D23 Expo 2013: Heroes and Villains Costume Contest

For the first time, the D23 Expo held a costume contest! Check out the female Avengers!

This Maleficent costume was amazing!

I love this Kevin costume from UP!

The Hatbox Ghost is here!

The judges have a tough job ahead of them!

Protect your fishes! Darla is here!

The Mad Doctor and evil Small World Clock showed up! Super impressive! Check out the detail on the clock!

I love the obscure characters that make an appearance like Harrision Hightower, owner of The Hightower Hotel at Tokyo DisneySea.

This Jack Skellington was so cool to watch!

The Haunted Mansion portrait comes to life!

I love assembles like this Princess and The Frog group!

Awesome mini Rocketeer!

Wow! Just wow! Love it!

She looks more like Merida than Merida does! She won Best Recreation!

I love Enchanted! Awesome costumes and awesome look to both of them!

Here are all the winners from the costume contest! Congrats to all of them!

Craft Time: Merida 3D Papercraft!

 Download the Template!

How to make it

1. Print the template on regular paper or cardstock. Cut out each piece with a craft knife or scissors. Do not cut along the dashed lines -- this is where you will fold the paper.
2. Line up Merida's back with her torso and glue them together so the design is two-sided. After the glue has dried, fold the bottom part of Merida's torso towards you along the blue dashed line. Then, fold Merida's face away from you along the gold line across her shoulders.
3. Take Merida's chest piece and fold along each dashed line. Make each fold away from you. Glue the G tab and F tab to the back, white side of Merida's chest.
4. Spread glue on the H tab of Merida's chest and press it into place on the H area on Merida's torso. Make sure her shoulders are lined up correctly.
5. After the glue dries, add glue to the I, J, K, and L tabs and press them into place. Hold the pieces together until the glue dries. You may need to use a pen or pencil inside her chest area to position the tabs just right.
6. Fold each of Merida's arms and glue them so the design is two-sided. Make sure they are lined up before the glue dries. Attach the arms to each side of Merida's body under each shoulder by gluing the E tab to the E area and D tab to the D area.
7. Cut slits in the top of the skirt along the gray lines, opposite of where you fold each A tab. Fold each of the dashed lines at the top of the skirt and each A tab away from you. Starting from left to right with the purple side of the skirt facing you, glue each A tab to the back of the skirt piece next to it to create pleats.
8. When you are finished gluing the A tabs you may find it easier to glue the C tab to the inside of the skirt before gluing the final B tab pleat.
9. Attach Merida's completed torso to her skirt by gluing the white side of the tabs at her waist to the top of the skirt over the areas labeled M and N. The crease on the skirt should be in the back.
10. Fold the quiver of arrows and glue the two white sides together. Fold the O tab back and attach it to the O area on Merida's skirt.
11. Attach the end of a thin brown string (you can color a white string brown with a magicmarker) to the top of Merida's bow with glue. Stretch the string over Merida's chest to the bottom of the bow. Cut the string where it reaches the end of the bow and glue that end to the bow.

Walt Disney Studios 2012 Animation Celebration Photos!

Images from The Walt Disney Studios' 2012 Animation Celebration honoring BRAVE, FRANKENWEENIE, PAPERMAN and WRECK IT RALPH. The event was hosted this evening by studio chairman Alan Horn at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 

  

Blu-Ray Review: Disney/Pixar's Brave!

I haven't done one of these in awhile but here is another blu-ray review! This time it is for Disney/Pixar's Brave!

Earlier this week I was sent the 5-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition of Brave, with an awesome lenticular cover. Inside are copies of the film on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copy, plus a second Blu-ray of extras.

There a ton of solid bonus features focusing on the various aspects of the filmmaking process. You'll never think of moss or ripped tapestries the same way again. Both the Blu-ray and DVD include a new, feature-based short, The Legend of Mordu, that combines 2D and CG animated scenes.


Now Disney is already known for some of the best blu-rays in the business but Brave truly shines! The video presentation is truly one of the cleanest ever. Just a flawless video presentation! The country of Scotland looks real, from the lush green hills, to a gorgeous river scene, to the misty forests. You can see every subtle nuance put in by the animators in the already jaw-dropping animation that Pixar is known for.

The 3D Blu-ray Disc is currently my favorite 3D disc for the year! The 3D presentation is the best one I have ever seen! The depth of the countryside, to the way the forest seems to envelope you, to the the large ruins that elevate way over your head, the 3D is stunning!

The audio is no slouch either! The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround track truly envelops you into the world of Brave! From the roar of the demon bear, to the haunting sounds of the will-o'-the-wisp, to the beeze over the forest tree tops, the soundfrom the frotn channels is crystal clear. The rear channels create the envelope that surrounds you like never before.

Brave will go down as one of the best blu-rays of the year! Brave comes home November 13th!

Review of Disney/Pixar Brave!

For their 13th film, Pixar gives us their take on the princess movie with Brave!

