‘Twenty Something’ Director Aphton Corbin Inspired By Her Youth for SparksShort

September 8, 2021September 15, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Director Aphton Corbin is excited and surprised to see her Disney-Pixar SparksShort Twenty Something come to life on Disney+.

“My inspiration was my own 20s journey through life where I just feel like a new director — the panic and stress of ‘oh my gosh, did they pick the wrong person?’ I’m just barely figuring out how to be a functional adult in life,” said Corbin during a Zoom interview with The Nerds of Color. It was a fun insecurity to dig into of what was making me feel this way.”

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, 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!

Animation, Interview, Movies

Jumping In With the Cast and Creators of Pixar’s ‘Luca’

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 Mike Manalo

One of the most wonderful things about working with The Nerds of Color is that I find myself constantly in the most fortunate position of getting to meet some of the best, most talented individuals working today. And when you think about talent in Hollywood, few brands come to mind greater than Pixar Animation Studios. In celebration of the release of its newest masterpiece, Luca, which hits Disney+ today, I was fortunate enough to meet with the director and producer of the film, Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren, as well as legendary comedian, Jim Gaffigan (who voices Lorenzo in the film), and two of the most talented young actors working in the industry today: Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays Alberto, and Jacob Tremblay, who plays the titular character, Luca Paguro.

Animation, Movies, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: Pixar’s ‘Luca’ is Molto Bello

June 16, 2021June 17, 2021 Mike Manalo

I’ve done several Pixar reviews for this site already, dating back to Toy Story 4 through to Soul. And every single one I cover tends to start with the usual: something something unique, something something they set the standard, etc. By now you know the drill. They’re still considered the best in the business. And while several other animation studios are worthy of the mantle (particularly Laika, Walt Disney Feature Animation, and Sony Pictures Animation are coming for it), at this juncture, Pixar’s only greatest competition is Pixar.

Animation, Movies, Streaming

Endless ‘Pasta’bilities at the ‘Luca’ Press Conference

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021 Mike Manalo

The countdown is on! In approximately one week, Luca, Pixar’s latest masterpiece, will be hitting Disney+ on June 18. The film, helmed by first-time feature director, Enrico Casarosa, the film tells the coming of age tale of two sea monsters who spend an unforgettable summer in the one place they’re not supposed to be; the monster-hunting Italian village of Portorosso. To celebrate the release of the next one-of-a-kind masterpiece from the studio, cast members Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, and Jim Gaffigan — along with Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren — virtually gathered before members of the press to talk about the film, and take questions about what it took to bring it all together.

Animation, Movies

Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out with These Adorable New ‘Luca’ Character Posters

June 3, 2021June 3, 2021 Mike Manalo

We’re counting down to the summer release of Pixar’s latest sure-to-be masterpiece, Luca! And to help celebrate the release of the film, Disney and Pixar have released these adorable new posters featuring Luca, Alberto, and Giulia!

Animation, Interview, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

Summertime Splash: A Q&A with the Filmmakers of Pixar’s ‘Luca’

May 25, 2021May 25, 2021 Mike Manalo

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to give our readers a sneak peak at Pixar’s latest film, Luca, and the hard work the geniuses at Pixar have put into crafting this bright and sunny coming-of-age story. You can check out those full articles here and here. In addition to getting a fantastic behind the scenes look at the film, we were also treated to a press-wide virtual Q&A with director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren. Here’s what they had to say to various questions from the press about the latest Pixar classic-in-the-making:

Animation, Interview, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

Diving Further into the Depths of Pixar’s ‘Luca’

May 25, 2021June 11, 2021 Mike Manalo

Earlier this year, The Nerds of Color was invited to see an extended preview and behind the scenes look at Pixar’s latest film, Luca. The film tells the tale of a young sea monster named Luca, who ventures out to an Italian seaside town with his best friend, Alberto, to experience life, danger, food, and fun during the best summer ever.

Animation, Movies

New Friendly Featurette for Pixar’s ‘Luca’

May 21, 2021June 11, 2021 Mike Manalo

Yesterday during the National Streaming Day event, Disney dropped a sweet little featurette for their big Disney+ Summer Release, Pixar’s Luca.

