What's next for Studio Ghibli: The first UK trailer for "Arrietty"

The other day at work, my fellow cubicle slave (and damn fine reporter) Mike Stucka and I were discussing the worst animated movies we had ever seen, and I somewhat facetiously mentioned "Cars" (though I do truly loathe that movie).

I eventually settled on "Chicken Little" for my pick, and I firmly stand by it, and he chose, sight unseen, "Anastasia," because as he said (and I'm probably paraphrasing by now), "why would you take a kid to a movie about an entire family being gunned down"?

Solid point, that, and all that got me thinking about what are actually my favorite animated movies, and found that they come from only two directors, Brad Bird and Hayao Miyazaki (hey, I know what I like). In order, they are:

1. "The Iron Giant"
2. "Kiki's Delivery Service"
3. "Ratatouille"
4. "Porco Rosso"
5. "The Incredibles"

And I tell you all that to tell you this, though thankfully Miyazaki is again at work on a new movie, and even better its the sequel "Porco Rosso 2" (due out in 2012), the next Studio Ghibli offering is something called "Arrietty," directed by studio animator Hiromasa Yonebashi.

Based on May Norton's "The Borrowers" series of novels, it's about a family of tiny people who live under the floorboards of a human family's house. And below is the first trailer I know of for the UK version, which, for some reason, will be different, voice-wise, from the American version, which is set to come out Feb. 17.

Any Ghibli, however, is potentially great Ghibli to me, so enjoy the trailer and have a great rest of the weekend. Peace out.

What in the world ever happened to Brad Bird?

You know, when a dude has managed to direct two out of three of my favorite animated movies in "The Iron Giant" and "Ratatouille" (with only Hayao Miyazaki's "Kiki's Delivery Service" sandwiched in between), it really is odd to watch him pretty much just disappear, but that seems to be exactly what's happened to Brad Bird.

For the last few (or maybe more) years, he's been trying desperately to mount a live-action take on the novel "1906," which would just be a blast. Actually, I didn't really care for the book by James Dalessandro, but it's subject matter - the politically corrupt world of San Francisco in the titular year, and the great earthquake that brought it all crumbling down - is just ripe for Bird's natural gift for storytelling.

Though that's still somehow listed as a "2012" project at the IMDB, it still has no cast that I know of, and I'm fairly certain that Warner Bros. has balked at putting up the scratch Bird would need to pull it off - or apparently, even really get started.

Now, however, it seems that J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise (it apparently does help to have friends in high places) might step in to give him something almost as fun to work with. With a May 27, 2011, release date already set and filming set to begin this summer on "Mission Impossible IV," the duo have yet to settle on one minor question: Who should direct this?

Well, it seems they've already talked with "Zombieland" director Ruben Fleischer and Edgar Wright, who has "Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World" coming this summer (bring it on, already!), and now you can add the most intriguing choice, Bird, to that list too.

I know that's a lot to write about a movie that's so far off, but I really just adore spy movies, and once this one finally comes together it should just be nothing but fun - especially in the hand of Brad Bird or Edgar Wright.

OK, after that today, it's all about Tyler Perry and Lee Daniels (well, until we get to the finale, at least.)

Because the man feels it's both his right and duty to direct at least two movies every year, Tyler Perry has a new movie, "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?", coming out next week. And though I've seen and at least somewhat enjoyed every movie the man has made so far (how many directors can you really say that about?), this is the first one I'm really just not looking forward to, because it's - obviously - the sequel to what I think was his worst movie so far.

But here today, it's not about any of that, but instead what's happening with his next movie, which should just be epicly good. His take on the play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf" by Ntozake Shange is set to shoot in New York this June, for a January 2011 release (meaning, rather amazingly, the man will only have one movie in theaters this year), and it's not surprisingly attracting some big names.

Mariah Carey, who proved she can really act in Daniels' "Precious," and "Why Did I Get Married" star Janet Jackson are the latest big names to join a cast that already has Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise (aka Perry's "Mad Black Woman"), Loretta Devine and singer Macy Gray. He apparently wanted Beyonce, Oprah and Halle Berry, too, but perhaps even Tyler Perry can't get everything he wants.

