Month: August 2012

Delgo loses its “record”

Delgo, the sci-fi animated feature from 2008 which once held the infamous record for lowest opening day of all time on more than 2,000 theaters, has finally lost its title. The children’s film The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure–a strange looking movie involving large costumed characters, balloons and Christopher Lloyd, among other things–truly set […]

Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation

Exceptionally bad video and low-volume sound remove any of the fizz to be had in this classic video premiere, the 21st anniversary of which goes unmentioned or, it seems, cared about. What a shambles!

The Rescuers / The Rescuers Down Under: 35th Anniversary 2-Movie Collection

Two terrifically unique Disney adventures look perfect in HD. The extras are largely disappointing, but this set represents the best value of the Studio’s Aug. 21 releases!

Wolverine Anime

Marvel’s mutant antihero travels to Japan to save his lady love. But is the trip worthwhile? This is likely the weakest of the four Marvel Anime series, though violence-loving Wolverine fans may enjoy it.

The AristoCats: Special Edition

Disney’s jazzy classic gets the groovy hi-def treatment, baby, and these cool cats swing like never before, with stunning picture and sound and a fair mix of old and new extras. Oh, yeah!

Pocahontas: 2-Movie Collection

How about losing Pocahontas’ crucial If I Never Knew You sequence and pretty much all of the previous discs’ bonus features for its made for video sequel? Great, because that’s about all you get in this extremely disappointing set.

Blade Anime

The vampire who hunts vampires may have a lower profile than other Marvel heroes, but this is probably the strongest of the four Marvel Anime series. A solid story, gory action, original ideas, and a tour of Asia provide plenty of thrills for mature viewers.

The Tigger Movie: Bounce-a-rrrific Special Edition

Arguably the most authentic Pooh film to come along since his Many Adventures, The Tigger Movie bounces along on a wave of nostalgic charm, proving that this is what Disney does best!

Lady And The Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure

Disney’s made for video sequel is easily one of the better titles to emerge from the unit, with authentic feeling backgrounds and an old-time spirit that recalls the original film nicely.

DreamWorks Gives Paramount the Boot, Makes New Deal with Fox

In a move that will go down in animation history, Jeffrey Katzenberg and his DreamWorks studio have ended their distrubution contract with Paramount after six years. The animation studio responsible for Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and Madagascar has signed a new deal with Fox after talks with Paramount went south. Paramount did not want to […]

Full Cast List for Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2: Revenge of the Leftovers

Animation Magazine has the complete cast list for Sony’s next animation project: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2: Revenge of the Leftovers. The original main cast returns to reprise their roles, including Anna Faris, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, James Caan, Neil Patrick Harris, and Benjamin Bratt. New additions to the cast include Will Forte […]

Ellen Degeneres Returns To Voice…That Blue Fish…What Was Her Name?

The famous talk show host has confirmed that she will return to voice the short-term memory Blue Tang, Dory in Finding Nemo 2. Last month Collider reported that Pixar would make a sequel to its highest groessest film. The script is currently in development, but no other actors have reported they will reprise their roles. […]

Brave comes home in November

Walt Disney Studios have announced the US DVD and Blu-ray releases of Brave on November 13th, 2012. The latest Pixar offering will be available to own as a Five-Disc Combo Pack Ultimate Collector’s Edition, Three-Disc Combo Pack Collector’s Edition, and a single disc DVD. Full list of specs and extras can be found here.

ParaNorman: an art in the making, with filmmakers Chris Butler and Sam Fell

The ParaNorman directors talk stop-motion zombies and other aspects of their new production, including their involvement with The Art and Making of ParaNorman book!

ParaNorman opens in third place

ParaNorman had a weaker than expected opening, coming in third place for the weekend with $14 million according to Box Office Mojo. “Even with a unique concept and lukewarm competition, the movie still couldn’t break out of the standard stop-motion animation opening range, which reinforces how tricky this sub-genre is”.

