On this very date, over two decades ago, animated movies were about to experience a rebirth. It was the summer of 1988, a film called Who Framed Roger Rabbit debuted to the general public as a technologically advanced cinematic breakthrough, and helped set forth a decade-long string of success for Disney — often referred to as the “Disney Renaissance.”

[Who Framed Roger Rabbit] simply fast tracked the Disney Renaissance … I believe that Rabbit truly set the stage for successful animated movies. This film reminded the execs that there was money to be made in animation.

So Roger Rabbit is widely acknowledged as being the springboard for some of the best Disney films to come out of “The House of Mouse” during the period 0f 1989-1999 — a span that included The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King among others.

What made Roger Rabbit so unique?

The movie combined live-action with animation, certainly not the first to blur the line between reality and make-believe. However, Roger Rabbit looked really, really good in comparison to its predecessors aiming for similar results.

To create the animation, over 85,000 hand-inked and painted cells were created and composited with the live-action backdrops, live-action characters, and hand-animated tone mattes (shading) and cast shadows using optical film printers. NO computer animation was used in creating the animations. Some scenes involved up to 100 individual film elements. Any live-action that had to be later composited was shot in VistaVision to take advantage of the double-area frame of the horizontal 35mm format. The finished film thus does not suffer from the increased grain that plagued previous live-action/animation combos such as Mary Poppins (1964).

Aside from the actual animation techniques utilized, another stand-out quality of Roger Rabbit centered around the fact that the film was a virtual cartoon smorgasbord combining several iconic characters from competing studios Disney and Warner Bros. on screen together for the first time ever. Never prior, and never after have beloved characters like Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Donald and Daffy Duck crossed over to interact on screen. Quite the nostalgic scene for animation enthusiasts, young and old. For a complete list of cameos listed by studio, go here.

"Nyaaa...What's up, Doc?" "I'm sorry, I don't have any catch-phrases, but...you know...I've inspired a few theme parks here and there."

And let’s not allow the great story be overshadowed. Director Robert Zemeckis and producer Steven Spielberg were, in essence, paying homage to the golden age of animation with heavy throwback references to over-the-top comedic cartoon violence and slapstick. 1947 Hollywood at its finest. If you are a younger reader and have not gotten around to laying your peepers on this classic, please do yourself a favor and give it a rent. But trust me, you can just buy it sight unseen and won’t regret adding it to your collection.

Oh, who am I kidding!? Jessica Rabbit is 1947 Hollywood at its finest!

Source(s):
futureworld84.blogspot.com
Wikipedia (Disney Renaissance)
IMDb

Director: Lee Unkrich Starring: voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Michael Keaton, Ned Beatty Running Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes Theatrical Release: June 18, 2010  Shop for Toy Story Merchandise

Plot Summary

Toy Story 3 welcomes Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… day care! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. (from MovieWeb.com)

Film Review

It’s kind of amazing to ponder the fact that the very first Pixar animated film, as well as the very first Toy Story film, landed fifteen years ago in 1995. The year debuted a new series and film studio that would capture the hearts of children and film fans for a decade and a half. The success of the endearing tale about toys that come to life when humans aren’t watching them spawned the arguably even better sequel in 1999, and the legacy of the Toy Story characters and franchise was made greater. Since then, a third chapter in the toys’ story was attempted at least once before by Disney – actually without Pixar’s team, even! – but thankfully, the original animation studio wouldn’t let the film be made by just anybody and eleven years after the last sequel, we finally are given the long awaited Toy Story 3.

It’s no secret that anticipation is high for a second sequel. Any child who loved either of the first two is eleven years older and the franchise will hold special nostalgia for them. In addition to those already in love with the characters, Toy Story 3 is armed and ready to win over an entirely new generation of Buzz and Woody fans – even to some children of the fans of the original film! But like any memorable trilogy in film history, Pixar takes Toy Story out with a rousing, climactic, and amazingly emotional finish. With each film, the set pieces and action, and even humor have been boosted, and Toy Story 3 wraps it all up in a nice little bow. Whether or not this really is the toys’ last ride remains to be seen, but Pixar doesn’t seem to be nearly as cash hungry as DreamWorks to just sloppily force out one Toy Story movie after another – as DW has done with Shrek – so they might actually do well to let this be it.

