‘Lightyear’ Composer Michael Giacchino on Storytelling Through Music

June 14, 2022June 14, 2022 Michael Lee

A movie score is one of the emotional hooks that draws audiences into that world. Whether the film is a sci-fi thriller or romantic comedy, it’s the kind of music that connects you with what’s going on within the frame. But for Lightyear composter Michael Giacchino, the score is much more than an assembly of notes that makes a movie sound good. It’s also something that tells a story.

Animation, Movies, Streaming

Netflix’s Animated Adventure ‘The Sea Beast’ Trailer & Poster Reveal

June 7, 2022June 6, 2022 Laura Sirikul

Netflix kicked off their second day of Geeked Week with revealing the trailer and poster for their anticipated animated monster adventure The Sea Beast.

Animation, DC Comics, Movies

New Trailer for ‘DC League of Super-Pets’ Signals ‘The One’

March 7, 2022March 7, 2022 Mike Manalo

Whoa! In a brilliant stroke of genius, WB formally announced via a new trailer that none other than Neo himself, Keanu Reeves, will be playing Batman in the upcoming animated feature DC League of Super-Pets.

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Turning Red’ Animators Talk Overcoming Production Challenges and Delicious Food

February 8, 2022February 4, 2022 Michael Lee

Domee Shi’s Bao was praised for its poignancy and beautiful portrayal of the Asian immigrant experience. While the story captured the hearts of many, production designer Rona Liu was responsible for the finished look of the entire short. And we know the end result. Now Liu reunites with Shi for Turning Red. As one could imagine, the responsibilities increase ten-fold now that the two are working on a feature-length film.

Animation, DC Comics, Movies

Happy Lunar New Year from ‘DC League of Super Pets’

January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 Mike Manalo

Happy Lunar New Year everyone! As a new year of prosperity and fortune begins, our friends at WB and DC have teamed up to send us a very special greeting! To help usher in the festivities, are Ace the Bat-Hound and Krypto the Superdog from the upcoming DC League of Super Pets, coming to theaters May 20 this year!

Animation, Movies, Streaming

Guillermo Del Toro Teases Bringing ‘Pinocchio’ to Life

January 25, 2022January 25, 2022 Mike Manalo

We are just recovering from some amazing Guillermo del Toro goodness, having just taken a walk down Nightmare Alley. But now, ahead of its December 2022 premiere date, del Toro has teased a first look at his stop-motion animated vision for Pinocchio. And as with all things he touches, it looks utterly divine!

Animation, Movies

Pixar’s ‘Turning Red’ to Debut Exclusively on Disney+

January 7, 2022January 11, 2022 Michael Lee

There was plenty of excitement surrounding Domee Shi‘s Turning Red as it would have marked the turn of a Pixar film to be released in a theater. It was also the studio’s first film to be directed by a woman. However, because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Turning Red will make its debut on Disney+ on March 11, 2021, instead of the traditional theatrical release like initially planned.

Animation, Interview, Movies

Comedian Nick Kroll on Returning for Illumination’s ‘Sing 2’

December 22, 2021 Sophia Soto

Nick Kroll is back as the voice of Gunter in Illumination’s Sing 2. The film, which is a sequel to Sing, combines dozens of classic rock and pop hit songs, electrifying performances, and breathtaking artistry. Sing 2 is in theaters on December 22!

Animation, Interview, Movies

Pop Star Tori Kelly Talks All Things ‘Sing 2’

December 21, 2021 Sophia Soto

Tori Kelly reprises her role as Meena in Illumination’s Sing 2. The film, which is a sequel to Sing, combines dozens of classic rock and pop hit songs, electrifying performances, and breathtaking artistry. Sing 2 hits theaters on December 22!

Animation, DC Comics, Movies

New Trailer for ‘DC League of Super-Pets’ is Unleashed

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021 Mike Manalo

What do you get when you cross Secret Life of Pets with the DC Universe? DC League of Super-Pets!

Animation, DC Comics, Movies1 Comment

New ‘DC League of Super-Pets’ Images Reveal a Look at DC’s Top Dogs

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021 Mike Manalo

Next May, get ready to super-sit, super-stay, and super-roll over with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart! DC and Warner Animation’s upcoming animated romp, DC League of Super-Pets hits theaters next summer, and today DC and WB unveiled two new images for the upcoming animated comedy.

Animation, Interview, Streaming

NOC Interview: Josh Gad Talks Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Olaf Presents’

November 11, 2021 Sophia Soto

Josh Gad is back as the voice of Olaf for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Olaf Presents. The series of new animated shorts starring everyone’s favorite talking snowman launches November 12, exclusively on Disney+. Gad has also brought the character to life in Frozen, Frozen Fever, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Frozen II, At Home with Olaf, Once Upon a Snowman, and Lego Frozen Northern Lights.

