‘Strange World’ Has Tons of Heart Despite its Few Shortcomings

November 21, 2022November 21, 2022 Michael Lee

Many of today’s comics were inspired by the page-turning action-adventure pulp comics of the past. The characters leaped off the page as they ventured into uncharted territory, where all sorts of dangerous creatures awaited them. Some fearlessly took the lead, while others provided a supportive role. And while most were one-dimensional and stereotypical, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World subverts what we know about the genre with its relatable characters, modern themes, and a wholly engaging story about the legacy.

Animation, Interview1 Comment

‘Strange World’ Creators on Modernizing Classic Pulp Action-Adventures

September 29, 2022September 26, 2022 Michael Lee

The legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios has built its rich history of films on innovative animation technology and bold storytelling. And while we’ve seen hit animated musical features, Strange World leans heavily into the action-adventure genre while also telling timeless stories about family legacy. And as the 61^st animated feature, Strange World takes much of its inspiration from the pages of pulp magazines that asked its readers to go on a journey beyond what’s possible.

Animation, Movies

‘Strange World’ Trailer Brings Classic Sci-Fi Adventure with a Bit of Disney Magic

September 21, 2022September 22, 2022 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios has released the newest trailer for their latest feature film, Strange World. Directed by Don Hall and Qui Nguyen, both of whom worked together on Raya and the Last Dragon, Strange World follows Searcher Clade (Jake Gyllenhaal), a simple farmer who comes from a long line of explorers.

Animation, Movies1 Comment

D23Expo: The Future Classics of Disney Animation

September 10, 2022September 10, 2022 Mike Manalo

Disney is a household name. From the moment we learn to walk or talk, we are exposed to the most legendary stories and cinematic classics that the company has produced over the past 100 years; from Snow White to Encanto.

Animation, Interview, Streaming

‘Cars on the Road’ Cast and Crew on Lightning McQueen and Mater’s Latest Adventures

September 6, 2022 Michael Lee

Disney•Pixar’s Cars on the Road follows Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) as they embark on an epic road trip and head east to attend a wedding for Mater’s sister.

Animation, Movies

Disney Journeys to a Place Beyond What’s Possible in ‘Strange World’ Trailer

June 6, 2022June 6, 2022 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios is no stranger to having films about characters going on thrilling adventures into the unknown. Now, we are getting a first look at what’s to come in the first trailer for Strange World, a throwback to the classic pulp magazines of the past which featured stories of explorers to lost worlds and bizarre places.

Animation, Movies1 Comment

Remembering the Rescue Rangers: A Brief History of ‘Chip ‘n Dale’

May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 Mike Manalo

There’s no case too big, no case too small. When you need help just call, Ch-Ch-Ch-Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers! For those of you who may not have grown up in the ‘90s, the major TV networks, such as Fox, UPN (now The CW), or Disney Channel used to play cartoons after school in syndication to give kids a nice breather between school and homework.

Animation, Movies1 Comment

Subscribe on YouTube and Win a Digital Copy of ‘Turning Red’

April 29, 2022July 14, 2022 Keina C

Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red debuted this week on all major digital platforms and will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on May 3, with never-before-seen bonus material including seven deleted scenes, three featurettes and audio commentary with Director Domee Shi. Plus, we’re giving subscribers to our YouTube channel a free digital copy of the movie!

Animation, Movies1 Comment

‘Lightyear’ Trailer is Not Pretending to Go to Infinity and Beyond

February 8, 2022 Michael Lee

It all started with a cowboy and a space ranger in Pixar’s Toy Story. Nearly 30 years later, the studio will be releasing Lightyear, its first spinoff film based on the Toy Story film franchise, that follows the man that inspired the Buzz Lightyear space ranger toy. While previous trailer slightly teased a journey to the unknown, We are getting a better sense of the story in a brand new action-packed trailer that mixes high-stakes space exploration with futuristic humor.

Animation, Movies

Pixar’s First Animated Boy Band will Steal Hearts and Bring Nostalgia in ‘Turning Red’

February 8, 2022February 4, 2022 Michael Lee

The late ’90s and early 2000s pop culture scene were full of jelly bracelets, Tamagotchis, music CDs, flip phones, and, of course, boy bands. And Pixar’s Turning Red captures the spirit of that time by weaving in nostalgia with cultural specificity and a profoundly resonating coming-of-age story.

Animation, Interview, Movies

Domee Shi Talks Blending Real-Life Stories And Anime In ‘Turning Red’

February 7, 2022March 8, 2022 Michael Lee

In just a few short weeks from now, Disney+ subscribers will see how messy growing up can be in Pixar’s Turning Red. Based loosely on director Domee Shi‘s life, the film follows Mei Lee (Roseling Cheng), a confident 13-year-old girl struggling to balance her life as a dutiful daughter to her mother (Sandra Oh) and the chaos of her youth. And things get more complicated when she finds out that if she gets too excited or stressed, she turns into a giant red panda.

Animation, Movies1 Comment

‘Turning Red’ Reimagines the Coming-of-Age Story Through Cultural Specificity

February 7, 2022February 4, 2022 Michael Lee

Pixar’s Turning Red is a film unlike any other. Directed by Domee Shi, the film centers on Mei Lee (Rosalie Chiang), a 13-year-old Chinese Canadian girl torn between being the dutiful daughter to her mother (Sandra Oh) and navigating the chaos of adolescence. But her life gets turned upside-down when she discovers she turns into a giant red panda if she gets too excited.

