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2009's stop-motion animated classic "Coraline," adapting Neil Gaiman's 2002 novella of the same name, remains widely beloved years after its debut. A dark fantasy story that has its eponymous protagonist escape her reality to a strange otherworldly realm, "Coraline" masterfully toes the line between childhood wonder and more sinister elements. Though wonderfully singular in its own way, there are a number of movies similar to "Coraline," some also stop-motion animated and some not. There is an honest adolescent vulnerability to the 2009 movie that has been touched on in different but recognizable ways by quite a few movies both before and since.

What so many of these movies like "Coraline" share is a sense of discovery into the fantastic, often in the face of the mundane back in conventional reality. Despite being ostensibly oriented for children, these movies aren't afraid to lean into more mature and melancholic themes. A good children's...

The Nightmare Before Christmas doesn’t explain or give hints about Jack Skellington’s backstory, but his appearance in another movie might have revealed he was a pirate. Directed by Henry Selick with a story by Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas was released in 1993 and introduced the audience to Jack Skellington, a skeleton who lives in Halloweentown and serves as its Pumpkin King, leading the yearly Halloween celebrations. Tired of doing the same things every year, Jack wanders through the forest and comes across the doors to other Holidays, and becoming fascinated by Christmas Town, he decides to bring Christmas to Halloweentown.

Thanks to his unique design and story, Jack Skellington has become part of pop culture and one of the most beloved animated characters – it’s no surprise, then, that Jack has appeared in other movies by Selick, from Tim Burton’s universe, and outside these worlds. One cameo appearance,...

The Russo Brothers Once Revealed Robert Downey Jr Cried After Hearing About Iron Man’s Death In Avengers: Endgame (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Robert Downey Jr is one of the primary reasons behind the worldwide popularity and success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as his Iron Man started it all. Therefore, it was fitting to end the Infinity Saga with his Iron Man only. However, it is still one of the hardest for MCU fans to accept. It was equally hard for Rdj as the Avengers: Endgame directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo once revealed how the actor was in tears after hearing their pitch. The Russo brothers shared Downey’s reaction to Tony Stark’s sacrifice for others. Scroll below for more.

Avengers: Endgame was released in 2019 and marked the end of an era. It is the second highest-grossing film of all time, with its $2.79 billion global haul. It featured...

Paramount Animation is moving forward on a Mighty Mouse feature film, in association with producers Maximum Effort Productions:

Created by writer Izzy Klein as a cartoon parody of "Superman" for producer Paul Terry's "Terrytoons", "Mighty Mouse" debuted in the theatrical animated short "The Mouse of Tomorrow" (1942), gaining his 'super-powers' by eating food from a 'super-market', giving him the power of flight, super-strength, invulnerablity, X-ray vision and telekinesis.

'Mighty Mouse' was originally voiced by actor Roy Halee, Sr., followed by Tom Morrison, with the early cartoons portraying him as a ruthless fighter, able to tangle with evil cats.

Mighty Mouse had two rodent girlfriends, including 'Pearl Pureheart' (in the cartoons) and 'Mitzi' (in comic books during the 50's and 60's).

Terrytoons was sold to CBS television in 1955, with the network airing the cartoon shorts on the "Mighty Mouse Playhouse", remaining on the air for twelve years.

A deliberately...

Ryan Meinerding doesn’t spend a lot of time looking back. The Marvel Studios head of visual development’s days are consumed by the question of “what’s next?” as he helps create the biggest film franchise in history. But in a rare moment of reflection, Meinerding took stock in his journey with the new book Marvel Studios: The Art of Ryan Meinerding.

The 300-plus page tome from Abrams traces Meinerding’s journey from art-obsessed kid growing up in Ohio, to working with Jon Favreau on a John Carter movie that never happened, to following the filmmaker to Iron Man, the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From there, Meinerding helped chart the company through the Infinity Saga, into its TV streaming era — and now, into the multiverse.

The book features 500 Meinerding illustrations, many of which became the basis for some of the MCU’s most iconic shots (like...

