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After over 4 years of bringing our readers insights and news related to Pixar Animation Studios (the greatest film studio in the world today), Chad and I have decided to hang up our blogging hats and bring Luxo to a close. When we started Luxo in May 2004, it was with the intent to harness our admiration for the creative spirit that the Pixar team infuses into each and every one of its works and s...

The future looks golden (like a sunny summer day) for Partly Cloudy!

Of course, I’m making a reference to a certain golden statuette that Pixar’s latest theatrical short will possibly be in the running for. Yup, that means the Best Animated Short Film Oscar category has been shortlisted and, as usual, Pixar is being considered.

Partly Cloudy is among nine other short ‘toons which were selected...

Tonight, Cars Toons is back with an intergalactic bang!

Unidentified Flying Mater, part of Mater’s Tall Tales, follows the rusty-but-trusty tow truck as he encounters and quickly befriends a UFO named Mator. Radiator Springs’ go-to-guy enlists the help of McQueen when their space friend is captured by the military!

Catch the brand new short, directed by John Lasseter and Rob Gibbs, at or around...

Details about Pixar’s upcoming studio have been on the down low since its surprise announcement back in May.

Dubbed Pixar Canada (logo to the right), the new production facility will release short films based on Pixar’s "legacy franchises" like Toy Story and Cars. The Vancouver, BC satellite, headed by Ratatouille supervising animator Dylan Brown, has just started hiring and will reportedly launc...

What’s "Up" with the storyboarded short film, George & A.J., that was (unfairly) only available as an iTunes exclusive?

Well, now this Josh Cooley directed vignette can be seen by everyone on Disney•Pixar’s official Facebook fanpage! George & A.J. is laugh-out-loud hilarious and certainly well thought out as it expands on the film’s background story. It’s too bad that this short wasn’t a part of ...

Remember The Little Cars, What’s Up? or Ratatoing, those bizarre Pixar knock-offs which got major attention for being so unintentionally hilarious?

Well here’s a change of pace. Instead of totally ripping an idea straight out of a Pixar trailer and butchering it to death, someone was out to literally mimic one of the studio’s final products. At least that’s what was recently attempted with Pixar’...

Up’s brave ‘For Your Consideration‘ campaign has got people asking, what does it take to go up?

I mean, up the awards ranks, especially in a year where the odds are all for Pixar’s 10th film. The Hollywood Reporter took that question and showed us a whole new side of Pete Docter’s production in the magazine’s latest Anatomy of a Contender piece. The little known stories and original perspectives ...

Carl Fredricksen has been gracing some pretty exciting covers lately, first it was Hear the World and now Variety!

This full cover page ad serves to raise awareness of Disney•Pixar’s campaign to get Up… up there with the Best Picture giants. Of course, a highly popular trade paper like Daily Variety (Friday issue too!) is the perfect place to do so, and it looks gorgeous!

Notice that Up’s Oscar ...

I’m a big fan of past formation arts featuring Pixar characters and wondered if we’d ever see any based on the studio’s latest pics.

Well, have no fear, Square-Enix (Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts series) is here with the Disney•Pixar set, part of the Disney Formation Arts line! Basically, they’re 3D scenes capturing the essence of a particular franchise… in toy form. This set (numbers 16-20 in...

For the first time since 2002 the Best Animated Feature Oscar category could have 5 nominees instead of the usual 3!

This is because a record 20 animated features have been submitted for consideration in a prolific year for the medium. If 16 or more qualify, 5 slots will be open creating much excitement and tension for fans of animation at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. I, for one, am extremely ...

With the latest major update to Apple’s music downloading software came iTunes Extras, a little incentive to download movies for exclusive content. As expected, Up has joined the party.

Besides the cool iTunes Extras menu, this release of Up has another feature not found on Blu-ray or DVD! It’s a brand new short film titled George & A.J. which follows the two Shady Oaks caretakers in their contin...

I’m sure you guys are enjoying your brand new copies of Up on Blu-ray and DVD, but let’s take a short break to examine some Pixar tidbits on my radar.

