Teaser for Disney Short "Feast"

I'm a sucker for both adorable puppies and delicious food (as you well know), so I'm ready to be delighted by Disney's latest short, Feast, about a puppy's food-slash-life journey. They recently released this teaser for it, which only confirms my pre-delight:



The animation style is really rich and enjoyable, as well. As /Film points out, it's reminiscent of 2012's Paperman but with color and a puppy!

[via /Film]

Tiny Disney Waistlines are More than a Tiny Bit Scary

A Buzzfeed artist adjusted the waistlines of some Disney princesses to be more realistic.

If you look at the photos on the right first, you'll think "those aren't such tiny waists" then you look at the photos on the left and realize, "Oh my God, those princesses have the rib cage of a hummingbird!" It really makes you feel like the original Disney ones are the ones that have been Photoshopped.

An excellent case of showing not telling disproportionate body standards. See them all on Buzzfeed.

Little Mermaid

Tiny Organ-less Mermaid

More 'Moana'!

Makes me miss Hawaii

Disney's big 2016 animated feature, Moana, is about a seafaring teen navigator from the South Pacific islands who goes on an adventure to a fabled land. Apparently there will be demi-gods and sea monsters and all kinds of mythology! Neat! You can read more about the new movie over at /Film.

Early Jim Henson Animated Short!

Check out this super cool early Jim Henson short. It's an animated paper-cut piece, called Drum West set to a piece of jazz music by Chico Hamilton.

Here's a description from the Jim Henson Company:

“Drums West” cut-paper animation from Jim Henson. This newly rediscovered short was created in Jim’s home studio in Bethesda, MD around 1961. It is one of several experimental shorts inspired by the music of jazz great Chico Hamilton. At the end, in footage probably shot by Jerry Juhl, Jim demonstrates his working method.

It reminds me a lot of Disney's Fantasia's elements that visualize the music combined with a pre-Sesame Street homegrown animation feeling. And I love the adorable shot of Henson (pre-beard, notes my husband) at the end.

This also feels very appropriate right now because it's raining outside and the music reminds me of rain on a tin roof. Staccato, like fireworks, yet somehow soothing.

[via /Film]

Congrats to Bob's Burgers and Harry Shearer!

I forgot to mention this around Emmy's time, but I was SO happy that Bob's Burgers won an Emmy for outstanding animated program, and that Harry Shearer (finally!) won for his voiceover work on The Simpsons! Yay for funny people who have been recognized for their great work!

Pixar's "The Good Dinosaur" Update!

I was bummed when Pixar's The Good Dinosaur got bumped from this summer to next Thanksgiving (definitely one reason this summer has been a bit lacking in the film department - aside from Obvious Child and Guardians of course!), because it meant the film's problems must have been pretty severe. It looks like we were right, but, fortunately, that all has been resolved.

Collider released a video and article from an interview with John Lithgow explaining that he's going to re-record his entire role (Poppa) for the film. He says, "Don’t worry.  It’s coming and it’s gonna be better than I ever imagined.” That's good! Lithgow's got good taste, so I trust him on this one.

I also much prefer Pixar delaying and reinventing a movie rather than release something subpar. I hope that when The Good Dinosaur is released in November 25, 2015, it proves that this reboot was necessary and that the film is just as wonderful and magical as we expect from the Pixar pedigree.

You can read more and watch the video of Lithgow's interview over at Collider.

The Film Before the Film: Opening Titles

If you've taken any film classes, consider this a brief and fun refresher, but if you're new to thinking about film instead of just absorbing it, this is quick documentary that gives you a brief glimpse into the artistry and history behind films' opening titles:



The documentary was made as a research project by students Nora Thoes and Damian Pérez at the BTK University of Applied Sciences in Berlin

I've always been a big fan of opening titles in film and TV. They're a great way to introduce the audience to the tone of the movie, as well as introduce a different kind of visual style, like animation or stop-motion or CGI or paper-craft, into the film that you probably wouldn't have the opportunity to do elsewhere.

Do you think you'll consider opening titles more often in films now?

[via /Film]

Clip from Pixar's "Lava"!

Disney and Pixar are pulling out all the stops to show us their new material. From Big Hero 6 to Inside Out to Feast, and now Lava, we're getting all kinds of fun animated sneak previews.

Here's the clip from Lava, courtesy of Yahoo:



It looks very sweet, and I love the colors. The music feels a bit fast, but I wonder if that was just for this clip's sake - it may feel more fluid in context.

Can't wait to see it!

FIrst Look at Disney Short, "Feast"

Goodness gracious - just take one gander at how flipping adorable this little B-Terrier is in Disney's new short, Feast. What a cute wee beastie!

