NEWS: 20 Films Chosen For Animated Film Oscar Consideration...

So, I was a little bit late on this one, but I'm still trying to wrap my skull around some of these nominations.

First, the news.

It appears as though the list of animated features that will be up for consideration at this years Academy Awards, for Best Animated Feature, has grown from the rumored 15, to a giant total of 20. Here's the list:

9
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Astro Boy
Battle for Terra
A Christmas Carol
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
The Dolphin -- Story of a Dreamer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Mary and Max
The Missing Lynx
Monsters vs. Aliens
Planet 51
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
A Town Called Panic
Up

Just a few things, that are still bugging me, and some that make me happy.

First, what in the HELL is Alvin and The Chipmunks 2 doing in the animated film list? Sure, I get that some of the film, well, only the Chipmunks, are animated, but really now? A live action hybrid being nominated for best animated feature leaves a horrible taste in my mouth, and one that the Academy needs to explain away.

If Alvin and The Chipmunks can get nominated, why not Avatar? I haven't heard much about this amongst the websphere, so maybe I'm just dumb, but I think that this is an interesting statement by the studio, Fox.

Could this lack of a nomination be Fox's f*** you to the Academy, in that they think that if it comes up on an animated list, that it will have less of a chance to be nominated for Best Picture? This critic thinks yes. Not only is the film going to be vastly superior to AatC2, but I think it's far more animated. I mean, just look at the trailer!

That said, it IS something nice to see, as with their help, the list is now up to 20 films, and therefor leaves the list of nominees from the expected 3, to a full category, of 5. However, that's a gift and a curse, at least for us film journalist/bloggers, as it was tough to come up with three nominees, and now we need five.

Here are my expected nominees:

Coraline
Up
Ponyo
Princess and The Frog
Fantastic Mr. Fox

Now, the only real stretch that I think I am making here, and the only real spot where I think the Academy may go another way, is in the case of Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox. I haven't seen the film, but just the idea of a director who really isn't part of the animators club (as opposed to Miyazaki, Sellick, Disney and Pixar), and the massive rumor that Wes Anderson was directing the film from Paris, while it was being shot and animated in London. While I do think that this has been a stacked year (you could easily replace Fox with say, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs or any of the indies, like Mary and Max, a film I'm seeing this week), I do believe that this may be as close to "the five" as anyone will get.

What do YOU think?

Go see something good!

REVIEW: The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto...

Rob Zombie is in a bit of a skid these days.

Coming onto the cinema scene with House of 1000 Corpses, Rob Zombie has not only made his name as an influential metal artist, but as a really interesting film maker. Following up House of 1000 Corpses with The Devils Rejects made him one of my favorite genre film makers working today. His style and blending of genres (the ending of TDR is basically a nod to spaghetti westerns, for example), is an interesting addition to the world of horror.

However, his last two films, Halloween and it's subsequent sequel, H2, have left much to be desired.

His newest film making outing, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto is an animated attempt for him to regain some sort of respect within the film world, or at least make a film that he truly felt passionate about, which through interviews, one can tell H2 was not that for him.

Better luck next time Zombie. Better luck next time.

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto follows El Superbeasto, who is a celebrated wrestler and action hero who appears to be coasting on his considerable fame. Far more interested in sex and substance abuse than saving lives, he leaves most of the heavy lifting within his company, BeastoWorld Enterprises, to his buxom sister Suzi X. Theirs is a world filled with monsters, madmen, and the occasional foul mouthed stripper. As his sibling takes on hordes of Nazi zombies, her horny mechanical robot companion Murray right beside her, Beasto falls head over heels for a tantalizing tramp named Velvet Von Black. Unfortunately, some one else has his eye on the slutty sperm bank as well - the diabolical Dr. Satan. This villainous little turn, desperate to get his full blown dominating demon on, needs Velvet as part of some unholy marriage ceremony ritual. Once wed, he can take over the world. Beasto decides he will step in and save the day. Of course, as with many of the beefy masked grappler's plans, it will require a lot of help from Suzi, fate, and pure cinematic coincidence.

