ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

April 15th 2008

The Green Picture: Thundercats Logo Displayed On Old Coal Power Station

Filed under: 'toons — michael @ 11:08 am

No, this is not an environmental statement from the Thundercats against coal-fired power plants — but more a celebration by the UK division of Warner Brothers of the Season Two DVD release of the series. The logo — reminiscent of the 80’s cartoon call to arms was displayed on the now defunct Battersea Power Station in London. After the fold, you can also see the logo displayed on the side of the Parliament building. Awesome.

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April 14th 2008

Sean Astin To Voice New Animated Eco-Film About Gophers

Filed under: 'toons, film-tv, movies — michael @ 4:15 pm

Channeling his love for the Ents in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, actor Sean Astin is set to help voice a new animated film that revolves around a couple of gophers, some old trees, and a nasty highway developer. Joining Astin will be Giovanni Ribisi, Ron Perlman and Anjelica Huston in Spirit of the Forest, an eco-fairy tale from Fantastic Films International and Dygra Films.

“Astin and Ribisi play two gopher friends whose home is threatened when an evil businesswoman (Huston) plans to tear down their forest to build a highway. With the help of an old oak tree (Perlman), the animals and their friends fight back with a vengeance.”

Said Astin of his decision to sign up for the part, “In ‘Lord of the Rings,’ my favorite element in the story was the Ents, these massive trees getting cut down that fought for their own survival; in ‘Spirit,’ the trees also come to life. It’s another way of telling a story that needs to continue to be told. Progress comes at a price.”

If Spain-based Dygra’s track record is any indication (two previous animated films have won the Spanish equivalent of an Oscar) than Spirit might be one to watch for. The film will premiere first in Spain this September before showing internationally later in the Fall.

via hollywood reporter

March 25th 2008

Razzi Snap: Walt Disney Cartoons Contain Secret Environmental Messages

Filed under: 'toons, buildings and construction, cars-houses, interviews — michael @ 3:34 pm

I don’t know how inconspicuous they were, but according to a new book, Walt Disney cartoons have helped inspire a generation of environmental conservationists through secret themes and plot lines. Titled The Idea of Nature in Disney Animation, the author explores how everything from Tarzan to Bambi “systematically encouraged generations of children to ally themselves with the natural world and protect it.” They also caused me to have a crush on that chick from Aladdin during my early years, whatever that means. [via Times Online]

Maya Karin, a popular Malaysian actress, recently allowed journalists to visit her home and check out all the cool, green improvements she’s making in her life. “What I want to do is prove that we can live the modern life and still care for the environment at the same time,” she said. “My role is to be a communicator and to get the word out about the environmental issues we face.” [read more…]

Ed Begley Jr. gave a young Leonardo DiCaprio his first ride in an electric car back in 1990…

Adam Gardner of the band Guster — and co-founder of green touring organization Reverb — once had a tour bus named “The Earth Eater”. Thankfully, he’s turned that all around and explains his environmental passions and drive to create Reverb in this great interview.

Paris Hilton once again made for a great ambassador of American education while answering questions during a press stop in South Africa. “I LOVE Africa in general, South Africa and West Africa. They are both great countries,” she said. Yes. Yes, they are.

February 7th 2008

Captain Planet Movie Rumors Get Thrown In The Trash

A hundred million souls cry out in the dark

Filed under: 'toons, film-tv, movies — michael @ 2:48 pm

Damn you Wikipedia! Damn you for raising the hopes of millions of planeteers — only to see such expectations burst. As we broke earlier last week, a little blurb found on the Wikipedia entry for Captain Planet made mention of “live-action movie currently in development and slated for a 2009 release.” As the comments showed, people were jazzed. Jonathon Morgan of the site GreenDaily even went so far as to put together a list of potential actors who might play the lead blue-skinned superhero. Alas, Grist Magazine followed up on my skepticism and pulled some journalistic strings to announce the following:

Sadly, though, I must report that I then contacted the Warner folks (and their bros) and found out that this rumor is, in fact, “untrue.” I know, I know. I too am crushed. But before you get your superhero-tights in a bunch, consider this: perhaps by our powers combined we could petition them to reconsider?

Granted, Warner Brothers might just be keeping this mega-blockbuster under wraps until it’s revealed that Alec Baldwin is Captain Planet, The Jonas Brothers along with Miley Cyrus and Paris Hilton are the Planeteers, and Al Gore will provide an informative cameo. That sounds about right. If anyone needs me, I’ll be making an update to the Wikipedia entry…

January 31st 2008

Captain Planet Live-Action Movie Coming in 2009?

Picture Al Gore in tights.

Filed under: 'toons, film-tv, movies — michael @ 11:05 am

Fire up the rumor mill, Planeteers! A recent entry to the somewhat-reliable Wikipedia info on Captain Planet (I check it everyday) says something interesting about our favorite green animated superhero.

Warner Brothers studio announced on January 18, 2008 that a live action movie is to be made and is scheduled for late 2009. The movie is currently in pre-production.

Oh. Dead. God. They can’t be serious, can they? A live-action version of the blue-skin, green-haired protector of Mother Earth and his five planeteers? For those not hip to have caught the animated series back in 1990 (which interestingly was created by media mogul Ted Turner), here’s a small summary:

Captain Planet is the combined and magnified powers of all five of the Planeteers’ rings, and stands for all that was good and environment-friendly. Upon his formation, he proclaims, “By YOUR powers combined, I am Captain Planet!” The Captain is sky-blue skinned, with a grass-green mullet and eyebrows. He wears red shorts, a half-shirt and gauntlets with matching red knee-high boots. His body is composed mainly of a crystal compound.

