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Disney's first-ever feature-length animated motion picture, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," was a big gamble that helped cinema evolve as a medium. It proved that animation could be more than just short, slapstick fluff that played before the main attraction. On top of that, the film's animators used then-new technologies such as larger cels and multiplane cameras to create fine details and ethereal watercolor backgrounds, breaking new ground along the way. Be that as it may, it's the studio's second animated feature, 1940's "Pinocchio," that remains its most well-reviewed movie.

"Pinocchio" is, of course, based on Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel "The Adventures of Pinocchio," which originated as a children's magazine serial. Its story centers on the titular character (Dick Jones), a wooden puppet who is magically brought to life yet still longs to be a flesh-and-blood boy. However, he soon discovers that human life isn't easy; dangers lurk around every corner,...

Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is best known for tackling films with unique characters and creatures. He has received critical acclaim for his work on the 2022 stop-motion animation adaptation of the classic children’s fantasy novel Pinocchio. However, the film wasn’t the only adaptation of the beloved source material to be released that year.

Guillermo del Toro directed 2022’s stop-motion animated Pinocchio (Credits: CBS News).

Director Robert Zemeckis brought to life a different take on Pinocchio, with actor Tom Hanks playing the wooden doll’s creator, Geppetto. However, the film was panned by critics and audiences alike. In an interview, del Toro revealed the exact feature that is essential to making a good adaptation of the source material, proving why the Hanks-led version was a failure.

Guillermo del Toro revealed the secret to making a good Pinocchio adaptation

Guillermo del Toro directed the 2022 stop-motion animated film Pinocchio, based on Carlo Collodi...

"If you've seen one, you've seen them all." It's a phrase we may each have used before, or at least something of the spirit behind it, when talking about films of a certain genre. You may think, if you're not a fan of horror movies, that if you've seen just one slasher, you know how they all work. And if you see just one feel-good romantic comedy, you might think you don't need to watch any more because of how familiar the tropes may be. But arguably, few genres get treated like this, and so unfairly, as the movie musical. Where so many audiences can suspend their disbelief to watch a superhero film or the like, they struggle to get over the image of people bursting into song to express their emotions. But the truth is, each genre has its standout entries and its misses. Not every musical is perfect,...

Once Upon a Time puts many unique spins on classic fairy tale characters. Once Upon a Time's concept is creative: the Evil Queen casts a Dark Curse that sends fairy tale characters to Storybrooke, Maine. Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter, Emma Swan, is destined to break this curse when she is 28. Emma arrives in Storybrooke because Henry, her son, finds her. However, the Evil Queen — Regina Mills in Storybrooke — adopted Henry when Emma gave him up at birth. This immediately establishes a complex family tree in Once Upon a Time, containing many surprises, twists, and turns.

And the Evil Queen is not the only character with a new identity in the real world. Marco and Archie Hopper exist: two characters formerly known as Geppetto and Jiminy Cricket from The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. Another example includes Ashley Boyd, known as the titular character from Charles Perrault's Cendrillon (Cinderella). In fact,...

Is there a perfect animated Disney movie? In our minds that reflects subjective tastes, sure. For some, it could be a classic like "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," or a more recent entry like the refreshingly poignant "Zootopia." There are multitudes to be found in between — and beyond — as the central emotions associated with a personal favorite Disney animated film are nostalgia and catharsis. However, if we are to consider a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score as a metric, 1940's "Pinocchio" is the only Disney animated movie (as opposed to live-action or hybrid entries) with a 100% on the Tomatometer.

If we look back on the history of Disney-helmed animated works, the major sources of inspiration were classic fairy tales and children's novels, the likes that birthed "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" or "The Little Mermaid." However, these adaptations were not always faithful, as some of the darker elements were reworked...

Exclusive: “Unlimited”, Cynthia Erivo sings, “My future is unlimited.” The lyrics from The Wizard and I, a number from the musical Wicked, tumble sweetly, melodically – effortlessly – from her mouth. Such a moment could not have happened 10, 15 or even 20 years ago, because, the star reveals: “I was not ready.”

Erivo, 37, says that she first had to understand life in order to play Elphaba, the young woman with green pigmentation in a world of Caucasians, whose story she recounts breathtakingly in Universal’s movie musical extravaganza Wicked.

Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, and the long running Broadway show it’s adapted from, with a book by Winnie Holzman and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It details the friendship that developed between Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda,...

For the past 30 years, the filmmaking collaboration of actor Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis has stood as one of modern cinema's most beloved partnerships. From Forest Gump to their upcoming fifth film together Here, Hanks and Zemeckis have managed to walk the fine line between mainstream popular appeal and enduring artistry that has truly stood the test of time. With plenty of humor and a whole lot of compassion, Hanks and Zemeckis have done some of the best in both of their careers together.