The idea of Rob Zombie being behind an animated feature had me more than a bit excited. Through in obvious call backs to the history of horror films, the surrealism of Ren and Stimpy (a favorite of yours truly) and a voice cast to die for (including Paul Giamatti), this had the pedigree to be truly amazing. And man oh man, was it not.

The biggest problem with this film is that it's not funny.

The film can be classified as a comedy, more so than a horror film, and in that, comes the need for laughs. This film is that kid in your Story Making class who says seemingly innocuous statements, continues to laugh at them, and then does nothing when he notices that you aren't laughing with him. Oh, and you are stuck with this f***** for 77 minutes, or the equivalent of the time it would take for you to drink a gallon of bleach, and feel the effects. The film tries so hard to make the viewer laugh by throwing the random set of tits, testicle jokes, and songs about zombie Nazis in hopes of getting any sort of emotion out of the viewer. I guess in that sense it succeeds, because I did feel something. Complete and utter sadness knowing that I could have spent the past 77 minutes putting knives in my eyes, with a better outcome. At least then I would have had a story to tell.

The voice cast for this film can't even save this mess. The biggest saving grace is the aforementioned Giamatti, who is doing his best Shoot 'Em Up, over the top, voice, which makes his character, Dr. Satan, the only true bright spot. His hamminess is fun to watch, and his interchanges with his hench-monkey are the only points where you may feel an emotion irking towards a giggle. Rosario Dawson is one note, that note being sh**, Sheri Moon Zombie again proves she can't act, even when shes not on screen, and Tom Papa comes back from his horrible turn in the Informant!, with this fellow horrible turn as the titular Superbeasto.

The only long standing saving grace that this film has is the look. This will hit the, or at least some sort of, spot for fans of shows like Ren and Stimpy, and Rocco's Modern Life. It's very surreal, insanely over the top, and shocking reminiscent of other X-rated cartoons like Fritz The Cat. It's a blast to sit through, just throw the thing on mute, to get the best outcome.

Ultimately this film is desperate. It's desperate to get you to love it. It's jokes are one note, that note being that Superbeasto is an egomaniac and sex fiend, and it gets pain inducing slow, right after the opening, Frankenstein inspired credits. It attempts to be really smart by throwing in interesting and often times dated (in a good way) pop culture references, but in order to keep the too-young-to-rent-the-dvd demographic, it throws in some tits and ass to keep the boys-with-lobotomies from switching over to The Hills, so they may get their intellectual fix (frat guys, I'm staring you down). Just avoid this film. Really, avoid it.

THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO - 1/10

Here's the trailer



Go see something good!

NEWS: Delgo, H2, and Sequels Galore...

Hello faithful readers. Today's been a pretty busy day, so here are your headlines...

- As I briefly mentioned in my last news post, it looks like the people over in Terminator land have begun work on Terminator 5, the inevitable sequel to NEXT YEARS Terminator Salvation. No word as to who will direct it, but McG has had his hands in the pre-pre-production, so it looks like he will be holding on as director. Bonus, Christian Bale has three Terminator films in his contract! Here's to hoping Salvation is quality...

- In other sequel news, it looks like rumors were indeed true, as it is now confirmed that Rob Zombie will take back the reigns of the Halloween franchise and will direct the sequel to his much maligned 2007 reboot.

- In MORE sequel news, release dates for Transformers 3 and the Twilight sequel New Moon have been set, with Transformers 3 looking at a July 29th, 2011 release date, and New Moon set to head out on November 20th, of 2009. I'm not to surprised, except for New Moon. They play to get into production roughly around March, so that's a pretty fast turn around. Plus, I thought they would definitely move to a summer date, but they did make 71 Million bones in the middle of Oscar season.

- It looks like people can't get the Dark Knight out of their heads, as ANOTHER casting rumor has been talked about for the inevitable sequel. It looks like E! Online in all of their Ryan Seacrest glory, are reporting, against all others, that Christopher Nolan "will for sure be back" and that he and Warner Brothers are considering Rachel Weisz for the role of Catwoman. While I think it would be brilliant casting (more on that in a second), I know for almost a fact that this rumor, along with all others are bull. I know, through various web sources, that Nolan has yet to even sign up for a third film, let alone started writing a story. Until Warner Brothers and Nolan himself say that he will be back for a third one, all Batman 3 rumors are not true. Sorry to burst everyones preverbial bat shaped bubble, but it's the hard truth.

