The Secret Of The Magic Gourd, as reported by Yahoo! Movies, has earned over US$1 million in since its release in China on June 29th. While the Walt Disney Co. is happy with its take, Gourd‘s opening week was much less than the American-released Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End (US$10.5 million) and Spider-Man […]

Reuters writes that a 10-minute sneak peek at The Simpsons Movie was screened in London last week, as the preview provided clues regarding the film’s storyline. Apparently, the clip suggested that themes surrounding environment and religion play major roles in the movie.

Film ick analyzes Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman’s screenplay for Robert Zemeckis’ motion-captured adventure Beowulf. The verdict is positive, with the site writing, “Simply put, this script exceeded my every expectation. Not only is it a lean, vicious retelling of the story, but as it whips along, it drips evocative images from every paragraph.”

In celebration of the classic Bugs Bunny short’s golden anniversary, TheStar.com remembers What’s Opera, Doc?, which the site describes as “a cartoon that would likely never be made today.” The essay examines the interesting history of the famous brief feature.

With a list that includes such titles as Transformers, The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo and Goof Troop, MSN names seven animated television series that it feels are the “worst cartoons ever.” Other shows to make the cut are Silverhawks, Pokemon, Jem, and Captain Planet.

Upcoming Pixar points out that a noteworthy article regarding Pixar artist Jason Deamer is now at CGSociety. The piece explains how Deamer attained the job of character designer for the animation house, where he has worked on such films as Ratatouille and Finding Nemo.

TV Shows on DVD reports that the first volume of The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, inspired by the 1995 live-action film, will hit stores on September 18. As for Shaggy & Scooby: Get a Clue! – Volume 1, the disc is aiming for an October 31 release. In the meantime, word has arrived that […]

Confirming a report published on Thursday, July 5, Variety indicates that Jim Carrey will portray Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Future, in Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol. The picture will be produced by Zemeckis, Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey through ImageMovers Digital. To […]

A list of in-jokes from Pixar’s Ratatouille can be read at the ComingSoon website. The article includes information on where to look if one is interested in spotting hidden details from the film, such as the Pizza Planet truck or Bomb Voyage’s cameo.

GhibliWorld has posted the pictures of the Gedo Senki DVD which was released in Japan on July 4th as a 4-disc edition and a 2-disc set. As reported earlier, these DVDs are English subtitled. The website also reports that on September 17th, a Limited Edition DVD Boxset of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated classic My Neighbor Totoro […]

ComingSoon features an article detailing the events that took place during a set visit of the upcoming Underdog film. The story also includes short interviews with the director, executive producer, and other members of the crew. Underdog is set to hit theaters this August.

AWN has an interview with the Academy Award-winning Russian director Alexandre Petrov wherein he talks about his latest film, My Love. Petrov is known for his painstaking technique of painting on glass, which can be seen in his films The Old Man and The Sea, The Mermaid, The Dream Of a Ridiculous Man and The […]

Keith David will lend his voice to the villainous Dr. Facilier in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ traditionally animated musical The Princess and the Frog, says The Hollywood Reporter. Set in New Orleans, the film will focus on Princess Tiana, a young girl living in the French Quarter. The Princess and the Frog is planned for […]

TV Shows on DVD suggests that the 2002 version of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has been licensed to BCI for release on DVD. BCI is no stranger to the He-Man brand, having previously released the original He-Man series, She-Ra and New Adventures of He-Man shows to DVD. The website likewise lists the […]

Actor Bob Hoskins recently told Empire Online that he and Jim Carrey are set to star in a motion-captured version of A Christmas Carol, to be directed by Robert Zemeckis. Hoskins added that he has been approached for the role of Mr. Fezziwig. As for Carrey, Coming Soon writes that the comedian could play the […]

KidScreen Magazine notices that the Canadian animation channel Teletoon is taking a cross-country road trip in support of its fall schedule. The tour will supply kids with a taste of the tooncaster’s new slate, in addition to giving a sneak peek of Teletoon’s spin-off channel Retro, scheduled to launch in October.

