Remember that real-life Up house that got a bunch of attention a few months ago? Yeah, that was awesome. And awesome in more than one way, it turns out, since I'm guessing that project is what inspired these guys to make their very own Pizza Planet truck.
The project, a documentary entitled The Road to Pixar, is being produced by a group of young film students who have gathered inspiration from Pixar's many films, and want to pay the studio homage. Once the truck is complete, which will include every detail from the dirty yellow paint to the "YO" on the tailgate, it'll go on tour hitting up college campuses along its journey to Emeryville, CA, where they hope to show their hard work off to the folks at Pixar.
Being filmmakers, they intend to document the whole process of creating the truck. Not only that, but during their road trip they're going to "interview as many people as possible about how they have grown up with the Pixar film canon (The Toy Story trilogy especially) and how it has effected their lives."
To complete their project, however, they have gone to the World Wide Web for fundraising help. Their IndieGoGo page asks for donations ranging anywhere from $1 to $1,000, each price tier giving you a little something for your cash, including DVDs of the film, your name in the credits, and even replicas of parts form the car.
Help them out if you can. They're far from their $4,500 goal and only have a couple of weeks left. I think it's a very worthwhile endeavor.
Showing posts with label Toy Story 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toy Story 2. Show all posts
Friday, September 9, 2011
Making a Pizza Planet Truck
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Toy Story Trilogy Box Set
Sure, I might already have the Toy Story and Toy Story 2 DVDs. Yeah, I can find the majority of the featurettes from almost any Blu-ray online. Nevertheless, I have already pre-ordered the 10-disc Toy Story trilogy Blu-ray+DVD combo pack. And I recommend you do the same.
It just went up for pre-order on Amazon.com at $69.99, with a list price of $100. Not much is known about the set yet, but I'm sure it will be jam-packed with all kinds of great featurettes that cater to the tastes of folks just like you and me--folks who love Pixar.
The set will be released on the same day as Toy Story 3, November 2 this year.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Sequel to 'Nemo' in the Works?
Pixar has gone a bit sequel-crazy lately. Toy Story 3 just came out, Cars 2 is slated for next summer, and Monsters, Inc. 2 is just around the corner. It makes you wonder what other film continuations the geniuses at Pixar might have in the works.
FINDINGNEMO2.NET
FINDINGNEMO2.ORG
FINDINGNEMO3.NET
FINDINGNEMO3.ORG
Now, of course, just registering a domain name doesn't mean that Pixar is planning on turning their popular underwater adventure into a trilogy, but it certainly means that they're thinking about it.
What would you think of a Finding Nemo 2 and 3?
Personally, I am against the idea. Don't get me wrong--I absolutely loved Toy Story 2 and 3, and I am very excited for Cars 2 and Monsters, Inc. 2, but I just love to see completely original stuff come out of Pixar. Don't you remember how you felt after, most recently, Up and WALL-E? Sure, re-visiting old friends is fun and all, but it is much more fun and interesting to experience brand new characters in a brand new, Pixar-created universe.
If they do end up making a sequel to Finding Nemo, I'm sure they'll have a good reason for it. Like Mr. John Lasseter says about sequels: "Great sequels make the original even better. Sequels that rehash the same thing make the original less good in my mind. And to me, the value of building a franchise that will last forever for a company lies in that everything you do with those characters be better than the last."
So, if Finding Nemo 2 is better than the first, bring it on Pixar. But, first, how about some brand new characters and a little bit less with the sequels? Just for now anyways...
Source: Jim Hill Media
Coolest Man Alive Legally Changes Name to Buzz Lightyear
Briefly: 26-year-old Englishman Steve Bolto was very excited for Toy Story 3's British premiere this week. So excited, in fact, that he had his name legally changed to Buzz Lightyear. In defense of his decision, Bolto (now Lightyear) explains:
I'm a massive fan of Toy Story...it's a great name, a great film and my girlfriend is going to love telling people she's going out with Buzz LightyearAnd I thought I was Pixar's biggest fan...
Source: The Pixar Blog
Saturday, June 19, 2010
'TS3' Reviews + Rotten Tomatoes Update
Toy Story 3 is a great film. If you've read my review, you know that I loved it. The critics have spoken, and they all completely agree with me. The final film of the Toy Story trilogy is a smash hit, both at the box office and when it comes to reviews. I was going to compile a list of my favorite reviews, but Mike over at The Pixar Blog has an even more comprehensive list than mine; check it out here and here. All of these reviews offer valuable insight to anybody who is still wondering why they enjoyed the film so much.
