SONG OF THE SEA (2014, Ireland)

February 8, 2015

song of the sea Greetings again from the darkness. Fans of animation can expect to experience a bit of nostalgia as they treasure the rare hand-drawn works of animator Tomm Moore. However, Mr. Moore’s artistry may even be exceeded by his extraordinary story telling ability. This gem from Ireland is an Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature, as was Mr. Moore’s The Secret of Kells (a runner-up that year to Up). It’s a top notch family movie filled with adventure, fantasy, emotion and characters worth caring about.

Young Ben lives an ideal life with his lighthouse caretaker father, pregnant mother, and beloved dog Cu on an isolated island. Ideal that is, until the “Bambi’s mother” moment, which 6 years later, finds Ben’s dad still in mourning, while Ben flashes animosity and blame towards his mute little sister, Saoirse (pronounced Sir-sha). What we as viewers soon learn is that cute little Saoirse is a selkie – just like her mother was. Irish and Scottish legend states that selkies can transform themselves from people to seals, and have a real connection with the sea and the fairy world.

When the over-bearing, know-it-all granny decides that an island is no place to raise kids, she moves Ben and Saoirse to the big city … sans dog and dad. Of course, this is a terrible idea and the two kids are soon enough off on an adventure of self-discovery and rescue. They run into 3 of the remaining fairies who know that selkie Saoirse is their only hope with her magic sea shell (from her mom) and her as yet undiscovered singing voice. It turns out the songs Ben’s mom taught him, when sung by Saoirse, can free the souls of the fairies turned to stone by the evil owl witch Macha. The real fun is in the details of their adventure.

Moore’s story has the feel of an ancient folk tale and legend, with a dose of mythology. Since the story coincides with Halloween, it also adds an additional element of creatures, real vs pretend. As you can see, the story is no mindless cartoon. It contains much emotion tied to the brother/sister battles, the loss of a parent, nosy relatives, and the path of discovering one’s own self … even through the eyes of children. Terrific voice work comes courtesy of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle (Ben), and Lucy O’Connell (Saoirse). It’s a timeless story that, amongst other things, is a legitimate Oscar contender while reminding brothers to be nice to their sister!

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE CONGRESS (Le Congres, France, 2014)

April 13, 2014

DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2014)

congress Greetings again from the darkness. As a fan of director Ari Folman’s Oscar nominated Waiting for Bashir (2008), I was excited to see this one on the line-up at Dallas International Film Festival. While some will find The Congress a bit messy and difficult to follow, it certainly reinforces Folman’s innovative and creative approach to story telling and filmmaking.

The first half of the movie is live action and the second half is animated. The best description I can offer is as a social commentary, not just on Hollywood, but society as a whole. While Her makes the case for virtual relationships, this movie makes the case for virtual everything else! Robin Wright plays Robin Wright, an aging movie star who is offered a chance to stay young and be popular forever. Just sign this contract, and Miramount Studios owns your complete public image. No more acting, just kick back and enjoy your money … and watch what we do with your image and career.

The cast is very strong, but the movie has a feeling of having been rushed through production … at least from the live action side. In addition to Ms. Wright, Danny Huston chews some scenery as a cut throat studio head. His blunt description of Ms. Wright’s “bad choices” since The Princess Bride speak to not only many actors, but for many in the audience as well. Harvey Keitel plays the agent, Jon Hamm appears through voice only in the animated sequence, Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In, The Road) plays Wright’s son and central plot figure, and Sami Gayle plays his sister. Paul Giamatti appears in both live action and animated form as the family doctor.

