The BBC leads all producers among nominees with 22 at this year’s 2024 Rockie Awards International Program Competition, as announced Thursday by the Banff World Media Festival. The United States is tops among all countries, with 51 total, followed closely by the UK with 50.
Among U.S. production companies, 20th TV was tops with 8 — helped by its sweep of the scripted animated series field. Nominees in the English-language comedy field include “Abbott Elementary,” “Poker Face,” “The Great” and “The Wonder Years,” while drama nominees include “Gen V,” “Succession,” “Happy Valley” and “The Last of Us.”
The 2024 Rockie Awards ceremony takes place during this year’s Banff festival on Tuesday, June 11. Also during the event, the Rockie Awards Grand Jury will reveal its Grand Jury Prize, selected from the top-scoring programs across the entire field of nominees.
This year’s Grand Jury includes Javiera Balmaceda, Head of Originals, Latin America, CA & Au at Amazon MGM Studios; Julie Chang,...
Among U.S. production companies, 20th TV was tops with 8 — helped by its sweep of the scripted animated series field. Nominees in the English-language comedy field include “Abbott Elementary,” “Poker Face,” “The Great” and “The Wonder Years,” while drama nominees include “Gen V,” “Succession,” “Happy Valley” and “The Last of Us.”
The 2024 Rockie Awards ceremony takes place during this year’s Banff festival on Tuesday, June 11. Also during the event, the Rockie Awards Grand Jury will reveal its Grand Jury Prize, selected from the top-scoring programs across the entire field of nominees.
This year’s Grand Jury includes Javiera Balmaceda, Head of Originals, Latin America, CA & Au at Amazon MGM Studios; Julie Chang,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Jeremias Amoore, Will Attenborough, Sophie McIntosh, Colm Meaney, Phyllis Logan, James Carrol Jordan, Grace Nettle, Manuel Pacific | Written by Andy Mayson | Directed by Claudio Fäh
The poster for No Way Up says that it’s from the executive producers of the 47 Meters Down series. That’s not a good sign because it means it’s from the money men behind those films, not the writers, directors or any of the creative types. This time around, they’ve decided to offer their finny cash cows an all-you-can-eat buffet and, taking a cue from Airport 77, they’ve crashed an airliner into the Pacific. That leaves the survivors trapped on the ocean floor in a rapidly shrinking air pocket and surrounded by sharks.
As No Way Up starts things are already looking bad for Jed and Kyle. Kyle’s date for their trip to Cabo backed out at the last minute.
The poster for No Way Up says that it’s from the executive producers of the 47 Meters Down series. That’s not a good sign because it means it’s from the money men behind those films, not the writers, directors or any of the creative types. This time around, they’ve decided to offer their finny cash cows an all-you-can-eat buffet and, taking a cue from Airport 77, they’ve crashed an airliner into the Pacific. That leaves the survivors trapped on the ocean floor in a rapidly shrinking air pocket and surrounded by sharks.
As No Way Up starts things are already looking bad for Jed and Kyle. Kyle’s date for their trip to Cabo backed out at the last minute.
- 2/14/2024
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
By many accounts, Roald Dahl wasn't a very nice person, and it wasn't until I re-read his books for my kids that I realized that his writing had such a mean streak, too. He certainly didn't sugarcoat the world for his younger readers and his magical adventures were filled with neglected kids, bullies of all shapes and sizes, nasty grown-ups, macabre humor, and strange comeuppances. His somewhat bleak view of adulthood was matched by Quentin Blake's scribbly illustrations which highlighted the grotesqueries of his caricatures, such as Aunt Spiker's sharp frame in "James and the Giant Peach," or the general grossness of "The Twits."
Of course, kids have pretty horrible imaginations as well, so it's no wonder Dahl's novels have been cherished favorites for decades. One of his most popular novels, "Matilda," was also one of his last, published just two years before he passed away in 1990. It features...
Of course, kids have pretty horrible imaginations as well, so it's no wonder Dahl's novels have been cherished favorites for decades. One of his most popular novels, "Matilda," was also one of his last, published just two years before he passed away in 1990. It features...
- 12/23/2022
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
There's an energy and sense of motion reminiscent of Quentin Blake about this delightful Swiss animation from Marina Rosset. The foxes are as a child might imagine drawing them, with big bushy tales and black eyes, hand drawn in what looks like charcoal and pastel,
The pack look like a collective as they curl one over the other while the queen, her crown at a rakish angle, sits on her throne. The queen, however, is sad. In order to cheer her up, the foxes head to the local town each night for a good old rummage through the bins. There they dig out and uncrumple love letters and perfume them before giving them to the foxes to read. The queen wants something more, of course, but that's all part of the discovery in this quirky short.
Rosset has a welcoming style, the higgledy-piggledy houses of the town, each with their busily writing.
The pack look like a collective as they curl one over the other while the queen, her crown at a rakish angle, sits on her throne. The queen, however, is sad. In order to cheer her up, the foxes head to the local town each night for a good old rummage through the bins. There they dig out and uncrumple love letters and perfume them before giving them to the foxes to read. The queen wants something more, of course, but that's all part of the discovery in this quirky short.
Rosset has a welcoming style, the higgledy-piggledy houses of the town, each with their busily writing.
- 11/24/2022
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
“Billions” actor Damian Lewis, actor-director Rapman (“Blue Story”), writer Salman Rushdie (“Midnight’s Children”) and All3Media CEO Jane Turton are among those in the arts and entertainment field recognized in the annual Queen’s birthday honors.
Lewis has been recognized as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Cbe) for services to drama and charity. Also accorded a Cbe is filmmaker Isaac Julien, Berlin winner for “Derek.”
Rushdie has been accorded the Member of the Order of the Companions of Honor accolade for services to literature alongside illustrator and writer Quentin Blake (“Jackanory”), for services to illustration.
Director Andrew Onwubolu, also known as Rapman, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to drama and music. Veteran “Coronation Street” actor Helen Worth Dawson has also been accorded an MBE for services to drama.
Ian Rankin, whose crime novels, including the...
Lewis has been recognized as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Cbe) for services to drama and charity. Also accorded a Cbe is filmmaker Isaac Julien, Berlin winner for “Derek.”
Rushdie has been accorded the Member of the Order of the Companions of Honor accolade for services to literature alongside illustrator and writer Quentin Blake (“Jackanory”), for services to illustration.
Director Andrew Onwubolu, also known as Rapman, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to drama and music. Veteran “Coronation Street” actor Helen Worth Dawson has also been accorded an MBE for services to drama.
Ian Rankin, whose crime novels, including the...
- 6/1/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
€2m invested in 11 films and TV series.
Gerrit Bekers’ Quentin Blake’s Box Of Treasures, a series of six animated stories by the UK illustrator and storyteller, has received backing from Screen Flanders in the latest tranche of funding that sees €2m invested in 11 films and TV series
It is produced by Walter Iuzzolino’s UK outfit Eagle Eye with Belgium’s Creative Conspiracy. The main animation studio is Spicy Acorn in Ghent. Aardman will sell the series internationally. BBC, Vrt and France Télé are also on board.
Screen Flanders is also backing Dorien Goertzen’s musical Just Like In...
Gerrit Bekers’ Quentin Blake’s Box Of Treasures, a series of six animated stories by the UK illustrator and storyteller, has received backing from Screen Flanders in the latest tranche of funding that sees €2m invested in 11 films and TV series
It is produced by Walter Iuzzolino’s UK outfit Eagle Eye with Belgium’s Creative Conspiracy. The main animation studio is Spicy Acorn in Ghent. Aardman will sell the series internationally. BBC, Vrt and France Télé are also on board.
Screen Flanders is also backing Dorien Goertzen’s musical Just Like In...
