2D

Welcome to Glaringly

Written by andy 21st August 2009, 1:08pm

Posted in: 2D, Channel 4, Reviews

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Director Grant Orchard’s  black comedy about a man who makes the mistake of going to visit a pal in small town Glaringly. It turns out to be Paranoia-central, chock full of surveillance equipment and suspicious towns folk who just can’t wait to mob-up. Our hero tries to help someone out but thanks to cctv spies jumping to the wrong conclusions and the gutter press spreading them about, he gets on the wrong side of an angry mob. It’s all done in the funky retro 8 bit style of an old timey video game.

Thank goodness this sort of thing could never happen here.

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Highly Overated! by Billy Allison

Written by andy 18th August 2009, 11:08am

Posted in: 2D, Reviews

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Billy Allison’s animation has the nostalgic feel of a newspaper cartoon strip writ large: strong pen and ink drawing and smudgy greys.  It follows a poor chap who, no matter where he goes: a scrap yard, under a bridge, on top of an apartment building, just can’t get any peace. You know the feeling. He just wants to read his paper but we keep stalking him. Sorry newspaper-guy! It’s out of my hands. He’s got some skills though, he runs like the wind and can climb tall buildings with ease. He even jumps out of a plane without of parachute. SPOILER - He’s okay. All accompanied by a jaunty tune from Steven Sproat.

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Best Present Ever

Written by andy 12th August 2009, 3:08pm

Posted in: 2D, Reviews

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Clarabell is having a tea party when she receives an unexpected present: a baby stegosaurus! A cute baby dinosaur she names “Sparky”.

I will declare an interest in this animated short. I didn’t invest in it or anything and I don’t know the director but I do love me some dinosaur. Man, she is one lucky kid, until the mad scientist who lives next door grabs Sparky to do some mad science on him. NOOOOO!!!!! But don’t worry, Clarabell to the rescue. Krystal Georgiou’s film has that classic Saturday morning cartoon magic. The animation is bouncy, springy and full of soul. Incidentally It does contain one of the most incisive and relevant questions of our time, to wit “Why are you not a dinosaur?”. This toon has it all: dinosaurs, a mad scientist and tea, it cannot fail.

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At the Gallery

Written by andy 28th July 2009, 10:07am

Posted in: 2D, Reviews

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Victor Balaguer’s animation tells what happens when a  punk and a dog visit a gallery opening, obviously on the look out for a bit of wine and cheese.  It seems we’re just having a look at the sort of odd-ball characters who frequent art galleries until about a minute and a half in, it all takes a turn for the surreal when moustaches and hairstyles come alive and start chasing each other around the gallery. It’s all done in a fun, energetic, scribbly pencil style. Enjoy it. I’m off to sharpen some pencils.

Victor Balaguer is an animation director and comic book creator hailing from Belgium. If you like this check out his aniboom channel.

Another sharp entry to our summer animation competition. Submit now for your chance to win a copy of Toon Boom! And while you’re at it why not take a look at our list of UK animation festivals? Go on. It’s time to get your animations seen.

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The Birdwatcher

Written by madevi 17th July 2009, 10:07am

Posted in: 2D, Reviews

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What makes people laugh out loud? What triggers that physical reaction? Is it joy?Relief? Surprise?

Whatever it is, The Birdwatcher has it.

I didn’t want to like this film, and I’m still not sure I do. There’s something a little bit uneasy about it, something in the strange muted colours, awkward cut out characters and incessant crowing that makes you recoil. Looking through the watcher’s binoculars makes you feel both claustrophobic, responsible for what is happening, and queasy.

And yet somehow I couldn’t stop watching. I was moved, I was annoyed, I winced, and, yes, in spite of myself, I laughed out loud. Several times. While cringing. More than the plot, it was graduating student Ross Phillips‘ directorial skills which surprised me. There are odd touches of brilliance, in the movement of the worm as he’s pulled between two birds, or the careful timing of the crows going about their ghastly business. ‘Don’t assume you know what you’re watching’, he seems to whisper. I will listen.

The Birdwatcher was one of our fist submissions to the Toon Boom competition. Keep ‘em coming!

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Sportsday Megaphone - Meet Me In The Middle by O W L S

Written by andy 6th July 2009, 10:07am

Posted in: 2D, Reviews

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It’s not often you get to see a rabbit being shaved in a pop video. Or maybe it’s more common than I thought. Anyway. Here’s a slice of upbeat 8 bit musical madness, played out in a peculiar video that looks like an old school videogame.  Yes, it’s another weird music video with animals: donkey on a swing, pig on a roundabout, bambi on a see saw, need I say more. It’s like a candy coloured nightmare, with rogue scissors and a windmill mincing machine. I’m never going to the barber’s again but I am going to dance!
Not suitable for vegetarians.

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Mr Money by Jamie Clennett

Written by andy 1st July 2009, 5:07pm

Posted in: 2D, Reviews

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If you enjoy Ukulele music played by a clown DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM. A gentleman crash lands in a giant egg, squashing a clown, he quotes Tennyson, is blown onto a giant monopoly board, eats an apple and vomits himself inside out. And that’s just the first minute or so. This hallucinogenic-nightmare-life-story is explained in the plummy tones of Helmut Bakaitis and makes about as much sense as a pair of trousers made from custard. I kinda like it. Shine on Jamie Clennett, shine on.

You’ll find lots of nice artwork on director Jamie Clennett’s blog, The Long Pig

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White Corolla, a music video for Saturday mornings

Written by madevi 27th June 2009, 12:06pm

Posted in: 2D

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Ah, Saturday morning. You are finally here, my friend, with your promise of long lie-ins, rubbish TV, and endless cups of tea. I know many of us are quietly pottering round on the internet, looking for something charming and easy on the eyes to while away the lazy afternoon.

This music video for White Corolla by the band Casiotone for the Painfully Alone is just that. Turn the volume up loud, and step into this bestiary of tiger-riding dogs and low key dance moves. Julia Pott’s illustrative style is effortlessly cool,  a charming and unsettling art school baby. The result is a pleasantly hypnotic clip, like a childhood dream of love, kittens and rainbows.

Now pass me the biscuits please.

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Le Tuff Talk - a slanging match in comedy French

Written by madevi 22nd June 2009, 3:06pm

Posted in: 2D, Comedy, Reviews

Warning! This video contains cartoon violence and some nudity

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Is it the stupid French in me? Have I overindulged in subtle, moving, beautifully crafted films after two solid weeks of festival going at Annecy and EIFF? Or has my brain finally given up after four days of suspiciously swine-like flu symptoms?

Whatever the reason, this little clip by William Garratt from Half Giraffe had me stitches when it landed in our submissions inbox this morning. It starts rather slowly, but make sure you keep watching until you’re introduced to Bernard’s cousins “Le pomme de terre” and “Le blob de slime”. It may move you to les tears de laughter like le big girl you are.

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Monotone - a short film about love and identity

Written by andy 18th June 2009, 6:06pm

Posted in: 2D, 3D, Reviews

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Monotone, by Alex Donne Johnson

This is a short film about a cute little speaker-faced dude and his search for acceptance in a musical world. The director’s claim that “Monotone is a story of love and identity which tackles broader issues of taste, subcultures and a desire for acceptance ” might be a bit much as, thankfully “Monotone” isn’t at all heavy-handed. It does not contain any earth shattering insights but it’s nicely done and it does have charm. Dance little speaker guy, dance!

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