In Contention

Tag: animation

  • THE LISTS: Ranking 14 years of Pixar

    UpThis weekend, Pixar Animation Studios will be releasing its 10th feature film, “Up.”  For many, with the film having successfully opened this year’s Cannes International Film Festival, the occasion has marked another milestone in the studio’s continued maturation.

    In my recent review of the film, I wrote, “Watching Pixar Animation grow and develop as a studio has become almost more fascinating than experiencing one of the company’s many creative films unfold on screen. Beginning with an industry leap in 1995’s ‘Toy Story’ and eventually moving into its daring own with 2008’s ‘WALL-E,’ the studio has, at the very least, shown a desire for creative progression.”

    So it seemed as good a time as any to look back on the last 14 years of Pixar product and dedicate an installment of The Lists to the studio’s esteemed portfolio.  Of course, unlike other editions of this feature, there are only 10 entries to fill the collective.  But the order will be different for everyone.

    “WALL-E,” for example, was a major high point for many last year.  Not as much for me.  “Monsters, Inc.,” on the other hand, isn’t considered top tier Pixar to some, but as you’ll note below, I beg to differ.

    In addition to the features, I thought it might be fun to rattle off a ranked list of the 16 shorts the studio has produced, going all the way back to 1984’s “The Adventures of Andre and Wally B.”  Some of them appeared in theaters alongside feature films, others might have popped up on home video as bonus features.  You can see nearly all of them on the recently released “Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1” on DVD and Blu-ray.  The most recent addition to this collective is “Partly Cloudy,” which plays along with “Up” in theaters.

    On to the list.  Be sure to give us yours in the comments section below.

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  • REVIEW: “Up” (***1/2)

    UpWatching Pixar Animation grow and develop as a studio has become almost more fascinating than experiencing one of the company’s many creative films unfold on screen. Beginning with an industry leap in 1995’s “Toy Story” and eventually moving into its daring own with 2008’s “WALL-E,” the studio has, at the very least, shown a desire for creative progression.

    This naturally brings us to “Up,” the next evolution in Pixar’s insistence on growing up while maintaining the heart of a child. With its focus on relationships and the harsher realities of life, the film might well be the studio’s most human production to date. While claims that the film is a high mark for emotional resonance might be a touch over-stated, “Up” is nevertheless a sterling entry in the studio’s impressive streak of hits.

    The film’s unlikely hero is 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, and a few moving early moments set the scene: Carl met his wife Ellie as a child, and being the shy sort, was immediately taken by her lust for life. They married, they endured loss (a single frame reveals an apparent miscarriage) and they vowed to one day travel to the exotic Paradise Falls made famous by their childhood hero, explorer Charles F. Muntz.

    But, as the poet said, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. That brutal fact is creatively depicted in the consistent smashing of a giant savings jar for this or that fiscal emergency and eventually, life has passed the couple by, their dreams left unrealized, and when the narrative catches up to Carl following this brief montage, we see that loss weighing heavily in the form of a rather disagreeable disposition.

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  • ‘Princess and the Frog’ poster and trailer

    I’m really holding out hope that Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” is something special. As much as I love the future of animation and the dazzling capacity of CGI throughout the industry, I have a special place for 2D traditional animation (my all-time favorite animated film remains “The Lion King”).

    The good folks at Cinematical got their hands on an exclusive first look at the poster for the film, which I’m including below, along with the new trailer, which was released last week.  Also, check out Peter Sciretta’s report from a WonderCon panel in February on the future of traditional hand-drawn animation in this brave new world.

    The Princess and the Frog

  • Disney’s ‘Ponyo’ gets a poster

    Retitled for domestic release.  The animated feature category could be stacked this year:

    Ponyo

    (Courtesy: AICN, via /Film)

  • Pixar on Blu-ray…whither ‘Nemo?’

    Probably the most beautiful films to watch on high definition are animated films, and at the very top of that tier, Pixar’s lot looks astounding.  I own each of the available titles (yes, even “WALL-E,” much to the shock of those who still think I hated the film).  But so far it’s just “Cars,” “Ratatouille” and the Pixar shorts collection joining last year’s lovable robot in the Blu-ray bin.

    The studio recently announced the May releases of “A Bug’s Life” and “Monsters, Inc.,” but where the heck is Pixar’s crowning jewel so far: “Finding Nemo?”  Ditto “The Incredibles,” which is still, mind you, the only animated feature film to win more than one Oscar outside the formerly easy-to-score music categories.  I popped “Nemo” in the ole’ PS3 the day I got the machine and even on regular DVD, those blues and greens of the ocean environment look amazing.  But I’m ready for the real HD deal, dang it!

