Category: Animation

22Dec

[FILM REVIEW] TROLLS WORLD TOUR Review (2020)

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Family/Kids, Film, Film Genre, Home Page | Leave a comment

Summary: The Troll’s world changes when they learn that they are not the only kind of troll and that the hard rock trolls plan on taking over the world.

Year: 2020

Cinema Release Dates: 17th September 2020 (Australia), 10th April 2020 (USA), 31st July 2020 (UK)

VOD Release Dates: 23rd December 2020 (Australia), 6th April 2020 (UK), 10th April 2020 (USA)

Country: USA

Director: Walt Dohrn, David P. Smith

Screenwriter: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Maya Forbes, Elizabeth Tippett, Wallace Wolodarsky

Cast: Berenice Amador (Marimba (voice)), Joo-Hyun Bae (Baby Bun (voice)), J. Balvin (Tresillo (voice)), Mary J. Blige (Queen Essence (voice)), Rachel Bloom (Barb(voice)), Flula Borg (Dickory (voice)), Kelly Clarkson (Delta Dawn (voice)), George Clinton (King Quincy (voice)), James Corden (Biggie (voice)), Ester Dean (Legsly (voice)), Zooey Deschanel (Bridget (voice)), Jamie Dornan (Chaz (voice)), Gustavo Dudamel (Trollzart (voice)), Ron Funches (Cooper (voice)), Jamila Hache (Tambora (voice)), Caroline Hjelt (Chenille (voice)), Aino Jawo (Satin (voice)), Seul-gi Kang (Gomdori (voice)), Anna Kendrick (Poppy (voice)), Ye-rim Kim (Kim-Petit (voice)), Marcella Lentz-Pope (Carol (voice)), Kunal Nayyar (Guy Diamond (voice)), Ozzy Osbourne (King Thrash (voice)), Anderson Paak (Prince D (voice)), Soo-Young Park (Ari (voice)), Anthony Ramos (King Trollex (voice)), Sam Rockwell (Hickory (voice)),Son Seung-Wan (Wani (voice)), Betsy Sodaro (Clampers Buttonwillow (voice)), Karan Soni (Riff (voice)), Kenan Thompson (Tiny Diamond (voice)), Justin Timberlake (Branch (voice)), Charlyne Yi (Pennywhistle (voice))

Running Time: 90 mins

Classification: G (Australia), U (UK), PG (USA)

OUR TROLLS WORLD TOUR REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Trolls World Tour Review:

To say that 2020 has been a rough year is probably a pretty big under-statement. And yes, as we have mentioned here before one of the biggest hit industries globally was the film industry. In particular though the two films that will most likely come out of this the most impacted will be the family film Trolls: World Tour and of course Christopher Nolan’s epic Tenet.

While some films took the easy way out and were postponed to try and avoid the pandemic’s closed cinemas Tenet and Trolls: World Tour took a different path. Tenet decided to open where it could when it could… a strategy that you would have to suggest failed given its disappointing box office result. Taking a different strategy Trolls: World Tour decided to open in cinemas where it could and online in countries where it couldn’t. The result was the film did take a sizable amount at the box office but it feels like it has been ‘opening’ somewhere around the world each week. Well now it is finally open everywhere and if you missed it in cinemas you can now watch it online in Phuket.

To be honest Trolls: World Tour is exactly the kind of film that we need in 2020 – something bright and fluffy that will make you want to sing and smile without having to think too much. Story-wise the film picks up a short while after its surprisingly good predecessor. Queen Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect) still lovingly rules her subjects – leading them not in everyday life but in song and dance as well. Her loyal friend Branch (Justin Timberlake – The Social Network) is still constantly by her side and still hasn’t told her that he is madly in love with her.

Just when it looks like Branch might finally pluck up the courage to tell her all the Trolls’ lives are turned upside down when a letter arrives from Queen Barb of the Hard Rock Trolls (Rachel Bloom – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) extending an invitation to Poppy to visit her. Not only does this surprise Poppy’s Pop Trolls as they had no idea other ‘genres’ of trolls existed but they are soon stunned to learn that Barb’s plans will devastate any trolls that are not hard rock followers. Poppy, Branch and Biggie (James Corden – Into The Woods) then set off to try and right the wrong.

