News : Astro Boy is Back - Butt Cannons and All

Superhero Hype! recently enjoyed a tour of Imagi Animation Studios' Los Angeles outpost (tucked as discretely away in an unlikely location inside a Sherman Oaks shopping mall as Astro's backside blasters are) where work was nearing an end on the long-anticipated feature film based on Osamu Tezuka's enduringly beloved manga comic dating back to 1952 and perhaps most fondly recalled from its animated Japanese TV incarnation from the 1960s. Astro Boy remains in iconic pop culture figure in Japan, as adored as Mickey Mouse (where he's honored with everything from fashion items to statuary), and also celebrated in countries across the globe.

So it's with no small effort that Imagi – the Hong Kong-based company perhaps best known for the short-lived but lavishly animated DreamWorks TV series "Father of the Pride" and Warner Bros.' TMNT film – is relaunching Astro as a big-screen superstar, well aware of his impact around the world. Imagi's Hong Kong-born founder Francis Kao was educated in the US and grew up watching the original cartoons.

Thus Imagi's become what they like to call a 24-hour studio: The "front-end" work on the Astro Boy film – story and script development, character design, set design, etc. – was handled by a Los Angeles team of about 80-120 staffers who would teleconference or Skype about large and little details with 400 animation staffer in Hong Kong before handing over the reigns to the Chinese office to work through the US night (The studio is ambitiously aiming to soon produce at least one film per year, with Gatchaman up next).

Imagi turned to director David Bowers (Flushed Away) to makeover Astro for the modern audience, and to do so Bower delved into the character's surprisingly dark-tinged manga origins for inspiration – like other pop icons such Batman, Astro's original incarnation had more than a hint of pathos: think Pinocchio meets Frankenstein meets Superman.

"It's a classic superhero origin story," explains Bowers. "We really find out what Astro Boy is and where he comes from. It's a very emotional story. When I started this film I was keen on having something to hang all the action, adventure and comedy on, so I really went back to the father-son relationship between Astro and his father. Astro Boy is a robot created by a brilliant scientist to replace his dead son, and this film explores all the problems that come with attempting something like that."


And it wouldn't be a modern animated epic – rendered, naturally, in 3-D CGI - without an impressive voice cast of recognizable stars. "We have a terrific cast," said Bowers. "We have as Astro Boy Freddie Highmore from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and he's terrific in the role. As his father Dr. Tenma we have Nicolas Cage, we have Kristen Bell as our female lead Cora – she plays one of the kids Astro meets when he's thrown out of the city and lands in the junk piles and has to make his own way in the world. We have Nathan Lane as Ham Egg, a sort of Fagin-esque character. We have Eugene Levy as Orrin – he's a house robot. We have Bill Nighy as Dr. Elefun, the conscience of our movie – and actually Bill has two roles in this movie because I worked with him on 'Flushed Away' and I love working with him so I cast him twice in this film. We have Matt Lucas playing a character called Sparks, who's a new character who's a robot revolutionary who's actually pretty useless, and Bill plays one of his cohorts, Robotski, who's also a very useless revolutionary."

Also instrumental in bringing Astro Boy and the inhabitants of Metro City to life was character designer Luis Grane, a longtime fan of the character since his boyhood in Argentina. Grane drew inspiration from a disparate variety of sources, most specifically classic Japanese and Japanese American artists and sculptors employing simple shapes and structures that were in line with Tezuka's original flat but evocative manga style. In attempting to translate that style into a 3-D form, Grane also incorporated philosophies from pre-Columbian art, specifically from Western Mexico where elongated shapes and caricature-ish elements abound – shapes and styles that found their way into over 30 robots, both anthropomorphic and abstract, featured in the film.

But there the biggest challenge for Grane was Astro himself, and how to visualize the half-naked kid in jet boots for a modern audience.


"They wanted to make him a little bit older than the original one, to appeal to a broader audience, so we tried different things," Grane explained. "One of the big issues was to have him with the classic costume, so there were concerns about a boy flying in underwear through the city. So we tried different clothes, different costumes."

