best animated films

[thepaulo]

I agree that some of the Japanese anime are the best...the more serious ones like
Grave of the Fireflies
Barefoot Jen
Akira

[Thebazile78]

If you're only going to talk anime your title is misleading. Animated films includes everything from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) up through WALL*E (2008) and beyond.

Weird that those are both Disney films, isn't it?

BTW, my votes for best ANIMATED films are:

* The Iron Giant (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129167/) (1999)
* Toy Story (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/) (1995)
* Finding Nemo (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266543/) (2003)
* The Incredibles (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317705/) (2004)
* Vincent (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084868/) (1982)
* Beauty and the Beast (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101414/) (1991)
* Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029583/) (1937)

Note that all but one are Disney films, either created by Disney or distributed by Disney. This is a big reason why monopolies are interesting things when it comes to films.

[bobrobot]

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)

http://palais.wikidot.com/local--files/die-abenteuer-des-prinzen-achmed/achmed.jpg

It's one of my all time favorite films!!!

[Thebazile78]

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)

http://palais.wikidot.com/local--files/die-abenteuer-des-prinzen-achmed/achmed.jpg

It's one of my all time favorite films!!!

I have only heard of this film.

Mostly in one of the last classes I took in college ... a comparative literature course examining the way technology impacts the way we tell stories.

[bobrobot]

I have only heard of this film.

Mostly in one of the last classes I took in college ... a comparative literature course examining the way technology impacts the way we tell stories.

TCM showed it as part of their Sunday nite silent film series years ago & I copied it onto a VCD, it is available on DVD tho!!! It's a STUNNING visual work & all the more intriguing that it's completely done in Shadow Puppetry!!!

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/prince_achmed.jpg

[Chigworthy]

Side note: Mastodon used Malaysian (I think) shaddow puppetry for their video "Seabeast":
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[TheMojoPin]

* The Iron Giant (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129167/) (1999)

QFT.

TIG is one of my favorite movies, period.

[Tall_James]

The Triplets of Belleville is one that I quite enjoyed.

[Thebazile78]

The Triplets of Belleville is one that I quite enjoyed.

That was nominated for an Oscar the year it came out, wasn't it?

[EliSnow]

TCM showed it as part of their Sunday nite silent film series years ago & I copied it onto a VCD, it is available on DVD tho!!! It's a STUNNING visual work & all the more intriguing that it's completely done in Shadow Puppetry!!!



Big deal. Now if they made the movie with pants puppetry, I'd be impressed.

[AnnoyedGrunt]

I don't really care for anime in general but Spirited Away is one of the best looking animated movies I've ever seen.

Other than that, Persepolis from last year was very good. The Triplets of Belleville was class, as was Scanner Darkley.

[Thebazile78]

I don't really care for anime in general but Spirited Away is one of the best looking animated movies I've ever seen.

Other than that, Persepolis from last year was very good. The Triplets of Belleville was class, as was Scanner Darkley.

I've heard great things about Persepolis.

I was interested in A Scanner Darkly, because I loved the book, but didn't get a chance to see it ... damned limited release!!!

[nassue]

I'd pick Spirited Away first with Akira a close second;
but as a personal fave:http://www.impawards.com/1977/posters/wizards.jpg

and kudos for the Mastodon vid
It's the first thing I thought when I saw bobo's choice
plus they're a fantastic band

[HBox]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/24/Princess_Mononoke_Japanese_Poster_%28Movie%29.jpg

[thepaulo]

definately not just talking about anime.....
I made a big pitch for Brad Bird and how much better his Pixar films were than John Lasseter on the show today.....
Brad Bird
The Incredibles
Ratatouille
and also the Iron Giant.....


Persepolis was interesting but damn depressing

[Gritty]

QFT.

TIG is one of my favorite movies, period.

Same here. Wonderful animation, terrific story.

Townsend's album is pretty good too!

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1299/imcdukdj5.jpg

Also a big 'Incredibles' fan and I think Tarzan was an underrated Disney effort. Love the soundtrack as well.