NOW, when Nolan does sign (becuase I really think he will), I hope he goes this kind of route instead of the Johnny Depp route. The thing with this new Batman franchise, is that all of the cast, at the time of their casting, were not really well known, aside from Morgan Freeman. Bale was just a beloved indie actor, Gary Oldman was and still is very much on that indie fringe, Michael Caine was a well known actor, but not to the younger generation, and even Cillian Murphy was really only known for 28 Days Later. Then you have Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart, both well known, but not truly stars yet, and it just wouldn't seem like the right fit for Johnny Depp and Phillip Seymour Hoffman to take over their respective roles. I honestly think they would both be good, but it would be to overwhelming and honestly, I think there are better people out their. However, with Rachel Weisz, you get a brilliant actress, along with the small name, at least in major circles. Honestly, I don't know of a better pick for Catwoman. She's gorgeous, sexy, smart, and an amazing actress to boot. Nolan, if you are reading and I know you do, please, make this the one rumor that ends up being true. Oh, and take my advice, Crsipin Glover for Riddler and Bob Hoskins for Penguin...GOLD...

- Finally, the animated film, Delgo, had the worst opening weekend box office gross in the history of film. It grossed roughly $511,920, and here's the kicker, ON 2,160 SCREENS. That's a per screen average of $237 per screen, or, if tickets are $8 and there are 5 showings a day, two people per showing...The production behind it is really a sad story and shows the difficulties of independent film making, show read more about it here...


Come back later for more news and notes!

Go see something good!

TRAILER: Fear[s] Of The Dark...

Hey guys! Now, today has been an otherwise uneventful day, but a new trailer for a pretty interesting film has been released today. This is the first trailer for Sundance hit, French animated film, Fear[s]Of The Dark. Check it out!



Now, not much has come out about this film, outside of the fact that it comes to us from "6 of the most respected graphic novel artists on the planet", and it's a French film. It was an audience selection at Sundance and Fantastic Fest, and looks to be one of the most interesting releases in the coming months. It's six short films that examine our humanistic fear of the dark. No release date has been set yet for this film, at least here in the states, but as soon as news is made about this film, you will definitely see it here. What are your thoughts on the trailer? I personally love the animation styles, the fact that it's in black and white, and the study of our fear of the dark is something that is potentially terryfiying. It looks and feels sort of like a darker Paprika, in that it is much more experimental and seems sort of like an animated film from the depths of the mind of David Lynch. What do you think about it?

Paprika...brief review...

So my mind has officially exploded. Today is July 5th, and I was bored this afternoon, so I decided to take a drive out to my local video rental establishment. There, I picked up three films. Paprika, In Bruges, and City of Men. Now, while all three are great films, with the best being In Bruges, the one I can't stop thinking about, and the one that surprised me the most was this small little anime film, Paprika.

Paprika is a story about three scientists who work at the Foundation for Psychiatric Research. They come up with a mechanism that can allow the user the possibility to record and watch their dreams, called the D.C. Mini. However, when the device is stolen, the world, or what the think is the world, is flipped on it's ear. Our hero, Paprika, along with the scientists and an emotional cop must then try to saved reality from becoming the biggest nightmare possible.

