Dreamworks did not create Finding Nemo. What does this example sentence for today's word mean?

"Is this 80-minute underwater romp, studded with celebrity voice roles, Pixar's somewhat hackneyed answer to Dreamworks' Finding Nemo? You decide." Look & Listen; Prague Tribune (Czech Republic); Mar 3, 2005.

> Pixar's somewhat hackneyed answer to Dreamworks' Finding Nemo

Well, it just means that the content of Pixar's films is already common place or trite. I mean, 'hackneyed' is pretty well known in that sense; there are other usages though, I think. As for Dreamworks not creating Finding Nemo - maybe that's a simple mistake. I always get those corps. confused - certainly couldn't say offhand who made Finding Nemo, Schrek, or any other animated feature out there. What's the fishing boy firm again?

Aside: have a friend who lives in Hackney, East London; not the greatest neighbourhood really:-\

It looks like the author of the sample quote in today's AWAD has it backwards, jenwindy. [And you're right. Pixar created "Finding Nemo", not Dreamworks.]

According to this writer - see below, Dreamworks is imitating Pixar. As they say: "imitation is the sincerest form of flatter", especially in Hollywood [where sequels and knock-offs are brazenly, even boastfully, unoriginal].

Of course, those who imitate others are in danger of banalizing the original. Some will think their imitation is hackneyed.

Finding Sinbad? Pixar & DreamWorks Compete Again
by Vern Seward, 10:00 AM EDT, May 2nd, 2003

"Most batters would chew slugs for an average like the one Pixar boasts. Of the five movies the animation-house-that-Jobs-built has released, all five have been, not just hits, but out-of-the-park home runs. Starting with Toy Story, and all the way into Monster's Inc., Pixar seems unable to produce a dud. This Summer's Pixar release, Finding Nemo, looks as if the hit machine still works.

There is another animation house that seems to be able to match Pixar, at least some of the time, hit for hit. No, we are definitely not referring to Disney. We are talking about DreamWorks, the animation studio that produced the hits, Antz and Shrek, and the duds Road to El Dorado and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. DreamWorks does more than animation, however, which may be why they are unable to be as consistent as Pixar is with its hits. It also seems interesting that DreamWorks produces and releases movies that have striking similarities to Pixar's efforts.

http://snipurl.com/ddb9

> It looks like the author of the sample quote has it backwards, jenwindy.

Yup, dat's wot I'uz gettin' at in the ur-place, youze:-)

Wow, quick responses on this board. =)
That's kinda the idea I thought. Thanks to the both of you for the clarification and extra info!

The fishing boy on the moon logo would represent Dreamworks, I'm 99% certain. : )

dat's wot I'uz gettin' at in the ur-place, youze:-)

Quite true, BelligerentYouth. I didn't see your post until after I posted mine. In any case, all's well that ends well. :)

There is an entry in the Word Origins site on hackney:

http://www.wordorigins.org/wordorh.htm


It was also discussed fairly recently (including a reference to Quinion’s note):

http://p066.ezboard.com/fwordoriginsorgfrm1.showMessage?topicID=11651.topic

(wonder if that sparked Anu's use?!)

The fishing boy is actually a kind of interesting logo. John Gaddis makes quite a fuss about a similar image in Recognitions. It is a hagiographic (can one say that?) reference, a fishing of some sort from the next world into this. I don't remember that well over the long time it's been.