Pass the Ball (2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Released: 2022
Type: Mixed Media (Stop-Motion, 2D, 3D)
Length: 2 minutes 38 seconds (YouTube version)
Colour or Black & White: Colour
Genre: Sport, Experimental
Production Company: Spy Films (YouTube Channel)

Directors: Many (See Animators)
Animators: Nathan Boey, Podenco, Leo Franchi, Vincenzo Lodigiani, Mario Forero, Kaho, Dina Amin, Vickie J. Boschiero, Vincent Raineri, Caroline Kjellberg, John Kim, Mert Kizilay, Ilgi Candar Dyer, David Rowley, Wendy Eduarte, Morgan O'Brien, Marcus Bakke, Steve Savalle, Allen Laseter, Andy Gregg, Jaren Tigani, Alex Delker, Tushar Pandey, Ameen, Vishalvarghese, Gaurav Chandrakar, Yat Fung Leung, Lego Lam, Knifeson Yu, Sabine Volkert, Ivyy Chen, Tung Wu, Jin Shen Wong, Brandon Kisereu, Salman Hashmi, Ryan Kane, H. Kristen Campbell, Joe Bichard, Nicholas Luchak, Serkan Goncagul
Sound Design & Mix: Jose Correa 

Story/Idea

 

The idea was to create a 3 second piece of animation involving a ball and pass it on to another animator from another country for them to continue using any style they choose.

Author's Comments

From the original idea we get to see the imagination and styles from many people around the world. The talent that is on display here is great and encouraging for the future of animation. The animation style tends to favour traditional art using stop-motion techniques with only a handful of other animations using 3D. At the time of writing the animation could be viewed here.

Author's Rating

Toy Story (1995)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Released: 1995

Type: 3D Computer Generated
Length: 81 minutes
Colour or Black & White: Colour
Genre: Adventure
Production Company: Pixar/Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: John Lasseter
Story: John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft
Screenplay: Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow
Music: Randy Newman

Starring:

Tom Hanks - Woody (voice)
Tim Allen - Buzz Lightyear (voice)
Don Rickles - Mr. Potato Head (voice)
Jim Varney - Slinky Dog (voice)
Wallace Shawn - Rex (voice)
John Ratzenberger - Hamm (voice)
Annie Potts - Bo Peep (voice)
John Morris - Andy (voice)

Story

Woody is worried about losing his place as Andy's favourite toy when a new toy arrives.

Author's Comments

The best computer generated animation in 1995 and well-deserved of it's rating. 3D animation has come a long way since then so the limitations of 1995 are beginning to show now, but my rating is based on my opinion at the time and date that I watched it.

Author's Rating:

Jackie (2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Released: 2018
Type: 3D Computer-Generated
Length: 4 minutes
Genre: Drama
Production Company: Gobelins, l'Ecole de l'Image
Director: Coralie Bruschi

 

Cast

 

Lee Delong         
Avianna Hakim         
Zane Hakim         
Sean Lewis         
Isabela Littger 

 

Story

 

An aging grandmother narrates her lonely life.

 

Author's Comments

The story highlights the plight of many older people and how everyone, it seems, treats her like she is no longer a person of value, with feelings. Her story is typical across many so-called developed countries where we forget the contribution many of these older people have made to society and our own lives; not least giving life to us.

Author's Rating:

Toonstone (2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Released: 2014
Type: 2D Computer Generated
Length: 81 minutes
Genre: Western, Action, Comedy, Fantasy

Production Company: Hank and Jed Movie Pictures/Neo Art & Logic

Director: Brent Triplett

Story: Jon Etheridge, Bryan Mahoney, Nate Panning, Tony Schnur, Brent Triplett

Music: Alex Beard

 

Starring:

 

Aerli Austen - Gail (voice)