Now, this film is beautiful. Let me just get that out of the way. Of the anime film's I've seen (not a ton), this may be the most inventive and genuinely out there. This exactly what David Lynch would make if he did anime films, even down to the "woman in trouble" kind of plot. It's got the normal bright pallet that is an anime staple, and the story, while quite outlandish, is completely compelling. I'm not a huge anime fan, so I don't know how it stands up to much of the past few years anime films (I see some every now and then on IFC, and love most of them) but I found it amazing to look at, funny, and completely engrossing. It really made me wonder what was reality and what was a dream, even in the opening, when the story hadn't really begun to flesh itself out. This flick is not for everyone however. Like I said, it's almost a David Lynch film, if he did anime, so you can sort of expect what is to come. I will say that it had it's silly moments, and some of the scenes were too outlandish and over the top, along with some lagging parts in the first act. Also, this is no Pixar film. The story isn't the shining point here. While it is a fine plot, the visuals are really what are on tap here. It's not the greatest anime film I've ever seen (that honor goes to Grave of the Fireflies), but it is one of the better ones I've seen, and I recomend it for any fan of animation. Just be prepared for what lies ahead. Here, watch the trailer to get an idea...



Rating: 8/10

Also, here are the ratings for the other four flicks I've watched in the past two days...

In Bruges: 9/10
Really surprising flick. Everyone is amazing, and the script is the real star of this film.

City of Men: 7.5/10
Not nearly as good as City of God, but then again, what really is?

Paris Je T'aime: 8.5/10
While a few of the films lack, the ones that really shine (Alexander Payne's and Sylvain Chomet's just to name a couple) are totally worth the price of a rental. Hell, Payne's alone is worth a purchase. Even better on multiple viewings

My Kid Could Paint That: 7/10
Not the greatest documentary, but it's solid stuff. Really interesting, even if flawed.

Alright. So come back tomorrow for more news and notes!

Go see something good!

Disney/Pixar's full animated Slate through 2011...

Hey guys! With Wall-E and it's critically acclaimed creators, Pixar, and their bosses, Disney, come some of the most hotly anticipated animated films of the year they are released, and now, we know what those films will be through 2011...here they are... (Nod to Firstshowing.net for the info...)

- BOLT
Directed by: Chris Williams and Byron Howard. For super-dog Bolt (voiced by John Travolta), every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue — at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the canine star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet — a cross-country journey through the real world. Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and with the help of two unlikely traveling companions — a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voiced by Susie Essman), and TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino — Bolt discovers he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero. Miley Cyrus ("Hannah Montana") brings her vocal talents to the role of Penny, Bolt's human co-star on the television series.

- UP
Directed by: Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc) and Bob Peterson. From the Academy Award-nominated team of director Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and co-director Bob Peterson comes "Up," a comedic adventure taking off (and lifting spirits) in summer 2009. Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. "Up" takes audiences on a thrilling journey where the unlikely pair encounter wild terrain, unexpected villains and jungle creatures. When seeking adventure next summer — look "Up."

- THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
Directed by: John Musker (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules) and Ron Clements (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules). A musical set in the greatest city of them all, New Orleans, "The Princess and the Frog" marks Disney's return to the timeless art form of traditional animation. The film teams Ron Clements and John Musker, creators of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin," with Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman to tell the most beautiful love story ever told … with frogs, voodoo, and a singing alligator.

- TOY STORY 3
Directed by: Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 2, Finding Nemo). The creators of the beloved "Toy Story" films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in "Toy Story 3." Lee Unkrich (co-director of "Toy Story 2" and "Finding Nemo") directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of "Little Miss Sunshine," brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings.

- RAPUNZEL
Directed by: Glen Keane and Dean Wellins. In this new telling of the classic fairy tale, "Rapunzel," audiences will be transported to a stunning CG fantasy world complete with the iconic tower, an evil witch, a gallant hero and, of course, the mysterious girl with the long golden tresses. Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair … lots of hair, when Rapunzel unleashes her locks in theaters for the 2010 holiday.

- NEWT
Directed by: Gary Rydstrom (Lifted). What happens when the last remaining male and female blue-footed newts on the planet are forced together by science to save the species, and they can't stand each other? That's the problem facing Newt and Brooke, heroes of "newt," the Pixar film by seven-time Academy Award winner for sound Gary Rydstrom, and director of Pixar's Oscar-nominated short, "Lifted." Newt and Brooke embark on a perilous, unpredictable adventure and discover that finding a mate never goes as planned, even when you only have one choice. Love, it turns out, is not a science.

