Jem's Original Songwriter speaks out about the Jem movie

Anne Bryant, the writer & creator of Jem's songs from the cartoon had this to say about the Jem movie.

No chill

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Jem and the Holograms FLOPPED! And it's a good thing.

Jem and the Holograms made history... As the one of the worst opening ever.

Box Office Mojo reports:

Next we come to two of the year's biggest flops, Jem and the Holograms and Rock the Kasbah. I went as low as I comfortably could with my sub-$5 million predictions on both of these new titles, but even that proved generous as neither title managed to top even $1.6 million this weekend.

Coming in with an estimated $1.5 million from 2,012 theaters, Rock the Kasbah sports a paltry $750 per theater average. You might think that's bad, and it's certainly not good. In fact, that's the fifth worst opening ever for a film playing in more than 2,000 theaters, just a bit worse than August's We are Your Friends in fact. But it wasn't the worst the weekend had to offer.

Tallying a mere $547 per theater average from 2,413 theaters, Universal's Jem and the Holograms brought in an estimated $1.3 million, the fourth worst opening for a film in more than 2,000 theaters and the worst for a film playing in more than 2,400 theaters. Despite the lackluster result, the financial picture for Universal isn't at all troubling as the film was reportedly made on only a $5 million budget.

Personally, I'm glad it failed. It was a horrible idea and film. As a hardcore fan, I was insulted with this version. To see it crash and burn was great. It was proof that we will not accept any old movie. We want and deserve better.

My Review of the Jem and the Holograms Movie

The Jem and the Holograms movie is coming out this week and if you remember it was DRAGGGED across the floor when the trailer came out. Old fans including myself, were not feeling it at all. From the trailer, it seemed that they were butchering a very popular and amazing 80s staple.

However, I had a little bit of hope for what the film could be, but after seeing it I realized my hope was diminished. They took a lot of liberties with movie... a lot of liberties. There were some good parts and not so good parts to the movie.

Let's start with the good.

The Good

• There's a strong family feel to the girls, I did enjoy seeing the dynamic between actresses, that was nice to see.

• I enjoyed Molly Ringwald in the movie. She played Jerrica's aunt and also foster mother to Aja and Shana. I just wished there was more flashback scenes of them as kids.

• It was nice to see Christy Marx in the role of Lindsay Pierce, that was a nice twist.

• I appreciated that Jerrica, Aja, Kimber and Shana considered themselves as sisters.

• I did enjoy some of the songs I think about two were really good the other one were 'meh'.

• Aubrey Peeples has a very good voice and her acting was also pretty good.

• They did use some of the videos that real fans made. Way back in the beginning of this project, there was a call for fans to make their videos. Seeing real fans express their love for Jem was very heartfelt and I thought that was a great addition to the film.

OK, so, here are the pieces that did not work for me at all.

• Still not happy that Shana was not a chocolate sista.
  
  It would've been nice to Shana played by someone that looks like her.

• Jerrica is very 'woe is me' in this film. She's self-doubting, pouty, insecure, basically a goth queen. In the cartoon we got a very strong Jerrica. She was in charge and she had a strong head on her shoulders. I know this is the beginning of the beginning, but I wish Jerrica was more confident in the movie.

• Jem... The persona of Jem was very weak.
  
  There were no clear distinctions of who Jem was and why anyone would believe in her. The Jem identity was very secondary and almost unnoticeable.

• The fashion was also a disappointment. There was nothing exciting about their look or their style. In the movie there fashion basically came straight out of Target and Hot Topic.

• Not only did they gender swapped Eric to Erica Raymond (which is fine), they also added another interesting twist. Rio is her son! Yes, Rio is Erica Raymond's son! 

• Erica's role in the film was kinda empty and predictable. 

• By watching this film, you would've thought that Emmett loved Jerrica more than Kimber. He talked as if Jerrica was his only child. At least in the cartoon, Emmett recognized BOTH of his daughters.

• The 'scavenger hunt' was an awkward addition to the film. It was useless and at times, misplaced. 

• Rio's role has always been Jerrica's boyfriend and hero at times. However, in this film he basically is the White Knight. I discuss this more little bit later, but I didn't care for his 'Now Watch Me Save The Day, Ladies' character.

