I just did it wrong. : (

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIvjTEL1UP8

For those who've seen "War" and aren't planning on reading the prequel novel "Revelations", this article gives a review of what happened. I wanted to read it before seeing the movie but only got half way. I should probably finish it.

www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes/266730/what-we-learned-from-the-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-prequel-novel

The simian flu infected that link. Try this:

www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes/266730/what-we-learned-from-the-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-prequel-novel

50 years ago today (8/3/67) Charlton Heston had road rage against an invisible statue.

Arguably (inarguably?) the most famous single moment in POTA history had trouble getting started thanx to fog. They couldn't start filming until after lunch. Then the conversations about what would be said. Fox wanted 3 versions for safety; Heston knew what had to be done and only shot one version, which has stumped television ever since (including AMC, which has given us gross zombies and Walter White, still can't get past two little words).

Heston: "I obviously prefer to shoot only the speech I wrote, since this is my only chance to put muscle behind that choice. Besides, it's the best. I can't believe the Code still forbids the use of "(censored!) damn you!" It's surely acceptable in the context of this speech; Taylor is literally calling on God to damn the destroyers of civilization". God damn, that was a good choice.

The next year William Shatner intentionally screwed up a "safety" take on "Star Trek", giving television it's first interracial kiss ("Plato's Stepchildren"). Science fiction was doing it's part to open us up a little.

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"War 4 the POTA" has passed the latest installment of the once mighty "Transformers" franchise at the domestic box office with $130 million in the till.

Worldwide, it opened much wider this week and is at $278 million, breathing down the neck of "Cars 3" ($286 million). Will the apes conquer our worst fears about it's future?

I wuz thinking it might end up like the recent "Mad Max: Fury Road", another apocalyptic sequel: both had the same budget ($150 million), it was acclaimed (got a rare Best Picture nom), did $154 million domestic, $225 million foreign for $379 million worldwide. There was talk of a sequel but so far nothing. Right now "War" can only aspire to that but it ain't over 'til it's over.

boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=planetoftheapes16.htm

"War" wuz #1 in each of the 14 markets it opened in this week, including France, Brazil and Germany. In fact it was the #1 Hollywood movie in the international market this week with $148 million total so far (per Deadline.com). $278 million worldwide.

It still has South Korea (Aug. 15), China (Sept. 15) and Japan (Oct. 13).

"Rise" did $30 million in China and $30 million in Japan.

"Dawn" did $107 million in China and $12 million in Japan.

If you are in the market for a Fox video you might want to check your local Walmart (heard of them?).

Right now they have a "War" display with videos that include 4 "War 4" collectible cards. Dvds, blu-rays or the new 4K (Rise and Dawn) of the Apes movies or other Fox flicks (I got the Oscar-winning "The Revenant").

Look 4 the display and the sticker on the package.

The cards are blu-ray size illustrations:

1. Close-up of Caesar: "I showed you mercy"
2. Ape with a bow and arrow: "War has begun"
3. The apes riding on the beach: "Apes together strong"
4. The poster picture (illustrated) of Caesar on the horse: "I did not start this war".

On the back the cards can be put together to show Caesar in 4 stages from infant to "War". Sez: "Evolution Becomes Revolution" (catchy, huh?). But you don't have to collect them, they're all in one dvd. The original POTA blu-ray is only $6. It also comes with a ticket to "War" worth $7.50. You're actually making a profit if you see the movie.

Even Donald Trump would tell you it's a good deal.

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The original POTA movie finished principal photography 50 years ago today (8/10/67). It ended where it begins (a time loop!) with the film's opening scene.

As Heston said in his diary: "An ideal kind of scene for any actor… everybody else lay mute and motionless while I had all the words. More than 3 minutes of them, for that matter, and they were pretty well worked out… We did two different masters on it, then the usual coverage. I think it's good. I think the picture will be, too. It'll certainly be different. If the social comment comes off as well as the wild adventure, we may get some attention".

50 years later POTA is still getting attention so it must have worked.

So where do they end up? I haven't read the novel (if there's an answer there).

Is it New York? Judging how it sets up the original movie I would assume so.

