The legendary filmmaker behind Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki’s movies have enchanted audiences of all ages, going beyond the cultural barriers with their timeless themes and breathtaking artistry. Despite the universal appeal of his works, there was a time when Miyazaki found himself creatively exhausted, struggling to find inspiration. This period led to the birth of what is often considered his masterpiece, Spirited Away.
Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli
At the 2012 Toronto Film Festival, Hayao Miyazaki revealed the story behind the creation of Spirited Away and how his slump period resulted in this epic story. Needless to mention, John Lasseter, the director of Toy Story and A Bug’s Life, also joined Miyazaki in this event as he personally chaperoned the release of Spirited Away in North America, serving as the executive producer and overseeing the English-language dub.
The Origin of Spirited Away: Hayao Miyazaki’s Slump Period
Hayao Miyazaki was...
Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli
At the 2012 Toronto Film Festival, Hayao Miyazaki revealed the story behind the creation of Spirited Away and how his slump period resulted in this epic story. Needless to mention, John Lasseter, the director of Toy Story and A Bug’s Life, also joined Miyazaki in this event as he personally chaperoned the release of Spirited Away in North America, serving as the executive producer and overseeing the English-language dub.
The Origin of Spirited Away: Hayao Miyazaki’s Slump Period
Hayao Miyazaki was...
- 9/22/2024
- by Moumita Chakraborty
- FandomWire
This article contains spoilers for the "Toy Story" movies.
When John Lasseter's "Toy Story" was released in 1995, it was a coup for the industry. CGI had been used in films for a decade and there were myriad computer-animated short films, but the first theatrically released, fully-computer-animated feature changed the landscape. It certainly helped that "Toy Story" was a massive success, raking in over $365 million on a mere $30 million budget. The film was also highly acclaimed, sporting a novel concept (your toys are alive when you aren't looking), an excellent screenplay, and a first-rate cast.
After "Toy Story," it felt like the floodgates opened, and a shift from traditionally animated features to fully computer-animated features occurred within the next five years. One might even recall when Disney announced that it would be shuttering its traditional animation studio and only make computer-animated features going forward. This was slightly before its 2004 film "Home on the Range" flopped.
When John Lasseter's "Toy Story" was released in 1995, it was a coup for the industry. CGI had been used in films for a decade and there were myriad computer-animated short films, but the first theatrically released, fully-computer-animated feature changed the landscape. It certainly helped that "Toy Story" was a massive success, raking in over $365 million on a mere $30 million budget. The film was also highly acclaimed, sporting a novel concept (your toys are alive when you aren't looking), an excellent screenplay, and a first-rate cast.
After "Toy Story," it felt like the floodgates opened, and a shift from traditionally animated features to fully computer-animated features occurred within the next five years. One might even recall when Disney announced that it would be shuttering its traditional animation studio and only make computer-animated features going forward. This was slightly before its 2004 film "Home on the Range" flopped.
- 9/21/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Sylvester Stallone has been a Hollywood staple for five full decades at this point. Dating back to his first turn as the underdog boxer Rocky Balboa in 1972's "Rocky," the actor has been a mainstay of the screen. Like any actor who has managed to stay in the game this long, Stallone has had his ups and downs, but he's still here and still relevant more than 50 years later. But what is the best movie that Stallone has ever been in? What is the defining moment of the actor's varied filmography?
Not that Rotten Tomatoes is the be-all, end-all for such a discussion, but the review aggregator is a measuring stick often used in the modern era. Well, according to Rotten Tomatoes, 2015's "Creed" stands tall above the rest of Stallone's films with a 95% approval rating. That is not all that surprising when we break it down (more on that...
Not that Rotten Tomatoes is the be-all, end-all for such a discussion, but the review aggregator is a measuring stick often used in the modern era. Well, according to Rotten Tomatoes, 2015's "Creed" stands tall above the rest of Stallone's films with a 95% approval rating. That is not all that surprising when we break it down (more on that...
- 9/15/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
When you think about where to head for Halloween favorites, Disney+ probably doesn’t immediately spring to mind. But just because Disney+ is free from blood-and-gore extravaganzas doesn’t mean it can’t scratch your spooky itch. In fact, far from it! There is a pretty robust amount of Halloween (and Halloween-adjacent) fair on Disney’s direct-to-consumer platform, including a bunch of new stuff that was recently added and so many classics, for every age group. Here are our choices for the very best Halloween movies and shows on Disney+ right now.
Frankenweenie (2012) Photo: Disney
Unlike other Disney remakes, which start out in animation before transitioning to live-action, Tim Burton decided to remake his oddball live-action short film (one of his “after school projects” that kept him busy while animating for Disney) in the form of a feature-length stop-motion animated film. Talk about a curveball! One of his most emotionally resonant and overlooked films,...
Frankenweenie (2012) Photo: Disney
Unlike other Disney remakes, which start out in animation before transitioning to live-action, Tim Burton decided to remake his oddball live-action short film (one of his “after school projects” that kept him busy while animating for Disney) in the form of a feature-length stop-motion animated film. Talk about a curveball! One of his most emotionally resonant and overlooked films,...
- 8/24/2024
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Among the "Dark Tower" fandom, the typical consensus is that the first four books were amazing, and the final three books were a step down. There are a lot of reasons for this view. The big one is that books 5 through 7 were each written in rapid succession; after taking his sweet time with the first four, a post-car accident Stephen King seemingly wrote the final three books in one frantic burst. There's a sloppiness to the writing (especially with some of the anti-climactic villain deaths in book 7) that seems like it could easily be attributed to King rushing his way to the finish line.
But despite the way the final three novels tend to clump together in readers' minds, the fifth book ("Wolves of the Calla") is still very much its own distinct thing, and deserves to be treated as such. "Song of Susannah" might feel like a total bridge novel,...
But despite the way the final three novels tend to clump together in readers' minds, the fifth book ("Wolves of the Calla") is still very much its own distinct thing, and deserves to be treated as such. "Song of Susannah" might feel like a total bridge novel,...
- 8/24/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
This article is part of IndieWire’s 2000s Week celebration. Click here for a whole lot more.
Pete Docter, Pixar’s chief creative officer and Oscar-winning director of “Up,” “Inside Out,” and “Soul,” first learned to face his fears on his debut, “Monsters, Inc.” (2001), the buddy comedy about monsters coming out of closets to scare kids. Docter’s obvious knack for channeling personal problems into universal stories helped propel the films to both Oscars and staggering box office. It also helped shape Docter as a person, something not unfamiliar to Pixar’s fans.
“When I started on the film, my wife and I had our first kid, and bringing him home was horrifying for me, because obviously kids are appealing and cute and all that, but I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this thing is counting on me and my wife to take care of it,'” Docter told IndieWire during a recent interview.
Pete Docter, Pixar’s chief creative officer and Oscar-winning director of “Up,” “Inside Out,” and “Soul,” first learned to face his fears on his debut, “Monsters, Inc.” (2001), the buddy comedy about monsters coming out of closets to scare kids. Docter’s obvious knack for channeling personal problems into universal stories helped propel the films to both Oscars and staggering box office. It also helped shape Docter as a person, something not unfamiliar to Pixar’s fans.
“When I started on the film, my wife and I had our first kid, and bringing him home was horrifying for me, because obviously kids are appealing and cute and all that, but I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this thing is counting on me and my wife to take care of it,'” Docter told IndieWire during a recent interview.
