On director Josh Hughes press website, he explains how “The Octopus” is a very personal film for him but intentionally cryptic. For many, it’s garnered a lot of definitions and dimensions. As well it’s also garnered some hidden meanings that Hughes is surprised to discover from his audience. No matter what you pull from his two and a half minute animated short, there’s not a single doubt that “The Octopus” is a truly powerful and startling animated short about a couple on the brink of destruction and the child that will inevitably pay for their pain.
Tag Archives: Animation
Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)
You’ve heard this story a thousand times but we’re telling it to you again, whether you like it or not. Yes, that’s usually the sign we’re about to stumble on to one of the animated greats of the millennium when even jokingly we’re told that this story has been retreaded a thousand times. But we’re going to hear it anyway. “Gnomeo & Juliet” is a film that is marketed to someone but I’m not sure whom exactly. It’s too obscure for kids to understand, and too sugary sweet for the adult sector to enjoy.
Guyver: The Complete Series (Viridian Collection) (DVD)
I’m still shocked Guyver never became a huge American film franchise. Sure, we had two films in America, but they were direct to Video dribble. The first film was nothing but schlocky camp based around lampooning the concept, and the sequel almost got it right by staging a very stern and sleek action science fiction picture that barely anyone saw.
All Star Superman (2011) (DVD)
“My last adventure is about to begin…”
I never actually was able to read all of Grant Morrison’s much hyped and controversial “All Star Superman” when it was originally released in newsstands back in 2005, so for me watching “All Star Superman” was mostly new territory. While I loved Morrison and Quitely’s treatment of the man of steel (for what I read), I lost track of the series, so 2011’s “All Star Superman” is fresh terrain that I was mostly excited to sit through, especially when you consider the cast of seasons heavyweights like Christina Hendricks, Anthony LaPaglia, Frances Conroy, and John DiMaggio respectively. “All Star Superman” remains about as true to Frank Quitely’s unique artistic design as possible while adhering to the neo-anime tone that DC has sidled with over the years. While the 2011 movie is short in the tooth, it is absolutely satisfying, especially in its ability to remain firmly entrenched in anime devices that keeps “All Star Superman” anything more than another stock Superman title.
Superman Classic (2011)
It seems like every single year there is always someone paying tribute to Superman. Last year a slew of animators created an amazing life-like model of Christopher Reeve as Superman taking off in to the sky. This year we have “Superman Classic,” a 2011 treat that’s all too brief, but goes down so well nonetheless. In lieu of the upcoming reboot from Zack Snyder, I think this is an apt variation that presents what could be and not what should be, as most fan boys are prone to insisting upon with their fan films.
The Jetsons: Season 2, Volume 1 (DVD)
Orbitty is a lot like the green kangaroo Hoppy from “The Flintstones.” He was around, he was on the show, but people often pretend they never existed. When people think of The Jetsons they never think of Orbitty, and when they think of Bam Bam, Hoppy is the last thing that comes to mind. If ever. Around the time the show jumped the shark by adding Orbitty, “The Jetsons” was pretty much on its way to losing its relevance and momentum that it had.
And Orbitty became the Cousin Oliver of the series. Though he wasn’t as annoying as Scrappy Doo, he was still fairly unnecessary to the show. In fact the writers only chose to acknowledge him when he had to deliver a cutesy line of dialogue, or had a rare episode revolving around him.
Super Friends: The Lost Episodes (DVD)
“Super Friends” was always a mixed bag of sheer idiocy and just all out creativity. In the course of one DVD in this new set from Warner, Superman is reduced to a farmer by Mr. Mxy wearing a straw hat and being weakened by green beans, and two episodes later, we see Superman journey in to an alternate timeline that allows him to land on Krypton and be able to warn the Kryptonians of the impending destruction of the planet Krypton, and is able to touch base with his father. How the show goes from goofy to just epic in mere episodes is just fantastic and part of the reason why “Super Friends” continues to be a property for the fan boys of the world who lovingly mock this legacy.