Cartoons are not only loved by children, but also by most of the grown ups. Though we have grown in age, many of us still sit beside our young siblings while they are watching Looney Tunes, Pink Panther and Thunder Cats. Cartoons attract people of every age; this is why cinema houses are jam packed when there is an animated movie being shown. Have you ever thought about the hands that were behind your favorite Mickey Mouse, Papa Smurf, Ninja Turtles, Liono, Denver the last dinosaur, Tweety etc.? A cartoonist is a specialist in drawing shapes of cartoon characters. In this article, I am going to tell you about some of the most well known and celebrated cartoonists of the world. These artists have never been recognized the way they should be, like singers, actors and dancers. This article is a tribute to such artists who make such comic characters that fill our lives with light humor, and entertain us in best way possible.

Following are some of the best cartoonists of all time.

Walt Disney:
Yes, the guy behind our beloved Mickey! Mr. Disney was born on 5th December, 1901 at Hermosa, Chicago. His complete name was Walter Elias Disney.

Early Life:
His father was Irish-Canadian whereas his mother was of German-American descent. In his early age at Marceline, Walt dismay developed aptitude for drawing. One of his neighbors paid him for drawing their horse, too. After some time, the family moved to Chicago and Mr. Disney began attending night courses at the Chicago Art institute. As he was a patriot, he left the school when he was 16 in order to join the army but he was rejected for being underage. Being in the school, he started making cartoons for school’s newspaper. His cartoons depicted his patriotism as they were all filled with World War I concept. When he got rejected from the army, he joined Red Cross along with his friend and was sent to France for a year. In France, Mr. Walt Disney worked as an ambulance driver.

After coming back from France, he wanted to start his career as an artist, but no one was willing to give him acting roles. Neither was he able to get a position in a newspaper for cartoon making. With the help of his brother, he got an impermanent job at Pesmen-Rubin Art Studio where he met Ubbe Iwerks; another cartoonist. His job was to create advertisements for theatres, movies and newspapers. After their temporary jobs finished and both were left jobless, they decided to begin a commercial company of their own. “Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists” was very short lived and Disney joined City Film Ad Company, to be joined soon by Iwerks. There, he used to make advertisements that ere based on cut-out animation. He developed interest for animation and decided to be an animator. His employer was kind enough to lend him over a camera for practicing and experimenting. He employed a person and made deal with a theatre to show his first cartoons; “Laugh-O-Grams.”

The show was a hit, and led Mr. Disney to acquire his own studio called “Laugh-O-Grams.” He employed many animators and started working, but was unable to manage high wages and finances. Thus, the company was wound up for being bankrupt. This was the time he decided to move to Hollywood and make a studio there.

Mr. Disney and his brother made a studio in Hollywood and put all their money into it. He had a cartoon made in Kansas but had not aired it, called “Alice Comedies”. He got a distributor, and began moving on with Alice Comedies which was animation with Live Action. This was a huge success.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was created and drawn by Iwerks and was a big hit. After that, the distributor took all his great animators except for Iwerks (as he refused to leave Disney), and Disney was left alone. This was the time both of them made Mickey Mouse.

He has won 26 academy awards and has been nominated for academy awards 59 times. Disneyland is another achievement. Mr. Disney died at the age of 65 in 1966.

2. Bill Amend:
Well known for his comic strip FoxTrot, Bill Amend is an American cartoonist.

Early Life:
William J. C. Amend III was born September 20th, 1962 at Northampton, Massachusetts. He started his career as a cartoonist early in his age when he was in school where he used to make cartoons for school newspaper. He made cartoons for his college newspaper, too. After graduating with physics, he began with his cartoon making career.

FoxTrot:
On April 10th, 1988 FoxTrot appeared for the first time. Till 2006, FoxTrot appeared on the newspaper daily. After that, Amend switched to Sundays, only. This comic strip is based on the everyday life of Fox family comprising of five members; father Roger, mother Andy, and kids Peter, Paige and Jason. Other characters include kids’ friends and class mates, a pet and Roger’s colleagues.

In 2007, Bill Amend got the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the year.

3. Bill Watterson:
William Boyd Bill Watterson II was born on 5th July, 1958 at Washington D.C. he is famous for his comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” that ran from 1985 to 1995.

Early Life:
His parents say that Bill was a quiet child who spent hours alone drawing and cartooning. He used to draw cartoons for school paper and yearbook. He graduated with Political Science in 1980.

Calvin and Hobbes:
This comic strip comprised of two main characters Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin is a six years old boy who is adventurous and Hobbes is his stuffed tiger which a mocking and satirical character. Other characters include Calvin’s parents, his classmate, his babysitter, a teacher and a bully boy.

Awards:
Mr. Watterson has attained many awards including Reuben Award, Harvey Award, Adamson Award and Max & Moritz Prize.

