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]

Mockingjay Part 1 Trailer!

Appropriate for this to come out just days before I dress as Katniss for Halloween!



Ok, I admit, J-Law rocks the look better than I do, but my bow was a broken hanger with a rubber band for the string, so, you know, work with what you've got!

Captain Marvel Casting - Who Should Play Carol Danvers?

I'm not a huge comics fan, but I did really enjoy Guardians of the Galaxy this year, and I usually have a good time at any Marvel movie I see, so I'm at least vaguely looking forward to the newly announced Captain Marvel movie - Marvel's first lady-led superhero flick. At least, I'm looking forward to it as much as you can for something that's three years away and not a Pixar movie. What made me interested enough to post about it? Angie Han over at /Film put together a great list of women who could play the Captain. It serves as a great reminder of how many talented actresses out there are ready to play interesting action heroes - though it also makes me want to see all of those women in one epic Guardians style movie together.

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.

This Guy Really Needs "Racism Insurance"

I'm so bummed I haven't had a chance yet to see Dear White People (but will as soon as I am not working on the weekends!). Fortunately, in the meantime, I can enjoy this spot-on commercial parody:



Supes funny. Love that he goes through every possible cliche of "white guy talks to black woman" in about fifteen seconds.

[via HuffPo]

The Art of the Steadicam

Refocused Media put together this hypnotic compilation of steadicam (and steadi-crane) shots over the years, composed of almost forty films and a few TV shows.

From the creators over at Refocused:

These sequences are accomplished using a Steadicam, which is essentially a balanced stabilizer that allows for smoother and more easily controlled handheld camera operation. Invented by Garrett Brown in the early 70?s, the steadicam shot — or ‘steadishot’ — has become one of the most dynamic and exciting forms of cinematography and is one of the most engaging visual techniques in a filmmaker’s storytelling arsenal. I was inspired to make this homage to the art of steadicam cinematography when browsing the database of “top” clips over at steadishots.org, which are rated by the community. After locating what sources I could from the top 50 or so, I decided to stick with the order presented on the site (accurate as of March 1, 2013). 

I love these kinds of montages (the year-in-film ones are usually great) because they remind you why - even when we have an overall crummy summer of movies like this year - you love movies in the first place. Film is an art and it is beautiful and full of visual storytelling. A compilation like this (especially because they've replaced the audio with an overarching song to connect the films) allows you to really see what the camera is telling you and why. It's fascinating!

[via /Film]

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]

Lake Bell to direct "The Emperor's Children"

I loved Lake Bell's In A World - it was really funny and sweet and had a slower pace (in a good way) than most comedies. I'll be interested to see what she can do with The Emperor's Children, which follows some 30ish Brown grads as they navigate life before and following 9/11. Not really a topic I'd want to hear about normally (thus why I haven't read the book it's based on), but it might be worthwhile with Bell at the helm. Best of luck to her!

[Read more about Bell's sophomore pick over at /Film]

GotG What the What!?

Who knew Guardians of the Galaxy was not going to suck!? I didn't! And then it turned out to be one of the most fun movies of the (admittedly underwhelming) summer!

The movie is super cute, but I have to admit most of my love of it derives from the transformation of one of my favorite actors from adora-cool Bright from the WB's (!) Everwood to super-adora-schlub Andy on Parks and Rec to adora-sexy-superhero Peter Quill in GotG. You did it, Chris Pratt!

I mean, look at this! Come on!

A while ago /Film put out a fun list of all the stuff that may happen in GotG2 so check it out!

"Wild" Trailer

Below is a trailer for Reese Witherspoon's new movie, Wild, about a woman who hikes 1,000 miles to help her heal over a tragedy (and her reactions to that tragedy). It's based on a memoir by Cheryl Strayed.



It looks like it could be really good or really schmaltzy, but considering it was adapted by Nick Hornby, I'm guessing good. I also really love Reese Witherspoon as an actress, so this feels like a solid showcase for her talent. It's coming December 5th, so just in time for the post-and-pre holidays!

[via GITS]

Bill Hader's List of 200 Essential Comedies

I just finished the book, Poking a Dead Frogs: Conversations with Today's Top Comedy Writers. He's the same guy who wrote the same book like five years ago, and the conversations are pretty much the same - in that they're interesting and fun to read, but you come out of it feeling like you haven't really learned anything. In the book, Bill Hader provides a list of his 200 "Essential" comedies to watch. You can read the full list here. The list is familiar with a few interesting differentiations, and I'll add the ones I haven't seen to my Netlflix list. I will say, I think it's really cute that he has pretty much every Coen brothers movie on there. I agree, Bill, I agree.