- 5/23/2022
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
The Bfg Photo: Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival The Bfg, 3.45pm, BBC1, Sunday, September 5
Steven Spielberg has always had a keen eye for a child's perspective, so he was the perfect choice to take on Roald Dahl's tale of an orphan, Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), who finds herself befriending the giant of the title (created with one eye on the original book illustrations by Quentin Blake and played with a warm and soulful resonance by Mark Rylance). There's both a delight in the Scrumdiddlyumptious way that the Bfg speaks and in the detailed motion-capture work used to bring him to life as this pair of unlikely heroes take on a handful of giants who are intent on eating human beans. Read our full review.
Buried, 1.55am, Film4, Sunday, September 5
The perfect set-up for a tight budget is offered by Spanish director Rodrigo Cortés' claustrophobic thriller, which sees a US contractor...
Steven Spielberg has always had a keen eye for a child's perspective, so he was the perfect choice to take on Roald Dahl's tale of an orphan, Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), who finds herself befriending the giant of the title (created with one eye on the original book illustrations by Quentin Blake and played with a warm and soulful resonance by Mark Rylance). There's both a delight in the Scrumdiddlyumptious way that the Bfg speaks and in the detailed motion-capture work used to bring him to life as this pair of unlikely heroes take on a handful of giants who are intent on eating human beans. Read our full review.
Buried, 1.55am, Film4, Sunday, September 5
The perfect set-up for a tight budget is offered by Spanish director Rodrigo Cortés' claustrophobic thriller, which sees a US contractor...
- 8/30/2021
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
‘The Crown’ stars Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter are to reunite for a very special, virtual version of ‘Cinderella’ as a host of famous faces from across the land will be gathering together for a fabulously festive treat as Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas comes to BBC Two.
Academy Award-winning acting royalty Colman will be making her panto debut as Fairy Godmother and will be joined by an all-star cast that includes Guz Khan as Buttons, Tom Hollander as Baron Hardup, Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Devilia, Anya Taylor-Joy as Cinderella, Rege-Jean Page as Prince Charming, Jimmy Akingbola as Dandini and actual real-life sister and brother Daisy May and Charlie Cooper (This Country) as The Evil Step Sisters.
Written by the Dawson Brothers, based on an original script by Ben Crocker, the hour-long ‘Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas’ will be a retelling of the timeless panto classic,...
Academy Award-winning acting royalty Colman will be making her panto debut as Fairy Godmother and will be joined by an all-star cast that includes Guz Khan as Buttons, Tom Hollander as Baron Hardup, Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Devilia, Anya Taylor-Joy as Cinderella, Rege-Jean Page as Prince Charming, Jimmy Akingbola as Dandini and actual real-life sister and brother Daisy May and Charlie Cooper (This Country) as The Evil Step Sisters.
Written by the Dawson Brothers, based on an original script by Ben Crocker, the hour-long ‘Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas’ will be a retelling of the timeless panto classic,...
- 12/3/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Crown stars Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter are to star in a socially distanced, virtual staging of pantomime classic Cinderella for BBC Two, with Richard Curtis executive producing.
The stars will perform from the safety of their homes for the Comic Relief special, which airs on Christmas Eve and will be brought to life with illustrations from iconic children’s illustrator Quentin Blake.
Colman plays the fairy godmother, while Bonham Carter features as the wicked stepmother Lady Devilia. Meanwhile, the breakout star of Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy, will play the title role.
Other cast includes The Night Manager star Tom Hollander and Guz Khan as Baron Hardup and Buttons respectively. Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, the stars and creators of This Country (which is currently being remade by Fox), have been cast as the evil step-sisters. The pair are siblings in real-life.
Written by the Dawson Brothers,...
The stars will perform from the safety of their homes for the Comic Relief special, which airs on Christmas Eve and will be brought to life with illustrations from iconic children’s illustrator Quentin Blake.
Colman plays the fairy godmother, while Bonham Carter features as the wicked stepmother Lady Devilia. Meanwhile, the breakout star of Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy, will play the title role.
Other cast includes The Night Manager star Tom Hollander and Guz Khan as Baron Hardup and Buttons respectively. Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, the stars and creators of This Country (which is currently being remade by Fox), have been cast as the evil step-sisters. The pair are siblings in real-life.
Written by the Dawson Brothers,...
- 12/3/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s a wonder more Roald Dahl books haven’t seen the light of cinematic day. We’re barely into double figures (three of those are remakes), and yet his huge body of work is a prime visual feast for family audiences looking for something other than the relentless onslaught of superhero fare.
Enter The Witches. Not so much a remake of the 1990 film as a new take on the original story, we enter a world where witches exist and really, really hate children. It’s a story with more than its fair share of nastiness and big gloopy spoonfuls of horror, essential ingredients in any adaptation of Dahl’s work.
That sharp edge was noticeably missing from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when it received the Tim Burton treatment. As ideal as Burton’s visuals are (so well aligned with illustrator Quentin Blake’s sharp-angled style) he isn’t...
Enter The Witches. Not so much a remake of the 1990 film as a new take on the original story, we enter a world where witches exist and really, really hate children. It’s a story with more than its fair share of nastiness and big gloopy spoonfuls of horror, essential ingredients in any adaptation of Dahl’s work.
That sharp edge was noticeably missing from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when it received the Tim Burton treatment. As ideal as Burton’s visuals are (so well aligned with illustrator Quentin Blake’s sharp-angled style) he isn’t...
- 10/23/2020
- by Richard Phippen
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Oscar nominee and BAFTA-winning British actor Helena Bonham Carter (“The Crown”) will narrate animated Christmas special “Quentin Blake’s Clown” for U.K. broadcaster Channel 4.
Inspired by the eponymous book by one of Britain’s best-known authors/illustrators, Quentin Blake — who illustrated Roald Dahl books — “Quentin Blake’s Clown” is a half-hour animation bringing to life the adventures of a little toy clown, thrown away with a load of old discarded toys, as he goes on a journey to find a new loving home for himself and his friends.
Created with traditional hand drawn animation techniques to capture the unique style of Quentin Blake’s artwork, the program will be part of a long and established tradition of Channel 4’s animated Christmas specials such as “The Snowman,” “The Tiger Who Came to Tea,” and “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.”
The show is produced by Eagle Eye Drama,...
Inspired by the eponymous book by one of Britain’s best-known authors/illustrators, Quentin Blake — who illustrated Roald Dahl books — “Quentin Blake’s Clown” is a half-hour animation bringing to life the adventures of a little toy clown, thrown away with a load of old discarded toys, as he goes on a journey to find a new loving home for himself and his friends.
Created with traditional hand drawn animation techniques to capture the unique style of Quentin Blake’s artwork, the program will be part of a long and established tradition of Channel 4’s animated Christmas specials such as “The Snowman,” “The Tiger Who Came to Tea,” and “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.”
The show is produced by Eagle Eye Drama,...
- 10/9/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The Crown star Helena Bonham Carter is to narrate an animated Channel 4 adaptation of Clown, a kids story written and illustrated by Sir Quentin Blake.
Channel 4 has commissioned Eagle Eye Drama, the production company recently launched by the team behind global drama streamer Walter Presents, to make the 30-minute special using hand-drawn animation techniques.
Quentin Blake’s Clown will bring to life the adventures of a little toy clown, thrown away with a load of old discarded toys, as he goes on a journey to find a new loving home for himself and his friends.
Accompanying the program will be a short making-of feature, which will include contributions from Blake, Bonham Carter and the key animators and executives.
Channel 4 head of drama Caroline Hollick commissioned the special and it is supported by a grant from the BFI’s Young Audiences Content Fund.
Quentin Blake’s Clown is directed by...
Channel 4 has commissioned Eagle Eye Drama, the production company recently launched by the team behind global drama streamer Walter Presents, to make the 30-minute special using hand-drawn animation techniques.