• The big emotional part/conflict scene felt very rushed. In fact, most of the film felt rushed. Their rise and their fall was basically done within 30 minutes. It was hard to believe their disappointment, fears and excitement when everything happened in a flash. This film needed more time to flesh out their successes and failures.

• One of the biggest disappointments of this movie was the overall male influence. Jem is the ultimate female driven event. It was created by a woman and the main characters are women. The essence of Jem was created from her mother, Jacqui.
  
  Synergy was made in Jacqui's image and the very reason Jerrica and Kimer were into music was because of Jacqui. But sadly, there was no mention of Jacqui at all. They only focused on Emmett, which is fine, but to ignore Jacqui was not cool.

• Rio's role was pumped up big time. Not only was he Erica's son, he's the true owner of Starlight Music or Enterprises. I felt that this was a slap in the face to the fans. We all know that Jerrica is the owner of the record company. It was one of the major reasons she became Jem. However, the filmmakers thought Rio should be the one in charge. It was also interesting to see Rio come up with Jem and the Holograms. Yes, Jem fans, Rio suggested the band to be called the Holograms! How clever of him, right? Beefing up his role, snatched away some of the female empowerment we've loved about Jem. And one more thing, he knows Jem and Jerrica are the same girl.

For the true Jem fan, this movie will be a disappointment. It strips away the very thing we loved about her and replaced it with a character we don't know. This film is basically created for  10-16 year-old girls, but I hope they find out about the original series and watch that instead.

This is the 30th anniversary of Jem

Today is the 30th anniversary of one of the greatest cartoons ever made! When I watched Jem and the Holograms, I was so excited as 11-year-old boy watching this show my sisters.

The cartoon had so much color, so much life to it. You can tell that Christy Marx (Show's creator) really wanted this series to be more than a story about dolls. I was totally mesmerized by the series. It just captured so many things I was feeling at the time: a confused preteen who was into fashion and music. Through this series, I was able to discover my passions art and writing. I have to say that Jem ignited my creative side to the utmost. I was designing clothes, writing short stories and songs, and learning to except my true self.

I know people may think my love for a 'girly cartoon' is crazy, but this series really created who I am and so many ways. I cherish Jem and will always 'stan' for it.  I feel very fortunate that I got to experience the original phenomenon that is Jem and the Holograms. 

Thank you for 30 years of Glamour and Glitter, Fashion and Fame.

New JEM and Holograms movie poster

New pics from the Jem and The Holograms film

 More after the jump

Jem and the Holograms comic book introduce Kimber and Stormer as Gay

The Advocate did a great article about the upcoming Jem and the Holograms comic book. The comic’s creative team, writer Kelly Thompson and artist Ross Campbell shared a lot info about the comic including fan faves, Kimber and Stormer being gay.

Here's more

Will we see any LGBT characters? 

Campbell: Definitely! Kimber and Stormer are gay and we’re discussing a few others. Beyond those I’m really hoping to see some more queer characters. It just really needs to happen. I’d love to have some gay Holograms or Misfits fans in the story. That would be awesome. Maybe they could be on the Holograms’ street team. 

Thompson: We are definitely having LGBTA+ characters. Jem was always really diverse, but it was of course a bit limited by the time period and by being a children’s cartoon. It’s only natural that a modern Jem includes additional diversity. Kimber and Stormer are indeed both out gay characters in the comic and as Tumblr will very excitedly let you know, we’re going to be exploring a romantic relationship between the two characters. We have some other plans for LGBTA+ characters as well but it’s still early days and we’re still figuring out how some things can fit together to tell the best possible story.

True fans may remember the episode about all about these two. In the episode, they sung a song together called "I'm Okay", which became kind of a coming out anthem

So excited to see where this comic will go!

WATCH this Gender Swapping Video of JEM and the Holograms by Paolo Tuci

Go here for more

First Look at the Jem and The Holograms comic book cover

New Jem and the Holograms Comic Book is Coming

At New York Comic Con, IDW publishing announced that a Jem and the Holograms comic book is coming soon! I'm not sure if it's a continuation of the series, but it's exciting to hear.

Hopefully, I will have more details to share.

Tweet of the Day: Molly Ringwald

On set with @JulietteLewis #JemTheMovie pic.twitter.com/tTYitWJvjj

— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) May 21, 2014

Molly Ringwald is also in the Jem and Holograms film

More Jem news.