- 8/16/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Last year, we learned that "Toy Story 5" would be coming to theaters in 2026, but that was pretty much all we knew about Pixar's sequel to its longest-running and arguably most beloved film franchise. Thankfully, though, Disney and Pixar have revealed some more information about the upcoming follow-up at tonight's D23 Expo panel presentation in Anaheim, and /Film's Jacob Hall was on hand to experience it in person.
Andrew Stanton, the Pixar veteran who directed animated movies like "A Bug's Life," "Finding Nemo," "Wall*E," and "Finding Dory," is officially returning to the studio to write and direct "Toy Story 5." This is a homecoming for him in more ways than one: He's spent the past several years directing live-action TV shows like "Better Call Saul," "3 Body Problem," and more, and Stanton was also one of the credited writers on the original "Toy Story" way back in 1995.
As for the plot,...
Andrew Stanton, the Pixar veteran who directed animated movies like "A Bug's Life," "Finding Nemo," "Wall*E," and "Finding Dory," is officially returning to the studio to write and direct "Toy Story 5." This is a homecoming for him in more ways than one: He's spent the past several years directing live-action TV shows like "Better Call Saul," "3 Body Problem," and more, and Stanton was also one of the credited writers on the original "Toy Story" way back in 1995.
As for the plot,...
- 8/10/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
With “Inside Out 2” blowing the roof off the summer box office, Disney and Pixar are all steam ahead on the sequel train. Next up on the slate is a return to the IP that reshaped the world of animation, “Toy Story 5.” Disney CEO Bob Iger announced development on the new installment in early 2023, with a release date later being set for June 19, 2026. At the same time as Iger’s announcement came, Buzz Lightyear star Tim Allen also shared via X, formerly known as Twitter, that he would be lending his voice to the iconic character once again. Though it had been rumored Pixar brain trust member and creative mainstay Andrew Stanton would be directing the 5th entry in the long-running animated film series, his involvement was confirmed at D23 today, in addition to new details being revealed.
Stanton has contributed to every “Toy Story” script since the inception of the inaugural Pixar film,...
Stanton has contributed to every “Toy Story” script since the inception of the inaugural Pixar film,...
- 8/10/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Pixar’s next installment of the “Toy Story” series is starting to take shape, as it was officially announced at the D23 Expo in Anaheim on Friday that “Finding Nemo” director Andrew Stanton will write and co-direct the upcoming project hitting theaters in 2026.
Stanton will co-direct with McKenna Jean Harris, who directed the Disney+ animated short “Ciao Alberto” based on the film “Luca.”
Stanton says that in the new film, Woody and the gang will find their jobs to make kids happy facing their toughest challenge yet: electronics. The crowd laughed at a concept art of all the toys looking sadly at a kid gazing a tablet from under the bed covers.
Stanton also revealed that there will be an army of Buzz Lightyear toys that are controlled by computers that will make things miserable for everyone.
Stanton is one of the founding fathers of Pixar, having served as writer...
Stanton will co-direct with McKenna Jean Harris, who directed the Disney+ animated short “Ciao Alberto” based on the film “Luca.”
Stanton says that in the new film, Woody and the gang will find their jobs to make kids happy facing their toughest challenge yet: electronics. The crowd laughed at a concept art of all the toys looking sadly at a kid gazing a tablet from under the bed covers.
Stanton also revealed that there will be an army of Buzz Lightyear toys that are controlled by computers that will make things miserable for everyone.
Stanton is one of the founding fathers of Pixar, having served as writer...
- 8/10/2024
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Given the overwhelming successes of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Pixar's Inside Out 2, feature animation is currently enjoying a renewed position as a dominating box office darling. Not to rain on the parade, especially since any boon for movie theaters should be considered a Good Thing,...
- 8/6/2024
- by Jarrod Jones
- avclub.com
From the creatives behind Toy Story, Cars, A Bug’s Life, and Shrek comes Spellbound, a whimsical animated adventure from Skydance Animation for the whole family! What happens when the rulers of a kingdom become magically transformed into monsters, and their only hope of being restored is their determined daughter and a population of frightened followers in the grips of panic? We’re about to find out, thanks to Skydance’s Spellbound trailer!
Here’s the official synopsis for Spellbound courtesy of Netflix:
Every kid has trouble getting along with their parents sometimes, but this is ridiculous. In the new animated adventure Spellbound, Ellian (voiced by Rachel Zegler) squares off with her mother and father, the king and queen of Lumbria. But this isn’t your typical family drama — a mysterious spell has transformed Ellian’s parents into massive, rampaging monsters.
Beneath all of the magic and mayhem, Spellbound is a human story,...
Here’s the official synopsis for Spellbound courtesy of Netflix:
Every kid has trouble getting along with their parents sometimes, but this is ridiculous. In the new animated adventure Spellbound, Ellian (voiced by Rachel Zegler) squares off with her mother and father, the king and queen of Lumbria. But this isn’t your typical family drama — a mysterious spell has transformed Ellian’s parents into massive, rampaging monsters.
Beneath all of the magic and mayhem, Spellbound is a human story,...
- 7/30/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
We’re obviously completely self-aware that we’re publishing this list the Monday after Deadpool & Wolverine made $205 million at the box office. That’s the whole point of being meta, right? Or if you want to get Merriam-Webster involved, something that “shows or suggests an explicit awareness of itself or oneself as a member of its category: cleverly self-referential.”
That said, when it comes to movies, this kind of self-awareness can cover a wide range of narrative devices. A character quietly acknowledging the audience can be meta. Other times, meta scenes can intentionally break apart a film’s reality. Meta doesn’t even necessarily need to be done for the sake of humor either, as plenty of movies — from Frederico Fellini’s 8½ to the horror thriller Funny Games — get meta without much humorous intention.
But for the purposes of this list, which Cracked writers Tim Grierson and Matt Solomon and...
That said, when it comes to movies, this kind of self-awareness can cover a wide range of narrative devices. A character quietly acknowledging the audience can be meta. Other times, meta scenes can intentionally break apart a film’s reality. Meta doesn’t even necessarily need to be done for the sake of humor either, as plenty of movies — from Frederico Fellini’s 8½ to the horror thriller Funny Games — get meta without much humorous intention.
But for the purposes of this list, which Cracked writers Tim Grierson and Matt Solomon and...
- 7/29/2024
- Cracked
Despicable Me 3Image: Illumination
With Run The Series, The A.V. Club examines film franchises, studying how they change and evolve with each new installment.
It was about time that DreamWorks got DreamWorks’d. That’s what some animation fans must have been thinking back in 2010, when Despicable Me, a...
With Run The Series, The A.V. Club examines film franchises, studying how they change and evolve with each new installment.
It was about time that DreamWorks got DreamWorks’d. That’s what some animation fans must have been thinking back in 2010, when Despicable Me, a...
- 7/10/2024
- by Jesse Hassenger
- avclub.com
With Inside Out 2‘s huge box office numbers re-establishing Pixar as an animation powerhouse, we figured now would be a good time to ask our readers what their favorite Pixar movie is. Do you prefer the early Pixar films like Toy Story or A Bug’s Life, or maybe something from their 2000’s heyday like The Incredibles or Wall-e, or is their more daring, recent output more your style? Let us know by taking the poll and leaving a comment.
What's Your Favorite Pixar Movie?Toy StoryA Bug's LifeToy Story 2Monsters IncFinding NemoThe IncrediblesCarsRatatouilleWALL-EUpToy Story 3Cars 2BraveMonsters UniversityInside OutThe Good DinosaurFinding DoryCars 3CocoIncredibles 2Toy Story 4OnwardSoulLucaTurning RedLightyearElementalInside Out 2VoteBack to vote
The post Poll: What’s Your Favorite Pixar Movie? appeared first on JoBlo.
