Here is our photo gallery from this year’s D23 Expo, which took place from August 9 to 11, 2013 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.
Author - Jerry Paxton
While at today’s Scare LA convention in Los Angeles, CA, Halloween Horror Nights unveiled their next maze in the 2013 Horror Nights’ lineup to be Insidious: Into the Further, based on the Insidious films. Check out the announcement video released today, below:
BURBANK, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2013) — The Walt Disney Studios unveiled new details about its upcoming animation slate this morning at the D23 Expo, showcasing new imagery, signature music and behind-the-scenes stories surrounding the roster of upcoming animated adventures. The presentation included information about the just-announced feature film “Zootopia” (working title)from Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the newest film in Disneytoon Studios’ Disney Fairies franchise, plus never-before-shared voice cast announcements for upcoming Disney•Pixar titles that include Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Neil Patrick Harris and Diane Keaton, among a host of others.
“It’s a fantastic, exciting time for animation at Disney and Pixar,” said John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. “The filmmakers at our three studios are so talented—their films are all so touching and beautiful, but so different. I am truly excited to share these films with everyone.”
· Lasseter surprised fans with a screening of the first 10 minutes of Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story OF TERROR!” The D23 Expo audience was the first ever to see footage from the spooky new 30-minute special that features favorite characters from the “Toy Story” films. What starts out as a fun road trip for the “Toy Story” gang takes an unexpected turn for the worse when the trip detours to a roadside motel. After one of the toys goes missing, the others find themselves caught up in a mysterious sequence of events that must be solved before they all suffer the same fate in this “Toy Story OF TERROR!” From director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman, “Toy Story OF TERROR!” premieres on ABC Oct. 16, 2013.
· Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen,” directed by Chris Buck (“Tarzan”) and Jennifer Lee (“Wreck-It Ralph”- screenplay by), and produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Winnie the Pooh,” “The Princess and the Frog”), shared never-before-seen film footage, introduced by “Frozen” stars Kristen Bell, voice of Anna, and Josh Gad, voice of Olaf. Fans were also treated to a show-stopping live performance of the film’s powerful new song “Let It Go,” sung by Broadway’s Tony® Award-winner Idina Menzel, who provides the voice of Elsa in the film.
In “Frozen,” fearless optimist Anna (voice of Bell) teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey, encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Gad) in a race to find Anna’s sister Elsa (voice of Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. In theaters Nov. 27, 2013.
· “Get A Horse!” made its U.S. premiere at the D23 Expo. Featuring Walt Disney himself as the voice of Mickey Mouse, this black-and-white, hand-drawn theatrical short follows Mickey, his favorite gal pal Minnie Mouse and their friends Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow as they delight in a musical haywagon ride—until Peg-Leg Pete shows up and tries to run them off the road. This groundbreaking short from Walt Disney Animation Studios is directed by Lauren MacMullan (TV’s “The Simpsons”) and produced by Dorothy McKim (“Prep & Landing” trilogy, “Meet the Robinsons”), “Get A Horse!” opens in front of “Frozen” on Nov. 27, 2013.
· Disneytoon Studios’ “The Pirate Fairy” brought pixie dust to the festivities, unveiling the newest and most exciting adventure in the Disney Fairies franchise. Director Peggy Holmes (“Secret of the Wings”) introduced Christina Hendricks, who gives voice to Zarina, and Tom Hiddleston, tapped to voice a young James aka Captain Hook.
When a misunderstood dust-keeper fairy named Zarina steals Pixie Hollow’s all-important Blue Pixie Dust, and flies away to join forces with the pirates of Skull Rock, Tinker Bell and her fairy friends must embark on the adventure of a lifetime to return it to its rightful place. However, in the midst of their pursuit of Zarina, Tink’s world is turned upside down. She and her friends find that their respective talents have been switched and they have to race against time to retrieve the Blue Pixie Dust and return home to save Pixie Hollow. With comedy, heart and epic thrills for the whole family, “The Pirate Fairy” sets sail Spring 2014.
· Disney•Pixar’s heartfelt and hilarious “The Good Dinosaur” roamed the convention center this morning. Co-director Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream ( “Cars 2,” “Up”- associate producer) were on hand to announce key members of the voice cast, including Lucas Neff, voice of Arlo; Bill Hader, voice of Forrest; Judy Greer, voice of Ivy; Neil Patrick Harris, voice of Cliff; John Lithgow, voice of Poppa; and Frances McDormand, voice of Momma.
Neff and Greer appeared on stage, alongside Hader, whose voice was also heard in Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University.”
