Month: September 2008 – page 2

Igor opens today

The animated horror-spoof Igor, which tells the story of a lab-assistant who dreams of becoming a mad scientist, opens in about 2,300 theaters today. The film is not faring overly well with critics, only earning 31% so far on Rotten Tomatoes. Sean Axmaker of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer calls the movie “… a haphazard collection of […]

Back to Back

AWN has a new interview now with Frédéric Back, independent animator of the 1987 Oscar-winning animated short, The Man Who Planted Trees. In the interview Back discusses his current work and his views on Disney animation past and Pixar animation present, among other subjects. Those local to or visiting the Los Angeles area between now […]

Airman ready for Zemeckis-assisted flight

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Monster House team of executive producer Robert Zemeckis and director Gil Kenan will collaborate again to bring Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer’s children’s adventure book Airman to the screen, using the same performance-capture technology as before. The plot concerns one Conor Broekhart, a “young man born in a hot […]

Alchemy of Animation video teaser

Due out next month Don Hahn’s forthcoming book The Alchemy of Animation: Making an Animated Film in the Modern Age now has a video teaser for it up at YouTube. Get a taste for the book by hearing (and watching) Don discuss the three principle types of animation: hand-drawn, stop motion, and computer-generated. (Viewing tip: […]

Two new series for Nickelodeon; Mighty B renewal

According to Animation World Network, Nickelodeon has picked up two new animated television series, Fanboy And Chum Chum and Team Umizoom. Fanboy and Chub Chub, a CGI series about a comic book fan and his loyal friend, is a spin-off of one of the Random! Cartoons, while Team Umizoon is a math-centered childrens’ program set […]

New vocals for Fox's Tale

Actors Freddie Highmore, Bill Nighy, Miranda Richardson and Sienna Miller have all joined the cast for the upcoming animated flick A Fox’s Tale, reports Variety. Freddie Highmore will be providing vocals for Little Jack, the film’s main character, with Mike Moran composing the score and songs. A Fox’s Tale follows the story of a young […]

Nathan Greno on Bolt

Latino Review has posted another Bolt-centered interview, this time with storyboard supervisor Nathan Gerno. Various topics discussed in the article include how the crew worked to bring the director’s vision to the screen, as well as how the studio’s atmosphere has changed since John Lasseter took charge. Bolt opens in theaters on November 21st.

Tomorrowland movie in the works?

Variety reveals that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is set to star in a Tomorrowland film, based off of the section in Disneyland of the same name. The movie will not be the first with roots in Disney’s theme parks; the successful Pirates Of The Caribbean series as well as the less celebrated Haunted Mansion flick […]

Ariel's Beginning's composers sing, and Open Season 2!?

Our latest Little Mermaid interview speaks to Ariel’s Beginning‘s composers, plus details on…Open Season…2!?

Ariel’s Song: Jeanine Tesori and James Dooley, two fortunate composers under the sea!

Jeremie Noyer speaks with the musical minds behind the songs and score of Ariel’s Beginning, songwriter Jeanine Tesori and composer James Dooley!

Chowder DVD cover art

The cover art for Chowder – Volume 1 can be seen on TV Shows On DVD. The set contains ten episodes from the series, a list of which can be viewed here. The DVD collection will be available for purchase on November 4th with a suggested retail price of $14.98.

Lusinsky on Bolt

Latino Review currently features an interview with Adolph Lusinsky, lighting director for Disney’s Bolt. Lusinsky, who also contributed to Armageddon and Reign of Fire, discusses the technical aspects of the upcoming CGI film, including techniques the studio developed in order to give the environments of Bolt a painterly feel. The animated comedy hits theaters on […]

Jeff Foxworthy gets animated

Jeff Foxworthy, blue-collar comedian and host of the popular reality show Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?, is set to star in a new animated series for Fox, reports Variety. The series, which follows a dysfunctional family set in the world of NASCAR, was pitched to Twentieth Century Fox TV by Foxworthy, who will […]

Pandamonium over Kung Fu Panda on DVD!

