Skip to content

hollywood

The Lone Ranger Rides Into Cinemas With Fun on its Mind

THE LONE RANGER

Disney’s The Lone Ranger rides into cinemas everywhere this weekend bringing a updated take on the classic TV show masked avenger to modern audiences. The film is a success and a failure to varying degrees. How much you feel of one or the other probably depends on your ability to just let go and have a good time. Although dark at times, the film isn’t meant to be taken too seriously and certainly pokes fun at some of the conventions we expect in a Lone Ranger story. Once you figure out who the villain is, and he reveals himself fairly early on, the pieces fall into place and the rest of the film is a can be enjoyed for what it is – well produced Hollywood fun.

Like Johnny Depp, I grew up watching reruns of the classic TV show edition of The Lone Ranger. The villains were inevitably corrupt businessmen and politicians or the standard mustache twirling dreamer up of evil plots. Tonto did his best to keep the outlaw lawman John Reid out of trouble and often swooped in for a well timed attack to save the masked avenger’s life. It was inspiring stuff to an 8 year old.

Sadly, I can’t recommend today’s 8-year olds watch this new edition of The Lone Ranger. The PG-13 rating is to be taken seriously for both violent scenes and fairly heavy subject matter.

Frankly, I don’t get why Disney is marketing The Lone Ranger to young kids with Halloween costumes, action figures, and the like. Was the part about cutting out and eating the still beating heart of one of the heroes not in the script when merchandise got their hands on it?

On the other hand, I recent sat through World War Z, a fairly graphic and bloody zombie attack movie, with a young kid right in front of me. He suffered no ill effect and was even suggesting dinner options on the way out of the theater (he must have had an iron stomach to go with his tolerance for horror and gore). But I digress.

THE LONE RANGER

Ostensibly about the journey John Reid takes to become The Lone Ranger, the movie actually dedicates more pages of the script to Tonto’s backstory. It makes sense since a large portion of the plot is driven by elements in Tonto’s life. The two start off as adversaries, but by the end of the film are ready to work together as a team to right the wrongs and bring the bad guys to justice.Read More »The Lone Ranger Rides Into Cinemas With Fun on its Mind

Global Themepark Attendance For 2012 Via TEA Report

Opening Ceremony

TEA has released its 2012 Theme Park attendance estimates listing the 25 most attended theme parks in the world. Disney has the top 8 spots and 3 others in the top 20. Not a lot of surprises if you’ve been following developments last year:

1. Magic Kingdom: 17,536,000 (+2.3% change)
2. Disneyland Park: 15,963,000 (-1.1% )
3. Tokyo Disneyland: 14,847,000 (+8.5%)
4. Tokyo Disney Sea: 12,656,000 (+8.5%)
5. Disneyland Park, Disneyland Paris: 11,200,000 (+1.9%)
6. Epcot: 11,063,000 (+2.2%)
7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9,998,000 (+2.2%)
8. Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9,912,000 (+2.2%)
9. Universal Studios Japan: 9,700,000 (+14.1%)
10. Islands of Adventure: 7,981,000 (+4%)

Read More »Global Themepark Attendance For 2012 Via TEA Report

Damon Lindelof Dishes on Tomorrowland, Next Film from Brad Bird

Brad Bird’s next film has been announced as “Tomorrowland,” but there’s a shroud of mystery surrounding the films plot and the ideas behind it. The film;s writer Damon Lindelof just gave a long interview to Grantland in which he talks about the multitude of projects… Read More »Damon Lindelof Dishes on Tomorrowland, Next Film from Brad Bird

Hollywood and Twitter Reacts to Annette Funicello’s Death

533764_571820789518314_1996911458_n

As you might expect for a Disney Legend and real sweetheart like Annette Funicello, there has been an outpouring of emotion for her online. Here are a few of the many comments made today:

Read More »Hollywood and Twitter Reacts to Annette Funicello’s Death

New Iron Man 3 Trailer & Poster

The latest trailer for Iron Man 3 has hit the interwebz. I saw it the other day infront of the press screening for Oz The Great and Powerful where the audience actually cheered throughout the trailer. Tony Start is definitely dealing with some personal issues.… Read More »New Iron Man 3 Trailer & Poster

Brave wins Best Animated Feature at Golden Globes

Congratulations to the team up in Emeryville, Pixar’s Brave secured Best Animated Feature Film at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards last night. Director Marc Andrews accepted. “Being Brave is about being true to yourself and allowing your loved ones that same freedom,” said Andrews.… Read More »Brave wins Best Animated Feature at Golden Globes