Ultimately, the result embodied the icon, but added bits of futuristic flair. "It's our version, but we didn't want to lose the essence of the character," said Grane. "We tried to use the iconic features, like the X-ray vision, rocket boots, and the controversial cannons [in his rear end]. We were like 'Should we use these? Is it going to look weird?' But for me it was normal. I grew up with him – of course he has butt cannons! So they're in the movie."

Bowers also introduced several nearly-finished scenes from the new film which appear to have successfully married the pathos and poignancy the director found in the original manga story with the pop-y whiz-bang of the TV series and all the high-tech animated bells and whistles today's audience expects from both animated features and superhero epics.

In the first scene, Bowers explains: "Dr. Tenma has just lost his son Tobey – he's heartbroken and feel like it's his fault. And this is his way of coping, his solution." The director revealed a subtly told, noticeably dark sequence in which Tenma, against the best advice of his otherwise sympathetic colleagues, brings Astro Boy to life as a replacement, hoping to fill the aching void in his life.

In the second sequence unveiled, Bowers revealed: "Dr. Tenma takes Astro home and they go through sort of a normal day but things don't work out as he expected. Astro's a little bit different than Tobey and he's disappointed, and he ends up eventually breaking the truth to Astro, that he's not his son, that he's a robot that looks like his son and he doesn't want him anymore. And Astro's heartbroken and flies out of the apartment, and when we catch up to him he's sitting sort of coming to terms with the truth about what's just happened. Astro's tested his powers and learned that he can fly, and he showed up on the miltary's sensors, and the military wants to try to get his blue core power source back.

The scenes show alternate from tragic to giddy to foreboding, as Astro discovers his abilities amid a complex and stunningly rendered vision of Metro City but draws attention from the military and President Stone (voiced by Donald Sutherland) that may be his undoing as he seeks out a new life and purpose.

In the final scene that Bower shared, Astro has already gone through several challenges and disappointments: "Astro ends up landing on the surface of Earth and has to sort of make his way," said the director. "A lot happened and he runs into a bunch of kids who he befriends. He meets a guy called Ham Egg that he thinks could be another father for him. But eventually he has to make a choice: whether to help the people of Metro City or to just fly away from the people who haven't treated him so well. In the meantime, President Stone has activated this thing called the Peacekeeper robot, which is Astro's nemesis toward the end of this movie, and it's an eight-foot-tall robot that has the ability to suck up anything around it – it will suck up chairs, grab your guns, anything to use against you. It's also absorbed President Stone, which is why it's speaking in Donald Sutherland's voice."

In the action-packed sequence, Astro Boy emerges as a blockbuster level hero on par with any other superhero, even if he's only wearing underwear. And you can just bet those rear-end missles are going to come into play.

Astro Boy hits theaters on October 23. Bower, Highmore, Bell and producer Maryann Garger will debut footage exclusive to Comic-Con and answer questions on Thursday, July 23rd from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.in room 6BCF!
Full Story......

News : James Cameron Previews 24 Minutes of Avatar!

James Cameron screened 24 minutes of his highly-anticipated Avatar at the Cinema Expo in Amsterdam on Tuesday and scooper 'The Insider' witnessed the footage and sent us this exclusive report! The footage utilized the RealD XL Cinema System. The 3D presentation was on a 55-foot screen with nearly 10-foot Lamberts of light, delivering the largest and brightest 3D presentation at Cinema Expo.

I've just returned from a preview screening of James Cameron's hugely anticipated movie "Avatar" at the Cinema Expo in Amsterdam and I'm still feeling the after effects of this jaw-dropping experience. First off, I'm really not a fan of the so called 3-D craze, that's currently taking Hollywood by storm. Before the "Avatar" screening, Fox showed us "Ice Age 3" in 3-D and although the movie is pretty entertaining, I don't understand why it has to be in 3-D. What is the added benefit? I just got a headache from the whole experience. For some reason or another, my eyes just can't get used to the 3-D experience. With it comes the fact that 3-D until now has been used as a gimmick.