One of Perry's greatest strengths has always been his ability to write strong, well-rounded parts for women, so this flick should be a dream fit, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

And Daniels, a Perry protege of sorts, is also putting together a pretty fascinating cast for "Selma," which will be his followup to "Precious" and be about Martin Luther King Jr.'s pivotal 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala.

Already announced are Hugh Jackman as Sheriff Jim Clark, "Precious" vet Lenny Kravitz as Andrew Young and British actor David Oyelowo as Dr. King himself, and now you can add to that Liam Neeson as Lyndon Johnson and Cedric the Entertainer as King cohort Ralph Abernathy. Robert De Niro had earlier been rumored to be playing George Wallace, which would have been remarkable, but that apparently isn't happening. Even so, that's a pretty wild cast for this epic saga, so definitely keep your eyes on this one.

And finally, I'll leave you today with easily the funniest thing I found online this morning. Though as a matter of habit I usually go to bed by 11 p.m., on those occasions when I happen to be up later, I always go out of my way to watch Conan O'Brien, wherever he might be. For folks who make a whole lot more money than I do, he's on a live tour this summer, and hopefully headed back to late night as soon as this fall on Fox, but in the meantime singer/songwriter/comic Ben Sheehan has come up with this little tribute that fits this spirit of CoCo perfectly. Set to the tune of Diddy's "I'll Be Missing You" (which of course is already a grand pilferation from the Police), "I'll Be Watching You (Miss You Coco)" is as genuinely funny as it is simply bizarre. Enjoy, and have a perfectly pleasant Thursday. Peace out.

I'll Be Watching You (Miss You Coco) - watch more funny videos

What will Pixar's first live-action movie be, and who will be in it?

Though any of you have much of a life will probably be out and about in some form tonight, I'll be at home watching my beloved Orioles most likely lose to my second-favorite baseball team (though there's a big gap between the two), the Atlanta Braves.

And after that, I'll certainly tune in for the final episode of "Pushing Daisies," which is dying far too soon tonight at 10 p.m. In what will have to serve as the finale, one-half of The Aquadolls (Nora Dunn and Wendie Malick), a synchronized swimming duo and rival to the Darling Mermaid Darlings, turns up dead, and of course Ned, Chuck and Emerson are on the case.

I've sung the praises of this fairy tale for adults loudly and proudly from the start, but on this sad occasion, I'll simply ask you this: How many shows in the past 10 years can you really call "unique" (a word that's used and misused far too often)? "Pushing Daisies," with its winning mix of humor, engaging story and pure whimsy, earned that title, and for that it will be sorely missed by at least by me.

But here today it's supposed to be about the star of another of my favorite TV shows, "Friday Night Lights," who's about to hit the really big time in what most likely will be the first live-action movie from the rather famous animation house Pixar.

I had thought that honor was going to go to "Ratatouille" and "The Incredibles" director Brad Bird with "1906," which just sounded like a perfect idea. Though I wasn't terribly impressed with the writing in the book by James Dalessandro, the story he came up with about the political intrigue that surrounded the great earthquake of 1906 in San Francisco was just crying out to be told on the big screen.

But it seems Bird has been hit both by trouble finishing the script and budget woes (at Pixar?), and it now seems that Andrew Stanton will get the live-action honor instead with "John Carter of Mars," set to begin filming in November in Utah. And, though most of the news reports I saw pitched it as Gambit from "Wolverine" landing the lead role, everyone should know that Taylor Kitsch is and always will really be Tim Riggins of the Dylan Panthers. Oddly enough, one of the female leads will be going to Lynn Collins, who played Hugh Jackman's "wife" in "Wolverine."

But, and if I were more of a proper geek I would probably know more about this, what in the world is "John Carter of Mars"? Well, it's a series of books by "Tarzan" creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, apparently, though I can't say I've ever read any of them (though that will change before this movie comes out.)

As far as I can tell, the story centers on a Civil War veteran who finds himself mysteriously transported to the red planet, where he gets involved with the planet's warring factions. I'm sure there's a lot more to it than that, and I'm also sure Taylor Kitsch will be great in what should turn into a series of flicks.

Oddly enough, I'm not sure how old the character is supposed to be, but also among the many actors considered for this part was Jon Hamm of "Mad Men." A truly odd combo there.

