Mofac Animation Inc., South Korea’s most decorated visual effects studio, proudly announces its first-ever full-length animated movie: The King of Kings, an animated family film inspired by a little-known short story by Charles Dickens depicting the life and times of Jesus Christ.
The faith-based movie is in its final stages of production at Mofac Animation, as well as in performance recordings from the United Kingdom to the Hawaiian Islands – and numerous locations in between. The ever-growing, A-list cast will be announced at a future date. Mofac Animation is currently seeking potential distributors.
In the film, Charles Dickens finds trouble balancing his writing and performing with the parenting of his children – particularly his youngest son, Walter. Charles discovers the perfect bonding element via the sharing of his short story The Life of Our Lord – the reading of which would become an annual tradition in the Dickens’ family Christmas celebration. Master...
The faith-based movie is in its final stages of production at Mofac Animation, as well as in performance recordings from the United Kingdom to the Hawaiian Islands – and numerous locations in between. The ever-growing, A-list cast will be announced at a future date. Mofac Animation is currently seeking potential distributors.
In the film, Charles Dickens finds trouble balancing his writing and performing with the parenting of his children – particularly his youngest son, Walter. Charles discovers the perfect bonding element via the sharing of his short story The Life of Our Lord – the reading of which would become an annual tradition in the Dickens’ family Christmas celebration. Master...
- 4/3/2024
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Studio Ghibli, like Western counterparts Disney, Pixar and the UK’s Aardman, is one of the most important animation studios in movie history. Since its first feature film, “Castle in the Sky” in 1986, Studio Ghibli has delivered two dozen thought-provoking tales beautifully rendered in a unique brand of animation. To date, its output has racked up have a lucky seven Oscar bids for Best Animated Feature.
“Spirited Away” was the first Studio Ghibli movie to break into the Academy Awards conversation and did so with aplomb in 2003. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature (Miyazaki the recipient) over “Ice Age,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” and “Treasure Planet.”
In 2006, Miyazaki was again nominated — this time for “Howl’s Moving Castle” alongside “Corpse Bride” and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” with the latter movie, an Aardman creation, reigning victorious.
Miyazaki and Suzuki were the nominees...
“Spirited Away” was the first Studio Ghibli movie to break into the Academy Awards conversation and did so with aplomb in 2003. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature (Miyazaki the recipient) over “Ice Age,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” and “Treasure Planet.”
In 2006, Miyazaki was again nominated — this time for “Howl’s Moving Castle” alongside “Corpse Bride” and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” with the latter movie, an Aardman creation, reigning victorious.
Miyazaki and Suzuki were the nominees...
- 2/16/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Thanksgiving weekend featured an animation face-off between a titan of the industry, the 100-year-old Walt Disney Animation Studios, and a relative upstart, Netflix, which only started releasing its own animated features in 2019.
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
- 12/11/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Supervising sound editor and designer Dane A. Davis — who won an Oscar for 1999’s The Matrix — will receive Motion Picture Sound Editors’ Career Achievement Award during the org’s 71st annual Golden Reel Awards, which will be held March 3 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.
“With his work on The Matrix, Dane Davis set a new standard for how to use sound to create worlds, add impact to stories, and arouse the emotions of the audience,” said Mpse president Mark Lanza. “Since then, he has continued to innovate across features, animation, television, and other mediums. We are excited to recognize his unique accomplishments with our annual Career Achievement Award.”
Davis has been a sound editor and designer for four decades. His roughly 180 film, TV and game credits include the Wachowski sisters’ Matrix series, as well as Speed Racer, Sense8, Bound, and Jupiter Ascending. Additional credits include Allen v Farrow,...
“With his work on The Matrix, Dane Davis set a new standard for how to use sound to create worlds, add impact to stories, and arouse the emotions of the audience,” said Mpse president Mark Lanza. “Since then, he has continued to innovate across features, animation, television, and other mediums. We are excited to recognize his unique accomplishments with our annual Career Achievement Award.”
Davis has been a sound editor and designer for four decades. His roughly 180 film, TV and game credits include the Wachowski sisters’ Matrix series, as well as Speed Racer, Sense8, Bound, and Jupiter Ascending. Additional credits include Allen v Farrow,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Motion Picture Sound Editors said today that Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer Dane A. Davis will receive its 2024 Career Achievement Award during its 71st annual Golden Reel Awards in March.
Davis is known for his Oscar winning work on The Matrix, and for his creative contributions to that film’s sequels and scores of other films and television shows.
“With his work on The Matrix, Dane Davis set a new standard for how to use sound to create worlds, add impact to stories, and arouse the emotions of the audience,” said Mpse President Mark Lanza. “Since then, he has continued to innovate across features, animation, television, and other mediums. We are excited to recognize his unique accomplishments with our annual Career Achievement Award.”
Davis has been a sound designer and sound editor for more than 40 years with over 180 film, television, and game credits. Along with his Oscar for The Matrix,...
Davis is known for his Oscar winning work on The Matrix, and for his creative contributions to that film’s sequels and scores of other films and television shows.
“With his work on The Matrix, Dane Davis set a new standard for how to use sound to create worlds, add impact to stories, and arouse the emotions of the audience,” said Mpse President Mark Lanza. “Since then, he has continued to innovate across features, animation, television, and other mediums. We are excited to recognize his unique accomplishments with our annual Career Achievement Award.”
Davis has been a sound designer and sound editor for more than 40 years with over 180 film, television, and game credits. Along with his Oscar for The Matrix,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
With this year being the 100 year anniversary of The Walt Disney Company and the release of their latest animated title, Wish, we wanted to know what animated Disney film has been your favorite over the years? We stuck to films specifically released by Disney, so no Pixar titles are included. What struck me while compiling the list is the progression of their films. From the innocence of their early work to what many consider their heyday in the early 90’s to the emergence of the CGI era. For many of us, Disney films defined our youth, but which is the one that has remained with you all these years? As always, if you don’t see your favorite listed, please click “Other” and let us know what it is in the comments section as well as any fond memories you have of these timeless classics.
What is your favorite Disney Animated Film?...
What is your favorite Disney Animated Film?...
- 11/26/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
Disney fans and physical media collectors, rejoice! This November will see the release of a gargantuan 100-film Blu-ray collection called the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection. The catch? It’ll cost you $1,499.96.
The boxed set officially releases on Nov. 14, but preorders are currently available exclusively at Walmart’s website.
Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection $1,499.96 Buy Now
The collection is packaged as a three-volume set, featuring animated films from Disney, Walt Disney Animation and Pixar. But unlike other behemoth boxed sets, this one isn’t filled with lame direct-to video snoozers but beloved titles that includes classics and recent favorites. For example, the long-running list includes all the “Toy Story” movies, both of “The Incredibles,” “The Black Cauldron,” “Frankenweenie” and “Robin Hood.” It even includes films as recent as this...
Disney fans and physical media collectors, rejoice! This November will see the release of a gargantuan 100-film Blu-ray collection called the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection. The catch? It’ll cost you $1,499.96.
The boxed set officially releases on Nov. 14, but preorders are currently available exclusively at Walmart’s website.
Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection $1,499.96 Buy Now
The collection is packaged as a three-volume set, featuring animated films from Disney, Walt Disney Animation and Pixar. But unlike other behemoth boxed sets, this one isn’t filled with lame direct-to video snoozers but beloved titles that includes classics and recent favorites. For example, the long-running list includes all the “Toy Story” movies, both of “The Incredibles,” “The Black Cauldron,” “Frankenweenie” and “Robin Hood.” It even includes films as recent as this...
- 9/21/2023
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
If you’re a Disney fan who wants each and every animated movie they’ve ever made in one place, then you’re in luck. The Walt Disney Company announced the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, which features 100 animated movies from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Pixar on Blu-ray. Everything from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Elemental is included, encompassing nearly one hundred years of storytelling.
Related Disney and Pixar’s Elemental comes to Disney+ on September 13th
The Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection is a self-standing, three-volume set that will be available for pre-order on September 19th, but only on Walmart.com. There will be a limited amount of sets available, so each will include a numbered certificate of authenticity. The set will also feature digital codes for each title, along with a collectible lithograph from Disney Animation’s all-new musical comedy Wish, and a collectible...
Related Disney and Pixar’s Elemental comes to Disney+ on September 13th
The Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection is a self-standing, three-volume set that will be available for pre-order on September 19th, but only on Walmart.com. There will be a limited amount of sets available, so each will include a numbered certificate of authenticity. The set will also feature digital codes for each title, along with a collectible lithograph from Disney Animation’s all-new musical comedy Wish, and a collectible...
- 9/11/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a hefty new Blu-ray box set containing 100 of its best animated films.
Officially titled the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, the box set comes with three volumes that open up to feature the original theatrical artwork for each film. Additionally, the package offers digital codes to all 100 movies, a certificate of authenticity, a lithograph from the upcoming feature Wish, and a collectible set of crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with “Disney 100.”
Drawing films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and the now-closed DisneyToon Studios, the collection offers a pretty comprehensive timeline of the company, founded in 1923. The box set features early classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, 1990s renaissance films like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story, and more modern offerings — many of which got the direct-to-Disney+ treatment thanks to Covid — including Soul,...
Officially titled the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, the box set comes with three volumes that open up to feature the original theatrical artwork for each film. Additionally, the package offers digital codes to all 100 movies, a certificate of authenticity, a lithograph from the upcoming feature Wish, and a collectible set of crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with “Disney 100.”
Drawing films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and the now-closed DisneyToon Studios, the collection offers a pretty comprehensive timeline of the company, founded in 1923. The box set features early classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, 1990s renaissance films like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story, and more modern offerings — many of which got the direct-to-Disney+ treatment thanks to Covid — including Soul,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Carys Anderson
- Consequence - Film News
Since the Writers Guild of American and Screen Actors Guild are both still on strike, this year's Destination D23 convention down in Orlando, Florida didn't really have much of anything to showcase. Sure, the studio showed some footage from Disney's upcoming animated movie "Wish," and they announced that "Haunted Mansion" would be hitting Disney+ in October. But there was one other announcement that might be intriguing for anyone who is both a Disney fan and a physical media collector.
This fall, the House of Mouse will be releasing the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, which collects 100 animated films from both Disney and Pixar, reaching as far back as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and up through this summer's "Elemental" from Pixar. All of the movies come in a big three-volume set that unfolds in collectible storybooks. The Disney100 Blu-ray box set also includes the original theatrical poster art for every movie within the storybook,...
This fall, the House of Mouse will be releasing the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, which collects 100 animated films from both Disney and Pixar, reaching as far back as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and up through this summer's "Elemental" from Pixar. All of the movies come in a big three-volume set that unfolds in collectible storybooks. The Disney100 Blu-ray box set also includes the original theatrical poster art for every movie within the storybook,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Disney just announced the release of the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, featuring 100 animated films from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. It’s packaged together as a three-volume set that unfolds into your own storybook.
The set is festooned with original poster designs and comes with digital codes for every movie, alongside a lithograph from Disney’s upcoming feature “Wish,” a certificate of authenticity and crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with the “Disney 100” logo. The limited-edition collection will be available on Nov. 14, with pre-orders beginning on Walmart.com on Sept. 18. It has a retail price of $1,500.
What’s fascinating about the set is that it includes a wide array of classic Walt Disney Animation Studios features, along with beloved Pixar favorites and a smattering of films (many of them direct-to-video sequels to earlier masterworks) created by the since-shuttered DisneyToon Studios. That includes “Tinker Bell,” “Return to Neverland,” “The...
The set is festooned with original poster designs and comes with digital codes for every movie, alongside a lithograph from Disney’s upcoming feature “Wish,” a certificate of authenticity and crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with the “Disney 100” logo. The limited-edition collection will be available on Nov. 14, with pre-orders beginning on Walmart.com on Sept. 18. It has a retail price of $1,500.
What’s fascinating about the set is that it includes a wide array of classic Walt Disney Animation Studios features, along with beloved Pixar favorites and a smattering of films (many of them direct-to-video sequels to earlier masterworks) created by the since-shuttered DisneyToon Studios. That includes “Tinker Bell,” “Return to Neverland,” “The...
- 9/10/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
With Hayao Miyazaki’s final film The Boy and the Heron proving to be — oh, wait, it won’t be his last? In news that should shock no one who has followed the legendary director’s career, it has been announced that Hayao Miyazaki will indeed not be retiring.
In a Twitter/X post, the official Studio Ghibli Pictures page wrote the following: “Hayao Miyazaki will not be retiring after all. Studio Ghibli’s vice-president has declared that he has already returned to the office with new ideas for a new film. He’S Still Cooking Guys”. The announcement is accompanied by a picture of Hayao Miyazaki hard at work in the studio.
Hayao Miyazaki will not be retiring after all.
Studio Ghibli's vice-president has declared that he has already returned to the office with new ideas for a new film.
He’S Still Cooking Guys pic.twitter.com/dPaW...
In a Twitter/X post, the official Studio Ghibli Pictures page wrote the following: “Hayao Miyazaki will not be retiring after all. Studio Ghibli’s vice-president has declared that he has already returned to the office with new ideas for a new film. He’S Still Cooking Guys”. The announcement is accompanied by a picture of Hayao Miyazaki hard at work in the studio.
Hayao Miyazaki will not be retiring after all.
Studio Ghibli's vice-president has declared that he has already returned to the office with new ideas for a new film.
He’S Still Cooking Guys pic.twitter.com/dPaW...
- 9/9/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of animation. Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio that he founded with Toshio Suzuki and Isao Takahata, has produced such classics as “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” and “Princess Mononoke.”
Miyazaki has contended for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars three times: in 2003 for “Spirited Away,” in 2006 for “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and in 2014 for “The Wind Rises.” He won for “Spirited Away,” beating out “Ice Age,” “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” and “Treasure Planet.” Meanwhile, “Howl’s Moving Castle” lost to “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” and “The Wind Rises” lost to “Frozen.” Miyazaki was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2015, too, alongside Jean-Claude Carrière and Maureen O’Hara.
