Sunflower Jam!

What a bop from Spider-Man : Into the Spider-Verse.

Lyrics
[Intro: Swae Lee]
Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy (Ooh)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (Ooh)
Ayy, ayy
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

[Verse 1: Swae Lee]
Needless to say, I keep her in check
She was all bad-bad, nevertheless (Yeah)
Callin' it quits now, baby, I'm a wreck (Wreck)
Crash at my place, baby, you're a wreck (Wreck)
Needless to say, I'm keeping her in check
She was all bad-bad, nevertheless
Callin' it quits now, baby, I'm a wreck
Crash at my place, baby, you're a wreck
Thinkin' in a bad way, losin' your grip
Screamin' at my face, baby, don't trip
Someone took a big L, don't know how that felt
Lookin' at you sideways, party on tilt
Ooh-ooh, some things you just can't refuse
She wanna ride me like a cruise and I'm not tryna lose

[Chorus: Swae Lee]
Then you're left in the dust unless I stuck by ya
You're the sunflower, I think your love would be too much
Or you'll be left in the dust, unless I stuck by ya
You're the sunflower, you're the sunflower

[Verse 2: Post Malone]
Every time I'm leavin' on ya (Ooh), you don't make it easy, no (No, no)
Wish I could be there for ya (Ooh), give me a reason to (Oh)
Every time I'm walkin' out (Oh), I can hear you tellin' me to turn around (Oh, oh)
Fightin' for my trust and you won't back down (No)
Even if we gotta risk it all right now, oh (Now)
I know you're scared of the unknown (-Known)
You don't wanna be alone (Alone)
I know I always come and go (And go)
But it's out of my control

[Chorus: Post Malone]
And you'll be left in the dust, unless I stuck by ya
You're the sunflower, I think your love would be too much
Or you'll be left in the dust, unless I stuck by ya

Something smells so good with this movie. New style of animation. Revolutionary. I wish the music video was a little bit longer.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse New Trailer

If this is not the most revolutionary animated film of this year, I don't know what is. Watch this amazing 2nd trailer of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. You won't be disappointed.

 

 

Visit the official website for more info.

Sony Pictures Animation Announces 2017/2018 Projects

Projects Include EMOJIMOVIE: EXPRESS YOURSELF, Faith-Based Film THE STAR, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3, Animated SPIDER-MAN and GHOSTBUSTERS Animated TV Series.

Emojimovie: Express Yourself, 2017

The creators of Surf's Up and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs have announced their future slate of feature films.

Kristine Belson, President of Sony Pictures Animation, says, "We are meaningfully stepping up our level of production, while creating an environment that fosters the best talent. Our goal is to enlarge our presence in the animation landscape with a uniquely diverse slate, and our strategy to get there is to let artists drive the movies creatively."

Tom Rothman, Chairman of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, adds, "I could not be more proud of the way Kristine Belson has rebuilt Sony Pictures Animation into the boldest home for animation in the industry."

Sony Pictures Animation’s slate includes a diverse mix of originals and franchises, some previously announced, each with its own unique style and tone, underscoring the Studio’s pledge to develop projects aimed both inside and outside of the Sony Pictures Animation family brand intended for traditional, as well as online, distribution platforms.

THEATRICAL FEATURES

• SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE—a fully-animated comedy that delivers a fresh new take on the famous blue creatures and marks a return to the tone and style of the beloved comic book creations of Peyo—hits theaters April 7, 2017. The feature is directed by Kelly Asbury (SHREK 2, GNOMEO & JULIET), produced by Jordan Kerner (THE SMURFS 1 & 2, CHARLOTTE’S WEB), co-produced by Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews (HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA) and written by Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon, based on the characters and works of Peyo. The voice cast includes Demi Lovato as Smurfette, Jack McBrayer as Clumsy, Joe Manganiello as Hefty, Danny Pudi as Brainy, and Rainn Wilson as Gargamel, with Mandy Patinkin as Papa.

