Gabe is a shy young man who is routinely tormented by the school bully Marcus. On his way home after school one day, he decides to take a shortcut through the old farm on his way home. As he passes a well, he hears shouting coming from the well. Looking in, he can that Marcus is trapped in the bottom of the well. While he is very upset at the way he is treated by Marcus, he decides to do the right thing and gets the help of a grown up.


As one of the most interdisciplinary art forms, theatre students will cover a wide range of topics during class. Students explore the various roles of theatre artists including actors, directors, designers, playwrights, technicians, and critics. They develop communication, concentration, expressiveness, sensory awareness, coordination, creative thinking, and audience skills. Students use improvisation and work cooperatively in small groups. Study includes the evaluation of creative work and the examination of the relationship between audience and artist. All courses above the Explore level are sequential and require the recommendation/permission of the instructor.
- Theatre Explore: (1 Semester)
Theatre Explore is recommended for students who are new, 6 th graders, or are looking for a general overview of theatre. By the end of Explore, students will be able to demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of theatre as an art form. They will have examined theatre’s historical development, describing major theatrical developments. Students will examine the various roles of theatre artists and learned basic theatre vocabulary. Students will be able to understand and demonstrate appropriate audience skills, proper theatre etiquette, a focused and attentive classroom behavior, and collaborative skills.
NOTE – Students are welcome to go directly into Foundations of Theatre if they wish to focus more on performance skills.
- Foundations Of Theatre: (Full Year)
Foundations is designed as a two year experience focusing on: development of fundamental skills in voice and articulation, physical movement and expression, utilizing basic staging practices; understanding dramatic structure; overview of Theater History; understanding and applying elements of design; basic vocabulary of acting technique; fundamental skills in improvisation; foundational script analysis skills; ensemble principles; and audition basics.
NOTE – Foundations of Theatre must be completed before placement in either of the Elements of Theatre classes.
- Elements Of Theatre: (Full Year)
This Elements class is designed as a one to two year experience focusing on: character development; physical theatre styles/genres; building dramatic action through non-verbal and verbal inter-actions; spatial awareness; staging and blocking; and the use of physical space for theatrical effect.
Language and Text
This Elements class is designed as a one to two year experience focusing on: character development through vocal range and variety; interpretation of text and script analysis; building skills to enhance expressiveness through use of language; and connections of text to culture, historical period, and dramatically constructed worlds/styles.
NOTE – Along with a recommendation from your theatre teacher, students must complete both Elements of Theatre: Language and Text and Elements of Theatre: Physical Technique before placement in the Theatre Performance Ensemble, but these classes do not have to be completed sequentially.
Theatre Performance Ensemble: (Full Year):
Designed as an advanced level class where students refine and master performance skills and techniques using a variety of theatre genres and historical styles, students will learn and apply advanced pedagogy approaches to character development; develop and master audition skills; create original work; learn and apply directing techniques; synthesize textual analysis; research and dramaturgy into informed interpretations of dramatic works in both performance and design; and demonstrate a deep understanding of theatrical elements through critical analysis of performance and production.
- Technical Theatre Level One:
Overview Statement: Prerequisite for this class is the successful completion of Theatre Level 1. Students in Technical Theatre will study a wide range of stage production skills, including design of scenery, lighting, costumes, sound and makeup. Students will also learn how to implement their design ideas using scenery construction techniques, scene painting, basic principles of electricity and wiring, pattern making for period costumes, and application of stage makeup. Students will learn skills through an academic course of study in technical theatre, in theatre labs that focus on the development of studentsí ideas, and while working on VSAA productions.


The big Marvel superhero movie Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is opening Friday and dominating screens at local theaters. If you’re looking for something different, or looking to avoid the crowds, there’s more opening this weekend.
Set during World War II, Their Finest is a wartime drama and romance that centers on a British Ministry of Information film production. It concerns a morale boosting film about the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk, France during the Battle of Britain and the London Blitz.
Gemma Arterton (“The Disappearance of Alice”) plays a copy writer and married woman who develops an affection for a screenwriter (played by Sam Claflin) while making the film. Adapted from Lissa Evans’ novel Their Finest Hour and a Half and directed Lone Scherfig (An Education). The Pointe 14
Richard Gere and Laura Linney star again (they were both in 1996’s Primal Fear) in this taut family drama based on the book by author Herman Koch and written and directed by Oren Moverman (“The Messenger”). It’s about two couples – two brothers and their wives who meet for dinner and discuss something sinister that has happened with their children. Mayfaire 16


Susan Boyajian loves teaching. As an avid actor her entire life, Susan believes teaching is just another extension of her acting talents. She started acting when she was thirteen years old -- performing for anyone and everyone. She went on to do summer-stock theatre in New York and then studied acting at NYU at the prestigious Tisch School of Performing Arts. Various acting jobs brought her to Los Angeles, where she studied and performed comedy at the renowned Groundlings Theatre.
You might recognize Susan from her many TV roles. She most recently played the recurring role of Mrs. Williams on "Everybody Hates Chris". She is also widely recognized by teenagers everywhere for playing a mom on "Hannah Montana'. Susan loves doing voice over work. She played Patrick's Mom on "Sponge Bob Square Pants" and Mrs. Nasenpickle on "Squirrel Boy". She has recently joined the cast of the TV show “Kirby Buckets “ on Disney XD as sassy germ "Germama". She can be seen and heard on many cartoons, TV commercials and radio spots. It would be Susan's pleasure to help you find your own voice in the world of acting. www.susanboyajian.com
Roger Scott has been making his living in voiceover and also teaching up and coming voiceover talent for over twenty years. He's also worked in the on-camera world of commercials and TV and film in that same period of time, and has also written for every medium, including animation.
His voiceover specialty is comedy, and while he can't make you funny, if you've got a pulse he can help you locate and develop the funny you've got. In a previous life he was a high-school speech teacher, so there will be handouts, but no mimeographs.
Mark Sussman has made a name for himself in the looping world by specializing in voice matching, dialects and efforts. He is a highly respected voice over actor known for being extremely versatile, reliable and multi-talented.
He began his acting career at a young age guest starring in numerous television series such as 21 Jump Street and Beverly Hills 90210. He then went on to perform sketch comedy and improv at the Groundlings Theatre. His ability to create characters, impersonate and think on his feet made him a stand out and lead him to his career in Group ADR. Over the years Mark has been called upon by the industry's best, to re-voice, voice-match and loop hundreds of major films and television series. He has matched the voices of everyone from Brad Pitt to Brad Garret and mastered dialects from standard British to Farsi.
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Over the last 20 years Bill Holmes "The Voiceover Doctor" has solidified himself as one of the top demo producers in the nation and an acting coach of the highest regard. You can join Bill for his three hour workshop where he talks about demos, acting, and the industry.
For over thirty years, Bill Holmes has been working in film, television, theatre, comedy, and advertising. Bill has been part of the voiceover world as an actor/director/producer/teacher for nearly 30 years and he is proud of the incredible percentage of his demo clients and students that have gone on to have successful careers in the voiceover community.
Zehra Fazal is your faithful leader for The Voiceover Connection's extremely lively monthly workout groups. Whatever medium she works in, whether it be commercials, plays or film, Zehra is committed to bringing honesty, truth and a little humor in telling our collective stories. Her monthly workout groups are sure to help you stay sharp in the techniques you've acquired in your VO classes. And they're a lot of fun, too!
As an actor, you can hear Zehra's voice across a number of commercials and television shows, across clients like Comedy Central, Honda, Marvel, American Girl, Fresh & Easy and PBS Sprout.
Arthur G. Insana is a multi-award-winning pioneer in the resurgence of audio theatre, and has produced and directed some of the highest grossing and most elaborate audiodramas in the history of the industry, including the full-cast, full-production Star Wars: Dark Empire series for Time Warner/Lucasfilm, and The Historian, a multi-cast Bestseller for Time Warner. Insana also has produced and/or directed hundreds of cutting-edge audio programs for Time Life, Simon & Schuster, Random House, Bantam/Doubleday/Dell, HarperCollins and Audible.com, as well as radio campaigns for clients including L.A. Gear, La Salsa Mexican Restaurants, Morgan Creek Productions and Warner Bros.
More recently, he produced and directed the first novel written exclusively for digital download on Audible.com, starring Alfred Molina: The Chopin Manuscript -- which received two Audie Nominations: Best Original Audio and Audio of the Year, and won the Audie Award for “Audio of the Year.” The Chopin Manuscript also was named one of the Best Audios of the Year by Audiofile Magazine.
Nancy Sullivan has been acting professionally for over twenty five years and is best known to fans of all ages as one of tv's favorite moms on Nickelodeon's smash sitcom, "Drake & Josh." She also voiced Mrs. Johnson on Cartoon Network's "Squirrel Boy," and Leonard's Mom on Nickelodeon's "Get Blake." (In real life, she's pretty sure she doesn't have children, just a spoiled poodle.) With a passion for comedy, Nancy's been on your tv in many guest star roles, commercials, as cast member of Nickelodeon's sketch comedy "The Amanda Show," co-host on GSN and E!, even selling you things you didn't know you needed on late night infomercials. She can also be heard as Young Simba in Disney's "Lion King" video game.
Nancy is thrilled to be teaching at The Voiceover Connection, sharing her rich and varied experience with other passionate performers.
Barbara Wright has been involved with Animation since 1980 on the cult feature “Twice Upon A Time”, produced by KortyFilms/Lucasﬁlms for Warner Bros. Upon moving to LA, she joined Klasky Csupo to handle Pre and Post Production of their animated shows. After casting the irreverent adult comedy Duckman, Barbara continued ﬁrst as Director of Talent Relations and Casting and then as Vice President for the company.
She has cast thirty -ﬁve Pilots, eleven DVDs and Videos, some Commercials and over 850 episodes in ten Series: Duckman, AAAHH! Real Monsters, Santo Bugito, The Wild Thornberrys, Rocket Power, Rugrats seasons 4-10, As Told By Ginger, “PreSchool Daze”, “All Grown Up” and “Immigrants”. Barbara also cast four animated features for Paramount Pictures: “Rugrats The Movie”, “Rugrats In Paris”, “The Wild Thornberrys Movie” and “Rugrats Go Wild”. She has received 13 Artios Award Nominations for Outstanding Casting from the Casting Society of America.