Lee Unkrich’s Tweet-a-thon Q&A: Many of you have been wondering if characters like Bo Peep will back for Toy Story 3 and still have other big questions left unanswered… until now. On Sunday, Lee Unkrich answered all that and more! He said he’d ans...

November 10th has proven to be a very important date for Pixar fans this year.

In stores today you’ll find 5 brand new releases from the Lamp. Below I’ve compiled a shopping guide for your convenience:

Up on Blu-ray/DVD: This is easily the most anticipated release from Pixar this year, and all for good reason, check out my review to see why. Directed by Pete Docter, Up will be available in three variations, 4-Disc Blu-ray, 2-Disc DVD and 1-Disc DVD. The best value has got to be the 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack which includes exclusive content you can’t find anywhere else. When buying this new release check for any promotions the store is having and look at all the flyers inside for Disney Movie Rewards and more exciting Up offers. Note that all releases include the standard DVD with Dug’s Special Mission, Partly Cloudy, commentary and minimal featurettes. This release is not to be missed by fans!
SRP: $45.99 Best Price: $19.99 Amazon Digital Download: iTunes

Monsters, Inc. on Blu-ray: Both of Pete Docter’s films will be in the spotlight today as they are newly released on home video. The digital files of Pixar’s 2001 classic, Monsters, Inc., are uncompressed for maximum viewing pleasure. Included in the discs are the Filmmaker’s Roundtable (filmed at Hidden City Cafe), a brand new game, and a look into Japan’s MI ride. Also included is a digital copy and the original DVD release of the film. If you haven’t already, give my review a looksie.
SRP: $40.99 Best Price: $22.99 Amazon

Luxo Jr. Premium Pack: If you want to own a piece of the big Disney/Luxo conflict, you’re in luck. It seems as though the Disney Store is still carrying this controversial set. Included in the package is a replica Luxo Jr. (not made by Luxo ASA) and the Up 4-Disc Blu-ray. The Luxo Jr. Premium Pack will only be available for a limited time so order as soon as possible. It may be your only chance to have a physical Luxo Jr. to match the one in Pixar’s famous intro.
SRP: $199.99 Best Price: $199.99 Disney Store

Cars Blu-ray Ultimate Gift Pack: For the biggest Cars fans out there! This brand new set includes the previously released Cars Blu-ray now packaged with a DVD and two exclusive die-cast cars. It’s the perfect holiday gift for your resident Cars fanatic since it’s packaged with many aspects of The World of Cars franchise.
SRP: $49.99 Best Price: $31.49 Amazon

The Pixar Treasures: Tim Hauser’s (The Art of WALL•E) latest book, The Pixar Treasures, compiles tons of goodies from the world of Pixar. Notable examples include sketches from Pixarians, wrap party invitations and rare photographs. This 64-page coffee table book showcases the history and legacy of Pixar in a new and fresh way!
SRP: $60.00 Best Price: $37.80 Amazon

Happy shopping! Please tell us what you bought and how you liked it below.

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As early as mid-last year, we’ve been getting some implicit hints pointing to a sequel in the dearly beloved world of Pixar’s 2001 hit Monsters, Inc.

Turns out MI2 isn’t exactly happening. At least, not under Pete Docter’s watch for now. Good news is, Doc’s got a new puppy in early development according to his latest interview with New York Magazine.

It’s a bittersweet announcement mostly becaus...

Every time the studio has a new release, Pixar is continuously and rightfully praised for its outstanding films. Many times they’re even considered the best pictures of their respective years.

Even though these opinions are held high by the majority of film aficionados, movies like WALL•E and Ratatouille never seem to end up in the Best Picture category at the Oscars. Today, an animated film like...

As you’re aware, Dug’s Special Mission is coming very soon. But did you know that there’s already a possibility for more Up shorts?

At least, that’s according to director Ronnie del Carmen in his latest interview. Animation Magazine talked to del Carmen about his story work on Up and his brand new, hilarious short starring the loveable mutt!

