\\{{link http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/25/movies/25MITC.html New York Times}}\\ film critic Elvis Mitchell looks at the trend toward computer animation and how it fits into the history of film making. “Every few decades an entire field of filmmaking ends because of a single technical innovation. \\The Jazz Singer\\ finished off silents by popularizing synchronized-sound movies. The introduction of Technicolor […]

In its continuing series highlighting short films, {{link http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=2076 AWN}} reviews \\Annie & Boo\\ by Johannes Weiland, \\The God\\ by Konstantin Broinzit, \\Hike, Hike, Hike\\ by Anouck Iyer, \\Delivery\\ by Patrick Smith, and \\Pavlov’s Bell\\ by Evan Mather. The article also includes clips form each film.

{{link http://www.playbill.com/news/article/85599.html Playbill Online}} notes that the Broadway stage version of \\Beauty and the Beast\\ celebrated two milestones last week. On April 18th, the show celebrated its tenth year on Broadway. On April 21st, the show passed \\Miss Saigon\\ to become the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history.

According to {{link http://forum.bcdb.com/gforum.cgi?post=24434 The Big Cartoon Database}}, Australian animator Adam Elliot, who surprised a lot of people by winning the Animated Short Oscar for \\Harvie Krumpet\\, has had many offers from American companies who want him to come work for them – but he has turned them all down. “Winning an Oscar has reminded […]

\\Clifford’s Really Big Movie\\ opens in select cities today – on 471 screens according to {{link http://boxofficemojo.com/counts/chart/?yr=2004&wk=17&p=.ht Box Offcie Mojo}} (see the {{link http://www.scholastic.com/clifford/movie/ official website}} for a list and more info about the film). While many critics at {{link http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/CliffordsReallyBigMovie-1130818/ Rotten Tomatoes}} are panning the film, most are judging it from an adult point […]

{{link http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&cf=prev&id=1808405700&intl=us Greg’s Previews}} reports that Walt Disney Pictures has set November 4, 2005, as the release date of \\Cars\\, the last film in the Disney/Pixar partnership. Greg adds that the choice of that date could be “a direct challenge to Universal’s \\Curious George\\, which is old-fashioned ‘traditional’ 2-D animation instead of 3-D CGI. Will […]

Companies run by Steve Jobs and Michael Eisner are playing nice together despite any problems the men might have with each other. According to an Apple Computer press release, “Apple and Walt Disney Records today announced that the catalog of Walt Disney Records, including soundtracks from Disney’s classic animated films and Disney/Pixar’s computer-animated films, is […]

Roy Disney and Stanley Gold {{link http://savedisney.com/news/press_release041904.1.asp report}} that according to records from The Walt Disney Company, “Michael Eisner received a No Confidence vote from 72.5% of the votes cast by the Walt Disney Company 401K trustee at the Company’s 2004 annual meeting and that George Mitchell received a No Confidence Vote from 63.7% of […]

\\{{link http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=2368 Animation Magazine}}\\ reports that “after debuting in fourth place two weeks ago, Disney’s animated feature \\Home on the Range\\ has been enjoying a week at the top of the box office charts… The light carton comedy earned another $1.8 million Monday to claim the No. 1 spot, where it has stayed throughout the […]

After {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00001233.html a report earlier this month}} that Michael Chartrand, while costumed as Tigger at Disney World, had been accused of fondling two women at the park, more reports of inappropriate touching have begun pouring in to authorites according to {{link http://www.wftv.com/news/2988791/detail.html WFTV}}. Sheriff’s spokesman Jim Solomons said, “It appears we have 24 folks […]

{{link http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040415/ap_en_ot/tv_the_simpsons_3 The AP}} reports that “Matt Groening, creator of \\The Simpsons\\, will make his first guest voice appearance on Sunday’s show”. In the episode Groening is signing autographs at a sci-fi convention. Thanks to “Wolf Tooth” in our {{link http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=2039#post2039 Forums}}.

According to {{link http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=3631a5a1&atype=news&id=10728 VFX World}}, Warner Brothers has announced that the fourth film based on the popular \\Harry Potter\\ books, \\Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire\\, will be released on November 18, 2005. Even though the book \\Goblet of Fire\\ is longer than the first two \\Harry Potter\\ books combined, this announcement seems […]

The {{link http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2004-04-14 IMDb Studio Briefing}} has several stories of interest to animation fans. In the first, they report that analysts have “expressed skepticism that Comcast’s February proposal to buy Disney for $54 billion will be revived”. The downward turn of Comcast’s stock price may indicate “wariness over the proposal” by investors. One analyist believes […]

\\{{link http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=2330 Animation Magazine}}\\ reports that cable company Comcast will be adding Nickelodeon and Noggin to its its “On Demand” service in select cities at no additional charge to subscribers. “Shows available at the touch of a button will include \\SpongeBob SquarePants\\, \\Rugrats\\, \\Dora the Explorer\\, \\Blue’s Clues\\, \\A Walk in Your Shoes\\, \\CatDog\\ and […]

According to the {{link http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/FD09Dh02.html Asia Times Online}}, Disney will close its Japanese animation unit in June. “Of the 100 or so personnel there, about 30 will be transferred to Disney’s US headquarters or to affiliates. The remaining 70 or so plan to establish a production company independently, aiming to launch it in June around […]

