tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55339603996655141172012-02-23T08:49:44.717-07:00A blog about Pixar Animation StudiosRobert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.comBlogger831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-66577181606481494112012-02-23T08:46:00.003-07:002012-02-23T08:49:44.726-07:00

A new trailer for Brave has appeared on iTunes. Check it out!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-24846863982193451712012-02-22T14:11:00.002-07:002012-02-22T14:13:25.352-07:00

It's a big week for Pixar's Brave. Here's a link to the recently updated website for the film. Also, take a look at the new poster to the left. And keep your eyes open for a new Brave trailer, supposedly releasing on Thursday, February 23. Brave is set for release on June 22, 2012 in North America. The Academy Award-nominated Pixar short La Luna will screen before it.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-10119924796521766282012-01-13T12:48:00.003-07:002012-01-13T12:48:40.922-07:00

Regardless of whether or not you appreciate 3D, one of Pixar's finest films is coming to theaters this September in 3D: Finding Nemo! I'm told this is not an up-conversion 3D, but that it will be fully re-rendered.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-19547124574499014572011-11-29T10:08:00.003-07:002011-11-29T10:09:30.066-07:00

An article I published in 2010 is now available online: "The Wisdom of Pixar." I take a look at Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Up, and how they relate to virtues. The article is based on my book The Wisdom of Pixar.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-73919115789694649492011-11-16T11:11:00.001-07:002011-11-16T11:15:39.145-07:00

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-4797641919094350232011-08-13T12:30:00.000-06:002011-08-13T12:30:17.606-06:00

Healthy Homes has posted a kind review of The Wisdom of Pixar. Read it here.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-53154417467416389892011-07-07T21:12:00.001-06:002011-07-07T21:17:58.624-06:00

Want to know what's good about Cars 2? Listen to my interview featured on Issues, Etc. This link is to a 12MB mp3 file (or go here and scroll down to June 27).

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-12947702984131159212011-06-24T22:49:00.001-06:002011-06-24T22:51:37.482-06:00

With my excited 4-year-old, ready for Cars 2 As of this writing Cars 2, Pixar's twelfth feature film, has a 33 percent score at Rotten Tomatoes. Last year's Toy Story 3 has a 99 percent average rating from critics. What happened? I'll offer some thoughts later, but first let's get to Cars 2. Cars 2 is a fun, action-packed spy movie combined with some comedy, mostly centered around Mater, the

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-16581086317562762772011-06-13T19:16:00.001-06:002011-06-13T19:23:16.090-06:00

Here's the first trailer for Disney's Planes, preparing for take off in spring 2013 as a direct-to-video release! As you may know, for awhile it was rumored that this would be a Pixar project, but Disney Toon Studios will produce it. (Sorry about any advertisements that may appear before the trailer. They are part of linking the clip from MovieWeb.)

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-90198443123314557592011-06-02T17:56:00.000-06:002011-06-02T17:56:32.005-06:00

Check out the latest Cars 2 featurette, "Spy Cars Like Us"! Cars 2 opens in North America on June 24.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-77339770616409343962011-05-19T17:52:00.000-06:002011-05-19T17:52:32.941-06:00

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-65281745324734231782011-05-16T16:26:00.000-06:002011-05-16T16:26:03.765-06:00

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-43894915174874811692011-05-16T16:18:00.000-06:002011-05-16T16:18:56.074-06:00

The Wisdom of Pixar is now available in large print editions via ReadHowYouWant.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-70340151463227724942011-05-16T13:07:00.001-06:002011-05-16T13:08:32.405-06:00

I'm quoted in this recent article about Pixar posted at the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-72355534989834406552011-05-03T14:45:00.002-06:002011-05-03T14:48:04.395-06:00

My kids love LEGO, so naturally they get the official LEGO Club magazine and LEGO Club Jr. We were excited to see Cars 2 featured on the covers of the May-June issues! LEGO also maintains a site just for Cars 2 where you can view behind-the-scenes videos about the development of Cars 2 LEGOs.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-55300806421533977842011-04-04T17:17:00.005-06:002011-04-04T23:10:54.531-06:00