What's Your Favorite Pixar Movie?Toy StoryA Bug's LifeToy Story 2Monsters IncFinding NemoThe IncrediblesCarsRatatouilleWALL-EUpToy Story 3Cars 2BraveMonsters UniversityInside OutThe Good DinosaurFinding DoryCars 3CocoIncredibles 2Toy Story 4OnwardSoulLucaTurning RedLightyearElementalInside Out 2VoteBack to vote
The post Poll: What’s Your Favorite Pixar Movie? appeared first on JoBlo.
- 6/16/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Pixar has made some of the most beloved and narratively fulfilling animated films for many years. The company is behind some of the biggest hits including the Toy Story franchise, A Bug’s Life, Monster’s Inc, and Inside Out. However, the past few years have not been great for the company with Elemental and Lightyear becoming box office disappointments.
Buzz Lightyear and Woody in 1995’s Toy Story | Pixar Animation Studios
There was decent hype around Lightyear as it was a spin-off of the Toy Story franchise centering on the beloved character Buzz Lightyear, who is turned into an actual human and not a toy. Unfortunately, the film didn’t connect with audiences and was a huge bomb. The creative head of Pixar, Pete Docter reflected on its failure and how they overestimated the audience’s nerd level.
Pixar Head Believes The Studio Went Ahead Of Itself With Lightyear
Lightyear bombed...
Buzz Lightyear and Woody in 1995’s Toy Story | Pixar Animation Studios
There was decent hype around Lightyear as it was a spin-off of the Toy Story franchise centering on the beloved character Buzz Lightyear, who is turned into an actual human and not a toy. Unfortunately, the film didn’t connect with audiences and was a huge bomb. The creative head of Pixar, Pete Docter reflected on its failure and how they overestimated the audience’s nerd level.
Pixar Head Believes The Studio Went Ahead Of Itself With Lightyear
Lightyear bombed...
- 6/12/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Exclusive: Animation veteran Jill Culton has joined Jon M. Chu as directing partner of the Warner Bros Pictures Animation adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Pic is a big priority for the studio, being done with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Bad Robot.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, whose work includes The Greatest Showman, Spirited and La La Land, will write original songs for the film adaptation. Rob Lieber (Peter Rabbit) is writing the screenplay based on Dr. Seuss’ final book. The book is the blueprint for a globetrotting animated musical following a young adventurer as they journey through the joys and heartaches, and the peaks and valleys, of life.
Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams is producing along with Hannah Minghella, Bad Robot’s Head of Motion Pictures.
Culton is a 30-year veteran in the animated feature film space and is best known for both writing...
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, whose work includes The Greatest Showman, Spirited and La La Land, will write original songs for the film adaptation. Rob Lieber (Peter Rabbit) is writing the screenplay based on Dr. Seuss’ final book. The book is the blueprint for a globetrotting animated musical following a young adventurer as they journey through the joys and heartaches, and the peaks and valleys, of life.
Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams is producing along with Hannah Minghella, Bad Robot’s Head of Motion Pictures.
Culton is a 30-year veteran in the animated feature film space and is best known for both writing...
- 6/10/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
After Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and A Bug’s Life, John Lasseter directed his fourth film collaboration with Disney and Pixar, Cars (2006). By the time Pixar animated the story based on anthropomorphic cars, technology had advanced far from what they had used for their revolutionary first film in 1995. According to the reports, the computers used for animating Cars were 1000 times faster than those used in Toy Story.
A still from Toy Story | Pixar Animation Studios
However, the development of Cars began in 1998 right after the production of A Bug’s Life. It took years for Disney to come out with the film that had clean animations and used some advanced animation techniques. The efforts paid off handsomely as Cars became the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2006.
Why Did Cars Take More Time For Pixar To Make Than Toy Story Even With Faster Computers?
A still from Cars | Pixar Animation Studios
Making the 2006 animated...
A still from Toy Story | Pixar Animation Studios
However, the development of Cars began in 1998 right after the production of A Bug’s Life. It took years for Disney to come out with the film that had clean animations and used some advanced animation techniques. The efforts paid off handsomely as Cars became the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2006.
Why Did Cars Take More Time For Pixar To Make Than Toy Story Even With Faster Computers?
A still from Cars | Pixar Animation Studios
Making the 2006 animated...
- 6/9/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Few feats in filmmaking are rarer that churning out a string of classics within the span of a few years. It's the cineaste equivalent of, I dunno, whatever sports metaphor you deem fit to slot in here. John McTiernan did it by delivering "Predator," "Die Hard," and "The Hunt for Red October" back-to-back-to-back, while Francis Ford Coppola did him one better by helming "The Godfather," "The Conversation," and "The Godfather Part II" within the span of two years before returning five years later with "Apocalypse Now." But for my money, fews runs can match that of Akira Kurosawa in the '50s, a time in which the Japanese legend gifted us with "Rashōmon," "Ikiru," "Seven Samurai," "Throne of Blood," and "The Hidden Fortress," all before the decade was over.
Now, in the latest bid to boost 2024's sagging box office with an exciting theatrical re-release, Janus Films is celebrating "Seven Samurai...
Now, in the latest bid to boost 2024's sagging box office with an exciting theatrical re-release, Janus Films is celebrating "Seven Samurai...
- 6/7/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
When Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, and Hideo Oguni were writing the screenplay for their 1954 epic "Seven Samurai," they couldn't have predicted its lasting influence on cinema. Not only did Kurosawa's masterful direction alter and revolutionize the way action sequences would be shot, but the premise became a reliable and lasting template that multiple other filmmakers would employ in the ensuing decades. For those unlucky enough to have never seen "Seven Samurai," the setup is simple: a remote farming village is regularly looted by passing bandits, leaving them destitute. Unable to withstand another attack, the villagers gather up their modest means and hire seven rogue samurai to protect them. The samurai know that the job won't pay, but each one has their own reasons for joining the cause. Using their cunning and limited means, the samurai repel the bandit attack.
Most recently, the "Seven Samurai" premise was transposed onto Zack Snyder's "Rebel Moon.
Most recently, the "Seven Samurai" premise was transposed onto Zack Snyder's "Rebel Moon.
- 5/21/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
For years many fans of Pixar films have become familiar with a particular voice in their movies. That voice is actor and comedian John Ratzenberger. While many growing up in the 1980s remember him as Cliff Calvin on the popular sitcom Cheers, children from the mid-1990s to the late 2010s have heard his voice in other places.
Starting in the 1995 animated film Toy Story as Hamm the piggy bank, the actor went on to appear in 23 films for the animation studio. He was P.T. Flea in A Bug’s Life, Yeti in Monsters Inc., The Underminer in The Incredibles, Mack the Truck in Cars, and many more. In essence he became the Stan Lee of Pixar.
However, in recent years, he has been noticeably absent. His last vocal appearance was in 2020’s Onward as Fennwick the Cyclops. There was apparently a cameo in 2020’s Soul, but it was more...
Starting in the 1995 animated film Toy Story as Hamm the piggy bank, the actor went on to appear in 23 films for the animation studio. He was P.T. Flea in A Bug’s Life, Yeti in Monsters Inc., The Underminer in The Incredibles, Mack the Truck in Cars, and many more. In essence he became the Stan Lee of Pixar.
However, in recent years, he has been noticeably absent. His last vocal appearance was in 2020’s Onward as Fennwick the Cyclops. There was apparently a cameo in 2020’s Soul, but it was more...