• EMOJIMOVIE: EXPRESS YOURSELF will offer a surprising and comic take on the secret world of our phones and the beloved characters that have become daily necessities in global interpersonal communication. The feature, targeting an August 2017 theatrical release, is directed by Anthony Leondis, produced by Michelle Raimo Kouyate, and written by Anthony Leondis & Eric Siegel.

• THE STAR (working title) is scheduled for a December 8, 2017 theatrical release. The computer-animated feature is directed by Oscar nominee Timothy Reckart (HEAD OVER HEELS); executive produced by DeVon Franklin, Lisa Henson, and Brian Henson; co-produced by Jenni Magee Cook; and written by Carlos Kotkin and Simon Moore. In The Star, a small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the greatest story ever told, the first Christmas. Sony Pictures Animation produces in association with The Jim Henson Company.

• HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3—the follow-up to Sony Pictures Animation’s highest grossing film in the U.S. and the biggest opening ever for a domestic September release —is scheduled to hit theaters September 21, 2018. Director Genndy Tartakovsky (DEXTER’S LABORATORY, STAR WARS: CLONE WARS), who returns to helm this brand new adventure, says, "I thought I was done exploring the world of HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA after the first two films, but while I was away from the franchise finishing my TV show SAMURAI JACK, an idea sparked that I got really excited about and made it irresistible to return and helm myself this third adventure." Michelle Murdocca is back producing, with Adam Sandler executive producing, and Michael McCullers (AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME, BOSS BABY) writing the screenplay. Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez and Andy Samberg will be returning as the voices of Dracula, his vampire daughter Mavis, and her human husband Johnny.

• From Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, the geniuses behind THE LEGO MOVIE, comes an animated SPIDER-MAN feature slated for theatrical release December 21, 2018. The film is being written by Phil Lord. Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord & Christopher Miller are producing; Craig Sost is co-producing. Bob Persichetti (head of story on PUSS IN BOOTS and THE LITTLE PRINCE) is directing.

ANIMATED SERIES

• A brand new animated television series, GHOSTBUSTERS: ECTO FORCE, will further expand the Ghostbusters cinematic universe and focus on a new generation of Ghostbusters in the year 2050 who capture ghosts around the world with help from local teams—and some very cool gear! The younger-skewing Sony Pictures Animation project is being creatively spearheaded by Ivan Reitman and his production company Ghost Corps. GHOSTBUSTERS: ECTO FORCE is eyeing an early 2018 debut.

• HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: THE TELEVISION SERIES is targeted for a 2017 airdate. The animated television series, produced in partnership with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, will focus on the teenage years of Mavis, Dracula’s daughter, and her friends. It will be airing on the Disney Channel worldwide.

• CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS is slated for its television series incarnation airdate in 2017. The 2D animated small-screen series, produced in partnership with DHX Media and commissioned by TELETOON in Canada, will expand on the adventures of the computer-animated feature films and will air on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and Turner channels across EMEA, APAC and Latin American markets.

DIRECT-TO-VIDEO

• SURF’S UP 2: WAVEMANIA will debut on home entertainment in the Spring of 2017. Directed by Henry Yu and produced by Michelle Wong, the follow-up to the 2007 Oscar nominee will hit the shores in time for the 10-year anniversary of the franchise. The project is in partnership with WWE Studios (NYSE:WWE) and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The voice cast includes WWE Superstars John Cena®, The Undertaker®, Triple H®, Diva Paige™ and Mr. McMahon® as an an infamous big wave riding crew of penguins known as The Hang 5 which Cody Maverick convinces to let him join on their journey to a mysterious surf spot where legend has it they’ll find the biggest waves in the world.

via Sony Pictures Animation

USA Today | Joe Manganiello, Jack McBrayer are new blue crew in 'Smurfs'

Joe Manganiello has had some Smurf work done.

