Now, I realize that while the latest POTC film would probably not be best picture material, but I couldn’t help but notice that there were a handful of categories that On Stranger Tides could have been nominated for, but were sorely overlooked.

Let’s have a peek:

Costume Design

OST had some w work done in the period clothing and costumes worn by the cast. The outfitting of the zombie pirates and the attention to detail in the British Redcoats should have been worthy of Academy notice. Costume Designer Penny Rose did a particularly brilliant job on Ian McShane as Blackbeard in particular. The look of the notorious and very real pirate was captured marvelously, and was deserving of a nomination.

Ian McShane as "Blackbeard"

Original Score

Hans Zimmer hit this out of the park. The soundtrack for OST was fitting the mood of the film and very memorable. Mixing familiar Pirates of the Caribbean themes with new, sometimes menacing musical cues, Zimmer weaves drama and humor into the score- which should have been noticed by the Academy, in my opinion.

Music from "On Stranger Tides"

 
Sound (editing & mixing)

The Sound team for OST did a cracking good job with every element. From the clashing of swords, to the creaking of wood aboard the cursed Queen Anne’s Revenge, to the eerie, otherworldly voices of the mermaids, everyone involved with OST’s audio aspects deserved recognition with a nomination.

Visual Effects

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been at the forefront of breakthrough visual effects- from Davy Jones to Shipwreck Cove- each film has brought the cursed Caribbean to life through both practical and computer generated effects. OST is no exception. Scores of model makers, CGI animators, motion capture technicians, and other special effects masters made this film a visual feast, certainly enough to garner a nomination in this category.

Deadly mermaids brought to life

Writing (adapted screenplay)

Most fans know that OST was adapted from a book by Tim Powers. The story was adapted by Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott, using elements of the Powers novel but placing them firmly within the Pirates of the Caribbean mythos. Not to gush, as Ted and Terry are friends of the site, but these fellows really spun this yarn quite well. While some critics were, well, critical of the story and screenplay, fans of the film have proved that it sits proudly as one of the top grossing films of all time. Those numbers don’t lie- and a good portion of that is due to Mr’s Rossio and Elliot. Unfortunately, the Academy didn’t think so.

Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio - Writers of the Caribbean

So, these are but a few of the categories that OST really should have been nominated in for the 2012 Oscars. And again, I’m not saying the current nominees are any less deserving, but not showing these folks some love for their fantastic work is a shame.

What do you think? Was OST snubbed by the Academy this year? Were there other categories you believe Pirates should have been nominated for? Let us know in the comments section below, or post on our messageboard and expound on your opinions!

- Captain LeQuatte

Commodore, KeepToTheCode

Keep To The Code’s POTC Barbie® Pirate Costume Contest!
 

We’ve seen pirates aplenty in this cursed place, and now you can see which buccaneers rule the seas!
 
 
AND!
 
 
KeepToTheCode’s “On Stranger Tides” Pirate’s Booty Giveaway!
 

Snacks and foodstuffs now fill our hold! See what our “top chef” has in store for you!
 
 

Click on the links above or navigate your way here to our CONTESTS page, and celebrate with our fantastic winners!

Take a look and let us know what you think in the comments below or on our “Live The Legend!” forum!

 
The Worldwide numbers have risen to over $600 million as well, easily beating “Curse of the Black Pearl” and looking well on its way to surpassing both “Dead Man’s Chest” and “At World’s End”. Still, some are taking the film’s somewhat disappointing $190.2 million domestic showing to mean that U.S. filmgoers are tiring of extravagant 3D productions and prices.

 
In total, OST’s full bounty stands at $790.7 millon, so far the biggest film of the summer season. Anyone willing to lay down a bet on how much the finally haul will be?

 
 
Leave a comment below, or join in the ongoing discussions on our Messageboard!
 
- The Crew

Keep To The Code’s POTC Barbie® Pirate Costume Contest!

 
 
AND!
 
 
KeepToTheCode’s “On Stranger Tides” Pirate’s Booty Giveaway!

Click on the links above or navigate your way here to our CONTESTS page, and enter to win today!

The newest installment of Disney’s hit franchise “Pirates of the Caribbean” sailed past the competition this past weekend to open at #1 at the U.S. box office. The movie made an easy $90.1 million in it’s 3 day opener Stateside, and over $346 million overseas.

Image © Disney

 
While the U.S. numbers are lagging behind the $100 million estimated opening, and also short the $114 million for the previous installment “At World’s End”, Disney is nonetheless optimistic about the film’s sea-legs, and expect the Johnny Depp/Penelope Cruz venture to surpass the worldwide gross for the last “Pirates” outing.

Of course, we here at Keep To The Code are interested in what you think of the film!

Leave a comment below, or check out the “Two HornPipes Tavern” area of our messageboard, and leave your two pieces of eight.

