With the holidays around the corner comes the realization that awards season is rapidly approaching, which has studios scrambling to keep their films on voters’ minds. The most common approach for that is for studios to publish ‘For Your Consideration’ ads, which gently remind potential voters that their films should be in the running. Pixar’s Brave, which will likely be seriously considered for nominations in the animated feature and music categories, recently saw its first ‘FYC’ ad pblished and you can see it after the break!
More ‘Brave’ Easter Eggs – A113, The Late Joe Ranft
Pixar films are renowned for their compelling characters as well as their gorgeous animation. The studio is also known to have a bit of fun, hiding “easter eggs” in hard-to-find places that can often only be found on repeat viewings. In Brave, the latest film from the animation powerhouse, audiences quickly found two hidden references that we have come to expect in all of its feature films – the Pizza Planet truck and a nod to the next film down the line (in this case, Monsters University). However, the A113 code that has appeared in every one of Pixar’s feature films has proven to be elusive – until now, that is. Take a look at the find after the break!
‘Brave’ Expanding To Wide Release For Labor Day Weekend
Domestically, Brave has already grossed well over $200 million, placing it around the middle of Pixar’s films when ranked by box office. Internationally, the film has taken in a total of about $450 million, continuing the worldwide success that the animation studio has enjoyed. The film’s theatrical release in North America was beginning to come to an end, playing in just 450 theaters last weekend, but Disney has announced that it will send Brave back into wide release for one weekend only.
‘Brave’ Blu-ray/DVD Special Features Include All-New Short
Aside from the increase in video and audio quality, the jump from VHS to DVD was amazing for its focus on providing special behind-the-scenes features that are now considered customary. Actually, special features have become expected to the point that when they are missing, the box set is dubbed as shallow. Blu-ray discs have the potential for much more with their exponential increase in storage space and Disney and Pixar seem to be taking advantage of that, as Brave on Blu-ray has over 20 special features, including a brand new short that gives us more of the demon bear Mor’du. Find a complete listing after the break!
‘Brave’ Crosses $200 Million Mark At The Box Office
Pixar films have a phenomenally consistent record at the box office, averaging well over $200 million in North America alone. Before last week, nine of the previously released 12 films from the animation studio had settled at a number larger than $200 million. Brave has followed in the footsteps of those films and just last week joined them, crossing the mark last Wednesday. Factoring in the film’s gross from this weekend, it climbed the chart of Pixar films to become the ninth biggest (domestically) from the studio. [Read more…]
‘Brave’ Stays Strong In Third Weekend, Closing In On $200 Million
More than sheer spectacle is necessary if a film is to maintain some strength throughout its box office run. If it suffers from bad word-of-mouth, odds are that the numbers will experience percentage drops of more than 50% in subsequent weekends. More often than not, Pixar films have stayed strong in their third and fourth weekends and beyond, making the Pixar brand extremely bankable. Pixar’s Brave grossed an estimated $20 million in its third weekend, which now has it closing in upon the $200 million mark. [Read more…]
‘Brave’ Easter Eggs – Pizza Planet Truck, Sulley From ‘Monsters University’
Aside from the fun of enjoying a new Pixar film every year, fans have grown accustomed to hunting down easter eggs hidden by Pixar employees. After its debut in Toy Story, the Pizza Planet Truck has appeared in every Pixar film, aside from The Incredibles. Additionally, we are regularly provided with a hint of a character from the studio’s next film. With Brave seeing release on June 22, many fans have found some of the cleverly hidden easter eggs. After the break, check out hi-res images showing where these gems are hidden! [Read more…]
Actress Kelly Macdonald On Voicing Merida In ‘Brave’ And Its Video Game
Great acting means that viewers forget that they are watching an actor or actress playing a role – the actor fully becomes the character. In Brave, actress Kelly Macdonald voices the main character, Merida, and does a beautiful job at convincing us we are watching the journey of a teenager trying to connect with her mother. With Brave now playing in North America (and starting to expand to theaters around the world) and its video game adaptation available, Macdonald spoke about voicing the fiery redhead for the screen as well as the game console. Watch the video in HD after the break! [Read more…]
‘Brave’ Adds Estimated $34 Million In Its Second Weekend
Box office success depends on more than the opening weekend, as those who are the most excited to see a film will go see it as early as they can. The real challenge for studios is bringing in the audience that is on the fence – a good film will usually accomplish that with the circulation of positive word-of-mouth. Last weekend, Brave took in over $66 million, and many box office analysts expected it to hold rather well in its second weekend, with two R-rated films opening. While it did not maintain the number one spot, Pixar’s latest was still up to the challenge and brought home an estimated $34 million. After the break, we take a closer look at how Brave is holding up against its Pixar brethren. [Read more…]
PixArt Salutes The Pixar Heroine – Batch 4
What an incredible month of PixArt it has been! We are back with our final post featuring art honoring Pixar’s female characters. Pixar fans – not to mention fans of this blog in particular – are the best, and we’ve got the art to prove it. Check out this last batch of talented tributes, which contains 12 pieces of artwork! Make sure to check out their personal websites for more art. Our thanks this week to Jay Rogers, Martin Gee, Virginie Taravel, Dave Mott, Jenelle Huddleston, Elizabeth Duncan, Chavah Billin, Chris Kennett, Ciara Panacchia, Jonathan Jimison, Jon Lousie Paramel and Cat Oshiro. [Read more…]
