No, I’m not claiming John Lasseter is as prolific, nor as groundbreaking in vision, as Walt Disney. But Lasseter’s vision has had as big an impact on the state of animation, especially feature animation, as anyone since 1986 when Lasseter joined Pixar. Also, Lasseter is the first person to head Walt Disney Feature Animation who… Read More »The man who would be Walt
It’s a bit early, but Nikki Finke examines what looks to be a good weekend for the Walt Disney Studios. The comic heavy Wild Hogs is expected to do an estimated $32 million for first place in the box office. Even Bridge to Terabitha, Disney’s other major film in current release, is expected to stay… Read More »A good weekend to go Hog Wild
Alana Semuels reports in the Los Angeles Times that Britain’s EMI Group has rejected a $4.1-billion takeover proposal from Warner Music Group. Analysts said any sale was unlikely to go through until issues clouding a planned merger between Sony Music and Bertelsmann’s BMG were resolved. On Thursday, the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation of… Read More »Time For Disney’s to Expand Its Record Business?
The Associated Press is reporting that tourists coming into the U.S. should rise this year to exceed pre-9/11 levels. This is according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gutierrez. That’s good news for Disney and anybody else in the U.S. tourism and hospitality industry. Long term, the Commerce Department forecast a 21% increase at the national level… Read More »The Tourists Are Back
Epcot Central posts some depressing news. As far as we know, Epcot is still scheduled to be frozen out of the celebration it deserves for it’s 25th anniversary. But another of Walt Disney World Resorts attractions will be getting a 10th Anniversary Celebration. Yep, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, that bastion of guest activity, will… Read More »No Anniversary Celebration for Epcot, but look who gets one…
Back in November, my son and I were lucky to see the very first public preview of Magic Kingdom’s soon to be opened attraction, Monsters Inc, Laugh Floor Comedy Club. It was a pretty miserable show that needed lots of work, but truth be told I did see some potential if they got the kinks… Read More »Monsters Inc, Laugh Floor to open April 2nd
The Associated Press is reporting that Blockbuster is pursuing Movielink. Blockbuster Inc. is in advanced talks to buy Movielink as a way to speed its entry into the online movie-downloading business, people familiar with the situation said. Movie-rental giant Blockbuster would pay less than $50 million in cash and stock for Movielink, which is owned… Read More »More Ways to Rent Disney Films From Blockbuster?
Disney World and its largest cast member union have reached a negotiated agreement over the hiring of 170 outside contractors to fill custodial positions that previously were union positions. For a couple of years, the Service Trades Council has been challenging Disney World’s decisions to outsource jobs, claiming the company was replacing good, full-time jobs… Read More »Disney World Settles Labor Complaint re: non-Disney workers