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Article Type: Review

Straddling the Earth and Cosmos VFXWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Oppenheimer’ – Clarity of the Fractured Lens

Christopher Nolan’s 7-time Oscar-winning biopic invites audiences to share the ‘father of the nuclear bomb’s insight and vision through extraordinary images of exploding stars, spinning atoms, and esoteric phenomena that depict his co-existence between earthly and cosmic realms and begs the question: ‘Is he blessed or cursed?’

Animated Shorts of the Month ANIMATIONWorld

The Animation Pimp Presents - Binocular Briefs March 2023

AWN’s monthly survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently travelling the festival circuit or new to online viewing - since we’re sorta on the border between past and future festivals, here’s a look at some recent festival works that are now available for your viewing pleasure.

A Visually Stunning Return to Pandora! VFXWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ – A Miraculous Vision

In his triumphant return to the exotic world of Pandora, director James Cameron once again employs the most vibrant and stunning visual artistry to share with audiences his central theme of diversity.

The ASOS Returns! ANIMATIONWorld

Review: The 22nd Annual 'Animation Show of Shows'

This year’s selection of 10 shorts, including films by Patrick Smith, Gil Alkabetz, and Oscar winner Frederic Back, showcases a variety of techniques and tones in a celebration of unconventional approaches to the medium.

A Wooden Boy’s Spiritual Rite of Passage ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ - A Fable for the Modern Age

The Oscar-winning director’s timely masterpiece about a father and son finally united in the simple knowledge, and unconditional acceptance, that each of them is who he is, reminds us that acceptance of diversity is vitally important, perhaps more now than ever before.

Animated Shorts of the Month ANIMATIONWorld

The Animation Pimp Presents - Binocular Briefs November 2022

AWN’s monthly survey of animated shorts making the festival circuit rounds includes ‘A Tiny Man,’ ‘Sliver Cave,’ ‘Slow Light,’ ‘#BINARYGENDERNORM: GIRLS,’ and ‘Magical Caresses - Masturbation: A Short Story of a Great Taboo.’  

Animated Shorts of the Month ANIMATIONWorld

The Animation Pimp Presents - Binocular Briefs October 2022

Sorry we’re late – publisher lameness to blame – AWN’s monthly animated shorts survey includes ‘Cash In, Cash Out,’ ‘Dog Apartment,’ ‘Luce and the Rock,’ ‘Safe Mode: Lana Among the Lilies,’ and ‘Scale.’

He’s Not Just a Toy ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Lightyear’ – A Metatextual Odyssey

Angus MacLane and Pixar’s nostalgic space adventure celebrates the best of sci-fi cinema while also smartly embracing contemporary issues including representation.

Consume Responsibly ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Love, Death + Robots’ – A Visceral Pleasure

Netflix’s animated short anthology uses every trick in the book – from disturbing grotesquery to quirky humor – to explore humanity’s overriding fear of death, ultimately shining an enriching light on our daily existence and what it means to be human.

Dorky Tweens Rule! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Turning Red’ - Embracing the Animal Spirit Within Us

Transformation lies at the heart of Pixar’s latest hit film, a coming-of-age story about a young Chinese girl in Toronto who must break away from all she has known to either accept, or reject, the actual beast inside her.

Re-Forging the Bonds that Connect Us ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Encanto’ - Seeking Beauty in Truth

Experiencing life as the underdog - an outsider - teaches us empathy and a greater understanding of ourselves, our loved ones, and the critical connections that bind us together.

9 Visionary Chapters are Here! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Maya and the Three’ – A Rebel Fire Burning Bright

Employing a delicate balance between foreshadowing and surprise twists, director Jorge R. Gutierrez achieves a sweet clarity of storytelling in his nine-chapter series about a Mesoamerican-inspired warrior princess on an epic quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy and save humanity from the vengeful gods of the underworld.

A Celebration of Life and Love ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Vivo’ – the Magic of the Mambo

Fueled by a cascade of original Lin-Manuel Miranda songs, Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix’s animated musical adventure is a celebration of life and love powered by energetic music and dance.  

Can You Remember the 60s? Blogs

‘Cryptozoo’ Review: Bakus & Gorgons & Satyrs – Oh My!

AWN’s Miscweant examines Dash Shaw’s new animated feature film, set in ‘surreal’ 1967, about an activist group trying to protect supernatural cryptids from amoral government agents.

Fun in the Italian Sun! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: The Fabulous Journey of ‘Luca’

Enrico Casarosa’s heartwarming story of a shy young sea monster, whose insatiable curiosity helps him discover the magic in the everyday, is as complex as the ocean is deep.

Sorely Needed Career Advice ANIMATIONWorld

‘Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive’ Now Available

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 12:02pm

Veteran animation director and author David B. Levy discusses his newly updated book that’s a must-have for anyone hoping to plan, launch, or refocus their animation career.

The Healing Power of Hope ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘If Anything Happens I Love You’

Two parents’ sudden, heartbreaking loss becomes ours in Michael Govier and Will McCormack’s animated short that ultimately fulfills us with the healing power of hope.

Reviews ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Soul’ and the Cinematic Empathy Machine

Directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers invite audiences to ponder their own life choices, forging a link between storyteller and spectator that reaffirms the emotional power of cinema.

Running with the Pack! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart’s ‘Wolfwalkers’

This beautifully designed film, a story of conflict between civilization and nature, stands in defiance of individualism, reminding us that despite our own strength and resolve, we still need the energy and healing power of the community.

We Dig this Film! Blogs

Re-VIEW: Madeline Sharafian’s Pixar Short, ‘Burrow’

If the goal of the studio’s SparkShorts incubator program is to identify young artists who have directing potential, then producing this wonderful film was an overwhelming success.

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