"Our big adventure begins now!"

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (collaborators on Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel (The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Minions: The Rise of Gru), the film stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike. In theaters April 7, 2023.

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All Sales Are Final...

X-WING FIGHTER FOR SALE
“At my wife’s insistence, I’m no longer joining the resistance.”

This Star Wars fan built his own X-wing fighter, but unfortunately, his wife had other ideas. Hear his tale in song.

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The Magic is Back... with Harry Potter!

HARRY POTTER: MAGIC AWAKENED

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, combines Hogwarts school life, exploration of the Forbidden Forest, Quidditch tournaments, magical showdowns and much more. An Immersive magical world, with European picture book style, creating a new magical experience. Improve your magic, improve your knowledge, and experience exciting wizard duels. For those who believe in magic, a magical world awaits!

https://www.magicawakened.com/en
▶ Watch the Video

'Guardians' Christmas Special

Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Watch the brand-new trailer for Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation: The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, now streaming only on Disney+.

The Guardians of the Galaxy purchase Knowhere from the Collector and take in Cosmo the Spacedog as a new member. As Christmas approaches, Kraglin Obfonteri tells the Guardians the story of how Yondu Udonta ruined Christmas for Peter Quill in his childhood. Mantis discusses with Drax on finding a perfect Christmas present for Quill, as the latter is still depressed following the loss of Gamora. After brainstorming for ideas, they decide to go to Earth and retrieve Quill's childhood hero, actor Kevin Bacon.

Mantis and Drax arrive in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where they attempt to search for Bacon. After spending time at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a bar, they acquire a map of celebrities' residences and locate Bacon's home in Beverly Hills. Bacon, who is waiting for his family to come home, is terrified by the appearance of Mantis and Drax, and attempts to escape. Police arrive to help, but Mantis places them and Bacon in a trance before taking Bacon with them. As they return to Knowhere, Mantis and Drax are disappointed to learn that Bacon is an actor and not a real-life hero. Later, the Guardians surprise Quill with a Christmas celebration, but Quill is horrified to learn that Bacon has been kidnapped against his will, demanding that he be returned home. On the Guardians' new spaceship, the Bowie, Bacon learns from Kraglin how he inspired Quill's heroism, and decides to celebrate Christmas with the Guardians before returning home.  

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Travel to Alien Oceans on December 16...

AVATAR: The Way of Water

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the Lightstorm Entertainment Production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet. Screenplay by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. Story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers.

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Sakura Dance!

[MMD KanColle] Mutsuki Type [Whimsical Merci]
Singer: Persimmon Chocolate 柿チョコ様 https://youtu.be/M02R76AbUrs
Motion: moka様 https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm2979...
Camera: noR様
Stage: Weeping cherry tree shrine (Nikukyu-sama)
Produced by GO

'Tis the Season to be Thankful...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
May your Thanksgiving bring abundance and joy!

We hope this day brings you reasons to be grateful, as so many are so grateful for you. May your blessings be multiplied this year and throughout your life. 

 

- From All of Us at the Animatrix Network

Is it pronounced NAMOR or No-More?

Pitch Meeting: WAKANDA FOREVER

After the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, Ryan Coogler and Marvel found themselves in the difficult position of continuing an iconic and culturally important series without its main star. The result is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever– a lovely tribute to Boseman, but not without some Marvel-ness to poke fun at! Black Panther: Wakanda Forever does raise some questions. Like how do you actually pronounce NAMOR? How is this guy getting in and out of Wakanda so easily? Why would they go fight the ocean people on their home turf? Is everybody Iron Man now? To answer all these questions, check out the pitch meeting that led to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!

▶ Watch the Pitch

Jason David Frank Dead by Suicide

JASON DAVID FRANK
(September 4, 1973 – November 19, 2022)
Actor who played the Green Power Ranger died at age 49

Jason David Frank, who played the Green Ranger and later the White Ranger on the popular 1990s children's television show “The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” died on Saturday. He was 49. Justine Hunt, his manager, confirmed his death on Sunday. It was initially reported he died by suicide. Details to be released soon.

Frank was cast in the role of Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger. The role was set for 14 episodes. Due to the popularity of the character, he was brought back as the White Ranger and the new leader of the team.

