There is a scene in DreamWorks Animation’s Over the Hedge when Hammy (voiced by Steve Carell), an already-hyperactive squirrel, chugs a can of the most caffeinated cola on the market. Time literally stands still, everyone else moves in slow motion, and Hammy accomplishes his mission. This scene alone is worth… Continue reading
How the era of computer animated films has changed in just the past few years. When the original Ice Age was released back in 2002, the genre was virtually unstoppable. Every offering was not only a box office cash cow, but also quite inventive and fun. I was not a… Continue reading
Chicken Little is Disney’s first in-house computer animated release since their split with Pixar (and the demise of their 2-D department), and if this is what we are to expect in the future I will set my expectations appropriately lower next time around. It’s not that Chicken Little is bad,… Continue reading
There is something undeniably endearing about stop-motion animation. The process is lengthy and painstaking, but produces such unique results. The characters move in their own begrudging way, and in the case of Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, you can even see the fingerprints of the filmmakers in… Continue reading
There are still those among us who believe that our journeys to the moon are nothing more than staged illusions. I suppose there is good reason for that, but I’ve never bought into it. There are skeptics everywhere about everything, but space travel and the concept of extraterrestrial life seem… Continue reading
With an imagination large enough for a dozen grade schoolers hopped up on Ho-Ho’s and Mountain Dew, Tim Burton is the go-to guy if you’re in the mood for bizarre stories. Whether they are his own stories (Edward Scissorhands) or his take on other work (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory),… Continue reading
Little did I know that we had such heroic animals during World War II – and that they were awarded medals of honor. The Dickins Award of Gallantry was given to pigeons (namely), dogs, cats, and a few other species that helped with communication in Europe. These “homing” pigeons could… Continue reading
The animation wars press on. The digital age has brought us some breathtaking and original films since Toy Story hit the scene in 1995, and virtually every year since we have been continually treated to digital theatrical wizardry that boggles the mind. Pixar used to own the market, but in… Continue reading
Shark Tale, the latest 3D animation offering from DreamWorks, is missing a key ingredient to success that other such features of late have had, and that is excitement. A lot happens in Shark Tale, but the story feels so dry, and is most likely over the head of the average… Continue reading
Shrek 2 continues its original’s wacky take on fairy tales, and I think this one has even one-upped it with the inclusion of Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother, King, Queen, and Puss In Boots. The opportunity for creative laughter is immense here, and Shrek 2 succeeds. The film picks up where… Continue reading