My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea

Sometimes, a film comes around that seems as though it was made for you. This looks like one of those, at least for me. Jason Schwartzman, Reggie Watts, and Maya Rudolph voicing high school newspaper geeks? Umm, yeah, I *lettered* in newspaper.

Really, really looking forward to seeing My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea. (Not literally, of course.)


From acclaimed graphic novelist Dash Shaw (New School) comes an audacious debut that is equal parts disaster cinema, high school comedy and blockbuster satire, told through a dream-like mixed media animation style that incorporates drawings, paintings and collage. Dash (Jason Schwartzman) and his best friend Assaf (Reggie Watts) are preparing for another year at Tides High School muckraking on behalf of their widely-distributed but little-read school newspaper, edited by their friend Verti (Maya Rudolph). But just when a blossoming relationship between Assaf and Verti threatens to destroy the boys’ friendship, Dash learns of the administration’s cover-up that puts all the students in danger. As disaster erupts and the friends race to escape through the roof of the school, they are joined by a popular know-it- all (Lena Dunham) and a lunch lady (Susan Sarandon) who is much more than meets the eye. But even as the film piles on brilliant details like a post-apocalyptic cult formed by jocks, video game homages, and an infectious synth soundtrack, it never loses sight of the characters at the heart of the story. Hailed as “the most original animated film of the year” and “John Hughes for the Adult Swim generation” (Indiewire), the film’s everyday concerns of friendships, cliques and young love remind us how the high school experience continues to shape who we become, even in the most unusual of circumstances.

Song of the Sea

 

Song of the Sea is a new film from Tomm Moore, Oscar-nominated director of The Secret of Kells.

It tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal-child – who embark on a journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land. Featuring Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, and Lisa Hannigan, with music by composer Bruno Coulais and Irish band Kíla, both of whom collaborated on The Secret of Kells.

It won't be playing near me anytime soon, sadly but if you happen to live in NYC, it starts December 19 at the IFC Center. To purchase tickets, click here.

It looks totally dreamy.

Big Hero 6 - New Trailer

I'm a little overexcited about this one. Lucky it's coming out just after my birthday this Fall!

With all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is an action-packed comedy-adventure about robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genius—thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery. 

Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action, “Big Hero 6” is directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”). The film hits theaters in 3D on November 7, 2014. 

Walt Disney Animation's Paperman

The perfect feel-good Valentine: Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Oscar-nominated short, PAPERMAN. If you haven't see it yet, you must! So sweet.

Escape from Planet Earth This Valentine's Day (Giveaway)

Looking for something out of this world for Valentine's Day? Grab the kids and blast off for planet Baab with The Weinstein Company’s new film, Escape from Planet Earth, which hits theaters on Friday, February 15th!

The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population.  A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at BASA.  When BASA’s no-nonsense chief Lena (Jessica Alba) informs the brothers of an SOS from a notoriously dangerous planet, Scorch rejects Gary’s warnings and bounds off for yet another exciting mission.  But when Scorch finds himself caught in a fiendish trap set by the evil Shanker (William Shatner) it’s up to scrawny, risk-averse Gary to do the real rescuing.  As the interplanetary stakes rise to new heights, Gary is left to save his brother, his planet, his beloved wife Kira (Sarah Jessica Parker) and their adventure-hungry son Kip (Jonathan Morgan Heit).

Visit http://www.escapeearthmovie.com/ for exciting features such as photos, videos, characters, games and even a link for parents and educators to download movie-related curriculum-based activity sheets. You can also download the free “Escape From Planet Earth” Movie App, available for iOS http://bit.ly/EscapeFromPlanetEarthiTunesFS and for Android http://bit.ly/EscapefromPlanetEarthAndroidFS

Enter using the form below to win a $25 Visa gift card to help get you to the movie along with an Escape from Planet Earth prize pack, including tattoo sheet, activity book & crayons, and a backpack clip.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was compensated for this sponsored post made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. All prizing for MSM giveaways is handled by a third party unless otherwise noted. For this reason prize fulfillment can take up to 90 days after the winners information is received.