Frank was supposed to be the lead character Adam Steele in VR Troopers (originally called "Cybertron") and shot a pilot episode before being called back to Power Rangers. According to both Frank and Brad Hawkins, Hawkins' character was to replace Tommy Oliver originally as the White Ranger on Power Rangers. However, due to Tommy Oliver's popularity with Ranger fans, Frank was brought back, with Tommy Oliver becoming the White Ranger. Hawkins would take over on VR Troopers. The character Adam Steele was renamed Ryan Steele. After three seasons, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers transitioned into Power Rangers Zeo. The transition is part of the annual Ranger suit change to match the annual change of the Super Sentai series. Frank's character became the Red Zeo Ranger (also called Zeo Ranger V).

The following year in Power Rangers Turbo, his character became the first Red Turbo Ranger. During mid-season, Frank and fellow cast members Johnny Yong Bosch, Nakia Burrise and Catherine Sutherland agreed to leave and were replaced.

After he left the series in 1997, Frank came back to Power Rangers as the Red Zeo Ranger in 2002 for the special 10th-anniversary episode, entitled "Forever Red", in Power Rangers Wild Force, which brought back ten former Red Rangers, and reunited him with Austin St. John.

He then reprised his role in 2004 in Power Rangers Dino Thunder, as the Black Dino Ranger. During his time as the Black Dino Ranger, Frank was always shown in long-sleeved shirts to cover the tattoos on his arms.

This was also the case during "Forever Red" of Wild Force. Being the Black Dino Ranger was a favor to Douglas Sloan. He joked that Saban and Disney are "both the same, they're cheap" but that he was impressed with the production crew for Dino Thunder.

Frank reprised his role as Tommy Oliver (who in turn was the Green Ranger for the episode) in the season finale of Power Rangers Super Megaforce. Frank expressed interest in developing a Green Ranger solo series or feature film after an encounter with Stan Lee at a comic book convention.

Frank had a cameo role in the 2017 film Power Rangers, as a citizen of Angel Grove, alongside fellow Power Rangers actress, Amy Jo Johnson. In 2018, he reprised his role as Tommy in episode 10 of Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel for the 25th anniversary of Power Rangers. In 2022, Frank revealed that he retired from the franchise. 

He married his first wife in 1994 and the couple had two sons and a daughter. They divorced in 2001. In 2003, he married his second wife, Tammie, and the couple had one daughter. In 2022, Tammie filed for divorce.

Bob Chapek is GONE as Disney CEO...

BOB CHAPEK is FIRED from DISNEY

HUGE DISNEY NEWS! The Disney board has ousted Disney CEO Bob Chapek and is bringing back former CEO Bob Iger for a two year stint to find a PROPER replacement to run the company going forward. Will this be the course correction the company needs, or will it be more of the same?

Say It Ain't So, Indy... Say It Ain't So!

Does Phoebe Waller-Bridge Replace Indiana Jones?

According to rumor, Indiana Jones 5 is a looming disaster of epic proportions, and the more we learn, the worse it gets! A walk-in source has contacted Doomcock, revealing one of the filmed endings for Indiana Jones 5, along with a report of on-set tensions and arguments between Kathleen Kennedy and James Mangold. Harvey also discusses some of the 4chan leaks that were recently posted from an alleged test screening! If the rumors are true, then it may be so irredeemable, that it could damage the Indiana Jones brand forever!

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What do you get when you mix Fire & Water?

ELEMENTAL

In a city where fire, water, land, and air residents live together, a fiery young woman and a go-with-the-flow guy are about to discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.

 

Has Disney doomed 'Strange World' before release?

Does Disney WANT Its Next Animated Movie to Fail?!
Is Lightyear to Blame?!

Disney is seemingly letting Strange World freefall with next to zero promotion... and the poor performance of Lightyear might be part of the reason why?! Seems like Disney CEO Bob Chapek really doesn't have ANY confidence in animation these days. So sad.

▶ Watch the Video

Anime Viewing Schedule for November 19, 2022

 A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
Saturday, November 19, 2022

Fountaindale Public Library

VIEWING SCHEDULE

          11:10 - 12:05   Made in Abyss: Season 2 Eps 7-8

          12:05 - 12:55   Ghost in the Shell: SAC Season 2 Eps 9-10

          12:55 - 1:30     Club Meeting

          1:30 - 2:20       Call of the Night 5-6

          2:20 - 2:45       Lycoris Recoil 8 
          2:45 - 4:40       The Deer King (Movie)

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"You're welcome!"