Hanks and Zemeckis's collaboration has included incredible highs, such as their extraordinary work on Cast Away, and some lows, like the lackluster responsibility of their version of Pinocchio. However, no matter what the result, this duo has always aimed for quality and, in the process, has delivered some of cinemas most iconic characters and breathtaking works of fiction. With the 2024 release of the fixed-camera film Here on the horizon,...

The Twisted Childhood Universe is set to expand with the announcement of a brand-new public domain terror from Jagged Edge Productions called Pinocchio: Unstrung. The beloved marionette who dreams of being a real boy debuted back in 1883 in Carlo Collodi's novel, but the latest interpretation of the character recasts him as a horrifying villain. The basic premise of Jagged Edge Production's Twisted Childhood Universe is rather simple, and it takes popular children's characters from the public domain and morphs them into nightmarish horror mascots that hack and slash their way through unsuspecting victims.

The project started with the surprise box-office success of 2023's Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, which was made cheap to capitalize on A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh entering the public domain. Soon, a wave of public domain horror movies were rushed into production with characters like Mickey Mouse and Peter Pan becoming dark alternates of their most kind and cuddly forms.

Published by Neowiz Games and Round8 Studio, Lies of P is a 2023 third-person soulslike game based on the 1883 book The Adventures of Pinocchio, written by Carlo Collodi. Following a puppet protagonist named P as he traverses the plague-ridden city of Krat, Lies of P remixes a familiar story with a new flavor and tone that draws on the darker aspects of the story. As he fights against puppets who have lost all sense of control, P slowly learns who is behind the petrification epidemic and the puppet uprising, building to a memorable climax.

Lies of P was full of surprises as a soulslike game, ultimately rising above most of the genre with memorable encounters and nail-biting challenges, not to mention a healthy dose of secrets and twists to uncover. Still fairly new and only a year old, Lies of P has plans for the future, which includes not only Dlc...

Pinocchio: Unstrung has received a major production update. The upcoming Pinocchio: Unstrung is part of the Twisted Childhood Universe, a franchise populated with villainous versions of classic childhood characters that kicked off with 2023's Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its 2024 sequel. The 2025 movie, which loosely adapts the 1883 Carlo Collodi novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, does not have any cast, crew, or plot details officially announced at the time of writing, though filming was originally slated to begin in September 2024.

On Instagram, Twisted Childhood Universe producer, director, and star Scott Chambers recently fielded fan questions about the horror franchise. When a fan asked about the beginning of production on Pinocchio: Unstrung, he responded via Instagram stories with a selfie bearing the caption "In 3 weeks." The story was posted over the weekend between Friday, September 27 and Sunday, September 29, which most likely means that Chambers was indicating that production would commence on the week beginning Monday,...

The PS5 Pro promises to deliver a stronger Gpu, faster memory speeds, ray tracing, and AI upscaling for better visual fidelity, along with zero sacrifices on the performance front.

There is a way to drive up PS5 Pro’s sales – Image Credit: Sony

However, no one can ignore that eye-watering $699.99 price tag, which makes it one of the heftiest investments in gaming. That being said, if Sony wants you to go for it, they might as well ensure that these games take full and proper advantage of the new hardware.

5. Lies of P The Black Rabbit Brotherhood in Lies of P – NeoWiz

Lies of P is already a visually impressive and challenging experience, arguably being the single best Soulslike in existence. However, its current performance mode on the PS5 often struggles to maintain 60Fps, dipping to 1080p to stabilize gameplay.

Related Nintendo Switch 2 Price Leak Rumor is Why We are...

Just recently released by Beehive Books, following a successful Kickstarter campaign, Pinocchio: The Illuminated Edition is a uniquely immersive experience that I'd highly recommed to Daily Dead readers. Not just a traditional reprint of Carlo Collodi's work, this "Illuminated Edition" has Mike Mignola teaming up with Lemony Snicket for illustrations and handwritten commentary that create an all-together new experience for this classic tale.

Whether you're a long-time fan of Pinocchio or are reading the story for the first time, The Illuminated Edition offer something new and exciting, and Beehive Books have really produced a high-quality edition that you can proudly display in any book collection. As someone who has read the original book, and have seen many adaptations over the years, I was impressed by how new this story felt with accompanied by Mignola's vision for the characters and the world, combined with Snicket's commentary. Placing me in an...

The Twisted Childhood Universe continues to subvert fairy tale tropes with Pinocchio: Unstrung. The upcoming slasher drops a new poster revealing the titular character unshackled with "nothing holding him back."

The filmmakers of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey released new details about Pinocchio: Unstrung, a reimagining of the children's fantasy novel but with a very dark turn. Bloody Disgusting dropped the film's new poster with an exciting confirmation: the doll for the titular marionette will be crafted by FX artist Todd Masters, whose long line of credits includes makeup and prosthetics for Child's Play, Slither, and Tales from the Crypt. The poster teases what could be Pinocchio's first kill on the loose; the victim could very well be Geppetto if the film leans on the premise of the Italian novel.