Frankenweenie Monstrous Sweepstakes

Oh, I am so excited for Frankenweenie. I am imagining it as Tim Burton directing a Castle Films version of Pet Sematary. The Vampire Cat is adorable! I mean, spooky. Very spooky!

If you love Halloween and Disney (and, seriously, who doesn't?), you'll want to enter the Frankenweenie Monstrous Sweepstakes. You could win a trip for four to experience the spookiest time of the year at Disneyland Resort, including The Art of Frankenweenie exhibit at the newly expanded Disney California Adventure theme park. For a limited time, Disney guests will be treated to a special 4D extended preview of the film at the Muppets Vision 3D Theater before Frankenweenie comes to theaters in 3D October 5th!
Enter online at www.disney.com/frankenweeniesweeps or text EDGAR to DISNEY (347639) to enter for a chance to win. *Msg and data rates may apply. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.*
Embarrassingly, I have never even been to DCA. I spent my summers in Orange County until I was about 15 and went to Disneyland pretty frequently but my kids have only been to Disney World. Bad mommy. You should enter but I hope we win! 

Wizards 35th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + Book

Way back in the days before I had kids, I was a kid. And much like my kids do now, I watched entirely too much inappropriate stuff on cable TV. I remember Wizards (celebrating its 35th anniversary with the fancy schmancy book/Bluray set shown above, which was released yesterday) being particularly formative when I was somewhere between Roo and Jasper's ages. Kind of explains my love of sci-fi/fantasy and underground comics…






Twentieth Century Fox’s first-ever animated film, created by renowned director Ralph Bakshi, WIZARDS appears in a 35th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + Book release on March 13 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the “epic fantasy of peace and magic” stars the voice talent of Mark Hamill (Star Wars Saga). The special edition Blu-ray + Book release is a must-have for fans and collectors, featuring 24-pages of amazing artwork from the film, some of the artwork never-before-seen, and a special message from Bakshi!


Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, this fantasy adventure follows the story of Avatar, the kindly, eccentric sorcerer-ruler of Montagar, a rainbow paradise inhabited by elves and fairies. Avatar's evil brother, Blackwolf, dominates Scortch, a bleak land of goblins and wraiths. When the power-hungry Blackwolf attacks Montagar, Avatar, accompanied only by a spirited young woman and a courageous elf, must enter the darkness of Scortch to save his world. 

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter for more information.

Frankenweenie Coming Soon-ish

Frankenweenie is due in theaters October 5, 2012

From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous. A stop-motion animated film, “Frankenweenie” will be filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience.

In Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences. 

NOTES:

• When Tim Burton originally conceived the idea for “Frankenweenie,” he envisioned it as a full-length, stop-motion animated film. Due to budget constraints, he instead directed it as a live-action short, released in 1984. 

• “Frankenweenie” follows in the footsteps of Tim Burton’s other stop-motion animated films “Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”—both of which were nominated for Academy Awards®. 

• Over 200 puppets and sets were created for the film. The voice cast includes four actors who worked with Burton on previous films: Winona Ryder (“Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands”), Catherine O’Hara (“Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”), Martin Short (“Mars Attacks!”) and Martin Landau (“Ed Wood,” Sleepy Hollow”).

• Several of the character names—Victor, Elsa Van Helsing, Edgar “E” Gore and Mr. Burgemeister— were inspired by classic horror films.

"Like" FRANKENWEENIE on Facebook to keep updated.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that no compensation was accepted for posting this update, I just dig TIm Burton movies. If Disney wanted to re-animate any of my pets, I would probably let them. All opinions are, as usual, strictly my own. 

The Secret World of Arrietty

I am a huge fan of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, so I couldn't be any more excited to see The Secret World of Arrietty when it hits US theaters on February 17th.




The Secret World of Arrietty is based on Mary Norton's classic book series The Borrowers and tells the story the tiny people of the same name who live undetected amongst humans because of their minute size. I'm looking forward to taking Roo and Jasper to see it soon. For now, they'll have to be content with this awesome coloring sheet…