Frozen: Snow

A Material Point Method for Snow Simulation



Posted by disneyanimation

The Hunger Games 2

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire [PG-13]

2013 Lionsgate

Directed by Francis Lawrence

Grade: B-

Down-graded from B.

+1: Performances (Katniss Everdeen played by Jennifer Lawrence).

-1: Pace.

par: Challenges.

-1: Cliff-hanger ending.

par: Franchise serial installment.

[overview on Fandango]

Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks [PG-13]

2013

Directed by John Lee Hancock

Grade: B-

Down-Graded from B.

-1: Casting (Tom Hanks as Walt Disney, Jason Schwartzman as Richard M. Sherman, B.J. Novak as Robert Sherman).

+1: Performances (Emma Thompson as P.L.Travers).

par: Story structure (interweaved flashbacks).

par: Historical inconsistencies (appearance of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Winnie the Pooh (1966) plush in 1961 setting).

-1: Lack of expository epilogue.

+ Clever opening “Walt Disney” title card.

+ Sample of P.L. Travers story meeting audio recording over beginning of end credits.

[overview on Fandango]

Thor 2

Thor: The Dark World [PG-13]

2013

Directed by Alan Taylor

Grade: B

Up-graded from C.

Par: Cast.

+1: Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

+1: Everybody fights, almost (Frigga (Rene Russo)).

+1: Art direction and design (Ray Chan, Supervising A.D.; Wendy Partridge, Costume).

par: Franchise serial installment.

[overview on Fandango]

- Bonus scene after the end credits.

Frozen

Frozen [PG]

2013

Directed by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

Grade: B-

Up-graded from C

+1: Art Direction.

-1: Songs.

+1: Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad), a snowman looking forward to summer.

+1: Characters.

par: Story and plot.

[overview on Fandango]

+ New Mickey Mouse short before the motion picture.

+ Bonus scene after credits.

* Update:
+1: 3D.

Beatbox Master Remixes Disney's Classic 'The Skeleton Dance' … With His Mouth

By Bryan Enk on Yahoo Movie Talk

In the spirit of the Halloween season, Tom Thum has turned his bizarre talents towards a holiday classic: Walt Disney's spooky animated short "The Skeleton Dance," premiering exclusively here on Yahoo Movies. Give it a look (and a listen):

[video at Yahoo]

Royals 2Pac Beck Mash Up by Pomplamoose

Published on Nov 5, 2013 on YouTube



http://youtu.be/dm3ZEMQf98k

Gravity IMAX 3D

Gravity: An IMAX 3D Eperience [PG-13]
2013
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Grade: A
Upgraded from B

+1: Special effects and cinematography.
par: Portrayal of physics.
+1: Cast: Sandra Bullock (as Dr. Ryan Stone), George Clooney (Mat Kowalski)
+1: Space is dangerous.
+1: Pacing.

[overview on Fandango]


+1: 3D

The Grandmaster

The Grandmaster [PG-13]
2013
Directed by Wong Kar Wai

Grade: C+
Up-graded from C.

+1: Fight Choreography (Yuen Woo-Ping).
par: Dramatized biography.
+1: Cinematography.
-1: Historical context.
par: Rain.

[synopsis on Fandango]

Radioactive by Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix

Published on Mar 12, 2013

A cappella group Pentatonix and Liolinist Linset Stirling join up for a redition of Imagine Dragon's “Radioactive” 

http://youtu.be/aE2GCa-_nyU

“Carrrie” in a Coffee Shop

Published Oct. 7, 2013

For some unsuspecting patrons of a New York City coffee shop, a scary confrontation straight out of a Stephen King novel (and its two movie adaptations) happened right before their eyes. Watch the video of the prank inspired by the upcoming new version of “Carrie” 

The video was the creation of Thinkmodo, the New York-based viral video marketing company. 