As we’ve learned from our recent press conference, Luca is ultimately a story about friendship, and finding a best friend who will challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone. So it seems very appropriate for them to focus this featurette on friendship. Take a look here:

Animation, Interview, Reviews, Streaming

A “Short” Conversation with ’22 Vs. Earth’ Director Kevin Nolting and a Mini-Review

April 29, 2021May 15, 2021 Mike Manalo

They may have won the Oscar this year, but Pixar has not lost its “Soul.” That’s right! As we reported recently, this Friday, Pixar is debuting its latest short, 22 Vs. Earth on Disney+. The film is a prequel to last year’s Oscar winner for Best Animated Film, and recipient of the highly coveted “Mike Manalo’s Favorite Movie of the Year Award,” Soul. It reunites us with the hilarious Tina Fey as 22, as well as the unborn souls and the Jerrys, prior to 22 meeting Joe Gardner. And to commemorate the return to The Great Before, The Nerds of Color was given the opportunity to participate in a short press event with other members of the press, to speak to the short film’s director, Kevin Nolting.

Animation, Movies, Streaming

New Trailer and Poster for Pixar’s ‘Luca’ Brings the Summer Fun to You

April 28, 2021June 19, 2021 Mike Manalo

It’s a Luca-palooza here at The Nerds of Color, as we also provided an in-depth look at the making of the film this morning. But in addition to that, Disney and Pixar have also released the trailer and poster for the film this morning, which you can view here:

Animation, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

Una Bellisima Anteprima di ‘Luca’ della Pixar

April 28, 2021June 11, 2021 Mike Manalo

Okay, I’m getting a bit pretentious with the faux Italian title (translated it means “A Beautiful Preview of Pixar’s Luca“). But English words just don’t do the beauty of Pixar’s animation proper justice; particularly for their upcoming film Luca, set to debut on Disney+ this summer! Luca tells an adorable story about two close friends from Italy who set out on an adventure to make a life of their own in a superstitious seaside town along the Italian Riviera. The twist? They’re both actually sea monsters from underneath the coastal shore.

Animation, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

The World of Pixar’s ‘Soul’ Continues with New Short Film: ’22 Vs. Earth’

April 21, 2021May 15, 2021 Mike Manalo

Pixar’s Soul was probably my favorite film of 2020. Gorgeous as it was deep, it really served as a reminder of why Pixar is still the best in the Animation game at this point in time. And while I think it is the embodiment of the perfect one-and-done film (please don’t ever make a feature-length sequel to this perfect movie!) it’s nice to dip our toe into this world and revisit the characters from time to time in a limited capacity. And thankfully, Pixar is planning to do just that, with the upcoming release of their new short film, 22 Vs. Earth!

Animation, Movies, Streaming

Pixar’s ‘Float’ is Not Just About Representation, But an Authentic Experience

March 12, 2021May 15, 2021 Elvie Mae Parian

Representation is not just about putting a diverse array of faces on a product and calling it a day, but it is also about ensuring that this diversity actually empowers and puts authority into who it is telling the stories of.

Animation, Interview, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

No More Mrs. Frozone: Black Women Characters in Pixar’s ‘Soul’

December 14, 2020May 15, 2021 Constance Gibbs

Black adult women aren’t often depicted in animation. Most of the Black female characters are kids or teens or little-seen moms. Some notable central characters include: Storm. Trudy Proud and Big Mama. Donna Tubbs. Uhm, the Muses? There aren’t very many. It’s the Mrs. Frozone problem, off-screen and never developed. (Pixar could stand to improve upon that problem in particular.)

Animation, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

Disney’s Latest Film Shows the ‘Soul’ of New York

December 1, 2020May 15, 2021 Constance Gibbs

For an animated slice-of-Black-New-York-life, Disney’s new Pixar film Soul joins Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse in showing new parts of New York not typically glamorized by Hollywood. Despite being one of the most famous cities in the world, there are dozens of neighborhoods and experiences viewers never see on the silver screen. New York City isn’t just the glitz and glamor of midtown, the brunch bunch of Brooklyn, or the gentrified hives in Harlem.