Avengers: Endgame begins with Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) witnessing the devastating loss of his family following Thanos' "Snap" in the closing moments of Infinity War, but it seems Marvel Studios originally had a different opening sequence in mind for the Infinity Saga finale.

EW has shared some new concept art from the Marvel Studios: The Art of Ryan Meinerding book by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry, and it highlights some designs for an alternate opening scene with Smart Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) saving a bunch of people from a burning building.

It seems the plan was for the Green Goliath to be the only active members of the team at one point.

"As all the Avengers were gone, he was going to be the only one left, and you got to see him do some amazing things," Meinerding says in the book. "Hulk jumping off the building to save people inside...

Having kickstarted the MCU in 2008 with Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. went on to become the talisman of the Marvel franchise apart from being a key member of the Avengers. Over 11 years up until his character’s emotional farewell in 2019 with Avengers: Endgame, the star and his character Tony Stark aka Iron Man have been a match made in heaven.

A still from Iron Man (image credit: Marvel)

While it seems impossible now to disassociate the superhero from the actor, Downey Jr.’s casting was initially frowned upon by many viewers. Having had his share of personal challenges with drug and alcohol addiction, including being arrested for heroin and cocaine possession, fans expressed their lack of faith in the celebrity and his commitment to this marquee role due to his controversial reputation.

Some Fans Did Not Give Robert Downey Jr. Any Chance Of Doing Justice To His Marvel Role

There...

Paramount continues to develop a reboot of the "Mighty Mouse" cartoon character as a big screen CG feature:

Created by writer Izzy Klein as a "Superman" parody for Paul Terry's "Terrytoons", "Mighty Mouse" debuted in the WWII-era, 1942 theatrical animated short "The Mouse of Tomorrow", gaining his 'super-powers' by eating food from a 'super-market', giving him the power of flight, super-strength, invulnerablity, X-ray vision and telekinesis.

“Mighty Mouse' was originally voiced by actor Roy Halee, Sr., followed by Tom Morrison, with the early cartoons portraying him as a ruthless fighter, able to tangle with evil cats.

Mighty Mouse had two rodent girlfriends, including 'Pearl Pureheart' (in the cartoons) and 'Mitzi' (in comic books during the 50's and 60's).

Terrytoons was sold to CBS television in 1955, with the network airing the cartoon shorts on the "Mighty Mouse Playhouse", remaining on the air for twelve years.

A deliberately 'subversive' Saturday...

When Russo Brothers Almost Quit On Captain America: Civil War (Photo Credit –Instagram/IMDb)

Captain America: Civil War beautifully set the stage in a way for the Avengers: Infinity War. When Tony Stark reveals to Bruce Banner that the Avengers have broken up, Bruce innocently questions him, “Like the Beetles?” It generated a lot of laughs in the theatres, but that might not have been possible if Marvel’s Creative Committee stopped the Russo brothers from pitting Tony and Steve Rogers against each other in the 2016 movie.

Civil War was directed by the director sibling duo Joe Russo and Anthony Russo and featured most of the Avengers. However, Thor and Hulk were not part of the film. It featured Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, aka Tony Stark, Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch,...

Martin Scorsese & Seth MacFarlane collaborate to restore animated classics. Not about profits but preserving cinematic history. MacFarlane funded the restoration of forgotten animations from the 1920s-1940s. Scorsese was involved in the personal project. Restored animations debut at TCM Classic Film Festival.

Seth MacFarlane and legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese have teamed up for an unexpected reason; to restore a collection of early animated shorts to their former glory. The differences between the often crude and commercial comedy of MacFarlane and the Oscar-nominated dramas of Scorsese seem to be worlds apart, making any kind of collaboration between the pair very unlikely. However, they have found an unexpected middle ground that has seen them come together on a special preservation effort to restore several key animations from the 1920s through to the 1940s.

MacFarlane has always expressed his passion for animation, as along with producing shows like Family Guy and American Dad,...

Animator Seth MacFarlane is partnering with legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese to restore a series of early cartoons. As Family Guy enters its 25th year, MacFarlane's dedication to the art form is that much more clear.