The Magic Mike star is now showing blue skin as Hefty in the upcoming animated adventure Smurfs: The Lost Village. The newly titled, fully animated film hits theaters March 31, 2017.

Manganiello's Hefty (doing the heavy lifting) joins his new Smurf screen brothers — 30 Rock star Jack McBrayer as Clumsy (falling off the wagon) and Community star Danny Pudi as the bespectacled Smurf geek Brainy.

Smurfs: The Lost Village, 2017

The new crew is part of the previously announced cast which includes Demi Lovato as Smurfette, Rainn Wilson as the evil Gargamel and Mandy Patinkin as Papa Smurf. Smurfette sets the action in motion as she searches for a legendary Smurf village, bringing along her brothers Hefty, Clumsy and Brainy.

The beloved blue Smurfs have been box-office giants to the tune of $911 million worldwide with 2011's The Smurfs ($563.7 million) and 2013's The Smurfs 2 ($347.5 million). In the past movies, which featured partial live action, Fred Armisen voiced Brainy, Gary Basaraba voiced Hefty and Anton Yelchin voiced Clumsy.

Lost Village director Kelly Asbury describes Hefty as "sort of the personal trainer Smurf of the group" and also promises a hint of Smurf romance.

"He's very protective of them all, especially Smurfette, for whom he carries a not-so-secret puppy-love torch," says Asbury.

While Hefty stays away from the raunchy dance moves that the 6-foot-5 Manganiello shows off in Magic Mike, he is shirtless as a Smurf. And there were some adjustments to the character.

"We've designed Hefty to have slightly bulkier arms, and he can flex his biceps — Hefty Smurf has guns," Asbury says. "He also walks with a rather puffed-up, confident posture."

Manganiello brought his own confidence and used a "heftier, energetic version of his natural voice, which is perfect," Asbury says.

The Smurfs use their individual skills to outwit the evil Gargamel while searching for the fabled village. But the journey will result, no spoiler alert needed, in one happy, blue conclusion.

"It will lead to the greatest discovery in all," says Asbury. "Smurfdom."

See full article in USA Today.

Hotel Transylvania 2 Theatrical Poster #3

"They're back to raise a little terror." Check out the new poster for Hotel Transylvania 2.

Hotel Transylvania 2, 2015

Hotel Transylvania 2 plays in theaters now in the US. Watch the movie and share your thoughts!

Hotel Transylvania 2 Theatrical Poster #2

Take a look at the poster for the upcoming animated feature, Hotel Transylvania 2.

Hotel Transylvania 2, 2015

It is set to release on September 25, 2015.

Hotel Transylvania 2 Official Trailer

Sony Pictures Animation has released the first trailer for the upcoming sequel for Hotel Transylvania.

Drac's pack is back for all-new monster comedy adventure in Sony Pictures Animation's Hotel Transylvania 2!
Everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania...
Dracula's rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn't showing signs of being a vampire. So while Mavis is busy visiting her human in-laws with Johnny - and in for a major cultural shock of her won - "Vampa" Drac enlists his friends Fran, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to put Dennis through a "monster-in-training" boot camp. But little do they know that Drac's grumpy and very old, old, old, school dad Vlad is about to pay a family visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out that his great-grandsons is not pure blood - and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania - things are going to get batty!

The final concept of the film looks mediocre to other major ideas other studios have. To find this film entertaining the studio will need to focus more on the story than kid-comedy.

Trailermeter: 56%

The Untitled Smurf Movie Gets a Title

All animated Smurf movie now has a title! Get Smurfy is a newly CG animated feature film that comes to theaters on 2017.

Get Smurfy, 2017

I am very excited for the all animated Get Smurfy. Stay tuned for more Smurfy news.

Hotel Transylvania 2 Theatrical Poster

A sequel to Hotel Transylvania comes to theater this year. Check out the brand-new poster.

