Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 13:42:21 -0700 Tue, 24 Aug 2021 05:13:17 -0700 https://www.awn.com/blog/cryptozoo-review-bakus-gorgons-satyrs-oh-my AWN’s Miscweant examines Dash Shaw’s new animated feature film, set in ‘surreal’ 1967, about an activist group trying to protect supernatural cryptids from amoral government agents. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/cryptozoo-review-bakus-gorgons-satyrs-oh-my Mon, 23 Aug 2021 13:42:21 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/annys-monsters-and-me-vr-event AWN’s resident Miscweant, adorned in an Oculus Quest 2 headset, shares his report on Animation Nights New York’s cutting-edge webXR virtual animated shorts screening. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/annys-monsters-and-me-vr-event Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:26:30 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-fiafs-2020-animation-first-festival Great French animation again comes to New York City. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-fiafs-2020-animation-first-festival Thu, 20 Feb 2020 10:43:28 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/sonic-boom-bill-freibergers-hilarious-trope-busting-kids-show After stumbling upon the series on Amazon Prime, AWN’s Miscweant talks to the showrunner of Sega’s 2014 pop culture parody gem.  Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/sonic-boom-bill-freibergers-hilarious-trope-busting-kids-show Mon, 18 Nov 2019 16:42:09 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/reviews-bu-uel-labyrinth-turtles-and-rob-paulsens-voice-lessons The Misweant writes about a different labyrinth and definitely not those ‘Turtles;’ plus, with apologies to Rocket J. Squirrel, ‘that voice… where have I heard that voice?’ Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/reviews-bu-uel-labyrinth-turtles-and-rob-paulsens-voice-lessons Mon, 19 Aug 2019 10:27:44 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/women-directors-talk-shop-wia-nyc-gathering Karen Disher, Signe Baumane, Anna Samo and Peggy Stern share insights and realities at Women in Animation New York chapter March event; AWN’s Miscweant reports. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/women-directors-talk-shop-wia-nyc-gathering Fri, 19 Apr 2019 9:04:56 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-laika-delivers-its-most-complex-film-yet-missing-link AWN’s Miscweant examines the increasing sophistication of the technology powering the stop-motion studio’s fifth animated feature film, a globe-trotting adventure directed by Chris Butler. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-laika-delivers-its-most-complex-film-yet-missing-link Wed, 03 Apr 2019 11:32:43 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-disneys-dumbo-remake-pure-burton In the absence of talking animals, director Tim Burton’s ‘Dumbo’ works in plot points and references to the original film in very clever ways that fans of the original will recognize without feeling forced. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-disneys-dumbo-remake-pure-burton Thu, 28 Mar 2019 16:25:24 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/pinscreen-magic-and-kirikou-and-sorceress-highlight-fiafs-animation-first-weekend The Miscweant reports on New York’s French Institute Alliance Française’s 2nd annual festival of French animation. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/pinscreen-magic-and-kirikou-and-sorceress-highlight-fiafs-animation-first-weekend Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:16:46 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-never-ending-man-hayao-miyazaki AWN’s Miscweant looks at the fascinating new documentary that begs the question of whether or not the iconic animation director will ever make another film. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-never-ending-man-hayao-miyazaki Fri, 21 Dec 2018 12:03:39 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-mary-poppins-returns AWN ‘s ‘Miscweant’ waxes nostalgic as he breaks down Disney’s return to the world of their 1964 classic, ‘Mary Poppins.’  Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-mary-poppins-returns Thu, 20 Dec 2018 11:16:33 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-ralph-breaks-internet AWN’s “Miscweant” shares his take on brand names, Disney Princesses and a refreshing break from clichéd buddy movies.  Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-ralph-breaks-internet Wed, 21 Nov 2018 13:10:29 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/animation-nights-new-york-celebrates-third-annual-best-fest AWN’s resident Miscweant shares his conference report on the cutting-edge XR Showcase and presentation by indie legend Bill Plympton. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/animation-nights-new-york-celebrates-third-annual-best-fest Tue, 16 Oct 2018 12:03:56 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/animationworld/academy-presents-women-indie-animation-new-york-citys-metrograph-theater AWN’s resident Miscweant attends The Academy’s September New York City event honoring celebrated New York animators Signe Baumane, Emily Hubley, Candy Kugel and Debra Solomon. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/animationworld/academy-presents-women-indie-animation-new-york-citys-metrograph-theater Tue, 25 Sep 2018 12:11:21 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-incredibles-2 Avoiding sequel-itis, Pixar’s latest is their best since ‘Inside Out.’ Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-incredibles-2 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 9:49:52 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/all-way-never-land-disneys-peter-pan-signature-edition-arrives-blu-ray On the 65th anniversary of the 1953 animated classic, AWN’s resident ‘Miscweant’ speaks with Kathryn Beaumont, the voice of Wendy in Disney’s ‘Peter Pan.’ Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/all-way-never-land-disneys-peter-pan-signature-edition-arrives-blu-ray Wed, 30 May 2018 11:25:58 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-aardmans-early-man-arrives-disc AWN’s resident Miscweant weighs in on the Home Entertainment release of Oscar-winning director Nick Park’s stop-motion football feature. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-aardmans-early-man-arrives-disc Wed, 16 May 2018 20:18:56 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/megasaki-city-nyc-isle-dogs-takes-manhattan AWN’s resident “Miscweant” has a dog day afternoon with the voice, writing and directing talent behind the new stop-motion animated feature from Wes Anderson. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/megasaki-city-nyc-isle-dogs-takes-manhattan Sun, 01 Apr 2018 17:41:16 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-tale-two-dogtoons-isle-dogs-and-lady-and-tramp More than 60 years separate these animated films featuring Wes Anderson and Walt Disney’s very different takes on man’s best friend. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-tale-two-dogtoons-isle-dogs-and-lady-and-tramp Mon, 26 Mar 2018 11:39:23 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/2018-oscar-nominated-animated-short-films-after-fact-round The Miscweant offers his "late" Oscar prediction for best animated short film. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/2018-oscar-nominated-animated-short-films-after-fact-round Mon, 05 Mar 2018 15:27:17 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-sonys-peter-rabbit-updates-beloved-classic AWN’s The Miscweant takes a deep dive into Sony Pictures Animation’s modern-day take on the classic story by Beatrix Potter. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-sonys-peter-rabbit-updates-beloved-classic Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:02:00 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-mary-and-witchs-flower-and-have-nice-day At long last, AWN’s resident Miscreant returns to writing about animation – in particular, two recent features, From China and Japan, that couldn’t be more different. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-mary-and-witchs-flower-and-have-nice-day Thu, 25 Jan 2018 17:07:38 PST The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-leap-celebrates-challenges-joy-life-en-pointe Mocapped performances by members of the Paris Ballet are taken to poetic flights of fancy in CG-animated feature from Gaumont. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-leap-celebrates-challenges-joy-life-en-pointe Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:19:56 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-girl-without-hands-and-my-entire-high-school-sinking-sea Two recent GKIDS releases, both U.S. produced, show how 2D animated features are not just alive, but thriving. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-girl-without-hands-and-my-entire-high-school-sinking-sea Thu, 20 Jul 2017 8:00:00 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-long-way-north A stunning, 2D animated feature about a young girl’s journey to the North Pole seeking to redeem her family’s honor. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-long-way-north Fri, 30 Sep 2016 9:30:45 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/travis-and-two-strings AWN’s resident Miscweant questions LAIKA chief Travis Knight about his directorial debut, ‘Kubo and the Two Strings,’ his approach to filmmaking, and his roots in stop-motion animation. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/travis-and-two-strings Wed, 24 Aug 2016 14:39:33 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-disney-s-zootopia-lands-blu-ray Blu-ray release of what may be Walt Disney Animation Studios’ best all-animal animated feature ever is packed with extras, including roundtable chats with the character design, environments and animation teams. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-disney-s-zootopia-lands-blu-ray Mon, 15 Aug 2016 12:03:59 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/review-phantom-boy Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, the writing and directing team behind ‘A Cat in Paris,’ do a lively job of assembling many familiar elements into a unique picture. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/review-phantom-boy Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:20:51 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/laika-studio-site-visit-kubo-and-two-strings Low-profile Portland studio houses unique collection of technophiles working alongside luddites, all eclectic artists who together produce beautifully idiosyncratic stop-motion feature films. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/laika-studio-site-visit-kubo-and-two-strings Fri, 15 Jul 2016 15:59:19 PDT The Miscweant https://www.awn.com/blog/animation-history-bid-bonhams-art-auction Just under 400 pieces of production art, concept drawings and other industry works were up for sale to the highest bidder at the June 13th animation art auction. Joe Strike https://www.awn.com/blog/animation-history-bid-bonhams-art-auction Fri, 24 Jun 2016 16:35:44 PDT The Miscweant