- 5/18/2024
- by Mr. Milo
- Pirates & Princesses
From Saving Private Ryan, through There's Something About Mary and onto A Bug's Life, 1998 saw critically acclaimed films in a variety of genres. The highest grossing film of the year was the Bruce Willis sci-fi disaster movie Armageddon, which grossed $553.7 million.
Despite its box office success, Armageddon scores only 43% on the Tomatometer. Another sci-fi film released in the same year scores 76% and has an audience score of 85%.
This Kiefer Sutherland film has a critics' score of 76% and an audience score of 85%. However, it only grossed $27.2 million against a production budget of $27 million and has been largely forgotten.
A top cast and stylish insight into the mind
Starring Kiefer Sutherland alongside Rufus Sewell, William Hurt and Jennifer Connelly, Dark City is a genre hybrid that can be broadly described as sci-fi. Written and directed by Alex Proyas, it's a dystopian thriller set in a futuristic world where the night never ends,...
Despite its box office success, Armageddon scores only 43% on the Tomatometer. Another sci-fi film released in the same year scores 76% and has an audience score of 85%.
This Kiefer Sutherland film has a critics' score of 76% and an audience score of 85%. However, it only grossed $27.2 million against a production budget of $27 million and has been largely forgotten.
A top cast and stylish insight into the mind
Starring Kiefer Sutherland alongside Rufus Sewell, William Hurt and Jennifer Connelly, Dark City is a genre hybrid that can be broadly described as sci-fi. Written and directed by Alex Proyas, it's a dystopian thriller set in a futuristic world where the night never ends,...
- 4/20/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Lee Jevon)
- STartefacts.com
As part of The Walt Disney Company and National Geographic’s ourHOME campaign, Earth Day 2024 will be commemorated with an unprecedented rollout of content celebrating ourHOME’s beauty and awe. The ourHOME campaign spotlights internal and external efforts that help protect, restore, and celebrate ourHOME by highlighting creators, storytellers, and cast members for their contributions.
Beginning April 19 through April 22, Earth Day-themed content will be spotlighted across ABC News, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Freeform, FX, Fxx, Hulu, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, and Nat Geo Mundo, with ourHOME collections on Disney+ and Hulu.
Branded ourHOME, the Earth Day lineup will include programming from some of our very best storytellers and content creators, inspiring viewers to fall in love with the planet with the best Disney content.
In addition, the ourHOME brand anthem, featuring Morgan Freeman‘s voice, will air throughout the Earth Day content rollout across the Disney networks, Disney-owned Television Stations,...
Beginning April 19 through April 22, Earth Day-themed content will be spotlighted across ABC News, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Freeform, FX, Fxx, Hulu, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, and Nat Geo Mundo, with ourHOME collections on Disney+ and Hulu.
Branded ourHOME, the Earth Day lineup will include programming from some of our very best storytellers and content creators, inspiring viewers to fall in love with the planet with the best Disney content.
In addition, the ourHOME brand anthem, featuring Morgan Freeman‘s voice, will air throughout the Earth Day content rollout across the Disney networks, Disney-owned Television Stations,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Exclusive: The Walt Disney Company and National Geographic have unveiled a slate of Earth Day-themed programming as part of their global cross-platform ourHome campaign. Beginning April 19 through April 22, Earth Day-themed content will be featured across ABC News, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Freeform, FX, Fxx, Hulu, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo, with ourHome collections on Disney+ and Hulu.
Morgan Freeman will be the voice of the ourHome brand anthem, which will air throughout the Earth Day content rollout across the Disney networks, Disney Owned Television Stations and select digital platforms.
Beginning on Sunday, April 21, ABC News will launch a special week-long series for ourHome, Power of Us: People, The Climate, and Our Future, featuring innovative solutions for climate change. The series will be led by ABC News’ chief meteorologist and climate correspondent, Ginger Zee, along with the ABC News weather and climate unit. Power of Us...
Morgan Freeman will be the voice of the ourHome brand anthem, which will air throughout the Earth Day content rollout across the Disney networks, Disney Owned Television Stations and select digital platforms.
Beginning on Sunday, April 21, ABC News will launch a special week-long series for ourHome, Power of Us: People, The Climate, and Our Future, featuring innovative solutions for climate change. The series will be led by ABC News’ chief meteorologist and climate correspondent, Ginger Zee, along with the ABC News weather and climate unit. Power of Us...
- 4/19/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
It's astonishing to look back at John Lasseter's 1995 film "Toy Story" and regard how rudimentary it looks by today's standards. "Toy Story" was the first widely distributed CGI-animated feature film, and it felt overwhelmingly revolutionary at the time. Many were astonished at how expressive and fun CGI characters could be, and the film's success effectively ushered in a sea change in the animation world. In 2024, traditional cel animation is incredibly uncommon, and CGI is the naturally assumed standard.
CGI characters are designed to essentially be "puppets," in terms of their elasticity. Animators, at least at the time, were forced to stay on-model, only able to expand eyeballs or raise eyebrows so high. It wouldn't be for years that CG characters could mutate, squash, and stretch the way hand-drawn characters could. "Toy Story" benefitted from being about, well, toys. Its characters were all made of plastic, so there was an...
CGI characters are designed to essentially be "puppets," in terms of their elasticity. Animators, at least at the time, were forced to stay on-model, only able to expand eyeballs or raise eyebrows so high. It wouldn't be for years that CG characters could mutate, squash, and stretch the way hand-drawn characters could. "Toy Story" benefitted from being about, well, toys. Its characters were all made of plastic, so there was an...
- 4/1/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
There are some hardcore Trekkies in the world who consider Dean Parisot's 1999 comedy to be the best "Star Trek" movie. The main characters in Parisot's film are all struggling actors, still most fondly remembered for their work on a short-lived cult sci-fi series from decades prior. The in-universe show, called "Galaxy Quest," resembles "Star Trek" in several key ways, and the egotistical lead actor Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), who played the captain of the starship Protector on "Galaxy Quest," was clearly modeled after William Shatner.
The plot of "Galaxy Quest" is amusing: a species of shapeshifting aliens, requiring defense from marauders, recruit the original "Galaxy Quest" actors to serve as their champions. The aliens assumed that rogue TV broadcasts they once saw were very real and have recreated "Galaxy Quest" in real life. The put-upon thespians don't have the heart to explain to the aliens that their show is...
The plot of "Galaxy Quest" is amusing: a species of shapeshifting aliens, requiring defense from marauders, recruit the original "Galaxy Quest" actors to serve as their champions. The aliens assumed that rogue TV broadcasts they once saw were very real and have recreated "Galaxy Quest" in real life. The put-upon thespians don't have the heart to explain to the aliens that their show is...
- 2/27/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Today, National Geographic announced that their groundbreaking, genre-defying natural history series A Real Bug’S Life has been picked up for a second season. Narrated by award-winning actress Awkwafina and produced by Plimsoll Productions, the series will take viewers on five new and exciting trips around the world to get up close and personal with insects and their moving stories. The new season will come to Disney+ this fall. Inspired by the World of Disney and Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, the new season of the genre-busting series will feature an all-new cast of insects including femme fatale firefly, bachelor luna moth, a real-life assassin ... Read more...
- 2/9/2024
- by Thomas Miller
- Seat42F
Chris Hemsworth returns with ‘Limitless with Chris Hemsworth’ season 2 (National Geographic for Disney+/Craig Parry)
National Geographic has renewed both Limitless with Chris Hemsworth and A Real Bug’s Life for second seasons. Season one of Limitless premiered on Disney+ in November 2022 and A Real Bug’s Life, narrated by Awkwafina, debuted in January 2024.