A Disneyland spokesman announced that the “roller coaster that crashed last year killing one rider had another accident over the weekend after an employee ignored procedures during a reset when no passengers were on board”, according to {{link http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=4852723 SwissInfo}}. Two cars on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad crashed and were damaged. State safety regulators […]

The {{link http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/04/07/world/author_plane040407 CBC}} reports that the wreckage of author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s plane, which crashed into the Mediterranean in 1944, has been found. Saint-Exupéry wrote one of the most popular children’s books of all time, \\The Little Prince\\. As {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00000707.html we reported in January}}, the book is being turned into an animated feature […]

The {{link http://www.indystar.com/articles/7/134294-3657-064.html IndyStar.com}} interviews Randy Quaid, the voice of Alameda Slim in Disney’s \\Home on the Range\\, who talks about his experiences making the film and his thoughts on animation. He also reveals how he was able to yodel so well in the song “Yodel-Adle-Eedle-Idle-Oo”. At his recording session, Quaid said he began to […]

The \\Shrek 2\\ page at the {{link http://animation.dreamworksfansite.com/shrek2/ DreamWorks SKG Fansite}} has found a website selling “Master Replicas” of various \\Shrek 2\\ characters. “These are almost identitcal to the original characters. Currently, they have ‘Shrek’, ‘Princess Fiona’ and ‘Donkey’ among their list”.

The {{link http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/ IMDb Screening Room}} notes that while critics haven’t been lavish in their praise for Disney’s \\Home on the Range\\, most do love the music. The score and songs were created by lyricist Glenn Slater and 8-time Academy Award winning composer Alan Menken, the most honored living Oscar winner. “I can easily imagine […]

At a live ceremony held Saturday, hosted by \\Shrek\\ stars Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, {{link http://www.nick.com/all_nick/specials/kca_2004/winners_list.jhtml Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Award}} winners were announced. The winners included: – Favorite Movie: \\Finding Nemo\\ (nominees: \\Bruce Almighty\\, \\Daddy Daycare\\, \\Elf\\) – Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: Ellen DeGeneres for \\Finding Nemo\\ (nominees: John Goodman for \\The […]

The \\{{link http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-bk-tigger040204,0,396560.story?coll=orl-home-headlines Orlando Sentinel}}\\ reports that a Walt Disney World employee dressed as Tigger has been arrested and charged with molesting a 13 year old girl and her mother. The alleged incident occurred while cast member Michael Chartrand, in costume at the time, was posing for pictures with the two. Disney says he has […]

As we reported earlier today, Box Office Report predicts a fourth place finish for \\Home on the Range\\ with $13 million. {{link http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=8268 Box Office Prophets}} is thinking along those same lines, predicting a 4th place finish with $11.1 million. The premier box office predictor, {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/forecast/ Box Office Mojo}} forecasts the film to do […]

Variety reports (via AWN) that the producers of King of the Hill have announced they will forego eligibility in the animation categories at this years Emmy Awards so that they can compete in the main categories against live action series’. The move “was spurred to allow the show’s writing staff a chance to be cognized […]

According to \\{{link http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=2310 Animation Magazine}}\\, Cartoon Network will launch a new cartoon block aimed at 6-11 year olds. “Miguzi” will air weekdays from 5pm-7pm beginning Monday, April 19, and feature action/adventure programming “Miguzi will also feature live-action segments profiling entertainers, athletes and everyday heroes ranging from comic book artists to the country’s top street […]

{{link http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-04-01-peabody-awards_x.htm USA Today}} reports that Nickelodeon’s popular \\Dora the Explorer\\ has won a Peabody award. “The Peabodys, considered among the most prestigious and selective prizes in electronic media, recognize excellence and meritorious work by radio and television stations, networks, webcasters, producing organizations and individuals”. {{link http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/03/16/entertainment1642EST0691.DTL&type=tvradio The AP}} adds that the show will be […]

Disney’s last planned traditionally animated film, \\Home on the Range\\, opens today. According to {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/counts/chart/?yr=2004&wk=14&p=.htm Box Office Mojo}}, the film will open on 3,047 screens. At {{link http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/HomeontheRange-1131160/ Rotten Tomatoes}}, \\Home on the Range\\’s rating has steadily been climbing as more reviews come in – from under 25% earlier this week to 49% today. […]

\\Variety\\ reports (via {{link http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/01/television.simpsons.reut/index.html CNN}}) that the voice actors of \\The Simpsons\\ are in the middle of a work stoppage in an attempt to force settlement of contract disputes. Apparently Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, and Nancy Cartwright “have not shown up for two script readings in the past […]

{{link http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/31/q.a.scoobys.voice.ap/index.html CNN}} has an interview with Australian actor and stuntman Neil Fanning, the voice of Scooby-Doo, on “how he got the job, the speech problems of a perpetually hungry and/or frightened canine, and the perils of recording the voice on people’s answering machines”.

A lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company by Stephen Slesinger Inc (“the family firm with U.S. merchandising rights” to Winnie the Pooh) for hundreds of millions of dollars in allegedly unpaid royalties has been dismissed with prejuduce by the judge, according to a {{link http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/394199|top|03-29-2004::12:49|reuters.html Reuters}} report. Last month, Disney lawyers had asked the judge […]