2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
#126
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
It took me a few days to finish both entries, but I enjoyed the first four episodes of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Kind of interesting that each has been pretty much a solo adventure so far (and it looks like #5 will as well), but I assume the team will "assemble" pretty soon.
Finished Superman/Batman Apocalypse on the bus this morning. Action was kick-ass, it was surprisingly sexy as well, and the coda surprised me. I enjoyed it much more than Public Enemies.
Finished Superman/Batman Apocalypse on the bus this morning. Action was kick-ass, it was surprisingly sexy as well, and the coda surprised me. I enjoyed it much more than Public Enemies.
#127
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I was disappointed by Public Enemies since I heard going into it that it was a DC take on the Marvel Civil War. I guess in a way it was but in a really, really minor way. On the other hand, I like how things such as Marvel Civil War sound but when I ever try reading any of the things, it's always awful.
#128
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I was disappointed by Public Enemies since I heard going into it that it was a DC take on the Marvel Civil War. I guess in a way it was but in a really, really minor way. On the other hand, I like how things such as Marvel Civil War sound but when I ever try reading any of the things, it's always awful.
#129
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I did buy and read Superman/Batman #5-8 so I was already familiar with "Apocalypse!" Andre Braugher was a fine choice to voice Darkseid; made him more erudite than pure brute, I thought. The fights were great fun to watch.
I watched a Justice League Unlimited 2-parter earlier, "The Once and Future Thing." They're two of the five bonus episodes included with the Green Lantern: First Flight Blu-ray. King Chronos screws up the timeline, and Batman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman pursue him first into the past where they encounter a posse led by Jonah Hex and then into the Batman Beyond future. It was the kind of story you can tell in an animated series or a comic book that wouldn't work in live action or prose and I thought it was a lot of fun. The late Dwayne McDuffie wrote both parts, and the guy clearly had a great sense of humor. I laughed several times, mostly at stuff about Batman. Plus, I admit it was pretty cool watching Bruce Wayne suit up in Western attire, unmasked.
#130
Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I just completed watching The Perils of Penelope Pitstop (1969) from Hanna-Barbera Productions. I was never much of a fan of this one when it originally aired and it's not really aged well, at least for me. I didn't find it funny then, and even less so now. Fortunately I picked it up for only $3 at BL during that WB animation spree some time back so I don't feel like I wasted my money. I almost feel bad not liking this as all the reviews I've read speak highly of it (other than it's the syndicated cuts, which *is* annoying as the segment cut is referenced at the start of every episode). It just feels thrown together. Every episode plays just like the others and all feel like a 7 minute short that was expanded to 20 minutes. The only thing that kept me going was the voice work from Paul Lynde, Mel Blanc, Don Messick, and Paul Winchell with the exception of the "laugh" "Yak Yak" (Blanc) did *every time* he spoke. That laugh was annoying and began to get on my nerves after a while. I doubt I'd have watched many more than the 17 episodes in the set because of that. Of course, it didn't help that I'd watch 4-6 eps. at a sitting. It was kind of mind-numbing. Even then, I found it better than much of what passes for kids cartoon programming today.
#131
Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I am very pleased to note that three of us watched BAREFOOT GEN (1983), the anime movie based on a manga about a boy who survives the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Appropriate for this month, since last Saturday (Aug. 6) was the 66th anniversary of the bombing. I watched it twice, in fact, once as preparation and again when I showed it on Aug. 4 to a group of students as part of a weekly special film screening at my office. I also watched the similarly-themed GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (1988) and BAREFOOT GEN 2 (1986), which takes place three years after the bombing.
Last edited by Ash Ketchum; 08-13-11 at 02:53 PM.
#132
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I watched Barefoot Gen and Grave of the Fireflies last year and liked them both. I am somewhat hesitant about watching a sequel. Is it good or is it just a sequel?