Del Carmen explains that Special Mission is told in Du...

Note: I’m late! I’m late! No you didn’t miss this post earlier, I have bumped it down to reflect the correct date.

It’s incredible how time flies. "Incredibles", I should say, as it’s The Incredibles‘ 5th anniversary!! In this post I’ll look back at some of the achievements and highlights of Pixar’s 6th film!

The Incredibles is regarded by many as one of the best (if not the best) animated films...

A few months back we were all surprised by Luxo AS’s lawsuit over Disney/Pixar’s new uses of it’s iconic mascot, and more importantly, what would come of this court case.

According to The Hollywood Reporter’s Esq., both companies came to an "amicable settlement" over the conflict. It almost plays out like a custody case determining who has rights to Jr. The mess all started when Disney decided to manufacture and sell Luxo Jr. lamps packaged with the Up Blu-ray. Understandably, the lamp manufacturing giant didn’t take a liking to this move citing that such products would shed their company’s promise of quality in bad light, no pun intended.

With this settlement’s wording, it is not clear if we’ll still see a consumer version of Pixar’s mascot even though a pre-order is still available at Disney Store. On the other hand, we can be sure that Luxo Jr. will still hop into Pixar’s logo before every film. Luxo has agreed that they have no problem with "artistic depictions" of their lamps just like they said back in 1986. No one has to worry that John Lasseter’s inspired caricature may have to suffer a horribly hilarious fate as depicted by College Humor!!

I’m glad both Disney and Luxo AS could come to such an agreement, shows they’re not in it to cheat each other out of their money.

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As many fans are aware by now, Fenton’s Creamery which was featured in Up is a real life business located in the Bay Area just like Pixar!

In Pete Docter’s latest, you’ll remember Fenton’s plays a small but emotionally significant role in the plot. Now you too can have an "Up" moment with The Spirit of Adventure Sundae served for one night only at the legendary ice cream parlor!

Of course, this...

Note: This is not meant to be a DreamWorks Animation hate thread so please be respectful with your opinions in the comments section.

Yahoo! Movies has released a very interesting analysis of the big Pixar versus DreamWorks Animation debate. You may remember this very goal was attempted earlier in 2009 through an… interestingly accurate cartoon.

Anyway, the findings show that as a studio, Pixar ...

It seems almost impossible for someone to walk down a store isle and not notice the eye-catching packaging of Monsters, Inc. on Blu-ray.

But as you know, what’s inside this holofoiled release is what really counts! Fortunately, fans won’t be complaining after getting their hands on the 4-Disc release of Pixar’s 2001 classic which looks and sounds better than ever! The set includes 2 Blu-rays, the...

So I just updated my review of the (amazing) Up Blu-ray — but what else is going on in the Up universe?

What Are Up’s Chances at the Oscars?: In the following interview, The Wrap’s Oscar-ologist predicts Up will be a strong contender for the coveted Best Picture nom. This isn’t a farfetched claim considering earlier this year it was announced that the category would allow 10 spots to be filled. A...

I recently received my preview copy of Up on Blu-ray and I just have to say it’s a definite must-have set for every Pixar fan!

If you saw Up in theatres and read my review from back in May, you already know what I thought of the film. It’s simply a masterpiece and the home video only further reinforces this fact! From the time you see the handsome packaging, your curiosty will sky rocket.

Al...

As the Toy Story double feature starts losing momentum in US theatres (more on that later) Toy Story 3 marketing is quickly creeping up from behind.

Toy Story.com has no small part in this shift between films. They’ve updated for the third installment in Pixar’s mega-popular franchise! New additions to the site are simple (so far) but a nice treat.

The updated home page includes characters that...

Have you ever thought of watching every single Pixar flick back to back, have you actually attempted it?

Well this next marathon isn’t as extreme but it’s equally as exciting! As part of their annual 25 Days of Christmas, ABC Family will be playing Walt Disney Pictures Presents Pixar Short Films, a collection of 20 Pixar shorts back to back!

Programming includes 15 shorts in the official Pixar c...