Watch: A Trailer for DC's 'Batman and Harley Quinn'

Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for the next DC Universe original movie: Batman and Harley Quinn. The trailer is quite reminiscent of Batman: The Animated Series, the TV show that aired in the 90's, and it's not without reason: Bruce Timm - the man behind the series - is a writer and producer here. Watch the trailer below.

Could 'Riley's First Date' Be the Short on the 'Inside Out' Blu-Ray?

We already reported that Josh Cooley would be directing an Inside Out related short film, which will be available as a bonus feature on the feature film Blu-Ray later this year. Now, it appears that Stitch Kingdom got its hands on the title of said short: it could be called Riley's First Date. More below.

Josh Cooley to Direct an 'Inside Out' Short - Co-Direct 'Toy Story 4'

Josh Cooley

Stitch Kingdom noticed that a Variety post called '10 Animators to Watch' spilled the beans on some upcoming Pixar projects; the animator to watch in Pixar seems to be Josh Cooley, as he apparently just finished directing a short film set in the world of Inside Out, and will be co-director on Toy Story 4.

Animated Films that Need Blu-ray Releases ASAP

In this day and age, where digital streaming is becoming the norm and physical media is waning, it's nonetheless hard to believe that some of the most celebrated animated films aren't available in HD yet. Here's a list of the films that need a Blu-ray release as soon as possible. This list applies to US releases.

The Little Mermaid Blu-ray Review - Under the Sea Looks Great in HD, Take it from Me!

The Little Mermaid is available to own on Disney Blu-ray™ today!

Until yesterday, I hadn't seen The Little Mermaid in about ten years. So, when the Diamond Edition Blu-ray set (which is out now in the UK, and on 1st October in the US) arrived, I was excited to dive back into the world of one of my favourite Disney films. And it was probably the best way I could've revisited this timeless classic, as it looks great, it sounds great, and the story, music and characters are as fresh, as entertaining and as, well, great as ever.

This Week on A113Animation (12th - 18th August, 2013)

This has been a pretty quiet week for animation news - particularly when compared to last week's D23-packed greatness. Nonetheless, we got a few interested titbits - the expected, almost weekly, Marvel casting rumours, some Disney Blu-ray news and more. Your usual features are here again, as is a new Ghibli, war and more-themed editorial by Mayra. Check out your recap of everything animation-related that went down this week on A113Animation, below.

The Jungle Book: Diamond Edition Trailer

Is is available now in the UK, but US (and some other territories) consumers will have to wait until February to own Disney's 1967 classic on Blu-ray. The Jungle Book was the last film Walt Disney was personally involved in before his death and it remains one of the company's most enduring classics. This new "Diamond Edition" will have HD picture, lossless sound and both new and old bonus features. Exact technical details are yet to be announced but, based on the UK edition, this is what you can expect in terms of bonus material:

The Little Mermaid 2 and 3 Coming to Blu-ray Soon

In not so exciting news, Disney is preparing a Blu-ray release of the direct-to video sequels of its 1989 beloved classic: The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. No technical details or release date has been given but it will be a '2-Movie Collection' and expect it around the holiday season (A 'complete set' with the whole trilogy is due for release on 2nd September in the UK).

Monsters University Coming to DVD/Blu-ray on 29th October (US)

Monsters University is coming to DVD and Blu-ray in just over a couple of months (in America anyway)! The studio's fourteenth feature film, which has been met with a generally positive response, will hit home video on 29th October.

[UPDATE] Akira: 25th Anniversary Edition coming to Blu-ray on 12th November

Official Cover Art

In very exciting news, independent anime distributor Funimation has announced that is planning to release a new Blu-ray edition of director Katsuhiro Otomo's classic film Akira, commemorating its 25th anniversary. Akira was previously released in North America by distributor Honneamise in 2009 but went out of print shortly after; Funimation picked up the rights and now is prepping a new set that'll be released on 12th November. Technical details and bonus features are yet to be announced but it'll come in the form of a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. Check the trailer announcing the new release below:



Based on the manga by the same name, Akira is a landmark of Japanese animation and its style has become a very influential element not only in animation but also live-action films. Are you excited for this release?

