When I’d posted my remarks on Seinfeld’s Unfrosted, I figured that was pretty much it. But I kept on thinking about it: Seinfeld’s a stone-cold comic genius, so why’s the movie so flat? I figured it had something to do with trying to inflate a brilliant 3- or 4-minute stand-up bit into a one-and-a-half-hour feature motion picture. That’s all well and good, but spell it out: Just what does that actually mean?
So I watched the film a second time and then, so help me, a third time, while taking notes, three pages worth. But somehow I couldn’t cajole myself into actually writing a post. Fortunately the Bill Maher convo came along. So I posted that, transcribing a bit where Jerry talks about Unfrosted.
Then I decided to play around with ChatGPT. I asked it for short bios of a bunch of the characters in the film: Thurl Ravenscroft, Marjorie Post, Jack Lalanne, Harold von Braunhut, Poppy Northcutt, Walter Cronkite, Chester Slink, Roger Sterling, Snap, Tom Carvel, Mike Puntz, and El Sucre. I gave me correct information about the real people, identified Roger Sterling as a fictional character, suggested that Snap might be one of those cereal mascots, and had nothing to say about Chester Slink, Minke Puntz, and El Sucre, though it did note the “sucre” is Spanish for sugar.
Then I decided to play around. A little of this led to a little of that and before I knew it, the Chatster had come up with a treatment for a sequel, which I've appended below. It’s a bit thin on details, as treatments tend to be, but there’s something there. Just what, I don’t know. But something. Who knows, with a team of crack Hollywood script doctors working it over, it might become a brilliant amalgam of Duck Soup, The Founder, and Galaxy Quest. In fact, maybe I’ll suggest just that to the Chatster the next time I sign on.
* * * * *
Title: "Out of This World: A Pop Tart Odyssey"
Genre: Comedy
Director: Jerry Seinfeld
Synopsis:
In the quaint town of Suburbia, USA, chaos reigns supreme when a trio of mischievous cereal mascots, Snap, Crackle, and Pop, stumble upon a scandalous tell-all book written by the charismatic but troubled creative director of Sterling & Co. Advertising Agency, Roger Sterling. As the scandal threatens to tear the town apart, unlikely heroes emerge to navigate the chaos and uncover the true meaning of redemption, friendship, and the pursuit of the impossible dream.
Poppy Northcutt, the brilliant but socially awkward rocket scientist working at Mission Control, sees an opportunity to reclaim control of the narrative and redirect attention towards the town's most ambitious endeavor—the Apollo Space Program. With the help of her eccentric mentor, Harold von Braunhut, and the unwavering support of her loyal friends, Poppy embarks on a quest to inspire a new generation of aspiring astronauts to reach for the stars.
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos of scandal, Tom Carvel, the gruff but lovable owner of the Carvel ice cream parlor, sees an opportunity to capitalize on the town's insatiable appetite for distraction and indulgence. Drawing inspiration from Snap, Crackle, and Pop's mischievous antics, Tom embarks on a quest to create the ultimate comfort food—a revolutionary new snack that combines the convenience of breakfast with the irresistible sweetness of dessert.
As the town's social hierarchy is upended and long-buried secrets come crashing to the surface, unlikely alliances are formed, friendships are tested, and love blossoms in the most unexpected of places. And as the chaos monkeys wreak havoc on the town, they ultimately become the catalyst for a series of events that will forever change the course of history.
In the end, amidst the chaos and confusion, the town of Suburbia, USA, discovers that sometimes the greatest adventures can be found in the most unlikely of places—and that true happiness lies in following your heart, no matter where it may lead.
"Out of This World: A Pop Tart Odyssey" is a heartwarming and hilarious comedy that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit and the power of friendship, love, and the pursuit of the impossible dream. With Jerry Seinfeld at the helm, audiences are in for a wild ride that will leave them laughing, crying, and cheering for more.
No comments:
Post a Comment