tealin: (Default)
[personal profile] tealin
Upon learning today that the newest incarnation of Dreamworks' cash cow is to be called Shrek Goes Fourth, I realized they were following the Blackadder naming convention, and the inevitable crossover followed:

DONKEY: Hey Shrek! I got a cunning plan!
SHREK: Tell me, Donkey ... Is it more cunning than a weasel with a doctorate in cunning from Cunning University that has just broken into the cunning reserves and eaten so much cunning that it is literally oozing out his ears?

The more I think about this, the more I believe it would be bad enough to be actually entertaining.

This crossover reminded me of a thing I heard on Radio 4 ... I think it was on Recorded for Training Purposes. Hollywood is all about remakes, yes? And every time a trailer runs for a remake the audience cringes at the butchery because the original was always better. So a studio catches on to this and, on the website for an atrocious remake, they solicit donations, saying if they can make up the budget of the movie they won't release it in theatres, and lo, it succeeds! This turns out to be such a profitable enterprise that they give up making real movies at all; they simply buy up the rights to old classics (Citizen Kane, It's A Wonderful Life, Thelma and Louise, etc) and shoot a trailer for a version starring Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers (doing their Shrek voices, of course), and make a fortune. They performed a number of these trailers; they were fantastic. I should have recorded it. The end.

Date: 2007-10-31 08:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rj-anderson.livejournal.com
You have just made my day.

Date: 2007-10-31 08:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jolly-kraken.livejournal.com
...a FOURTH movie? Is this fo' realz? D: *kinda hopes not* Yeah, they've all been great, but...a FOURTH MOVIE??? That just sounds wrong. Like it's turning into JAWS. Augh.

"Shrek V" will be next because all the cool kids know that Roman Numerals are the shit. '__'

The drawing is great though. :D

Date: 2007-10-31 08:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
They've planned all the way up to five and that's not even counting the Puss In Boots movie. They won't stop making 'em until people stop paying to see them ... until they stop paying in droves. And if only one does badly they'll whip up another to try to get the audience back so it has to be consistent. I hold little hope...

Date: 2007-10-31 10:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beckychan.livejournal.com
See, the Third didn't do much for me. One and Two were great, made me laugh. The Third seemed to have lost its focus. It just wasn't as good. Sure, people paid a lot to go see the Third, but now that it's disappointed, I wonder how eager they'll be to see Goes Fourth. I'll prolly see it, but not opening night, you know?

Date: 2007-10-31 10:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
I'd go see it if it was set in the trenches. :D

I didn't see #3 either. As much as I love the talent at Dreamworks and don't mind giving my share towards their free lunches (and breakfasts and dinners and snacks) I refuse to reward bad behaviour. And the people responsible for it would be the ones to take most of my ticket dollars.

Date: 2007-10-31 09:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fani.livejournal.com
...it's true though. My friend's friend is currently working on it.

Date: 2007-10-31 08:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fordanglia.livejournal.com
Oh jeez, that's beautiful.

Date: 2007-10-31 09:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fani.livejournal.com
...lol Shrek doesn't seem "dry" enough.

Date: 2007-10-31 10:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
Well, see, then that's exactly what the series needs...

... or exactly why it would be funny if they tried.

Date: 2007-10-31 09:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jesskat.livejournal.com
I can't believe you managed to make Shrek look like Rowan Atkinson.

There's got to be some kind of prize for that.

Date: 2007-10-31 09:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
It's all in the furniture ... I blacked up the eyebrows a little, slapped on a moustache, gave him a little eyeshadow, and placed the all-important mole (which, upon reflection, should be further forward). Voila! The expression helps too.

Date: 2007-11-01 01:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
P.S. It's a lot harder to make a bird look like Rowan Atkinson, yet someone (Duncan Majoribanks?) managed to with Zazu. HE should get the prize!

Date: 2007-11-15 12:39 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fani.livejournal.com
Ellen Woodbury

Date: 2007-10-31 10:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beckychan.livejournal.com
:rofl: And what's worse, I can hear it in their voices, and it IS funny when said by them! XD Oh, the depravity!

Date: 2007-10-31 10:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
I think ... that's because ... [shifty-eyed glance around room] Blackadder is actually a cleverly written show.

Date: 2007-10-31 11:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lady-twatterby.livejournal.com
MAJOR LOL-ING!! XD Yes, that is bad. I wonder who'd be George...?

Date: 2007-10-31 11:37 pm (UTC)
ext_3472: Sauron drinking tea. (Default)
From: [identity profile] maggiebloome.livejournal.com
OH MY GOD. It... it works a bit too well...

Date: 2007-11-01 12:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluecrystalblue.livejournal.com
... OH MY GOD. I actually respect the Shrek series, but... NO D=

At least this crossover fanart makes up for it. =D

Date: 2007-11-01 11:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wicked-warrior.livejournal.com
Kickass XD Yes, it would be so bad it would be actually entertaining to see, hee.
But the news of a fourth movie creeps me out enough :P

Date: 2007-11-01 11:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leviniaheks.livejournal.com
Inspired! Both of them look like Shrek and Donkey! Or Blackadder and Baldrick - whichever round it's supposed to be. :P

Seriously, though, Shrek Goes Fourth?!

Dreamworks intern: "I want to see how a Shrek sequel is made so badly!"
Producer: "Well, you've come to the right place, Bob. A Shrek sequel hasn't been made this badly since ... the previous one, actually."

Date: 2007-11-01 04:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
Teehee, they should hire you to write something.

Fourth Shrek

Date: 2007-11-01 04:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thefordmustang.livejournal.com
I actually read some speculation on Cinema Blend that this is supposed to be a prequel. That does not bode well for me.