As reported by Deadline, Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy fame has teamed up with Martin Scorsese to fund the restoration of several historically significant cartoons. Through the Seth MacFarlane Foundation and Martin Scorsese's Film Foundation respectively, the two will fund the first-ever curated restoration of important 1920s-1940s shorts.

Related Seth MacFarlane Explains How Family Guy Tackles Offensive Comedy Seth MacFarlane reveals how the animated comedy manages offensive jokes in the modern era. Reverence for the Art of Animation

Speaking on the collaboration, Scorsese stated that he was “so grateful to Seth MacFarlane for his enthusiasm and his support on these restorations." The Killers of the Flower Moon director then expressed his excitement and...

Exclusive: Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane is partnering, through his Seth MacFarlane Foundation, with Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation to fund the first-ever, curated restoration of historically significant animated shorts from the 1920s to 1940s.

MacFarlane is committed to saving and honoring the art form from its earliest days forward. He’s been fascinated by animation since childhood when he began drawing. He’s also an animation alum of Rhode Island School of Design. This year MacFarlane’s The Family Guy is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

“I’m so grateful to Seth MacFarlane for his enthusiasm and his support on these restorations,” said Martin Scorsese in a statement. “What an astonishing experience, to see these remarkable pictures that I experienced for the first time as a child brought back to their full glory. Imagine the reactions of children today! Because the films now seem as fresh as they did when they were newly made.

The first Avengers film was inarguably a true masterpiece. With its star-studded cast and even more brilliant storyline, casting, and actors’ performances, the Joss Whedon-helmed film was perfection at its peak. But before it was finalized to hold all the elements that it did, the film almost took a different turn; one that could have brought about Zooey Deschanel’s Marvel debut.

2012’s The Avengers.

As surprising as it may seem, filmmaker Whedon almost had Deschanel debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the same role that later went on to Michelle Pfeiffer. And had Scarlett Johansson’s scheduling conflicts for the same persisted, fans just might have seen a different plot in the saga — one that included Deschanel as a young Janet Van Dyne!

How Joss Whedon Intended to Bring Zooey Deschanel to The Avengers

Since Ant-Man and The Wasp were two of the major forces behind the...

Avengers: Endgame Makers Once Revealed Kevin Feige’s Harrowing Plan Of Killing All The Six Og Heroes In The 2019 Film. (Photo Credit – IMDb)

2019’s Avengers: Endgame has left a deep impression on the fans for several reasons, and the major ones were Natasha Romanoff and Tony Stark’s deaths. It was an emotional affair for the fans as an era ended. Two of the Og Avengers’ deaths were hard on us, but it would have been even more complex if the Russo brothers went ahead with Marvel boss Kevin Feige’s idea. Keep scrolling for more.

The film brought together almost all the MCU superheroes and was a celebration in the theatres. Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth made the characters memorable for everyone. They portrayed the roles of Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hulk, Captain America, and Thor. The Infinity Saga...

In Cate Shortland's 2021 spy thriller "Black Widow," Ray Winstone plays a heartless Russian spymaster named Dreykov who oversees a shadowy training program called the Red Room. For years, Dreykov has been kidnapping young girls and forcing them to train as assassins and spies in a mysterious facility nicknamed Red Room. He is effectively turning girls into brainwashed super-agents -- Black Widows -- for the Soviet Union, then later, Russia. The titular Black Widow is Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) a good-hearted spy who broke her programming, defected, and turned to the side of good. The plot of Shortland's film involves Natasha and several other former Russian super-agents tracking down Dreykov and shuttering the Red Room. 

"Black Widow" is largely unremarkable, perhaps better known in 2024 for the unfortunate circumstances under which it was released. The film was infamously delayed because of Covid-19 lockdowns, and then released onto Disney+ (for a hefty...

She-Hulk, Iron Man 3 Photo: Disney Marvel Studios’ latest Disney+ series, Secret Invasion, is here, and despite being the Samuel L. Jackson solo superhero story that fans have wanted ever since he made that surprise cameo at the end of Iron Man, Secret Invasion doesn’t feel like Marvel...

Captain America: The Winter Soldier cast in 2013Photo: Kevin Winter (Getty Images)

Marvel Studios’ latest Disney+ series, Secret Invasion, is here, and despite being the Samuel L. Jackson solo superhero story that fans have wanted ever since he made that surprise cameo at the end of Iron Man, Secret Invasion...