Some will be reminded of A Scanner Darkly, and others of Cool World. The best this movie has to offer is not in its (creative) presentation, but rather in its ability to provoke thought about the look of future society and the impact of technology … as well as the whole issue of identity and what makes us who we are. It’s a brain-scrambler if you stick with it.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: Live Action and Animated (2013)

February 9, 2014

Greetings again from the darkness. Yes, it’s almost Oscar time again! This past weekend, I took my annual trek to the Magnolia Theatre to check out this year’s nominated Short Films – Animated and Live Action.  If you have never taken advantage of this opportunity, I would encourage you to do so. It is always an interesting 3-4 hours that keeps your mind (and eyes) spinning, while reminding us that short films are quite a different skill set than feature films.  Though I didn’t find this year’s films to be exceptionally memorable, it’s still insightful to view the variance in styles and substance from different countries and filmmakers.  I must say the nominations were a bit heavy on drama, with only a couple of exceptions.  Even the animation films were mostly adult in nature, which is unusual.

Below is my quick recap of each, with each category in order of my preference (not my Oscar predictions):

LIVE ACTION

voorman Helium (Denmark) – a young, terminally ill boy is bed-ridden and trying to come to terms with waiting to die. A kindly orderly befriends him and weaves a fantastical ongoing story to ease the boy’s acceptance of the afterlife.  It’s a combination of fine acting and special effects.

That Wasn’t Me (Aquel No Era Yo, Spain) – aid workers are taken hostage in Sierra Leone and we witness the brutal atrocities of war with an emphasis on child soldiers.  It is extremely well made, but torturous to watch.

Do I Have to Take Care of Everything? (Finland) – a light-hearted look at the chaotic morning of a family running late for a wedding, and the added stress brought on by a Supermom. This was a nice dose of levity amongst the darker films.

The Voorman Problem (UK) – Martin Freeman and Tom Hollander (pictured left) star in a an unusual prison-based vignette where, this time, it’s not the doctor who thinks he is God.

Just Before Losing Everything (Avant Que De Tout Perdre, France) – a frustrating situation where a mother tries to extricate herself and her kids from an abusive home place.  I say frustrating because no one will pick up the phone and call the freakin’ cops.  I understand the fear, but this sets a horrible example for those in this situation.

ANIMATED

get a horse lg Room on the Broom (UK) – this is the simplest story of the group, and it’s designed to be a children’s story with a message.  An extremely friendly witch and her constantly annoyed cat team up with a dog, a bird and a frog to defeat a fire-breathing dragon. It’s from the people who brought us The Gruffalo, and has celebrity voice acting from Gillian Anderson, Simon Pegg and Sally Hawkins.

Mr Hublot (France) – the most intricate and stunning animation of the group features an obsessive-compulsive recluse whose life changes dramatically after he adopts a robodog.

Get a Horse! (U.S.) – the Disney entry is undoubtedly the most-seen of the group since it was shown prior to Frozen, one of the year’s biggest box office hits.  It’s a fabulous combination of old and new, as it starts out in classic Black & White and morphs into full color.  Mickey (Walt Disney’s voice) and Minnie Mouse are on a joyride with Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow until Peg-leg Pete starts causing trouble. The only problem with this one is the frenetic pace that makes it impossible to catch all the sight gags.

Feral (U.S.) – speaking of retro, this is Daniel Sousa’s hand-drawn, slightly dark story of the attempt to civilize a young boy raised in the woods.  While it looks beautiful, the story seems incomplete.

Possessions (Japan) – in the footsteps of Japan’s fantastic history of anime, a traveler takes refuge from a storm in a most unusual temple.  The colors are amazing, but the story lacks a real message … every item has a soul??

**NOTE: since it was presented as “Commended”, I would like to mention Pixar’s The Blue Umbrella, which somehow did not make the final cut.  It was shown prior to Monsters University and is a visual delight, and includes the usual Pixar emotions.

here is the teaser trailer for The Blue Umbrella:

2 Comments | Animation, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Short film, War, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

THE LITTLE MERMAID (1989) revisited

January 24, 2014

little mermaid Greetings again from the darkness. The first of three true classics from the “middle era” of Disney animation … along with Beauty and the Beast (1991) and The Lion King (1994) … this 1989 version of Hans Christian Anderson’s 1837 story brought musical theatre to an animated children’s fairy tale. It was also the 28th Disney film, and the final to utilize hand-painted cel animation.