Related 10 Best Horror Movie Costume Designs, Ranked

Costume design can make or break a horror movie. Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger...

Elden Ring’s long-awaited Dlc Shadow of the Erdtree has been out for days now and fans have had a blast exploring the Land of Shadow. The expansion has impressed fans and critics alike and the reviews have extraordinary.

As most Elden Ring fans are now done with the expansion, they are looking for another Soulslike title. One fan has suggested the better alternative for the game and it is one of the best Souls experiences ever created.

Elden Ring Fans Suggest Playing Lies of P Elden Ring fans are now turning to Lies of P. | Image via Neowiz

Shadow of the Erdtree expansion released on June 21 and has been praised for its new locations, enemy designs, and taunting difficulty. While the difficulty was a problem for some as they complained and even review bombed the Dlc, many have called it as the best part of the Dlc.

SUGGESTEDElden Ring...

Walt Disney Studios has a rich legacy in animation, producing timeless films that have resonated for generations. The best films chosen on this list were co-produced directly by The Walt Disney Studios, showcasing their storytelling excellence. From classics like Pinocchio to modern hits like Tangled, Disney continues to innovate and captivate audiences with their varied storytelling techniques.

Since their first film in 1937, The Walt Disney Studios has been a leading force in animation and storytelling, producing some of the finest films in the entertainment industry. The best films selected are ones co-produced by The Walt Disney Studios. Therefore, though Disney is known for its acquisitions of Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, and for founding Touchstone Pictures, those films are not included.

For generations, Walt Disney Studios has played an important role in the lives of many and the company recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. As time moves forward, the studios'...

Pinocchio: Carved from Darkness brings a dark twist to the classic tale, with a vengeful puppet carved from cursed wood. Big names like Peter Stormare and a mix of live action and CGI promise a surreal, riveting horror experience for audiences. Director Joona Tena promises a gripping journey with poignancy, empathy, and modern horror themes like bereavement and broken family ties.

Everyone's favorite puppet, Pinocchio, is getting yet another horror movie treatment, this time by way of Pinocchio: Carved from Darkness, which is launching at the Cannes Film Market this week. The character of Pinocchio was first created by Italian author Carlo Collodi in 1881 when The Adventures of Pinocchio began as a serialized work of fiction in the magazine Giornale per i bambini. The stories were later collected into one novel, which was published in 1883, and the character was made famous by Disney in 1940 when they released their animated classic,...

The team behind the Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey movies is currently hard at work on a film titled Pinocchio: Unstrung, but that’s not the only Pinocchio horror movie on the way.

Neither movie will be the first Pinocchio horror movie, however. Up above you’ll see a still from Pinocchio’s Revenge, which was released way back in 1996! But I digress…

Variety reports this morning that Peter Stormare will star in the upcoming Pinocchio: Carved from Darkness from Oceana Studios.

The company is launching sales at the upcoming Cannes market.

Variety details, “This dark turn on Carlo Collodi’s classic 1883 tale sees woodcarver Geppetto (Peter Stormare) carve a puppet resembling his recently deceased son from a block of wood discarded at a crime scene and cursed by Agatha, the priestess of a dark cult.

“As Pinocchio turns into a vengeful killer, a teen named Charlie and his...

Dubai-based distribution and production outfit Oceana Studios will launch sales on horror feature “Pinocchio: Carved From Darkness” at the Cannes Film Market.

The film, which is also produced by Oceana, will be directed by Joona Tena (“Superfurball”). Written by Paulie Siegel (“Jeremiah”), this dark turn on Carlo Collodi’s classic 1883 tale sees woodcarver Geppetto carve a puppet resembling his recently deceased son from a of block of wood discarded at a crime scene and cursed by Agatha, the priestess of a dark cult. As Pinocchio turns into a vengeful killer, a teen named Charlie and his mother Nancy arrive in the town looking for a fresh start. Meanwhile, a detective named Georgina starts investigating Agatha’s crimes. The characters intertwine with some tragic consequences.

The cast will include Peter Stormare (“John Wick: Chapter 2”) as Geppetto, Vicki Berlin (“Triangle of Sadness”) as Nancy, the semi-alcoholic mother of teenager Charlie. Daniel Nuta (“Watcher”) will play Ronnie,...

Pinocchio: Unstrung offers a fresh horror retelling of the classic puppet story by Carlo Collodi, set to terrify audiences in 2024. The movie is part of the Twisted Child Universe, known for giving horror makeovers to public-domain children's tales like Winnie the Pooh. With no announced production or cast yet, it remains to be seen if Pinocchio: Unstrung will outshine the cult following of 1996's Pinocchio's Revenge, the first official horror remake of Pinocchio.

The classic puppet Pinocchio is set to be given a horror makeover in the upcoming horror Pinocchio: Unstrung, but this is not the first time that the puppet has received horror treatment. This upcoming movie is set to give audiences a new, frightening glimpse at the puppet who wishes to become a real boy. Early images released of the upcoming slasher have guaranteed a different take on the popular story written by Carlo Collodi.

