I Cant Wait


I cant wait till this comes out does anyone know the release date?

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I'm afraid this one either won't be released or will go directly to the video stores if and when it does come out. The majority of the kids used in this production were, unfortunately, non professionals from the Phoenix area who had no acting skills whatsoever. They ruined the production and the final product, once edited, was just terrible and too expensive to reshoot.

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Really? That's a shame. But what roles were local other than the extras? I looked at the credits and and they all sound like they are already professional. Could extras have made it that bad? Which part was portrayed poorly? Wow, bummer! I have a kid that was an extra and I'm saddened to think it won't go to the theaters. AH hell, it was fun anyway.

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Don't give up hope! It's easy to shoot down any project while still unfinished ;-) I'm sure we will be happily surprised !!!

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That's not true. There were actually quite a bit of professionals who were used in this production. And yes there were some Pheonix kids used but come on everyone has to start somewhere. You say they ruined the production? I'd like to know what sorce you're getting all this from.

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I did not reply to your post because I did not return to this discussion and was unaware there was a post asking me for a response. The only reason I returned to this discussion today is because someone, who obviously knows me, sent me an email stating "some stage mothers are upset you dissed there (sic) kids." I did not do that and I was not referring to the extras.

My source is myself, my knowledgeable opinion based on my personal experience in the business; this film was a professional disappointment to me. I was hoping for something more substantial and positive as a comeback film for Lee. He won't find it here.

A well written and thought out critique of this film is below by 'blaineless" although I do not agree with him; I give this film -1. It's not negativity it's fact. And I believe his statement says it all, "With some work, this may actually be sold...". Yes, "With some work" could only be accomplished by a re-shoot and a re-shoot cannot and will not be done. Do not expect to see this film in theaters, expect to rent it at Blockbuster (or Olton's).

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What a pity to be so negative, & I see you did not reply to the person who asked where you got your information. As the cast had not even seen the amended film at this time I think your remarks are to say the least premature. I'm still waiting eagerly for its release in Britain.
Sue

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Looks like more info is getting available, so let's cross our fingers that we get to see the movie soon. This would be something for a rainy day in Europe, LOL wouldn't it? So send it over ... :D

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I'm afraid that you are wrong. This movie had actors that have gone to acting school and have been in live theatre productions and have gotten awards for their acting. Don't talk about what you don't know. you have probably gotten a private message from me but it was from one of the actors. It wasn't me. If you are going to write bad stuff about what you don't know don't write.

shadowking013

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Jut saw the movie with my son and he enjoyed it (no, I'm not associated with the film - just wanted to support a local film). The problem here is really the story. It's very flawed. Every screenplay has a protagonist (who the story is about) and in this case there are too many. Secondly, the protagonist must have a challenge, a problem, some obstacle to overcome that becomes the focus. Again, too many protagonists and too many problems, none of which took center stage. Thirdly, the protagonist must be resonsible for his own solution. Brooke's problem: wants the girl. He takes no action. He doesn't do anything to win her back and the solution comes to him (she returns voluntarily). He's too passive. Brent's problem is a bully who really doesn't appear to target Brent specifically. His way of getting even is too simple. BAD's change of heart is abrupt and without convincing reason. Jerry's problem is resolved by a mere "talking to" by Brooke and Brent's dad rather than resulting from rising tension that leads to a "turning point" event. Resolutions are too simple, not challenging and spread out over far too many protagonists.

The assumed protagonists are the Butler (is that their name) family who are pratically perfect in every way. Where's the conflict? Where's the challenge? They seem to simply move about the film making everybody else happy.

I'm very aware that this was done on a shoe-string budget and am willing to cut everybody some slack. But the main problem is story structure and development. It just isn't there.

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I, working at a cinema in NC, attended a post-production screening of this movie in June of 2003. I will try to refrain from letting too much of the plot out as I explain my general review of the movie.

Bad Points:
- Overacting - Several of the actors had problems with overacting in certain scenes. In particular, there is a scene where one child strikes another "bully" child. The bully, after spending the entire movie to that point bragging and boasting, gets hit and goes down. One hit, and this rather large, pompous child goes down and admits defeat.

- Cliched story - Kids go to camp, deal with a bully, defeat the bully, kid gets the girl, everyone goes home happy. Its been done time and time again. This is a redeux of about 10 other movies with the same story line.

- Slow beginning plot progression - The beginning of the movie lacks a hook. 'Nuff said.



GOOD Points:
- Funny Points - Several toilet humor scenes keep the kids laughing.

- Several Good Messages to Parents - Food for thought. Adults will leave the theater with plenty to think about how they treat their children.

