The reviews for Cars are starting to pour in. First up is a glowing “un-review” at o-meon which states that the film “should be given serious consideration as a Best Picture Academy Award nominee.” Jerry Beck at Cartoon Brew highly recommends Pixar’s latest declaring, “Pixar has put a fresh spin on a classic concept and […]

{{link http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=2900 Animation World Network}} goes in-depth into the technical aspects of the making of \\Cars\\, which they call “John Lasseter’s most mature and personal” film yet. Talking with the creators themselves, including supervising animator Doug Sweetland and supervising technical director Eben Ostby, part one of the article focuses on character and lighting innovations. Also […]

Today marks the release of the official soundtrack for Disney/Pixar’s Cars. Described as the “ultimate road trip album” it can be purchased wherever music is sold, downloaded from iTunes (download comes with a free digital booklet), procured for free in a limited edition with unique cover art as part of a Goodyear Tires promotion, or […]

A French teaser trailer is now online at {{link http://fr.movies.yahoo.com/features/arthur_et_les_minimoys/ Yahoo! France}} for \\{{link http://www.arthur-lelivre.com/ Arthur and the Minimoys}}\\. {{link http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=14872 ComingSoon.net}} reports that the film, written and directed by Luc Besson, will be released by The Weinstein Company this Christmas, and features Freddie Highmore, Madonna, David Bowie, and Snoop Dogg.

\\Over the Hedge\\ crashed through the $100 million mark this weekend, according to {{link http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=overthehedge.htm Box Office Mojo}}. So far the film has grossed over $112.4 million. \\Ice Age: The Meltdown\\ was the last animated film to reach that mark on its way to its current take of $191.5 million.

{{link http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=17091 Animation World Network}} reports that Warner Brothers has picked up an animated script from actor {{link http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000729/ Casey Affleck}} titled \\Aardvark Art’s Ark\\. “The story centers on the adventures of an animal family aboard Noah’s Ark”.

20th Century Fox has moved the release of \\{{link http://www.garfieldmovie.com/ Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties}}\\ from June 23rd to June 16th. In other \\Garfield\\ news, {{link http://www.catster.com/garfield/?PHPSESSID=e98f66701e2e707f9800295e263258ed Catster}} (the networking community for cats) is holding a Royal Treatment Sweepstakes where 10 lucky cats, and their human, can win a Hagen Living World Cat Spa.

A new series of four video podcasts, which can be viewed on the o-meon.com site, with iTunes or a video iPod or listened to like a regular podcast, feature behind the scenes insights and interview with CARS director John Lasseter, producer Darla K. Anderson, character team manager Jay Ward and many of the film and […]

On Thursday, June 22, at 7:30pm, Hollywood Heritage will host an “Evening @ the Barn” (the Lasky-DeMille Barn across from the Hollywood Bowl) with special guests Virginia Davis (Walt Disney’s original Alice), Michael Broggie (author of Walt Disney’s Railroad Story), and Marc Wanamaker who will be presenting slides of early Disney sites. They will also […]

{{link http://refrederator.com/ ReFrederator}}, which posts free classic cartoon podcasts daily, has announced that this week’s downloads will feature some of the great animation shorts directors from the golden age of cartoons. You can see ReFrederator by downloading the episodes at their website or by subscribing through iTunes. According to ReFrederator, Great Director Week will include: […]

The Toronto Animated Image Society is presenting the documentary \\Dream On Silly Dreamer\\ on June 8th, followed by a panel of former Disney artists including Scott Caple from the California studio, Andrew Hickson from Disney Florida, Rob Bekuhrs from the California and Florida studios, and Shawn Seles from the Toronto studio will discuss their own […]

The Los Angeles Professional Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH is hosting a discussion on the design and execution of visual effects in IMAX films. The event will include a screening of the film \\Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon\\ followed by a panel discussion. Tim Sassoon and Johnathan Banta of Sassoon Film Design will present some […]

Tonight from 8 – 11pm, The Wonderful World of Disney will once more present Toy Story. However, what makes this showing especially special is that included in the three-hour block will be a brand-new documentary of Pixar, in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Directed and produced by Leslie Iwerks, the granddaughter of animation legend Ub […]