Paramount continues to develop a reboot of the "Mighty Mouse" cartoon character as a big screen CG feature:

Created by writer Izzy Klein as a "Superman" parody for Paul Terry's "Terrytoons", "Mighty Mouse" debuted in the WWII-era, 1942 theatrical animated short "The Mouse of Tomorrow", gaining his 'super-powers' by eating food from a 'super-market', giving him the power of flight, super-strength, invulnerablity, X-ray vision and telekinesis.

“Mighty Mouse' was originally voiced by actor Roy Halee, Sr., followed by Tom Morrison, with the early cartoons portraying him as a ruthless fighter, able to tangle with evil cats.

Mighty Mouse had two rodent girlfriends, including 'Pearl Pureheart' (in the cartoons) and 'Mitzi' (in comic books during the 50's and 60's).

Terrytoons was sold to CBS television in 1955, with the network airing the cartoon shorts on the "Mighty Mouse Playhouse", remaining on the air for twelve years.

A deliberately 'subversive' Saturday morning cartoon...

Josh Olson and Joe Dante answer fan questions and comments.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Abbott And Costello Meet The Mummy (1955) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary

Monster A-Go-Go (1965)

Infested (2002)

Straw Dogs (1971) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Rod Lurie’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Criterion Blu-ray review, Joe Dante’s review

Straw Dogs (2011)

Mississippi Burning (1988)

The Ghost And Mrs. Muir (1947) – Axelle Carolyn’s trailer commentary

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Bad Boy Bubby (1993) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary

The Mummy (1932) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

The Mummy (1999)

The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

Slappy And The Stinkers (1998)

Casper (1995)

Invisible Man (2020)

The Invisible Man (1933) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

Robot Monster (1953) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary

The Stewardesses (1969)

The Hole (2012) – Joe Dante’s US, Italian, British trailer commentaries, Dennis Cozzalio’s review

Love (2015)

Cave Of Forgotten Dreams (2010)

McCabe And Mrs.

Paramount continues to develop a reboot of the "Mighty Mouse" cartoon character as a big screen CG feature:

Created by writer Izzy Klein as a "Superman" parody for Paul Terry's "Terrytoons", "Mighty Mouse" debuted in the WWII-era, 1942 theatrical animated short "The Mouse of Tomorrow", gaining his 'super-powers' by eating food from a 'super-market', giving him the power of flight, super-strength, invulnerablity, X-ray vision and telekinesis.

“Mighty Mouse' was originally voiced by actor Roy Halee, Sr., followed by Tom Morrison, with the early cartoons portraying him as a ruthless fighter, able to tangle with evil cats.

Mighty Mouse had two rodent girlfriends, including 'Pearl Pureheart' (in the cartoons) and 'Mitzi' (in comic books during the 50's and 60's).

Terrytoons was sold to CBS television in 1955, with the network airing the cartoon shorts on the "Mighty Mouse Playhouse", remaining on the air for twelve years.

A deliberately 'subversive' Saturday morning cartoon...

Development continues on a big screen "Mighty Mouse" feature for Paramount Animation, written by Jon & Erich Hoeber ("The Meg") in a 'hybrid' mix of CG and live action:

Created by writer Izzy Klein as a cartoon parody of "Superman" for producer Paul Terry's "Terrytoons", "Mighty Mouse" debuted in the theatrical animated short "The Mouse of Tomorrow" (1942), gaining his 'super-powers' by eating food from a 'super-market', giving him the power of flight, super-strength, invulnerablity, X-ray vision, telekinesis and a whole lot more.

The character was originally voiced by actor Roy Halee, Sr., followed by Tom Morrison... 

...with early cartoon shorts portraying him as a ruthless fighter, able to tangle with evil cats.

Mighty Mouse had two rodent girlfriends, including 'Pearl Pureheart' in the cartoons...

... and 'Mitzi' in comic book titles during the 1950's.

Terrytoons was sold to CBS television in 1955... 