The Blu-Ray release (a Christmas present from my son) to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary is truly stunning in color, brightness, clarity and sound. An explosion of sight and sound occurs during the incredible cacophony of joy and cheer better known as the Best Song Oscar winner “Under the Sea”. The calypso style was a very creative choice by musical directors Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

Of course, the star of the show is Ariel, the rebellious 16 year old mermaid who dreams of walking on the beach and dancing with the Prince. Ariel’s remarkable vocals (“Part of Your World”) are provided by Jodi Benson, who beautifully captures the innocence and longing necessary for the character. Samuel E Wright is the smooth voiced Jamaican crab Sebastian, who not only takes lead on “Under the Sea”, but also on romantic ballad “Kiss the Girl”. The other standout is Pat Carroll as Ursula the Sea Witch. She is the perfect villain vs Ariel, and is quite a commentary on the actions of those who are power hungry.

Written and directed by John Clements and Ron Musker, the film was a bit different for its time because of the depth of Ariel’s character. This was a typical teenager going against her strict parent and dreaming of a better life. Ariel has a mind of her own and is willing to chase her dreams … even if it’s a boy from the proverbial “other side of the tracks” and with a Faustian negotiation. From a technical perspective, the artwork is spectacular and movements are full and fluid (sorry for the pun). This came 5 years after Ron Howard’s live action Splash with Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah. If you ever doubt the power that expert animation can possess, just compare the emotion and charm in these two mermaid films.

This latest Blu-Ray release has some very interesting special features. We are treated to interviews with the film’s animators as well as a peek inside the Disney Animation studios, now on its third generation of animators. Much reverence is provided to The Nine Old Men … the original group of animators hand picked by Walt Disney. The last of the nine men died in 2008, and their trainees are now mentoring the most excited current group that is kicking out some new classics like Frozen and Wreck-it Ralph. What’s that word … circle of life.

watch the “Under the Sea” segment (Best Song Oscar winner):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPQVrjnC1jo

2 Comments | Animation, Classics, Fantasy, Musical | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)

December 21, 2013

nightmare1 Greetings again from the darkness. Somehow it’s been a full 20 years since this groundbreaking film was released. It’s a rare combination of cult and holiday, and even all these years later, it’s incredibly entertaining. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the lead character is a societal misfit who means well. After all, the story is based on a Tim Burton poem.

While watching the film, what strikes me is that this was a totally unique and creative world designed by Burton and director Henry Selick. Mr. Selick is a stop-motion expert known also for Coraline (Oscar nominated) and James and the Giant Peach. Complimenting the fantastical look and characters are the witty songs penned by Danny Elfman. Mr. Elfman is now one of the most prolific and successful composers working in the movie industry. At the time, he was better known as the front man for the party band Oingo Boingo (his Batman score changed that!).

nightmare2 Since Pixar began it’s (well earned) domination of the animation world in 1995, we have come to expect major stars as voice actors. However, we landed inn Halloween Town prior to Pixar, so instead of big stars, we get Danny Elfman (singing) and Chris Sarandon (speaking) teaming up for Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. Catherine O’Hara is effective as Sally, Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman) stands out as Lock (of Lock, Shock and Barrel). The two most outstanding voice performances come from the late William Hickey as Dr Finkelstein (mad scientist), and Broadway star Ken Page as bad guy (and worm-infested) Oogie Boogie.

There has been debate on whether this is best served as a Halloween movie or Christmas movie. The desire and hope to bring positive change to the world seems to fit the Christmas spirit, but the goblins and ghouls are sure to provide a nightmare3nice scare for young kids. Especially fun are the “new toys” created by the work crews in Halloween Town as they prepare for a good will holiday they don’t quite understand.

Whatever your preferred time of year, this one is to be appreciated for it’s creative look and imaginative story and songs. Rather than being created to sell toys, this 3 year production changed the standards for animation films … that’s the gift that keeps giving every year!

