right in between those two was this year's most successful animated feature. So far, "How to Train Your Dragon 2" has amassed $619 million. Though "Big Hero 6" has just started its stretch, that would be quite a feat for it to reach. "Lego" nearly has $470 million worldwide and that is eye-popping. I'm going to make an educated estimate and say "How to Train Your Dragon 2" doesn't get challenged.
5. Drama is easy, Comedy's hard. But animation is even harder.
You think "Boyhood" is quite a feat having taken 12 years to film, but that's only because the film is paced out over 12 years using the exact same cast. Great stunt, but not worthy of being overly praised. You want a crazy timetable? How about what writer/director Dean DeBlois told Gold Derby in an exclusive interview about creating his feature: "In live-action, you do all the pre-production, all of the art department stuff. You cast the movie and go out and shoot it and then you edit it. In our process we edit up front. We edit the storyboards before anything's been animated. We take all of our storyboards, we cut them together with temporary dialog, temporary sound effects, temporary music, and we watch it as a film. However, it's drawn out over the course of three years. So, instead of shooting a movie in three months and everything's a manic pace, we have three years." Listen to the rest of the process, as well as his thoughts on the Oscars and why he thought the original "Dragon" didn't take home the gold in 2011 in our exclusive podcast interview below
html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2891769/height/45/width/450/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/
Do you think "How to Train Your Dragon 2" will be nominated as Best Picture? Click here to enter your own predictions for this category and all of Oscar's top races, or use our easy drag-and-drop menu at the bottom of this post to get started.
Your predictions determine our racetrack odds and you can keep editing them right up until the day nominations are announced. Top score wins $1,000. You score points based on how accurately you predict the nominees (you get more points if you correctly predict a long-shot candidate before anyone else does), and if you're one of our most accurate predictors, you'll be included next year among our elite Top 24 Users and have even greater influence over our odds.
www.goldderby.com/news/7706/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-oscars-movie-entertainment-13579086-story.html
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Post by Guest on Nov 28, 2014 17:30:49 GMT -5
Dean DeBlois Did you always plan that Hiccup’s journey to adulthood would include the death of his father? DeBlois: Originally in the first versions of the story, I wanted somebody that was close to Hiccup to protect them from the blast. But I originally had Gobber (Ferguson) do it because I just thought that Gerard Butler was too important in terms of casting to kill him off. But actually I was pitching a very early version of it to Guillermo del Toro (Book of Life). He was just sitting around, and we were catching up with each other. I pitched him that and he said, “I think you are killing off the wrong character. It should be the dad because the whole story is about passing on the mantel of chief to Hiccup. If the father is there, he is always going to be the crutch that prevents Hiccup from fully stepping into those shoes.” I thought it was pretty smart so I moved it from Gobber to Stoick. For me that was personally resonant because I was 19 when I lost my dad. I know what the power, sacrifice and bravery of a parent can be. As you move forward with your life and adulthood, to be able to reflect back on those moments that at times seems kind of trivial or somehow unimportant, they take on great importance in terms of the lessons of your life. It felt like a very good decision to me. www.iamrogue.com/news/interviews/item/12344-iar-exclusive-interview-director-dean-deblois-talks-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-blu-ray/dvd-and-how-to-train-your-dragon-3.html.. I remember seeing Gerard's name mentioned in the cast of HTTYD 3. Wondering if he will somehow make an appearance. Would love to hear him and Cate sing at the upcoming awards. |
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Post by lovey on Nov 28, 2014 18:51:49 GMT -5
That would be so great if Gerry and Cate would sing sing smiley-bounce013together.
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Post by Guest on Nov 28, 2014 19:33:27 GMT -5
Wouldn't that be great if they would? I whole heartedly agree with Embla about Craig's part ruining the song entirely. It was so emotional with Stoick [voice cracking with emotion] and then that outburst. It was a shame and really didn't seem to fit imo.