Wouldn’t it be great if there were a place for kids to go crazy with their imaginations, making up stories, playing fun games and learning through theatrical exploration? Well there is such a place! The Creative Drama classes at Unicorn Children’s Theater encourage children to act their age. The eight-week course explores drama from a variety of disciplines. Students will develop an understanding of emotional expression while exploring the dramatic process. Come play in a no-performance pressure environment where creativity and imagination blossom. For ages 5-17, based on the Viola Spolin method.
Fall 2016: September 27 – November 17
Early Registration through Aug 26, $60 per student
$5 discount for additional household children enrolled
Winter 2017: January 3 – February 23
Spring 2017: April 18 – June 8
Creative Drama ClassesPillow Theatre Productions
You must pay at registration in order to hold your spot in the class. Exceptions will be handled on a case by case basis by Unicorn Theatre. Late registration begins the first Tuesday of the term and will be $65 per student.
For more information about this class and other classes offered at the Center, call the CVCA Ticket Office at 435-752-0026 Mon-Fri, 10 am-5:30 pm. You may also phone a Unicorn representative directly at 435-554-8311 or email email@example.com. Visit Unicorn Pillow Theatre on Facebook.
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Vijay Sethupathi is already making his Telugu debut this year with Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy. Shooting is still going on and it could release at the time of Dusshera. Now there is another big news. Vijay Sethupathi is also making his Mollywood debut with 'Marconi Mathai'. As the name says the film is somewhat related to radio inventor Marconi. In the film veteran actor Jayaram playing the lead role and he will be seen as an ex-army man working as a security in a bank.
Last year Vijay Sethupathi’s last movie of the year 'Seethakathi' hit the screen and got very positive reviews. This year he appeared in Rajinikanth starrer Petta. Vijay Sethupathi became one of the best choice for Kollywood film makers who needs a very organic acting. In Marconi Mathai still there is not much information about the storyline. Sajan Kalathil is the cinematographer. M Jayachandran is the music composer and Shameer Muhammed is the editor. The film is bankrolled by Satyam Audios.


There is something very satisfying about letting your mind wander to the fantasy world and creating adventures of your own. If you do, however, have a hard time imagining extensive, adrenaline-fuelled storylines, you can watch them on your screens instead! Hollywood is famous for producing the best adventure movies that will keep you on the edge of your seats throughout. Not sure which movies to watch? Well, look no further. We have compiled a list of the best Hollywood adventure movies that are too good to miss.
Best Hollywood Adventure Movies List Of All Time
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the best Hollywood adventure movies. Ready? Here we go!
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
The classic board of Jumanji returns, this time with new players and characters, each with their own quirks. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillian, this is one of the best Hollywood adventure movies that will keep you glued to your screens throughout.
Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
The nostalgia is real with this one! Tim Goodman, in search of his missing father, stumbles upon a cute talking yellow creature, and you guessed it right – it’s none other than Pikachu! They both team up to gather clues scattered all around Ryme City, a place where humans and Pokémons co-exist, to uncover a master plan that poses an existential threat to all.
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
The Maze Runner
Having lost his memory, a young boy named Thomas finds himself in the amidst a colony of people called the Gladers, living in a mysterious realm. He soon realizes that they are in the center of a maze, and they need to find a way out somehow. The catch? If unsuccessful, you need to get


Journalist and audio producer Paola Mardo did a radio story for KPCC’s The Frame on Bitter Melon, its director H.P. Mendoza, and me. She followed us around on the night of a special preview screening of the film here in Los Angeles.
KPCC is one of the NPR affiliates in LA and The Frame is its arts and entertainment show.
Listen to the story here:
KPCC recently bought LAist, so you can also read the story here.
And here’s a quick snippet on Instagram:


HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY: A Family In Films
An intimate account of Jesse L. Lasky, the visionary film pioneer who produced the first feature film in Hollywood and Founded Paramount Studios with partners Cecil B. DeMille and Sam Goldwyn.
Silver-Lasky has written a masterful history of the birth and development of Hollywood, intimately revealed in over 400 letters between Lasky and his screenwriter son Jesse Lasky Jr., Pat writing partner and husband for 30 years. Her insider knowledge creates a unique mix of history and biography told with all the drama of a Hollywood blockbuster.
2015 (4th edition) THE OFFER
(with Jesse Lasky Jr.)
"In addition to the accurate portrayal of a people caught up in the sweep of history, action and adventure, THE OFFER delivers a timeless message
to a new generation." Publishers Weekly, July 10 1981
THE OFFER is "a sweeping, tautly written dynastic saga…a complex, passion-filled drama.' L.A. Times Aug 23 1981
Watch the promotional video: HERE
2015 A STAR CALLED WORMWOOD
"An erotic thriller, now available on Amazon as trade paperback or on Kindle. “Murder in Hollywood Does Not Always Happen in the Movies.” Amazon 5 stars.
2012 SCAMS SCHEMES SCUMBAGS
(with Peter Betts)
A light-hearted look at con artists through the ages. It's available on Amazon trade paperback and all ebook formats. It's already selling like hotcakes––so don't be the last to read it! Look for it on Amazon paperback and all ebook formats.
2010 RIDE THE TIGER
Fame, money and sex, that's what Hollywood is all about. Madelaine Brent wanted them all and she always got everything she wanted. But sometimes everything is too much and somebody can get murdered. Her agent warned her of an ancient Chinese proverb: ‘She who rides the tiger better not dismount.’ Was Maddie about to fall off?


Make Your Auditions Count!
Atlanta Acting Arts is excited to have Associate Casting Director Kimberly Graham of Judy Henderson Casting most noted for casting Showtime’s Homeland!
Learn how to prepare effectively, what strong choices are and what casting directors are really looking for. We'll also go over do's and don'ts during the audition and when sending in self-taped submissions.
Saturday March 4, 2017
Session 1 9:30am-12:30pm
Due to popular demand, we've decided to add another workshop session.
Session 2 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Early Bird: $99.00
After March 2nd: $125.00
Each Session is limited to 12 students ages 16+.
Kimberly Graham has been the Associate Casting Director for Judy Henderson Casting since 2003. She casts for film, television, commercials and theater. Her office was the pioneer for voice over casting for video games, primarily the Grand Theft Auto series. Her office casts for off broadway theaters such as The New Group,The Play Company, The Director’s Company and Pig Iron Theater Company in Philadelphia. Kimberly has helped cast such films as AVATAR, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2, and Rick Linklater’s BEFORE MIDNIGHT among others. Her work on the first three seasons of HOMELAND for SHOWTIME garnered numerous awards, including ARTIOS and EMMY AWARDS for outstanding casting in a drama. Over the years, Kimberly has been a frequent guest speaker and instructor at various venues in NYC including, TVI Studios, The Network, Actor's Connection, Backstage University, Stonestreet Studios and One on One Productions. In addition, she has had the privilege of teaching workshops in Miami, Jacksonville, Savannah, Atlanta, Philadelphia, DC, Boston, London, Berlin and Paris.
*To clarify, this workshop does not guarantee employment and it is not an audition/interview. The purpose is to gather useful knowledge from managers, agents, and casting directors to add to the actors tool box.


Hampton offers a huge range of co-curricular performance opportunities. The following groups are run by staff from the English and Drama Department and take place during lunch-times.
Junior Drama Club
Open to all boys in the first, second and third year, this club meets during lunchtime, once a week. Students work on their improvisation and performance skills through a series of games and exercises. The group produce an annual performance staged in the Autumn or Summer Term.
TECHNICAL THEATRE CLUB
The students meet once a week and learn how to operate and programme the latest lighting and sound equipment in the 450 Hall. Students participating in this club will be under continual guidance and supervision by the Technical Manager.
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE CLUB
This club is a fun and energetic way for Hampton boys and LEH girls to learn a variety of musical theatre dance styles from West Side Story to tap and swing. Open to all abilities, from total beginners to those who feel they may already have rhythm and style.
Each student studying Drama will visit the theatre at least once during the year to watch and evaluate a live professional performance.
NATIONAL STUDENT DRAMA FESTIVAL
Lower Sixth students studying AS Level Drama and Theatre Studies attend the National Student Drama Festival, every year. This is a seven day festival in Scarborough where students get the opportunity to take part in workshops led by professionals from the Acting and Theatre industry, watch a wide variety of original productions (up to three a day) and contribute to daily discussions where the performances from the previous day are discussed with the cast and crew.


Back in early December, I told you about the “One Man Star Wars Trilogy.” Well, I had the opportunity to see Charles Ross work some Middle Earth-style magic in his “One Man Lord of the Rings” at the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ last weekend.
Once again, Charles was amazing. His seventy-minute performance was as much a masterpiece in its own right as Tolkien’s original tale is. This man is to one-man comedy theater what “Weird Al” Yankovic is to comedy music—a best-in-class genius.
Please note: this performance is based upon the movie adaptations (as it should be), so purists beware. However, the show couldn’t have come at a better time for this LOTR fan: the Blu-Ray Extended Editions were released more than six months ago, and the first installment of “The Hobbit” is eleven months away. Watching Ross portray Denethor is worth the price of a ticket alone!
If you have the opportunity to see the “One Man Lord of the Rings,” I urge you to do so. For my fellow New Yorkers, Charles will be at the Midtown Theater next weekend.
I wonder if there’s a “One Man Harry Potter” in Charlie’s future?
One Man Star Wars Trilogy
One Man Lord of the Rings
Posted on Tue, February 7, 2012
by Thomas Winship filed under


Murder Ballad: a New Musical
Name: Murder Ballad: a New Musical
Date: March 16, 2018 - March 18, 2018
Murder Ballad is a darkly sexy musical which tells the tale of a young woman named Sara who dates a wild bartender named Tom before leaving him for a more sensible life with Michael. But after getting married and raising a child, Sara starts to long for the old life with Tom. But in the tradition of the murder ballads of old, things do not end happily ever after for everyone involved. Starring local talent: Elizabeth Quesada, Christopher Maxwell, Aaron C. Alderman, and Samantha A. Matthews. Direction by Greta Marie Zandstra, music direction by Jo Li, and stage management by Mira Horowitz.