If you were planning to enroll in Monsters University, you may have to wait until June 2013. Box Office Mojo reports that Pixar's prequel to Monsters, Inc., scheduled for a November 2012 release, is now set for June 21, 2013. Many have anticipated Pixar would begin releasing two movies a year, beginning in 2012 with Brave in June and Monsters Universty in November. But now it's looking like

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-51902153052994642112011-04-03T19:28:00.001-06:002011-04-03T19:31:46.020-06:00

Via a Twitter account known as @ChromeLeaks Disney-Pixar has provided clues that lead to a new clip from Cars 2. Watch the "commercial" below and see if you can spot the clue that will lead you to the clip. If you'd rather not hunt for it, the new footage is also posted below.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-48242369484550389282011-03-28T10:22:00.004-06:002011-03-28T10:28:07.522-06:00

Get a fresh glimpse at Pixar's Brave new world in this exclusive first look from Entertainment Weekly! Brave, formerly The Bear and the Bow, is due out June 22, 2012, and is Pixar's 13th feature film. Originally Brenda Chapman would direct it solo, but is now listed as co-director with Pixar's Mark Andrews (One Man Band).

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-87216685832332840942011-03-18T17:48:00.007-06:002011-03-18T18:01:26.133-06:00

Disney-Pixar announced today that State Farm insurance will present "Agents on a Mission" to promote Cars 2. The tour begins at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, on March 22. According the the press release, "Agents on a Mission" will feature "life-size remote-controlled models [that] will light up and rev for fans in Detroit, Toronto, Phoenix, Philadelphia, New York, Boston,

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-62709233323024588632011-03-15T21:20:00.002-06:002011-03-15T21:22:59.781-06:00

Disney-Pixar has released some vintage-looking posters of the World Grand Prix - the race featured in Cars 2 (due out June 24 in North America) ...

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-1511367003018809412011-03-08T11:29:00.000-07:002011-03-08T11:29:16.042-07:00

Take a look at the Cars 2 trailer released in the U.K. It offers some extra fun glimpses of material not in the other trailers, and more of "The World's Greatest Spy" ...

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-72380359844715950342011-03-07T19:36:00.002-07:002011-03-10T19:21:19.803-07:00

Check out the new Cars 2 extended trailer, via MSN Movies. Much of this content has appeared before, but look for a few new surprises ...

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-51153029933595553052011-03-04T15:50:00.006-07:002011-03-04T16:04:55.094-07:00

The March-April 2011 issue of LEGO magazine features the ad below for upcoming Cars 2-themed LEGO sets. Also note the link to the LEGO page that features Cars 2 content. There's not much there yet, but get ready for more content "coming soon." Make sure to watch Video 2, which features LEGO designer Maarten as he pieces together some Lightning and Mater models. According to the site, the first

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-60917041746234392432011-03-01T10:45:00.001-07:002011-03-01T10:52:39.207-07:00

Do you miss the Toy Story 3 gang? Get ready for the Hawaiian Vacation short coming June 24 that will play before Cars 2. Here's the just-released teaser ...

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-17973575607550093792011-02-27T22:34:00.010-07:002011-02-28T11:02:23.248-07:00

Pixar's awards display at their headquarters in Emeryville is ready for more! Nominated for five Academy Awards, Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3 picked up two well-deserved Oscars: Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song for Randy Newman's "We Belong Together" (Newman, nominated some 20 times over the years, also won for his song in Pixar's Monsters, Inc. [2001], "If I Didn't Have You").

