Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez's Recent Posts

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?’

In Acting, CG, Films, Music and Sound, People, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All

Those Rascally Shape Shifters ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Nimona’ - Fluidity is Life

Netflix’s charming, sassy, and constantly surprising film about a young shapeshifter who can transform her outward appearance in the blink of an eye challenges our ideas about what a ‘monster’ really is; by opening a window into her heart, the movie shares her humor, boundless energy, and fluidity in a world where everyone is expected to remain static.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Fiery Meets Fluid ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Elemental’ – Taking Breath, Making Connection

In Disney and Pixar’s latest animated gem, the four classical elements are embodied by different kinds of beings that don’t easily mix, setting the stage for two very different youngsters to challenge societal rules while discovering hidden truths inside their own hearts and proving the inherent power of diversity.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Anyone Can Wear the Mask ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' – A Truly Diverse Cosmos

In Sony Pictures Animation’s hit sequel to their ground-breaking 2018 ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ while experiencing such boundless visual variety, presented in such an entertaining and engaging way, how can we not accept the simple and obvious fact that diversity is hard-wired into the fabric of reality?

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, Home Entertainment, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

90 Minutes of Family Fun ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ – Simply a Delight

The Universal Pictures and Illumination hit deftly re-imagines the much-loved game as an entertaining, 90-minute action-packed family spectacle.

In 3D, CG, Films, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Loveable Misfits on One Last Ride VFXWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ - Furthering the Found Family Theme

Only by accepting others for who they are, can we truly see into the mind of God.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Event, Films, People, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Films, People, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 3D, Books, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Reviews, Stop-Motion, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

A Toy Must Find his Boy VFXWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Lost Ollie’ – The Power of Memory

Shannon Tindle and Peter Ramsey’s new four-part live-action/animated series, based on William Joyce’s ‘Ollie’s Odyssey,’ reminds us that memories can be fun, but also filled with emotions - unreliable and often fragile - that can be heartwarming or haunting, and easily gone forever.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 3D, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 3D, Books, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 3D, Art, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

What it Means to be Human ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: Love, Death, Robots + Revelation

Volume 2 of Netflix’s ‘Love, Death + Robots’ animated anthology challenges us to see reality through new eyes, encouraging us to be curious and reflect on the intimate connection between beauty and death, and what it means to be human.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Blog Post | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

The Superpowers of Ordinary People ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ - Using Art to Save the World

Knowing ourselves and understanding reality through art, where we often express our weirdness, is what gives all of us ordinary people our superpowers.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: FMX Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

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.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Event, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

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.