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Category Archives: Pixar
iPad Review: Toy Story Showtime app!
In the next series of iPad apps that I’m reviewing, today I’m going to share with you my impressions of Disney Publishing Worldwide Applications app “Toy Story Showtime“, which is available for $4.99 at the iTunes Store. Similar to Pooh’s Birthday Surprise, which I recently reviewed, the Toy Story app is an interactive storybook app, designed to help early readers develop some good reading skills while having fun at the same time! The plot behind the story revolves around all of your favorite Toy Story characters, who are excited because Dolly declares that they should put on a Talent Show! This excites everyone — except Buzz — who tries to think of all sorts of ways that he can impress Jessie.
What will Buzz do for the talent show?
In the scene above, a spotlight shines, and your child (or you, if you prefer) can move the spotlight around to the other characters, and when it lands on them, you’ll see what they are practicing for the show!
Look at Woody and Bullseye go!
As Buzz checks out what all the others are doing, and comes up with ideas similar to what they are doing (but with him in the scene instead of them), the talent show time gets closer and closer. Finally, the time has arrived! However, as soon as the music is turned on, a funny thing starts to happen to Buzz. He starts to dance!
Fortunately for Buzz, Jessie is there to encourage him, and he relaxes and starts dancing to the music!
Buzz takes a bow!
Being interactive, there are several scenes where you can do things with the characters in the book. Anytime you see golden circles by a character, as illustrated in the image below, you can tap on one of the characters, and they will do a special move.
Touch the circles to see a special action take place.
At the end of the story, you are given a chance to play some special games. In one of the games, you are told what move Buzz needs to make, and you tap the appropriate move on the screen, as you can see below in this screen shot.
Can you match up the correct dance move for Buzz?
In this next game, you are able to pick moves that you want to see Buzz perform, and then at the end, you press the play button to make Buzz perform your dance steps!
What Dance is Buzz going to perform for Jessie -- you pick the moves!
As with Pooh’s Birthday Surprise, this interactive storybook is for a younger reader, but it should provide plenty of interactive fun for them!
Related articles
- It’s Toy Story Showtime! New Disney Storybook App (chipandco.com)
The Top 10 Disney Movies – #1
Episodes & Reels is delivering our monthly Top 10 List a little differently this time around. We have posted one entry in the countdown each night from Jan 23 – Feb 3 on Chip and Co and now it’s time to finally reveal #1! Here is our choice for the #1 animated Disney film of all-time:
Toy Story, 1995
#1 - TOY STORY (1995)
Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
Director: John Lasseter
Rating: G
To put it simply – this one changed the animation game forever. Disney/Pixar now has 12 feature films on their resume, with 2 more on the horizon (Brave and Monsters University). With each of their releases, Pixar seems to elevate the digital animation bar even higher constantly topping themselves (and everyone else in the industry). Much like our #3 entry (Snow White) changed the traditional hand-drawn, brush-stroked animation forever thrusting us into over 75 years of wonderful cartoons and animated films, Toy Story has done the same with digital or computer-generated animation. As I already mentioned on this list, I had to limit myself from including more than 3 Pixar films, because if not they would have dominated this countdown. I would say that at least 5 or 6 of their productions could’ve easily made my top 10 animated films of all-time – they are just that innovative and simply put, good. Not only is Toy Story a trendsetter and mentor to anything that exists in digital animation today, but it is also a family friendly story of friendship that can easily be enjoyed by any generation. As a kid, who didn’t talk to their dolls or toys, even if just to have a simple tea-party? Well, what if those toys came to life at night or when we were gone? I’m sure every child’s imagination has run in that direction, and with Toy Story we saw it come to life like never before. With celebrity voices like Tim Allen (Buzz) and the legendary Tom Hanks (Woody) on board, as well as two sequels that are just as good (some may say even better) as the original, this animated giant is destined to remain one of the greatest animated franchises ever created.
We hope you enjoyed our Top 10 Countdown of Disney’s best movies. Need a re-cap? Just click HERE to view the entire Top 10 List at Episodes & Reels, and if you’re up for it “Like” us on facebook.
The Top 10 Disney Movies – #5
Episodes & Reels is delivering our monthly Top 10 List a little differently this time around. We will post one entry in the countdown each night from Jan 23 – Feb 3 on Chip and Co until we finally reveal #1! Now back to the countdown with our #5 animated Disney film of all-time:
Monsters Inc, 2001
#5 - MONSTERS INC. (2001)
Stars: John Goodman, Billy Crystal
Directors: Pete Docter, David Silverman
Rating: PG
By 2001, Disney/Pixar already had six years of pitch-perfect animated storyboards under their belt featuring the Toy Story franchise and A Bug’s Life (1998). But, this was the year that it all got kicked up a notch with their instant-classic, Monsters Inc. Did your kids (or you) ever get scared at the thought of monsters under the bed or in the closet? Did you ever hear that the “boogie man” was going to get you? Well, the genius minds over at Pixar thought up the brilliant faux world of “Monstropolis,” where these monsters are actually more afraid of humans, in particular young children, than we ever were of them. It acts as not only a triumphant and hilarious Disney film, but also a lesson for kids that they don’t have to be afraid. Somehow they got the animation even better as this was their most crisp and colorful yet. Disney once again implored celebrities to voice the main characters, led by John Goodman and Billy Crystal. With the announcement of a “pre-quel” that is being released in 2013 (Monsters University), this movie franchise will prove to be so-good-it’s-scary.
