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Comic Riffs Archive: The Animation
BOX OFFICE: 'Rango' still a tough hombre; 'Mars Needs Moms,' not so much.
When to comes to Hollywood's animated fare, this town may not be big enough for both "Rango's" sheriff and the laser-shooters of "Mars Needs Moms." Paramount/Nickelodeon's "Rango" proved resilient, grossing $23-million one week after the Johnny Depp-voiced film debuted...
By
Michael Cavna
| March 13, 2011; 1:30 PM ET |
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Categories:
The Animation, The Holly Word
| Tags:
Alice in Wonderland, How to Train Your Dragon, Mars Needs Moms, Rango
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NEW 'PUSS IN BOOTS' TRAILER: 5 Reasons Why Hollywood So Knows What It's Doing
"PUSS IN BOOTS": You didn't really think DreamWorks was just going to let the mighty Shrek franchise retire after a mere four films and 3-billion bucks at the box office, didja? Last summer, "Shrek" story-writer and voice actor Walt Dohrn...
By
Michael Cavna
| March 4, 2011; 8:00 PM ET |
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Categories:
The Animation
| Tags:
Antonio Banderas, DreamWorks Animation, Paramount, Puss in Boots, Shrek
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'RANGO' BOWS IN: How the animated Depp film could help change the game
Update: "Rango" was tops at Friday's domestic box office, grossing an estimated $9.8-million at nearly 4,000 theaters. Revising expectations slightly downward, industry observers now predict an opening-weekend take of $36-million to $38-million, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "RANGO": Johnny...
By
Michael Cavna
| March 4, 2011; 11:55 AM ET |
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Categories:
The Animation
| Tags:
Gore Verbinski, Johnny Depp, Rango, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson
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THE 2011 OSCARS: Handicapping the Animated Short nominees
Update: "The Lost Thing" wins the Oscar for Animated Short. When it comes to Oscars-nominated animation, feature films tend to get the "Lion King's" share of the spotlight. But this year's field of Animated Shorts is particularly rich. Pixar's...
By
Michael Cavna
| February 27, 2011; 3:00 PM ET |
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Categories:
The Animation
| Tags:
Day & Night, Let's Pollute, Madagascar, Oscars animation, The Gruffalo, The Lost Thing
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NCS REUBENS: Your 2011 'Cartoonist of the Year' finalists are... [UPDATED]
The National Cartoonists Society has just announced its three finalists for the 2011 Cartoonist of the Year Reuben award. And your trio of contenders are: GLEN KEANE, the animator/director who most recently worked prominently on Disney's "Tangled." Keane has...
By
Michael Cavna
| February 22, 2011; 1:00 PM ET |
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Comments (3)
Categories:
The Animation, The Comic Strip
| Tags:
Cul de Sac, Disney animation, Glen Keane, NCS Reuben Awards, Pearls Before Swine, Richard Thompson, Stephan Pastis
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ANIMATED PARODY OF THE DAY: 'The Simpsons' Meet Pixar
With the Oscars on the horizon, "The Simpsons" continues a season most inspired. Into its fourth different decade, Fox's hit show -- led by executive producer Al Jean -- has especially unfurled great cross-art-form parodies in recent months. The...