Quentin Blake’s Clown will bring to life the adventures of a little toy clown, thrown away with a load of old discarded toys, as he goes on a journey to find a new loving home for himself and his friends.
Accompanying the program will be a short making-of feature, which will include contributions from Blake, Bonham Carter and the key animators and executives.
Channel 4 head of drama Caroline Hollick commissioned the special and it is supported by a grant from the BFI’s Young Audiences Content Fund.
Quentin Blake’s Clown is directed by...
- 10/8/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Five students on the Ma Screenwriting course will receive £10,000 each.
The UK’s National Film and Television School has launched a new bursary scheme for its screenwriting students.
The initiative will see five of this year’s graduates from the Nfts’ Screenwriting Ma given a grant of £10,000 to give them the ability to dedicate six months to writing after competing their course.
Each recipient will also be paired with a mentor to aid them with their work. Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) and Abi Morgan (Shame) have signed up to be mentors.
The news was announced at the annual Nfts fundraising event in London last night.
The UK’s National Film and Television School has launched a new bursary scheme for its screenwriting students.
The initiative will see five of this year’s graduates from the Nfts’ Screenwriting Ma given a grant of £10,000 to give them the ability to dedicate six months to writing after competing their course.
Each recipient will also be paired with a mentor to aid them with their work. Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) and Abi Morgan (Shame) have signed up to be mentors.
The news was announced at the annual Nfts fundraising event in London last night.
- 6/27/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Author: Competitions
To celebrate the release of Revolting Rhymes available now on DVD, we’re giving 2 lucky winners the chance to win a copy of the DVD as well as a copy of the novel and audiobook.
Voiced by a stellar British cast including David Walliams (Little Britain, Gangsta Granny), Tamsin Greig (The Green Room, Episodes), Dominic West (The Wire, Pride) and Gemma Chan (Humans), Revolting Rhymes is perfect for half term holiday viewing and a treat for the whole family to enjoy.
First published in 1982 Revolting Rhymes was written by the much-loved author, Roald Dahl and illustrated by the legendary Quentin Blake. Bursting with imagination and delightful storytelling, these adaptations bring the tales to life in an extraordinary way. Will Little Red Riding Hood become a meal for the Big Bad Wolf? Can Snow White out-wit her evil stepmother? Is the house of bricks strong enough to protect the Little Pig?...
To celebrate the release of Revolting Rhymes available now on DVD, we’re giving 2 lucky winners the chance to win a copy of the DVD as well as a copy of the novel and audiobook.
Voiced by a stellar British cast including David Walliams (Little Britain, Gangsta Granny), Tamsin Greig (The Green Room, Episodes), Dominic West (The Wire, Pride) and Gemma Chan (Humans), Revolting Rhymes is perfect for half term holiday viewing and a treat for the whole family to enjoy.
First published in 1982 Revolting Rhymes was written by the much-loved author, Roald Dahl and illustrated by the legendary Quentin Blake. Bursting with imagination and delightful storytelling, these adaptations bring the tales to life in an extraordinary way. Will Little Red Riding Hood become a meal for the Big Bad Wolf? Can Snow White out-wit her evil stepmother? Is the house of bricks strong enough to protect the Little Pig?...
- 2/6/2017
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Aliya Whiteley Dec 15, 2016
Illustrated by the director of animated films Belleville Rendez-Vous & The Illusionist is Caleb's Cab, a children's book by Sally Chomet...
Caleb's Cab is the first book by Sally Chomet and it is a great story for children, creating an anarchic world in which Caleb, a young boy, must try to keep his mother out of debt after the mysterious disappearance of his father. He does this by taking over his father's job as a cab driver - but the cab turns out to not be your average car, and an entirely different world from the one Caleb knows awaits him.
See related Humans series 2 interview: Gemma Chan, Emily Berrington, Will Tudor Humans series 2 episode 7 review Humans series 2 episode 6 review Humans series 2 episode 5 review
The inventiveness of the two worlds Caleb finds himself straddling is a gift for reading aloud, and it's the kind of book that would...
Illustrated by the director of animated films Belleville Rendez-Vous & The Illusionist is Caleb's Cab, a children's book by Sally Chomet...
Caleb's Cab is the first book by Sally Chomet and it is a great story for children, creating an anarchic world in which Caleb, a young boy, must try to keep his mother out of debt after the mysterious disappearance of his father. He does this by taking over his father's job as a cab driver - but the cab turns out to not be your average car, and an entirely different world from the one Caleb knows awaits him.
See related Humans series 2 interview: Gemma Chan, Emily Berrington, Will Tudor Humans series 2 episode 7 review Humans series 2 episode 6 review Humans series 2 episode 5 review
The inventiveness of the two worlds Caleb finds himself straddling is a gift for reading aloud, and it's the kind of book that would...
- 12/10/2016
- Den of Geek
Who says kids’ literary influence can’t expand to what they wear?
In celebration of the late Roald Dahl‘s recent 100th birthday and Boden‘s 25th anniversary, the clothing retailer teamed up with the The Roald Dahl Literary Estate to create the limited-edition Mini Boden x Roald Dahl collection.
The brand-new fall kids’ line is inspired by six of Dahl’s classic children’s books: Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Twits, Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Bfg, whose film treatment was just released this summer.
“Roald Dahl’s bonkers imagination and British...
In celebration of the late Roald Dahl‘s recent 100th birthday and Boden‘s 25th anniversary, the clothing retailer teamed up with the The Roald Dahl Literary Estate to create the limited-edition Mini Boden x Roald Dahl collection.
The brand-new fall kids’ line is inspired by six of Dahl’s classic children’s books: Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Twits, Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Bfg, whose film treatment was just released this summer.
“Roald Dahl’s bonkers imagination and British...
- 10/20/2016
- by Jen Juneau
- PEOPLE.com
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of famed author Roald Dahl’s birth, YouTube Kids has teamed up with Dahl’s grandson, Ned Donovan, to curate a special playlist featuring videos that complement his revolutionary work, including James And The Giant Peach, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, and Matilda.
The playlist, fittingly titled Celebrating 100 Years Of Roald Dahl On YouTube Kids, is now live and features everything from step-by-step arts and crafts with TV presenter Claudia Winkleman to The Bfg story time with comedian David Walliams to drawing tutorials with cartoonist Quentin Blake to a reading of Matilda by the actress Kate Winslet.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
The playlist, fittingly titled Celebrating 100 Years Of Roald Dahl On YouTube Kids, is now live and features everything from step-by-step arts and crafts with TV presenter Claudia Winkleman to The Bfg story time with comedian David Walliams to drawing tutorials with cartoonist Quentin Blake to a reading of Matilda by the actress Kate Winslet.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 9/14/2016
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Juliette Harrisson Published Date Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - 11:00
The Witch’s Vacuum Cleaner is the second volume of short stories for children written by the young Terry Pratchett, following the release of Dragons At Crumbling Castle in 2015. The stories were edited and prepared by Pratchett shortly before his death, and the book includes an introduction from him that must be one of the last things he wrote.
Like the first volume, this book is illustrated throughout by Mark Beech, whose style is clearly influenced by Quentin Blake’s work, especially his work on Roald Dahl’s books – it work very well here, immediately signalling the tone and style of the stories to the reader. His portrait of a waving Pratchett for the Introduction is particularly nice, and his interpretation of a small man in a big black hat is also, touchingly, distinctly Terry-like.
The text is enhanced in places by...
The Witch’s Vacuum Cleaner is the second volume of short stories for children written by the young Terry Pratchett, following the release of Dragons At Crumbling Castle in 2015. The stories were edited and prepared by Pratchett shortly before his death, and the book includes an introduction from him that must be one of the last things he wrote.
Like the first volume, this book is illustrated throughout by Mark Beech, whose style is clearly influenced by Quentin Blake’s work, especially his work on Roald Dahl’s books – it work very well here, immediately signalling the tone and style of the stories to the reader. His portrait of a waving Pratchett for the Introduction is particularly nice, and his interpretation of a small man in a big black hat is also, touchingly, distinctly Terry-like.