The latest box office figures are in and "War 4 the POTA" has hit $314 million worldwide. That's enough to pass "Cars 3" and tell "LEGO Batman" to LEGO of the higher spot.

Domestically, it did $3 million this weekend, so it's days are numbered. It's at $137 million so it will probably pass $140 million; $150 million? That will be a toughy. But it will not pass either "Rise" ($177 m.) or "Dawn" ($209 m.) domestically.

I think it has a shot of passing "Rise" worldwide ($482 m.) but definitely it was hoped for more. "Dawn" improved on "Rise" and it looked like the franchise was in the ascendancy but now it's going backwards (until the next one!).

Let's root 4 China to do good. At this point I'm just hoping it can do better than "Rise" ($482 m. worldwide) and "Kong: Skull Island" ($566 m. worldwide). Those seem 2 be realistic goals.

"War" is slated to hit South Korea this week (the worst of times) so we'll see how it goes.

Yeah, it's pretty bad. "War 4 the POTA" still has China and Japan but things don't look good.

Unless Fox is smart and sees that it is still a healthy franchise if they get to it's roots (a planet of the apes).

But shame on the world, that they prefer BAD sequels like "Pirates", "Mummy", name it.

So the Caesar trilogy is fine if there is never another POTA movie. It told a complete story.

But those of us who want to see the story continue - - - to actually see a POTA - - - are biting our nails as the box office numbers come back.

The worldwide tally so far of $346 million isn't promising and it's getting to the point where fantasizing won't cut it. If the "world" can color in the rest of $400 million and then China does $100 million (like "Dawn" did) and then Japan does some artistry past $500 million it will still suck.

But the positive is that Fox isn't one to give up a franchise easily. They aren't Disney where they can get a $billion winner blindfolded. "Alien", "X-Men", these franchises have been around for decades. It's amazing they took so long to reignite POTA. The 3 new POTA movies have done well as a group (over $1 billion) so I don't think they'll give it up so easily.

Added to that is they have a strong producer in Peter Chernin. As the #2 at News Corp. for years, he has a lot of clout and he is a big Apes fan.

Right now it looks bleak but we won't know until October the final tally on "War". I do believe Fox will consider what a tough sell "War" is (a concentration camp movie, of all things) and some Oscar magic would help (not that Oscar has given Nu Apes it's due so far).

In the end, I don't think we've heard the last of "Apes".

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"War 4 the POTA" has a long way 2 go.

China: 9/15

Japan: 10/13

It doesn't look good 4 "War" but it will be a while before we get the full story.

Ape fan: But it looks pretty bad! Waaah!

The Voice of Reason: Oliver Stone will set things right.

Ape fan: Groovy! I can dig that!

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They laughed at me when I suggested Oliver Stone could do a POTA movie. AH HA HA HA HA!

They'll be sorry.

They just announced that Martin Scorsese is going to do a Joker movie. Yes, THAT Martin Scorsese. Considered one of the greatest living filmmakers, etc. Has never touched a blockbuster before (the closest was remaking J. Lee ("Conquest") Thompson's "Cape Fear"). OK, so he's not directing, just producing, but these blockbusters are getting serious.

Fun fact: Scorsese was Stone's film teacher.

So let's discuss what kind of POTA movie Oliver Stone would do…

Alright, I'll wait. You'll be back!

deadline.com/2017/08/the-joker-origin-movie-todd-phillips-martin-scorsese-scott-silver-batman-dc-universe-1202154053/

"War 4 the Planet" now totals $360 million worldwide. Though it still has China and Japan to go, it's doubtful now it will even pass Rise's worldwide of $482 million.

But Fox is resilient when it comes to sequels and, well, they haven't had any huge successes this year.

1. Logan - $616 million worldwide
2. Boss Baby - $498 m. ww
3. War - $360 m. ww (so far)
4. Alien - $233 m. ww
5. Capt. Underpants - $98 m. ww
6. Snatched - $61 m. ww
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid - $39 m. ww

POTA is still one of their top franchises. If it can still scratch and claw to $500 million (hi, China!) that would be great.