I am not familiar with BlackAdder but the drawing and your script are hilarious.

That theory about remakes extortions actually is pretty good. It would be a great way to wean Hollywood off of their lack of originality. Now if there were only a way to reduce the amount of slasher porn and teenage sex comedies...?

Date: 2007-11-01 04:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
As Gaspode would say ... 'That? That ... it ... what I mean to say is, y'see, is that ... that ... bodes.'

If you think my pale imitation is funny you definitely need to watch the show.

if there were only a way to reduce the amount of slasher porn and teenage sex comedies...
Um ... ban teenagers from seeing movies?

Date: 2007-11-01 06:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thefordmustang.livejournal.com
Fun Gaspode quote! I

Here is the article, if you are interested... http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Shrek-4-Will-Be-A-Prequel-5238.html

I will have to keep my eyes open to catch Black Adder stuff. I do not have cable, so I may have to YouTube.

BTW, I found a copy of Baltimore (Mignola and Golden) at my library. Thanks for the recommendation.

Date: 2007-11-01 07:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
Wow. Now there's an objective reporter. ;) Evidently I just need to pitch my idea to Dreamworks and they will be blown away by its brilliance ... and then all fans of Blackadder will hunt me down and kill me in all sorts of interesting and historical ways.

Most of the Blackadder stuff on YouTube is clips ... I know they had practically the whole thing at tv-links.co.uk but apparently that site's down now. You might be able to find another streaming TV site that has it ... Clips are all well and good but you miss out on the actual storytelling of the whole episode, and the fourth season is really MUCH better appreciated when you watch complete episodes and save the last one for last (the others are more or less shuffle-able). I LOVE Blackadder Goes Forth. Profoundly. I love the way it sneaks up on you. Rather like the character arc in Going Postal, that way.

BTW, more of a paraphrase than a quote. The original's from Moving Pictures and is one of those lines that is so clearly written I can't imagine how anyone could get the timing wrong.

Date: 2007-11-01 08:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thefordmustang.livejournal.com
Yuppers, Josh Tyler from Cinema Blend has a lot of fun with his rants, and readers can always comment on them. I like his site because he does really care about sci fi, animation and fantasy films. I tend to enjoy reading his reviews of the genres because he really wants to see good quality animation, sci fi, etc. You should check out his rant about the Oscars and animated films this year. He had an interesting comment on whether or not the upcoming "Beowulf" should be considered as animated.

Thanks for the advice on streaming video. It is only clips but every once in a while I hope against hope someone has saved it in parts. I have to keep an eye out for streaming episodes, then, in other sources I do wish I could afford cable for the BBC channel. It really sounds like a lot of fun- nice little reference to Moist von Lipwig, by the way (at least that was how I read it).

Yup, I figured that Gaspode wossname was from Moving Pictures, but it has been a long time since I read the book. I did not like that book as much as others in the series.

Date: 2007-11-01 09:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] azvolrien.livejournal.com
Blackadder Goes Forth is the only - and I really do mean only - comedy that has made me laugh hysterically all through the series, and then break down in tears at the last couple of minutes. In a good way.

Date: 2007-11-01 09:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
Glad to know I'm not the only one. I LOVE IT!!

Date: 2007-11-02 06:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] azvolrien.livejournal.com
Oh, I know quite a lot of folk who're like that about Blackadder.

Date: 2007-11-01 04:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] anathelen.livejournal.com
That is spot on. Magnificent!

Date: 2007-11-01 04:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] priscellie.livejournal.com
*dies laughing* This is why I love you. And if you ever find that Radio 4 show, I'd love to hear it!

Date: 2007-11-01 04:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
Well, in two years it might air on BBC7...

Date: 2007-11-01 06:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] azvolrien.livejournal.com
Best. Crossover. Ever.

Date: 2007-11-01 10:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] meganphntmgrl.livejournal.com
They're also apparently planning a Broadway musical...

Date: 2007-11-01 10:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twirlynoodle.livejournal.com
I thought they were already well underway with that ... urgh. I was kind of hoping it had risen and sunk without a ripple but I think I'm thinking of Tarzan or somesuch. Sigh. When was the last big musical that wasn't based on a movie?

Oh, right ... Wicked. Heh. Okay. I wouldn't mind a movie getting made of that (the play, not the book) if only because I might actually get to see it that way (grumble mutter lack of touring production grumble).

And one of my favourites is Sunset Boulevard, so I really have no right to talk...

Date: 2007-11-04 04:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] meganphntmgrl.livejournal.com
Yeah, but Sunset Boulevard is in a class of its own. It's worlds away from what ALW usually writes and is more Kunze/Levay territory.

And I was going to say my favorite musical ever, Tanz der Vampire, but that was inspired by the 1967 film The Fearless Vampire Killers.

Date: 2007-11-04 04:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] meganphntmgrl.livejournal.com
And Tarzan has one song in it, "Sure As Sun Turns to Moon", that is nearly Sondheim. It's beautiful and witty and totally out of place.

Date: 2007-11-03 01:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shoebox2.livejournal.com
That is utterly adorable!

Date: 2007-11-04 04:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] okiwan.livejournal.com
I was confused. I looked at the drawing before I read the post. I thought the crossover was Eddie Murphy and Robert DeNiro in Showtime. Shrek looks like Bob to me. I guess I have not seen enough Blackadder.

Shrek Goes Fourth is a crap idea. The third was bad enough.

Date: 2007-11-05 12:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] missuscarroll.livejournal.com
I do so love you.

Most Popular Tags