Instead of my usual posting of the movie trailer, I thought you might enjoy this rendering of the original Tim Burton poem that inspired this movie.  As an added bonus, it’s recited by the great Christopher Lee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPCwc_Cdz0

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Posted by David Ferguson

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS – Live Action and Animated (2012)

February 21, 2013

Greetings again from the darkness. In what has become an annual ritual, I got to take in all of this year’s Oscar nominated short films.  It really is enjoyable and it reminds me of a mini-film festival.  Taking in so many films by so many different filmmakers in a short period of time is pure joy for a movie lover.  This yearthere was the added bonus of having each of the presentations (Live Action and Animated) “hosted” by previous short film Oscar winners William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg (The Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore) and Luke Matheny (God of Love).  The best short films all share one obvious trait … the care and love that goes into the making of each.

Below is my recap by category, in order of preference (not my Oscar predictions):

LIVE ACTION

short death of a shadow Death of a Shadow (Dood van een Schaduw, Belgium) Directed by Tom Van Avermaet.  Very odd story of an “art” collector who captures souls through the shadows of those in their moment of death. Nathan is a former soldier who agreed to capture 10,000 shadows for the collector in the hopes of re-discovering his long lost love Sarah. Jealousy and disappointment lead to undesired consequences.  There are many life lessons crammed into this short film.  This one has a unique look and pace.

Henry (Canada) Directed by Yan England. Henry is an old man who has flashbacks as he tries to make sense of his current life.  He was a concert pianist who met his wife, a violinst during the war. These visions are clear in Henry’s head, but he doesn’t know why this lady keeps showing up … then he recognizes her … and then he doesn’t. It’s easy enough to figure out, but very touching with a top notch performance by Gerard Poirier.  The End card has a quote that is apparently from the director’s father.  It goes something like this: “The worst thing about being an old man is realizing you are losing memories”.

Curfew (USA) Directed by Shawn Christensen, who also stars as Richie, the slacker brother who his sister stoops to calling in a moment of desperation.  He agrees to look after his niece Sophia (Fatima Ptacek).  To do so, he has to climb out of the suicide tub he was in when the phone rang. Is this his chance at redemption? Sophia is very smart and fascinating to watch, but it’s tough to shake that opening image of Richie.  Dancing, a bowling alley and some special flipbooks add a level of poignancy to this one.

Asad (South Africa) Directed by Bryan Buckley, who is world renowned for his commercials – especially Super Bowl ads. Here we see that life in Somalia means you are either a Sea Pirate, a Street Thug, an old fisherman, or one of the scared, faceless masses. Asad is a smart, charismatic young boy too young to join the pirates and too smart to get killed by the thugs. His fishing trip would be among my worst days ever, but for him it’s a coming of age.  Did you catch that?

Buzkashi Boys (Afghanistan/USA) Directed by Sam French. My first exposure to the rough sport of Buzkashi … free-for-all polo played with a dead goat.  Ahmad and Rafi are young boys and good friends set against the backdrop of war-ravaged Afghanistan. It’s a tough world for Ahmad, an orphan who hustles on the street for a little food and small change. Life’s not much better for his more reserved friend Rafi, the son of a harsh blacksmith, who is no fan of Ahmad or wasting daylight hours. The ending is not what you might expect, but it’s beautifully shot and well acted by the boys.

ANIMATED

short head over heels Head Over Heels (UK) Directed by Timothy Reckart. Expert claymation depicting an aging married couple that have grown apart emotionally, but have a seemingly comfortable arrangement – despite the visual loss of equilibrium. The husband tries a simple gesture in an effort to re-connect, but the wife misunderstands and it turns their crazy world upside down (again). It’s a heart-warming story of re-discovery.

Fresh Guacamole (USA) Directed by Adam Pesapane aka PES. At 1 minute, 45 seconds this is the shortest short ever nominated for an Oscar. It’s a visual feast as it uses everyday items such as a pool ball, baseball, dice and poker chips to create a stunning bowl of fresh guacamole. Of course, there is no dialogue but it’s colorful to look at and will generate a smile.

