Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro says there are only a few "universal characters" in fiction, such as Pinocchio, Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, and Tarzan. Far be it from me to compare my wisdom to Gdt's, but I would add Superman to that roster. The first and most mythic American superhero, there's something about Clark Kent everyone responds to.
With the original 1978 "Superman" film, director Richard Donner and screenwriter Mario Puzo spun co-creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's original Moses myth into a Christ allegory. Zack Snyder, director of "Man of Steel," echoed that but with a darker focus on the burdens of being mankind's savior, "Last Temptation of Christ" style.
John Byrne, who relaunched Superman comics in 1986, focused on the immigrant parable of Superman as the Last Son of Krypton living on Earth. Byrne is the one who redefined Superman as Clark Kent first, Kal-El second.
Grant Morrison, author of...
With the original 1978 "Superman" film, director Richard Donner and screenwriter Mario Puzo spun co-creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's original Moses myth into a Christ allegory. Zack Snyder, director of "Man of Steel," echoed that but with a darker focus on the burdens of being mankind's savior, "Last Temptation of Christ" style.
John Byrne, who relaunched Superman comics in 1986, focused on the immigrant parable of Superman as the Last Son of Krypton living on Earth. Byrne is the one who redefined Superman as Clark Kent first, Kal-El second.
Grant Morrison, author of...
- 12/9/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Five years ago, while chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios Jennifer Lee was finishing work on “Frozen II,” she mentioned to her co-director, Chris Buck, that the studio’s 100th anniversary was coming up — and asked whether he’d want to be involved in any projects pegged to the anniversary?
They didn’t have any idea what that animated feature would be but they knew that “we wanted original characters, story and music,” says Buck.
They began gathering stills from every animated feature the studio had done and pinned them to a bulletin board.
They looked at the breadth of colors and styles. From “Pinocchio’s” Jiminy Cricket to “The Princess and the Frog’s” Tiana to Judy Hopps in “Zootopia,” one thing was apparent — that these and many other characters had all made wishes on stars.
“It feels very obvious. Of course, these characters are wishing on the stars.
They didn’t have any idea what that animated feature would be but they knew that “we wanted original characters, story and music,” says Buck.
They began gathering stills from every animated feature the studio had done and pinned them to a bulletin board.
They looked at the breadth of colors and styles. From “Pinocchio’s” Jiminy Cricket to “The Princess and the Frog’s” Tiana to Judy Hopps in “Zootopia,” one thing was apparent — that these and many other characters had all made wishes on stars.
“It feels very obvious. Of course, these characters are wishing on the stars.
- 12/7/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Image: Gkids
Watching Hayao Miyazaki’s un-retirement animated feature The Boy And The Heron is a little like watching Bob Dylan play the hits live: you have some idea of what you’ll get, even if it’s all jumbled up into a wholly new combination and style. Released in...
Watching Hayao Miyazaki’s un-retirement animated feature The Boy And The Heron is a little like watching Bob Dylan play the hits live: you have some idea of what you’ll get, even if it’s all jumbled up into a wholly new combination and style. Released in...
- 12/7/2023
- by Luke Y. Thompson
- avclub.com
Graphic: Karl Gustafson, The A.V. Club, Libby McGuire, Image: Jason McDonald/Netflix, The A.V. Club, Photo: Apple TV+, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Terry Camilleri, Screenshot: Bill & Ted’s Excellent AdventureEvery Ridley Scott movie ranked, including NapoleonClockwise from left: Alien (Hulton Archive/Getty Images), Thelma And Louise (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images...
- 11/26/2023
- avclub.com
With “Wish,” Disney Animation celebrates its 100th anniversary by merging the 2D legacy of watercolor background paintings (dating back to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”) with cutting-edge CG. The result was a revitalization of the retro aesthetic in every department to better display the hand of the artist. Like a gateway drug, it has already carried over into an as-yet-unannounced feature with a very different 2D look.
The musical fantasy (directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn) was the perfect storm for a convergence of the past and present, as it pays tribute to Walt’s beloved wishing star — symbolic of his ethos about the importance of hopes and dreams. Asha (Ariana DeBose), a 17-year-old very much in the mold of the modern Disney heroine, desperately wishes upon a star to save her medieval kingdom of Rosas when Sorcerer King Magnifico (Chris Pine) imprisons their wishes. Asha’s plea...
The musical fantasy (directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn) was the perfect storm for a convergence of the past and present, as it pays tribute to Walt’s beloved wishing star — symbolic of his ethos about the importance of hopes and dreams. Asha (Ariana DeBose), a 17-year-old very much in the mold of the modern Disney heroine, desperately wishes upon a star to save her medieval kingdom of Rosas when Sorcerer King Magnifico (Chris Pine) imprisons their wishes. Asha’s plea...
- 11/25/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
WishPhoto: Disney
It was probably inevitable that Marvel’s world-building virus would infect its Disney host. But it’s still startling to see how urgently the new Disney animated fairy tale Wish attempts to retcon 86 years of disparate animated features into something like a shared universe—one where Peter Pan,...
It was probably inevitable that Marvel’s world-building virus would infect its Disney host. But it’s still startling to see how urgently the new Disney animated fairy tale Wish attempts to retcon 86 years of disparate animated features into something like a shared universe—one where Peter Pan,...
- 11/22/2023
- by Ray Greene
- avclub.com
Unleashed on theaters in 1988, director Tom Holland's "Child's Play" introduced America to Chucky, a My Buddy-like doll inhabited by the soul of a foul-mouthed serial killer. Equal parts absurd and frightening, that first movie spawned six sequels, a remake, and a TV series. Of all the iconic '80s horror villains, he's the only one still written by his original creator, Don Mancini. As such, the TV series has brought back many actors and characters from throughout the franchise's history, in an increasingly complicated -- and refreshingly LGBTQ-positive -- narrative of epic proportions. A narrative that involves Devon Sawa playing multiple roles, for some reason.
Fans of the show know where some of the original film's cast members ended up, but what about the rest? Shot in Chicago, "Child's Play" made use of several local stage talents, as well as a few veteran actors and familiar faces. Can you...
Fans of the show know where some of the original film's cast members ended up, but what about the rest? Shot in Chicago, "Child's Play" made use of several local stage talents, as well as a few veteran actors and familiar faces. Can you...
- 11/18/2023
- by Luke Y. Thompson
- Slash Film
“Be careful what you wish for” is the moral of Disney’s latest animation, an odd sort of greatest-hits package that ticks all the boxes for what passes as inspirational fare these days. Sadly, that message mostly applies to the studio bosses, who appear to have closed their eyes and blown out 100 candles in return for a 95-minute movie based on the company theme song: Pinocchio’s “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
Cliff Edwards’ haunting, seven-note refrain is referenced throughout the entire movie, but in a weirdly mutated version that, whenever it chimes in, sounds like whoever’s playing it has forgotten how it actually goes, or might be playing it with a rubber spoon. Similarly, on closer examination (which is not at all advised), the plot comes to resemble a similarly wonky AI meditation on the song’s lyrics, which served Pinocchio’s themes very well with its talk of hearts’ desires,...