Pinocchio: Unstrung is...

Mark Gustafson, the stop-motion specialist who won an Oscar this year for his work on Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, died Thursday. He was 63.

Del Toro announced the news Friday on social media, posting: “I admired Mark Gustafson, even before I met him. A pillar of stop motion animation — a true artist. A compassionate, sensitive and mordantly witty man. A Legend — and a friend that inspired and gave hope to all around him. … Today we honor and miss him.”

The Oregonian newspaper also reported his death.

Gustafson also worked on the stop-motion California Raisins characters early in his career and served as animation director on Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), another Oscar-nominated stop-motion film.

When del Toro took on the task of retelling Carlo Collodi’s 1883 fable about a wooden puppet who longs to be a real boy, he tapped Gustafson as his directing partner. The duo also earned BAFTA and Annie awards,...

Pinocchio: Unstrung is the latest public domain horror movie announced by the team behind Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and Bambi: The Reckoning. The movie will be a horror retelling of Pinocchio that is teased in the end credits of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2. Additional details about the movie will be announced soon, including the cast and crew.

Pinocchio will be the character at the center of the latest public domain horror remake, Pinocchio: Unstrung. The version of Pinocchio that is perhaps the best known is the 1940 animated feature, which is the second movie in the Disney animated canon following their debut feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. However, the Disney movie is itself based on the 1883 Carlo Collodi children's book The Adventures of Pinocchio, which is in the public domain.

Per Bloody Disgusting, the horror movie Pinocchio: Unstrung is the latest project from the team behind Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey,...

Warning: spoilers for various kids’ movies.

Mentions of death and abuse.

Kids' movies can be surprisingly depressing, dealing with themes of death, abuse, and heartbreak, challenging the notion that they are always cheerful. Movies like Old Yeller, Pinocchio, and The NeverEnding Story address sad and tragic themes, leaving audiences with a mix of emotions. Disney movies are known for their sad moments, such as Bambi's mother's death, but there are also other heartbreaking films like A Little Princess and Watership Down.

Kids' movies are usually cheerful and have an uplifting moral message, but there are many that are actually quite depressing. Kids' movies give filmmakers a lot of creative freedom, as there are countless fairy tales and legends that can be turned into movies for a young audience, but it’s also a tricky genre. Making a successful movie for children isn’t easy, as there are different ways in...

Dlc for Lies of P could answer pressing questions about the game's lore, including additional lore about the background of the Puppet Frenzy. There are unanswered questions about the Terrible Dogfish's absence from the game. The identity and significance of the enigmatic character Paracelsus could be explored in Dlc.

Lies of P, like almost all Action RPG games, is filled to the brim with hidden details and unanswered questions. As Dlc has seemingly been confirmed by job listings made by the game's developer, Neowiz Games, it is possible that a number of these most pressing questions could soon be definitively answered. Though some unanswered questions are of little real importance, there are a few ambiguities, queries, and mysteries that are unaddressed in the base game, which are of incredible significance to the lore of the city of Krat and its numerous inhabitants — with any luck, Dlc will clear some things up.

Lies of P features Fable Arts, special moves tied to weapons, that can change the tide of combat and are one of the most interesting aspects of the game. The choice of weapon in Lies of P should consider the Fable Art it possesses, as it can greatly impact the effectiveness of attacks and damage dealt. The customization options in Lies of P, including the ability to customize Pinocchio's apparel and weapons, contribute to a surprisingly immersive experience.

Lies of P features numerous weapons, many of which, although beautiful, are very similar in appearance and animation — there is, however, a gameplay mechanic tied to the blade and handle of every weapon in the game — Fable Arts. Similar in principle to Weapon Arts from Dark Souls 3, Fable Arts, are special moves and abilities that can change the tide of combat. Coming in the form of attack Fable Arts, defense Fable Arts,...

Beyond its main plot line, Lies of P has a number of excellent side quests. In spite of not being necessary for the completion of the game, many of Lies of P's side quests are among the greatest, most entertaining, and most immersive missions in the city of Krat. While many ARPGs make their side quests almost as visible as their main quests, Lies of P takes a different approach, encouraging the player to search out these optional opportunities - consequently, many of them are incredibly easy to overlook. Although for the most part, Lies of P's side quests are all great, some are definitely better and more memorable than others.

One of 2023's most anticipated games, Lies of P is a dark, brooding, and moody reimagining of Carlo Collodi's classic children's novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. With exceptional ambiance, story-telling, and combat, Lies of P is one of...

Lies of P has established itself as a bona fide and well-designed soulslike, and developers Neowiz Games and Round8 Studio don't appear to be resting on their laurels. The game first drew excitement because of its similarities to Bloodborne, but Lies of P's brooding and violent adaption of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio manages to establish its own identity. While the game is a robust experience all told, and New Game Plus helps add replayability, the prospect of additional Dlc is nonetheless exciting.