THE UGLY TRUTH: BOLLYWOOD’S CASTING COUCH STORIES
Every coin has two sides and so does Bollywood. It might be seem a appear as a very glamorous field, but it also holds a darker side and this dark side is made up with various stories of casting couch. Filmmakers offering jobs to actresses and actors in return of some sexual favour is not a new story in Bollywood and however sad it may sound, but the industry holds a maximum number of such narrations.
Here are few such casting couch stories which shocked the Bollywood indsutry.


The arrival of fall brings with it numerous issues. From the gorgeous fall foliage in New England to fall getaways in some extraordinary locations, it’s a good time of 12 months to get out and about. Fall additionally brings with it some nice holidays, specifically, Halloween. With Halloween, 2021, simply across the nook, we’re all beginning to consider how we’re going to have fun the vacation. Usually, we’d all be capable to plan costume events, heading to a themed night time in a membership, and for the youngsters (and possibly for a few of you larger youngsters on the market) a little bit of traditional trick or deal with is par for the course on October thirty first. Nonetheless, 2021 has been removed from a standard 12 months, and the continued state of affairs with COVID-19 signifies that in all chance, most occasions will probably be canceled. Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply you possibly can’t get into the Halloween spirit. With a plethora of horror motion pictures on the market to look at, you possibly can mark the day with a film marathon with a few of the greatest scary motion pictures that can ship shivers down your backbone.
Preserve studying to seek out the right horror motion pictures for Halloween 2021
Let’s be trustworthy, it’s not precisely simple to slender down one of the best horror motion pictures ever. Since time immemorial, cinema-goers and film buffs have been drawn to the adrenaline pumping scary motion pictures launched every year, and there have been some traditional horror motion pictures through the years. From ghost tales like The Conjuring and The Innocentsto slasher motion pictures like Scream, together with tense psychological thrillers akin to Jordan Peele’s Get Outor Don’t Look Now, starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie, there have been some unbelievable horror motion pictures through the years. We’ve put collectively a shortlist of a few of our favourite horror motion pictures for Halloween, 2021, to present you just some concepts of films for a Halloween marathon. So get the popcorn prepared, flip the lights out, and settle in for top-of-the-line Halloween motion pictures.
Halloween, one of the apparent however nonetheless top-of-the-line Halloween motion pictures
OK, I do know, it’s not precisely probably the most authentic alternative for the primary horror film on our listing, however how are you going to have a listing of the greatest Halloween motion pictures with out Halloweenon it? Directed, written, and scored by the legendary John Carpenter (John Carpenter’s The Factor, Escape from New York) in 1978, and with an unbelievable forged together with Jamie Lee Curtis in her first starring function, and Donald Pleasence bringing an air of depth to proceedings earlier than we even meet the dreaded, masked Michael Myers, it is a film that mixes thriller with a slasher film. With an iconic soundtrack that’s immediately recognizable, it is a film that can make you double-check all of the locks earlier than going to sleep on Halloween night time.
Watch The Shining, top-of-the-line horror motion pictures in cinematic historical past
Relating to scary tales, are you able to think about a greater pairing than the legendary writing of Stephen King coupled with the genre-defining directing of Stanley Kubrick? Properly, neither may we. Stephen King has famously voiced his disappointment at varied points of this dramatization of his iconic novel, nevertheless, moviegoers and critics usually cite this as one of many greatest horror motion pictures ever made. Parts of the supernatural, the theme of isolation, and Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of 1 man’s descent into insanity all add as much as create a very unnerving piece of cinema. It additionally helped cement Kubrick’s place in cinematic historical past as top-of-the-line filmmakers of his time. You’d be forgiven for eager to keep away from secluded lodges for some time after watching this!
Take a look at a cult traditional once you watch The Crow on Halloween, 2021
Directed by Alex Proyas, the director who additionally gave us Darkish Metropolis, I Robotic,and Figuring out, The Crow, starring Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon Lee, is a few murdered rock star getting back from the useless to wreak havoc on those that wronged him. The film’s grow to be one of many largest cult horror motion pictures partially because of the untimely death of actor Brandon Lee on set. The younger actor was by accident shot whereas performing a stunt, and like his father earlier than him, he tragically misplaced his life on the age of 32. In addition to being one among our favourite ghost motion pictures, The Crow now serves as a memorial to Brandon Lee.
The Ring, one of many high horror motion pictures in Japan and the USA
Through the years, we’ve seen numerous standard Asian motion pictures get remade for English-speaking audiences. Movies such because the Oscar-winning The Departed, Outdated Boy,and even the traditional western The Magnificent Seven all began life as Asian motion pictures. The identical is true for numerous the scariest horror motion pictures. In recent times, The Ring has been thought-about top-of-the-line scary motion pictures, and it’s not for the faint of coronary heart. Each the unique Japanese model and the USA remake are high horror motion pictures, and also you received’t need to watch TV for some time after sitting by way of this one. If Asian horror motion pictures are your cup of tea, add The Grudge and Darkish Water to your listing for Halloween, 2021, each of which have additionally been remade into English, however the authentic variations are positively the best way to go for an actual fright fest!
A lower than stress-free Go toto granny and grandad due to M. Night time Shyamalan
From the thoughts that introduced you The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Indicators, The Village, and Break up, this providing from M. Night time Shyamalan has a extra unbiased film really feel to it, partially as a result of the sometimes divisive director needed to stump up the money himself to supply this spooky story. As with many Shyamalan motion pictures, you’re left guessing proper to the tip as to what’s really occurring in The Go to, a movie about two youngsters visiting their grandparents for the primary time. Bringing an entire new degree to the haunted home theme, the secluded location for the film, together with the unrelenting, terrifying occurrences in the home every night time creates a tense ambiance for viewers. Add within the POV type filming akin to The Blair Witch Mission, and this low-budget film might be one of many director’s most neglected horror movies.
Beware The Witchin New England on Halloween 2021
Made in 2015 and starring Anna Taylor-Pleasure (Break up, Glass,and Emma), Ralph Ineson (Sport of Thrones, The Workplace UK), and Kate Dickie (Prometheus, Filth), this haunting depiction of New England within the 1630s is much less about jumps and thrills and extra concerning the atmospheric slow-build. A way of uneasiness units in shortly watching this film a few puritan household dwelling on the sting of the woods. A collection of unusual happenings and a member of the family’s disappearance sees the household activate one another on this haunting movie. As regards to the occult and a relentless feeling of foreboding all through the film, Roger Eggers’ directorial debut is nothing in need of spectacular, and when you’ve seen it, you’ll not be strolling by way of any woods by yourself for some time.


Have you heard of actor Wentworth Miller? He's my favorite actor, and an inspiration for my writing. I loved him in the TV show Prison Break. He played the lead character Michael Scofield with intelligence, passion, suaveness, and just the right amount of vulnerability. I think he is so sexy!
Who's your favorite actor or actress? How have they inspired you?
And now it's time for the Author Blog Bounce! Check out instructions HERE.
Hi, I'm Jen, psychologist/author (psycho author) in Columbus, Ohio. I write sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist. My latest release is sports romance SPIKED (Blocked #3). I love laughing, swimming, and volleyball.


Patrick Achache recently attended the Berlinale press conference for Joel and Ethan Coen’s “Hail, Caesar!” The film stars Channing Tatum, Josh Brolin, Tilda Swinton, Alden Ehrenreich and Hollywood’s face of humanitarian conscience, George Clooney, who discussed the current refugee crisis in Europe.
Berlin characterises diverse cultural scene, film lovers, and a critical public. This year, the city welcomes artists from around the world for the 66th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). This glamorous cultural event is set to run from the 11th to the 21st of February, 2016. It opens with “Hail Caesar!” the movie which stars the frequent and honoured guest George Clooney among others.


Marissa is a college-aged medium who’s used to helping the lingering dead to move on. But Siris, the spirit of a recently deceased student now haunting their campus, is an unusual ghost. Abnormally animated and surprisingly aware of his surroundings, he presents a unique challenge that captures her attention even before he mentions the strangest part: though a ghost himself, Siris is being haunted. A female entity with many faces, one of which is a skull, who never speaks but always seems to listen, follows him wherever he goes. As Marissa becomes caught up in his efforts to understand ‘her,’ she has to grapple with increasingly complicated feelings for Siris, but he seems to be forming an attachment of his own, and it’s not to Marissa.


Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Let me begin by saying this is far from an unbiased review. My love of “Star Wars” is well documented; in fact, my first article for Can’t Talk Media as a staff writer was about “Star Wars,” and it is one of the pieces I am most proud of writing. While I am still applying my critical eye to the film, I may also be viewing it through Kylo Ren 3-D glasses.
I’m just going to jump right into this now. Many of the complaints about the prequels were that the stories tried too hard to be like the original trilogy. While I never viewed them that way, I suppose the argument could be made. “The Force Awakens” is its own film, its own self-contained story, and leads perfectly into what will come next. The pacing was excellent. Even if you aren’t a rabid fan of the franchise, there isn’t a single moment in this movie where you will want to check your watch or phone; transitions from action to dialogue and from act to act of the story are downright flawless. Perhaps the only complaint I have was there is a lot of fill-in information from the preceding 30 years that is unknown to the viewer, but really unless, like me, you are deep into the lore of “Star Wars,” the opening scrawl will do perfectly. 9/10
The acting was out of this world. Look out for Daisy Ridley, everyone; she is the real deal, delivering lines with talent seldom seen in Hollywood anymore. She conveys so much emotion with her eyes that she will have a strong career long after the “Star Wars” franchise is over. John Boyega, who I hardly recognize from “Attack the Block” was also outstanding and made a relatable character for men of all ages. Oscar Isaac, who will be in another franchise film next summer, also shows why he is seeing more time on the big screen. As for the rest of the cast, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyoung’o, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Andy Serkis all turn in their absolute best. It is clear they had fun filming, and it translated into the performances we see on the screen. While likely not to get any Oscar nods, it was some of the best acting I’ve seen since “The Martian.” 10/10
Inclusiveness is where “Star Wars” usually scores very low. “New York Magazine” did a supercut of all the lines spoken by women that weren’t Princess Leia from Episodes IV, V, and VI, and it was only 63 seconds long. This time, it is a much different story. The movie passes the Bechdel-Wallace test, has more than one person of color, and, without getting into spoilers, Rey may just be the best female character in science fiction in well over a generation—and possibly ever. Parents, take your daughters to show them what women are capable of. 9/10
As far as the overall awesomeness of the film, I am completely biased; I won’t try to deny it. However, it does deliver on the action and emotion in ways that a “Star Wars” movies haven’t done since “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” The space and land battles are better, the lightsaber fights are more realistic, and the believability of new characters make for this movie to possibly supplant “The Empire Strikes Back” as my favorite “Star Wars” movie of all time. 10/10.
I cannot recommend this movie enough, not just because of the what I’ve written here but because of what I wrote back when I first started with Can’t Talk Media. The effects of “Star Wars” on our children can’t be emphasized enough. It will spark imagination, give them strength, show them that even when you want to run you can still be brave, and that being brave isn’t being fearless but overcoming fear. Take your kids; take yourselves. Plot a course through hyperspace to your nearest movie theater showing it, and try to make it there in less than 12 parsecs.


