#brianhenson

[n0nb1narycode]

Blu Christmas Holiday Movie Asplosion 2022! ⛄ Chapter 47: The Muppet Christmas Carol 🦌 While this may not be the version of A Christmas Carol that I personally feel is the best version (though close), I do think it's probably the most enjoyable to watch, and the coziest feeling, and of course, the most Muppety version (and because of the inclusion of Gonzo as Charles Dickens, it may be the version with the most actual writing from the original book). Wherever it places in your heart, there's no denying its charm. Also, Michael Caine is an excellent Scrooge. Also, this was the first theatrical Muppets release after Jim Henson had passed, as well as the first movie directed by his son, Brian Henson. Oh, and you can bet I didn't stay restricted to just my blu-ray for this one, as Disney+ has released the 30th anniversary edition of it with the song "When Love is Gone" seemlessly restored (though the "full length" version is only available under the Special Features for it, oddly) and the whole thing in a pretty good 4K scan. Now I just wish they'd release the properly restored full version of it on a 4K disc, but anyways, it's great and a classic in its own right! 🌲 ❄️ 🎄 🎅 #TheMuppetChristmasCarol #1992 (#MuppetChristmasCarol ) #MichaelCaine #MichaelCaineAsScrooge #GonzoAsCharlesDickens #DaveGoelz #JerryNelson #FrankOz #BrianHenson #JerryJuhl #JimHenson #TheMuppets #BluChristmasHolidayMovieAsplosion2022 #iLoveMovies #christmasmovies #holidaymovies #xmas #christmasspecials #holidayfilms #holidays #movies #christmas #iLoveChristmas #blurays #bluray #MovieNerd #abluchristmas #christmasfilms #christmasmoviemarathon . https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm7cQRvvmqAmv4pAi-CEf5KxxpQSHv85pA55QA0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[johnwickb1tsch]

I think Donaka would love to call his woman "little flower or little bird" to make her fell fragile, loving when she fight him. And he is the guy that say to a woman "You're pretty when you cry."

Donaka: "You're so pretty when you cry."

Me:

gif by brianhenson on tenor.com

🤣 He's so scary I just want to lick him...

[danjpetock]

Princess Mombi in *almost* all her glory. Stay away from Cabinet 31! #danjpetock #myart #myartwork #fanart #returntooz #wizardofoz #dorothygale #jackpumpkinhead #lfrankbaum #waltermurch #princessmombi #mombi #jeanmarsh #sophieward #fionavictory #emmaridley #fairuzabalk #brianhenson #wicked #oz #ozma #emeraldcity #disney https://www.instagram.com/p/CWTcXzJFlGn/?utm_medium=tumblr

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

A Christmas Carol has been brought to the silver screen so many times you better make some radical changes to stand out from the rest or not even bother. The Muppet Christmas Carol brings us a new vision of the classic story that's sure to please fans of Jim Henson’s creations but does not rank among the adaptations of the Charles Dickens novella.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) is a bitter miser who considers the ideals and spirit of Christmas pure humbug. He even hesitates to give his underpaid assistant Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) the day off and scoffs at his nephew Fred (Steven Mackintosh) when he invites him to a holiday dinner. One cold Christmas Eve, the ghost of Scrooge's partners, the Marleys (Statler and Waldorf) appear to him with a warning: three spirits are coming to visit him. Unless he heeds their warning, he faces an eternity of suffering.

The songs in this musical are well done. A couple of them will stick in your memory even long after the end credits. The number that introduces Scrooge is particularly effective. It's a strong beginning, as Michael Caine is excellent as the ice-hearted money lender. He's doubly impressive once we remember that most of the time, he's speaking to felt creations.

Unfortunately, A Christmas Carol isn’t a story that meshes with comedic songs and characters particularly well. There is room for jokes and humor, but the gags often feel forced, undermine the drama, or don’t fit the story. No better example can be found than in the scenes where Scrooge faces the Ghost of Christmas Future. Throughout the entire film, Gonzo the Great (as Charles Dickens) and his friend Rizzo the rat act as narrators, but the constant cutting between the frightening tone and the fuzzy creations yucking it up wouldn’t work at all. Knowing this, director Brian Henson has them leave the film, assuring us that they will return during the conclusion. It’s the right choice, but also proves the point that maybe the Muppets should’ve picked a different Holiday story to invade.