“Working on Limitless was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to reflect on my strengths, vulnerabilities and all the ways in which we as humans can plan toward longevity,” said Hemsworth. “For this next season, we are attempting to raise the bar and go even deeper in this exploration alongside health and wellness experts from around the globe.”
Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel created the series and will return to executive produce the new season. Additional executive producers include Hemsworth, Tom Watt-Smith, Jane Root, Ben Grayson, Brandon Hill, Bengt Anderson, and Simon Raikes.
“Millions of viewers around...
National Geographic has renewed both Limitless with Chris Hemsworth and A Real Bug’s Life for second seasons. Season one of Limitless premiered on Disney+ in November 2022 and A Real Bug’s Life, narrated by Awkwafina, debuted in January 2024.
“Working on Limitless was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to reflect on my strengths, vulnerabilities and all the ways in which we as humans can plan toward longevity,” said Hemsworth. “For this next season, we are attempting to raise the bar and go even deeper in this exploration alongside health and wellness experts from around the globe.”
Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel created the series and will return to executive produce the new season. Additional executive producers include Hemsworth, Tom Watt-Smith, Jane Root, Ben Grayson, Brandon Hill, Bengt Anderson, and Simon Raikes.
“Millions of viewers around...
- 2/8/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Chris Hemsworth will continue testing his phyical and mental boundaries for Nat Geo.
The Disney-owned company has renewed Limitless With Chris Hemsworth for a second season, which like the first will stream on Disney+. The formal pickup comes more than a year after the first season debuted in November 2022.
Nat Geo and Disney+ have also renewed A Real Bug’s Life, the (partially staged) nature series that uses the 1998 Pixar movie A Bug’s Life as its inspiration. That pickup was much quicker, coming two weeks after the series premiered. Nat Geo announced both pickups during its time at the Television Critics Association press tour on Thursday.
Season one of Limitless followed Hemsworth as he explored — using himself as a test subject — scientific developments in helping people live longer, healthier lives. Season two will focus on “a series of physical and mental obstaclesthat people across the world face daily: mental agility, pain,...
The Disney-owned company has renewed Limitless With Chris Hemsworth for a second season, which like the first will stream on Disney+. The formal pickup comes more than a year after the first season debuted in November 2022.
Nat Geo and Disney+ have also renewed A Real Bug’s Life, the (partially staged) nature series that uses the 1998 Pixar movie A Bug’s Life as its inspiration. That pickup was much quicker, coming two weeks after the series premiered. Nat Geo announced both pickups during its time at the Television Critics Association press tour on Thursday.
Season one of Limitless followed Hemsworth as he explored — using himself as a test subject — scientific developments in helping people live longer, healthier lives. Season two will focus on “a series of physical and mental obstaclesthat people across the world face daily: mental agility, pain,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Limitless With Chris Hemsworth” has been renewed for a second season at National Geographic.
The news came during the network’s presentation at the Winter 2024 Television Critics Association Press Tour, during which “A Real Bug’s Life” was also renewed while greenlights were announced for a new “Shark Beach” special headlined by Anthony Mackie, a docuseries about Stéphane Bourgoin, and a documentary film about Sally Ride.
“Limitless” follows Chris Hemsworth as he attempts to find and demonstrate secrets to a living longer, healthier life. Season 1 featured the actor exploring topics like stress management and exposure to extreme temperatures, while Season 2 will see him continue the journey across Nepal, Italy, Australia and the U.K.
“A Real Bug’s Life,” inspired by Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life,” is narrated by Awkwafina. Per its logline, Season 2 will feature “an all-new cast of insects including femme fatale firefly, bachelor luna moth, a real-life assassin bug,...
The news came during the network’s presentation at the Winter 2024 Television Critics Association Press Tour, during which “A Real Bug’s Life” was also renewed while greenlights were announced for a new “Shark Beach” special headlined by Anthony Mackie, a docuseries about Stéphane Bourgoin, and a documentary film about Sally Ride.
“Limitless” follows Chris Hemsworth as he attempts to find and demonstrate secrets to a living longer, healthier life. Season 1 featured the actor exploring topics like stress management and exposure to extreme temperatures, while Season 2 will see him continue the journey across Nepal, Italy, Australia and the U.K.
“A Real Bug’s Life,” inspired by Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life,” is narrated by Awkwafina. Per its logline, Season 2 will feature “an all-new cast of insects including femme fatale firefly, bachelor luna moth, a real-life assassin bug,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
They only come along every once in a blue moon: the dueling movies. 1998 was an especially unusual year in that it saw two of them hitting theaters, with killer asteroid films "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon" going head-to-head within the same 12-month span as the animated insect flicks "Antz" and "A Bug's Life." There haven't been too many since then, save for the clash of the White House action-thrillers in 2013 with "Olympus Has Fallen" and "White House Down." Now, 2024 is bringing us the next big showdown between movies with remarkably similar premises.
The unexpected shared theme? Imaginary friends.
Okay, fine, so John Krasinski's family-friendly "If" and Jeff Wadlow's horror thriller "Imaginary" seem to have almost nothing in common besides revolving around children's imaginary pals. Nevertheless, there's no denying it's a little strange that we're getting two films based on that exact same premise in quick succession. The former of...
The unexpected shared theme? Imaginary friends.
Okay, fine, so John Krasinski's family-friendly "If" and Jeff Wadlow's horror thriller "Imaginary" seem to have almost nothing in common besides revolving around children's imaginary pals. Nevertheless, there's no denying it's a little strange that we're getting two films based on that exact same premise in quick succession. The former of...
- 2/6/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
How do you film something that’s only about 2.5 millimeters long? What about thousands of those little somethings—pavement ants, in this case—all working together to dismantle a hot dog, perched amidst on a New York City sidewalk? That’s a question Bill Markham and his team had to figure out when putting together National Geographic’s A Real Bug’s Life, available now on Disney+. Ostensibly a sort of “real life” tribute to A Bug’s Life, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, A Real Bug’s Life follows different bugs in their natural habitats, all in service of teaching viewers how they live […]
The post Endoscopes and Racing Drones: How a NatGeo Team Filmed A Real Bug’s Life first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Endoscopes and Racing Drones: How a NatGeo Team Filmed A Real Bug’s Life first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/30/2024
- by Marah Eakin
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
How do you film something that’s only about 2.5 millimeters long? What about thousands of those little somethings—pavement ants, in this case—all working together to dismantle a hot dog, perched amidst on a New York City sidewalk? That’s a question Bill Markham and his team had to figure out when putting together National Geographic’s A Real Bug’s Life, available now on Disney+. Ostensibly a sort of “real life” tribute to A Bug’s Life, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, A Real Bug’s Life follows different bugs in their natural habitats, all in service of teaching viewers how they live […]
The post Endoscopes and Racing Drones: How a NatGeo Team Filmed A Real Bug’s Life first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Endoscopes and Racing Drones: How a NatGeo Team Filmed A Real Bug’s Life first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/30/2024
- by Marah Eakin
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The micro world is all around us, hiding in plain sight. A Real Bug’s Life, a new Disney+ original series from National Geographic, is set to zoom in on these oft overlooked miniature habitats from around the globe. And we witnessed it firsthand.
In early December, Den of Geek was invited to an exclusive early sneak peak of the series, inspired by Disney and Pixar’s 1998 animated film A Bug’s Life and narrated by Awkwafina, on location in Serengeti, Tanzania. The unique press junket immersed the media in the shooting locations of three series, the aforementioned Bug’s Life, the Jeremy Renner-narrated Incredible Animal Journeys, which is currently streaming on Disney+, and the upcoming series Queens, a spotlight on the matriarchies of the animal kingdom.
