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Robert Zemeckis never seemed content to just be a good director, he’s always wanted to push the envelope when it came to unique visuals and unexpected style. He’s given us all three BACK TO THE FUTURE movies, WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?, DEATH BECOMES HER, FORREST GUMP, CONTACT, CAST AWAY, FLIGHT and most recently ALLIED. He was dedicated to motion capture animation despite mixed results and lackluster critical reception, helming THE POLAR EXPRESS, BEOWULF, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. His latest is another unique sort of experiment that mixes live action with animated action figures. WELCOME TO MARWEN is actually based on a real life man named Mark Hogancamp, who was the subject of a fascinating documentary called MARWENCOL. Hogancamp was attacked and suffered mental deficiency, and found solace and comfort in photographing action figure dolls in army regalia existing within a fictional town called Marwen. In the Zemeckis movie, Steve Carell plays Mark Hogancamp, and the supporting cast includes Leslie Mann, Eiza González, Janelle Monáe, Gwendoline Christie, Diane Kruger and Merritt Weaver. It should be noted, the documentary MARWENCOL is not at all the same sort of tone on display here, but hopefully Zemeckis and Carell can find a way to do justice to Hogancamp’s story. Check out the trailer below and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Welcome to Marwen tells the miraculous true story of one broken man’s fight as he discovers how artistic imagination can restore the human spirit. When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp (Carell) and wipes away all memories, no one expected recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation—a testament to the most powerful women he knows—through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one.
In a bold, wondrous and timely film from this revolutionary pioneer of contemporary cinema, Welcome to Marwen shows that when your only weapon is your imagination…you’ll find courage in the most unexpected place.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