[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Lies of P.]

The base game for Lies of P has three endings, and they all seem quite finite. While there is certainly room for the narrative to take a turn in a Dlc expansion, most of the threads established throughout P's journey to stop the Puppet Frenzy reach a conclusion. The setting itself is rich, however, with Krat feeling definitively larger than just those areas explored in the game.

Lies of P features incredibly challenging boss battles that will test the skills, strategy, and willpower of even the most experienced players. The game offers numerous customization options, including costume and accessory changes, as well as the selection of various weapons and Legion Arms. With devastating attacks and lightning-fast speed, players will need impeccable timing and skill to overcome these challenging adversaries.

Like almost all Action RPG games, the ultimate enemies facing the protagonist in Lies of P are its many powerful and intimidating bosses. Although some of the game's early bosses are not challenging at all, a number of Lies of P's later boss battles are incredibly difficult — even for the most experienced of players. In spite of varying difficulty, almost all of the bosses in Lies of P are incredibly well-designed, and the vast majority of them will test Pinocchio to his very limits — both in terms of his combat prowess,...

Lies of P offers immersive customization options, allowing players to customize Pinocchio's appearance with costumes, Legion Arms, and accessories. The accessories in Lies of P are particularly unique and well-designed, with some standing out as cooler and more visually interesting than others. Pre-order bonuses include exclusive accessories like the Mischievous Puppet's Parade Hat and the Parade Master's Mask, adding to the game's customization options.

Lies of P is an Arpg with some incredibly immersive customization options, primarily among them the ability to customize the appearance of the protagonist, Pinocchio. These choices, although limited when compared with some other RPG games, are bountiful — with costumes, eight Legion Arms, and 11 accessories to choose from. Although the costumes and Legion Arms are limited in size and shape, there is no such restriction on accessories; as a result, the various masks and other pieces of headgear are some of the most unique customization options in Lies of P.

Legion Arms adds uniqueness to the combat in Lies of P, making it fresh and interesting in a saturated video game genre. Not all Legion Arms are created equal, with some being more powerful and effective than others in combat situations. Upgrading Legion Arms can significantly improve their abilities, making them more versatile and stronger against enemies and bosses.

Legion Arms are one of the most important and interesting tools available in Lies of P's vast and varied arsenal. Although the game features more prosaic weaponry, such as the ubiquitous swords and axes, the option to have one of eight specialized mechanical arms ensures that Lies of P's combat remains fresh and unique — an impressive feat in an ever more saturated video game genre. Though not the only enjoyable gameplay mechanic in Lies of P, Legion Arms certainly stands out and shines in a game that is not perfect but is shockingly close.

Lies of P features multiple endings and a "true" final boss, with choices made throughout the game shaping the outcome. The Lie System, based on the novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, allows players to tell the truth or lie, determining the ending. All endings see Pinocchio facing the final boss Simon Manus, leader of the Alchemists. The fight requires parrying his attacks and capitalizing on openings, with few special tricks. After the fight, players can ride the lift down to see the ending. The "Real Boy" ending, the default conclusion, depends on Pinocchio's decision in the final confrontation with Gepetto. If he agrees to give up his heart, they live happily as father and son. The "Free from the Puppet String" ending requires telling the truth and sparing Sophia, leading to a true final boss fight with the Nameless Puppet. The "Rise of P" ending involves lying throughout the game and killing Sophia,...

People often refer to a film being "dumped on Netflix" as a pejorative, despite the fact the landscape of entertainment has evolved well beyond a non-theatrical release being a sign of lesser quality. The streamer has distributed some genuinely incredible films, many of which have already been deemed worthy of a physical release treatment by the Criterion Collection, including "Beasts of No Nation," "Okja," "Roma," "The Irishman," "Marriage Story," "Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese," "Dick Johnson is Dead," "The Power of the Dog," and if we're counting international distribution, "Uncut Gems."

And now, the best Netflix film of 2022 and the reigning Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature, "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio," is joining that elusive club.

A reborn take on Carlo Collodi's classic character of the same name, "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" is a marvel of stop-motion animation and arguably the definitive adaptation of the tale.

Quick Links A Soulslike Puppet Krat, A City Of Puppets, Monsters, & Humans Something Between Human & Puppet

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Lies of P is an incredibly earnest compliment. Neowiz Games and Round8 Studios have created a game which leans heavily on the conventions notably established by the ever-influential catalog of FromSoftware. In particular, Lies of P feels most inspired by Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but this isn't to say that Lies of P is derivative. Its practical mimicry is so thorough and convincing that it's something of an ideal soulslike, capturing not only the idiosyncrasies of its progenitors, but also some of their pitfalls.

Lies of P drops the player into a dire and violent adaption of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio. The life-given puppet awakes amid a city in crisis – Krat has descended into the bedlam of the Puppet Frenzy, an...