And I'll round out my top three with 'Toy Story'.

[Franklyn]

The secret of NIMH
the orginal transformers movie (I hid my tear when Optimus died)
And does puppetry and stop motion count?
if so The Dark Crystal

[extracheese]

I know its been mentioned...but i think The Incredibles is in a class of its own.
Of all the great cartoon movies made, This one was truly aimed at Adults, was truly funny and interesting.

Alladin also was aimed at adults and i remember everyone laughing their asses off at
Robin Williams revolutionizeing the way we saw Cartoons.

[MobCounty]

http://www.wallpapergate.com/data/media/1151/Akira_005.jpg

http://gaijinnosekai.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/ghost-in-the-shell-poster.jpg

http://neogokuraku.galeon.com/caratulas/caratulas_rip_x/Urotsukidoji-front.jpg

http://www.impawards.com/1993/posters/nightmare_before_christmas_ver1.jpg

http://www.havaham.com/images/film/pianoTuner.jpg

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2006/11/south_park_wow.jpg

[MobCounty]

Other classics, must see, but not the best.

http://www.soundstagedirect.com/media/fritz_the_cat.jpg

http://www.swanshadow.com/images/HeavyMetal.jpg

http://www.compressed-data.com/wizards.jpg

[nukinfuts]

I agree that some of the Japanese anime are the best...the more serious ones like
Grave of the Fireflies
Barefoot Jen
Akira

Does Nightmare Before Christmas count as an animated film because I really loved that one.

[Devo37]

* The Iron Giant (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129167/) (1999)

i second The Iron Giant. great theme to the movie (you are what you make of yourself, not what someone else says you are). bit of a corny happy-ending in the last few minutes, but overall, very enjoyable.

[HBox]

Other classics, must see, but not the best.


http://www.swanshadow.com/images/HeavyMetal.jpg



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[MobCounty]

The Triplets of Belleville is one that I quite enjoyed.

I really wanted to like that one. I thought the imagry was very cool though.

[MobCounty]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sfwLELcjG84&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sfwLELcjG84&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Hahah, never saw that one. Too good.

[scottinnj]

QFT.

TIG is one of my favorite movies, period.

It grew on me, and now I like it so much I watch it without my kids.

"I am not a gun"

"Su-per-man!" KABLOWIE!

[scottinnj]

Someone mentioned "Spirited Away" today on the show. That is a great film.
Beautiful animation, great storyline.

http://www.weirdwildrealm.com/filmimages/spiritedaway.jpg

[Gritty]

"Su-per-man!" KABLOWIE!

Gets me every time.:glurps:

[TheMojoPin]

I'm not a big anime fan, but Grave of the Fireflies (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095327/) is one of the most beautifully heartbreaking films I've ever seen.

[TheMojoPin]

Gets me every time.:glurps:

I know, right? So sad...Vin Diesel's only good role?

[usoilworker]

I've always been a big animation fan. Hevy metal being the first full animation. as a young kid though it was incredible images to see. being older im not sure it was the best i've seen. I love the MTv aeon flux i think my favorite was lord of the rings though the animation was fantastic again saw that one as a kid so i may have been just impressed with it because it wasn't a Transvestite bunny kissin a duck or hunter. The dark crystal has been one of my favorit muppet type movies.

[HBox]

I'm not a big anime fan, but Grave of the Fireflies (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095327/) is one of the most beautifully heartbreaking films I've ever seen.

That movie was so thoroughly effective I'm not sure I can watch it again.

[HBox]

I'm not sure you can go wrong with any Hayao Miyazaki film.

[Bay Ridge Tim]

Ratatouille was a wonderful film, the best that came out in 2007. A.O. Scott in The New York Times (http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/movies/29rata.html?ex=1340769600&en=8e5e08e83c7d6591&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink) has a great review.
Written and directed by Brad Bird and displaying the usual meticulousness associated with the Pixar brand, “Ratatouille” is a nearly flawless piece of popular art, as well as one of the most persuasive portraits of an artist ever committed to film.

