Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/612975
n o v e m b e r . d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 5 c g w 2 3 candy-colored one inside Riley's mind. The contrast between the Inside and Outside worlds are further heightened with a cinematic style where the Outside world is flawed and realistic, while the Inside world within Riley's mind is virtual and perfect. This emotional film is definitely a fan favorite. M I N I O N S RELEASE DATE: July 10 PRODUCTION COMPANY: Illumination Entertainment They are cute, adorable, and always find trouble. They are known as the Minions, and this time they have taken over the big screen with their own animated feature as they try to earn a spot working for the world's first female super-villain and then try to save Minionkind from annihilation. This prequel to the Despicable Me fran- chise did fantastic at the box office, unleashing Minion fever everywhere. But is it enough to "annihilate" the competition? S H A U N T H E S H E E P M O V I E RELEASE DATE: August 5 (US) PRODUCTION COMPANIES: StudioCanal, Aardman Animations, Anton Capital Entertainment Aardman has been produc- ing top-quality stop-motion for years, and this movie is no different. Shaun's adventure leads him and his friends to the big city, where they scramble to return home safely to quieter pastures. The film's popularity is a testament to audiences' love of stop animation that is done well and the skill and storytelling of Aardman and company. S T R A N G E M A G I C RELEASE DATE: January 23 PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Industrial Light & Magic, Lucas- film Animation Singapore, Lucasfilm Animation, Lucasfilm, Touchstone Pictures This crazy fairy tale set to music is established in a richly detailed, colorful fantasy world filled with, well, strange magic and strange love. The story occurs during one day and night, but there are 20 unique environments depicted during that time span. Those sets that are outside are small in scale, requiring tremendous digital de- tail. The characters are plentiful and unique, some are real-world characters and others fantas- tical creatures. The movie was aimed at tween girls, but was a joy for everyone. T H E G O O D D I N O S A U R RELEASE DATE: November 25 PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures We all know the story of how a huge asteroid struck Earth, wiping out the dinosaurs. But, what if the asteroid missed and the dinosaurs did not become extinct? That is the premise behind The Good Dinosaur, as an Apatosaurus named Arlo strikes up a friendship with a human boy – only the dinosaur in this case becomes "the boy" and the caveman boy becomes his "dog." The simulations required for the river (200 of the 900 ef- fects shots are of the river) are highly complex. To handle the remaining effects and imagery required a close collaboration among art/design, technical, and animation. The movie fea- tures striking characters, mas- sively expansive environments, and an endearing story line. The film has been well publicized prior to its opening, already tugging at our heart strings. T H E P E A N U T S M O V I E RELEASE DATE: November 6 PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Blue Sky Studios, Peanuts Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Animation We loved the characters in 2D animation, and audiences are certainly loving them in 3D. But, the transformation was a risk. We have seen such transformations fail on many occasions. However, Blue Sky artists and animators certainly came up with the right formula and technique for transferring line drawings into CG charac- ters and backgrounds that still resembled the beloved art from creator Charles Schulz. The transformation required a good deal of research, technology, and technique. In fact, many of the typical 3D techniques had to be revised or scrapped completely for new methods to achieve the desired look, and it is one that fans are indeed celebrating. T H E P R O F I T RELEASE DATE: August 7 (US limited) PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Prophet Screen Partners, MyGroup Lebanon, Doha Film Institute, FFA Private Bank, Bar- del Entertainment, Code Red This painterly film was first introduced in France last year. It tells the story of the exiled artist and poet Mustafa, who embarks on a journey home with his housekeeper and her daughter. The group must evade authorities who fear that the prophet's words will incite rebellion. The animated feature film is set in a striking Medi- terranean seaside village. The production is a passion project of Salma Hayek, who voices the housekeeper Kamila; she also served as producer. ■ SEE VIDEOS OF THESE MOVIES IN THE VIDEO AREA OF OUR WEBSITE. C G W. C O M Karen Moltenbrey is the chief editor of Computer Graphics World. STRANGE MAGIC THE PEANUTS MOVIE