 

Fountaindale Public Library
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440 

Board Room, Second Floor 

 

From 11:10 AM to 5:00 PM

All anime presented are fan-subtitled unless otherwise noted.

 

Don't miss the exciting anime series: Lycoris Recoil and Made in Abyss

* ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW *

Hong Kong Sci-Fi Action Film Storms Netflix Dec. 2

WARRIORS of the FUTURE

When a meteor carrying a destructive plant strikes the world, a suicide squad is given hours to save their post-apocalyptic city from total collapse. Starring:Louis Koo, Sean Lau, Carina Lau.

 

In 2055, wars have ravaged the Earth with the invention and the prevalent use of military robots, as global warming and disasters have destroyed and polluted the atmosphere entirely. Many people are born with birth defects and die, with sky nets built to protect the remnants of people in Earth. B-16 (now a futuristic Hong Kong city) is bombarded by a meteor during the construction of skynets. Pandora, an alien plant, emerges from the meteor which causes devastation to a 5 km area, and grows rapidly when there is rain. However, it can purify the air. ASU's (a local military force) lead scientist, Dr Chan, finds a way to eradicate Pandora and to purify the air.

Tyler and his friend Johnson Cheng, soldiers working for the ASU, are tasked to neutralize the threats whilst attempting to save the city. Colonel Tam is sent to oversee B-16; but she has a second plan to bomb the entirety of Pandora, which could kill a hundred and sixty thousand people in the area. Cheng heavily opposes the idea of sacrificing the citizens, as Tyler recruits old wartime friend Skunk to combat the growing threat. Privates Connor and Lincoln work with Tyler as Fighters 86, 15, and 46 as they escort the Orca 1 into the operation area. During the mission, Sean Li, the temporary leader of the government, sabotages Orca 1 as soon as the first storm comes, falling into a building which carried the gene missiles within it. 15 and 46 get sabotaged by robots and Pandora, crashing afterwards. Only Fighter 86 survives and finds the area where the pistil is, located at Central Avenue 5.

Lincoln is critically injured as Connor and Tyler try to help him and look for resources at an abandoned hospital, but Lincoln is suddenly snatched and eaten alive by mantis-like creatures. 20 more of them proceed to fight Tyler, as he retreats to a AED room. He finds a girl, Pansy, whose mother has died. Meanwhile, Connor hides in the mortuary, hoping the monsters don't find him. Cheng then drives an armoured car to the operation area, and uses a hatchet to kill most of the mantis-like creatures while Tyler pulls Connor out. Together with Skunk, they escape the hospital and arrive at the building where the Orca collapsed, finding the evidence that Li had rigged the robots and the gene bullets. The team contact Li, saying that they have the evidence of him rigging the robots. Li then proposes a challenge: to beat him, they will have to go against 3 super powerful robots.

Coming to Netflix December 2, 2022.

▶ Watch the Trailer

Next Club Meeting is November 19, 2022

A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K  

"Yippee! It's no one I know. Let's eat!"

  M O N T H L Y   M E E T I N G

Fountaindale Public Library

300 W. Briarcliff Road

Bolingbrook, IL  60440

Board Room (2nd Floor)

Saturday, November 19, 2022

11:15 AM - 5:00 PM

 

We will be in the BOARD ROOM on the Second Floor.

 
Hope to see everyone there!

 

A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.

 

Hope to see you all there!

(Click below for maps)

Something came down from the mountains...

TROLL
"There is a Trace of Truth in all Fairy Tales..."

Deep inside the mountain of Dovre, something gigantic awakens after being trapped for a thousand years. Destroying everything in its path, the creature is fast approaching the capital of Norway. But how do you stop something you thought only existed in Norwegian folklore?

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"Time to Die, Mr. Wick... or Maybe NOT"

John Wick: Chapter 4

With the price on his head ever increasing, legendary hit man John Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin. Only in theaters & IMAX March 24. Starring Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.

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The Voice of Batman has Died at 66

KEVIN CONROY
(November 30, 1955 – November 10, 2022)

 The Iconic Voice of Batman in Animation and

Gaming has died of cancer at Age 66

Kevin Conroy was an American actor. He was best known as the voice behind the DC Comics superhero Batman in various media, beginning on the 1990s Warner Bros. television series Batman: The Animated Series as well as other TV series and feature films in the DC Animated Universe. Due to the popularity of his performance as Batman, Conroy went on to voice the character for multiple films under the DC Universe Animated Original Movies banner and the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham and Injustice video games.