The text is enhanced in places by...
- 8/31/2016
- Den of Geek
Mark Rylance makes Roald Dahl’s big softie completely believable in Steven Spielberg’s winning adaptation
A marvellously melancholic motion-capture performance by Mark Rylance and vibrant support from rising star Ruby Barnhill provide the beating heart of this extremely likable adaptation of Roald Dahl’s family favourite, which also owes a debt to the illustrations of Quentin Blake. Brimful of the anarchic magic so sorely missing from Spielberg’s ill-fated Peter Pan project, Hook, The Bfg sees the director rediscovering his inner child in winning fashion. Like the eponymous figure, the result may be a little lumbering at times, but it is also ultimately irresistible.
We open in a Mary Poppins-style version of London where past and present seem to intermingle. From vistas of the Thames and the Houses of Parliament we move through Dickensian cobbled streets to the orphanage where young Sophie (Barnhill) peers like a giant into...
A marvellously melancholic motion-capture performance by Mark Rylance and vibrant support from rising star Ruby Barnhill provide the beating heart of this extremely likable adaptation of Roald Dahl’s family favourite, which also owes a debt to the illustrations of Quentin Blake. Brimful of the anarchic magic so sorely missing from Spielberg’s ill-fated Peter Pan project, Hook, The Bfg sees the director rediscovering his inner child in winning fashion. Like the eponymous figure, the result may be a little lumbering at times, but it is also ultimately irresistible.
We open in a Mary Poppins-style version of London where past and present seem to intermingle. From vistas of the Thames and the Houses of Parliament we move through Dickensian cobbled streets to the orphanage where young Sophie (Barnhill) peers like a giant into...
- 7/24/2016
- by Mark Kermode, Observer fim critic
- The Guardian - Film News
Blue Sky
Charles M. Schulz’s classic cartoon strip is coming to the big screen for the first time with Blue Sky animation’s Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie, arriving in cinemas Saturday 19th December in 2D and 3D!
All your favourite members of the Peanuts gang are here – Lucy, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Pig Pen, Linus, Schroeder, Franklin, Marcie and, of course, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Woodstock – in a brand new adventure!
We’re giving five lucky winners the chance to win a bundle of Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie merchandise. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question correctly:
Who drew the original Peanuts cartoon? Was it:
a) Charles M. Schulz
b) Walt Disney
c) Quentin Blake
Please submit your answers to contest@whatculture.com
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut,...
Charles M. Schulz’s classic cartoon strip is coming to the big screen for the first time with Blue Sky animation’s Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie, arriving in cinemas Saturday 19th December in 2D and 3D!
All your favourite members of the Peanuts gang are here – Lucy, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Pig Pen, Linus, Schroeder, Franklin, Marcie and, of course, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Woodstock – in a brand new adventure!
We’re giving five lucky winners the chance to win a bundle of Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie merchandise. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question correctly:
Who drew the original Peanuts cartoon? Was it:
a) Charles M. Schulz
b) Walt Disney
c) Quentin Blake
Please submit your answers to contest@whatculture.com
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut,...
- 12/18/2015
- by Dan Powell
- Obsessed with Film
Richard Curtis brings Roald Dahl's Esio Trot to BBC One in an adaptation starring Dustin Hoffman and Judi Dench...
This review contains spoilers.
Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot is the story of burgeoning love between two pensioners - the shy and quiet Mr Hoppy (Dustin Hoffman) and the outgoing-but-dim Mrs Silver (Judi Dench). Mr Hoppy is far too reserved to express his feelings for Mrs Silver, who appears to only have eyes for her tortoise, Alfie. But when Hoppy hears the object of his affections expressing dismay at Alfie’s lack of growth, he concocts a cunning plan to make her happy and win her heart…
Much criticism has been levelled at Peter Jackson over his decision to turn The Hobbit into three movies, with the final film running at around two minutes per page of the book. However, the book on which the 90-minute Esio Trot is based contains...
This review contains spoilers.
Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot is the story of burgeoning love between two pensioners - the shy and quiet Mr Hoppy (Dustin Hoffman) and the outgoing-but-dim Mrs Silver (Judi Dench). Mr Hoppy is far too reserved to express his feelings for Mrs Silver, who appears to only have eyes for her tortoise, Alfie. But when Hoppy hears the object of his affections expressing dismay at Alfie’s lack of growth, he concocts a cunning plan to make her happy and win her heart…
Much criticism has been levelled at Peter Jackson over his decision to turn The Hobbit into three movies, with the final film running at around two minutes per page of the book. However, the book on which the 90-minute Esio Trot is based contains...
- 12/22/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
The BBC has announced its upcoming new drama series for 2015.
Head of Drama Ben Stephenson revealed at an event last night (November 19) that several new dramas will be shown next year, along with the previously announced SS-gb, The Dresser, Undercover, and the return of Top of the Lake and a new Luther miniseries.
One of Us will be a modern thriller set in the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh, and is written by The Missing's Harry and Jack Williams.
The four-part series revolves around a double murder which shatters two families living next to each other, and focuses on the relatives as they grieve their losses and deal with the consequences.
The writers said: "We're excited to be telling a modern-day parable that explores big themes and ideas through the lens of a very personal, character-driven story".
Cuffs will be an eight-part cop drama from Julie Gearey (Prisoners' Wives), airing on BBC One.
Head of Drama Ben Stephenson revealed at an event last night (November 19) that several new dramas will be shown next year, along with the previously announced SS-gb, The Dresser, Undercover, and the return of Top of the Lake and a new Luther miniseries.
One of Us will be a modern thriller set in the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh, and is written by The Missing's Harry and Jack Williams.
The four-part series revolves around a double murder which shatters two families living next to each other, and focuses on the relatives as they grieve their losses and deal with the consequences.
The writers said: "We're excited to be telling a modern-day parable that explores big themes and ideas through the lens of a very personal, character-driven story".
Cuffs will be an eight-part cop drama from Julie Gearey (Prisoners' Wives), airing on BBC One.
- 11/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Penguin Books has defended a "creepy" cover of a new edition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The Roald Dahl book is part of the Penguin Modern Classics range, with the brand new cover featuring a doll-like young girl being revealed on Wednesday (August 6).
The cover has been described as "misleading" and "creepy", while author Giles Paley-Phillips said it looked "more like Lolita".
Penguin insisted that the book displayed "the light and the dark aspects" of Dahl's story.
"This design is in recognition of the book's extraordinary cultural impact and is one of the few children's books to be featured in the Penguin Modern Classics list," a statement read.
"This new image for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory looks at the children at the centre of the story, and highlights the way Roald Dahl's writing manages to embrace both the light and the dark aspects of life."
The new...
The Roald Dahl book is part of the Penguin Modern Classics range, with the brand new cover featuring a doll-like young girl being revealed on Wednesday (August 6).
The cover has been described as "misleading" and "creepy", while author Giles Paley-Phillips said it looked "more like Lolita".
Penguin insisted that the book displayed "the light and the dark aspects" of Dahl's story.
"This design is in recognition of the book's extraordinary cultural impact and is one of the few children's books to be featured in the Penguin Modern Classics list," a statement read.
"This new image for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory looks at the children at the centre of the story, and highlights the way Roald Dahl's writing manages to embrace both the light and the dark aspects of life."
The new...
- 8/8/2014
- Digital Spy
Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Roald Dahl book set for summer 2016.
Entertainment One (eOne) has announced a July 22, 2016 release date in the UK for a new feature film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic The Bfg (the Big Friendly Giant), directed by Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg said: “It is fitting that the UK is the first international country to announce the date of The Bfg, a story that sprang from the imagination of this proud son from Wales. We at DreamWorks Studios hope our film will add to Roald Dahl’s prolific legacy of entertainment.”