When Toy Story 3 begins, time has passed about as much for the characters as it has for the fans of the films. While the toys themselves don’t look as though they’ve shown a ton of aging or wear, we’ve found that Andy has graduated high school and is about to leave for college, his mom has aged accordingly, and even the family dog is old and having trouble getting around. Anyone who’s followed the Story may start to feel the growing pains of passing time as much as these characters do. The toys haven’t been played with in years and when they find themselves in a daycare surrounded by children, [most] of the toys have some renewed hope. But as can be expected, things are not all that they seem to be at Sunnyside Daycare, and Andy’s toys find themselves to be prisoners in their new home. Toy Story 3 is primarily about family, friendship, and growing older, and the plot ends up becoming much like an escape or prison break adventure. It’s also the most thematically heavy of the trilogy, which is not only its strength but possibly its only weakness. Some of the film’s events border on going too overboard with where the toys find themselves, which also leads to some moments that are so unbelievably emotional, you’re likely to be baffled as to how in the world we can care so stinkin’ much for fictional inanimate plastic figurines (and we DO!). But because Toy Story 3 possesses ample amounts of heart and sentiment, it won’t be a Story that fans of the franchise will soon forget.

It’s fun to follow Woody, Buzz and their friends on the adventures they experience throughout this trilogy, and it’s surreal to see them all together for a much different outing. Because the plot focuses a great deal on the prospect of them being discarded and trying to break out from the Daycare, there are quite a few dark, heavy, and even creepy scenes. The two creepiest characters include a worn out one-droopy-eyed baby doll that only coos like an infant (which is a little reminiscent of the doll head from the first film) and a cymbal monkey that screams and is only shown in dimly lit settings. While these moments aren’t quite as ominous or unsettling as some found in other animated films, they’re still likely to give some kids the willies, while other children still may even just have a hard time seeing their favorite toys go through some pretty intense stuff. The aforementioned overtly emotional, potentially over-the-top intense sequence is also so harrowing, it’s almost shocking that the studio let the story go there (i.e. taking our little toys to such dark and dangerous situations). There were a few moments I half-expected to have turned out to be imagined by a child or be a dream sequence because of how unexpected and fantastical they become. At the same time, it’s impressive to realize how Pixar can even make their audience care this much!

The potentially objectionable content of Toy Story 3 is limited to some brief, slightly borderline rude humor (mainly the flirtatious behavior between Ken and Barbie, or Ken’s awkward flamboyance), and a great deal of action, toy-related kinds of violence. But several scenes do threaten the very existence of Andy’s toys and include dark, menacingly lit villains which take the film to some pretty intense levels at times. It’s enough to want to consider when it comes to bringing the littler ones.

If you’re wondering whether to see this in 2D or 3D, we did see this in 3D and I found that, while it looks pretty and offered a neat effect at times, it was completely unneeded for the film and its plot. In fact, I got so used to the effect it brought to the look of the movie that it was very easy to even forget it was supposed to be 3D at all. Thankfully, Pixar did NOT gratuitously take advantage of the 3D technology to just feed the gimmick, so it probably won’t make a huge difference whether this is viewed in 2D or 3D.

When all is said and done, Pixar Animation Studios is still batting a thousand, delivering yet another solid feature film to the big screen. It may take another couple viewings to make the call whether it bests its predecessors, but for now, Toy Story 3 is a very funny, welcomed addition to a beloved franchise that will be as difficult to see conclude here as it is for Andy to choose the future of his famed childhood toys.

Pixar, Pixar, Pixar…you slippery little salamanders, you! The following list of hidden gems and fun facts regarding Toy Story 3 were presented to Cinema Blendby the stealthy studio themselves. Hardcore Pixar followers will be accustomed to the amount of ‘Easter Eggs’ placed throughout TS3, as the studio has made quite a ‘hide-and-seek’ habit out of leaving a barely traceable trail of items, facts and clues throughout its films. Check out this list prior to seeing Toy Story 3 this week, no spoilers here, and see if you can pinpoint some of  the buried treasures.

