Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez's Recent Posts

Re-VIEW: ‘The Wild Robot’ – A Vision of Nature

Great cinema has the fundamental superpower to help an audience see the world through different eyes, and in Chris Sanders’ remarkable, gorgeous film, we watch the mechanical eyes of a domestic robot, Roz, stranded on a remote island, struggle to make sense and adapt to the sometimes harsh, always challenging natural world she encounters.

In 3D, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Smile and Say Cheeeese! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ – Celebrating The Human Touch

Aardman’s newest stop-motion film finds our hapless inventor and faithful canine companion wrestling with a 21st-century issue that is making headlines around the globe - the rise of AI - before concluding that there are some things a machine just can’t do; now streaming on Netflix.

In CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Stop-Motion, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Ho Ho Ho! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘That Christmas’ – A Seasonal Film for Life

Set in a charming coastal town during Christmas, Simon Otto and Locksmith Animation’s new film explores themes of empathy, compassion, and human connection, weaving stories of love, resilience, and community through the perspectives of children and adults; now streaming on Netflix.

In 3D, Digital Media, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Never Lose Your Imagination ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘The Imaginary’ - A Story to Believe

With breathtaking animation and a heartfelt narrative, Studio Ponoc’s hand-drawn animated film celebrates the unrestrained magic of childhood imagination while addressing universal themes of loss, memory, and the enduring power of stories.

In 2D, Anime, Books, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Tindle’s Ultraman Is Here! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Ultraman: Rising’ - A Balance of Heart and Mind

Shannon Tindle’s new 3DCG feature combines breathtaking visual design with a heartfelt story that explores themes of family and identity through the journey of a young athlete, Ken Sato, struggling to balance his life as a baseball star and a giant superhero when suddenly faced with raising a baby kaiju.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Event, Films, Music and Sound, People, Reviews, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Straddling the Earth and Cosmos VFXWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Oppenheimer’ – Clarity of the Fractured Lens

Christopher Nolan’s 7-time Oscar-winning biopic invites audiences to share the ‘father of the nuclear bomb’s insight and vision through extraordinary images of exploding stars, spinning atoms, and esoteric phenomena that depict his co-existence between earthly and cosmic realms and begs the question: ‘Is he blessed or cursed?’

In Acting, CG, Films, Music and Sound, People, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All

Those Rascally Shape Shifters ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Nimona’ - Fluidity is Life

Netflix’s charming, sassy, and constantly surprising film about a young shapeshifter who can transform her outward appearance in the blink of an eye challenges our ideas about what a ‘monster’ really is; by opening a window into her heart, the movie shares her humor, boundless energy, and fluidity in a world where everyone is expected to remain static.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Fiery Meets Fluid ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Elemental’ – Taking Breath, Making Connection

In Disney and Pixar’s latest animated gem, the four classical elements are embodied by different kinds of beings that don’t easily mix, setting the stage for two very different youngsters to challenge societal rules while discovering hidden truths inside their own hearts and proving the inherent power of diversity.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Anyone Can Wear the Mask ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' – A Truly Diverse Cosmos

In Sony Pictures Animation’s hit sequel to their ground-breaking 2018 ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ while experiencing such boundless visual variety, presented in such an entertaining and engaging way, how can we not accept the simple and obvious fact that diversity is hard-wired into the fabric of reality?

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, Home Entertainment, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

90 Minutes of Family Fun ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ – Simply a Delight

The Universal Pictures and Illumination hit deftly re-imagines the much-loved game as an entertaining, 90-minute action-packed family spectacle.

In 3D, CG, Films, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Loveable Misfits on One Last Ride VFXWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ - Furthering the Found Family Theme

Only by accepting others for who they are, can we truly see into the mind of God.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Event, Films, People, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

A Visually Stunning Return to Pandora! VFXWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ – A Miraculous Vision

In his triumphant return to the exotic world of Pandora, director James Cameron once again employs the most vibrant and stunning visual artistry to share with audiences his central theme of diversity.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Films, People, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

A Wooden Boy’s Spiritual Rite of Passage ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ - A Fable for the Modern Age

The Oscar-winning director’s timely masterpiece about a father and son finally united in the simple knowledge, and unconditional acceptance, that each of them is who he is, reminds us that acceptance of diversity is vitally important, perhaps more now than ever before.

In 3D, Books, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Reviews, Stop-Motion, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

A Toy Must Find his Boy VFXWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Lost Ollie’ – The Power of Memory

Shannon Tindle and Peter Ramsey’s new four-part live-action/animated series, based on William Joyce’s ‘Ollie’s Odyssey,’ reminds us that memories can be fun, but also filled with emotions - unreliable and often fragile - that can be heartwarming or haunting, and easily gone forever.

In 3D, Acting, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Visual Effects | VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

He’s Not Just a Toy ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Lightyear’ – A Metatextual Odyssey

Angus MacLane and Pixar’s nostalgic space adventure celebrates the best of sci-fi cinema while also smartly embracing contemporary issues including representation.

In 3D, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Consume Responsibly ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Love, Death + Robots’ – A Visceral Pleasure

Netflix’s animated short anthology uses every trick in the book – from disturbing grotesquery to quirky humor – to explore humanity’s overriding fear of death, ultimately shining an enriching light on our daily existence and what it means to be human.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Dorky Tweens Rule! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Turning Red’ - Embracing the Animal Spirit Within Us

Transformation lies at the heart of Pixar’s latest hit film, a coming-of-age story about a young Chinese girl in Toronto who must break away from all she has known to either accept, or reject, the actual beast inside her.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

Re-Forging the Bonds that Connect Us ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Encanto’ - Seeking Beauty in Truth

Experiencing life as the underdog - an outsider - teaches us empathy and a greater understanding of ourselves, our loved ones, and the critical connections that bind us together.

In 3D, Books, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

9 Visionary Chapters are Here! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Maya and the Three’ – A Rebel Fire Burning Bright

Employing a delicate balance between foreshadowing and surprise twists, director Jorge R. Gutierrez achieves a sweet clarity of storytelling in his nine-chapter series about a Mesoamerican-inspired warrior princess on an epic quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy and save humanity from the vengeful gods of the underworld.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

A Celebration of Life and Love ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Vivo’ – the Magic of the Mambo

Fueled by a cascade of original Lin-Manuel Miranda songs, Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix’s animated musical adventure is a celebration of life and love powered by energetic music and dance.