More Surf Boards!

Armand Serrano has more designs up that he created for Sony's "Surf's Up!" film.



I have to admit that I really didn't pay much attention to the boards in the film, despite having watched it a half dozen times or so. However once I saw Armand's design work, it really made me appreciate the level of detail that went into ever phase of this film, making it the gem that it turned out to be.

I also didn't notice the film featured penguins, but I'm sure I'm not alone on that one.

Armand Serrano's Surf's Up! Boards

Robert Chang Artwork

While hunting around for the picture for my last post, I stumbled upon some of Robert Chang's concept work for Sony's "Surf's Up!"



Robert is quite a jack-of-all-trades, and you should swing by his site to see more "Surf's Up!" concept work, as well as a ton of other fancy stuff.

Robert Chang's Website

The Art of Surf's Up! Boards

Artist and animator Armand Serrano has posted a bunch of images of the artwork used on the surf boards in Sony's "Surf's Up!"



I loved Chicken Joe's board, but then again I loved everything about "Surf's Up!" I can't stress enough what a wonderful Christmas gift this would make. Well... a copy of "Surf's Up!" and a Ferrari. You get those two things for just about anyone and they'll be thrilled, or my name ain't St. Nick!

Surf's Up Board Art

Surf's Up on DVD!

Sony's wonderful "Surf's Up!" hits Region 1 DVD shelves today!



If you missed this in the theaters, which many did, you owe it to yourself to go and pick up a copy, or at least give it a rent. The film is beautiful, funny, and just a great film from start to finish. Yes it's anthropomorphic animals, and yes it's another penguin film, but it's still worth watching (and owning).

Not only that, but Circuit City has it for $15 bucks, and I'm sure you can find it for that price or less at various other big chain stores.

It's a shame that this film didn't perform better in theaters, but with any luck, a ton of people will get to discover it on DVD.

Go now!

Surf's Up DVD Info

Thanks to DVD Times (via Animated News), I now know how I'll be spending 20 bucks come this October 9th.



Available in separate Widescreen and Full Screen editions extras include:

- “The ChubbChubbs Save XMAS” – All-New Animated Short!
- “The ChubbChubbs” – The original Academy Award®-winning Animated Short
- “Not A Drop of Real Water” – Three-Part Documentary that takes viewers behind-the-scenes of the Film and its Technical Achievements
- Music Video – Ms. Lauryn Hill “Lose Myself”
- Arnold’s Zurfinary – Arnold Gives a Kids-Eye View of Surf Terminology
- “Create Your Own Surfboard” Game
- ”Lava Surf” Game
- “Whale Hopping” Game
- Filmmaker Commentary and More!

For anyone who has read this blog long at all, you'll know that I pushed hard to get people to go and see Sony's surf epic, "Surf's Up," when it was in theaters. Well it turns out the 5 people who read this blog went, but that was about it, and the film wound up getting lost in the swells.

Since that worked so well, I now need those 5 people to go tell all of their friends about the DVD release!

More info on Surf's Up at DVD Times

Animated News

This Weekend

If you haven't made plans for the weekend yet, I highly suggest you give some thought to catching "Surf's Up!"



Not only is the film a feast for the eyes, but it's also very well written. If you like Aardman's "Creature Comforts" series, or if you enjoy mockumentaries like "Spinal Tap" and "Best In Show," then you really can't go wrong with "Surf's Up."

So load up the station wagon, hide some cheap candy in your pants, and go watch one of the best animated flicks to come down the tube in some time.

If you don't like the film, I'll eat a bottle of surf board wax.

Gnarly.

AWN Surf's Up Site Updates

Lots and lots of updates to AWN's exclusive behind the scenes site of Sony's "Surf's Up!"



The site now has interviews up with everyone including the Producer, Director, Visual FX Team Members, Cast and Wave Technology Gurus.

It's an interesting read for sure, especially the piece on wave technology that shows how the artists created the amazing water that is seen in the film.

Worth a glance.

AWN's Surf's Up Site

The Numbers: Surf's Up Opening Weekend

Sony's "Surf's Up" finished it's opening weekend in a respectable 4th place, behind a couple of huge summer blockbusters and a surprise comedy.



The film made $18 million dollars, being beat out by "Knocked Up," "Pirates 3," and "Ocean's Thirteen."

As far as an opening weekend for a CG film goes, "Surf's Up" had to be somewhat of a disappointment to Sony. Despite strong reviews, the film's opening was dwarfed by CG recent CG film openings like "Shrek the Third's" $122 million dollar opening and even "Happy Feet's" $42 million. Even when compared to Sony's previous CG Animated film, "Open Season," which made $24 million opening weekend, "Surf's Up!" just did not perform at the same level.

Was it the fact that moviegoers are still gunshy of CG after the avalanche of CG films last summer? Did they get their fill of penguins with "Happy Feet"? Is it because there are so many big blockbuster films at theaters right now? Was this seen as "another anthropomorphic animal film"?

To be honest, it's probably a combination of all of them, but it wasn't due to poor reviews. The film is actually doing quite well in that department.

I had a chance to see the film, and as much as I enjoyed it, I doubt the numbers are going up from here via word of mouth. In the crowded theater I was in, most of the kids were talking and running up and down the isles within the first 45 minutes. The adults generally seemed to enjoy it, and the visuals were nothing short of stunning, but kids seemed to get bored with it quickly. "Surfs Up!" has a very laid back vibe to it, much like a surfer, and it just didn't seem to hold the attention of the little ones.

It's really a shame, because I think "Open Season" and "Surf's Up" were actually both great films, and yet if Sony's animated flicks keep underperforming, it may be a short-lived venture.