- THE BEAR AND THE BOW
Directed by: Brenda Chapman (The Prince of Egypt). A rugged and mythic Scotland is the setting for Pixar's action-adventure "The Bear and the Bow." The impetuous, tangle-haired Merida, though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father's kingdom and her mother's life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark, ancient curse to set things right. Director Brenda Chapman ("The Prince of Egypt," "The Lion King") and the storytelling wizards of Pixar conjure humor, fantasy and excitement in this rich Highland tale.

- CARS 2
Directed by: Brad Lewis. All the world's a racetrack as racing superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe's fastest and finest in this thrilling high-octane new installment of the "Cars" saga. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a new world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades around the globe. "Cars 2" is being directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar-winning film "Ratatouille."

- KING OF THE ELVES
Directed by: Aaron Blaise (Brother Bear) and Robert Walker (Brother Bear). Legendary storyteller Phillip K. Dick's short story (his only experiment in the fantasy genre) becomes the basis for this fantastic and imaginative tale about an average man living in the Mississippi Delta, whose reluctant actions to help a desperate band of elves leads them to name him their new king. Joining the innocent and endangered elves as they attempt to escape from an evil and menacing troll, their unlikely new leader finds himself caught on a journey filled with unimaginable dangers and a chance to bring real meaning back to his own life.


Okay, so now here's the thing. What are you most looking forward to, and what are you least looking forward to? Also, they are rereleasing Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D...

Oh, BTW, all of these films, minus the Princess and The Frog, will be in 3D...

Go see something good!

Top 15 Animated Films...

So, thanks to Anna Lisa for this list. I was going to wait to do this until friday, but with the weekend and all, I figured I would get more response with this....I also realized that I haven't seen many good Foreign animated films, so instead of making a top 10 for American and a seperate one for foreign, I just decided to do a top 15 instead. So here is the list...


15. Pinocchio
14. Waking Life/A Scanner Darkly
13. Antz
12. Beauty And The Beast
11. Spirited Away
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas
9. Fantasia
8. The Lion King
7. Watership Down
6. Toy Story 2
5. Yellow Submarnie
4. The Iron Giant
3. Aladdin
2. Grave of The Fireflies
1. Triplets of Belleville


Triplets is far and away my favorite...what about you guys?

10 New Disney Films...

So, Disney has just sent out a statement discussing their upcoming films, all the way into 2012. Thanks to Yahoo! for this pretty big piece of news. For all you Toy Story fans and Cars fans (are there any of you out there?), you will especially enjoy this.


"The Walt Disney Studios previewed 10 animated movies on Monday that it will release during the next four years, including further installments in the “Toy Story” and “Cars” series and two new fairy tales. With the exception of “Wall.E,” a robot love story opening on June 28, and “The Princess and the Frog,” a hand-drawn animated fairy tale set in New Orleans and due to open Christmas 2009, the remaining eight movies will be made in digital 3-D.

The first Disney digital 3-D movie for release is “Bolt,” the story of a dog of the same name who thinks he has superhero powers. John Travolta gives voice to Bolt while hit teen singer/actress Miley Cyrus is voicing Bolt’s owner Penny in the movie, due to open on November 26.

“Up,” the story of an unlikely 78-year-old adventurer and his 8-year-old sidekick, is due to be released on May 29, 2009.

“Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2″ are due to be re-released in digital 3-D on October 2, 2009 and February 12, 2010 respectively, while “Toy Story 3″ is due to hit screens on June 18, 2010.

The classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Rapunzel,” about a girl trapped in a tower whose long golden hair is the only way for anyone to climb up to her, will be released at Christmas 2010.

Next comes “Newt,” a story of the last two blue-footed newts on the planet that aims to show that love is not a science, which is due to hit screens in summer 2011.

“The Bear and the Bow” — an action-adventure about a royal family in rugged and mythic Scotland — is slated to open Christmas 2011 starring the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson.

“Cars 2,” in which Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater bid to take on the world’s fastest cars, is due for release in summer 2012.
“King of Elves,” based on a 1953 short story by Phillip K. Dick, will hit screens at Christmas 2012. "



Go see something good!