In 2013, you couldn’t turn on a radio without hearing Idina Menzel belting “Let It Go” and, by 2014, Halloween looked like an army of Elsas and Annas coming to pillage your candy. As much of a pop culture phenomenon… Read More ›
animation
By blending traditional art styles with modern animation, the Chinese folktale “Legend of the White Snake” takes on a new life in the GKIDS release “White Snake.”
If you’re unfamiliar with the “Legend of the White Snake,” it’s an ancient Chinese folktale dating back centuries. Rooted in oral history, the tale has been translated into song, print, television, and film many times over. In it, a human… Read More ›
Photorealism may not suck you into “The Lion King” (2019), but the bonus features in the home release showcasing just how impressive the undertaking was just might.
On paper, adapting The Lion King for a new generation of fans seems like an absolute no-brainer. First released by Disney in 1994, the original Lion King blew the minds of audiences and critics alike as the story and songs… Read More ›
Charming, beautiful, and absolutely magical, “Abominable” is fun for the entire family.
DreamWorks Animation is no stranger to crafting stories while pushing reality and tickling the imagination. Thanks to this studio, audiences around the world know how to move it move it, train a whole host of dragons, and that plans can… Read More ›
Buckle up for safety: “Promare” is the sensory roller coaster you didn’t know you needed.
There’s nothing better than leaving a film having had expectations blown away. That surprise and elation are fantastic feelings which frequently bring about a lasting smile. Chances are, if you’re even checking out this review, that’s what’s going to happen… Read More ›
“Leo Da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa” is fun for the whole family.
With the LEGO films, a Secret Life sequel, an upcoming Playmobil film — not a joke — and all the other big studio animated films, it’s easy to miss out on the smaller films from less well-known studios. One such… Read More ›
Disney’s “The Lion King” is visually riveting, but an ultimately bland recycling of the original.
Critically-acclaimed director, writer, and producer Jon Favreau oversees this photo-realistic remake of Disney’s 1994 animated feature The Lion King. The original film was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, and was written by trio Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda… Read More ›
Walt Disney’s latest Signature Collection addition “Cinderella” makes the old feel new again.
There have be many iterations of the Cinderella story told throughout the ages, some even going as far back as 7 BCE, recounting the tale of a woman marrying an Egyptian king. Of course, the most well-known “original” telling of… Read More ›
Animated tale “Funan” captures the incredible journey of the human spirit and the personal toll it can take.
Animation is an unbelievably versatile medium for storytelling, more so than most audiences give it credit for. At the mere mention of animation, most think of the latest Disney project like Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen, or Moana, each strong… Read More ›
Short film “Albatross Soup” turns a simple riddle into an existential journey.
A man goes into a restaurant and orders albatross soup. After he eats, he goes outside and shoots himself. Why? Ever wondered what it would look like to animate confusion, to make visual the inner turmoil one feels when confronted… Read More ›
Limited Engagement: Make your reservations to visit “Okko’s Inn” now.
Whether you’re familiar with anime studio Madhouse or not, it’s likely you’ve seen their work: the hilarious and satirical adaptation of the One-Punch Man manga, 2008’s Batman: Gotham Knight, 2006’s The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and many more. The… Read More ›
Are your spidey senses tingling? Because “Into the Spider-Verse” is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Since 2012, the world’s seen two reboots of the cinematic Spider-Man hit theaters, each with their own triumphs and failures. When it was announced that a new film – albeit an animated one – would introduce another Spider-Man into the… Read More ›
Simply put, “Incredibles 2” is worth the wait.
It’s been 14 years since Brad Bird’s now-classic The Incredibles hit theaters and, for many, the wait’s been excruciating. Gratefully, not only are the Parrs returning, but they’re returning with a story that’s a sequel in the purest form –… Read More ›
Liu Jian’s ‘Have A Nice Day’ is an odd mix of peace and violence.
An odd, animated film, Liu Jian’s ‘Have a Nice Day’ is a mixture of meditative imagery, thoughtful dialogue, and creative characters resulting in an unique cinematic experience when a driver who decides to rob the money courier sets off a… Read More ›
‘Kubo and the Two Strings’: A Dark, Mystical Child’s Tale For All Ages – New Release Review
Laika Studios, creators of ParaNorman and Coraline, once again proves that stop-motion in cinema can convey powerful themes all while being sold as a children’s story. Their latest, Kubo and the Two Strings draws its inspiration from Japanese folklore, in… Read More ›