Disney Pixar Cars - Pixar's 2009 Oscar Nominees, Plus a Look at Cars Cast, Crew, and Their Oscars

It is Hollywood's Big Day...The Oscars will be awarded this evening! Our perennial favorite Pixar, has been nominated for both Best Animated Feature Film with "Wall•E," and Best Short Film (Animated) with "Presto!"

"Wall•E" goes up against Dreamworks "Kung Fu Panda," and Disney's other nominee "Bolt," for Best Animated Feature Film! "Wall•E" took home the Golden Globe already this year, and LIVE RESULT: "Wall•E" took home the Oscar as well!

"Presto" goes up against four other nominees..."La Maison En Petits Cubes," "Lavatory - Lovestory," the short I think could beat "Presto," called "Oktapodi," and "This Way Up" for Best Short Film (Animated)! LIVE RESULT: "La Maison En Petits Cubes" took home the Oscar. A funny moment as the Japanese creator said, "Domo Origato, Mister Roboto!"

I also thought a look at the Cast and Crew of Disney Pixar's "Cars" would be a fun thing to do today. You may be surprised at who has been nominated and who has won an Oscar!

John Lasseter has been nominated for an Oscar five times. His only win was for "Tin Toy" as Best Short Film, Animated. He was also awarded a Special Achievement Oscar for the groundbreaking "Toy Story" in 1996! I think he should have won for "Cars" in 2007, instead of those stupid Penguins from "Happy Feet!"

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2007	Nominated	Oscar	Best Animated Feature Film of the Year for: Cars (2006)
2002	Nominated	Oscar	Best Animated Feature for: Monsters, Inc. (2001) Shared with: Pete Docter
1996	Won	Special Achievement Award	for: Toy Story (1995) For the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film.
	Nominated	Oscar	Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for: Toy Story (1995) Shared with: Joss Whedon (screenplay) Andrew Stanton (screenplay/story) Joel Cohen (screenplay) Alec Sokolow (screenplay) Pete Docter (story) Joe Ranft (story)
1989	Won	Oscar	Best Short Film, Animated for: Tin Toy (1988) Shared with: William Reeves
1987	Nominated	Oscar	Best Short Film, Animated for: Luxo Jr. (1986) Shared with: William Reeves

Owen Wilson's alter ego didn't get him an Oscar Nomination. Instead, he got one for co-writing "The Royal Tenenbaums!"

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2002	Nominated	Oscar	Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) Shared with: Wes Anderson

We were all sad to hear of Paul Newman's passing. He was nominated for an Oscar ten times! He only won once for his role in "The Color of Money," in 1987! We all wonder if Doc will be featured in "Cars 2, The Global Race."

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2003	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Supporting Role for: Road to Perdition (2002)
1995	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Nobody's Fool (1994)
1994	-	Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
1987	Won	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: The Color of Money (1986) Paul Newman was not present at the awards ceremony. Robert Wise accepted the award on his behalf.
1986	-	Honorary Award	In recognition of his many and memorable and compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft. Paul Newman was not present at the awards ceremony. He gave his acceptance speech via satellite from Chicago.
1983	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: The Verdict (1982)
1982	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Absence of Malice (1981)
1969	Nominated	Oscar	Best Picture for: Rachel, Rachel (1968)
1968	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Cool Hand Luke (1967)
1964	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Hud (1963)
1962	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: The Hustler (1961)
1959	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Joe Ranft was mostly known for voicing Heimlich from "Bug's Life!" Joe was a creative force at Pixar and was nominated for an Oscar for "Toy Story!"

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
1996	Nominated	Oscar	Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for: Toy Story (1995) Shared with: Joss Whedon (screenplay) Andrew Stanton (screenplay/story) Joel Cohen (screenplay) Alec Sokolow (screenplay) John Lasseter (story) Pete Docter (story)

Bet you didn't know our favorite rusty car Fred, was voiced by "Wall•E" director Andrew Stanton! Tonight, Andrew was nominated for his fifth Oscar. Andrew previously won once for directing "Finding Nemo!" LIVE RESULT: Congrats Andrew on your second Oscar for the Best Animated Feature Film with "Wall•E!"