Who wouldn't want to squeeze that little pup? What a cutie. I can't wait to watch it when it comes out along with Big Hero 6 this November!

[via /Film]

Glen Keane's "Duet" is a wonderful short film

I love a good short film - and I love a good short animated film even more. This short, Duet, from legendary Disney animator Glen Keane (think: Ariel, Tarzan - which you can really see in the male character - Pocahontas, Aladdin, Rapunzel) is simple and beautiful. If you're not an animation lover, you'll enjoy the story and the music. If you are an animation lover, you will see why this guy is a master of the art:



So pure and lovely. And, needless to say, the hand-drawn quality is so refreshing.

Here's a synopsis (though why do you really need one of a short? I have no idea):

Animated in its entirety and directed by Glen Keane (former Disney animator and creator of such beloved characters as Ariel, Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Tarzan and Rapunzel), DUET tells the story of Mia and Tosh and how their individual paths in life weave together to create an inspired duet. The unique, interactive nature of the story allows the viewer to seamlessly follow the journey of either of the two characters from birth to adulthood.

And here's a cool "making of" video:




[via /Film]

Comic Con: Laika Wants to Make a 2D Animated Movie

Laika, of creepy/delightful stop-motion animation, fame, mentioned a their Comic Con panel that they'd like to bring back 2D animation. According to /Film, Travis Knight, the head of Laika, said that they already use a small amount hand-drawn 2D animation in their features (like the upcoming The Boxtrolls), but that he's interested in doing more. I'd love to see more traditional hand-drawn features on the big screen, outside of international films. Laika would be a great studio to do it. Or John Lasseter could demand some of those Avengers profits and do it over at Disney. I'd Dreamworks could give it a shot, too, but that seems unlikely.

Animated Short: The Legend of the Flying Tomato

To lighten the mood, here's a delightful short about a woman who finds her own way in life through pro-wrestling and fish tacos:



So delightful, right? Go, Flying Tomato, go!

[via Neatorama]

"How to Train Your Dragon" Art Show

If you enjoyed How to Train Your Dragon and also art, you'd love to go to (or at least look at the photos of) Gallery Nucleus' new HTTYD artwork. It's super cool!

[via /Film]

New "Inside Out" Concept Art!

The early buzz from the early, early footage people have seen of Inside Out has been entirely positive. I'm super excited for the movie, and this newly released concept art is making me even more pumped:

Lovely! And a nice Slate article on what the new film means for girls.

[via The Pixar Times]

Lava: A Love-a Story

Pixar announced the name and poster image for the short they'll play in front of next year's Inside Out. It's going to be called, "Lava" and it's "Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, “Lava” is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years." Like most Pixar shorts, it was completed well ahead of the feature it'll play in front of, and so many reviewers have seen it already. It looks pretty cute, and who doesn't like Hawaii? You can read more about the short over at /Film.

Clone High Movie? Say Whaaaaaaa?

I'm only posting this story (which is a pretty big nothing burger since there's no way Phil Lord and Chris Miller have time/rights/etc to make a Clone High movie) to remind you to go watch Clone High again. It's so beautiful.

Tim Burton's "Frozen" (Not Really, But Close!)

To lighten things up a bit, I bring you artist YOKO, who created these lovely Tim Burton-inspired Frozen illustrations.

What's cooler than being cool? These awesome drawings. You can see the rest at their Tumblr.

[via Neatorama]

StoryCorps: Me & You

StoryCorps' latest animated short, animated by the Rauch Brothers, is super short and super sweet:



The description reads:

On May 25, 1971, Jackie Miller and her husband brought home their son, Scott, whom they adopted. 37 years later, Scott brought his mother to StoryCorps, where they shared a conversation about Jackie's decision to adopt him, their profound love for one another, and Scott's trepidation at what the future holds.

Perfect for Mother's Day.

[via Neatorama]

New Synopsis for Pixar's "Inside Out"

Pixar released a new synopsis for the very intriguing Inside Out. I'm stoked for the new film from always groundbreaking Pete Doctor. The synopsis is essentially unchanged, but a little fleshed out, from the ones we've seen before. Check it out!

From the tepuis of South America to a monster-filled metropolis, Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter has taken audiences to unique and imaginative places. In 2015, he will take us to the most extraordinary location of all - inside the mind of an 11-year-old named Riley. 

Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley's main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city,
house and school.

Reactions to the footage that was shown at D23 last year have been positive so keep those fingers crossed!

[via /Film]

Jennifer Lee of "Frozen" Delivers Graduation Speech

Jennifer Lee, writer and director of the I think now fifth-highest-grossing-movie, Frozen, gave a commencement address to UNC a few weeks ago. Here it is:



Solid advice!

[via HuffPo]