The battle may be lost but the war could still be won.

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I never thought it would come to this but War 4 the POTA's box office role model is the >pee-yew!< inducing "The Mummy". Exhibitor Relations just congratulated "The Mummy" for passing the "magic sequelizer number" of $400 million worldwide, thanx to it's friends in China.

$400 million? "War" can do that with one Tom Cruise tied behind it's back. If $400 million means a sequel, we've got this one in the bag. Plus "War" has been acclaimed, while critics had to hold their nose reviewing "The Mummy".

Sequel? Done!

Fun fact: the last time POTA went up against the Mummy was in 2001; "The Mummy Returns" got $433 million worldwide to POTA2001's $362 million.

collider.com/the-mummy-box-office-worldwide/

Will "War 4 the POTA" become the first sci-fi Best Picture winner ever? Yes, if Fox and producer Peter Chernin have anything to do with it. They are planning to mount an Oscar campaign like nothing POTA has ever seen before (just in time 4 the 50^th anniversary of the original).

"War" has a lot going for it, including the common feeling the other movies were robbed for Best FX and the perennial question of whether Andy Serkis deserves an Oscar. The Academy has just added many new members who are younger, minorities, etc. to get more viewpoints. The traditional view that the Oscars are old and stodgy might no longer apply. Will Apes pull a "Lord of the Rings" (a great trilogy that didn't get the Oscar love it deserved until # 3 won Best Picture)?

There's a reason no sci-fi movie has won (they are looked down upon) and so it is a long shot. But even a nomination(s) would rock.

Chernin: "I'm incredibly proud of this movie… (it's) an extraordinary movie… I believe that if people take the time to really look at the quality of filmmaking, this is an extraordinary achievement".

Despite it's box office woes, Fox is proud of "War" and Chernin sez it is "likely" there will be more.

deadline.com/2017/08/Oscars-fox-best-picture-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-1202158378/

Michael Giacchino (composer of "Dawn", "War") is living the dream, doing music for new movies based on his childhood favorites. He's done the new "Star Trek" movies, the new Spiderman, Apes of course, and wuz the first composer not named John Williams to do a "Star Wars" movie score ("Rogue One"). There's also his relationship with Pixar, which led to his Oscar for "Inside Out".

The video below is just Giacchino taking a break and buying comics, including "POTA Archive: Vol. 1".

collider.com/michael-giacchino-interview-incredibles-2/

Labor Day tends to be considered the end of summer, so it's time to tally up the summer movies. It was a disappointing summer for pretty much everyone except the superheroes.

As has been said, "War 4" underperformed compared to "Rise" and "Dawn" and the expectation that the momentum would keep going up, not down. But with almost everybody down and the tricky subject matter, it may survive.

But it was Fox's top movie at the box office this summer (by far). That's not saying much but it did better than popular franchises like "Alien" and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (not taking into consideration cost vs. result).

Fox is set for the superhero era with 3 "X-Men" movies in 2018. Good luck to them and God have mercy on us.

collider.com/summer-movies-box-office-explained-2017/

I am very sad to announce that a wonderful person passed away today. Helen Mikkelsen Hess joined out Yahoo! Planet of the Apes discussion group many years ago. Helen had adopted many children whose parents had various issues that caused them to be unable to raise their own children. One child, Tiffany, loved Zira. Tiffany stopped eating at one point, and Neil Foster sprang into action painting a beautiful Zira that I sent to be transformed into a plate. This had the desi...red outcome and Tiffany pulled through and is now a healthy young lady.

That is just one story. Helen was a wonderful, selfless, caring, special, beautiful person. I am crushed to discover that she passed away after years of pain and I was not even aware that she was unwell.

"Into My Arms"

I don't believe in an interventionist God
But I know, darling, that you do
But if I did I would kneel down and ask Him
Not to intervene when it came to you
Not to touch a hair on your head
To leave you as you are
And if He felt He had to direct you
Then direct you into my arms

Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms

And I don't believe in the existence of angels
But looking at you I wonder if that's true
But if I did I would summon them together
And ask them to watch over you
To each burn a candle for you
To make bright and clear your path
And to walk, like Christ, in grace and love
And guide you into my arms

Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms

But I believe in love
And I know that you do too
And I believe in some kind of path
That we can walk down, me and you
So keep your candles burning
And make her journey bright and pure
That she will keep returning
Always and evermore

Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms

Rest in Peace

Sad to hear that! RIP, Helen.