#133
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I watched a Justice League Unlimited 2-parter earlier, "The Once and Future Thing." They're two of the five bonus episodes included with the Green Lantern: First Flight Blu-ray. King Chronos screws up the timeline, and Batman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman pursue him first into the past where they encounter a posse led by Jonah Hex and then into the Batman Beyond future. It was the kind of story you can tell in an animated series or a comic book that wouldn't work in live action or prose and I thought it was a lot of fun. The late Dwayne McDuffie wrote both parts, and the guy clearly had a great sense of humor. I laughed several times, mostly at stuff about Batman. Plus, I admit it was pretty cool watching Bruce Wayne suit up in Western attire, unmasked.
I just completed watching The Perils of Penelope Pitstop (1969) from Hanna-Barbera Productions. I was never much of a fan of this one when it originally aired and it's not really aged well, at least for me. I didn't find it funny then, and even less so now. Fortunately I picked it up for only $3 at BL during that WB animation spree some time back so I don't feel like I wasted my money. I almost feel bad not liking this as all the reviews I've read speak highly of it (other than it's the syndicated cuts, which *is* annoying as the segment cut is referenced at the start of every episode). It just feels thrown together. Every episode plays just like the others and all feel like a 7 minute short that was expanded to 20 minutes. The only thing that kept me going was the voice work from Paul Lynde, Mel Blanc, Don Messick, and Paul Winchell with the exception of the "laugh" "Yak Yak" (Blanc) did *every time* he spoke. That laugh was annoying and began to get on my nerves after a while. I doubt I'd have watched many more than the 17 episodes in the set because of that. Of course, it didn't help that I'd watch 4-6 eps. at a sitting. It was kind of mind-numbing. Even then, I found it better than much of what passes for kids cartoon programming today.
#134
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
Late last night I stayed up and streamed The Pixar Story. No real surprises, but the first third or so about the origins of the company was really nice. I was one of the people who feared what CGI animation would do for the medium, and I think it becomes very clear in this that it was never intended to overthrow hand drawn 2D art. At one point, Roy Disney complains that too many people misinterpreted the success of CGI to mean that audiences didn't want 2D animation anymore, when the real problem was that there hadn't really been any interesting 2D movies competing with increasingly sophisticated and engaging CGI animated features. I wish this documentary had been assembled after The Princess and the Frog came out, because I think it confirms what Disney was arguing. It's a wonderful movie with an instantly accessible story, likable characters and a fun--if recycled--premise. And it's gorgeous, to boot. It's hard to imagine that movie as CGI animation.
One criticism I have is that the film is so exclusively about the inner workings of Pixar that it doesn't really place that narrative into the context of what the rest of the industry was doing during that time. For instance, it might have been interesting to see the parallel story of Dreamworks and their much more inconsistent track record, both commercially and critically. I don't bring this up just to pick on Dreamworks, but rather because I think it speaks to just how anomalous Pixar's success really is. Other than Cars and Cars 2, it's rare to hear a bad word about their movies. Conversely, I suspect a lot of people would have a hard time even naming more than five Dreamworks movies outside of the Shrek series. For that matter, I suspect some people mistakenly think Ice Age was one of theirs. You don't have that confusion or forgetfulness with Pixar.
Also, I don't think George Lucas gets nearly enough credit for the impact he has had, whether directly or through one of his companies, on modern film making. It'd be interesting to really explore how long a shadow he's cast from the Skywalker Ranch, even outside of Star Wars.
One criticism I have is that the film is so exclusively about the inner workings of Pixar that it doesn't really place that narrative into the context of what the rest of the industry was doing during that time. For instance, it might have been interesting to see the parallel story of Dreamworks and their much more inconsistent track record, both commercially and critically. I don't bring this up just to pick on Dreamworks, but rather because I think it speaks to just how anomalous Pixar's success really is. Other than Cars and Cars 2, it's rare to hear a bad word about their movies. Conversely, I suspect a lot of people would have a hard time even naming more than five Dreamworks movies outside of the Shrek series. For that matter, I suspect some people mistakenly think Ice Age was one of theirs. You don't have that confusion or forgetfulness with Pixar.
