Futurama's Back Baby!

The Planet Express crew is back in an all-new, feature-length epic as of November 27th!
Bender's Big Score is the first of four movies being released to DVD from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
http://ilovebender.com/
The basic plot of the feature involves evil nudist alien Internet scammers sending Bender back through time to steal all of history's priceless treasures.
The story does have a lot more to it that will entertain both hardcore and casual Futurama fans. Most characters/devices introduced in the original series have a cameo in one way or another throughout the film.
The only way I discovered the website ("ilovebender.com") was the fact it is mentioned in the film itself as well as the commentary. Classic Futurama humor at it's finest...
I can't wait for the next installment!

Le Building

We watched a great little short this morning in Flash class...
"Le Building" is a 2005 production that was created by 5 students attending the Gobelins, an animation school in Paris, France.
The short uses 3D, Flash and traditional animation.

You can download the Quicktime and learn more about the production of "Le Building" at their official website.
http://www.le-building.com/index.htm

Sport Goofy in Soccermania

The 1987 released Sport Goofy special is finally available for viewing. It is available on Walt Disney's Extreme Sports Fun Region 4 DVD but has no North America release.



I've listed some of the people that worked on this special which I recognize that went on to do some great animated pieces of the 90's...
- Directed by Matt O' Callaghan
- Story by Tad Stones, Michael Gialmo and Joe Ranft
- Effect Animation by Mark Dindal
- Animation by Chris Bailey, Toni Fucile, Mark Kausler, Robert Minkoff, Steve Moore and Kirk Wise
- Assistant animation by Brett Koth
This story was originally produced in the early 80's with Darrell Van Citters in the director's chair. The animation and story was actually produced by artists working freelance at the Disney studios then. When it was done, it was shelved. Years later, it was looked at once again and improved upon with edits, re-animated scenes and re-shoots.
This is considered by many to be the "pilot" episode to Duck Tales.
A proto-Roger Rabbit can be seen in the cheering crowd of the final game.
For more back story on the creation of this 20 minute "short" check the link here:
http://www.animationnation.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006524;p=

Babes in the Hollywoods

A rare 1950's Beany & Cecil segment by Bob Clampett.
Wish they had children's programming like this when I was a lad.

Canada Gets Hanna-Barbera DVDs

I'm not sure if I should be glad to be able to purchase these sets, but VEI of Canada is all set to release 2 Hanna-Barbera cartoon series to DVD in early 2008!
Dinky Dog was only available during 1978's The All-New Popeye Hour...
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Dinky-Dog-Complete-Series/8478
The series features such Voice Talents as Frank Welker, Jean Vander Ply, Julie Bennett, Frank Nelson and Jackie Joseph.
The 3-Disc set should be available on February 19th.
The 1980's CBS series Drak Pack is also being released...
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Drak-Pack-Complete-Series/8479
This show features teenage-versions of such classic monsters as Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolf Man.
I actually remember watching this show, not sure if it holds up though...?
The 3-Disc set should be available on January 29th.

(Yay!! This is post # 700!! Whoooo-Hoooo!!!!)

Snow White is 70

Just thought I'd mention that Walt Disney released the first animated feature "Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs" way back in 1937.
I was reminded by the recent anniversary celebration being held at Disney’s California Adventure theme park in Anaheim, CA.
http://www.animated-news.com/2007/snow-white-70th-anniversary-event-part-i/

Barfy the Pig

A cute 3D animated segment involving some recognizable classic cartoon gags.

Justice League: The New Frontier Artwork

TVshowsonDVD.com has recieved the first look at the cover art to the upcoming release of Justice League: The New Frontier animated feature from Warner Home Video.
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Justice-League-New-Frontier/8477
It seems that there is going to be a single disc release as well as a special 2-disc release.
No word yet what will be offered on the second disc, but the features should be awesome.

Goofy Pairs Up With Nicholas Cage

The brand new traditionally animated Goofy short, "How to Hook Up Your Home Theatre", is being released with "National Treasure 2: The Book of Secrets"on Dec 21st!
http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=21514
The short has already been nominated for an Academy Award after being screen at recent film festivals.
I was going to wait to see this film on DVD, but I guess I'm going to the movies now!

Groening & Cohen on New Futurama DVD

Toon Zone has gotten hold of an interview with series creator, Matt Groening, and head-writer/executive producer, David Cohen, about the upcoming release of the new Futurama DVD film, "Bender's Big Score".
http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=19916
Be aware that there is plot synopsis and guest-star info that may be considered spoilers!

(The image above is a piece of cool Fan Art in case you're wondering...;)

Garfield: His 9 Lives

My favorite Garfield television special has to be 1988's Garfield: His 9 Lives.
Available on the DVD "Garfield Fantasies", the special is very unique like the book it's based on.
Different artists contributed to the book illustrating Garfield in their own way.
The special mimics this by using various animation styles.
My favorite segment is Life # 4: The Court Musician. It's cartoony and has a "design-y" feel to it.

Life # 4
Uploaded by j-motion

WHV Releasing Academy Award Animation DVD

Warner Home Video is releasing interesting DVD collections, "Academy Award Animation: 15 Winners" & "Academy Award Animation: 15 Winners/ 26 Nominations".
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Bugs-Bunny-Looney-Tunes-Comedy-Hour-Academy-Award-Animation-Collection/8456
The sets contain shorts from Warner Bros, MGM and the Fleischer's studio.
Should be an interesting collection of animated shorts from the Golden Age! Expect to see them in February 2008!

