The darkness enveloped me, and despite the summer heat outside, the air in the building was cool. I sat in silence, intently focused, anticipating what happened next, but not quite prepared. I tensed up upon seeing the spectral woman directly ahead of me. She silently floated, translucent and seemingly unaware — until at last facing me and lunging with a guttural growl as her face distorted into some horrific entity.
This memory is entirely true; it is a ghost story, but not one that took place in a haunted house. Rather, the setting was a haunted library, projected on screen in a movie theater during one of my many viewings of Ghostbusters.
Released 40 years ago on June 8, 1984 — the same day as Gremlins and three weeks after Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom — Ghostbusters became a pop-culture phenomenon and box office juggernaut. Written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis — inspired by...
This memory is entirely true; it is a ghost story, but not one that took place in a haunted house. Rather, the setting was a haunted library, projected on screen in a movie theater during one of my many viewings of Ghostbusters.
Released 40 years ago on June 8, 1984 — the same day as Gremlins and three weeks after Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom — Ghostbusters became a pop-culture phenomenon and box office juggernaut. Written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis — inspired by...
- 5/24/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Buenos Aires-based production, sales, and distribution outfit FilmSharks is hosting a pair of market screenings for David Bisbano’s animated feature “Dalia and the Red Book” at this year’s Marché du Film, and Variety has been given exclusive access to the first English-language trailer for the film.
“Dalia” will screen twice at this year’s market, on Thursday, May 16, at 2:00 p.m. in Palais E and on Friday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. in Palais I.
With a unique aesthetic inspired by modern favorites such as “Corpse Bride” and “Paranorman,” the haunting kids and family feature tells the story of Dalia, the 12-year-old daughter of a recently deceased author. After her father’s death, Dalia takes on the job of finishing the man’s final book. To do so, she must become part of the story and come face-to-face with its characters, all fighting to be the story’s lead.
“Dalia” will screen twice at this year’s market, on Thursday, May 16, at 2:00 p.m. in Palais E and on Friday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. in Palais I.
With a unique aesthetic inspired by modern favorites such as “Corpse Bride” and “Paranorman,” the haunting kids and family feature tells the story of Dalia, the 12-year-old daughter of a recently deceased author. After her father’s death, Dalia takes on the job of finishing the man’s final book. To do so, she must become part of the story and come face-to-face with its characters, all fighting to be the story’s lead.
- 5/16/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The British Film Institute has partnered with film animation studio Laika to start its event series Stop Motion: Celebrating Hand-Crafted Animation On The Big Screen, which will offer free screenings for children under 16 and include Laika’s five films to date: “Coraline” (2009), “Paranorman” (2012), “The Boxtrolls” (2014), “Kubo and the Two Strings” (2016) and “Missing Link” (2019), all of which were nominated for the Academy Award for outstanding animated feature.
The season, curated by BFI Southbank Lead Programmer Justin Johnson, will take place from Aug. 1 through Oct. 9. Additional titles playing on the big screen throughout the season will include “King Kong” (1933), “Jason and the Argonauts” (1963), “Chicken Run” (2001), “Corpse Bride” (2005), “Coraline” (2009), “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009) and “Anomalisa” (2015).
A free exhibition at BFI Southbank, Laika: Frame x Frame, will also run and showcase the art, science and innovation of the studio’s films. The exhibition will allow visitors an exclusive look at puppets, sets and artifacts from...
The season, curated by BFI Southbank Lead Programmer Justin Johnson, will take place from Aug. 1 through Oct. 9. Additional titles playing on the big screen throughout the season will include “King Kong” (1933), “Jason and the Argonauts” (1963), “Chicken Run” (2001), “Corpse Bride” (2005), “Coraline” (2009), “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009) and “Anomalisa” (2015).
A free exhibition at BFI Southbank, Laika: Frame x Frame, will also run and showcase the art, science and innovation of the studio’s films. The exhibition will allow visitors an exclusive look at puppets, sets and artifacts from...
- 5/15/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay, Lexi Carson, Jack Dunn and Selena Kuznikov
- Variety Film + TV
Bernard Hill, the actor known for playing King Théoden in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and Captain Edward Smith in “Titanic,” has died. He was 79.
Hill died early on Sunday morning, his agent Lou Colson confirmed to Variety. He was with his fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel. No cause of death was given.
Hill first came to prominence as Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdale’s 1982 miniseries “Boys From the Blackstuff”; his character was known for his “gizza job” catchphrase. That same year, he portrayed Sergeant Putnam in the Richard Attenborough-directed film “Gandhi.” Hill appeared in multiple British television series during the ’70s and ’80s, including “I, Claudius,” “Crown Court,” “Rooms,” “Fox” and “Jackanory.”
In 1997, Hill played Captain Smith in James Cameron’s “Titanic,” which won 11 Oscars. He then joined Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” franchise as King Théoden, appearing in 2002’s “The Two Towers” and...
Hill died early on Sunday morning, his agent Lou Colson confirmed to Variety. He was with his fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel. No cause of death was given.
Hill first came to prominence as Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdale’s 1982 miniseries “Boys From the Blackstuff”; his character was known for his “gizza job” catchphrase. That same year, he portrayed Sergeant Putnam in the Richard Attenborough-directed film “Gandhi.” Hill appeared in multiple British television series during the ’70s and ’80s, including “I, Claudius,” “Crown Court,” “Rooms,” “Fox” and “Jackanory.”
In 1997, Hill played Captain Smith in James Cameron’s “Titanic,” which won 11 Oscars. He then joined Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” franchise as King Théoden, appearing in 2002’s “The Two Towers” and...
- 5/5/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
In July of 2023, Netflix announced that not only had they axed their plans to adapt Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" property into a live-action film, but they were doing so after spending over $30 million in development. Fans had been looking forward to a human He-Man flick since it was first announced in 2007, but the development with Sony Pictures in 2022 seemed like a sure bet. Then it was scrapped, but the project's move to Netflix made sense considering the streamer is home to "He-Man & Masters of the Universe," "Masters of the Universe: Revelation," and "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power." Unfortunately, Netflix dropped the project, which had already cast actor/dancer Kyle Allen to play He-Man/Prince Adam, and Mattel was left looking for a new home for the film. According to a recent report from Variety, that home has been found with Amazon and Travis Knight has been announced as the director.
- 5/2/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
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Henry Selick's 2009 film "Coraline" was unique in the history of animation in that it was the first stop-motion feature to use 3-D printers to construct its maquettes. For Selick's 1993 hit "The Nightmare Before Christmas," each character's individual face had to be hand-sculpted separately, requiring boxes and boxes of various Jack Skellington heads. 3-D printing for "Coraline" sped up the process and allowed the animators a wider variety of faces for the titular bratty girl and the terrifying adults in her life.
The story of "Coraline" was taken from Neil Gaiman's 2002 children's horror novel, itself heavily cribbing from Clive Barker's 1992 novel "The Thief of Always." In the film, Coraline (Dakota Fanning) moves with her parents to a remote house out in the middle of the woods. Coraline makes no mystery of how much she hates the move, how...
Henry Selick's 2009 film "Coraline" was unique in the history of animation in that it was the first stop-motion feature to use 3-D printers to construct its maquettes. For Selick's 1993 hit "The Nightmare Before Christmas," each character's individual face had to be hand-sculpted separately, requiring boxes and boxes of various Jack Skellington heads. 3-D printing for "Coraline" sped up the process and allowed the animators a wider variety of faces for the titular bratty girl and the terrifying adults in her life.
The story of "Coraline" was taken from Neil Gaiman's 2002 children's horror novel, itself heavily cribbing from Clive Barker's 1992 novel "The Thief of Always." In the film, Coraline (Dakota Fanning) moves with her parents to a remote house out in the middle of the woods. Coraline makes no mystery of how much she hates the move, how...
- 4/20/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Kent Melton, the animation sculptor who created maquettes made of clay for iconic characters found in movies including Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, The Incredibles and Coraline, has died. He was 68.
Melton died Thursday at his home in Stone County, Missouri, of Lewy body dementia, family members told The Hollywood Reporter.