- Plot - The plot, while cliche'd, will keep the kids attention. And since it's a kids movie, thats what's important.

- Music - In her first role in a movie, Hoku appears as a camp counselor. She provides some of the music for the movie, and does a wonderful job with the main theme song. Plus, what can I say, the girl is HOT. lol

Overall on a scale from 1 to 10, I'd give it a 5. I've sat down with the director, Mr. Travolta, and brought all above points to his attention, so this score may go up or down depending upon his decisions. With some work, this may actually be sold to Disney, and become a decent children's film.

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After a lengthy discussion with a few of my more film-inclined friends, I am forced to dock my given score by about 3 points. I hated to do it, and even more so to go back on what I said previously, but there was a very simple statement brought to my attention by a certain "Jaster."

"Ten being Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and one being Weekend at Bernie's 2" - Jaster

LoL there is no arguing with the logic presented to me. The re-vamp of the score is a 2/10. Sorry.

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It's interesting to think that a movie can mean so much to some people and so little to others. I can understand how you may rate a movie and even agree with your score, but I feel that since I was actually in the movie that I have a fair perspective.

My son, his friend and another classmate were also in the movie as featured extras. Since the parents were required to transport each day to and from the set, we all saw the same impact that "Hollywood" had on these inexperienced actors. I agree that the movie was below average and that the local production company was sub-par. The actual crew on set were great, but management fell way short in "Hollywood" standards.

I believe that Bill Blair is a business man who doesn't throw away money. After all, he used to own many "Blair Cinemas"! If he thought there was potential to make a profit at the same time include local non-professional actors then his mission was fulfilled. His budget must have been between one and two million dollars, so even if he DVD produces and Blockbuster releases this movie, then he will still come out ahead.

My grief is for all of the local extras who were given "Hollywood" opportunities in a brown bag! The local production company along with the casting directors were the flaws, not the script, nor the local talent.

There was a local "previewing" in Tempe, AZ, around late April 2003. This may have been the only opportunity for the "local" talent to ever see themselves on the "silver screen" and the local production failed to reach these kids or their parents for this viewing. They were sure to make promises to these children while "shooting" each day, that "tomorrow" they will be in major scenes and each day, faithfully, the parents drove hours and stayed hours for their child's opportunity.

We were never contacted along with many other local people that we already knew and other local people we met on the set. This is the disappointment about "Arizona Summer": It is a movie about families and about people who care but the movie can't help but reflect in the production, the truth about the "behind-the-scenes" story. People don't care.

I hope this film doesn't stay shelved for the sake of the children who sweated each 12-hour day in 108 degree temperatures.

Good luck and may you see the truth and impact of a good story gone bad, all because of poor management.

<end of reply>

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Bill Blair...I do believe his son plays a camp counselor who shares an interest in guitar with Hoku. He co-sings the "main" song in the movie. He doesnt appear to be listed in the cast on this site though....odd.

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Be positive guys! If the movie is released on videos it may reach us here in Europe a lot faster than when it goes on screen first. I know that the silver screen attracts most people, but these days kids need good old clichés especially on TV and on VHS/DVD... For instance, I think there's enough *original* violence in cartoons ...So YES! I'm still looking forward to see the movie.

And to those who've seen it and who were disappointed. Don't give up! Keep at it! It's a long way to the top and there's so many stars to compete with that you need to be grounded every once in a while, only to do better/your best the next time (over and over, again)!

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I don't see what all the hoopla is over a few poorly acted scenes. It seems as if everyone is expecting top dollar performances, action and effects without the top dollar investment.

I have already screened the movie and I can honestly say its not the best I've seen, but it certainly doesn't deserve such a poor review! I've seen some real stinkers in my day with much higher production costs through major studios (I'm thinking of two top female teeny bopper movies released in the past couple of years that were real stinkers - and the production costs for those were MUCH higher!)and this one is better than either of those.

As far as the production company goes, I have nothing but kind words for them. I felt they handled the whole production from beginning to end professionally. My kid was treated with the utmost respect by the cast and crew from beginning to end of her involvement. My daughter has filmed several national commercials and this production seemed to be on par with all of those.

We are talking arizona here, this is not exactly a hotbed for feature films. Perhaps it would have helped if they had an acting coach onsite for the locals to review their lines. If the kids had had the opportunity to practice prior to filming, perhaps the performances would have been a little better.

My opinion of post production however, it different. After viewing the movie in Tempe, I felt that it appeared like a "rough" copy. Cutting from one scene into another at times seemed choppy and awkward. The Hoku song was delightful but much of the music didn't seem to fit with the scenes. My husband and I are hoping it's an oversight and will be corrected for the final copy. Reworking just this one area (background music) would make a huge improvement.

