Great news fellow animation lovers. Twice Upon a Time has been a very hard to find cult classic that has captivated many fans (well of those who have seen it) of animation, film and off-beat humor. However being able to see it is going to become much easier now. Co-director John Korty has announced that it will be released on home video this spring.
Both versions of this movie are going to be released as well. The original version and the 'adult' version. The 'adult' version was made behind Korty's back and features some vulgar ad-libs from the voice actors.
So hopefully with this many other animation fans will see this hilarious off-beat animated comedy, love it, and share it with more animation fans.
-Michael J. Ruhland
Friday, February 27, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Cat and Mouse Games: The History of Tom and Jerry (Part 6)
The next time William Hanna and Joesph Barbera would get hold of the cat and mouse who first cemented their names in animation history it would work out better. This show was Tom and Jerry Kids and premiered in 1990. Tom and Jerry were once again antagonists. While the violence was heavily toned down from the original shorts it was still there. The slapstick humor could not match that of the classic cartoons, but it still had it's own charm and wit. This show was a kid's show however, and not the all ages entertainment that was the original shorts. That doesn't mean this show would be torture for adults watching (as something like Dora, or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse would be), in facts adults can enjoy it, however it is much more entertaining for kids than for adults. This show also featured segments staring another MGM cartoon star Droopy. As much as I love Droopy, these cartoons make you wish his cartoons were still being done by Tex Avery, and his voice was still being done by Bill Thomson (No offense to Don Messick, who was in fact a great voice actor, it just that Bill Thomson was Droopy). The Droopy segment later got it's own spin off called Droopy Master Detective in 1993.
In 1992 Tom and Jerry would make their return to the big screen in a feature length film called Tom and Jerry: The Movie. This film was produced by the company Film Roman, which was founded by animator Phil Roman, who actually worked as an animator on the Chuck Jones era Tom and Jerry. Phil Roman also directed this movie. Film Roman is also the company that bring us The Simpsons. Despite the title, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, the main problem with this film is it is not truly a Tom and Jerry Movie. Of all the revivals of Tom and Jerry, this one bares the least resemblance to the classic cartoons. In this Rescuers-esque plot Tom and Jerry help a little girl find her father, and there is little slapstick humor. This is simply not the movie fans of the cat and mouse wanted for their feature length debut. As a stand alone movie this movie is entertaining but largely forgettable. This was in fact not the first time Tom and Jerry were considered as subjects for a feature. Chuck Jones was going to make one in the 1970's, however he could not find a suitable script.
....To Be Continued
-Michael J. Ruhland
In 1992 Tom and Jerry would make their return to the big screen in a feature length film called Tom and Jerry: The Movie. This film was produced by the company Film Roman, which was founded by animator Phil Roman, who actually worked as an animator on the Chuck Jones era Tom and Jerry. Phil Roman also directed this movie. Film Roman is also the company that bring us The Simpsons. Despite the title, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, the main problem with this film is it is not truly a Tom and Jerry Movie. Of all the revivals of Tom and Jerry, this one bares the least resemblance to the classic cartoons. In this Rescuers-esque plot Tom and Jerry help a little girl find her father, and there is little slapstick humor. This is simply not the movie fans of the cat and mouse wanted for their feature length debut. As a stand alone movie this movie is entertaining but largely forgettable. This was in fact not the first time Tom and Jerry were considered as subjects for a feature. Chuck Jones was going to make one in the 1970's, however he could not find a suitable script.
....To Be Continued
-Michael J. Ruhland
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Animated Features Before Snow White(Part 1)
Although it has often times been called the first animated feature, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs was actually the ninth animated feature. Snow White still remains one of the most important films in animation history, and a true masterpiece. What I am doing here is not trying to take away from the importance of Snow White but rather to call attention to these historically, and often times artistically important films that deserve more attention.
The first two animated features, El Apostol (1917) and Without a Trace (1918) are unfortunately both lost films. Both are from Argentina and directed by Quirino Cristiani. Both films were political satires featuring both traditional and cutout animation. Sadly because these films are lost there is not much more to say about these films. This helps show the importance of film preservation.