This film is a departure for Pixar in several ways. They have their first female protagonist and the story focuses on the mother/daughter relationship which is usually not the focus of many family movies.

Princess Merida is a free spirit, learning the ways of archery and sword fighting, while her mother, Queen Elinor, tries diligently to raise her in the ways of royal responsibility and tradition. One of these traditions being arranged marriages. For Merida, she would rather be shooting arrows, riding her horse Angus and climbing rocks than preparing to be married and become the Queen. After a heated argument between mother and daughter, Merida rides her horse into the woods. In the woods she encounters a trail of will o'wisps that of course end up changing her fate. In an effort to remain as spoiler free as possible, I won't get into how everything comes together. I'll just say that even the trailers do a good job of hiding what is in store.
 
The film itself is gorgeous! I would dare to say that this is the best looking Pixar film to date. The Scotland countryside looks photorealistic! The ocean, the beards, the fur on the animals and of course Merida's flaming red hair looks amazing! Pixar has taken their animation to the next level! They have even rewritten their animation software for the first time. Called Presto, the new software was created to help with animation complexity issues where there are many characters involved in the same scene.

The score, created by Scotland native Patrick Doyle is impressive. He used a mix of traditional instruments as well as modern ones to weave a score that simply soars.  Adding to the impressive score is the voice of
Julie Fowlis who sings several songs throughout the movie. Her voice is pure and full of beauty and clarity. I imagine that this is what Merida would sound like if she sang in the movie.

Now Brave is not without some flaws. It is darker than most Pixar films and I can see young children being scared.  Though I did watch Brave with a rather large audience of families and no one was scared. The story does falter in the second act and has sort of a hard time getting back on track. But still Brave sits in about the middle of their library for me. It's not the top tier of a Toy Story or a Finding Nemo but it does sit better than A Bug's Life for me. I did enjoy the relationship between the Merida and Elinor. The humor level is fantastic though I'm not sure how I feel about the brief nudity. That brought it down to more of a Dreamworks level of humor for me. All in all a great movie about relationships and taking responsibility for one's actions.

Brave is in theaters now!

Disney/Pixar's BRAVE Announces "Sounds of the Highlands" Original Score and Songs

Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” Transports Moviegoers to

Ancient Scotland with Oscar®-Nominated Composer Patrick Doyle,

Plus Performers Julie Fowlis and Birdy [with Mumford & Sons]

BURBANK, Calif. (May 21, 2012) – Disney•Pixar’s epic fantasy adventure “Brave” harnesses the magic of ancient Scotland, weaving the rich natural setting throughout the story and bringing it to life with sophisticated filmmaking and extraordinary performances. But it’s the music of “Brave” that ties it all together, elevating the authenticity with a fresh and contemporary approach to Oscar®-nominated composer Patrick Doyle’s score, as well as two original songs performed by lauded Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. A third original song plays during the film’s epilogue and is performed by UK singing sensation Birdy with British folk rock band Mumford & Sons. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” hits theatres on June 22, 2012. The film’s soundtrack from Walt Disney Records will be available June 19, 2012.

“The music of ‘Brave’ supports the story, bolstering this epic journey with Merida,” said Andrews. “The music really sets the tone for the film and underscores the time period. We wanted to capture this ancient feel of Scotland and the music really adds another layer of authenticity.”

THE SCORE

Scottish-born Patrick Doyle, only the fourth composer to write a score for a Pixar film, used a variety of native Scottish instruments such as bagpipes, solo fiddle, Celtic harps, flutes and the bodhran. To give the score a contemporary and fresh feel he included original bespoke electronic sounds and electronically treated dulcimer and cimbalom. “I employed many classic Scottish dance rhythms such as reels, jigs and strathspeys, which not only serve the action but keep it authentic,” said Doyle. “I particularly loved composing the Gaelic lament ‘Noble Maiden Fair’ with my son Patrick Neil, sung so beautifully by Emma [Thompson] and Peigi [Barker].”

ORIGINAL SONGS

Two new songs performed by acclaimed Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis are among the film’s musical highlights. “Touch the Sky,” with music by Pixar’s own Alex Mandel and lyrics by Mandel and director Mark Andrews, accompanies Merida’s liberating and exhilarating ride through the forest when she is able to escape the confines of castle life. The song “Into the Open Air,” with music and lyrics by Mandel, is heard later in the film during a special moment between mother and daughter. “If ever we imagined a singing voice for Merida—the beauty, the clarity, the directness and honesty—Julie embodies that and she’s fantastic,” said producer Katherine Sarafian.

Added Fowlis, “It was great to be invited to record and perform on the soundtrack to ‘Brave’ and particularly to sing the songs which represent the feisty, female lead Merida. I so enjoyed the challenge of adding a dimension of acting to my singing in order to bring Merida’s character and inner feelings to life through song.”