Hotel Transylvania 2, 2015

Hotel Transylvania has gone through several changes: the hotel is now opened to human guests; Mavis and Johnny have a baby boy, Dennis, whose lack of any vampire abilities worries Count Dracula. When Mavis and Johnny go on a visit to Johnny's parents, Dracula calls his friends Frank, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to help him put Dennis through a "monster-in-training" boot camp. Meanwhile, Vlad, the grumpy vampire father of Dracula, arrives at the hotel and, to his dissatisfaction, finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood vampire and that the hotel now accepts humans.

Visit Hotel Transylvania 2 on September 25, 2015.

Hotel Transylvania 2 Teaser Poster

The Drac's pack is back! Here's the teaser poster for the movie. This simple and white poster for Hotel Transylvania 2 looks very clean and makes us excited for the movie.

Hotel Transylvania 2, 2015

Hotel Transylvania 2 comes into theaters on September 25, 2015.

Untitled Smurf Movie Delayed

A year ago, the new animated 'smurf' movie was pushed back to summer 2016. Unfortunately, the 'smurf' reboot has delayed a year yet again. The new release date is March 31, 2017.

Working Hard!! (Kelly Asbury on the Smurfs Reboot)

I believe people in Sony Pictures Animation care a lot about their movie that they want to deliver the best product to the people. So, to all smurf fans out there; be patient and lets hope for the best smurf movie!

Hotel Transylvania 2 Official Teaser Trailer

Watch the US teaser trailer for Hotel Transylvania 2. Following comic humor of the original, Hotel Transylvania 2 looks like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

Visit the world of vampires and other monsters on September 25, 2015.

Hotel Transylvania 2 International Teaser Trailer

New from Sony Pictures Animation comes Hotel Transylvania 2.

When Vlad, the old-old-old-fashioned vampire father of Count Dracula, arrives at the hotel for an impromptu family get-together, Hotel Transylvania is in for a collision of supernatural old-school and modern day cool. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Hotel Transylvania 2 is scheduled to be released on September 25, 2015.

Review #57 | The Pirates! Band of Misfits

I wish Aardman would make more films but with better story. This unique style of animation struggles to find the fitting story that will make the film soar.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits, 2012

In The Pirates! Band of Misfits, Hugh Grant stars in his first animated role as the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain - a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side (Martin Freeman, Brendan Gleeson, Russell Tovey, and Ashley Jensen), and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It's a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they battle a diabolical queen (Imelda Staunton) and team up with a haplessly smitten young scientist (David Tennant), but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure!

The stop motion picture that Aardman team has done in this film is amazing and makes you wonder how they do it. It gets better and much cleaner than their previous attempts. In contrast, I think their losing their touch in great story telling because the jokes and plots are exaggerated beyond repair.

It gives enough humor to entertain little kids but never does entertain those who want to see some real heart. It may not have a great story, but it does have its strong points. The characters are not strong or unique.

If there is one thing I would want to compliment, it would be the magical animated beauty. Those clay-made characters seem to have found life through the hands of great creators. If only they could find a great story that fits this medium, Aardman will have found the way to go into the big leagues.

Inside Outside Rating: 66%

Inside Sony Pictures Animation - Character Designer Patrick Mate

Patrick Mate shares his story of how he came to work for Sony Pictures Animation.

It was really informative while watching this video, keep posting them! We love to hear about it.

The Untitled Smurfs Movie Pushed Back a Year

Previously this year Sony Pictures Animation announced what actually was supposed to be The Smurfs 3 to be wholly animated. Well, now we've got the news that it won't be a sequel or a prequel but something new and original. Director, Kelly Asbury, noted that the reason to moving the date was to deliver better quality movie and I am sure that this is what the movie needs.