Now, Molly Ringwald is in the Jem movie! Her role is a secret, but it could be something big. 

More to come 

Juliette Lewis has a Mystery Role in the ‘Jem And The Holograms’ Movie

Interesting Jem news.

Juliette Lewis has a mystery role in the Jem and the Holograms film. Rumors claim that she is Erica Raymond, the remixed version of the villainous Eric Raymond from the classic 80s series.

I have also heard that she could be Jacqui Benton, Jerrica and Kimber's mother.

Jon Chu has a lot of this film under wraps and after being on set, I can tell more surprises are coming.

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Hey, I got to be an Extra in the Jem and Holograms Movie

A couple of days ago, I was lucky to be in the Jem and the Holograms movie. I can't say much, but it is an important scene.

I have pics, but I can't show you. However, it will interesting to see the full movie.

Here are some things I can say.

• The fans are real fans. It was nice to here some personal stories from real Jem fans
• Everyone wants to be an Actor
• It's a lot of hours on set
• Jon Chu is kinda cute
• The film will be something to see

Classic Jem

The Latest News from JEM the Movie

Entertainment blog, SHEKnows caught up with Aubrey Peeples (Jem) and Stefanie Scott (Kimber) to talk about the Jem and the Holograms movie.

In the interview, we learn that they have been practicing and playing instruments, watched the series and recorded songs for the film.

And as a bonus, meet the guy who's playing Rio.

5 Actresses that COULD HAVE been Shana in the JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Movie

First off, this is no hate on Aurora Perrineau. Just wanted to get that out of the way

So, they cast a bi-racial woman to play Shana Elmsford, one of the Holograms in the Jem and Holograms movie.

Is that good? NO! Not at all!

So, you may say "Why is that a problem? She's part Black." Yes, that's totally true, but Shana isn't bi-racial... She is a Brown-skinned African-American.

Some may say, "Well, it's no different when they cast Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury." Ah, but it is.

This Light-Skinned/Dark-Skinned issue has plagued our community for hundreds of years. The old belief is the Lighter shade of Black is better than the Darker shade. That notion was used a lot during slavery and managed drift all through time to the current generation.

Again,  this is no shade on Aurora. I'm sure she is a competent actress with a bright future ahead of her.

But her casting brings up so many deep rooted issues with Hollywood and their depiction of Black people in film. Many girls and boys were happy to see a character that looked like them and challenged a lot of stereotypes besetting Black folks. To see this change, kinda breaks many Shana fans' hearts.

With that said, I found some actresses that could have played the part. They are listed after the jump.

Meet the Cast of the JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS movie

This was just announced on THR

Here are Jem and the Holograms

Aubrey Peeples is Jem
Stefanie Scott is Kimber
Hayley Kiyoko is Aja
Aurora Perrineau will play Shana

UPDATE to JEM the Movie - VIDEO

Jon has heard our complaints

15 Questions/Concerns I have about the JEM movie

As my 'Jem Movie' hangover wears off, reality sets in.

The idea of Jon M. Chu making this film has stirred up some questions and concerns. So, in my favorite form, I will bullet point my concerns.

1. Jon M Chu gave us the horrid G.I. Joe film. In it, the Baroness was evil because Duke broke up with her. Cobra Commander was Duke's best friend and the Baroness' brother.
2. The Jem mythos has been changed, now she's a teen and an orphan. 
3. It's set in today's time, not the 80s. That could be interesting and a mess.
4. It seems that men are leading this Jem movie... Not sure I like that. It needs gender diversity. 
5. Is Christy Marx involved? She created Jem, are they talking to her?
6. Are The Misfits in the film?
7. How will they explain the holograms and Synergy?
8. If they are teens, where are they living? Especially if Jerrica is an orphan, who's looking after them?
9. Does Jon M. Chu understand Jem?
10. How serious will be story be? I hope it's not a comedy.
11. Will more writers join the project?
12. How far will they stray from the original material?
13. Will Kimber be Jerrica's real sister?
14. Are the Starlight Girls in the movie?
15. What kind of band will Jem and the Holograms be?

I'm sure more questions will come, but I hope Jon and his team are on it.