Would "Avatar" change my mind? With anticipation I directed my attention to the 20th Century Fox show reel. After some pretty disappointing clips from other movies like "Gulliver's Travels" you could feel the tension in the theater. Then it appeared on the screen: AVATAR. After a brief introduction from cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver, we were asked to put on the 3-D glasses (really uncomfortable, especially if you already wear a pair). Most of the scenes were from the first half of the movie.

In the first scene we see Sam Worthington's crippled ex-marine Jake Sully, who just arrived on the planet 'Pandora.' He's in a wheelchair and just rolled in to hear Colonel Quaritch, played by the impressive Stephen Lang, talk to the troops. He's giving a classic speech that every military leader gives at the beginning of a battle. Jake listens as an outsider to this speech. A melancholic smile appears on his face. Although the scene is in 3-D, I haven't really noticed it. Finally a director who doesn't feel the need to stick it in the audience's face with cheap tricks like pointing objects at the camera.

In the second scene Sigourney Weaver's Dr. Grace Augustine explains to Jake how the process of transporting your mind into an Avatar works. Although the scene is mostly exposition, we've got a good look at the lab and more importantly we get a first glimpse of the Avatars, the Na'Vi lookalikes. These tall blue creatures lie in water tanks, waiting for their human to 'jump' in their bodies. Besides Weaver and Worthington, the scene introduces Joel Moore's character Norm Spellman. As is usually the case with Moore, his character is the comic relief.

It's the third scene where my heart begins to pound like crazy. Jake and Norm will inhabit their Avatar for the first time. They enter some sort of capsule and - flash – their mind enters the blue creatures, now lying on hospital tables. And not before long Avatar Jake wakes up. And it took my breath away. I thought--just like you guys--that I've seen it all with Gollum, or The Hulk, but Cameron has done it again. These creatures seem so real, that within minutes you forget you're watching an enormous and very blue CGI character. Even the eyes are totally convincing. The characters have real personalities and a soul.



In the fourth scene the Avatars of Jake, Norm and Grace explore the jungle of Pandora. The surroundings remind me of a planet that appears briefly in "Revenge of the Sith." A lot of massive colorful flowers and plants grow everywhere. Jake's unbridled enthusiasm works on Grace's nerves. And not before long they have their first confrontation with some creatures. Some sort of rhino with a flower sticking out of his head looks like he will kill Jake, but he's not scared and he let's out a scream. The 'rhino' runs away, but not because of Jake. A more dangerous creature – a wolf? – jumps at Jake from behind.

In the next couple of scenes Jake meets Na'Vi Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). Jake finds himself alone at night in the jungle with only a torch as protection against some evil looking dogs. Eager to fight them, Jake says: 'What are you waiting for?' When one of the 'dogs' attacks him he slams the torch in the creature's face. A fight ensues that Jake can't win by himself. Lucky for him, there's Neytiri who with her trusty bow and arrow helps Jake chase away the creatures. Just when Jake wants to offer his gratitude, Neytiri knocks his reached out hand away and says to Jake that killing these creatures is a bad thing. When the scene fades out to black, my mind begins to work overtime. How the hell is it possible that I never once felt like I've been watching a movie where almost everything comes out of a computer?

The most beautiful scene follows directly after the one I've described above. When Jake wants to take his torch with him, Neytiri takes it from him and throws it in the river. Like magic the flowers and plants – even the grassy soil - begin to glow in the night. The beauty completely takes my breath away. Meanwhile we get to learn more about Neytiri and her people. Everybody who knows the story of Native American Pocahontas and John Smith, will recognize a lot of similarities. Before you can sing "Colors of the Wind," Neytiri guides Jake through her world. Mysterious flowing and glowing seeds from a mystic tree appear out of nowhere. To Neytiri's surprise Jake attracts them. She has a look in her eyes like he's the 'chosen one.' And of course she's right. Jake has to lead the Na'Vi into battle against the massive army of Colonel Quaritch.

In the next scene we meet the Banshees. The Na'Vi ride these fierce looking creatures when they hunt. After some exposition, where Neytiri explains to Jake that a Banshee first has to respect you, before you can ride it, she takes flight and another gorgeous scene unspools.