JV Pixar News via the Animated News & Views Forum spreads the word that Ratatouille producer Brad Lewis has confirmed he is working on a Pixar project that has yet to be officially announced. Lewis mentions the venture in videos hosted by IESB.net and YouTube.

A low-resolution version of the teaser poster for Alvin and the Chipmunks has been placed at the Internet Movie Poster Awards. Promising the title characters to be “back & bigger than ever,” the one-sheet provides the first look at the Chipmunks in their new computer generated forms. Directed by Tim Hill, the live-action/animated Alvin and […]

USA Today is now offering the opportunity to cast one’s choice in “The Simpsons Movie Spingfield Challenge.” Readers may view video representations for each of the eligible Springfields in the competition, before voting which state should host the movie’s hometown premiere.

Revealing the package’s front and rear artwork, TV Shows on DVD lists the bonus features to be found in The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy – The Complete Season 1. Scheduled to hit stores on September 18, the two-disc set will contain 13 episodes of the Cartoon Network series.

With the article “Wizards at Pixar work hard to stand out,” CNN investigates the behind-the-scenes happenings and critical acclaim of Pixar Animation Studios’ line of films. In the meantime, director Brad Bird and comedian Patton Oswalt talk about their latest project, Ratatouille, with NPR. Concurrently, Upcoming Pixar points out that the film has received the […]

KidScreen Magazine writes that to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fraggle Rock, property owner HIT Entertainment has arranged some key licensing deals to help raise public awareness of the brand. For instance, The Emperor’s New Clothes apparel will produce vintage tees for adult fans of Fraggle Rock, while Koch Records will release a three-CD collection […]

Coming Soon reports that Cartoon Network will bring viewers the live-action/animated series Out of Jimmy’s Head this fall. The show will expand the world introduced last year in the channel’s original movie Re-Animated. Regarding Jimmy’s Head, Michael Ouweleen, senior vice president of programming and development for Cartoon Network, explained, “With the success of the movie […]

On sale now at Xlibris books from the masterful hand of Didier Ghez comes Walt’s People – Volume 5, the next in a series of books conducting serious, scholarly interviews with artists who knew Walt Disney himself. Volume 5 features “in-depth interviews with artists James Algar, Bill Anderson, Buddy Baker, Jack Bradbury, George Bruns, Alice […]

Ain’t It Cool News points out the involvement of animator Tim Pyle (Invader Zim) on M51 & Gizmo. Blending traditional and computer animation, the educational short “looks at NASA’s Spitzer space telescopes and their role in the search for life in the universe, specifically where habitable planets can be located.” In other anime news, AICN […]

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo: 1) Ratatouille with $47,027,395, averaging $11,935 over 3,940 theaters (1st week) 11) Shrek the Third with $2,673,877, averaging $1,294 over 2,066 theaters ($313,739,703 total; 7th week) 12) Surf’s Up with $2,446,757, averaging $977 over 2,503 theaters ($53,760,658 total; 4th week) 30) Meet the Robinsons with $96,310, averaging $1,035 over 93 […]

SCI FI Wire offers a video montage of interviews with Ratatouille writer/director Brad Bird and stars Patton Oswalt, Janeane Garofalo and Lou Romano. Meanwhile, Pixar illustrator and production designer Romano and story artist and animator Peter Sohn explain how they acquired the roles of Linguini and Emile for the film. In addition, Bird and producer […]

According to Variety, Kevin Costner will produce, finance and lend his voice to The Explorers Club, an new animated series that will originate on the Internet during the holiday season in 12 four-minute segments. Costner intends to build a following and then turn The Explorers Club into a live-action feature. The animated series is a […]

Deadline Hollywood Daily reports that Pixar’s Ratatouille was the number 1 movie in America this weekend, opening big with $47.2 mil this weekend across more then 3,940 theaters. Ratatouille‘s debut is still well below the last Pixar toon Cars, which opened in 2006 to $60 mil and earned less than 2003’s Finding Nemo ($70 mil) […]

TV Shows on DVD reveals that the 2002 series of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe will be making its way to DVD in the near future. The site also reveals the rear cover artwork for Voltron: Defender Of The Universe, Josie And The Pussycats and Superman: Doomsday.