Cliff Edwards’ haunting, seven-note refrain is referenced throughout the entire movie, but in a weirdly mutated version that, whenever it chimes in, sounds like whoever’s playing it has forgotten how it actually goes, or might be playing it with a rubber spoon. Similarly, on closer examination (which is not at all advised), the plot comes to resemble a similarly wonky AI meditation on the song’s lyrics, which served Pinocchio’s themes very well with its talk of hearts’ desires,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
This holiday season’s Wish is the 62nd feature film from the fabled Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the only one to be released during the animation house’s 100th anniversary. You can feel the weight of legacy in nearly every pixel of the film’s exquisitely designed frames.
Ever since Disney made the fateful choice to shut down Wdas’ hand-drawn divisions some 15 years ago, the studio has struggled with a sense of loss; the loss of history, the loss of legacy; and the loss of a little bit of that Disney magic. In the same timeframe, the company also scaled new creative heights, releasing several of their best so-called princess (or fairy tale) movies in the canon—Tangled, Frozen, Moana—and some true groundbreaking risks like Zootopia and the first Wreck-It Ralph. However, it’s never been quite the same.
This may be why nostalgia for dreams of old permeates Wish.
Ever since Disney made the fateful choice to shut down Wdas’ hand-drawn divisions some 15 years ago, the studio has struggled with a sense of loss; the loss of history, the loss of legacy; and the loss of a little bit of that Disney magic. In the same timeframe, the company also scaled new creative heights, releasing several of their best so-called princess (or fairy tale) movies in the canon—Tangled, Frozen, Moana—and some true groundbreaking risks like Zootopia and the first Wreck-It Ralph. However, it’s never been quite the same.
This may be why nostalgia for dreams of old permeates Wish.
- 11/17/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Today, emerging alt-pop star Dora Jar makes a glorious return with a psychedelic and introspective new single ‘Puppet’. Inspired by a message Dora had for her past self, ‘Puppet’ asks one thing of its listener, “Can you help me cut my thread?” Featuring crunching synths, tinkering droplets of xylophone, whimsical harmonies, pulsating drums, and a cathartic screaming chorus, Jar denounces the existence of acting as a puppet and shares desires to return to her own autonomy; even if it comes at her detriment.
Expressive in its throaty cries and self-aware and curious in its mystical lyricism – with references to the wonder of Pinocchio and the pineal third eye – ‘Puppet’ catapults Dora Jar into a new glam rock, vaudevillian era. While ‘Puppet’ itself is a thrashing, cleansing and whimsical sonic boom, its creation process was quite the opposite.
Dora Jar shares about the song, “Puppet came together earlier this year while I was off social media,...
Expressive in its throaty cries and self-aware and curious in its mystical lyricism – with references to the wonder of Pinocchio and the pineal third eye – ‘Puppet’ catapults Dora Jar into a new glam rock, vaudevillian era. While ‘Puppet’ itself is a thrashing, cleansing and whimsical sonic boom, its creation process was quite the opposite.
Dora Jar shares about the song, “Puppet came together earlier this year while I was off social media,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Editorial Desk
Today, emerging alt-pop star Dora Jar makes a glorious return with a psychedelic and introspective new single ‘Puppet’. Inspired by a message Dora had for her past self, ‘Puppet’ asks one thing of its listener, “Can you help me cut my thread?” Featuring crunching synths, tinkering droplets of xylophone, whimsical harmonies, pulsating drums, and a cathartic screaming chorus, Jar denounces the existence of acting as a puppet and shares desires to return to her own autonomy; even if it comes at her detriment.
Expressive in its throaty cries and self-aware and curious in its mystical lyricism – with references to the wonder of Pinocchio and the pineal third eye – ‘Puppet’ catapults Dora Jar into a new glam rock, vaudevillian era. While ‘Puppet’ itself is a thrashing, cleansing and whimsical sonic boom, its creation process was quite the opposite.
Dora Jar shares about the song, “Puppet came together earlier this year while I was off social media,...
Expressive in its throaty cries and self-aware and curious in its mystical lyricism – with references to the wonder of Pinocchio and the pineal third eye – ‘Puppet’ catapults Dora Jar into a new glam rock, vaudevillian era. While ‘Puppet’ itself is a thrashing, cleansing and whimsical sonic boom, its creation process was quite the opposite.
Dora Jar shares about the song, “Puppet came together earlier this year while I was off social media,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
The writers of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" had a whole panoply of characters to work with, but they clearly liked Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Lieutenant Commander Data (Brent Spiner) the best. Of the episodes that focus on single members of the ensemble, Picard and Data seemingly had the most, and were usually given stirringly dramatic stories and no small amount of screen time. Picard was an interesting character as he was stern and resolute, and audiences liked to see his unflappable integrity get tested. Data was an interesting character as he was an android aspiring to be more human, despite having no human emotions. Data looked at humanity objectively, and eager Trekkies likely constructed imaginary conversations in their heads as to how they would explain humanity to Data (should they ever meet him).
Spiner's challenge in playing Data was mustering up emotional moments from within the artificial brain of a machine person.
Spiner's challenge in playing Data was mustering up emotional moments from within the artificial brain of a machine person.
- 10/31/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Back when video shops and horror aisles were still common, it was hard not to be creeped out by the classic box art for The Fear. Wooden antagonist Morty attacks onlookers with his unrelenting stare. The tagline “He’s Whatever Scares You The Most” is as intriguing as it is foreboding. And while this 1990s horror oddball has found itself a fanbase over the years — albeit a small one — its sequel continues to go unnoticed. A lot of folks don’t even know it exists to begin with.
Not too long after Morty’s debut, someone gave the mannequin a killer makeover. Whether or not the update was an improvement is arguable, and reviews of this sequel are indeed more negative than that of the original. However, The Fear: Halloween Night has at least one thing its predecessor doesn’t: a clearer sense of identity.
The ‘90s gave rise to...
Not too long after Morty’s debut, someone gave the mannequin a killer makeover. Whether or not the update was an improvement is arguable, and reviews of this sequel are indeed more negative than that of the original. However, The Fear: Halloween Night has at least one thing its predecessor doesn’t: a clearer sense of identity.
The ‘90s gave rise to...
- 10/19/2023
- by Paul Lê
- bloody-disgusting.com
Wanting more Lies of P? It looks like you’ll be getting your wish, according to a job listing for developer Neowiz’s Round8 Studio, which alludes to additional content being planned for the Soulslike in the form of Dlc.
Spotted by X user OkamiGames on Neowiz’s website, the Careers section (which is in Korean) has a listing looking for a “content planner” (according to Google Translate) for Lies of P Dlc. The job listing gives brief facts about the game, including “Dlc planned for production”.
