Animation Domination

2005-11-09T16:09:00.000-08:00

Post # 10

Whcih was Better Simpsons or Futurama?

Hey well I want to see what every one things about this “Which was better the “Simpsons” or “Futurama”. I am sure Almost everyone has seen the “Simpsons” but not everyone might have seen “Futurama” as Fox in their infinte wisdom moved it to a different time spot every week and then showed reruns every 4 or fifth week. Now I know “Simpsons” season 5 and six are almost untouchable as that was really the pinnicale of the show . But “Futurama” was almost all good right from the get go as it came out in 2000 and ran right after the “Simpsons” some weeks. The “Simpsons” is down right awful now and is in need of a mercy killing, as much as I would hate to see it go off the air, for it to drag on like this is just sad. Reality check once you have to start putting a celebrity into every show just so people will tune in every week it might be time to call it quits. They keep saying “oh this will be the last year” well when is it? The show isn’t funny the jokes are so lame if there are any and it just feels crummy, except for the actually animation which has gotten much better over the years, if anyone recalls the first year of the “Simpsons” which is so bad it is almost un watchable. “Futurama” started off much better in both the animation department and the joke department. Although they are both animated show by Matt Groening they take very different approaches to animation. There seems to be a lot more creativity and daring in the “Futurama” episodes. I would argue that “Futurama” is a much smarted show than the “Simpsons”, not that the “Simpsons” are dumb, certainly not at the level of some family guy jokes, but that “Futurama” uses a lot of jokes that you might not get or sight gags(which is why I love watching them over and over again). “Simpsons” on the other hand doesn’t try to incorporate math jokes of which there are litteraly tons( I found this out after listening to the commentary , cause it all went over my head ) but is is timely in it’s comical gaufs at political and everyday life. It definitely paved the way for shows like “Family Guy” and “South Park”. I love the “Simpsons” and “Futurama” but I think if I had to pick one I would go with “Futurama” as it just keeps making me laugh. Well tell me what you think i would love to have some input!

2005-11-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

Post # 8

Futurama DVD: Monster Robot Maniac Fun Collection DVD

I finally got a chance to watch this collection of 4 of the viewer all time favorites, that span all 4 seasons of Futurama. This collection came out at the end of august and features 4 epsisodes and all new commentary. The commentary is really what is worth it, as the epsiodes are already avaliable on seasons 1-4, not to mention regualry shown on TBS and cartoon network, not bad for a show that FOX cancelled cause nobody would watch it. Anyways the collection is great escpecially the commentary by Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. the title is slight misleading as there really aren't any monters (except Al Gore), plenty of robots one gigantic infact. The orginal title:"Monster Robot Maniac Fun Explosion" was changed by the wise people at FOX. The chance to really hear wht the creators of the show think relfect on the show 4 years later in some cases in really interesting and gives a really good idea of what is involed in writing and producing and episode such as these.

The collection includes "Hell is other robots" in which "Bender" the robot charater turns to religion to fight his addiction to electricity and is then condemed to hell when he fails to abide by it. Hell apparenty is under "Coney island" and is filled with robots which feels vey similar to one of the tree house of horror episodes they do with Hhomer on that other show of theirs. "antholgy of interest 1 " whihc is 3 what if propositons, the best of which poes fun at Al gore and Stephen Hawking. the third epsidode "roswell that ends well " beat out south park, simpsons and king of the hill to win an emmy in 2002. The episode revoles around the fact that fry goes back in time and meddles in his past. The last epsidoe is form seson four and is either the last or near the last in ther series and is mostly about "Fry" and leela's relation ship and visites a lot of jokes that were set up in the first epsiode. Called "The Sting" it is about someone getting stung, go figure. this episode was also nominated for an emmy.

If someone was thinking about getting into this series and wanted to check the show out i would highy recommend watch this dvd, ( it's only 10 at amazon) it got great shows and great co0mmentary and is a real departure from that other show they do.