As far as films go Trolls: world Tour doesn’t stray too far from what made the original film such a box office surprise. The plot moves along at a steady but peaceful rate while nearly every scene is laden with well-known musical tracks from past and present so that the film can be enjoyed by both kids and parents alike.

What separates the Trolls franchise from the myriad of other family films out there though are the stunning visuals. Sure the storyline is light, and let’s be honest fairly predictable for most of the adults out there, the film is made something special by the fact that directors Walt Dohrn and David P. Smith return and once again bring all the colours of the rainbow with them. At times the film resembles a psychedelic 1970s dream sequence and that grouped together with the music makes it a film that is impossible not to sing along with. If you had fun watching the original film then you have just as much fun this time around.

In some ways this Trolls franchise has created the perfect films for the whole family. Little kids become bedazzled by the sights and sounds of the film even if they don’t fully understand what is happening, older kids walk away having been taught a good moralistic lesson while be entertained and adults can have a cheeky sing-a-long to tracks they grew up listening to while trying to pick the number of voice cameos that exist during the film… even the legendary Ozzy Osbourne makes an appearance.

So sit down, put on Trolls and just relax while these lovable creates make your whole family forget about the events of 2020 with singing and laughter.

Dave’s Rating Out Of 5:

Average Subculture Rating:

IMDB Rating:

Trolls World Tour (2020) on IMDb

Other Subculture Troll World Tour Reviews:

You can find our review of Trolls World Tour that appeared in The Phuket News here – https://www.thephuketnews.com/trolls-world-tour-keeps-a-good-vibe-going-78125.php

Trailer:

14Dec

[FILM REVIEW] THE CROODS: A NEW AGE Review (2020)

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Family/Kids, Film, Film Genre, Home Page | Comments Off on [FILM REVIEW] THE CROODS: A NEW AGE Review (2020)

Summary: The Croods better the Betterman family but is their way of living really as good as what they believe it is.

Year: 2020

Cinema Release Dates: 16th December 2020 (Australia), 26th November (Thailand), 25th November (USA), 5th February 2021 (UK)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA

Director: Joel Crawford

Screenwriter: Paul Fisher, Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman, Bob Logan

Cast: Nicolas Cage (Grug), Kailey Crawford (Sandy (voice)), Peter Dinklage (Phil Betterman (voice)), Clark Duke (Thunk (voice)), Gabriel Jack (Young Guy (voice)), Catherine Keener (Ugga (voice)), Cloris Leechman (Gran (voice)), Leslie Mann (Hope Betterman (voice)), Ryan Reynolds (Guy (voice)), James Ryan (Sash (voice)), Chris Sanders (Belt (voice)), Emma Stone (Eep (voice)), Kelly Marie Tran (Dawn Betterman (voice))

Running Time: 95 mins

Classification: PG (Australia), G (Thailand), PG (USA)

OUR THE CROODS: A NEW AGE REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ The Croods: A New Age Review:

The Croods! Easily the best family to come out of prehistoric times since The Flintstones and they are back in the new animated family film The Croods: A New Age. It is hard to believe that it has been seven years since the first film in the franchise was released – but then as a film itself The Croods did some pretty unbelievable things in its time.

Remember back to 2013 – The Croods was never expected to become the Oscar-nominated hit that it was. Realistically it was supposed to be an alternative to the all conquering animated series of the day – films like Toy Story and Ice Age. Those films were filled with star power, The Croods was not. This cave-dwelling family was being voiced by star on the rise Emma Stone, the man who had become a B-Grade-straight-to-video guy – Nicolas Cage – and Ryan Reynolds who was licking his wounds after the flop that was Green Lantern.