Neowiz has yet to officially confirm that Dlc will be coming for Lies of P, but this listing pretty much gives it away. For those who have completed the game, post-credits scene does allude to a continuation of sorts, but that’s about it so far.
Inspired by the familiar story of Pinocchio, Lies of P is set in the dark, Belle Époque-inspired city of Krat.
Spotted by X user OkamiGames on Neowiz’s website, the Careers section (which is in Korean) has a listing looking for a “content planner” (according to Google Translate) for Lies of P Dlc. The job listing gives brief facts about the game, including “Dlc planned for production”.
Neowiz has yet to officially confirm that Dlc will be coming for Lies of P, but this listing pretty much gives it away. For those who have completed the game, post-credits scene does allude to a continuation of sorts, but that’s about it so far.
Inspired by the familiar story of Pinocchio, Lies of P is set in the dark, Belle Époque-inspired city of Krat.
- 10/8/2023
- by Mike Wilson
- bloody-disgusting.com
With Gamescom kicking off this week, Neowiz is giving Lies of P fans some love with a brand-new gameplay trailer ahead of the event. This new gameplay trailer titled “How Many Lies?” provides players with another look at the combat, environments, and of course the various enemies in Lies of P that await them on their journey. All the while, a mysterious voice poses various questions that echo the game’s narrative themes.
If you haven’t done so already, fans can pre-order Lies of P now and receive exclusive bonuses. Pre-orders for the digital standard edition come with the “Mischievous Puppet’s Set” outfit, while the deluxe edition adds the “Great Venigni’s Set” outfit, a unique mask, and grants players early access to the game three days ahead of its release.
Meanwhile, the physical version is presented in an exclusive SteelBook tome-inspired collector’s box alongside a 92-page artbook.
If you haven’t done so already, fans can pre-order Lies of P now and receive exclusive bonuses. Pre-orders for the digital standard edition come with the “Mischievous Puppet’s Set” outfit, while the deluxe edition adds the “Great Venigni’s Set” outfit, a unique mask, and grants players early access to the game three days ahead of its release.
Meanwhile, the physical version is presented in an exclusive SteelBook tome-inspired collector’s box alongside a 92-page artbook.
- 8/20/2023
- by Mike Wilson
- bloody-disgusting.com
Nominations voting is from January 11–16, 2024, with official Oscar nominations announced on January 23, 2024. Final voting is February 22–27, 2024. And finally, the 96th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 10, and air live on ABC at 8 p.m. Et/ 5 p.m. Pt. We update predictions throughout awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2024 Oscar picks.
The State of the Race
It’s the season of complex narratives and existential crises, led by Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” (Universal), the early favorite, Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster “Barbie” (Warner Bros.), Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple TV+/Paramount), Ari Aster’s “Beau Is Afraid” (A24), and Celine Song’s “Past Lives” (A24).
Other contenders include Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.), the follow-up to his Oscar winner, Yargos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” (Searchlight), Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City,” Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” (Netflix), Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” (Apple TV...
The State of the Race
It’s the season of complex narratives and existential crises, led by Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” (Universal), the early favorite, Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster “Barbie” (Warner Bros.), Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple TV+/Paramount), Ari Aster’s “Beau Is Afraid” (A24), and Celine Song’s “Past Lives” (A24).
Other contenders include Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.), the follow-up to his Oscar winner, Yargos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” (Searchlight), Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City,” Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” (Netflix), Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” (Apple TV...
- 8/17/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
The 16th century literary classic Journey to the West is the mother of all Chinese fantasy. The mythological saga has spawned countless adaptations in various media across Asia and beyond, from the cult late ‘70s Japanese TV series to Peking Opera, videogames, graphic novels and a stage spectacle with a score by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and design elements by Gorillaz illustrator Jamie Hewlett.
Prominent among the innumerable film versions is the 2013 blockbuster Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, directed by Stephen Chow. A similar livewire action-comedy energy infuses Netflix’s The Monkey King, a children’s animated feature based on the sprawling novel’s most popular strand, on which Chow serves as executive producer.
Following well-received originals like Klaus, Over the Moon, My Father’s Dragon, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood — plus such smart acquisitions as The Mitchells vs. the Machines...
Prominent among the innumerable film versions is the 2013 blockbuster Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, directed by Stephen Chow. A similar livewire action-comedy energy infuses Netflix’s The Monkey King, a children’s animated feature based on the sprawling novel’s most popular strand, on which Chow serves as executive producer.
Following well-received originals like Klaus, Over the Moon, My Father’s Dragon, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood — plus such smart acquisitions as The Mitchells vs. the Machines...
- 8/15/2023
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It looks like kids’ movies are dominating the box office right now. Mind you, what looks to be the first billion-dollar blockbuster is based on a decades-old video game. But what about the classic fairy tales, you may ask? Not to worry, although it’s fairly young at a spry 121 years, as opposed to the centuries-old Grimm Brothers stories and assorted myths and legends. And it’s also the 70th anniversary of the definitive animated adaptation from the master artists at the “mouse house”. Ugh, you may be thinking, not another live-action retread of a superb cartoon ala the recent Pinocchio (not the Oscar-winner) or the dreary Dumbo. Well, you’re not really correct as this tale began (after its literary roots) on the stage and has been played by flesh-and-blood actors in versions going back to the silent movie days. And so, here’s another version, this time sharing...
- 4/28/2023
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
No one can truly reject their blood heritage.
Writer-director Bishal Dutta’s coming-of-age horror film “It Lives Inside” stars “Never Have I Ever” breakout Megan Suri as Sam, a high schooler desperate to fit in at school and rejects her Indian culture to assimilate to be like everyone else. Yet when a mythological demonic spirit latches onto her former best friend, she must come to terms with her heritage in order to defeat it.
Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Vik Sahay, Gage Marsh, Beatrice Kitsos, and Betty Gabriel also star in the Neon film from the producers of “Get Out,” Raymond Mansfield and Sean McKittrick. Neon, Edward H. Hamm Jr, Jameson Parker, Arielle Boisvert, and Shawn Williamson were executive producers.
“It Lives Inside” debuted at 2023 SXSW, where writer-director Dutta shared a statement about how personal the story is for him.
“After I moved to North America from India at the age of four,...
Writer-director Bishal Dutta’s coming-of-age horror film “It Lives Inside” stars “Never Have I Ever” breakout Megan Suri as Sam, a high schooler desperate to fit in at school and rejects her Indian culture to assimilate to be like everyone else. Yet when a mythological demonic spirit latches onto her former best friend, she must come to terms with her heritage in order to defeat it.
Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Vik Sahay, Gage Marsh, Beatrice Kitsos, and Betty Gabriel also star in the Neon film from the producers of “Get Out,” Raymond Mansfield and Sean McKittrick. Neon, Edward H. Hamm Jr, Jameson Parker, Arielle Boisvert, and Shawn Williamson were executive producers.
“It Lives Inside” debuted at 2023 SXSW, where writer-director Dutta shared a statement about how personal the story is for him.
“After I moved to North America from India at the age of four,...