Barbie takes a ride from her dream house to reality as Little Women writer-director Greta Gerwig takes another cultural icon and lovingly subverts it

Writer-director Greta Gerwig’s cinematic reinvention of Mattel’s most (in)famous toy comes on like a sugar-rush mashup of Pixar’s Toy Story 2, Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, the cult live-action feature Josie and the Pussycats and the Roger Ebert-scripted exploitation romp Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. It’s a riotously entertaining candy-coloured feminist fable that manages simultaneously to celebrate, satirise and deconstruct its happy-plastic subject. Audiences will be delighted. Mattel should be ecstatic.

After a heavily trailered 2001-parody opening, we move to a pastel pink haven in which, “thanks to Barbie, all problems of feminism and equal rights have been solved”. This is Barbieland – a fantasy world in which big-haired dolls can be anything, thereby inspiring equivalent feminine achievement out there in...

Russian-made version has ditched many of the story’s features to focus on a bland hero who looks like a boyband member

This is nominally an adaptation of the 19th-century picaresque children’s story by Italian writer Carlo Collodi that has yielded all manner of adaptations on stage and screen, from Walt Disney’s haunting if bowdlerised 1940 version to Guillermo del Toro’s exquisite, politicised 2022 Oscar winner. Collodi’s original story is so weird and rich it can accommodate a lot of free interpretation and tinkering, but this Russian-made version – first emerging in 2021 but on the UK distribution shelf since the Ukrainian invasion and consequent soft ban on Russian cultural imports – arguably goes right off the beaten track, up the mountain and away to lands unknown. Despite the subtitle, this is truly a sub-par story.

For starters, the puppet hero of this competently animated if blandly designed feature doesn’t...

As filmmaking gets further relegated to smaller screens, it’s a breath of fresh air to have a director like Pietro Marcello crafting cinema that is best experienced on a vast canvas. While the release of his stunning 2019 drama Martin Eden was unfortunately dampened by the pandemic, he’s now returned with the gorgeous fable Scarlet (aka L’Envol). Premiering just about a year ago at Cannes, the tale of a woman’s family and romantic journey in post-wwi France will now arrive in U.S. theaters starting this Friday. Starring Juliette Jouan, Raphaël Thierry, Louis Garrel, Noémie Lvovsky, Ernst Umhauer, François Négret, and Yolande Moreau.

While he stopped by NYC for last fall’s New York Film Festival premiere, I had the opportunity to speak with Marcello about his experience working in France, the silent film connections to Scarlet, how his latest work marked a transitional point for his career,...

The live action Pinocchio cast brings together great performers and voice actors who helped bring the Disney characters to life. Directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay he co-wrote with Chris Weitz, the live-action Pinocchio was first announced back in 2015 and is based primarily on the 1940 animated film of the same name, which takes its cues from the 19th century book The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi.

Pinocchio follows a similar path as its animated predecessor. The story is about Pinocchio taking the steps to transform from a wooden puppet into a real boy after Geppetto makes a wish upon a star. The live-action Pinocchio is a combination of onscreen actors as well as a voice cast including Joseph Gordon-Levitt as one of the many CGI characters throughout. Led by Tom Hanks, Pinocchio has a star-studded cast who each do their part to bring their characters to life.

Tom...

The characters of Guillermo del Toro's award-winning stop-motion Pinocchio are brought to life again by Loulou Almeyda's intricately detailed bodypaint cosplays of the titular puppet and the Blue Fairy. Del Toro's passion project is a dark retelling of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio, following the tale of a young puppet given life. Gregory Mann and Tilda Swinton provided the voices for Pinocchio and the Wood Sprite, del Toro's reimagining of the character known as the Blue Fairy in many other adaptations.

In a post uploaded to her Instagram, artist Almeyda shared a photo featuring her incredible cosplays of both Pinocchio and the Wood Sprite, alongside a quote taken from one of the two character's exchanges in the film. Check it out below:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Loulou Almeyda (@lourdes_almeyda)

Almeyda has utilized detailed body painting patterns inspired by the designs of...

In 1940, Disney Animation Studios released “Pinocchio” as their second full-length film following 1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s 19th century novel introduced the titular character as the company’s first of many male feature film protagonists. His screen time total of 34 minutes and 24 seconds (or about 39% of the movie) was greater than Snow White’s by a five-minute margin, and he would continue to rank as the most prominent Disney feature character for the next two years.

After initially being surpassed in terms of screen presence by the titular hero in “Bambi,” Pinocchio has fallen to 22nd place on the Disney Animation Studios male heroes screen time list. Scroll through our photo gallery to find out which characters make up the current top 10. As it stands, this group consists only of heroes whose films premiered after 1993, including one franchise character who takes up...

In 1940, Disney Animation Studios released “Pinocchio” as their second full-length film following 1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s 19th century novel introduced the titular character as the company’s first of many male feature film protagonists. His screen time total of 34 minutes and 24 seconds (or about 39% of the movie) was greater than Snow White’s by a five-minute margin, and he would continue to rank as the most prominent Disney feature character for the next two years.