One of the few artists left in the industry who still sculpted in clay, Melton was a key player in the Disney animation renaissance of the 1990s. Later, he helped Laika Studios become a stop-motion powerhouse. Along the way, he was entrusted by animators to bring their two-dimensional drawings into a three-dimensional world.
Melton’s first Disney credit came on Aladdin (1992), followed by work on such other studio films as Thumbelina (1994), The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998), The Prince of Egypt (1998), Tarzan (1999), The Road to El Dorado (2000), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron...
Melton died Thursday at his home in Stone County, Missouri, of Lewy body dementia, family members told The Hollywood Reporter.
One of the few artists left in the industry who still sculpted in clay, Melton was a key player in the Disney animation renaissance of the 1990s. Later, he helped Laika Studios become a stop-motion powerhouse. Along the way, he was entrusted by animators to bring their two-dimensional drawings into a three-dimensional world.
Melton’s first Disney credit came on Aladdin (1992), followed by work on such other studio films as Thumbelina (1994), The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998), The Prince of Egypt (1998), Tarzan (1999), The Road to El Dorado (2000), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron...
- 2/22/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Bumblebee’ helmer, Travis Knight, has entered into negotiations to jump on board the long-awaited live-action adaptation of ‘Masters of the Universe’.
Knight’s longtime collaborator, Chris Butler (co-directed ‘ParaNorman’ and wrote ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’), is also along for the ride, He has been brought on to rewrite the script. Over the years the project had drafts from David Callaham and Aaron and Adam Nee.
Escape Artists’ Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal, who have been with the project for decades, are producing along with Mattel’s Robbie Brenner.
Also in news – Ewan McGregor set for David Robert Mitchell’s mystery dinosaur movie
Rumour has it that Conan the Barbarian was the influence behind the initial He-Man toy and comics released by Mattel in 1982, the toy was such a major success Mattel soon turned the action figure into a children’s animated TV series.
By the time the animated series was developed,...
Knight’s longtime collaborator, Chris Butler (co-directed ‘ParaNorman’ and wrote ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’), is also along for the ride, He has been brought on to rewrite the script. Over the years the project had drafts from David Callaham and Aaron and Adam Nee.
Escape Artists’ Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal, who have been with the project for decades, are producing along with Mattel’s Robbie Brenner.
Also in news – Ewan McGregor set for David Robert Mitchell’s mystery dinosaur movie
Rumour has it that Conan the Barbarian was the influence behind the initial He-Man toy and comics released by Mattel in 1982, the toy was such a major success Mattel soon turned the action figure into a children’s animated TV series.
By the time the animated series was developed,...
- 2/15/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
As 2023 came to a close, a pair of animated movies — Aardman and Netflix’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget and Illumination/Universal’s Migration — delivered stories featuring carefully designed chickens and mallards, respectively, that leaned into simplicity to be expressive.
Dawn of the Nugget is the sequel to famed British animation studio Aardman’s 2000 stop-motion hit Chicken Run, which was directed by studio co-founder Peter Lord and four-time Academy Award winner and Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, who designed the original flock. “He came up with this aesthetic, which is very simple. And if you look at Wallace & Gromit and then look at the chickens, they have this in common. They’re not very mobile. The chickens are kind of like bottle shapes with arms and legs,” says Lord. “Then they have this quite exaggerated mouth. Nick came up with this idea that lip sync was best served...
Dawn of the Nugget is the sequel to famed British animation studio Aardman’s 2000 stop-motion hit Chicken Run, which was directed by studio co-founder Peter Lord and four-time Academy Award winner and Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, who designed the original flock. “He came up with this aesthetic, which is very simple. And if you look at Wallace & Gromit and then look at the chickens, they have this in common. They’re not very mobile. The chickens are kind of like bottle shapes with arms and legs,” says Lord. “Then they have this quite exaggerated mouth. Nick came up with this idea that lip sync was best served...
- 1/8/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Here at Empire, we have a tradition of sharing one article from our year at Christmas — consider it a digital stocking-filler. As 2023 rolls out, let us bring you some bonus cheer with a feature that’s close to our hearts: our visit to the Portland headquarters of stop-motion animation legends Laika. We got up close and personal with the puppets, sat down for a lengthy chat with studio boss Travis Knight, and even got an extended set visit for Laika’s next big-screen epic, Wildwood. That won’t be out until 2025 (stop-motion takes time), so in the meantime, please enjoy the next best thing…
The dogfight was going to look awesome. The boy was sure of it. Buzzing from the movies he had sat through, enthralled, on Saturday-morning TV or at cinema matinées in his farm town outside of Portland, Oregon — stop-motion classics such as the Ray Harryhausen-enhanced The...
The dogfight was going to look awesome. The boy was sure of it. Buzzing from the movies he had sat through, enthralled, on Saturday-morning TV or at cinema matinées in his farm town outside of Portland, Oregon — stop-motion classics such as the Ray Harryhausen-enhanced The...
- 12/21/2023
- by Nick De Semlyen
- Empire - Movies
It’s the apex of campaign season, which means prestige titles are hitting more digital platforms to boost their footprints as precursor nominations trickle in. Two summer releases have expanded to additional streaming services, and an A-list wild card still playing in some theaters is debuting on VOD.
The contender to watch this week: “Priscilla”
Cailee Spaeny picked up a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Sofia Coppola‘s even-handed biopic about Priscilla Presley‘s storied relationship with Elvis (Jacob Elordi), giving her a little extra juice in an extremely stacked Best Actress contest. Coppola’s movies haven’t received many awards since “Lost in Translation,” but this is her biggest box-office hit in years. Spaeny had to inhabit Presley from ages 14 to 28, and her efforts won her the best actress prize at the Venice Film Festival. A VOD release right in time for the holidays could be the boost “Priscilla” needs.
The contender to watch this week: “Priscilla”
Cailee Spaeny picked up a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Sofia Coppola‘s even-handed biopic about Priscilla Presley‘s storied relationship with Elvis (Jacob Elordi), giving her a little extra juice in an extremely stacked Best Actress contest. Coppola’s movies haven’t received many awards since “Lost in Translation,” but this is her biggest box-office hit in years. Spaeny had to inhabit Presley from ages 14 to 28, and her efforts won her the best actress prize at the Venice Film Festival. A VOD release right in time for the holidays could be the boost “Priscilla” needs.
- 12/16/2023
- by Matthew Jacobs
- Gold Derby
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Movie Review Rating:
Star Cast: Zachari Levi, Thandiwe Newton, Bella Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan, Daniel Mays, David Bradley, and Miranda Richardson
Director: Sam Fell
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Movie Review Out! (Picture Credit: IMDb)
What’s Good: Aardman Animations continues to push their stop-motion art to a new level, and it is quite impressive what they have achieved 23 years after the original.
What’s Bad: The new voice cast does a great job, but they lack the raw energy of the original cast.
Loo Break: You can take a break during some of the musical sequences, they look great, but they are not that vital to the plot.
Watch or Not?: It feels like the right thing to watch the film, even if it is just to support Aardman Animations and their soon-to-be lost craft.
Language: English
Available On: Netflix
Runtime: 97 Minutes.
Star Cast: Zachari Levi, Thandiwe Newton, Bella Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan, Daniel Mays, David Bradley, and Miranda Richardson
Director: Sam Fell
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Movie Review Out! (Picture Credit: IMDb)
What’s Good: Aardman Animations continues to push their stop-motion art to a new level, and it is quite impressive what they have achieved 23 years after the original.
What’s Bad: The new voice cast does a great job, but they lack the raw energy of the original cast.
Loo Break: You can take a break during some of the musical sequences, they look great, but they are not that vital to the plot.
Watch or Not?: It feels like the right thing to watch the film, even if it is just to support Aardman Animations and their soon-to-be lost craft.
Language: English
Available On: Netflix
Runtime: 97 Minutes.
- 12/15/2023
- by Nelson Acosta
- KoiMoi
Twenty-three years after Aardman Animations hatched its stop-motion send-up to The Great Escape, Chicken Run is back for a sequel worthy of the original’s legacy! During the incubation period before Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget debuts on Netflix, JoBlo’s resident animation enthusiast, Steve Seigh, caught up with the sequel’s director, Sam Fell, and Rocky voice actor Zachary Levi.