And Miyazaki may well be back on the Oscars stage more this year for “The Boy and the Heron.” The story follows a teenage boy who enters a...
Miyazaki has contended for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars three times: in 2003 for “Spirited Away,” in 2006 for “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and in 2014 for “The Wind Rises.” He won for “Spirited Away,” beating out “Ice Age,” “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” and “Treasure Planet.” Meanwhile, “Howl’s Moving Castle” lost to “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” and “The Wind Rises” lost to “Frozen.” Miyazaki was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2015, too, alongside Jean-Claude Carrière and Maureen O’Hara.
And Miyazaki may well be back on the Oscars stage more this year for “The Boy and the Heron.” The story follows a teenage boy who enters a...
- 9/7/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Turning Disney theme park attractions is a relatively new-ish concept, but the movies based on Disney attractions vary wildly in quality.
The story goes that Dick Cook, who at the time was running the Disney film studio with Nina Jacobson, had originally come up with the idea to “mine the theme parks for movie ideas” (as James B. Stewart put it in “Disney War”). They had made “The Country Bears” and were working on projects based on classic Disney attractions Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion. At the time, Pirates was envisioned as a direct-to-video cheapie, more along the lines of “Tower of Terror,” which debuted as an inexpensive TV on “The Wonderful World of Disney.”
But during a meeting about whether Disney should invest in “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” an expensive Peter Weir movie starring Russell Crowe (they declined), the idea was...
The story goes that Dick Cook, who at the time was running the Disney film studio with Nina Jacobson, had originally come up with the idea to “mine the theme parks for movie ideas” (as James B. Stewart put it in “Disney War”). They had made “The Country Bears” and were working on projects based on classic Disney attractions Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion. At the time, Pirates was envisioned as a direct-to-video cheapie, more along the lines of “Tower of Terror,” which debuted as an inexpensive TV on “The Wonderful World of Disney.”
But during a meeting about whether Disney should invest in “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” an expensive Peter Weir movie starring Russell Crowe (they declined), the idea was...
- 7/28/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
The release of The Little Mermaid—the latest in a long line of live-action remakes of Disney’s animated classics—brought with it a hell of a lot of discourse. Much of the noise surrounding this film, which received mostly solid reviews, was blatantly bad-faith, obsessed with the apparent fantastical notion of a Black woman in a leading role.
At a time when forced culture wars so thoroughly dominate every entertainment-related topic, navigating the racism swarming around The Little Mermaid has been tough. And the distressing realities of this bigotry reared its ugly head after it was reported that the film was struggling in key foreign markets, apparently in part because of racist backlash. More damning still for the film’s box office, The Hollywood Reporter cited headlines from government-affiliated publications in China that claimed The Little Mermaid suffered from “forced inclusion of minorities in classic films.”
Not so long ago,...
At a time when forced culture wars so thoroughly dominate every entertainment-related topic, navigating the racism swarming around The Little Mermaid has been tough. And the distressing realities of this bigotry reared its ugly head after it was reported that the film was struggling in key foreign markets, apparently in part because of racist backlash. More damning still for the film’s box office, The Hollywood Reporter cited headlines from government-affiliated publications in China that claimed The Little Mermaid suffered from “forced inclusion of minorities in classic films.”
Not so long ago,...
- 6/14/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Austin Majors, best known for his work on NYPD Blue, has died.
TMZ first reported the news, revealing that the 27-year-old died while staying at a homeless facility in Los Angeles.
The outlet said that there's "no foul play suspected," and it's "believed he may have ingested a fatal amount of fentanyl."
Majors' family shared a statement with People shortly after the news broke.
The statement calls Majors "a loving, artistic, brilliant, and kind human being. Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career."
"He was an active Eagle Scout and graduated Salutatorian in High School."
"He went on to graduate from USC's School of Cinematic Arts with a passion of directing and music producing."
"Austin's younger sister, Kali, says her fondest memories with Austin were growing up on set with him, volunteering at events with 'Kids With a Cause', and backpacking together," the statement continues.
TMZ first reported the news, revealing that the 27-year-old died while staying at a homeless facility in Los Angeles.
The outlet said that there's "no foul play suspected," and it's "believed he may have ingested a fatal amount of fentanyl."
Majors' family shared a statement with People shortly after the news broke.
The statement calls Majors "a loving, artistic, brilliant, and kind human being. Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career."
"He was an active Eagle Scout and graduated Salutatorian in High School."
"He went on to graduate from USC's School of Cinematic Arts with a passion of directing and music producing."
"Austin's younger sister, Kali, says her fondest memories with Austin were growing up on set with him, volunteering at events with 'Kids With a Cause', and backpacking together," the statement continues.
- 2/14/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Austin Majors, a former child actor known for his role in NYPD Blue, has died. He was 27.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Majors died Saturday in Los Angeles. His cause of death has not been released.
In a statement issued to TMZ, his family said he “was a loving, artistic, brilliant and kind human being. Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career. He was an active Eagle Scout and graduated Salutatorian in High School. He went on to graduate from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with a passion of directing and music producing.”
The statement continued, “Austin’s younger sister, Kali, says her fondest memories with Austin were growing up on set with him, volunteering at events with “Kids With a Cause”, and backpacking together. Austin was the kind of son, brother, grandson, and nephew that made us proud and we will miss him deeply forever.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Majors died Saturday in Los Angeles. His cause of death has not been released.
In a statement issued to TMZ, his family said he “was a loving, artistic, brilliant and kind human being. Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career. He was an active Eagle Scout and graduated Salutatorian in High School. He went on to graduate from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with a passion of directing and music producing.”
The statement continued, “Austin’s younger sister, Kali, says her fondest memories with Austin were growing up on set with him, volunteering at events with “Kids With a Cause”, and backpacking together. Austin was the kind of son, brother, grandson, and nephew that made us proud and we will miss him deeply forever.
- 2/14/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Austin Majors, a former child actor best known for his role in “NYPD Blue,” died Saturday in Los Angeles. Major’s death was confirmed by LA country Medical Examiner-Coroner. He was 27.
He had been living at a downtown Los Angeles facility for homeless individuals, and appeared in the Los Angeles Daily News last week when L.A. mayor Karen Bass toured the facility.
His sister Kali remembered him, writing on Facebook, “My big brother, Austin, is gone. He died last night. It’s so surreal to me still. He was only 27 with so much life left to live.”
Major’s family also issued a statement to TMZ, saying “[Austin] was a loving, artistic, brilliant, and kind human being. Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career. He was an active Eagle Scout and graduated Salutatorian in High School. He went on to graduate from USC’s School of...
He had been living at a downtown Los Angeles facility for homeless individuals, and appeared in the Los Angeles Daily News last week when L.A. mayor Karen Bass toured the facility.
His sister Kali remembered him, writing on Facebook, “My big brother, Austin, is gone. He died last night. It’s so surreal to me still. He was only 27 with so much life left to live.”
Major’s family also issued a statement to TMZ, saying “[Austin] was a loving, artistic, brilliant, and kind human being. Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career. He was an active Eagle Scout and graduated Salutatorian in High School. He went on to graduate from USC’s School of...