The Bfg is the story of a young girl, the Queen of England and a benevolent giant known as the Bfg, who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world.
Spielberg will direct the new adaptation with Melissa Mathison, who last worked with him on Et, writing the script...
Entertainment One (eOne) has announced a July 22, 2016 release date in the UK for a new feature film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic The Bfg (the Big Friendly Giant), directed by Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg said: “It is fitting that the UK is the first international country to announce the date of The Bfg, a story that sprang from the imagination of this proud son from Wales. We at DreamWorks Studios hope our film will add to Roald Dahl’s prolific legacy of entertainment.”
The Bfg is the story of a young girl, the Queen of England and a benevolent giant known as the Bfg, who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world.
Spielberg will direct the new adaptation with Melissa Mathison, who last worked with him on Et, writing the script...
- 7/11/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Dumb and Dumber To: Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniel are reprising their roles as Lloyd and Harry in the long-awaited sequel Dumb and Dumber To, but, judging by a newly released photo, they haven't gotten any smarter about personal hygiene. The road-trip comedy is due in theaters on November 14. [Coming Soon] The Bfg: As we heard last week, Steven Spielberg will be teaming with Tom Hanks for a cold war thriller about U-2 spy-plane pilot Gary Powers. Now it appears that movie will be Spielberg's next, with a start date in the fall, because the director has also committed to start filming another movie in early 2015: a big-screen version of Roald Dahl's children's book The Bfg. Dahl's 1982 book, illustrated by Quentin Blake (see sample above), tells the...
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- 4/28/2014
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
"The Bfg" is the latest Roald Dahl book to get the big-screen treatment, and it's enlisted an impressive director: Steven Spielberg.
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Spielberg will take the reins of the project, about a young orphan girl who befriends the titular Big Friendly Giant. Studio DreamWorks has been trying to get a movie adaptation of Dahl's 1982 book (illustrated by Quentin Blake) off the ground since it first acquired the rights in 2011, with directors including John Madden and Chris Columbus attached at one time.
But now, according to THR, Spielberg is "officially committed" to the project, and wants to get it off the ground soon, aiming to start production in early 2015. It helps that "The Bfg" has a stable of filmmakers with whom Spielberg has worked before, including longtime collaborator Frank Marshall, who is producing, and screenwriter Melissa Mathison, who also penned the screenplay for "E.T."
Spielberg has added...
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Spielberg will take the reins of the project, about a young orphan girl who befriends the titular Big Friendly Giant. Studio DreamWorks has been trying to get a movie adaptation of Dahl's 1982 book (illustrated by Quentin Blake) off the ground since it first acquired the rights in 2011, with directors including John Madden and Chris Columbus attached at one time.
But now, according to THR, Spielberg is "officially committed" to the project, and wants to get it off the ground soon, aiming to start production in early 2015. It helps that "The Bfg" has a stable of filmmakers with whom Spielberg has worked before, including longtime collaborator Frank Marshall, who is producing, and screenwriter Melissa Mathison, who also penned the screenplay for "E.T."
Spielberg has added...
- 4/28/2014
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
Dumb and Dumber To: Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniel are reprising their roles as Lloyd and Harry in the long-awaited sequel Dumb and Dumber To, but, judging by a newly released photo, they haven't gotten any smarter about personal hygiene. The road-trip comedy is due in theaters on November 14. [Coming Soon] The Bfg: As we heard last week, Steven Spielberg will be teaming with Tom Hanks for a cold-war thriller about U-2 spy-plane pilot Gary Powers. Now it appears that movie will be Spielberg's next, with a start date in the fall, because the director has also committed to start filming another movie in early 2015: a live-action version of Roald Dahl's children's book The Bfg. Dahl's 1982 book, illustrated by Quentin Blake, tells the story of a "Big Friendly...
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- 4/28/2014
- by Peter Martin
- Movies.com
Dumb and Dumber To: Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniel are reprising their roles as Lloyd and Harry in the long awaited sequel Dumb and Dumber To, but, judging by a newly-released photo, they haven't gotten any smarter about personal hygiene. The road-trip comedy is due in theaters on November 14. [Coming Soon] The Bfg: As we heard last week, Steven Spielberg will be teaming with Tom Hanks for a cold war thriller about U-2 spy plane pilot Gary Powers. Now it appears that movie will be Spielberg's next, with a start date in the fall, because the director has also committed to start filming another movie in early 2015: a live-action version of Roald Dahl's children's book The Bfg. Dahl's 1982 book, illustrated by Quentin Blake, tells the story of a "Big Friendly...
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- 4/28/2014
- by Peter Martin
- Movies.com
Steven Spielberg is the latest Hollywood auteur to find inspiration in the works of Roald Dahl. The legendary director will helm a live-action adaptation of the writer's children's book "Bfg," which will reunite him with screenwriter Melissa Mathison, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Mathison earned an Oscar nomination for writing Spielberg's 1982 smash "E.T." and wrote Martin Scorsese's 1997 film about the Dalai Lama, "Kundun." Dahl's 1982 book centers on a Big Friendly Giant who bonds with a young orphan girl. Quentin Blake created the book's illustrations. "Bfg" previously served as the basis for an animated British telefilm in 1989. Dahl's work has recently been adapted as the films Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and Wes Anderson's stop-motion film "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Spielberg is keeping busy these days. He recently announced he'll reteam with Tom Hanks on an as-yet-untitled Cold War thriller. He's also developing an adaption of David...
- 4/26/2014
- by Dave Lewis
- Hitfix
Steven Spielberg has been tapped to direct a live-action adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl children's book, The Bfg. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the director has committed to starting work on the film in early 2015, for an expected release in 2016.
Is the Hollywood Model Doomed? Steven Spielberg and George Lucas Think So
Dahl's book, which was first published in 1982 with its classic Quentin Blake illustrations, tells the story of a Big Friendly Giant who befriends a young orphan girl. The book had previously been adapted as an animated film...
Is the Hollywood Model Doomed? Steven Spielberg and George Lucas Think So
Dahl's book, which was first published in 1982 with its classic Quentin Blake illustrations, tells the story of a Big Friendly Giant who befriends a young orphan girl. The book had previously been adapted as an animated film...
- 4/26/2014
- Rollingstone.com
Steven Spielberg is attached to direct the adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's book The Bfg for DreamWorks. The live-action film will be based on the fantastical tale of a Big Friendly Giant who befriends a young orphan girl. Dahl's book, illustrated by Quentin Blake, was first published in 1982. Photos: Palm Springs: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep Celebrate at Glittery Gala DreamWorks acquired the book in 2011 with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall to produce. Various directors have been attached to the project over the years, including John Madden and Chris Columbus. Melissa Mathison, who penned the script
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- 4/26/2014
- by Kim Masters, Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mark Harrison Sep 13, 2016
From James Bond to Willy Wonka, Matilda to The Witches, we chart the big screen work of Roald Dahl...
Roald Dahl has often been referred to as one of the greatest storytellers for children in the 20th century. His books have delighted children for generations, with their dark and inventive sense of humour and their eccentric, dastardly adult characters.
Likewise, his written work for adults has just as much wit and creativity, and over the years, he also worked as a screenwriter on a number of projects, including TV work on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and his own anthology series, Roald Dahl's Tales Of The Unexpected.
Given how it doesn't even take the likes of J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer five years to have their popular works adapted by Hollywood, there has inevitably been an extensive crossover between Dahl's written work and the big screen. His work...
From James Bond to Willy Wonka, Matilda to The Witches, we chart the big screen work of Roald Dahl...
Roald Dahl has often been referred to as one of the greatest storytellers for children in the 20th century. His books have delighted children for generations, with their dark and inventive sense of humour and their eccentric, dastardly adult characters.