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-4668575002947514562011-02-23T16:01:00.002-07:002011-02-23T16:02:02.119-07:00

Here's a link to information on the Portuguese edition of my book The Wisdom of Pixar. Many thanks to translator Luís Fernando Protásio!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-63450112095776591072011-02-20T23:17:00.003-07:002011-02-21T14:50:06.489-07:00

A new TV spot for Cars 2 premiered during the Daytona 500. Cars 2 opens in North America on June 24!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-57029402328193519112011-01-25T15:32:00.003-07:002011-01-25T15:35:14.780-07:00

Pixar's fantastic 2010 movie Toy Story 3 picked up five Oscar nominations today including Best Picture, Best Animated Feature Film, Music (Original Song), Sound Editing, and Adapted Screenplay. Toy Story 3 is only the third animated movie to receive a nomination for Best Picture (the other two are Pixar's Up and Disney's Beauty and the Beast). Does Toy Story 3 have a chance at winning Best

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-62901805511796530892011-01-16T21:15:00.004-07:002011-01-16T21:24:22.402-07:00

One of my favorite characters in the recent Cars 2 trailer is Professor Zündapp. This means my kids don't have to refer to him as "Evil Monocle Guy" anymore! In quite a menacing voice, in the trailer Zündapp says, "No one can stop us!" Zündapp, by the way, is voiced by Thomas Kretschmann, who played Captain Englehorn in King Kong (2005). Professor Zündapp is modeled after the Zündapp Janus,

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-50042158945054325792011-01-11T20:07:00.001-07:002011-01-11T23:23:56.241-07:00

Disney-Pixar recently posted this turntable Lightning McQueen video. What do you think? Are you ready for Cars 2, coming to North America on June 24?

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-88084460524641906992011-01-08T11:01:00.001-07:002011-01-08T11:04:11.489-07:00

Thanks to a Russian film site, here's an international poster for Cars 2, complete with Lightning McQueen, Mater, and signs featuring Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Moscow, Rome, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. It looks like McQueen and Mater have quite a journey ahead of them! Cars 2 opens on June 24, 2011 in North America.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-57353177856516067232011-01-03T17:49:00.004-07:002011-01-03T17:56:13.587-07:00

The rumors circulating online today are pointing to a prequel for Monsters, Inc. 2. The movie is not due out until November 2012, so it's a bit early for speculation of this sort, but the prequel concept is interesting. Personally I found the ending to Monsters, Inc. to be fantastic, but that doesn't mean Pixar can't pull off a great prequel. Maybe they can get creative and include prequel

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-50068655686351922102010-12-28T16:03:00.000-07:002010-12-28T16:03:05.804-07:00

The U.S. Postal service announced today that a series of Pixar-themed stamps will release in 2011, just in time for Pixar's 25th anniversary! You'll have to wait until August 19, though, when the stamps will go on sale.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-25146213721076444622010-12-24T22:25:00.002-07:002010-12-24T22:27:51.525-07:00

We've had a busy year at The Wisdom of Pixar. My book of the same title came out in early June, just before Toy Story 3. In July I got to take a private tour of Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California. If you've followed me on Twitter you had a chance to witness the adventures of my Lightning McQueen action figure as he visited St. Louis for a book tour and California for more fun.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-49459311578083692922010-12-11T10:34:00.004-07:002010-12-11T10:54:00.843-07:00

Fasten your seat belts, Pixar fans, because Cars 2 is in for a bumpy ride. Not due out for another six months (June 24, 2011 in the U.S.), Cars 2 has already had its share of criticisms. See my article, "Is Cars 2 a clunker?" for a general response. Now, thanks to a link from Slashfilm, I've read an early "review" of Cars 2, posted at CC2K. WARNING: There are spoilers in this early look at Cars

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-31154012774513105252010-12-06T23:18:00.000-07:002010-12-06T23:18:54.448-07:00

Bid on an auction for a tour of Pixar and benefit charity, too! Pixar is a closed studio (but every now and then they'll even let people like me in for a tour). Here's your chance to bid and get inside Pixar.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-23238877742966864902010-12-02T23:24:00.001-07:002010-12-02T23:31:33.735-07:00

The National Board of Review named Toy Story 3 Best Animated Feature. Pixar has also won this award for Up (2009), WALL-E (2008), Ratatouille (2007), Cars (2006), The Incredibles (2004), and Finding Nemo (2003).

