After the chickens escape the Tweedys' farm in 2000's 'Chicken Run,' they settle on a secluded island and enjoy their newfound freedom. In this stop-motion sequel, again from the claymation experts at the UK's Aardman animation studio, the heroic duo Ginger and Rocky have hatched a daughter named Molly. Molly grows to be as adventurous and freedom-loving as her parents, and resolves to explore the world outside their chicken oasis. However, the human threat to chickens has only grown to encompass a much greater new peril: fast food. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter ..read more

The first feature animated film from Aardman, the animators of the famous 'Wallace and Gromit' stop-motion "claymation" short films, 'Chicken Run' was one of DreamWorks' first great successes as an up-and-coming rival to Disney and Pixar. The film is an homage to World War II prisoner-of-war stories like 'The Great Escape' and 'Stalag 17', depicting its cast of toothy, anthropomorphic chickens in their attempts to escape captivity from a rural English egg farm. One hen in particular, Ginger, is determined to lead the coop to freedom, and a chance encounter with a flying rooster named Rocky giv ..read more

Bridget and Philip discuss ‘A Whiker Away,’ a 2020 anime film from Studio Colorido, Toho Animation and Twin Engine and distributed on Netflix. The film follows Miyo, a fanciful eighth grader in Japan who finds herself embroiled in a Faustian bargain with a feline seller of magical Noh masks. Her newfound power to transform into a cat provides a welcome escape from the stresses of her unhappy life, but she runs the risk of losing sight of the many people who love and are concerned for her. Can the love of family and friends stop Miyo from falling fully for under a cat spell forever? Follow The ..read more

'Suzume' is the 2022 animated feature from CoMix Wave Films and the seventh film from writer/director Makoto Shinkai, who most recently saw global crossover success with 'Your Name' (2016) and 'Weathering with You' (2019). 'Suzume' is a supernatural adventure wherein the eponymous heroine accompanies the mysterious Souta across Japan on a quest to track down Daijin, a mischievous cat-god who places a curse on Souta. Along the way they must close several gates that are unleashing restless spirits upon humanity. Failure to do will spell certain disaster for a populace whose ignorance has only in ..read more

Philip and Jodi review 'Wish', the 62nd animated feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios. 'Wish' continues a legacy that is currently being celebrated in the Walt Disney Company's 100-year anniversary as the foundation upon which the rest of the company is built. The Disney Empire has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1923 as a company set up by Walt and Roy Disney to produce short cartoons. The role of animation as the core of the company has fluctuated significantly, from nearly seeing the animation division shut down in the mid-eighties to the highs of the nineties Renaissan ..read more

Lara joins Philip to reminisce about ten years of Disney's 'Frozen'. They discuss the film's influence and how the film and animation industries have changed since 2013. They also explore the fandom of 'Frozen' and Disney more generally and consider the future for the franchise in the context of Disney's status as a film studio in 2023. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. Find us at instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com ..read more

Philip and Elliott discuss the latest live-action Star Wars series from Lucasfilm and Disney Plus, 'Ahsoka,' spotlighting the popular Jedi who first appeared in 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars.' Ahsoka Tano is portrayed by Rosario Dawson in this eight-episode exploration of the roving former Jedi. Ahsoka is searching for clues to the location of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who disappeared years prior along with Rebel hero Ezra Bridger. Rumors abound of Thawn's possible return, and his leadership could prove devastating to the frail New Republic. A small band of heroes must work together to thwart the act ..read more

Jodi, Bridget and Philip discuss the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola Film 'Bram Stoker's Dracula.' This film follows the 1897 'Dracula' novel and lends a signature artistic flourish courtesy of Coppola's visionary direction and diverse practical visual effects, vibrant costumes, ornate period sets and atmospheric score. Originally conceived as a minimalist adaptation of the original source material, Coppola along with his son Roman, who has worked on numerous music videos and Wes Anderson films, decided to expand what would have been an eccentric costume drama into a scrappy Gothic epic employing ma ..read more

Bridget and Philip discuss the new animated film from Paramount and Nickelodeon Studios, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.' Directed by 'Mitchell's vs the Machines' alumni Jeff Rowe and Kyler Spears, 'Mutant Mayhem' incorporates numerous hand-drawn elements to enhance the cel-shaded 3D animated world of the Ninja Turtles. This new take on the franchise introduces the supervillain "Superfly," who shares a common origin with the Turtles. Initially tempted to join Superfly and his gang, and feeling stifled in their situation under their surrogate father and master, the boys Leonardo ..read more

Wes Anderson's genre-bending, fourth wall-breaking new film 'Asteroid City' features a colorful cast collected in a remote desert setting. The government research hub of Asteroid City has few permanent residents but plays host to a science convention honoring the achievements of brilliant young minds. Suddenly, a quarantine befalls Asteroid City, and whether or not this eclectic congregation is allowed to leave their impromptu purgatory unscathed, it's clear that some characters carry their cage with them. Perhaps this is the diversion they need to escape their own personal prison. Philip and ..read more