- 2/13/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
2002's "Treasure Planet" may've been one of the biggest flops in the history of Disney's animation department, but the swashbuckling sci-fi adventure starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt still has its fair share of fans. The immersive and often beautiful world of space pirates created for the film separates the project from other, more recognizable Disney animated offerings. "Treasure Planet" itself was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, a filmmaking duo that had previously delivered multiple slam-dunks for Disney, including "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," and "Hercules." Their successful track record allowed the directors to venture into a new reality, one inspired by another filmmaker's mind-bending work.
As we remember it, "Treasure Planet" more than earned its title with a space adventure story for the ages. A sci-fi twist on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island," the film followed Jim Hawkins (Gordon-Levitt), a teenager who comes across a map that leads to the ultimate pirate treasure.
As we remember it, "Treasure Planet" more than earned its title with a space adventure story for the ages. A sci-fi twist on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island," the film followed Jim Hawkins (Gordon-Levitt), a teenager who comes across a map that leads to the ultimate pirate treasure.
- 1/28/2023
- by Marcos Melendez
- Slash Film
The early 2000s were a weird time for everyone -- Disney included. Like an exhausted millennial desperately rephrasing their resume, Walt Disney Animation Studios was eager to latch onto anything that would permit the company a new lease on life. For context, the Disney Renaissance, which began with "The Little Mermaid" in 1989 and shuttered its majestic doors with "Tarzan" in 1999, was over and the studio wanted to prove it could create stories that were more than musically charged fantasies. What's more, Disney also wanted to explore more computer-generated imagery or, as it's better known, CGI. Throw in an increasingly voracious audience with a highly specific hunger for science-fiction and, well, two and two makes four.
Look, this is a gross exaggeration of how Disney functioned in the early 2000s. It seems like the company was working with a strict "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" mentality. Nothing...
Look, this is a gross exaggeration of how Disney functioned in the early 2000s. It seems like the company was working with a strict "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" mentality. Nothing...
- 1/21/2023
- by Cameron Roy Hall
- Slash Film
(Welcome to My Most Ridiculous Note, a series of interviews in which animators talk about the weirdest and funniest notes they received from studio executives.)
The early to mid-'00s was not a good time for Walt Disney Animation, with the failures of "Treasure Planet" and "Home on the Range" all but killing traditional animation on the big screen. On the TV side of things, however, it was an exciting time. The studio was producing a slate of cool high-concept cartoons as it began producing animation for the Disney Channel, with shows like "American Dragon: Jake Long," "Brandy & Mr. Whiskers," and "The Replacements" offering a good blend of family sitcom and genre hijinks.
In this period, there was arguably no show as consistently weird and funny as "Dave the Barbarian," a cartoon perhaps best remembered for its anachronistic jokes and fourth wall breaks (like the construction of a medieval megaphone...
The early to mid-'00s was not a good time for Walt Disney Animation, with the failures of "Treasure Planet" and "Home on the Range" all but killing traditional animation on the big screen. On the TV side of things, however, it was an exciting time. The studio was producing a slate of cool high-concept cartoons as it began producing animation for the Disney Channel, with shows like "American Dragon: Jake Long," "Brandy & Mr. Whiskers," and "The Replacements" offering a good blend of family sitcom and genre hijinks.
In this period, there was arguably no show as consistently weird and funny as "Dave the Barbarian," a cartoon perhaps best remembered for its anachronistic jokes and fourth wall breaks (like the construction of a medieval megaphone...
- 1/11/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
2022 has made it very clear that we are living in a golden age of animation.
The wildly different styles of animation, a wide variety of stories being told and an equally wide array of audiences being targeted (and not just children!), 2022 felt like an adventurous, experimental time for the medium, where even major studios like Pixar and DreamWorks were embracing new techniques and aesthetics. (And 2023 looks even more adventurous!)
Here are the very best animated features of 2022:
10. Strange World Disney
It’s rare for a movie that was only released a few weeks ago to feel unfairly overlooked, but in the case of “Strange World,” it’s the truth. Granted, the movie wasn’t the easiest sell – it is set in a pre-industrial world that becomes technologically complex thanks to a magical vine, only when that vine starts to die it leads to a desperate mission underground. And every...
The wildly different styles of animation, a wide variety of stories being told and an equally wide array of audiences being targeted (and not just children!), 2022 felt like an adventurous, experimental time for the medium, where even major studios like Pixar and DreamWorks were embracing new techniques and aesthetics. (And 2023 looks even more adventurous!)
Here are the very best animated features of 2022:
10. Strange World Disney
It’s rare for a movie that was only released a few weeks ago to feel unfairly overlooked, but in the case of “Strange World,” it’s the truth. Granted, the movie wasn’t the easiest sell – it is set in a pre-industrial world that becomes technologically complex thanks to a magical vine, only when that vine starts to die it leads to a desperate mission underground. And every...
- 1/4/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Disney/20th Century’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” is falling slightly below the high expectations that box office projections had for it in North America, but it has still earned director James Cameron the first 100 million-plus opening of his career with a 134 million domestic launch — matching the opening weekend of Warner Bros.’ “The Batman” — and a worldwide opening of 434.5 million.
The global total fits within the range that box office projections had set at around 400 million, though the domestic total is underneath projections of at least 150 million. The most optimistic projections had “The Way of Water” challenging the likes of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at 175-180 million domestic and 525 million global.
But the best news for “Avatar 2” may not be the numbers. Audience word-of-mouth has been very strong, with an A on CinemaScore, a 94 Rotten Tomatoes audience score, and 82 of moviegoers polled by Comscore/Screen Engine’s PostTrak...
The global total fits within the range that box office projections had set at around 400 million, though the domestic total is underneath projections of at least 150 million. The most optimistic projections had “The Way of Water” challenging the likes of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at 175-180 million domestic and 525 million global.
But the best news for “Avatar 2” may not be the numbers. Audience word-of-mouth has been very strong, with an A on CinemaScore, a 94 Rotten Tomatoes audience score, and 82 of moviegoers polled by Comscore/Screen Engine’s PostTrak...
- 12/18/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The year is 3042, and the Earth has been destroyed. 15 years ago, humankind unveiled a mysterious and powerful technology called the Titan Project. Its true nature is not revealed immediately, but a species of envious aliens made of pure energy, the Drej, fear it and have destroyed humankind in defense. Now, the galaxy's remaining humans roam the cosmos as outcasts, forced to take odd jobs on freighters. A young human named Cale (Matt Damon) has taken a job on a vessel called the Valkyrie, where he works alongside a smarmy bat alien named Preedex (Nathan Lane), a kooky frog-like scientist named Gune (John Leguizamo), a bitter and angry kangaroo-like engineer named Stith (Janeanne Garofalo), a human pilot named Akima (Drew Barrymore), and the heroic Captain Korso (Bill Pullman). Together, they travel the stars avoiding Drej and following an obscure map to the location of the Titan, the ship that still contains Earth's technological breakthrough.
- 12/18/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
An animated Disney adventure with the playful and creative tone of something out of a Jules Verne story sounds exciting, yet folks didn't show up for "Strange World." With a budget of 180 million, the film has only grossed back about 53 million worldwide thus far. Between "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" and "Treasure Planet," the Mouse House seems to have a difficult time when it comes to their theatrically-released animated sci-fi throwbacks, which is a shame because they tend to be pretty fun. With no real momentum, "Strange World" is primed to gain more traction once it heads to streaming.