[read more at Movie talk on Yahoo]

http://youtu.be/VlOxlSOr3_M

First Day of my Life by Bright Eyes

by Bright Eyes

Video directed by John Cameron Mitchell, the director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2000).

http://youtu.be/E4LqlNpA61I

Le Gouffre - Animated Short Film

Le Gouffre - Animated Short Film

by Lightning Boy Studio

Kickstarter campaign to raise $5,000 (Can) goal by October 9, 2013 to produce an animated film.

An inspiring tale about friendship, sacrifice and conquering the impossible.

“LE GOUFFRE”, WHAT'S THAT?

“Quite simply, it’s the most ambitious project we’ve ever done (it’s also a french word meaning abyss, or large gap). It’s an 8-min long animated short film, it features a new painterly style we came up with, and it tells the amazing journey of two travelers that must build a bridge to cross over an impossible gap blocking their way.”

 

[Read more at Kickstarter]

[Read more at Cartoon Brew]

Atlanta to Alaska and back, a Vintage Motorcycle Documentary

 

Atlanta to Alaska and back, a Vintage Motorcycle Documentary

by Aurorah Yarberry

 

 Kickstarter Campaign

for $25,000 for the first third of fundraising rounds by Friday, October 25, 2013.

 

“I’m the creator behind a feature length documentary film about restoring a 1972 Honda CB 350, and yes; I am also  the girl who is doing the restoration (with help), and yes, riding the restored vintage bike from Atlanta to Alaska and back. It’s an 11,000 mile round trip.”

 

[Read more at Kickstarter]

Chipotle’s “Scarecrow”

posted on YouTube Sept.11, 2013



This new video featuring Fiona Apple covering “Pure Imagination” (written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 1971), at around 1:37, may be the most poignant moment you’ve ever witnessed in fast food marketing.

The video itself is a promotion not for Chipotle per se but for an iOS game that's available for free on the app store.


http://youtu.be/lUtnas5ScSE

Read more about the video at Slate.com:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/09/12/chipotle_scarecrow_video_is_totally_amazing.html

R2’s Detour: J.J. Abrams Uses Unlikely Hero to Bridge ‘Star’ Franchises

posted on Movie Talk on Yahoo, Sept. 12, 2013

R2-D2 flying by in Paramount Pictures’ ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’.

In case you blinked, Abrams bridges the galaxies between the two great “Star” franchises by sending everyone’s favorite droid flying across the screen in both of the director's “Star Trek” flicks (and his other films as well.)

Read the article on Movie Talk [http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/easter-egg-artist-j-j-abrams-uses-unlikely-220401105.html].

Read a contributing article on io9.

This Terrifying Raptor Chase Is the Most Traumatic Prank of All Time

http://youtu.be/zZGNk8pUj4Y

Reported on io9 by Rob Bricken [link] Aug. 24, 2013

TCM: Summer Under the Stars 2013

 

Summer Under the Stars

A different star featured every day in August on TCM

Check out the website: tcm.com

Wolverine 2

The Wolverine [PG-13]
2013
Directed by James Mangold

Grade: B
Down-graded from B.

+1: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).
+1: Action/ fight sequences.
-1: Jean Grey’s ghost? (Famke Janssen).
-1: Character story arcs- Viper’s (Svetlana Khodchenkova) motivation, Shingen’s Hiroyuki Sannda) long range plans, Mariko’s (Tao Okamoto) seeming lack of plans.
par: Silver Samurai.

[synopsis on Fandango]

Bonus sequence after credits: par.

Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim [PG-13]
2013 Warner Bros.
Driected by Guillermo del Toro

Grade: B-
Up-Graded from C.

par: Characters- Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam), Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi), Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba).
+1: Kaiju (monster) and Jeager (robot) design and animation.
par: Improbable science: mind-linked robot controls; using a tanker ship as a club.
+1: Flashback sequence of young Mako (Mana Ashida)
par: Invading aliens’ over-confidence.