...with the network airing cartoons on the "Mighty Mouse Playhouse" for twelve years.

Development continues on a big screen "Mighty Mouse" feature for Paramount Animation, written by Jon & Erich Hoeber ("The Meg") in a 'hybrid' mix of CG and live action:

Created by writer Izzy Klein as a cartoon parody of "Superman" for producer Paul Terry's "Terrytoons", "Mighty Mouse" debuted in the theatrical animated short "The Mouse of Tomorrow" (1942), gaining his 'super-powers' by eating food from a 'super-market', giving him the power of flight, super-strength, invulnerablity, X-ray vision, telekinesis and a whole lot more.

The character was originally voiced by actor Roy Halee, Sr., followed by Tom Morrison... 

...with early cartoon shorts portraying him as a ruthless fighter, able to tangle with evil cats.

Mighty Mouse had two rodent girlfriends, including 'Pearl Pureheart' in the cartoons...

... and 'Mitzi' in comic book titles during the 1950's.

Terrytoons was sold to CBS television in 1955... 

...with the network airing cartoons on the "Mighty Mouse Playhouse" for twelve years.

Development continues on a big screen "Mighty Mouse" feature for Paramount Animation, written by Jon & Erich Hoeber ("The Meg") in a 'hybrid' mix of CG and live action:

Created by writer Izzy Klein as a cartoon parody of "Superman" for producer Paul Terry's "Terrytoons", "Mighty Mouse" debuted in the theatrical animated short "The Mouse of Tomorrow" (1942), gaining his 'super-powers' by eating food from a 'super-market', giving him the power of flight, super-strength, invulnerablity, X-ray vision, telekinesis and a whole lot more.

The character was originally voiced by actor Roy Halee, Sr., followed by Tom Morrison... 

...with early cartoon shorts portraying him as a ruthless fighter, able to tangle with evil cats.

Mighty Mouse had two rodent girlfriends, including 'Pearl Pureheart' in the cartoons...

... and 'Mitzi' in comic book titles during the 1950's.

Terrytoons was sold to CBS television in 1955... 

...with the network airing cartoons on the "Mighty Mouse Playhouse" for twelve years.

Last month, we published a review of "The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe," a sprawling, gorgeously presented book by veteran authors Tara Bennett and Paul Terry which chronicles how the company developed and executed its now-legendary streak of successful comic book movies. We've already written about several of the book's most interesting revelations, but there's one more excerpt that we wanted to highlight which helps explain why Marvel Studios became the juggernaut it did, and it involves Kevin Feige and his executives doing something Hollywood players rarely do: learning the proper lesson after something doesn't go as intended.

Since Marvel Studios is one...

The post How Iron Man 2 Taught Marvel Studios a Valuable Lesson appeared first on /Film.

More interesting tidbits are emerging from Abrams Publishing's gargantuan (512-page) new book "The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe" by Paul Terry and Tara Bennett. Like yesterday's story about Joss Whedon landing the "Avengers" directing gig due to a recommendation from the producer's wife, this new nugget revolves around perception, namely that of Marvel Cinematic Universe headliner Chris Hemsworth. 

You see, Marvel Studios runs such a tight ship that often their own stars have no idea what is happening. Yes, even you reading at home might be more on the up-and-up than some of the actors who play...

The post Chris Hemsworth Thought Thor Was Written Out of the MCU After Age of Ultron appeared first on /Film.

Just imagine: Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s an idea that fans can now happily take for granted, like Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man or Baby Groot being adorable. But also like those aforementioned concepts, there was a moment when it seemed like a risk—a gamble unlikely to happen until Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige put a lot of thought into it. In fact, we’re still learning just how strong a hand he played in shaping the direction of the Spider-Man franchise at Sony, including when Marvel Studios decided not to continue on with Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man 3 or any other Marvel Studios production.

As revealed in The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry, as per The Direct, Feige and the top brass at Marvel Studios began speculating on...

It's hard to believe that movie directors can get caught up on little things like losing your passport, but it happens. In fact, when it happened to "Thor: Ragnarok" director Taika Waititi, he almost lost his chance to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Things could have been completely different if it weren't for his script work on Disney's "Moana." Seriously. 