I hate to sound overly negative, as the film is a great technical achievement and, overall, more good than bad, but there are several missteps along the way. The biggest… might not even be included in the film you’re watching! It’s a song between Scrooge and his lost love, Belle (Meredith Braun). The actress has a decent set of pipes, but the number she’s given stops the film cold and isn’t compelling at all. Only certain versions of the home release include this scene, and it’s gracious of the film for cutting it, but that again shows how widely the picture ranges. On one hand, you’ve got fantastic puppets, completely convincing special effects, several good songs, and a great performance by Caine. On the other, you have forgettable musical numbers that will bore you, jokes that don’t land, and an inconsistent tone.

There are some puzzling decisions throughout The Muppet Christmas Carol, such as the Ghost of Christmas Past (voiced by Jessica Fox), a new puppet that reminds the audience of the Gelflings in The Dark Crystal but is unintentionally creepy. It kept reminding me of a Halloween mask, or someone who’s had way too much botox. Hiccups like this prevent the film from being all it could be. Despite the faults, The Muppet Christmas Carol is worth adding to your holiday movie marathon for what it does well or to mix things up. (On Blu-ray, December 17, 2017)

[aliceheart247]

Day 4 - Pumpkin. I chose to do two of my childhood crushes: Jack Skellington and Jack Pumpkin-head. #returntooz1985 #nightmarebeforechristmas #timburton #brianhenson #jimhensonproductions #disney #childhoodloves #inktober2019 @inktober @karolinepietrowski #digitalart #procreate https://www.instagram.com/p/B3N0lr1g8xu/?igshid=e3377f66tsoi

[thatmermaidtracihines]

I was so honored to get to interview Brian Henson about the upcoming @farscapeofficial 20th Anniversary Uncharted Territories Celebration on the @hensoncompany lot! (Plz excuse my inner fangirl, she could barely keep it in check 🤩) I had such a blast getting to shoot this promo w/the talented @van_kelsing @landonson & everyone involved! Thanks to @sunweavercreative for inviting me to be a part of it! ⠀ ⠀ Visit @farscapeofficial ‘s page to get all the deets for this truly special event on Oct. 19th at the Jim Henson Company Lot in Hollywood! Tix are available at www.farscape20th.com ⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #farscape #jimhensoncompany #farscape20thanniversary #jimhensonstudios #brianhenson #unchartedterritories (at Jim Henson Company Lot) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2afUq6Ann5/?igshid=13p4v0wkpggjb

[rensstudio]

All Maudra Seladon, server to the Skeksis. Dark Crystal Age of Resistance Art of Rennie Poynton #yycartists #art #artist #sketchartist #gothicart #artstudio #artistsoninstagram #artofrenniepoynton #yycart #artistry #darkcrystal #thedarkcrystalageofresistance #thedarkcrystal #brianhenson #brianfroud #fanatic #puppets #puppetart #gelfling #allmaudra #skeksis #canadianartists https://www.instagram.com/p/B3EPL27Hku-/?igshid=195y2e25zrltc

[mattachinesocial]

A few behind the scenes snaps of my visit inside inside the historic Jim Henson studio (and the Charlie Chaplin soundstage are former A&M records home). Truly a fabulous and inspiring event. (Fun fact you don’t expect to casually get dropped on you: Karen Carpenter’s ghost has been known to hang out in the iconic recording studio on the Henson lot) #jimhensonstudios #brianhenson #puppetupuncensored #uppetup #puppets #puppeteer #film #filmhistory (at Los Angeles/Hollywood California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChMX0rLOpdf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[doomonfilm]

Review : The Happytime Murders (2018)

Any child of the 1980′s (like myself) had a huge chunk of their education and morals shaped by puppets.  Be it Big Bird, Kermit the Frog or any of the other iconic felt masterpieces, young boys and girls were taught how to share, how to care, and how to be aware of the feelings of others.  I’m sure that many of us wondered what life would be like if those puppets were real... if the existed among us, making a day to day living like the rest of us.  Brian Henson, with the help of The Jim Henson Company’s adult imprint Henson Alternative, is helping us quell those wonders with the dark comedy The Happytime Murders. 

