Author: The Animation Commendation

Got an Instagram Page!

Hello readers,

So I’ve finally done something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time: I’ve got an Instagram page for this blog!

No, I’m not deleting this WordPress blog; the Instagram page will serve as a companion piece to this blog. What will I be posting on my IG page? Well, I’ll definitely be informing my IG followers of when there’s a new blog post to check out! But, I’ll also be posting certain things ONLY to that IG account that I won’t be posting to my blog, so be sure to follow me on both platforms to get access to it all!

The IG account is the.animation.commendation

I’m looking forward to meeting you all there as well as to making new friends and followers in the Instagram world!

Post-Hurricane Irma Update!

Hello readers,

So just wanted to check in to let you all know that I’ve survived Hurricane Irma, thank God! Our damage was limited to having some of our backyard fence fallen down and not having power for about 32 hours. Thankfully, we got back power today, so hopefully I’ll get back to regular blogging soon! Thanks for your patience!

Regarding Hurricane Irma!

Hello readers,

As many of you know, I live in Orlando, Florida. And as many of you also know, there is an incredibly intense hurricane named Irma headed our way. It’s currently a Category 4 storm, but has the possibility of strengthening back to a Category 5 when it hits the Floridian mainland. It’s estimated to hit Florida in the early morning hours of Sunday and go through the entire state all thru Monday.

We’re praying that we’ll all be safe and come out with as minimal damage as possible from this! So just know that because of the hurricane, don’t expect any new posts on this blog for the next week. After the hurricane hits (and if we still have Internet connection), I’ll try to update you all afterwards on the aftermath. I’ll also try to update my Twitter (@The_Anim_Comm) if I can, so keep a lookout there too.

Until then, keep us in your prayers! Thanks!

‘Early Man’ Trailer Debuts!

The first theatrical trailer for Aardman Animations’ upcoming film, Early Man, has debuted.

Early Man takes place during the “dawn of time” wherein a tribe of cavemen goes up against a Bronze Age City leader to save their home. The film features the voice talents of Eddie Redmayne, Maisie Williams, Tom Hiddleston, Timothy Spall, Richard Ayoade, and Johnny Vegas, amongst others. The film is set to hit American theaters on February 16, 2018.

While the trailer doesn’t have me super excited for the film, I still am interested in seeing it as it is an Aardman Animations film. Are you all interested in it?

‘The Magic School Bus Rides Again’ Trailer Debuts!

The trailer for the upcoming Netflix reboot, The Magic School Bus Rides Again, has debuted.

The original The Magic School Bus was a classic animated TV show of the 1990s (and my personal favorite animated TV show that I grew up with) and this reboot seems to be following in the same vein. Yes, the animation looks off-putting and some people are upset that the original character of Ms. Frizzle now has a younger sister voiced by Kate McKinnon who will now take over as the lead, but that honestly doesn’t bother me at all. I can’t wait for this show and hopefully, it proves to be a satisfactory reboot.

Also, Lin-Manuel Miranda sings the title song! Is that cool or what? Look out for the show on September 29 on Netflix.

My Thoughts: THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (2017)

In 2014, The Lego Movie was released to theaters. Most of us scoffed at the idea that they were making a movie about LEGOs, but the movie proved us wrong by having a thought-provoking story, memorable characters, impeccable animation, and just being one of the best animated films of the decade (according to most people)!

The breakout character from the movie though was Lego Batman, voiced by Will Arnett. Lego Batman was somewhat of an exaggerated parody of the Batman character that fit in well with the LEGO universe. Due to his popularity, it was soon decided that Lego Batman would get his own spinoff film. And three years later, we’ve got The Lego Batman Movie! Is it as good as The Lego Movie? Or is it another example of a side character being given his/her own movie which turns out to be incredibly bad? Read on to find out! (Also, there might be spoilers ahead, so you’ve been warned!)

Continue reading “My Thoughts: THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (2017)”

Legendary Disney Imagineer Marty Sklar Dies at 83!

I’m saddened to report another Disney-related death: Legendary Imagineer Marty Sklar has passed away at the age of 83! Mr. Sklar (1934-2017) was an Imagineer for Disney since the 1960s and helped design many attractions including The Enchanted Tiki Room and It’s a Small World. He recently appeared at the 2017 D23 Expo only 2 weeks ago! He shall be missed!

For more about the man, please read this tribute!

Voice Actress June Foray Dies at 99!

In incredibly saddening news, the legendary voice actress, June Foray, has died at the age of 99! Ms. Foray (1917-2017) was pretty much the woman of “a thousand voices” being a big name in the business since the 1950s. Some of her more famous roles have been Lucifer in Cinderella, Squaw in Peter Pan, Granny and Witch Hazel in the Looney Tunes shorts, Rocky J. Squirrel in the The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Mrs. Featherby in DuckTales, and Grandmother Fa in Mulan. It’s basically impossible to not have heard her voice at all in your life!

She was instrumental in creating the Annie Awards as well as in getting a Best Animated Feature category in the Academy Awards! What makes this even sadder was that she was two months shy of her 100th birthday 😦 . She shall be missed!

For more about her life and legacy, please read this article as well as this tribute.

‘The Star’ Teaser Trailer Debuts!

The teaser trailer for Sony Animation’s upcoming film, The Star, has debuted.

The film deals with the Christian nativity story from the point of view of the animals. The voice cast includes Steven Yeun, Kelly Clarkson, Gina Rodriguez, Keegan-Michael Key, Oprah Winfrey, Tracy Morgan, Tyler Perry, Christopher Plummer, Patricia Heaton, and Zachary Levi, among others.

The Star is scheduled to be released to theaters on November 10, 2017. I personally have no interest in seeing this film. What about y’all? Let me know in the comments below!

WWTBAM-Animation Edition Season 3 Results

Well, Season 3 of my Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-Animation Edition games has officially ended! Nobody got to the million this year, so the winner is the person with the highest total score from both rounds. I want to thank all of the contestants who appeared this season as well as to all of you who have been watching these videos! I had a great time making and hosting these games like usual and hope to do a Season 4 next year! Here are the final results of this season:

Eli Sanza [96,000 pts]

Wes Troop [52,000 pts]

AJ Howell [33,000 pts]

Becky Ginther [11,000 pts]

BlackCriticGuy [1,000 pts; He was unable to return for Round 2.]

Kajsa Forden [1,000 pts]

Milan Harrison [1,000 pts]

Stanford Clark [1,000 pts]

Sean Nasuti [1,000 pts]

Amanda Sorrento [1,000 pts]