In the new book, "The Story of Marvel Studios," authors Tara Bennett and Paul Terry shared the story of how Waititi's "Thor: Ragnarok" almost didn't happen, and how a Disney animated movie saved the day.

Waititi was one of a small...

The post Taika Waititi Almost Missed Out on Directing Thor: Ragnarok, But Moana Saved the Day appeared first on /Film.

Screenwriters Jon & Erich Hoeber ("The Meg") will script a big screen "Mighty Mouse" feature film for Paramount Animation, in a 'hybrid' mix of CG and live action:

Created by writer Izzy Klein as a cartoon parody of "Superman" for producer Paul Terry's "Terrytoons", "Mighty Mouse" debuted in the theatrical animated short "The Mouse of Tomorrow" (1942), gaining his 'super-powers' by eating food from a 'super-market', giving him the power of flight, super-strength, invulnerablity, X-ray vision and telekinesis.

'Mighty Mouse' was originally voiced by actor Roy Halee, Sr., followed by Tom Morrison, with the early cartoons portraying him as a ruthless fighter, able to tangle with evil cats.

Mighty Mouse had two rodent girlfriends, including 'Pearl Pureheart' (in the cartoons) and 'Mitzi' (in comic books during the 50's and 60's).

Terrytoons was sold to CBS television in 1955, with the network airing the cartoon shorts on the "Mighty Mouse Playhouse", remaining on the air for twelve years.

Here he comes to save the day! The massively muscled mini superhero Mighty Mouse is set to make an appearance on the big screen. We have just learned that writers Jon and Erich Hoeber, who wrote The Meg, have been chosen to write the screenplay for our mighty hero.

Mighty Mouse was conceived by Isadore "Izzy" Klein. The character was originally a Super Fly adopted by Paul Terry (of Terrytoons) later turned into a Super Mouse. The flying rodent, introduced in 1942, got his name by starting off as a parody of Superman. Just a year later in 1943, 20th Century Fox altered the cartoon again, this time changing from Super Mouse to the still used moniker Mighty Mouse.

Who could forget his iconic theme song/mantra "Here I come to save the day"? Andy Kaufman who gained his notoriety as a stand up comic, used to do a really great bit...

Exclusive: Fresh from co-scripting Meg, Jon & Erich Hoeber have been set to script Mighty Mouse for Paramount Animation. Karen Rosenfelt and Robert Cort are producing what will be a hybrid film about the massively muscled mouse.

The character with the catchy theme song made famous by Andy Kaufman was created by Isadore ‘Izzy’ Klein, originally the character was originally Super Fly but morphed to Super Mouse when Terrytoons boss Paul Terry got involved. Ultimately, the Superman parody became Mighty Mouse, with his yellow and orange too-tight outfit. The aerobicized rodent became a TV cartoon staple in the ’50s.

The Hoeber’s previously scripted the Red action films, and they are in post-production on Stx’s My Spy, starring Dave Bautista.

They are repped by Verve and Peikoff Mahan.

As the Powers That Be brace for Avengers 4 and with it, the grand finale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe 1.0, Marvel has announced plans to release a new book entitled Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years.

Said to be priced at $150, this compendium comes by way of authors Tara Bennett and Paul Terry, who paraded their latest (and greatest?) release to Sdcc attendees during Marvel’s panel late yesterday evening. It’ll launch just in time for Avengers 4, too (spring 2019), and some of the content beneath the hood is truly too good to miss.

Touting over 100 new interviews with key producers, studio heads and all of those A-star cast members – everyone from Robert Downey Jr. to Evangeline Lilly (Ant-Man and the Wasp) is name-dropped – The First Ten Years is a truly special collector’s item, and it even includes a foreword by Kevin Feige, the seasoned producer who helped develop and launch this most impressive franchise.

It’s been a record breaking year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (McU), having seen the culmination of its decade-long effort to unite all of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes on the big screen, Avengers: Infinity War, gross an unprecedented $250 million-plus stateside on opening weekend and subsequently become the fastest film ever to reach the $1 billion plateau.

