Christian Ziebarth Author Archive
Reviews | Interviews | Features | Blogs | News

What would Duffman think? Woman admits hawking bogus beverage

This might be the start of a regular column here on dumb crime. As reported by Netscape News, an Australian woman has pled guilty to three counts of selling Duff beer on eBay. The only problem was that she didn’t have the beer to send to the buyers as authentic Duff beer (the fictitious beer […]

Paul Newman's Cars Car

If you’ve been itching for a Cars update, any Cars update, two images of the car Paul Newman will be driving this Friday in the Rolex 24 at Daytona can be viewed here:

Disney targeted by new intellectual-property theft lawsuit

Here we go again. The Orlando Sentinel (link via Laughing Place) has the scoop on a new lawsuit being slapped against Disney by one Royce Mathew claiming that key plot points for Disney’s live action hit Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl were stolen from a 1995 short film of his. […]

Annie Awards results – \\The Incredibles\\ wins big

Chuck Oberleitner gives a rundown of last night’s {{link http://annieawards.com/ Annie Awards}} held at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA (More reports at Cartoon Brew/Animation World Network). Brad Bird’s Disney/Pixar film The Incredibles was the big winner of the night, soaring off with ten awards – getting a win in every category it was […]

Bambi and the Great Prince of the Forest screen shots

The Disney Database has just updated with over a dozen screen shots from next year’s Bambi and the Great Prince of the Forest which is being produced by Disney Toons in Australia.

Announcing the Walt's People book series

On January 24, 2005, Xlibris released Walt’s People – Talking Disney with the Artists who Knew Him – Volume 1, the first volume of a series of books that aims to re-animate the field of Disney research. The full press release can be reviewed here:

Afternoon of Remembrance

Just a reminder that an Afternoon of Remembrance will be held tomorrow at the The DeMille Barn – Hollywood Heritage Museum to honor those from the animation community who passed away in 2004. The event is jointly sponsored by ASIFA-Hollywood, The Animation Guild, and Women in Animation, and is free of charge and open to […]

Mulan II DVD Launch Party report and photos

Animated News’ Christian Ziebarth attended a special preview screening last Saturday of Mulan II in the Frank G. Wells Screening Room on the The Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, CA. The event served as a benefit for two organizations: The Center for Asian Arts & Media and Families With Children From China (which also […]

More Stitch Has A Glitch pics

Five more images from Lilo & Stitch: Stitch Has a Glitch from the preview found on the Mulan II DVD can be found here:

Bambi digital restoration samples

Buena Vista Home Entertainment has released two images showing side-by-side comparisons between an original print of Bambi and the new digitally restored version due out on DVD March 1. The images can be viewed here:

Ruth Warrick, RIP

Song of the South.net reports the passing away January 15 of Ruth Warrick, who played Sally in Song of the South. Warrick also appeared in the movie classic Citizen Kane, as well as many other movies, and the TV soap All My Children. Full Story

Pics from Stitch Has a Glitch

Ultimate Disney is now displaying some screen captures from this fall’s Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch. The animation appears to be on a par with the original.

Bob Iger on Disney's future

The audio feed of Bob Iger’s presentation given yesterday at the 15th Annual Global Entertainment, Media & Telecommunications Conference is now available online. Iger discusses finances, theme parks, HD-DVD, ABC, ESPN, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Incredibles and more.

Clone Wars DVD specs

TV Shows on DVD has a list of the extra features to be included on the March 22 DVD release of Star Wars: Clone Wars – Volume 1. Some features that stand out include a fan commentary track (a first?) and a three minute trailer for Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Classic Cartoon Favorites starring Donald Duck menu screens

Follow the ‘More’ link for three menu screens from Disney’s Classic Cartoon Favorites starring Donald Duck, available tomorrow on DVD. This DVD is part 2 of a 4-part series also featuring Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Chip and Dale.

