Population GO

Top 5: Kyoto Animation Anime
Written by Anthony Kim
Review: Star Trek Into Darkness
Written by Steve Attanasie
Review: Devil Survivor 2 - 7
Written by Letitia Wells

Mirai Mizue Starts A Kickstarter For “Wonder,” An Abstract Animation Short Film

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Mirai Mizue has started a Kickstarter for his new short film project Wonder. The project deadline for the short is set to be on the 30th of April 2013. Wonder is a truly astonishing film, which Mirai Mizue painstakingly created over the course of 365 days by animating one second, or 24 frames, of abstract art, a day.

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Film Review: The Croods

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“Big words make me angry… keep talking!”

DreamWorks Animation’s seven-year partnership with Paramount ended last year, and 20th Century Fox has taken over as the distributor for their animated films for the foreseeable future. It’s interesting that The Croods is the first film released as part of this new partnership since, on the surface, it bears many striking resemblances to Fox’s own animation franchise, the Ice Age series.

If there’s an obvious joke in here about Neanderthals being Fox’s strong suit, I’m going to go ahead and dodge it, but this is a film far more in line with the lackluster Ice Age series than the strong work DreamWorks has been churning out of late.

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Closing Your Day: A Scandal In Sherlock

Recap of Pop GO posts published on Feb. 21, 2013.

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Film Review: Escape from Planet Earth

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“This is the peace shield!”
“Nothing says peace like a gigantic gun.”

I will fully admit that I was filled with nothing but apprehension about the new Weinstein Company animated film Escape from Planet Earth. The first trailer I saw for it, which was before Wreck-It Ralph, made it look like a 7-11 commercial with a hackneyed storyline. As a movie-loving parent with movie-loving daughters, it’s my duty to see most every kid-friendly film that gets released, and I knew I’d get dragged to this one as well.

Thankfully, the film is actually infinitely better than its advertising campaign would lead you to believe. In fact, despite some lame jokes early on and some ridiculous plot contrivances, the film is actually pretty good. 

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“Venture Bros.” Finally Returns May 19th

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Thanks to a curious Tweet from @Deadly_Nerd to Adult Swim, Team Venture fans finally have a date for when the fifth season of the Venture Bros. is going to air.

Adult Swim answered Deadly’s question with a bump, stating that the show will premiere May 19th, opening with an hour-long special.

[Venture Bros. Blog]

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Closing Your Day: Paper Heart

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[via]

Recap of Pop GO posts published on Jan. 30, 2013.

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“Paperman” - Disney’s Oscar-Nominated Animated Short

Missed this amazing short film back when it played before showings of Wreck-It Ralph? Well, Disney has released it fully online for your viewing pleasure. 

The black-and-white short film is directed by John Kahrs and combines traditional and CG animation in telling its very sweet story.

Enjoy, folks.  

[YouTube]

American Dad (Stelio Kontos remix)

by Blubeatz

Weekend Remix: They Call Him Stelio

Song: American Dad Stelio Kontos Remix
By: Blubeatz
Based On: Stelio From American Dad
Original Composer: Walter Murphy

It’s an American trip to Langley Falls for this edition of The Weekend Remix. In the American Dad episode, “Bully For Steve,” Stan finally got his just deserts from bullying his own son, when the infamous Stelio Kontos came back to once again wreck havoc.

The menacing Greek bully appeared for a moment to cause hell for Stan, providing a brutal yet hilarious scene in the series. This wouldn’t have had the same impact without Stelio’s theme blasting from his boombox. I mean, who has their own theme music playing while causing chaos on the playground?

It’s simple: The guitars and horns play while a chorus repeats Stelio’s name, occasionally shifting a few notes up to heighten the tension. But there’s something hypnotic about it, which probably makes it tailor made to serve as a sample in a hip-hop beat.

Besides a bit of rework on the guitars and strings, and the addition of some powerful hip-hop drums/percussion, there isn’t too much that’s changed. And this proves two things: Stelio’s theme was made for this remix and Blubeatz has an incredible ear to make it all work.

To hear more from Blubeatz, just click here.

Until next week… GO Party!

CG Animated Sci-Fi Short “R’ha”

Given the quality of animation that’s going on, I almost thought this was something from an upcoming Hollywood movie. R’ha, is a CG short created by 22-year-old Kaleb Lechowski which took seven months to make.

R’ha deals with with an alien being interrogated and tortured by a robotic artificial intelligence. Take a look.

[GeekTyrant]

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Fox Reveals “Axe Cop” Animated Debut Date

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It’s been a little while since news of the animated series based off of Ethan and Malachai Nicolle’s Axe Cop buzzed online. But Fox has just revealed the debut date and full cast, along with another show in the works.

More details after the break.

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“Alien”-Inspired Sci-Fi Short “E.T.A.”

Henrik Bjerregaard Clausen’s short E.T.A. isn’t just neatly animated, it’s also heavily inspired by the Alien film franchise. The short stars Marvin, who “has the most boring job in the universe — but all is not what it seems.”

It has got some pretty cool Alien Easter Eggs, especially the ending. Check it out.

[Geek Tyrant]

The Simpsons - Main Theme (Kiwistar Remix)

by Kiwistar

Weekend Remix: Well This Ain’t Shelbyville

Song: The Simpsons Main Theme (Kiwistar Remix)
By: Kiwistar
Based On: The Simpsons Main Theme
Original Composer: Danny Elfman

Eat My Shorts and show Milhouse some love, because this time we’re visiting Springfield for the Weekend Remix.

I would never expect The Simpsons theme — probably one of the most recognizable openings in television today — to experience some type of electronica makeover. But that’s exactly what happened with Kiwistar’s remix. And boy is it a fun trip.

Somehow, Kiwistar managed to blend in some neat jungle jazz with the bright original opening, almost as if it was all naturally meant to come together. The song begins with its own unique groove with no clue as to how the opening is going to fit into this audio puzzle.

But when that familiar melody does manage to slide in, you can’t help but admire how seamless the transition is.

Trust me when I say that this remix is just “Excellent.”

If you’d like to hear more from Kiwistar, click here.

Until next weekend… GO Party!

Closing Your Day: Legends Unite

Recap of Pop GO posts published on Dec. 1-2, 2012.

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Film Review: Rise of the Guardians

“Do you stop believing in the moon just because the sun comes up?”

Marvel spent the better part of the last five years building up to this past summer’s The Avengers, a film whose runaway success won’t help but have you comparing it to DreamWorks’ latest animated effort, Rise of the Guardians. The film is the holiday/fairy tale version of Marvel’s superhero super team, bringing together the heroes and legends of various ancient tales and giving them a bad ass spin.

But is that a good thing? Read on to find out…

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Best Friends, Forever

Yesterday, Lindsey Small announced that Mondo Media has decided to cut funding for Baman and Piderman.  The next episode, to be released on Decemeber 12th, is to be the last episode for the foreseeable future.  Small does say that, if possible, she would like to continue with Baman and Piderman in the future. 

This came as a shock to me and left me almost in tears. This is my favorite YouTube series and I hate to see it go.  I just hope that a shop or a Kickstarter program will open up so that I, and the rest of the fanbase, can continue to support Baman and Piderman.

The Internet will be a darker place without our favorite best friends.

[Facebook]