Somehow though The Croods not only became a successful film but it gained a legion of fans, received a Best Animated Film Oscar nomination and managed to make a tidy $187 million at the Box Office. A sequel was always going to arrive it was just a matter of when the three leads would find time to find work on it.

Well now the sequel has landed in cinemas and picks up pretty much straight after the events of the first film. Grug (Cage – Gone In Sixty Seconds) is still protecting his family from all matter of creatures while disapproving of the relationship that he can see developing between his teenage daughter Eep (Stone – La, La Land) and the new comer to their ‘family’ the adventurous Guy (Reynolds – Deadpool).

But the entire family’s lives changes forever when on Guy’s search for tomorrow they suddenly come across a farm being run by the more sophisticated Bettermans. And while the father, Phil (Peter Dinklage – Game Of Thrones) is eager to learn more about The Croods and his daughter, Dawn (Kelly Marie Tran – Stars Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker), quickly becomes friends with Eep, the mother, Hope (Leslie Mann – Knocked Up) wants all of The Croods, bar Guy, gone as fast as possible.

Yes, the plot of The Croods: A New Age is pretty thin. It is a story that has been done so many times on screen that most audience members will see where it is heading pretty early on. A family from the wrong side of the tracks meets a family who believes they have it all figured out – if you’ve watched shows like Keeping Up Appearances or Married With Children you will have seen this play out a million times before.

What keeps the film interesting though is the work of the screenwriting team that is led by Kevin and Dan Hageman (the guys behind the highly successful The Lego Movie franchise) who have delivered an absolutely hilarious script that keeps the audience laughing throughout. To their credit they don’t just deliver one or two funny lines every now and then they keep the humour coming at a fast pace and that helps the audience forget that the storyline is very, very predictable.

Likewise director Joel Crawford (Trolls Holiday) appears to have learnt from his time spent in the Trolls universe as he brings bright and flashy colours to this film – a stark difference to the first film which used a much duller palate as it strove to capture the greys and browns of prehistoric times. Crawfords take on The Croods sees a lot of musical numbers and quick moving montages that move the story along nicely without ever over-staying there welcome. In a year where cinema has been all over the place it is quite refreshing to be able to once again visit the world of The Croods. While The Croods: A New Age does take the original story in a whole new direction it also reminds us all just how fun this family is and is the perfect film for people of all ages this holiday season.

Dave’s Rating Out Of 5:

Average Subculture Rating:

IMDB Rating:

The Croods: A New Age (2020) on IMDb

Other Subculture The Croods: A New Age Reviews:

You can find our review of The Croods: A New Age that appeared in The Phuet News right here – https://www.thephuketnews.com/the-croods-make-a-comeback-78289.php

Trailer:

12Dec

[FILM NEWS] A Look Inside SOUL

Posted in Animation, Family/Kids, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page | Leave a comment

As Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” nears its debut on Disney+ on Christmas Night, a new sneak peek of the critically acclaimed feature film is now available. In the movie, Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) is a middle-school band teacher who dreams of playing in the best jazz club in town. Filmmakers found they could relate to the character’s passion for music.
 
Director Pete Docter grew up in a musical family and plays the double bass. “My folks are both teachers and both musicians,” says Docter. “There are three kids and we all became musicians. I think my mom enjoyed having the Von Trapp family; when people would come over, we’d have to perform. My two sisters stuck with it—one is a cellist with the Metropolitan Opera, and the other one is violist and a teacher.”
 
Co-director Kemp Powers, who used to be a music writer, played the alto saxophone in a jazz band during high school. His affinity for jazz plays a big role in his personal life. “My son’s name is Mingus,” says Powers. “He’s named after Charles Mingus. A lot of us Gen Xers, particularly Black Gen Xers, fell in love with the bebop-era jazz artists—John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, of course Herbie Hancock. These guys were musical icons that—specifically in New York City—inform so much of the other big musical genre in the city, which is hip hop. The background tunes of my life are jazz and hip hop.”
 