Fond memories of her from the good old days.

"War 4 the POTA" added about $6 million worldwide to it's box office for a total of $366 million.

That's pretty much it until China makes or breaks it in 2 weeks ("Dunkirk" hit their beaches this weekend).

Now that North Korea has the H-bomb an ape-ocalypse might play well there.

The "War" is over 4 now.

Yahoo has posted an exclusive deleted scene from "War" as Fox officially announces a n October 24 release date 4 "War 4".

yahoo.com/movies/war-planet-apes-exclusive-watch-deleted-scene-home-release-coming-october-130029524.html

Another groaner of a week as the "War 4 the POTA" box office clicked up another couple notches.

An estimated $369 million worldwide (it didn't even have the dignity of hitting $370).

BUT next week is China and we should be seeing some action. "Dawn" did $107 million there and we have to assume "War" will do less like it has mostly everywhere else (perhaps "Dawn" just had more eye candy in the trailers and that's what sold it?).

So China should push it past $400 million next week. If it doesn't, "War" is in big trouble (in Little China?).

$500 million is grasping at straws but on the off chance that "War" is even bigger than "Dawn" in China and also does well in Japan next month, eh…maybe.

Once again "War" will be following Spidey, who swung in this week (he's over $800 million worldwide so he's doing swell). Spidey does whatever a spider can but Caesar can go mano a mano with Woody Harrelson so there's still a chance.

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"War" cost $150 million, compared to $170 million for "Dawn" (they lowered the budget because of risky subject matter). I guess you double it for prints and advertising, so $300 million.

Fox doesn't get the whole thing of course.

I read somewhere that Fox made a profit of $100 million + on "Dawn", which ended up in the $700 millions. So I don't think there will be a profit for "War", depending on what they spent for advertising (ridiculously expensive).

But they made a good movie which counts for something. They are planning to go hard for some Oscars.

They rolled the dice on a downer movie so I think they will go more traditional action-adventure on the next one, vary the sets like "Dawn" had (instead of just a concentration camp) and maybe go 200 years in the future or so where the apes have clothes and it's a traditional POTA. That might get butts in seats.

The apes are the expensive part and Matt Reeves said they cost the same no matter what. He had to take the $20 million out of his production and not touch the FX budget.

There is no "press a button and get an ape". Reeves had to ride the animators the whole way to get it the way he wanted (emotion, etc.).

They will probably try to figure out how to put more entertainment value in the movies (too serious?) and probably lower the budget a touch. Or should they raise the budget back up to "Dawn" level or even more? They need to find the sweet spot. $700 million for "Dawn" was pretty good. There's something there.

But I don't think Fox will be quick to quit a $ billion franchise.

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Agreed Patrick.

I enjoyed these 3 movies far more than I thought I would.

They got better each time for me.

I believe the next step they are going to take is their take on Taylor. I believe they will look at cool costumes so they can sell toys we can't already get at the zoo.

The stories need to be worthy….

Michael

Apes dug it's way to China and I dig it. With an estimated $60 + million opening it is now at $433 million worldwide, wrapping up Tom Cruise's "The Mummy". Will it get to $500 million and make "Boss Baby" cry, becoming Fox's #2 of the year (behind "Logan")?

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More needed good news for War's box office: it is Fox's all-time best China opening ever with $62 million.

Who's having Chinese for dinner tonight?

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Here's a handy dandy list of how movies have opened in China. They haven't added "War" yet but it was Fox's #1 opening there ever with $62 million so that puts it at # 27 all-time.

The best opening there ever wuz this year's "Fate of the Furious" with $185 million opening. Boy, "War" could've used that. They need to get the apes into some fast cars, no more horses.