Likewise, his written work for adults has just as much wit and creativity, and over the years, he also worked as a screenwriter on a number of projects, including TV work on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and his own anthology series, Roald Dahl's Tales Of The Unexpected.
Given how it doesn't even take the likes of J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer five years to have their popular works adapted by Hollywood, there has inevitably been an extensive crossover between Dahl's written work and the big screen. His work...
- 3/1/2014
- Den of Geek
Feature Mark Harrison 3 Mar 2014 - 07:02
From James Bond to Willy Wonka, Matilda to The Witches, we chart the big screen work of Roald Dahl...
Roald Dahl has often been referred to as one of the greatest storytellers for children in the 20th century. His books have delighted children for generations, with their dark and inventive sense of humour and their eccentric, dastardly adult characters.
Likewise, his written work for adults has just as much wit and creativity, and over the years, he also worked as a screenwriter on a number of projects, including TV work on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and his own anthology series, Roald Dahl's Tales Of The Unexpected.
Given how it doesn't even take the likes of J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer five years to have their popular works adapted by Hollywood, there has inevitably been an extensive crossover between Dahl's written work and the big screen.
From James Bond to Willy Wonka, Matilda to The Witches, we chart the big screen work of Roald Dahl...
Roald Dahl has often been referred to as one of the greatest storytellers for children in the 20th century. His books have delighted children for generations, with their dark and inventive sense of humour and their eccentric, dastardly adult characters.
Likewise, his written work for adults has just as much wit and creativity, and over the years, he also worked as a screenwriter on a number of projects, including TV work on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and his own anthology series, Roald Dahl's Tales Of The Unexpected.
Given how it doesn't even take the likes of J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer five years to have their popular works adapted by Hollywood, there has inevitably been an extensive crossover between Dahl's written work and the big screen.
- 3/1/2014
- by sarahd
- Den of Geek
Five-foot replica of Wallace's dog, on display in Bristol fundraising event, has tail broken off
A giant statue of Aardman Animations' beloved Gromit, which was designed by actor Joanna Lumley for a charity drive, has been vandalised in Bristol.
The five foot sculpture of Wallace's canine best friend is one of 80 on display in the city as part of the 10-week Gromit Unleashed arts trail, which aims to raise funds for Bristol Children's hospital. It had its tail broken off on Friday night, according to organisers, and police are now investigating.
"We're very sorry to say that late Friday night, one of our Gromit Unleashed sculptures was damaged," said organisers of Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal in a statement. "We are dismayed that anyone would want to damage one of the Gromit sculptures, which have been created to raise money to treat sick children in hospital and to provide...
A giant statue of Aardman Animations' beloved Gromit, which was designed by actor Joanna Lumley for a charity drive, has been vandalised in Bristol.
The five foot sculpture of Wallace's canine best friend is one of 80 on display in the city as part of the 10-week Gromit Unleashed arts trail, which aims to raise funds for Bristol Children's hospital. It had its tail broken off on Friday night, according to organisers, and police are now investigating.
"We're very sorry to say that late Friday night, one of our Gromit Unleashed sculptures was damaged," said organisers of Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal in a statement. "We are dismayed that anyone would want to damage one of the Gromit sculptures, which have been created to raise money to treat sick children in hospital and to provide...
- 7/4/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Roald Dahl's vulpine classic is transformed into an Ocean's Eleven-style heist caper. Weirdly, it works
Spoiler Alert: This blog is published ahead of a screening on Channel 4 on Sunday at 4.55pm. Do not read if you have not seen the film and don't want to know anything about it.
"My suicide mission has been cancelled. We're replacing it with a go-for-broke rescue mission" – Mr Fox
Roald Dahl and Wes Anderson are two sides of the same coin. Both of them delight in dark whimsy – a child drowning in chocolate here, a stop-motion shark that causes a middle-aged man to reassess his priorities there – but they go about demonstrating this in completely different ways. Anderson prizes order and precision above all else – but Dahl, typified by Quentin Blake's haywire illustrations, is the enemy of sterility.
So when Anderson decided to adapt Dahl's book Fantastic Mr Fox, questions...
Spoiler Alert: This blog is published ahead of a screening on Channel 4 on Sunday at 4.55pm. Do not read if you have not seen the film and don't want to know anything about it.
"My suicide mission has been cancelled. We're replacing it with a go-for-broke rescue mission" – Mr Fox
Roald Dahl and Wes Anderson are two sides of the same coin. Both of them delight in dark whimsy – a child drowning in chocolate here, a stop-motion shark that causes a middle-aged man to reassess his priorities there – but they go about demonstrating this in completely different ways. Anderson prizes order and precision above all else – but Dahl, typified by Quentin Blake's haywire illustrations, is the enemy of sterility.
So when Anderson decided to adapt Dahl's book Fantastic Mr Fox, questions...
- 6/28/2013
- by Stuart Heritage
- The Guardian - Film News
After months of hype, Sam Mendes’ trumpeted return to the West End is finally open to the public. Tackling a much-loved children’s literary classic, fully ingrained in popular culture (it’s already been the subject of two big screen adaptations) must have been a challenging proposition for the Skyfall director. Unsurprisingly, he pulls it off with genuine aplomb, and like the great Wonka’s otherworldly display of confectionery delights, there’s more than enough here to entice, astonish and enchant those of all ages.
As to be expected from a Mendes production, this is a slick-looking affair. The integration of art direction and visual content is superb, and an intro extolling the beauty of chocolate is credited to one Quentin Blake – a nice nod to the Roald Dahl legacy. While the production sticks largely to the book, there are some obvious contemporary changes worked in, although that subversive Dahl edge is still intact.
As to be expected from a Mendes production, this is a slick-looking affair. The integration of art direction and visual content is superb, and an intro extolling the beauty of chocolate is credited to one Quentin Blake – a nice nod to the Roald Dahl legacy. While the production sticks largely to the book, there are some obvious contemporary changes worked in, although that subversive Dahl edge is still intact.
- 6/27/2013
- by Adam Lowes
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
After starting work as a dressmaker, Sarah Chesters changed to a career in horticulture. Here she shares her experiences and gives advice on how to join the gardening profession
I grew up in an old mill surrounded by woodland in north Cornwall and, after school, moved to London as an apprentice dressmaker. My first job was with Bermans and Nathans, a film and theatrical outfitters, making costumes for productions like Reds, the King and I, Superman and, prophetically, a gardening smock for Bette Davis in one of her last films. I moved on to become a fitter and alteration hand at various fashion houses in London including Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, later rebranded as Yves Saint Laurent, making ball gowns and wedding dresses.
But, being stuck in the city, I started to miss the countryside and became disillusioned with my career. I wrote to a horticultural consultant who was very...
I grew up in an old mill surrounded by woodland in north Cornwall and, after school, moved to London as an apprentice dressmaker. My first job was with Bermans and Nathans, a film and theatrical outfitters, making costumes for productions like Reds, the King and I, Superman and, prophetically, a gardening smock for Bette Davis in one of her last films. I moved on to become a fitter and alteration hand at various fashion houses in London including Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, later rebranded as Yves Saint Laurent, making ball gowns and wedding dresses.
But, being stuck in the city, I started to miss the countryside and became disillusioned with my career. I wrote to a horticultural consultant who was very...
- 5/29/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
A great children’s story needs a great monster, preferably one that’s at least partly human. Matilda — Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel and now an irresistible, whiz-bang musical — may have the best of the breed in Agatha Trunchbull, headmistress from hell (or its suburb, the British middle class). Built like a refrigerator with manatee flippers, she is the pure essence of English schoolhouse sadism, which Dahl, in his youth, suffered firsthand. As brilliantly reimagined for the stage, while still hewing close to Quentin Blake’s original illustrations, Trunchbull is so physically threatening and appetitive you think she might actually eat her wee charges like pigs in blankets. Were she not played by a man (the superbly comic Bertie Carvel), she would be too horrible for a family musical. The drag takes the edge off.Whether the edge should be taken off is a different question. As Dahl wrote it, Matilda...
