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Both Disney and Pixar have left a mark on animation that few other studios can match, and for both of them, their origins can be traced to animated shorts. Pixar has accompanied all of its feature films with opening shorts, and Disney has recently followed the same model with shorts that range from groundbreaking experiments to revitalization of their most classic characters. “Runaway Brain” (1997) — A common complaint about Mickey Mouse is that in modern times he has become more of a corporate mascot than a cartoon character. The Disney shorts restore him to greatness, particularly this macabre tale...

Mickey Mouse always loved to dance, but this particular jig is up.

For months, Walt Disney Animation Studios has hinted at the existence of a “never-before-seen” Mickey short called Get a Horse! From the early stills, it appeared to be in the rough-hewn, black-and-white style of 1920s-era animation pioneered by Disney innovator Ub Iwerks. Walt Disney himself was said to be the voice of Mickey, a job he stopped doing in 1946.

But “never-before-seen” is actually a euphemism for “brand new,” which the company came clean about at the recent D23 fan convention in Anaheim, Calif., where Get a Horse! was...

Mickey Mouse has been away for our screens for too long. Sure, there have been the (somewhat disappointing) Epic Mickey games, but it's been 18 years since Disney's iconic character last appeared in a short, namely 1995's Runaway Brain. His hiatus has now come to an end, however, thanks to this brand new short called Croissant De Triomphe.Like Runaway Brain, it's made by the French arm of Walt's animation empire, but unlike Runaway Brain, it's entirely in French and is heavily influenced by traditional French animation. Set aside three minutes of your day and expect a large smile on your face by the end, no problem.The short, like the Oscar-winning Paperman earlier in the year, has been put online to drive awareness to Disney's animation plans, as 18 new cartoon shorts will follow this one come June 28, though only via Disney TV Channels and Disney.com. If they're as fun as this one,...

Let’s face it. We can’t hide it. We all have those movies that we like that others would shun. These are guilty pleasures: the ones that aren’t that great but we love for some reason or another. Here are mine. Be sure to list yours in the comments, if you’d like.

Last Action Hero (1993)

Rotten Tomatoes: 38%

Actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austin O’Brien, F. Murray Abraham, Art Carney, Charles Dance

Director: John McTiernan/Writers: Shane Black and David Arnott

Here’s the thing: I will defend this movie’s concept till Doomsday. A movie about a kid with a magic ticket that gets pulled into an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie? Genius concept. Yes, the kid is annoying. Yes, the movie doesn’t reach the heights of a McTiernan/Black team-up as well as one might think. It’s interesting to note that McTiernan isn’t working as much...

Being a professional obsessive might make me a social pariah, but it does offer me the opportunity to trawl the internet looking for my worldly fix with relative impunity – “what! This is work!” And even more importantly, it introduces me to some extremely cool stuff. Stuff that I will invariably buy on my own recommendation, or at least leave major hints to loved ones that I need them for Christmas of my birthday. Both of which are coming up, just in case you’re reading this, Mum… Anyway, a wise man once said that the important things in life aren’t things, but I would put it to him that he obviously hadn’t seen Disney’s Villain Vinylmations, or Sideshow Toys’ Batman busts, or Derek Deal’s posters, the big idiot. Luckily, no one here shares his false philosophies, so here are all of those lovely things below… 1. Disney Vinylmation Villains Series 2 Vinylmations. Just...

Wayne Allwine, who provided the voice of Mickey Mouse for the past 32 years, died May 18 at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles from complications due to diabetes. He was 62.

Allwine's wife, Russi Taylor, who provides the voice of Minnie Mouse, was at his side at the time of his passing.

Allwine, also was an Emmy-winning sound effects editor, was the voice of Disney's world-renowned mouse since 1977, when he first lent his familiar falsetto to animated segments for "The New Mickey Mouse Club." He went on to provide Mickey's voice for such theatrical efforts as "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), "The Prince and the Pauper" (1990), the Oscar-nominated short "Runaway Brain" (1997) and the direct-to-dvd feature "Mickey, Donald and Goofy: The Three Musketeers" (2004).

Allwine's voice also has been heard at Disney parks around the world, on television, at live stage events and on radio broadcasts.

Walt Disney provided the original sounds...

Medicom Toys has had a Disney license for some time now, and for good reason. Not only are their releases spot on, but they throw in unexpected twists on beloved characters. Disney may not delve into our world often, but Medicom is making sure we get some killer collectibles.

Runaway Brain Mickey Mouse (top row pics): This has seen releases in the past, but now Medicom has pumped up the scale to 12 inches in length! That's nearly double the previous scale. This is based on the Disney animated short of the same name and surely is the only time we see Mickey looking like he wants to eat Goofy. Available now.

Mickey as Teenage Frankenstein (bottom row pics): Mickey is reborn as The Monster!! I don't recall this ever being in a cartoon, but then again, Mickey never dressed in a Tron outfit either, and Medicom is doing that as well.