By Brian Lafferty

February 24, 2012 (San Diego) – Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro. Sylvain Chomet’s The Illusionist. Javier Mariscal and Fernando Trueba’s Chico & Rita. These are three vastly different animated films from three different countries, but they share a trait rarely seen in animated films: they live and breathe humanism and portray close, heartfelt relationships.

By Brian Lafferty

January 21, 2011 (San Diego) -- Over the last few years I’ve discovered a love-hate feeling with Pixar. Back in 1995 I was enthralled when I saw Toy Story in the theater. Since then I have seen every Pixar movie and I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of their films. They put more effort into their movies than most studios and it shows every time.