GKIDS presents 'Modest Heroes' - January 10 & 12

MODEST HEROES

Kick off the new year with Modest Heroes, an ambitious new film anthology from the creators of Mary and The Witch's Flower.

In theaters for two days only on Jan. 10 and 12!

Check out the first official clip from Modest Heroes

featuring Kanini & Kanino from Academy Award®-nominee

Hiromasa Yonebayashi (When Marnie Was There). 

Modest Heroes:
Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1
A film by Yoshiyuki Momose, Akihiko Yamashita & Hiromasa Yonebayashi 

Studio Ponoc, the new animation studio founded by two-time Academy Award^®-nominee Yoshiaki Nishimura (The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There) and featuring many artists from the venerable Studio Ghibli, made an immediate splash with their acclaimed debut film Mary and The Witch’s Flower last year. The studio returns this year with Modest Heroes, an ambitious anthology of three thrilling tales created by some of the greatest talents working in Japanese animation today.

Together, the stories (Kanini & Kanino, Life Ain’t Gonna Lose, Invisible) explore ideas of heroism in everyday life, and the infinite potential of the short film format allows the directors and Studio Ponoc to experiment with breathtaking, action-packed visuals, concise human drama, and gorgeous fantasy worlds in this unforgettable showcase that is further demonstration of the studio’s exciting future.

What if Superman was evil?

BRIGHTBURN

What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister? With Brightburn, the visionary filmmaker of Guardians of the Galaxy and Slither presents a startling, subversive take on a radical new genre: superhero horror.

New Posters for GODZILLA: King of the Monsters

And three new posters from "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" which is set to decimate theaters in the grand U.S. of A. on May 31st, 2019.

Hellboy Returns to Theaters in 2019!

H E L L B O Y

Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge. Starring David Harbour, Milla Jovovich and Ian McShane. 

Hellboy is coming to cinemas April 12, 2019.

Trailer for "Dark Phoenix"

D A R K   P H O E N I X

In DARK PHOENIX, the X-MEN face their most formidable and powerful foe: one of their own, Jean Grey. During a rescue mission in space, Jean is nearly killed when she is hit by a mysterious cosmic force. Once she returns home, this force not only makes her infinitely more powerful, but far more unstable. Wrestling with this entity inside her, Jean unleashes her powers in ways she can neither comprehend nor contain. With Jean spiraling out of control, and hurting the ones she loves most, she begins to unravel the very fabric that holds the X-Men together. Now, with this family falling apart, they must find a way to unite -- not only to save Jean's soul, but to save our very planet from aliens who wish to weaponize this force and rule the galaxy. 

In Theaters June 7, 2019

3Below is the BEST animated series of 2018

3Below: Tales of Arcadia

[Source: Syfy] Looking for a delightful streaming show to chase those post-holiday blues away? Netflix has you covered, and no, it isn't a sequel/mashup called Bird Box Bandersnatch 2: The College Years. Guillermo del Toro's next installment in the animated Tales of Arcadia saga is here— what he and his companions began in Trollhunters (one of the most underrated shows around), he continues in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia.

The show takes us across the stars to the planet Arkaridion-5, where Princess Aja (Tatiana Maslany) and Prince Krel (Diego Luna) are forced to flee after an intergalactic dictator stages a coup. They escape aboard a sentient mothership (voiced by Glenn Close) along with their guardian, Varvatos Vex (Nick Offerman) and their alien dog, Luug. They have to hide, so the mothership (or "Mother") chooses a planet that is so out of the way (and awful) that they will never be found. Lo and behold, Mother chooses a "mudball" called Earth, a place literally "named after dirt."

So to Earth they go, and in order to to blend in when going outside (and not appear like the shimmery, four-armed aliens they really are), Mother disguises them as three earth beings that no one will notice — Aja as a girl, Krel as a Latino boy, and Vex as a senior citizen.

Of course they land in the town of Arcadia, and as we know from Trollhunters, the place already sees its fair share of crazy stuff. The show has everything you'd expect from a del Toro project: humor, heart, great action, subversion, and a huge amount of fun. One moment, it's stating a double message about our heroes being illegal aliens, and the next moment Luug is farting laser beams. With a lesser team in place, such tonal shifts might give you some serious whiplash, but with del Toro, Rodrigo Blaas, Marc Guggenheim, and Chad Hammes at the helm, the ship always flies like a dream.