 

As a voice actor, Kevin Conroy is best known for his starring role as Bruce Wayne / Batman in the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995). He continued to voice Batman in numerous animated spin off projects, which collectively took place in what is known as the DC Animated Universe (DCAU). These spin-offs include the TV shows The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), Batman Beyond (1999–2001, in which he portrays an elderly Bruce Wayne retired from crimefighting), Justice League (2001–2004) and Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006) as well as the theatrical film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993), and the direct-to-video films Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998), Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003). He also voiced Batman for the character's guest appearances in the DCAU's Superman: The Animated Series, Static Shock and The Zeta Project.

 

Conroy is distinguished for being the first voice actor to use two distinct voices to portray Bruce Wayne and Batman, which Michael Keaton had previously done in Tim Burton's live-action Batman films. In a tally of performances that include every episode and movie portrayal of Batman in live-action and animation, Conroy portrayed the character longer than any other actor. The previous record-holder was Olan Soule, who voiced Batman in various animated works between the late 1960s and early 1980s (including Super Friends). Apart from the DCAU, Conroy also portrayed Batman in the direct-to-video DC Universe Animated Original Movies: Batman: Gotham Knight (2008), Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009), Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010), Justice League: Doom (2012), Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013), Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014), Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) and Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (2019). 

 

After the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, Conroy participated in relief efforts by volunteering to cook for police officers and firefighters. During an audio commentary on Batman: Gotham Knight, Conroy expressed his surprise at the reaction of the emergency service workers to his presence. At the behest of another cook, Conroy called out from the kitchen to the dining area in his "Batman voice", reciting the iconic line, "I am vengeance! I am the night! I am Batman!" (from the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Nothing to Fear"). This was greeted by cheers and applause from emergency service personnel, many of whom had been fans of Batman: The Animated Series during its airing in the 1990s. Conroy confessed to being humbled and deeply flattered by the reaction. 

 

In preparation for the theatrical release of the 2012 live-action film The Dark Knight Rises, Conroy re-dubbed Christian Bale's Batman lines for an animated version of one of the film's trailers. 

 

Conroy stated at the 2013 Dallas Comic Con that he had been working on "the next Arkham", leading to rampant speculation that he would reprise his role as Batman in Batman: Arkham Origins. In June 2013, however, it was confirmed that Conroy would not be involved in Arkham Origins, meaning Conroy may have been referring to an yet-unannounced game from the Rocksteady Arkham series. On March 4, 2014, a new Arkham game titled Batman: Arkham Knight was announced with Conroy reprising his role. 

 

He confirmed on Twitter in October 2013 that he had filmed a role on Tim Daly's web series The Daly Show, where Conroy parodied his role as Batman in a fight with Daly parodying Superman (whom Daly previously voiced in Superman: The Animated Series). 

 

Conroy portrayed Bruce Wayne of Earth-99 in live-action in the Batwoman episode of Arrowverse crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths". 

 

Mark Hamill, Conroy's frequent voice actor co-star as the Joker, spoke highly of working with Conroy. Regarding his willingness to be involved in a Batman-related project, Hamill says, "When they offer me roles now, I say, 'Is Kevin doing it?' ... I don't even have to read the script, if Kevin's doing it I'll do it."

"Knock, knock..."

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER

is in theaters now!

A Morgiana Music Video

MORGIANA

"Sometimes I just want to punch something!"