Fun Facts
• Director Lee Unkrich edited the first two “Toy Story” films, and co-directed “Toy Story 2.” He also served as a film editor on “Toy Story 3.”
• “Toy Story 3” Producer Darla K. Anderson is the namesake for the character Darla in “Finding Nemo.”
• Director Lee Unkrich performs one line in the movie, as the voice of the Jack in the Box character who says “New Toys!” when Woody, Buzz and the gang first arrive at Sunnyside.
• On January 15, 2010, the final day for many of the 58-person animation crew, director Lee Unkrich led a mini-marching band through the studio composed of two snare drummers, two bass drummers, two giant monkeys and a Yeti.
• 17 animators on “Toy Story 3” also worked on animation for “Toy Story 2.” Four animators worked on the animation for all three “Toy Story” films.
• 92,854 storyboards were drawn over the course of the film, and of those, about half (45,516) were delivered to the editorial department. Editorial turned those storyboards into eight different “Milestone Screenings” that were shown to the Pixar Brain Trust while the film was in development.
• There are 302 total characters in the film.

Hidden Facts
• There are more than 300 stickers in Andy’s room.
• The pins on the map in Andy’s room correspond to the hometowns of “Toy Story 3” production staff.
• A few pieces of art hanging on the walls in Andy’s room were actually created by “Toy Story 3” art coordinator Erin Magill when she was in high school.
• Andy has a banner hanging on one of the walls in his room that reads “P.U.” P.U. stands for Pixar University, a professional-development program for Pixar employees.
• Above Andy’s closet is a street sign for W. Cutting Blvd., the street on which Pixar’s original headquarters were based.
• Hidden in Andy’s bedroom is a hint at a new character in next year’s “Cars 2.”
• The number A113, which refers to John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton’s former classroom at CalArts, makes an appearance in every Pixar film. Despite the years that have passed, Andy’s mom hasn’t changed her license plate, which still reads A113. In “Toy Story 3,” however, Andy’s mom has a new license plate frame that reads “Tiger Pride,” which is a reference to director Lee Unkrich’s hometown of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and his high school mascot, the Tiger.
• The Pizza Planet Truck, which first made an appearance in the original “Toy Story,” has made a cameo in nearly every Pixar film. It also appears in “Toy Story 3,” providing a bumpy ride to some traveling toys.
• Sid, the mean kid who liked to destroy his toys in “Toy Story,” is all grown up as well, and he makes a cameo in “Toy Story 3,” wearing his signature skull t-shirt. Sid’s cameo is voiced by 27-year-old Erik Von Detten, who at the age of 13 was the original voice of Sid in “Toy Story.”

Character Facts

Woody
• In honor of “Toy Story 3,” LEGO created a six-foot-six-inch tall version of Woody that weighs 80 pounds and is built from more than 17,200 bricks.
• Woody is 15.18 inches tall without his hat, and 15.93 inches tall with his hat on.
• Woody has 229 animation avars in his face. Avars, short for animation variables, are the points of movement, which animators manipulate to create a character’s physical performance.

Buzz Lightyear
• In honor of “Toy Story 3,” LEGO created a five-foot-three-inch tall version of Buzz that weighs 120 pounds and is built from more than 25,000 LEGO bricks. The Buzz and Woody models now have a permanent home at Pixar.
• Buzz is 11.43 inches tall without his helmet, and 11.80 inches tall with it.
• Buzz has 215 animation avars in his face. Avars, short for animation variables, are the points of movement, which animators manipulate to create a character’s physical performance.

Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear
• In Disney•Pixar’s “Up,” Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (Lotso) can be seen sitting on the floor of a little girl’s bedroom as Carl’s house flies past her window.
• Lotso has 3,473,271 individual hairs organized in several layers of different length and thickness.

Barbie
• The version of Barbie used in “Toy Story 3” is modeled after “Great Shape Barbie” from 1983.

Ken
• The version of Ken used in “Toy Story 3” is modeled after “Animal Lovin’ Ken” from 1988.
• Ken wears 21 different outfits in the movie.

Andy
• The character of Andy is voiced by John Morris, the same actor who voiced Andy in the original films. In “Toy Story 3,” Andy is about to leave for college. In real life, John Morris is 26.