- The Crew

And just in time for Pirates fans- Mattel brings the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow and the mysterious Angelica to you! Joining the Barbie® Collector line are these two amazing dolls, with the likenesses of actors Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, stars of the new film “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”.

These newly released items are of fantastic quality, as any Barbie® collector can tell you. Jack Sparrow comes complete with boots, signature bandana, sword and buckled swash! Other neat accesories adorn the good Captain- from the beads in his hair to the shrunked head on his belt! Angelica is brought to life with all the stunning beauty of Ms. Cruz and the keen eye towards accuracy and authenticty in her clothing! In her custom boots, hat and vest, she cuts a path across the sea with her fearsome sword- searching for the fabled Fountain of Youth!

These plastic pirates are a true representation of the Caribbean’s most charming and fearsome corsairs! And best news of all, they are available now on BarbieCollector.com for the bargain price of $34.95!
 

For more details, follow these links:
 

http://www.barbiecollector.com/news/sail-seven-seas-captain-jack-sparrow-and-angelica
 

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/captain-jack-sparrow-doll-t7654

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/angelica-doll-t7655
 

So get on board with these brilliant buccaneer Barbies®, before they sail off into the sunset!

- The Crew

Sea Cliff, NY (May 2, 2011) – Pirate’s Booty, leader and manufacturer of all-natural snacks, is pleased to announce its collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides directed by Rob Marshall and starring Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz. The film debuts in theaters on Friday, May 20th, 2011. As the exclusive food collaborator for the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Pirate’s Booty is offering a special limited edition 7 oz. package with a portion of the proceeds going to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a Caribbean Fly Away Sweepstakes and more.

The limited edition Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 7 oz. package is for Pirate’s Booty’s best-selling product and number one selling natural snack SKU – Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar.

“We are excited to collaborate with this summer’s most anticipated movie, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” stated Eric Berniker, Pirate’s Booty’s VP of Marketing. “Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean and Pirate’s Booty both epitomize the fun, adventurous and humorous spirit that we all love. Pirate’s Booty is proud to be able to bring this to life by giving consumers a chance to embark on a fun, delicious and healthier adventure with the release of its limited edition 7oz. package.”

Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar is a deliciously baked, all-natural snack made from puffed rice corn and blended with real aged white cheddar cheese. Pirate’s Booty is also trans-fat and gluten free with only 130 calories for a 1 oz. serving.

In addition to Pirate’s Booty being a healthier snack that consumers can feel good about eating, they can also feel good about purchasing it since Pirate’s Booty will be making a donation for each limited edition Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides themed package sold to Boys & Girls Clubs of America with a goal* of $100,000. The limited edition Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides packages are on-shelves nationwide now.

Pirate’s Booty is a proud supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.com), an organization that helps young people, especially those in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The Pirate’s Booty donation will support Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s overall effort to help every Club member achieve a great future, including academic success, a healthy lifestyle and positive social skills.

Also, as part of the program, Pirate’s Booty is offering a chance to win a “Fountain of Youth” themed Caribbean vacation for you and your crew to Casa De Campo in the Dominican Republic. Consumers can log onto www.PiratesBooty.com for more information and to enter for a chance to win.

*Pirate Brands will donate $0.05 for each package sold between 4/1/11 and 7/31/11, up to $100,000, to Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Pirate Brands

Pirate Brands, a leader and manufacturer of all-natural snacks, is located in Sea Cliff, NY and has been creating healthy treasures since 1987. The company was founded on the belief that you shouldn’t have to “snackrifice” taste and fun for health. Pirate Brands produces deliciously baked, all-natural, trans fat and gluten free snacks that include Pirate’s Booty, Smart Puffs, Potato Flyers, and Tings. Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar is the number one selling natural snack SKU. Pirate Brands’ snacks are free from fryers and ingredients you can’t pronounce, Arrrrrr. Products are sold in the US. For more information visit: www.piratebrands.com

About the Movie:
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, excitement and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in this action-packed adventure that finds him crossing paths (and swords) with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz). When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth. Along the way Jack must use all his wiles to deal with the barbarous Blackbeard and his crew of zombies, Angelica, the ravishing pirate with whom he shares a dubious past, and the beautiful, enchanting mermaids whose masterful cunning can lure even the most seasoned sailor to his doom. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the indestructible Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth when a woman from his past (Penélope Cruz) forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane).

Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” opens in theaters May 20, 2011, in Disney Digital 3D™, with screen story and screenplay by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio, based on characters created by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert, and suggested by the novel by Tim Powers.

They are giving away a copy of the script for “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” autographed by all four principal actors- Johnny Depp, Geoffery Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightly!

The script comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity from Movie Script Zone, a recognized leader in the memorabilia industry.

Head on over to TheMoviePool.com and enter for your chance to win! And, if you don’t win, you can always check out the swag at Movie Script Zone and find something you’ll treasure!

- The Crew