A Nod to Jessica Rabbit

A recent music video, "Oh My God!", featuring Mark Ronson and an animated Lily Allen captures Jessica Rabbit's sultry stage performance from the 1988 film, Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

MARK RONSON, LILY ALLEN OH MY GOD ! HI Quality
Uploaded by gladyoucame

Here's where the inspiration came from for this video:

Jessica Rabbit Why don't you do right
Uploaded by seidrik

Drawing Theories by Camp

I just found an inspirational post featuring drawing theories by Bob Camp.
http://bobcampcartoonist.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post.html
Bob is known to be an illustrator, writer, comic book artist, story artist, producer/director for film/TV and all-around great cartoonist.
You may be familar with his work on the classic Ren & Stimpy Show?

Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm on DVD

After The Flintstones finished their 6 season run, fans wanted more.
Hanna Barbera started to create spin-offs from the highly successful cave-people cartoon.
The characters were aged forward and audiences were greeted with The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show.
The children of the Flintstones and Rubbles are teenagers now and are having adventures of their own with their friends.
Warner Home Video is releasing the complete series in March of 2008.
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Pebbles-Bamm-Bamm-Complete-Series/8448

A Wish for Wings That Work

The 1991 animated Christmas special starring the characters from Berkeley Breathed's 1980's comic strip, Bloom County has been released on DVD by Universal Home Entertainment.
The special is actually based on the book of the same name. Extra storyline and gags originally appeared in the comic strip itself.
Opus the penguin has an ambition to fly, but of course penguins can't fly. He writes to Kris Kringle in hopes of getting his wish.
Bill the Cat, Truffles the pig (trying to escape a holiday meal by impersonating a rhino), Ronald Ann and the cockroach all make appearances.
Voice actors include Michael Bell, Joe Alaskey, John Byner, Tress MacNeille, Andrew Hill Newman, Sudy Nim, Alexaundria Simmons and Frank Welker.
Although not listed, the character of George the Kiwi sounds an awful like Robin Williams. George's wife had left him for an albatross with great big wings and according to George, the albatross was on "steroids!!!!!"
This is the only time we ever see these characters animated, and because of that, there are a lot of in-jokes included that are memories of gags and props used in the original comic strip.
This special is a great little bit of animated fun.

Inspiring Cartooning Lesson

Check out the latest post by cartoonist Pete Emslie to get a free lesson in cartoon illustration.
http://cartooncave.blogspot.com/2007/11/cartoon-caveman-at-work.html
Emslie has worked as a cartoonist for the past 30 years. He continues to freelance and teaches in the Animation program at Sheridan College.
Check out his blog, The Cartoon Cave!

Eisner Slips Topps a Mickey

Former Walt Disney CEO, Michael Eisner has found his new Mickey Mouse.
He wants Topps, the 69 year old candy & trading card company, to promote their eye-patch wearing bubble gum mascot from 1953, Bazooka Joe, with a movie and a TV/Internet/publishing francise.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2007-11-04-topps-eisner_N.htm
Will Bazooka Joe win the hearts of kids once again? Only time will tell I suppose.
Maybe Tim Burton can do for Bazooka Joe what he did for Topps' trading card series, "Mars Attacks!"?

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Season 1

After releasing the complete series with 7 single discs, Warner Home Video has announced a 1st season set of A Pup Named Scooby-Doo.
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Pup-Named-Scooby-Doo-Season-1/8427
Talk about suckering fans by releasing single discs which are only a few dollars cheaper than a whole season.

Drew Carey's Green Screen Show

Back in 2004, The WB aired a season of Drew Carey's Green Screen Show that was a combination of Who's Line is it Anyway? with animation.
Many different studios supplied their styles for the backdrop of these improv actors.
Very clever and funny! Wonder if there is a plan to release this show to DVD?

Freakazoid Season 1 DVD for 2008?

Following up the rumors of Tiny Toons and Freakazoid DVD sets from Warner Home Video, TVshowsonDVD.com has more "rumored" info to share with fans!
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Freakazoid-Rumors/8413

Futurama's Back Baby!

Here's the official press release for "Bender's Big Score" which is hitting the street on November 27th!
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Futurama-Bender's-Big-Press-Release/8402

Looney Tunes GC Vol 5 Eye Candy

I've been enjoying the recently released Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 5 DVD set since it's release date of Oct.30th.
I highly recommend the new collection to animation lovers. If you've haven't picked up the set yet, here are some images to get you moving.

Sam & Max: Freelance Police on DVD soon?

Early cover art by the characters creator, Steve Purcell, has established rumors of the animated show's release to DVD.
Learn more info about this "rumored" release here:
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Sam-Max-Freelance-Police-Complete-Series-Box-Art/8394

Family Guy: Blue Harvest DVD Details

The recent season opener of Family Guy was such a hit with fans, that Fox Home Entertainment is releasing a DVD of the Star Wars parody on January 15, 2008!

Read the press release here about the standard and special edition versions of "Blue Harvest":
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Family-Guy-Blue-Harvest-Press-Release/8385

You can view the artwork of both standard and special edition releases here:
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Family-Guy-Blue-Harvest-Box-Art/8396

Tiny Toons and Freakazoid DVD Rumors

TVshowsonDVD.com have been reporting rumors of other future DVD sets from Warner Home Video for 2008.
Freakazoid seems to be on the minds of Warner executives for a possible release...
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Freakazoid-Rumors/8383
Tiny Toon Adventures has been mentioned in a Warner Bros Animation info site as:
"There currently are no plans for the final, volume 4 DVD release of Animaniacs. However, Tiny Toon Adventures has been green-lighted for release, in the same numerical-order format."
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Tiny-Toon-Adventures-Rumors/8384

I wonder if Warners is considering future sets of Taz-Mania, Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries, Histeria! and Pinky Elmyra and the Brain?