“The Good Dinosaur” asks the generations-old question: What if the cataclysmic asteroid that forever changed life on Earth actually missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In theaters May 30, 2014, the film is a humorous and exciting original story about Arlo, a lively 70-foot-tall teenage Apatosaurus with a big heart. After a traumatic event rattles Arlo’s tranquil community, he sets out on a quest to restore peace, gaining an unlikely companion along the way—a young human boy named Spot.
· The crowd roared when their favorite monsters returned to the big screen as Disney•Pixar’s short “Party Central” scared up six minutes of fun at the D23 Expo. In the short, Mike and Sulley are back at Monsters University for a fun-filled weekend with their Oozma Kappa fraternity brothers. The gang is throwing their first party, but no one’s showing up. Luckily for them, Mike and Sulley have come up with a plan to make sure “Party Central” is the most epic party the school has ever seen. In theaters May 30, 2014, with “The Good Dinosaur.”
· Disneytoon Studios’ “Planes: Fire & Rescue” landed on stage at the D23 Expo, welcoming Dane Cook, the voice of Dusty in “Disney’s Planes,” the action comedy adventure that landed in theaters today. Cook, who returns to voice the character in the follow-up, joined director Bobs Gannaway (“Secret of the Wings”) on stage. Julie Bowen was announced as the voice of Lil’ Dipper, and fans were treated to story details for “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” plus character images, concept art and footage from the film.
“Planes: Fire & Rescue” features a quirky crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from a raging wildfire. When world famous air racer Dusty (voice of Cook) learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of wildfire air attack. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous air attack team, including spirited super scooper Lil’ Dipper (voice of Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero. “Planes: Fire & Rescue” ignites July 18, 2014.
· Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Big Hero 6” hit the D23 Expo in style, welcoming director Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) to the stage with a story presentation, including concept art and a sizzle piece designed to build excitement for the action comedy adventure.
“Big Hero 6” features brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who finds himself in the grips of a criminal plot that threatens to destroy the fast-paced, high-tech city of San Fransokyo. With the help of his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—Hiro joins forces with a reluctant team of first-time crime fighters on a mission to save their city. Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action and all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the CG-animated “Big Hero 6” hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 7, 2014.
· Disneytoon Studios director Steve Loter revealed plans for “Legend of the NeverBeast,” which takes the Disney Fairies on an epic action adventure that’s full of heart and edge-of-your-seat suspense. Fun and talented animal fairy Fawn believes you can’t judge a book by its cover—or an animal by its fangs—so she befriends a huge and mysterious creature known as the NeverBeast. While Tink and her friends aren’t so sure about this scary addition to Pixie Hollow, the elite Scout Fairies set out to capture the monster before he destroys their home. Fawn must trust her heart and take a leap of faith if she hopes to rally the girls to save the NeverBeast. Directed by Steve Loter, “Legend of the NeverBeast” roars to life in Spring 2015.
· Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” brought Joy to fans—literally—revealing members of the voice cast, including Amy Poehler as the voice of Joy, Lewis Black as the voice of Anger, Mindy Kaling as the voice of Disgust, Phyllis Smith as the voice of Sadness, and Bill Hader as the voice of Fear. The audience met two of the film’s five starring emotions, Sadness and Fear, when Smith and Hader appeared on stage to greet fans and fuel excitement for the 2015 film.
From director Pete Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and producer Jonas Rivera (“Up”), Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” takes you to a place that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen: the world inside the human mind. Riley, an 11-year-old girl who recently moved with her family to San Francisco, is not the main character but the setting for the film. Moviegoers will go inside her mind to explore how memories are formed and how a mixture of five emotions—Joy, Disgust, Anger, Fear and Sadness—defines life experiences. In theaters June 19, 2015.
· Director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and producer Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”) shared exciting voice cast announcements for Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory.” Joining Ellen DeGeneres, who provides the voice of Dory, are Albert Brooks as the voice of Marlin, Diane Keaton as the voice of Dory’s mom Jenny, Eugene Levy as the voice of Dory’s dad Charlie, and Ty Burrell as the voice of Bailey.
The all-new big-screen adventure dives into theaters Nov. 25, 2015, taking moviegoers back to the extraordinary underwater world from the original film. “Finding Dory” reunites the friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the true meaning of family along the way.
Pixar fans also delighted in a surprise appearance by the studio’s “lucky charm” John Ratzenberger, who was ceremoniously paraded on stage by the Disneyland marching band. Ratzenberger joined Hader in a hilarious duel of one-upmanship over the multiple Pixar characters each has voiced.
