The American Film Institute (AFI) announced their list of the {{link http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/songs.aspx top 100 movie songs of all time}}. The list includes “classics of every kind – from timeless favorites of yesteryear to contemporary tunes”, with the number one song selected being “Over The Rainbow”, from The Wizard Of Oz. Other placings of interest to […]

Garfield may want to stay in bed so he doesn’t see any of the reviews pouring in today. The {{link http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Garfield-1133038/ Rotten Tomatoes}} tomatometer gives the film a dismal 11% freshness rating, with only 5 reviewers out of 46 giving the film a thumbs up. Some choice quotes include: – “The film is a veritable […]

In what appears to be a change from {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00001580.html previous reports}}, {{link http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html#0608 The Digital Bits}} says that November 5th looks to be the day \\Shrek 2\\ will appear on DVD. As DreamWorks did with the original \\Shrek\\ DVD, \\Shrek 2\\ will come out the same day that a Pixar film opens in theatres […]

In its second week, \\Shrek 2\\ holds on to the #1 spot of the U.S. box office according to {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/chart/?sortdate=2004-05-29&p=.htm Box Office Mojo}}. In spite of tough competition from Fox’s \\The Day After Tomorrow\\, which pulled in $70 million, \\Shrek 2\\ brought in huge second week numbers with $73 million, bringing its 12 day […]

The exclusive online commercial First In Line, for Pixar’s upcoming film \\{{link http://www.TheIncredibles.com The Incredibles}}\\, is now available in several sizes and formats. This, and more clips from the upcoming movie, can be found here:

{{link http://money.cnn.com/2004/05/24/technology/pixar/ CNN}} reports that Pixar is not in a hurry to find a new distribution partner and that may signal they are still interested in reaching a new agreement with Disney. A \\New York Times\\ report “said that some Hollywood executives are speculating that Jobs may hope of another deal with Disney, depending upon […]

{{link http://www.cartoonbrew.com/ Cartoon Brew}} notes that the June issue of \\Wired\\ Magazine (on sale now) has a “major article about Pixar and Brad Bird”. Brewmaster Jerry Beck calls it “a must read”.

{{link http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=2099 AWN}} takes a behind the scenes look at the making of \\Shrek 2\\, including the technical hurdles encountered in the film, and the advances in computer animation that allowed them to overcome them.

{{link http://forum.bcdb.com/gforum.cgi?post=26428 The Big Cartoon Database}} has the info on a study recently conducted on how mental illness is treated in Disney animated features. “The researchers discovered that almost all the features contained characters shown as ‘crazy’, ‘mad’ or ‘nuts’, and who were, therefore, shunned and disparaged”. Andrea Lawson, the study’s principal investigator, said “Mental-illness […]

{{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/articles/news/?id=040523bo.htm Box Office Mojo}} reports that \\Shrek 2\\ is tearing up the box office. Estimates are that \\Shrek 2\\ has pulled in $104.3 million over the weekend and $125.2 million since opening on Wednesday. The film is already shaking up the record books as well. Assuming the estimates hold: {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/widest.htm?page=WIDESTOPEN&p=.htm widest opening release}}: […]

\\{{link http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=2511 Animation Magazine}}\\ reports that the Spanish animated feature, \\{{link http://www.elcidthelegend.com/ El Cid: The Legend}}\\, has finally got a new distributor, Hannover House, and will debut on U.S. screens in September 2004. The film is one of five features competing at the prestigious {{link http://www.annecy.org/home/index.php?Page_ID=2 Annecy Film Festival}}, and one of four Spanish animated […]

DreamWorks’ \\Shrek 2\\ opens today on 3,737 screens according to {{link http://www.boxofficemojo.com/counts/chart/?yr=2004&wk=21&p=.htm Box Office Mojo}}. {{link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4999152/ MSNBC}} says that “whatever was wrong with \\Shrek\\ – and there were more weaknesses than its beloved status would suggest – has been eradicated or improved upon with \\Shrek 2\\, a rare example of a sequel that’s better […]

\\{{link http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=2446 Animaton Magazine}}\\ reports that DreamWorks’ \\Shrek 2\\ will be released earlier than planned. “Originally scheduled to hit theaters May 21, \\Shrek 2\\ has been pushed up two days to get a Wednesday launch on May 19. In making the announcement, DreamWorks head of distribution Jim Tharp also revealed that advance tickets can be […]

{{link http://money.cnn.com/2004/04/28/news/fortune500/comcast/index.htm CNN}} is reporting that Comcast has officially dropped its bid to acquire Walt Disney Company. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts “put the reason for the dropped offer at the feet of Disney’s management, including embattled CEO Michael Eisner, who received the backing of Disney’s board of directors Tuesday”. Roberts said, “It has become clear […]

Two actors on PBS’ long running children’s show \\Sesame Street\\ are in the news this week. {{link http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,118125,00.html FOX News}} reports that Alison Bartlett, who has played Gina on the show for the past 18 years, is also playing a part in HBO’s \\The Sopranos\\. “Even in a profession with vertigo-inducing character switches, Bartlett’s feat […]

The \\{{link http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/orl-asecdisney26042604apr26,0,542839.story?coll=orl-home-headlines Orlando Sentinel}}\\ reports that at Disney’s annual retreat for board members at Disneyland today, the directors are expected to discuss a succession plan for CEO Michael Eisner. “The question of who will succeed Eisner and when has long been a concern among investors. But the matter has gained added weight after last […]

\\{{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 […]