Also, I don't think George Lucas gets nearly enough credit for the impact he has had, whether directly or through one of his companies, on modern film making. It'd be interesting to really explore how long a shadow he's cast from the Skywalker Ranch, even outside of Star Wars.
#135
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
Finally updated my list.
I really enjoyed watching Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond. When I finished both series I really wished as though there had been more episodes as I felt there was a lot more ground they could've covered in the shows. I wasn't planing on watching Justice League during this challenge, but after watching Batman and Batman Beyond I think I might watch it just because I want more of the universe.
Also took some time out for Hey Arnold! (on release day) and other Nickelodeon movies and shows, which was a nice change of pace.
I really enjoyed watching Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond. When I finished both series I really wished as though there had been more episodes as I felt there was a lot more ground they could've covered in the shows. I wasn't planing on watching Justice League during this challenge, but after watching Batman and Batman Beyond I think I might watch it just because I want more of the universe.
Also took some time out for Hey Arnold! (on release day) and other Nickelodeon movies and shows, which was a nice change of pace.
#137
Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I am very pleased to note that three of us watched BAREFOOT GEN (1983), the anime movie based on a manga about a boy who survives the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Appropriate for this month, since last Saturday (Aug. 6) was the 66th anniversary of the bombing. I watched it twice, in fact, once as preparation and again when I showed it on Aug. 4 to a group of students as part of a weekly special film screening at my office. I also watched the similarly-themed GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (1988) and BAREFOOT GEN 2 (1986), which takes place after three years after the bombing.
And Ash, your list comments on Rise of the Planet of the Apes cracked me up! I saw it last night and while I seem to have liked the cgi work better than you did, I can see that if I had been in a crankier mood going into the theater I might have walked out with the same opinion as you.
I think both are worth seeing. There is nothing at all like the bombing and immediate aftermath in 2 but there are scenes that linger in my memory just as much. More subtle horrors maybe? Its really a continuation of the story and not just another story with the same characters. At first it may seem like more of the same (as the last part of Barefoot Gen) but then you realize its more of the same after three years of American occupation and things are still very bad for many people who are still dealing with the effects of the bomb.
#138
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#139
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I've seen Paul. Really, the only animation is the titular character--though he's a main character so he's pretty important. Imagine if E.T. had been a CG character. If you'd count that movie for animation on that basis, then you should count Paul.
We just watched Brother Bear, one of the few animated titles that has languished in our Unwatched Pile. The first 24 minutes are in a different aspect ratio than the rest of the film and because of the way it's presented on DVD, it creates a pillar box effect that was annoying. The upside is that there's some pretty bold content in those 24 minutes--surprisingly dark and violent for a G-rated Disney feature marketed heavily on the basis of the Canadian Moose voiced by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas.
The animation is gorgeous and while the story is predictable and recycled, I was fairly invested in it emotionally. Maybe if I saw it when it came out (or even when we bought a few years ago) I would have been more impatient with it and more cynical, but I'm much more receptive to these kinds of stories at this point in my life. I'd give it a solid 4 stars except for the horrible use of songs. There's not one song in the lot that really added to the movie, which I could overlook...except that one song actively ruined the most important scene in the whole thing! It would have been acceptable had the dialog in that scene been muted for part of Mark Mancina's fine score, but Phil Collins singing over the confession felt like a complete intrusion on the most intimate scene there was. Absolutely the worst use of music I've seen in a movie in years, maybe ever.
We just watched Brother Bear, one of the few animated titles that has languished in our Unwatched Pile. The first 24 minutes are in a different aspect ratio than the rest of the film and because of the way it's presented on DVD, it creates a pillar box effect that was annoying. The upside is that there's some pretty bold content in those 24 minutes--surprisingly dark and violent for a G-rated Disney feature marketed heavily on the basis of the Canadian Moose voiced by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas.
