Earlier this week we were treated to the UK trailer for Pixar‘s upcoming Monsters University. We also got a small batch of see hi-rez images and posters to oogle over and things continually look to be shaping up nicely for this prequel to Pete Docter’s monster hit (pun intended!). Well continuing their world building, by way of the fun viral website that was launched a few months back, today we get a very special message from the Dean of Monsters University. If you’re interested in matriculating at MU and going from great students to great scarers, then this message is for YOU! Monsters University is directed by Dan Scanlon and stars Billy Crystal and John Goodman (and even Steve Buscemi) who are returning…
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Sweet UK Trailer…'Monsters University'
Well, this is a pleasant early-morning, post-blizzard (for you North Easterners!) treat. I’m still not sold on a return trip to the Monsters, Inc. universe, but it’s hard for me to watch the full trailer for Pixar’s prequel to that picture, the inventively titled Monsters University, without cracking a partial smile. But don’t take my word for it– have a look yourself and see what you think of the animation giant’s latest: Unlike the promo material we’ve seen for the film in the last few months or so, this trailer introduces the vague outlines of plot to the project. Given that we already know how things turn out between Sully…
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Pixar Reveals Concept Art For 3 Years of Releases (Plus: 'Monsters University' Promo)
Nothing says “Happy New Year” like a slew of preview material for Pixar’s release slate leading into 2016! Coming Soon had the good fortune to receive a fold-out card from the animation studio this past Monday, which contained concept art from each of their four pending endeavors– Monsters University, which hits theaters this June, The Good Dinosaur, and their two untitled projects– one that takes place inside the human mind and one which occurs on Día de los Muertos. To no one’s surprise, Pixar sprung a Monsters University promo clip on us yesterday as well, and while it’s pretty short it also completely nails the intended tone. If you’re a…
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Off the Shelf…’Finding Nemo 3D’
Finding Nemo is essentially a family drama combined with a new spin on an Abbott & Costello road movie. It’s also deep, affecting and a story about a father getting to know his son, and vice versa (even though they are apart for the whole movie). As Pixar religiously puts story ahead of the effects, what’s on display here is a very touching family element that proves more impacting with each viewing. Sure everyone gets emotionally invested in these characters but it’s chalked up to three factors; lovable design, top notch voice acting and finally Thomas Newman’s brilliant score. Newman (who would work together with Stanton again on WALL-E) creates a theme that is so finely tailored and…
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You Didn't Hand In Your Term Paper Wazowski…'Monsters University' Teaser Posters
Pixar and director Pete Docter‘s wonderful film Monsters, Inc. scared up lots of laughs and smiles with its heart-warming story back in 2001. While the studio has had success with sequels, this charming film had an ending that no one in their right mind would mess with. So what’s an animation powerhouse like Pixar to do? Well they decided to take this story back a little bit. In this “prequel”, the film will give us a a look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at the University of Fear — when they weren’t necessarily the best of friends. And these two teaser posters (and teaser trailer) give us a hint of what…
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Off the Shelf…'Brave'
Brave, the latest offering from animation giant Pixar, comes to home video following its successful theatrical run. And just as it was a sight to behold in the cinema, the Blu-Ray transfer is even more mystical and enchanting. Now Brave, either on paper or as a finished product, could be defined very quickly by an odd tension struck between two different bodies: its studio and its pedigree. The very idea of Pixar, long-established as a font of creativity and raw talent put forth in service to compelling and original storytelling, tackling princess films and fairy tales is admittedly weird on its face; at a distance that move seems like a step back.…
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Ohhh, Look…Pixar Short 'La Luna' On-Line NOW!!
Most audiences on the planet automatically know that when going into a Pixar film they’ll be wow’d by great visuals and, more importantly, superb storytelling. But of equal and sometimes better quality are their fantastic short films like Partysaurus Rex. Case in point; this year, with Brave, we got the studio’s first Princess story but while it didn’t have quite the impact they regularly offer fans, the short La Luna couldn’t have been better. A wondrous story about a boy, his father and grandfather and their celestially custodial family business La Luna is magical and has the makings of a classic…if you could consider an animated short a classic that is. Today it showed up…
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Ohhh, Look…Pixar Short 'Partysaurus Rex' In Full & On Line NOW!!
William Shakespeare once said that “brevity is the soul of wit“…to all you 21st century entertainment fiends that means that “less is more“. So while some Pixar fans might lament at the idea of the Toy Story bunch being relegated to a series of shorts before Disney/Pixar feature films, it’s not a bad thing. Why? Well it’s because the animation powerhouse is able to cram loads of content and heart into an uproarious 6 minute skit that is almost better than all three films combined. After 3 features, the world may not need another TS feature and I for one am fine with these short and sweet mini-adventures. So as movie goers who saw Pixar’s re-release of Finding Nemo…
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Pixar Goes Viral With Actual 'Monsters University' Website
Well, nobody ever accused Pixar of being anything other than creative, thoughtful, and detail-oriented. The animation studio’s next film, Monsters University, marks the first prequel they’ve ever entertained as a company, and while there’s been some hand-wringing over the project based on concerns over originality, it’s hard to feel that much anxiety over their 2013 offering when the preview material is as spot-on and engaging as this bit of ingeniousness. I grant that promotional work is one of Pixar’s realms of expertise: they know how to advertise and promote their projects like nobody else. The in-depth Monsters University website is no exception. Put simply, this thing is comprehensive. In point of fact, I…
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G-S-T Review…Finding Nemo 3D
Andrew Stanton’s colorful and delightful film literally bursts off the screen in its 3D re-release. A massive hit for Stanton and the animation powerhouse, Finding Nemo significantly raised the bar not only for the studio but for computer animation in general. Impressive world building, Shakespearean like story and characters, the film is endlessly endearing and layered ever so subtly for the kid and adult audiences . Really it was Pixar finding their groove. It showcased hundreds if not thousands of dynamic digital elements, was the biggest jump in story and quality for the studio at the time and would further propel their meteoric success. It also made Ellen DeGeneres a household name (well that…
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Ohhh, Look…Cinema Inspired Bento Boxes
Not too much happening in the film world right now so we thought this Yahoo article/slideshow was worth a look. There’s lots of artists and creative people in the world and many of them consider the kitchen their studio and food their medium. Some of these have been on the web for a while but they’re always worth a minute or two to look over. So have enjoy these pint-sized but impressive culinary recreations of some of the film world’s most beloved characters. Enjoy! Is today a slow day for film news or am I hinting at what my lunch plans are? Guess you’ll find out in about an…
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Ohhh Look…Super-fan/Robot Builder Makes Real-Life WALL·E
There’s a saying that film inspires art…or something like that. These days there’s no shortage of avid film fans attempting to bring things from the film world into the real world. Gadgets, vehicles, costumes, etc. you name it, someone’s probably working on it. Things like replica light sabers and proton packs get ohhs and ahhs but they’re nothing new. So when creating something from a film, borrowing an expression from the current 2012 Olympics, how do you go for the gold and make something really special? This is how. Recently we’ve seen the amazing journey and awesome dedication that turned Pixar’s favorite Easter Egg the Pizza Planet truck into reality.…