Episode 101: AF News Edition – Sequels, Reboots, and Awards Season

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“Animation is cinema. Animation is not a genre for kids. It is a medium.”

In this AF news edition, Marc and Stanford cover all the latest from the animation industry including upcoming sequels, reboots, and awards season galore! The 95th Oscars Feature Animation nominees are discussed, PHINEAS AND FERB is coming back and so are Hank Hill & BARNEY THE DINOSAUR, and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is getting a live-action remake, all that, plus much, much more…

(recorded on: Monday February 20th, 2023)

Episode 91: Disney’s D23 Expo 2022

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“The ultimate Disney fan event!”

In this episode, Stanford and Marc recap Disney’s recent D23 Expo including all of the animation announcements, surprises, footage & trailers shown, plus much, much more…

(recorded on: Monday September 19th, 2022)

Viewpoint: ‘Big Hero 6’ and the Unexpected Year

Last year, I set a simple, clear, well-defined goal—get invited to a screening of Big Hero 6 at Walt Disney Animation Studios. It was a goal that I wanted ardently and one that I etched into my psyche. I mean, I even wrote it down (because “a goal not written is only a wish,” true?). I figured that if mommy bloggers and other fan sites could get invited to a day at the vaulted Disney Studio lot, why not Animation Fascination and why not for this film?

A Hiro’s Journey: Ryan Potter Talks About His Experiences Working on ‘Big Hero 6’

Ryan Potter is one cool dude. I had the chance to speak with him over the phone to promote the recent Blu-ray release of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit film Big Hero 6.

Review: ‘Big Hero 6’ on Digital HD

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 54th animated motion picture Big Hero 6 is now available on all major digital download platforms. I got a copy on iTunes and watched the film and the bonus features using the Disney Movies Anywhere app on my iPhone 5S. I’m happy to report that the film is still just as great on the small screen as it was on the big screen (my original review is here) and the bonus features, although a bit sparse, are beautifully produced, entertaining, and informational.

Oscar Nominees Announced for Best Animated Feature Film

Five animated features have been nominated for this year’s Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. Here are the nominees with links to the films’ official websites or Facebook pages.

‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ Wins Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature

Congratulations are in order for DreamWorks Animation for bringing home the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film for their hit film How to Train Your Dragon 2. The Golden Globe Awards ceremony took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on January 11, 2015.

2014: The Year Without a Pixar Movie

Do you remember where you were when you heard the news that The Good Dinosaur was being pushed to 2015, leaving a gigantic Pixar shaped void in your 2014 calendar? It was an incremental realization for me.

“Okay, it’s being reworked, I thought, that’s fine…but then what movie are they going to fast-track for 2014? (Cue Homer Simpson’s brain explaining reality to him.) No movie from Pixar at all?!? @#&*%!”

Like a spoiled brat, this animation company has got me so expectant for their annual masterpieces, I all but threw myself on the floor in an Angelica Pickles-worthy tantrum (forgive the Rugrats reference, but I’m lamenting the loss of Christine Cavanaugh). So, now that we made it through the year without a Pixar movie and look forward to the prospect of TWO films for 2015, a little reflection and contemplation seems appropriate.

“Animation Fascination” Episode 78: AF News – November 2014

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It’s a vintage AF team up in the latest news edition, Marc Vibbert is joined by Justin Vactor to discuss all the latest animation industry news from November.

Amongst the topics in this episode are reviews for Big Hero 6, Penguins of Madagascar, and the new Studio Ghibli Blu-ray releases. The announcement of Toy Story 4, The LEGO Movie sequel writers, Hullabaloo, and much, much more are also discussed.

(Recorded 11/22/14)

‘Big Hero 6’ Review (Spoiler Free)

Big Hero 6, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 54th animated motion picture, is an action-packed mashup of animated sci-fi movie going goodness. Combining a comic book/manga sensibility with some of the best action sequences ever in an animated movie along with tremendous authenticity and heart-felt emotion, the film delivers on all fronts.