Asian Tour Pictures

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Fan Art Friday 1/25/13

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Today’s Fan-art was composed by me using the Heroine Creator on Azalea Dolls

It was inspired by Gina Lollobridga’s Esmeralda in the 1956 version.

Inspired by Gina Lollobridga's Esmeralda using the Heroine Creator on Azalea Dolls picture image

Inspired by Gina Lollobridga’s Esmeralda using the Heroine Creator on Azalea Dolls

What new Details are revealed in this Article on the Broiln Version?

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Josh Brolin picture image

Josh Brolin

So a new article regarding the upcoming Josh Brolin’s version of the Hunchback  has come out on Belfast Telegraph website on January 14th 2013.  So what new details have come to light? Apparently they’re going to use CGIs. Wow! You never seen that in films these day, clearly this is revolutionary.

Finale CG Crowds Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney

Finale CG Crowds Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney

All sarcasm aside this all the only new detail this article offers but there is some much else that is wrong here. First a quote, “Not only will this be the first version to use CGI ” Ummm, not to say you’re wrong but you’re wrong. The Disney version used tons of them. Remember the dated looking CG extras? Clearly either Brolin didn’t know or the writer didn’t, but I’m just going to blame Brolin.

The secret of the hunchback, 1956, enchated tales, jetlag, 1982, wishbone picture image

Brolin only counted two of these versions and I bet he doesn’t know the other 4 exist

Second, Brolin has no idea how many versions of Hunchback there but knows the exact number of featured  movies.  Clearly, he has movie bias and isn’t concerned with the operas, ballets,  plays, musicals, graphic novels ect. Now I don’t fault him for not knowing the number of versions, I fault him for guessing two numbers that are wrong when he should has just used a vague term like “lots” or “tons” or the ever popular “many”. Just makes him look like an idiot. Maybe he is just bad at interviews or he was trying to be witty. Or he thinks he get any with because most people don’t know about half the versions.

Tim Burton picture image

Tim Burton

But those things are not my main issue. My main issue is  that since this version has been made public about its development we have heard nothing beyond vague plot details, Brolin is  playing Quasimodo, Brolin is excited about the project and now they are using CGI. Who really care if the use CGI? We still have no idea of who  is going to in it beside smug-pants Brolin, if Tim Burton is indeed involved with the project or much else.

Josh Brolin Interview for Men in Black picture image

Josh Brolin Interview for Men in Black

I mean I get what Brolin is doing, he keeping up the buzz on the project. But just saying your exited about it every few months is not really interesting. Then again this movie could be development hell. I mean this project was made public on February 28th 2011. You would think after two years in pre-production of film that has already been made public they could at least tell people who was directing the movie. Though maybe this info in on IMDb PRO and regular users aren’t privy to the information.  So who knows many more articles like this we get till the Brolin offers up more info.

Read the article here;
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/brolin-i-enjoy-hunchback-risk-16260934.html

Belle in Taiwan

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The World Tour Trio (Matt Laurent, Robert Marien and Yvan Pedneault) singing Belle to I guess an audience member in Taipei, Taiwan.  I

 

Too Sexy for the Role; The 1956 Esmeralda

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Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Without a doubt  this is Esmeralda’s movie. This is made very clear by her 3 minute long dance scene that only cuts away to Frollo staring at her but you can still see her in a reflection. Many consider the 1956 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame Esmeralda to be one of the best Esmeraldas.  Many feel she has the right look, grace and free-spirited nature that Esmeralda should have. I personally have a few issues with this version of Esmeralda.

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) dances, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) dances, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

First off, I feel like I’m being lied to with this Esmeralda.What she says and how she acts feel in opposition to how she looks and her mannerisms.  I feel like this Esmeralda was written to be played by a young actress but then Gina Lollobridga was cast and the sensuality was turn up.

Lollobridga reads too mature and sultry but then she tries to act innocence and carefree. I don’t believe her when she says that she “has never known men before.” I don’t buy it.

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Although I admit, my issue with Esmeralda’s duality could be because of her costume. Color aside, her two main costumes age her. I will get to costumes in a later post  so I won’t so into too much detail but I feel the veil, the very define corset waistline and the 1950’s cat eye age her.

She looks far more believable as a young women when she in the simple prisoner shift at the end of the movie.

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Since Esmeralda is the main focus of this movie you would think that the dynamic between Esmeralda and Frollo would be really strong but Esmeralda and Frollo don’t really have many interactions with each other in this movie.

Esmeralda admits that she afraid of him but she seems to be more uncomfortable around him which robs the would-be drama from their interactions. It fact there scene are a pretty dull.

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

I think the dance scene sums up her character in this movie perfectly. She is  aloof, mysterious,  very sensual and slightly exuberant. I mean her personality is there I’m just not sure if it’s the costume, Lollobridga’s mannerism or her natural sex appeal that holds back this Esmeralda as being a great depiction of the character.

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Next 1956 Article – Quasimodo

Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo

Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo

 

Character Poll

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Hunchback of Notre Dame Character Illustration by Francois Joseph Aime De Lemud

Hunchback of Notre Dame Character Illustration by Francois Joseph Aime De Lemud

Who is your favorite character in the Hunchback?

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LoL & Belle

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I have playing League of Legends recently. So here are some the game’s champions as Quasimodo, Frollo, Phoebus and Esmeralda in the Belle pose from Notre Dame de Paris.

League of Legend Champions in the Belle set up picture image

League of Legend Champions in the Belle set up

 

Quasimodo – Yorick (he’s a hunchback)
Frollo – Swain (he’s old looking)
Phoebus – Garen (he’s a knight)
Esmeralda – Sona (she a musician who actually make other champion dance)

 

Hypothetical Casting for Fleur de Lys; Holliday Grainger

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Holliday Grainger picture image

Holliday Grainger

Fleur de Lys isn’t the most fleshed out character in the Hunchback of Notre Dame but she does give Phoebus more of a characterization and with ease she could be made into more of a main character. Notre Dame de Paris did it after all.

Holliday Grainger picture image

Holliday Grainger

So who would make a good Fleur de Lys? I would say Holliday Grainger would make a fine Fleur de Lys. She is very lovely and sweet looking but in such a way that she could be devious and manipulative.

Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia picture image

Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia

She is best know for playing Lucrezia Borgia in The Borgias and if this isn’t an endorsement for casting her as Fleur de Lys I don’t know what is. She is also playing Anastasia in the upcoming Cinderella movie so that adds to her  capacity for the role of Fleur de Lys. Thouth I can’t help but to think she would have made a lovely Cinderella, nothing against Lily James. Though a wicked stepsister is more fun to play.

Holliday Grainger as Anastasia with Sophie McShera in Cinderellla picture image

Holliday Grainger as Anastasia with Sophie McShera in Cinderellla

 

But aside from looks, Grainger is a fine actress and she could pull off the character very well. I would just hope that Fleur de Lys would get slightly bigger role in future movie/television adaptations.

Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia picture image

Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia

Off Topic – I’m really looking forward to Cinderella as a fan of The Borgias, Game of Thrones, and Downton Abbey. Get any of those actors in a Hunchback movie and my little heart might explode.