Featuring the vocal talents of Jaboukie Young-White, Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Gabrielle Union, Lucy Liu, Karan Soni, and Alan Tudyk, "Strange World" promises exactly what the title entails. It follows the members of the Clade family as they set off on a colorful exploration beyond their wildest imagination (and below the atmosphere...
Featuring the vocal talents of Jaboukie Young-White, Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Gabrielle Union, Lucy Liu, Karan Soni, and Alan Tudyk, "Strange World" promises exactly what the title entails. It follows the members of the Clade family as they set off on a colorful exploration beyond their wildest imagination (and below the atmosphere...
- 12/12/2022
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
The pitch for John Musker and Rob Clements' 2002 animated feature "Treasure Planet" couldn't be simpler: "Treasure Island" in space. Made on a sizable budget of 140 million, "Treasure Planet" transformed the three-masted maritime sailing ships of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1882 novel into cosmos-dwelling, frigate-shaped spacecraft that soar on solar sails. In an effort to "hip up" the joint, Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) was turned into a rebellious, solar surfing teen, and Long John Silver (Brian Murray) didn't just have a peg leg, but multiple bionic body parts. A talking parrot became a small, shapeshifting blob. Captain Smollett was transformed into the feline humanoid Captain Amelia (Emma Thompson), and the stranded Ben Gunn was turned into a malfunctioning robot named B.E.N. (Martin Short). The treasure was still treasure.
The changes were clever enough, and the designers working on "Treasure Planet" skewed heavily into steampunk, a sub-genre of sci-fi that imagined...
The changes were clever enough, and the designers working on "Treasure Planet" skewed heavily into steampunk, a sub-genre of sci-fi that imagined...
- 12/1/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It was a big weekend at the box office as several major movies entered the fold to get in on the Thanksgiving holiday. In some cases, that worked out well, with Netflix testing the theatrical waters and scoring with "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery." But, it pains me to say, for the most part, it was brutal for the weekend's newcomers. Disney had an all-timer of a flop with "Strange World," while Steven Spielberg suffered a massive disappointment commercially with "The Fabelmans," and Sony quietly dropped a bomb in the form of "Devotion." It was, all things considered, a brutal holiday for Hollywood.
Starting with "Strange World," Disney's original animated flick tanked incredibly hard, earning just 11.9 million over the weekend and, as of this writing, 27.8 million worldwide. It debuted to a downright abysmal 9.2 million overseas and, with a budget said to be anywhere between 135 and 180 million, this is going...
Starting with "Strange World," Disney's original animated flick tanked incredibly hard, earning just 11.9 million over the weekend and, as of this writing, 27.8 million worldwide. It debuted to a downright abysmal 9.2 million overseas and, with a budget said to be anywhere between 135 and 180 million, this is going...
- 11/28/2022
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Disney Animation has not had a good year. The studio has followed disappointing box office for last summer’s “Toy Story” spinoff “Lightyear” with the big-screen bomb “Strange World” that is projected by analysts to cost the studio 100 million-plus as one of Disney’s biggest failures ever.
The flop is so big that it is on par with another historic bomb that the studio released on Thanksgiving weekend two decades ago: “Treasure Planet,” the most prominent in a string of theatrical busts that helped lead to the ouster of then-ceo Michael Eisner and paved the way for the rise of Bob Iger, who is now returning to take charge of Disney after the brief, tumultuous reign of Bob Chapek. Unlike Eisner and “Treasure Planet,” “Strange World” doesn’t entirely fall on Chapek’s shoulders. (The new film had been in development under Disney Animation head Jennifer Lee prior to Chapek’s rise as CEO.
The flop is so big that it is on par with another historic bomb that the studio released on Thanksgiving weekend two decades ago: “Treasure Planet,” the most prominent in a string of theatrical busts that helped lead to the ouster of then-ceo Michael Eisner and paved the way for the rise of Bob Iger, who is now returning to take charge of Disney after the brief, tumultuous reign of Bob Chapek. Unlike Eisner and “Treasure Planet,” “Strange World” doesn’t entirely fall on Chapek’s shoulders. (The new film had been in development under Disney Animation head Jennifer Lee prior to Chapek’s rise as CEO.
- 11/28/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Thanksgiving is all about family, but that doesn’t mean that this year’s Disney family-friendly animated movie “Strange World” was ever going to beat Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” In fact, it was always slated for second place, but it still didn’t do nearly as well as other Disney movies have done over the extended holiday. Read on for our Thanksgiving box office recap.
In fact, it wasn’t even close between the two movies, as “Wakanda Forever” took first place with 45.9 million over its third weekend, down 32 from last weekend. When you add in the 18 million it made on Wednesday and Thanksgiving, you get a 64 million five-day. So far, Marvel’s latest has grossed 367.67 million, just behind “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and “The Batman” to get into the top five movies of the year. There’s a good chance it will be in the top...
In fact, it wasn’t even close between the two movies, as “Wakanda Forever” took first place with 45.9 million over its third weekend, down 32 from last weekend. When you add in the 18 million it made on Wednesday and Thanksgiving, you get a 64 million five-day. So far, Marvel’s latest has grossed 367.67 million, just behind “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and “The Batman” to get into the top five movies of the year. There’s a good chance it will be in the top...
- 11/27/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” did most of the heavy lifting at the box office over the Thanksgiving weekend, with 64 million grossed over the five-day period that accounted for roughly half of the weekend’s estimated 133 million overall gross.
With a running domestic total of 367 million after three weekends, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is now approximately 7 ahead of the domestic pace of last spring’s Marvel movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and should cross the 400 million mark by next weekend along with passing 700 million worldwide.
But the biggest shock of the weekend is Disney’s “Strange World,” which is turning out to be one of the biggest bombs in the history of the famed animation studio, with a five-day opening of just 18.6 million. It is an opening on par with the 16.5 million made by Disney’s infamous 2002 bomb “Treasure Planet,” and keep in mind, the total...
With a running domestic total of 367 million after three weekends, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is now approximately 7 ahead of the domestic pace of last spring’s Marvel movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and should cross the 400 million mark by next weekend along with passing 700 million worldwide.
But the biggest shock of the weekend is Disney’s “Strange World,” which is turning out to be one of the biggest bombs in the history of the famed animation studio, with a five-day opening of just 18.6 million. It is an opening on par with the 16.5 million made by Disney’s infamous 2002 bomb “Treasure Planet,” and keep in mind, the total...
- 11/27/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
It is said that the typical gap of time for nostalgia to take root in the public consciousness is 20 years. Consider how the '70s were rife with rose-tinted fondness for the '50s, with the popularity of "Grease" and "Happy Days." Nostalgia for the 1980s hit hard in the early 2000s, although it never truly left if the success of shows like "Stranger Things" is anything to go by. We're now two whole decades on from the beginning of the new millennium. While we once again embrace emo rock and digital cameras, perhaps it's time to look back on the Disney film that ushered in a new era for the company, and may have killed it in the process.
