Despite CEO Bob Iger’s declarations that The Walt Disney Company needs to understand digital technology, the company as a whole still hasn’t quite figured it out. Disney Interactive has lost hundreds of millions of dollars and Disney.com is in the middle of a makeover, but… Read More »YouTube and Disney form Partnership for Web Content
This is the second year Disney has invited HGTV show hosts and experts to speak at the Food & Wine Festival. From the feedback I’ve heard, these sessions are a great addition to the festival, even if they’re not exactly on topic. Next weekend is… Read More »HGTV At EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
As you cross the threshold between Adventureland and New Orleans Square at Disneyland, you’ve undoubtedly seen the iconic Mark Twain Riverboat chugging along the Rivers of America, puffing white steam into the blue sky as she takes guests on a delightful twelve-minute journey through yesteryear.… Read More »Ahoy! Earn Your Pilot’s License on Disneyland’s Mark Twain Riverboat
The Secret World of Arrietty is the next film from Studio Ghibli to be released in the US by Disney. Based on Mary Norton‘s fantasy novel “The Borrowers,” it already has quite a fan base online.
While Hayao Miyazaki was involved in the film, it is directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. Dubbing of voices features the talents of Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, David Henrie, and Moises Arias.
Arrietty opens in theaters Feb. 17, 2012. Two more photos below the jump:
Read More »Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty Trailer
I was pleasantly surprised at how good a job Disney did bringing back the classic Winnie the Pooh characters in the 2011 Summer theatrical release of “Winnie The Pooh.” If their goal was to closely duplicate the animated films Walt Disney was making in the late ’50s and early ’60s, they met their mark. At the same time, the story and characters received slight tweaks making it more accessible for today’s audiences. Now you can add “Winnie the Pooh” on DVD, Blu-Ray, and/or Digital Download to your collection.
The story featured rich characterizations (both in writing and animation), tremendous voice work and tunes you could hum. During my viewing in the theater, I felt let down by the songs, but upon subsequent viewings, I’ve found the music to be something of a strength.
Another strength was the voice work. Narrated by John Cleese and featuring the vocal talents of legendary voice actor Jim Cummings (over 350 voices) and a host of other distinctive actors including Craig Ferguson (TV’s ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson’), Tom Kenny (TV’s ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’), Bud Luckey (Toy Story 3) and musical performances by Zooey Deschanel. Ferguson’s take on Owl was particularly appreciated as he helped the bird grow into a part that was larger than his previous incarnations.
The DVD/Blu-Ray combo is nice, but I did feel a bit let down by the lack of extras. Disney is hit and miss in this area, mostly miss. Sadly, you’ll have to wait for future editions to get things like a commentary, behind the scenes footage, and other standard extras.
Instead of padding the feature to make it longer, Disney added The Ballad of Nessie which I felt was artistically wonderful, but lacking storywise. However my friends and family tell me I’m daft and Nessie was wonderful. So your mileage will vary.
More details on extras below the jump:
Read More »Winnie The Pooh DVD a Short, but Excellent, Visit With Childhood Friends
Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers.
I wouldn’t say the celebration of Victoria and Conrad’s 25th wedding anniversary was anything to call home about.
Yet again, Revenge was a total trip this week.
Right away, we have a New York Times reporter interviewing Victoria and Conrad about their successful (barf) marriage. (Since when do things like this get on the front page of the NYT?) Victoria is just about ready to burst with the whole manifestation of their fairy tale relationship.
Big question: Does anyone else think that Charlotte is not Conrad’s kid? (And perhaps Emily’s half-sister/David’s Clark’s child?) Think about the Hamptons Exposed video where we have Victoria saying that Charlotte should never have been born. In last night’s interview, Victoria forgets to mention Charlotte when she talks about what has kept their marriage strong. Conrad is also ALWAYS spoiling Charlotte. I know being a daddy’s girl isn’t some new-fangled concept but we know that Conrad uses his money almost always for evil. (Keep in mind that everyone seems to have a two-sided story when it comes to this show, and we still have not figured out Charlotte’s.)
Let me start this week by saying I was a little disappointed that Modern Family didn’t have a Halloween episode this year. They are typically one of my favorite episodes of each season, and I was hoping that these episodes would become a yearly tradition. (I always loved the Thanksgiving episodes of “Friends” for the same reason.) But anyway, this week’s episode proved to be very enjoyable, despite the lack of Claire’s obsession with the scariest holiday of the year.
Phil is attempting to build Luke a treehouse because he had a lot of fun with his friends in his treehouse growing up. Phil explains to Luke that he should enjoy childhood because when you’re older, your friends are scattered around the country instead if being in your neighborhood. Meanwhile, Haley is frustrated by one of her college essay questions, “what’s the greatest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?” She complains that Claire kept her too protected. Claire says “oh honey, you’re old enough now for the truth” and has Haley get in the car. (I immediately knew where this was going.) She drops Haley off with no phone or money and drives away as she shouts “there’s your obstacle!”
At Jay’s house, Shorty (remember him from Season 1?) is visiting for dinner with his gorgeous younger girlfriend (guest star Jennifer Tilly.) The two of them seem to have a very fun relationship, and Gloria is upset that Jay won’t join the three of them for salsa dancing the next night. Jay asks for Manny to teach him salsa dancing, but gives up very quickly. Mitch offers Jay a little pill, telling him that it will help him dance all night! At the club, Gloria is sitting all alone as Shorty and his girlfriend dance. As she’s feeling that she should go home to her husband, Jay surprises her and gets her on the dance floor. He’s taken the pill (which Mitch tells the camera was a baby aspirin.) Jay seems to have let go, though, and him and Gloria dance the night away.
At a bar, Mitch bets Cam that he can’t pick up a woman. Once Mitch picks a lucky lady, (guest star Leslie Mann) Cameron walks over and attempts to flirt with her. In just a few minutes, she gives Cam her number. The next day, she comes over and Cam reveals to her that he’s gay. She said she knew all along and just wanted a gay friend, which makes Cam upset that he’s going to lose his bet to Mitch. When Mitchell walks in the door, Katie screams at Cam and kisses him, saying “are you sure you’re gay?” Cam wins!
At the end of the episode, Phil is left building the treehouse all alone because Luke has lost interest. His neighbor (guest star Kevin Hart) shouts at him asking if he needs help. They realize they’ve been living next door for several years, but have never met. The episode ends with the two of them sitting on the Dunphy’s couch, joking it up about Phil having more “street cred” for being friends with a “badass black man.”
All in all, this episode was jam packed with great guest stars and one-liners. I was also very happy to see Phil make a new friend. When I think about it, he’s really the only adult in the show we haven’t seen hang out with his friends, his relationships just seem to be work related or within the family. As always, my favorite quotes are below the jump.
Whether you’re hitting the Parks for an hour or two on your own while your family is napping back at the hotel, or spending a day there by yourself just because, going solo at Disneyland (or any Disney Park) is something I recommend doing at least once… Read More »Going Solo at Disneyland – Just Do It!