After initially being surpassed in terms of screen presence by the titular hero in “Bambi,” Pinocchio has fallen to 22nd place on the Disney heroes screen time list. Scroll through our photo gallery to find out which characters make up the current top 10. As it stands, this group consists only of heroes whose films premiered after 1993, including one franchise character who takes up two spots and...

This article contains spoilers for "Pinocchio"

Recently, two Pinocchio movies from rival streaming services received two very different distinctions from award organizations based in L.A. "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio," co-directed by Mark Gustafson and available on Netflix, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Disney's live-action "Pinocchio," directed by Robert Zemeckis and available on Disney+, won the Razzie Award for Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel.

The Battle of the Two Pinocchios was fought, and voters decided that del Toro did a better job of rediscovering the wooden boy's soul. You can't really argue with that, yet he and Zemeckis were both indebted to Walt Disney's original 1940 animated version of "Pinocchio" (also on Disney+), not to mention Carlo Collodi's foundational children's novel, "The Adventures of Pinocchio," first published in book form 140 years ago.

In "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio," the puppet is immortal, capable of reanimating after death.

For decades, Mike Mignola has dazzled readers with the amazing artwork and spooky stories of his ever-expanding Mignolaverse, taking readers on eerie adventures with Hellboy, Abe Sapien, and Sir Edward Grey, to name a few. For one of his latest projects, though, Mignola utilizes his unique creative vision to adapt Carlo Collodi's classic character Pinocchio for Beehive Books' Pinocchio: The Illuminated Edition!

Featuring more than 50 illustrations by Mignola and over 100 annotations by author Lemony Snicket, Pinocchio: The Illuminated Edition is now on Kickstarter, and we caught up with Mignola in a new Q&a to discuss how Pinocchio has influenced his own work, what it was like to illustrate his vision of Carlo Collodi's iconic tale, and he also discussed the upcoming Hellboy movie based on his comic book miniseries Hellboy: The Crooked Man. As an added treat, we also have an exclusive reveal of some of Mignola's excellent...

The creator of Hellboy, Mike Mignola, is teaming up with A Series of Unfortunate Events' Lemony Snicket to create a new, gothic release of Pinocchio. A new crowdfunding campaign seeks to retell the classic story with new illustrations and annotations from the creative team.

Per an exclusive story from Variety, Mike Mignola and Lemony Snicket are uniting to bring a new edition of Pinocchio with Beehive Books. Along for the effort is colorist Dave Stewart to help bring Mignola's reimagined version of the little puppet boy to life, so to speak. Hellboy creator Mike Mignola discussed the influence Pinocchio has had on his work in a statement to Variety.

Mike Mignola: This is a book I’ve loved since I read it when I was a young teenager. I really think between this and Dracula, this is what’s formed whatever the hell it is I do, my sensibilities.

The...

A new, hot literary collab just dropped: Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and Lemony Snicket from “A Series of Unfortunate Events” fame are partnering up for an illustrated and annotated edition of Carlo Collodi’s classic novel “Pinocchio.” Variety has the first look of the little wooden boy, reimagined by Mignola.

Teaming back up with award-winning colorist Dave Stewart, Mignola returned to his gothic roots for a reimagining of the centuries-old story that will be published by Beehive Books. But despite the wooden boy’s recent, Oscar-winning popularity, Pinocchio has always influenced Mignola’s oeuvre.

“This is a book I’ve loved since I read it when I was a young teenager,” Mignola told Variety. “I really think between this and Dracula, this is what’s formed whatever the hell it is I do, my sensibilities.” When first approached by Beehive Books to contribute to their collection of reworked literary classics,...

“Animation is ready to be taken to the next step,” asserted Guillermo del Toro as his Pinocchio won at the 2023 Oscars for best animated feature on Sunday. “Keep animation in the conversation.”

With the win, del Toro became the first filmmaker to win best picture, director and animated feature, while it delivered Netflix its first Oscar in the category.

The stop-motion adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s classic novel delvers del Toro his third Oscar, having previously won best picture and best director Academy Awards for his 2017 movie The Shape of Water.

It’s the first Academy Award for stop-motion vet Mark Gustafson, who directed alongside del Toro; producer Alexander Bulkley, a partner in animation production studio ShadowMachine; and del Toro’s longtime collaborator, producer Gary Ungar.

“It’s good to know that this art form that we love so much, stop-motion, is very much alive and well,” said Gustafson, accepting...

Netflix is a real studio now.

The once and seemingly future king of streaming has taken home its first Oscar for Best Animated Feature for “​​Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” a stop-motion animated film that reimagines Carlo Collodi’s classic tale about a wooden puppet who comes to life.