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-17740874582948193762010-11-28T23:18:00.001-07:002010-11-28T23:20:18.625-07:00

The Sydney Morning Herald has posted a video interview with John Morris, the voice of Andy in the Toy Story movies (via Pixar News Australia).

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-59045034156446304572010-11-22T14:47:00.003-07:002010-11-22T14:53:15.758-07:00

"Pull my string, the birthday party's today!" -Woody Thanks to The Pixar Times for reminding me that today is the 15th anniversary (birthday) of Toy Story, originally released in the United States on November 22, 1995. Thanks, Pixar, for changing the world for the better!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-41237473536191793352010-11-19T11:10:00.002-07:002010-11-19T11:13:42.314-07:00

Cars is underappreciated. It's commonly listed as Pixar's "weakest" film or "mediocre" at best. To begin, remember we're dealing with a studio that has had an unprecedented eleven hit films in a row, including Cars (2006). Cars is far from mediocre. It includes a number of positive themes about friendship, identity, humility, courage, adventure, and more (see my book The Wisdom of Pixar).

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-6560791120443199182010-11-16T09:48:00.001-07:002010-11-16T09:53:23.545-07:00

Disney Pixar released the first Cars 2 trailer today (not counting the recent teaser). What do you think?

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-52912704071134706162010-11-15T16:30:00.004-07:002010-11-15T16:36:32.693-07:00

It's a big day for Cars 2, Pixar's next movie, due out June 24, 2011 in North America. Below is a new image from the upcoming movie, as well as a new poster. Thanks to HeyUGuys for posting both items on their site. Also check out the movie synopsis they have posted.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-60437325110830154862010-11-15T13:05:00.000-07:002010-11-15T13:05:54.270-07:00

Association for Computing Machinery recently posted an interview with Pixar Animation Studios president Ed Catmull.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-66178419708565548572010-11-12T09:52:00.003-07:002010-11-12T09:55:48.778-07:00

Here's a great mash-up of Michael Giacchino's moving music from the TV show LOST set to a powerful scene from Toy Story 3. Randy Newman scored Toy Story 3 and did an excellent job, but this LOST music seems a perfect fit in many ways. Michael Giacchino is no stranger to Pixar, having done some fine work for them over the years including music for The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, several Pixar

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-45653755006128484572010-11-04T20:51:00.003-06:002010-11-04T20:58:22.603-06:00

The big Pixar news this week includes the release of Toy Story 3 in North America on Blu-ray and DVD (as well as the release of Cars Toons, Mater's Tall Tales). I got the Toy Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and it's fantastic! Here's a review roundup featuring some great reviews by other Pixar bloggers ... Pixar Talk Upcoming Pixar The Pixar Blog The Pixar Times And in case you missed it, here's

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-17745665959592210522010-10-23T08:52:00.002-06:002010-10-25T16:50:58.364-06:00

Thanks to Pixar Talk, here's the Blu-ray trailer for The Incredibles, narrated by Edna Mode, no less. This is one of my favorite Pixar movies and it will definitely benefit from high definition. Look for The Incredibles on Blu-ray next spring. UPDATE: Unfortunately the Blu-ray trailer for The Incredibles is no longer available on YouTube as of October 25, 2010. Pixar Talk reports that Disney

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-30385720027844604252010-10-20T18:47:00.004-06:002010-10-20T18:57:00.292-06:00

Pixar's Cars 2 isn't due until June 24, 2011 in North America, but today Disney-Pixar released the first teaser trailer! After watching the teaser, it makes even more sense for Michael Giacchino to write the score for Cars 2, especially given the secret agent theme the teaser suggests. Giacchino, after all, composed some amazing spy-like music for Pixar's The Incredibles. Cars 2 also has an

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-78754778446654625302010-10-18T17:05:00.001-06:002010-10-20T19:00:47.359-06:00