"Dawn" opened to $47 million and ultimately did $107 million there. Maybe that's a gauge.

boxofficemojo.com/intl/china/opening

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To celebrate "War 4 the POTA" beating Tom Cruise's "The Mummy" at the worldwide box office, here's the Mummies performing their smash hit (maybe?) "You Must Fight To Live On the POTA".

Hit it, boys!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5ZuIU99wrw

Variety spoke with Stacy Snider on her first anniversary running Fox.

Though she didn't bring up Apes, they are still high on their franchises (even the underperforming "Alien") as long as they stay fresh: "The franchises we make still need to be original" (so the next "Predator" is set in suburbia). So Apes should be safe, just fresh.

variety.com/2017/film/features/stacey-snider-21^st-century-fox-first-year-1202563799/

"Planet of the Apes: The Last Frontier", a video game from Andy Serkis and his Imaginarium company, hits this fall. Just sayin'.

Takes place between "Dawn" and "War" with a new set of characters.

In this interview from yesterday (9/20) at a game convention he wuz asked if there will be more Ape movies and he said there's lots of room before the original movie for more stories and he still loves the franchise so he'd be interested.

He still wants to direct a movie based on the classic "Animal Farm" but updated with modern concerns. And his "Jungle Book" movie finally hits next year.

Asked what movie role he would've loved to play, he picked Travis Bickle (De Niro in "Taxi Driver").

eurogamer.net/articles/2017-09-21-watch-andy-serkis-talks-acting-and-his-planet-of-the-apes-game

planetoftheapesgame.com

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If Fox's nefarious plot to get "War 4 the POTA" a seat at the Oscars works, might it be joined by an acclaimed new documentary about Jane Goodall? "Jane" uses unseen footage thought lost to tell about Goodall's early days teaching us about chimpanzees (around the time the original POTA wuz being developed).

Oscar talk is already happening for it so it might be a good time for the Oscars to go ape, on the double!

deadline.com/2017/09/jane-trailer-jane-goodall-documentary-brett-morgen-video-1202175201/

With China's help, "War" is just $10 million away from passing the "Rise" worldwide total of $481 million. So it won't be the lowest Nu Ape movie.

Oh, are you smiling? Well, cut it out. Even the new horror movie "It" has passed "War", because Americans have no taste (they did elect Donald Trump, after all). "War" is a disappointment but thanx to the Chinese it will save face and the Apes will live to fight another day.

Now go back to your Kardashian news, Americans.

On 10/20/17 Michael Giacchino will throw a concert/50^th birthday party at Abbey Road Studios (think the Beatles walking across the street). He's also inviting a few of his friends, like "Apes" director Matt Reeves, "Alias"/"Star Trek" director J.J. Abrams, a "Lost" producer and more Pixar directors than you can shake a stick at (he won the Oscar for "Inside Out").

There'll be a whole lot of going Ape 4 daze before the "War 4" blu ray hits.

ew.com/movies/2017/09/25/jj-abrams-matt-reeves-michael-giacchino-birthday-concert/

OK. So China lifted "War" to $474 million worldwide. With Japan it should pass "Rise of the POTA"'s $481 million and not be the lowest of the NU Apes. $500 million is possible, making it Fox's #2 of the year after "Logan" (and I don't think they have anything coming up to surpass it).

A disappointing total but a tough movie to be popular and still one of Fox's biggest franchises.

From what I understand, the first week of October is a holiday in China and the movies are full of Chinese big guns so it's assumed "War" won't do much more there. We'll see.

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Ooops! "War 4 the POTA" actually did reach $481 million worldwide. It is now tied with "Rise of the POTA" and will definitely pass it when the final accounting is done.

"War" will definitely not pass "Dawn" so it is the middle child in the Caesar trilogy.

Today would have been Charlton Heston's 94^th birthday and 50 years ago, on his 44^th birthday, he had lunch with Franklin Schaffner. The director told him he was almost done with his cut of "Apes" and would show it to Arthur Jacobs the next week.

On that day, Heston mused about birthdays: "they're now occasions I try to ignore as long as possible".

Michael Giacchino tweeted that he will premiere a "War 4 the POTA" suite at his 50^th birthday concert Oct. 20 at Royal Albert Hall. Sounds like a great bash.

