Tag Archives: Warner Bros. Animation

No comments

R.I.P. Gordon Kent

  By ,

Card3B

Yesterday we lost another one of our own in the Animation industry in Gordon Kent who’d been in the business since 1977. I met Gordon many years ago at Warner Bros. on my very first job working as a character layout artist on the series Tazmania where he was the Story editor and have bumped into him off and on at studios and parties throughout the years. He was a kind and thoughtful man who had a dry sense of humor and he had a unique style of drawing which I really liked(and you can see above). Incidentally, we interviewed Gordon last year about how he got into the business.

I’ve been doing this since 1977… I worked on a show called CBS Storybreak for two seasons. I was associate producer – but my job entailed hiring character and background designers, storyboard artists and story editing (and some writing). I also was the voice director for most of them and worked with the composers and sound effects people as well as working with the engineers on the final mix. I got to learn and do a lot. That was for Buzz Potamkin at Southern Star. I also worked for him years later at both Disney TV and Hanna-Barbera. At HB I got to be Supervising Producer on a couple of movies for TV – Titles change in animation all the time – today that would be supervising director. The Flintstones’ Christmas Carol was my favorite project there. I’ve been an animation timing director since then and have been lucky enough to work on Kim Possible, Teamo Supremo, Billy and Mandy and Bob’s Burgers among dozens of other shows.

Rest In Peace Gordon Kent… you will be missed by many.

You can read the full interview here if you like.

 

 

No comments

Review: Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness

  By
http://castagnolaproductions.com/WB/SD_MMM/SD_MMM_DarkSideOfTheMoon_1080.mov

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness
Reviewed by Melissa Milo

America’s favorite squad of sleuths team up once more in a new original movie, Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings you an animated feature that is sure to be loved by any age group, holds an entertaining plot, and even has a couple celebrities within the cast.

The film begins with the whole gang- Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Velma, and Daphne- winning the last five seats in a lottery to join billionaire, Sly Baron (played by regal-voiced actor, Malcolm McDowell) aboard his brand new ship, The Sly Star One to descend into space along with a handful of other lottery winners. It’s all fun and games until a supposed alien begins to destroy parts of the ship and the crew is forced to land on Sly’s base, which is built on the dark side of the moon. The entire premise of the plot is set on Scooby-Doo and the Gang figuring out how to stop this alien… if it even is a real alien.

http://castagnolaproductions.com/WB/SD_MMM/SD_MMM_FlightSuits_1080.mov

With surprisingly sharp wit and droll comedic timing, Moon Monster Madness is a movie that children especially would not want to miss. The great part about this film is that adults will most likely enjoy it as well. The famed movie Alien from 1979 is given a nod several times within the story. For example, the suspicious AI robot that the audience isn’t too sure they can trust, is mimicked in one character, and the design of the alien that chases the crew is very similar to that of Ridley Scott’s. This gives the film a certain je ne se quoi that provokes older audience members to get interested in the plot. In addition to this, more mature viewers may appreciate that Matthew Lillard, the same actor who played Shaggy in the live-action take on the Scooby-Doo franchise, plays the voice of Shaggy.

http://castagnolaproductions.com/WB/SD_MMM/SD_MMM_AlienTrap_1080.mov

Another quality that one may notice is the character designs have not been changed. Unlike many other rebooted animated characters that have been around for years, Scooby-Doo and the Gang remain unmodified. This aspect successfully preserves the nostalgia Scooby-Doo movies bring to the table as well as the timeless charisma each protagonist possesses.

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness is a piece of work that might quite possibly be underrated due to its going straight to DVD, however I am here to tell you all that this animated film should not be overlooked. It’s fun, silly, well acted, well written, and decently animated. If you have children, definitely scoop a copy of this up- and if you love Scooby-Doo, do the same thing.

Pencils-Scooby Doo Monster Madness

Here’s some bonus content for the DVD as well!

http://castagnolaproductions.com/WB/SD_MMM/SD_MMM_EC_ScoobySpaceSnacks_1080.mov

and another one…

http://castagnolaproductions.com/WB/SD_MMM/SD_MMM_EC_ScoobySpaceSnacks-FoodInSpace_1080.mov
No comments

Press: SCOOBY-DOO! MOON MONSTER MADNESS IS SET TO BLAST OFF FEBRUARY 17, 2015

  By

Scooby Doo_Moon Monster Madness_Box Art 2D_FINAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IT’S AN OUT OF THIS WORLD ADVENTURE WITH SCOOBY-DOO!

WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT’S

ORIGINAL NEW ANIMATED FILM

SCOOBY-DOO! MOON MONSTER MADNESS

IS SET TO BLAST OFF

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Release Includes a Bonus Featurette about Space Exploration

BURBANK, CA (December 10, 2014) – Zoinks! Get ready for some hilarious high jinks in outer space with Scooby-Doo! The lovable Great Dane is on a mission to deliver big laughs as he and the Mystery Incorporated gang take off on a super stellar adventure in Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness, available in stores February 17, 2015. This all-new, feature length animated adventure will be sold on standard DVD, which retails for $19.98 SRP (DVD) and is available on Digital HD.

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness will be available early through EST for download February 3, 2015.

It’s one giant step for dog-kind as Scooby-Doo and the gang blast off for an epic journey into outer space in this must-own, original, new film! After winning the last five seats in a lottery, Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma are off to space in billionaire Sly Barron’s brand new ship, the Sly Star One, a space tourism vessel setting off on its inaugural voyage. It’s all gravity-free fun until a mysterious alien begins to destroy the ship! As the vessel breaks down, the crew is forced to land on Sly Baron’s base – located on the dark side of the moon! Will the gang unravel this alien mystery? Will Scooby and Shaggy find snacks on the moon? Fans will want to hop on board, fasten their seat belts and journey to the outer limits with Scooby-Doo to find out!

“Scooby-Doo is one of our leading brands. The popularity of the characters remains solid decade after decade as new generations embrace the Mystery Inc. gang,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animation Marketing. She added, “We think fans of all ages will enjoy seeing Scooby-Doo and his pals in this exciting, new adventure.”

Bonus Features:

  • Space Travel is Groovy! — Join Mindy Cohn, the voice of “Velma,” as she introduces viewers to some of the real world technology and training that is part of modern space flight.

The Credits

About Warner Bros. Animation

Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, producing and developing both CG and traditionally animated projects for multiple platforms, both domestically and internationally. For TV, WBA produces series such as Teen Titans Go!, The Tom and Jerry Show and the upcoming Be Cool Scooby-Doo! and Wabbit – A Looney Tunes Production for Cartoon Network; Mike Tyson Mysteries for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim; and original animated DC Nation shorts for Cartoon Network. As the home of the iconic animated characters from the DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries, WBA also produces highly successful animated films — including the DC Universe Animated Original Movies — for DVD. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has won six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Discâ„¢ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com and WB Ultra.

Artwork is available by request.

# # #

For Product Information

The Lippin Group

Alex Uliantzeff 323/965-1990

Alex@lippingroup.com

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Melissa Hufjay 818/977-7310

Melissa.Hufjay@warnerbros.com

For Online Media Outlets

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Ines Logarta 818/977-6382

Ines.Logarta@warnerbros.com

No comments

Reviews: Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon

  By

Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon
Reviewed by Melissa Milo

Tom-and-Jerry_The-Lost-Dragon_Box-Art_2D

Warner Bros. Animation, who’s produced countless hits such as Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs, Tiny Toons, Batman the Animated series and many more has brought back the dynamic duo in a big way.

Rather than the usual setting Tom and Jerry takes place in, this time our heroes dwell in an otherworldly village, filled with wizards, witches, and dragons and blue skinned people. Amongst them is a young, green-skinned witch named Athena who lives there as well along with our other two protagonists: Tom and Jerry.  Why she’s green is never really revealed.

Hated by the residents of this village due to the association with her evil aunt Drizelda, Athena is misunderstood and lonely, considering her only two friends are a cat and a mouse. When the trio finds an unhatched dragon egg, Tom is chosen to raise it once the creature is born. Aunt Drizelda, who was banished years earlier for use of dark magic, decides she needs the power this little dragon possesses and attempts to kidnap the poor thing. Throughout the rest of the movie everyone is trying to keep the dragon out of harm’s way all the while avoiding their village from being destroyed by Drizelda’s dark powers.

