This year’s Best Animated Feature race is fairly wide open. Major animation houses Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Laika and newcomer Netflix are represented among the nominees for the Best Animated Feature Critics Choice Award. The prize will be handed out during the 3-hour live ceremony Sunday January 12th at 7pmET on The CW. Among the six […]
Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to […]
When Pixar officially announced, back in 2014, that they were developing “Toy Story 4”, just four years after “TS3”, the general reaction was not enthusiastic. “Toy Story 3” was the perfect ending to this beloved series (which was then followed by a few sweet holiday specials). “TS4” is Pixar’s biggest risk to date. And the […]
I’ve ranked all the Pixar movies in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016. Pixar’s two 2017 films now need to be added to the list. So let’s see where they fall. I’ve made a few minor switches in the order of the others as well: 1. “CARS” (2006) 2. “RATATOUILLE” (2007) 3. “TOY STORY 3” (2010) […]
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, […]
Pixar’s latest animated film, “Coco”, is about the traditional Mexican holiday The Day of the Dead. Three years ago there was another animated film about this holiday – “The Book of Life”. So the challenge for Pixar was to take a different perspective on it, but stay true to the culture and live-up to the […]
When people are asked either in person or online “What are Your Favorite Pixar Movies?”, the first films that come to mind are usually from a pool of these five: “WALL-E”, “Up”, “Finding Nemo”, “The Incredibles” and the original “Toy Story”. The “TS” sequels are probably tossed-in there for some. “Monsters, Inc.” has a soft […]
As I’ve said and written so many times – “Cars” is my favorite Pixar movie. And I remain one of the few who believe the 2011 International Racing Tour spy caper sequel “Cars 2” is a very entertaining film. Now comes “Cars 3”, which is actually the “Cars 2” everyone thought they wanted. This movie […]
Each of this year’s five Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films stands-out in its own way, though not necessarily for good reasons. “Blind Vaysha” (Canada, 8 min.) – This is a fable, based on a short story, about a girl who sees the past out of one eye and the future out of the other – so she’s blind […]
Pixar animators Coats and Hamou-Lhadj made a non-Pixar short on nights and weekends. They discuss “Borrowed Time” and getting ready for Oscar Sunday. The LCJ Q&A Podcast is hosted by Emmy award-winning film critic, entertainment reporter and media personality Lights Camera Jackson. Jackson interviews actors, directors, writers, producers, animators, TV hosts, comedians and other celebrities. […]