“Life has so much to offer,” says Joe in the sneak peek. “We only have a short time on this planet. Don’t miss out on the joys of life. Remember to enjoy every minute of it.”
 
Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” also features the voices of Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad, Donnell Rawlings, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Angela Bassett and Daveed Diggs. The film is directed by Docter, co-directed by Powers and produced by Dana Murray. Jazz compositions & arrangements are by globally renowned musician and GRAMMY® nominee Jon Batiste, while Oscar® winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“The Social Network”) composed an original score.

25Nov

[FILM NEWS] THE BOSS BABY: FAMILY BUSINESS Trailer Released

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Family/Kids, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page, News | Leave a comment

In the sequel to DreamWorks Animation’s Oscar®-nominated blockbuster comedy, the Templeton brothers—Tim (James Marsden, X-Men franchise) and his Boss Baby little bro Ted (Alec Baldwin)—have become adults and drifted away from each other. Tim is now a married stay-at-home dad. Ted is a hedge fund CEO. But a new boss baby with a cutting-edge approach and a can-do attitude is about to bring them together again… and inspire a new family business.

Tim and his wife, Carol (Eva Longoria), the breadwinner of the family, live in the suburbs with their super-smart 7-year-old daughter Tabitha (Ariana Greenblatt, Avengers: Infinity War), and adorable new infant Tina (Amy Sedaris, Netflix’s BoJack Horseman). Tabitha, who’s at the top her class at the prestigious Acorn Center for Advanced Childhood, idolizes her Uncle Ted and wants to become like him, but Tim, still in touch with his overactive youthful imagination, worries that she’s working too hard and is missing out on a normal childhood.

When baby Tina reveals that she’s—ta-da!—a top secret agent for BabyCorp on a mission to uncover the dark secrets behind Tabitha’s school and its mysterious founder, Dr. Erwin Armstrong (Jeff Goldblum), it will reunite the Templeton brothers in unexpected ways, lead them to re-evaluate the meaning of family and discover what truly matters.

Lisa Kudrow and Jimmy Kimmel also reprise their roles as Ted and Tim’s parents.

18Oct

[VOD NEWS] LEGO STAR WARS Holiday Special Announced

Posted in Animation, Family/Kids, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page, News, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, TV | Leave a comment

 

Disney+ is bringing together some of the brightest stars in the Star Wars galaxy for the ultimate holiday family reunion, the “LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special.” Today the streaming service also gave fans a first look at key art for the special, set to premiere on Tuesday, November 17, also known as the fan-favourite holiday Life Day first introduced in the 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special.”

Franchise stars reprising their roles in the “LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” include Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Billy Dee Williams (“Lando Calrissian”), Anthony Daniels (“C-3PO”), as well as “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” vets Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Tom Kane (Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Dee Bradley Baker (clone troopers).

“The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” reunites Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, Rose and the droids for a joyous feast on Life Day. Rey sets off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi Temple, she is hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through beloved moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of holiday spirit?

“The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” is a production of Atomic Cartoons, the LEGO Group, and Lucasfilm. It is directed by Ken Cunningham and written by David Shayne, who is also co-executive producer. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jason Cosler, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert and Keith Malone are executive producers.

10Oct

[FILM NEWS] SOUL To Be Released On DISNEY+

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page, News | Leave a comment

 

The Walt Disney Company announced today that “Soul,” the all-new original feature from Pixar Animation Studios, will debut exclusively on Disney+ on December 25, 2020. In international markets where Disney+ isn’t currently or soon to be available, “Soul” will be released theatrically, with dates to be announced.

“We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving ‘Soul’ with audiences direct to Disney+ in December,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

“A new original Pixar film is always a special occasion, and this truly heartwarming and humorous story about human connection and finding one’s place in the world will be a treat for families to enjoy together this holiday season.”

“Soul” comes from visionary filmmaker Pete Docter, the Academy Award®-winning director behind “Inside Out” and “Up,” and co-director/writer Kemp Powers, playwright and screenwriter of “One Night in Miami.”

