The Miscweant: Reviews

Richard Williams’ not-so-fine madness: Persistence of Vision

jstrike — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:17:03 -0700

“It wouldn’t be the first time a labor of love arrived stillborn.” That was the closing line to a 1980s article about animator Richard Williams’ long-gestating animated feature The Thief and the Cobbler.

The guardians of "Guardians"

jstrike — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 06:00:47 -0800

The powerhouse team behind DreamWorks latest feature "The Rise of the Guardians" gather in New York City to describe their creative collaboration.

Unearthing the truth about "Paranorman" with Chris Butler and Sam Fell

jstrike — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:32:05 -0700

Joe Strike dives beneath the rotting flesh of Laika's new film "Paranorman" and uncovers some surprising facts about Chris Butler and Sam Fell's 3D stop-motion zombie romp.

Review: Brave

jstrike — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:12:49 -0700

Overall, Brave is an entertaining and even groundbreaking piece of work, both for its gutsy heroine and Pixar’s new ‘Presto’ animation system, responsible for Merida’s fiery red flowing locks.

The New York International Children’s Film Festival Returns

jstrike — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:53:02 -0800

It’s baa-ack! The days are getting longer and warmer, but the real sign of spring’s incipient arrival is of the return of the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Review: Puss in Boots

jstrike — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:05:59 -0700

Can a former supporting player (Shreks II, II and IV) carry his own film? The answer is yes, especially if it sets up his backstory, introduces a female rival/love interest, provides plenty of entertaining set-pieces and a despicable villain or two.

The Looney Tunes Show Volume 1 DVD review

jstrike — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:01:15 -0700

What to do with these characters has been Warner Bros.’ challenge for years now. The classic theatrical shorts have matured from classic to just plain old. (Masterpieces all, but old just the same.) Attempts to bring them up to date have given us excretions like Loonatics, so-whats like Baby Looney Tunes and faux old-time toons like Carrotblanca. Under exec-producer Sam Register, they’ve finally gotten it right: contemporized their merrie menagerie while keeping their core personalities intact.

Review: The Lion King in 3D

jstrike — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:02:56 -0700

Saturday morning at the movies, watching a cartoon – what could be more reminiscent of the joys of childhood? Well, the cartoon this particular Saturday morning (September 10, 2011) was not exactly the kind of matinee I used attend back in Brooklyn when the theaters had ‘matrons’ who kept the kiddie section in line. Today I’m wearing polarized lenses and watching Disney’s upcoming 3D re-release of The Lion King.

Animation Scripting Class at New York City’s Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art

jstrike — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:22:05 -0700

The New York Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art’s Education program rolls on, ably overseen by the museum’s Senior VP of Education, Danny Fingeroth. Fingeroth’s impressive credits include a lengthy stint as group editor of Marvel’s Spider-Man books. As part of his job Fingeroth rounds up pros and the level of Peter Kuper, Larry Hama, Paul Levitz and J.M. DeMatteis to share their knowledge and experience with aspiring comics creators.

Of Ponies and Bronies

jstrike — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:06:46 -0700

The Transformers may be raking in the box office gold and G.I. Joe battled COBRA in the multiplexes, but while those once-upon-the-eighties Hasbro cartoon shows made the leap from TV cartoon to big screen live action, the diminutive equines collectively known as My Little Pony have returned in a new animated series that has surprised a lot of people. To put it simply, The Hub Channel’s My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is one hip show.