[Thebazile78]

Does Nightmare Before Christmas count as an animated film because I really loved that one.


Nightmare Before Christmas was stop-motion animation. It counts.

(What did you think it was?)

[Thebazile78]

..... The dark crystal has been one of my favorit muppet type movies.

I don't know if The Dark Crystal should count in this discussion.

GREAT film, I'm just not sold on its being "animation" ... they filmed those Muppets in real-time, not doing frame-by-frame stop-motion, right?

[Thebazile78]

It grew on me, and now I like it so much I watch it without my kids.

"I am not a gun"

"Su-per-man!" KABLOWIE!

My father recommended it to me.

I will watch it every time it's on TV.

Wasn't it a FOX animation flick? The other FOX full-length animated flick I enjoy is Titan A.E. ... good story, fun characters, very little pandering.

[nukinfuts]

Nightmare Before Christmas was stop-motion animation. It counts.

(What did you think it was?)

really small actors :lol:

[watson]

the Mistreated Bride.... it deserves oscar, gee gee gee

http://images.tlavideo.com/images/z/sa/0/5/229550_lp.jpg

[docgoblin]

Does Nightmare Before Christmas count as an animated film because I really loved that one.

It has to count (movie animation is the creation of artificial moving images). It is absolutely one of the best, good call!

[NewYorkDragons80]

I'm not a big anime fan, but Grave of the Fireflies (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095327/) is one of the most beautifully heartbreaking films I've ever seen.
Grave of the Fireflies is the most powerful anti-war movie I've ever seen, animated or otherwise. It's kinda the Japanese Shawshank; it was a box-office failure in the US and Japan, but has picked up steam later on. I remember watching it for a history course and being enraged at the people walking out because it ran a few minutes past our time. They were making scarce right in the middle of the most devastating scenes.

I really want to say Ratatouille is the best, but I'm hesitant to because it's so recent.

[Coach]

Does "the Wall" count?
I love "Heavy Metal" "Fist of the Northstar" and "Ninja Scrolls".

[TheMojoPin]

Grave of the Fireflies is the most powerful anti-war movie I've ever seen, animated or otherwise. It's kinda the Japanese Shawshank; it was a box-office failure in the US and Japan, but has picked up steam later on. I remember watching it for a history course and being enraged at the people walking out because it ran a few minutes past our time. They were making scarce right in the middle of the most devastating scenes.

It's one of those movies that hits so damn hard that I'm always wary to watch it again, despite how good it is.

[thepaulo]

to lighten things up....I know I was joking when I said I hoped Road to Eldorado was number one on the list but I actually do think it's highly underrated. It's an old fashioned Hope and Crosby road picture except with Kenneth Brangagh and Kevin Kline....it was also one of the last non-computer animated films....those were the days.....it's unlikely Hollywood will ever do hand drawn animation again unless they make
Bevis and Butt-head II or The Ambiguosly Gay Duo: the Movie

[NewYorkDragons80]

I'm just listening to the replay of the animated movie discussion, and I can't believe how much they hate all these movies. Cars doesn't really compare to Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, or Toy Story, but something about the small town route 66 theme they had really gets to me.

I'm also thrilled that Paul-O snuck in that Dave looks like Linguini from Ratatouille... DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT

And I forgot Lion King and Roger Rabbit. Roger Rabbit gets better as you get older. The nostalgia, symbolism, and critiques of racism are brilliant. What a shame that it's been forgotten.

[Mike Teacher]

The Greateful Dead Movie and at least one Zappa movie [200 Motels?] have some serious claymation segments that should be checked out.

[DiabloSammich]

to lighten things up....I know I was joking when I said I hoped Road to Eldorado was number one on the list but I actually do think it's highly underrated. It's an old fashioned Hope and Crosby road picture except with Kenneth Brangagh and Kevin Kline....it was also one of the last non-computer animated films....those were the days.....it's unlikely Hollywood will ever do hand drawn animation again unless they make
Bevis and Butt-head II or The Ambiguosly Gay Duo: the Movie



Especially now that you can have computer animation that mimics hand-drawn, further blurring the lines.

