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• "The Pixar Touch" shares seldom-told tales about the early days of this animation studio

  Jim Hill talks with author David A. Price about how he went about writing this unauthorized history of Pixar Animation Studios Read More... Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:00 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: book, movies, Pixar, John Lasseter, Leslie Iwerks, Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, "The Pixar Story", "To Infinity and Beyond: The Story of Pixar Animation Studios", Karen Paik, Steve Jobs, movie, animated feature, 1980s, Chronicle Books, coffee table book, Lucasfilm, short, "Tin Toy", shorts, David A Price, SEC, "The Pixar Touch : The Making of a Company", "Monkey", Microsoft, Hallmark, Knopf, authorized history, Alvy Ray Smith, revisionist history, 1985, 1986, Shogakukan, Pixar archives, Pixar saga, Japanese legend, Chinese legend, Hollywood gossip

• Monday Mouse Watch : "Camp Rock 2" ? A Jonas Brothers concert in 3D ?

  Jim Hill talks about the Walt Disney Company's future plans for some of the Disney Channel's most popular performers & programs Read More... Posted Monday, April 14, 2008 12:00 AM | 14 Comments Filed under: Disney, "High School Musical", Disney Channel, Walt Disney Pictures, "High School Musical" franchise, "Hannah Montana", Miley Cyrus, Walt Disney Studios, movie, Disney Channel Original, 2009, "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both World Concert" , Disney Digital 3D, "Camp Rock" , Jonas Brothers

• "The Art of Cars" rolls into LA's Petersen Automotive Museum this Saturday

  Pixar & car culture fans rejoice ! That Emeryville-based animation studio & LA's preeminent auto museum are teaming up to mount an exhibition that celebrates the artistry of this 2006 John Lasseter film Read More... Posted Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Pixar, CG, John Lasseter, "Cars", Pixar Animation Studios, Los Angeles, LA, movie, animated feature, CG feature, 2006, Disney Pixar

• As Disney begins to get nervous about "Narnia," Pixar now sets its sights on "Mars"

  Jim Hill brings you the latest buzz from Burbank. Which suggests that -- unless "Prince Caspian" does huge business when it's released to theaters in May -- Disney may opt to pull the plug on the "Narnia" series. Replacing that film franchise with a trio of Pixar-produced "John Carter of Mars" movies Read More... Posted Monday, March 17, 2008 12:00 AM | 87 Comments Filed under: Disney, Pixar, Walt Disney Pictures, promotion, "Ratatouille", Brad Bird, "The Incredibles", Mark Andrews, Pixar Animation Studios, marketing, "WALL * E", "John Carter of Mars", Edgar Rice Burroughs, Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, "1906", Walden Media, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian", film, movie, 2008, Disney / Pixar, film franchises, Andrew Stanton, nomination , nominee, Oscar, 2011, 2010, Jim Morris

• Monday Mouse Watch : Will a new name really be enough to boost ticket sales for WDW's "Pirate & Princess Party" ?

  Jim Hill brings you a pile of "Pirates of the Caribbean" -related news. Including the tabling of the "Tortuga" restaurant project Read More... Posted Monday, March 03, 2008 12:00 AM | 39 Comments Filed under: Disney, theme park, Visual Effects, fireworks, Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Best Buy, The Magic Kingdom, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End", Jack Sparrow, Disney Princess, restaurant, WDW, Disney Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, The Crystal Palace, movie, The Walt Disney World Resort, "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party", "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party", ticket sales, 2007, merch, full service, Saturday , Tuesday , merchandise , WDW management , Captain Jack Sparrow, The Black Pearl, Black Pearl, "Pirates of the Caribbean 4", "Pirates 4", Pirates 4, 2006, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" , Pirate & Princess Party, "Pirate & Princess Party" , "Disney's Pirate & Princess Party" , Disney franchise, "Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade" , fireworks extravaganza , "Music Magic and Mayhem" , Walt Disney Creative Entertainment , hard ticket , after-hours event, break even , Rivers of America, Hershey's Treasures , WDW officials , financial success , Monday, Friday, April , "Mickey's Pirate & Princess Party", "POTC" , POTC, "Tortuga" project, Tortuga project, Adventureland Veranda, Adventureland , "Cinderella's Royal Table" , dining experience, Caribbean cuisine , rum , development pipeline, mock-up , test kitchen, Bonfamille's , French Quarter , Disney's Port Orleans Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, test meal , face character , quick service restaurant , full service restaurant, Liberty Tree Tavern , lunch , dinner , dining facility , occupancy rate , 2012, "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, retail chain , Hi-def , disc player, flat screen , HDTV , retail world, equation