And I'll leave you today with this teaser trailer for Michael Moore's next, as yet untitled, flick, which as you'll be able to tell is going to be about the current state of our economy and just how we got into this mess. I'm kinda dreading just how smug, I-told-you-so he's gonna be about all this, but it's certainly a subject that fits him well, so here's hoping he comes up with something a lot more compelling and entertaining than the thoroughly missed opportunity that was "Sicko."

And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see "The Hangover" (yes, I'm a week behind) rather than any remake of "The Taking of Pelham 123" or Eddie Murphy's latest family-friendly crap fest. And just a reminder that if you live anywhere near Macon, please come out to the Macon Film Guild's presentation of the baseball flick "Sugar" on Sunday at 2 (I'll be there), 4:30 or 7:30 p.m. at the Douglass Theatre. Peace out.

An animated Best Picture: Why in the world not?

Allow me to warn you now: Though I won't mention it every day, this marks the beginning of my own personal campaign, just in case anyone's listening, to get a Best Picture Oscar nomination for Brad Bird's "Ratatouille." Not Best Animated Picture (which, with "Persepolis" out there it might not even win anyway), but the best darn movie of the year.

Before we delve into the history, let's take a look at this year. Personally, I have four of the five slots filled for what I consider to be the best movies of this year: "No Country for Old Men," "Juno" (which I just gushed about yesterday, if you care to scroll back), "American Gangster" and, yes, "Ratatouille."

It's all open for the fifth slot, with two strong contenders up this week (and not "The Golden Compass," though I am hoping that one doesn't somehow just suck): Mira Nair's "The Namesake," which I'm expecting to get from the Netflix today, and Jon Carney's "Once," which is being screened this Sunday at the Douglass Theater by the Macon Film Guild (so be there!). Still to come with high hopes are "I'm Not There," "There Will Be Blood" and perhaps a few other surprises.

But, of course, this is all about the charms of "Ratatouille." For perspective, here's what I had to say shortly after watching it for the first time:

"Ratatouille," the story of Remy, the rat who just wants to cook, is much more "Babe: Pig in the City" than "Babe" in tenor and tone. And that's just fine by me. ...

But then, and in wonderfully abrupt fashion, director Brad Bird injects "Ratatouille" with another element we've been missing in animated flicks for a long time: Magic. I had seen the best nine minutes of "Ratatouille" beforehand on YouTube, but that still didn't take away from the thrill of discovery when Remy first scampers up the rooftop to find Paris in front of him. It's a vista that would make Hayao Miyazaki smile broadly. ...

And next, from when he's looking down on the kitchen at Gustave's with his guardian angel, the late Gustave (Brad Garrett), to when he falls through the window and lands in the chaotic kitchen's sink, it's as exhilarating as any animated sequence since "Fantasia." And no, I'm not exaggerating here; it's just that good. ...

So, in the end, how good is "Ratatouille"? Well, Brad Bird directed my single favorite animated flick in "The Iron Giant," and I have a strong feeling that, once I see "Ratatouille" a few more times, it will hold almost as lofty a place in my heart. If you haven't seen it, do so right away. ...

Very high praise, I concede, but having watched it twice now I stand by every word, and would only add that Peter O'Toole as the dour food critic Anton Ego is thoroughly deserving of a Best Supporting Actor nomination (though the award should just be given now to Hal Holbrook for his incredible work in "Into the Wild.")

And let me just state for the record that anyone who doesn't think "cartoons" are worthy of such high praise just watches movies in an entirely different way from me, and I dare say doesn't get nearly as much enjoyment from them as I do. "Ratatouille" is both entertainment and art of the highest order. 'Nuff said.

There have been two animated Best Picture contenders in the past, and a third that certainly should have been in the game.

In 1992, the nominees were: "Beauty and the Beast," "Bugsy," "JFK," "The Prince of Tides" and "Silence of the Lambs." Though "Silence" was a darn fine flick, I was rooting for "Beauty and the Beast" to win in this era before animated movies even had their own category.

In 1996, we had "Apollo 13," "Babe," "Braveheart," "Il Postino" and "Sense and Sensibility." Though winner "Braveheart" certainly had its visceral charms, "Il Postino," "Sense and Sensibility" and, yes, "Babe" were all better movies. I understand that "Babe" is just too sappy for many people, but it remains one of my favorite flicks, and would have been a worthy Oscar winner.