During the interview, Fell discusses whether technological advances in the animation industry have changed his directorial approach. He also touches on the significant scope of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget and digs into the franchise’s dark themes. How do you balance themes of incarceration with a light-hearted reverse take on The Great Escape? Sam knows, and he’s ready to spill the beans. We also reveal the moment Fell knew Dawn of the Nugget was something special and something fans could get excited about.
Meanwhile, Zachary...
During the interview, Fell discusses whether technological advances in the animation industry have changed his directorial approach. He also touches on the significant scope of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget and digs into the franchise’s dark themes. How do you balance themes of incarceration with a light-hearted reverse take on The Great Escape? Sam knows, and he’s ready to spill the beans. We also reveal the moment Fell knew Dawn of the Nugget was something special and something fans could get excited about.
Meanwhile, Zachary...
- 12/14/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Chicken Run: Dawn Of The NuggetPhoto: Aardman / Netflix
On paper, the original Chicken Run sounded more like the sort of film a character in a comedy movie might pitch: “It’s The Great Escape ... starring chickens!” For better or worse, Chicken Run committed to the bit, and as a result...
On paper, the original Chicken Run sounded more like the sort of film a character in a comedy movie might pitch: “It’s The Great Escape ... starring chickens!” For better or worse, Chicken Run committed to the bit, and as a result...
- 12/13/2023
- by Luke Y. Thompson
- avclub.com
Plot: Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream — a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk — this time, they’re breaking in!
Review: Aardman Animation has become synonymous with claymation productions. Since the 1970s, Aardman has pioneered stop-motion short films and is the creator of the beloved Wallace & Gromit characters. Despite years of acclaim, Aardman did not make the leap to feature films until 2000’s Chicken Run. Since then, they have released seven feature films, two computer-animated. Twenty-three years after their first movie, Aardman’s sequel...
Review: Aardman Animation has become synonymous with claymation productions. Since the 1970s, Aardman has pioneered stop-motion short films and is the creator of the beloved Wallace & Gromit characters. Despite years of acclaim, Aardman did not make the leap to feature films until 2000’s Chicken Run. Since then, they have released seven feature films, two computer-animated. Twenty-three years after their first movie, Aardman’s sequel...
- 12/12/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
It's been over 20 years since Aardman made history with the release of the first "Chicken Run." The studio's first feature film, it became the highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time. This means that anticipations are quite high for the follow-up, "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget." How do you follow what was a rather simple premise, two decades later? Well, not without some hiccups.
The new film finds Ginger and Rocky living with the other chickens on an idyllic island. The couple have a daughter, named Molly, the first new chicken born on the island. This is a rather big retcon from the end of the first movie, which ends with a bunch of chicks on the island being trained by Fowler. Turns out, this was a conscious choice based on two important points.
First of all, there are only two roosters on the island — Rocky and Fowler. It...
The new film finds Ginger and Rocky living with the other chickens on an idyllic island. The couple have a daughter, named Molly, the first new chicken born on the island. This is a rather big retcon from the end of the first movie, which ends with a bunch of chicks on the island being trained by Fowler. Turns out, this was a conscious choice based on two important points.
First of all, there are only two roosters on the island — Rocky and Fowler. It...
- 11/15/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
The last time (and only time) Aardman Animations made a sequel to one of its beloved stop-motion animated features, the result was "A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon," a pretty charming love letter to classic sci-fi cinema. So the bar is set even higher for "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget," the long-awaited follow-up to "Chicken Run." The studio's 2000 riff on "The Great Escape" is still the highest-grossing stop-motion animated movie of all time and, for some animation enthusiasts, remains Aardman's crowning achievement, which is no minor feat. I mean, we're talking about the same studio that "28 Days Later" director Danny Boyle praised for creating "the best action sequence I've ever seen in a film" in "Wallace and Gromit -- The Wrong Trousers."
"Dawn of the Nugget" sees the feathered freedom fighter fowl formerly found flocking on Tweedy's Farm living out their dreams of paradise on a lovely island bird sanctuary.
"Dawn of the Nugget" sees the feathered freedom fighter fowl formerly found flocking on Tweedy's Farm living out their dreams of paradise on a lovely island bird sanctuary.
- 11/15/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Halloween is a great time to watch spooky movies, but while the horror marathons are abundant for adults, it can be tough to find the right Halloween movies for kids. Not to fear, we’ve put together a list of some of the best Halloween movies that kids and adults alike can enjoy, from Millennial favorites that you can pass on to your own children to recent releases that are actually pretty cute. They’ve all got those Spooky Season vibes minus the scare factor that makes more traditional horror films an ill fit.
Check out our picks for the best Halloween movies for kids below.
Hocus Pocus Photo: Disney
Is It Scary? Not really
How Long Is It? 1 hour and 36 minutes
Where Is It Streaming? Disney+
What’s It About? A Halloween staple, especially for Millennial parents, Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” follows three witch sisters who were hung in...
Check out our picks for the best Halloween movies for kids below.
Hocus Pocus Photo: Disney
Is It Scary? Not really
How Long Is It? 1 hour and 36 minutes
Where Is It Streaming? Disney+
What’s It About? A Halloween staple, especially for Millennial parents, Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” follows three witch sisters who were hung in...
- 10/28/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Laika, the groundbreaking Portland, Oregon-based animation studio, has brought in new filmmakers in the form of director Pete Candeland and Victor Maldonado and Alfredo Torres, the duo known as Headless, TheWrap has confirmed.
Candeland and Headless will be developing new animated features, although details on those features have yet to be revealed.
Maldonado and Torres won an Annie for an episode of the Guillermo del Toro DreamWorks Animation series “Trollhunters” and have also directed three episodes of Netflix’s adult animated series “Love, Death & Robots.” Maldonado also directed and co-wrote “Nocturna,” a 2007 animated feature. Torres also worked on “Nocturna” as production designer, which won the Best Animated Feature at the Goya Awards. They also worked on the animated sequences from J.A. Bayona’s “A Monster Calls” and were in development at Skydance Animation, which recently moved its feature output from Apple TV+ to Netflix.
Candeland is best known for directing music videos for Gorillaz,...
Candeland and Headless will be developing new animated features, although details on those features have yet to be revealed.
Maldonado and Torres won an Annie for an episode of the Guillermo del Toro DreamWorks Animation series “Trollhunters” and have also directed three episodes of Netflix’s adult animated series “Love, Death & Robots.” Maldonado also directed and co-wrote “Nocturna,” a 2007 animated feature. Torres also worked on “Nocturna” as production designer, which won the Best Animated Feature at the Goya Awards. They also worked on the animated sequences from J.A. Bayona’s “A Monster Calls” and were in development at Skydance Animation, which recently moved its feature output from Apple TV+ to Netflix.
Candeland is best known for directing music videos for Gorillaz,...
- 10/26/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Nearly a quarter-century has passed since Aardman hatched its first feature, and the generation that flipped for “Chicken Run” — tickled by the novelty of watching a pseudo-serious genre movie rendered silly by an ensemble of stop-motion poultry — has grown up to be parents. Distributed by DreamWorks, the 2000 toon reimagined “The Great Escape” with chickens, as a doomed flock schemed to fly the coop of a WWII-style concentration camp run by the intimidating Mrs. Tweedy (Miranda Richardson).
In the tasty (if young-skewing) sequel commissioned by Netflix, “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” it’s the other way around … or, as gung-ho Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) puts it in her trailer-ready motivational speech, “Last time, we broke out of a chicken farm. Well, this time, we’re breaking in!” Where the tongue-in-beak original was a sendup of war movies, “Nugget” serves as a riff on “Mission: Impossible”-style action flicks, putting Ginger in...
In the tasty (if young-skewing) sequel commissioned by Netflix, “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” it’s the other way around … or, as gung-ho Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) puts it in her trailer-ready motivational speech, “Last time, we broke out of a chicken farm. Well, this time, we’re breaking in!” Where the tongue-in-beak original was a sendup of war movies, “Nugget” serves as a riff on “Mission: Impossible”-style action flicks, putting Ginger in...