[synopsis on Fandango]

The Lone Ranger, vol. 3, No. 1

The Lone Ranger [PG-13]
2013 Disney
Directed by Gore Verbinski

Grade C
Down-graded from B

par: Cast- Armie Hammer (as the Lone Ranger/ John Reid), Johnny Depp (Tonto).
-1: Flashback story structure.
-1: Pace.
par: Eccentric characters- Red (Helena Bonham Carter), Silver (horse).
-1: Physics of fighting on top of a moving train.

[synopsis on Fandango]

End credit sequence: -1

This Is the End

This Is the End [R]
2013 Sony Pictures
Directed by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg

Grade: A
Up-graded from B.

+1: Cast- Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Craig Robinson
+1: Michael Cera (as Michael Cera).
+1: Monster design.
par: Story.
par: The moral of the story.

[synopsis on Fandango]

The Heat

The Heat [R]
2013 20th Century Fox
Directed by Paul Feig

Grade C-
Down-graded from C.

par: Cast- Sandra Bullock (as Sarah Ashburn), Melissa McCarthy (Shannon Mullins).
-1: Buddy cop characterizations.
+1: Mullins Family.
par: Drug ring storyline.
-1: Pace.

[synopsis on Fandango]

Adventure Time Main Title Sequence in LEGOs

Published Aug. 3,2013

Check out the opening of Adventure Time created with LEGO!
Watch more YouTube Geek Week videos at http://youtube.com.com/geekweek

http://youtu.be/6J1hvuCVTks

Star Trek Artist Juan Ortiz Was EVERYWHERE as Comic Con

 

Ortiz is the artist behind the colorful and inventive Star Trek: The Original Series Art Prints, which have inspired posters, books, shot glasses, tee-shirts, coasters, wine bottle labels and more. It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that this year’s Comic-Con should have been the Juan Ortiz 2013 World Tour. 

For Comic-Con, he created the Klingon House postcards that StarTrek.com gave away to fans throughout weekend, and he beamed to San Diego for autograph signings on Sunday at the Titan (The Art of Juan Ortiz), Mighty Fine (posters) and Entertainment Earth/Bif Bang Pow! (coasters) booths.

[read the entire article @ StarTrek.com]

Superman, Vol. 3, No. 1

Man of Steel [PG-13]
2013 Warner Bros.
Directed by Zack Snyder

Grade C-
Down-graded from C.

+1: Superman/ Clark Kent (played by Henry Cavill)
+1: Kryptonians fight.
-1: Pace.
-1: Tone.
-1: Fun?

IMAX 3D Grade: par

[overview on Fandango]

epic

epic [PG]
2013 Twentieth Century Fox
Directed by Chris Wedge

Grade: C+
Up-graded from C

par: Theme, environmentalism.
+1: Comedic supporting cast, Aziz Ansari (voice of Mub), Chris O’Dowd (Grub).
-1: Science, improbable device to speak in real time with people moving too fast to see.
+1: Battle scenes.
par: Score (Danny Elfman).

[overview on Fandango]

Matt Ferguson's Orginal Cast Stark Trek Movie Posters

Matt currently exhibits his art all around the world including galleries in New York, Los Angeles, Paris and of course his home country the UK.

[link]
Matt’s site: http://www.cakesandcomics.com/

How to Use Math to Dominate Monopoly

by Walter Hickey
Business Insider, June 20, 2013

Monopoly is one of the classic American games.
It’s played amongst close friends, loved ones, and trusted business partners.
It’s also one of the few times in life where it’s perfectly acceptable to want to systematically annihilate and crush the aforementioned friends, loved ones and partners.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/math-monopoly-statistics-2013-6?op=1#ixzz2WzFLGZ4z

Star Trek, vol. 2, no. 2

Star Trek Into Darkness 

2013 Paramount

Directed by J. J. Abrams

Grade: B+

Up-graded from B.

+1: Character development: Capt. James Kirk (played by Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto).

par: Adversaries, John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), Klingons.

+1: Almost any scene with Scotty (Simon Pegg) or Dr. McCoy (Karl Urban).