Maggie Simpson in “The Longest Daycare” (USA) Directed by David Silverman, producer of the TV series and director of the feature length The Simpsons Movie (2007) and Monsters, Inc (2001).  Marge drops off Maggie (yes, with pacifier) at The Ayn Rand School for Tots.  Kids are divided into “Gifted” and “Nothing Special”. Maggie desperately wants the zen-like environment offered by the gifted area, but instead is hounded by a brutish boy who loves to stomp all living things.  Maggie’s mission is to save a poor butterfly and she uses much trickery in the process.  The short has no dialogue and seems like a segment pulled directly from the brilliant and long-running series.

Adam and Dog (USA) Directed by Minkyu Lee, also nominated for artwork in Wreck-it Ralph. This is a story of Adam in the Garden of Eden and his making friends with a dog. There is no dialogue in this short and it employees my least favorite type of animation. Still, it’s a nice treat watching Adam and the dog bond … well, until Eve enters the picture.  The dog remains loyal until it’s clear to him that Adam has not.

Paperman (USA) Directed by John Kahrs, an animator at Pixar for 15 years.  A chance meeting at the train station between an office clerk and a lovely woman lead to lipstick on the page and a feverish hunt to track down his dream girl.  Rarely have paper airplanes been so vital to a man’s day or the success of a film.  Serendipity and destiny are key players.

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Posted by David Ferguson

FRANKENWEENIE (2012)

October 15, 2012

Greetings again from the darkness. Being a huge fan of Tim Burton’s 1984 short of the same title, news of a feature length feature was very exciting. It’s obvious from both films that director Mr. Burton holds the story and project close to his heart. The obvious guess is that young Victor Frankenstein has much in common with the enigmatic director’s childhood experience … a social misfit who finds joy in less than popular outlets (science, sci-fi, filmmaking).  Burton then adds the crucial elements of nostalgia and fun.

The story begins simply enough, Victor – a socially inept boy, whose only friend is his loyal dog Sparky, quickly connects with the new science teacher, Mr. Rzykroski (who bears a striking resemblance to the late, great Vincent Price). Victor’s parents try to get him more engaged and that leads to a tragic accident that kills Sparky. Victor is heart-broken but his scientific mind leads to a shocking development thanks to a local lightning storm. Soon enough, Sparky is back! Of course, the secret gets out and the Science Fair takes on quite a competitive nature.

Burton really treats the film as an homage to old monster, horror and sci-fi films. We get tributes to Frankenstein, The Mummy, Dracula (complete with Christopher Lee), Godzilla, Bride of Frankenstein, Gremlins, Jurrassic Park and others I certainly missed on first viewing. But this is so much more. Mr. Rzykroski gives a less than PC speech to the local townspeople, and though it is straight to the point, that point is lost on these fine folks. The importance of science and learning and accepting the differences of others is all touched upon, but not in a preachy way.

 The voice work is stellar thanks to Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Winona Ryder, Charlie Tahan, Martin Landau and Atticus Shaffer (Brick on “The Middle”). The style and texture of the film is extraordinary. The shadows and lighting provide an atmosphere that adds just enough creepiness. The detail involved with the characters and setting is remarkable for stop-motion animation. Not just that, but how many movies have you seen recently that include a cat-bat, sea monkeys, and a giant turtle? The suburban setting is almost identical to the neighborhood seen in Burton’s Edward Scissorhands, just without the 1960’s color palette.

 This is excellent movie entertainmentand FUN for adults and children alike. Unfortunately, the black and white presentation has meant a lack of interest from today’s kids. Sure it has some darkness to it, but the PG rating means nothing too heavy. This is Tim Burton at his finest … and without Johnny Depp or Helena Bonham Carter! Also, Danny Elfman’s score perfectly compliments the story and characters, and stay for the credits to hear a very odd Karen O song.