2005-10-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

comments on blog # 6

bryanne post # 6

2005-10-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Post # 7

"Invader Zim" Master Of The Nicktoon Universe

Invader Zim was a TV show created by jhonen Vasquez and aired on Nickelodeon. The show has interesting animation, quirky humor, and a dark, cynical style which combined to give it a growing, devoted cult following, particularly among young adult viewers older than the normal Nickelodeon viewer base. Disappointed that its low ratings did not justify high production costs, Nickelodeon initially cancelled the show. Production was reinstated after intense pressure from fans, and then cancelled, resumed and cancelled once more. In all, one and a half seasons of Invader Zim were made (the second being incomplete). It was first broadcast in March 2001. Invader Zim seasons 1 and 2 are now on DVD. I have to admit that story wise there is not much going on, the first episode sets up the rest of the show, but I think it is worth watching just for all the one liners that you'll end up quoting all day long. "GIR" his sidekick assumes almost all the weird one liners you could want, usally uttering something that you have to do a double take to make sure you heard him right, random and weird. Pictured here I think he is really the star of the show. "Gir " is assuming the identity of a dog so hew can fit in with the humans, convincing no? Will Zim destroy the universe? Will his arch nemis Dib stop him ? Well you have to check it out. this show is worth a watch as I find it not the best but memorable.

2005-10-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

Post # 6

"Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin : The Untold Story"

Finally got a chance to watch this straight to dvd movie this weekend. I have to say that this movie reinforced the notion i was having that the new seasons of Family Guy aren't as good as the old ones. After spending the required 88min to view this film, i realized i hadn't laughed much. Not to say i didn't like it, it just felt like i was laughing at individual gags the were strung together with almost no continuity. This dvd sets out to tell the story of stewie and how he got the way he is, but it fails on that account, which is supposed to be the entire reason for the dvd. Once again emphasizing that story is just as important as the animation, and more importantly that good writers are an absolute nesscity to string together the outlandished acts into some sort of story. After seeing "Whats Opera Doc" in class it was hard to even sit through the whole dvd. It just pailed in comparison. "Whats Opera Doc" with it's simple story line that linked all the wacky ness that unfolded was simply just better. They were able to tell a story without much dialogue, while Family guy was unusally dialog heavy and full offfense, still was unable to tell a proper story. I have to admit that i am a huge family guy plan but i really wonder how long the show can last with the current writing that aims at outrageousness instead of being funny.

2005-10-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

comments on lauren's post # 5

2005-10-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

comments on Mark's post # 3

2005-10-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

post # 5

I'm Chilly Willy the penguin. I shake until I'm blue. My head is hot and my feet are cold. Ah Eee Achoo! Now what about the crocodiles along the River Nile? I'll bet they're always warm as toast. They always seem to smile. I'm always Chilly Willy. I'm frozen through and through. My nose is red and my tail is cold. Ah Eee Achoo!

-Chilly Willy theme song

From 1953 through 1972, a spunky little penguin in a knit cap out in cold Yukon always hunger and always looing for food.

Created by Walter Lantz to replace retired Andy Panda. The little penguin intialy failed but was reworked by Tex Avery. Chilly was teamed up with Smedly the dog who in "mice and magic" is refferd to as a polar bear. The polar bear is named "maxie" and doesn't appear till later in the series. Almost every episode foolowed the standard formula of chilli looking for food or trying to get warm. Tex avery wan't very fond of ther series and only did two before leaving the studio. " The Legend of Rockabye Point" was the second to last cartoon Tex Avery did before leaving the studio( which was nominated for an Academy award). But he drew out three story board ideas before leaving. Alex Lovy used most of the gags that were left behind when he took over directing the series in 1956. His stint was short as well and he left the studio in 1959. the remaining epsisodes were directed by Sid Marcus who produced long time favorite "half-baked Alaska" and introduced Maxi the polar bear and Looney gooney to freshen up the series. He remained in charge of the series until 1972 when the studio closed