The animation is gorgeous and while the story is predictable and recycled, I was fairly invested in it emotionally. Maybe if I saw it when it came out (or even when we bought a few years ago) I would have been more impatient with it and more cynical, but I'm much more receptive to these kinds of stories at this point in my life. I'd give it a solid 4 stars except for the horrible use of songs. There's not one song in the lot that really added to the movie, which I could overlook...except that one song actively ruined the most important scene in the whole thing! It would have been acceptable had the dialog in that scene been muted for part of Mark Mancina's fine score, but Phil Collins singing over the confession felt like a complete intrusion on the most intimate scene there was. Absolutely the worst use of music I've seen in a movie in years, maybe ever.
#140
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
Paul sounds like it counts in the same way that the awful Al Pacino movie counts.
Brother Bear is something else I watched last year and ended up liking for pretty much the same reasons. It too had been sitting in my unwatched pile for years.
Brother Bear is something else I watched last year and ended up liking for pretty much the same reasons. It too had been sitting in my unwatched pile for years.
#141
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
rewatch 'Brother Bear' with the Moose commentary track - it's one of the best, and funniest commentaries ever.
#142
Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
^I'd agree with that.
I didn't much care for the movie because of the predictable and recycled nature plus the musical intrusions and the simple fact that I'm *not* a fan of Phil Collins (for perspective, I consider Genesis "Greatest Hits" single disk version to be 50% filler), but then I'm not a fan of *any* "pop/rock" score on films unless it's a "period" film using music from that era. Overall, my feelings are pretty much the same as MinLShaw.
As I typically do not care for commentary tracks I'd never intended to listen to this one until I'd read *several* comments on just how funny/good it is. I watched the film with that track and it became a different film. With that commentary it's almost like an extended episode of The Great White North. BUT (and this is a big one) you can only listen to that commentary while watching the "Family Friendly" 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio version! Someone wasn't paying attention. That commentary track should be on *both* versions!
I didn't much care for the movie because of the predictable and recycled nature plus the musical intrusions and the simple fact that I'm *not* a fan of Phil Collins (for perspective, I consider Genesis "Greatest Hits" single disk version to be 50% filler), but then I'm not a fan of *any* "pop/rock" score on films unless it's a "period" film using music from that era. Overall, my feelings are pretty much the same as MinLShaw.
As I typically do not care for commentary tracks I'd never intended to listen to this one until I'd read *several* comments on just how funny/good it is. I watched the film with that track and it became a different film. With that commentary it's almost like an extended episode of The Great White North. BUT (and this is a big one) you can only listen to that commentary while watching the "Family Friendly" 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio version! Someone wasn't paying attention. That commentary track should be on *both* versions!
#143
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#144
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
You are not alone. I greatly enjoy the film despite the fact that friends and family have all told me that it is terrible. While I can see the shortcomings, the themes of technology and celebrity culture are beautifully explored, which makes it a good film in my book.
#145
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I still haven't seen it; the trailers didn't really get me terribly interested. While I can't speak to the DVD Talk population, I can tell you that as of now, 23% of Flickchart users have seen it, and it wins 30% of the time for a global ranking of #6447 (there are well over 24,000 movies in the database so far). Take heart, though; three people have it in their top 20!
[Sorry to go off-topic, but I got excited about checking someone's enthusiasm for a movie against that site.]
I was nauseated as hell yesterday and spent the entire time in bed (asleep, mercifully, for most of it) but I kept thinking about Brother Bear. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got about that damned song near the end. I've made a concentrated point in the last several years to avoid the trap of being the viewer who passes absolute judgment on something, but that was a singularly egregious choice. I don't know who's to blame for it, be it the directors, writers, Disney or Phil Collins's agent--or some combination--but I hope the responsible parties all hang their heads over this one.
Like I said, I think I would have accepted it had the dialog given way to scored music rather than the ballad. The facial expressions were very well done and suggestive enough that I don't think we have to hear what's being said. But that ballad...God, I just wanted to yell, "Shut up! They're having a moment here!" at my TV. Not just "a" moment, but really the moment of the whole damn thing.