- 4/26/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
To capture the essence of Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio,” on Netflix Dec. 9, composer Alexandre Desplat came up with an ingenious idea: a score performed only with wood instruments.
“I always like to find an ensemble of instruments that reflect the film or soul of the film,” the composer tells Variety as he shares two exclusive cues from the movie. “Geppetto’s a woodworker, and Pinocchio is made of wood.”
Desplat pauses. “Hold on, one second,” he says during our Zoom call before leaving the room. When he returns, he holds up a wooden figurine of Pinocchio to the screen.
“This little wooden boy, as they called him in the film — I thought by using wood instruments, it would do something different than just having a symphony orchestra,” Desplat explains, toying with the miniature puppet in his hands.
“I’m sure nobody notices, which is fine. We don’t want anyone to say,...
“I always like to find an ensemble of instruments that reflect the film or soul of the film,” the composer tells Variety as he shares two exclusive cues from the movie. “Geppetto’s a woodworker, and Pinocchio is made of wood.”
Desplat pauses. “Hold on, one second,” he says during our Zoom call before leaving the room. When he returns, he holds up a wooden figurine of Pinocchio to the screen.
“This little wooden boy, as they called him in the film — I thought by using wood instruments, it would do something different than just having a symphony orchestra,” Desplat explains, toying with the miniature puppet in his hands.
“I’m sure nobody notices, which is fine. We don’t want anyone to say,...
- 11/11/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
When Disney tapped “The Simpsons” to produce an animated short for Disney Plus, executive producer Al Jean said the idea was born to cram as many of the company’s franchise characters as possible into Moe’s Tavern.
That’s the basis of “The Simpsons in Plusaversary,” which premiered Friday on Disney Plus. In the new short, a Disney Plus Day party takes place for some of the company’s iconic Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters at Moe’s, where Wreck-It Ralph and Maui from “Moana” are the bouncers and Maleficent is checking the entry list.
But first, Homer has trouble entering Moe’s, since he’s not on the list — which includes Jeff Goldblum, Dopey, Ant-Man, Darth Sidious, Pinocchio, Aaron Burr Jabba the Hutt, Loki, Thanos, Lightning McQueen and more. “You don’t seem to be one of us,” notes Maleficent, looking at a page on her tablet that includes Pixar,...
That’s the basis of “The Simpsons in Plusaversary,” which premiered Friday on Disney Plus. In the new short, a Disney Plus Day party takes place for some of the company’s iconic Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters at Moe’s, where Wreck-It Ralph and Maui from “Moana” are the bouncers and Maleficent is checking the entry list.
But first, Homer has trouble entering Moe’s, since he’s not on the list — which includes Jeff Goldblum, Dopey, Ant-Man, Darth Sidious, Pinocchio, Aaron Burr Jabba the Hutt, Loki, Thanos, Lightning McQueen and more. “You don’t seem to be one of us,” notes Maleficent, looking at a page on her tablet that includes Pixar,...
- 11/12/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
You’re not the only one intrigued over Round8 Studio’s Soulslike take on the Pinocchio tale in Lies of P. If you weren’t, the new alpha gameplay teaser might convince you. While new information about the game isn’t forthcoming, we can expect more from the developers later this month at G-Star, which takes place in Busan, […]...
- 11/9/2021
- by Mike Wilson
- bloody-disgusting.com
Marco Bellocchio’s elegant mob drama “The Traitor,” about the first high-ranking member of Cosa Nostra to break the Sicilian Mafia’s oath of silence, was the big winner at Italy’s 65th David di Donatello Awards, the country’s equivalent of the Oscars.
“The Traitor” scored six statuettes including best picture, director, and actor honors.
The prizes were announced – but not physically given out – during a no-frills ceremony conducted in primetime on pubcaster Rai by star host Carlo Conti in an empty studio with talents appearing in live web platform link-ups. The event served as a collective rebirth rite just when local coronavirus lockdown restrictions slowly begin to lift.
“My wish is for the Italian film community to start working again,” Bellocchio, who is a revered veteran auteur, said speaking from his home, before adding: “I’m 80, and I also hope to make a few more movies.”
“The Traitor,...
“The Traitor” scored six statuettes including best picture, director, and actor honors.
The prizes were announced – but not physically given out – during a no-frills ceremony conducted in primetime on pubcaster Rai by star host Carlo Conti in an empty studio with talents appearing in live web platform link-ups. The event served as a collective rebirth rite just when local coronavirus lockdown restrictions slowly begin to lift.
“My wish is for the Italian film community to start working again,” Bellocchio, who is a revered veteran auteur, said speaking from his home, before adding: “I’m 80, and I also hope to make a few more movies.”
“The Traitor,...
- 5/8/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Not definitive, but interesting news items…
Next year the Berlinale will be February 11–21, 2021. Sundance will be Thursday, 21 January and will end on Sunday, 31 January 2021. Rotterdam will go from Wednesday, 27 January and will end on Sunday, 7 February 2021.
Winner of the Berlinale Golden Bear, for There Is No Evil
The Hollywood Reporter Berlin Edition Day 3 February 22: “It all seems so 2016…A few years back the independent film industry was hit with what might be called near-term streamer anxiety…theatrical exhibitors and distributors made calls to boycott streamers from film festivals and the battle lines were drawn…At Berlin's European Film Market this year, streaming is still on everyone’s mind, but the buzzword these days is not confrontation, it’s cooperation. Independent distributors are finding new models to jointly buy and release films with Svod platforms in a way that both boosts subscriptions numbers and fills theater seats…”…the next question is,...
Next year the Berlinale will be February 11–21, 2021. Sundance will be Thursday, 21 January and will end on Sunday, 31 January 2021. Rotterdam will go from Wednesday, 27 January and will end on Sunday, 7 February 2021.
Winner of the Berlinale Golden Bear, for There Is No Evil
The Hollywood Reporter Berlin Edition Day 3 February 22: “It all seems so 2016…A few years back the independent film industry was hit with what might be called near-term streamer anxiety…theatrical exhibitors and distributors made calls to boycott streamers from film festivals and the battle lines were drawn…At Berlin's European Film Market this year, streaming is still on everyone’s mind, but the buzzword these days is not confrontation, it’s cooperation. Independent distributors are finding new models to jointly buy and release films with Svod platforms in a way that both boosts subscriptions numbers and fills theater seats…”…the next question is,...
- 5/5/2020
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Exclusive: Jeremy Thomas’s Brit sales and production firm HanWay is rebranding catalog label HanWay Select to The Collections as part of a drive to highlight and propel its significant library of more than 350 movies.
HanWay has struck a deal with UK distributor Arrow Films to handle distribution and restorations in the UK of the Jeremy Thomas collection, with films including multi-Oscar winning epic The Last Emperor, John Malkovich-Debra Winger romance The Sheltering Sky and David Cronenberg’s Naked Lunch. Arrow recently re-released HanWay’s David Bowie-starrer Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.