In November of 2002, Walt Disney Feature Animation released "Treasure Planet." Based on the novel "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson, the sci-fi adventure tale was the long-time passion project for...
In November of 2002, Walt Disney Feature Animation released "Treasure Planet." Based on the novel "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson, the sci-fi adventure tale was the long-time passion project for...
- 11/27/2022
- by Kayleigh Donaldson
- Slash Film
The Thanksgiving box office has brought a lot of good and a lot of bad for Disney. While Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is continuing to perform strongly with an estimated 5-day total of 65 million, the Disney Animation newcomer “Strange World” is turning out to be one of the biggest bombs in the history of the studio’s founding division.
Projected for an already poor 5-day opening of 30 million, “Strange World” will now be lucky to even hit 20 million for the extended period after making just 11.2 million between Wednesday and Friday. With a reported budget of 120-130 million, the film’s performance relative to its price tag is drawing comparisons to Disney’s infamous 2002 bomb “Treasure Planet,” a film that earned just 16.6 million during its Thanksgiving opening and went on to make just 110 million worldwide against its 140 million budget before inflation.
But at least “Treasure Planet” earned an A- from audiences on CinemaScore.
Projected for an already poor 5-day opening of 30 million, “Strange World” will now be lucky to even hit 20 million for the extended period after making just 11.2 million between Wednesday and Friday. With a reported budget of 120-130 million, the film’s performance relative to its price tag is drawing comparisons to Disney’s infamous 2002 bomb “Treasure Planet,” a film that earned just 16.6 million during its Thanksgiving opening and went on to make just 110 million worldwide against its 140 million budget before inflation.
But at least “Treasure Planet” earned an A- from audiences on CinemaScore.
- 11/26/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
In “Strange World,” the world may be super-weird, but those who populate it are some of the most realistic and well rounded that Walt Disney Animation Studios has ever presented. Ergo, it’s the characters as much as the environment that make this vibrant, “Journey to the Center of the Earth”-style adventure movie colorful and diverse in all the best ways. Great as the people and places they explore may be, however, the relatively unimaginative story consigns this gorgeous toon to second-tier status — a notch below director Don Hall’s earlier “Big Hero 6” — instead of cracking the pantheon of Disney classics.
“Strange World” centers on a civilization called Avalonia, which is surrounded by “an impassable ring of mountains.” A sudden (and somewhat underexplained) resource shortage drives three generations of the intrepid Clade family to face the unknown. Swarthy, macho granddad Jaeger (voiced by Dennis Quaid) attempts to forge...
“Strange World” centers on a civilization called Avalonia, which is surrounded by “an impassable ring of mountains.” A sudden (and somewhat underexplained) resource shortage drives three generations of the intrepid Clade family to face the unknown. Swarthy, macho granddad Jaeger (voiced by Dennis Quaid) attempts to forge...
- 11/21/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
If there’s one piece of information that “Strange World,” the new sci-fi adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios, will make sure you understand — by having characters explicitly discuss it on more occasions than necessary — it’s that the expectations parents have of their children, as a way to preserve or surpass their legacies, can become an unfair burden.
The son of a renowned and courageous explorer, Searcher Clade (voiced by Jake Gyllenhaal) didn’t want to carry on with his father’s mission. For the burly Jaeger Clade (a boisterous Dennis Quaid), the dad in question, venturing beyond the mountains that enclose their homeland of Avalonia held the only answer to ensure their future.
But the apple fell far from the tree. Rather than seeking resources elsewhere, Searcher earned the country’s respect by harnessing the power of a newly discovered plant: Pando. A quarter-century has passed since Jaeger...
The son of a renowned and courageous explorer, Searcher Clade (voiced by Jake Gyllenhaal) didn’t want to carry on with his father’s mission. For the burly Jaeger Clade (a boisterous Dennis Quaid), the dad in question, venturing beyond the mountains that enclose their homeland of Avalonia held the only answer to ensure their future.
But the apple fell far from the tree. Rather than seeking resources elsewhere, Searcher earned the country’s respect by harnessing the power of a newly discovered plant: Pando. A quarter-century has passed since Jaeger...
- 11/21/2022
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
The Clades, in the words of their comic patriarch, are born explorers. They crave adventure, live like nomads, love danger and aim to do the impossible. At the beginning of Strange World, an effortlessly charming adventure-comedy about father-son relationships from Disney’s Animation Studios, viewers are treated to a zippy montage of Jaeger (voiced by Dennis Quaid) and his son, Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal), traversing coniferous forests, diving into the deep sea and hiking mountainous terrain. Their journeys take them far and make them legends, but never once have they seen the other side of the snowy summits surrounding their small city of Avalonia.
Naturally, Jaeger, a burly pioneer with an affection for the sound of his own voice, becomes obsessed with accomplishing this feat. Searcher, already disinclined to pursue the duo’s dangerous quests, couldn’t care less. When these differences come to light,...
The Clades, in the words of their comic patriarch, are born explorers. They crave adventure, live like nomads, love danger and aim to do the impossible. At the beginning of Strange World, an effortlessly charming adventure-comedy about father-son relationships from Disney’s Animation Studios, viewers are treated to a zippy montage of Jaeger (voiced by Dennis Quaid) and his son, Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal), traversing coniferous forests, diving into the deep sea and hiking mountainous terrain. Their journeys take them far and make them legends, but never once have they seen the other side of the snowy summits surrounding their small city of Avalonia.
Naturally, Jaeger, a burly pioneer with an affection for the sound of his own voice, becomes obsessed with accomplishing this feat. Searcher, already disinclined to pursue the duo’s dangerous quests, couldn’t care less. When these differences come to light,...
- 11/21/2022
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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This article contains IndieWire’s preliminary Best Animated Features predictions for the 2023 Oscars. We regularly update our predictions throughout awards season, and republish previous versions (like this one) for readers to track how the Oscar race has changed. For the latest update on the frontrunners for the 95th Academy Awards, see our 2023 Oscars predictions hub.
Nominations voting is from January 12-17, 2023, with official Oscar nominations announced January 24, 2023. Final voting is March 2-7, 2023. And finally, the 95th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12 and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt. We update predictions through awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2023 Oscar picks.
At the midway point of 2022, here’s the current state of the animated feature Oscar race: Pixar’s “Turning Red” is the early frontrunner, the studio’s “Lightyear” is still a contender after underperforming at the box...
This article contains IndieWire’s preliminary Best Animated Features predictions for the 2023 Oscars. We regularly update our predictions throughout awards season, and republish previous versions (like this one) for readers to track how the Oscar race has changed. For the latest update on the frontrunners for the 95th Academy Awards, see our 2023 Oscars predictions hub.
Nominations voting is from January 12-17, 2023, with official Oscar nominations announced January 24, 2023. Final voting is March 2-7, 2023. And finally, the 95th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12 and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt. We update predictions through awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2023 Oscar picks.
At the midway point of 2022, here’s the current state of the animated feature Oscar race: Pixar’s “Turning Red” is the early frontrunner, the studio’s “Lightyear” is still a contender after underperforming at the box...