We should write to the Academy & GG and petition them to have the two of them sing. lol. Actually, no joking, that would be good to do it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2014 17:50:39 GMT -5
Check out @gerardbutlerin1's Tweet: NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2014 AWARD WINNERS Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2... t.co/FJzRfWAl7Ywww.nationalboardofreview.org/2014/12/national-board-review-announces-2014-award-winners/NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2014 AWARD WINNERS DECEMBER 2014 A MOST VIOLENT YEAR NAMED 2014 BEST FILM OF THE YEAR BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW *** 2014 Gala to be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 hosted by Lara Spencer New York, NY – (December 2, 2014) – The National Board of Review has named A MOST VIOLENT YEAR the 2014 Best Film of the Year. Below is a full list of the awards given by the National Board of Review: Best Film: A Most Violent Year Best Director: Clint Eastwood – American Sniper Best Actor (TIE): Oscar Isaac – A Most Violent Year; Michael Keaton – Birdman Best Actress: Julianne Moore – Still Alice Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton – Birdman Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain – A Most Violent Year Best Original Screenplay: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller – The Lego Movie Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – Inherent Vice Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2 Breakthrough Performance: Jack O’Connell – Starred Up & Unbroken Best Directorial Debut: Gillian Robespierre – Obvious Child Best Foreign Language Film: Wild Tales Best Documentary: Life Itself William K. Everson Film History Award: Scott Eyman Best Ensemble: Fury Spotlight Award: Chris Rock for writing, directing, and starring in – Top Five NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Rosewater NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Selma Top Films American Sniper Birdman Boyhood Fury Gone Girl The Imitation Game Inherent Vice The Lego Movie Nightcrawler Unbroken Top 5 Foreign Language Films Force Majeure Gett: The Trial of Vivian Amsalem Leviathan Two Days, One Night We Are the Best! Top 5 Documentaries Art and Craft Jodorowsky’s Dune Keep On Keepin’ On The Kill Team Last Days in Vietnam Top 10 Independent Films Blue Ruin Locke A Most Wanted Man Mr. Turner Obvious Child The Skeleton Twins Snowpiercer Stand Clear of the Closing Doors Starred Up Still Alice “A Most Violent Year is an exhilarating crime drama with a compelling story, outstanding performances, and an elegant cinematic style,” said Annie Schulhof, NBR President. “J.C. Chandor has given us a new and provocative perspective on the American Dream.” A select group of knowledgeable film enthusiasts and professionals, academics, young filmmakers and students, the National Board of Review viewed over 272 films this year including studio, independent, foreign-language, animated and documentary selections. These screenings were frequently followed by in-depth discussions with filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, and screenwriters. Voting ballots were tabulated by the accounting firm of Lutz & Carr, LLP. The National Board of Review honors diverse members of the film community at their annual Awards Gala, which also acts as a fundraiser for student grant philanthropy. Hosted by Lara Spencer, this year’s gala will take place on January 6, 2015 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. |
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Post by embla on Dec 2, 2014 17:56:09 GMT -5
Check out @gerardbutlerin1's Tweet: NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2014 AWARD WINNERS Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2... t.co/FJzRfWAl7Ywww.nationalboardofreview.org/2014/12/national-board-review-announces-2014-award-winners/NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2014 AWARD WINNERS DECEMBER 2014 A MOST VIOLENT YEAR NAMED 2014 BEST FILM OF THE YEAR BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW *** 2014 Gala to be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 hosted by Lara Spencer New York, NY – (December 2, 2014) – The National Board of Review has named A MOST VIOLENT YEAR the 2014 Best Film of the Year. Below is a full list of the awards given by the National Board of Review: Best Film: A Most Violent Year Best Director: Clint Eastwood – American Sniper Best Actor (TIE): Oscar Isaac – A Most Violent Year; Michael Keaton – Birdman Best Actress: Julianne Moore – Still Alice Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton – Birdman Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain – A Most Violent Year Best Original Screenplay: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller – The Lego Movie Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – Inherent Vice Best Animated Feature: How to Train Your Dragon 2 Breakthrough Performance: Jack O’Connell – Starred Up & Unbroken Best Directorial Debut: Gillian Robespierre – Obvious Child Best Foreign Language Film: Wild Tales Best Documentary: Life Itself William K. Everson Film History Award: Scott Eyman Best Ensemble: Fury Spotlight Award: Chris Rock for writing, directing, and starring in – Top Five NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Rosewater NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Selma Top Films American Sniper Birdman Boyhood Fury Gone Girl The Imitation Game Inherent Vice The Lego Movie Nightcrawler Unbroken Top 5 Foreign Language Films Force Majeure Gett: The Trial of Vivian Amsalem Leviathan Two Days, One Night We Are the Best! Top 5 Documentaries Art and Craft Jodorowsky’s Dune Keep On Keepin’ On The Kill Team Last Days in Vietnam Top 10 Independent Films Blue Ruin Locke A Most Wanted Man Mr. Turner Obvious Child The Skeleton Twins Snowpiercer Stand Clear of the Closing Doors Starred Up Still Alice “A Most Violent Year is an exhilarating crime drama with a compelling story, outstanding performances, and an elegant cinematic style,” said Annie Schulhof, NBR President. “J.C. Chandor has given us a new and provocative perspective on the American Dream.” A select group of knowledgeable film enthusiasts and professionals, academics, young filmmakers and students, the National Board of Review viewed over 272 films this year including studio, independent, foreign-language, animated and documentary selections. These screenings were frequently followed by in-depth discussions with filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, and screenwriters. Voting ballots were tabulated by the accounting firm of Lutz & Carr, LLP. The National Board of Review honors diverse members of the film community at their annual Awards Gala, which also acts as a fundraiser for student grant philanthropy. Hosted by Lara Spencer, this year’s gala will take place on January 6, 2015 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Nice!! Maybe Gerry will be there too, and we get to see some more pics!  smiley-love064 |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2014 17:56:10 GMT -5
"Congratulations to the cast and crew of How to Train Your Dragon 2 on their 10 Annie Award Nominations,... t.co/SwnPzQ12J2 |
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Post by embla on Dec 3, 2014 10:49:49 GMT -5
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It shouldn`t be allowed. 
smiley-laughing025 (of course it sounds good in the actual movie)
smiley-love064