The more I think about it, though, the more I realize that my anger stems from the fact that it wasn't just those two characters having the moment. I was invested in them and I was wanting to have that moment with them. So on the one hand, I tip my hat that they crafted a story that drew me in like that--I'm a pretty malleable viewer, but I rarely find myself responding emotionally to a movie; most of my reactions are intellectual in nature instead. On the other hand...they completely screwed up the most important part of my viewing experience.
I may eventually forgive them for this and concentrate on the positives, but for right now I'm just mad about the whole damn thing.
[Sorry to go off-topic, but I got excited about checking someone's enthusiasm for a movie against that site.]
I was nauseated as hell yesterday and spent the entire time in bed (asleep, mercifully, for most of it) but I kept thinking about Brother Bear. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got about that damned song near the end. I've made a concentrated point in the last several years to avoid the trap of being the viewer who passes absolute judgment on something, but that was a singularly egregious choice. I don't know who's to blame for it, be it the directors, writers, Disney or Phil Collins's agent--or some combination--but I hope the responsible parties all hang their heads over this one.
Like I said, I think I would have accepted it had the dialog given way to scored music rather than the ballad. The facial expressions were very well done and suggestive enough that I don't think we have to hear what's being said. But that ballad...God, I just wanted to yell, "Shut up! They're having a moment here!" at my TV. Not just "a" moment, but really the moment of the whole damn thing.
The more I think about it, though, the more I realize that my anger stems from the fact that it wasn't just those two characters having the moment. I was invested in them and I was wanting to have that moment with them. So on the one hand, I tip my hat that they crafted a story that drew me in like that--I'm a pretty malleable viewer, but I rarely find myself responding emotionally to a movie; most of my reactions are intellectual in nature instead. On the other hand...they completely screwed up the most important part of my viewing experience.
I may eventually forgive them for this and concentrate on the positives, but for right now I'm just mad about the whole damn thing.
#146
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
Question: Many items in the checklist require them to be a film in order to count. What if all items, other than the MPAA ratings one, were changed to also allow shorts? In order to count, you'd have to watch enough shorts that fall within that category to count as one item. The ones where the length doesn't matter would still stay as they currently are.
If this works for everyone, would there be any objections to changing that rule for the rest of the challenge?
If this works for everyone, would there be any objections to changing that rule for the rest of the challenge?
#147
Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
I just watched my first "motion comic", Spider Woman: Agent of Sword, Ep1. If that's what comics are going to become it looks like I'll be jumping off the comic train. This may be a poor example of the medium, but my initial reaction is: people actually pay almost as much as for a physical product for that? What I saw makes true "limited animation" products look better. The voice work was good but it truly reminded me of radio with pictures. If it weren't for the simple fact you need the images for the full story I'd say these would make better "books on tape" type products. I'm *not* a fan of eBooks (lots of reasons) but I'd rather have a simple eBook copy of the comic than a "motion comic". I'll keep my floppies and trades, thank you very much.
#148
Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
Question: Many items in the checklist require them to be a film in order to count. What if all items, other than the MPAA ratings one, were changed to also allow shorts? In order to count, you'd have to watch enough shorts that fall within that category to count as one item. The ones where the length doesn't matter would still stay as they currently are.
If this works for everyone, would there be any objections to changing that rule for the rest of the challenge?
If this works for everyone, would there be any objections to changing that rule for the rest of the challenge?
Watch and anime movie or series
Watch a movie/show made by (but use of "show" implies shorts IMHO)
Am I reading it wrong?
#149
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
The checklist was quickly thrown together for the first year and was converted from the checklist from the unwatched movie pile threads. In my haste, film and movie meant the same thing. Show could be a tv show. Checklist items that either say that length doesn't matter or say show, are the ones where it doesn't have to be a feature length film. There were some concerns about this last year with some grumblings that by allowing anything to count for any checklist item, someone could quickly go complete it by watching a bunch of shorts.