- 10/14/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Aardman Animations is one of the most celebrated animation studios in the world and certainly the most celebrated stop-motion studio this side of Laika. Aardman's work has a unique and signature look and feel, which for many outside of Britain has become synonymous with British humor, particularly when it comes to the quaint, low-key vibe, and cartoonish tone of the "Shaun The Sheep" and "Wallace & Gromit" shorts and movies.
This year, the studio has already dived into the galaxy far, far away with a delightful short that brought Wes Antilles back into the story in "Star Wars: Visions." But before they deliver a brand new "Wallace & Gromit" movie in 2024, Aardman is looking back at their feature debut, "Chicken Run."
Both Aardman's most financially successful film and the highest-grossing stop-motion film of all time, "Chicken Run" is a wry homage to "The Great Escape" which sees a group of chickens escaping from a farm.
This year, the studio has already dived into the galaxy far, far away with a delightful short that brought Wes Antilles back into the story in "Star Wars: Visions." But before they deliver a brand new "Wallace & Gromit" movie in 2024, Aardman is looking back at their feature debut, "Chicken Run."
Both Aardman's most financially successful film and the highest-grossing stop-motion film of all time, "Chicken Run" is a wry homage to "The Great Escape" which sees a group of chickens escaping from a farm.
- 9/5/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
“Coraline,” 2009’s Oscar-nominated animated feature from Laika Studios, grossed a combined $4.91 million in a limited theatrical rerelease via Fathom Events.
The success of the screenings, which were held Monday and Tuesday, has led to two additional screenings of the Henry Selick-directed film being added on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29.
The showings, hosted by Fathom in partnership with Laika and Park Circus, placed the film third in gross box office behind “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” It ranked as the highest grosser in per screen average on both days, making $3,000 per screen.
“As of now, Coraline is Fathom’s biggest classic movie of all time and the second highest grossing title for 2023,” Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events, said in a statement. “This film carries such a large fan following year after year, and they certainly came out in force this year to see their favorite film.”
The stop-motion film based on the...
The success of the screenings, which were held Monday and Tuesday, has led to two additional screenings of the Henry Selick-directed film being added on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29.
The showings, hosted by Fathom in partnership with Laika and Park Circus, placed the film third in gross box office behind “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” It ranked as the highest grosser in per screen average on both days, making $3,000 per screen.
“As of now, Coraline is Fathom’s biggest classic movie of all time and the second highest grossing title for 2023,” Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events, said in a statement. “This film carries such a large fan following year after year, and they certainly came out in force this year to see their favorite film.”
The stop-motion film based on the...
- 8/16/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Director Sam Fell will bring his animated feature “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” from Netflix and Aardman, to the View Conference in Turin, Italy, where it will have its Italian premiere. Fell will discuss the making of the film during the conference, which will run from Oct. 15-20.
Fell was nominated for an animated feature Academy Award, along with Chris Butler, for Laika’s 2012 stop-motion film “ParaNorman” and was nominated for a BAFTA Award alongside David Bowers for the animated film “Flushed Away,” from DreamWorks Animation and Aardman. “Dawn of the Nugget,” which features the voices of Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi and Bella Ramsey, is a sequel to the 2000 Aardman stop-motion feature “Chicken Run” and follows chicken freedom fighters Ginger and Rocky as they raise their daughter Molly.
“For many years, Aardman has shared its unique vision of the world through the wonderful medium of stop-motion animation. It’s...
Fell was nominated for an animated feature Academy Award, along with Chris Butler, for Laika’s 2012 stop-motion film “ParaNorman” and was nominated for a BAFTA Award alongside David Bowers for the animated film “Flushed Away,” from DreamWorks Animation and Aardman. “Dawn of the Nugget,” which features the voices of Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi and Bella Ramsey, is a sequel to the 2000 Aardman stop-motion feature “Chicken Run” and follows chicken freedom fighters Ginger and Rocky as they raise their daughter Molly.
“For many years, Aardman has shared its unique vision of the world through the wonderful medium of stop-motion animation. It’s...
- 7/28/2023
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Henry Selick’s 2009 film Coraline is returning to theaters for two-days-only on the road to Halloween, we’ve learned today, courtesy of Fathom Events, Laika, and Park Circus.
The acclaimed 2009 stop-motion film returns to theaters nationwide on Monday, August 14 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm local time, and Tuesday, August 15 at 7:00 pm local time.
In addition to the film, audiences will be treated to new and never-before-seen footage from the Laika Archives. Join key members of Laika’s creative filmmaking team for an up-close and personal return to the worlds of Coraline, explored through unique behind-the-scenes stories, key artifacts, puppets, and costumes from the stop-motion animated film.
Tickets for Coraline are on sale Now and can be purchased at www.fathomevents.com or participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (participating theaters are subject to change).
Coraline boasts stunning stop-motion animation,...
The acclaimed 2009 stop-motion film returns to theaters nationwide on Monday, August 14 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm local time, and Tuesday, August 15 at 7:00 pm local time.
In addition to the film, audiences will be treated to new and never-before-seen footage from the Laika Archives. Join key members of Laika’s creative filmmaking team for an up-close and personal return to the worlds of Coraline, explored through unique behind-the-scenes stories, key artifacts, puppets, and costumes from the stop-motion animated film.
Tickets for Coraline are on sale Now and can be purchased at www.fathomevents.com or participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (participating theaters are subject to change).
Coraline boasts stunning stop-motion animation,...
- 6/28/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Travis Knight, president and CEO of animation studio Laika, has been appointed to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Board of Trustees. Additionally, the museum announced the appointment of motion picture producer and former chair of the Academy Museum Inclusion Advisory Committee, Effie T. Brown, as an honorary trustee (a lifetime position), effective July 1, 2023.
According to an official statement from the museum: “As the governing body of the Academy Museum, the Board leads the museum toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, in addition to securing adequate resources to advance the museum’s mission. Knight and Brown will help continue the success of the museum and its social impact for audiences worldwide.”
Additionally, the Academy Museum’s Board of Trustees has also re-elected Patricia Bellinger Balzer, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Ray Halbritter, Ryan Murphy, Regina Scully, whose current terms end June 30, 2023, for another three-year term.
According to an official statement from the museum: “As the governing body of the Academy Museum, the Board leads the museum toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, in addition to securing adequate resources to advance the museum’s mission. Knight and Brown will help continue the success of the museum and its social impact for audiences worldwide.”
Additionally, the Academy Museum’s Board of Trustees has also re-elected Patricia Bellinger Balzer, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Ray Halbritter, Ryan Murphy, Regina Scully, whose current terms end June 30, 2023, for another three-year term.
- 6/21/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
They’re the studio behind some of cinema’s most beloved stop-motion characters and stories – including the dark, fantastical coming-of-age Coraline, zombie comedy ParaNorman, samurai epic Kubo And The Two Strings, and, most recently, the massively fun Missing Link. All five of their feature films were nominated for Oscars, and they remain one of the most imaginative, original and eccentric homes for animation in the world. Yes, we’re talking about Laika, the stop-motion super-studio led by CEO and feature director Travis Knight – and in the new issue of Empire, we get to pull back the painstakingly-animated curtain on Laika’s process, paying a visit to their headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
Talking to Knight, plus members of the team including animator Jason Stalman, head of production Arianne Sutner and more, Empire walks around Laika’s 40,000-square-foot warehouse, getting world-exclusive access to every inch of the puppet-filled studios. We stop by the sets,...
Talking to Knight, plus members of the team including animator Jason Stalman, head of production Arianne Sutner and more, Empire walks around Laika’s 40,000-square-foot warehouse, getting world-exclusive access to every inch of the puppet-filled studios. We stop by the sets,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Sophie Butcher
- Empire - Movies
Laika, the Portland-based animation studio behind movies such as Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings, has hired Jeremy Kipp Walker and Chaz Salembier as part of a push into live-action filmmaking.
Walker becomes executive vp, live-action production after serving as head of production for Netflix’s independent film division. His credits include The Big Sick, Half Nelson, Table 19, Mississippi Grind and It’s Kind of a Funny Story.
