animated film – Page 23 – The Animation Commendation

Animation Director Arthur Rankin, Jr. Dies At 89!

Arthur Rankin Jr., an animation director/producer/writer most famous for his work done with partner Jules Bass, has passed away at the age of 89! Arthur Rankin, Jr. (1924-2014) founded the company now known as Rankin/Bass Productions with his partner, Jules Bass. They were most famous for their stop-motion holiday specials including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Frosty the Snowman”, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”, and “The Year Without a Santa Claus”. They also worked on animated feature films including “Mad Monster Party”, “The Hobbit”, and “The Last Unicorn”.

Arthur Rankin, Jr.’s death is a great loss indeed!

My Thoughts: THE SWAN PRINCESS (1994)

Let’s talk a bit about a man named Richard Rich.

Richard Rich was an employee at Walt Disney Studios. He started in the mail room and worked his way up until he became an animation director as well as co-director for films such as “The Fox and the Hound” and “The Black Cauldron”.

In 1986, he left Disney to form his own animation studios called “Rich Animation Studios”, now known as “Crest Animation Productions”.

"And yet somehow you like him and dislike me?" — “And yet somehow you like him and dislike me?”

"That's the way the cookie crumbles, Don!" — “That’s the way the cookie crumbles, Don!”

For this studio, Richard Rich would produce and/or direct many animated films including “The King and I”, “The Scarecrow”, “The Trumpet of the Swan”, “Muhammad: The Last Prophet”, “Alpha and Omega”, “The Little Engine That Could”, and a handful of educational/religious direct-to-video releases among others. But his most famous film by far is the subject of this review, “The Swan Princess”. Continue reading “My Thoughts: THE SWAN PRINCESS (1994)”

“The Nut Job” Finishes In 3rd…Aw, Nuts!

The first animated film of the year, “The Nut Job”, landed 3rd place in the US/Canada weekend box office. Grossing over $2o million, the film has been getting negative reviews, but may yet pass its budget of $42 million (I hope it doesn’t).

Have you seen this? If so, how was it? If not, do you plan on seeing this?

I’ll watch this when it comes to DVD, but I’m REALLY not looking forward to it!

86th Academy Awards Nominations Announced!

Well, the day we (or at least I) have been waiting for has finally arrived: THE OSCARS NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!!! Continue reading “86th Academy Awards Nominations Announced!”

My Thoughts: DESPICABLE ME 2 (2013)

Gru, the girls, and the Minions are back in this blockbuster sequel. Is it worth its nigh one billion dollar worldwide gross? Well, let’s take a look at it! Continue reading “My Thoughts: DESPICABLE ME 2 (2013)”

Actor James Avery Dies at 65!

I regret to inform you all that we start the year with some sad news. Actor James Avery has died! Mr. Avery (1948-2013) was an actor most famous for playing the role o“f Philip “Uncle Phil” Banks on the sitcom, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, also featuring Will Smith.

Mr. Avery was also quite adept in the field of animation providing voices for various animated series and films including “The Prince of Egypt”, “Spider-Man”, “Iron Man”, “Aladdin”, and “The Legend of Prince Valiant”. His most famous animated role was probably that of Shredder in the series, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”.

He also provided the voices of Br’er Frog and Br’er Bear in the Disneyland/Magic Kingdom ride, “Splash Mountain”.

Whether you loved him as Uncle Phil or Shredder or any of his other voice and live roles, he will definitely be missed!

Upcoming Animated Films in 2014

Well, 2013 is about to come to an end, so you know what that means!

"I think it means that it's time for us to look back at our year and see what progress we have made, learn from our mistakes, make amends for whatever wrongs we have committed, ..." — “I think it means that it’s time for us to look back on this year and see what progress we have made, learn from our mistakes, make amends for whatever wrongs we have committed, …”

No, it means that I’m going on vacation!

"Huh...that was totally not what I was thinking!" — “Huh…that was totally not what I was thinking!”

Yep, I’m gonna be gone for about a week, so I thought that I should leave you all with something before I go. And what better thing to leave you with than a preview of what next year has to offer in animated films!

So sit back and relax while we take a look at the animated full-length theatrical films that shall be released next year complete with synopses (if available), trailers/posters (if available), and American release dates (if available). I hope you all enjoy! Continue reading “Upcoming Animated Films in 2014”

Annie Awards Nominees Announced!

The Annie Awards, often seen as the animated equivalent of the Academy Award, is due to have its 41st ceremony on February 1, 2014. With that deadline coming soon, the full list of nominees have been released today. You can find them here:

http://annieawards.org/nominees/

But as of now, I just want to look at my two favorite categories: “Best Animated Feature” and “Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production”. Continue reading “Annie Awards Nominees Announced!”

“Frozen” Heats Up Box Office With $93 Million Weekend Debut

Disney’s much-anticipated and critically acclaimed entry in its animated Canon, “Frozen”, has proven that it DOES have the potential to be a modern classic. Opening in the 2nd place slot of the U.S./Canada box office, “Frozen” amassed a whopper $93 million, breaking the record for biggest Thanksgiving weekend debut!

Have you seen it? If so, what did you think? Do you agree with the statement that it’s this generation’s “Beauty and the Beast”? If you haven’t seen it, do you plan on seeing it and when?

I haven’t seen it yet, but I do really want to see it soon.

My Thoughts: PLANES (2013)

With the financial success of the “Cars” series, it was only a matter of time before Disney tried to cash in on other venues of the same universe. That’s where “Planes” comes in. Continue reading “My Thoughts: PLANES (2013)”