Animation studio Aardman Animation is partnering with Ubisoft to create several short films and a series pilot using the deranged characters from the Ravin Rabbids games. Everyone knows the insane yet adorable Rabbids from the Rayman Raving Rabbids games. They closely resemble rabbits only they have huge eyes, even huger mouths, and usually a plunger or two stuck to them.

The latest Disney animated flick to hit Blu-ray is also the company’s super proud return to hand-drawn animation and the wonderful world of the musical.

The Princess and the Frog offers a zesty blend of Cajun musical flavors, voice talent, humor, creepy voodoo and animation that you’ll wonder where the company has been for the last few years.

Miayazaki’s films can arguably be described as a bit too weird for American audiences to accept, lacking a clear, super-hero style main character and, instead focusing on normal people in not-so-normal circumstances. Most times he exudes a mood more than a clear, linear story in his films, though this may be one of the most linear of his productions (thanks to the film’s literary inspiration).

Some elements in Ponyo may not immediately endear older American viewers but the overall story will prove entertaining to its true target: very young viewers.

Title: Shaun the SheepPrice: $29.99System(s): Nintendo DSRelease Date: September 23, 2008Publisher (Developer): D3 Publisher (Art)ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for Comic MischiefPros: Good game for kids. Mini-games are moderately challenging. A few nice extras. Decent graphics.Cons: Mini-game graphics can be subpar at times. The story mode is a bit short.Overall Score: One thumb up, one thumb sideways; 80/100; B-; *** out of 5.

Shaun the Sheep is a children’s game based on the stop-motion animated series by Aardman Animations, the same people who brought us Wallace and Gromit. (Shaun first appeared in the Wallace and Gromit movie A Close Shave). The original series follows Shaun, a smart little sheep, engaging in short, seven minute, silent comedic episodes on a farm.

The game stays true to the original formula and, as such, perfectly reaches its…

During Comic Con 2008, many games and comics were featured. And who wouldn’t want to attend a special preview of today’s most talented directors and animators create independent film masterpieces. The Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival consisted of movies that fell into seven categories: action/adventure, animation, comics-oriented, documentary, humor/parody, horror and science fiction/fantasy. On July 27, 2008, the top films in each category were announced and awarded.

This year’s Comic-Con International: Independent Film Festival are…

Title: Kung Fu PandaPrice: $29.99System(s): DS (Wii, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PC)Release Date: June 3, 2008Publisher (Developer): Activision (Vicarious Visions)ESRB Rating: “Everyone 10+” for cartoon violencePros: Utilizes the touchscreen extremely well and maintains a fair amount of humor. Nice looking environments and smooth panda moves.Cons: Moments of boring backtracking, overly difficult bosses (for the target audience), redundant opponents and claustrophobic rooms.Overall Score: One thumb up, one down; 79/100; C+; * * 1/2 out of five.

Although Chinese kung fu is not necessarily related to the idea of yin and yang, both play a huge part in Kung Fu Panda for the DS.

On the sunny yang side, when the game is good, it’s surprisingly good, taking excellent advantage of the DS’s touchscreen. On the darker yin side, when the game is bad, it’s really bad and becomes unplayable especially for the young, teen audience the game is aiming for…

I often take a lot of flack for my devoted love affair with the new Star Wars trilogy over the original – yes, even Episode I. For me, the new the trilogy opened up the Star Wars universe unlike the original trilogy ever had. Well, apparently George Lucas agrees with me as he is finishing up development of, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which is set to be released as a double whammy this year, 2008, both on cable TV and another theatrical release.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars will chronicle the events between Episode II and III as it focuses on the epic war between the…

Seth MacFarlane, creator of well-known hit animated series Family Guy and American Dad, has been named the host of the 2nd Annual Elan Awards Show scheduled to perform on February 15, 2008 at The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts. “I am extremely excited to be hosting the 2nd Annual Elan Awards. I am, more »

Whenever I hear the phrase “human Tetris,” it brings to mind images that are no very appropriate for children (yet is most often the reason they exist).

As Wired has pointed out, there are much less naughty and more publicly acceptable ways for people to perform large-scale Tetris with the human form.

The performance art project was organized by Swiss artist Guillaume Reymond, who had 88 people in an auditorium change seats, sit still, be photographed/filmed and then move accordingly. According to Wired, the project included 800 photos and took…

Final Fantasy A+, a hilarious Final Fantasy Flash-based animation, has developed a small cult following on the web. The animation features fantastic animation, an amusing story and all the Final Fantasy staples. The animation was created by John Su (Mousekliks) for a high school Japanese final exam – don’t worry though, the animation is subtitled. more »