Feb 22, 2026
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Cohen’s Cartoon Corner June ‘22
by Karl Cohen
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'Lightyear', Pixar’s new film, includes a same-sex kiss restored due to staff pressure after its removal due to Disney's problems with Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. photo: courtesy PixarHollywood Reporter Applauds Pixar’s Return to Silver Screen
“[Lightyear] is a funny spinoff with suspense and heart, a captivatingly spirited ‘toon take on splashy live-action retro popcorn entertainment," according to The Hollywood Reporter. "The title character is given splendid voice by Chris Evans, balancing heroism and human fallibility with infectious warmth.” The reviewer nitpicks minor things and doesn’t feel "Lightyear" is a great film, but it sounds to me like a long-awaited, welcomed treat.
Jerry Beck, a noted animation historian who teaches at CAL Arts, said, “Saw Lightyear—loved it.”
Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ banned in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
Disney has fallen foul of the censors once more. “Lightyear”, Pixar's Toy Story prequel spinoff movie, has been banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and at least 12 other countries as the film includes a same-sex kiss! The scene was originally cut from the film, but reinstated following an uproar.
A statement from Pixar employees claimed that Disney had been censoring “overtly gay affection” and the company evidently agreed.
Apropos of this or nothing at all: A Pixar chief noted: "All of our films start out as disasters."
Disney Responds to Supreme Court Abortion Decision
Disney made a statement saying they are committed to financially supporting employees who need to travel out of state to seek abortion care. Hopefully they will also stop funding politicians who campaigned to take away reproductive rights.
Pixar Co-Founder Catmull joins Baobab Studios
Although it only started in 2015, Boabab Studios has already won nine Emmys.
Their credits include innovative virtual reality projects like “Invasion!”, “Crow: The Legend”, and “Baba Yaga”. They are working with Disney Branded Television on “The Witchverse”, an anthology series for Disney+ based on the “Baba Yaga” short. Their creative talent includes Erick Oh, Jony Chandra, Hayley Porter, Michael McCormick, Brian Tinsman and now Pixar co-founder and former Disney animation boss Ed Catmull.
Maureen Fan, CEO and co-founder of Baobab Studios says, “I have followed Ed’s work for years and am proud to welcome him to our board of directors. Ed’s leadership and innovative genius in the world of animation is unparalleled, and his insight will be invaluable as we imagine new characters and worlds, as well as an active role for our audiences inside of them.”
Catmull says, “I’m honored to join the board of directors of Baobab Studios and to be part of their creative journey. Baobab is at the forefront of telling incredible stories across mediums, and I look forward to supporting the entire team as the company evolves into the preeminent animation studio of the future.”
Catmull was an early pioneer of computer animation. He became the vice-president of George Lucas’ computer Graphics division called Lucasfilm in 1979 (part of ILM). In 1986, Steve Jobs bought Lucasfilm's digital division and founded Pixar, hiring Catmull, Lasseter and the rest of the gang to run it.
Pixar was acquired by Disney in 2006. He was president of both Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar from 2006, when Disney acquired Pixar, through 2019. During his tenure, the studios released several iconic films including “Big Hero 6”, “Frozen”, “Finding Nemo”, “Incredibles 2” and “Toy Story 4”, among others.
A scene from Signe Baumane’s latest and highly-praised film, "My Love Affair with Marriage". photo: courtesy PixarSigne Baumane’s New Film
Signe Baumane’s "My Love Affair with Marriage" opened in New York City to excellent reviews.
The visuals in “My Love Affair with Marriage” are being praised with words like “stunning,” “incredibly clever,” “deeply funny,” “socially conscious” and “a sharp satire.” One reviewer said, it was “reminiscent of German Expressionism” and called “an endearing beacon of hope.” In addition to excellent positive reviews in New York, the film won a jury prize for features from Annecy, animation’s most highly respected international festival.
Signe is from Latvia and lives in New York and this, her second animated feature, combines handsome miniature sets with dramatic theatrical lighting, with distinctive looking cel animation. It was over five years in the making and was well funded, thanks to money and support from several countries and a highly successful fundraising campaign. I’ll be writing more about this film after the first Bay Area screening is announced. One reviewer called it, “Essential viewing for all.”
Two Smurfs Go to Church
Two Smurfs suddenly appeared on pedestals about 18 feet above the entrance to the Sint-Gertrudiskerk church in the center of Ternat, Belgium in June. People loved seeing them there, thinking the church might be getting ready for a street fair.
Unfortunately, they became a short-lived attraction as the annoyed pastor had a crew remove Papa Smurf and Jokey. Nobody has confessed to creating the prank.
Karl F. Cohen—who added his middle initial to distinguish himself from the Russian Karl Cohen, who tried to assassinate the Czar in the mid-19th century—is an animator, educator and director of the local chapter of the International Animation Society and can be reached .
