★★ For some strange reason, the animation segment of Netflix has a bad reputation, despite having several gems such as Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and My Father’s Dragon. All things considered, The Magician’s Elephant could have ended up falling in this category. The film boasts some big-name talent amongst its voice cast that includes Noah … Continue reading Film Review: The Magician’s Elephant
Berlinale 2023: Deep Sea
★★★★ Animation as a medium is often undersung and underestimated—all the more reason to seek out nearly every animated film that I come across. In recent years, some of my favorite animated features have emerged from the film festival circuit. Last year alone, 2D-animated marvel Titina, bizarre ultra-gory Unicorn Wars, stop motion horror fantasy Wendell … Continue reading Berlinale 2023: Deep Sea
Sundance 2023: The Amazing Maurice
★★★ As my first film from 2023’s Sundance Film Festival, I had no qualms about embracing a potential animated gem! Based on the book by Terry Pratchett, The Amazing Maurice deals with magical talking animals, and focuses on the mythological legend of the Pied Piper while taking a meta approach to the material. This may … Continue reading Sundance 2023: The Amazing Maurice
Most Anticipated Films of 2023
With 2023 right around the corner, what better time to look ahead to the future cinematic experiences we can expect in the new year? Together with Allison, we have compiled a list of the twenty-five films we are most looking forward to seeing. Funny enough, five of the movies are simply holdovers from last year … Continue reading Most Anticipated Films of 2023
4K Blu-Ray Film Review: Coraline & Paranorman
Since 2009, LAIKA has been one of my favorite animation studios, and for good reason. The quality practically speaks for itself—nearly every entry in their impressive filmography has been nominated for prestigious awards, including Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Through the gorgeous use of stop motion animation, LAIKA has proved that the medium is not … Continue reading 4K Blu-Ray Film Review: Coraline & Paranorman
Film Review: Disenchanted
★★ It is finally time for the colorful, magical, musical return of Giselle, post happily ever after! Revisiting the kingdom of New York City a long time since we last caught up with these characters is a rush that unfortunately wears off too quickly. In spite of a nearly fifteen-year-long wait, Disenchanted fails to live … Continue reading Film Review: Disenchanted
Film Review: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
★★★★★ Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio has been in the works for so long that I can barely fathom its release is finally imminent. Containing all the stunning beauty that only stop-motion animation can bring, this version of Pinocchio is dark, disturbing, and deeply moving. I have not felt this strongly amount a stop-motion movie since … Continue reading Film Review: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
AIF 2022: Titina
★★★★ Every now and then, a wonderful film comes along to remind us what makes 2D-animation so special in the first place. In stunning Belgium/Norway collaboration Titina, we follow the very first exploration of the North Pole through the eyes of an absolutely adorable little dog. The perspective of spunky punk Titina adds an extra … Continue reading AIF 2022: Titina
AIF 2022: Unicorn Wars
★★★★ For some reason, Unicorn Wars has evaded me several times, despite screening at various different festivals that I was covering. Finally, I was able to check out this animated gem for the Animation is Film Festival! Effortlessly epitomizing everything I loved about gleefully demented cartoon Happy Tree Friends, this Spanish feature crams in more … Continue reading AIF 2022: Unicorn Wars
AIF 2022: Summer Ghost
★★★★ How exactly did a fourty-minute long Japanese animated film about ghosts have me crying by the end? I can safely say that Summer Ghost was not what I expected, but in the best way possible. It details the friendship between three strangers potentially brought together by fate in incredibly vidid detail. Each character is … Continue reading AIF 2022: Summer Ghost