disneytoon – The Animation Commendation

DisneyToon Studios Shuts Down!

The big, sad news currently in the Disney world is that DisneyToon Studios has been shut down! For those unfamiliar with it, DisneyToon Studios was Disney’s second animation studio which produced a few theatrical films (such as A Goofy Movie, The Tigger Movie, Return to Never Land, The Jungle Book 2, the Planes films, etc.), but was more famous for producing direct-to-video films (such as the Aladdin sequels, the Beauty and the Beast sequels, the Cinderella sequels, the The Hunchback of Notre Dame sequel, the Mulan sequel, the Tinker Bell films, etc.)

Producing a good 47 films, the studio was even working on a Planes spin-off film, but due to the shutdown, said film is no longer in development. For more on the shutdown, read this: https://www.indiewire.com/2018/06/disneytoon-studios-shuts-down-disney-glendale-1201979736/.

What is your favorite DisneyToon Studios film? Mine is probably The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.

Actor John Mahoney Dies at 77!

The actor, John Mahoney, has passed away at the age of 77. Mr. Mahoney (1940-2018) was known for his role on the sitcom, Frasier, as well as for appearing in numerous films including Moonstruck, Eight Men Out, Barton Fink, and Flipped.

In terms of animation, Mr. Mahoney lent his voice to many animated features including Antz,

The Iron Giant,

Atlantis: The Lost Empire,

and Kronk’s New Groove.

He shall be missed!

My Thoughts: PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE (2014)

In 2013, Disney released their film, Planes, theatrically. Sort of a Cars in the air, it proved to be a modest success. Disney was so sure of this happening that they even planned a release date for the sequel BEFORE the first one was even released! And it’s this sequel we’re looking at today!

Continue reading “My Thoughts: PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE (2014)”

The 87th Academy Awards Considers 20 Films For ‘Best Animated Feature’ Nominations!

So, the Academy has announced that 20 films are qualified as contenders to be nominated for the Best Animated Feature Academy Award in the upcoming 87th Academy Awards ceremony. Due to there being 20, 5 of these films will actually make the nominations list. Which 5 do you think should make the list?

Big Hero 6

The Book of Life

The Boxtrolls

Cheatin’

Giovanni’s Island

Henry and Me

The Hero of Color City

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return

The LEGO Movie

Minuscule – Valley of the Lost Ants

Mr. Peabody and Sherman

Penguins of Madagascar

The Pirate Fairy

Planes: Fire and Rescue

Rio 2

Rocks in My Pockets

Song of the Sea

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

My picks are Big Hero 6, The LEGO Movie, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart, and Song of the Sea.

‘Planes: Fire & Rescue’ Opens Up At #3!

Whether you enjoyed last year’s Planes or not, Disney was adamant about making a sequel to it that they even planned the sequel’s release date before the original was even released!

And now, the sequel has been released and opened up at the #3 slot in the weekend box office. The film, which features our main character thrust into the world of fire and rescue missions, made a weekend gross of $18 million. With a budget of $50 million, the film could probably still make some sort of profit.

I’ll probably check the film out when it comes to DVD because it actually interests me more than the original, but not so much as to see it in the theaters. Also, Ed Harris is one of the voices and he’s always awesome!

Have you seen the film? If so, how was it? If not, do you want to see it? Let me know in the comments below!

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”

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)”