ORLANDO, Fla. — If there's ever been a summer to visit a theme park — or two, or three — this is it.

If you had told me a month ago that my Oscar predictions would look anything like this, I probably would have advised you to go do a little more research. “Argo” poised for the Best Picture win sans a Best Director nod? Unthinkable. Emmanuelle Riva and Naomi Watts as viable Best Actress contenders against youthful powerhouses like Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain? You’re pulling my leg.

After completing a full-length, shot-for-shot, live action version of Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story last summer, two young East Valley filmmakers have released the video on YouTube.

“That movie would have been infinitely better if it had been shown in 3-D.” I cannot speak for the rest of the movie going population, but this is one sentence I will never utter walking out of a cineplex. That is not to say 3-D technology is completely expendable. With the right movie, 3-D can be effectively exploited and have an enriching impact on a cinematic experience. In a majority of cases though, 3-D merely acts as a shameful method for the studio to increase the ticket price. Some people buy into the assumption that 3-D makes a movie appear more realistic and integrates the audience into the action. When not properly executed, however, 3-D can have dark, dreary and distracting consequences on a film originally shot in 2-D. In that sense, 3-D not only robs the audience of an extra $3, but also takes them out of the motion picture.

“That movie would have been infinitely better if it had been shown in 3D.” I cannot speak for the rest of the moviegoing population, but this is one sentence I will never utter walking out of a Cineplex.

Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph” is like the love child of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and “TRON.” Where “Roger Rabbit” brought together a collection of classic toons such as Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny, “Wreck-It Ralph” assembles a roster of video game characters that includes Sonic the Hedgehog and Q*Bert.

‘Wreck-It Ralph’

Guided by executive producer John Lasseter, Walt Disney Animation Studios has clearly devoted significant resources and talent to "Wreck-It Ralph," recruiting a top-notch cast and a diverse array of animation, visual effects and lighting artists to contribute to the distinct and varied vid-game styles. With a mix of retro eye-candy for grown-ups and a thrilling, approachable storyline for the tykes, the film casts a wide and beguiling net.

Visiting Pixar Animation Studios in Northern California has been a longtime dream of two young filmmakers from the East Valley.

After over two years of production, the entire Toy Story in live action is now complete! In this video we explain that we can't simply post it online because even our version of the movie technically belongs to Disney and Pixar. What we want to do is bring it to Pixar studios to show everyone there and get some kind of "Okay" to show it other places too. If YOU are someone who could let us into the studio, please get in touch with us! Check out these links for more! http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0636DA05C095B175 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Live-Action-Toy-Story-Project/176760992394118 https://twitter.com/RealiveToyStory Let us know what you thought of the trailer in the comments too!

After last fall's gargantuan success of “The Lion King 3D” (which topped the domestic box office its opening weekend and went on to make over $175 million worldwide), Disney naturally lunged at the chance to convert more of its classic titles to 3D.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - By adding Cars Land, Disney California Adventure continues its evolution into Pixar Park. And that's a good thing.

It feels as if I already critiqued “Ice Age: Continental Drift” a few weeks ago in my review of “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” Like that animated sequel, this film is burdened with the excessively recognizable voices of celebrities, overdone morals, and a dire amount of repetition. Granted, “Ice Age” has persisted to be a much funnier, more charming franchise than “Madagascar.” After four films and countless millions though, it may be time for this 10-year-old series to go extinct.

The "Ice Age" films, which now number four, might have a prehistoric setting like the Flintstones, but their cartoon world is much closer to Wile E. Coyote.

More than 10 years after the first movie hit theaters, the arrival of “Ice Age: Continental Drift” will hopefully mark the extinction of a worn-out franchise. This “fourquel” may be brief and slightly comical to youngsters, but “Continental Drift” is a frequently tedious ride through uninspired territory.

It feels as if I already critiqued “Ice Age: Continental Drift” a few weeks ago in my review of “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” Like that animated sequel, this film is burdened with the excessively recognizable voices of celebrities, overdone morals, and a dire amount of repetition.

“Brave” is Pixar’s first feature with a strong female character at its center. And while it’s not among the animation powerhouse’s best films from a storytelling perspective, it is undeniably beautiful. Among its more appealing visual elements is the wild mane of long, red curls on the head of Scottish princess Merida.

“Brave” is Pixar’s first feature with a strong female character at its center. And while it’s not among the animation powerhouse’s best films from a storytelling perspective, it is undeniably beautiful. Among its more appealing visual elements is the wild mane of long, red curls on the head of Scottish princess Merida.

When Pixar was given the opportunity to make a feature-length animation in the early ’90s, they strived to distinguish themselves from Disney by not telling a fairytale. The studio has maintained this custom for almost two decades with unique stories about monsters, toys, superheroes, and so on. Among all the Pixar films, “Brave” is certainly the most loyal to the Disney fairytale formula. The movie comes equipped with several familiar themes, such as a princess who wants more, a disapproving parent, and witchcraft. It’s interesting to see Pixar tackle a more Disney-like story and for the most part “Brave” is executed quite nicely.