Film Recommendations

	WALL•E A truly original animated feature, and a great example of how much an animated chracter can communicate with limited articulation and little dialog. Think "Luxo: The Movie". I had the pleasure of working on this film for two years and I'm very proud of what we accomplished. Great reference for non-verbal acting.
	Kung-Fu Panda An inventive and entertaining feature from Dreamworks Animation. Wonderful character design, great animation, and exciting fight sequences. I especially enjoy the animation of the snake character, which shows how much expression and entertainment you can get out of a line! The 2D opening sequence by James Baxter is also great.
	RatatouilleWhether you like the story or not, this film sets a new standard for CG animated films. Pixar is at the top of its game; every aspect of the production shines, from art direction to cinematography to lighting to effects. The character animation in this film is like a text book, with performances both broad and subtle. Another gem by director Brad Bird.
	Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit A wonderful stop-motion animated film featuring two of my all-time favorite characters. Gromit is excellent animation reference for showing how much emotion you can convey with eyes alone.
	The Incredibles One of the best animated features of all time, and one of my top 10 favorite films, period. And I had the honor of working on it! The story is surprisingly mature and layered, as are the characters. Great information in the commentaries and documentary supplements for animators and filmmakers.
	The Iron Giant (Special Edition) The best animated feature of 1999 (yes, I pick it over Tarzan). Fantastic characters and story. Brad Bird is the man. If this doesn't prove it to you, The Incredibles will!
	Spirited Away At last the masterpieces of director Hayao Miyazaki are being recognized by mainstream America. This Oscar-winning film is possibly his best. Compelling story, imaginative design, appealing animation. One of my all-time favorite films.
	The Emperor's New Groove A surprisingly funny and light feature from Disney. The animation here is top-notch - snappy, appealing and downright funny. Tex Avery would be proud. The second DVD packs loads of supplementary material, including deleted scenes and some great pre-production art. Not Disney's most emotional feature, but definitely the funniest.
	Princess Mononoke Another gem of Japanese animation by director Hayao Miyazaki. Intricate story, original character designs and gorgeous animation. You've never seen anything like it, and it improves with repeate viewings. There's some serious violence and gore in here, as well as some disturbing imagery, so it's definitely not for little kids.
	My Neighbor Totoro Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, arguably the master of Japanese Animation. This film is a great place to start if you're not familiar with his work. Appealing animation and design, delightful story. Miyazaki is a wonderful observer of children, which gives this movie and authentic child-like sensibility. Truly enjoyable for all ages.

Resources

Entertaining and Inspiring Films available at Amazon.com