There's a lot (seriously, a lot) of new programming that is being offered right now, and 3Below: Tales of Arcadia deserves to be at the top of your queue... just in case the alien dog farting laser beams didn't get it there already.

HAPPY HEW YEAR!

 

@-}- W E L C O M E   2 0 1 9 -{-@

@-}- Best Wishes to All in the New Year -{-@

Toothless Steals the Times Square Ball

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Watch the official 'Toothless at Times Square' clip for How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World, an animation movie starring Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill and Craig Ferguson. 

In theaters February 22, 2019. 

What began as an unlikely friendship between an adolescent Viking and a fearsome Night Fury dragon has become an epic trilogy spanning their lives. In this next chapter, Hiccup and Toothless will finally discover their true destinies: the village chief as ruler of Berk alongside Astrid, and the dragon as leader of his own kind. As both ascend, the darkest threat they’ve yet faced—as well as the appearance of a female Night Fury—will test the bonds of their relationship like never before.

Trailer for "Artemis Fowl"

Disney’s ARTEMIS FOWL

Directed by Kenneth Branagh and based on the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, ARTEMIS FOWL follows 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl, a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds, as he finds himself in a battle of strength and cunning against a powerful, hidden race of fairies who may be behind his father’s disappearance. The film stars Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Tamara Smart, Nonzo Anozie, with Josh Gad, and Judi Dench. Judy Hofflund and Kenneth Branagh are producing with Angus More Gordon and Matthew Jenkins serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Conor McPherson. 

Disney’s ARTEMIS FOWL releases in U.S. theaters on August 9, 2019!

360 Google Doodles: Back to the Moon

BACK to the MOON

- Shortlisted for the Academy Awards -

“Back to the Moon” is probably a short you’ve seen via Google Doodles. It can also be viewed interactively in 360 degrees via VR if you have the technology to do so. It was created to celebrate the artistry of French illusionist and film director George Méliès whose famous black-and-white movie “A Trip to the Moon” ends with the Moon getting a black eye from a rocketship. The short is a bit difficult to watch on a normal screen because it’s meant to be viewed in 360 degrees. The story follows an illusionist through scenery mixing familiar magic props with film magic as he meets the queen of hearts and an evil alien. The mix of effects is ingenious to watch.

Late Afternoon | Irish Short Film Trailer

LATE AFTERNOON

- Shortlisted for the Academy Awards -

“Late Afternoon” is a short by the Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon (The Secret of the Kells, Song of the Sea, and The Breadwinner). It is about an elderly woman named Emily who seems constantly lost in her thoughts about her past. Her mind keeps drifting between the past and the present with nothing seeming to anchor her anywhere. Every time Emily “dives” into the past, the linear makeup of herself disconnects into short lines and shapes until she reaches her past destination. Emily also has no neck to further symbolize her floating disconnected head. It’s a beautifully animated short that’s a bit heartwrenching if you’ve ever have had an elderly loved one in a situation like Emily’s.

On the Academy Award Shortlist: Weekends

W  E E K E N D  S

- Shortlisted for the Academy Awards -

“Weekends” is the story of a boy who commutes between his recently divorced parents, summarizing life for the family over the course of several months interspersed with the boy’s dreams. While the boy looks content on the outside, his surreal dreams show how he actually feels about the new arrangement on both sides. We get to see the hardships and fears living in a broken family as well as how that family slowly learns and adapts to the new reality. The boy’s dreams are strange and scary but understandable given his situation.

