The Simpsons Movie

GROEN DRAIN

In a top ten list of the top ten environmental films (#9: FernGully), Ken Eisner rounds off his appraisal of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth with a solicitation to “look for some of these themes to emerge in The Simpsons Movie, from Al’s pal Matt Groening.” [straight.com]

SPRINGFIELD SHOPPER

If all goes as planned, the convenience store chain plans to refit 11 stores across the U.S. — Richmond is an unlikely choice — to resemble the front of the Kwik-E-Mart, the convenience store that Homer and other characters frequent in the classic cartoon TV series.

Customers also will be able to buy products inspired by the nearly two-decades-old show, including KrustyO’s cereal, Buzz Cola and iced Squishees (the cup says Squishee, but the contents will be Slurpee).

Here’s the best quote:

Spokeswoman Margaret Chabris said contracts on the promotions have not been signed with movie studios. She didn’t give any further details, saying the company will release more information in coming weeks.

“We’ve done research, and research shows us that our customers like . . . movies, so we’re getting involved with some major studios on some of their properties this summer,” she said.

Wow 7-11 has a crack research department [Richmond Times-Dispatch]

AZTEC THEATRE

WHEREVER YOU GO IN THE WORLD THERE IS ONE FAMILY THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT

NOW THE SIMPSONS ARE TAKING ADVENTURE FURTHER THAN EVER BEFORE

THEY’RE A FAMILY THAT LOVES EACH OTHER… THEY JUST HAVE A “FUNNY” WAY OF SHOWING IT

*”What I Like About You” plays in background*

[Simpsons Channel]

ROCK BOTTOM

The Mexican voice actors who dub the show for Latin America, that is.

According to Gabriel Chavez, the Mexican equivalent of Harry Shearer, the voice actors had been told they’d be doing the dubbing for The Simpsons Movie as a condition to end their 2005 strike. If they get passed over, “there will be a boycott across Latin America of the film.” Which raises a question you don’t really hear asked much: Who will replace the Mexican workers? [KTRK]

SPRINGFIELD SHOPPER

p>Some Simpsons Movie-related toys that are coming up are raising more questions than answers.

Not a huge surprise, as McFarlane Toys is best known for coming out with the best-looking action figures out there, so the announcement that they have been tapped to support the release of THE SIMPSONS MOVIE on July 27th, with a line of intricately detailed action figures, was good news all around. The characters will feature incredible character detail (see below), but also a voice-chip technology, which will allow them to “speak” exclusive dialog from the film. Each figure comes mounted to a customized base, and, as an added feature, the “Movie Mayhem” line of figures come with interlocking bases so the figures can be combined to create one large scene. The line will include a 6-inch figure line and three boxed sets.

There’s a boxed set entitled “What you lookin’ at?! Bart, Ned Flanders and Top-Secret Character (??????)” and two special sets, one featuring Itchy & Scratchy and the other entitled “Doodle Double Dare” (?????????????). Click here for a picture of a pig. [JoBlo]

EYE ON SPRINGFIELD

City officials have accepted an invitation from 20th Century Fox to compete against other Springfields across the country in a contest where the winner will host the premiere screening of “The Simpsons Movie,” due out in July. The film is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year.

…

Gwyne Ortiz, a Fox publicist, said Fox has asked 16 Springfields from Oregon to Massachusetts to participate in the contest.

Studio execs will pick the winner after reviewing short films submitted by local officials. Each entry should showcase a community’s positive aspects, and somehow link it to “The Simpsons” TV show. The megapopular prime-time animated series created by Portland-born Matt Groening is now in its 18th season.

“We want each Springfield to express the highlights of what they do, and have it tie into the whole Simpsons element,” Ortiz said.

Not sure why any city would want to be like “America’s Worst City” (according to Time magazine) but OK [The Register-Guard]

WHAA...?!

It can be hard to get noticed amid the hustle and bustle of a red carpet — just ask Minnie Driver. “I’m in ‘The Simpsons Movie’!” the Oscar-nominated acress piped up… Reluctant to let plot points slip because, she said, “I could tell you about it, and then I’d literally get shot by [‘Simpsons’ creator] Matt Groening,” Driver nevertheless revealed she’ll be playing “a patronizing grievance counselor in one hilarious scene.”

Ruh-roh! We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one… [MTV]

ANNOYED GRUNTS

But with [South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut], we had an R-Rated version of a show not yet in its prime held back by censors; with The Simpsons Movie, we have a longer, PG-13 episode of a show that hasn’t been funny in ages. Great. I’m so excited.

burnsauce

[The Daily Reel]