Shrek 2 is the people's choice

Up against Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles and Warner Bros.’ The Polar Express, DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 2 has walked away with the 31st Annual People’s Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie. Mike Myers accepted the award with a short speech, (apparently referring to the fact that Shrek 2 had already won the award for Favorite Movie Comedy): […]

More on Star Wars: Clone Wars

Now Playing Magazine has posted an exclusive interview with Genndy Tartakovsky in which he discusses how well the last episode of the upcoming Clone Wars third season will dovetail into Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. An article coming Monday to Now Playing Magazine promises to discuss “the return of General Grievous, Jedi […]

Disney Shareholders' Meeting 2005

While it is not likely (but who knows?) to be as controversial as last year’s shareholder meeting, C. W. Oberleitner’s o-meon site has the scoop on the when and where of this year’s meeting for those who hold stock in The Walt Disney Company.

Aladdin and the King of Thieves menu screens

Follow the ‘More’ link for five menu screens from Disney’s upcoming DVD release of Aladdin and the King of Thieves, the third and final Aladdin movie. Bonus features on the DVD are scarce but it does feature a nice behind-the-scenes look at the voice talent in the movie including John Ryhs-Davies (in a very loud […]

Aladdin: The Return of Jafar menu screens

Follow the ‘More’ link to view five menu screens from Disney’s upcoming Aladdin: The Return of Jafar DVD. The DVD includes a trailer for the Incredibles DVD and fans of that movie may notice an alteration in one of the lines. Menu screens from Aladdin and the King of Thieves will be posted tomorrow.

CGI animated commercial for Disneyland's 50th

With the new year of 2005 upon us Disneyland is beginning a yearlong celebration of its fiftieth anniversary. A commercial featuring CGI renderings of many classic Disney characters (including Stitch goofing on Marlon Brando) is available in streaming format at the Disney Destinations official site and for download at the Disney Echo fan site.

Mulan II bits and pieces

The official website for Mulan II is now up at Disney.com and features three rather lengthy clips from the movie, as well as the usual games and activities, downloads, etc. Also, Music from the Movies mentions Joel McNeely has composed the score for Mulan II and is now moving on to scoring Lilo and Stitch […]

DVD Exclusive announce awards nominees

DVD Exclusive has announced its list of nominees for its 2004 Awards ceremony to be held February 8 at the Annenberg Building at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Animated features figure in prominently with The Lion King 1½ gathering eleven nominations. Other animated features that earned nominations include: Mary Poppins 40th Anniversary Edition, […]

Disney 2004 in retrospect

While news has been slow near the end of the year we can all use our hindsight now and take a look back at what was. For a rundown of the key business and animation events for The Walt Disney Company in the year 2004 check out That Was the (Disney) Year That Was at […]

Ancient Animation

This may be the most belated bit of news we’ll ever post here, but over at Cartoon Brew, Jerry Beck has posted a link to a piece at an Iranian News site about the recent discovery of the world’s oldest animation. The animated bit was found on some 5,000-year old pottery and shows a goat […]

Report from the Incredibles screening with Brad Bird

Animated News just got back from ASIFA-Hollywood’s special presentation of Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles. Matt Groening acted as host and writer/director Brad Bird was the guest of honor. After a screening of the film Matt and Brad had a discussion about it and then opened it up to questions from the audience. Includes info on Michael […]

Matt Groening to moderate Incredibles Q&A session

Okay, this is a good example of the benefits derived from being a member of ASIFA-Hollywood (membership open to all): This Thursday night writer/director/inadvertent voice artist Brad Bird will be presenting his little film The Incredibles at the Writers Guild Screening Room in Beverly Hills, CA. The event is free for ASIFA-Hollywood members and is […]

Eisner intends to linger longer

C. W. Oberleitner has written at his o-meon site about Michael Eisner’s recently declared intentions to remain on the Disney Board of Directors even after his term as CEO of The Walt Disney Company expires and that “he may seek a more active role in the creative elements of the Disney Company.” Eisner’s remarks were […]

Announcing Sky Blue

Representing Animated News, I was privileged to be able to attend a recent press screening of Maxmedia’s Sky Blue, “a love story set against the forces of destruction, a dystopian vision of Earth’s destiny, yet ultimately a reminder of our hope for the future.” The film offers up a deft blend of primarily computer generated […]

Davey & Goliath's Snowboard Christmas

The Orange County Register has an article on the Davey & Goliath’s Snowboard Christmas special to be shown this coming Sunday on the Hallmark Channel (free subscription required to read article online). The special focuses on Davey’s snowboard contest with his Jewish friend Sam and his Muslim friend Yasmeen and stresses religious tolerance and respect […]