But, if you just want the Cliffs Notes of what the critics thought, I recommend that you look no further than Rotten Tomatoes, a site that compiles all of the reviews for you. Currently, Toy Story 3 is the second best reviewed film of all-time on the site with a 99%, ranked only behind its predecessor in the trilogy, Toy Story 2.
TS3 has 153 tallied reviews--151 of them "Fresh" and the other two "Rotten". The two men who tarnished an otherwise flawless record for the picture are none other than Armond White and Cole Smithey, both of which are notorious for giving critically-acclaimed movies a bad name, just for attention. In fact, there's an online petition going around to get White (who has given every Pixar film a "Rotten" review, but Norbit a positive one) banned from RT. It currently has over 1,700 signatures (including mine), and I suggest you sign it as well.
Despite two hacks who call themselves critics, Toy Story 3 has a glowing record so far, and will continue to. Do I smell an Oscar? Or maybe even two? We'll see... But one thing is for sure: Lee Unkrich is gonna need a wheelbarrow for all of his award statues come award season.
Sources: The Pixar Blog, RT
Friday, June 18, 2010
Best. Toy Story. Ever.
In 1988, John Lasseter wrote and directed the Pixar short Tin Toy. It was a very crude short film that won an Oscar, as well as the admiration of the animation and filmmaking world. Quickly after the then-revolutionary short was released, Pixar was commissioned by Disney to produce a feature film. Ed Catmull recommended a one-hour TV special to the Mouse instead of a film, but Disney quickly replied that: "If you can make a one-hour special, you can make an hour-and-a-half long picture."
Lasseter was still the big-wig creative at Pixar then (and, some might debate that he still is), and he loved the idea of toys coming to life. So, Pixar set out to turn the short Tin Toy into the world's first CG-animated movie. From this notion, Toy Story was born.
It's been over two decades since Tin Toy debuted, and here we are still enjoying Pixar's anthropomorphic toys. And, let me tell you, we are really enjoying them.
Toy Story 3 is the best film of the Toy Story trilogy. I know that it may be considered bad etiquette to begin a review so blatantly with my straight opinion, but, it's the truth. Toy Story 3 was that good. But, without further ado, if you want to know why it was so good, here's my review (Spoiler Alert!):
Plot Synopsis
Toy Story explodes onto the screen in an epic scene jam-packed with train crashes, explosions, chases, and the familiar "Death by Monkeys" and "forcefield dog." Woody and Mr. Potato Head (er, One-Eyed Bart) have a thrilling fight on top of a speeding train. The tracks running over a bridge explode, and Woody plunges into oblivion. But who is there to save him? Buzz Lightyear of course! The scene continues, getting more and more ridiculous and funny. Then after the over-the-top action sequence that might as well have come out of a Michael Bay or Jerry Bruckheimer picture, we find out that the whole scene is taking place in Andy's imagination. Cue the classic Randy Newman tune "You've Got a Friend in Me" as we get treated to more footage filmed by Andy's Mom of him playing lovingly with his toys.
But, everybody grows up. Once Mr. Newman is done singing and the VHS-quality video fades out, we find out that Andy has grown up and is moving off to college. His mom makes him decide what to do with his old toys, and gives him three options: donate them, put them out for the garbage man, or store them in the attic. Andy decides on the latter for all of his toys except Woody, who's going off to college with him. But after some confusion and excitement, the toys, including Woody, are all sent off to the Sunnyside Daycare Center.
Upon arriving at the new, strange place, Lotso the Strawberry-Scented Bear greets the toys with a big grin and lots of hugs. All of the center's toys are friendly, and the place seems almost heavenly for a toy. Andy's toys are excited that they will finally be played with after so many years. Woody, however, insists that they all have to do their jobs: "be there for Andy when he needs us, no matter what."
Despite his best efforts, Woody has to make his way back to Andy's alone. After an exhilarating scene involving a lot of toy-acrobatics and kite-flying, however, he is found and brought home by a little girl named Bonnie, and is lovingly played with again, just like Andy used to play with him. The other toys in Bonnie's room are very funny, especially the hedgehog Mr. Pricklepants (pictured above), who is a very well-versed thespian.
Meanwhile, the other toys learn that the daycare is not all that it's cracked up to be. They get put in the "Caterpillar Room," which is for the toddlers. And, trust me, being played with by toddlers from a toy's perspective is horrifying, as Buzz, Rex, Hamm, Jessie, and the others quickly find out in a rather darkly humorous scene.
Once the daycare closes and the toys decide they'd much rather be in the pleasant "Butterfly Room" for the older kids, Buzz escapes from the Caterpillar Room to seek out the cheerful leader, Lotso. What he finds, however, is that all of the toys at Sunnyside are being held captive.