Does Pixar's Brave, due in 2012, have a new director? According to Cartoon Brew and their "reliable sources," Brenda Chapman is no longer in the director's chair for Brave. Chapman, as the media often reported, was to be Pixar's first female director. Note: This is an unconfirmed report from Cartoon Brew, but worth keeping an eye on. UPDATE: The New York Times has confirmed that Brenda Chapman

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-8130303175646626612010-10-12T15:27:00.002-06:002010-10-12T15:30:12.299-06:00

Composer Michael Giacchino, whose musical score for Pixar's Up won an Academy Award, is gearing up for Cars 2, due out June 2011. Giacchino is no stranger to Pixar films, having scored The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and short Pixar films such as Lifted, One Man Band, and more recently Day & Night. He's also known for his excellent work scoring ABC's hit show Lost. The first Cars featured a number

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-43096595033320885612010-10-08T18:37:00.000-06:002010-10-08T18:37:41.985-06:00

Get ready for the new Pixar Cars Toons episode, Heavy Metal Mater, directed by John Lasseter. It airs on the Disney Channel on October 8 at 9:30pm Eastern. Looks like Mater is in for some hard rock fun! If you miss it, catch it on DVD and Blu-ray when it is released on November 2 as one of the episodes on Mater's Tall Tales.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-36500328559002360592010-10-05T19:04:00.006-06:002010-10-05T19:09:03.904-06:00

Disney Pixar recently posted this bonus feature showing the research behind the Spanish dance scene with Buzz and Jessie in Toy Story 3. It's only about a minute long, but entertaining.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-72973444451580921992010-09-28T11:44:00.000-06:002010-09-28T11:44:15.612-06:00

I'll be on In the Market with Janet Parshall September 28 at 5:30pm Eastern time discussing my book The Wisdom of Pixar.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-44321527409934005232010-09-25T23:09:00.000-06:002010-09-25T23:09:22.647-06:00

A new interview with me about my book The Wisdom of Pixar just posted at Christian Video Magazine.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-3659956896697519002010-09-21T22:36:00.000-06:002010-09-21T22:36:23.278-06:00

The Los Angeles Times reports on "Luigi's Roamin' Tires" ride, scheduled to debut at Disney California Adventure in 2012. Luigi, of course, is from Pixar's 2006 movie Cars. Check out the link for more interesting pictures of this ride featuring "levitating" bumper cars.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-64214981234428327522010-09-21T16:31:00.002-06:002010-09-21T16:31:30.528-06:00

Crosswalk has posted an interview with me about The Wisdom of Pixar. Take a look!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-87905740334592128002010-09-18T14:47:00.000-06:002010-09-18T14:47:56.073-06:00

Greg of Pixar Talk posted a nice review of The Wisdom of Pixar, where he writes, in part, "Whether you are a Christian or not, you will find much to love and enjoy about this book. Robert Velarde is certainly not preaching here and his insights into Pixar’s films are valuable." Visit Pixar Talk, a great site, for the full review.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-69504364625722843442010-09-15T21:34:00.002-06:002010-09-15T21:39:33.778-06:00

The Pixar Times is hosting a contest. Win a signed copy of my book The Wisdom of Pixar! The contest ends September 21. To enter visit The Pixar Times and read the rules. Basically, you just need to leave a comment at The Pixar Times stating why Pixar is wise and there will be a random drawing for a winner. Good luck!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-40097918491781926152010-09-14T16:59:00.004-06:002010-09-14T17:01:39.725-06:00

Check out the new trailer for Mater's Tall Tales, out on Blu-ray and DVD November 2!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-19028170701930471202010-09-13T22:40:00.001-06:002010-09-13T22:40:58.052-06:00

Disney press release ... BURBANK, Calif., September 2010 -- They're back! Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios present the critically-acclaimed, global box office smash Toy Story 3, an exciting, heart-warming story filled with humor, adventure and surprises, that reunites America's favorite animated toys, Buzz and Woody, and introduces a whole new set of favorites to