By
Michael Cavna
| February 21, 2011; 10:00 AM ET |
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Categories:
The Animation
| Tags:
Al Jean, Nick Park, Pixar, The Simpsons
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Older Entries in This Category »
CUPID'S NIB: Our 10 Eye-Catching Valentine's Cartoons of the Day,
Michael Cavna
, February 14, 2011
BOX OFFICE: 'GNOMEO' respectable amid Sandler vs. Bieber showdown,
Michael Cavna
, February 13, 2011
The 'Riffs Interview: 'ILLUSIONIST' filmmaker Sylvain Chomet delves into art, inspiration & Oscars,
Michael Cavna
, February 11, 2011
DOODLE OF THE DAY: Google Logo spotlights Edison's birthday,
Michael Cavna
, February 11, 2011
From Peter Pan to Pirates: RIP, Disney legend BILL JUSTICE,
Michael Cavna
, February 10, 2011
3-D AWARDS: 'Toy Story 3,' 'Train Your Dragon' both emerge as winners,
Michael Cavna
, February 10, 2011
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Google Doodle salutes Jules Verne,
Michael Cavna
, February 8, 2011
SpongeBob SquarePants: New episode debuts tonight on Facebook,
Michael Cavna
, January 27, 2011
GAME ANIMATION: Oregon Trail, Carmen Sandiego to make FACEBOOK debuts,
Michael Cavna
, January 26, 2011
QUICK POST: DreamWorks Animation's 'Rise of the Guardians' gets all-star cast,
Michael Cavna
, January 26, 2011
VIDEO OF THE DAY: What if Pixar film had a '60s Disney trailer? [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, January 26, 2011
THE 2011 OSCARS: Just how many wins might Disney/Pixar waltz off with?,
Michael Cavna
, January 25, 2011
BEST COMICS CONTEST: And the winners of your 2011 Riffy Awards are...,
Michael Cavna
, January 21, 2011
STATE DINNER: Here's the animated Obama/Hu Jintao party you DIDN'T see...,
Michael Cavna
, January 21, 2011
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: If superheroes were hipsters,
Michael Cavna
, January 19, 2011
VIDEO OF THE DAY: LBJ orders himself some pants,
Michael Cavna
, January 18, 2011
O PIONEERS: On John Lasseter's birthday, a look back at Pixar's origin story,
Michael Cavna
, January 12, 2011
THE BEST IN COMICS: Time to vote from these nominees...,
Michael Cavna
, January 6, 2011
HAYAO MIYAZAKI's 70th birthday: Fans honor the legendary animator,
Michael Cavna
, January 5, 2011
THE YEAR IN COMIC RIFFS: What most resonated with readers in 2010,
Michael Cavna
, January 1, 2011
NEW YEAR'S DAIS: 6 Swell Cartoons for Ringing in 2011,
Michael Cavna
, January 1, 2011
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Taiwan takes a bite out of 'Spider-Man',
Michael Cavna
, December 24, 2010
'YOGI BEAR' makes only $4.6M Friday; 'TRON LEGACY' rakes in $18M,
Michael Cavna
, December 18, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Taiwan takes on Larry King, Eliot Spitzer & CNN,
Michael Cavna
, December 17, 2010
The 'Riffs Interview: Animator surprised by virality of his dark 'BOO BOO KILLS YOGI' video,
Michael Cavna
, December 14, 2010
FOX NEWS JABS: Is 'The Simpsons' guilty of overkill?,
Michael Cavna
, December 14, 2010
The case for Oscar: 'TOY STORY 3' named among AFI's TOP 10 for 2010,
Michael Cavna
, December 12, 2010
'A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS': Show's Emmy-winning producer reflects on its enduring appeal ,
Michael Cavna
, December 7, 2010
THE ANNIES: DreamWorks, Disney/Parker lead animation nominations,
Michael Cavna
, December 6, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE WEEKEND: The "Simpsons"/FOX News brouhaha,
Michael Cavna
, December 5, 2010
When Hairy Beat 'Harry': 'TANGLED' tops Potter at the box office,
Michael Cavna
, December 5, 2010
THE OSCARS: Here are the 10 shortlisted animated shorts,
Michael Cavna
, December 4, 2010
When 'Harry' Met Rapunzel: 'TANGLED' debut edged by Potter at box office,
Michael Cavna
, November 28, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: 'Black Friday' brings out the smashmouth shoppers,
Michael Cavna
, November 24, 2010
TRAILER OF THE DAY: Berkeley Breathed's 'Mars Needs Moms,' Disney-style,
Michael Cavna
, November 24, 2010
TRAILERS OF THE DAY: 'Green Lantern' vs. 'Cars 2' -- who does it better?,