Lotso finds Buzz's manual and resets him, turning him into one of the strawberry-scented villain's many henchman. The other toys are all put in cages and given a very stern speech from the new Buzz about "the box"--a scene that is humorously lifted from the classic film Cool Hand Luke. (Click here to see the scene I'm talking about--it's the first minute or so.)
Bonnie's Mom works at Sunnyside, so many of her toys move freely between her house and the daycare (that is, if they can avoid detection). Therefore, Woody quickly finds out what Sunnyside really is: a place of darkness and despair. He gets told the tragic story of Lotso by Chuckles, a depressed clown voiced by Pixar's own Bud Luckey. Lotso, Chuckles, and the Big Baby were all Daisy's favorite toys. One day, Daisy took them to the park but forgot them there. After the trio of toys had waited for weeks and weeks and traveled far to find her again, they discovered that she had replaced them with new toys. "Something snapped inside Lotso that day." They then found Sunnyside, and Lotso slowly gained power, eventually becoming the dictator of the daycare center.
The majority of the rest of the movie is an elaborate, The Great Escape-esque escape sequence that consists of a lot of humor and a bunch of action. The escape ends with Woody, Buzz, Hamm, Rex, the Potato Heads, Slink, Jessie, and Bullseye slowly slipping into the dump's enormous incinerator. Jessie turns to Buzz and asks "What do we do now?" Buzz slowly looks up and takes her hand in his. The rest of the gang follows suit and all join hands, forming a circle of friends as they all slip slowly to their imminent doom. This scene is so intensely emotional, that I get teary-eyed just thinking about it.
After the audience has used up all of their Kleenex however, they're gonna need to find some more. Pixar has constructed an emotional one-two punch for the last twenty minutes of Toy Story 3. After the gang escapes the dump and makes it back to Andy's, Woody decides that the best place for them to be is at Bonnie's house; a toy should have a proper owner that knows about playtime. Thus, the final scene is almost equally-emotional, consisting of a seventeen-year-old Andy sitting in the grass, giving all of his toys to the young Bonnie. He fondly introduces each toy, then plays with them for one last time. He drives off to college, leaving Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toys we all love to a brand new owner who will love the toys just as much as Andy did, to infinity and beyond.
(End Spoiler Alert!)
Toy Story 3 is a superb film. It combines classic lines for us die hard fans, comedy, romance, action, Hollywood's best animation, and a wonderful score to create something that I still can't believe I saw.
The Story
Storytelling is at the heart of what Pixar does, and should be at the heart of every film. That's why their films just work: they focus on story over everything else. Story is king. And, let me tell you, story is definitely the king of Toy Story 3. From the outset, you are thrown on an emotional journey that you never thought you could have with a bunch of talking toys. How is it that Pixar can tell us all so much about the human heart through simple pixels assembled into some toys? I don't have an answer for you, but I don't think that I want an answer. I'd prefer not to know. But whatever it is, I hope they never change it. Toy Story 3's practically flawless story is such an intensely emotional roller coaster that it is really difficult to convey through words in this single post. You really do have to go out and see it for yourself. You won't be disappointed--I promise.
The Animation
Pixar is the world's best animation studio. While they didn't earn this title by devoting all of their energy to developing new animation techniques, it certainly hasn't stopped them from doing so. Toy Story 3 is gorgeously animated with brand new, well-designed characters, visually-stunning backgrounds and action scenes, and such clarity and flawlessness that it's so obvious how much the technology has advanced since the first Toy Story. I know I said the same thing about Up, but you could take any given frame from Toy Story 3 and have it stand alone as its own true piece of art. The characters and objects really are animated that well.
The Score
I don't have much to say about the score, except for the fact that it successfully heightened every emotion of the movie, which is exactly what a score should do. Randy Newman has done it again! I especially enjoyed the Latin music-inspired score when Buzz was reset to Spanish mode, as well as the new song "We Belong Together." Oh, and the awesome Gipsy Kings cover of "You've Got a Friend in Me" is already my ringtone. It's great. Check out the whole soundtrack at Amazon here.
Conclusion
I grew up with Woody and Buzz and the other toys. I feel like I know each and every one of them like they were my best friends. That may sound geeky, or even creepy, but it's true. That's how powerful films can be if you have creative people like those at Pixar helming them. Many were doubtful that a third film could live up to the first two Toy Stories, but 3's loyalty to the themes of friendship and the fact that everybody grows up gives the movie so much heart that you are forced to look at it as the perfect ending to the world's greatest trilogy of films.