Hopefully it will be filmed (there's going to be a lot of talented filmmakers there) and released somehow.

royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2017/michael-giacchino-at-50/

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Judging from twitter it looks like people are finally seeing "War 4" and realizing it's pretty good.

Must be the bootleg. Hi China!

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Taking a break from their "team up" Apes comics, BOOM! will publish a 6-issue series starting in January looking at the early career of one Ursus.

Written by David Walker ("Luke Cage") and drawn by Chris Mooneyham, it will also have a variant cover with unused Bob Larkin artwork from the '70's (see linked article).

The 50^th anniversary begins!

hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/planet-apes-villains-origin-will-be-told-50^th-anniversary-1045325/

"War 4 the POTA" is now available to download legitimately.

ITunes sez it's their #1 movie right now.

I haven't bought comics in a while but when I used to buy BOOM! Apes all the covers were available so I could just pick which cover I liked best that month.

That was neat. Unless you're a completist who has to have all the covers (which is the idea, to sell more than one copy of the same issue) variety is the spice of life.

I don't know if they are still that way but BOOM! used to supply a generous amount of all the covers. If you make collectors jump through hoops to get all the covers you're going to lose customers.

My local shop went out of business and Ape comics got silly so I stopped. Apes just hasn't caught on outside the movies.

According to Exhibitor Relations, "War 4" debuted in Japan, it's final stop, with $2.3 million this weekend.

That brings it's worldwide total to $487 million. OK, that's good. Doing good! Wooooo! (gives an encouraging applause though everyone knows it rings hollow)

Deadline.com sez: "Japan is a leggy market which builds slowly, and one where women tend to make the movie-going decisions in the family". That's probably why the new "Beauty and the Beast" was by far the most popular import this year in Japan, with $110 million. No other movie came close ("Despicable Me 3" wuz second with $65 million).

boxofficemojo.com/intl/japan/yearly/

OK, so "Rise" did $30 million there, "Dawn" did $12 million. Looks like they're going down but "War" is more akin to "Rise" so maybe they will dig it more.

Remember, we're going for $500 million worldwide. If Caesar can imagine it, he can achieve it. Imagine it, Caesar!

Here's the first review I've seen of a "War 4 the POTA" home video. A UK video review and unboxing of the 4K/3D version. Those who are thirsty for some "War" packaging can have a look see (those who don't like the word "bitch" need not).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2YwC5iDMKA

Michael Giacchino is throwing a party today. To celebrate his 50^th birthday this month (it was actually on October 10) the composer of "Dawn" and "War" is doing a concert at the famous Royal Albert Hall in London. He also plans to debut his "War 4 the POTA" suite. "Apes" director Matt Reeves will be among the filmmakers in attendance.

Giacchino has had something of a meteoric rise. A little over 15 years ago he was doing music for video games (including working with Spielberg on the "Jurassic Park" game). J.J. Abrams asked him to do the music for his new series "Alias", for which Michael did every episode of it's 5 year run. He also did every episode of J.J.'s powerhouse "Lost" for 6 years.

Meanwhile, he started dipping his toe in movies, scoring Pixar movies like "The Incredibles", "Ratatouille", his Oscar-winning "Up", "Inside Out", "Cars 2", "Zootopia" and the upcoming "Coco" and "Incredibles 2".

As J.J. became a movie director Giacchino became his go to: the 3 new "Star Trek" films, "Mission: Impossible" 3 and 4, "Super 8". They had to split up when J.J. moved on to a new "Star Wars" trilogy, since that was John Williams domain, but Giacchino became the first composer not named John Williams to do a "Star Wars" movie, doing the first of the stand alones, "Rogue One". He also did the "Star Tours" ride at Disneyland, as well as redoing the music for their "Space Mountain". He even did their "Tomorrowland " movie.

