June 18, 2010

Save the date!

Forecast is Partly Cloudy on May 29

[photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar]

Pixar has a released a photo still from Partly Cloudly, their latest animated short that will be shown before Up. Actually, it's been floating all over the interwebs for a little over a month now, but I only recently saw it on their Facebook group. 

Here's the premise of Partly Cloudy (found on Blue Sky Disney):

"Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies from? The answer lies up in the stratosphere, where cloud people sculpt babies from clouds and bring them to life. Gus, a lonely and insecure grey cloud, is a master at creating "dangerous" babies. Crocodiles, porcupines, rams and more -- Gus's beloved creations are works of art, but more than a handful for his loyal delivery stork partner, Peck. As Gus's creations become more and more rambunctious, Peck's job gets harder and harder. How will Peck manage to handle both his hazardous cargo and his friend's fiery temperament?"

There hasn't been a Pixar short I haven't liked so far, so I'm pretty excited to see how this one turns out. Plus Gus reminds me of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man . . . sort of.

Dreamwork's in the Third Dimension

Dreamworks Animation has been in the shadow of Pixar for quite some time now(aside from their huge hit Shrek). Now Dreamworks is trying to step out into the light and they're doing it in the 3rd Dimension.

Dreamworks promoted their newest movie Monsters vs. Aliens at this years superbowl in an interactive ad campaign after the halftime show. The movie can be seen in 3D at theaters with Real D 3D and IMAX 3D screens. Monsters vs. Aliens hits theaters on March 27th.

Dreamworks is banking that 3D is going to be a huge hit with their second 3D film on the way. On March 26th 2010 they have a 3D film called How to Train Your Dragon slated for release. This movie is based off the children's book of the same name by Cressida Cowell. The cast and crew has already been announced, including two-time Emmy Award winner Peter Hastings in the Director's chair and the leading role of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third voiced by Jay Baruchel (Knocked up and Tropic Thunder).

The movie synopsis is described in Dreamwork's news release as, "A comic adventure set in the mythical world of Vikings. How to Train Your Dragon centers around Hiccup Horrendous the Third, a scrawny teenaged Viking who lives on the island of Berk in the North Sea who must capture and subdue a wild dragon from Dragon Island."

Will Dreamwork's 3D bring them to the forefront of animated stardome? I guess we'll have to wait and see, the movie looks like it's going to be pretty funny.

Special sneak peek of UP

[photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar]

Director Pete Docter will be on hand to give fans a peek into Pixar's 10th Disney film "UP" at this year's WonderCon on Saturday, Feb. 28. 

And at 7:30 over at the Metreon (which is near WonderCon's Moscone Center South location), a special screening of the first 45 minutes of "UP" will be shown. Sorry to the public, but this is for WonderCon attendees only. Seating is limited to 250, so be there early if you want in! And make sure you have your badge. Otherwise, you're S.O.L.

For more info, be sure to check out WonderCon's official site.