• Steal a glimpse and/or glimpse some steel at the "Harry Potter" construction site

  Jim Hill brings you an update on "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," including news on the role that Dr. Suess' widow played in making this Islands of Adventure addition a reality Read More... Posted Monday, February 11, 2008 12:00 AM | 20 Comments Filed under: attraction, Harry Potter, Orlando, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando, movie, Universal Studios Escape, Universal Studios Orlando, Harry Potter films, Harry Potter books, "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter", Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, 2009, J K Rowling, Universal Orlando Resort, ride, show, Jurassic Park

• Toon Tuesday: Disney's "The Aristocats" ... The Animated Series ?!

  Jim Hill takes a look at a show that was proposed for the Disney Channel back in 2003. One that would have ditched Duchess & O'Malley and made Marie, Berlioz & Toulouse teenagers Read More... Posted Tuesday, February 05, 2008 12:00 AM | 24 Comments Filed under: theme park, Pixar, Walt Disney, Disney Channel, John Lasseter, Michael Eisner, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Toon Disney, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Productions, The Walt Disney Company, Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Glen Hanson, "The Aristocats", Marie, Disney Feature Animation Florida, teen, teenager, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, WDSHE, DVD, movie, Mouse, animated feature, franchise, merch, Walt Disney Feature Animation, 2003, merchandise , animated series , "The Aristocats: Special Edition", 1970 , single disc edition, Duchess, Thomas O'Malley , alley cat , Toulouse, Berlioz, bonus material , Richard M Sherman, Robert B Sherman, Zzzz, Sherman Brothers , DisneyToon Studios , "The Aristocats 2" , home premiere, "Disney’s Aristocats: The Animated Series" , O'Malley , teenagers, Delancey, Justin Timberlake , Usher, Street Cats , classic Disney characters , Flash, unnecessary sequel business, unnecessary sequel, unnecessary sequels, "The Aristocats II" , "Chicken Little 2", "Meet the Robinsons 2" , "Aristocats: The Animated Series" , Frank Wells building, Dick Sherman , Maurice Chevalier

• Monday Mouse Watch : Hannah Montana & High School Musical-themed makeovers soon to be offered at Disney's Hollywood Studios

  Jim Hill talks about this variation on "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique" that's about to be built at the Walt Disney World Resort. Only this time around, this pricey beauty parlor will help your child look like their favorite Disney Channel star Read More... Posted Monday, February 04, 2008 12:00 AM | 22 Comments Filed under: Disney, movies, theme park, "High School Musical", Disney Channel, Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Disney's Hollywood Studios, "High School Musical 2", The Magic Kingdom, "High School Musical 3", "High School Musical" franchise, "High School Musical 2: Extended Edition", "Hannah Montana", Dwayne Johnson, "The Rock", Miley Cyrus, Emily Osment, Disney Princess, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, WDW, Ariel, film, movie, World of Disney, Disney Channel Original, HSM, Disney World, The Walt Disney World Resort, film franchise, merch, tween, merchandise , merchandise location , TV movie, TV movies , tweens, "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both World Concert" , concert film, 3-D, Disney Digital 3D, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, beauty parlor, Cinderella Castle , Belle, Jasmine, Gabriella , Sharpay , Hannah Montana , Hannah Montana wig , Ashley Tisdale , Sharpay Evans , retail establishment , concert tour , "Camp Rock" , "The Cheetah Girls 3", mini-Miley

• National Treasure 3 & 4 ?! Big Thunder Mountain ... The Movie ?!

