I love advertisements that promote both films and a product. Seeing a film's characters in a different environment, telling a brand new (though very brief) story can be a real treat.
That's why I really love the new Visa debit commercial that features your favorite characters from Toy Story 3 (and even the voice of Morgan Freeman!). It's definitely worth a watch, and even a re-watch. See it here.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Visa/'TS3' Commercial
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Disney in 'Iron Man 2'
Hopefully, by now, you are aware that Disney owns the superhero giant Marvel. It was big news back in August, and, ever since, Disney has been raking in the dough from
What you may not know, however, is that the recent superhero flick starring Robert Downey, Jr. (my favorite actor in Hollywood right now) has more ties to Disney than just shoveling money into their bank account.
When you see the film, something should seem very familiar about Tony's father, Howard Stark. You only get to see archival footage of our protagonists' late father, but there is enough screen-time there to make it obvious that he is supposed to resemble Walt Disney. Not only does he have the iconic moustache, a similar hair cut, and a striking suit like Mr. Disney does, but he is shown with a diorama that looks a lot like EPCOT during its early stages. Click on the "Stark Expo 1974" button on the right side of the screen at the viral site StarkExpo2010.com to see a video featuring the EPCOT-esque diorama, and the Disney-look-a-like.
But that's not the only connection that
When you went to the Stark Expo 2010 website, you heard an instrumental version of a song written by renowned Disney song-man Richard Sherman. The entire song (lyrics and all) can be heard during the end credits of the film, and it is entitled "Make Way For Tomorrow Today." The song sounds an awful lot like the theme song for the Carousel of Progress, "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow," and, like all other work by Sherman, is great.
All of these ties to Disney make you wonder whether or not Jon Favreau, the director, was trying to make deliberate nods to the recent Disney-buying-Marvel deal. And the answer is a resounding no. Production began months and months before anybody knew anything about the deal. The Disney references in
Sources: D23, Jim Hill Media
Monday, May 10, 2010
Star Wars Weekends Advertisements
Radiator Springs Racers Sneak Peek
Briefly: In 2012, a brand new land at Disney's California Adventure will open: Cars Land. Based on the classic Pixar film Cars, the land is a part of a massive renovation going on at the park that has been in the works for several years.
Above you can see a "sneak peek" at one of the vehicles for the Radiator Springs Racers, an Autopia-type attraction that is being billed as the E-ticket ride for the new land.
Those cars look like they are going to be very cool. This is getting exciting.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
New Still from 'Day and Night'
PixarTalk has just posted an exclusive still from the upcoming Pixar short Day and Night. See it above. This style of putting 3D images within 2-Dimensional characters looks like it will make for a very unique and cool short film that I cannot wait to see.
PixarTalk has also posted a picture of Teddy Newton, the director of this short, taken by Pixar's "photographer extraordinaire" Debby Coleman.
See this short starting on June 18 before every showing of Toy Story 3.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
New 'Toy Story 3' Toys
Toy Story 3 is coming out in just over a month, and I know how excited you must be. So, in order to at least partially quench your Toy Story thirst, here's a comprehensive list of all of the brand new Toy Story 3 toys:
New Additions to the Toy Story Collection:
JessieHere's the synopsis from DisneyStore.com:
This Toy Story Collection: Jessie Action Figure lets you yodel along with your favorite cowgirl. Just pull the string of this interactive deluxe replica of the yodeling cowgirl from the Woody's Roundup TV show to hear 33 sayings from the movie.
It will be available on June 1, and will cost $59.50. It is available for pre-order at DisneyStore.com.
This is one toy from the official collection that, honestly, I could do without. Sure, it'd be cool to own all of them, but I don't think I'd ever actually play with this one (like I play with the other ones, anyways). Oh well, if I ever have $60 lying around, I might pick one up.
Lots-o'-Huggin' BearHere's the synopsis from DisneyStore.com:
The sweet-smelling star of Toy Story 3 has a lot to say for himself with this Toy Story Collection: Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear Plush by Thinkway Toys. This accurate replica of Lotso has a soft side and responds to hugs, tickles and your voice!
It will be available on June 1, and will cost $59.50. It is available for pre-order at DisneyStore.com.
I am definitely getting this one. Although I haven't seen the film yet, I am sure that I'm going to love Lotso. Plus, he seems to be such a cuddly toy that there's no way I can resist. And, if that's not enough, he's strawberry-scented!
Mr. Potato HeadHere's the synopsis from DisneyStore.com:
Every Toy Story will be hungry to play with this Toy Story Collection: Mr Potato Head Action Figure. Our animated Mr. Potato Head with part popping action and featuring the original movie voice is the definitive collector's edition.
If this toy didn't have the Don Rickles voicebox or the popping parts I wouldn't get it. Enough said.
New LEGO Sets:
I haven't seen any details on these, except for a post at The Disney Blog. Apparently, there are three or so new Toy Story LEGO sets inspired by the third film that haven't been released yet. Take a look at the pictures at the Disney Blog, but be forewarned that they do contain spoilers.
(Oh, and I am definitely getting the LEGO train set.)
Plush:
If you don't want to spend as much money on a Lotso Bear, they have a cheaper, equally cuddly plush version for only $16.50. And, it's available now. You can see his picture at the top of this post.
Some other new Toy Story plush toys include Chunk ($8.50), Stretch ($8.50), and the super-cool Woody and Buzz Pook-a-looz ($12.50 each).
There's all of the new Toy Story 3 toys! I'm gonna definitely get the Lotso and Mr. Potato Head, but would love to get them all. But, even more than buying the toys, I want to see Toy Story 3! Only 46 days now...
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