Salembier, a veteran of Walt Disney Studios, becomes creative vp, live-action film at Laika, charged with identifying and developing stories for the indie studio’s live-action film slate, starting at the Cannes Film Festival.
Both Laika hires will report to Matt Levin, president of live-action film and series, who joined the indie studio in the new role in February after a long tenure at Netflix.
Besides production on its sixth animated movie Wildwood, directed by Laika founder Travis Knight, the studio...
Walker becomes executive vp, live-action production after serving as head of production for Netflix’s independent film division. His credits include The Big Sick, Half Nelson, Table 19, Mississippi Grind and It’s Kind of a Funny Story.
Salembier, a veteran of Walt Disney Studios, becomes creative vp, live-action film at Laika, charged with identifying and developing stories for the indie studio’s live-action film slate, starting at the Cannes Film Festival.
Both Laika hires will report to Matt Levin, president of live-action film and series, who joined the indie studio in the new role in February after a long tenure at Netflix.
Besides production on its sixth animated movie Wildwood, directed by Laika founder Travis Knight, the studio...
- 5/25/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (Etaf) announced on Tuesday that NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson and entrepreneur Cookie Johnson will be commemorated at this year’s Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS on Sept. 21 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Both Magic and Cookie Johnson will be presented with the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award at the ball.
Paris Jackson and Christine Chiu serve as this year’s gala’s co-chairs. The event will sport a number of 270 guests entertained by a live auction in partnership with Chiu presenting a number of art/luxury experiences, a live performance and an exclusive look at items from The Elizabeth Taylor Archive.
“We loved Elizabeth Taylor’s passion, activism and the work we did together in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” said Magic and Cookie Johnson. “Since beginning this journey in the early ’90s, we’ve dedicated our lives...
Paris Jackson and Christine Chiu serve as this year’s gala’s co-chairs. The event will sport a number of 270 guests entertained by a live auction in partnership with Chiu presenting a number of art/luxury experiences, a live performance and an exclusive look at items from The Elizabeth Taylor Archive.
“We loved Elizabeth Taylor’s passion, activism and the work we did together in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” said Magic and Cookie Johnson. “Since beginning this journey in the early ’90s, we’ve dedicated our lives...
- 5/23/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay, McKinley Franklin and Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Laika’s Chief Marketing Officer David Burke has added Chief Operating Officer to his responsibilities at the Oscar-winning studio.
Burke joined Laika in 2019 from Universal Pictures, where he had been General Manager for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland since 2006. Burke will report to Laika President & CEO, Travis Knight.
Burke’s role at Laika has expanded to encompass all aspects of the company’s Operations activities while remaining the lead on brand marketing and film promotions. He is also involved in developing Laika’s Live Action strategy.
“I am thrilled to take on the expanded role of Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at Laika. I am grateful to our CEO Travis Knight for his leadership and trust in me to help drive the company’s mission forward. Our team of talented colleagues is second to none, and I am excited to continue working alongside them in this new capacity.
Burke joined Laika in 2019 from Universal Pictures, where he had been General Manager for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland since 2006. Burke will report to Laika President & CEO, Travis Knight.
Burke’s role at Laika has expanded to encompass all aspects of the company’s Operations activities while remaining the lead on brand marketing and film promotions. He is also involved in developing Laika’s Live Action strategy.
“I am thrilled to take on the expanded role of Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at Laika. I am grateful to our CEO Travis Knight for his leadership and trust in me to help drive the company’s mission forward. Our team of talented colleagues is second to none, and I am excited to continue working alongside them in this new capacity.
- 5/10/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix’s animated output is certainly having a moment, between the Best Animated Feature win for Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” and the acquisition of Animal Logic, the Australian animation studio that had previously been responsible for “Happy Feet,” “The Lego Movie” and “DC League of Super-Pets” (among many others). The streamer has just unveiled its 2023-2024 slate, revealing new details about upcoming projects like “Nimona” and announcing new movies like “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie,” a brand-new “SpongeBob SquarePants” film.
Read on for the full rundown of Netflix’s upcoming animated films and see brand-new images.
“Nimona” “Nimona” (Netflix)
Coming this summer is “Nimona,” based on the graphic novel by Nd Stevenson and set in a futuristic yet still medieval world, it centers around a disgraced knight (Riz Ahmed) and a young shapeshifter (Chloë Grace Moretz) who team up to clear both of their names. We’d...
Read on for the full rundown of Netflix’s upcoming animated films and see brand-new images.
“Nimona” “Nimona” (Netflix)
Coming this summer is “Nimona,” based on the graphic novel by Nd Stevenson and set in a futuristic yet still medieval world, it centers around a disgraced knight (Riz Ahmed) and a young shapeshifter (Chloë Grace Moretz) who team up to clear both of their names. We’d...
- 4/25/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Laika, the Oregon-based stop-motion animation studio behind modern classics “Coraline” and “ParaNorman,” is getting serious about entering the live-action space. The studio just named longtime Netflix executive Matt Levin as President, Live-Action Film & Series, a new role at the company. The first live-action project is a film based on John Brownlow’s thriller novel “Seventeen.”
Levin served as Director, Original Independent Film at Netflix from 2014 to 2022. He co-founded the Original Independent Film department growing it into a full-scale mini-major with 20+ executives. Levin oversaw projects like Macon Blair’s “I Don’t Feel At Home in the World Anymore,” underrated Elizabeth Winstead-led action movie “Kate,” and Charlie Kaufman’s puzzling “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.” Levin also worked on Tom Hardy’s upcoming “Havoc” from director Gareth Evans (due out sometime later this year).
Levin reports directly to President and CEO Travis Knight (director of Laika’s “Kubo and the Two Strings...
Levin served as Director, Original Independent Film at Netflix from 2014 to 2022. He co-founded the Original Independent Film department growing it into a full-scale mini-major with 20+ executives. Levin oversaw projects like Macon Blair’s “I Don’t Feel At Home in the World Anymore,” underrated Elizabeth Winstead-led action movie “Kate,” and Charlie Kaufman’s puzzling “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.” Levin also worked on Tom Hardy’s upcoming “Havoc” from director Gareth Evans (due out sometime later this year).
Levin reports directly to President and CEO Travis Knight (director of Laika’s “Kubo and the Two Strings...
- 2/7/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Laika’s planned expansion into the realm of live-action was furthered on Tuesday, with the announcement that longtime Netflix executive Matt Levin will be joining the studio in the newly created role of President, Live-Action Film & Series.
The venerated Oregon animation studio’s hire comes amidst development on its first live-action project — a feature adaptation of the action-thriller novel Seventeen by screenwriter John Brownlow.
Levin joins the stop-motion specialist following eight years at Netflix, where he most recently served as Director, Original Independent Film. He co-founded that department and is credited with helping it grow into a full-scale mini-major. His direct report at Laika is President & CEO Travis Knight, who also helmed the company’s acclaimed 2016 feature, Kubo and the Two Strings.
Knight remarked in a statement that “Matt Levin is an awesome dude. Both a steely-eyed pragmatist and a starry-eyed dreamer, Matt is the perfect partner...
The venerated Oregon animation studio’s hire comes amidst development on its first live-action project — a feature adaptation of the action-thriller novel Seventeen by screenwriter John Brownlow.
Levin joins the stop-motion specialist following eight years at Netflix, where he most recently served as Director, Original Independent Film. He co-founded that department and is credited with helping it grow into a full-scale mini-major. His direct report at Laika is President & CEO Travis Knight, who also helmed the company’s acclaimed 2016 feature, Kubo and the Two Strings.
Knight remarked in a statement that “Matt Levin is an awesome dude. Both a steely-eyed pragmatist and a starry-eyed dreamer, Matt is the perfect partner...
- 2/7/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Laika, the innovative, Portland, Oregon-based stop-motion animation studio, and the Museum of Pop Culture, a leading-edge nonprofit museum in Seattle, are partnering for a new exhibition that will immerse visitors in the “hidden worlds” of Laika’s five magical features. Hidden Worlds: The Films of Laika is the largest exhibition Laika has ever mounted and sets to focus on the “hidden worlds” of “the [films] magical settings the characters inhabit, and the behind-the-scenes wonders of producing these modern classics.”