Posted on Jul 01, 2022 - 12:06 AM
by Karl Cohen
Please support our stories by liking articles—thanks!
'Lightyear', Pixar’s new film, includes a same-sex kiss restored due to staff pressure after its removal due to Disney's problems with Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. photo: courtesy Pixar“[Lightyear] is a funny spinoff with suspense and heart, a captivatingly spirited ‘toon take on splashy live-action retro popcorn entertainment," according to The Hollywood Reporter. "The title character is given splendid voice by Chris Evans, balancing heroism and human fallibility with infectious warmth.” The reviewer nitpicks minor things and doesn’t feel "Lightyear" is a great film, but it sounds to me like a long-awaited, welcomed treat.
Jerry Beck, a noted animation historian who teaches at CAL Arts, said, “Saw Lightyear—loved it.”
Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ banned in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
Disney has fallen foul of the censors once more. “Lightyear”, Pixar's Toy Story prequel spinoff movie, has been banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and at least 12 other countries as the film includes a same-sex kiss! The scene was originally cut from the film, but reinstated following an uproar.
A statement from Pixar employees claimed that Disney had been censoring “overtly gay affection” and the company evidently agreed.
Apropos of this or nothing at all: A Pixar chief noted: "All of our films start out as disasters."
Disney Responds to Supreme Court Abortion Decision
Disney made a statement saying they are committed to financially supporting employees who need to travel out of state to seek abortion care. Hopefully they will also stop funding politicians who campaigned to take away reproductive rights.
Pixar Co-Founder Catmull joins Baobab Studios
Although it only started in 2015, Boabab Studios has already won nine Emmys.
Their credits include innovative virtual reality projects like “Invasion!”, “Crow: The Legend”, and “Baba Yaga”. They are working with Disney Branded Television on “The Witchverse”, an anthology series for Disney+ based on the “Baba Yaga” short. Their creative talent includes Erick Oh, Jony Chandra, Hayley Porter, Michael McCormick, Brian Tinsman and now Pixar co-founder and former Disney animation boss Ed Catmull.
Maureen Fan, CEO and co-founder of Baobab Studios says, “I have followed Ed’s work for years and am proud to welcome him to our board of directors. Ed’s leadership and innovative genius in the world of animation is unparalleled, and his insight will be invaluable as we imagine new characters and worlds, as well as an active role for our audiences inside of them.”
Catmull says, “I’m honored to join the board of directors of Baobab Studios and to be part of their creative journey. Baobab is at the forefront of telling incredible stories across mediums, and I look forward to supporting the entire team as the company evolves into the preeminent animation studio of the future.”
Catmull was an early pioneer of computer animation. He became the vice-president of George Lucas’ computer Graphics division called Lucasfilm in 1979 (part of ILM). In 1986, Steve Jobs bought Lucasfilm's digital division and founded Pixar, hiring Catmull, Lasseter and the rest of the gang to run it.
Pixar was acquired by Disney in 2006. He was president of both Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar from 2006, when Disney acquired Pixar, through 2019. During his tenure, the studios released several iconic films including “Big Hero 6”, “Frozen”, “Finding Nemo”, “Incredibles 2” and “Toy Story 4”, among others.
A scene from Signe Baumane’s latest and highly-praised film, "My Love Affair with Marriage". photo: courtesy PixarSigne Baumane’s "My Love Affair with Marriage" opened in New York City to excellent reviews.
The visuals in “My Love Affair with Marriage” are being praised with words like “stunning,” “incredibly clever,” “deeply funny,” “socially conscious” and “a sharp satire.” One reviewer said, it was “reminiscent of German Expressionism” and called “an endearing beacon of hope.” In addition to excellent positive reviews in New York, the film won a jury prize for features from Annecy, animation’s most highly respected international festival.
Signe is from Latvia and lives in New York and this, her second animated feature, combines handsome miniature sets with dramatic theatrical lighting, with distinctive looking cel animation. It was over five years in the making and was well funded, thanks to money and support from several countries and a highly successful fundraising campaign. I’ll be writing more about this film after the first Bay Area screening is announced. One reviewer called it, “Essential viewing for all.”
Two Smurfs Go to Church
Two Smurfs suddenly appeared on pedestals about 18 feet above the entrance to the Sint-Gertrudiskerk church in the center of Ternat, Belgium in June. People loved seeing them there, thinking the church might be getting ready for a street fair.
Unfortunately, they became a short-lived attraction as the annoyed pastor had a crew remove Papa Smurf and Jokey. Nobody has confessed to creating the prank.
Karl F. Cohen—who added his middle initial to distinguish himself from the Russian Karl Cohen, who tried to assassinate the Czar in the mid-19th century—is an animator, educator and director of the local chapter of the International Animation Society and can be reached .
Posted on Jul 01, 2022 - 12:06 AM