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2009	Nominated	Oscar	Best Animated Feature Film of the Year for: WALL·E (2008)
			Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for: WALL·E (2008) Shared with: Jim Reardon (screenplay) Pete Docter (story)
2004	Won	Oscar	Best Animated Feature for: Finding Nemo (2003)
	Nominated	Oscar	Best Writing, Original Screenplay for: Finding Nemo (2003) Shared with: Bob Peterson (screenplay) David Reynolds (screenplay)
1996	Nominated	Oscar	Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for: Toy Story (1995) Shared with: Joss Whedon (screenplay) Joel Cohen (screenplay) Alec Sokolow (screenplay) John Lasseter (story) Pete Docter (story) Joe Ranft (story)

Cameos can bring in "Big" names like Tom Hanks, who's been nominated for an Oscar five times. He struck Oscar gold back to back for his performances in "Philadelphia" in 1994, and "Forrest Gump" in 1995! Tom will be reprising his role as Woody, in "Toy Story 3" coming out in 2010!

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2001	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Cast Away (2000)
1999	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Saving Private Ryan (1998)
1995	Won	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Forrest Gump (1994)
1994	Won	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Philadelphia (1993)
1989	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actor in a Leading Role for: Big (1988)

I hope you enjoyed this look at the Cast and Crew of "Cars," and their connections to Oscar! I certainly learned a bit more about them I didn't know. You can click on the many film titles to read and explore more. Maybe "Cars 2" will be nominated, and win Best Animated Feature Film of 2013!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Todd The Pizza Planet Truck In Ratatouille & Wall•E

When I wrote my initial article about Todd the Pizza Planet Truck, I only covered his appearances up through Cars. I figured it was time to update our cameo driven star's last two films...Ratatouille and Wall•E! It is interesting how the directors chose to put him in each film. Brad Bird made him tough to find by having him drive over a bridge in the distance while we focused on Skinner chasing Remy on a scooter. Andrew Stanton put Todd square in our face as Eve scanned the Earth for plant life!

Todd drives over a French bridge in the background in Ratatouille


Todd looks a bit "Trashed" as Eve scans Earth for plant life in Wall•E

It is cool how Todd has been, and will be, in every Pixar feature. Where will he appear in "Up?" You can count on me to let you know! I wonder if we'll see the die cast version of Todd by the time "Up" comes out on May 29th next year. Will Pete Doctor make him easy to find? I'm guessing we may see him from above as Carl Fredrickson's (Ed Asner as Carl) house floats over the city. Can't wait to see it and look for Todd!

Coming Next...A Piece of Pixar History (When I dig it out & photograph it)!

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Disney Pixar Cars - The Pixar Story by Leslie Iwerks

I just watched Wall•E's Disc 2 feature, "The Pixar Story" by Leslie Iwerks, and it is SUPREMELY INSPIRING! It compelled me to write this article to tell you that this one story alone, makes purchasing the Wall•E 3-DISC Special Edition a MUST!! If you've been a fan of Pixar, John Lasseter, and Steve Jobs, you'll be highly inspired by their passion and triumph in building the animation power house that produced Cars!

The piece documents everything from John's time at CalArts, to his being fired because he was ahead of his time in seeing the potential of computer animation. It endears you to Ed Catmul, who is now head of Disney/Pixar Animation. It takes you on his journey from a being a fan of animation, to working with George Lucas, to being the head of Pixar, and culminating with his position at Disney today! It shows how critical Steve Jobs was in making key entrepreneurial decisions that would move the fledgling company along, and allow the team to do what it had to in order to succeed! You see Joe Ranft and Pete Doctor, Andrew Stanton and Brad Bird, and learn more about them! You are taken through time from the shorts to Cars. It is a superb story by Leslie Iwerks that I bet you'll watch over and over again!

I've been fortunate to meet and talk to John Lasseter and Joe Ranft. I asked Pete Doctor about UP at a press conference at Comic-Con this year! I hope someday soon I'll meet Ed Catmul and Steve Jobs! Maybe get a chance to sit down and chat with Andrew Stanton and Brad Bird some time! I share a passion for what they do, and how they do it! If you want to be inspired, buy Wall•E's 3-DISC Special Edition, pop in Disc 2, and watch "The Pixar Story!!" All I could do was smile, cheer, and shed a tear of happiness for their progress and triumphant success! I hope it touches you in the same way!

http://www.CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com