The exhibition spans more than 7,500 square feet of exhibition space with immersive displays, film artifacts, props, and interactive elements tied into Laika’s five features – 2009’s “Coraline,” 2012’s “ParaNorman,” 2014’s “The Boxtrolls,” 2016’s “Kubo and the Two Strings” and 2019’s “Missing Link.” Plus, if you’re looking to get a look at the studio’s forthcoming feature “Wildwood,” there will be elements from the new movie as part of the exhibit too.
The exhibition spans more than 7,500 square feet of exhibition space with immersive displays, film artifacts, props, and interactive elements tied into Laika’s five features – 2009’s “Coraline,” 2012’s “ParaNorman,” 2014’s “The Boxtrolls,” 2016’s “Kubo and the Two Strings” and 2019’s “Missing Link.” Plus, if you’re looking to get a look at the studio’s forthcoming feature “Wildwood,” there will be elements from the new movie as part of the exhibit too.
- 1/31/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Laika and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle will launch the largest exhibition ever mounted devoted to the acclaimed, global leading stop-motion studio. “Hidden Worlds: The Films of Laika” opens March 17 at MoPop and spans more than 7,500 square feet of exhibition space with immersive displays, film artifacts, and interactives concerning Laika’s state-of-the art crafts and emerging tech.
The exhibition will spotlight Laika’s five Oscar-nominated films — “Coraline” (2009), “ParaNorman” (2012), “The Boxtrolls” (2014),”Kubo and the Two Strings” (2016), “Missing Link” (2019) — along with the upcoming fantasy-adventure “Wildwood,” directed by Laika president Travis Knight, and featuring a voice cast led by Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, and Angela Bassett.
“Laika is a multifaceted community of dreamers, makers, storytellers, scientists, engineers, and artists all committed to making movies that matter,” said David Burke, Laika’s chief marketing officer and senior vice president operations. “We believe that cinema is...
The exhibition will spotlight Laika’s five Oscar-nominated films — “Coraline” (2009), “ParaNorman” (2012), “The Boxtrolls” (2014),”Kubo and the Two Strings” (2016), “Missing Link” (2019) — along with the upcoming fantasy-adventure “Wildwood,” directed by Laika president Travis Knight, and featuring a voice cast led by Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, and Angela Bassett.
“Laika is a multifaceted community of dreamers, makers, storytellers, scientists, engineers, and artists all committed to making movies that matter,” said David Burke, Laika’s chief marketing officer and senior vice president operations. “We believe that cinema is...
- 1/31/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Otaku and Kawaii
It feels like November has barely begun, and yet here we are three weeks in. Like most months on Horror Queers, we’ve been all over the place, including the dream-like pastel world of Jennifer Reeder’s women-centric Knives and Skin and the 25th-anniversary fascist machismo world of Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers. Now we’re pivoting for a return trip to Japan with our second foray into animated fare (after ParaNorman) with Satoshi Kon‘s stunning first film, Perfect Blue.
In the film, Mima (voiced by Junko Iwao) is an Idol being groomed for a career jump from singing to acting. Despite the protests of her manager Rumi (voiced by Rica Matsumoto), Mima agrees to a controversial and confronting storyline on the derivative police procedural ‘Double Bind.’ But her shift into increasingly adult fare doesn’t sit well with all of Mima’s controlling fans, including...
It feels like November has barely begun, and yet here we are three weeks in. Like most months on Horror Queers, we’ve been all over the place, including the dream-like pastel world of Jennifer Reeder’s women-centric Knives and Skin and the 25th-anniversary fascist machismo world of Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers. Now we’re pivoting for a return trip to Japan with our second foray into animated fare (after ParaNorman) with Satoshi Kon‘s stunning first film, Perfect Blue.
In the film, Mima (voiced by Junko Iwao) is an Idol being groomed for a career jump from singing to acting. Despite the protests of her manager Rumi (voiced by Rica Matsumoto), Mima agrees to a controversial and confronting storyline on the derivative police procedural ‘Double Bind.’ But her shift into increasingly adult fare doesn’t sit well with all of Mima’s controlling fans, including...
- 11/21/2022
- by Joe Lipsett
- bloody-disgusting.com
.
“Little Nicolas,” the nostalgic, hand-drawn ode to the popular French children’s book series and its creators — René Goscinny (“Asterix”) and the late illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé — won the Grand Prize at the fifth annual Animation Is Film Festival (Aif), held last weekend at the Tcl Chinese 6 Theaters in Hollywood. This should help the France-Luxembourg release from directors Amandine Fredon and Benjamin Massoubre secure U.S. distribution.
“My Father’s Dragon” (Cartoon Saloon/Netflix), the 2D adaptation of Ruth Stiles Gannett’s classic children’s book, from Oscar-nominated director Nora Twomey (“The Breadwinner”), took home the Special Jury prize. This provides some heat as Cartoon Saloon chases its fifth Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination.
The Audience Award went to “Aurora’s Sunrise,” the animated documentary from director Inna Sahakyan, which tells the remarkable story of Aurora Mardiganian, who survived the Armenian genocide as a teenager, and came to America, where she...
“Little Nicolas,” the nostalgic, hand-drawn ode to the popular French children’s book series and its creators — René Goscinny (“Asterix”) and the late illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé — won the Grand Prize at the fifth annual Animation Is Film Festival (Aif), held last weekend at the Tcl Chinese 6 Theaters in Hollywood. This should help the France-Luxembourg release from directors Amandine Fredon and Benjamin Massoubre secure U.S. distribution.
“My Father’s Dragon” (Cartoon Saloon/Netflix), the 2D adaptation of Ruth Stiles Gannett’s classic children’s book, from Oscar-nominated director Nora Twomey (“The Breadwinner”), took home the Special Jury prize. This provides some heat as Cartoon Saloon chases its fifth Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination.
The Audience Award went to “Aurora’s Sunrise,” the animated documentary from director Inna Sahakyan, which tells the remarkable story of Aurora Mardiganian, who survived the Armenian genocide as a teenager, and came to America, where she...
- 10/27/2022
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Sometimes tragedy begets opportunity. Case in point: Henry Selick’s The Shadow King being unceremoniously scrapped by Pixar. It was supposed to be his follow-up to Coraline and buzz was strong before things went south. So while Selick took a creative step away in the aftermath, he found Key and Peele debuting on Comedy Central. The director would ultimately finish its five-season run and declare Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele the “boldest, bravest, and funniest” comedy duo of his lifetime, vowing to reach out and broach the subject of collaboration in the future. While that inevitable meeting’s purpose was to enlist their vocal talents, Peele turned the tables to ask if he might also produce whatever Selick did next. And there in the drawer sat Wendell & Wild.
Born as a short story with early sketches of the titular demons based on Selick’s sons (and ultimately credited as...
Born as a short story with early sketches of the titular demons based on Selick’s sons (and ultimately credited as...
- 10/27/2022
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
The Shining
The spooky season is here, and as usual, we’re bringing you details of special screenings and events taking place across the UK. Some regular events have been cancelled this year due to the cost of living crisis, but all around the country, creative solutions have filled the gaps. From family friendly creepy crawly fun to serious shocks, thrills and chills for the grown-ups, these are the big screen Halloween happenings you won’t want to miss.
Because we know that some of you are still stuck at home due to the pandemic or long term illness, and because we want films to be accessible to everyone, we’ve also included a succession of treats for you to enjoy online. These sinister helpings of scary cinema are coming from inside the house.
Aberdeen 27th, Troll Hunter, University of Aberdeen Anthropology Society, MacRobert Building 27th to 3rd, Prey For The Devil,...
The spooky season is here, and as usual, we’re bringing you details of special screenings and events taking place across the UK. Some regular events have been cancelled this year due to the cost of living crisis, but all around the country, creative solutions have filled the gaps. From family friendly creepy crawly fun to serious shocks, thrills and chills for the grown-ups, these are the big screen Halloween happenings you won’t want to miss.
Because we know that some of you are still stuck at home due to the pandemic or long term illness, and because we want films to be accessible to everyone, we’ve also included a succession of treats for you to enjoy online. These sinister helpings of scary cinema are coming from inside the house.