 

** NOTE: don’t miss the opportunity to compare the original short with this updated feature length version. The creative differences really show the technical advances over the past 28 years.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you enjoy fun movies and a tip of the cap to old horror films OR you want to see Tim Burton in peak form

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: you refuse to believe a black & white animated film can provide any entertainment value

watch the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2luLW-9ySw

2 Comments | Animation, Fantasy | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS – Live Action and Animated (2011)

February 15, 2012

Greetings again from the darkness. Every year I mention how the Magnolia Theatre in Dallas presents one of my favorite movie events … the Oscar nominated short films. Three hours of quality filmmaking! It’s also a reminder of just how frustrating it is that so few people actually get to see these interesting short films.  Why aren’t they screened periodically throughout the year in association with major film releases?  Pixar manages to do this successfully, so it only makes sense that others could follow suit.  With all of that being said, I must regrettably report that this year’s batch didn’t light the fire for me the way past years have.  The quality of the filmmaking was present, but the creative storytelling fell a bit short.

Below is my recap by category, and in order of preference:

LIVE ACTION

 THE SHORE (Ireland) directed by Terry George.  This one is probably the most mainstream/accessible because it tells a story that is easily relatable.  Ciaran Hinds stars as a man returning home to Ireland after 25 years.  He has his grown daughter (Kerry Condon) in tow, and she is much more anxious than he to reassemble the pieces of his past. As he reconnects with his former best friend and fiancé, we learn they have each harbored secrets and guilt since last they saw each other.  Watching how it plays out is actually quite touching, and includes some humorous moments as well.

TUBA ATLANTIC (Norway) directed by Hallvar Witzo.  Our lead character is an elderly man who has been told by his doctor that he has six days to live.  He is then visited by a self-described Angel of Death – a teenage girl volunteering to spend time with him, and help him through the stages of dying.  Their time together involves her causing him to lose one of his six days thanks to sleeping pills.  She also joins in on his personal vendetta against the local sea gulls, who clearly have been a menace for years. We also see the giant tuba that brings him some peace.

TIME FREAK (USA) directed by Andrew Bowler. One of the two characters has invented a time travel machine for the purpose of realizing his dream of visiting ancient Rome. Instead of visiting Caesar, he jumps off-track due to his inability to get over the minutae of life.  We also get the best Oceanography reference since “Seinfeld”.

PENTECOST (Ireland) directed by Peter McDaniel. We are dropped into 1977 Ireland as a young alter boy makes a critical mistake during mass.  His punishment forces him to miss his beloved futbol team’s big game. Given a second chance, we witness quite a funny pep talk by the local priest.  The sports analogy is impossible to miss, but the young man proves he may be a bit more hard-headed than first thought.

RAJU (Germany) directed by Max Zahle. A young couple travel to India to adopt an orphan boy. What they soon discover is that they are mere bit players in a human trafficking scam.  We see how differently the two people react and how self-interest can sometimes cloud one’s judgment.

ANIMATION

 THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR MORRIS LESSMORE (USA) directed by William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg. Despite a title that is impossible to remember, this little film was my favorite of the day. In a pretty creative way, it touts the impact that books can have on our lives. It has a tribute to Hurricane Katrina and The Wizard of Oz while it reminds us of the role books can play in providing hopes and dreams.  Humpty Dumpty and Pop Goes the Weasel both play a key role as we see books spring to life, and bring color to the world of kids and adults.

LA LUNA (USA) directed by Enrico Casarosa. This category wouldn’t be complete without the latest gem from Pixar. We see a young boy being introduced to a most unusual family business run by his father and grandfather. His real challenge is finding a way to keep them happy while still making his own mark. He succeeds in very dramatic fashion.

A MORNING STROLL (UK) directed by Grant Orchard. A NYC street scene plays out in three widely different eras: 1959, 2009, 2059.  The twist here is we see a chicken doing the same thing in all 3 time periods, while the people he confronts, and the environment, shift each time.