If you loved the first two Toy Story films (and, really, who couldn't?), you will laugh harder, cry harder, and be even more entertained in this final installation when you see the last of Rex, Hamm, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Slink, Buzz, and Sheriff Woody.
I (easily) give Toy Story 3 a 10 out of 10.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Quench Your Toy Story Thirst: Lots of Interviews, Articles, Videos, and More [UPDATED!]
This is it, folks. Toy Story 3 is right around the corner; we have just one more week until we get to see Pixar's eleventh feature in all of its glory.
If you think that the wait is going to be impossible, I have good news for you: this is a super-duper mega post packed to the brim with interviews, videos, featurettes, advertisements, and more, all about Toy Story 3. This thing will take you about a week to get through, then, without you even realizing where the time went, it will be time for you to see the third installment of Pixar's most lovable franchise.
So, without further ado, here's a slew of Toy Story 3 stuff to indulge yourself with:
Two Video Interviews with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen:
There are some great quotes in those interviews. Especially when Tom talks about how emotional he and Tim got during Jessie's song in Toy Story 2. It just shows how powerful Pixar's unique attention to story can be.
TrailerAddict has released 3 new clips from Toy Story 3:
The New York Times has a very interesting article about how director Lee Unkrich and production designer Bob Pauley designed all of the new characters that we'll see in Toy Story 3. Unkrich describes how his "primary goal was to not screw it up. I really wanted to stay true to the world and the characters."
In an article on AMC's Filmcritic.com, Michael Keaton discusses (in great and humorous detail) his TS3 character, Ken.
And, finally, Google and Disney teamed up to bring you the following advertisement. I love these Google commercials, and the fact that it's Toy Story makes it 10 times better. Very clever and cool. It will show before most, if not all, showings of Toy Story 3:
UPDATE: Here are two featurettes entitled Old Friends, New Places and New Faces, respectively. Cast and crew discuss various aspects of making Pixar's next feature. Enjoy:
Wasn't that great?! That took your mind off of the excruciating wait for at least an hour, plus, it was really interesting! I hope you enjoyed the super-mega Toy Story 3 post. Stay tuned for more TS3 news as June 18 gets ever closer.
Only 6 more days...
Monday, May 10, 2010
Toy Story = Lord of the Rings?
In a new post on Jim Hill Media, Jim talks about the creative process that went into the creation of Pixar's upcoming, sure-to-be masterpiece Toy Story 3. The article discusses the retreat taken by John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, and Jeff Pigeon at a seaside chalet in Marin County to work on the story for the final chapter of Buzz and Woody's saga.
It also talks about the work that went into the script by Little Miss Sunshine's Michael Arndt, the effect that computer advancements have had on the production of TS3, as well as some funny quotes, such as one by Lee Unkrich when he refers to John Lasseter's passion for the Toy Story films: “ … we’re grateful to John Lasseter for lending us his shiny sports car. Hopefully we’ve brought it back without any scratches or dings.”
And the article also analyzes the following quote by director Lee Unkrich:
That just like withthe "Lord of the Rings " trilogy, there's this continuous flow of story from film to film to film. That that the story we’re telling this time around doesn’t feel artificial. That it feels like it came organically out of the first two ‘Toy Stories’.
Makes sense. I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy. That must bee why I love Toy Story so much. Perhaps vice versa...
Anyways, the article is short, sweet, and very interesting.
Read it at Jim Hill Media here.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Toy Story Mania's Secret
This summer, a lot is happening for Disney and Pixar. Mainly, Disney's California Adventure will be in the middle of its huge expansion and Toy Story 3 will come out. These two events may not seem like they're attached to each other, but they are.
When the Imagineers created the Toy Story Mania! attraction, they knew that it would be incredibly easy to replace the existing games with newer ones. Unlike The Haunted Mansion and other attractions that need to be closed for weeks for renovations or decorating, Toy Story Mania! could be closed for only a day or two while they update the software projected on the ride's many screens.
And this is exactly what the Imagineers are planning to do. When Toy Story 3 is released in theaters, park guests will get an unexpected surprise during their ride of Toy Story Mania! when completely new games (presumably with the new characters) are present.
But that's not all. They also plan to dress up the attraction for holiday seasons. The Imagineers could put in new games involving snow and Santa Claus, etc. Also, did you know that ol' Don Rickles recorded hours and hours of his voice for the Potato Head Barker? What you hear now is merely a fraction of what the amazing, life-size figurine has to offer. Among the yet-to-be-heard audio is Christmas carols, that they would program the spud to sing if and when they dress up the entire attraction for the yuletide.