Apart from these cartoonists, there is a whole lot of worthy and competent cartoonists and animators who are giving there best for their passion and career

You might have heard this thing a lot of times that a man is a child by heart and that child often gets awaken and lets you enjoy the world in the way you want. Watching cartoons is an activity that is supposed for the children but the child living inside us always keeps us close to the cartoons and enjoys them in the same way as the small kids. The advancement of technology has brought a very high level for the animated movies as well and nowadays there are lots of stunning attractive movies present in the market that are favorites of not only kids but especially of the adults. A lot of animated movies have found their way in the year 2010 and some have also shown their face before 2010, here let’s discuss the top ones among them.

1. Shrek Forever After (2010)

The Shrek series has always remained on the top lists of the international box office and the year 2010 has got the final release of this series ‘Shrek forever after’ or ‘Shrek 4’. This comedy fantasy film is actually produced by Dreamworks Animation and is distributed by Paramount Pictures. The cast of this movie included: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger, Ned Beatty, Jodi Benson, Michael Keaton. In every version of the Shrek series we have seen that there is a beautiful blend created between the advance computer animated and the animated movies fantasy world of Shrek full with comedy and entertainment.

2. Toy Story 3 (2010)

This is another very amazing member of the animated series ‘Toy Story’, the 3rd version of this series got released for the year 2010 and it is basically an American 3D computer animated film that is produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures.  This animated movie has beautifully added the sensational moments in it and you can feel your eyes filled with tears at the end of movie. The cast of this movie included: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Jeff Pidgeon, Jodi Benson, R. Lee Ermey, John Morris, and Laurie Metcalf.

3. Avatar (2009)

This is a really blusterous American hit for the year 2009, it’s a science fiction epic film that was written and directed by James Cameron and the cast included: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, and Joel David Moore. The story was written quite many years ago but at that time Cameron found that the technology that can run this story into reality doesn’t exists and then he created that. With a total budget of $237 million, this movie also made its place in the most expensive movies of the world and with that it has won 3 Oscars, which is definitely a great achievement for a new movie.

4. Coraline (2009)

This is another big animated marvel of the year 2009 that also got a nomination for Oscar. It is an American stop motion 3D fantasy/horror film that was actually based on the novel ‘Coraline’ by Neil Gaiman in 2002. This movie was produced by produced by Laika and distributed by Focus Features, written and directed by Henry Selick. Like the other entertaining animation-based movies this one is a bit different as it has got a flavor of horror in it as well but you’ll enjoy that as well in the fantasy world. The story is basically of a girl who has opened a secret door of her home and her life has transformed into a totally new and different world, her adventurous new world is a good one and you can enjoy this movie no matter you are a kid or adult.

5. Finding Nemo (2003)

This movie is a very cute and amazing animated production that got its place in the box office in the year 2003. This one was written by Andrew Stanton, directed by Stanton and Lee Unkrich and produced by Pixar Animation Studios. The theme of this movie revolves around the life under the sea where a clownfish Marlin, voiced by Albert Brooks, along with a regal tang called Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, is searching for his son Nemo, voiced by Alexander Gould. I must say that all the characters have done a great job with their voices dubbed for the small and cute fishes living in the sea. Truly saying, I was really not impressed with this movie at the start but when I watched it then realized that there is lot of stuff worthy to watch and that has made this movie an Oscar winner.

These were the top 5 animated movies of the 2000’s era which have captured a great attention of the audience and they are still rocking on the box office.

Hollywood has produced some of the most wonderful movies ever this year. Best examples are Extraordinary Measures, Wolfman, Percy Jackson, Shutter Island, How to Train your Dragon, Clash of the Titans etc. 2010 has really been great for Hollywood as great movies have been made and they have been highly praised, too. In this article, I will tell you about the best movies of 2010 so far, according to plot, direction, production and rating.

5. Knight and Day:

• Director: James Mangold
• Writer: Patrick O’Neil
• Genre: Action, Comedy, Thriller
• Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Jack O’Connell

This movie was formerly titled as “Witchita” and “Trouble Man”, but finally it was named “Knight and Day.” This film went through many phases where both lead roles were set for many other actors and actresses (Adam Sandler, Gerard Butler, Chris Tucker and Eva Mendes) before finally settling at Cruise and Diaz. Major part of filming took place in Massachusetts, Spain and Austria.

Tom cruise plays Roy Miller and Diaz plays June Havens. The whole story revolves around adventures of both the lead characters. Havens is stuck into situations because of Miller; she undergoes plane crash, kidnapping, retrieval, being drugged, and a lot more. It comes to her knowledge later that Miller’s real name is Matthew Knight and he is a former Army Sergeant and Eagle Scout.

Adam Sandler refused the offer by saying, “I just don’t see me with a gun.” “Black Eyed Peas” recorded the sound track for Knight and Day, with title of “Someday.” The film did not do good business the day it was released and in few coming days. It has remained at 5th place in its second week at box office.

