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Interview With Steven M. Barrett, Author of Hidden Mickeys

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Steven M. Barrett, Author and Mouse Hunter

If you’ve been to the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or even on a Disney Cruise, chances are you’ve seen people walking around with a bright yellow book and a tendency to periodically stop and stare at rather obscure signs, windows, and random bits of architecture. Those folks are hunting Hidden Mickeys. Be very, very quiet.

The book in question is by Steven M. Barrett, and is part of his popular series titled Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to (insert Disney location here)’s Best Kept Secrets. There’s also an app for that!

Each book offers a number of Hidden Mickeys for Disney guests to search for on their visit. What is a Hidden Mickey? “A partial or complete image of Mickey Mouse that has been hidden by Disney’s Imagineers and artists in the designs of Disney attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other areas. These images are designed to blend into their surroundings. Sharp-eyed visitors have the fun of finding them.” — from Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Disneyland Resort’s Best Kept Secrets, Chapter 1 “Hidden Mickey Mania”

Barrett has been canvasing Disney parks (and ships) to track the elusive Hidden Mickeys for over 20 years. He’s found a few.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Barrett via Skype about his books, the website that they have spawned (HiddenMickeyGuy.com), and life as America’s most-celebrated Hidden Mickey hunter.  Read More »Interview With Steven M. Barrett, Author of Hidden Mickeys

Johnny Depp on his ideas behind Tonto from The Lone Ranger

The first image from Disney’s The Lone Ranger provided quite a shock for those expecting a close allegiance to the original TV series characters. Discussion about Johnny Depp’s unique take on the character of Tonto dominating the conversation. Entertainment Weekly interviewed Depp and learned that… Read More »Johnny Depp on his ideas behind Tonto from The Lone Ranger

Newsies Review – Broadway’s Must See

Editor: Please welcome guest author Jim Dallas who is reviewing the April 20th showing of Newsies The Musical.

Newsies on Broadway is a must see!

I first became an avid fan of composer Alan Menken when I saw The Little Mermaid at the movies. But I knew he was really a Broadway composer when I first listened to the Beauty and the Beast sound track and could visualize how each scene could be animated. He brought the Broadway score to animation. So, back in 1992 I was excited to learn that Disney was producing a live action musical, Newsies, with a score by Alan Menken. It sounded like a sure fire hit. My family was in the theater that April weekend when Newsies had its’ theatrical debut. There was one problem: we were the only people in the theater! Newsies never found an audience, closed quickly and barely earned 2.8 million dollars. For all of the issues that plagued this film, the songs and score by Menken were still brilliant, allowing Newsies to grow in popularity and develop a cult following over the past two decades.

Last evening, 20 years later, I sat in the sold out Nederlander Theater in NYC amidst an exuberant audience to experience Newsies – the Broadway Musical. Newsies had come home, was on the stage where it always belonged and was in better form than ever. Newsies is an exhilarating evening of musical theater entertainment.

Read More »Newsies Review – Broadway’s Must See

Reviews and New Featurette Show Strength of Marvel’s The Avengers

Marvel’s The Avengers isn’t due to open in the USA until May 4th, but it’s already open in a few countries around the world. That means various movie reviewers have decided to break the embargo (after all the internet unites the world) and publish their reviews. Guess what? They’re almost all positive

“As creatively variable and predictably formulaic as the Marvel films have been, this one will not only make the core geek audience feel like it’s died and gone to Asgard but has so much going for it that many non-fans will be disarmed and charmed. This is effects-driven, mass appeal summer fare par excellence, that sought-after rare bird that hits all the quadrants, as marketing mavens like to say.” – Todd McCarthy, THR

“As written and directed by the ever genre-savvy Whedon, it’s a clean-burning, six-cylinder entertainment that exudes discipline in every particular, from the script’s balance of sincerity and self-effacing humor to the well-integrated visual effects to the keen sense of proportion that governs the ensemble. Whenever the possibility of boredom or excess rears its head, Whedon finds an elegant solution.” – Justin Chang, Variety

“This might be why Whedon has succeeded with The Avengers; he’s focused on the humanity of the characters. For example: Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Johannsen as Hawkeye and Black Widow respectively, both bring more depth than anything thought possible to two characters who could have been peripheral, but here become just as pivotal as The Hulk, Cap, Stark or Thor.” – Paul Veerhoven, The Vine

“As a lifelong comic book fan, I walked into The Avengers with the highest hopes and deepest fears. A little over two hours later, as the credits began to roll, I turned to the friend sitting next to me, smiled and exclaimed, “They actually did it!” What Whedon and Marvel have created here is not just extraordinary, but one of the most entertaining and satisfying comic book movies yet.” – Eric Eisenberg, Cinemablend

A special new featurette from The Avengers below the jump:

Read More »Reviews and New Featurette Show Strength of Marvel’s The Avengers

Disney Institute growing its business consulting role

The Disney Institute started as a dream of Michael Eisner that guests coming to the resort would carve out a bit of their time to learn something of they way Disney crafts its magic brand. Turns out, not so much. But a rather large nugget… Read More »Disney Institute growing its business consulting role

Buena Vista Street – They’re Doing It Right at DCA

It does my heart good to see some of the details Imagineers are busy adding to Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure. Part of the re-made entry way to the park, this busy California street will take you back to 1923, when Walt Disney… Read More »Buena Vista Street – They’re Doing It Right at DCA

Nikki Finke on Rich Ross’ Ouster

Like everyone in Hollywood, Nikki Finke has her own agenda. But even so, her insight into why Rich Ross was pushed out of the Walt Disney Studios President role is worth reading. Finke lays a lot of the blame at the feet of Disney CEO… Read More »Nikki Finke on Rich Ross’ Ouster

Revenge is back on ABC, Don’t Doubt it

Hello Revenge watchers! I’ve missed you and all the drama from our favorite guilty pleasure, haven’t you? A month without it might have felt like a long time, but the show didn’t waste any time getting dramatic. Nice to know some things stay the same, right?

Let’s backtrack, shall we? Where are these characters? Daniel is in jail. Emily is sitting in her house, promising herself that she will stop from getting so emotionally invested this time and FOCUS. Nolan is forcing her to eat something, while corralling Jack. Declan is trying to protect his brother and still remain Charlotte’s boyfriend. Charlotte is popping pills like M&Ms. Jack is freaking out over Amanda and that bank slip. Victoria still dresses to the nines even though her beloved son is in jail. She and Conrad are trying to work on a strategy for their court date (early December).

One nice happy family, right?

This was one episode where viewers really see what Victoria can do with her power, influence, and cash. And what she can’t. Pretty immediately she’s trying to pinpoint the “guy in the hoodie” as a girl with her hair tied up in a hat. A girl like Amanda Clarke. (Charlotte won’t sink to her level.) In fact, she’s so obsessed with framing Amanda Clarke on Tyler’s murder that she refuses to brainstorm about other potential theories like her lawyer suggests. But soon after, a light bulb goes off for her. How about Jack Porter? Amanda’s boyfriend. It all makes perfect sense, and now Emily looks like she is going to puke. Will anyone really believe “Montauk’s favorite son” did this, she asks Victoria. Instead, Emily suggests they hire someone to sway public opinion before the trial proceedings even begin. (Conrad to Victoria: “She might be Grayson material afterall.”)

Enter Mason Treadwell!

Read More »Revenge is back on ABC, Don’t Doubt it