HanWay is currently restoring around five titles a year with recent updates including David Cronenberg’s Crash, which screened at Venice. Upcoming is Gary Oldman’s Nil By Mouth.
We also understand the company is close to striking a deal with a well known filmmaker to bring around 20 movies into The Collections fold.
The catalog drive...
HanWay has struck a deal with UK distributor Arrow Films to handle distribution and restorations in the UK of the Jeremy Thomas collection, with films including multi-Oscar winning epic The Last Emperor, John Malkovich-Debra Winger romance The Sheltering Sky and David Cronenberg’s Naked Lunch. Arrow recently re-released HanWay’s David Bowie-starrer Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.
HanWay is currently restoring around five titles a year with recent updates including David Cronenberg’s Crash, which screened at Venice. Upcoming is Gary Oldman’s Nil By Mouth.
We also understand the company is close to striking a deal with a well known filmmaker to bring around 20 movies into The Collections fold.
The catalog drive...
- 5/5/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Geico insurance company has been running a number of hilarious commercials lately, and the ones with the cackling woodchucks have particularly taken our fancy. Geico has released three sets of commercials; the first one features some mischevious woodchucks, the second, portrays a socially awkward and hapless Pinocchio, and the final one shows the culinary misadventures of a group of […]...
- 1/28/2020
- by Jerry Brown
- Monsters and Critics
"Pinocchio" is the new Italian-produced fantasy feature, co-written and directed by Matteo Garrone, based on the 1883 book "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by author Carlo Collodi, starring Oscar-winner Roberto Benigni as 'Geppetto':
"...'Geppetto', a poor Italian carpenter, builds a wooden puppet that can speak and move on its own. Geppetto decides to treat the puppet like a son and baptizes him 'Pinocchio' However the puppet is disobedient and a free spirit. After many misadventures, Pinocchio discovers from a 'fairy' that if he behaves well, she will transform him into a real child..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Pinocchio"...
"...'Geppetto', a poor Italian carpenter, builds a wooden puppet that can speak and move on its own. Geppetto decides to treat the puppet like a son and baptizes him 'Pinocchio' However the puppet is disobedient and a free spirit. After many misadventures, Pinocchio discovers from a 'fairy' that if he behaves well, she will transform him into a real child..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Pinocchio"...
- 1/16/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Enough time has passed since Roberto Benigni’s ill-starred “Pinocchio” for the actor to move more happily into the role of Geppetto in Matteo Garrone’s visually rich though oddly subdued version of the perennial tale. Given the director’s penchant for multi-strand narratives, the classic story would seem a good fit, offering potential to explore some of the darker elements present also in the Disney masterpiece. Instead however, Garrone’s live-action entry, while more faithful to Carlo Collodi’s original novel, underplays the significant elements of cruelty, creating a child-friendly movie with its fair share of enchantment but curiously lacking in memorable highlights.
Whereas the animated film brilliantly managed to subsume the piecemeal nature of the storytelling with an exciting narrative cohesion, this “Pinocchio” doesn’t hide the novel’s composite structure, resulting in a movie reliant on familiarity with the source material and the superb work of the makeup artists and prosthetics makers.
Whereas the animated film brilliantly managed to subsume the piecemeal nature of the storytelling with an exciting narrative cohesion, this “Pinocchio” doesn’t hide the novel’s composite structure, resulting in a movie reliant on familiarity with the source material and the superb work of the makeup artists and prosthetics makers.
- 12/24/2019
- by Jay Weissberg
- Variety Film + TV
Matteo Garrone broke out internationally with “Gomorrah” (2008), considered one of the most realistic mob movies ever made. His English-language debut was dark fantasy/horror film “Tale of Tales” (2015), followed more recently by violent revenge drama “Dogman,” which won the best actor prize at Cannes last year.
Garrone’s new live-action adaptation of “Pinocchio” – which just opened in Italy in the No. 2 spot after “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” – sees the Italian auteur take a different tack by deliberately seeking to make a mainstream family film, albeit with his personal stamp. “Given my previous films, there might be a tendency for people to think that this ‘Pinocchio’ could be dark or violent. Instead it’s a light and luminous movie. It’s a film for all audiences,” Garrone told Variety in an exclusive interview, edited excerpts of which follow.
Berlin artistic director Carlo Chatrian, in announcing the film’s gala screening at the 2020 Berlinale,...
Garrone’s new live-action adaptation of “Pinocchio” – which just opened in Italy in the No. 2 spot after “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” – sees the Italian auteur take a different tack by deliberately seeking to make a mainstream family film, albeit with his personal stamp. “Given my previous films, there might be a tendency for people to think that this ‘Pinocchio’ could be dark or violent. Instead it’s a light and luminous movie. It’s a film for all audiences,” Garrone told Variety in an exclusive interview, edited excerpts of which follow.
Berlin artistic director Carlo Chatrian, in announcing the film’s gala screening at the 2020 Berlinale,...
- 12/23/2019
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Melanie Coombs.
For Melanie Coombs, producer of Mary and Max and Oscar-winning short Harvie Krumpet, stop-motion animation has a magical quality – at once real, but not real – that touches audiences profoundly.
“When you see Meryl Streep in a TV or film role, you go: there’s Meryl Streep, she’s a playing a nun, or she’s playing an evil grandmother who’s trying to steal the kids away or whatever. But it’s Meryl Streep. There is a suspension of disbelief on one level.
“But when it’s a puppet, and you know the puppet isn’t alive, it’s like this second level suspension of disbelief. When you make that second leap, there’s something that happens with the emotional connection that is really powerful. I still meet people who passionately talk to me about Mary and Max, all the time. People who have Harvie Crumpet tattoos. Mary and Max was 10 years ago.
For Melanie Coombs, producer of Mary and Max and Oscar-winning short Harvie Krumpet, stop-motion animation has a magical quality – at once real, but not real – that touches audiences profoundly.
“When you see Meryl Streep in a TV or film role, you go: there’s Meryl Streep, she’s a playing a nun, or she’s playing an evil grandmother who’s trying to steal the kids away or whatever. But it’s Meryl Streep. There is a suspension of disbelief on one level.
“But when it’s a puppet, and you know the puppet isn’t alive, it’s like this second level suspension of disbelief. When you make that second leap, there’s something that happens with the emotional connection that is really powerful. I still meet people who passionately talk to me about Mary and Max, all the time. People who have Harvie Crumpet tattoos. Mary and Max was 10 years ago.
- 8/20/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Pinocchio could easily be creepy as hell. A childless woodworker makes a puppet and wishes he were real, only to wake up and see that that doll had become animated. Can you imagine a real-life Toy Story situation? You’d run out of the house like Sid did. Roberto Benigni’s adaptation was creepy enough, but what if you…...