Descendant of the hunting tribe 'Fanalis', a red-haired girl who became emotionless and unfriendly due to her life as a slave, eventually opening herself to others after obtaining freedom. Although she looks like a normal girl, as a Fanalian she possesses a superhuman strength, speed and senses, able to carry several people at the same time, jump dozens of times her height and defeat opponents far larger than her with powerful kicks. Originally grateful to them for freeing her, Morgiana develops a deep friendship with Aladdin and Alibaba, desiring to protect them from harm with her massive strength, thus training combat with Sinbad's general and fellow Fanalian Masrur. Later she obtains the household item "Amol Selseira", a magical pair of bracers infused with Amon's power created from the same legcuffs she used during her times of slavery, which can extend its chains to increase her reach. She also appears to have a crush on Alibaba, usually getting angry when she feels neglected by him. When Aladdin and Alibaba decide to take separate ways to improve themselves, Morgiana departs to Dark Continent to meet the people of her homeland, but is disencouraged by Yunan when he informs her that she may not return. However. Thanks to his advice, she learns to control her vessel more effectively and later returns to her friends side to help them in Magnostadt. Once Alibaba is summoned to meet Kouen in Balbadd, she accompanies him there despite his will to go alone. After Aladdin disappears to the Dark Continent, Morgiana accompanies him as well, where she finally realizes her dream of meeting her fellow Fanalis, but retains her human form thanks to Aladdin's magic. After returning from the Dark Continent, Morgiana reunites with Alibaba. She unfortunately is a victim of the brain washing done by Sinbad, and upsets Alibaba after she says that she wants everything to become Rukh again. She later helps Alibaba at the end, and after the death of David, Morgiana accepts Alibaba’s marriage proposal. Morgiana is the lead heroine of Magi. She is also a minor character in Adventure of Sinbad, making a brief appearance at the end.

▶ Watch the Anime Music Video
Anime: Magi
Song: The Phoenix by Fall Out Boy

How to Destroy a Beloved Hero...

The 13th Doctor Is NOT The Doctor

Now that the Chris Chibnall/Jodie Whittaker era of Doctor Who is coming to an end, we analyze this incarnation of the Doctor in what is going to be a series of videos that will do the same thing with various aspects of this era, whether that be the companions or the stories, etc.

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Remember the Name... Fog Hill

Fog Hill of Five Elements

In ancient times, powerful Beasts rampaged the world. To combat them, a mysterious Taoist taught the five clans - the Clan of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth - the extraordinary ability of Yin-Yang's five elements. Together, they drove the Beasts into the Fog Hill of the Hidden, imprisoning them in a captive realm. Within the Fog Hill lives another mighty Beast - the Qilin. Its immense power often attract Beasts desiring greater strength so that they may, one day, break out of the captive realm. Qilin therefore willingly sealed itself away in the Shield of Mighty Gate. In an attempt to save his mother, Wenren Yixuan, the envoy of Fire, unleashed the Shield of Mighty Gate without permission. Seeing an opening, the little Qilin took the chance and snuck out. With its escape, the Beast Realm shall soon fall into bloody chaos...

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My Goal is Immortaility... At All Cost!

HELL'S PARADISE: JIGOKURAKU

Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuji Kaku. Set in the Edo period of Japan, it follows the ninja Gabimaru and the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri as they search for the elixir of immortality.

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"Welcome back, Doctor."

ARKNIGHTS: Prelude to Dawn

In the land of Terra, natural disasters of unknown causes have been occurring irregularly in many areas. Therefore, the majority of the people, in order to escape those natural disasters, came to live in mobile cities developed over the years. The Originium left behind at the site of such Catastrophes, has led to the rapid progress of civilization due to their immense energy. But it also brought something else with it — an incurable disease called Oripathy. Because the bodies of those with Oripathy gradually crystalize and become a new source of infection at the time of death, in many countries, the Infected are subject to persecution under regimes of segregation and forced labor. Those who were oppressed by the governments are starting to rebel. Rhodes Island, a pharmaceutical company researching a cure for Oripathy, takes up their arms and starts a conquest trying to save all the people from the disease.

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Jules Bass Dies at Age 87

JULES BASS
(September 16, 1935 – October 25, 2022)