The new movie takes us to an ordinary Queens middle school, where Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx) is a down-on-his-luck band teacher. On his way to a gig in the Village that could finally make his music career, he falls down a manhole and dies. After he escapes the Great Beyond, he hides out in the Great Before, where pre-souls find their “spark” before being sent to Earth to be born. His mission? Help the dispassionate, uninterested-in-humanity pre-soul Number 22 find her spark, then use it to get back to Earth in time for his gig.

Animation, Movies, Reviews, Streaming

NOC Review: ‘Soul’ is Pixar’s Jazzy Spark of Imagination, Inspiration, and Beauty

November 13, 2020May 15, 2021 Mike Manalo

How does one define living or existence? Where do these meaningful drives that we get, or the desires we have – those moments of inspiration and wonder where we try to reach out and define the purposes we make for ourselves in our own lives — where do they all come from, and why do we have them? We can’t possibly quantify such things, or even explain what and why they are, but we still know inside they’re there; an indelible and innate part of us that, if nothing else, creates the full mosaic we know to be the individual human experience. For any film or studio to depict visually, conceptually what these ideas and notions that possess us are, let alone what they mean, would be seemingly impossible.

Then there’s Pixar, who comes along and says, “Hold my beer!” Thus, we now have Soul.

Animation, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

‘Soul’ Producers Address the Blue Elephant in the Room

October 9, 2020May 15, 2021 Constance Gibbs

Pixar’s Soul takes a musical journey into the meaning of life — literally. In the film, Joe Gardner seems to be the prototype for “if you can’t do, teach.” But he very much wants to do. However, just when he’s about to get his first jazz gig, he dies. *insert Price is Right trombone.*

The first 35 minutes of the jazzy New York-set movie that I saw were great. Joe (Jamie Foxx), upon his death, is sent to the Great Before. There he meets apathetic New Soul 22 (Tina Fey), who finds it in her own best interest to help Joe return to his life on Earth. Sensing the direction of the rest of the movie, I imagine it will be as heartfelt as every other Pixar classic. It’s new Christmas Day home release feels like a really good choice to celebrate life, the purpose of art in our lives, and exploring how we connect with ourselves and others.

Animation, Interview, Movies

Going On a Quest with the Cast and Crew of ‘Onward’

March 3, 2020March 3, 2020 Mike Manalo

This Thursday, Pixar will unveil their latest adventure — a fantastical bromance of humor and emotion that will surely get your eyes soaking wet with tears, as par for the course from this studio. I’m speaking of course of their latest film, Onward, starring Tom Holland and Chris Pratt. You can check out our NOC review here. Additionally, The Nerds of Color was recently invited to the press conference of the film, to hear from Pratt and Holland themselves, as well as director Dan Scanlon, and producer Kori Rae. Here’s what the party had to say about the new film. Here’s what they had to say about the film.

Continue reading “Going On a Quest with the Cast and Crew of ‘Onward’”

Animation, Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Onward’ is Mid-Level Magic for Pixar

February 21, 2020May 2, 2020 Mike Manalo

In the 25 years since Toy Story first hit theaters, the amount of unfavorable films to come out of Pixar versus the number of instant classics can probably be counted on a single hand. That is an insane and unprecedented track record for any studio, and frankly even their worst films are still infinitely better than the average piece of dreck to come out of, say, Illumination Entertainment. That being said, while Onward does not belong on the aforementioned single hand, it doesn’t quite hit the heights of Wall-E, Up, Inside Out, or Coco either. Don’t get me wrong, Onward is a perfectly fine movie — a good movie. It’s also just quite middle-of-the-road compared to Pixar’s usual quality for two-thirds of it.

Continue reading “NOC Review: ‘Onward’ is Mid-Level Magic for Pixar”

Animation, Fantasy, Movies

Moving ‘Onward’: The Personal Story Behind The Upcoming Disney/Pixar Feature

January 14, 2020January 15, 2020 Patrick Strange

“We’ve all lost someone, and if we could spend one more day with them,” Dan Scanlon, Writer/Director of Onward wonders aloud, “what an exciting opportunity that would be.” Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature, Onward introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest after receiving their late father’s letter along with a mysterious spell that will give them one day with him. The story is inspired by Writer/Director, Dan Scanlon’s relationship with his brother and their connection with their dad who passed away when he was about a year old.

Continue reading “Moving ‘Onward’: The Personal Story Behind The Upcoming Disney/Pixar Feature”