The Buzz: November 2005
Trailer for Happy Feet released
I didn't think there could be anything more cute than baby penguins, but there is... dancing baby penguins. Be sure to check out the trailer for the CG-animated film, Happy Feet which promises to bring us an entire movie of hot stepping penguins in November 2006.
posted: Nov 19, 2005 by athena
Book Review: The Animated Movie Guide
Think you're an animation expert? Figure you've seen all the animated films out there? Well, you may want to check out Jerry Beck's latest book, The Animated Movie Guide, which covers every animated film theatrically released in the US from Show White to Shrek 2.
If the name Jerry Beck sounds familiar, he's one of the best known animation historians out there, contributing to numerous books on animation such as Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons, Outlaw Animation: Cutting-Edge Cartoons from the Spike and Mike Festivals and Pink Panther: The Ultimate Guide. You may also be familiar with his website, Cartoon Research, which I would say is one of the staples of the online animation community.
The Animated Movie Guide contains over 300 animated films organized alphabetically with a chronological listing as well. Each film has the plot info, release date, a review and a star-rating out of 4--although films that Beck describes as 'pure torture' get 0 stars. The Comments section which contains Beck's review also provides some interesting historical and contextual background to the film.
And when I say every animated film, I mean every animated film... I thought myself fairly well-versed, but I certainly wasn't aware of films like The Adventures of Mark Twain (done in claymation) or GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (this was theatrically released? eek!). My only real complaint about the book is that it's prodominantly black & white with a 17 page colour insert in the middle. However, if you're really into the art of animation as opposed to the info and production tidbits, I recommend another of Jerry Beck's books, Animation Art: From Pencil to Pixel, the World of Cartoon, Anime, and CGI.
I haven't had a chance to read the whole thing cover-to-cover, but I forsee many nights curled up on the sofa, blissfully absorbing all the interesting tidbits and details on its pages. Check out The Animated Movie Guide for yourself or perhaps pick it up for the obsessed animation fan on your Christmas list.
posted: Nov 14, 2005 by athena
Animation may be in Hellboy's future
NorthJersey.com reports that IDT Entertainment has licensed all animation rights to the Hellboy from Revolutions Studios and, with Revolution, plans to develop animated content for television and home entertainment. Hellboy began his existence in the comics by Mike Mignola and later made the jump to the big screen in the 2004 movie. His tale is that of a being, born in the flames of hell and brought to Earth as a baby to spread evil. Instead he was rescued from this fate by the benevolent Dr. Broom who raised him to be a hero.
posted: Nov 11, 2005 by athena
More Cast Announced for Kung Fu Panda
Although this film isn't set to be released until May 2008, DreamWorks is wasting no time on getting the word out about the new cast members for Kung Fu Panda. Countdown.com reports that joining the film's lead, Jack Black as Po, are Dustin Hoffman as Shifu, the by-the-book kung fu master, Jackie Chan as Master Monkey, the model kung fu warrior, and Ian McShane (of the TV series, Deadwood), as the villian of the film Tai Lung, a bloodthirsty snow leopard. It's also being reported that Lucy Liu is in discussions to voice another of Po's mentors, Master Viper, who can be coy and feminine one moment and unleash the deadly warrior within in the next.
posted: Nov 11, 2005 by athena
Trailer for Hookwinked released
You can now view the trailer for the new CG movie, Hoodwinked exclusively on TurboNick. I'm afraid I can't provide any pithy editorial commentary for this one since the trailer's only viewable to people with computers in the US--although I could probably contribute a few choice words about THAT not-so-brilliant piece of marketing. Anyways, I hope people will add their comments in the forum.
posted: Nov 07, 2005 by athena
Some Perspective on Chicken Little's opening weekend
Jim Hill Media offers some insight in how Chicken Little's weekend ranks with other recent Disney animated films and CG films from other studios. Also, in a report from IMDb is reporting that two of Disney's other upcoming CG films are being pushed off--American Dog to 2008 and Rapunzel Unbraided until 2009.
posted: Nov 07, 2005 by athena
A Proud Day for Chicken Little
Yes, Chicken Little can indeed stand tall today. Despite the naysayers and the doubters, the movie won the weekend box office to the tune of $40 million dollars--a full $12 million more than its nearest competition. The headlines that I keep seeing on the newswire are reading: "Disney Finds Life after Pixar".
posted: Nov 07, 2005 by athena
Chicken Little... will it flop or fly?
Chicken Little will be arriving in theatres tomorrow and while some films we anticipate for their characters or their story or their great visuals, all anyone can seem to talk about for this film is, essentially, will it return Disney animation to its former glory? This is the first truly cg-animated movie the studio has made, the first time it has made a direct challenge to the might of Dreamworks and Pixar. There are even rumours that the fate of a new Disney/Pixar deal may rest on Chicken Little's tiny shoulders. That's a lot of expectation to put on one little movie... we shall see.
posted: Nov 03, 2005 by athena