And on Roger Rabbit, am I the only one who had a serious problem with Bob Hoskins in this flick? I love it, and the technology was incredible, they have yet to integrated cartoon characters and real life as well since, but Hoskins "acting" was so bad he takes me out of the movie every time he talks.

[TheMojoPin]

I love Bob Hoskins, but any time he tries to do an American accent he bombs. It's always the worst Brooklyn-caricature ever, yet he's rarely ever actually a character in or from NYC. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is owned totally by Christopher Lloyd.

[NewYorkDragons80]

What Mojo said. I still like the movie, though. And I'm willing to excuse bad acting when you're the first guy in history who's supposed to interact with a drawing.

PS I accidentally sent a post resembling the above as a report against DS. Sorry mods, I'm using a blackberry

[TheMojoPin]

What Mojo said. I still like the movie, though. And I'm willing to excuse bad acting when you're the first guy in history who's supposed to interact with a drawing.

PS I accidentally sent a post resembling the above as a report against DS. Sorry mods, I'm using a blackberry

Oh, I love the movie...it's ironic that Hoskins ends up sounding like a cartoon himself.

[nukinfuts]

I'm just listening to the replay of the animated movie discussion, and I can't believe how much they hate all these movies. Cars doesn't really compare to Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, or Toy Story, but something about the small town route 66 theme they had really gets to me.

I'm also thrilled that Paul-O snuck in that Dave looks like Linguini from Ratatouille... DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT

And I forgot Lion King and Roger Rabbit. Roger Rabbit gets better as you get older. The nostalgia, symbolism, and critiques of racism are brilliant. What a shame that it's been forgotten.

It is kind of a shame that censorship has ruined the cartoons as well. I had to buy the Looney Toons collection on DVD so my kids could watch them in their true form which is sad because these are the same cartoons I grew up with and I didn't ever try to strap myself to a rocket and launch myself off a cliff . Tom and Jerry is now edited to where the maid has a different voice, not once when I was younger did I find it to be racist. As bad as Beavis and Butthead were I bought all of those for my son who found them to be just as funny as we all did when we were 17. I think cartoons are something you look forward to sharing with your children out of any other kind of art form.

[samechick]

For an old school animated movie I'd definitely have to go with American Pop

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/94/American_Pop.jpg

Most recently, I'd have to say the animation quality of FFVIIAC (Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children) was mind blowing. Even if you know nothing about the video game, you can still appreciate the exceptional work done by Square on this movie.


http://features.cgsociety.org/stories/2005_12/cgretro_2005/20_pic.jpg

[ghostfacekiller50]

Iron Giant Rocks

[ohioscouser]

I think South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, is one of the best animated movies ever, nominated for some Academy Awards, and by some people quoted as one of the best musicals to come out in awhile even. Also its just fuckin funny.

[HBox]

After seeing WALL-E, I think it easily deserves a spot in this discussion.

[Tenbatsuzen]

After seeing WALL-E, I think it easily deserves a spot in this discussion.

As one of the few negative reviewers said, it takes a LOT of balls to release a message movie about rampant consumerism... through a company that's known for it's rampant consumerism.

[ladyface]

The Triplets of Belleville (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf7PsN2SwC8) by Sylvain Chomet is still the best, surely.

[ahhdurr]

Wanted to see Heavy Metal in the worst way when i was a kid - I couldn't believe that animation was to have an R rating for language and nudity. I ran across it about a year ago and had a good laugh.

Thanks for mentioning Dark Crystal Franklyn - that movie gave me a greasy feeling in my stomach for a long time.

I liked Nemo a lot and Shrek 2 particularly (though 3 is garbage) and am a big fan of the real old Disney.