Michael Cavna
, November 17, 2010
The Riff: 'SOUTH PARK' is sued over video -- but what-what does this mean for parody?,
Michael Cavna
, November 16, 2010
THIS JUST IN: Only 3 Oscar nominees for Best Animated Feature,
Michael Cavna
, November 15, 2010
BOX OFFICE: Reigning champ 'Megamind' (and 'SNL' parody) derails 'Unstoppable',
Michael Cavna
, November 14, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Does new 2-D Winnie-the-Pooh beat a 3-D Yogi Bear?,
Michael Cavna
, November 12, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Robert Downey Jr. voices new MR. PEANUT ad,
Michael Cavna
, November 9, 2010
BEHIND THE ART: Watch two top Washington cartoonists at work ,
Michael Cavna
, November 5, 2010
Cartoon of the Day: Google unveils five SCOOBY-DOO doodles for Halloween,
Michael Cavna
, October 31, 2010
Hokey Smoke! Our Top-15 'Rocky & Bullwinkle' Quotes (*RIP, Alex Anderson),
Michael Cavna
, October 25, 2010
The Riff: From 'SOUTH PARK' to 'POOCH CAFE': When a sense of plagiarism plagues comedy,
Michael Cavna
, October 23, 2010
Casting 'PEARLS BEFORE SWINE': Stephan Pastis & RingTales take aim at screens big and small,
Michael Cavna
, October 22, 2010
VIDEO OF THE DAY: Matt Groening allows Tom Gammill into his creative lair,
Michael Cavna
, October 21, 2010
MOVIE POSTER OF THE DAY: Berkeley Breathed talks 'Mars Needs Moms' ,
Michael Cavna
, October 19, 2010
IS THE DOPE CATHOLIC? The Vatican blesses Homer Simpson (despite what the show says) ,
Michael Cavna
, October 18, 2010
From HULK to 'ZITS': 4 Things We Learned This Week About Hollywood's Comics Projects,
Michael Cavna
, October 15, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Banksy delivers the quasi-dark satire on 'THE SIMPSONS' (Updated),
Michael Cavna
, October 11, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Google's doodle honors John Lennon's 70th birthday,
Michael Cavna
, October 8, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: When Star Wars gets a new director's cut,
Michael Cavna
, October 6, 2010
At 50, THE FLINTSTONES stand up as the bedrock of prime-time animated comedy,
Michael Cavna
, September 30, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: We asked for it: Taiwanese talent takes on 'Obama's Wars' [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, September 29, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Christine O'Donnell's Delaware Express,
Michael Cavna
, September 18, 2010
THE FUTURE OF SPORTS CARTOONING? Drew Litton debuts his 'Monday Night Football' animations on ESPN.com,
Michael Cavna
, September 14, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Stop the presses -- Taiwan TV takes on American newspapers,
Michael Cavna
, September 8, 2010
ANIMATION OF THE DAY: Color us intrigued by newest 'Google Doodle' Mystery (and our Fave SIX theories about What It Means),
Michael Cavna
, September 8, 2010
QUICK HIT: Tantalizing pix from Pixar's canceled film 'NEWT',
Michael Cavna
, September 6, 2010
BOX OFFICE: 'Toy Story 3' tops $1-billion; 'Avatar' extends record,
Michael Cavna
, August 29, 2010
RIP, Satoshi Kon: Will 'Inception' director speak now for 'PAPRIKA's' dreamy magic? ,
Michael Cavna
, August 25, 2010
AMC's new 'Walking Dead' trailer: Is it better than the animation?,
Michael Cavna
, August 24, 2010
Disney's animated 'Prep and Landing' wins 4 creative Emmy Awards ,
Michael Cavna
, August 22, 2010
TOP VIDEOS OF THE WEEK: 'Scott Pilgrim,' 'Avengers' & Neil Gaiman,
Michael Cavna
, August 14, 2010
TRIBUTE: Remembering 'FUTURAMA' producer Alex Johns, 43,
Michael Cavna
, August 13, 2010
VIDEO OF THE DAY: Steven Slater 'hits the chute!' on Asian TV,
Michael Cavna
, August 11, 2010
Ten Things We Already Hate About 'Yogi Bear': The Movie,
Michael Cavna
, August 6, 2010
An Open Note to COMEDY CENTRAL: Here's your next surefire cartoon hit:,
Michael Cavna
, August 5, 2010
If you can't get enough 'SCOTT PILGRIM': Animated short comes to TV next week,
Michael Cavna
, August 4, 2010
COMIC-CON 2010: 'Cleveland Show's' KEVIN MICHAEL RICHARDSON voices his fandom of Macfarlane, McGruder and The Batman,
Michael Cavna
, July 24, 2010