It was serendipity as I witnessed in person, during a hike in the expansive and breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, nearly the exact same scenario that plays...
In early December, Den of Geek was invited to an exclusive early sneak peak of the series, inspired by Disney and Pixar’s 1998 animated film A Bug’s Life and narrated by Awkwafina, on location in Serengeti, Tanzania. The unique press junket immersed the media in the shooting locations of three series, the aforementioned Bug’s Life, the Jeremy Renner-narrated Incredible Animal Journeys, which is currently streaming on Disney+, and the upcoming series Queens, a spotlight on the matriarchies of the animal kingdom.
It was serendipity as I witnessed in person, during a hike in the expansive and breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, nearly the exact same scenario that plays...
- 1/18/2024
- by Chris Longo
- Den of Geek
As divisive as his films tend to be, many can agree that Zack Snyder's career has always been that of a trendsetter. When the filmmaker's distinct grasp of visual style and flair (developed while working in the music video scene early on) brought Hollywood knocking at his door, Snyder spent the next several years bringing various concepts to life that most considered "unfilmable." His groundbreaking adaptation of the graphic novel "300," which arguably redefined blockbuster action in pop culture throughout the early aughts, directly led to Snyder getting his hands on the holy grail of "Watchmen" in 2009. Although superhero movies moving forward would generally opt for the airy tone of Marvel's "Iron Man" rather than Snyder's grand and operatic take, the seeds were planted for the DC superhero world that would consume him for much of the next decade -- and eventually lead to darker, more cynical, and self-reflexively...
- 12/15/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
No one really asked for a prequel to "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" that focused on the origin of a future psychotic child murderer -- especially if it meant losing a third Paul King "Paddington" movie. Even fewer people could have predicted that "Wonka" would end up being a pretty great film. As our own Ethan Anderton wrote in this review, the film has a "well-thought-out story that doesn't even lean heavily on nostalgia or cheeky references to the classic film adaptation."
Indeed, the film is a riot. Paul King delivers a whimsical, colorful holiday film for the whole family that features a fantastic ensemble that steals every scene they're in, and there's a sense of whimsy that is reminiscent of King's "Paddington" movies. Timothée Chalamet finds the right balance between homaging Gene Wilder and doing his own weird little chocolate-loving psycho. There are even hints of some of...
Indeed, the film is a riot. Paul King delivers a whimsical, colorful holiday film for the whole family that features a fantastic ensemble that steals every scene they're in, and there's a sense of whimsy that is reminiscent of King's "Paddington" movies. Timothée Chalamet finds the right balance between homaging Gene Wilder and doing his own weird little chocolate-loving psycho. There are even hints of some of...
- 12/14/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
As the end of the 20th century came to a close, traditional 2D animation seemed to be dying along with it. But while Disney Renaissance films are often remembered by nostalgic Millennials as the last great ride of hand-drawn animation, their grand, sweeping scale was actually made possible by blending old-school techniques with brand new technology. In the ballroom scene from 1991's "Beauty and the Beast," a hand-drawn Belle and Beast waltz against the spinning backdrop of a CG-animated ballroom; the heart-stopping stampede in 1994's "The Lion King" has a traditionally-animated Simba fleeing from computer-animated wildebeest.
The balance soon tipped over in favor of the completely CG animation that dominates today. But somewhere between the release of "Toy Story" and "Shrek," a British studio called Aardman Animations ambitiously embarked on its first feature film: a poultry-themed spin on "The Great Escape" called "Chicken Run." With a final tally of $227.7 million at the global box office,...
The balance soon tipped over in favor of the completely CG animation that dominates today. But somewhere between the release of "Toy Story" and "Shrek," a British studio called Aardman Animations ambitiously embarked on its first feature film: a poultry-themed spin on "The Great Escape" called "Chicken Run." With a final tally of $227.7 million at the global box office,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy are pictured while on the campaign trail in San Antonio, Nov. 21, 1963.
National Geographic’s 2023 fall and winter programming kicks off with JFK: One Day in America, the second installment of the network’s One Day in America series. Nat Geo’s slate also includes documentaries narrated by Angela Bassett, Jeremy Renner, and Awkwafina, as well as Photographer – a series spotlighting the work of iconic photographers.
Additional winter programming includes the premieres of Science Fair: The Series and Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold. Returning series include Explorer: Lake of Fire, Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, and Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog.
JFK: One Day In America – Premieres Nov. 5 on National Geographic; Nov. 6 on Disney+ and Hulu
To commemorate six decades since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, the Emmy Award-winning, critically...
National Geographic’s 2023 fall and winter programming kicks off with JFK: One Day in America, the second installment of the network’s One Day in America series. Nat Geo’s slate also includes documentaries narrated by Angela Bassett, Jeremy Renner, and Awkwafina, as well as Photographer – a series spotlighting the work of iconic photographers.
Additional winter programming includes the premieres of Science Fair: The Series and Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold. Returning series include Explorer: Lake of Fire, Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, and Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog.
JFK: One Day In America – Premieres Nov. 5 on National Geographic; Nov. 6 on Disney+ and Hulu
To commemorate six decades since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, the Emmy Award-winning, critically...
- 10/18/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
National Geographic Trailers, Premiere Dates Include New Jeremy Renner, Awkwafina Series (Exclusive)
National Geographic has released trailers and announced premiere dates for key upcoming programs, including “Incredible Animal Journeys” (narrated by Jeremy Renner), “A Real Bug’s Life” (narrated by Awkwafina) and “Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold.”
The trailer for “Incredible Animal Journeys,” narrated by Jeremy Renner, features Renner giving a glimpse of his narration as zebras race over tall grasses and polar bears trudge across icy terrain. The series will follow the migrations of animals.
“Every day, countless animals travel across the globe through danger and doubt, perils and perseverance, through hardships and homecomings,” states Renner in the trailer. “Some journeys will last a lifetime. But they all begin with a first step.”
“Incredible Animal Journeys” will premiere Nov. 19 on National Geographic, to be followed by a Nov. 20 streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu.
“A Real Bug’s Life” explores bug worlds, based on Disney and Pixar’s 1998 film “A Bug’s Life.” The trailer features bug-on-bug violence,...
The trailer for “Incredible Animal Journeys,” narrated by Jeremy Renner, features Renner giving a glimpse of his narration as zebras race over tall grasses and polar bears trudge across icy terrain. The series will follow the migrations of animals.
“Every day, countless animals travel across the globe through danger and doubt, perils and perseverance, through hardships and homecomings,” states Renner in the trailer. “Some journeys will last a lifetime. But they all begin with a first step.”
“Incredible Animal Journeys” will premiere Nov. 19 on National Geographic, to be followed by a Nov. 20 streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu.
“A Real Bug’s Life” explores bug worlds, based on Disney and Pixar’s 1998 film “A Bug’s Life.” The trailer features bug-on-bug violence,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Valerie Wu
- Variety Film + TV
Gearing up for the holidays, Disney+ series “The Santa Clauses” has dropped the trailer for its second season.
Set after the events of “The Santa Clause” films, the Christmas television series has Tim Allen reprising his role as Scott Calvin/Santa, who decides to retire from the “Santa” position in season one and find a new replacement. However, the end of the first season saw Scott fail to find an individual worthy of the “Santa” title. This time around, Scott is determined to train his son, Cal (Austin Kane), to be the perfect Santa successor.