Sheila Brothers - Margaret (voice)
Jon Etheridge - Alien #1 / Cactus #2 / Casket Outlaw #1 / Crazy Ass Frank / Dynamite Jr. / Mayor / Mrs. Rose / Pretty Boy McCoy / Slim / Stinky Pinky / Town Guy / Trigger Happy Wilson / Two Eyed Jack (voice)
Bryan Mahoney - Doc Jenkins / Casket Outlaw #2 / Dildorado Sheriff / Finch / Town City Deputy (voice)
John Marchioni - Vulture (voice)
Brad McWaters - Casket Dealer (voice)
Cullen Moss - Wild Harry Johnson (voice)
Shaun O'Rourke - Butterfly (voice)
Nate Panning - Dalton / Mr. Purdue (voice)
Tony Schnur - Acondo / Bruno / Cactus #1 / Camel Tocy / Casket Outlaw #3 / Crazy Ass Bill / Dildorado Reporter (voice)
Brent Triplett - Alien #2 / Cactus #3 / Drippy Peters / McConaughorse / Pee Paw / Pinky Outlaw 1 / Tom / Dark Owl / Willie (voice)
Matthew Warzel - Crazy Ass Pete (voice)

 

Storyline: An inept gunslinger with an egotistical talking horse is recruited to save a town besieged by outlaws and evil aliens. 

 

Author's Comments:

 

This was the first animation I ever saw from the Hank and Jed studios. I had never seen any of their other projects such as Doraleous and Associates (the series of which is available on YouTube). Once you get over the interesting style of animation, which actually was quite comical, there was a story that will be familiar to any film buff, but with a few extra gems. The script was great, the voice acting was also great and partnered with their unique animation style this became an original experience. Loved it.

 

Author's Rating:

 

 

The Book of Life (2014)

Year Released: 2014

Type: 3D Computer Generated
Length: 95 minutes
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Production Company: Mexopolis (United States)/Twentieth Century Fox Animation
Director: Jorge R. Gutiérrez
Screenplay: Jorge R. Gutiérrez, Doug Langdale
Music: Gustavo Santaolalla

 

Starring:

 

Diego Luna - Manolo (voice)

Zoe Saldana - Maria (voice)
Channing Tatum - Joaquin (voice)
Ron Perlman - Xibalba (voice)
Christina Applegate - Mary Beth (voice)
Ice Cube - Candle Maker (voice)
Kate del Castillo - La Muerte (voice)

Hector Elizondo - Carlos Sanchez (voice)

Danny Trejo - Skeleton Luis (voice) 

Story: Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.

Author's Comments:

Essentially this is a Mexican production done in the US. An original concept that in 2017 was made in a similar way by Pixar as Coco (2017). It is a fantastic story based on Mexican religious beliefs, myths and legends. Although Book of Life was nominated for a Golden Globe, it wasn't even nominated for an Oscar and yet Coco won best animated feature three years later. Although it has to be said that 2015 was a tough year at the Oscars with stiff competition in the 'Animated Feature' category from films like Big Hero 6 (2014) and How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014).

Author's Rating:

Coco (2017)

 

 

 

 

Year Released: 2017

Type: 3D Computer Generated/Stop-Motion

Length: 105 minutes

Genre: Adventure

Production Company: Pixar/Walt Disney Animation

Director: Lee Unkrich

Co-Director: Adrian Molina

Story: Lee Unkrich, Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich, Adrian Molina

Screenplay: Matthew Aldrich, Adrian Molina

Music: Michael Giacchino

Starring:

Anthony Gonzalez - Miguel (voice)
Gael García Bernal - Héctor (voice)
Benjamin Bratt - Ernesto de la Cruz (voice)
Alanna Ubach - Mamá Imelda (voice)
Renee Victor - Abuelita (voice)
Jaime Camil - Papá (voice)
Alfonso Arau - Papá Julio (voice)

Story: Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.

Author's Comments:

Not seen it yet, but there is apparently a similarity to The Book of Life (2014), which nobody seems to want to talk about. I know that these feature animations take a long time to make, maybe up to 10 years from original concept to final release, so who knows how the similarity came about.

UPDATE: Having now watched I can confirm that this far superior to The Book of Life (2014). A wonderful story and great songs. Very emotional. An outstanding performance from the young Anthony Garcia.

Author's Rating