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-63875790374603145142010-09-13T10:19:00.001-06:002010-09-21T22:44:13.229-06:00

Cars contributing screenwriters and Pixarians Kiel Murray and Phil Lorin will be the featured guests on a conference call hosted by Wedgwood Circle on September 22. The call will include a discussion of story and film, hosted by Andy Crouch, author of Culture Making. Details here. UPDATE: I've been invited to participate in this conference call. Fun!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-85630465915671214602010-09-04T18:03:00.000-06:002010-09-04T18:03:57.124-06:00

My interview with The Pixar Podcast is now available. This interview covers a lot of Pixar ground and includes some movie clips, discussion of my book The Wisdom of Pixar, virtue in relation to Pixar, and a whole lot more. Get the podcast! Many thanks to Derrick with The Pixar Podcast for having me on and for asking a lot of excellent questions. It's always fun to be interviewed by someone who

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-46911043935858286112010-09-03T13:54:00.004-06:002010-09-03T14:30:01.280-06:00

In May 2010 news broke that Pixar had canceled its film Newt, originally scheduled for release summer 2011 (now Cars 2 has that slot). In an unusual move, Disney-Pixar has posted artwork from Newt on its Facebook page. Take a look at some amazing images! The Facebook post states: "As most of you already know, 'Newt' is no longer in development at Pixar. However, that doesn't mean we can't share

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-66382886467590178902010-08-29T19:14:00.003-06:002010-08-30T14:51:57.154-06:00

Released just a few days ago, Toy Story 3: Operation Camouflage is a $1.99 USD iTunes app designed to run on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices (this review covers the iPad version). It's a relatively simple game that challenges players to find various objects in different "rooms" featured in Toy Story 3. Sarge is the main character guiding the player through tutorials, as well as the main

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-6773552451800430742010-08-27T15:53:00.006-06:002010-08-27T16:10:15.081-06:00

It's true - Pixar's latest blockbuster is Toy Story 3, which as of today is expected to reach if not surpass $1 billion USD worldwide. While this is exciting news, it's also important to keep in mind that Disney projected in June that the Toy Story franchise could bring in an estimated $2.4 billion in merchandising revenue by the end of their fiscal year (end of September 2010). This means that

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-72761021758597938042010-08-24T15:55:00.001-06:002010-08-24T15:55:13.432-06:00

Check out my guest blog entry on "Pixar and the Parables of Christ."

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-26466761372711298062010-08-04T19:08:00.001-06:002010-08-04T19:08:49.040-06:00

The Christian Manifesto has reviewed my book The Wisdom of Pixar, saying it may be my "best book to date."

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-56506277900480915212010-08-03T15:40:00.001-06:002010-08-03T15:40:51.162-06:00

Here's a link to an interview I had with CBN, recently posted, about my book The Wisdom of Pixar.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-52708108166817237932010-07-27T16:38:00.000-06:002010-07-27T16:39:18.682-06:00

Read about my recent tour of Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California. What an amazing studio!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-64605447924776879392010-07-08T20:08:00.000-06:002010-07-08T20:09:07.175-06:00

See my interview about virtue, Pixar, and my book The Wisdom of Pixar at the United Methodist Reporter.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-14428715193698036932010-07-08T11:48:00.001-06:002010-07-08T11:48:54.236-06:00

Check out my Youth Worker Journal article, "Toy Story and the Search for Friendship," adapted from my new book The Wisdom of Pixar.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-46679979550615006492010-06-24T14:35:00.001-06:002010-06-24T14:35:48.724-06:00

Check out this site for a chance to win a copy of my new book The Wisdom of Pixar. The reviewer writes that the book is "a delightful read for adults, children, students, friends and families who have already enjoyed the wonder and fun of Pixar films." Just leave a comment at the site by July 1 for a chance to win your free copy of The Wisdom of Pixar.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-55764532502853216192010-06-15T11:35:00.002-06:002010-06-15T11:39:21.887-06:00