I took a break, a long break, mostly soul searching;
in books and movies and web series, whatever I could find to get away from myself,
to indulge in stories, interesting stories, good stories, sad stories, obvious stories.
Now here I am, feeling satisfied, enough to know that I am not alone on this excursion to know myself.
There are hundreds out there.
So, this time, I bring the stories I have seen in the world of cinema, which are close to me, close enough to give a reflection of my inner self.
Every week, there would be poems depicting the stories. They won’t be movie reviews or critic but more than that.
Stay tuned for what’s about to come.


Here’s a look back into the hellish history of horror cinema for some truly original gems that will leave you shivering like the first time you watched an “R” rated movie.
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My opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.
At the end of the original Ant-Man Hope finally gets the recognition she deserves, and her final line in the movie echoes the sentiment of audiences everywhere… “Its about damn time.”
The newest Batman animated movie will be called “Gotham by Gaslight.” and it’s based on the groundbreaking comic of the same name. Published in 1989, Gotham by Gaslight was an alternate timeline that threw Batman back in time 100 years, to crack the case of Jack the Ripper.
Right as Jerry is about to cry himself to sleep, Rick breaks down the door and drags a naked, confused Jerry out of bed, for the thing nobody thought would happen, a Rick and Jerry episode.


Viewing post #727840 by Jeannie63
|DH and I went to see this movie this past weekend. He has never read any of the books; I have read them all.
We both agreed that this movie was definately *much* better than Deathly Hallows Part 1 (which neither of us think bears watching a second time). This movie had plenty of action, of course, and follows the book fairly closely. As with all movies based on books, there are parts left out, but nothing that would have prevented you from following the main story line.
There are plenty of reviews on the internet on this movie, and most are fairly favorable.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
- Dr. Seuss
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I am a MASSIVE fan of Friends, the TV show. I remember sobbing my heart out watching the last episode, (live on TV not the repeats!)
I was only 11 and I was hooked to the show, albeit I probably didn’t get half the jokes like I do now!
On my recent visit to New York, I had to go visit the Friends building. We took the subway especially to Bedford Street just so I could see it in person.
Two girls were stood on the corner opposite taking selfies and I knew I was finally there! I was too young to actually go see the show, so this real part of it was great to see!
Would you add this to your Bucket List?


A new thriller series debuts today on Apple TV+: Shining Girls, starring Elisabeth Moss. The show is based on a novel by Lauren Beukes. It joins a growing roster of Apple Original TV shows and movies, available exclusively on Apple TV+.
Kirby (played by Moss) is found in a continuously shifting reality, replaying events across time and space that are all mysteriously interlinked. She learns that a murder was linked to an attack on her as a child, which begins an investigation to discover the truth and question the reality she lives in.
Shining Girls has been met with an enthusiastic response by critics, noting that it takes a very different twist to the standard crime thriller investigation plot.
Alongside Moss, the show’s cast also includes Wagner Moura, Jamie Bell and Phillipa Soo. It was produced for Apple by Appian Way, the production company of Leonardo DiCaprio.
The first three episodes of Shining Girls are available now. The remainder of the eight episode season will debut weekly, every Friday.
You can watch Shining Girls with an Apple TV+ subscription ($4.99 per month), alongside more than 100 other TV shows and movies now streaming on the service. Also airing today is Make or Break, a documentary series that gives insights into the world of professional surfing. Other upcoming releases include the second season of Tehran, docuseries The Big Conn from the makers of McMillion$, The Essex Serpent period drama starring Tom Hiddleston and Clare Danes, and big-budge dinosaur series Prehistoric Planet, narrated by David Attenborough.
Shining Girls Episode Release Date
- Shining Girls Episode 1: April 29, 2022
- Shining Girls Episode 2: April 29, 2022
- Shining Girls Episode 3: April 29, 2022
- Shining Girls Episode 4: May 6, 2022
- Shining Girls Episode 5: May 13, 2022
- Shining Girls Episode 6: May 20, 2022
- Shining Girls Episode 7: May 27, 2022
- Shining Girls Episode 8: June 3, 2022
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While films launched to streaming companies obtained gobs of attention eventually yr’s Oscars, most of the movies up for Best Picture at the ninety fifth Academy Awards had a extra conventional launch in theaters. Movie executives are keen to get your butt again into that crushed velvet recliner with a $15 popcorn in hand. Even although a couple of smaller movies, like Women Talking, are nominated for Best Picture, blockbuster occasions like Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick are additionally up for the largest award on Hollywood’s starriest evening.
Did you miss a few of the nominated movies throughout their preliminary launch? Lucky for you, all however certainly one of the films are actually obtainable to half-watch out of your sofa whereas messing together with your smartphone. The dangerous information is that no single streaming service has a bunch of the films, so be ready to hire them by a video-on-demand service or add one other subscription to your month-to-month invoice if you’d like to see all the Oscar-nominated flicks.
Here’s how to watch (nearly) each movie up for Best Picture at the 2023 Oscars:
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once is up for a bevy of awards at Sunday evening’s ceremony. From heartfelt conversations to slapstick jokes to existential questions, it’s an unique movie that takes viewers on a wild experience of feelings. Michelle Yeoh is up for Best Actress in a Leading Role, thanks to a transcendent efficiency. Rising star Stephanie Hsu and trade legend Jamie Lee Curtis are each up for Actress in a Supporting Role. Stream this one with a subscription to Paramount+ or Showtime.
The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherin is about the extreme finish of a male friendship. Martin McDonagh is nominated for his directing, in addition to for unique screenplay, and Colin Farrell is up for Best Actor. The film is nominated for 9 golden statues in complete. Stream it with a subscription to HBO Max.
All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front is a wartime film tailored from Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel about World War I. Remarque’s writing was first tailored one yr after publication right into a film directed by Lewis Milestone. All Quiet on the Western Front is nominated for 9 awards, and plenty of of these are in the extra technical classes, like sound, visible results, and cinematography. Stream it with a subscription to Netflix.
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Elvis is a biopic that stars Austin Butler as the titular musician. Butler is nominated for his main efficiency, and Catherine Martin is up for her glossy costume design. Stream it with a subscription to HBO Max.
A personality research starring Cate Blanchett as a well-respected conductor accused of sexual impropriety, Tár is nominated for six awards at the 2023 Oscars. Blanchett’s efficiency makes her a robust contender for Actress in a Leading Role. Everything Everywhere All at Once is the likely favorite going into Sunday evening, however it might not be an entire shock—primarily based on the critical adoration for the movie—if Tár pulled off an upset Best Picture win. Stream it with a subscription to Peacock.
The Fabelmans is Steven Spielberg’s earnest entry into the love-letter-to-Hollywood style. The film pulls from the director’s experiences as a baby. It’s nominated for seven awards in complete, together with Michelle Williams for Actress in a Leading Role. The Fabelmans is obtainable to hire or purchase on-line.
Top Gun: Maverick
Is the seashore soccer scene in Top Gun: Maverick as sizzling as that unique volleyball match in Top Gun? Both are fairly sweaty, but it surely’s debatable. While the crowd-pleasing sequel is unlikely to win Best Picture, Lady Gaga and BloodPop’s Hold My Hand may rating a win in the Original Song class. Stream the film with a subscription to Paramount+.
Triangle of Sadness
Triangle of Sadness is a satirical film about rich and exquisite folks on a luxurious cruise gone horrifically astray. Ruben Östlund is nominated for his path, in addition to his unique screenplay. There’s a healthy dose of projectile vomiting. Yay. Stream it with a subscription to Hulu.
Women Talking is an adaptation of Canadian creator Miriam Toews’ novel centered on Mennonite ladies discussing what to do after many in the neighborhood are sexually assaulted. In addition to Best Picture, the film is nominated for its tailored screenplay. You can stream it on Amazon Prime in the lead-up to the awards. After the Oscars, the film will nonetheless be obtainable to hire or purchase on-line.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Avatar: The Way of The Water is James Cameron’s sequel to the top-grossing movie ever. It’s the solely Best Picture nominee not obtainable to watch at dwelling proper now. Waiting for the on-line launch and need to take pleasure in the unique Avatar film in the meantime? That one is obtainable to stream on Disney+.