Molly
• In “Toy Story 2,” baby Molly was voiced by Lee Unkrich’s daughter, Hannah. He re-purposed those same recordings for Molly in the home video footage shown at the beginning of “Toy Story 3.”

A giant Woody constructed from 25,000 LEGO blocks

BURBANK, Calif. – (June 14, 2010) – Disney Interactive Studios today announced that Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales is revving its engine for an exclusive Wii™ release this fall. A follow up to last year’s hit, Toy Story Mania! also on Wii, Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales is part of the Mania! line of games, featuring fast-paced, multiplayer, family fun. This captivating game is as fun to watch as it is to play and will engage up to four players of all ages.

Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales will feature a large collection of pick-up-and-play games inspired by Disney•Pixar’s popular Mater’s Tall Tales animated short series. The game will bring Mater together with Lightning McQueen and the “Cars” gang for a new set of adventures, capturing the endearing sense of humor of everyone’s favorite tow truck. Players will join Mater and his pals as they relive the wild stories he conjures up about hilariously unpredictable events that may or may not have taken place.

“Fans of Mater’s Tall Tales and families everywhere who enjoy in-home multiplayer gaming will love this latest entry in the ’Cars’ entertainment franchise and Mania! brand,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “With Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales, we want to convey the outrageous personality and vivid imagination of Mater and his tall tales set within the Mania! style gameplay of engaging, fast-paced, family fun.”

Designed to keep family and friends entertained for hours, Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales will feature more than 30 levels of play involving a variety of cooperative and competitive mini-games, designed to fully utilize the Wii controls. Offering a large collection of games that will get everyone in the living room off of the couch, players can experience death-defying stunts in “Mater the Greater,” run with the bulls in “El Materdor” or appreciate the heroism of a fire truck in “Rescue Squad Mater.”

Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales for Wii will allow family and friends to experience Mater’s Tall Tales with a Mania! twist. The Mania! franchise, hosted by beloved characters, provides accessible and frenzied pick-up-and-play experiences to be enjoyed by everyone in the living room. With up to four players at once, Mania! video games reward competitiveness and cooperative play among players and features immersive storytelling experiences that are appropriate for all ages.

Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales will be available exclusively for Wii this fall. For more information, visit: http://www.disney.com/carsvideogames.

About Disney Interactive Studios
Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

About Pixar Animation Studios
Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award®-winning film studio with world-renowned technical, creative and production capabilities in the art of computer animation. Creator of some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL•E and most recently, Up. The Northern California studio has won 24 Academy Awards® and its ten films have grossed more than $5 billion at the worldwide box office to date. The next film release from Disney•Pixar is Toy Story 3 (June 18, 2010).

Buzz, Woody and the gang stumble upon Google and try to use the popular search engine for various nonsensical research. (don’t we all)? But when they spot Andy’s online to-do list, their imagination gets the best of them in this featurette.

The soundtrack for Toy Story 3 — or more accurately, the soundtrack to your summer if you have little ones – will be made available through online retailers only on June 15, a few days prior to the worldwide theatrical debut of the highly-anticipated sequel. Award-winning composer Randy Newman is at the helm once again performing the majority of tunes with the exception of a special Spanish version of You’ve Got a Friend in Me,which was recorded by by the Gipsy Kings.

Newman’s score for ‘Toy Story 3′ explores diverse directions, ranging from classic Western themes in the opening sequence to the dramatic orchestrations that accentuate the action-packed climax. Newman serves up another defining musical moment with the end credit song ‘We Belong Together,’ as well as the flamenco-flavored rendition of ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me (Para Buzz Español)’ by the Gipsy Kings. The acclaimed French group recorded it in London at Abbey Road’s legendary Studio 2 (made famous by the Beatles).

Toy Story 3 Track Listing:

1. We Belong Together
2. You’ve Got a Friend in Me (para el Buzz Español)
3. Cowboy!
4. Garbage?
5. Sunnyside
6. Woody Bails
7. Come to Papa
8. Go See Lotso
9. Bad Buzz
10. You Got Lucky
11. Spanish Buzz
12. What About Daisy?
13. To The Dump
14. The Claw
15. Going Home
16. So Long
17. Zu-Zu (Ken’s Theme)

Accompanying the official soundtrack on the same day will be an EP titled Toy Story Favorites. The “Favorites” compilation contains 2 tracks from each of the Toy Story films for a total of 6 songs.

