Month: November 2007 – page 4

Bazooka Joe heading to the big screen

Animation blog CartoonBrew points to an article on USA Today that reveals plans in store for the 69-year old cartoon character Bazooka Joe. Ex-Disney CEO Micheal Eisner explains his interest in creating a new franchise based on the bubblegum kid, and speaks of creating a theatrical film, television show, internet site, and publishing company centering […]

New Beowulf clips

Comingsoon.net has made available 9 new clips from the upcoming CG film Beowulf. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and featuring the voice talents of Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone and John Malkovich, Beowulf hits conventional and IMAX 3D screens on November 16.

Speed Racer special effects, trailer date

In an article featured on Rotten Tomatoes, Joel Silver discusses the technology being used in the upcoming film adaption of Speed Racer, and how it will affect the overall visual stlyle of the movie. “[Speed Racer] has a look that you have never seen before. It’s really a vast panorama of the story,” Silver explains, […]

Report from Seattle's 2D Or Not 2D Animation Festival

Over at Pencil Lines, the blog dedicated to the recent Seattle 2D Or Not 2D Animation Festival, Tony reports on numerous presentations that were given, including ones related to Ratatouille, The Chestnut Tree (which won a Golden Pencil Award), Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, Lorenzo, and more, as well as presenting an outlook for the future […]

Not even a B- for Bee Movie!?

James’ take on DreamWorks’ Bee Movie.

Bee Movie

Jerry Seinfeld’s Bee Movie has some fun moments but just isn’t buzzworthy.

Disney's Pixar-release Tuesday! Plus: is Bee Movie really a B-movie?

Pixar contest winners, Disney release Tuesday deals, and look for our Bee Movie review!

Bee Movie opens in second place

DreamWorks’ Bee Movie fell a bit short of the #1 spot at the box office this weekend but it did about as well as expected otherwise bringing in $39.1 million, according to Box Office Mojo. Disney’s 3-D version of The Nightmare Before Christmas brought in an additional $1.5 million over the weekend to bring its […]

Pixarian interviews, book and DVD reviews

Upcoming Pixar points to three interviews with high-profile Pixarians. The first interview is a Newsarama.com one with John Lasseter, focusing on Pixar Short Film Collection: Volume 1, WALL-E, Disney animation and a few other topics as well. The second one is a Q&A with Brad Bird promoting the release of Ratatouille on DVD and Blu-Ray. […]

Alice returns to Walt's Cartoonland!

Hello folks! We start the week with a leap back just over 80 years ago, to the mid 1920s, when a young Walt Disney landed a deal to produce a series of films based around the reversal of the concept in the Ko-Ko The Clown Out Of The Inkwell shorts. Instead of a cartoon clown […]

Alice In Cartoonland: Inkwell Edition

A wonderful collection of Alice Comedies, including some unique documentary segments, that’s another winner in the Inkwell Images releases.

Steven Spielberg to Receive Visual Effects Society Lifetime Achievement Award

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has been chosen to receive the VES Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th Annual VES Awards on Feb. 10, 2008 at the Kodak Theatre Grand Ballroom in Hollywood. The VES Board of Directors selected Spielberg for its highest honor in recognition of the contribution that his vast body of work, as both […]

Cars/Ratatouille Blu-Ray DVD Event

Over at o-meon, Chuck Oberleitner tells about his experience at the recent Cars/Ratatouille Blu-Ray DVD Event held last Tuesday night in Hollywood and hosted by Walt Disney Home Entertainment, including his encounter with Brad Bird as well as an in-depth look at the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD battles. More photos from the event can be found at the […]

Kung Fu Panda teaser trailer

Following are links in various video formats to the new Kung Fu Panda teaser trailer, the next animated feature in the pipeline from DreamWorks Animation. Also, be sure to check out the movie’s official site at www.KungFuPanda.com.