[Furtherman]

Rag Dolls Fend Off a Mechanized Monster at the End of the World (http://io9.com/5099052/rag-dolls-fend-off-a-mechanized-monster-at-the-end-of-the-world)

While a pair of doll-like creatures pick through an apocalyptic junkyard, a monstrous automaton stalks them, intent on capturing their souls. Next year, Shane Acker’s Oscar-winning animated short 9 gets the feature length treatment, backed by the voice work of Elijah Wood, Martin Landau, and Jennifer Connelly. The feature film promises to flesh out Acker’s world and show what becomes of humanity’s legacy after we are gone. Watch the original, haunting short below.

This was excellent. Check it out:


<div><object width="480" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k2GjUJyIHaMJOiaSFH&related=1&canvas=medium"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k2GjUJyIHaMJOiaSFH&related=1&canvas=medium" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="381" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1jl41_9-nine-shane-acker-short-animation_creation">9 Nine Shane Acker Short Animation</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/FrFKmeron">FrFKmeron</a></i></div>

[thepaulo]

inventive, imaginative, and....oh, yeah, creepy.

[donnie_darko]

initial-d

[burrben]

the sword and the stone

[Dirtbag]

Anything Disney did up to and including The Lion King is worth watching, and the Pixar stuff. The Disney-only movies after 1995 or so are pretty mediocre.

My personal favorite is Transformers: The Movie from 1986. I watched it literally every week for probably a year (before the VHS wore out) when I was a kid, it was the first DVD I ever bought, and I've probably watched it every three months or so since I got it in 2002.

[dryerdoor]

Don't know if anyone mentioned anyone of the Miyazki films and personally, Tekkinkonkreet.

[thepaulo]

Don't know if anyone mentioned anyone of the Miyazki films and personally, Tekkinkonkreet.

what would this thread be without Miyazki?

[dryerdoor]

what would this thread be without Miyazki?

Dead and souless.

[WampusCrandle]

[QUOTE=Furtherman;1974846]Rag Dolls Fend Off a Mechanized Monster at the End of the World (http://io9.com/5099052/rag-dolls-fend-off-a-mechanized-monster-at-the-end-of-the-world)



This was excellent. Check it out:[QUOTE]

i really liked it. kinda scary though.

[Rockvillejoe]

some quality sensamiila and kicking back to "fritz the cat". now that's trippin, man

[thepaulo]

I could go for Road to Eldorado right now.

[Drunky McBetidont]

the animated segment in kill bill was priceless. heavy metal was fantastic. roger rabbit broke ground that shaped future animated film.
iron giant was so good that disney execs made everyone on staff watch it before they made another cell.


but in general, cartoons are for oranges in pink shirts.

[thepaulo]

the animated segment in kill bill was priceless. heavy metal was fantastic. roger rabbit broke ground that shaped future animated film.
iron giant was so good that disney execs made everyone on staff watch it before they made another cell.


but in general, cartoons are for oranges in pink shirts.

betidont is so wise.
he's like ancient chinese master.

[Drunky McBetidont]

betidont is so wise.
he's like ancient chinese master.

i see an animated movie/drinking night in our near future :smile:

[RMPGP]

I'm not sure you can go wrong with any Hayao Miyazaki film.

QFT.

There's anime and then there's Miyazaki which transcends anime. Spirited Away is the tip of the iceberg.

[RMPGP]

As one of the few negative reviewers said, it takes a LOT of balls to release a message movie about rampant consumerism... through a company that's known for it's rampant consumerism.

What a lame critique. Pixar made the movie, Disney had nothing to do with it. Is Disney not supposed to release it or Pixar not supposed to make it?

"UP" looks to be pretty good, and it'll be in 3D which is fun.

Did you like Bolt in 3D PaulO? Sorry if you already mentioned this, I missed your last show appearance.

[helterskeletor]

John Woo directed some really light viewing (but fun and impressive) anime type movie called Appleseed: Ex Machina. I don't watch a lot of anime but this one was fun.

Also, Ninja Scroll and Fist of the North Star are pretty damn fun to watch too.

[Thebazile78]

I could go for Road to Eldorado right now.

That was on HBO the other night. I almost watched it, but it was more than halfway through, so I couldn't bring myself to spoil it.

I really should see it ... I happen to LOVE Kenneth Branagh.