Private investigator Phil Phillips (Bill Barretta) is a puppet working in Los Angeles in the wake of losing his job as the first puppet officer in the LAPD.  Even though humans and puppets have trouble coexisting, Phillips manages to operate his business with the help of his human secretary Bubbles (Maya Rudolph).  When new client Sandra (Dorien Davies), a puppet being blackmailed, offers Phillips a job, he reluctantly accepts, not knowing just how deep the job will take him into a personal hell.  Things start off with a bang when, during his investigation, he ends up in a porn shop with former member of The Happytime Gang (and old friend) Mr. Bumblypants (Kevin Clash), only to miss his murder by moments while looking through files in the back office.  As a possible witness, Phillips finds himself back in the world of the LAPD and his former partner Detective Edwards (Melissa McCarthy).  The murder of Mr. Bumblypants turns out to be the first of a string of murders featuring former cast members of The Happytime Gang : puppets Coach Lyle (Clash), Goofer (Drew Massey), Ezra (Ted Michaels), Cara (Colleen Smith), Phillips’ brother Larry Shenanigans Phillips (Victor Yerrid), and human member Jenny (Elizabeth Banks).  As the walls close in around Phillips, he is forced to face his past in order to secure a future for himself and those close to him.

The way this film deals with issues of persecution and prejudice is very smart.  Several little things presented ring very true to the minority experience in America, though they are not force fed to us in the film.  Most of these events are subtle : puppets not being ‘competent’ enough for a job like police officer, puppets being attacked by dogs, puppets having nothing to offer to society but songs and dancing, and so on.  Henson and company do a wonderful job of weaving these real threads into their story without undercutting the dark humor or coming off as preachy, and thus deepening our investment in what takes place during the film.

The humorous elements of the film tied to the nature of puppets are completely on point and extremely hilarious.  Objects like silly string, liquid filled with glitter, stuffing, plastic eggs, sugar and candy are completely contextualized in a new light.  The design of the puppets is brilliant as well, especially in moments like Coach Lyles’ drug den where we get huge muscular puppets, or puppets with extremely expressive faces.  Lots of obvious humor is also played well, including an ungodly amount of puppet rabbits in existence that are all EXTREMELY horny, and therefore constantly occupying establishments like porn stores and strip clubs.  Action sequences with the puppets are handled extremely well, especially the fight between Melissa McCarthy and the drug den puppets.   

Much like Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, this film is essentially three films in one : a puppet film, a film noir, and a special effects film.  References to Chinatown and Basic Instinct used within The Happytime Murders are pitch perfect, with the Basic Instinct reference turning out to be a key expositional point in the film and not just a moment played for laughs.  The film is a true ‘whodunit’ from tip to tail, with Maya Rudolph even evoking a bit of the traditional secretary trope via vocal inflections and posture, and Phillips dealing with most of his problems as if the solution were at the bottom of a bottle.       

Bill Barretta gives a wonderful voice performance as Phillips, with his jaded nature radiating off of him like light from the sun.  Melissa McCarthy uses her physical comedy in a measured nature, managing to establish herself well in the vocal sparring and not relying on being a human cartoon in a film full of puppets.  Maya Rudolph plays wonderfully offbeat, managing to continually hit her humor marks with no issues.  Kevin Clash pulls double duty as Lyle and Bumblypants, but gives each a distinct and unique personality to wonderful effect.  Elizabeth Banks holds her own during limited screen time, as does Joel McHale and Leslie David Baker.  Dorien Davies is hilariously over the top as seductress puppet Sandra.

If The Happytime Murders is an indication of what Henson Alternative has in store for us, we may be in for a real treat as the studio continues to produce work.  The quality holds up to the name behind it, and the results speak for themselves.  Definitely worth catching if you’re looking for a nice and healthy dose of entertainment.

[n0nb1narycode]

Next on the Christmas Carol block, one that is very understandably (and justifiably) many people's favorite Christmas Carol, and while it's my 2nd favorite personally, it's certainly the best Christmas Carol featuring Muppets. ❄️ 🎄I'll Have a Blu Christmas Holiday Movie 'Asplosion 2021!🎄 💿 Chapter 58: The Muppet Christmas Carol 🎞️ I will admit that this version is probably the most fun & charming, and Michael Caine is great as Scrooge. But I still don't necessarily feel it's the best version, and that is in part because Michael Caine, though amazing, is not my favorite Scrooge. On another note, I also stopped during the scene with the tragically and unnecessarily cut song, and then watched the restored version of it on Disney+ (they have it as a special feature), then returned to the movie. ⛄ • • • • • #TheMuppetChristmasCarol #1992 #TheMuppets #JimHenson #MichaelCaine #FrankOz #DaveGoelz #BrianHenson #JerryNelson #EbenezerScrooge #CharlesDickens #CharlesDickensAChristmasCarol #MichaelCaineAsEbenezerScrooge #illHaveABluChristmasHolidayMovieAsplosion2021 #iLoveMovies #christmasmovies #holidaymovies #xmas #christmasspecials #holidayfilms #holidays #movies #christmas #iLoveChristmas #blurays #bluray #MovieNerd #abluchristmas #christmasfilms #christmasmoviemarathon (at Jersey City, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXr5Wtqt-yk/?utm_medium=tumblr

