Fending off several new titles, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE remained the top selling DVD in the U.S. for the week ending Dec. 30, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. RUSH HOUR 3 and THE KINGDOM debuted at #2 and #3, respectively. The next three slots went to summer blockbusters HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END, which was the top-selling Blu-ray title of the week. THE KINGDOM was the #1 HD DVD.
Janet Hetherington examines how Marjane Satrapi's graphic novels were adapted to create an animated film that stands apart.
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, which has generated more than $500 million globally, comes out today (Dec. 18) on DVD ($29.98) and Blu-ray Disc ($39.98) from Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent.
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE finds the fate of Springfield hanging in the balance when Homer and his new pet pig inadvertently cause a major ecological disaster in their hometown.
On Monday, Dec. 31, 2007, Nickelodeon's commercial-free, educational preschool network NOGGIN and its teen network The N will expanded their programming from 12 hours to 24 hours.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the nominees for the 2008 Golden Globes this morning. In the Best Animated Feature category, the three nominees include BEE MOVIE, RATATOUILLE and THE SIMPSONS MOVIE. Fellow animated Oscar contender PERSEPOLIS was nominated in the Best Foreign Language category along with several films ineligible for the Best Foreign Language Oscar including Ang Lee's LUST, CAUTION, THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY and THE KITE RUNNER.
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, which has generated more than $500 million globally, will be available Dec. 18 on DVD ($29.98) and Blu-ray Disc ($39.98) from Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent.
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE finds the fate of Springfield hanging in the balance when Homer and his new pet pig inadvertently cause a major ecological disaster in their hometown.
Cortoons 2008 International Short Animated Films FestivalRome, ItalyMarch 27-30, 2007Deadline: Feb. 1, 2008
Cortoons is an international animated short film festival that will be held March 27-30, 2008, at Palladium Theatre in Rome.
The competition's categories include:* Short Italian movie from one to 20 minutes* Short international movie from one to 20 minutes* Short movie realized with Flash* VFX short movie* Animated videoclip
MPC had numerous challenges to contend with on the more action-oriented Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and Alain Bielik reports on the results.
We begin our gaming coverage this month with a "Digital Eye" column by A2M CTO Martin Walker, who explains how this Montreal-based videogame developer has upped its 3D artistry with a new workflow and pipeline, particularly for its upcoming WET next year. Meanwhile, Alain Bielik goes behind-the-scenes of FRED CLAUS to uncover the fantastical secrets behind this latest Christmas movie opening Friday from Warner Bros. Pictures.
Bill DesowitzEditor
Joe Strike gives readers a taste of how DreamWorks Animation worked with Jerry Seinfeld to bring the comedian's vision of an insect society to life in Bee Movie.
SCI FI Channel has begun casting for its original movie CAPTAIN DRAKE, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Adrian Paul (HIGHLANDER) will play the title character Frances Drake, who sets out to discover the Tree of Life. Newcomer Sofia Pernas will play his ill daughter, whose life he's trying to save. Temuera Morrison (ONCE WERE WARRIORS) will play Drake's rival, the Spanish pirate Sandovate. Wes Ramsey (CHARMED) will play Drake's first mate Peter, who loves Drake's daughter.
Activision Inc. has shipped BEE MOVIE GAME and SHREK: OGRES AND DRONKEYS to retail locations nationwide.
BEE MOVIE GAME is based on the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film from creator Jerry Seinfeld. BEE MOVIE GAME allows players to race, chase, fly and blast their way through the adrenaline-fueled world of the feature film and beyond. As the witty and courageous Barry B. Benson, gamers are propelled on an adventure to save the bees' right to produce honey and keep it for themselves.
Janet Hetherington talks to the creators behind the original animated movie Superman Doomsday, rated PG-13, in which the Man of Steel faces his greatest challenge -- death.
Cartoon Network announced today it has completed production on BEN 10: RACE AGAINST TIME, a live-action made-for-TV movie based on its hit animated series. Alex Winter of BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE takes the helm as director for CN's first action-adventure movie, which will air in November.
Craig J. Clark talks with Michael Davis on how he turned his Shoot 'Em Up script into a directing gig with animatics.
Joe Strike talks with industry insiders about how the demand for celebrity voiceover is transforming the industry.
The IndyFilm Co-Op and CENEMA present the B Movie Celebration. This showcase of low budget genre filmmaking will screen retrospectives from the 1930s and 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Contemporary, Jim Wynorski and Lloyd Kaufman. Films include THE BLOB, FORBIDDEN PLANET, BARBARELLA, KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE, PUPPET MASTER, RE-ANIMATOR, ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES and more. For more information, visit www.bmoviecelebration.com.
In response to both a preview screening and an in-person filmmakers' presentation at last month's Comic-Con International fan convention in San Diego, Rogue Pictures has pushed up the release date for comedy flick BALLS OF FURY. Previously set for Friday, Aug. 31, the movie will now open in the U.s. two days earlier, on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007.
The move to earlier in the week makes BALLS OF FURY the latest summer movie to maximize its commercial potential, a similar shift that other titles have recently made.
Cartoon Network Studios' original animated movie, BEN 10: SECRET OF THE OMNITRIX, premieres at 7:00 pm on Aug. 10, 2007. Leading up to the premiere, Cartoon Network is showcasing four original movies: GOOD WILT HUNTING, WHERE'S LAZLO, THE BIG FIELD TRIP and BILLY AND MANDY WRATH OF THE SPIDER QUEEN, Aug. 6-9. Each night the movie will be followed by a sneak peek of the never-before-seen BEN 10 animated movie, BEN 10: SECRET OF THE OMNITRIX.
Joe Strike talks to animators at Rough Draft Studios about how they took on the challenge to take the Springfieldians' simple, stripped-down designs and their flat, 2D TV origins into CinemaScope for The Simpsons Movie.
In a closely fought contest, Springfield, Vermont, has emerged as the winner of THE SIMPSONS MOVIE Hometown Movie Challenge. Twentieth Century Fox will roll out the âyellow carpetâ at Springfield, Vermontâs Springfield Theaters on July 21, 2007, for the premiere screening event of THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, where attendees will get the V.I.P. treatment and be among the first in the world to see the long-anticipated movie before it hits theaters.
With THE SIMPSONS MOVIE hitting theaters on July 27, 2007, 20th Century Fox has launched the official movie website www.simpsonsmovie.com/. The interactive site features various games, including THREE CARD MOE, BALL OF DEATH and WRECKING BALL. Visitors can also download wallpaper, buddy icons, screensavers and ring tones as well as take a virtual tour of Springfield itself. Additionally, users can create their own Simpsons character avatar then go visit Moe's Tavern, where their character can hang out with Homer. Moreover, the site will feature trailers and teaser clips.
DreamWorks Animation recently hosted a behind-the-scenes preview of its upcoming fall release, BEE MOVIE at New York's Museum of Modern Art. DreamWorks head Jeffrey Katzenberg, voice stars Jerry Seinfeld, Matthew Broderick, Renée Zellweger and Chris Rock were on hand, along with co-director Steve Hickner. (THE PRINCE OF EGYPT).
This month, VFXWORLD once again looks at global market trends, so Bob Swain reports on how Cartoon Movie is helping to facilitate animation production in the EU, and Janet Hetherington talks to Canadian vfx pros about the tremendous upswing in their industry. Meanwhile, in terms of movie coverage, Tom McLean explores Weta Digital's latest innovations for FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER.
Bill DesowitzEditor
Bob Swain reports on the continuing efforts of Cartoon Movie as a facilitator of animation technology, finance and development in the EU.