“The best part of Christmas is spending time with your loved ones,” Scott says in the new trailer. “Which is why I’m so geeked to turn Santa into a family business.”
All doesn’t go smoothly for the Calvin family, though, and there’s a new “Mad Santa” (Eric Stonestreet) who was previously exiled...
Set after the events of “The Santa Clause” films, the Christmas television series has Tim Allen reprising his role as Scott Calvin/Santa, who decides to retire from the “Santa” position in season one and find a new replacement. However, the end of the first season saw Scott fail to find an individual worthy of the “Santa” title. This time around, Scott is determined to train his son, Cal (Austin Kane), to be the perfect Santa successor.
“The best part of Christmas is spending time with your loved ones,” Scott says in the new trailer. “Which is why I’m so geeked to turn Santa into a family business.”
All doesn’t go smoothly for the Calvin family, though, and there’s a new “Mad Santa” (Eric Stonestreet) who was previously exiled...
- 10/18/2023
- by Valerie Wu and Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
National Geographic announced a star-studded lineup of storytellers Monday set to narrate three upcoming blue-chip natural history shows.
Awkwafina will narrate the National Geographic Disney+ Original “A Real Bug’s Life.” Angela Bassett will executive produce and narrate “Queens.” Jeremy Renner will narrate “Incredible Animal Journeys.”
“The narrator’s voice is such a crucial part of what makes a Natural History series successful.
Angela, Awkwafina and Jeremy, each in their own way, bring such an enormous amount of
charisma, personality and passion to these distinctive projects,” said Tom McDonald, executive
vice president of Global Factual and Unscripted Content at National Geographic. “From Awkwafina’s wit to Jeremy’s warmth and Angela’s Shakespearean sense of drama, we feel both very excited and very proud to have such powerful storytellers guiding our audiences on these epic wildlife journeys.”
“Incredible Animal Journeys” hails from Pilmsoll Productions and follows various species in their migration paths whether they fly,...
Awkwafina will narrate the National Geographic Disney+ Original “A Real Bug’s Life.” Angela Bassett will executive produce and narrate “Queens.” Jeremy Renner will narrate “Incredible Animal Journeys.”
“The narrator’s voice is such a crucial part of what makes a Natural History series successful.
Angela, Awkwafina and Jeremy, each in their own way, bring such an enormous amount of
charisma, personality and passion to these distinctive projects,” said Tom McDonald, executive
vice president of Global Factual and Unscripted Content at National Geographic. “From Awkwafina’s wit to Jeremy’s warmth and Angela’s Shakespearean sense of drama, we feel both very excited and very proud to have such powerful storytellers guiding our audiences on these epic wildlife journeys.”
“Incredible Animal Journeys” hails from Pilmsoll Productions and follows various species in their migration paths whether they fly,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
Disney fans and physical media collectors, rejoice! This November will see the release of a gargantuan 100-film Blu-ray collection called the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection. The catch? It’ll cost you $1,499.96.
The boxed set officially releases on Nov. 14, but preorders are currently available exclusively at Walmart’s website.
Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection $1,499.96 Buy Now
The collection is packaged as a three-volume set, featuring animated films from Disney, Walt Disney Animation and Pixar. But unlike other behemoth boxed sets, this one isn’t filled with lame direct-to video snoozers but beloved titles that includes classics and recent favorites. For example, the long-running list includes all the “Toy Story” movies, both of “The Incredibles,” “The Black Cauldron,” “Frankenweenie” and “Robin Hood.” It even includes films as recent as this...
Disney fans and physical media collectors, rejoice! This November will see the release of a gargantuan 100-film Blu-ray collection called the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection. The catch? It’ll cost you $1,499.96.
The boxed set officially releases on Nov. 14, but preorders are currently available exclusively at Walmart’s website.
Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection $1,499.96 Buy Now
The collection is packaged as a three-volume set, featuring animated films from Disney, Walt Disney Animation and Pixar. But unlike other behemoth boxed sets, this one isn’t filled with lame direct-to video snoozers but beloved titles that includes classics and recent favorites. For example, the long-running list includes all the “Toy Story” movies, both of “The Incredibles,” “The Black Cauldron,” “Frankenweenie” and “Robin Hood.” It even includes films as recent as this...
- 9/21/2023
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
If you’re a Disney fan who wants each and every animated movie they’ve ever made in one place, then you’re in luck. The Walt Disney Company announced the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, which features 100 animated movies from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Pixar on Blu-ray. Everything from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Elemental is included, encompassing nearly one hundred years of storytelling.
Related Disney and Pixar’s Elemental comes to Disney+ on September 13th
The Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection is a self-standing, three-volume set that will be available for pre-order on September 19th, but only on Walmart.com. There will be a limited amount of sets available, so each will include a numbered certificate of authenticity. The set will also feature digital codes for each title, along with a collectible lithograph from Disney Animation’s all-new musical comedy Wish, and a collectible...
Related Disney and Pixar’s Elemental comes to Disney+ on September 13th
The Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection is a self-standing, three-volume set that will be available for pre-order on September 19th, but only on Walmart.com. There will be a limited amount of sets available, so each will include a numbered certificate of authenticity. The set will also feature digital codes for each title, along with a collectible lithograph from Disney Animation’s all-new musical comedy Wish, and a collectible...
- 9/11/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a hefty new Blu-ray box set containing 100 of its best animated films.
Officially titled the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, the box set comes with three volumes that open up to feature the original theatrical artwork for each film. Additionally, the package offers digital codes to all 100 movies, a certificate of authenticity, a lithograph from the upcoming feature Wish, and a collectible set of crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with “Disney 100.”
Drawing films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and the now-closed DisneyToon Studios, the collection offers a pretty comprehensive timeline of the company, founded in 1923. The box set features early classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, 1990s renaissance films like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story, and more modern offerings — many of which got the direct-to-Disney+ treatment thanks to Covid — including Soul,...
Officially titled the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, the box set comes with three volumes that open up to feature the original theatrical artwork for each film. Additionally, the package offers digital codes to all 100 movies, a certificate of authenticity, a lithograph from the upcoming feature Wish, and a collectible set of crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with “Disney 100.”
Drawing films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and the now-closed DisneyToon Studios, the collection offers a pretty comprehensive timeline of the company, founded in 1923. The box set features early classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, 1990s renaissance films like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story, and more modern offerings — many of which got the direct-to-Disney+ treatment thanks to Covid — including Soul,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Carys Anderson
- Consequence - Film News
Since the Writers Guild of American and Screen Actors Guild are both still on strike, this year's Destination D23 convention down in Orlando, Florida didn't really have much of anything to showcase. Sure, the studio showed some footage from Disney's upcoming animated movie "Wish," and they announced that "Haunted Mansion" would be hitting Disney+ in October. But there was one other announcement that might be intriguing for anyone who is both a Disney fan and a physical media collector.
This fall, the House of Mouse will be releasing the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, which collects 100 animated films from both Disney and Pixar, reaching as far back as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and up through this summer's "Elemental" from Pixar. All of the movies come in a big three-volume set that unfolds in collectible storybooks. The Disney100 Blu-ray box set also includes the original theatrical poster art for every movie within the storybook,...
This fall, the House of Mouse will be releasing the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, which collects 100 animated films from both Disney and Pixar, reaching as far back as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and up through this summer's "Elemental" from Pixar. All of the movies come in a big three-volume set that unfolds in collectible storybooks. The Disney100 Blu-ray box set also includes the original theatrical poster art for every movie within the storybook,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Disney just announced the release of the Disney Legacy Animated Film Collection, featuring 100 animated films from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. It’s packaged together as a three-volume set that unfolds into your own storybook.
