Last week we posted the teaser trailer for the animated movie project starring Johnny Depp called Rango. If you watched the trailer, you probably came away thinking nothing in particular. However, courtesy of HeyUGuys (via FirstShowing) we get a look at Rango himself, the lizard voiced by Depp. And I must say, that is an awesome looking chameleon!

Thoughts? Now that we have something of substance to actually*think* about.

Your guess is as good as mine. All I know about Rango is that it’s an animated project directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) and stars Johnny Depp voicing the main character, whom — according to several short plot descriptions — is a chameleon with an identity crisis.

Watch the teaser below, but also feel free to check out the official movie web site. You’ll be greeted with the same backdrop as seen in the trailer, but there are a lot more things going on. And by “a lot more,” I simply mean the occasional vehicle passing by, tumbleweeds, circling birds and a roadrunner (which may or may not be a character from the movie). Who knows? If you stick around long enough, maybe you will spot some more occurrences of interest.

But I personally don’t have time for that, I have a Smurfs movie to go complain about.

The first official trailer for a video game adaptation of DreamWorks Animation’s Megamind film was shown during the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo. Shown below is “Megamind: Ultimate Showdown” for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 — one of several games based on the upcoming movie starring Will Ferrell and Brad Pitt to be hitting gaming consoles and handhelds this Fall.

Will it be a Mega-flop like most movie video game tie-ins, or will it live up to its “Bad. Blue. Brilliant.” tagline? We’ll keep an eye out.

3-D CGI FEATURE DESPICABLE ME, FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND ILLUMINATION ENTERTAINMENT, OPENS JULY 9

Soundtrack album includes new music by Pharrell, Robin Thicke and others, plus No. 1 classics by The Bee Gees and The Sylvers

Film stars Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Jack McBrayer and Julie Andrews

NEW YORK, June 15 /PRNewswire/ — Steal the moon? A despicable act… and the obsession of one of the world’s greatest super-villains Gru (Steve Carell) in Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s inaugural animated 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me, opening July 9th. On July 6th, three days before the film’s opening, Star Trak/Interscope Records will release DESPICABLE ME: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK, featuring new music by Pharrell, Robin Thicke, Destinee & Paris, and others, plus a pair of classics from The Bee Gees (”You Should Be Dancing”) and The Sylvers (”Boogie Fever”).

Surrounded by an army of mischievous little minions and armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles, Gru vanquishes all who stand in his way. That is, until the day he encounters the immense will of three little girls who look at him and see something that no one else has: a potential Dad. Check out the film’s trailers and a sneak peek at: http://www.despicable.me.

In addition to composing the film’s orchestral score for the DESPICABLE ME: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK, Pharrell also takes the lead on four tracks he wrote and produced, beginning with the title tune, “Despicable Me,” and including “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Prettiest Girls,” and “Rocket’s Theme.” With superstar Robin Thicke, Pharrell co-wrote and produced “My Life.” In addition to “I’m on a Roll,” by sisters Destinee & Paris (formerly of Interscope’s Clique Girlz), Pharrell also wrote and produced tracks for the film’s mischievous minions (”Minions Mambo”, co-written with Lupe Fiasco), and littlest orphan, Agnes (”The Unicorn Song”). The album is rounded out by two vintage No. 1 disco hits from 1976, by The Bee Gees (”You Should Be Dancing”) and The Sylvers (”Boogie Fever”).

Universal Pictures Presents A Chris Meledandri Production: Steve Carell in Despicable Me, starring Jason Segal, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Jack McBrayer and Julie Andrews. The original songs and themes are by Pharrell Williams; the score is by Pharrell Williams and Heitor Pereira. Despicable Me’s editors are Pamela Ziegenhagen-Shefland and Gregory Perler; the production designer is Yarrow Cheney. The 3-D CGI film’s executive producers are Nina Rowan and Sergio Pablos. It is based on story by Sergio Pablos and from a screenplay by Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio. The film is produced by Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy, John Cohen, and it is directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin. © 2010 Universal Studios. www.despicable.me

DESPICABLE ME: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK – track listing:

1. Despicable Me – Pharrell
2. Fun, Fun, Fun – Pharrell
3. I’m on a Roll – Destinee & Paris
4. Minion Mambo – The Minions
5. Boogie Fever – The Sylvers
6. My Life – Robin Thicke
7. Prettiest Girls – Pharrell
8. Rocket’s Theme – Pharrell
9. You Should be Dancing – The Bee Gees
10. The Unicorn Song – Agnes

SOURCE Interscope Records

RELATED LINKS
http://www.despicable.me

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

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Jun 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) – THQ Inc. announced today that a slate of video games based on DreamWorks’ Megamind(TM), the forthcoming feature film from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., are currently in development for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system, PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Wii(TM) and Nintendo DS(TM).