Google Spotlight Stories: Age of Sail

A G E  of  S A I L

- Shortlisted for the Academy Awards -

“Age of Sail” is a short from Google Spotlight Stories about an old sailboat captain who sets himself adrift in the ocean hoping to end his days at sea. However, his are plans derailed when a teenage girl suddenly falls off a passing steamer, forcing him to change his plans after he reluctantly rescues her. The gruff, brash captain is brilliantly voiced by Ian McShane of Lovejoy and Deadwood fame, rattling off sailing jargon with ease. The animation is an odd combination of 2D and 3D CGI where features are drawn on 3D CGI figures mapped onto a 2D plane except for the ocean surrounding the characters. Despite the dark premise of the captain trying to die alone on his last sail across the sea, the story is quite inspirational as the he tries to muster some of his passion from the old days.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL! 

AND HAVE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Stealing Baby Jesus - Angela's Christmas

ANGELA'S CHRISTMAS

A trip to church with her family on Christmas Eve gives young Angela an extraordinary idea. A heartwarming tale based on a story by Frank McCourt.

The Unbelievable Gwenpool Holiday Special!

G  W  E  N  P  O  O  L

Unlike the usual holiday stories, this one’s not even close to a silent night. And all our super heroes know that kicking bad-guy butt and attending the hottest party of the year is the only way to truly celebrate.

First Trailer for MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL

MEN in BLACK : INTERNATIONAL

The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.

Return to the World of the Dark Crystal

Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

We've got your first look at the new Gelfling characters in the upcoming Netflix series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. It is a prequel to the 1982 Jim Henson film The Dark Crystal. There will be ten episodes and the series will explore the world of Thra created for the original movie. 

RIAN

BREA

DEET

Anime Viewing Schedule for December 22, 2018

A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
Saturday, December 22, 2018

Wood Dale Public Library

Baby, it's cold outside! Watch anime inside to stay warm!

Main Meeting Room, 10:15 am to 5:00 pm

10:15 - 11:05   Planet With 7-8

11:05 - 11:55   Karakuri Circus 5-6

11:55 - 12:45   Hinamatsuri 9-10

12:45 - 1:10     Club Meeting / Announcements

1:10 - 2:00       Megalo Box 10-11

2:00 - 2:50       S.S.S.S. Gridman 5-6

2:50 - 4:40       Lu Over the Wall (Feature Presentation)

All anime presented are fan-subtitled unless otherwise noted.

 

Don't miss the exciting anime series: Karakuri Circus and S.S.S.S. Gridman

ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW

All Female Spider-verse Sequel Planned

Sony Chief Teases Spider-verse Sequel

With Silk and Jessica Drew

[Source: Syfy] Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse may have just opened in theaters, but Sony already has grand plans for its budding franchise, having already announced a direct sequel and all-female spinoff.

During a recent chat with Vanity Fair, Sony chief Amy Pascal revealed more details about both upcoming projects. For one, the direct follow-up will focus on a budding romance between Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), which wasn't included in the current film due to pacing reasons. The sequel will be written by David Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984) and directed by Joaquim Dos Santos (Avatar: The Last Airbender). 

In terms of the spinoff, Pascal let slip that Gwen will be joined by fan favorites like Cindy Moon (Silk) and Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman). Since Peni Parker (voiced Kimiko Glenn) is also introduced alongside Gwen in the first film, it is unclear if she'll also appear in the spinoff as well. Lauren Montgomery (co-director of Batman: Year One) is in talks with to helm the feature, with Bek Smith (Zoo) writing the screenplay.

There is a much larger plan for all of these Spider-People, though. “There’s a world in which everything comes together,” Pascal told Vanity Fair. “But that’s not something we can talk about yet.”

What that means in anyone's guess, but it would be wickedly awesome if Sony decided to adapt Dan Slott's "Spider-Verse" arc from 2014, in which the Spider-People faced a nearly unstoppable threat in the form of the soul-sucking Inheritors. This storyline brought together some of the coolest Spider-related characters in the Marvel multiverse like the Superior Spider-Man (Otto Octavius brain in Peter Parker's body), Spider-Monkey (who could be a good foil for John Mulaney's Spider-Ham, just FYI), Spider-Man 2099, and so many more. 

“What I love about this movie, honestly, is that there’s so many different spider people,” Jake Johnson, who voices Peter Parker in Spider-Verse, told SYFY WIRE recently. “There’s Spider-Gwen, there’s Spider-Ham. I like that Miles is the lead. I also like the old school Peter Parker.”

Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is now playing in theaters.