Check back tomorrow night for our #4 entry, and check us out on facebook.
The Top 10 Disney Movies – #9
Episodes & Reels is delivering our monthly Top 10 List a little differently this time around. We will post one entry in the countdown each night from Jan 23 – Feb 3 on Chip and Co until we finally reveal #1! Now, on to our #9 animated Disney film of all-time:
The Incredibles, 2004
#9 – THE INCREDIBLES (2004)
Stars: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter
Director: Brad Bird
Rating: PG
Ok, I had to limit myself to just three Disney/Pixar films for the top 10, of which The Incredibles is the first. Down the line, I will make a top 10 of solely Pixar movies, but for now I wanted to be fair to the rest of the world of Disney animation and hold back. Disney/Pixar have been trend-setters and innovators since the early 1990s thanks to basically creating digital animation (at least on a broad media scale). In 2004 they merged the world of digital animation with the world of comic book/superhero lore. What we got was one of the most exciting, funny, heart-felt and triumphant movies in Disney’s illustrious catalog. The Incredibles features a family of superheroes who are trying to live everyday lives with the rest of the commoners. However, when “Mr. Incredible” (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) becomes restless and begins to miss his crime-fighting days, hilarity and adventure take over and the family must come together like never before. The animation is stellar and among one of the best of all-time. This movie was also named #3 on my top 10 superhero movies (read the full top 10 Superhero here).
Check back tomorrow night for our #8 entry, and check us out on facebook.
Disney’s 2012 Movie Lineup
Beauty and the Beast 3-D (Jan 13)
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ magical classic “Beauty and the Beast” returns to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D, introducing a whole new generation to the Disney classic with stunning new 3D imagery. The film captures the fantastic journey of Belle (voice of Paige O’Hara), a bright and beautiful young woman who’s taken prisoner by a hideous beast (voice of Robby Benson) in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, Belle befriends the castle’s enchanted staff—a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock, among others—and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast’s exterior to discover the heart and soul of a prince.
The Secret World of Arrietty (Feb 17)
Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Ponyo) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”
John Carter (March 9)
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”—a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.
Chimpanzee (April 20)
Disneynature takes moviegoers deep into the forests of Africa with “Chimpanzee,” a new True Life Adventure introducing an adorable baby chimp named Oscar and his entertaining approach to life in a remarkable story of family bonds and individual triumph. Oscar’s playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom. Working together, Oscar’s chimpanzee family—including his mom and the group’s savvy leader — navigates the complex territory of the forest.
Marvel’s The Avengers (May 4)
The Avengers is an upcoming American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures1, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It is the sixth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which crosses over several Marvel superhero films including Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). The film is written and directed by Joss Whedon and features an ensemble cast, which includes Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson. In The Avengers, Nick Fury, director of the peacekeeping organization S.H.I.E.L.D., recruits Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America to save the world from destruction.
Brave (June 22)
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.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (August 15)
Academy Award nominated director/writer Peter Hedges (Dan in Real Life, Whats Eating Gilbert Grape?) brings enchantment to the screen with The Odd Life of Timothy Green, an inspiring, magical story about a happily married couple, Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton), who cant wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy (CJ Adams) shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim and their small town of Stanleyvillelearn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of lifes greatest gifts.
Finding Nemo in 3-D (September 14)
Classic tale we all know and love!
Frankenweenie (October 5)
Frankenweenie is an upcoming 3D black and white stop motion film and remake of the 1984 short film of the same name. Like the 1984 version, it is a parody of and an homage to the 1931 film Frankenstein based on Mary Shelley’s book of the same name In the film, a boy named Victor loses his dog and uses the power of science to bring it back to life. Once the others learn of his secret, they set out to create their own monsters, each based on their respective pets and personalities. It is being directed and produced by Tim Burton, and it is scheduled for release on October 5, 2012.
Wreck-It Ralph (November 2)
Wreck-It Ralph is an upcoming 2012 3D computer-animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and directed by Rich Moore, a former animation director of The Simpsons and Futurama. Its working titles were Joe Jump and Reboot Ralph. It will be the 52nd animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. The film will feature the voices of John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch and Sarah Silverman. The film tells the story of Wreck-It Ralph (Reilly), an arcade game bad guy, who is determined to prove he can be a good guy.
Related articles
- Pixar’s The Brave Trailer & Synopsis (chipandco.com)
- Beauty & the Beast Real 3D is coming January 13th, 2012 (chipandco.com)