COMIC-CON 2010: 'Opus's' BERKELEY BREATHED talks pigs, penguins & the thrill of adapting 'Pete & Pickles' for animation,
Michael Cavna
, July 23, 2010
BOX OFFICE: 'Despicable Me' wins weekend with 'surprisingly' strong debut,
Michael Cavna
, July 11, 2010
THE RIFF: Is 'SNL' talent blazing a trail for the future of newspaper comics?,
Michael Cavna
, June 29, 2010
'TOY STORY 3' repeats as the weekend's box office champ [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, June 27, 2010
The 'Riffs Interview: How the incisive TRACY WHITE made it to 'Eighteen' (A Cartoon Memoirist's Tale),
Michael Cavna
, June 27, 2010
BOX OFFICE: Pixar's 'Toy Story 3' dominates weekend with $110M debut [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, June 21, 2010
Seven Best Tangential Reasons to See 'Toy Story 3' this weekend [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, June 19, 2010
'Riffs Interview: How Michael Arndt went from celebrity assistant to 'TOY STORY 3' screenwriter in two moves,
Michael Cavna
, June 17, 2010
Was Pixar behind that viral bear ad? The 'TOY STORY 3' writer talks,
Michael Cavna
, June 17, 2010
Get Him to the Peak: 'SHREK' stays No. 1 at box office,
Michael Cavna
, June 6, 2010
What would Comedy Central's 'Jesus Christ' animated show sound like? [VIDEO],
Michael Cavna
, June 3, 2010
Steve Jobs challenges Pulitzer cartoonist's handling of app 'rejection' [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, June 2, 2010
THE JOY OF SHREK'S: Ogre tops 'Sex' at the box office [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, May 31, 2010
REUBENS: History, 'Bizarro' top the marquee at cartooning's Oscars,
Michael Cavna
, May 30, 2010
BOX OFFICE: 'Shrek' 4 opens a little less green with $71M debut [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, May 23, 2010
The 'Riffs Interview: 'SHREK' animator Walt Dohrn steps into the oh-so-green limelight,
Michael Cavna
, May 21, 2010
HAPPY 5th, YouTube! Eight Animated Clips to Mark the Cultural Occasion,
Michael Cavna
, May 18, 2010
The 'Riffs' Interview: MARS animator Geoff Marslett,
Michael Cavna
, May 8, 2010
Comedy Central: No to Muhammad -- but Yes! to Jesus,
Michael Cavna
, May 6, 2010
A new JibJab video for STAR WARS DAY? Yes, 'May-the-4th be with you',
Michael Cavna
, May 4, 2010
'SOUTH PARK': Bill Maher to radical Muslims: Freedom of speech is 'not negotiable',
Michael Cavna
, May 3, 2010
Times Square bomb: a 'South Park' link?,
Michael Cavna
, May 2, 2010
'THE BOONDOCKS': Ten Classic Moments to mark tonight's return,
Michael Cavna
, May 2, 2010
'Family Guy' animator likens Arizona immigration to Nazi Germany,
Michael Cavna
, April 30, 2010
How to Train Your Sequel: DreamWorks says 'Dragon's' long tail = Franchi$e!,
Michael Cavna
, April 28, 2010
Meta-post: Kevin Smith vs. Sarah Silverman, DC-style [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, April 24, 2010
JON STEWART satirizes own network's censorship of 'South Park' Muhammad episode ,
Michael Cavna
, April 23, 2010
Political satire: So has Apple finally seen the light?,
Michael Cavna
, April 21, 2010
This Just In: Satire-phobic APPLE now approves Pulitzer cartoonist's rejected iPhone app,
Michael Cavna
, April 20, 2010
'SOUTH PARK': Is pro-jihad website threatening cartoonists over Muhammad satire?,
Michael Cavna
, April 20, 2010
The Riff: It's high time to make CUL DE SAC an animated show,
Michael Cavna
, April 7, 2010
3 HOT LINKS: Stan Lee wins lawsuit over 'Stan Lee'; 'Robot Chicken' lands real Star Wars ,
Michael Cavna
, April 5, 2010
The 'Riffs Interview: 'Secret of Kells' filmmaker TOMM MOORE,
Michael Cavna
, April 2, 2010
The 'Riffs Interview: 'TRAIN YOUR DRAGON' directors enter a new dimension,
Michael Cavna
, March 26, 2010
This Just In: Cartooning's 'Oscars' announce the division nominees,
Michael Cavna
, March 18, 2010
Oscars to 'Alice' to 'iToons': The new Comic Riffs podcast is now up,
Michael Cavna
, March 8, 2010
OSCARS 2010: Will Wallace & Gromit win the big cheese? We pick the Best Animated Shorts,
Michael Cavna
, March 7, 2010
OSCARS 2010: Best Animated Film: 'And the winner is...',
