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Luca Those who haven’t gotten on the Disney+ wagon (or, shall we say, Vespa) can enjoy Pixar’s gorgeous, lighthearted Italian Riviera vacation-on-screen this month — alongside an ocean of bonus features including new featurettes, deleted scenes and reflections from the filmmakers. Directed by Enrico Casarosa (La Luna), Luca takes viewers to the picturesque town of Portorosso, where two young sea monsters take human shape on an epic quest for freedom and friendship. With colorful, cartoony CGI, kid-friendly stakes and a heartwarming message, this summer streamer was a welcome relief to a year and a half of stress and uncertainty for many families. [Disney, $35 4K | $25 BD | $20 DVD]
Stuff We Love Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway Sony’s lovable cotton-tailed rogue is back in another raucous live-action/CGI hybrid adventure. Unable to shake his mischievous rep, Peter abandons the makeshift family forged by Bea, Thomas and the rabbits to find his place in the world — dragging his loved ones behind him in a hare-raising bid to get their bouncing bunny boy back. Director Will Gluck again delivers a sound family comedy with just enough charm to remind you this was once, in some other where and when, a Beatrix Potter story. [Sony, $30 4K | $27 BD | $23]
Spirit Untamed: The Movie The next chapter in DreamWorks’ popular franchise tells the story of how free-spirited Lucky Prescott came to the sleepy town of Miradero, discovered the truth about her late mother and befriended her saddle pals Abigail and Pru just in time to rescue a certain wild mustang from a scheming wrangler. Young fans can ride along for the hoof-pounding adventure and then check out fun special features, including Finding Your Spirit, deleted scenes, singalongs and more. [Universal, $25 BD | $20 DVD]
Dreambuilders [Shout! Factory, $23 BD | $20 DVD] Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms [Warner, $40 4K | $30 BD] The Tatami Galaxy - The Complete Series (Sub Only) [FUNimation Classics, $50 BD] The Transformers: The Movie 35th Anniversary (LE) [Shout! Factory, $30 4K | $17 BD]
Castlevania: The Art of the Animated Series Sink your teeth into the gorgeously gruesome world of the Netflix hit with this hardcover collection of Gothic anime adventure, assembled by Frederator Studios. With hundreds of pieces of richly detailed artwork including never-before-seen illustrations of monsters, characters and environments — this is the most intricate look at the show us mere mortals could hope to enjoy. [Dark Horse, $40]
Pre-Order Alert: Funko PREVIEWS Exclusive Mr. Burns POP! This glow-in-the-dark darling commemorates the classic Simpsons episode “The Springfield Files.” Dropping Sept. 29, the 3¾” figure is complemented by a translucent “chase version” for a few lucky ducks. “It’s bringing love, don’t let it get away!” [SRP $15, previewsworld.com]
Talking Threads: Costume Design for Animation, Games and Illustration Understand the “five functions” of costume design and how outfitting your characters correctly communicates not only their individual style, but the structure of their society, the setting and theme of your story, and so much more. (For example: A Sailor Moon t-shirt and mustard-stained yoga pants to describe an animation journalist thriving under WFH protocols.) Each chapter is packed with creative exercises, tutorials, inspiration and insights from five pros (Jessie Kate, Gwyn Conaway, Rebecca BlackGliko, Maria Kercher and Blythe Russo) to spark your inner stylist. [Design Studio Press, $46] — Mercedes Milligan www.animationmagazine.net 4
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september|october 21
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