-1: Bending physics (space suits flying like rockets in space, big things falling into coastal bays, space ships exiting a collapsing warp field, etc.).

par: Franchise serial installment.

[overview on Fandango]

Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3 [PG-13]

2013 Paramount, Marvel Studios

Directed by Shane Black

Grade: A-

Up-graded from B.

+1: Cast: Robert Downey, Jr. (as Tony Stark/ Iron Man), Ben Kingsley (The Mandarin).

+1: Iron Man upgrades.

par: Story structure (James Bond styled international intrigue).

par: Parenting/ mentoring styles of Tony Stark (giving a “mild” explosive device to boy to deal with bullies at school which is later shown to have the power to shock an Extremis super soldier)

par: Conclusions (vague allusions to main characters fates, and no information about The Avengers Initiative).

[overview on Fandango]

Bonus scene after end credits: D.

Chalk Billboard, Redrawn Twice Daily, Highlights Freshness at McDonald's

reported by David Gianatasio on ADWeek - May 10, 2013

If the crowds seem larger than usual at a certain McDonald's in Warsaw, Poland, chalk it up to the menu. We're talking about a billboard-sized menu, hand-drawn in multicolored chalk twice daily by graffiti artist Stefan Szwed-Stronzynski as part of a campaign cooked up by the local office of DDB, art studio Good Looking and Krewcy Krawcy Productions.

[read the entire article]
 

Olympus Has Fallen

Olympus Has Fallen [R]

2013 Film District

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Grade: B-

Up-graded from C.

Par: Feasibility.

+1: Story structure (“Die Hard” in the White House).

+1: Cast: Gerard Butler (as Secret Service Agent Mike Banning).

+1: Fight choreography.

-1: CGI destruction of Washington D.C.

[overview on Fandango]

Jack the Giant Slayer

Jack the Giant Slayer [PG-13]

2013 Warner Bros.

Directed by Bryan Singer

Grade: B

Up-graded from B.

Par: Comedy.

+1: Cast: Nicholas Hoult (as Jack), Ewan McGregor (Elmont), Stanley Tucci (Roderick).

-1: Science: Heights of magic beanstalks and elevations of kingdoms for giants.

Par: CGI character effects.

Par: Prologue with CGI puppets.

[overview on Fandango]

Die Hard 5

A Good Day to Die Hard [R]

2013 Twentieth Century Fox

Directed by John Moore

Grade: D

Down-graded from C.

Par: Boom!

-1: John Mc Clane (Bruce Willis) a tourist in Russia.

Par: Plot (double crosses and twists).

-1: Jack Mc Clane (Jai Courtney), Jack’s Son.

-1: Franchise serial installment.

[overview on Fandango]

Hinges, book 1 - KickStarter

Cartoonist Meredith McClaren is looking to publish her page-a-week web comic, Hinges, Book 1, Clockwork City into an actual hold-it-in-your-hands book. You can help her achieve her goal with a pledge at KickStarter. Act by May 22, 2013.

[visit the KickStarter page]

[see the web comic: http://hingescomic.blogspot.com]

Man Rules

AT LAST A GUY HAS TAKEN THE TIME TO WRITE THIS ALL DOWN.
FINALLY, the guys’ side of the story.

WE ALWAYS HEAR “THE RULES” FROM THE FEMALE SIDE.
NOW HERE ARE THE RULES FROM THE MALE SIDE.

THESE ARE OUR RULES!

PLEASE NOTE. THESE ARE ALL NUMBERED #1 ON PURPOSE!



1. MEN ARE NOT MIND READERS.

1. LEARN TO WORK THE TOILET SEAT. YOU’RE A BIG GIRL. IF IT’S UP, PUT IT DOWN. WE NEED IT UP, YOU NEED IT DOWN. YOU DON'T HEAR US COMPLAINING ABOUT YOU LEAVING IT DOWN.

