(via Shutterstock)
I am just a big kid at heart.
And while there are some parade rainers and miserable naysayers out there who would ridicule me, a man who is most certainly not a child, for liking animated storytelling, I prefer to celebrate the fact that my inner child is still capable of the vivacity and joy these films engender.
Both of these films look like they will have a healthy serving of wit, whimsy, meaning and fun and honestly what else do you want from your cinematic experiences?
It does the soul good and I have no doubt I will be all the better for seeing these films.
(courtesy IMP Awards)
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In Gatto, after years of maneuvering the canal-ridden, superstitious city of Venice, Italy, Nero (voiced by Mark Ruffalo) begins to question whether he’s lived the right lives. Indebted to Rocco (voiced by Laurence Fishburne), the local feline mobster boss, Nero finds himself in a quandary and is forced to forge a truly unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose—unless Venice gets the better of him first. Pixar’s Gatto movie is directed by acclaimed Italian animation filmmaker Enrico Casarosa, director of the Pixar movie Luca previously, and the La Luna short, along with story artist work on Ratatouille, Up, Cars 2, and Coco. No final writing credits are available yet. Produced by Andrea Warren. Executive produced by Pete Docter. Made by Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, CA. (courtesy First Showing)
Gatto opens on 4 March 2027 in Australia and 5 March in U.S.
(courtesy IMP Awards)
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Welcome to Hexe, the world of witches. The new trailer from Disney Animation introduces the impulsive and unconventional teenage girl Billie (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and her cautious mother, Alice (voiced by Rashida Jones). When she accidentally unleashes secret magical abilities, she’s hurtled out of suburbia and into a magical realm called Hexe, where she’s greeted by Ms. Quill (voiced by Tracey Ullman) and Elias Quire (voiced by Stephen Fry). As Billie’s spectacle-filled journey unfolds, she uncovers family mysteries that could change the magical world of witches forever. Hexed is directed by the two animation filmmakers Fawn Veerasunthorn (head of story on Raya and the Last Dragon) and Jason Hand (head of story on Encanto). It’s co-directed by Josie Trinidad. Final screenplay credits are not available yet. Produced by Roy Conli and Yvett Merino. Made by Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, CA. (courtesy First Showing)
Hexed opens on 25 November in U.S. and 26 November in Australia.