Month: December 2007 – page 3

DuckTales: Volume 3

The initial season of the show comes to an end here, plus this set includes the two extended specials that comprised the series’ “second season” and introduced Bubba and Gizmoduck. Collectors will continue to be disappointed in the care Disney took with putting this show on DVD, but the quality of the series itself still shines through.

Burton on Frankenweenie feature

An article on Rotten Tomatoes hosts a discussion with acclaimed director Tim Burton on an upcoming 3D feature film he will be making for Disney based on his short film, Frankenweenie. “The thing that excites me about it and that will make it different is that when I look at my original drawings, there are […]

The History mystery Animation Cel

The PBS show History Detectives has an investigation on their hands and is calling for help! The show is trying to identify the character in a mystery cel and any information about where it came from. Although the cel has been sent around a host of animation experts, no one has been able to shed […]

Persepolis wins Best Animated Film at New York Film Critics Circle

Persepolis has won the best Animated film at the 2007 New York Film Critics Online Award which were announced on December 9, 2007. Full list of winners can be viewed here. Based on a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 25.

Madagascar penguins get TV series

Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation have just announced a new television series starring the penguins from the Madagascar CGI-animated film series. The full press release follows:

Shaun the Sheep single out now

ShaunTheSheep.com reports that the Shaun the Sheep CD single is out now. The CD features Life’s a Treat by Vic Reeves and includes six tracks along with a game, picture gallery, video, screen saver and a wallpaper image. The CD also comes with a free poster.

Grinch still mean, after fifty years

The Seattle Times has published an article marking the 50th anniversary of the children’s classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The article reports that Random House is celebrating the occasion with a new edition of the book, which not only includes the original story, but also a twenty five-page retrospective by Dr. Charles D. Cohen, […]

Veteran Animator Ken Southworth dies

Animation Magazine reports that Ken Southworth, a veteran animator who worked for Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Walter Lantz, MGM, Hanna-Barbera, Clokey Prods. and Filmation, has died after suffering several strokes on December 5 at his home in Anaheim, California. He was 89. Ken started his animation career at Walt Disney Studios in 1944 and […]

Brad Bird wins BSFC Award for Best Screenplay

Upcoming Pixar reports that Brad Bird has won Best Screenplay for Ratatouille at the Boston Society of Film Critics awards. A full list of winners can be checked out here.

Persepolis and Ratatouille share LAFCA award

Upcoming Pixar reports that Ratatouille has tied with Persepolis for the Animation award at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association annual film awards. The blogsite also talks briefly about the serious competition Ratatouille may face at Annie and Oscar awards, next year.

Looney gold; Beetle Bailey reviewed!

Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume Five, and Beetle Bailey: The Complete Collection both reviewed!

Steve Jobs to enter California Hall of Fame

UpcomingPixar reports that Pixar co-founder and Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs was inducted into the California Hall of Fame on Wednesday, December 5. The California Hall of Fame is to honor legendary individuals and families who embody California’s innovative spirit and have made their mark on history. The site also includes a link to a […]

Beetle Bailey: The Complete Collection

The comic strip army private struggles to satisfy his superiors, not to mention weak scripts and limited animation.

Interactive, Legacy developing Igor game

Interactive Game Group has acquired the video game rights from Exodus Film Group to the CGI flick Igor, records Variety. As a result of the deal, IGG has signed Legacy Interactive to publish the Igor game adaptation in North America. To be released in fall 2008, the game will be developed for Nintendo’s DS and […]

Alvin and the Chipmunks banners found

A set of three Spanish-language banners for the live-action/computer animated Alvin and the Chipmunks have been discovered at eBay. Each poster stars one member of the famous band featuring Alvin, Simon and Theodore.

Mike Fink on his Golden opportunity

Mike Fink speaks with The Los Angeles Times about his work as visual effects supervisor for The Golden Compass. The Oscar-nominated supervisor especially regards the time constraints and other challenges he faced during the project.

Beowulf's 3-D success encourages other studios

The success of the 3-D screenings for Beowulf are encouraging other movie studios who have big plans for the technology, indicates Variety. Such upcoming films as Avatar and Monsters vs. Aliens are mentioned in the piece.

Finding Niko

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Weinstein Co. and German distribution company Telepool have reached a distribution agreement regarding the English-language and Latin American rights for the computer animated Niko & the Way to the Stars. Directed by Michael Hegner and Kari Juusonen, the film focuses on “Niko, a little earth-bound reindeer who dreams of […]

Beowulf, Alvin Oscar eligibility verdicts

Variety writes that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has ruled that the motion-capture technology used to create Beowulf has not made it ineligible for Oscar consideration in the category of Best Animated Feature. However, a different verdict met Alvin and the Chipmunks, which was disqualified from the category due to its amount […]

Archie's Funhouse coming to DVD in March

TV Shows on DVD reports that Archie’s Funhouse – The Complete Series (1970) will hit stores on March 4th, courtesy of Genius Entertainment. Word has yet to arrive on what bonus features the set will include.

Simpsons, Chipmunks among best, worst online gimmicks

The Los Angeles Times lists some of the best and worst online gimmicks released in 2007 to help promote movies. A Simpsons Movie activity that allowed visitors to create “Simpson-ized” versions of themselves receives a glowing review, while a similar feature to promote Alvin and the Chipmunks is met with a less positive reception.

Animation among 50th Grammy Awards nominees

The nominees for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards have been announced. From Shrek to Mumble the penguin, animation found itself represented once more in the competition for the coveted music award. To see the list of animated-related Grammy entries, please click:

Speed Racer trailer and images

The first trailer for the live-action/CGI Speed Racer adaptation is now up at Moviefone. Meanwhile, USA Today provides a set of images from the highly anticipated feature. Speed Racer will cruise into theaters on May 9, 2008.

Ten Commandments coming to DVD in February

DVD Active has the announcement from Genius Products regarding the DVD of its computer animated movie The Ten Commandments. While no bonus features have been revealed yet, the package’s cover artwork is now available to view.

Second Persepolis trailer

Moviefone has added a second trailer for the animated Persepolis. Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, the critically acclaimed film will have a limited run in the U.S. starting December 25th.

Art Metrano sues Family

TMZ reports that magician Art Metrano is suing the creators of Family Guy, due to a scene in the series’ direct-to-video movie, Stewie Griffin – The Untold Story. Metrano claims that a flashback in the film, involving Jesus, employs a “comedy routine identical in music, sound and action to Metrano’s act, ‘The Amazing Metrano.’”

Behind-the-scenes look at Rudolph

TV Party has a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the making of Rankin/Bass’ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The article sheds some light on the history and making of the classic Christmas special.

TV to DVD: Jayce and the Wheeled Warrior, Sam & Max

TV Shows on DVD has the press information on the four-disc Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors – Volume 1, coming to stores on March 25th. The site also has the latest news on the three-disc Sam & Max: Freelance Police – The Complete Series, arriving March 11th.

Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume Five

60 more Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts, and though the strike rate starts to slip with Volume 5, there are still some knockout cartoons in the bunch, served by some 14-carrot extras!

Ratatouille picks up NBR award

Variety reports that awards season has officially commenced this week with the National Board of Review naming the films winning its top prizes. Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille takes home the award for Best Animated Film, while Persepolis wins the Bvlgari Award for NBR Freedom of Expression, which “champions the voices of maverick filmmakers”.