The first big holiday film of the season arrived this weekend to the tune of $30 million. The Jim Carrey Robert Zemeckis collaboration about the classic Charles Dicken’s tale took top honors at the weekend box office. The 3D animated movie made $30 million Friday – Sunday which was a solid debut, however it was below industry expectations. With the added cost of IMAX tickets and digital 3D features, this film had an advantage to rake in more cash. The one bright spot for this film is that it’s early November release will mean a long run through the holiday season. The IMAX version will be in theaters through the 17th of December when Avatar takes over on the 18th. For a full breakdown of the November 6th-8th box office read on!

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Variety is reporting that Warner Brothers plans on developing a movie based on the popular LEGO toys. The movie will mix live action with animation and is going to be an adventure set in a LEGO universe. LEGO is apparently highly protective of its brand so it is surprising that the company has allowed a studio to develop a movie about the building block toys. It is not surprising however that LEGO will become a movie after this weekends successful G.I Joe opening. I believe there is a big difference between action figures and building blocks. I am curious to see how this could be an entertaining film, but I suppose we will give it the benefit of the doubt. I was a LEGO fanatic as a kid but the idea of a movie doesn’t really do it for me. What do you think?

Variety is reporting that another beloved book by the late, great Dr. Seuss will be headed to the big screen. The Lorax will be the next childrens book to be adapted into a feature length film. Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment plan to creat the move with CG and in a 3D format. Dr. Seuess’ story about, oddly enough, the environment, and the trek of the Lorax (a creature which speaks on behalf of all the trees.) Like most Dr. Seuss books, The Lorax teaches a lesson. It is a fable about respecting our surroundings and understanding the impact we have on the environment. The metaphors in this story are really vivid throughtout the text.

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Film School Rejects has debuted the first poster for director Shane Acker’s new film titled Nine. The movie stars the voices of Elijah Wood, Jennifer Connolly, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer, John C. Reilly, and Cripsin Glover. This concept film is being produced by Tim Burton (Nightmare Before Christmas) and is scheduled to hit theaters on September 9th. Check out the full poster and plot synopsis after the jump.

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As we all start back to the work week we thought we could get your Monday rolling with a new Holla Back topic. With the latest Pixar movie released this past weekend there has been much talk as to what is the best Pixar movie. Is the new film Up now a Pixar classic? Does it compete with the Pixar great such as Finding Nemo and Toy Story? Pixar clearly has an extraordinary track record bringing us the best in animation and story telling. Collaborating with Disney, Pixar has brought audiences ten wonderful films. But does one film shine above all the others? Could we rank the movies if we chose to? This is a hard task, but hey it is Monday, may as well start the work week off with a good discussion.

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Dreamworks animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenburg will release the companies upcoming films tomorrow for investors. The movies are scheduled to be released through 2012 and consist of five original projects and several sequels to popular franchises. All of these projects are slated to be released in 3D. This past March Dreamworks released Monsters VS. Aliens which currently stands as the years highest grossing film. Last summer Dreamworks released King Fu Panda which was both critically and commercially successful. Continue reading to check out Variety’s list of the films which Dreamworks has planned over the next few years.

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For those Disney fans out there this is for you. Just yesterday we debuted the first full length trailer for the new Disney animated flick The Princess and the Frog. Today we have the films first poster which is a classic throwback to the old school Disney movies we all know and love. For those who don’t know this movie is a hand drawn animated tale which in a world dominated by Pixar and Deamworks animation it is nice to see something genuine to the craft of animation. While this movie may not appeal to many adults you can’t deny the significance this movie has on animation. Check out the poster and tell us what you think.

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The return of hand drawn animation is upon us. Not since 2004’s Home on the Range, have we seen a hand drawn movie that did not involve computer graphics. With Pixar’s animation studio releasing some of, if not the best, animation in movies, how can hand drawn animation compete? Well, Disney is taking that challenge with their latest movie titled The Princess and the Frog. Due in theaters this December, The Princess and the Frog is Disney’s first hand drawn movie in years. Today we have the first trailer for the movie which is being released via Youtube. The movie reminds me of the classic animated tales that many of us grew up watching. Check it out and share with us your thoughts.

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MTV News is reporting that director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Beowulf) is interested in developing a sequel to his 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The 20 year old movie made over $300 million in it’s box office run and has become a classic movie for the ages. Who Framed Roger Rabbit starred Bob Hoskins and Christopher Lloyd in the tale of a toon hating detective who is a cartoon rabbit’s only hope to prove his innocence when he is accused of murder. MTV News talked with Robert Zemeckis about his interest in creating a sequel. Continue reading to see what he had to say.

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By Jeff Olson
March 25, 2009
Source: Animatoons

We have the first promotional image to show you from Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon. The movie is being directed by Peter Hastings and stars the voices of Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. The film will be released in regular theaters as well as in IMAX format March 26, 2010. Continue reading to see what the studio has to say about what the film is about.

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By Jeff Olson
March 21, 2009

Disney and Pixar have released this one minute clip from their upcoming animated adventure they have titled, Up. This film is about 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen who by tying thousands of balloons to his home, sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn’t alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip. The promotion for this film is great. The video clips which have hit the net have been a great source of hype.

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By Jeff Olson
March 16, 2009
Source: AICN

Ain’t It Cool News has debuted new concept art for the animated comic book film, The Goon. Produced by David Fincher, “The Goon is an adaptation of a comic book from 1999 which was about the adventures of a muscle-bound brawler who claims to be the primary enforcer for a feared mobster. The Goon and his sidekick Franky often get tied up in other machinations, often in relation to the evil zombie gangs. There is a heavy slant on the paranormal.” Continue reading to check out the art and poster for The Goon.

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By Jeff Olson
March 11, 2009
Source: Variety
Disney has just announced that they will be moving their holiday release of The Princess and the Frog to an earlier date. Not only are they vacating their original Christmas day opening; they are opening the film in limited release before they go wide. This means that the film, which is a throwback to the days of hand drawn animation, will open in New York and L.A on November 25th and then will see a wide release two weeks later on December 11th. This is an interesting move for Disney. Having a Christmas day opening is a smart move for a family friendly film. However, the studio did not want to face direct competition with another family friendly film, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel.

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By Jeff Olson
March 7, 2009
Source: Yahoo Via Firstshowing

Disney and Pixar have released the first full length trailer for their upcoming animated adventure titled Up. This film, directed by Pete Docter, is about 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen who by tying thousands of balloons to his home, sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn’t alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip. This trailer looks like Pixar has done it yet again. This animation studio knows how to create interesting characters and in Up, Carl Fredricksen, the young boy, and of course the dog look like they will become so of Pixar’s best creations. Continue reading to check out this first trailer for Pixar’s Up.

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By: Jeff Olson

Source: Comingsoon

The longest running television series in history will continue it’s run for at least another two seasons. America’s favorite animated family began their show in January of 1990 and for the last 19 years have become a staple of American pop culture. With two more seasons in the future, The Simpsons look to hit almost 500 episodes. An astounding feat over a very long course of time that even includes a movie back in 2007. The Simpson’s Movie grossed over $180 million domestically and over $500 million worldwide. Even after all these years, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are as bankable as ever. I enjoyed The Simpson’s Movie, as it felt like on long episode of the show. I hope the series continues it’s success and doesn’t lose it’s humor. Are the Simpsons still relevant to American pop culture? Leave your comment on the next page.

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