Even if this goes straight to video, I don't feel the "extras" were the cause of a poorly reviewed movie because of bad acting. Time, money and instruction are factors here. In my opinion, I think Mr. Blair gave a tremendous boost for the local acting community by selecting extras for the parts. In an area (Phoenix) that is sorely lacking in advertising, production and marketing companies, Mr. Blair provided opportunity for people who normally would never have had the opportunity to participate in anything like this locally.

It might be in everyone's best interest to let the movie be what it is, a sweet story about family relationships. This is a "G" rated movie, and the majority of "G" rated movies a not always universally entertaining. Again, for a low budgeted "G" movie, it's not so bad and I'm proud to have been a part of it.







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As much as I sympathize with the plight you have described, I also, as a self-appointed film critic, cannot lose track of the goal here. The goal is to express my thoughts on the QUALITY of the movie. Do not confuse quality with fun factor. A movie can be a poor quality movie, but can be fun to watch, and vise versa.

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I agree with wendycaroll. The Butler family in this movie annoy me - the mum is too nice, never gets angry, always encouraging...i'm sure a lot of mums are like this, but not all the bloody time! The dad is like the perfect dad and its all like a sickly sweet american dream - and real families aren't like that! The way they just get up in the morning, everythings all perfect, mummy making breakfast, daddy coming in and laughing with everyone - If i tried to trick my dad into drinking eggs, I doubt he'd just laugh! It just made my skin crawl at how cheesy and unrealistic it all was!
Yeah sorry about that little rant i just had to say it cos the whole family situation just got on my nerves - the american accents just made it worse!! (No offence to any americans by the way. I love americans, its just the little boy's accent...eugghh)

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I love you!

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Hey,
Its on the bill for the Kansas City Film Festival, coming up.

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That's wonderful news! I hope people will appreciate it as much as some of us did who were lucky enough to have participated in it. As I have said before, from the audition process to the screening, everyone involved was as sweet as could be. I hope things go well for all involved, what a terrific bunch of people!

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Hi, I would just like to comment that young actor, Scott Clifton, who plays one of the MAIN stars on the hit ABC soap opera, General Hospital plays "Brooke" in this movie, I don't think hes very "non professional" seeing as though hes one of the main guys in General Hospital like I said. Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in because I'm a strong Scott Clifton supporter. Thanks.

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I live in North Carolina and I recently saw a trailer for this movie in a local theater. Also, there are large cardboard displays for Arizona Summer in at least three theaters in the local area.

Do they go to this expense for a movie that's going straight to video?

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Arizona Summer was the recipient of AUDIENCE AWARD FOR FAVORITE FAMILY FILM in the 2003 FilfmFest/Kansas City. Beating out the likes of Second Hand Lions which was also entered.

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Limited release of Arizona Summer is to begin in the entire Charlotte, NC area as a starting point. Time Warner Cable and Charlotte's WCCB-TV have teamed up with Skylne West Pictures in Charlotte for this THEATRICAL release in 10-14 theatres in the Charlotte area on October 3rd, 2003.

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So..............whatever happened to this film? Since North Carolina, I haven't heard a word. Obviously it wasn't a smash hit........ <grin> Does anyone know if we will be able to purchase copies of this indie for personal use? Thanks!

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[deleted]

Just heard on 99.9 FM that Arizona Summer will be released in Arizona on March 19th, 2003.

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2004. The AZ Republic said last Friday that it comes out this week, in Phoenix. I know nothing about anywhere else, but I do know I'm excited. As an Arizona native, anything portraying this unique state makes me proud.
(If you're trying to figure out how I feel about it, since I described it as "unique" sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it, but it'll always be home)


Are you going to dip it in yogourt? Cover it with chocolate buttons?

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>>>>>>>>>>>I have seen a lot of negative comments about this movie, but I really hope that it will come out here in the UK. These types of movies do often turn out to be very cliched and formulaic, but still it will probably be worth watching on a Saturday afternoon. I would be very interested if someone found out about a possible release for this movie in the UK.>>>>>>>>>

Other than a couple of rude comments on this board, I haven't heard anything bad about this film. I still feel that it's really hard to make a good "G" or "PG" film. Remember, this was the writer/producer's (BB)first foray into the film industry. I think he did a bang up job for a first timer! Who cares if people think it's cliched or formulaic -- ALL films are. I haven't seen one movie that wasn't formulaic. I'm really pleased with the way things have been going with this film, like the little train that could, it keeps chuggin' uphill...

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lol. i think i'm one of the only people on this board that want to see this movie and wasn't in it. I hope it comes to my part of canada on video soemtime soon...

monica

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