It stars the voice talents of Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad, Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Angela Bassett and Daveed Diggs and features original jazz music by globally renowned musician Jon Batiste and a score composed by Oscar® winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“The Social Network”).

“The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place – but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things,” said Docter, director of “Soul” and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios. “ ‘Soul’ investigates what’s really important in our lives, a question we’re all asking these days. I hope it will bring some humour and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that.”

Over the last six months, marketplace conditions created by the ongoing pandemic, while difficult in so many ways, have also provided an opportunity for innovation in approaches to content distribution. With over 60 million subscribers within the first year of launch, the Disney+ platform is an ideal destination for families and fans to enjoy a marquee Pixar film in their own homes like never before.

22Sep

[FILM NEWS] THE CROODS 2 Trailer Released

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page | Leave a comment

The Croods have survived their fair share of dangers and disasters, from fanged prehistoric beasts to watching their daughter get heart eyes over a new boyfriend. But now they face something that will shake their pack to its core and make them reconsider everything they hold true: another family.

The Croods need a new place to live. So, the first prehistoric family sets off into the world in search of a safer place to call home. When they discover an idyllic walled-in paradise that meets all their needs, they think their problems are solved … except for one thing. Another family already lives there: the Bettermans.

The Bettermans (emphasis on the “better”)—with their elaborate tree house, amazing inventions and irrigated acres of fresh produce—are a couple of steps above the Croods on the evolutionary ladder. When they take the Croods in as the world’s first houseguests, it isn’t long before tensions reach a breaking point.

Just when all seems lost, a new threat will propel both families on an epic adventure outside the safety of the wall, one that will force them to embrace their differences, draw strength from each other and forge a future together.

The Croods: A New Age features the voice talent of returning stars Nicolas Cage as Grug Crood, Catherine Keener as Ugga Crood, Emma Stone as their daughter, Eep; Ryan Reynolds as Eep’s boyfriend, Guy; Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine) as Thunk and Cloris Leachman as Gran. They’re joined by new stars Peter Dinklage (HBO’s Game of Thrones) as Phil Betterman, Leslie Mann (Blockers) as Hope Betterman, and Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: Episode VIII-The Last Jedi) as their daughter, Dawn.

The film is directed by Joel Crawford, who has worked on multiple DreamWorks Animation films, including Trolls and the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and is produced by Mark Swift (Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted).

 

 

16Sep

[VOD NEWS] THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MICKEY MOUSE To Screen On Disney+

Posted in Animation, Family/Kids, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page, News | Leave a comment

 

Mickey Mouse and friends are heading to Disney+ in the all new-animated shorts series, “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse.” From the team behind Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts, the new Disney+ original series will debut on Mickey’s birthday, Wednesday, November 18, with two new shorts rolling out every Friday beginning November 27.

Ten shorts will premiere this year, with 10 additional shorts set for Winter 2021.

In “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse,” it’s nothing but fun and excitement for Mickey and his best pals – Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto – as they embark on their greatest adventures yet, navigating the curveballs of a wild and zany world where the magic of Disney makes the impossible possible. Each seven-minute short is filled with laugh-out-loud comedy, modern settings, timeless stories, new music and the unmistakable classic art style of the “Mickey Mouse” shorts. The series will include stories inspired by various lands at Disney parks and cameos by classic Disney heritage characters.

Marked by a contemporary art style that harkens back to Mickey’s 1928 beginnings, the “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts premiered on Disney Channel in 2013 and ran for five seasons, consisting of a total of 96 episodes, and garnered seven Primetime Emmy Awards, two Daytime Emmy Awards and 21 Annie Awards. The shorts inspired a global line of consumer products, toys and clothing as well as the new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the first ride-through attraction in Disney history starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. All five seasons of the shorts are currently available to stream on Disney+.

“The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” is produced by Disney Television Animation with Emmy Award-winning artist and director Paul Rudish serving as executive producer and supervising director. Christopher Willis, the Emmy Award-winning composer of the “Mickey Mouse” shorts, also provides the music for this series.