Giacchino insists he works only with directors he likes and is friends with. They just happen to be making some of the biggest movies around. He hooked up with J.J.'s lifelong friend and "Felicity" co-creator Matt Reeves on "Cloverfield" (only the end credits have music), "Let Me In", "Dawn" and "War" and most likely Reeves upcoming "Batman" movie. He hooked up with Brad Bird on "The Incredibles" and that begat "Ratatouille", "Tomorrowland", "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" and the upcoming "Incredibles 2". Pixar director Andrew Stanton teamed with Giacchino on another sci-fi classic, "John Carter" (actually a pretty good movie even though it didn't do so well). Those directors and more will be part of the concert.

And of course Giacchino has branched out into the audience favorite of the moment, superhero movies ("Doctor Strange", "Spider-man: Homecoming" and prob Reeves' "Batman").

Maybe there's no film composer with more famous franchises under his belt. Oh, almost 20 years after doing the "Jurassic Park" game he has done the smash "Jurassic World" and it's upcoming sequel. The mind boggles.

Congrats, Matt! Thanx for the Apes music and the rest. Hope to see your concert on blu-ray someday.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFCiglqx3is

royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2017/october/everything-has-to-be-the-right-emotional-space-oscar-winner-michael-giacchino-leads-a-screen-composition-masterclass/

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"War 4 the POTA" has inched within $10 million of $500 million. I'm almost tempted to fly to Japan and spend $10 million on Apes tickets but I won't. I could, but I've just never been good at putting my money where my mouth is. I think it goes back to my childhood when a bully wanted my milk money. I could've given him $10 million dollars and kept my milk but I didn't. ☹

So, will "War" reach $500 million worldwide? Only the Shadow knows!

Vive la difference! That's what I meant.

How popular is POTA?

Well, it looks like there's no big retailer exclusives for the blu-ray that hits Tuesday.

Usually Walmart, Best Buy and Target have different versions of the video to tempt us into their stores.

Best Buy usually has a steelbook cover, Target usually has an extra disc of content and Walmart has something else.

But not for "War". Target didn't even mention it in their Sunday ad. It's a loser (except for quality), the people have spoken and they want superheroes and live-action Disney cartoons. And Trump. That's just the way it is.

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Thanx, it's good to hear someone else's opinion on this. I agree it wuz a disappointing read. It all comes down to the author and whether it feels like they are just going through the motions.

No better example than the "War" novelization, which I'm enjoying more even though I've seen the movie. The writing style is engrossing and doesn't feel like a cash in.

I also wouldn't give Keyes too much credit for Alpha and Omega, I think that wuz Apes fan Matt Reeves' doing.

My biggest question is where do the apes wind up at the end of the movie? Didn't really get any answers from the books (I guess you could track it from the end of the novelization – it says they wind up on top of a volcano). I'm hoping the blu-ray commentary or extras will give us some details. Considering how meta the movie was, maybe they're in New York?

Has anyone received the "War" blu-ray early, those that pre-ordered it?

Let us know if it's groovy or not, particularly the extras.

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OK, so we can all hold "War 4 the POTA" in our hands (if we want it). What's next? Where do we want Oliver Stone to go with this franchise?

It's possible there won't be another one since the box office wasn't all that. But overall the franchise has shown potential, especially "Dawn". I think it's a given they won't pick up where "War" left off. The box office seems to show people are tired of nekid apes. The best bet is to go ahead 200 years or so and give us a society where the apes are large and in charge, basically what we think of with POTA. We want to see them in clothes saying "Man is evil!".

The plus side is that Fox is very loyal to their franchises. Look how many "X-Men" and "Alien" movies there have been, through good and bad. "Predator" has another shot even though the last one tanked.

Here's my scenario: we've had the Caesar trilogy. Let's do a second trilogy set early in the ape civilization where humans are downtrodden but not animals. I guess like the TV show situation (for those who don't like the TV show, nothing sez they can't have better scripts – not that I didn't like some of the TV scripts).

A third trilogy could be set in the situation of "Planet" and "Beneath", a thousand years later. Humans are animals. Could that be sustained 4 a trilogy? That's up to the writers and directors but I have faith in the production company. I'd like to see Matt Reeves come back for that last trilogy, do the first one and then Rupert Wyatt do the last two, maybe bring back the astronauts he sent off in "Rise". They could finish what they started.