Animation, Movies

Walt Disney Animation Studios Reveals First Look at ‘Strange World’

December 9, 2021 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios has taken us to beautiful, even mystical worlds that are far beyond our reach and yet filled with grounded characters. Now they delve into the strange by reuniting a familiar creative team behind one of their most popular films. Today, the studio revealed their first look at Strange World an animated adventure helmed by director Don Hall (Big Hero 6, Raya and the Last Dragon) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (Raya and the Last Dragon), and produced by Roy Conli (Big Hero 6, Tangled).

Animation, Movies, Music

Adassa and Mauro Castillo Celebrate Colombian Culture Through Music in ‘Encanto’

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021 Michael Lee

Encanto, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 60th film, is an animated musical that tells the story of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family who live in a magical casita hidden in the mountains of Colombia. Every Madrigal child is blessed with a unique magic gift, like super strength and healing powers, to use to help the family and surrounding town. Unfortunately, Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) is the only one who didn’t receive a gift. But when she discovers that the magic is in danger of disappearing, she sets off on a quest to save it while also learning more about her family and realizing her true worth.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Encanto’ is Mostly Enchanting

November 17, 2021January 12, 2022 Mike Manalo

First of all, score one for Walt Disney Animation for putting out two releases in one year that celebrate different stories from different cultures! With the terrific Raya and the Last Dragon earlier this year, and now the charming Encanto, it’s refreshing to see that the House of Mouse has been more proactive in telling stories that aren’t just rooted in Western European fairy tales. I think Moana really opened the door for this, and as far as our site is concerned, we couldn’t be happier.

Animation, Movies

‘Encanto’ Directors and Writers Find Magical Realism in Colombian Culture

November 5, 2021November 8, 2021 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto is an animated musical that celebrates Lantine and Latinx culture, specifically everything Colombia offers. The film follows Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz), the only child not blessed with a magical gift. As she struggles to find her place within her multigenerational enchanted family, she finds out that the magic that has helped them and the town is in danger of disappearing. So she sets off on an adventure to prevent that from happening.

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.

Animation, Movies

How the Magical Casita in ‘Encanto’ is a New Kind of Disney Castle

September 30, 2021September 29, 2021 Michael Lee

Encanto follows three generations of family, of which everyone but Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) has magical powers. Despite being ordinary and spending her entire life trying to measure up to the rest of the Madrigals, Mirabel discovers that the magic that defines her family’s legacy is in danger and that she may be the only one who can save it and them.

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Encanto’ Directors Talk Representation and Working with Lin-Manuel Miranda

September 29, 2021November 5, 2021 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios gave a group of selected journalists their first look at their upcoming musical, Encanto. The film centers on the Madrigals, a magical family who live in an enchanted casita in the mountains of Colombia. At the age of five, the home gifts a Madrigal child a unique magical power, who then uses it to help the family and neighboring town. Everyone except, Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). However, she when she discovers that the magic is in danger, she sets off on a journey to save it from being extinguished.

Animation, Interview, Movies

How Colombian Culture, Music, and Dance Tell a Magical Story in ‘Encanto’

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021 Michael Lee

Making an animated film at Walt Disney Animation Studios is a tremendous undertaking. It takes years of development, not to mention countless rewrites to perfect the script, numerous in-house screenings, and so much more. Encanto, Disney’s 60th animated feature, brings music and dance together to tell the story of Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz), a Colombian teenager facing the fact that she is the only one who doesn’t have any magical abilities in her family. But when she discovers that magic is in danger, she sets off on a journey to save it.

Animation, Streaming

Manila to the Moon: An Interview with ‘Blush’ Director Joe Mateo

September 28, 2021September 28, 2021 Mike Manalo

Imagine if you will that you’re a minority in the entertainment industry. Picture yourself working proudly on some of the best, most well known animated projects of all time, and then — BAM! — a studio asks you to tell your own story. What would be the story you’d want to tell? For Filipino animator, Joe Mateo (a 25-year veteran artist and animator who worked on Zootopia, Big Hero 6, and many other classic Disney Animated works), that dream came true.

Animation, Interview, Music

‘Us Again’ Director, Zach Parrish and Choreographers, Keone and Mari Madrid

June 9, 2021June 10, 2021 Patrick Strange

Hello everyone! Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of participating in an amazing virtual conference to celebrate the release of Disney’s ‘Us Again‘ as it arrived on Disney+! The conference was hosted and led by superstar dancer & choreographer, Derek Hough, whom we came to find out was a big fan of the short film as well! We gained some insight into what exactly it took to put this short film together and afterwards received the opportunity to speak with some of the amazing talents as well! So, here we go! Here’s my conversation with Director, Zach Parrish and Choreographers, Keone and Mari Madrid along with some information they shared during the Conference!

Animation, Interview, Music

‘Us Again’ Composer, Pinar Toprak and Producer, Brad Simonsen

June 9, 2021June 11, 2021 Patrick Strange

Hello everyone! Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of participating in an amazing virtual conference to celebrate the release of Disney’s Us Again as it arrived on Disney+! The conference was hosted and led by superstar dancer & choreographer, Derek Hough, whom we came to find out was a big fan of the short film as well! We gained some insight into what exactly it took to put this short film together and afterwards received the opportunity to speak with some of the amazing talents as well! So, here we go! Here’s my conversation with Composer, Pinar Toprak and Producer, Brad Simonsen along with some information they shared during the Conference!