Commentary

Charles Solomon’s Animation Year End Review 2023
Although he wrote them in 1859, Charles Dickens might have been thinking of animation in 2023 when he penned the celebrated lines, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the […]
Charles Solomon’s Animation Year End Review 2022

Charles Solomon’s Animation Year End Review 2022

Avatar photoCharles Solomon|
December 30th, 2022
Although he wrote them in 1859, Charles Dickens might have been thinking of animation in 2022 when he penned the celebrated lines, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the […]
Charles Solomon’s Animation Year End Review  2021

Charles Solomon’s Animation Year End Review 2021

Avatar photoCharles Solomon|
December 28th, 2021
Although he wrote them in 1859, Charles Dickens might have been thinking of animation in 2021 when he penned the celebrated lines, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the […]

Latest in Category: Commentary

Should We Be Upset of Coco’s Similarity to ‘The Book of Life’?

Pixar dropped the trailer for their next film Coco; the latest, twisting turn in the film’s long development. Long noted for its similarities to the 2014 Jorge Gutierrez film, The Book of Life, the trailer for Coco hasn’t assuaged fears that its a rip-off. Should we be upset at the similarity between the films or […]
Charles Kenny|March 17, 2017
Should We Be Upset of Coco’s Similarity to ‘The Book of Life’?

Can Laika Survive Without Travis Knight?

With the news that founder and animator/director Travis Knight will be taking the reigns for the next installment of the Transformers franchise, one can’t help but speculate about the future of Laika and whether it will continue to exist. Kubo and The Two Strings failed to win an Oscar, but it did receive plenty of […]
Charles Kenny|March 9, 2017
Can Laika Survive Without Travis Knight?

Who Will Win the Oscar? It Depends on Who You Ask

The Academy Awards are just over a week away and with speculation reaching a fever pitch on who will take home the coveted prizes, the feature animation race is starting to look slightly more competitive than in recent years. Who will win? It depends on who you ask. Reliability is the byword for the Oscars […]
Charles Kenny|February 17, 2017
Who Will Win the Oscar? It Depends on Who You Ask

There’s One Award that Kubo Does Deserve to Win

Not withstanding Variety’s opinion that Kubo and the Two Strings is the film that justifies giving an Oscar to Laika, there’s another award that the film is nominated for that would produce a large boost for the studio in a unique way. Very very few animated films earn a nomination for the Costume Designers Guild […]
Charles Kenny|February 3, 2017
There’s One Award that Kubo Does Deserve to Win

Setting a New Standard with “Hanazuki: Full of Treasures”

The traditional methods used to get animated content made and broadcast are evaporating in front of our eyes. So far, no particular replacement is obvious, but more than a few industry heavyweights are placing their chips on the table. One of those is Hasbro, and one of its chips is Hanazuki: Full of Treasures. It’s […]
Charles Kenny|January 27, 2017
Setting a New Standard with “Hanazuki: Full of Treasures”

When Was the Last Time a Western Animated Film Explored Interpersonal Relationships?

This just popped into my head earlier today: Western films tend to reflect the struggle of the individual. Eastern films in contrast are more likely to use interpersonal relationships as a foundation for the story. There’s a marked difference, and its one that could really enliven western animated filmmaking. There’s no doubt that many western […]
Charles Kenny|January 13, 2017
When Was the Last Time a Western Animated Film Explored Interpersonal Relationships?

Charles Solomon’s Animation Year End Review 2019

Although he wrote them in 1859, Charles Dickens might have been thinking of animation in 2019 when he penned the celebrated lines, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the […]