James R Whitson Author Archive
Reviews | Interviews | Features | Blogs | News

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse sequel production underway
Kirk Wise reveals details of proposed Atlantis sequel
How Studio Ghibli went from streaming holdout to HBO Max star
Disney+ announces July release date for new series Muppets Now
Scoob! now available

Warner Animation Group’s Scoob opens today… but only on the screens in your house. It’s splitting the critics, earning a 53% rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Their consensus: “Scoob! is fun enough for youthful viewers and some hardcore fans, but never quite solves the mystery of why audiences shouldn’t watch old episodes instead.” You can rent […]

Genndy Tartakovsky’s Popeye movie afloat with King Features
Kevin Smith hoping to reboot Clerks: The Animated Series at Hulu
AMC Theatres ban all Universal films in wake of Trolls World Tour
Some 2020 streamed films to be Oscar eligible

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that for this year only, streamed films will be eligible for Oscars. “Until further notice, and for the 93rd Awards year only, films that had a previously planned theatrical release but are initially made available on a commercial streaming or VOD service may qualify in […]

The Willoughbys

The Willoughbys is full of contradictions: a story that’s dark but sweet, animation that’s not top-notch but charming, and characters who are dysfunctional but likable. If this what we can expect from streaming services, sign me up!

Scoob will skip theaters, debut on-demand in May
New clip from upcoming The Willoughbys

A new clip for Netflix’s The Willoughbys has been posted. “Who knew a baby could move that fast? When candy is involved, all bets are off!” Based on a book by Lois Lowry, the film is directed by Kris Pearn and written by Pearn and Mark Stanleigh. The cast includes Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia […]

Trolls World Tour opens

DreamWorks’ Trolls World Tour opens today… on the screens in your home! It’s doing well with the critics, earning a 73% rating at Rotten Tomatoes. USA Today says, “While not quite as subversive and refreshing as the first… [it] offers endless cuteness, an impressive voice cast and just enough depth for grownups and children alike […]

Disney furloughs hit film studio, especially distribution
Laika to keep staff on payroll amid virus crisis