E3 Spark Plugs News

Art Car: The Movie follows several artists as they prepare for the 2010 Houston Art Car Parade.

With 300 entrants and more than 300,000 spectators, the Houston Art Car Parade is the biggest of its kind worldwide. And if you’ve never had the chance to experience it, E3 Spark Plugs highly recommends Art Car: The Movie, an entertaining and inspiring telling of the classic American story of the quintessential form of public art.

Premiering at the Cinema Arts Festival in Houston last night, Art Car follows a cadre of artists as they prepare for the 2010 Houston Art Car Parade. Two artists getting lots of screen time are Rebecca Bass, a teacher at an underprivileged high school struggling with her art class to complete what will be her 20th, and possibly last, art car; and Mark “Scrapdaddy” Bradford, a full-time artist grinding to make ends meet while conceptualizing his ultimate artistic dream. Both are renowned Houston artists and Art Car Parade veterans with one shared goal and two very different approaches for hitting that goal.

Viewers also peek in on the parade’s organizer, the Orange Show for Visionary Art and the City of Houston for a look at the behind-the-scenes stress-fest that makes the Art Car Parade a success each year. Along the way, you’ll also travel across the U.S. with co-directors Carlton Ahrens and Ford Gunter visiting artist, critics and academics in a mind-boggling quest: to define the car’s place in the art world, in American culture and as a reflection of self.

A few celebrities make the cut, too, including 2010 Grand Marshal Dan Akyroyd, 2010 participant Larry the Cable Guy and past Grand Marshal George Clinton. Art Car likely will travel the film festival circuit for a bit before landing theatrical release or DVD distribution. Visit the film’s website for updates.

Have you ever participated in or attended a Houston Art Car Parade? We want to see your pics. Post ‘em on our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page. And make your travel plans now for the 2012 parade in May.

Check out the spark plug topping London's Big Ben in the upcoming "Cars 2." Copyright Disney/Pixar

Why, yes. As a matter of fact, that is a spark plug perched atop London’s famed Big Ben in Disney/Pixar’s new animated film “Cars 2.”

Watch out, ladies – “Mater’s fiddin’ to get funky” in this sequel to the 1996 Oscar-nominated “Cars.” This time, hero Lightning McQueen and his trusty sidekick Tow Mater jettison Radiator Springs and go international to compete for props as the world’s fastest car in the inaugural World Grand Prix. But it’s the bumbling and beloved Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) who gets the real screen hero action when he’s tapped for a top-secret spy mission and quickly gets in over his headlights.

“Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world,” the plot summary reads. Secret agents, menacing villains and cutthroat international racing competitors round out the cast lent voices by some of Hollywood’s top film and TV stars: Owen Wilson, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Cheech Marin and Tony Shalhoub, to name a few.

Here at E3 Spark Plugs, we’re digging the “CARified” elements in the background animation, including the spark plugs that sit high atop London’s Big Ben and France’s iconic Eiffel Tower. Arches at the famed tower’s base take the form of wheels topped by car grill facades. We also spotted several spark plugs in Disney/Pixar’s redesign of the signature casinos of the European Riviera and the U.K.’s House of Parliament.

“Cars 2″ is set for release June 24 and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D in select theaters. Take a look at the trailer and let us know that you think.