1. CRYING IS BLACKMAIL.

1. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT. LET US BE CLEAR ON THIS ONE:
SUBTLE HINTS DO NOT WORK!
STRONG HINTS DO NOT WORK!
OBVIOUS HINTS DO NOT WORK!
JUST SAY IT!

1. “YES” AND “NO” ARE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE ANSWERS TO ALMOST EVERY QUESTION.

1. COME TO US WITH A PROBLEM ONLY IF YOU WANT HELP SOLVING IT. THAT’S WHAT WE DO. SYMPATHY IS WHAT YOUR GIRLFRIENDS ARE FOR.

1. ANYTHING WE SAID 6 MONTHS AGO IS INADMISSIBLE IN AN ARGUMENT. IN FACT, ALL COMMENTS BECOME NULL AND VOID AFTER 7 DAYS.

1. IF YOU THINK YOU’RE FAT, YOU PROBABLY ARE. DON’T ASK US.

1. IF SOMETHING WE SAID CAN BE INTERPRETED TWO WAYS AND ONE OF THE WAYS MAKES YOU SAD OR ANGRY, WE MEANT THE OTHER ONE.

1. YOU CAN EITHER ASK US TO DO SOMETHING OR TELL US HOW YOU WANT IT DONE. NOT BOTH.
IF YOU ALREADY KNOW BEST HOW TO DO IT, JUST DO IT YOURSELF.

1. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PLEASE SAY WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO SAY DURING COMMERCIALS.

1. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DID NOT NEED DIRECTIONS AND NEITHER DO WE...

1. ALL MEN SEE IN ONLY 16 COLORS, LIKE WINDOWS DEFAULT SETTINGS..
PEACH, FOR EXAMPLE, IS A FRUIT, NOT A COLOR. PUMPKIN IS ALSO A FRUIT. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MAUVE IS.

1. IF WE ASK WHAT IS WRONG AND YOU SAY “NOTHING,” WE WILL ACT LIKE NOTHING’S WRONG. WE KNOW YOU ARE LYING, BUT IT IS JUST NOT WORTH THE HASSLE.

1. IF YOU ASK A QUESTION YOU DON'T WANT AN ANSWER TO, EXPECT AN ANSWER YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR..

1. WHEN WE HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING YOU WEAR IS FINE...REALLY.

1. DON’T ASK US WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO DISCUSS SUCH TOPICS AS FOOTBALL OR MOTOR SPORTS.

1. YOU HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHES.

1 . YOU HAVE TOO MANY SHOES.

1. I AM IN SHAPE. ROUND IS A SHAPE!

1. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS. YES, I KNOW, I HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH TONIGHT.. BUT DID YOU KNOW MEN REALLY DON’T MIND THAT? IT’S LIKE CAMPING...




PASS THIS TO AS MANY MEN AS YOU CAN - TO GIVE THEM A LAUGH...

PASS THIS TO AS MANY WOMEN AS YOU CAN - TO GIVE THEM A BIGGER LAUGH, BECAUSE IT’S TRUE!

Novo Peugeot 208 - Crazy Race

Hanna-Barbera’s Wacky Racers (Wacky Races, 1965) show up and challenge this Peugeot driver in this Brazilian commercial ad.

poster on Youtube by peugeotbrasil

http://youtu.be/zAsyF4J_klk

20 Awesome Covers from the U.S. Space Program

– reported on io9, Mar. 12, 2013.

The upcoming 2013 April 18 Space Exploration Signature Auction by Heritage Auctions brought us these fine document covers. Manuals, guidebooks, press kits, reports, brochures - all with cool artworks and typography.

http://space.kinja.com/twenty-awesome-covers-from-the-us-space-program-461436874

Disney Dream Portraits Series - part 4

Famed celebrity photogragher Annie Leibovitz adds to her series of portrayals of celebrities in the roles of iconic Disney characters. The series began with the Disney Parks’ “Year of a Million Dreams” celebration in 2007.