I also completely agree with what you think about motion comics. I started watching the Watchmen one after reading the comic and I thought it was just awful.
If there's no complaints by tonight, consider the change in effect and next year the checklist is going to be completely redone.
I also completely agree with what you think about motion comics. I started watching the Watchmen one after reading the comic and I thought it was just awful.
If there's no complaints by tonight, consider the change in effect and next year the checklist is going to be completely redone.
Last edited by The Man with the Golden Doujinshi; 08-14-11 at 06:33 PM.
#150
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Re: 2nd Annual August Animation Challenge - Discussion Thread
Re: Motion Comics - I've only seen a few. I think they work better in chapter intervals, rather than taken all together in one viewing. I don't know that anyone intends them to supplant actual issues, but rather to be a sort of compromise for those fans who would like an animated adaptation of something that doesn't quite justify the expense of the full treatment.
Re: Checklist - I'm all for redoing the checklist. I'm staring at "title with a loathed character" wondering what the hell I've even got that qualifies. I don't really "loathe" any characters; certainly none in movies or TV shows I've actually bought. The closest would be Ike Clanton in Tombstone, but Stephen Lang did such a great job making Ike infuriating that he's kind of fun to watch anyway. And, of course, that's a movie that isn't even a consideration as a Wild Card in this particular challenge!
Re: Allowing 2 hours of shorts to substitute for a movie on the checklist, I only see one problem. We could very easily compile 2 hours worth of shorts that cover the vast majority of the checklist and, under the "multiple checks per title" clause, negate the entire point of requiring a 2 hour aggregate.
As for me, yesterday we went to Target and I picked up Green Lantern: Emerald Knights on Blu-ray for $4.99 (after a $5.00 coupon I got from Warner Bros. when I bought Green Lantern: First Flight back in June and a $10 Target gift card I got for redeeming some bank account rewards points). After my wife watched the Food Network competition show finale, she suggested we watch GL, so we did. I rather enjoyed it. I wasn't too big on the voice cast. No one was bad, but no one quite sounded right to me. I much preferred the voice cast of the other GL DTV movie. It's one of those stories that presents a collection of short stories within the framework of an overarching story. I never thought I'd get to see Mogo anywhere outside of a comic book, so that was pretty cool.
It's the kind of thing that would never work in live action, and it's a nice reminder of the strengths of animation: it's a medium that allows for a greater suspension of disbelief, thereby enabling a deeper exploration of the fantastic.
Re: Checklist - I'm all for redoing the checklist. I'm staring at "title with a loathed character" wondering what the hell I've even got that qualifies. I don't really "loathe" any characters; certainly none in movies or TV shows I've actually bought. The closest would be Ike Clanton in Tombstone, but Stephen Lang did such a great job making Ike infuriating that he's kind of fun to watch anyway. And, of course, that's a movie that isn't even a consideration as a Wild Card in this particular challenge!
Re: Allowing 2 hours of shorts to substitute for a movie on the checklist, I only see one problem. We could very easily compile 2 hours worth of shorts that cover the vast majority of the checklist and, under the "multiple checks per title" clause, negate the entire point of requiring a 2 hour aggregate.
As for me, yesterday we went to Target and I picked up Green Lantern: Emerald Knights on Blu-ray for $4.99 (after a $5.00 coupon I got from Warner Bros. when I bought Green Lantern: First Flight back in June and a $10 Target gift card I got for redeeming some bank account rewards points). After my wife watched the Food Network competition show finale, she suggested we watch GL, so we did. I rather enjoyed it. I wasn't too big on the voice cast. No one was bad, but no one quite sounded right to me. I much preferred the voice cast of the other GL DTV movie. It's one of those stories that presents a collection of short stories within the framework of an overarching story. I never thought I'd get to see Mogo anywhere outside of a comic book, so that was pretty cool.
It's the kind of thing that would never work in live action, and it's a nice reminder of the strengths of animation: it's a medium that allows for a greater suspension of disbelief, thereby enabling a deeper exploration of the fantastic.