Producer, Director, and Composer of

Iconic Holiday TV Specials, Dies at 87

Jules Bass, who helped make Rudolph the most famous reindeer of all and bring Frosty to life during a prolific animation career that shaped the holiday TV viewing traditions of generations of youngsters, died Oct. 25 at a senior living facility in Rye, N.Y. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight A family member, Jennifer Ruff, confirmed the death but did not cite a cause. Mr. Bass was half of the production duo Rankin/Bass, an animation juggernaut he formed with a partner, Arthur Rankin Jr., in 1960. Over the next several decades, collaborating with animators and puppet-makers in Japan, Rankin/Bass produced a raft of movies that became staples of American childhood. Few people have come of age since the 1960s without watching and re-watching the stop-motion puppetry of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” which first aired on NBC in 1964, or the traditionally animated “Frosty the Snowman,” which debuted in 1969. The story of Rudolph’s luminescent nose, his rejection by the more ordinary members of his herd and his heroic service to Santa one foggy Christmas Eve was based on a popular song written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Gene Autry in 1949. (Marks, Rankin’s neighbor, had borrowed the idea for the song from a children’s book by Robert L. The Rankin/Bass television version featured Burl Ives singing the title song and other Marks numbers that entered the modern Christmas canon, among them “Silver and Gold” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.” Writer Romeo Muller expanded upon the story of Rudolph to introduce Hermey, the elf who yearns to be a dentist, and the Island of Misfit Toys. The result, rendered in the halting stop-motion animation style that Rankin/Bass called Animagic, was an instant phenomenon — a classic in the category of the later TV movies “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965) and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966). Such was the nostalgia their production evoked that when original Rudolph and Santa puppets were placed for auction in 2020, the wood, felt and wire relics were expected to fetch between $150,000 and $250,000, according to the New York Times. Rankin/Bass found a niche adapting Christmas songs to the screen and applied the formula again with success in “Frosty the Snowman.” In their TV version, Jackie Vernon voices Frosty with Jimmy Durante singing an indelible version of the title song by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson. Working with composer Maury Laws, Mr. Bass helped write the music for Rankin/Bass productions including 1970′s “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” with narration by Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney as the voice of Kris Kringle, and 1974′s “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” in which Rooney reprised his role as Santa. 

“The Year Without a Santa Claus” gave viewers the Heat Miser and the Snow Miser, with their memorable musical motif. “Maury usually wrote the music and Jules would write the lyrics, which would typically move the plot along, but this wasn’t always the case,” Rick Goldschmidt, a scholar of the productions of Rankin/Bass, wrote on his blog. He cited the example of the song “One Star in the Night,” from the 1968 TV movie “The Little Drummer Boy,” for which Mr. Bass wrote the music. According to Goldschmidt, Rankin was the chief executive and primary director of Rankin/Bass productions, often working with animators in Japan while Mr. Bass oversaw voice actors and musicians in New York. The Rankin/Bass output was not limited to Christmas specials. The team also produced the feature-length stop-motion film “Mad Monster Party” (1967), the TV series “The Smokey Bear Show” (1969) and the Easter special “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” (1971), featuring the voices of Danny Kaye and Vincent Price. They received a Peabody Award for their animated TV movie “The Hobbit” (1977), based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel, and critical acclaim for the full-length animated movie “The Last Unicorn” (1982), with voice work by Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury and Alan Arkin. Writing in the Times, movie critic Janet Maslin described “The Last Unicorn” as “an unusual children’s film in many respects, the chief one being that it is unusually good.” “Children, except perhaps for very small ones, ought to be intrigued by it; adults won’t be bored,” she observed. “And no one of any age will be immune to the sentiment of the film’s final moments, which really are unexpectedly touching and memorable.” Later Rankin/Bass collaborations included the 1980s TV series “ThunderCats” and the 1987 TV movie “The Wind in the Willows.”

▶ Watch The Animagic World of Rankin/Bass

An old enemy returns to finish what was started...

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the film stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement and Kate Winslet.

▶ Watch the Trailer

Watch the First Episode of Season 4...

THE DRAGON PRINCE: Mystery of Aaravos

In this first episode of Season 4 of The Dragon Prince: Mystery of Aaravos, we return to Xadia two years after the Battle for the Storm Spire. Ezran prepares Katolis for official guests while Callum investigates a plot against the king. Viren learns some startling information. And Janai asks Amaya a life-changing question…

▶ Watch the First Episode Here
Watch all nine episodes of Season 4 of The Dragon Prince November 3, only on Netflix!

Beware of What Lurks in the Shadows...

The Eminence in Shadow

A boy in modern-day Japan desires to be a mastermind who exerts power from the shadows, but in the process of training, gets hit by a truck and dies. He reincarnates in a fantasy world under the name Cid Kagenou, where he maintains a perfectly mediocre appearance as to not stand out but instead pursue his dream of manipulating from the shadows. One day, he stumbles upon an elven girl infected by a mysterious disease and cures her. Cid makes up a story, explaining that this world is secretly run by the Cult of Diabolos, and his secret organization, Shadow Garden, are the only ones that can fight them. The elven girl, now named Alpha, joins this organization and begins recruiting new members. However, the stories Cid made up were actually true, but he believes it to be total delusion. Cid continues fighting the Cult of Diabolos under the alias Shadow, completely unaware that he is involved in a complicated power struggle.

▶ Watch the Trailer