And, in 2005, a strong year for movies, Brad Bird's "The Incredibles" certainly should have been a contender. The nominees were "The Aviator," "Finding Neverland" (wtf!), "Million Dollar Baby," "Ray" and "Sideways." I would have taken "The Aviator" off of that list (certainly at least over winner "Million Dollar Baby"), but would still submit that Bird's flick was better than any of them.

So, will "Ratatouille" get the same shaft? The short answer is probably, but I'm still hoping it backs in to at least get nominated for Best Picture. It's got my vote, which, as far as I know, doesn't yet count for too much at all.

An early contender for favorite movie of 2008?

When I first saw the preview for Michel Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind" on the big screen (in front of "Margot at the Wedding," I believe), it just made me smile and laugh from start to finish. I'm a little skeptical still that they can sustain the gag - Jack Black and Mos Def (huzzah!) remaking all the movies at a video store after the tapes get "magnetized" and erased - for an entire movie. But it's clear that Gondry just loves making movies, and it looks like this flick is infused with that spirit. Here's the poster (click to view much larger) for what should be a very fun flick, set to come out, I think, in January. Enjoy, and have an entirely bearable Tuesday.

Brad Bird's live-action project? It's gonna be epic.

The list of books I have to read before seeing upcoming movies just keeps getting longer and longer.

Near the top of that list you can add "1906," the novel by James Dalessandro that interweaves fact and fiction in telling several stories that revolve around the great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Why? I've just learned that Brad Bird's long-rumored next Pixar project, which will mix CG animation with live action, will indeed be based on Alessandro's novel.

Mr. Bird, of course, has already directed three of my favorite animated movies, "Ratatouille" (still the best movie I've seen this year), "The Incredibles" and "The Iron Giant" (if I'm forced to pick, my single favorite animated flick of all time - just ahead of "Kiki's Delivery Service.")

This, however, is clearly a huge leap forward, even for him. The novel, apparently narrated by a newspaper music critic, is all about big-city corruption that revolves around a fictional character, Adam Rolf, who runs the city's corrupt political syndicate and the city's "puppet-mayor." There's a ton more going on and, of course, then the earthquake, so this definitely sounds like my kind of read (if anyone has read this already and has an opinion on it, please do share!)

Coogan lands truly looney role

Anyone remember Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards? When I first saw the name associated with this story, I confess I had to look it up because I had completely forgotten this lovable loser.

Mr. Edwards was Great Britian's first Olympic ski-jumper and, rather predictably I suppose, he indeed managed to finish dead last in the 1988 Winter Olympics ski-jumping events. Now, however, his story will be told by easily one of my favorite comic actors.

Steve Coogan, definitely best up to this point when he's playing the prick, will try being the good guy for once as the lead in a movie about "Eddie the Eagle" to be directed by Declan Lowney, who until now has worked mostly in television. And Coogan, judging from this quote, is definitely into the spirit of this crazy project:

"His story is a very British story, and he is a very British kind of hero," Coogan said. "When I read the story, I found it funny but, more surprisingly, quite moving. Quirky, dysfunctional, slightly nerdy, but his balls must be made of titanium."

Titanium balls indeed. Mr. Coogan got his biggest exposure mugging it up with Owen Wilson as Octavius in "Night at the Museum," but if you want to see him in full comic bluster do yourself a favor and rent "Tristram Shandy" (a k a "A Cock and Bull Story.") I can virtually agree you'll thank me afterward.

Carla Gugino is Sally Jupiter

I'm surely more than a little late with this, but in my universe at least, any news about Carla Gugino is good news. And I'd have to call this great news.

In what is quickly becoming the best ensemble cast ever for a comic-book flick, Gugino has joined Zack Snyder's "Watchmen" as Sally Jupiter, the burlesque dancer-turned-superhero as the Silk Spectre, a member of the Watchmen-preceeding Minutemen.

And in case you're keeping track, that brings the announced cast so far to: Patrick Wilson (Night Owl), Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach), Matthew Goode (Ozymandias), Billy Crudup (Dr. Manhattan), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Comedian) and Malin Akerman as the new Silk Spectre. That list was already enough to get me jazzed, but if you really want to get my attention, just add Carla Gugino to anything and you've got me hooked.