DIMANCHE / SUNDAY (Canada) directed by Patrick Doyon. A boy is searching for something interesting to do while his family carries on with their Sunday visit.  Things involved include a house-rattling train, 3 crows that mimic the old men, a “mounted” bear and a bunny rabbit.

WILD LIFE (Canada) directed by Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby. An English gentleman settles into a simple cabin in the harsh Alberta frontier in 1909.  His letters home paint a rosier picture than what reality dishes. The film compares his plight to that of a comet, replete with burnout.

Leave a Comment » | Animation, Articles, Short film, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

December 23, 2011

 Greetings again from the darkness. Not that I am hoping for marital strife, but I like it when Steven Spielberg wants to get out of the house, especially when he joins forces with Peter Jackson (serving here as Producer). This year he has delivered awards contender War Horse and this crowd pleasing motion-capture animation film (also) for the whole family. If you are unfamiliar with Tintin, it is a long-running, extremely popular European comic series by Herge’, who passed away in 1983.  This is Planes, Trains and Automobiles … plus Ships, Rowboats, Motorcycles, Zip lines and just about every other form of transportation that comes to mind.

Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell) is an investigative newspaper reporter who looks 14, but clearly isn’t. He lives on his own, travels the world and is treated as an adult by those with whom he crosses paths. There is an early scene where Tintin is sitting for a local artist and the resulting portrait is an exact replica of his simple look in the comic series. Tintin has a trusty sidekick … his genius little dog, Snowy. Together they go on adventures that Indiana Jones can only dream about! This particular story focuses on the hunt for the lost Haddock family treasure. Tintin literally stumbles into the drunken sea Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) who is more concerned with his next swig of whiskey than the the fact that he has been kidnapped by the bad guy Rackham/Sakharine (Daniel Craig). This bad guy has unlocked the mystery location of all the clues to the lost treasure and needs Captain Haddock for the final step. Unfortunately for him, Tintin and Snowy get in the way and try their darndest to stop him.

 The action sequences are amongst the most exciting and thrill-packed that you will ever see. They look like “Jonny Quest” on steroids. The story is quite convoluted and complicated, and small kids will be totally lost on exactly WHY the characters do what they do. But it won’t much matter, because the visuals of each scene are captivating. There are even a couple of Interpol agents on the trail … Thompson and Thomson (voiced by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, respectively).  Expect many site gags tossed in to offset the breakneck pace of the globe-trotting adventures.

 Spielberg has always done nice work when he can go after a kid’s imagination – even big kids like me. The look of this movie is pretty amazing, especially when compared to 2004’s The Polar Express. If you doubt how far technology has come, look at these two side by side.  Many of the characters here are as close to lifelike as we have seen – check out the skin and facial contours of Captain Haddock and Sackharine.  Wow.  Herge’ creation is given script work here by Steven Moffatt, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish. The great John Williams provides the score. This is one you can bring the kids to and all will enjoy.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you are fan of animated family fun with loads of action OR you just want to see how far motion-capture technology has come

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: to you, Indiana Jones is the be all and end all of action heroes in the movies OR you refuse to get props to anything with French origins 

watch the trailer:

1 Comment | Action, Animation, Thriller | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

FATHER OF AMERICAN ANIMATION

October 14, 2011

 British born and NYC-raised, J. Stuart Blackton has been called the “Father of American Animation”.  As a reporter in 1896, he was fortunate enough to be assigned an interview with Thomas Edison.  The two men hit it off and that meeting inspired Blackton to become expert at stop-motion animation, and combine that skill with his vaudevillian talent of lightning sketches.

 

His oldest surviving animation is from 1899 and copyrighted in 1900.  It’s called THE ENCHANTED DRAWING

 

Blackton’s most famous animation is from 1906 and is entitled HUMOROUS PHASES OF FUNNY FACES

 

Blackton enjoyed a long and prolific career as a film director; however, it’s his pioneering of animation for which he is best remembered.  His early stop-motion work continues to influence animators more than a hundred years later.

Leave a Comment » | Animation, Articles | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

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