See my Christianity Today article, "Hope and Imagination," excerpted from my book The Wisdom of Pixar. Hope is one of the theological virtues, while imagination relates to our God-given creativity. Is Pixar's hope and imagination countercultural? I think so.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-58082000932739977982010-06-14T17:44:00.002-06:002010-06-14T17:45:11.996-06:00

Did you miss my recent radio interview on "Studio A" about The Wisdom of Pixar? Here's a link to the audio (13MB mp3 file). We talked about Finding Nemo, Toy Story, The Incredibles, WALL-E, and more!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-83972898286425709412010-06-14T17:44:00.001-06:002010-06-14T17:44:38.558-06:00

Interested in the Kindle version of The Wisdom of Pixar? It's now available. If you don't have a Kindle you can still read the eBook on an iPhone/iPad/iPod touch/BlackBerry/PC/Mac.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-70979788519914294292010-06-08T11:05:00.003-06:002010-06-08T11:10:00.259-06:00

Guess what just arrived on my doorstep? "Ooooh!" Copies of my new book The Wisdom of Pixar. This is the first book to explore spiritual and moral themes in Pixar Animation Studios movies.Order your copy and check out the website for the book!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-37978028714856185152010-06-07T09:55:00.005-06:002010-06-07T10:02:11.477-06:00

I recently saw the movie trailer for Predators, due out in July. I mentioned to my teenager that it would be funny to do a mash-up of a Toy Story 3 movie trailer and Predators, so he decided to take on the project. Here's a link to Predator Story. No, this is not at all what Pixar had in mind!

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-5598890661818335002010-06-03T23:02:00.001-06:002010-06-03T23:02:54.247-06:00

Listen to my June 3, 2010 interview on "Issues, Etc." about my new book The Wisdom of Pixar. We discussed several Pixar Animation Studios movies including Up, The Incredibles, Cars, WALL-E, and Finding Nemo.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-51202773946699720802010-05-24T17:43:00.001-06:002010-05-24T17:45:05.679-06:00

"Velarde offers a thoughtful perspective on Christian principles as presented in some of the most popular animated films in recent years ... draws sensible conclusions and connections between the Christian life and many Pixar characters and plotlines." -Christian Retailing

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-40011612684287506512010-05-20T13:47:00.001-06:002010-05-20T13:49:46.274-06:00

Are you following The Wisdom of Pixar on Twitter? It's easy. Just follow @wisdomofpixar or visit the Twitter page for the book here.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-14021551081588530112010-04-21T19:18:00.001-06:002010-04-21T19:18:54.477-06:00

Anger, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, and sloth, all in Pixar Animation Studios movies? Check out my article, "Pixar and the Seven Deadly Sins" to read about the flipside to my new book, The Wisdom of Pixar: An Animated Look at Virtue.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-61698342059676095112010-03-26T17:21:00.002-06:002010-03-26T17:23:20.576-06:00

Check out the website for The Wisdom of Pixar.

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-90465425413579716282010-03-05T09:45:00.002-07:002010-03-05T09:46:07.074-07:00

My new book, The Wisdom of Pixar: An Animated Look at Virtue, is due out in June, just in time for the release of Pixar's new movie, Toy Story 3. The first book of its kind to address virtue in Pixar films, The Wisdom of Pixar is available for pre-order for only $12.00.You've seen Up, Ratatouille, WALL-E, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and other Pixar movies. Now you can dig deeper into the moral

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533960399665514117.post-71371373591905433532010-01-12T21:47:00.000-07:002010-01-12T21:57:04.122-07:00

This blog is about Pixar and the book The Wisdom of Pixar: An Animated Look at Virtue by Robert Velarde (InterVarsity Press, June 2010). To see my regular blog visit A Reasonable Imagination.The Wisdom of Pixar covers all Pixar films released to date, addressing a variety of topics such as friendship, justice, courage, love, humor, ambition, identity, and more. Each main chapter emphasizes a key

Robert Velardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03665635776181855486noreply@blogger.com0