  • Digging into the Oscar nominated shorts

    La Maison en petits cubesThis year Magnolia Pictures and Shorts International are partnering up once again to distribute the 10 Oscar nominated short films, both animated and live action.  The package is set to release this Friday, Feb. 6 in select cities and you can also download the films via iTunes.  Check out Shorts International’s official site for the films here.

    I always like seeing what the world’s filmmakers have cooked up in these categories, so I took an hour or so earlier in the week to have a look at the films in contention.  I have to say, it’s a more impressive collective than we’ve seen in recent years — especially on the live action side of things, where interestingly enough, all the entrants hail from overseas.  I’ll start there.

    Best Short Film (Live Action)
    “Auf der Strecke (On the Line)”
    “Grisen (The Pig)”
    “Manon sur le bitume (Manon on the Asphalt)”
    “New Boy”
    “Spielzeugland (Toyland)”

    The German film “Auf der Strecke (On the Line),” from director Reto Caffi, has racked up an impressive tally of festival awards.  But for me it brings up the rear.  It’s a somewhat derivative study of love and guilt, and there’s a nice enough twist mid-way through to really drive the point home, but the film drags on a bit and, despite a captivating final image, didn’t have the impact it might have.  I can’t say it’s not a competent piece of narrative filmmaking, however.

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  • ‘Kung Fu Panda’ leads the way at the Annies with 17 noms

    Kung Fu PandaDreamWorks Animation has to be happy this morning.  The studio pulled in 27 total nominations with the International Animated Film Society’s annual Annie Awards, including 17 for “Kung Fu Panda,” which led with the most nominations and nearly double the next film on the list.  Walt Disney’s “Bolt” took down 9 nods while Pixar’s “WALL-E” managed 8.

    As for Oscar, I’m still sticking with my predicted three: “Kung Fu Panda,” “WALL-E” and Ari Folman’s “Waltz with Bashir,” which also did well today.  But I will say that my spoil sense is tingling regarding “Bolt.”  Maybe it will surprise and knock “Waltz” out of the running, maybe not, but there is a definite constituency of support for that film both within the industry (as witnessed by the nominations tally) and in the critical fraternity.  But the safe bet is that Folman’s unique documentary secures a spot.

    Speaking of “Bolt,” if there is any competition for Ben Burtt in the voice acting category, it had better be Mark Walton, the closest I’ve ever come to considering a vocal performance Oscar-worthy since Ellen Degeneres in “Finding Nemo.”  And additionally, congrats to Mike Judge for the Winsor McKay designation.  A true hero to the form, from a “Beavis” head from way back.

    The Annie Awards will be held Friday, January 30 in Los Angeles.  The nominees are (with more — much more — after the jump):

    Best Animated Feature
    “Bolt” (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
    “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation)
    “$9.99” (Sherman Pictures/Lama Films)
    “WALL-E”  (Pixar Animation Studios)
    “Waltz With Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics/Bridgit Folman, Les Films D’ici, Razor Films)

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  • Revisiting ‘Nemo’

    Pixar\'s Finding NemoI still haven’t made it out to see “WALL-E” since returning to the States, but today I thought I’d pop “Finding Nemo” into the player and soak up some of that old Andrew Stanton goodness in the meantime.  And it really does stand-up as the most sensational entry in Pixar’s steadily increasing portfolio.

    Back in 2003 the film landed in my top three for the year, and I’ve only given it two or three looks since.  But every time I do, the reward is considerable.  This is a sincerely affecting study, one packed with vivid and dynamic characters, the most gorgeous animation of the genre and applicable, resilient themes that work on various levels.  It fires on all cylinders.

    Not to mention, the film contains the only vocal performance I’ve personally ever deemed worthy of major awards consideration.  “When I look at you I remember.  When I look at you I’m home.  I don’t want to lose that.  I don’t want to forget.”  Absolutely beautiful.

    It also looks damn spectacular on an HDTV.  I don’t have a Blu-ray copy of the flick, but on a simple upconvert the image is crystal clear, sparkling.  Especially with the new 120Hz technology (which is dodgy with live action films).

    So with that, I’ll probably stumble into the El Capitan over the weekend and finally take in Stanton’s latest.  His is a creative mind and I’m truly happy he’s out there generating content such as this.  Few compare.

  • Pixar’s ‘Presto’