Discover more from Doc Gang
Watching Docs with Strangers
I hosted a backyard screening
Before COVID when we talked about movies, most of the time it is going to the theater, not watching at home. In the past 18 months that has entirely flipped, it really has not been possible to go to the theater if you wanted to.
But has much really changed for Documentaries, when was the last time you saw a Documentary with people you didn’t know?
It would not surprise me if majority of self-proclaimed documentary fans have not seen a documentary in a theater and that is no fault of their own. Outside of film festivals very few documentaries end up in theaters and the ones that do are super niche (Ski/Snow/Skate films), experiential (Antarctica on IMAX or some other remote location on earth) or they are a particularly famous white male filmmaker (Ken Burns, Michael Moore and you could include Werner Herzog and probably Errol Morris into this). These are all great and deserve to be in theaters but when that is all that makes it into theaters; it is hard to say the genre is accurately represented in theaters.
Recently I joined a group of non-fiction filmmakers called “Video Consortium” that has chapters all over the world (you should start one in your city if it’s not already there!) and this past week they put on a screening of two short films in my backyard. There were 50 attendees, and it was great to network and just be around other documentarians. Both screenings included a quick Q&A after the film with the directors. The films were both strong, well made with solid production value but they were clear and direct with what the film was trying to say. One film will most definitely be making the rounds in festivals as it focuses on a man famous throughout Los Angeles for his dancing at concerts and the film’s production included the start of COVID. While the other film was already purchased by the New Yorker and released just a few months ago. It follows a group of volunteers in Arizona that search the desert for migrants who do not survive their attempt to traverse it; check it out here.
It was so great to network, obviously. Even within the film world documentary is small and finding spaces that are documentary specific is a lot harder than I expected. But what I took away the most was nice it was to watch a film with strangers. Hearing them react the same way I did at certain moments but also hearing others react when I did not or vice versa. It makes me think about the film differently, I am self-aware in a sense, not self-conscious. I begin to think about why I’m reacting the way I am. It’s important to do this after the film though, otherwise you run the risk of not being present for the actual film. I’ve begun trying to bring a notebook with me when I watch a documentary so that I can write ideas and notes down and then re-visit it later, this was a great time for that.
Mixing up how we watch is important; the same people in the same location will become habitual and turn into an action that happens at the same time and place instead of sitting down and experiencing another human’s lived experience through film. When we are watching something that happened and represents someone’s viewpoint there should be a discussion, internal or external. It’s not a matter of simply liking and/or agreeing with the film.
I wish we had more opportunities to watch non-fiction work with strangers.


Full Movie Streaming Dallas Buyers Club in HD Format. Online Streaming Dallas Buyers Club in Best Video Format. Watch Full Movie Dallas Buyers Club in High Definition Quality. Full Streaming Dallas Buyers Club in HD Video. Download Movie Dallas Buyers Club in Top Quality.
Becomes clear a full description of Dallas Buyers Club below:
- Original Title : Dallas Buyers Club
- Movie title in your country : Dallas Buyers Club
- Year of movie : 2013
- Genres of movie : Drama, History,
- Status of movie : Released
- Release date of movie : 2013-11-22
- Companies of movie : Universal Pictures, Universal Studios, Voltage Pictures, Truth Entertainment,
- Countries of movie : United States of America,
- Language of movie : English, 日本語,
- Durationof movie : 117 Min
- Average vote of movie : 7.9
- Youtube ID of movie : fvMPU0WaPcc
- Translation of movie : EN,NL,ES,RU,PT,FR,TR,PL,HU,BG,SV,DE,IT,ZH,DA,SK,EL,KO,CS,FI,HE,
- Cast of movie :Donna DuPlantier (Nurse Frazin), J.D. Evermore (Clint), Griffin Dunne (Dr. Vass), Michael O'Neill (Richard Barkley), Denis O'Hare (Dr. Sevard), Dallas Roberts (David Wayne), Jane McNeill (Francine Suskind), Steve Zahn (Tucker), Kevin Rankin (T.J.), Jennifer Garner (Dr. Eve Saks), Juliet Reeves (Rodeo Girl), Ian Casselberry (Hispanic Orderly), Jared Leto (Rayon), Deneen Tyler (Denise), Matthew McConaughey (Ron Woodroof)
Dallas Buyers Club the proper movie provided by Universal Pictures, Universal Studios, Voltage Pictures, Truth Entertainment, possessing a description of the movie is "Loosely based on the true-life tale of Ron Woodroof, a drug-taking, women-loving, homophobic man who in 1986 was diagnosed with full blown HIV/AIDS and given thirty days to live.". The film was produced with excellent graphic quality, best sound quality and finest starring actors.
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Executive Producer : Ross Nathan, Executive Producer : Tony Notargiacomo, Director : Jean-Marc Vallée, Executive Producer : Holly Wiersma, Producer : Robbie Brenner, Casting : Kerry Barden, Production Design : John Paino, Executive Producer : David L. Bushell, Screenplay : Melisa Wallack, Executive Producer : Cassian Elwes, Executive Producer : Nicolas Chartier, Executive Producer : Logan Levy, Screenplay : Craig Borten, Director of Photography : Yves Bélanger, Producer : Rachel Winter, Casting : Rich Delia, Editor : Jean-Marc Vallée, Art Direction : Javiera Varas, Executive Producer : Joe Newcomb, Executive Producer : Zev Foreman, Editor : Martin Pensa, Casting : Paul Schnee
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May 27, 2005
Holistic goddess and actress Gwyneth Paltrow hates watching herself in movies because she is convinced she can't act.
The Sun reports that the Oscar winner's hang up goes so deep that she runs from the theater or switches television channels rather than catching herself onscreen. "It just makes me freak out and think how terrible I am and how awful my voice sounds," Paltrow told NBC News.
The new mom and partner of Coldplay front man Chris Martin claims the condition worsens when she appears alongside actors she admires. "I remember doing The Talented Mr Ripley, and Matt Damon really needed to see what he was doing, " Paltrow explained. "He was so good in that film that it made me wish I didn't repulse myself so much, because maybe I could be learning what he's learning."
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Fight with Piccolo (ピッコロと直接対決!! 天界に怒りの魔せん光, Pikkoro to Cyokusetsu Taiketsu!! Tenkai ni Ikari no Masenkou) is the fourth episode of the Garlic Jr. Saga and the one hundred eleventh overall episode in the uncut Dragon Ball Z series. The episode first aired on October 9, 1991. Its original American air date was April 29, 2000.
Gohan and Krillin are face to face with Garlic Jr.'s new fighter, Piccolo, who has been infected by the Black Water Mist. Mustard and Salt take up the fight, and it seems that they are going to beat the remaining Z Fighters. Krillin is beaten badly, which forces Gohan's power to sky rocket.
He finishes off the two Spice Boys, Salt and Mustard, and prepares to face his friend and mentor, Piccolo.
- Salt and Mustard are killed by Gohan.
- Flashbacks in "Fight with Piccolo" feature animated footage from the 1990 film Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone.
- This episode is named "Fight with Piccolo" yet, Piccolo does not even fight in this episode until the very end.
- In the Japanese version, Yajirobe and Korin discuss in the kitchen how Maron makes them act like idiots and that they can't get her to respect them. In the English version, Yajirobe and Korin argue over who Maron likes more.


I’m supposed to write fiction today, but a) I’m not sure what’s happening in my story and b) I drove to Chicago yesterday and saw a Broadway play and c) Michael Jackson died. So, no story today.
I want to write about all of those things, but I can’t get my brain settled. So, I will just tell you that I am terribly sad about MJ, and the play was the most amazing thing ever.
If I am ever terribly wealthy, I will go to Broadway plays for fun, instead of the thrift store. Well, actually, I will probably go to the thrift store and buy beautiful dresses, and then go to Broadway plays.


