Month: December 2009 – page 3

Prep & Landing

This is probably one of the funniest new Christmas specials created in recent years, featuring superior writing, animation and a visual style that make Prep & Landing an extremely enjoyable experience.

Ponyo set for DVD and Blu-ray

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has confirmed that Hayao Miyazaki’s 2009 release Ponyo, an adaptation of The Little Mermaid, will debut on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on March 2, 2010, making the film the first of the Japanese Studio Ghibli titles to debut in hi-def in the US. The DVD ($29.99) and BD ($39.99) will […]

Stop-motion features at the Oscars

The Hollywood Reporter takes an interesting look at the differences between stop-motion features and CGI, comparing Coraline, Mary And Max and Fantastic Mr Fox to the likes of Up, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and 9 in this year’s Academy Awards race. THR also looks at all 20 animated features up for consideration this […]

The Multi-Plane Show exhibits unique art

The Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, California, will exhibit an unparalleled line-up of artists for their unique presentation of The Multi-Plane Show, from this Saturday, December 12, 2009. Full viewing details and more can be read here:

Going West, stop-motion style!

London’s Andersen M Studio has just completed work on a stop-motion animation spot for the New Zealand Book Council, the company’s Creative Director Martin Andersen has announced. More information and the spot can be seen here:

New How To Train Your Dragon poster

As pointed out by “CGIFanatic” on the Animated-Views Forum, a new IMAX poster for How To Train Your Dragon can now be seen on Chud. The upcoming DreamWorks flick opens in IMAX 3D on March 26th, 2010.

Superman: The Complete Animated Series

Resonant stories, excellent vocal performances and tons of well crafted action and pre-digital effects sequences mark Superman: Animated out as a very well realized slice of modern DC animation.

I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown: Remastered Deluxe Edition

Rerun pines for a puppy in this latter-day Peanuts classic. This new release bests the old Paramount one in the video department, and adds a second holiday special and featurette that makes for a nice disc.

New teaser poster for Tron Legacy

A brand new (and pretty cool looking) teaser poster for Disney’s upcoming Tron Legacy has just been released on the internet. Those who click on the link provided will also be treated to a new production still from the film. The anticipated sequel to 1982’s Tron jumps into theaters on December 17th, 2010.

Princess and the Frog video interviews

ComingSoon.net now has a video interview with members of the cast and crew of The Princess and the Frog, including Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard and Randy Newman. The animated Disney movie, as you all probably know by now, goes nationwide on Friday.

Final poster for Avatar revealed

Only days before the movie’s release, the final poster for Avatar has finally been revealed. Meanwhile, CBS News ponders whether or not the movie will be able to match the success of James Cameron’s last non-documentary film–a little movie called Titanic–at the box office, balancing out the pros and cons that will be facing it. Avatar opens worldwide […]

Disney’s Snow Queen back in production?

The Snow Queen, an animated feature from Disney that appeared to fall into production limbo years ago, is apparently back in the works…and in hand-drawn animation, too! Based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, The Snow Queen is speculated to have a 2013 release date, which would follow Winnie the Pooh in 2011 […]

New trailer for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

The first trailer for Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice can now be watched in various formats at Apple.com. The live-action movie starring Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel is a modern version of the story that Mickey Mouse made famous in 1940’s Fantasia. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice hits theaters next summer.

Wood and Williams return for Happy Feet 2

The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Elijah Wood and Robin Williams are returning to voice their animated penguin characters in Happy Feet 2. Wood will be back as the voice of tap dancing penguin Mumble, while Williams will be reprising the roles of two characters, the tiny Ramon and the larger than life penguin guru Lovelace. Happy Feet 2 […]

Follow along as Toy Story 3 begins scoring

If you’re not a Twitter user you’re missing out on a really cool tool to connect with friends and strangers around the world. And some of those strangers are actually celebrities who talk about what they’re up to. Case in point — today Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich (@leeunkrich) is tweeting and posting updates, […]