Michael Cavna
, March 5, 2010
THE OSCARS RANT: Sure, 'Avatar' is art -- but is it animation?,
Michael Cavna
, March 1, 2010
VIDEO UPDATE: 'Family Guy' actress makes appeal to Palin,
Michael Cavna
, February 20, 2010
Sarah Palin slams TV's 'Family Guy' for mocking her family [UPDATED],
Michael Cavna
, February 17, 2010
TOP 5 LINKS: From Tea Baggers to Tea Partiers, the Week in Review,
Michael Cavna
, February 14, 2010
OSCAR BUZZ: 'Up's' Annie Award bodes well for Oscars,
Michael Cavna
, February 7, 2010
THE OSCARS: Pixar's 'Up' soars to score a historic nom,
Michael Cavna
, February 2, 2010
As Conan walks, here's the proof: Leno is a back-stabber [updated],
Michael Cavna
, January 21, 2010
Who will wear SPIDER-MAN's suit? Seven names might make Marc Webb's senses tingle,
Michael Cavna
, January 20, 2010
Golden Globes go to Pixar's 'Up' ,
Michael Cavna
, January 17, 2010
GOLDEN GLOBES: Here's who will win Best Animated Film...,
Michael Cavna
, January 17, 2010
Anniversary special: The 20 best things HOMER SIMPSON ever said ,
Michael Cavna
, January 10, 2010
Remembering 'GUMBY' creator Art Clokey ,
Michael Cavna
, January 9, 2010
Awards season: The Best Animated Shorts of 2009,
Michael Cavna
, January 7, 2010
Awards season: Handicapping the Best Animated Films of 2009,
Michael Cavna
, January 6, 2010
'Don't Be a Jerk -- It's Christmas!': SpongeBob talks,
Christian Hettinger
, December 25, 2009
Michael Chabon & Wes Anderson pick 'em: Their favorite Christmas animation,
Michael Cavna
, December 16, 2009
The 'Riffs Interview: WES ANDERSON introduces his fantastic 'Mr. Fox',
Michael Cavna
, November 24, 2009
A salute to Monty Python animation? This blogpost most assuredly is SPAM,
Michael Cavna
, October 23, 2009
'Riffs Picks: From the Nobel's Nervy 'Tude to a TV Superstar in the Nude--Today's Catchy Cartoons ,
Michael Cavna
, October 10, 2009
'Riffs Picks: From Superman to Letterman, Today's Cartoon Contenders,
Michael Cavna
, October 3, 2009
'Family Guy' Satirizes Post Political Cartooning -- But Toles Truly Makes Us Laff,
Michael Cavna
, September 30, 2009
Tonight's 'Cleveland Show' Debut Marks McFarlane's Domination,
Michael Cavna
, September 27, 2009
From Tom DeLay to Mickey Mouse, Our Five Fave Cartoons This Minute...,
Michael Cavna
, September 24, 2009
Morning Quickie: Presidents Garfield to Obama, Our Five Fave Cartoons This Minute...,
Michael Cavna
, September 23, 2009
The Riffs Interview: Mila Kunis ('Extract' & 'Family Guy') Succeeds Through Genre-Hopping,
Michael Cavna
, September 4, 2009
Lasseter Celebrates 'Ponyo' Creator Hayao Miyazaki,
Michael Cavna
, August 14, 2009
'Family Guy': Scenes From an Off-Color 'Table Read',
Michael Cavna
, August 14, 2009
'District 9' to 'Ponyo': What New Film Will You Catch First?,
Michael Cavna
, August 12, 2009
The Top Five 'SpongeBob' Episodes: We Pick 'Em ,
Michael Cavna
, July 14, 2009
The Interview: 'SpongeBob' Creator Stephen Hillenburg,
Michael Cavna
, July 14, 2009
The Interview: 'Ice Age' Director Carlos Saldanha,
Michael Cavna
, July 1, 2009
Heart of the Matter: A Memo to DreamWorks Animation,
Michael Cavna
, June 3, 2009
The Buzz Is Back: 'Toy Story 3' Trailer Toys With Our Expectations,
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, June 2, 2009
As 'Up' Tops Box Office: We Pick Our Favorite Pixar Films,
Michael Cavna
, May 31, 2009
The Interview: 'UP' Animator Bob Peterson of Pixar,
Michael Cavna
, May 29, 2009
The Interview: Animator/Filmmaker MIKE JUDGE (Pt. 2),
Michael Cavna
, May 28, 2009
The Interview: 'Goode Family' Creator Mike Judge (Pt. 1),
The Reliable Source
, May 27, 2009
The Interview: 'SNL' Writer/Animator Robert Smigel,
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, May 15, 2009
The Interview: 'Monsters' Animator Phil 'Captain 3D' McNally ,
Michael Cavna
, April 7, 2009
The Interview: Animator Bryan Brinkman,
Michael Cavna
, March 23, 2009
The Interview: Pixar Animator Angus MacLane,
Michael Cavna
, December 11, 2008
The Interview: HBO Animator Steve Dildarian,
Michael Cavna
, September 19, 2008
The Interview: 'Boondocks' Creator Aaron McGruder,
Michael Cavna
, July 22, 2008