Currently in Phase Three, what began with Jon Favreau’s Iron Man, the McU has grown exponentially since the 2008 release. Nineteen motion pictures later, and the Marvel Studios IP has earned approximately $16.5 billion at the ticket booth worldwide, but more importantly, it’s also gained a devout, indispensable following.

Now, to commemorate the ten year journey, the company’s hired Tara Bennett and Paul Terry to compile a book titled The First Ten Years: The Definitive Story Behind the Blockbuster Studio, which aims to “give fans an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of...

Henry Selick has made two remarkable movies that are too often attributed to Tim Burton, namely The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and James and the Giant Peach (1996). Heck, most people even refer to The Nightmare Before Christmas as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Selick was always wise enough and frankly grateful enough not to complain, as it was Burton's support that convinced Disney to let Selick craft his quirky, creepy, fairly non-commercial stop-motion animation features. To this day, Nightmare Before Christmas is considered a classic, while James and the Giant Peach remains, in the minds of most, an afterthought. And that, friends, is a shame. Yes, it's true that James and the Giant Peach, an ambitious adaptation of the Roald Dahl of the same name, isn't quite as memorable as Nightmare Before Christmas. But it's no slouch of a movie and is, in fact, better than most animated fare produced these days.

Roald Dahl is a master of children’s literature, and I am perhaps one of his biggest fans. When I was a kid, I would leave the library with stacks of his books. From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Bfg, The Witches, and The Twits, I blazed through every one of his wonderful books. When I was in third grade, I heard that a film version of James and the Giant Peach would be coming out into theaters, and I had my first fangirl flip-out. James and the Giant Peach did not disappoint third-grader me, and the Blu-ray James and the Giant Peach was a marvelous treat for a child-at-heart twenty-something me.

James (Paul Terry) lived an idyllic life with his parents until they were devoured by a rhinoceros at the zoo. James is sent to live with his evil aunts Spiker (Joanna Lumley...

By Sean O’Connell

HollywoodNews.com: HollywoodNews.com stays on top of the latest DVD and Blu-ray releases so you know which films are worth your time and money. This week, we review:

“James and the Giant Peach” (Special Edition Blu-ray)

Henry Selick’s “James and the Giant Peach” has found its way into regular rotation at the O’Connell house, which is both unexpected and understandable.

Unexpected, I say, because if one of Selick’s gorgeous, stop-motion-animated masterpieces would find its way to the top of a viewing pile, it would be the brilliant “Nightmare Before Christmas.” Also, with so many beloved Pixar titles from which to choose, it’s irregular to see another non-Pixar title celebrated by the O’Connell sons.

And yet, Selick’s fable about a young orphan named James (Paul Terry) and his journey – by peach – to Manhattan has captivated my boys to the point...

When Henry Selnick’s James and the Giant Peach was released it was neither fish nor fowl. In 1996 the Walt Disney Company was still in the midst of the animation renaissance – even the product was waning – but they didn’t know exactly what to do with stop-motion animation. A Nightmare Before Christmas was modestly successful (and has since proved exceptionally remunerative), and likely they were already in production on James and the Giant Peach when that came out (Stop motion takes years, Selnick says they were on this for at least three). But the film didn’t seem a winner to the mouse house, and so they put it out in April and it died a quick death. But Henry Selnick’s film deserved better, and deserves better than Disney’s half-hearted Blu-ray release. The story of an orphaned boy (Paul Terry), and the magical Peach that takes him on...

Tim Burton's world of imagination sets no limits. The creative mind that has brought us "Edward Scissorhands" and the more recent "Alice in Wonderland," also produced 1996's "James and the Giant Peach," a tale about a boy who embarks on a magical odyssey, which is now available and digitally restored as a special edition Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack.

A Roald Dahl adaptation, "James and the Giant Peach," follows a four-year-old boy who is sent to live with his wicked aunts after his parents are killed by a rhinoceros. After having saved a spider, James gains possession of magical crocodile tongues and after having dropped them in a garden, witnesses a large peach sprouting from the earth. Curious to see what's inside the oversized fruit, he comes across the spider along with a ladybug and a centipede. Together, the newly formed friendships between James and the insects become the central plot of the film.