The last scene wasn't completed. What we saw, was sort of a video-game version of the mother of all battles. Countless numbers of Na'Vi riding their Banshees attack Quaritch's fleet. I can't wait to see the battle fully rendered.

Overall I was really impressed by what I saw. The effects are in a league of their own. After some disappointing or even pointless 3-D movies, "Avatar" may be the first movie where 3-D is properly utilized.
Full Story......

Shakugan no Shana II Showtimes Start in July

Tokyo: from 1 July 2009, broadcasting companies Animax will show supernatural action anime series Shakugan no Shana II. Cartoon entertainment about this High School student named Yuji Sakai are with the beautiful girl in the class, Shana. Both teenagers are given the power that aims to maintain a balance in the world of spirit. Chance, a feeling of love is shown between the two.

In the first series, Yuji told trail in reality a little creepy. He was not only able to see spirits, but saw the souls of men become the food of the monster. Shana Yuji strength to know that also reveal a secret, Yuji actually have a special spirit in the middle of the drill monster. Since it is, Shana patronize "mystes" or the soul in self Yuji. With the sword of the Shana, himself successfully destroy the monster known as the kingdom of the red.

There is another mysterious figure who enter the story in this second season, Fumina Konoe. He is a student who does not clear background and has a hidden meaning of Yuji and Shana.

As a serial starting in Asia, Animax conduct a series of promotional activities on and off the water. One change to the logo and graphics in blue to red, in line with the theme Shakugan no Shana II. They also launched the first contest debut "vote for your favorite Shana-look - alike contest" is very sexy.

Just enough information, Animax is a company owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed SPE Networks Asia. Animax spectators have 40 million people in 23 million households.
Full Story......

Ice Age 3, Got New Friends!

Finally, a one-awaited film of waiting at this time in "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" has been showing 'signs of life'.

This time, in the film "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" will be new characters in addition to Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, Crash and Eddie named Buck.

This is evidenced by the emergence of discount picture or clip provided by MSN be about 1 minute, entitled "The Name's Buck." The rather long clip it be regarded simply create the animated fan film Ice Age more curious ..

As is known, "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" is the third film from the previous two films Ice Age (2002) and Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) where the director of this film (Carlos Saldanha) still rely dubbing the old players .

"Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" will be released soon begin on 1 July 2009 with Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo), Diego (Denis Leary), Ellie (Queen Latifah), Crash and Eddie (Seann William Scott and Josh Peck)
Scrat (Chris Wedge) Buck and the Weasel (Simon Pegg) as the voice.

And now, what it's like a new character named Buck in the mini-clips that already exist? (ACB / Ezz)


Full Story......

Now, Animation film 'UP' Film Being in demand

Film production combined cartoons Disney with Pixar Animation, "Up", became the United States authorities cinemas for two weeks. Two funny new film, "The Hangover" and "Land of the Lost", failed to move "Up" last week that the film has become the most in demand.

Success of the "Up" to the film's most in demand in the last two quite tolerable because summer is when the Hollywood producers launch expensive products that will be in demand.

After the "Up", there are three films that are scheduled out-awaited and one each weekend began last weekend of this month. They are "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

"Up" is also sizeable achievement because most movies are usually income down 50 percent in the second weekend. Disney cartoons are / Pixar is only down 35 percent. Achievements such as this previously recorded only "Finding Nemo".

Achievements "Hangover", played Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis, ranking second in the exciting enough for the producer, Warner Bros.. They estimate the "Hangover" is behind the "Up" and "Land of the Lost".

But it turns out "Land of the Lost", a comedy adventure film is based on a 1970s television, which is shifted in the third rank.

Source : rileks
Full Story......

Alvin and the Chipmunks made immediately

For you who already saw the animated film from Alvin and the Chipmunk in 2007, now soon be ready more quickly because the film made.

According to the plan, the film production of this 20th Century Fox will soon be released as of 25 December 2009 with the future director Betty Thomas.

So far, a trailer also has been in situ tersaji official they have been made in www.munkyourself.com, in sites where there is a news update about the movie funny and suitable for families.

Movies that will be given the title of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel it will be played by Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, and Zachary Levi as the voice.

Full Story......