  Why For returns with answers to your Disney-related questions. This time around, Jim Hill talks about the company's plans to expand its "National Treasure" franchise as well as reveals the studio's next theme park-based film. WARNING ! There be spoilers ahead ! Read More... Posted Friday, February 01, 2008 12:00 AM | 20 Comments Filed under: book, attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, Imagineering, Jerry Bruckheimer, Walt Disney Pictures, The Jungle Cruise, Disney Press, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End", Big Thunder Mountain, Jack Sparrow, WDI, Imagineer, Walt Disney Imagineering, writers' strike, movie, WGA, theme park attraction, the Writer's Strike , books, "National Treasure", "National Treasure: Book of Secrets", "National Treasure 3", "National Treasure 4", "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", "The Lone Ranger", "Big Thunder Mountain", "Big Thunder Mountain: The Movie", "The Jungle Cruise", "The Jungle Cruise: Heart of Darkness", "The Jungle Cruise: The Movie", Nicholas Cage, John Turtletaub, "Midnight Ride", "Changing Tide", "National Treasure" book series, Aqua de Vita, The Water of Life, Water of Life, Fountain of Youth, Atlantis, The Fountain of Youth, Captain Jack Sparrow, Barbossa, Captain Hector Barbossa, The Black Pearl, Black Pearl, "Pirates of the Caribbean 4", "Pirates 4", Pirates 4, "AVP", "Alien vs Predator", Captain Barbossa, Benjamin Gates, Ponce de León, Page 47, "National Treasure" theme park attraction, The Gates Family, Gates Family, Gates Family Mystery, Gates Family Mysteries

• Toon Tuesday : How Pixar fixed "Finding Nemo"

  Been hearing disappointing things about those "WALL*E" test screenings? Jim Hill reminds us what happened when Michael Eisner predicted that Andrew Stanton's last film would flop Read More... Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:00 AM | 29 Comments Filed under: Pixar, Michael Eisner, Roy E. Disney, "Finding Nemo", Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, The Walt Disney Company, "Shrek 2", Steve Jobs, "WALL * E", movie, 2008, animated feature, Andrew Stanton, 2003, Academy Award winner

• Dorks save the day in Disney Channel's "Minutemen"

  Jim Hill reviews this charming new TV movie, where teens use a time machine to try & erase the embarrassing mistakes their peers have made in the past Read More... Posted Friday, January 25, 2008 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney Channel, Walt Disney Productions, "Sky High", "Cory in the House", "Bratz", movie, Disney Channel Original, 2008, Mouse House, 1970s , tween, Saturday , Sunday, space - time continuum, TV movie, TV movies , cable channel, cable channels, tweens, tween demographic , target demographic, 7 to 13 year-olds, "Minutemen" , sci-fi comedy , baby boomer, baby boomers , "The Absent-Minded Professor" , "Son of Flubber" , Dexter Riley , "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" , "The Strongest Man in the World", special effects, time travel , Jason Dolley , high school, Luke Benward , "How to Eat Fried Worms", Nicholas Braun , Snowsuit Guys, The Snowsuit Guys , Chelsea Staub , Steven R McQueen , "Everwood" , black hole , rocket-powered car, John Killoran , teleplay , David Diamond , David Weissman , Lev L Spiro , "Ugly Betty" , "Everybody Hates Chris", production values , Salty Pictures Inc, basic cable, basic cable channel , Now You Don't", "Now You See Him