In January of year, six-time Grammy winning artist Taylor Swift appears as tower emprisoned princess, Rapunzel from the animated film, Tangled.

[Behind the scenes featurette on the Disney Parks blog]

[First look, the Disney Parks Blog]

[DDP Series 1, 2007-2008]

[DDP Series 2, 2001]

[DDP Series 3, 2012]

Classic 1966 “Batman” Halloween Costumes Are Coming Out This Year

– originally posted in ComicsAlliance.com, April 11, 2013.

After years of being unable to capitalize on the classic Batman TV show, it looks like Warner Bros. and DC are wasting absolutely no time on making up for that. Since merchandising rights were sorted out, they've announced a new line of action figures, a digital comic series, and now, we're getting full-on Batman '66 costumes for Halloween.

Batman includes a jumpsuit to which those boots are attached, and a utility belt whose functionality remains unknown.

Robin includes the tights.

Batgirl does not include the red wig or purple boots.

The Riddler, in addition to his jumpsuit and purple corset, actually does include his signature question mark cane.


[more at tomztoys.blogspot.com “Bat-Blog.com”]

Wedding RSVP Reveals How Some People Feel About Attending Nuptials

– posted on the Huffington Post, 04/08/2013

If you’ve ever dealt with the (often frustrating) task of gathering RSVPs for a wedding, you’ll appreciate this bride’s clever invitation solution.

Reddit user Herm0 posed a photo Sunday of his sister's RSVP card for her upcoming nuptials. The card pokes fun at how her guests might react to the invitation -- check it out below:

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters [R]
2013 Paramount
Directed by Tommy Wirkola

Grade: B-
Up-graded from C.

par: Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton (as Hansel and Gretel).
+1: Creative witch killing.
par: Historical fantasy.
par: Narrative twist.
+1: Tone and pace.

[overview on Fandango]

9 Famous Movie Vilains Who Were Right All Along

by Cezary Jan Strusiewicz, January 12, 2011, Cracked.com

The Wicked Witch of the West wasn’t set out to kill Dorothy. She wanted her sister’s slippers, which were being worn by her sister’s killer.

The security chief in Short Circuit was in the right by trying to recapture a malfunctioning piece of machinery with a laser canon which gained sentience but had no understanding of the value of life or death.

And in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, it’s the principal’s job to see to it that kids go to school and not take unapproved days off.

Check out Cezary Jan Strusiewicz ’s“villain”s eye” summary of 9 famous movies:
http://www.cracked.com/article_18417_9-famous-movie-villains-who-were-right-all-along.html

Les Misérables

Les Misérables [PG-13]
2012 Universal
Directed by Tom Hooper

Grade B-
Up-graded from C.

+1: Theme of redemption.
+2: Performances: Anne Hathaway (as Fantine), Samanth Barks (Eponine).
-1: Big singing heads filling the screen.
-1: Pace/ Lack of quiet moments.
+1: Art direction.

[overview on Fandango]

Star Trek Retro Art Prints by Juan Ortiz

Artist Juan Ortiz has created 80 movie-style posters, one for each and every episode (including the first pilot) of Star Trek: The Original Series.

The images feature retro-style art that recalls 1960’s-era posters, pulp novel covers, comic books and advertisements, and will be introduced at a rate of four a month, on the first of each month, over the next 20 months – and not in chronological order.

Read more about them in an interview with Oritz at StarTrek.com
[series 1] : http://www.startrek.com/article/first-look-new-retro-art-prints
[series 2] : http://www.startrek.com/article/first-look-septembers-tos-retro-art-posters
[series 3] : http://www.startrek.com/article/first-look-octobers-tos-retro-art-prints
[series 4] : http://www.startrek.com/article/november-tos-retro-art-prints-available-today
[series 5] : http://www.startrek.com/article/december-tos-retro-art-prints-now-available
[series 6] : http://www.startrek.com/article/january-tos-art-prints-available-now

Check out Juan Ortiz’s website:
http://www.juanortiz.org/