2005-09-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Post # 4 Fantasia

Having Talked about and watched segment of Fantasia for my Music 301 class (Music in MAjor Motion Pictures)I have fresh memmories of this classic. Fantasia was voted 58th greatest movie ever in 1998 by a poll of 1500 film profesionals. This was a revolutionary movie in 1940, So different that theathers ahd to be modified to accept the movie and it's sound system. It was also the first movie that was in widescreen. It was also the first movie to be animated around the music., although sections of certain works were cut down do to length. This animated feature sought to bring animation shorts and classical music together pulled it off spectaulary . Most notably in the short featuring Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. . Paul Dukas's The Sorcerer's Apprentice, a spectacular 8-minute sequence, the most famous section of the film - a concert piece by French composer Paul Dukas. It was originally an ages-old fairy tale that had been interpreted as a poem by Goethe - a story that illustrated the dangers of power over wisdom.
The segment opens with the Sorcerer (named Yen Sid, or Disney spelled backwards) practicing his craft, calling up a smoky spirit in the shape of a bat that he changes into a misty butterfly. Mickey Mouse is the lazy, young, and mischievous apprentice-magician of the powerful Wizard, assigned the tiring task of filling the large water vat in the cavern with buckets of water from an outdoor fountain. He wipes his brow, weary from carrying water. Left alone in the sorcerer's underground cavern after the Wizard yawns and then retires, he sees that the mystical Wizard has left behind his tall, pointed magical hat. The glowing, powerful blue hat is decorated with white stars and a crescent moon.
Mickey dons it and pretends to be the Wizard. Dabbling with spells, he extends his arms toward a broom leaning against the wall. He brings one broom to life with a bluish and white glow, and lures it to stand upright. Then, he commands it to move, hop, and sprout arms. The broom straws part to look like flippers so that the broom can walk like a seal. The arms and "feet" are taught to do his work, to carry buckets of water from the fountain to fill the huge vat. Mickey has a cute and cocky, hubristic attitude, broadly grinning at the success of his trick. He sits back in the Wizard's chair, orchestrating the movements of the broom, while watching it tirelessly fetch and tote water buckets. He soon falls asleep and dreams of power - he has reached greater heights above the earth on a high pinnacle in space - he pictures himself controlling the paths of clouds, stars, planets, and comets in the sky. Even the waves of the ocean and lightning bolts obey him.
Suddenly, he awakens to waves of water crashing over him. His chair is floating on water that fills the cavern. The persistent broom has filled the vat with thousands of gallons of water, causing a gigantic ocean and flood. Mickey cannot get the broom to stop and obey him, unable to control the spell he has created. The unstoppable broom walks right over him on its way to the fountain for more water. Desperately, in a memorable set of images, Mickey grabs an axe and splits the broom into splinters, shown on the wall in gigantic dark shadows. All is silent for a moment, until the fragments twitch and then proliferate, generating more brooms. Each broom mechanically carries two more buckets, marching in an army from the fountain into the cavern. In a futile attempt, Mickey attempts to bail out the room with a single bucket. The robot-like batallion of brooms continue their appointed task of fetching buckets of water, even when they become completely submerged. Frantically, Mickey jumps on the master's huge book of magic and spells, looking for an antidote, riding (actually surfing) in a swirling, out-of-control whirlpool of water that threatens to drown everything.
The Sorcerer makes a dramatic appearance at the top of the stairway just in time. With five sweeps of his hands, he parts and calms the waters - beautifully coordinated with the music, commanding the army of brooms to become one broom again. With piercing eyes, the Sorcerer summons his mischievous apprentice to chastise him. He retrieves his soggy, drooping hat. A sheepish Mickey has a variety of expressions on his face - guilt, embarrassment, and coyness. He hands the broom to the unsmiling magician. The wizard also conceals a slight look of concealed amusement on his face. As Mickey tiptoes away to cart buckets of water the hard way, he is given a whack on the backside with the broom, beautifully timed to notes and chords of the musical piece. It is easy to see why Disney thought the music such an intergral part as to build a sound system for exclusively for it. The movie was intially a flop and seen as anextravegence. It wasn't until the 70's re-release that it gained in popularity.