Can you imagine trying to pitch that role to a leading Hollywood actor? Who wouldn’t get in line early? We’ll keep you updated on all the latest as we get it. Screw M. Night’s The Happening. This is the real environmental film that’s going to kick some serious ass.

November 16th 2007

Disney Catches The Fuel Cell Wave

Filed under: 'toons, business, transport — michael @ 1:27 pm

This past Wednesday, the Walt Disney Company and Chevrolet announced a partnership that will see the massive entertainment corp take control of 10 zero-gas, zero-emission Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles. These alternative fuel vehicles will be used to shuttle Disney employees, celebrity talent and others within Disney-owned facilities in Southern California.

Disney’s participation comes as GM is ramping up distribution of their fuel cell technology as part of the world’s largest fuel cell vehicle test, Project Driveway. The 30-month program includes hundreds of consumers in suburban Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. who will drive these vehicles for a period of time and report their experiences to Chevrolet. From the article,

“‘We are excited to be working with Chevrolet in this important and historic effort to introduce zero-emission vehicles,’ said Lawrence Aldridge, senior vice president, Corporate Alliances, The Walt Disney Company. ‘For the last 25 years, General Motors has been an important corporate alliance partner of The Walt Disney Company, and this is a natural extension for us given Disney’s own emphasis on cutting-edge technology and environmental conservation.’”

Great to see Disney involved. They’ve received their fair share of environmental scorn over the past few years and have finally started to make some changes. Beyond a switch to biodiesel with their popular train rides (and other fuel hungry attractions), they were also recently recognized for their “green” Disney Wilderness Lodge in Florida. The hotels are using low-flow toilets and fixtures, energy-efficient lighting, environmentally preferable cleaners and recycling office paper.

Thanks Sarah!

November 6th 2007

“Bee Movie” Hit With Not-So-Sweet Lawsuit

Filed under: 'toons, products — stefani @ 10:15 pm

Many people went to see Jerry Seinfeld’s “Bee Movie” last week, but not everyone is buzzing its praises (sorry, it’s just too easy). The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that a trademark infringement complaint was filed last week in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida court against Dreamworks Animation and Paramount Pictures by organic body care products company BeeCeuticals Organics. BeeCeuticals claims “Bee Movie” stole their trademarked slogan “Give Bees a Chance,” which co-founder Richard Gerber says he thought up in a dream. Gerber claims BeeCeuticals was in talks with Dreamworks for cross-pollination promotion with the film, but nothing transpired. BeeCeuticals apparently filed a trademark application for “Give Bees a Chance” last year through a Miami court. In another celeb twist, Gerber is a cousin of Howard Stern, and apparently has been running ads for BeeCeuticals with the disputed slogan on his Sirius radio show for a while.

BeeCeuticals Organics is a line of care products that includes shampoo, face creams, lip balms, lotions, all using natural ingredients such as essential oils and plant extracts, plus a blend of 100% organic holistic honey. BeeCeuticals also supports bee conservation as well as land conservation that results in successful bee farming for natural pollination. You can find more articles about the lawsuit as well as the actual filed complaint on BeeCeutical’s site. We wonder if Seinfeld feels a bit stung over this. Ouch.

Stefani Newman is a freelance writer and blogs about going green for kids at her site, teensygreen.

July 13th 2007

Emperors and Rockhoppers Getting Attention in DC

Filed under: 'toons, animals, campaigns, politics, web — kasha @ 9:43 am

From March of the Penguins summer 2005 to last month’s Surf’s Up, birds in tuxedos have been pairing off, piling on and poking fun – anything to get America’s attention. All of this celluloid hullabaloo may actually result in some hard-hitting political action.

Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it will consider 10 of the total 17 penguin species for special protection under the Endangered Species Act, including the emperor and southern and northern rockhoppers. A petition from the non-profit Center for Biological Diversity compelled the Service to review the status of the penguins from Antarctica, Argentina, Chile, Namibia, New Zealand, Peru and South African. They are threatened by commercial fishing, habitat loss, contaminants and pollution.

You can comment on the review until September 11, 2007. Email thoughts and information to the Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Director of International Affairs.

Penguins at Surf’s Up official movie site are encouraging users to search the web at GoodSearch.com or to choose a charity at ChangingThePresent.org. To donate directly, please click here.

March 1st 2007

DeSmogBlog Releases “Stars And Stinkers” Flash Game

Filed under: 'toons, green and famous — michael @ 2:51 pm

A couple months back, the gang over at DeSmogBlog approached us and wanted some insight into celebrities doing good and those that need to clean up their acts. We offered some of our picks, they offered some of their’s — and the result is this fun little flash game that gives you an opportunity to line them all up — from best to worst, or from star to stinker!

So, hit their site and see how you do. Let us know if you run into some trouble with getting the last one correct.

Note: Apparently, the game isn’t working too well in IE. But, you’re still not using Internet Explorer, are you? Load up Firefox and enjoy!

November 6th 2006

‘Razzi Toon :: Borat, ‘Get Out And Vote Or I Be Execute!’

Filed under: 'toons, green and famous — michael @ 10:44 am

In honor of Americans returning to the polls tomorrow, we thought it might be time for another original cartoon from artist, Jarrett Osborne. With Borat-mania sweeping the nation, it’s perfect timing for him to help get the word out. Enjoy!