The classic Japanese cartoon Speed Racer may be about to hit theaters in live-action form, courtesy of Larry and Andy Wachowski, the brothers behind the Matrix trilogy. According to IGN FilmForce, the duo might write and direct the project. Interestingly, one of the last mentions of a live-action Speed Racer movie occurred in June 2004, […]

While promoting Over the Hedge at the Cannes Film Festival, DreamWorks SKG cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg confirmed to Animation ‘Xpress that the company might find help in some of its animated projects through India. Specfically, he commented, “India is a very exciting place and has potential for great animation. We’ve been very impressed with the Indian […]

The Internet Movie Poster Awards has a low quality version of the latest one sheet for Open Season. Featuring the tag line “One fur all, all fur one,” the poster possesses a group shot of the film’s major characters.

According to Coming Soon, courtesy of Variety, Warner Bros. has picked up Aardvark Art’s Ark. Described simply as an “animated family film,” the project was written and will be produced by Casey Affleck.

Dark Horizons interviews the voice behind Mater the tow truck in Disney/Pixar’s Cars, Larry the Cable Guy. The conversation refers to Larry’s winning and working with the role. Likewise, the real name of the Cable Guy is revealed and discussed.

Variety, via Coming Soon, indicates that Universal Pictures will distribute Big Idea’s follow-up to Jonah – A VeggieTales Movie, The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything. The film focuses on the exploits of the “squashbuckling” group of misfits from Jonah. Directed by Mike Nawrocki and written by Phil Vischer, Pirates will now enjoy a theatrical run […]

Before its June 20th premiere on DVD, Supmerman: Braniac Attacks is scheduled to air on Cartoon Network, reports Superman Homepage. The showing will take place Saturday, June 17th, at 7:30pm (ET/PT).

DVDtoons has the press release for Sony BMG Music Entertainment’s DVD debuting of Transformers: The Movie. The title will arrive in stores this November, with a “20th Anniversary Special Edition” banner. In the meantime, a teaser site for the release has already opened.

Posted at Yahoo! News is Warner Home Video’s press release for the DVD arrival of the award-winning Laura’s Star. Dorinda Marticorena, WHV Vice President, Kids and Sports Marketing, commented, “German directors Thilo Gruf Rothkirch and Piet de Rycker… did a remarkable job turning this widely popular German picture book into an accessible film for children […]

An in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at DreamWorks Animation’s recent animated feature Over the Hedge has just been unveiled here. It includes: * Story Boards * Visual Development * End credits character animation * Colorful pop art graphic animation used in the ’60’s tradition * Video interviews * Full Cast and Crew information

A recent article at VFX World looks at the steadily reviving animated shorts program at Disney, the never-dormant shorts program at Pixar, the new short First Flight from DreamWorks Animation, as well as animated shorts from other companies. The article mentions a short feature directed by John Lasseter to be included on the DVD for […]

Contained at Coming Soon, the latest international trailer for Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties has been released by Twentieth Century Fox. The sequel will enter domestic theaters on July 16th.

Once scheduled for July 28th, Paramount Pictures’ computer animated comedy Barnyard has been “moo-ved” to August 4th. As a result, Warner Bros.’ The Ant Bully, previously set for the August 4th date, will now occupy the July 28th slot. The news comes courtesy of Coming Soon.

Last week’s Disney Insider features the upcoming stage production based on Disney’s animated feature Tarzan, especially highlighting the work that went into fleshing out the script to make it more appropriate for a Broadway stage. Thanks to Kristin for the heads up.

Barring its many computer generated effects and character animation, the newly opened X-Men is largely, and intended as, a live-action movie, but it’s still just within our genre of reporting and its opening weekend numbers are such a staggering amount that it well warrants a mention! Proving that audiences will still make the trip to […]

A group of new Cars compositions has hit the web, providing an under-the-hood look at the film. First up, director John Lasseter speaks to Coming Soon about creatve decisions employed in Cars and at Pixar. The Age likewise serves an interesting four-page piece about the movie’s making and Lasseter, who confirms that hand-drawn animated films […]

The popularity already taking place regarding the Disney Fairies line is covered by Jim Hill Media. The site notes that due to the new line’s success and bright future, other themed lines are now being considered by Disney Consumer Products. For instance, Disney Bunnies might focus on the family of Thumper from Bambi, while Disney […]