4. Toy Story 3:

• Director: Lee Unkrich
• Writers: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton
• Release date: 18th June 2010
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
• Tagline: The Breakout Comedy Of The Summer
• Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack

This is the final chapter of Toy Story series (yet), and is a 3D computer animated film. It is produced by Pixar Animation Studios and is released by Walt Disney Pictures. Most of the voice-over roles are played by the actors who had previously given their voice in part 1 and 2. it broke the record made by “Shrek the Third” for biggest single day gross for an animated movie. It has become the highest grossing Pixar film to date with in just four weeks of its release in US.

Andy has grown up and is moving to the college; thus he packs up his old toys to put them in the attic except for Woody which he intends to take along with him to college. Mistakenly, Andy’s mom puts the bag on curb. Toys are heartbroken and think that Andy no longer needs them, thus they get into a box which is going to be donated to Sunnyside Daycare. Woody tries to clarify the matter but no one listens. Toys are mishandled and abused by kids at Sunnyside but they can’t get out of the place as it is a toy prison. Woody has already left them to get back to Andy. Story develops and in the end, toys move to Bonnie’s place who is a little girl as they think attic is not where they deserve to live.

3. Iron Man 2:

• Director: John Favreau
• Writers: Justin Theroux, Stan Lee
• Release date: 7th May 2010
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-fi, Thriller
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson

In the planned trilogy, Iron Man 2 is the second film as sequel to Iron Man of 2008. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures, this move is based on the Marvel Comics character Iron Man. Stark Industries CEO Tony Stark reveals to the world his real identity as Iron Man. Ivan Vanko begins to build similar weapon after watching this on Russian television. In six months, Stark gives the world peaceful environment and begins with his Stark Industries again. He refuses to hand over his technology to the government. Things change as the plot develops and story builds.

This film grossed $128,122,480 at 4380 theatres in the opening weekend and has the highest opening for a movie in 2010. Iron Man 3 will be in theatres by 2013, most probably.

2. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse:

• Director: David Slade
• Writers: Melissa Rosenberg, Stephenie Meyer
• Release date: 30th June, 2010
• Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
• Tagline: It All Begins…With A Choice
• Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

This is the third episode of Twilight Series based in Stephenie Meyer’s novel series. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse followed the 2008 movie Twilight and 2009 movie New Moon. It has set a new record for biggest midnight opening in USA and Canada (in box office history) grossing $30 million in over 4 thousand theatre. The vampire story goes on, develops and reaches a nice ending of Bella and Edward’s engagement. But who knows what comes next, as the 3rd sequel is coming soon.

Howard Shore composed Eclipse’s score.

1. Despicable Me:

• Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
• Writers: Ken Daurio, Sergio Pablos
• Release date: 9th July 2010
• Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
• Tagline: Superbad. Superdad.
• Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett

This is a computer animated 3D feature film from Illumination Entertainment that was distributed by Universal Pictures. The movie is set in a peaceful, green, and full of flowers and picket fences happy suburban locality which has a strange black house that has a dead lawn. Inside, there is basement where lives Gru surrounded by a lot of impish gofers. A super villain steals the Great Pyramid of Giza and as a result, Gru plans to do something even bigger and greater; he plans to steal the Moon. Now, the fight begins.

It is the third highest opening grossing for an animated movie of 2010 with $60.1 million.

With this ranking and reviews, today’s article comes to an end. These are the highest ranking movies at box office as well as in the eyes of audiences.

Who doesn’t want billions of ad revenue and a new lot of fresh viewers? Yup! Every entertainment company wants this as its survival depends on these two major contributors.Considering the importance of these contributing factors one of the world biggest producers of films and T.V. entertainment, Warner Bros is going to launch two Web sites as announced by the company on Monday.

KidsWB.com

The first Web site has been named as KidsWB.com as it is quite evident from the name that the site will provide entertaining stuff to children by featuring cartoon characters like Scooby Doo, Bugs Bunny and Batman as all these characters are part Warner Bros entertaining library.

TheWB.com

The other site is TheWB.com that will provide complete episodes of shows like “Smallville” and “Friends” online and some other online shows will be presented online during next month in a beta test version, it was announced by Warner Bros.Television Group.

Online ad incomes

Kids WB.com and TheWB.com will be sponsored by ad incomes as deals with the companies like McDonald’s Corp., Mattel Inc. and Johnson & Johnson have already taken place in this connection, stated by Warner Bros.

Television studio’s content

Warner Bro.’s president Bruce Rosenblum stated in a Webcast that all it has been done for the availability of television studio’s content to younger viewers who prefer to watch shows on cell phones and laptops and they consider it television for themselves.

It is being considered a good move to make the content available on it Website by Warner Bros. as other companies have already stepped in that course.

General Electric Co.’s NBC

Other companies like General Electric Co.’s NBC and Walt Disney‘s ABC.com are already providing their stuff to the online audience and gaining good ad revenues in this connection.

The entertainment industry

However, according to some experts this move of online availability of content is not late enough from Warners Bros as online availability of shows still very promising for the entertainment industry.

Warner Bros. is trying to make its Website more than a platform for viewing large shows.
Rosenblum also stated that online watching is at its beginning stage and we must not be focused on mere profits for some years.