[jamest541975]

#Repost @justafanoffilm with @repostsaveapp ・・・ 25 years ago today, "Muppet Treasure Island" was released in the US (February 16, 1996). . Fun fact: Originally, Gonzo and Rizzo were written as the leads. The character of Jim Hawkins was split into two with Gonzo and Rizzo as "Jim" and "Hawkins", but that plan was scrapped because "Treasure Island" is a story about a boy becoming a man. . . . #muppettreasureisland #1996 #muppet #muppets #themuppets #brianhenson #timcurry #davegoelz #stevewhitmire #jerrynelson #kevinclash #frankoz #90sfilms #90smovies #90s #onthisday #onthisdayinfilm #filmhistory #moviehistory #todayinfilmhistory #todayinfilmhistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CLX2bx6F0ZL/?igshid=p7o3pwqixe9b

[danjpetock]

Not exactly a Halloween movie but it’s plenty spooky and it does take place just prior to Halloween. Return to Oz will always be on of my absolute favs. #danjpetock #myart #myartwork #fanart #returntooz #wizardofoz #dorothygale #jackpumpkinhead #jackolantern #lfrankbaum #waltermurch #fairuzabalk #justincase #brianhenson #emeraldcity #disney @fairuza https://www.instagram.com/p/CV5_VF0F09e/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thismademydaynl]

STX Entertainment lanceert later dit jaar de film ‘Happytime Murders’ waar Melissa McCarthy samen met de poppen de hoofdrol in speelt. Op www.thismademyday.nl staat de wat grove trailer voor je klaar. - - - - #movie #trailer #trailers #happytimemurders #melissamccarthy #stxentertainment #muppets #Brianhenson #film #blog #blogger #bloggen #dutch #dutchblogger #thenetherlands #website #entertainment #blognl #EBlogger #wordpress #socialsnowballs #Nederlands #Nederlandseblogger #maleblogger #blogpromotion #apeldoorn

[chantalhandley]

The Griffin from @hensoncompany The StoryTeller tale "The Luck Child." Soft pastel artwork. 🌟 #jimhenson #brianhenson #jimhensoncreatureshop www.chantallaurahandley.com https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ64o8qFsS4/?igshid=1ht0jhxgm7ovl

[vincethehuman]

¡PAPARRUCHAS! En estas fechas tan señaladas he querido hacer un fan art de Cuento de Navidad de los Teleñecos, una de mis pelis navideñas favoritas. Tiene canciones maravillosas, marionetas guapísimas y chistes adorables. Ah, y Michael Caine está enorme como Ebenizer Scrooge. ¡Feliz navidad, compadres! ----------------------------------- HUMBUG! For this time of the year I've made a Muppet Christmas Carol fan art. It's one of my favourite holiday movies, with its wonderful songs, amazing puppets and some lovely jokes. And Michael Caine is superb as Ebenizer Scrooge. Marry Christmas, mates! #muppetchristmascarol #scrooge #ebenizerscrooge #charlesdickens #brianhenson #jimhenson #muppets #kermit #bobcratchit #michaelcaine #digitalart #artistsoninstagtam #instaart #fanart https://www.instagram.com/p/CJMCcwPj4Vi/?igshid=1ln1iyut7b2wz

[gaxiola1701]

Rockne O'Bannon & Brian Henson at the #SDCC Farscape panel on July 24, 2004. Even 20 years later, Farscape is a great & unique show thanks to the writing + Henson Co. creature effects! #sdcc2004 #sdccpanel #farscape #rockneobannon #brianhenson (at San Diego Convention Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDCnc-bjLAg/?igshid=159ibsfs1tu2b