Thompson on Hollywood

Trailer Watch: Booty-Shakin' Birdies in 'Rio 2,' Disney's Majestic 'Planes'

Video

Two new trailers have landed in the world of animation: The saucy teaser for Fox's "Rio 2," which features some raucously rump-shaking birdies, and the wordless trailer for Disney's "Planes" (a takeoff from the "Cars" franchise), which highlights the contraptions of the title flying through all manner of exotic locales. Watch below.

By Beth Hanna
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May 16, 2013 1:43 PM
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StudioCanal and Aardman to Sell Animated Feature 'Shaun the Sheep' at Cannes Market

News

Europe's largest production company StudioCanal is teaming with UK-based Aardman Animations to develop the British animated kids' series "Shaun the Sheep," about an unusually intelligent farm animal, for the big screen. They plan to sell the film to buyers at the Cannes market this year.

By Ryan Lattanzio
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April 25, 2013 1:53 PM
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TOH! Ranks the Top Ten Studio Ghibli Films, Not All by Miyazaki

Features

As John Lasseter has been called America's new Walt Disney, so is Hayao Miyazaki known as the Disney of Japan. Miyazaki and Lasseter share something rare: they are filmmakers in charge of animation giants in their respective countries, Studio Ghibli and Disney Animation/Pixar.

By TOH!
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March 29, 2013 3:17 PM
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Immersed in Movies: Exclusive Early Peek at Blue Sky's Star-Studded 'Epic' -- 'Avatar' Meets 'Gladiator'

Features

Blue Sky founder and director Chris Wedge recently gave a sneak peek of his latest animated feature, "Epic" (May 24), at Fox (you can view the new trailer below). It's certainly no "FernGully," and it's a far cry from "Ice Age" and everything else Blue Sky has ever made. It's more like "Avatar" meets "Gladiator," if you had to pin it down.

By Bill Desowitz
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March 22, 2013 4:03 PM
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America Gets the Dystopic Treatment in New Animated Indie 'Silver Circle'

Reviews

It's 2019, and runaway inflation has sunk the American economy into a cesspool of sky-high prices and rampant unemployment. A loaf of bread costs $50; bars advertise bargain deals on $90 beer Tuesdays.

By Jacob Combs
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March 18, 2013 4:07 PM
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Immersed in Movies: DreamWorks Has a 'Crood' Awakening

Features

You couldn't find a more apt movie to sum up DreamWorks Animation at the moment than "The Croods" (March 22), the prehistoric road trip adventure about embracing change as a survival strategy when the world turns terribly hostile. After last year's box office misfire with "Rise of the Guardians," which resulted in a $165 million write-off, layoffs, and schedule reshuffle, DreamWorks is definitely in transition.

By Bill Desowitz
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March 15, 2013 3:04 PM
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Watch: Adorable Clips of Cesar-Winning 'Ernest & Celestine,' Possible 2014 Oscar Animation Contender

Video

Check out these adorable clips from the Cesar-winning French animated feature "Ernest & Celestine." The film is co-directed by Belgian team Stephane Aubier and Vincent Patar, who gave us 2009's hilariously nutty "A Town Called Panic," and Benjamin Renner.

By Beth Hanna
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March 4, 2013 1:03 PM
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WATCH 'Adam and Dog': Exclusive Animated Oscar Short

Video

Korean Minkyu Lee's Oscar-nominated animated short, "Adam and Dog," which won the Annie for best animated short last year, is available online.

By Bill Desowitz
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February 8, 2013 11:48 AM
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'Wreck It Ralph' Dominates Annie Animation Awards

Awards

Disney's animated comedy hit "Wreck-It-Ralph" dominated Saturday's Annies with five awards, winning best animated feature Saturday night at UCLA's Royce Hall. It is considered the frontrunner for the animated feature Oscar. Director Rich Moore also won best director; Alan Tudyk (King Candy) won voice acting; Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee won for writing and Henry Jackman, Skrillex, Adam Young, Matthew Thiessen, Jamie Houston and Yasushi Akimoto won for music.

By Anne Thompson
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February 3, 2013 1:34 AM
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Immersed in Movies: Assessing the Animated Shorts Oscar Race (TRAILERS)

Features

Animated shorts have never been bigger. Starting today, ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures are screening the five nominees theatrically in North America and Europe for the eighth consecutive year along with the live-action and doc short nominees; they continue to sell briskly on iTunes; and, for the first time, the Academy has opened up the voting to all members, and will be sending out DVD screeners, which will offer greater exposure.