Review The Happytime Murders (2018)

[Doctor Omega]

Your thoughts on this movie.....

When the puppet cast of a '90s children's TV show begin to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.

 

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Joel McHale Joins “The Happytime Murders”


Joel McHale has joined the cast of the Brian Henson-directed puppet comedy “The Happytime Murders” at STXfilms. The project is currently shooting in Los Angeles and also stars Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph and Elizabeth Banks.

Setin a world where humans and puppets coexist, with the puppets considered second-class citizens. When the puppet castmembers of 1980s children’s TV show begin turning up dead, an alcoholic, philandering, disgraced LAPD detective turned private-eye puppet takes the case with his former human partner (McCarthy).

McHale is playing a stern FBI agent working on the case. Todd Berger, Dee Robertson, Erich and Jon Hoeber, and McCarthy wrote the script. Henson, McCarthy, Ben Falcone and Jeffrey Hayes will produce.

 

[Doctor Omega]

The Happytime Murders
Director: Brian Henson (“Muppet Treasure Island,” “Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars”)
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph, Joel McHale
Details: A spin on the “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” idea, albeit with puppets co-existing with humans rather than cartoons & humans, ‘Happytime’ has been in development at The Jim Henson company for over a decade after the film’s script achieved rave reviews. The project stalled for a long time until Melissa McCarthy signed on for it early last Summer and things quickly got underway with Brian Henson helming.

In the story, puppets co-exist with humans as second class citizens, Disgraced ex-cop puppet turned private eye Phil Phillips is working on a case – hunting the trail of the serial killer who murdered his brother and is now targeting the cast members of the famous 80s television series “The Happytime Gang”. Shows so much promise, but much of it will depend upon the execution of the world its characters inhabit.

 

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Trailer....

 

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“Sesame Street” To Sue “Happytime” Studio





The creators of perennial kids show “Sesame Street” have filed a lawsuit against STX Entertainment in regards to the marketing campaign for the upcoming R-rated dark comedy “The Happytime Murders”.

Brian Henson, son of the late Jim Henson, directed the picture about a world in which humans and puppets co-exist The puppet cast from a 1980s television show begins to get murdered one by one, prompting a police investigation by Melissa McCarthy’s detective character and her puppet partner who look into the homicides.

The trailer makes it quite clear it’s for adults only with scenes of scenes of drug use, sex and vulgarity, along with the tag line “No Sesame. All Street.” The lawsuit alleges the film’s marketing tarnishes the “Sesame Street” brand, arguing the reference will confuse audiences and the marketing “seeks to capitalize on the reputation and goodwill of ‘Sesame Street’.”

The lawsuit adds it’s not trying to stop the film from being promoted or distributed, its: “defendants’ deliberate choice to invoke and commercially misappropriate ‘Sesame’s’ name and goodwill in marketing the movie – and thereby cause consumers to conclude that ‘Sesame’ is somehow associated with the movie – that has infringed on and tarnished the ‘Sesame Street’ mark and goodwill.”

An STX spokeswoman on Friday issued a response, attributing the company’s statement to a fictional puppet named Fred, Esq: “STX loved the idea of working closely with Brian Henson and the Jim Henson Company to tell the untold story of the active lives of Henson puppets when they’re not performing in front of children” the statement said, in part. While we’re disappointed that ‘Sesame Street’ does not share in the fun, we are confident in our legal position. We look forward to introducing adult moviegoers to our adorably unapologetic characters this summer.”

“The Happytime Murders” is scheduled to hit cinemas on August 17th. Todd Berger wrote the screenplay.

 

[chainsaw_metal1]

Okay, I only learned about this movie yesterday when I read about the Sesame Street action, but after seeing the trailer, I have to see this movie!!!

 

[Doctor Omega]

I showed the trailer to someone who thought, at first, that it was a new MUPPET movie. Until their jaw fell slackly agape and their eyes widened in horror!

Then they insisted that it must be a dumb youtube send up.

I just could not convince them that this was a real movie.

 

[Doctor Omega]

“Sesame Street” Loses Its “Happytime” Lawsuit





Last week came the news that the company that produces long-running kids educational series “Sesame Street” filed a lawsuit against STXFilms’ upcoming adult comedy “The Happytime Murders”.

The film features puppets engaging in adult and explicit activity, and the film’s first trailer was sold on the tag line “No Sesame. All Street”. The ‘Sesame’ team took umbrage with that and filed a suit.

Today, US District Judge Vernon Broderick of New York ruled that the Sesame Workshop had not demonstrated that moviegoers were confused or that sponsors or parents were complaining about the potential linkage of the two film.

Broderick heard oral arguments from both sides before making his ruling that STX, which is releasing the film, could keep using the tagline. STX’s representative, a puppet named Fred Esq., released the following statement via Twitter:

“We fluffing love Sesame Street and we’re obviously very pleased that the ruling reinforced what STX’s intention was from the very beginning — to honor the heritage of The Jim Henson Company’s previous award-winning creations… while drawing a clear distinction between any Muppets or Sesame Street characters and the new world Brian Henson and team created. We believe we accomplished that with the very straightforward NO SESAME, ALL STREET tagline… We look forward to continued happytimes as we prepare to release Happytime Murders this summer.” – Fred, Esq. on behalf of STX Entertainment

In the film two clashing detectives with a shared secret, one human (Melissa McCarthy) and one puppet, are forced to work together again to solve the brutal murders of the former cast of a beloved classic puppet television show.

Maya Rudolph, Joel McHale and Elizabeth Banks co-star while Brian Henson directs from a screenplay by Todd Berger. Henson, Jeff Hayes, McCarthy, and Ben Falcone are the producers on the film which opens August 17th.

 

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Final Red Band Trailer.....

 

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From a review....

Despite what the hype would have you believe, “The Happytime Murders” is not the most inappropriate puppet movie ever made (Peter Jackson’s “Meet the Feebles” still retains that honor).

 

[Doctor Omega]