Animation Archives | Page 40 Of 222

After IDW Comic’s release of Cobra Commander #1, There’s More Than Meets The Eye In Store!

Yo Joe! It’s about time there’s a retcon and reimagining on why Cobra Commander must be feared, and IDW Publishing and Skybound delivers!

Cobra Commander #1 Comic Book Cover Spoiler Alert

The reason behind why I think Cobra Commander ranks as one of pop culture’s greatest villains is because of the performance by the incomparable Chris Latta. Not only has he provided the voice to Starscream in Transformers, but also voiced Mr. Burns when The Simpsons first premiered! Although the personalities are somewhat similar for the first two, the latter is vastly different. And while reading Skybound and IDW Comics’ updated origin story about this character, I can only hear his warcry resonating in the back of my head!

This take written by Joshua Williamson takes what’s from the animated movie–for better or worse–seriously! He’s a renegade and a scientist from Cobra-la, a lost civilization cut off from “the world,” and it leads me to think it’s located somewhere on Earth rather than be another planet. After getting chided by Golobulus, he’s given a chance at redemption. He must build a secret militia, and so begins the first issue.

Continue reading “After IDW Comic’s release of Cobra Commander #1, There’s More Than Meets The Eye In Store!”

From Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret to The Sacred Cave, NYC’s Animation First is Headed to a Weekend of Cinematic Wonder

In addition to what’s reviewed and put on the spotlight at NYC’s Animation First Film Festival, there’s also Robot Dreams and The Siren–these adult themed works look worth checking out.

As Animation First in NYC winds down its week long celebration, there’s still plenty to see as the weekend approaches. Not only will there be a spotlight on the National Film Board of Canada‘s French made works, but also there’ll be more feature films making their debut. Regarding the former, there’s eleven shorts (list can be read here) to take pleasure in checking out, and as for what was made available for me to screen in advance, I offer reviews of the following:

Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret

This movie pays tribute not only to the early days of Disney animation but also becomes its own entity. That’s because the Hedgehog (voiced by Guillaume Bats) is drawn and animated much like how Mickey Mouse once looked, as created back in the Steamboat Willie days. While his interactions with the real world may well be a product of the title character’s imagination, what I got out of it is in how the two manage to help each other. The manifestation is right out of a storybook that Nina’s father would read to her every night.

Continue reading “From Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret to The Sacred Cave, NYC’s Animation First is Headed to a Weekend of Cinematic Wonder”

High Flying Adventure is in Store for Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds

The world one finds in High Flying Adventure is in Store for Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds will look somewhat familiar. I can’t help but be reminded of Studio Ghibli’s The Cat Returns.

Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds Movie Poster — **Animation First 2024**
**Playing Jan 26, 7pm**
**FIAF Florence Gould Hall, NYC**

Anyone who loves anthropomorphic cats will adore what Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds has in store for them. Although the character designs are reminiscent of Hayop Ka! thankfully the narrative here is more family friendly and nurturing.

Here, we’re introduced to a writer (voiced by Géraldine Asselin) who suddenly has to babysit Carmen (Maryne Bertieaux) and her younger sister Juliette (Loïse Charpentier). But in order to prepare for their stay, she decides to let them play by themselves whilst she naps. Pretty soon, they are whisked away into a far off adventure!

Continue reading “High Flying Adventure is in Store for Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds”

Mars Express Ready to Debut at Animation First 2024’s Film Festival!

If you love hard boiled sci-fi detective fiction, then you’re in luck! Mars Express is playing at this NYC based film festival and hopefully continue touring in 2024.

Animation First 2024 Poster — Films are playing at various venues operated by the French Institute Alliance.

Animation First is a film festival dedicated to showcasing why Francophone animation is awesome. As a result, it’s expanded from a three-day event to six! On opening night will be Mars Express, and it’s the perfect way to get this show started! This party runs from Jan 23 to 28th in New York, playing at various venues down Lower Manhattan Island.

What’s offered has come a long way since the days of what I saw on CBC‘s French channel. In regards to the limited options I saw growing up, what’s produced these days is vastly different from those television shows and the few films I saw long ago. My early introduction came from watching what was off television with works like Inspector Hound and Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea. It wasn’t until after watching Michael Dudok de Wit’s The Red Turtle (2016) that my interest was elevated to new levels.

Continue reading “Mars Express Ready to Debut at Animation First 2024’s Film Festival!”

When DreamWorks Fright Krewe Evokes that Feeling From Rockwell’s Somebody’s Watching Me

Everything you want to know about Vodon’s best heroes but were afraid to ask is answered in Eli Roth’s take on Seint Seiya with Fright Krewe!

Coming Soon to YTV (Canada) and available to stream on Hulu

In addition to that music video, I can’t help but be reminded of Richard A. Hamilton’s graphic novel Fearbook Club after rewatching DreamWorks Fright Krewe for the umteenth time. That’s mostly because the image of kids tackling nasty urban legends around New Orleans is a concept I really dig. And when the lore is done right, I’m returning to it often just to see what else I can pick up on when considering the Vodun religion is quite rich in its imagery and number of loas said to exist!

Creators Eli Roth and James Frey pitched a solid idea which includes explaining the legends and lore which exist around this city. But what’s more important is in how the teens, this series main protagonists, should learn to get along. When there’s loup garous, vampires, ghosts, and other sordid creatures prowling about, these kids better get their act together! While we don’t see much about their supernatural war with humanity, and that’s because peace was established long ago. But as for their pact with certain individuals from this mortal world, it’s tumultuous at best.

Continue reading “When DreamWorks Fright Krewe Evokes that Feeling From Rockwell’s Somebody’s Watching Me”

Instead of A, “The Storm” is Coming From China, and this Animated Marvel Looks Ready to Amaze!

Fans of #donghua will want to check local listings to see if The Storm will be blowing through. It’s easy to miss since it’s not looking like a GKIDS release. This third work directed by Busifan (Zhigang Yang) is worth chasing down!

The Storm (2024) Chinese Movie Poster Trouble is coming in the aptly titled Chinese film, “The Storm,” (大雨) which may well be a metaphor for the chaos that’s enveloping the nation. And for everyone to know their place in it, not only must Daguzi understand what’s befallen upon him, but also somehow protect Mantou. This child looks like he can take care of himself, but honestly, he just wants his father back!

After the two visit a mysterious ship floating in Great Dragon Bay in search for treasure, a curse falls upon him and as for whether he can regain his mortality makes up part of this film’s plot. In the trailer, it’s teased that destiny cannot be changed. Whether that alludes to him or something else, it’s tough to say. Perhaps the reason why he was bitten is a form of punishment like Monkey King’s. This character also makes an appearance.

Continue reading “Instead of A, “The Storm” is Coming From China, and this Animated Marvel Looks Ready to Amaze!”