- 4/12/2013
- by Jesse Green
- Vulture
If Ralph Steadman and Quentin Blake went to a concert together, we imagine their joint creation would resemble Todd Diciurcio's artwork.
The New York-based illustrator works in charcoal to bring his favorite rock legends from stage to paper, while keeping the momentum of the performance intact. Since drawing Guided By Voices in 1999, Diciurcio has gone on to capture the stage presence of The Rolling Stones, Cat Power, New Order, and more.
"My drawing process needs to be done strictly during performance, but not performance based," Diciurcio explained to the blog, Monster Children. "The goal is always to create a dialogue between mark making and the music."
Diciurcio's band drawings will show at P3 Studio Space at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas from April 17 until May 12.
Click:...
The New York-based illustrator works in charcoal to bring his favorite rock legends from stage to paper, while keeping the momentum of the performance intact. Since drawing Guided By Voices in 1999, Diciurcio has gone on to capture the stage presence of The Rolling Stones, Cat Power, New Order, and more.
"My drawing process needs to be done strictly during performance, but not performance based," Diciurcio explained to the blog, Monster Children. "The goal is always to create a dialogue between mark making and the music."
Diciurcio's band drawings will show at P3 Studio Space at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas from April 17 until May 12.
Click:...
- 2/5/2013
- by Priscilla Frank
- Huffington Post
London, Dec 29: Ewan McGregor is set to be awarded one of Britain's highest awards, a Cbe, for services to drama and charity.
McGregor is among a list of stars set to be given the gongs by the Queen including singer Kate Bush, artist Tracey Emin, former 'Strictly' judge Arlene Phillips and Hustle actor Adrian Lester, the Mirror reported.
Illustrator Quentin Blake is getting a knighthood, fashion designer Stella McCartney an OBE, former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash an MBE and violinist Nicola Benedetti an MBE.
The 'Star Wars' actor, who has been involved in charity work for years, said that he was delighted and.
McGregor is among a list of stars set to be given the gongs by the Queen including singer Kate Bush, artist Tracey Emin, former 'Strictly' judge Arlene Phillips and Hustle actor Adrian Lester, the Mirror reported.
Illustrator Quentin Blake is getting a knighthood, fashion designer Stella McCartney an OBE, former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash an MBE and violinist Nicola Benedetti an MBE.
The 'Star Wars' actor, who has been involved in charity work for years, said that he was delighted and.
- 12/29/2012
- by Leon David
- RealBollywood.com
David Walliams's comedy drama Mr Stink was the standout show of yesterday's primetime schedule (December 23), early overnight ratings data indicates. The adaptation of the 2009 book, which was originally illustrated by Quentin Blake, scored 6.34m (27.3%) from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Also on BBC One, 4.18m (17.2%) watched Victoria Wood's Joyce Hatto biopic Loving Miss Hatto from 8.30pm-10.30pm. Around the same number 4.18m (20.6%) had watched the Antiques Roadshow for the hour before. 3.61m (20.8%) watched highlights of the last pre-Christmas Premier League games on Match of the Day 2 from 10.30pm to 11.30pm. Victoria Wood also did well for BBC Two last night, as All The Trimmings entertained 2.16m (9.15%) from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Her lead-in was The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show, which had 2.5 million (more)...
- 12/24/2012
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
For any child raised between the mid-seventies and early nineties, the work of Brian Cosgrove, and his creative partner Mark Hall will be instantly familiar. From the adventures of a not particularly successful rodent secret agent, and the bizarre home life of a vegetarian vampire duck, to the stop-motion antics of Ratty, Badger, Mole and Toad, their creations dominated afternoon TV in a way that Rastamouse could only dream of.
In addition to his work on children’s TV series, Cosgrove produced and directed the 1989, animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel The Bfg, which comes to Blu-Ray this week. Cosgrove recently took the time to talk to HeyUGuys about the film, as well as his other work, his views on Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox, and his frequent collaborations with the actor David Jason.
On watching the film again, 23 years after it was first released and thinking back to the production.
In addition to his work on children’s TV series, Cosgrove produced and directed the 1989, animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel The Bfg, which comes to Blu-Ray this week. Cosgrove recently took the time to talk to HeyUGuys about the film, as well as his other work, his views on Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox, and his frequent collaborations with the actor David Jason.
On watching the film again, 23 years after it was first released and thinking back to the production.
- 9/18/2012
- by Ben Mortimer
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Louisa Mellor Aug 1, 2016
With Steven Spielberg's The Bfg in cinemas, we look back at the 1989 Cosgrove Hall adaptation feat. David Jason…
On Christmas day 1989, ITV premiered the most charming child abduction story ever told: Cosgrove Hall’s animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Bfg.
Directed by Brian Cosgrove, co-founder of the UK animation studio behind The Wind In The Willows, Danger Mouse, Count Duckula and a whole raft of the sort of kids’ TV that thirty-somethings still get excited about in pubs, The Bfg was, and is, a lovely thing.
Imaginative, funny, and just on the trippy side of weird, the film tells Roald Dahl’s story of orphan Sophie and the titular Big Friendly Giant’s scheme to stop bigger, much less-friendly giants from roaming the globe and gobbling up human beans. But before Cosgrove and co-producer Mark Hall could relay that tale, they had their own...
With Steven Spielberg's The Bfg in cinemas, we look back at the 1989 Cosgrove Hall adaptation feat. David Jason…
On Christmas day 1989, ITV premiered the most charming child abduction story ever told: Cosgrove Hall’s animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Bfg.
Directed by Brian Cosgrove, co-founder of the UK animation studio behind The Wind In The Willows, Danger Mouse, Count Duckula and a whole raft of the sort of kids’ TV that thirty-somethings still get excited about in pubs, The Bfg was, and is, a lovely thing.
Imaginative, funny, and just on the trippy side of weird, the film tells Roald Dahl’s story of orphan Sophie and the titular Big Friendly Giant’s scheme to stop bigger, much less-friendly giants from roaming the globe and gobbling up human beans. But before Cosgrove and co-producer Mark Hall could relay that tale, they had their own...
- 9/12/2012
- Den of Geek
'He could be quite vocal, Roald Dahl, if he didn't like something so it was a real relief he liked our film'
Brian Cosgrove, director
Quentin Blake was Roald Dahl's illustrator of choice, and his art for the book was perfect: very simple line drawings, perfectly balanced. But we wanted our giant to be more believable and scary.
I painted a watercolour of how we saw him. I got a lovely note back from Dahl saying it was perfect, he was right behind it, and to just get on and do it. Sophie, the little girl who befriends the Bfg, was easy. I had read that Dahl based her on his granddaughter, Sophie Dahl. At the time she wore John Lennon glasses, so we took it from there.
David Jason voiced the giant. I first found him when I was doing voice tests for Danger Mouse. With a lot of voice actors,...
Brian Cosgrove, director
Quentin Blake was Roald Dahl's illustrator of choice, and his art for the book was perfect: very simple line drawings, perfectly balanced. But we wanted our giant to be more believable and scary.
I painted a watercolour of how we saw him. I got a lovely note back from Dahl saying it was perfect, he was right behind it, and to just get on and do it. Sophie, the little girl who befriends the Bfg, was easy. I had read that Dahl based her on his granddaughter, Sophie Dahl. At the time she wore John Lennon glasses, so we took it from there.
David Jason voiced the giant. I first found him when I was doing voice tests for Danger Mouse. With a lot of voice actors,...