2005-09-21T06:07:00.000-07:00

Comments On Post # 1 Group 2 dina

2005-09-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Post # 3 Initial D: An Import about Imports

This show which started of as a (Manga) comic in Japan has grown into a T.V. series and soon a live action movie. "Initial D” stormed across the sea into American hearts in 2003 with The T.V. series dubbed into English. Coming at a time when the import craze is starting to really heat up. What really sets the series apart is the blending of CGI graphics and traditional cell animation. Mt Akina, which is not just a landmark in Japan, it’s a haven and meeting place for the “Street Racers” - a subculture of society that comes out only at night, when the roads are empty. Mt Akina is a real place in Japan just like in the show it’s a Mecca for street racing and has been for years. This show takes real life cars and animates them in CGI for the races but 2d cell for story or between races. The CGI animation is done well, not as well as “Toy Story”, but well enough to give off the exhilaration and rush of fast cars. The story is the real treat, Takumi Fujiwara, (the main character) actually grows and develops his skills as a racer every episode. Takumi Fujiwara has never wanted to be a racer himself, but his incredible driving skill in an underpowered car like the Toyota AE86 (the "Hachi-Roku") has earned the respect, interest, and most of all, the challenge of all the local Street Racers. In the process, Takumi will find out just how much the blood of a Street Racer runs inside him. You find out as the story progresses that Tak earned his skills while delivering Tofu for his fathers business at 4am before school every morning since he was in the 7th grade! Supposedly this is based in truth on the life of the animator of the series, who is an accomplished Racer as well as animator. What is really striking is the ability of the show to educate anyone about the cars and racing in Japan as well as the culture surrounding it. As Tak is complete oblivious his every day driving is considered racing and as he grows as a driver the view also does as he (sometimes painfully) spells out his life lessons. The ability of this Cartoon to build up some much tension is a testament to the writing skills of the creators. Although there is a lot lost in translation, some characters are made more “hip”, which comes off as pretty awkward when put into context with traditional values they exhibit, The show has become so popular that there are dozens of fan sites. The feature car in the show is a 1986 Toyota Camry GTS, this car which is nearly 20 years old is now impossible to find for under 8k, which what it almost sold for new. The problem with a lot of the anime is that it just doesn’t fit in American society, but I think the underdog story and the depth of the characters speak to a lot of audiences, not to mention the cars, and the racing scene are beginning to finally take hold in here.

2005-09-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

Post # 2Why Do Cartoons Work ?

Why do cartoons capture our imagination where the same thing live action would not have the same affect? I believe the medium itself is key, animation allows you mind to wander to be released from the ordinary. With it's anything can happen setting and bright colors animation gives you something you haven't seen at the end of a long day. Well drawn animation allows you to watch without even hearing what they are saying. You can take something so ordinary and just expand on it. Take a simple story of a boy and his dog about as basic as it gets. Now put them in a big colorful expansive area and then introduce a cave put pirate gold and ghost in it.
And now you have 22min to let your imagination go. A Normal live action show could not acheive the same thing as easily. Visuallly and logically it would be a impossible to be able to suspend belief while wathcing it. More than likely it would come off hokey or lame with out the vividness or visula appeal of an animated chracter. Thus is the magic of animation, the way a cahracter who is supposed to be representing a boy may have a oversized triangular head and you don't really take note of it In fact this prepares you for the zanyness that is to come. No one has says that can't happen in a cartoon, Of course it can it's a cartoon.

2005-09-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

Post # 1 Friday Night fix

"AdultSwim.com will launch Friday Night Fix on Friday, Sept. 16, offering full-length, streaming video of Adult Swim original comedies between 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (EST) each Friday night. The lineup will include one episode of seven or more shows and will refresh periodically. Offerings will include first-look at premieres like The Boondocks, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law and Stroker & Hoop before they make their on-air debuts two nights later, as well as current favorites like Robot Chicken and Venture Bros., plus archival episodes of shows like Space Ghost Coast to Coast." - www.adultswim.com

If you haven't ahd a chance to catch these imagintave shows yet, don't miss this oppritunity! Some of these are new new shows like "The boondocks" and Stoker and hoop" and some have been standing classics that have propelled "Adult swim" to the forefront of animation. If You haven't checked out adult swim yet it is the "adult progaming" on cartoon network that has helped bring back family guy as well as innovate new shows. After aring the old episodes fans demanded that the show be put back on fox. Which was earlier this year and the creators have been asked for 22 new episodes. If you like this show i would definetly check out the other offerings of adult swim.