• Oscar Watch '08: Miramax maxes out while the Mouse gets skunked

  Was today a good day or a bad day at Walt Disney Studios? Well, as Jim Hill points out, it all depends on whether you work at Miramax Films or on the Walt Disney Pictures side of the house Read More... Posted Tuesday, January 22, 2008 12:00 PM | 37 Comments Filed under: animation, Disney, movies, Pixar, ABC, NBC, Brad Bird, "Enchanted", Pixar Animation Studios, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End", Amy Adams, "How to Hook-Up Your Home Theater", Academy Award, film, movie, actress, 2008, Disney / Pixar, animated feature, 2007, feature film , Best Picture nominee, Disney Feature Animation, animated short, picket line, Jan Pinkava, animated features, Oscar-winning , Norman Jewison , "The Man I Love" , George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, "good news day" , Amy Ryan, nomination , Best Actress in a supporting role , "Gone Baby Gone" , Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, ABC Inc, Best Actress , Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Motion Picture of the Year, Achievement in Music – Original Song, Original Song , nominee, nominations , "Happy Working Song" , "So Close" , "That's How You Know" , Best Animated Feature Film of the Year, Jim Capobianco, Best Original Screenplay, Achievement in Sound Mixing , Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Makeup , Achievement in Visual Effects , Oscar, Oscars, Best Animated Short Film, Academy Award nominee, Academy Award winner, Academy voters , February 24th , 80th annual Academy Awards , actors , picket lines, Academy Award nominations , Academy Award nominees, Academy Award winners, Miramax Films , "No Country for Old Men" , Paramount Vantage, Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role , Achievement in Directing , Achievement in Cinematography , Achievement in Film Editing , Adapted Screenplay, "There Will Be Blood", Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role , Achievement in Art Direction , "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" , Pathé Renn , co-production, Michael Giacchino , Achievement in Music – Original Score, Original Score, Oscar broadcast, Golden Globes, hand-drawn animation

• Remembering Suzanne Pleshette (1937 - 2008)

  Jim Hill looks back on the Disney-related portion of this Emmy nominated actress's career as well as commenting on the role that smoking may have played in her untimely demise Read More... Posted Monday, January 21, 2008 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: Disney, TV, Universal Studios, Walt Disney, ABC, Disneyland, Walt Disney Productions, television, Burbank, film, movie, TV show, Disneyana fans, condolences, Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette , Emily Hartley, Bob Hartley , "The Bob Newhart Show" , Dean Jones, 1966 , "The Ugly Dachshund" , 1968, "Blackbeard's Ghost" , 1975, "The Shaggy DA" , Roddy McDowell , 1967, "The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin" , "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" , English language version, Hayao Miyazaki, "Spirited Away" , Tony Curtis , "40 Pounds of Trouble" , 1962 , Norman Jewison , Damon Runyon, "Little Miss Marker" , St. Joseph's Hospital , studio , Roy O Disney , Peter Ustinov , Disney lot, James Garner, Laura Hennessy , 2002 - 2005 , ABC sitcom, sitcom , "8 Simple Rules'', smoker, lung cancer, smoking-related illnesses , Emmy-nominated

• "Cloverfield" is a monstrously entertaining motion picture

  WARNING !! There be SPOILERS ahead as Jim Hill reviews this new Matt Reeves film. Which puts a smart, edgy spin on the Japanese monster movie Read More... Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008 12:00 AM | 15 Comments Filed under: New York City, Manhattan, "Hannah Montana", NYC, movie, 2008, Godzilla, "Cloverfield", JJ Abrams, Matt Reeves, Drew Goddard, Brooklyn Bridge, Bad Robot, Paramount Pictures, monster, midtown, Japanese monster movie

• Animation fans prematurely shoot off their mouths about "Bolt"

  Jim Hill points out the parallels between what WDAS's next release is now going through and "Beauty & the Beast" & "The Lion King" 's troubled productions Read More... Posted Wednesday, January 02, 2008 12:00 AM | 18 Comments Filed under: animation, Disney, movies, Pixar, DreamWorks, computer animation, John Lasseter, "Shrek", Walt Disney Pictures, "Beauty & the Beast", John Musker, "The Little Mermaid", "Ratatouille", Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, DreamWorks Animation, "Aladdin", Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Jeffrey Katzenberg, "Toy Story", WDAS, "The Lion King", "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", WDI, Ed Catmull, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Studios, "Bolt", Academy Award, film, movie, 2008, animated feature, Richard Purdum , "Cranium Command", Kirk Wise, Gary Trousdale, award, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Disney Feature Animation,