· Walt Disney Animation Studios’ director Byron Howard (“Tangled”) and writer Jared Bush shared plans for the upcoming comedy adventure ”Zootopia” (working title). In the animal city of Zootopia, a fast-talking fox who’s trying to make it big goes on the run when he’s framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Zootopia’s top cop, a self-righteous rabbit, is hot on his tail, but when both become targets of a conspiracy, they’re forced to team up and discover even natural enemies can become best friends. In theaters in 2016.
Activision and Treyarch have released a new, behind-the-scenes video for Call of Duty: Black Ops II Apocalypse.
Trailer
Ubisoft has released a new trailer for their upcoming Splinter Cell: Blacklist titled “101”.
Trailer
Deep Silver has released the second video developer diary for their upcoming Saint’s Row IV.
Trailer
2K Games and 2K Marin have released the final episode of the live action series for The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, “The Aftermath”, which concludes the mysterious story begun by the enigmatic and immensely popular video, “The Burn Room”. The epic finale shows Agent Carter and his team dealing with the tragic results of the incident in Pima, and reveals the fate of Agent Ennis Cole (played by Lost and Lord of the Rings star Dominic Monaghan).
Trailer
Late last year, Lonex released its line of airsoft guns based on the M4A1 carbine. Visually, this line of airsoft guns looks very similar to the real steel models they are replicating with almost identical black anodized coatings. The line comes in three flavors: A 10.5″ inch barrel, 14.5″ inch barrel, and 16″ inch barrel. Aside from the inner and outer barrel length differences, there is very little separating the three apart. We were able to look at their middle-length model, the L4-02 with the 14.5″ inch barrel.
Product Features (External Casing)
- Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Body
- Aluminum Alloy Outer Barrel
- Aluminum Alloy Sight and Flash Hider
- Nylon plus Fiber Handguard, Grip and Stock
- 360 Rd Flash Magazine
Product Features (Internal)
- Reinforced 8mm Gear Box Ver.2
- Reinforced Steel Gear Set
- Durable Standard Motor
- Reinforced Cylinder Set
- Temperature Electric Switch
- Enhanced Nylon Hop-Up Set
L4-02 Specific Features
- Item No: L4-02
- Caliber: 6mm
- Length: 790mm -890mm
- Barrel Length: 14.5”
- Weight: 3015g
- Magazine Capacity: 360rd
- Muzzle Velocity: 100MPS
With these new airsoft guns, Lonex has put a lot of effort into increasing their already well-known reputation. The guns feature a reinforced 8mm gearbox (with steel bearings) and gears as well as a nylon hop-up unit. Additionally, the guns feature aluminum alloy bodies and outer barrels with a durable nylon fiber handguard, grip, and stock. I had my airsoft tech take a look at the gearbox and he was very impressed with it.
In terms of out-of-the box performance, these features are serving Lonex well. In our tests, with .20g BBs, we averaged about 430 FPS – which is VERY respectable when you consider that, in outdoor field play, you will want to run at least .25g BBs in the rifle. Of course, some fields do not allow airsoft guns firing above 400 FPS with .20g BBs, so that might be an issue. If you are part of a milsim group, however, or have access to fields with looser restrictions, you won’t be disappointed in the Lonex L4-02’s firepower. Our contact over at Lonex told us that the airsoft gun is capable of handling just about any LiPo battery you can throw at it with a 15C rating. We were using a 9.6 volt butterfly style battery in the gun’s handguard and were pleased to see a rate of fire of about 20 rps and had a VERY good trigger response which is always important.
The gun does come packaged with an un-jamming/barrel cleaning rod as well as a 360 round Lonex “Flashmag” magazine. In case you have not heard of these, the Flashmag uses a draw string to wind its spring as opposed to a winding wheel that standard hi-cap magazines use. This Flashmag performed very respectably and I could almost get the entire magazine downrange after 5 pulls on the string. There are several companies trying to copy the Flashmag but Lonex created it and are, without a doubt, the best at their construction. Additional Flashmags from Lonex cost about $20 dollars.
As an added bit of “tacticool”, the Lonex M4 L4-02 AEG features a working bolt release. While it does not functionally change the gun’s performance, it will help protect your hop-up unit from getting dirty while rolling around on the field. It should also be noted that this Lonex AEG comes with their A5 motor in the pistol grip. While not as capable as their high-end motors, the A5 is above average for what usually comes in an out-of-the box AEG, capable of withstanding very high temperatures.
Overall, the Lonex M4A1 L4-02 airsoft electric gun is a fine choice for players desiring high performance from the moment they take it out of its box. Lonex has long been known for their craftsmanship and this model is no different. The Lonex M4A1 L4-02 retails for about $240 dollars at most online airsoft stores.