Scheduled to release this November in conjunction with the feature film’s release on November 5th, the video games will extend the film’s supervillain-turned-superhero storyline with new characters, environments and twists, giving players the chance to experience the comical and over-the-top adventures of the Megamind universe right in their own living room. Three unique gameplay experiences are being designed: The Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 games will deliver a social and interactive experience with two-player cooperative play; the Wii game will provide mega team party style fun with a multi-player, competitive experience; and the Nintendo DS and PSP games will present players with an entertaining, on-the-go, solo-style functionality. The games will also feature the voice of actor Jonah Hill (Megamind, Get Him to the Greek, Superbad), who will reprise his role from the film.

“We have an incredible relationship with DreamWorks Animation and worked closely with them on the development of the video games to explore fun and creative ways to approach the storyline and evolve the characters in Megamind,” said Martin Good, Executive Vice President of Kids, Family, Casual Games and Online Global Services, THQ. “These new games will extend the movie experience for fans by presenting gamers of all ages with high-energy, multi-faceted gameplay that immerses them into the humorous world of this new superhero property.”

“We’re extremely excited to kick off our new collaboration with THQ on the Megamind game,” added Kerry Phelan, Head of Worldwide Consumer Products, DreamWorks Animation. “We’re very impressed with how the THQ team got so immersed into the world of Megamind and translated our film in so many new and exciting ways into the interactive game space.”

About the Video Games

Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3: In this two-player cooperative action-adventure game, a sudden crime wave has hit the city, calling Megamind into action. As Megamind, players must defend the city after his untested and unstable inventions are stolen by a group of new enemies called “The Doom Syndicate”. To defeat these vile villains, players will have to operate a variety of Mega-Gadgets, including Tesla Gloves, the Battlesuit and Sticky Boots, as well as build ingenious inventions such as the Mega Essence Tracker and the Bio Essence Neutralizer. The game also offers six side mission mini-games and cooperative play with one of Megamind’s trusty Brainbots.

Wii: In this classic brawler game, players can choose from up to nine characters from the film and beyond to form a four-player “Mega Squad”. The extensive multiplayer campaign includes Competitive, Cooperative and team-based gameplay modes. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) players can be used to keep the four-player action challenging and fun!

Nintendo DS and PSP: In this on-the-go mega-adventure game, players set out as Megamind, using an arsenal of blasters to smash and blast their way through enemies. Players can switch blasters on a whim in order to put an end to the city’s crime wave.

For more information on this game, please visit www.megamindvideogame.com, www.themegamindvideogame.com, or www.thq.com.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE(R) Magazine for two consecutive years. In 2010, DreamWorks Animation ranks #6 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 20 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. DreamWorks Animation’s next feature film is Megamind, scheduled to be released in 3D on November 5, 2010.

About THQ

THQ Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!thqi/quotes/nls/thqi (THQI 5.04, +0.13, +2.65%) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

DreamWorks Megamind: Bad. Blue. Brilliant. (TM) & (C) 2010 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: THQ Inc.

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).

Certainly you can get your ‘pops’ a boring ol’ necktie like you have for the past 8 Father’s Days in a row, but imagine buying him one of these and treating the pillar of your family to a Fantastic Mr. Fox screening complete with a feast inspired by the quirky Wes Anderson film. Sounds cussin’ awesome doesn’t it?

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema located in Austin, TX will be hosting a “Fantastic Mr. Fox Father’s Day Feast” at their South Lamar location on Sunday, June 20 at 1pm. The screening is part of their “Food & Film Events Signature Series” and will feature a mouth-watering movie menu crafted by executive chef John Bullington.

Bunce’s Breakfast
Pate stuffed donuts with blueberry compote and maple glaze

Kylie’s Superb Minnow
Sardines marinated in apple cider with garlic chives and rosemary, rye crisps, and pickled parsnips

Donated by Mr Boggis
Local chicken in a cider glaze, mashed turnips and potatoes and grilled baby carrots

Dessert!
Nutmeg, ginger, apple snaps with crème brulee

Please visit Alamo’s site for complete details. We’d love to hear some feedback from any readers who may be attending.

A platfomer-style game starring the diminutive Despicable Me Minions will be invading the iPhone and iPod touch on June 28, followed by an iPad version on July 7.

Supporting Universal Studios’ upcoming summer smash, Despicable Me, Namco’s Despicable Me: Minion Mania is an addictive puzzle adventure game that invites players to become one of the world’s greatest super villains through 20 stages of non-stop entertainment. Specifically, players command an army of Gru’s tireless Minions through his top secret laboratory training them for his next big heist. Gru’s gadgets are employed in creative combinations to assist with the completion of each mission.

While the full game will debut at the end of the month, Namco has made a free “Lite” version available for fans to sample the villainous video game before upgrading to the full version.

Source(s):
MobileTechReview

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