Category: Movies

Filmmaker Robert Altman dies

Robert Altman, 81, who died Monday, is best-known for directing "M*A*S*H," "Nashville," "The Player" and "Short Cuts." But he also learned the trade by directing a few episodes of the "Route 66" television show. Quite a few other young, talented people in Hollywood cut their teeth there as well. A complete obituary is here.

Mater’s inspiration on TV

Rod Harsh at Route 66 TV Online compiled these two televised news reports of the gala in Galena, Kan., that displayed the 1951 International boom truck that inspired the creation of Mater in the movie "Cars." The gas station also is going to be restored into become a gift shop and tourism center by the … Continue reading Mater’s inspiration on TV

Meet Mater’s inspiration

It's been the victim of neglect. The odometer reads 99,372 miles, and there's no telling whether they're original. Rust covers the entire body, where it nearly obscures the letters "Tannou" and "Joplin, Mo" on the door. The seats desperately need to be re-upholstered. And it gets its fuel from a storage tank that resembles a … Continue reading Meet Mater’s inspiration

“Cars” becomes an Academy Award finalist

The Hollywood Reporter says that the Disney-Pixar summer movie "Cars" is a finalist for the Academy Award for best animated feature. That's not a surprise, because Pixar's films are perennial Oscar contenders, and "Cars" was universally hailed for its animation excellence. In all, 16 films made the cut as finalists for best animated feature. According … Continue reading “Cars” becomes an Academy Award finalist

Route 66 on the comeback trail?

To read an otherwise-good article by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, you'd think Route 66 had been languishing for decades until the "Cars" movie came out this summer. And it's true the Mother Road got quite a boost when Pixar's film rolled into theaters, says author Michael Wallis. "It's been [a] huge shot in the arm for … Continue reading Route 66 on the comeback trail?

Important announcement

Today is Tuesday, Nov. 7. You know why this date is significant, don't you? It's the first day that the "Cars" DVD is on sale. Go get one -- after you do that little thing called voting, of course. 😉

A Pixar peek

DVD Talk has an exceptional article about Pixar Animation Studios and its production of its hit summer movie, "Cars," and the short that comes with the "Cars" DVD, "Mater and the Ghost Light."

Iris DeMent’s “Our Town”

Many Route 66ers are now familiar with Randy Newman's song "Our Town," which was sung by James Taylor and featured in a moving scene of the Disney-Pixar movie "Cars." It encapsulates the history of small towns along Route 66 in about four minutes. You can hear a sample of the song on this Web page. … Continue reading Iris DeMent’s “Our Town”

Chatting up Route 66 films

Here's an item about the Oklahoma Centennial Film Festival in Tulsa from the Daily Oklahoman that should interest roadies: Author and Route 66 expert Michael Wallis will host a screening of the animated film "Cars" (2006), in which Wallis provides the voice of the sheriff, at the Riverwalk at 6 p.m. Nov. 10. At 8 … Continue reading Chatting up Route 66 films