Prep and Landing airs tonight

After being delayed last week, Walt Disney Feature Animation’s half-hour holiday special Prep and Landing finally airs tonight at 8:30pm/7:30c on ABC. Variety gives it a good review, saying that it “adds a nifty ornament to the customary lineup of perennial holiday specials.” Those tuning in at 8pm/7c can also catch A Charlie Brown Christmas, the classic […]

New Avatar featurettes online

Comingsoon.net now has links to two new featurettes about James Cameron’s Avatar. The first one is focused on the movie’s storyline. The second one, hosted by Sigourney Weaver, is about the fictional planet of Pandora. The website also currently has a poll asking users how much they think Avatar will make at the box office during […]

Jack Black producing animated project

Variety reports that actor Jack Black, partner Ben Cooley, and writer Jason Micallef have successfully pitched an untitled animated film to Illumination Entertainment, who are currently in production on Despicable Me. The story is about cryptozoology.

Zorro, Zorro, Zorro…and memories of Richard Todd

Zorro leaps back into action in Walt Disney Treasures’ two complete season sets, plus a look back at meeting Disney Legend Richard Todd.

Who Gets the Million? You Choose

Teletoon and Cartoon Network’s animated reality series, Total Drama Action, has two contestants remaining in the game. Beth and Duncan tied on last week’s episode, so they are letting the viewers at home vote at totaldramaaction.com. The winner of the million dollars will be revealed on the finale, airing this Thursday.

Walt Disney Treasures: Zorro – The Complete First Season

Walt Disney’s television take on the original caped crusader is a fantastic series that breaks through the nostalgia to remain terrific entertainment!

Walt Disney Treasures: Zorro – The Complete Second Season

Walt’s perfect TV series gets another Treasures set.

New The Princess And The Frog posters

Several new international posters advertising The Princess And The Frog have popped up over at Internet Movie Poster Awards. Each features different characters from the traditionally animated film, including Princess Tiana, Doctor Facilier, and Mama Odie.

Disney Legend Richard Todd passes away at 90

One of Walt Disney’s biggest contract stars of his Studio’s early forays into live-action filmmaking, Richard Todd, has died peacefully at his home in Lincolnshire, England, age 90, after losing a fight with cancer. With Disney’s wartime profits tied up in Britain, Walt decided to make a series of films in the UK, with Todd […]

More Awards for Up!

On the heels of its Annie Awards and Grammy Awards nominations, there are more honors for Up.

Leonardo DiCaprio joins The Guardians

Leonardo DiCaprio is set to do his first ever animated feature when he lends his voice to The Guardians, a DreamWorks animated fantasy. DiCaprio will voice Jack Frost, a member of a team of five “superheroes” which includes Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy. The storyline involves the magical characters using their […]

Up Soundtrack Nominated for Grammy Awards

On the heels of his Annie Award nomination, Up composer Michael Giacchino has received four Grammy nominations. However, in one category, he’ll have to compete against himself.

Rotten Tomatoes ranks Disney classics

In celebration of the release of The Princess and the Frog, the popular website RottenTomatoes.com now has a Disney Animation Countdown. The list ranks the studio’s 48 “official” animated features from worst reviewed to best reviewed, starting with 1947’s Fun and Fancy Free and ending with…well, you’ll have to see for yourself.

THQ and DreamWorks announce deal

THQ Inc. and DreamWorks Animation have just announced a multi-year business deal that will give THQ exclusive rights to develop video games based off of the studio’s animated films and TV shows, including the upcoming Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom and Puss in Boots. On a subject of interest, the article makes a quick note that DreamWorks’ […]

Fantastic window display

In an unusual but appealing marketing campaign for The Fantastic Mr. Fox, window displays featuring the characters along with various items of clothing have been set up at Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Store in New York City. These displays depict several of the scenes in the movie, inluding not only the stars of the animated feature […]