Although this movie was sweet and had a touching sense of child-friendly adventure, there were a few flaws. The plot line was a bit predictable and lacked the traditional fighting between Tom and Jerry, aside from a couple short scenes however in this politically-correct world that’s to be expected and this was not made for adults but for impressionable children. Still I did miss the slapstick humor and rivalry between the famous duo. The end of the film was also a bit perilous, in which some young children might find scary. However, despite these issues the rest of the movie was pretty humorous and adorable, especially with the baby dragon whose cheeks I desperately wanted to pinch.

Maybe this movie was not the Oscar pick of the season, but if you have a child from about four to eight, this movie might be worth watching. Enjoy!

TJ-Dragon-review

No comments

Tom and Jerry and the Lost Dragon- releases on Sept 2nd

  By

But UNTIL then, check out these nice lil preview clips!

No comments

News: TOM AND JERRY: THE LOST DRAGON release date

  By

Tom and Jerry_The Los Dragon_Box Art_2D

TOM AND JERRY: THE LOST DRAGON

AN ALL-NEW ANIMATED FILM

FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT

AVAILABLE ON DVD AND DIGITAL HD

SEPTEMBER 2, 2014

 

Release Includes 4 Bonus Tom and Jerry Episodes

 

BURBANK, CA (June 26, 2014) – Get set for fur-flying fun and delightfully zany cat and mouse high jinks withTom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon, the brand-new, full-length animated film, which is set for release September 2, 2014, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE). Join Tom and Jerry on a captivating adventure as the tussling twosome come upon an adorable baby dragon who is separated from his mother. Mama dragon is about to breathe fire unless she’s reunited with her precious baby! Will Tom and Jerry set aside their constant bickering to help reunite the family? Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon will be sold in standard DVD which retails for $19.98 SRP.  Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon will also be available on Digital HD day and date with the DVD on September 2, 2014.

 

Everyone’s favorite cat and mouse duo is back with song, sorcery and slapstick in this enchanted tale. The adventure begins when Tom and Jerry happen upon a mysterious glowing egg. Little do they know, this egg was stolen from a very large, fire-breathing dragon! In short time, baby Puffy hatches from his egg and takes Tom as his mommy.  The angry dragon mom wants her baby back, but she’s not the only one…a powerful witch named Drizelda captures the baby dragon for her own wicked plans! With the help of powerful allies and animal friends, Tom and Jerry must fight tooth and claw to stop the witch and get the baby dragon back to its mother. The action takes flight in a climactic ending filled with might, magic and cartoon mayhem of course! Can Tom and Jerry help this tale end happily ever after? Find out with this rip-roaring escapade for the whole family!

 

Bonus Episodes:

 

  • Medieval Mouse
  • Fire Breathing Tom Cat
  • Medieval Menace
  • The Itch

 

Originally created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Tom and Jerry emerged during Hollywood’s golden age of animation and became one of the most popular cartoon series in existence. The shorts focus on the never-ending rivalry between Tom the cat and Jerry the mouse. The plots of each short usually center on Tom’s attempts to capture Jerry. Jerry however, is clever and quick on his feet so Tom hardly ever manages to catch him.

 

“This film will delight viewers with legendary Tom and Jerry antics presented in an entertaining new story that’s perfect for the entire family to enjoy together,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animation Marketing. She added, “Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon is a whimsical story about magic and classic dragon lore that is filled with music, humor, endearing characters and, gorgeous animation. If you love Tom and Jerry or just want to enjoy a great family film, this title is a must have for your home entertainment library.”

 

The Credits

 

About Warner Bros. Animation

Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, producing and developing both CG and traditionally animated projects for multiple platforms, both domestically and internationally. For TV, WBA produces series such as Teen Titans Go!, The Tom and Jerry Show and the upcoming Be Cool Scooby-Doo! and Wabbit – A Looney Tunes Production for Cartoon Network; original animated DC Nation shorts for Cartoon Network; and Beware the Batman and the forthcoming Mike Tyson Mysteries series for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. As the home of the iconic animated characters from the DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries, WBA also produces highly successful animated films — including the DC Universe Animated Original Movies — for DVD. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has won six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).

 

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Discâ„¢ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com and WB Ultra.