- 10/27/2022
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
This has been an outstanding year for animation. From Mamoru Hosoda's "Belle" and the brilliant creativity of "Turning Red" to the sea-faring, sea chanty-singing adventure of "The Sea Beast," the stop-motion insanity of "Mad God," and the upcoming stop-motion marvel of Henry Selick's "Wendell & Wild" and Guillermo del Toro's haunting fairy tale "Pinocchio." The 2022 animation year has shown how versatile the medium is, allowing filmmakers to break molds and tell all kinds of stories meant for very different audiences in animation.
Now, one of the oldest and biggest animation studios out there, Walt Disney Animation Studios, is about to enter the race with a movie that promises to be a wildly different ride than the studio's formulaic fare. In their 61st film, Disney is channeling pulp sci-fi stories with "Strange World," a film that feels like a throwback to that brief period in time when they...
Now, one of the oldest and biggest animation studios out there, Walt Disney Animation Studios, is about to enter the race with a movie that promises to be a wildly different ride than the studio's formulaic fare. In their 61st film, Disney is channeling pulp sci-fi stories with "Strange World," a film that feels like a throwback to that brief period in time when they...
- 10/19/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
This week’s episode of Andor reminded us of an age old question: Why are there not more movies about heists in space?
To be clear, we are not just talking about sci-fi crime stories set in space; a heist is a specific and beautiful form of crime when it comes to cinematic storytelling, the kind of which that has become its own subgenre over the decades. And as the Diego Luna-led series just remembered, it requires three key essential elements: the Crew, the Take, and the Plan.
The Crew is the element most sci-fi movies set in some type of seedy underworld usually pulls off admirably: A team of elite but unorthodox professionals whose skills gel together as their personalities clash. Excellent chemistry and at least one rivalry that evolves into grudging respect is a must. Then you have the Take. It’s almost irrelevant what the take is—Death Star plans,...
To be clear, we are not just talking about sci-fi crime stories set in space; a heist is a specific and beautiful form of crime when it comes to cinematic storytelling, the kind of which that has become its own subgenre over the decades. And as the Diego Luna-led series just remembered, it requires three key essential elements: the Crew, the Take, and the Plan.
The Crew is the element most sci-fi movies set in some type of seedy underworld usually pulls off admirably: A team of elite but unorthodox professionals whose skills gel together as their personalities clash. Excellent chemistry and at least one rivalry that evolves into grudging respect is a must. Then you have the Take. It’s almost irrelevant what the take is—Death Star plans,...
- 10/16/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Walt Disney Animation Studios's 61st animated feature, "Strange World," is posed to bring a breath of fresh air to the nearly 100-year-old studio. The film feels unlike what the studio has been producing in recent years, a straight sci-fi adventure influenced by pulpy sci-fi novels by the likes of Jules Verne and Edgar Rice Burroughs. It feels in many ways like a second attempt at an "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" or "Treasure Planet" movie, which once offered a bright and different path for the studio.
"Strange World" comes to us from Oscar-winning director Don Hall, who previously helmed the last 2D Disney film, "Winnie the Pooh," and the studio's first fantasy adventure in decades, "Raya and the Last Dragon." The film boasts a great cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, and Lucy Liu. "Strange World" follows the Clades, a Swiss Family Robinson-like family of explorers on...
"Strange World" comes to us from Oscar-winning director Don Hall, who previously helmed the last 2D Disney film, "Winnie the Pooh," and the studio's first fantasy adventure in decades, "Raya and the Last Dragon." The film boasts a great cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, and Lucy Liu. "Strange World" follows the Clades, a Swiss Family Robinson-like family of explorers on...
- 9/21/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Disney fans rejoice! The year 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of Treasure Planet, and to celebrate we are calling for a rewatch. This underrated sci-fi movie is one of Disney’s most unique creations, and it deserves to be seen by a new generation of fans. For anyone whose classic Disney movie memory is failing them, here’s a refresher of what Treasure Planet is about: Treasure Planet tells the story of Jim Hawkins, a young man who dreams of adventure on the high seas. When he stumbles upon a map to the legendary Treasure Planet, he sets sail on a journey
“Treasure Planet” Turns 20 In 2022...
“Treasure Planet” Turns 20 In 2022...
- 7/26/2022
- by A.E. Oats
- TVovermind.com
One classic animated movie from the early 2000s I never got to actually own is Treasure Planet. Now I am a ’90s kid, so I think I grew up during a time where the best animated movies were coming out. And I’m talking about the classics beyond those animated movies everyone and their parents know. Some examples include the very famous Toy Story movies, Tarzan, Aladdin, and the Lion King, just to name a few. Speaking of those classics, at least two of those movies have received the live-action movie treatment. Now I’m pretty sure Toy Story will never get
Treasure Planet Really Needs The Live-Action Treatment...
Treasure Planet Really Needs The Live-Action Treatment...
- 3/10/2022
- by David Martinez
- TVovermind.com
Photo: ‘Enchanted’/Disney The 2000s were an odd decade for Disney, following the success of the 90s, often referred to as the ‘Disney Renaissance’. Their traditionally animated films like ‘Treasure Planet’ were becoming box office failures while the CG animated films of their newly bought animation studio, Pixar, were dominating. Their live-action-adventure films like ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ were becoming box office hits while their sports flicks like ‘Glory Road’ weren’t reaching the same success as their prior hits like ‘the Mighty Ducks’. Related article: ‘In the Heights’ – Behind the Scenes and Full Commentary/Reactions from Cast & Crew Related article: A Tribute to Cannes Film Festival: A Celebration of Cinema, Glamour, and Humanity | Statement From The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase Stranger of all, they weren’t releasing any musical fantasies, which was the reason for their success in the prior decade, until 2007’s ‘Enchanted’. ‘Enchanted’, starting out...
- 7/20/2021
- by Brianna Benozich
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Rob Edwards, the screenwriter behind “The Princess and the Frog” and “Treasure Planet,” is making his directorial debut with “Sneaks.”
“Sneaks” follows the adventure of Ty, a misguided, one-of-a-kind, designer sneaker who doesn’t know life outside the comforts of his velvet-lined shoe box. After his sister is stolen by a shady collector, Ty must venture into NYC to find and rescue her. In his adventure, Ty meets a rag-tag group of footwear friends from all walks of life who help him find the courage to step outside of his shoe box and find his “sole-mate.”
The independently financed animated feature film will be produced by Len Hartman and Gil Cloyd of Lengi Studios and Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland of Cinema Gypsy Productions. Meko Yohannes and producers of the Academy Award-winning animated short “If Anything Happens I Love You” Robyn Klein and Jeremy Ross will serve as executive producers.
“Sneaks” follows the adventure of Ty, a misguided, one-of-a-kind, designer sneaker who doesn’t know life outside the comforts of his velvet-lined shoe box. After his sister is stolen by a shady collector, Ty must venture into NYC to find and rescue her. In his adventure, Ty meets a rag-tag group of footwear friends from all walks of life who help him find the courage to step outside of his shoe box and find his “sole-mate.”