In 1926 the earliest existing animated feature film was released, and it is a masterpiece. This is The Adventures of Prince Achmed, directed by Lotte Reiniger. This film was made using silhouette animation, which is animation in which the characters are only visible through black silhouette, in this movie that is accomplished through cardboard cutouts. Collaborating with Lotte Reiniger on this film are Berthold Bartosch (Who in 1932 would make a masterpiece of an animated short called The Idea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ2jRrSb5QA), Carl Kosh (assistant director on 1937's La Grande Illusion), and Walter Ruttman (director of Berlin: Symphony of a Great City and assistant director on Triumph of The Will). This film is a very loose adaptation of 1001 Arabian Knights. The animation still remains quite impressive today, and often times down-right beautiful. The story while fairly simple is engaging and entertaining. This is not just a film to view for historical reasons, but also because it is a very good movie that has held up to the test of time.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2fke4p
The fourth animated feature film is another lost film. This film is Peludópolis. It is another Argentinian film directed by Quirino Cristiani. This film is also another political satire. Released in 1931, this is the first animated feature film with sound.
...To be continued
-Michael J. Ruhland
The first two animated features, El Apostol (1917) and Without a Trace (1918) are unfortunately both lost films. Both are from Argentina and directed by Quirino Cristiani. Both films were political satires featuring both traditional and cutout animation. Sadly because these films are lost there is not much more to say about these films. This helps show the importance of film preservation.
In 1926 the earliest existing animated feature film was released, and it is a masterpiece. This is The Adventures of Prince Achmed, directed by Lotte Reiniger. This film was made using silhouette animation, which is animation in which the characters are only visible through black silhouette, in this movie that is accomplished through cardboard cutouts. Collaborating with Lotte Reiniger on this film are Berthold Bartosch (Who in 1932 would make a masterpiece of an animated short called The Idea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ2jRrSb5QA), Carl Kosh (assistant director on 1937's La Grande Illusion), and Walter Ruttman (director of Berlin: Symphony of a Great City and assistant director on Triumph of The Will). This film is a very loose adaptation of 1001 Arabian Knights. The animation still remains quite impressive today, and often times down-right beautiful. The story while fairly simple is engaging and entertaining. This is not just a film to view for historical reasons, but also because it is a very good movie that has held up to the test of time.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2fke4p
The fourth animated feature film is another lost film. This film is Peludópolis. It is another Argentinian film directed by Quirino Cristiani. This film is also another political satire. Released in 1931, this is the first animated feature film with sound.
...To be continued
-Michael J. Ruhland
Sunday, February 1, 2015
42nd Annie Awards Winners
Yesterday for those who don't know was the Annie Awards. This is the award show specifically for animation. The Winners were:
Best Animated Feature: ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’
The Best Animated Special Production: ‘Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey’
Best Animated Short Subject: 'Feast'
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial: ‘Flight of the Stories’
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast for Preschool Children: ‘Tumble Leaf’
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production for Children’s Audience: ‘Gravity Falls’
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production: ‘The Simpsons’
Best Animated Video Game: ‘Valiant Hearts: The Great War’
Best Student Film: ‘My Big Brother’
The more individualized awards were dominated by How To Train Your Dragon 2, and The Mickey Mouse Shorts made for The Disney Channel.
For a more complete list look here:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/award-season-focus/breaking-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-and-mickey-mouse-shorts-dominate-annie-awards-108511.html
Congratz to all the winners, and all those nominated
-Michael J. Ruhland
Best Animated Feature: ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’
The Best Animated Special Production: ‘Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey’
Best Animated Short Subject: 'Feast'
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial: ‘Flight of the Stories’
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast for Preschool Children: ‘Tumble Leaf’
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production for Children’s Audience: ‘Gravity Falls’
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production: ‘The Simpsons’
Best Animated Video Game: ‘Valiant Hearts: The Great War’
Best Student Film: ‘My Big Brother’
The more individualized awards were dominated by How To Train Your Dragon 2, and The Mickey Mouse Shorts made for The Disney Channel.
For a more complete list look here:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/award-season-focus/breaking-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-and-mickey-mouse-shorts-dominate-annie-awards-108511.html
Congratz to all the winners, and all those nominated
-Michael J. Ruhland
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