“Learn Me Right” is an original song performed by Birdy, whose self-titled album has been awarded Gold and Platinum status in UK and Europe respectively, and the Grammy®-nominated British folk rock group Mumford & Sons, who also wrote, arranged and produced the track. “It’s quite fun doing a song for a movie rather than for an album,” said Marcus Mumford. “We liked the idea of having an orchestra in the background and having a girl like Birdy sing—it’s been quite liberating.” Added Birdy, “I love it because it tells a story. Although it has a lot of emotion, it’s also very upbeat and you want to dance to it, which is why it works so well.”

“‘Learn Me Right’ is an amazing song,” said Sarafian. “I feel something every time I hear it. Mumford & Sons sketched out a piece that would do justice to the culminating moment of the movie, underscoring the emotion, heart and the lessons learned between mother and daughter. They really found that moment of truth in the story we were trying to tell and it takes the movie to a new level at the end.”

The “Brave” soundtrack will be available wherever music is sold on June 19, 2012. The track list follows:

1.    “Touch the Sky” Performed by Julie Fowlis

2.    “Into the Open Air” Performed by Julie Fowlis

3.    “Learn Me Right” Performed by Birdy [with Mumford & Sons]

4.    “Fate and Destiny” Score

5.    “The Games” Score

6.    “I Am Merida” Score

7.    “Remember to Smile” Score

8.    “Merida Rides Away” Score

9.    “The Witch’s Cottage” Score

10.  “Song of Mor’du” Performed by Billy Connolly and Cast

11.  “Through the Castle” Score

12.  “Legends Are Lessons” Score

13.  “Show Us the Way” Score

14.  “Mum Goes Wild” Score

15.  “In Her Heart” Score

16.  “Noble Maiden Fair” (A Mhaighdean Bhan Uasal) Performed by Emma Thompson and Peigi         Barker

17.  “Not Now!” Score

18.  “Get the Key” Score

19.  “We’ve Both Changed” Score

       20.  “Merida’s Home” Score

Happy Mother's Day - Disney•Pixar's Brave 6/22

Like Brave on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarBrave

Official Brave Website: http://disney.com/Brave

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin, surly Lord Macintosh and cantankerous Lord Dingwall. Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it's too late.

Brave Takes on the NFL Draft

When it comes to a Draft, who better to consult than a Scotsman in a kilt?

Brave is in theaters June 22

Walt Disney Studios CinemaCon Photo: Mark Andrews, John Lasseter, and Katherine Sarafian (Brave)

John Lasseter with Directors Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman! Brave opens in June!

Intense New 'Brave' Still Released!

Shows that there will be some really great action in this film! June can't get here soon enough!

Beautiful New Still from Brave featuring Merida!

I am looking forward to this movie! June cannot get here soon enough!

Final Trailer for Disney/Pixar's Brave!

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In "Brave," a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts. Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Wise Woman (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it's too late.

Official Site: http://disney.com/brave

Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman

Cast: Kelly MacDonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane

In theaters: June 22nd, 2012

New BRAVE Japanese Poster!

A new Brave poster for Japanese audiences resembles the American one released last March, but incorporates King Fergus, Queen Elinor, and the three bears, as well as our first look at the mysterious Wise Woman (voiced by Julie Walters).

Brave opens in the US on June 22 and in Japan on July 21.

Brave Stories: Merida

Meet Merida, the passionate, fiery, and headstrong star of Brave, in US theaters June 22.

Australia & New Zealand - June 21, Singapore - June 21, Malaysia - June 21, United States - June 22, India - June 22, Philippines - August 1

Like Brave on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarBrave

Follow Disney•Pixar on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DisneyPixar

Official Brave Website: http://disney.com/Brave

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin, surly Lord Macintosh and cantankerous Lord Dingwall. Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it's too late.

Disney/Pixar's BRAVE celebrates TARTAN DAY!

Join the celebration on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/337563776293437/

Pixar Brave Character Poster - The Triplets

Pixar Brave Character Poster - Lords Macintosh, MacGuffin and Dingwall

Pixar Brave Character Poster - King Fergus and Queen Elinor

Merida from ‘Brave’ is Coming to Disney Parks

At Magic Kingdom Park, Merida will appear in Fairytale Garden in a setting inspired by her Scottish Highlands home, where young guests will be invited to engage in archery lessons and other activities until it’s their turn to meet her. Joining Merida will be the three bear cubs from the film, who will no doubt be up to plenty of mischief.
To prepare for Merida’s arrival, Rapunzel will be moving from Fairytale Garden April 15, to a new spot at the outskirts of Adventureland where she will continue to greet her loyal fans and subjects.
When visiting Disneyland park in California this summer, Merida and the cubs will find a home away from home near “it’s a small world” in Fantasyland, where guests will also be able to participate in activities inspired by Merida’s story.

Source: Disney Parks Blog
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/03/merida-from-brave-is-coming-to-disney-parks/

Brave - TV Spot #2 (2012) HD