Discuss this post on the BP Forums!

Surf's Up In Theaters Today!

Man... I've really been looking forward to this one.



It looks like it was worth the wait, as the reviews rolling in are actually pretty good. The film currently sits at a 75% overall on Rotten Tomatoes, which is really high compared to some recent CG films. Not only that, but the Cream of the Crop score is an 81%.

So throw on some sunscreen and go see a penguin film that doesn't have the word "mocap" in it's description. Not only that, but for a brief 90 minutes or so, you probably won't hear a single fricking word about Paris Hilton.

You can't beat that with a stick.

Surf's Up Reviews On Rotten Tomatoes

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Surf's Up First Reviews

The first reviews of Sony's "Surf's Up!" have started to roll in and they're both good and bad.



The early consensus seems to be that the film is, for the most part, over the heads of most kids, except for the reviews that say kids will love it. However, most reviewers agree that the film is laugh out loud funny, other than the reviews that say it isn't funny at all.

In other words, the critics are all over the place on this one so far.

The film is sitting at a 67% overall on RT, and it will be interesting to see how that score changes as we inch closer to the release this Friday. I for one can't wait to see it, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it just as much as the critically challenged "Open Season."

Surf's Up Reviews On Rotten Tomatoes

The Bleeding Pixels forums aren't exactly blazing right now, but I do hope you folks decide to use them. I think communities, such as forums, are a great place to meet new people and make connections of all kinds. Keep in mind that the BP forums aren't just about 3D either... there are spots for music, movies, TV, and lots of other topics. If you don't see a category that you'd really like, let me know and I'll get it added.

Now get over there and get to posting!

Discuss the Surf's Up First Reviews on the Bleeding Pixels Forums!

Surf's Up Clips on Yahoo!

I know I'm a bit late on this one, but I was on vacation, so get bent.



Yahoo! Movies has posted 8 new clips from "Surf's Up," which hits theaters tomorrow. The clips are actually really funny, and make me want to see the film even more than I already did.

Readers of this blog know that I was a huge fan of "Open Season," and I hope that "Surf's Up!" pulls in bigger numbers at the box office, because I think the Sony Animation group really does have the ability to bring a lot to the animation table.

Surf's Up Clips On Yahoo!

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Surf's Up On AWN

Animation World Network has created a new site, dedicated to Sony's upcoming "Surf's Up!" with pictures, interviews and more.



The first interview is up right now with Producer, Chris Jenkins, and upcoming interviews are scheduled with members of the cast, Directors, and an animator or two, among others.

Gnarly!

AWN's Surf's Up! Page

Hang 10...

Of these new "Surf's Up" posters on your wall that is!



Am I the only person here who can't figure out why I can't land a job as a joke writer since my days writing for Bob Saget on "America's Funniest Home Videos"?

Swing on over to Latino Review for more info on the movie and poster.

Latino Review's Surf's Up Info Page

Surf's Up Poster

There is a new poster for Sony's upcoming "Surf's Up" over at IMP Awards.



This is apparantly a take off on the "Ocean's 11" film, but I have no idea why, as I've never seen the film or a poster for the film. Not only that, but I'm far too important to spend the 30 seconds it would take me to find the poster on Google.

I'm pretty full of myself today.

More Surf's Up Posters at IMP Awards

52 Seconds of Surf's Up

Armand Serrano has posted a 52 second clip from Sony's upcoming film, "Surf's Up!" over on his website.



While watching the clip did mean I had to listen to Green Day for 52 seconds, it was still worth it.

I can't wait for this film.

52 Seconds of Surf's Up!

Surf's Up Trailer Up!

The brand new trailer for "Surf's Up!" from Sony is now up on Moviefone in standard and HD formats!



The film looks great (those waves still amaze me), and I really like the concept behind it of documentary meets surfing flick. I can't wait for this one to hit theaters, and plan on wearing a speedo to the viewing on the first day of release.

Surf's Up Trailer In HD

Surf's Up Website Redesign

Sony's upcoming "Surf's Up!" has a newly redesigned website that went up today.



The site really does seem to have a ton of content on it now, and just a quick peek reveals games, icons, wallpapers, bios, and even a spot to design your own surf board.

The name created for me by the "Gnarly Name Generator" was "Daring Dave," which is about as "gnarly" as "Diphole Dave" or "Dungsucker Dave." Actually... "Dungsucker Dave" really does have a nice ring to it.

I might stick with that one.

"Surf's Up" hits US theaters on June 8th. Check the site for International release dates.

Official Surf's Up Site

Surf's Up Images at Latino Review

Latino Review has posted some brand new images from Sony's upcoming "Surf's Up" film.



My wife is currently in Maui for a wedding, so seeing the beach photos from the film just make me even more jealous than I already was.

And just so everyone is clear, she too wears a coconut bra.

Surf's Up Images at Latino Review

Surf's Up Site Up

The Official Surf's Up site is now ready to receive your mouse clicks.



The site is a bit bare right now, but I'm sure that will change as the movie draws closer to release. There also happens to be a really annoying bird on the site (pictured above) who just gets in the way when you're trying to look at screenshots and other items. I wanted to make a soup out of him, but that would just ruin my computer monitor.

Official Surf's Up Website

Surf's Up Character Posters

IMP Awards has three new posters up for "Surf's Up," showing each of what are expected to be the main characters and their boards of choice.



My board of choice turns out to be the Michigan Board of Education, for their fine display of academic advancement in the field of badger research and preservation.

IMP Awards "Surf's Up" Posters

Sony's "Surf's Up" Website