Santa Monica, CA – August 8, 2013 – The epic climax of Activision and Treyarch’s Call of Duty®: Black Ops II Downloadable Content (DLC) Season Pass culminates with Apocalypse. Available first on the Xbox Live® online entertainment network from Microsoft on August 27, the game’s fourth and final DLC Pack delivers four thrilling and diverse multiplayer maps, and the all-new wildly creative Zombies experience – “Origins”.
With Apocalypse, Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI), and its award-winning studio Treyarch have partnered with award-winning Warner Bros. Records rock band, Avenged Sevenfold, who contribute the song, “Shepherd of Fire” from their upcoming album, “Hail to the King,” to the Zombies experience, which will be featured in the intro cinematic video for “Origins.” Along with Avenged Sevenfold, famed comics illustrator and painter, Alex Ross, has also lent his talent to “Origins,” providing original art that features the original Zombies heroes. One of the most esteemed comic book artists of all time, Ross is most famous for his work with DC and Marvel Comics, and has won many notable awards for his artistic design.
“Apocalypse is Treyarch’s grand finale to Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” said Treyarch Studio Head, Mark Lamia. “It is the perfect culmination of our efforts, and fan feedback, with two all-new multiplayer maps for players to experience for the first time, and two fully reimagined fan-favorite multiplayer maps from past games – and Origins, our most epic Zombies experience to date. Apocalypse is a DLC pack that our fans will never forget.”
Call of Duty: Black Ops II Apocalypse delivers four diverse multiplayer maps:
- Pod: A failed utopian community from the 70’s has left stacks of dilapidated residential pods nestled into an abandoned cliff side in Taiwan. Its residents long gone, the modernist compound now hosts frenetic combat as players must run atop the pods, as well as navigate their multi-tiered interiors for a strategic edge.
- Frost: Fresh snow meets explosive gunpowder in this snow-capped European city, where the bridge over a frozen canal separates it into two sides, requiring players to employ multi-level traversal strategies to outsmart and ultimately outshoot their enemies.
- Takeoff: Fans of “Stadium” from the original Call of Duty®: Black Ops First Strike DLC will find themselves at home on “Takeoff.” Marooned in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, this remote launch site is all about close-quarters combat, combining tight corners with open spaces for intense encounters.
- Dig: An adaptation of the fan-favorite “Courtyard” from Call of Duty®: World at War, where two archeological dig sites in Afghanistan become the perfect playground for combatants eager for hectic, unceasing confrontations. Treyarch, has retained the spirit of “Courtyard” with two major chokepoints, a wide open layout and raised platforms, but has provided fans with a fresh take on the multitude of paths.
In addition to the four maps, Apocalypse also reveals Origins, the most horrifying and imaginative Zombies experience to date. Players will be deployed to Dieselpunk-stylized World War I-era France where they will encounter the return of the four original heroes from the very first Zombies map, Tank, Nikolai, Takeo, and Rictofen, as well as hordes of zombies that have overrun trenches and fields, as well as the ruins of a mysterious and ancient location.
Unleashed after the Germans unearthed the mysterious “Element 115,” this next chapter in the Zombies legacy will explore the saga’s origins as players reunite with an unlikely band of soldiers that come together to defeat the greatest evil the world has ever seen, using a period-specific arsenal that includes Wonder Weapons that harness supernatural powers, a diesel-drone and Mark IV tank, as well a new perk machine and power-ups – and that’s just the start. Players will need all the help they can get to succeed in defeating the undead, as well as evading an unprecedented 1,000-foot tall robot abomination. In this stylized undead adventure, they’ll need every advantage if they have any hope of surviving one of Treyarch’s deepest Zombies experiences to date.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II Apocalypsewill be available first, exclusively on Xbox Live for the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft for 1200 Microsoft Points on August 27, with other platforms to follow. Players who have already purchased the Season Pass can download Apocalypse as soon as it becomes available. Call of Duty: Black Ops II is rated “M” (Mature – Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs – content suitable for persons ages 17 and older) by the ESRB. More information on Call of Duty: Black Ops II can be found at http://www.callofduty.com/
Trailer
Once again, the fine folks at AirSplat have brought out their Thorsday Deals for August 8th. This is a collection of products with a bigger discount than usual that you can peruse through. Personally, I am eyeballing the Tornado Grenade!
A&K LR300 Short Airsoft Electric Gun AEG
AI Tornado Airsoft Grenade Grenades V1.2
Airsoft Tactical 1-Point Rifle Sling
Kalashnikov AK47 Airsoft Rifle LPEG 921
UHC AK47 Mini Electric Airsoft Gun
GB MP5 Airsoft Rifle 200 Hi-Cap Magazine
FN P90 Airsoft Hi-Cap 300 Rifle Magazine