The set is festooned with original poster designs and comes with digital codes for every movie, alongside a lithograph from Disney’s upcoming feature “Wish,” a certificate of authenticity and crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with the “Disney 100” logo. The limited-edition collection will be available on Nov. 14, with pre-orders beginning on Walmart.com on Sept. 18. It has a retail price of $1,500.
What’s fascinating about the set is that it includes a wide array of classic Walt Disney Animation Studios features, along with beloved Pixar favorites and a smattering of films (many of them direct-to-video sequels to earlier masterworks) created by the since-shuttered DisneyToon Studios. That includes “Tinker Bell,” “Return to Neverland,” “The...
The set is festooned with original poster designs and comes with digital codes for every movie, alongside a lithograph from Disney’s upcoming feature “Wish,” a certificate of authenticity and crystal Mickey Mouse ears engraved with the “Disney 100” logo. The limited-edition collection will be available on Nov. 14, with pre-orders beginning on Walmart.com on Sept. 18. It has a retail price of $1,500.
What’s fascinating about the set is that it includes a wide array of classic Walt Disney Animation Studios features, along with beloved Pixar favorites and a smattering of films (many of them direct-to-video sequels to earlier masterworks) created by the since-shuttered DisneyToon Studios. That includes “Tinker Bell,” “Return to Neverland,” “The...
- 9/10/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
The premise of Zack Snyder's upcoming two-part sci-fi epic "Rebel Moon" is lifted directly from Akira Kurosawa's 1954 classic "Seven Samurai." Sofia Boutella plays Kora, a former army officer who must defend her modest moon-bound home from an encroaching battalion of fascists -- fascists she once served under. Before the enemy can attack, Kora has to scour the galaxy for a small team of dedicated warriors to mount a defense.
Kurosawa's premise is so simple and effective, it has been recycled many times since 1954. Famously, "The Magnificent Seven" transposed the story to the Old West, while "A Bug's Life" set it in a world populated by anthropomorphic insects. Jimmy T. Murakami's 1980 film "Battle Beyond the Stars" was, like "Rebel Moon," also a sci-fi rendition of Kurosawa's tale.
The first half of "Rebel Moon" will be released on Netflix on December 22, 2023, and, like most of Snyder's films, promises to be enormously overblown.
Kurosawa's premise is so simple and effective, it has been recycled many times since 1954. Famously, "The Magnificent Seven" transposed the story to the Old West, while "A Bug's Life" set it in a world populated by anthropomorphic insects. Jimmy T. Murakami's 1980 film "Battle Beyond the Stars" was, like "Rebel Moon," also a sci-fi rendition of Kurosawa's tale.
The first half of "Rebel Moon" will be released on Netflix on December 22, 2023, and, like most of Snyder's films, promises to be enormously overblown.
- 8/23/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
One can never accuse director Zack Snyder of playing small or aiming low. The quality of his films varies wildly, but he always seems to want to tell the largest version of his stories possible. Perhaps most notorious in the director's filmography is his four-hour cut of "Justice League," a movie that he had to initially abandon due to a personal tragedy and then return to complete years later, using an additional $70 million. He's fond of overblown action, operatic visual bombast, and a lot -- a Lot -- of slow-motion photography. Snyder has amassed a strangely passionate following of fans who leap to the director's defense at every available opportunity, eager to point out that something profound might be happening in his typically turgid pictures.
Snyder's next film is called "Rebel Moon," and it is due to be released on Netflix on December 22, 2023. It has already been announced that it...
Snyder's next film is called "Rebel Moon," and it is due to be released on Netflix on December 22, 2023. It has already been announced that it...
- 8/23/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
mk2 handles international rights.
Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired US rights to animated comedy adventure and Annecy selection The Inventor featuring a voice cast led by Stephen Fry, Daisy Ridley, Marion Cotillard, Gauthier Battoue, and Matt Berry.
Directed by Oscar-nominated Ratatouille co-screenwriter Jim Capobianco in his feature debut, the stop-motion feature tells the story of Leonardo da Vinci (voiced by Fry) as he leaves Italy to join the French court where he can experiment, invent flying contraptions and other machines, and study the human body.
Joined in his adventure by the audacious Princess Marguerite (Ridley), da Vinci attempts to uncover...
Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired US rights to animated comedy adventure and Annecy selection The Inventor featuring a voice cast led by Stephen Fry, Daisy Ridley, Marion Cotillard, Gauthier Battoue, and Matt Berry.
Directed by Oscar-nominated Ratatouille co-screenwriter Jim Capobianco in his feature debut, the stop-motion feature tells the story of Leonardo da Vinci (voiced by Fry) as he leaves Italy to join the French court where he can experiment, invent flying contraptions and other machines, and study the human body.
Joined in his adventure by the audacious Princess Marguerite (Ridley), da Vinci attempts to uncover...
- 7/10/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Things have been up and down and all over the place this summer, but maybe a sure thing like Harrison Ford returning for “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” might stabilize the box office as June turns into July this weekend. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
It has been 15 years since Ford last played the fan-fave role of the history professor turned action-adventurer, and having just turned 80, “Dial of Destiny” most definitely will be his last foray as the character. Granted, the 2008 blockbuster “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is still scoffed at by diehard fans, despite it grossing $317.1 million domestic and $786.6 million worldwide.
See ‘M3GAN’ kills at 2023 box office as only original movie in Top 10
One major change for the fifth movie in the franchise is that director Steven Spielberg has stepped aside to allow James Mangold to helm this one,...
It has been 15 years since Ford last played the fan-fave role of the history professor turned action-adventurer, and having just turned 80, “Dial of Destiny” most definitely will be his last foray as the character. Granted, the 2008 blockbuster “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is still scoffed at by diehard fans, despite it grossing $317.1 million domestic and $786.6 million worldwide.
See ‘M3GAN’ kills at 2023 box office as only original movie in Top 10
One major change for the fifth movie in the franchise is that director Steven Spielberg has stepped aside to allow James Mangold to helm this one,...
- 6/28/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Warner Bros’ DC pic The Flash, despite tumbling down with a $55M start, will remain atop the box office with a $16.5M-$24.7M second-weekend take as the marketplace largely takes a breath sans tentpoles before Disney/Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny arrives for the Independence Day stretch. That Weekend 2 slide for The Flash reps a 55%-70% decline.
The Flash did $5.2M on Tuesday, -14% from the Juneteenth holiday Monday take of $6.1M. Remember, it’s discount ticket pricing at most theaters on Tuesday, hence the good hold. Running five-day total is $66.4M, 5% ahead of Green Lantern at the same point in time.
Related: ‘No Hard Feelings’ Review: Jennifer Lawrence Leans Into Hard-r Comedy
Sony is hoping to bring comedies back to the screen after they’ve been swallowed up by streaming during the pandemic with the R-rated Gene Stupnitsky-directed No Hard Feelings, starring Jennifer Lawrence.
The Flash did $5.2M on Tuesday, -14% from the Juneteenth holiday Monday take of $6.1M. Remember, it’s discount ticket pricing at most theaters on Tuesday, hence the good hold. Running five-day total is $66.4M, 5% ahead of Green Lantern at the same point in time.
Related: ‘No Hard Feelings’ Review: Jennifer Lawrence Leans Into Hard-r Comedy
Sony is hoping to bring comedies back to the screen after they’ve been swallowed up by streaming during the pandemic with the R-rated Gene Stupnitsky-directed No Hard Feelings, starring Jennifer Lawrence.
- 6/21/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
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