|Public transit||Leicester Square; Piccadilly Circus|
|Owner||Delfont Mackintosh Theatres|
|Type||West End theatre|
|Capacity||994 on three levels|
|Production||Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends|
|Opened||27 December 1906|
|Architect||W. G. R. Sprague|
The theatre was designed by W. G. R. Sprague and opened on 27 December 1906 as the Hicks Theatre, named after Seymour Hicks, for whom it was built. The first play at the theatre was a hit musical called The Beauty of Bath co-written by Hicks. Another big success was A Waltz Dream in 1908. In 1909, the American impresario Charles Frohman became manager of the theatre and renamed the house the Globe Theatre, a name that it retained for 85 years. Call It a Day opened in 1935 and ran for 509 performances, a long run for the slow inter-war years. There's a Girl in My Soup, opening in 1966, ran for almost three years, a record for the theatre that was not surpassed until Daisy Pulls It Off opened in April 1983 to run for 1,180 performances.
Refurbished in 1987, the theatre has since presented several Alan Ayckbourn premieres, including Man of the Moment (1990), as well as a notable revival of An Ideal Husband in 1992. During reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe theatre on the South Bank, in 1994 the theatre was renamed the Gielgud Theatre in honour of John Gielgud. Another refurbishment was completed in 2008.
The theatre opened on 27 December 1906 as the Hicks Theatre in honour of actor, manager and playwright Seymour Hicks, for whom it was built. Designed by W.G.R. Sprague in Louis XVI style, the theatre originally had 970 seats, but over the years boxes and other seats have been removed. The theatre is a pair with the Queen's Theatre, which opened in 1907 on the adjacent street corner.
The first play at the theatre was a musical called The Beauty of Bath by Hicks and Cosmo Hamilton. My Darling, another Hicks musical, followed in 1907, followed by the original London production of Brewster's Millions, and the next year, the long-running London premiere production of the Straus operetta, A Waltz Dream . An astonishing event occurred midway through the run of the theatre's next major work, a musical titled The Dashing Little Duke (1909), which was produced by Hicks. Hicks' wife, Ellaline Terriss, played the title role (a woman playing a man). When she missed several performances due to illness, Hicks stepped into the role – possibly the only case in the history of musical theatre where a husband succeeded to his wife's role.
In 1909, the American impresario Charles Frohman became sole manager of the theatre and renamed the house Globe Theatre (the "Globe Theatre" on Newcastle Street had been demolished in 1902, making the name available). The reopening production was His Borrowed Plumes, written by Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill's mother. During the First World War, the musical Peg O' My Heart was a success at the theatre. Noël Coward debuted his Fallen Angels here in 1925. Call It a Day by Dodie Smith opened in 1935 and ran for 509 performances, an unusually long run for the slow inter-war years. Shakespeare and classic plays, as well as musicals, were seen at the theatre in the decades that followed. In 1939, actor John Gielgud directed and starred in a revival of The Importance of Being Earnest that was "regarded at the time as the definitive production of the 20th century."
After World War II
Gielgud took his production of The Lady's Not for Burning, by Christopher Fry, to the Globe Theatre in 1949 for a successful West End premiere. Likewise, in 1960, A Man For All Seasons had its stage premiere here. Terence Frisby's There's a Girl in My Soup, opening in 1966, ran for 1,064 performances at the theatre, a record that was not surpassed until Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of the Olivier Award-winning comedy Daisy Pulls It Off by Denise Deegan opened in April 1983 to run until February 1986 for 1,180 performances, the theatre's longest run. In 1987 Peter Shaffer's play Lettice and Lovage had a hit London premiere, starring Maggie Smith and Margaret Tyzack, and running for two years. One of several Coward revivals in recent decades, Design for Living, starring Rachel Weisz, transferred to the theatre in 1995. When Lloyd Webber rewrote Tell Me on a Sunday, he relaunched it at the theatre to good notices.
The Globe was the home of a resident theatre cat named Beerbohm, after actor Herbert Beerbohm Tree. The tabby's portrait still hangs in the corridor near the stalls. Beerbohm appeared on stage at least once in every production, forcing the actors to improvise. He always chose to occupy certain actors' dressing rooms while they were at the theatre, including Peter Bowles, Michael Gambon and Penelope Keith. Beerbohm was mentioned several times on Desert Island Discs, and he was the only cat to have received a front-page obituary in the theatrical publication, The Stage. He died in March 1995 at the age of 20.
Refurbished in 1987, with extensive work on the gold leaf in the auditorium, the theatre is particularly notable for its beautiful circular Regency staircase, oval gallery and tower. The theatre has presented several Alan Ayckbourn premieres, including Man of the Moment (1990). Oscar Wilde's classic comedy, An Ideal Husband (1992) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (2004) saw notable revivals, and the Royal Shakespeare Company and others have brought several Shakespeare and classic play revivals to the theatre in recent decades. The 2007 production of Equus attracted considerable press for the nude appearance of 17-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, who was still filming the Harry Potter films. The production was successful enough to transfer to Broadway and ran to 2009 there. Musicals returned in 2009 with a transfer of Avenue Q, and then a transfer from Broadway of Hair the next year, followed by the West End premiere of the stage version of Yes, Prime Minister before it went on tour.
In 1994, in anticipation of the 1997 opening of the reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the South Bank, to avoid public confusion, the theatre was renamed the Gielgud Theatre in honour of John Gielgud. The Globe's theatre cat, named Beerbohm, became famous enough to receive a front-page obituary in the theatrical publication The Stage in 1995. In 2003, Cameron Mackintosh announced plans to refurbish the Gielgud, including a joint entrance foyer with the adjacent Queen's Theatre, facing on to Shaftesbury Avenue. Mackintosh's Delfont Mackintosh Theatres took over operational control of the Gielgud from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatres in 2006.
Work on the facade of the theatre started in March 2007 and the interior restoration, including reinstating the boxes at the back of the dress circle, was completed in January 2008. The theatre is one of the 40 theatres featured in the 2012 DVD documentary series Great West End Theatres, presented by Donald Sinden.
- 1906: The Beauty of Bath, by Seymour Hicks and Cosmo Hamilton
- 1907: Brewster's Millions by Winchell Smith & Byron Ongley
- 1908: A Waltz Dream an operetta by Oscar Straus
- 1914: Kismet, a revival of Edward Knoblock's play, with Henry Daniell in his London debut.
- 1916: Peg O' My Heart by John Hartley Manners
- 1920: Fédora, a revival of the 1882 play by Victorien Sardou, with Basil Rathbone as Loris Ipanoff
- 1925: Fallen Angels by Noël Coward, starring Tallulah Bankhead
- 1929: Canaries Sometimes Sing by Frederick Lonsdale, starring Yvonne Arnaud
- 1931: The Improper Duchess by James B. Fagan, starring Yvonne Arnaud and Frank Cellier.
- 1935: Call it a Day by Dodie Smith
- 1939: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, with John Gielgud starring as well as directing
- 1942: The Petrified Forest by Robert E. Sherwood
- 1949: The Lady's Not for Burning by Christopher Fry, with Richard Burton in a supporting role
- 1960: A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt, starring Paul Scofield
- 1966: There's a Girl in My Soup by Terence Frisby
- 1966: The Matchgirls by Bill Owen
- 1976: A season of Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage
- 1978: The Rear Column by Simon Gray, starring Jeremy Irons, Barry Foster, Simon Ward and Clive Francis
- 1982: Design for Living by Noël Coward, starring Vanessa Redgrave
- 1983: Daisy Pulls It Off by Denise Deegan
- 1987: Lettice and Lovage by Peter Shaffer, starring Maggie Smith and Margaret Tyzack
- 1990: Man of the Moment by Alan Ayckbourn premiere
- 1992: An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
- 1995: Design for Living, starring Rachel Weisz
Recent and present productions
- 2003: Tell Me on a Sunday by Andrew Lloyd Webber, starring Denise Van Outen
- 2004: The RSC's All's Well That Ends Well, starring Judi Dench
- 2004: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, starring Christian Slater, Frances Barber and Mackenzie Crook
- 2005: Don Carlos by Friedrich Schiller, starring Derek Jacobi
- 2005: Some Girls by Neil LaBute, starring David Schwimmer and Catherine Tate
- 2005: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, starring Tara Fitzgerald
- 2006: The RSC's The Crucible and The Canterbury Tales
- 2006: Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan, starring Michael Sheen and Frank Langella
- 2007: Equus by Peter Shaffer, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths
- 2007: Macbeth by William Shakespeare, starring Patrick Stewart
- 2007: Nicholas Nickleby
- 2008: Carl Rosa Opera presented a Gilbert and Sullivan season
- 2008: God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, starring Ralph Fiennes and Tamsin Greig
- 2008: Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello, starring Ian McDiarmid
- 2008: Bill Bailey's Tinselworm
- 2009: Enjoy by Alan Bennett, starring Alison Steadman
- 2009: Avenue Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
- 2010: Hair
- 2010: Yes, Prime Minister by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, starring David Haig and Henry Goodman
- 2011: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
- 2011: Lend Me a Tenor
- 2011: The Ladykillers
- 2012: Chariots of Fire
- 2013: The Audience by Peter Morgan, starring Helen Mirren
- 2013: Private Lives by Noël Coward, starring Toby Stephens and Anna Chancellor
- 2013: Strangers on a Train by Craig Warner, starring Jack Huston, Laurence Fox and Imogen Stubbs
- 2014: Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward, starring Angela Lansbury
- 2014: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (re-opening after Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse)
- 2017: The Ferryman by Jez Butterworth
- 2018: Imperium, based on the Cicero novels by Robert Harris and adapted by Mike Poulton starring Richard McCabe and Joseph Kloska
- 2018: Company, starring Rosalie Craig, Mel Giedroyc, Patti LuPone, Ben Lewis and Jonathan Bailey
- 2019: Les Misérables – The Staged Concert, starring Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas, Bradley Jaden and Earl Carpenter
- 2019: Girl from the North Country
- 2020: The Upstart Crow, starring David Mitchell
- 2021: The Mirror and the Light
- 2022: To Kill a Mockingbird by Aaron Sorkin, adapted from the novel by Harper Lee
- 2023: The Crucible by Arthur Miller, starring Fisayo Akinade, Milly Alcock, and Brian Gleeson (transfer from the National Theatre)
- 2023: Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Christine Allado, Claire Burt, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, and Richard Dempsy
- Historic England (28 June 1972). "Gielgud Theatre (1236174)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
- Seymour Hicks Archived 18 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine at the British Musical Theatre website, 31 August 2004. Retrieved 19 December 2012
- "The Importance of Being Earnest: Notable productions", V & A Museum. Retrieved 19 December 2012
- Gielgud, John. "Mr. Gielgud discovers Mr. Fry; Reliance on designer." The New York Times, 5 November 1950, p. 98
- "Daisy Pulls It Off". Albemarle Theatre. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012.
- "Tell Me on a Sunday (Gielgud Theatre)", BBC review, 16 April 2003. Retrieved 19 December 2012
- Alistair Smith, "Exclusive: Cats to return to West End", The Stage, 8 July 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- Parsons, Andrew. "Theatre Cats" Archived 30 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Moggies Web Site, reprinted from The Times, 30 December 2000
- "Naked stage role for Potter star", BBC News, 28 July 2006. Retrieved 19 December 2012
- Yes, Prime Minister Archived 30 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine, The Corner Shop, 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2012
- Fisher, Philip. "Great West End Theatres", British Theatre Guide, 19 February 2012
- History of the theatre
- History and photos of the theatre and other images
- Profile of theatre with list of productions
- Another profile of the theatre
- Guide to British Theatres 1750–1950, John Earl and Michael Sell pp. 112 (Theatres Trust, 2000) ISBN 0-7136-5688-3
- Who's Who in the Theatre, edited by John Parker, tenth edition, revised, London, 1947, pp. 477–478 and 1183.
- Bergan, Ronald, The Great Theatres of London. An Illustrated Companion (Prion, 1990) (ISBN 1-85375-057-3).
- Berry, Patricia Dee, Theatrical London (Britain in Old Photographs series) (Alan Sutton, 1995) (ISBN 0-7509-0942-0).


It's not just a film about heavy metal. It's about people. It's hard music with a warm, fuzzy beating heart.
In the documentary, Adam Dubin set out to chronicle the ‘80s Bay Area thrash scene in Murder in the Front Row -- an uncensored and boisterous documentary set for release early in 2019. And Murder is certainly a must-watch for hard rock fans; the film contains over fifty interviews with various metal stalwarts (including Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus, Testament and Death Angel), telling its tall tales through a mix of first-person interviews, animation and narration by comedian Brian Posehn.


