HE'S A MANIAC

MANIAAAAC

Bloggity

It's been one of those years, mates. Sorry for not posting for an eternity. I'm sprucing up my blog for the new schoolyear (a little late, I know) and for the CTN Expo, where I hope to see lots of old buddies (that means YOU Miguele!). Here is a self portrait of the artist at hard at work.



More stuff on my film coming soon! Speaking of films, it seems I was too quick to judge Mr. Fox. I've read lots of reviews praising the film as Mr. Anderson's best ... Maybe it was just one of those unfortunate cases where the trailer doesn't do the film justice (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs anyone?). Out of curiousity I may try to get past the herky jerky animation and go see it. I'm so easily swayed by Rotten Tomatoes ...

On second thought ..

I could not even bring myself to finish watching this. I wanted so much to like it too. My two favorite things, animation and Wes Anderson movies, coming together. What could go wrong?

Well .. the animals look downright scary, especially when they move. Like taxidermy critters coming to life. I absolutely despise realism in animated movies. The characters just end up looking dead and awkward. And on top of that, there seems to be no regard for animation techniques at all. The movements are all jerky and reminiscent of stop motion 30 years ago. I dun care how friggin nostalgic you are, I don't see why would anyone want to do that, especially with all the great technology and knowledge we have now! And with so many talented actors giving great vocal performances, I'm seriously offended that he isn't using them to his full advantage. Oh Wes, please just stick with live action movies. Preferably starring Adrien Brody.

Any thoughts?

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Say whut junior??

Apparently one of my favorite directors, Wes Anderson, is directing a stop motion animated movie called Fantastic Mr. Fox that is set to be released this year! And Bill Murray is going to be a voice actor in it! BILL MURRAY. Why have I not heard about this until now?

Check it out.

AND it's based on a Roald Dahl story. I think this could be pretty good! What say you?

LADIES AMIRITE

This is basically a nicer version of what has been on my mind for a long time. I'm so glad someone finally put this into words.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/06/dear_pixar_from_all_the_girls.html?ft=1&f=93568166
I think Pixar is taking the right steps to push American animation to be more than just trite children's movies, but they are still a ways from doing anything revolutionary. I'm surprised that in most articles I read about Up, people have to mention how daring a move it was to imply a miscarraige or to show blood. I'm like, uhhh, have you ever SEEN foreign animation? Miyazaki? We are still eons behind them in terms of being racy with our animation. Despite Pixar's comments about having Miyazaki as their prime influence, I have yet to see their movies be as mature or progressive as his. But they're trying at least.

Anyway back to the girl thing. I agree with this article somewhat .. its not so much the princess thing that bugs me. A girl lead that isn't a princess would be nice, but movies like Princess Mononoke and Pocahontas prove that a girl can be a princess AND resourceful and interesting. I am more concerned about seeing female characters who are interesting and believable. I don't care so much what they are, just who they are. I think Pixar is capable of making an interesting, relatable female character once in a while but mostly I find them hard to identify with. I almost wonder if the dudes writing the screenplays at Pixar think women are really scary. Doesn't it seem like a lot of their movies involve a female character with an over the top "modern assertive" attitude and a passive/nerdy dude? Hmmmmm.

I like Coraline and Miyazaki's leads because they never have to say "RRRRR look at me I'm a girl who is badass, I've made it so far in a MAN'S world, you're a dumb boy I'm gonna punch you bla bla." They don't have to tell you what their personalities are, you can just see from the way they act. And they don't have to be in-your-face to be strong characters. I'm tired of seeing girly princesses and I'm tired of seeing their sassy feminist antitheses. I want to see (from pixar) a good story about a regular girl.

I am not dissing Pixar. I like Pixar, I wouldn't be writing this if I didn't like them. I'm writing this because I think they have high potential to make animated movies with rich female characters and it frustrates me when they come so close then fall short. PIXAR IF YOU ARE READING THIS PLEASE HIRE ME I WILL WRITE YOU AMAZING MOVIES ABOUT GIRLS.

Now excuse me while I go back to the kitchen where I belong.

Emergency WIP

Here's my first attempt at dialogue in Maya. It still needs some work and if I could do it all over again I'd have more fun with the acting. The line is from Groundhog Day. Much love for Bill Murray.

Grandma, what bloodshot eyes you have

She drinks a lot.