If you didn't love Toy Story Mania! already, here's another reason to: it will constantly be updated to keep the attraction fresh, seasonal, and updated to match the film franchise. The attraction will be always changing, and you'll never know what to expect once you go through the doors of Andy's toy box.
Source: Blue Sky Disney
Pixar in The Wonderful World of Color
Above you will find a very interesting video about Pixar's contributions and involvement with the upcoming light and fountain show, The Wonderful World of Color, coming to Disney's California Adventure this summer. There are some very interesting interviews, as well as very cool clips from the testing done at the actual site of the show.
For some construction pictures of this show and all of Disneyland and DCA, look no further than MiceChat.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Real-Life Buzz Lightyear
Briefly: I always thought that a real-life version of my favorite space ranger would look really cool. I didn't suspect that it would look this creepy. Still, it's an interesting idea. And, once you get past the eyes, the picture isn't all that bad.
This picture is by CG artist Raoni Nery.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Unkrich's Pixar Stuff to Benefit Haiti
Lee Unkrich is helping out the people who are suffering in Haiti by auctioning off his great collection of Pixar things he has accumulated over the years. Each item is being auctioned separately, and they include crew jackets from numerous Pixar films, baseball hats, T-shirts, signed art, and even specially made Monsters, Inc. Jones Soda. I'd like to stress that these charity auctions are being created and handled personally by Lee Unkrich, director of Toy Story 3, and are not being organized by either Pixar or Disney. Also, it is important to note that 100% of the final sale price will go to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. There are some real treasures being put up for auction and I would encourage you to take a look at them. After all, it is for a great cause.
Check out The Pixar Blog for more information and a statement made by Lee.
Very cool.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Blu-ray Previews for 'Toy Story' and 'Fantasia'
Briefly: Below you will find two previews pitching the upcoming releases of Toy Story, Toy Story 2,
Toy Story and Toy Story 2:
Fantasia and Fantasia 2000:
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Official 'Toy Story' Lego Sets Released
After waiting for month after month, the Toy Story LEGO sets are now available! The Toy Story sets can be found at LEGO stores, toy stores, and countless other virtual stores online. They are pretty great. I'll walk you through each and every glorious, plastic set inspired by the Pixar films:
Woody and Buzz to the Rescue!
Cost: $19.99
Pieces: 92
Minifigs: Buzz and Woody
LEGO Number: 7590
Interactivity: This set is mildly interactive with RC's "motor action" and the ability to strap Buzz to "The Big One".
Woody's Round-up
Cost: $49.99
Pieces: 502
Minifigs: Bullseye, Woody, Jessie, and Stinky Pete
LEGO Number: 7594
Interactivity: This one is very interactive with the ability to "turn the wheel to eject the back wall of jail," "use the boardwalk catapult to trap Stinky Pete," and use the goldmine which is "loaded with dynamite, exploding rocks, and secret traps!"
Buzz's Star Command Spaceship
Cost: $29.99
Pieces: 257
LEGO Number: 7593
Minifigs: Buzz Lightyear and Evil Emperor Zurg
Interactivity: This one isn't very interactive since its only two features include a moon buggy that deploys from the back of the spaceship, and the ability to open the cockpit to seat Buzz at the control.
Army Men on Patrol
Cost: $10.99
Pieces: 90
LEGO Number: 7595
Minifigs: 4 Green Army Men
Interactivity: This one isn't very interactive since its at the lower end of the Toy Story LEGO line-up. The jeep just has a spare tire, and that's about it.
Construct-a-Buzz
Cost: $24.99
Pieces: 211
LEGO Number: 7592
Minifigs: 1 Little Green Alien and Buzz Lightyear
Interactivity: Buzz has quite a bit of interactive features: you can "flick fire Buzz's laser cannon," he has a "retractable helmet that protects Buzz in outer space," and you can "move the wings on Buzz's jetpack."
Construct-a-Zurg
Cost: $24.99
Pieces: 118
LEGO Number: 7591
Minifigs: 1 Little Green Alien and Emperor Zurg
Interactivity: This one is fairly interactive and features a "powerful sphere-shooting cannon" and a "rotating waist."
Well, those are the long-awaited Toy Story LEGO sets. For more information and pictures visit the product page on LEGO.com. I must say that these sets are a slight let-down since there aren't any massive, more than 1000-pieces sets; all of these seem to be more aimed towards the beginning LEGO-builder and lack a real attention to detail. Nevertheless, I am still excited about the great match-up of LEGOs and Pixar, and I will certainly get each and every one of these sets.
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