Ratatouille DVD more ordinary than special

UltimateDisney have posted their review of the upcoming Ratatouille DVD which calls it “More ordinary than special.” According to the review, “Unfortunately, Ratatouille follows last fall’s lightweight Cars disc with an even lighter DVD release. Naturally, it’s not a complete disappointment; the feature presentation is flawless and the few bonus features do add value. But […]

Up information revealed

In an article featured on Sci-Fi Wire, the critically-acclaimed director Brad Bird revealed details about Pixar’s 2009 release, Up. Saying that the picture will be different than any other Pixar movie, Bird hinted that it will be targeted at a more mature audience than the studio’s previous films. “I think it’s a really great, emotional, […]

Space Chimps teaser trailer and image

The first teaser trailer for the upcoming sci-fi comedy Space Chimps can be viewed on Movies Online. Likewise, Animatie provides an image featuring the films’ logo as well as several characters. The movie will open in theaters during the first half of 2008.

Alvin images and interview

Two new promotional images from the upcoming Alvin And The Chipmunks feature can be viewed at IGN. The stills feature the famous furry trio, as well as David Seville, who is played by Jason Lee. An exclusive interview with the movies’ star can also be read at USA Weekend.

Grasshorse to move to Iowa

According to DesMoinesRegister, Grasshorse Technologies plans on moving and expanding its LA-based animation studio to Iowa. The decision was made due to the new tax incentives given to film companies by the state. Grasshorse creates both 2D and 3D animation, with clients that include Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, and Disney.

Beowulf goes 3-D; "Sea Monsters" clip

SCI FI Wire reports that the upcoming adventure flick Beowulf will be screened in 3-D when it opens in IMAX on November 16th. The film will be in its regular 2-D format when it is released in normal theaters on the same day. Meanwhile, a 45-second clip of Beowulf, titled “Sea Monsters”, can be viewed […]

Bee Movie opens in theaters today!

Opening in 3,928 theaters this weekend is DreamWorks Animation’s Bee Movie. Featuring writing and voice acting from Jerry Seinfeld, the computer animated film is receiving a mixed reception from critics. Metacritic results show Bee Movie with a score of 54. Meanwhile, Rotten Tomatoes has a 51% average for the film, with its “Cream of the […]

Mickey cameos in What Would Jesus Buy? poster

Sure to raise a few eyebrows, the one-sheet for What Would Jesus Buy? is now on display at the Internet Movie Poster Awards. The poster for Rob VanAlkemade’s critically acclaimed documentary features a certain Disney icon caught in an unfortunate trap.

Smurfs – Season 1, Volume 1 specs

TV Shows on DVD has the official press release regarding the Smurfs – Season 1, Volume 1 DVD, coming February 26. The two-disc package will contain 19 remastered, uncut episodes from the series.

Family Guy creator talks; Blue Harvest DVD details

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane explains to The Hollywood Reporter why he is not worried about his show being offensive. In addition, he speaks on the possibility of a Family Guy movie, suggesting that the TV series may wrap in three to four years, leading into a franchise of Family films. In the meantime, TV […]

Nickelodeon adopts Frankenstein's Cat

KidScreen indicates that Nickelodeon International has secured the broadcast rights for Frankenstein’s Cat in six territories, including Spain, Benelux, South East Asia, Australia, Latin America and Israel. The digitally animated 30 x 11-minute series is based on the acclaimed book by Curtis Jobling.

Cover artwork for Dragonlance

DVD Active has received the cover artwork for Paramount Home Entertainment’s Dragonlance. Available to own January 15th, he animated Dungeons & Dragons adventure features the voices of Kiefer Sutherland, Lucy Lawless, and Michael Rosenbaum.

Brad Bird talks Ratatouille, animated issues

MovieWeb talks to director Brad Bird about the Ratatouille DVD, among other things. Topics in the conversation also include the benefits of Blu-ray, the usefulness of motion capture, the possibility of Bird doing an R-rated animated film and his upcoming live-action project 1906.

101 Dalmatians: Platinum Edition Press Release

UltimateDisney has posted the press release for Disney’s 101 Dalmatians: Platinum Edition which has been officially announced by Disney for release on March 4, 2008. For the first time in nearly a decade, 101 Dalmatians comes out as a 2-disc Platinum Edition dvd featuring exclusive and never before seen bonus features. Unlike recently cropped Jungle […]