By way of example, based on MY consumption of animated television, I would contest that the best children's animated TV series of all time is Disney's Recess. But I've never felt like I can put a real flag down on that claim for two simple reasons: Avatar: The Last Airbender and Steven Universe. I keep meaning to watch these, as both are heralded as some of the best animation of all time. (Like, seriously. I can already feel the lectures coming in the comments). But time is short and I really should spend more time reading than catching up on TV and yadda yadda. Either way, until I do, I'm not confident in any grandiose claims I want to make in favor of Recess.
Which means I get excited when I realize that I DO have some area of expertise that I can start shouting my opinions about, and do you know what I realized today??? I have seen EVERY Oscar winning animated movie. Hot Dog!
Whether or not this is something to shout from the rooftops with pride is probably a matter of opinion. For myself, I say it with some satisfaction. I love animation, and I love that I get to use my position as a children's author as an excuse to continue to engage with animated movies as both a high-brow, snooty pants critique, and a rabid, doe-eyed fan.
And for better or worse, there's a huge range in quality between the various films that have won the award. Some of them I don't really even like. Of course, while this list represents just one personal opinion, I've done my best to explain why, from a craft perspective, one movie fell short compared to another. Some of the factors I'll be considering include: Plot and pacing, character, humor, emotional resonance, art direction and rewatchability. That last one mostly came into play when I had two movies neck and neck and struggled to pick which one beat out the other.
Without further ado, here are the Oscar winning animated features! Some of them even deserved it.
#19. HAPPY FEET (2006)
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON: 2006 was a lean year for animation. There weren't any great contenders, but even so, the award should have gone to Cars. I'm no apologist for the Cars franchise, but its story was okay and it had characters who at least earned the toys that were made of them. More than the gobbledeegook of Happy Feet can claim.
#18. WALLACE AND GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT (2005)
Growing up, I was a HUGE fan of Wallace and Gromit. I had knitted plushies of them and everything, at a time when most kids had never heard of these British claymation shorts. (Yeah, I'm gonna go hipster on Wallace and Gromit. Fight me.) I wanted the full length movie to be good so badly, but when it came, it mostly elicited a "meh..." from me. There's some fantastic animation, but aside from that, I think this movie showed that the pair were better suited to short form. The plot was weird in a way that didn't quite hit the same charming note of the previous outings. Also, there was too much Wallace and not enough Gromit. The shorts rode on the appeal of that unibrow dog.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON: While not his best of the best, Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle was gorgeously animated and quite enjoyable. Also, while I haven't seen it, I know there are quite a few fans of Corpse Bride out there, so maybe it belongs in the conversation too.
#17. BRAVE (2012)
The first time Pixar tackled a princess movie, they got less than stellar results. Brave had a lot of potential, with a fabulous setting, gorgeous animation and fun voice cast. But it's weighed down with a not particularly original "arranged marriage" plot line, a mid-section that grows more boring the more bears are added and a heroine who mostly just whines her way through the movie and never is particularly sympathetic.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON: Making this year especially frustrating, there were several better movies that came out in 2012. ParaNorman isn't perfect, but it's fun, creepy and inventive. The Pirates! Band of Misfits is one of the silliest movies ever made and might just be the single best use of the vocal talents of Hugh Grant. But the award probably should have gone to Wreck-It Ralph, which seemed like a big, dumb, goofy story at the time, but has held up on rewatch surprisingly well.
#16. RANGO (2011)
Rango is one of those movie's that got way better critical reviews than it probably deserved for one simple reason: it's appeal rode on nostalgia for Old Hollywood, something film critics and Academy voters are big-time suckers for. That being said, if you fall in that camp at all, it can be quite enjoyable. Rango is a weird movie that follows a lizard who wants to be just like Clint Eastwood, who gets the chance to when he rolls up in an antiquated, Old West town of suffering animals that exists in our modern world because... why not? The animation is quirky and interesting, at least, and the film kinda works as a goofy experiment. Overall, not bad, but lacking in the charm and rewatchability of later entries.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON INSTEAD: This is another tough year for animation. The only other notable entry in the category is Kung Fu Panda 2, and between the pair, it's a toss up, if you ask me.
#15. BIG HERO 6 (2014)
This movie is where the list starts to flip from "not very good" to "actually pretty good, just not as good as other things that came out the same year." The great success of this movie was Baymax, who is so lovable, he almost drowns out all the things that don't really work about this film. Things that don't work include: a villain plot that makes no sense, technology so powerful it's confusing how it didn't solve the plot in ten minutes, and a supporting cast who feel more like catch phrases than fully fleshed characters. Still, the central relationship, between a boy grieving for his brother and the robot nurse who tries to help him is lovely and deserving of praise.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON: This is such a weird year. Neither Dreamworks or Disney turned out any great films, though of what was nominated, How to Train Your Dragon 2 was the strongest coming from North America. The best North American release that year wasn't even nominated. The Lego Movie is one of the most enjoyable, thoughtful, heartfelt toy commercials ever made. Maybe it was the early February release date, but somehow, come award season, this Master Builder Piece got snubbed outright. It should have fought it out with Princess Kaguya, one of Studio Ghibli's most gorgeous films, which has such a marvelously inventive animation style, I'm inclined to want to see the award go to it, even at the expense of my beloved Lego Movie.
#14. UP (2009)
MUAHAHAHAHA!!! I'm guessing this will be my first truly controversial ranking. This movie was so adored in it's day, it's one of a tiny class of animated films that managed to nab a nomination for Best Picture. And if this list was a ranking of the best movie openings of all time, it would be very close to the top, if not number one. I'm with you on that, guys. The beginning sequence with Carl and Ellie is so enchanting. In fact, that sequence alone is why this movie is as high up as it is. When it comes to most of the rest of the movie, very little of it worked for me. The villain plot feels so weird and tacked on, the dogs are annoying and the story of Russel and Carl feels drowned out by these two overblown elements. That being said, this film absolutely did deserve the Oscar it won for best original score. What I'm saying is I understand why people like this film, but I think it's got some pretty glaring weaknesses. That, or you all like talking dogs making unoriginal squirrel jokes 1000% more than I do.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON: Any of the four other movies nominated this year. The Secret of Kells is one of the most unique and lushly animated movies I've ever seen. Fantastic Mr. Fox is strange and hilarious. Coraline is the most terrifying thing with a label that says "for children" slapped on it, and that's kind of awe-inspiring. And The Princess and the Frog feels like a love letter to earlier Disney movies, told with gorgeous, hand-drawn animation and a fantastic musical score. Honestly, all are brilliant and all have better stories than Up.
#13. SHREK (2001)
Despite my fighting words a moment ago, I did feel a little badly ranking Shrek above Up. I mean, I know which one is the better work of art. But if I had to choose one to rewatch, it would be Shrek every time. At times cute and charming, at times extremely mean-spirited in it's mockery of Disney (Dreamworks Animation was founded by an ousted Disney animator/director, and you can bet Jeffery Katzenberg did not go gentle into that good night), Shrek still manages to come together as an enjoyable odd ball tale. There are probably too many pop culture references and poop jokes. It set a bad precedent for later Dreamworks films by ending with a dance party. But the characters are memorable and voiced to perfection. Plus, that "do you know the muffin man?" sequence gets me every time.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON: Fun though Shrek is, I don't think it has the sweet charm of Monster's Inc. In a perfect world, we would have been less dazzled by the quick satire on display here and gone for a story that's much more inventive and touching. Still, as a tween watching the first animation Oscars in 2002, I was so rooting for Shrek to take the prize home. At least it spoke to it's target audience well.
#12. RATATOUILLE (2007)
Just as Up would rank higher if this list was entirely about openings, this one would place better if we were only considering the movie's end. It's always difficult when a piece tries to represent the aesthetic experience of one of the five sense that is not inherently addressed by the art form currently in use. It's why books have to find very creative ways to truly evoke sound, and why Ratatoille had to work so hard to properly portray the sensation of taste. But in the end, did they ever nail that one, key element! Ratatouille succeeds as a meditation on food, pleasure and pursuing your passions. It's not the most magical of all Pixar's offerings, with characters that are less interesting than many others, but the story builds from something that was decent, if not brilliant in the beginning, to a very satisfying conclusion. The ending helps edge it up to here.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON: There wasn't super stiff competition this year, however, one underrated gem could, by some accounts, make for a stronger winner. Surf's Up is roughly a million times better than a movie about surfing penguins has any right to be. I love it, and find it more rewatchable than Ratatouille, but if it had won, I'd probably have it ranked at exactly the same spot and would be arguing that Ratatouille should have beaten it. They're very different films, but surprisingly even matched.
#11. TOY STORY 4 (2019)
When this movie was announced, I was among those voicing displeasure at the idea, due to how nicely the third movie wrapped up the franchise. It felt like we had already bid these characters a heartfelt good-bye and there wasn't much more to say on the topic. Upon watching the most recent film, I ended up glad that Pixar decided to make it. Most of Disney's attempts at an animated "franchise" haven't yielded great results, but the Toy Story films are the exception to the rule. This movie packs a lot of the same heart and humor of the previous movies and--once again--gives our favorite characters a fitting send-off. This one better be the last one though. There were a few areas this film lagged behind the other Toy Story films for me. The Key and Peele carnival plushies were good for a few gags, but it felt like we got scenes of them instead of more content with Jessie, Slinky and Rex, who were all sorely missing from this outing. Additionally, a lot of the scenes meant to pull at the heart strings were good, but paled in direct comparison to when they were done with Andy in the previous film. Overall, a wonderful outing with the toys, even if the movie was a bit extraneous.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE WON: This probably comes down to personal preference, but I would have loved to see Netflix's Klaus take home the award. The story and characters are in many ways stronger in Toy Story 4, but that's mostly due to a three movie backstory advantage. Klaus had to win viewer investment on its own merit, not just by our immediate associations from the previous franchise. Add to that, Klaus had an animation style that felt necessary and unique in a landscape saturated with 3D modelling. And while parts of Klaus's story were ridiculous and forced, it managed one thing that Toy Story 4 did not, namely making me cry at the end. Still, Toy Story 4 is gorgeously made and very enjoyable, so it's no surprise Netflix wasn't able to wrestle the top prize from Pixar's grip this year.
#10. FROZEN (2013)