Note: Akira is available in the UK courtesy of Manga Entertainment. You can order the UK edition here or pre-order the US edition here.

[UPDATE] Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious News: Mary Poppins Coming to Blu-ray on 10th December!

In some great and unexpected news (I predicted this one to be released early next year), Disney is planning to released its beloved 1964 classic, Mary Poppins, on BD on 10th December. This release will coincide with the theatrical release of Saving Mr. Banks, which stars Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, and tells the tumultuous story of how Walt Disney convinced P.L. Travers to let him do a cinematic adaptation of her beloved nanny.

Guest Post: DC Animation Releases Flashpoint Animated Feature on DVD

By Juha DeGraw

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox will be the next animated film in the DC universe. The 2011 comic by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert followed The Flash (Barry Allen) as he awakens in an alternate reality where he's stripped of all this powers and the superheroes he knows from his own timeline are completely different.

My Neighbor Totoro Blu-ray Review

My Neighbor Totoro, while being one of Studio Ghibli's most important films, is also director Hayao Miyazaki's most universally iconic. Riding off the success of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and Castle in the Sky (1986), Miyazaki decided to take a leap of faith and do something that would hit a little closer to home for him. Studio Ghibli's two previous films had garnered their success by playing to the public desires of animation at the time; magic, fantasy and futuristic plots and themes were extremely popular in Japan, and it was thought that anything else would prove to be a failure. But My Neighbor Totoro proved to be everything but a failure, eventually becoming a globally recognized figure, and being adopted by Studio Ghibli as their logo/mascot.

The Little Mermaid to Hit UK Blu-ray Players Two Months Before US; Jungle Book Arrives in September

US cover art for the Blu-ray Diamond Edition Double Play;
no UK cover art as of yet.

Anyone out there outside of America knows the pain of Disney irritating staggered release dates. Disney's 28th animated feature, The Little Mermaid, is scheduled in the US for a 1st October release, and I'd long been under the assumption that Britons and Europeans wouldn't get a sniff of the now HD classic until at least early 2014. I'm happy to be proven wrong.

WWE to Produce Straight-to-DVD Animated Flintstones Film. Yes, Really.

Warner Bros. announced today that they were partnering up with, get this, WWE to produce a new straight-to-DVD and Blu-ray animated Flintstones movie, starring a cast of wrestlers, including John Cena and CM Punk. The irony being that John Cena recently replaced Fred Flintstone as the long-time face of Fruity Pebbles.

The Sword in the Stone and Robin Hood Coming to Blu-ray on 6th August

After recently announcing The Little Mermaid, Oliver and Company and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Disney still isn't done releasing their catalogue titles just yet. They have recently announced the release of two more films: The Sword in the Stone (1963) and Robin Hood (1973).

Studio Ghibli Blu-ray Releases on 21st May

Studio Ghibli is planning on helping you kick off your summer with a bang! On May 21st, they will be releasing two of their biggest films on Blu-ray: Howl's Moving Castle and the 25th anniversary edition of My Neighbor Totoro.  Both films are incredibly special, and are packed with awesome extras.

Howl's Moving Castle synopsis: When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home.

[UPDATED] The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Coming to Blu-ray 27th August

Official Cover Art

In very exciting news, Disney's 1977 classic, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, is being released on Blu-ray on 27th August. The studio hasn't give official confirmation yet, but the title is now available for pre-order at Amazon.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 [Blu-ray] Review

Overview

After a great introduction in The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, the highly anticipated conclusion has arrived to end Batman’s epic journey. Does it meet the high expectations fans had? I have to answer that with a resounding yes. TDKR, Part 2 is a fantastic, action-packed adventure that concludes Batman’s epic quest on a very high note.

Wreck-It Ralph Blu-ray Review - Did the Bonus Features Go Turbo?

The most recent film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Wreck-It Ralph, was a winner in every sense of the word. It was a hit at the box-office, so much so that a sequel could very well see the light in only a few years - director Rich Moore even mentioned some possible plot points for the likely follow up.

It was a hit critically too. People embraced the characters and their unique world. Many even called Wreck-It Ralph the best animated film of 2012. Including this very blog and its readers (yes, you!).