What do you think? Which ones haven't you seen, but want to now solely because a famous funny guy says they're legit? Because that's reason enough for me.

First Trailer for Jon Stewart's "Rosewater"

We're going to find out very soon what Jon Stewart was up to last summer. Below is the trailer for Rosewater, a film about an Iranian-Canadian journalist detained in Iran for 118 days, mostly for his coverage of the 2009 elections, but in part for appearing on Stewart's The Daily Show.



What do you think? It looks intense but interesting and informative. Honestly, I could stare at Gael Garcia Bernal for days, so if nothing else, Jon Stewart proves he can pick a solid story and great star.

[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!

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]

Kristen Bell Deserves a Mary Poppins Reboot

Ok, Mary Poppins isn't getting a reboot (nor should it!), but Kristen Bell is crazy convincing in this parody in favor of a minimum wage increase:

Mary Poppins Quits with Kristen Bell from Funny Or Die      

The kids were also scarily on-the-nose. I think we've reached the Uncanny Valley of musical movie parody. Also, it's pretty funny and I love watching KB show off her singing chops.

[via The Hairpin]

Ladies Can Write Marvel Movies, Too!?!

Apparently so! The co-writer of Guardians of the Galaxy opening this week is Nicole Perlman. Considering this is her first produced movie, her career is starting off on a pretty high note. The enormous amount of praise the movie's been getting before its release couldn't hurt, either. Let's hope that a) the movie lives up to the hype and b) Marvel takes the hint and continues to invest in this and other writers who happen to be women. Considering that women make up a majority of moviegoers these days, I'd say it's a smart investment. You can read an interview with Nicole at THR.

Awww, "Potterhood"

I saw Boyhood two weeks ago. It really felt like growing up. I don't love every Richard Linklater film (I think Waking Life only works if you're stoned), but I felt like this movie was well-suited to what he does well: capture a mood. The mood was "growing up" for both children and parents. It captured Texas well (nice shout out to the Dallas World Aquarium, even if they were supposed to be in Houston), and sometimes it's nice to have a movie where the biggest conflicts are "just feeling shitty" or "not knowing how to act around my parents" or "frustration at my kids for not appreciating me" and the normal story beats of "kid makes a bad choice > terrible consequence" aren't there. It's a real slice of life film if slice of life films were actually realistic. Of course, there is drama in one sequence, which I won't spoil, but the overall tone is much more subtle.

And all of that is to say that as much as I enjoyed the film in its two hours and forty minutes of nostalgia, I enjoyed this mash-up of Boyhood and the eight Harry Potter movies just as much:



[via /Film]

Jenny Lewis. "Just One of the Guys"

I haven't been super into music videos since the late '90s, excepting each new OK Go mind-meld, so I was not expecting much when the internet exploded over how fun the new video for Jenny Lewis "Just One of the Guys" was, especially when it seemed all the hype was over gaping at actresses Anne Hathaway, Kristen Stewart, and Brie Larson in drag. I should not have doubted the internet hype.



It really is good, isn't it? Strangely mesmerizing, and by far the best performance I've ever seen Kristen Stewart give. The guy can smile! Clearly, Kristen just need to forever perform as a guy and everyone will love her.

[via HuffPo]

Speaking of Satanists, Tina Fey's a Witch!

Or at least she is set to produce and star in a Disney witch-themed movie. Considering the last, great Disney + witches big screen pair up was Hocus Pocus (which this is not a sequel of), I'd say it's about time for a new Halloween classic. I can't wait to read more about it and then eventually watch the movie!

[via /Film]

Comic Con: Women Who Kick Ass Panel

Well, this is refreshing. How exciting that Comic Con had another "Women Who Kick Ass" panel! EW, which hosted the panel, understandably has a great write-up on it, which included my super favorite Nicole Beharie from Sleepy Hollow, Natalie Dormer and Maisie Williams represented the Game of Thrones ladies (I suppose Gwendoline Christie and Diana Rigg were busy!), and Tatiana Maslany represented her insane string of characters from Orphan Black. That's pretty much the only panel I wish I could have seen in person, if only to be there for comments like these:

Dormer should always be the one to explain Game of Thrones to new fans: “Game of Thrones shows you all the different ways you can wield power: Whether it’s psychological, physical, sexual, dragons,” Dormer said. “I think we’d all go for the dragons if we were given the choice. But that’s the secret of the writing, that’s why it’s such a compelling show—because it shows how different people are given different weapons, physically and metaphorically, and how they use them.”

You can read more at EW! It sounds like it really did kick ass.