Thompson on Hollywood

Universal's Animation Whiz Chris Meledandri Supplies a Hit Big Enough for It's Own Ride: 'Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem' Opens at Orlando

News

You know you've made a successful family film if it gets its own theme park ride. Universal's Chris Meledandri, who headed the animation for hits "Despicable Me" and "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," today gets to see the opening of Universal Orlando's Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.

By Beth Hanna
|
July 2, 2012 3:25 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Fantastic Fest to Open with World Premiere of Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie'

News

Austin's Fantastic Fest will host the world premiere of Tim Burton's playfully Goth return to stop-motion animation, "Frankenweenie." The film will open the week long festival on September 20, prior to its theatrical release on October 5...

By Beth Hanna
|
June 29, 2012 12:11 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Immersed in Movies: Sneaking Sony's 'Hotel Transylvania'

Features

It turns out that "Brave" isn't the only animated feature this year devoted to a parent-child relationship. Beneath the monster mash antics of "Hotel Transylvania," lies a father-daughter dynamic about letting go between control freak Dracula (Adam Sandler) and free-spirited teenager Mavis (Selena Gomez)...

By Bill Desowitz
|
June 28, 2012 2:54 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Weekend Box Office: 'Brave' Racks Up Mighty $66 Million; Pixar's 13th Number One Opening UPDATED

Box Office

Pixar added another feather in its cap as Disney’s “Brave” racked up a sturdy $66.74 million to capture the top spot at the box office on its debut in North America this weekend. The opening for “Brave” marked the 13th consecutive first place finish for the animation company started by Steve Jobs.

By Brian Fuson
|
June 24, 2012 11:56 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

Immersed in Movies: Turbulent Behind-the-Scenes Yields Pixar's 'Brave' New Scottish World

Features

"Brave" is far from the disappointment expressed in some early reviews. It's not only the much ballyhooed breakthrough as Pixar's first female-centric movie but also the most lush-looking work yet from the animation powerhouse. It's a powerful mother-daughter crucible set in medieval Scotland but with a modern sensibility...

By Bill Desowitz
|
June 19, 2012 4:27 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

'Brave' Early Reviews: Merida May Not Be New Model Princess After All

Reviews

The "Brave" trailers promo Pixar's foray into princess movies; the Disney animated feature is expected to be one of the summer's top performers. But early reviews suggest the tale isn't as fresh and groundbreaking as we'd hoped. Princess Merida is Pixar's first female lead, but may not prove to be a new feminist icon.

By Sophia Savage
|
June 11, 2012 2:16 PM
|
3 Comments

More:

Cannes Photo Call Round-Up: 'Moonrise Kingdom' Hams It Up, Animating 'Madagascar' and 'Rise of the Guardians,' Sacha Baron Cohen Falls Off a Camel (Almost)

Festivals

Photo calls at Cannes give all manner of talent an opportunity to grin, gloat, mug, and pose to promo their upcoming feature. Some are adorable: See "Moonrise Kingdom." Some are pranksters: See Sacha Baron Cohen. His strutting in 2006 in a dayglow green mankini to promote "Borat" outshined this year's camel stunt for "The Dictator." (Below.)

By Maggie Lange
|
May 19, 2012 6:30 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

Immersed in Movies: Previewing 'ParaNorman' in the 'Land of Misfit Toys'

Features

It's definitely a banner year for stop-motion. First, Aardman pushed the craft forward digitally with "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" (despite a lackluster box office response in the U.S.). Next, we have "ParaNorman" (Aug. 17), Laika's highly-anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed "Coraline," and, finally, Tim Burton's very personal and ambitious "Frankenweenie" (Oct. 5). Speaking of Focus Features' "ParaNorman," I was invited once again to the Portland-based Laika a few months ago to cover a set visit. My, how they've advanced in four years. It's a different culture -- a different world. Yes, you can still sense the Henry Selick influence -- the Yoda of this studio. But it's now Travis Knight's place: the gifted artist and protege-turned mogul, who has become Laika's John Lasseter.

By Bill Desowitz
|
May 18, 2012 9:44 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

'A Cat in Paris' Aims for Families with New English Language Cast: Harden, Huston, Modine, Blum

News

Some of the best animation in the world comes from overseas, but that doesn't mean mainstream family audiences flock to see it. Disney/Pixar John Lasseter has been trying to build an audience beyond the art house for years for the great Hayao Miyazaki, nominated for two Oscars and winner for "Spirited Away."