Aberdeen 27th, Troll Hunter, University of Aberdeen Anthropology Society, MacRobert Building 27th to 3rd, Prey For The Devil,...
- 10/26/2022
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Warner Bros.’ “Black Adam” made a powerful debut atop the U.K. and Ireland box office with £5.6 million (6.4 million), according to numbers released by Comscore.
Disney’s Venice winner “The Banshees Of Inisherin,” starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, had a strong second place debut with £1.6 million.
In third position, Sony’s “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” collected £1.4 million in its second weekend for a total of £4.9 million. In fourth position and in its fourth weekend, Paramount’s “Smile” scared up £996,477 and now has a total of £9.01 million.
Rounding off the top five was Universal’s “Halloween Ends,” which took £703,338 in its second weekend for a total of £3.6 million.
Mubi’s “Decision to Leave,” which won best director at Cannes for Park Chan-wook, debuted in sixth place with £410,107.
This upcoming weekend, Lionsgate is opening another Cannes winner, Ruben Ostlund’s “Triangle of Sadness,” which won the Palme d’Or.
With an eye on Halloween,...
Disney’s Venice winner “The Banshees Of Inisherin,” starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, had a strong second place debut with £1.6 million.
In third position, Sony’s “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” collected £1.4 million in its second weekend for a total of £4.9 million. In fourth position and in its fourth weekend, Paramount’s “Smile” scared up £996,477 and now has a total of £9.01 million.
Rounding off the top five was Universal’s “Halloween Ends,” which took £703,338 in its second weekend for a total of £3.6 million.
Mubi’s “Decision to Leave,” which won best director at Cannes for Park Chan-wook, debuted in sixth place with £410,107.
This upcoming weekend, Lionsgate is opening another Cannes winner, Ruben Ostlund’s “Triangle of Sadness,” which won the Palme d’Or.
With an eye on Halloween,...
- 10/25/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Ireland native David Burke, Laika Studios chief marketing officer and SVP of business operations, came to the Oregon-based animation house in 2019 from a longtime role as Universal Pictures general manager for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Now he’s overseeing the growth of Laika, best known for its stop-motion feature films “Coraline,” “ParaNorman,” “The Boxtrolls,” “Kubo and the Two Strings” and “Missing Link” — as well as the upcoming fantasy adventure “Wildwood,” which includes a voice cast of major stars including Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali and Awkwafina and is directed by company president Travis Knight.
The executive declined to reveal the “Wildwood” budget but called it the studio’s most ambitious project to date. (Laika’s most expensive film to date is 2019’s “Missing Link” with a reported budget of 102.3 million.)
Burke said he joined Laika because of Knight’s singular vision.
“There isn’t anyone, to my mind,...
The executive declined to reveal the “Wildwood” budget but called it the studio’s most ambitious project to date. (Laika’s most expensive film to date is 2019’s “Missing Link” with a reported budget of 102.3 million.)
Burke said he joined Laika because of Knight’s singular vision.
“There isn’t anyone, to my mind,...
- 10/21/2022
- by Diane Haithman
- The Wrap
Because Halloween is the time of year when horror appeals to all ages and backgrounds, this week’s streaming picks are dedicated to gateway Halloween horror movies.
These movies capture the Halloween spirit and target the budding monster kid. More importantly, they make a great introduction to the genre thanks to the light scares and genre stalwarts behind them, from Sam Raimi to Guillermo del Toro and beyond.
Here’s where you can stream these five gateway Halloween horror movies this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Don’t Look Under the Bed – Disney+
High school student Frances Bacon McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for a series of pranks plaguing her small town. Frances suspects the culprit is new kid Larry Houdini (Ty Hodges), but it quickly becomes apparent that only she can see him. It turns out that Larry is an imaginary friend and Frances’ only...
These movies capture the Halloween spirit and target the budding monster kid. More importantly, they make a great introduction to the genre thanks to the light scares and genre stalwarts behind them, from Sam Raimi to Guillermo del Toro and beyond.
Here’s where you can stream these five gateway Halloween horror movies this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Don’t Look Under the Bed – Disney+
High school student Frances Bacon McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for a series of pranks plaguing her small town. Frances suspects the culprit is new kid Larry Houdini (Ty Hodges), but it quickly becomes apparent that only she can see him. It turns out that Larry is an imaginary friend and Frances’ only...
- 10/17/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
"The curse is real!!" Laika has revealed a new trailer and poster for the film ParaNorman, their classic stop-motion animated horror comedy that first opened in 2012. This delightful, kooky film is beloved by horror fans of all ages and is getting a re-release in theaters (!!) this October. Glad it's coming back!! A boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse. The excellent voice cast features Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Casey Affleck, Anna Kendrick, Chris Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, and John Goodman. "Celebrate the 10th anniversary of ParaNorman this fall with an array of theatrical events, promotional activities, fan-favorite engagements. Newly remastered in glorious 4K with Dolby Atmos sound, Laika's supernatural action-comedy is rising back to theaters." Halloween weekend screenings through Alamo Drafthouse in the U.S. and in partnership with PictureHouse and Cineworld in the UK. Don't miss this chance to...
- 9/29/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Laika, the animation studio behind “ParaNorman” and “Coraline,” has announced a six-part series exploring the costumes, props and sets from its iconic films.
Titled “Laika Archives,” the series will be released on Sept. 13 via the company’s YouTube channel and features artisans like costume designer Deb Cook, head of model-making Keith McQueen and writer-director Chris Butler.
Says Butler, “There’s something truly magical about walking into a room and seeing a table full of gorgeous sculpts, gorgeous artwork that’s been created by very talented people.”
David Burke, Laika chief marketing officer and SVP of operations, adds: “Laika creates movies that matter. It takes a community of talented artists, artisans and technologists to make a Laika film. Because they are crafted in the stop motion animation medium, the studio has many physical assets from each film.”
The puppets, sets, props and materials are created in-house at the studio’s headquarters in Portland,...
Titled “Laika Archives,” the series will be released on Sept. 13 via the company’s YouTube channel and features artisans like costume designer Deb Cook, head of model-making Keith McQueen and writer-director Chris Butler.
Says Butler, “There’s something truly magical about walking into a room and seeing a table full of gorgeous sculpts, gorgeous artwork that’s been created by very talented people.”
David Burke, Laika chief marketing officer and SVP of operations, adds: “Laika creates movies that matter. It takes a community of talented artists, artisans and technologists to make a Laika film. Because they are crafted in the stop motion animation medium, the studio has many physical assets from each film.”
The puppets, sets, props and materials are created in-house at the studio’s headquarters in Portland,...
- 9/12/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Move over "The Nightmare Before Christmas" — there's a new stop-motion horror flick in town, ready to steal the hearts and inspire cosplay. Premiering at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, "Wendell & Wild" is the much-hyped collaboration between the king of stop-motion animation, Henry Selick, and acclaimed horror director and funny man, Jordan Peele. The two filmmakers have very different styles, but are able to blend them beautifully; "Wendell & Wild" is grim, and vibrant, and weird while also being poignant, and stylish, and funny — everything you could want for a PG-13 horror movie for kids.
"Wendell & Wild" is the most punk-rock Selick film yet. Kat Elliot (Lyric Ross) is a tough 13-year-old girl fresh out of juvenile detention. She suffered great tragedy in her childhood, which has hardened her; afraid to let anyone get close to her, she exudes a confident, aggressive energy to keep people away. This works...
"Wendell & Wild" is the most punk-rock Selick film yet. Kat Elliot (Lyric Ross) is a tough 13-year-old girl fresh out of juvenile detention. She suffered great tragedy in her childhood, which has hardened her; afraid to let anyone get close to her, she exudes a confident, aggressive energy to keep people away. This works...
- 9/12/2022
- by Sarah Milner
- Slash Film
"They're not models!" the curator immediately corrected me when I erred in describing the miniatures puppets on display.