- 8/15/2019
- by Alani Vargas on News, shared by Alani Vargas to The A.V. Club
- avclub.com
Guillermo del Toro has a fondness for monsters, so it should come as no surprise that he’s comparing his upcoming stop-motion animated adaptation of Pinocchio to the classic tale of Frankenstein. In a recent interview about the forthcoming Netflix project being developed with The Jim Henson Company, del Toro discussed his vision for Pinocchio and […]
The post Guillermo del Toro Likens His Stop-Motion Animated ‘Pinocchio’ to ‘Frankenstein’ appeared first on /Film.
The post Guillermo del Toro Likens His Stop-Motion Animated ‘Pinocchio’ to ‘Frankenstein’ appeared first on /Film.
- 8/13/2019
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Guillermo del Toro is still developing his film adaptation of Pinocchio. Pinocchio will be a stop-motion animated film, and The Jim Henson Company is helping him develop it. The project is set up at Netflix, and it has been a passion project for the filmmaker.
He previously shared that the film is not going to be a family friendly version of the story. Hell, I’m not even sure that the Disney version was family friendly! That movie was super dark! The filmmaker recently discussed his Pinocchio film with Variety and compared it to Frankenstein: and described it as a “brutalist fable.”
“To me, Pinocchio, very much like Frankenstein, is a blank canvas in which learning the curve of what the world is and what being human is are very attractive to do as a story. I’m very attracted to it because, thematically — and I don’t want...
He previously shared that the film is not going to be a family friendly version of the story. Hell, I’m not even sure that the Disney version was family friendly! That movie was super dark! The filmmaker recently discussed his Pinocchio film with Variety and compared it to Frankenstein: and described it as a “brutalist fable.”
“To me, Pinocchio, very much like Frankenstein, is a blank canvas in which learning the curve of what the world is and what being human is are very attractive to do as a story. I’m very attracted to it because, thematically — and I don’t want...
- 8/13/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The Circus of Dr. Lao, written by Charles G. Finney in 1935, was a cynical, trenchant satire of the small minds of small town people. George Pal, whose perennially sunny demeanor was in sharp contrast to Finney’s curdled comedy, kept his rose-colored glasses firmly in place when he directed his own version in 1964 from a screenplay by Charles Beaumont. Though the pungent atmosphere is missing from Pal’s adaptation, several memorable things remain including a bittersweet score from Leigh Harline (Pinocchio), an assortment of mythical monsters courtesy of William Tuttle and Wah Chang and, most importantly, a brilliant tour-de-force by Tony Randall as the mysterious ringmaster Lao. Randall possessed one of the most beautiful speaking voices in Hollywood and he uses it to full effect in 7 Faces, inhabiting everything from a wistful Merlin the Magician to a spooky drag version of the snake-headed Medusa.
The post 7 Faces of Dr. Lao...
The post 7 Faces of Dr. Lao...
- 8/2/2019
- by TFH Team
- Trailers from Hell
Most teenage boys would kill for a few whiskers, but not Paul. At 13, he already has a full face of hair, and his peers treat him like a freak for it. So, too, does Martin Krejčí’s “The True Adventures of Wolfboy,” although the movie argues that perhaps being a freak isn’t such a bad thing. You just have to learn to ignore what other people think and embrace your inner other.
That’s an evergreen theme among Ya movies — where bullies serve as bad guys, but lack of self-acceptance is the real obstacle to be overcome — and a useful lesson in such sensitive times. But is “Wolfboy” unique enough to make an impact? Working from a screenplay by playwright Olivia Dufault, Krejcí conjures a vision of Middle America in which magic and myth seem to exist alongside his characters, amplifying the interior struggle of his young protagonist, played by “It” star Jaeden Martell,...
That’s an evergreen theme among Ya movies — where bullies serve as bad guys, but lack of self-acceptance is the real obstacle to be overcome — and a useful lesson in such sensitive times. But is “Wolfboy” unique enough to make an impact? Working from a screenplay by playwright Olivia Dufault, Krejcí conjures a vision of Middle America in which magic and myth seem to exist alongside his characters, amplifying the interior struggle of his young protagonist, played by “It” star Jaeden Martell,...
- 7/18/2019
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Ravani has previously worked at TF1 and Protagonist.
UK sales outfit HanWay Films has appointed Marta Ravani as director of its documentary and library label HanWay Select.
The newly-created role will see Ravani oversee HanWay Films’ library selection and as-yet-unannounced upcoming slate of documentaries.
The hire is part of an overall expansion of the team. Mark Lane has been overseeing HanWay Select but will now focus more on the HanWay Films sales slate.
Ravani worked in production in Paris before moving into international sales and acquisitions for Funny Balloons. In 2014, Ravani joined TF1 Studio as international sales manager and the...
UK sales outfit HanWay Films has appointed Marta Ravani as director of its documentary and library label HanWay Select.
The newly-created role will see Ravani oversee HanWay Films’ library selection and as-yet-unannounced upcoming slate of documentaries.
The hire is part of an overall expansion of the team. Mark Lane has been overseeing HanWay Select but will now focus more on the HanWay Films sales slate.
Ravani worked in production in Paris before moving into international sales and acquisitions for Funny Balloons. In 2014, Ravani joined TF1 Studio as international sales manager and the...
- 7/18/2019
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
If we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that Disney won’t stop rifling through their extensive back catalogue until every single one of their animated films gets the live-action treatment. Filled with remakes, spinoffs and sequels featuring some of their most iconic characters, the studio’s upcoming slate is packed with properties that will be familiar to longtime fans and now, we can add another one to the list.
After learning that the Mouse House is planning on remaking Hercules, Hunchback of Notre Dame and James and the Giant Peach, sources close to We Got This Covered say that Pinocchio is on the way as well. Of course, a live-action take on the classic 1940 movie has been in development for a while but earlier this year we were told it was cancelled. The studio didn’t comment on the reports at the time but from our understanding,...
After learning that the Mouse House is planning on remaking Hercules, Hunchback of Notre Dame and James and the Giant Peach, sources close to We Got This Covered say that Pinocchio is on the way as well. Of course, a live-action take on the classic 1940 movie has been in development for a while but earlier this year we were told it was cancelled. The studio didn’t comment on the reports at the time but from our understanding,...
- 7/14/2019
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Robert Downey Jr. made bank on Avengers: Endgame (a reported $75 million), but now that the franchise has come to an end — and so has Tony Stark/Iron Man’s life — the actor will return to another popular series of films.
Eight years after the release of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Downey, 54, will reprise his role as the titular British detective in the third Sherlock Holmes movie, according to Variety. Jude Law will return as Dr. John Watson, with Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher taking the helm. He’s stepping in for Guy Ritchie (Aladdin), who directed the first two installments.
Eight years after the release of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Downey, 54, will reprise his role as the titular British detective in the third Sherlock Holmes movie, according to Variety. Jude Law will return as Dr. John Watson, with Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher taking the helm. He’s stepping in for Guy Ritchie (Aladdin), who directed the first two installments.