Toy Story Favorites Track Listing:

1. I Will Go Sailing No More” (Toy Story – 1995)
2. Strange Things” (Toy Story – 1995)
3. When She Loved Me” performed by Sarah McLachlan (Toy Story 2 – 1999)
4. Woody’s Roundup” performed by Riders In The Sky (Toy Story 2 – 1999)
5. We Belong Together” (Toy Story 3 – 2010)
6. You’ve Got A Friend In Me (Para Buzz Espanol)” performed by the Gipsy Kings (Toy Story 3 – 2010)

Just to recap, the official soundtrack will only be accessible via digital download through online retailers while the EP will be available for purchase as a physical audio CD. However, a simple request to yours truly to just sing/hum every single song for you on demand is also option. Granted not a very attractive choice …but what would you expect for free?

Source(s):
Walt Disney Records Toy Story 3 Soundtrack And “Toy Story Favorites” EP [DisneyDreaming]
Toy Story 3 soundtrack album preview [The Pixar Blog]

I just happened to come across Take Five a Day — a passionate Disney-Pixar Cars hobbyist site — and noticed an ad announcing an upcoming Kmart collector’s event for Saturday, June 12. After some research, I have compiled a few points of interest surrounding the gathering. If you are currently a Cars collector, chances are you are fully aware of the details. However, I am mainly posting this to benefit readers who were unfamiliar with the event (such as myself) or wish to start a collection of their own (no better time to start than with a promotion geared specifically to the hobby).

The event is nationwide, and there are a ton of participating Kmart stores, as well as a select few Sears locations. The checkered flag gets waved at 11 AM (that’s a poor attempt at being cute with what time the doors open). There are 8 different products on-hand …

These special collector days are not only a great way to meet your fellow Cars fans, you can also purchase Cars vehicles with very special accessories added just for this event! These eight vehicles have been previously released, but for the first time they make their appearance rocking synthetic rubber tires:

• Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• Spare O Mint
• Transberry Juice
• Sputter Stop
• Fiber Fuel
• Gasprin
• RPM
• Vitoline

NOTE: All images associated with this post are for enhancement purposes only, and are not meant to represent the products available at the event.

Source(s):
MattyCollector
MyKmart

EVENT TO INCLUDE THREE “BROADCAST EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOKS” AT DISNEY∙PIXAR’S UPCOMING THEATRICAL RELEASE, “TOY STORY 3”

Burbank, CA (May 27, 2010) – Spend two weekends catching up with all your favorite “Toy Story” friends, including Woody and Buzz Lightyear, during ABC Family’s premieres of Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story,” “Toy Story 2” and “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins,” starting on Saturday, June 5th, Sunday, June 6th and continuing on Sunday, June 13th. The two-weekend event will include three “broadcast exclusive first looks” at this summer’s highly-anticipated film “Toy Story 3” (in theaters on Friday, June 18). The first “broadcast exclusive first look” at the upcoming movie will debut during the network’s presentation of “Toy Story,” premiering Saturday, June 5^th; the second “broadcast exclusive first look” will debut during the Sunday, June 6th premiere of “Toy Story 2”; then on Sunday, June 13^th, viewers can tune in for a full day of “Toy Story” programming, including sneak peeks at some of the new toy characters being introduced in “Toy Story 3,” as well as a third “broadcast exclusive first look” airing during the “Toy Story” telecast. The “Toy Story” weekend schedule is as follows:

Saturday, June 5

“Toy Story”: They’re toys, they talk — at least when people aren’t around — and they’re back… celebrating the return of the “Toy Story” franchise, this time in Disney Digital 3D™. “Toy Story,” the film that started it all, takes moviegoers back to that fantastic fun-filled journey, viewed mostly through the eyes of two rival toys — Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), the lanky, likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), the fearless space ranger. The comically-mismatched duo eventually learn to put aside their differences when circumstances separate them from their owner, Andy, and they find themselves on a hilarious adventure-filled mission in which the only way they can survive is to form an uneasy alliance.

Airs from 7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT.