Directed by del Toro, now a three-time Oscar winner, and Mark Gustafson, the film features the voices of Gregory Mann and David Bradley as Pinocchio and his father, the carpenter Geppetto, respectively, while Cate Blanchett, nominated for Best Actress again this year for her work in “TÁR,” voices the mistreated monkey Spazzatura. A visually stunning interpretation of the source material that leans into darker themes about life and death, the film fiercely proves that, despite some viewers’ preconceived notions and a frequent focus on kid-friendly stories, the animation genre is not just for children.

Following positive reviews from critics for its visuals and emotional storytelling,...

As is tradition, the Golden Raspberry Awards announced its winners on Oscar weekend. The Razzies, now in their 43rd year, are a tongue-in-cheek ceremony that “honor” the worst films of the year. Scroll down for the full list of winners (and nominees) in all nine Razzie Awards categories ranging from Worst Picture to Worst Remake, Rip-Off, or Sequel.

Netflix’s Marilyn Monroe biopic “Blonde,” reaped a leading eight bids and won two: Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay for director Andrew Dominik. The film’s star, Ana de Armas, was not nominated here but reaped a Best Actress bid at the Oscars.

Conversely, two-time Oscar champ Tom Hanks was overlooked by the academy for his portrayal of Colonel Tom Parker in “Elvis” but he won two Razzies: Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Screen Combo for “Tom Hanks & His Latex-Laden Face (and That Ludicrous Accent).”

Another past Oscar winner, Jared Leto (“Dallas...

The “winners” of the 43rd Golden Raspberry Awards have been announced, with Razzie nominee leader Blonde taking home Worst Picture, Tom Hanks nabbing his first and the Razzies themselves even giving themselves a prize.

Check out the full list of Razzie “winners” below:

Worst Picture

Blonde

Disney’s Pinocchio

Good Mourning

The King’s Daughter

Morbius

Worst Actor

Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) Good Mourning

Pete Davidson (Voice Only) Marmaduke

Tom Hanks (As Gepetto) Disney’s Pinocchio

Jared Leto / Morbius

Sylvester Stallone / Samaritan

Worst Actress

The Razzies (for “Their 43rd Worst Actress Nominations Blunder”)

Ryan Kiera Armstrong / Firestarter

Bryce Dallas Howard / Jurassic Park: Dominion

Diane Keaton / Mack & Rita

Kaya Scodelario / The King’s Daughter

Alicia Silverstone / The Requin

Worst Remake/Rip-off/Sequel

Blonde

Both 365 Days Sequels – 365 Days: This Day & The Next 365 Days [a Razzie Bogo]

Disney’s Pinocchio

Firestarter

Jurassic World: Dominion

Worst Supporting Actress

Adria Arjona / Morbius

Lorraine Bracco (Voice Only...

Blonde has been “honored” with two Golden Raspberry Awards — aka the Razzies — which also bestowed an award upon themselves for the first time in the group’s history.

Andrew Dominik’s film, which led the Razzies with eight nominations, won worst picture of the year along with worst screenplay for Dominik. The Razzies called the film “misogynistic, salacious and fallacious” and said it “shamelessly exploits the memory of the late Marilyn Monroe.”

The Razzie Awards, which honor the worst of the year, are announced annually ahead of the Oscars ceremony, which takes place Sunday. Incidentally, Blonde star Ana de Armas is up for best actress in a leading role at the 2023 Academy Awards.

Razzie organizers also chastised themselves for nominating 12-year-old Ryan Kiera Armstrong as worst actress of the year. After being “put through the cyberworld blender,” as they put it, they subsequently removed her from the ballot and announced...

While Netflix is still waiting for its first Best Picture win, the king of streaming is on the cusp of taking home a different Oscar: the one for Best Animated Feature.

“​​Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” directed by the Oscar winner and Mark Gustafson, is a reimagining of Carlo Collodi’s classic tale about a wooden puppet who comes to life. Featuring the voices of Gregory Mann and David Bradley as Pinocchio and his father, the carpenter Geppetto, respectively, the film also includes a memorable turn from two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, nominated again this year for her work in “TÁR,” as the mistreated monkey Spazzatura.

The film received rave reviews when it premiered and is considered a visually stunning interpretation of the source material that leans into darker themes about life and death. It is a perfect example of how animation lends itself to more than just so-called movies for children.

The University of Southern California Libraries revealed the winners for the 35th annual USC Libraries Scripter Award on Saturday. The awards, which honor the year’s best film and television adaptations (along with the works on which they are based), returned live to USC’s elegant Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library for the annual black tie awards fete.

This group of academics, industry professionals, and critics is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race, presaging 14 eventual Oscar winners, including in the last decade “Argo” (2013), “12 Years a Slave” (2014), “The Imitation Game” (2015), “The Big Short” (2016), “Moonlight” (2017), and “Call Me By Your Name” (2018).

Screenwriter Sarah Polley and novelist Miriam Toews won the film award for “Women Talking,” which is nominated for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay Oscars, while the television prize went to English stand-up comedian and screenwriter Will Smith for the episode “Failure’s Contagious,” from “Slow Horses,” based...