The skadoosh on Kung Fu Panda‘s DVD and Blu-ray specs, and that mysterious Secrets Of The Furious Five bonus disc…

Coraline set visit

A detailed account of a Coraline set visit can be found at Shock Till You Drop’s website. The article, which makes for quite a hefty read, includes descriptions of the models created for the film, an interview with writer/director Henry Selick, and more. Based on Neil Gaiman’s novel by the same name, Coraline tells the […]

Behind the scenes of Bolt

ComingSoon has posted an in-depth article focusing on the behind the scenes work of Dinsey’s upcoming animated feature, Bolt. Two scenes from the film are described in the story, which discusses how Disney’s use of 3-D has enhanced the movie. The production offices of Bolt‘s crew are also mentioned in the article, along with information […]

Blow me down! Popeye Volume 2 reviewed, plus Shrek The Halls details!

Full details on Shrek The Halls‘ DVD release, plus Popeye Volume 2: 1938-1940 reviewed!

Popeye The Sailor: Volume 2 1938-1940

A second set of some of the best cartoons ever made. Invaluable.

Random! Cartoons to air on Nickelodeon

Random! Cartoons, a collection of 39 different cartoons all created in various mediums, is set to air on Nickelodeon on December 6th after several delays, reports Animation World Network. Created by Fred Seibert, the series will be shown on Saturdays and Sundays, with three cartoons being aired in an episode.

Character Animation Crash Course's winner!

Eric Goldberg’s Character Animation Crash Course contest’s winner announced!

Back Under The Sea, plus Filmation's DC Super Heroes!

DC Super Heroes: The Filmation Adventures reviewed, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning art director Tony Pulham interviewed, plus Ben’s finally going Blu!

Ariel’s Song: Tony Pulham, a fortunate art director under the sea!

Jeremie Noyer continues his trip under the sea and behind the scenes for a look at the work of art director Tony Pulham, as he recreates Ariel’s world for Ariel’s Beginning.

DC Super Heroes: The Filmation Adventures

The Atom, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Kid Flash, Speedy, Wonder Girl, Aqualad and the Man of Steel all turn up to battle intergalactic crime in this fun slice of nostalgia well served on disc.

Millstein to head Disney Animation, Morris general manager of Pixar

Variety reports that Andrew Millstein has been named general manager of Disney Animation, while Jim Morris will perform the same job for Pixar Animation Studios. Millstein and Morris have both recently been involved in overseeing the digital direction of both studios, and each report to Ed Catmull, president of Disney and Pixar. Millstein previously oversaw […]

Depp and Verbinski team up for Rango

An article on Variety reveals that director Gore Verbinski and actor Johnny Depp are both involved in Rango, an upcoming animated film about a house pet that seeks to discover his true self. The CGI feature will be a reunion for Verbinski and Depp, who also worked together in Pirates Of The Caribbean. Rango‘s animation […]

Another Muppet Christmas for NBC!

After joining John Denver for a family sing-song, foiling Ebenezer Scrooge’s humbugging of the festive season, and saving their Muppet Theater, the Muppets are getting set to hop back onto NBC again for the holidays with Letters To Santa: A Muppets Christmas. Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo, Miss Piggy and the rest of the Muppet gang will […]

The Incredibles series coming to TV?

Well…not exactly, but in his first two months into his new television deal at Sony, director Barry Sonnenfeld (the Addams Family and Men In Black movies, and a producer on Enchanted) has projects set up at three broadcast networks, including The Nelsons for ABC. The premise may sound familiar to fans of Brad Bird’s The […]

Madagascar 2 IMAX run extended

Latino Review reports that the IMAX run of the upcoming Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa has been extended. The film will now run into December, including the Thanksgiving holiday season, which tends to be a popular time of year for going to the movies. Madagascar 2 will hit theaters on November 7th.

Clone Wars series trailer

A new trailer for the Clone Wars animated series has appeared on the official website for the show. The Star Wars spin off will air on Cartoon Network on October 3rd at 9:00 PM. Thanks to “Weny’s Jane” for the heads up!

First look at Gatchaman

A very short teaser for the upcoming CGI feature Gatchaman can be viewed on YouTube. Gatchaman is due out in theaters in April of 2009.