Sunday, June 6

“Toy Story 2”: Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 2” picks up as Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (voice of Wayne Knight), owner of Al’s Toy Barn, kidnaps Woody (voice of Tom Hanks). At Al’s apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show entitled “Woody’s Roundup,” and he meets the other prized toys from that show — Jessie the cowgirl (voice of Joan Cusack), Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector (voice of Kelsey Grammer). Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen) and the gang from Andy’s room – Mr. Potato Head (voice of Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (voice of Jim Varney), Rex (voice of Wallace Shawn) and Hamm (voice of John Ratzenberger) – spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody home before Andy returns.

Airs from 9:00-1:00 PM ET/PT.

Sunday, June 13

“Pixar Short Films”: Get ready for two fun-filled hours of Walt Disney Pictures Presents “Pixar Short Films” that will include the following 20 film shorts: “Presto,” “Lifted,” “Jack-Jack Attack,” “BURN-E,” “Unidentified Flying Mater,” “Adventures of Andre and Wally B.,” “Boundin,” “For the Birds,” “Geri’s Game,” “Knick Knack,” “Luxo Jr.,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Mike’s New Car,” “One Man Band,” “Red’s Dream,” “Tin Toy,” “Your Friend the Rat,” “Rescue Squad Mater,” “Mater the Greater” and “El-Materdor.” (Animated)

Airs from 3:30-5:30 PM ET/PT.

“Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins”: Buzz Lightyear, the ultimate hero from the smash hit “Toy Story” movies, is back as you’ve never seen him before! In “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command,” the world’s bravest Space Ranger takes on the evil Emperor Zurg in an intergalactic struggle of epic proportions — right in their own backyard, the Gamma Quadrant.

Airs from 5:30-7:00 PM ET/PT.

“Toy Story” (7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)

“Toy Story 2” (9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT)

The upcoming theatrical release “Toy Story 3” welcomes Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in…daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. A few new faces — some plastic, some plush — join the adventure, including iconic swinging bachelor and Barbie counterpart Ken (voice of Michael Keaton), a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voice of Timothy Dalton) and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (voice of Ned Beatty). Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”), produced by Pixar veteran Darla K. Anderson (“Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.”), and written by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”), “Toy Story 3” is a comical new adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 98 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today’s families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today’s relationships – told with a mix of diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family’s programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas!” ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

Source(s):
ABC Family Press Release

Ken — of Barbie doll fame — is one of the newest toys to be introduced for the latest Toy Story offering from Disney/Pixar. In this “Groovin’ With Ken” piece, we get to see the true personality of … oh whatever! I don’t need to set this up. Just do yourself a favor and watch the video. Comedic genius!

In the real world, today marks the 94th Indianapolis 500 — one of auto racing’s greatest spectacles. In the virtual world, Disney/Pixar offers up an online outlet for children of all ages to release their inner-Andretti with “The World of Cars Online.”

World of Cars Online is a virtual world based on the hit Disney/Pixar animated feature CARS. Get ready for a high-octane ride full of fun and adventure where YOU are the Car. Design your car, play games, and make new friends. Learn to race like a pro from Lightning McQueen or cruise around and tip tractors. Why? Because you can! Now’s your chance to hang in the Cars world – it’s free to play but access to special features requires a subscription.

The first order of business prior to entering Radiator Springs is to create your car. Players can choose gender, eye color, model, name, number and color. The initial customization options are fairly limited, but when The World of Cars Online moves from open beta to an official release, many in-game items can be had within the “body shop” in exchange for money earned during gameplay. And speaking of gameplay … what exactly goes on in this world of muscle cars and slick speedsters you ask? Well, racing, of course, is the focal point. However, players can take part in missions such as finding and gathering certain items at the request of characters, the ultra-fun practice of “tractor-tipping,” and the ability to chat via keyboard with other players.

During the time myself and my little guy spent with “World of Cars,” I must say that we had a blast. The Cars license lends itself very well to being an effective online community. As mentioned though, the full experience will not be made available during its beta stage. But those parents who choose to fork over $5.95/mo. for “sponsorship” will have access to many accessories and privileges once the full release hits. (as well as a few exclusives during beta). For more info about sponsorship, go here. But for now, gas up and hit the road. Just stay outta my way!