The middle trilogy – Oliver Stone the first one (in return for Chernin producing his dream project, the My Lai Vietnam story "Pinkville") and then maybe his director son Sean 4 the other two.

That's my Neverland Ranch vision 4 the future of Ape movies. What's yours?

I don't think we'll get nukes – even though it's still a valid threat. They seem to be going with the virus as a magical explanation. They've said basically they won't be slaves to the previous movies but do a more realistic version. So no "Beneath".

As far as the Mars mission, the director of "Rise" goes as far as saying in the DVD extras that Taylor's mission was to go to Mars, so they didn't really think it through. If they decide to use the astronauts they could retrofit that mission. Just as "Rise" is already dated – it takes place in 2016 – we'll just have to ignore some stuff, as we do with the originals.

They've got a whole planet and all the time in the world to work with, so they could easily do a Boulle-type story. Even if they kept the budget under $100 million there's a lot they can do with CG these days. I think they will go to more human-based stories to save some money, as they did with the originals. The audience for "Apes" is showing itself to be limited.

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50 years ago today, Halloween 1967, Charlton Heston saw POTA for the first time, with "no score, no looped dialogue, and an unbalanced print. I liked it enormously. I think it might find a bigger audience than anything I've done since "Ben-Hur" (well, since "El Cid", anyway). I also think we may get notices reflecting the comment in the film. Lydia (Heston) concurs, displaying her taste and acumen".

Jerry Goldsmith would start work on the score Nov. 8.

Set between "Dawn" and "War", this game was the first one created by Andy Serkis' company Imaginarium.

C'mon! They want to make a monkey out of you.

twitter.com/ApesMovies/status/92623590988663296

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Messed up the link. I'm only human!

twitter.com/ApesMovies/status/926235909988663296

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As Fox prepares to win the battle for "War" this awards season, another ape project has already notched a win. "Jane", the doc about legendary primatologist Jane Goodall, has won Best Documentary at the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards (a film called "Icarus" won Best Sports Documentary).

Could it be possible both "War" and "Jane" get represented Best Picture and Best Documentary Oscar nominations (or, god forbid, win?). As Caesar would say, "No!" (but he's modest).

Such a dream is longer than a long shot. We've been here before, the year both "Rise" and "Project Nim" were getting acclaim. Forget I said anything.

(But maybe…)

While we're at it, here's Jane's plug for "War", which shoulda been on the blu-ray.

variety.com/2017/film/news/jane-goodall-institute-partnering-with-fox-caesar-chimpanzee-sanctuary-1202454311/

deadline.com/2017/11/critics-choice-documentary-awards-2017-winners-jane-kedi-vietnam-war-cries-from-stria-120220874/

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Rumor has it Disney wants 21^st Century Fox, Fox's movie and TV division. Talks are a long way off but what would a Disney Apes movie look like?

An Apes ride at Disneyland?

collider.com/disney-fox-deal-marvel-movies/

1. I don't think Disney will get Fox; Probably Fox just listened to what they had to say
2. If Disney did get Fox I don't think they would continue POTA . It's doesn't fit their image and it's not all that popular

50 years ago today, composer Jerry Goldsmith started work on the original POTA. That basically consisted of watching what they had and, at lunch, telling director Franklin Schaffner he wanted to do "an organic, impressionistic score". He didn't want an electronic score, popular for sci-fi films of the time.

"Sounds good to me!" Schaffner replied.

(Thanx to John O'Callaghan's "Simians and Serialism" for the insights)

Today tickets go on sale for "King Kong" on Broadway, which will hit exactly one year from today.

Brings us a step closer to "POTA: the Musical", prophesied by the Simpsons over 20 years ago (though it doesn't look like "King Kong" is a musical).

deadline.com/2017/11/king-kong-broadway-opening-date-1202204111/

Speaking of which, here is a history of the POTA musical:

vulture/2017/07/the-simpsons-planet-of-the-apes-musical-oral-history-zauis.html

D'oh! Here's the link.

vulture.com/2017/07/the-simpsons-planet-of-the-apes-musical-oral-history-zauis.html