Animation Insider News http://www.animationinsider.net/ en-us Copyright 2009 Animation Insider http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3266 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3266 Review of the animated film, 'Batman; The Dark Knight Returns' (part two). The Joker makes his return, the world's superpowers are on the brink of nuclear war, and Superman is given orders by the President to take Batman down. Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:20:57 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3264 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3264 A middle school boy is sentenced to capital punishment, thrust into a vast penitentiary where deathmatches and slaughterhouse obstacle courses are but common occurrences. In the horror-fantasy anime 'Deadman Wonderland,' Ganta Igarashi wants to get the hell out, but he's going to have to spill a lot of blood to earn even the slightest opportunity for an escape. The arrives on DVD in early October via FUNimation Entertainment. Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:10:19 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3263 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3263 Highlights of international television animation sales from September 2012. In the news, Nick's 'The Legend of Korra' travels to Russia and Alphanim's 'The Green Squad' to central Asia; Marathon Media prepares a sixth season of 'Totally Spies!'; TeamTO enters production on a second season of 'Angelo Rules.' Additional notes cover animation sleuths ('Sherlock Yak: Zoo Detective'), preschool animation ('Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood'), and Japanese animation (via The Anime Network). Several news bites inside. Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:10:55 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3265 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3265 Review of the animated film, 'Batman; The Dark Knight Returns' (part one). It has been 10 years since Batman was last seen and Gotham City is complacent in shared terror as violence of the threatens to take control. Bruce Wayne passes the time with alcohol while Commissioner Gordon nears mandatory retirement. The reappearance of Two-Face ushers Batman's return. However, not everyone is willing to accept his version of justice. Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:16:03 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3261 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3261 A collection of notes on preschool and general kid's entertainment properties in the news for licensing agreements, during September 2012. Included here: Nickelodeon's upcoming 'TMNT' series heads to Russia on schedule; new representatives are selected to represent titles such as 'Cloudbabies' and 'Tickety Toc' in various international settings; and the children's property 'Suzy's Zoo' fancies a trip to independent quilting stores. Multiple news items are profiled. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:11:44 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3260 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3260 Egmont UK, which publishes millions of kid's books and magazines annually, has formed a partnership with Canadian production and distribution group DHX Media. Both companies deal extensively with popular characters and brands whose presence in the animated medium stretches far and wide. The partnership will witness a sharing of resources -- illustrators, authors, producers -- for the sake of new kid's content in the coming years. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:10:57 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3259 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3259 'Adventures in Plymptoons' is a new feature documentary profiling prolific indie animator Bill Plympton, whose extraordinary drive, iconoclastic personality, and admirable output comes under the microscope. The documentary, directed by Alexia Anastasio, takes a look at the origins of one man's madness, and why so many animation fans adore him for it. Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:11:50 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3258 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3258 Royal Caribbean International and Mattel have reached an agreement to send Barbie out to sea. According to the partnership, the Barbie Premium Experience will encompass invitation-only tea parties, a fashion workshop, and a dance class based on clips from a recently released animated video. Barbie-branded staterooms will debut on various cruises in January 2013; booking is available now. Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:11:55 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3257 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3257 Nickelodeon's new CG series 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' aims to rekindle the original property's gritty love affair for ninja action in the underbelly of the concrete jungle. The cartoon is premiering in the coming week, and watches Leo, Donnie, Raph, and Mikey enter the surface world like bright-eyed newborns. Plenty of adventure awaits in the form of alien robots, greasy food, young romance, and a mystery or two related to the origin of the turtles themselves. Video inside. Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:11:24 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3256 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3256 Brickleberry National Park kind of sucks. Or at least, it's minimal staff of rangers do, which is why a new whip-smart ranger has transferred into their ranks to get things turned around. In the new Comedy Central animated series 'Brickleberry,' another marriage of inappropriate adult jokes and awkward situational humor begets another cartoon for late night audiences. The series is executive produced by Daniel Tosh. Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:11:08 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3255 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3255 Acquired for home video s the classic shoujo anime 'The Rose of Versailles' (1979), whose themes, tropes, and observations of women in the military, the obfuscation of traditional gender identity, and profile of revolutionary-period Europe further birthed a genre of mature animated entertainment that still resonates decades later. Nozomi Ent. plans to release the title to home video next year. Wed, 19 Sep 2012 9:09:10 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3254 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3254 Houses in Motion is a new commercial animation and visual effects company based in Brooklyn, New York. Under the guidance of John Earle and Dan DeGloria, the studio has moved into some rustic new digs and already has a number of notable new clients on tap. Earle and DeGloria more than twenty years of combined experience in VFX editing and supervision, broadcast production, and more. Wed, 19 Sep 2012 9:09:00 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3252 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3252 A profile of mid-century Latin jazz and a wandering love story of two persnickety musicians, 'Chico & Rita' is a colorful and sexy 2D feature animation from Spain and England. Directed by Javier Marsical and Fernando Trueba, 'Chico & Rita' is the tale of a pianist and a vocalist whose love spans many years (and many countries). The film has toured plenty of film festivals over the past two years, and now enters the U.S. home video market. Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:12:42 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3253 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3253 Sentai Filmworks has announced, and in some instances, already scheduled a handful of new anime licenses. Among the new titles: the high school tale of a lazy kid forced to run for student council ('Love, Elections, and Chocolate'), a riddle-heavy comedy involving a penguin hat ('Penguin Drum'), and one boy's search for romance that may or may not involve a huge inheritance and little bit of incest ('Nakaimo'). Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:11:30 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3251 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3251 In 'King of Thorn,' a nasty virus has spread across the planet, petrifying the flesh of innocent people on every continent. A bio-research company, looking to the future, encourages 160 volunteers to submit to cryogenic freezing. On home video next week, 'King of Thorn' follows a girl named Kasumi and her attempt to survive this science project gone awry. Kasumi and her fellow volunteers "wake up" early, and what they find lurking in the facility's shadows are both terrifying and inexplicable. Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:11:21 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3244 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3244 Review of the anime-influenced series 'Iron Man.' This adaption of the much-loved Marvel billionaire, playboy philanthropist has Tony traveling to Japan in goodwill, fighting A.I.M. splinter group Zodiac, combating negative public opinion, and working to stop a rogue version of his own creation: Iron Man Dio. Can Tony defeat his own genius and gain public approval in the Land of the Rising Sun? Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:11:50 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3250 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3250 Jazwares (Sunrise, FL) has inked a new licensing agreement with Nickelodeon that will see the toymaker working to re-familiarize consumers with a host of classic titles: 'Hey Arnold!,' 'Ren & Stimpy,' 'Rocko's Modern Life,' and several others. Plush toys and various six-inch and three-inch figures are on tap for the coming seasons. Jazwares recently came into possession of a few properties from the Warner Bros. catalogue as well. Fri, 14 Sep 2012 10:10:05 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3249 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3249 Ryszard Kapuscinski was a war reporter whose dispatches covering crumbling colonies and terrifying civil wars in the Americas, Europe, and Africa earned him global regard. The Polish journalist's travels throughout Africa proved particularly affecting. Now, Platige Image (Warsaw, Poland), producer of the short film 'Paths of Hate' (2010), is using Kapuscinski's literature as the foundation for an intriguing new feature documentary animation. The film, 'Another Day of Life,' will incorporate original dispatches, interviews with associates, and more. Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:11:13 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3248 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3248 Singapore-based August Media Holdings has formed a distribution arm. The media group is looking to up its presence as an international youth production and distribution group, lending support to Red Kite Animation as well as to third party allies, whose titles August Media anticipates acquiring in the near future. The upcoming CG television series 'Wendy' is the first title represented by August Rights. Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:11:21 EST http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3247 http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3247 DreamWorks Animation and their new features distributor Fox have published release date info and film summaries for a dozen films scheduled for theatrical distribution through the 2016-year. Next year bows 'The Croods' (March 2013) by Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco, while the future portends 'Me and My Shadow' (March 2014) and 'Mumbai Musical' (December 2015), with plenty of dragon- and penguin-themed sequels and spinoffs sprinkled in-between. Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:11:51 EST