Animation, Movies, Music

Lin-Manuel Miranda on the Challenges of Songwriting in ‘Encanto’

November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto tells a story about family and individuality through the Latin American lens, specifically a Colombian one. The film follows the Madrigal family, where every child was blessed with a magical power that they are to use to help the family and better the community. Well, every child except Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), who has to face the frustration of being the only one without a blessing.

Animation, Streaming

Get All the Details on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Olaf Presents’

October 14, 2021October 14, 2021 Sophia Soto

Josh Gad is back to voice everyone’s favorite talking Snowman in Olaf Presents! Disney animator Hyrum Osmond will be directing and Jennifer Newfield serves as producer. The new series will launch exclusively November 12 on Disney+.

Animation, Interview

Natalie Nourigat Talks How ‘Far From Tree’ is Personal and Speaks to a Larger Audience

September 30, 2021October 1, 2021 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Far From Tree may feature a pair of raccoons as the main characters, but they have very humanistic qualities. Like the protective instincts of a parents or the genuine curiosity of a child. Set on a quiet idyllic beach of the Pacific Northwest, audiences will get to see how the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree applies to every parent and child relationship, even those who are raccoons.

Anime, Star Wars, Streaming

Masi Oka on ‘Star Wars: Visions’ and How His Career Came Full Circle

September 22, 2021September 22, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Masi Oka’s life in the Star Wars Universe has come full circle. When he was fresh out of college, he took a job with Industrial Light & Magic as a digital and visual effects artist working on the Star Wars prequels. Now, the actor is voicing a Jedi in the new anime-inspired Star Wars series, Visions.

Animation, Marvel, Streaming

Make Way for Hulu’s ‘Hit-Monkey’

September 20, 2021September 20, 2021 Mike Manalo

M.O.D.O.K was just the beginning! This November, Hulu is continuing to crank out the epic Marvel animated shows, with its latest ambitious adaptation of Marvel’s Hit-Monkey!

Crowdfunding, Interview1 Comment

Why this ‘American Sikh’ Cosplays as Captain America

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 Swara Salih

Animator and cosplayer Vishavjit Singh has experienced tremendous trauma in his life. He survived a genocide against Sikh people in India as a young boy, and after he and his family fled to the US, he’s constantly experienced racism and Islamophobia (despite not being Muslim) in the pre- and post-9/11 era. Despite all of this, he remains an optimist for people to treat each other better, and found through his regular cosplaying as Captain America that he could somehow achieve that. But what drew him to this initially?

Animation, Streaming

Disney+ Just Dropped the Trailer and Key Art for Pixar’s ‘Dug Days’

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 Sophia Soto

To celebrate International Dog Day, Disney+ has shared the official trailer and key art for Pixar Animation Studios’ Dug Days! Bob Peterson, the voice of Dug then and now as well as a screenwriter and co-director on Up, wrote and directed the new series of five shorts. Kim Collins serves as producer.

Animation, Streaming

Watch the Trailer for Netflix’s ‘Maya and The Three’

August 24, 2021 Sophia Soto

From creator Jorge R. Gutiérrez, Maya and The Three is an animated event told in nine epic chapters. The talented voice cast includes Zoe Saldaña, Gabriel Iglesias, Allen Maldonado, Stephanie Beatriz, Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, Alfred Molina, Kate del Castillo, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Rosie Perez, Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean, Jorge R. Gutiérrez, Sandra Equihua, Isabela Merced, Chelsea Rendon, Joaquín Cosío, Carlos Alazraqui, and Rita Moreno.

Animation, Movies, Streaming

Check Out the Official Trailer and Key Art for ‘My Little Pony: A New Generation’

August 12, 2021August 12, 2021 Sophia Soto

My Little Pony: A New Generation is set to premiere September 24 on Netflix. The talented voice cast includes Vanessa Hudgens, Kimiko Glenn, James Marsden, Sofia Carson, and Liza Koshy. Netflix has just released the official trailer as well as key art for the new family film!

Animation, Movies

‘Turning Red’ Features Pixar’s First Asian-Led Film

July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 Mike Manalo

Turning Red is a big deal. It’s the first time a full-length Pixar film has featured an Asian protagonist and primarily centers on Asian characters. It’s also the first Pixar film to be fully directed solo by a woman, and the first by a woman of color, with the brilliant Domee Shi, who brought us the now-classic Oscar-winning Bao. And that’s not even the half of it!

Animation

NOC Cooking School: Pixar Pasta with Mike

June 19, 2021June 19, 2021 Mike Manalo

With the release of Pixar’s Luca, now streaming on Disney+, we thought everyone out there may be craving a bit of pasta! So, thanks to the good folks at Pixar, who sent us a lovely care package with all the fixings of a wonderful pesto dinner, we decided to try out our first ever NOC Cooking School to attempt to cook some authentic Pixar pasta!