- 7/12/2019
- by Dana Rose Falcone
- PEOPLE.com
Pinocchio International Trailer Matteo Garrone‘s Pinocchio (2019) international teaser trailer has been released by 01 Distribution and stars Roberto Benigni, Marine Vacth, Marcello Fonte, Gigi Proietti, and Massimiliano Gallo. Plot Synopsis Pinocchio‘s plot synopsis: “Live-action adaptation of the classic story of a wooden puppet named Pinocchio who comes to life.” Cast Pinocchio also stars Paolo Graziosi, Federico Ielapi, Rocco Papaleo, [...]
Continue reading: Pinocchio (2019) International Teaser Trailer: Roberto Benigni is Geppetto & Brings a Wooden Puppet Boy to Life...
Continue reading: Pinocchio (2019) International Teaser Trailer: Roberto Benigni is Geppetto & Brings a Wooden Puppet Boy to Life...
- 7/10/2019
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
There are a few different feature film versions of the classic fairytale Pinocchio in development. We have a stop-motion film coming from Guillermo del Toro, and Disney is developing their own live action remake. The other adaptation has kind of been off the radar because it’s an Italian film that comes from director Matteo Garrone.
We have the first teaser trailer to share with you today for this movie, and as you’ll see, this is going to be a very different and dark take on Pinocchio. I like what I’m seeing! I really love the visual designs of the film and the characters that fill it.
The movie stars Italian actor Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful) in the role of Geppetto. This is the second Pinocchio film that he’s been a part of. In 2002, Benigni wrote, directed, and starred in his own Pinocchio movie. The movie...
We have the first teaser trailer to share with you today for this movie, and as you’ll see, this is going to be a very different and dark take on Pinocchio. I like what I’m seeing! I really love the visual designs of the film and the characters that fill it.
The movie stars Italian actor Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful) in the role of Geppetto. This is the second Pinocchio film that he’s been a part of. In 2002, Benigni wrote, directed, and starred in his own Pinocchio movie. The movie...
- 7/9/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The wooden boy returns again. From the director of Roman Summer, Gomorrah, Reality, Tale of Tales, and Dogman comes a new take on... Pinocchio. Wait - for real? Yep. Garrone is finishing up a new Pinocchio movie that is scheduled for release on December 25th, Christmas Day, this year in Italy - but has no other release dates set yet. This new take on the story originally published in Carlo Collodi's novel of the same name is staying true to that book, telling a more grounded story rather than going all out with fantastical elements. Roberto Benigni (who previously directed his own Pinocchio film in 2002) stars as Geppetto, Federico Ielapi as Pinocchio, with a cast including Marine Vacth, Marcello Fonte, Gigi Proietti, Davide Marotta, Massimiliano Gallo, Rocco Papaleo, and Massimo Ceccherini. We all know that Guillermo del Toro has been working on his own version of this story, but...
- 7/9/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Acclaimed Italian director Matteo Garrone is returning to the type of dark fairy tales that he made memorable in 2015’s Tale of Tales, with his newest film, a take on Pinocchio. Just one of many different iterations being made, including a stop-motion version by Guillermo del Toro and a live-action Disney remake, Garrone’s film looks to be visually and narratively darker than those.
Perhaps best known for his gritty 2008 Mafia film Gomorra, Garrone’s newest film sees Italian actor Roberto Benigni star as Geppetto, an odd twist considering Benigni’s follow up to his Oscar winning Life is Beautiful was his widely panned 2002 version of Pinocchio in which Begini wrote, directed, and starred as the titular character.
With Garrone behind the camera, it looks to be a much different retelling than Benigni’s previous film. While the trailer is Italian, without subtitles, you can get a sense for the...
Perhaps best known for his gritty 2008 Mafia film Gomorra, Garrone’s newest film sees Italian actor Roberto Benigni star as Geppetto, an odd twist considering Benigni’s follow up to his Oscar winning Life is Beautiful was his widely panned 2002 version of Pinocchio in which Begini wrote, directed, and starred as the titular character.
With Garrone behind the camera, it looks to be a much different retelling than Benigni’s previous film. While the trailer is Italian, without subtitles, you can get a sense for the...
- 7/8/2019
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Taika Waititi’s busy schedule that includes the awards-season release of Fox Searchlight’s Jojo Rabbit means he is stepping away from plans to direct Bubbles, the stop-motion animated film that tracks the life of Michael Jackson through the eyes of the King of Pop’s pet chimpanzee. With Waititi off the project, we hear Netflix is pulling out of the project as well.
It is hard to imagine that the shocking abuse allegations made in the HBO docu Leaving Neverland by two men who as youths said they were molested by the singer during sleepovers, isn’t playing a part in the cratering of this intriguing project. After all, Netflix paid a whopping $20 million for the property in an auction held during 2017 Cannes. One might only imagine what Bubbles might have seen if there is truth in those accusations that have been vehemently denied by Jackson’s estate.
A...
It is hard to imagine that the shocking abuse allegations made in the HBO docu Leaving Neverland by two men who as youths said they were molested by the singer during sleepovers, isn’t playing a part in the cratering of this intriguing project. After all, Netflix paid a whopping $20 million for the property in an auction held during 2017 Cannes. One might only imagine what Bubbles might have seen if there is truth in those accusations that have been vehemently denied by Jackson’s estate.
A...
- 5/24/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of their animated classics for a long time time to come. Here’s a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.
Aladdin
“Aladdin” is up next: This whimsical and critically acclaimed journey catapulted Robin Williams into four-quadrant comedy stardom thanks to his take on the genie in Aladdin’s lamp. Now the colorful and gritty director Guy Ritchie will try his hand at a reboot. The live-action version stars Naomi Scott, Mena Massoud and Will Smith and will hit theaters on May 24.
The Lion King
This highly anticipated live-action remake of 1994’s “The Lion King” will hit theaters in July, and is Jon Favreau’s follow-up to his successful “Jungle Book” remake. Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, Beyonce, Billy Eichner, Keegan-Michael Key and more star.
Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil
Adapted from 1959’s “Sleeping Beauty,” the first...
Aladdin
“Aladdin” is up next: This whimsical and critically acclaimed journey catapulted Robin Williams into four-quadrant comedy stardom thanks to his take on the genie in Aladdin’s lamp. Now the colorful and gritty director Guy Ritchie will try his hand at a reboot. The live-action version stars Naomi Scott, Mena Massoud and Will Smith and will hit theaters on May 24.
The Lion King
This highly anticipated live-action remake of 1994’s “The Lion King” will hit theaters in July, and is Jon Favreau’s follow-up to his successful “Jungle Book” remake. Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, Beyonce, Billy Eichner, Keegan-Michael Key and more star.
Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil
Adapted from 1959’s “Sleeping Beauty,” the first...
- 5/20/2019
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Don Lusk, the last link to Disney Animation’s golden age of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, has died at the age of 105. His passing was confirmed in an Instagram post by the Disney Animation Research Library.
Lusk joined The Walt Disney Company in 1933 and went on to work as a character animator for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Pinocchio,” “Fantasia,” and “Bambi.” His best-known achievement is single-handedly animating the “danse arabe,” or “dance of the seven veils,” featuring a sultry goldfish during the Nutcracker sequence of “Fantasia.”
