Over on our sister site, ColdHardFlash, we featured some Flash-animated cut-scenes from Epic Mickey, the new video game coming in December 2010. But the real story there is the CG work. Check out this intro cinematic for the game, which was produced by Junction Point Studios.

I’m still cautious about falling for Tangled (in theaters November 24, 2010), what with the director change, the name change and the general goofiness of the whole thing. Not that I don’t like goofy, but it all feels a bit like an after school special to me. However, the Walt Disney Animation team sure know how to dress up a feature. It looks familiar, while quite stunning all at the same time. Painterly, but full of the depth that you can only get with CG.

In this featurette below, titled A Tangled World: Creating the Look, we hear from directors Bryon Howard and Nathan Greno, production designer Doug Rogers, art director Dave Goetz and visual development artist Victoria Ying.

The latest installment of Disney/Pixar’s Cars Toons series premieres on Disney Channel on July 30th. Monster Truck Mater merges two of the most manly sporting events into one – monster truck racing and professional wrestling. John Lasseter directed the short, with Rob Gibbs co-directing. This surely isn’t the last of the Cars world coming your way – with more Cars Toons on tap and Cars 2 coming to theaters on June 24, 2011. Here’s a clip from Monster Truck Mater.

Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3 hauled in a big toy chest full of cash this weekend. Estimated at $109 million, it was 10th biggest opening weekend in US history, and the 2nd highest for animated film, behind only Shrek the Third. And with a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear that this will be a rare double-whammy – a critically-lauded film that hits it big at the box office.

But not all critics fell in love with the film, and the two dissenting opinions are from Armond White at the New York Press (who didn’t like WALL-e or Up either) and Cole Smithey, the self-appointed “Smartest Film Critic in the World.” It’s a curiosity more than anything, but I find it interesting to inspect why this 1% falls outside the norm. Here’s what they said:

Armond White – 2.5 stars out of 5
“…a bored game that only the brainwashed will buy into.”
“…humor depends on the recognition of worn-out toys.”
“…it’s for non-thinking children and adults.”

Cole Smithey – 2 stars out of of 5
“…inappropriately cruel.”
“…too intense for younger children.”
“…Wrongheaded and overtly mature for young audiences.”

*** UPDATE ***
I probably should have hinted at my side on this issue. I’m merely fanning the flames, as any blogger worth his weight would do, but I surely support any critic’s right to bash whatever they want when the want. I’m more interested here in the way Pixar’s rabid fans aren’t having any of it. It speaks to something that might go beyond just “fandom” into something more holy.

Also, read Smithey’s reply to the fur that’s flown over the issue.

A collection of the late Jules Engel’s films was released on DVD last year, and accompanying the shorts was a documentary about the man himself. The artist, who is know for his work on Fantasia and Bambi, discusses his first experiences at school, and his memories of Walt Disney. He also discusses his philosophy behind the CalArts Experimental Animation program, which he founded in 1969. Here is the full documentary, titled Jules Engel: An Artist For All Seasons, which was directed by Janeann Dill.

There’s hundreds of new toys in Toy Story 3, and in this featurette below, we meet some of the actors who have stepped into their animated shoes. The film is in theaters this Friday!

I’m not so sure this whole Tangled thing is gonna work out. I hope I’m wrong, but the name change (from Rapunzel) won’t make this feature any more palatable to a wide audience. Plus, it feels thin throughout, and while the modeling, hair and animation are all top notch, the whole project feels like an animated dream sequence from Hannah Montana. What’s your take?