Untitled Smurfs Movie, 2016 

Read what Kelly Asbury said via Smurfs Blog Production:

I’m happy to report that I’ve gotten confirmation from Sony Pictures Entertainment that my UNTITLED SMURFS MOVIE has a new release date: it will be coming out internationally in July 2016 and in the USA on August 5, 2016, one year later than originally planned when this project was initially conceived as a live action / animation hybrid SMURFS 3. This is a great thing for my team and me, since we are performing such a major re-imagining of the Smurf universe into a more Peyo look. We have lots of story, visual development, character designs and rigs, environments, assets, props…everything…and we need this added new production time to “get all our Smurfs in a row” and make the best movie possible. 

Remember, this is not a sequel nor a prequel. It’s a whole NEW Smurf adventure! As a director, I’m very grateful to be given the proper time to make the movie I want to make and not have to compromise the quality on any front. Most all animated features, especially those from major studios, require at least 3 - 4 years to make (some far longer), and while this Smurfs movie will still be on a faster track than most, I’m really happy Sony has made this important decision. Quality is a huge priority and it is no small task to achieve, especially on an animated feature. 

This all new Smurfs movie deserves the best, and Sony obviously knows and respects that. 

So onward and Smurfward to summer 2016! 

Inside Sony Pictures Animation: Storyboard Artist Patrick Harpin

Patrick Harpin from Sony Picture Animation tells an amazing career story that inspires me. Watch:

To have a job as a story board artist seems rough and at the same time fun. Story board artists are the ones who really make the scenes happen.

Open Season Fun Fact

Every sign and prop with a label bears the name of someone who worked on the film.

Open Season, 2006

Next time I watch Open Season, I will definently check the signs and props with labels.

(Via Sony Picture Animation tumblr)

All Animated Smurfs is Coming

The company that brought Boog and Eliet to life in Open Season has grown into a major animation studios since. It's biggest yet, is The Smurfs. So why not make a sequel? So they did.

We as audience want to see good movies. Surf's Up and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs delivered great and creative stories. But as for The Smurfs and The Smurfs 2, they were a major disappointment.

To me, live-action/animation hybrid just makes it restricted for super young audiences only. But as for all animated movie has the potential to reach much broader audience. The next Smurfs movie will be all animated, and is set to explore the origins of the beloved blue creatures.

The smurfs are getting ready for their next big shot in theaters on August 14, 2015. 

Review #5 | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, 2013

Synopsis: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 picks up where Sony Pictures Animation's hit comedy left off. Inventor Flint Lockwood's genius is finally being recognized as he's invited by his idol Chester V to join The Live Corp Company, where the best and brightest inventors in the world create technologies for the betterment of mankind. Chester's right-hand-gal - and one of his greatest inventions - is Barb (a highly evolved orangutan with a human brain, who is also devious, manipulative and likes to wear lipstick). It's always been Flint's dream to be recognized as a great inventor, but everything changes when he discovers that his most infamous machine (which turns water into food) is still operating and is now creating food-animal hybrids - "foodimals!" With the fate of humanity in his hands, Chester sends Flint and his friends on a dangerously delicious mission, battling hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, apple pie-thons, double bacon cheespiders and other food creatures to save the world again!

It feels as though the animators at cake and then ordered another one. Eating two cakes may make your tummy disgusted, I guess. That's how I felt watching 'Cloudy 2', they haven't improved on anything with this sequel, but made it more dull, and focused too much making and naming food like creatures instead of making the story delightful.

Like the first movie it starts with Flint introducing himself, except this time we all know what happened, so why did he have to summarize the first movie? The pace of the movie is so fast that I can see behind the scenes, the 'Cloudy' crew rushing through the script, animation, and what not.

Exploring and creating the world is great, but they could have done better putting more character development; what if they improved the relationship of Flint and his dad? What about Sam Sparks?  I didn't see much of that.

Animation style with the fist 'Cloudy' was cartoony in a good way but the sequel has more cartoony animation than the first, and now it doesn't feel believable at all. You can do whatever you want with animation, but you don't add ketchup to your cake.

Inside Outside Rating: 57%