- 9/10/2012
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Today Royal Mail is celebrating one of the nation’s best-loved children’s authors, Roald Dahl, with its first stamp issue of 2012. The presentation pack of six stamps celebrate six of Dahl’s most famous books that children and adults alike came to know and love, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Twits and Matilda and we’ve been given ten packs to give away to lucky HeyUGuys readers.
The stamps themselves recreate the magic of the Dahl books, using the beautiful illustrations of Quentin Blake.
For the launch, Royal Mail Stamps is also running a competition on its Facebook page, facebook.com/royalmailstamps, to win Roald Dahl’s Scrumdiddlyumptious Story Collection featuring seven of his best-loved books, a pop-up book of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a Roald Dahl presentation pack.
The stamps are also available via the link here: www.royalmail.com/roalddahl,...
The stamps themselves recreate the magic of the Dahl books, using the beautiful illustrations of Quentin Blake.
For the launch, Royal Mail Stamps is also running a competition on its Facebook page, facebook.com/royalmailstamps, to win Roald Dahl’s Scrumdiddlyumptious Story Collection featuring seven of his best-loved books, a pop-up book of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a Roald Dahl presentation pack.
The stamps are also available via the link here: www.royalmail.com/roalddahl,...
- 1/10/2012
- by Competitons
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
X-Files star and long-time Survival International supporter Gillian Anderson has become an ambassador for Survival, joining Quentin Blake, Julie Christie, Kurt Jackson, Pippa Small and Mark Rylance.
Anderson recently narrated the film released by Survival of an uncontacted tribe in the Brazilian Amazon. It is the first aerial footage to be taken of an uncontacted community, and its release has received global media attention. Anderson said about the film, ‘What comes across very powerfully from this amazing footage is how healthy and confident these people appear. I hope they can be left alone – but that will only happen if the loggers are stopped.’
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Anderson recently narrated the film released by Survival of an uncontacted tribe in the Brazilian Amazon. It is the first aerial footage to be taken of an uncontacted community, and its release has received global media attention. Anderson said about the film, ‘What comes across very powerfully from this amazing footage is how healthy and confident these people appear. I hope they can be left alone – but that will only happen if the loggers are stopped.’
Read more...
- 6/14/2011
- Look to the Stars
The Corretta Scott Kind, Printz and Stonewall Book Awards
The Stonewall Books Awards, given annually to the year's best in children's and teen literature involving the Glbt experience, were announced today at the closing of the American Library Association's annual conference. Brian Katcher's Almost Perfect, the story of a straight boy's relationship with a transgender girl, was named the winner.
But the most interesting development may be this year's decision by the American Library Association’s Stonewall Book Awards Committee of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Round Table, which gives the award, to announce it at the same time as the Ala's other prominent awards, which include the Newbery (given for outstanding children's literature), the Printz (given for outstanding teen literature), and the Coretta Scott King (given for outstanding African American literature).
This decision has greatly increased the visibility of the Stonewall Awards (and, perhaps, their clout), and some...
The Stonewall Books Awards, given annually to the year's best in children's and teen literature involving the Glbt experience, were announced today at the closing of the American Library Association's annual conference. Brian Katcher's Almost Perfect, the story of a straight boy's relationship with a transgender girl, was named the winner.
But the most interesting development may be this year's decision by the American Library Association’s Stonewall Book Awards Committee of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Round Table, which gives the award, to announce it at the same time as the Ala's other prominent awards, which include the Newbery (given for outstanding children's literature), the Printz (given for outstanding teen literature), and the Coretta Scott King (given for outstanding African American literature).
This decision has greatly increased the visibility of the Stonewall Awards (and, perhaps, their clout), and some...
- 1/10/2011
- by Brent Hartinger
- The Backlot
Is it really 20 years since the Roald Dahl adaptation, The Witches, appeared? Yes. But it’s as worthy of your attention as ever, as Jeff explains…
"My orders are that every single child in this country shall be r-r-rubbed out, sqvashed, sqvirted, sqvittered and frrrittered," barks the Grand High Witch in Roald Dahl's The Witches, a controversial tale about 'real witches', that has pushed the fright envelope more than any other contemporary children's book or film.
It's been twenty years since one of the most unorthodox fusions of talent pooled together to scare kids silly, with Roald Dahl's source material played surprisingly close to the text, Jim Henson's muppets in full grotesque mode, and strangely enough, maverick director Nicolas Roeg at the helm of a 'children's movie'.
Dahl's spin on childhood is uniquely humorous and violent. His protagonists are often lone operators in which death is not only a fact,...
"My orders are that every single child in this country shall be r-r-rubbed out, sqvashed, sqvirted, sqvittered and frrrittered," barks the Grand High Witch in Roald Dahl's The Witches, a controversial tale about 'real witches', that has pushed the fright envelope more than any other contemporary children's book or film.
It's been twenty years since one of the most unorthodox fusions of talent pooled together to scare kids silly, with Roald Dahl's source material played surprisingly close to the text, Jim Henson's muppets in full grotesque mode, and strangely enough, maverick director Nicolas Roeg at the helm of a 'children's movie'.
Dahl's spin on childhood is uniquely humorous and violent. His protagonists are often lone operators in which death is not only a fact,...
- 11/30/2010
- Den of Geek
Gillian Anderson and Sophie Okonedo are among the film stars boycotting diamonds from Botswana as part of protest about the treatment of a local tribe.
Joanna Lumley, actor Mark Rylance and children's author Quentin Blake are also backing the protest by human rights group Survival International, prompted by reports the mythical Kalahari Bushmen natives have been kicked off their land so ruthless diamond diggers can mine.
The bushmen were relocated from their land in 2002 after diamonds were discovered there and, despite a court ruling in 2006 allowing them back to the area, they are still barred from accessing a borehole which was their only source of water.
And the stars are calling for a boycott of the De Beers diamond store in London, as well as one in San Francisco, until the situation in southern Africa is resolved.
Stephen Corry, Survival International's director, says, "People should know that far from being an expensive token of eternal love, Botswana diamonds are a symbol of the nasty oppression of southern Africa's first people."...
Joanna Lumley, actor Mark Rylance and children's author Quentin Blake are also backing the protest by human rights group Survival International, prompted by reports the mythical Kalahari Bushmen natives have been kicked off their land so ruthless diamond diggers can mine.
The bushmen were relocated from their land in 2002 after diamonds were discovered there and, despite a court ruling in 2006 allowing them back to the area, they are still barred from accessing a borehole which was their only source of water.
And the stars are calling for a boycott of the De Beers diamond store in London, as well as one in San Francisco, until the situation in southern Africa is resolved.
Stephen Corry, Survival International's director, says, "People should know that far from being an expensive token of eternal love, Botswana diamonds are a symbol of the nasty oppression of southern Africa's first people."...
- 11/4/2010
- WENN
Twilight’s Robert Pattinson is just one of a group of stars who have donated their artworks to charity for a special celebrity auction.
To commemorate International Missing Children’s Day, the charity Pact (Parents and Abducted Children Together) invited celebrities and dignitaries from around the world to decorate an image of a balloon – the symbol of International Missing Children’s Day.
The vampire heartthrob has joined Roger Moore, Quentin Blake, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Kirk Douglas, Michael Caine, Frederick Forsyth, Neil Sedaka, Arfi Lamba, Christopher Plummer, Zoë Wanamaker and many, many more for the auction of sketches from over 100 celebrities.
Read more...
To commemorate International Missing Children’s Day, the charity Pact (Parents and Abducted Children Together) invited celebrities and dignitaries from around the world to decorate an image of a balloon – the symbol of International Missing Children’s Day.
The vampire heartthrob has joined Roger Moore, Quentin Blake, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Kirk Douglas, Michael Caine, Frederick Forsyth, Neil Sedaka, Arfi Lamba, Christopher Plummer, Zoë Wanamaker and many, many more for the auction of sketches from over 100 celebrities.
Read more...
- 7/29/2010
- Look to the Stars
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