ParaNorman opens

Focus Features/Laika’s ParaNorman opens today in 3,429 theatres according to Box Office Mojo. The film is doing well with the critics, earning a solid 84% from Rotten Tomatoes. Their critical consensus: “Beautifully animated and solidly scripted, ParaNorman will entertain (and frighten) older children while providing surprisingly thoughtful fare for their parents”. Box Office Mojo predicts […]

Chapman opens up on Brave removal

Brenda Chapman, a former Pixar director and the original creative force behind Brave who was later replaced as director, has come out for the first time to explain her thoughts on what happened. In a piece for a New York Times series on How Can Women Gain Influence in Hollywood?, Chapman blames the “Hollywood Boy’s […]

Disney Selick film shut down

Disney has ended production on an untitled Henry Selick project that had been slated for release in October 2013 due to it not being as far along as they needed it to be, according to Variety. They note that he still has the option to take the film to another studio.

Scooby-Doo…and World Wrestling Entertainment, Too?

In one of the oddest partnerships to be announced….well, in a long time, the WWE has announced that they are partnering with Warner Bros. to make an animated feature film starring Scooby-Doo. ComingSoon.Net reports that the movie will involve Scooby and the gang teaming up with World Wrestling Entertainment stars to fight crime, in an effort […]

Preview of Partysaurus Rex

Pixar has posted a sneak peek of their upcoming short, Partysaurus Rex, on their YouTube channel. The full short will play in theaters before Finding Nemo 3D, which opens September 14th. You can watch the clip here:

More ParaNorman interviews

As we get closer to the release of Feature Films/Laika’s ParaNorman this weekend the promotional tour is in full swing. Laika CEO and ParaNorman producer Travis Knight talks the rebirth of modern stop-motion animation and more with Dread Central. And Digital Facility has a running line of interviews with the filmmakers. Those posted so far […]

Chapman leaves for LucasFilm Animation

IndieWire reports that Pixar’s Brenda Chapman, the original director of Brave, has left Pixar for an unannounced project at LucasFilm Animation. Thanks to Lord Akiyama in the AV Forum for the tip.

ParaNorman creators discuss stop-motion animation

Some of the cast and crew of ParaNorman discuss stop-motion animation with Reelz — the process, how long it takes to make, and the appropriateness of the medium for this story. Watch the video here:

A look at Laika

The New York Times has a look at Laika, the company behind the upcoming animated film ParaNorman. The in-depth piece includes: a history of the studio, a look at some of their ground-breaking work in rapid prototyping and 3D and how the Laika aims to push the boundaries of stop-motion animation, a discussion with Henry […]

Director Moore talks about Wreck-it Ralph development

Wreck-it Ralph director Rich Moore talks with HitFix about pitching the film to John Lasseter, getting game studios on board for character cameos, Sarah Silverman’s involvement, creating the in-movie game, and more.

CG ALF coming to big screen?

The Hollywood Reporter says Sony Pictures Animation acquired the rights to the 1980s sitcom ALF and is looking to make a film with the producers of the original show and last year’s The Smurfs movie. But before nostalgists get too excited, it appears they will retire the puppet prop and change the Melmacian alien life […]

DreamWorks looks to Fox or Sony for distribution

DreamWorks is closing in on a September deadline to decide on a new distribution partner, according to the L.A. Times. With their 2006 deal with Paramount set to expire, DreamWorks is looking for more favorable terms with Sony and Fox.

Win a ParaNorman Prize Package!

Animated Views & Focus Features are giving you a chance to win a ParaNorman Prize Package worth $60! One winner will receive a $25 Visa Gift Card, an adult sized t-shirt, a keychain, a notebook, slippers, a toothbrush, and a backpack!

Ben Affleck Probably Won’t Helm Justice League

It seems that Ben Affleck will not be the director for the proposed Justice League movie. It seems that Affleck has become one of Warner Brothers’ “go-to” directors for any project. Just because the studio wants him does not mean he will sign onto the project. Still Justice League is on the radar and talks […]

Concept Art For Disney’s Frozen

There is some nice, new concept art for Disney’s next animated film Frozen. It is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1845 fairyale The Snow Queen. The concept art features designs for the evil Snow Queen, the Princess Anna, and a mountain man. Princess Anna decides to rid her kingdom of eternal winter with the help […]