The independently financed animated feature film will be produced by Len Hartman and Gil Cloyd of Lengi Studios and Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland of Cinema Gypsy Productions. Meko Yohannes and producers of the Academy Award-winning animated short “If Anything Happens I Love You” Robyn Klein and Jeremy Ross will serve as executive producers.
- 6/3/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Since “Toy Story” (1995), Pixar has set the standard for animated feature films. The studio’s award success has been unmatched as it has produced a startling amount of critically acclaimed and box office successful flicks. And this year, Pixar’s biggest awards competition could be against itself. Because both the spring released fantasy adventure “Onward” and the upcoming musical comedy “Soul” will both be eligible for consideration.
Pixar has been Oscar’s favorite studio since the introduction of the Best Animated Feature category in 2001, with 13 nominations in the category and 10 wins. In second place is Disney with 11 nominations and only three wins. In that time, Pixar has produced 18 films. Only five have failed to be nominated. The Golden Globes introduced an animated feature category in 2006. Of those 15 years, the studio has won eight times. At the Annie Awards, nine Pixar flicks have won Best Picture, the most of any studio.
Pixar has been Oscar’s favorite studio since the introduction of the Best Animated Feature category in 2001, with 13 nominations in the category and 10 wins. In second place is Disney with 11 nominations and only three wins. In that time, Pixar has produced 18 films. Only five have failed to be nominated. The Golden Globes introduced an animated feature category in 2006. Of those 15 years, the studio has won eight times. At the Annie Awards, nine Pixar flicks have won Best Picture, the most of any studio.
- 11/19/2020
- by Matt Noble
- Gold Derby
Disney Plus has been a hit huge since it launched late last year, but it’s come under fire from some quarters for its overzealous censorship. For instance, the bizarrely poor CGI covering Daryl Hannah’s behind in Splash or an actress’ barest hint of cleavage in an episode of The Wizards of Waverly Place. The latest peculiar example of this includes a bunch of family-friendly films being blocked on the streaming site’s Kids’ Profile.
If you have kids and Disney Plus, you’ll be familiar with the Kids’ Profile option, which allows you to set up a profile for your child within your account that filters out the unsuitable material and leaves all the suitable stuff. However, CinemaBlend has discovered that a number of titles which 99.9% of parents would agree they’d let their young ones watch are removed on the Kids’ Profile.
There may be more, but...
If you have kids and Disney Plus, you’ll be familiar with the Kids’ Profile option, which allows you to set up a profile for your child within your account that filters out the unsuitable material and leaves all the suitable stuff. However, CinemaBlend has discovered that a number of titles which 99.9% of parents would agree they’d let their young ones watch are removed on the Kids’ Profile.
There may be more, but...
- 6/12/2020
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
After the 1990s renaissance that saw all-time classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King hit theaters, interest in Disney’s animated output had started to dwindle by the turn of the millennium. Understandably, it seemed that moviegoers were more enamored with the computer-generated techniques being used by studios like Pixar rather than the Mouse House’s old-fashioned hand drawings.
This led to a string of films from Disney that didn’t perform terribly well at the box office, but are still looked back on rather fondly, including The Emperor’s New Groove, Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet. Of course, another Disney animated effort that didn’t exactly bring in big numbers was Atlantis: The Lost Empire, which only made $186 million on a roughly $120 million budget. It also received rather mixed reviews.
However, the reception to the film has shifted a bit over time, with many now calling it an unsung classic,...
This led to a string of films from Disney that didn’t perform terribly well at the box office, but are still looked back on rather fondly, including The Emperor’s New Groove, Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet. Of course, another Disney animated effort that didn’t exactly bring in big numbers was Atlantis: The Lost Empire, which only made $186 million on a roughly $120 million budget. It also received rather mixed reviews.
However, the reception to the film has shifted a bit over time, with many now calling it an unsung classic,...
- 5/13/2020
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Following the 1990s renaissance that brought all-time classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King, interest in Disney’s animated output had started to wane by the turn of the millennium, with audiences seemingly more enamored with the computer-generated techniques pioneered by Pixar rather than good old-fashioned hand drawings.
This led to a downturn at the box office, but ironically, resulted in many fan favorites that endure to this day including The Emperor’s New Groove, Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet. Another Disney animation that didn’t fare particularly well at theaters though was Atlantis: The Lost Empire, which only made $186 million against a reported $120 million budget, and received mixed reviews from many critics who thought the Mouse House had failed in their attempt to appeal to an older audience.
However, the reception to Atlantis has only warmed over time, with many fans now viewing it as an unsung classic,...
This led to a downturn at the box office, but ironically, resulted in many fan favorites that endure to this day including The Emperor’s New Groove, Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet. Another Disney animation that didn’t fare particularly well at theaters though was Atlantis: The Lost Empire, which only made $186 million against a reported $120 million budget, and received mixed reviews from many critics who thought the Mouse House had failed in their attempt to appeal to an older audience.
However, the reception to Atlantis has only warmed over time, with many fans now viewing it as an unsung classic,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
Ann Sullivan, a longtime animator who worked on iconic Disney films including The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas and The Lion King, has died at 91 from complications due to Covid-19, according to multiple reports.
Sullivan passed away Monday at the Motion Picture and Television Fund (Mptf) nursing facility in Woodland Hills, California, making her the third resident at that nursing facility to die from coronavirus complications.
“There are good days and bad days. This was one of the bad days,” Mptf president and CEO Bob Beitcher told Deadline.
“I expect there will be more before we get through the tunnel. We’ve...
Sullivan passed away Monday at the Motion Picture and Television Fund (Mptf) nursing facility in Woodland Hills, California, making her the third resident at that nursing facility to die from coronavirus complications.
“There are good days and bad days. This was one of the bad days,” Mptf president and CEO Bob Beitcher told Deadline.
“I expect there will be more before we get through the tunnel. We’ve...
- 4/14/2020
- by Nicholas Rice
- PEOPLE.com
Disney is now so known for market dominance and popular culture ubiquity that it’s easy to forget how bad Disney’s box office fortunes were when outgoing CEO Bob Iger took charge in 2005. In the final years of Michael Eisner’s tenure atop Disney in the early 2000s, the studio had its box office hits. Pixar, still rising to power as the top animation studio in the world, was pumping out hits like “Finding Nemo” and “The Incredibles.” And Walt Disney Pictures made live-action hits like “Pirates of the Caribbean” — despite Eisner’s initial resistance to make that film. Touchstone Pictures was also producing more mature films that found widespread success like M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs.” But for every one of those hits, there were also plenty of misses. Walt Disney Animation Studios flopped with films like “Treasure Planet” and “Home on the Range,” and the live-action division...
- 2/26/2020
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
(Welcome to Out of the Disney Vault, where we explore the unsung gems and forgotten disasters currently streaming on Disney+.) Walt Disney Animation Studios has been the linchpin of the Disney empire. Though the company has had huge success with live-action endeavors and franchise acquisitions, their world dominance began with their animation unit. After hitting some […]
The post Revisiting ‘Treasure Planet,’ Disney’s Ambitious Sci-fi Disappointment appeared first on /Film.
The post Revisiting ‘Treasure Planet,’ Disney’s Ambitious Sci-fi Disappointment appeared first on /Film.
- 1/31/2020
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
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