Brave & Seeking a Friend for the End of the World:CFQ Spotlight Podcast 3:25.2

Have You Ever Seen a Lassie Go This Way and Slash?: A Scottish princess voiced by Kelly Macdonald seeks to forge her own fate in BRAVE.
Have You Ever Seen a Lassie Go This Way and Slash?: A Scottish princess voiced by Kelly Macdonald seeks to forge her own fate in BRAVE.

Triumphant return of Pixar after the disappointment that was CARS 2? Another daring redefinition of the family film from the people who turned a near-dialogue-free tale about a love-struck robot, an adventure about a cantankerous, air-bound septuagenarian, and a fantasy about a culinary-obsessed rat into worldwide, critical and commercial hits?  Uh, no, not quite. But if BRAVE’s chronicling of a headstrong Irish lass (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) who struggles against her parents’ (Emma Thompson and Billy Connolly) plans to marry her off — to the point where an unfortunate magic spell is invoked — doesn’t restore the vanguard CG studio to its widely accepted position of dominance, it does offer many charms to accompany its few stumbles. Come join Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski and Dan Persons as they examine the film in depth and express relief that at least the storyline isn’t commandeered by an affable, country-bumpkin tow-truck.
Also, Dan weighs in briefly on the romantic apocalyptic comedy, SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD; plus, what’s coming to theaters June 29th.

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Brave featurette

BRAVE, from Disney-Pixar, opens Friday, June 21. Check out this featurette for interviews with the cast and crew, including John Lasseter, Colin Ferguson, Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, etc. Julie Walters, John Lasseter, Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews.

Gulliver's Travels: Cinefantastique Podcast 2:1

Iconic Moment, One More Time: Jack Black in GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
Iconic Moment, One More Time: Jack Black in GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

The CFQ crew is back, all rested after their holiday break and ready to tackle the new and exciting fantasy, horror, and science fiction film releases of 2011. But first, there’s GULLIVER’S TRAVELS, the big-budget adaptation of Jonathan Swift’s beloved comic novel, starring Jack Black as the titular traveler — here portrayed (in a stunning departure for Mr. Black) as an affable slacker with an undying love for rock and roll — plus Jason Segel and Emily Blunt as Lilliputian lovers, Chris O’Dowd as Gulliver’s miniature nemesis and, for no plausible reason, a wedgie-dispensing robot. Join Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they search for redeeming social value (or any value, frankly) in the last fantasy release of 2010.
Plus news, theatrical and home video releases, and all the usual stuff. Click on the player to hear the show.

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