Right here at the half-way point through the list is when I think the movies go from "good" to "truly great" and deserving of the prestigious Oscar award. Frozen signaled a return to form for Disney Animation, ushering in a time when it's become a toss up whether they or Pixar are going to take the Oscar home each year. This movie is so loved and watched, I hardly need to sing it's praises. The music is fantastic, the central relationship between Anna and Elsa is incredibly moving and Christoff is one of the best love interests Disney has ever created. A few elements are clumsily incorporated - the troll clan, the lack-luster villain, the jarringly odd way Olaf is animated compared to the rest of the movie - but over all, it's a solid film that maybe lost some fans recently due to over exposure. Just a couple days ago, my sister and I were talking about what an amazing allegory it makes for learning to live with Major Depressive Disorder and other mental health conditions. Anything with that kind of thematic resonance and cultural staying power is good in my books.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: None of the other North American releases nominated this year really held a candle to Frozen. Both Despicable Me 2 and The Croods are underwhelming, but some solid foreign animation was nominated, I am told. Unfortunately, it's an area I need to fill in some of my own gaps, but Miyazaki's The Wind Rises in particular has some good hype behind it.
#9. WALL-E (2008)
Like Up, WALL-E is a movie I tend to rate a little lower than most Pixar fans, and for almost the same reasons. The beginning of WALL-E is much stronger than the second half. However, while Up has twenty amazing minutes, roughly an hour of WALL-E's run time is so exceptional, I really do feel guilty placing it this low. It's more indicative of how fantastic the later entries are. I don't love the heavy handed story telling aboard the Axiom, but I don't hate it either, so I can focus more of my attention on the good parts of this film. The opening shots of Earth and WALL-E's mundane every day life, intercut with music and footage from Hello, Dolly are so moving. This is a film that also really lets the animation speak for itself, with most of the story told visually or with music. In fact, the film only really begins to flag once the speaking human characters are introduced. Overall, a breathtaking, groundbreaking and deserving winner.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Considering how weak the animation offerings were some years, it's such a shame that Dreamwork's two best movies came out in years that they really didn't have a chance against what Pixar put out. This year's tragic loser was Kung Fu Panda, which has some of the best choreographed combat sequences not just of animation, but any film. A true credit to the Kung Fu movies it is a pastiche of.
#8. COCO (2017)
Compiling this list, it was right around the point when I had to slot Coco in at number eight that I kind of panicked. HOW? How did a film this good fall so low on the list? Again, like the entry before, it's more a testament to what comes later. Coco is a beautiful and worthy entry into the Pixar canon, something we hadn't been treated to for a few years. Pixar has fallen victim to sequelitis, but occasional gems like Coco still slip through. Anyone who saw this movie in theaters can attest to how gorgeous the animation is. It's also a good example of how a cliche plot can be retold in a way that makes it compelling again. Coco and Happy Feet essentially start with the same plot (outsider has a weird hobby) but the end products couldn't be further apart. Thematically, Coco is a brilliant meditation on family, culture, memory and death. And if you say you didn't cry during the end, I denounce thee a liar.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: I have heard amazing things about both The Breadwinner and Loving Vincent, but since neither got wide releases, I haven't had a chance to see them. Opinions forthcoming!
#7. TOY STORY 3 (2010)
Toy Story is that rare series that actually improved over its long run. I love talking about these movies in the context of world building, since its a very good example of using a simple fantasy concept, then plumbing it for all the depth possible. The question of "what if toys were alive" is answered so richly in each installment. And not just the goofy stuff they can get up to (like a Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head getting married), but in terms of the emotional struggles that would naturally grow out of their relationships with children. Each subsequent film pushed a little further, until you get to the third and best entry in the series. The feels are out in full force, with much of it serving as an allegory for death and rebirth. When I saw this in theaters, most of the showing's audience was my age - early twenties, and sobbing along as we watched Andy let go of the toys that had comforted us for so many years. It's a touching, powerful film and a beautiful farewell for the series. The fact that a fourth one is on the horizon has me a little nervous for that reason. The story felt resolved here. Regardless, I think this film will continue to stand as a landmark example of how strong sequels can actually be.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: It kills me that this was the same year How to Train Your Dragon came out. Both of these movies hit me profoundly. Dragon's achievements include one of the best father/son story lines out there, a dark color palette that was fairly revolutionary when it came out and an aerial flight scene that I think is one of the best uses of 3D in the past decade. Still, Toy Story 3 had the more surprising and ground breaking story. It did things you generally don't see in children's media and for that reason, deserved all the awards it won.
#6. FINDING NEMO (2003)
Another closely ranked entry. I'm not 100% certain which of Finding Nemo and Toy Story 3 is my favorite, or even which is the artistically stronger (jf you can even make such a comparison). But I've gone with Nemo in the lead because it's the one where the details have stuck with me just a little more. It's such a tenderly animated story, with beautiful quiet moments that we don't always get to enjoy in our current blockbuster movie climate. It's also a really well crafted story, perfectly balancing Nemo and Marlin's arcs so that they interlace and inform each other throughout. At the suggestion of one of my professors, I once charted this movie's plot out and yup. The technique in balancing the story is pretty amazing.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: There wasn't much else on offer this year, though the foreign market provided The Triplets of Belleville. It's another one on my to-be-watched list. A list that gets longer and longer as I work on this blog post.
#5. SPIRITED AWAY (2002)
As we get into the upper end of the list, a lot of these choices come down to personal preference. With this film in particular, I can see a strong argument for why it should be considered the best of the bunch. This is Miyazaki's masterpiece. The animation is spectacular, the story somehow both simple and surprising, the characters lovable and iconic. No one does detail and fantasy in animation quite like Studio Ghibli, and I'd easily be persuaded their films are the best animated fantasies ever made. Everything about Spirited Away is incredible, and a perfect use of the medium. If you haven't seen this one yet, get it. Do it now. If you haven't watched much Japanese animation, this is a great place to start, as the English dub is very well done.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: The rest of the field included some fun flicks, though none of them were in the same league as Spirited Away. The best-of-the-rest goes to Lilo and Stitch, which is a charming, though uneven movie.
#4. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (2018)
Placing this film was super difficult. In some ways, I like it better than the movies that come later. The animation style! The music! The janky hobo Spider-man! This is not only one of the best animated movies in years, it's also the best Spider-man movie ever made. Just about everything not only works, but exceeds expectations in this action-packed, emotional journey about what it means to be a hero and take up the mantle of arguably the most popular superhero of our time. By centering the story on Miles Morales, this movie was able to break away from the numerous other Spider-man adaptations, while somehow also both killing Peter Parker AND giving us what might be the most emotionally complex version of Peter ever. I cannot tell you how often the image of Spider-man sobbing in his bathtub--a broken, divorced man in his thirties--has haunted and delighted me. It's simultaneously one of the saddest and funniest things I've ever seen. Meanwhile, Miles interjects some delightful personality as the classic teen-aged Spider-man, wrestling with insecurities and responsibilities that are too much to ask of a kid so young. It goes without saying that the visual style of this movie is also phenomenal. The only thing keeping this from the top of the list are some slight cliches in the villain plot. Kingpin is a better, scarier villain to face off against than most superhero movies provide, but he's still no Joker or even Syndrome. It's a minor quibble in an otherwise phenomenal film.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: I'd like to think this year was a wake-up call to Disney and Pixar, who both turned out rather by-the-book sequels in Incredibles 2 and Ralph Breaks the Internet. It's rare they don't take home the award, but this year was an easy call, given the artistry and storytelling on display in Spider-verse. Also sneaking in was another Wes Anderson animated film, Isle of Dogs, which I still need to see.
#3. INSIDE OUT (2015)
Every so often, animation manages to do something that not only pushes the boundaries of it's own form, but film itself. In the case of Inside Out, this might just be the best representation of mindand emotion on film. And I can say that with authority, guys. My sister is a philosopher who studies mind and emotion and SHE agrees. So there. Inside Out not only gave us a wonderful, fun story to enjoy, it shed light on how people actually experience depression, and how memories and personalities shift over the course of our lives. Conceptually, this film is brilliant. Every time I rewatch it, I find something else to ponder, and that's rare from any movie.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: It was a pretty easy win for Inside Out. I've heard mostly lukewarm reviews of the rest of the field, but if there are any hidden gems in there, do let me know! Always open to more recommendations.
#2. ZOOTOPIA (2016)
She's a bunny who plays by the rules! He's a fox who does what he wants! HOW WILL THEY EVER WORK TOGETHER??? In all honesty, that pitch kinda sucks. This wasn't a movie I felt excited about leading up to its release, since it sounded like a stereotypical buddy cop comedy. Then I went and my jaw about fell off as I found myself watching the best movie about intersectionality and identity politics I'd ever seen. I spent most of the second half muttering, "is this film going to go there? Holy crap. It's going there." It's another one that benefits from rewatches and with jokes as great as jokes can joke, remains enjoyable. This is another example of world building done right. The concept of "animals live in a city together" has been done a thousand times before, but this was the first time that concept was followed all the way to making animals proportional to their real life counterparts. From just that little change, the implications are fascinating and, at times, terrifying. I love this movie so much. It does a brilliant job of working as an allegory for a lot of our own modern problems, without the baggage of being able to map anything directly from it's world onto ours. A tough balancing act, and one that makes this film all the more valuable.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Moana sure is great, isn't it? I don't think it stood a chance next to Zootopia, but over all, this was Disney's year. After a long spat of mediocre movies, it was great to see the studio return to form in a big way. On my to-watch list: Kubo and the Two Strings.
#1. THE INCREDIBLES (2004)
To me, the recent sequel to this film and all the small ways it fell short really highlighted how hard it is to make something this strong twice. It is, in my opinion, as close to perfect as any film will ever get. It succeeds on every level. The score? Instantly recognizable. The action sequences? Tense, exciting and well motivated by the plot. The humor? Relatable and sharp. The characters? Flawed, but with that verve that drives you to root for them. It's a brilliant story about the stresses of ordinary family life, and simultaneously one of the best razzle-dazzle super hero movies ever made. Interspersed with the spectacle is some thoughtful commentary on what it means to be exceptional vs normal, something the sequel is careful to do as well. I have to give a shout-out to director Brad Bird, who really nailed this. To me, his films suggest that he sees the ways our private lives inform the mask we show to the world. It's this awareness that gives the film its depth and continued success. He never loses sight of the Parr family as human, even while exploring what it means to be super human. The end result is - dare I say it? Incredible.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: The best of the Shrek series, Shrek 2, came out this year. It's major contribution to the world was Antonio Banderas as a swashbuckling cat so... yeah. The Academy chose the right winner.
AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!!!
If there's one thing doing this list has reminded me of, it's the staggering depth and talent on display in animation. So often in North America, we relegate animation to a "lesser" sphere. Because it's drawings. Because it's for kids. But honestly, when I look at this list, I see many films of the same caliber as those that took home the award for Best Picture. Like, dude, you're never going to convince me The Incredibles isn't better than Million Dollar Baby.
More importantly, it reassures me to know that even if animation is still primarily a place for "kids movies" today, at least we're giving our kids something worth seeing.