The legend goes that the stacked sketches of the fish doing her entire dance would stretch from floor to ceiling, it was that monumental and exhaustive a feat. But a feat of real delicacy and subtlety too. Lusk had previously worked with Eric Larson to animate the goldfish Cleo in “Pinocchio” along with the cat Figaro, whose movements are incredibly lifelike...
Lusk joined The Walt Disney Company in 1933 and went on to work as a character animator for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Pinocchio,” “Fantasia,” and “Bambi.” His best-known achievement is single-handedly animating the “danse arabe,” or “dance of the seven veils,” featuring a sultry goldfish during the Nutcracker sequence of “Fantasia.”
The legend goes that the stacked sketches of the fish doing her entire dance would stretch from floor to ceiling, it was that monumental and exhaustive a feat. But a feat of real delicacy and subtlety too. Lusk had previously worked with Eric Larson to animate the goldfish Cleo in “Pinocchio” along with the cat Figaro, whose movements are incredibly lifelike...
- 12/31/2018
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
Don Lusk, an animator and director who worked on Disney classics including Fantasia, Bambi and Pinocchio before moving to Hanna-Barbera in the 1960s, died Sunday. He was 105. His longtime friend Navah-Paskowitz Asner, announced the news on social media.
Born on October 28, 1913, in Los Angeles, Lusk was just 20 when he joined the Walt Disney Company just after the Great Depression, as its animation studio was riding high on Mickey Mouse shorts. He would work on those cartoons for his first several years there before contributing to Disney’s second and third toon features, 1940’s Pinocchio and Fantasia. For the latter, Lusk worked on the classic “Nutcracker Suite” and “Pastoral Symphony” segments.
He went on to draw for cartoons and such classic Disney features as Song of the South, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians, among others.
Born on October 28, 1913, in Los Angeles, Lusk was just 20 when he joined the Walt Disney Company just after the Great Depression, as its animation studio was riding high on Mickey Mouse shorts. He would work on those cartoons for his first several years there before contributing to Disney’s second and third toon features, 1940’s Pinocchio and Fantasia. For the latter, Lusk worked on the classic “Nutcracker Suite” and “Pastoral Symphony” segments.
He went on to draw for cartoons and such classic Disney features as Song of the South, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians, among others.
- 12/31/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Don Lusk, the prolific animator whose pencil drawings brought to life Pinocchio, Fantasia and 11 other classic films during Disney's Golden Age, has died. He was 105.
Lusk died Sunday at a retirement home in San Clemente, California, his son, Skip Lusk, told The Hollywood Reporter.
From 1933-60, Lusk was one of the many animators employed by Walt Disney to work on shorts and feature films, and his output was staggering. He drew Geppetto's pet goldfish Cleo and pet tuxedo cat Figaro for Pinocchio (1940), the Arabian Fish Dance to the "Nutcracker Suite" for Fantasia (1940), the dog chase for Bambi (1942), the ...
Lusk died Sunday at a retirement home in San Clemente, California, his son, Skip Lusk, told The Hollywood Reporter.
From 1933-60, Lusk was one of the many animators employed by Walt Disney to work on shorts and feature films, and his output was staggering. He drew Geppetto's pet goldfish Cleo and pet tuxedo cat Figaro for Pinocchio (1940), the Arabian Fish Dance to the "Nutcracker Suite" for Fantasia (1940), the dog chase for Bambi (1942), the ...
- 12/31/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Don Lusk, the prolific animator whose pencil drawings brought to life Pinocchio, Fantasia and 11 other classic films during Disney's Golden Age, has died. He was 105.
Lusk died Sunday at a retirement home in San Clemente, California, his son, Skip Lusk, told The Hollywood Reporter.
From 1933-60, Lusk was one of the many animators employed by Walt Disney to work on shorts and feature films, and his output was staggering. He drew Geppetto's pet goldfish Cleo and pet tuxedo cat Figaro for Pinocchio (1940), the Arabian Fish Dance to the "Nutcracker Suite" for Fantasia (1940), the dog chase for Bambi (1942), the ...
Lusk died Sunday at a retirement home in San Clemente, California, his son, Skip Lusk, told The Hollywood Reporter.
From 1933-60, Lusk was one of the many animators employed by Walt Disney to work on shorts and feature films, and his output was staggering. He drew Geppetto's pet goldfish Cleo and pet tuxedo cat Figaro for Pinocchio (1940), the Arabian Fish Dance to the "Nutcracker Suite" for Fantasia (1940), the dog chase for Bambi (1942), the ...
- 12/31/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Carlo Giuffre, who is best known for his role as Geppetto in Roberto Benigni’s live-action 2002 adaptation of Pinocchio, died in Rome November 1. He was 89.
Born in Naples, Italy on December 3, 1928, Giuffre was a star of stage and screen. After attending the National Academy of Dramatic Arts Silvio D’Amico he made his stage debut with the company of Eduardo De Filippo. He would continue his work with De Filippo through the ’80s.
Giuffre may have been known for Pinocchio, but his resume includes over 90 films, numerous roles in Italian cult comedies from the ’70s, as well as his celebrated work in the Neopolitan theater scene. On the big screen, he appeared in Mario Monicelli’s 1968 film The Girl With the Pistol alongside Monica Vitti. The film would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
He starred in comedies such as La signora e stata violentata!
Born in Naples, Italy on December 3, 1928, Giuffre was a star of stage and screen. After attending the National Academy of Dramatic Arts Silvio D’Amico he made his stage debut with the company of Eduardo De Filippo. He would continue his work with De Filippo through the ’80s.
Giuffre may have been known for Pinocchio, but his resume includes over 90 films, numerous roles in Italian cult comedies from the ’70s, as well as his celebrated work in the Neopolitan theater scene. On the big screen, he appeared in Mario Monicelli’s 1968 film The Girl With the Pistol alongside Monica Vitti. The film would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
He starred in comedies such as La signora e stata violentata!
- 11/5/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The Shrine Auditorium hosted Mickey Mouse and friends to celebrate Mickey’s 90th Spectacular with a two-hour television event honoring 90 years of the internationally beloved character.
The birthday celebration included musical performances from artists such as Meghan Trainor, Tori Kelly, Leslie Odom Jr., Josh Groban, the Zac Brown Band, Luis Fonsi, Nct 127 and Sofia Carson all paying homage to the iconic Disney character by performing classic songs — including “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, “When You Wish Upon A Star” from Pinocchio, “Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book and “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin which ...
The birthday celebration included musical performances from artists such as Meghan Trainor, Tori Kelly, Leslie Odom Jr., Josh Groban, the Zac Brown Band, Luis Fonsi, Nct 127 and Sofia Carson all paying homage to the iconic Disney character by performing classic songs — including “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, “When You Wish Upon A Star” from Pinocchio, “Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book and “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin which ...
- 11/2/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
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