In an age of computer-generated 3D overtaking pop culture consciousness, the Oregon-based stop-motion studio Laika (also stylized as Laika) shoots for the stars, creating an alive "it's actually there" tangibility. Founded in 2005, Laika has raked in recognition from prestige circles, earning nods from the Academy Awards, Annie Awards, and a Golden Globe win. Now the textured puppets of Laika have stop-motioned their way to New York's Museum of the Moving Image for the "Laika: Life in Stop Motion" exhibition.
I had a chat with curator Barbara Miller and Laika's Marketing Production Manager Dan Pascal to get to know these puppets and the evolution of Laika. An exhibit 10 years in the making, it spotlights characters and sets from Laika classics: from "Coraline" (2009), "ParaNorman" (2012), "The Boxtrolls" (2014), "Kubo and the Two Strings" (2016), and "Missing Link...
In an age of computer-generated 3D overtaking pop culture consciousness, the Oregon-based stop-motion studio Laika (also stylized as Laika) shoots for the stars, creating an alive "it's actually there" tangibility. Founded in 2005, Laika has raked in recognition from prestige circles, earning nods from the Academy Awards, Annie Awards, and a Golden Globe win. Now the textured puppets of Laika have stop-motioned their way to New York's Museum of the Moving Image for the "Laika: Life in Stop Motion" exhibition.
I had a chat with curator Barbara Miller and Laika's Marketing Production Manager Dan Pascal to get to know these puppets and the evolution of Laika. An exhibit 10 years in the making, it spotlights characters and sets from Laika classics: from "Coraline" (2009), "ParaNorman" (2012), "The Boxtrolls" (2014), "Kubo and the Two Strings" (2016), and "Missing Link...
- 9/2/2022
- by Caroline Cao
- Slash Film
Since the 2009 release of “Coraline,” Laika has made a name for itself as a legitimate alternative to Pixar for animated feature films. All of their titles, including “ParaNorman,” “The Boxtrolls,” and “Kubu And The Two Strings” are critical darlings. And outside of 2019’s “Missing Link,” all of their films won at the box office, too.
Continue reading ‘Wildwood’: Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali & Awkwafina Headline Massive Voice Cast For Laika’s Upcoming Animated Feature at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Wildwood’: Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali & Awkwafina Headline Massive Voice Cast For Laika’s Upcoming Animated Feature at The Playlist.
- 8/25/2022
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Updated: Laika president Travis Knight has set the voice cast for the animation house’s stop-motion feature “Wildwood,” which he also directs: Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant.
Earlier: Laika has begun production on its sixth stop-motion feature, “Wildwood,” the studio’s first fantasy adventure set in the natural beauty of hometown Portland, Oregon. Laika President & CEO Travis Knight directs, and legendary cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (“The Right Stuff”) makes his first foray into stop-motion. The six-time Oscar nominee brings his naturalistic style to handcrafted animation after lensing the virtual world of Jon Favreau’s “The Lion King.”
“Wildwood” is based on the first in a trilogy of YA fantasy novels by Colin Meloy, lead singer and songwriter for Portland-based The Decemberists, and illustrated by artist Carson Ellis.
Earlier: Laika has begun production on its sixth stop-motion feature, “Wildwood,” the studio’s first fantasy adventure set in the natural beauty of hometown Portland, Oregon. Laika President & CEO Travis Knight directs, and legendary cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (“The Right Stuff”) makes his first foray into stop-motion. The six-time Oscar nominee brings his naturalistic style to handcrafted animation after lensing the virtual world of Jon Favreau’s “The Lion King.”
“Wildwood” is based on the first in a trilogy of YA fantasy novels by Colin Meloy, lead singer and songwriter for Portland-based The Decemberists, and illustrated by artist Carson Ellis.
- 8/25/2022
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
“Wildwood” is getting wilder.
The latest stop-motion animated feature from Laika, based on the series of novels by Colin Meloy, lead singer for The Decemberists, and illustrator Carson Ellis, is assembling a murderer’s row of vocal talent. The studio announced that Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits and Richard E. Grant.
“Wildwood” will be directed by Laika President & CEO Travis Knight (who last helmed “Kubo and the Two Strings” and also directed “Bumblebee”) from a script by Chris Butler. Caleb Deschanel is the cinematographer with Arianne Sutner, Laika’s Head of Production, producing alongside Knight. “Wildwood” is currently in production.
Also Read:
HBO Max Cancels More Animation, Including ‘Batman: The Caped Crusader’ and 2 ‘Looney Tunes’ Projects
“That is one helluva cast,” said Knight in an official statement. “Collaborating...
The latest stop-motion animated feature from Laika, based on the series of novels by Colin Meloy, lead singer for The Decemberists, and illustrator Carson Ellis, is assembling a murderer’s row of vocal talent. The studio announced that Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits and Richard E. Grant.
“Wildwood” will be directed by Laika President & CEO Travis Knight (who last helmed “Kubo and the Two Strings” and also directed “Bumblebee”) from a script by Chris Butler. Caleb Deschanel is the cinematographer with Arianne Sutner, Laika’s Head of Production, producing alongside Knight. “Wildwood” is currently in production.
Also Read:
HBO Max Cancels More Animation, Including ‘Batman: The Caped Crusader’ and 2 ‘Looney Tunes’ Projects
“That is one helluva cast,” said Knight in an official statement. “Collaborating...
- 8/25/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Laika has revealed the voice cast for its next stop-motion and CG animated feature, Wildwood.
It’s led by Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman), Oscar winner Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Andi Mack), Jacob Tremblay (Room) and Awkwafina (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).
The expansive cast also includes Oscar nominee Angela Bassett (What’s Love Got to Do With It), Jake Johnson (Jurassic World), Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses), Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies), Jemaine Clement (The Flight of the Conchords), Maya Erskine (Pen15), Tantoo Cardinal (Wind River), Tom Waits and Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?).
Directed by Laika president and CEO Travis Knight (Laika’s Oscar-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings, Paramount’s Bumblebee), Wildwood’s script was written by Chris Butler (Laika’s ParaNorman and Missing Link), based on the novel by Colin Meloy,...
Laika has revealed the voice cast for its next stop-motion and CG animated feature, Wildwood.
It’s led by Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman), Oscar winner Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Andi Mack), Jacob Tremblay (Room) and Awkwafina (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).
The expansive cast also includes Oscar nominee Angela Bassett (What’s Love Got to Do With It), Jake Johnson (Jurassic World), Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses), Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies), Jemaine Clement (The Flight of the Conchords), Maya Erskine (Pen15), Tantoo Cardinal (Wind River), Tom Waits and Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?).
Directed by Laika president and CEO Travis Knight (Laika’s Oscar-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings, Paramount’s Bumblebee), Wildwood’s script was written by Chris Butler (Laika’s ParaNorman and Missing Link), based on the novel by Colin Meloy,...
- 8/25/2022
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
You’ve almost certainly seen work that wouldn’t exist without the efforts of animation pioneer Will Vinton. But it’s just as likely that this is the first time you’ve ever heard his name. Thankfully, director Marq Evans (“The Glamour and the Squalor”) is determined to ensure that it won’t be the last.
In “Claydream,” Evans has made the tribute Vinton deserves – and the introduction most of us need.
As a student at Berkeley in the late 1960s, Vinton planned to go into architecture. But he found himself drawn to the sculptural works of Catalan visionary Antoni Gaudí, which in turn led to his own experiments with modelling clay. Once he combined this new interest with his love of film, he began innovating the seemingly limitless, if eternally painstaking, genre of stop-motion animation.
Also Read:
Will Vinton, Claymation Oscar Winner and Co-Creator of ‘California Raisins,’ Dies at 70
He and his artistic partner,...
In “Claydream,” Evans has made the tribute Vinton deserves – and the introduction most of us need.
As a student at Berkeley in the late 1960s, Vinton planned to go into architecture. But he found himself drawn to the sculptural works of Catalan visionary Antoni Gaudí, which in turn led to his own experiments with modelling clay. Once he combined this new interest with his love of film, he began innovating the seemingly limitless, if eternally painstaking, genre of stop-motion animation.
Also Read:
Will Vinton, Claymation Oscar Winner and Co-Creator of ‘California Raisins,’ Dies at 70
He and his artistic partner,...
- 8/11/2022
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
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