Bob Iger, George Lucas, and Anthony Daniels enjoy a first ride on Star Tours after the dedication ceremony
When Star Wars Episode One was under production 14 years ago, word leaked out from George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic that they were working on a segment, based on the pod-racing segment, that they wanted to use to update Star Tours at Disneyland. At the time I remember thinking that, it was nice to know that someone remembered how Star Tours was designed to be easily updated with new destinations all the time. Alas, nothing happened at the attraction, but there was a new hope in the air.
I started to let myself dream about what an updated Star Tours would be like. It would have multiple destinations, new characters from the films, include some of the best sets from the movies, and utilize 3D technology. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue meets all my dreams and more.
I don’t know if I’ve ever explicitly stated this before, but Epcot is my favorite Disney park. And even though the EPCOT Center I remember loving as a kid bears little resemblance to the Epcot that exists today, that geodesic sphere will always have a… Read More »Book Review: The Epcot Explorer’s Encyclopedia by R.A. Pedersen
Tangled, the 50th feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios is destined to join the ranks of Disney Classics. It has likable characters, great sidekicks, songs that appear to have that timeless element, and a story that will withstand the test of time without seeing out of place. The movie also features a style of animation that I believe has captured some of the artistry of the original hand drawn classics, why combining the new depth of field that’s capable with digital animation. All in all it’s a great template upon which to build future Disney animated films.
You all know the story: When the kingdom’s most wanted—and most charming—bandit Flynn Rider (voiced by ZACHARY LEVI) hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel (voiced by MANDY MOORE), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn’s curious captor, who’s looking for her ticket out of the tower she’s been locked away in for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief, and the unlikely duo sets off on an action- packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an overprotective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. Tangled is a story of adventure, heart, humor and hair—lots of hair.
Which brings me to the DVD Blu-Ray combo pack I was sent to review. I love the that you get both a DVD and a Blu-Ray in the package. This allows me to have a Blu-Ray disc for when I eventually own one. But Disney needs to do more to share bonus features across both discs. For now, all I can say is that the bonus features on the Blu-ray sound great. But I just can’t see them. I, of course, miss the Director’s commentary. That should be standard for any Disney DVD if you ask me.
The copy of the DVD I reviewed had excellent color and sharpness of detail. Although the film was available in 3D in theaters, it doesn’t really lose anything when viewed in 2D. There is a 4 disc version that includes the 3D version if you have a 3D TV at home, or plan to buy one in the future. That’s also the only version that includes a digital download for your portable device.
DVD and Blue-ray Bonus Features and a special look and some concept art from the film below the cut:
Like many fans (an estimated $50 million opening weekend means a lot of fans) I entered the world of TRON: Legacy this weekend. I remember seeing the original TRON when I was in middle school and being totally absorbed in the world. Of course, I… Read More »TRON: Legacy Review – The World of TRON is coming for you
Let’s be honest, not every swing a Hollywood blockbuster will be a home run. But Jerry Bruckheimer is the Hollywood equivalent of Ryan Howard. So when Bruckheimer took on the task of converting the best selling video game “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” expectations were high for a big hit. Unfortunately the box office results were more like a single, maybe a double.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, a Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Film directed by Mike Newhall, transport you to the mystical lands of Persia for this entertaining, epic action-adventure. It‘s a race against time when a rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) reluctantly teams up with a rival princess (Gemma Arterton) to safeguard a magical dagger that gives its possessor the power to reverse time and rule the world. Filled with death-defying escapes and unexpected twists at every turn – Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a fun adventure in the spirit of Hollywood’s classic epic-adventures.
The is set in Persia, which had this Disney fan thinking immediately of Aladdin and the start of Prince echoed Aladdin very closely, Gyllenhaal plays Dastan, a street-rat elevated to princehood by a King looking for one son who would never have claim to the throne. But there’s a rat in the family and Dastan finds himself on the run and trying to clear his name. It’s a pretty typical movie plot.
Dastan teams with Princess Tamina (Arterton) who is charged with protecting a mystical device that literally controls the sands of time. When you add the ability to go back through time and fix errors made along the way, it’s like a gun on the mantle in act one, it’s bound to go off in act three. (Nic Cage’s ‘Next’ had a very similar plot device.) And that’s just what happens in Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.
Still, not all is lost. The movie does have that epic feel and the effects, stunts, and thrills are quite good. I particularly enjoyed the use of parkour for the chase and fight scenes. I would have liked to see even more of it.
If you do decide to add Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time to your video library, you’ll definitely want to the Blu-Ray/DVD combo. The rich beauty of the landscape and the technical digital creations of the special effects really shine through in the HD experience.
Disney’s billion dollar box office hit and Tim Burton’s epic fantasy adventure, Alice in Wonderland, comes out today on DVD and Blu-Ray disc in either a 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), 1-Disc Blu-ray, or 1-Disc DVD. So no matter what… Read More »Alice in Wonderland on DVD/Blu-Ray Today
Your normal excellent recap artist @oohamanda is on her own island tonight and unable to complete her button pushing duties. So I’m filling in. This was such an amazing episode, I had to watch every scene twice, if not more, to get everything. I’m sure there’s still stuff I missed too. So please help me fill in the blanks in the comments. Meanwhile here’s my lame attempt to fill oh_amanda’s shoes.
Just Four Hours of LOST left. Let’s dig in.
We open in our alternate LA timeline with Dr. Jack Shepard checking up on Locke who just came out of surgery. He got hit by a car driven by our Desmond, remember. Of course, Jack fixes Locke up fine from the accident and tells Locke he’s a ‘candidate’. Oh, there’s that word. A candidate for an expirimental surgery that might repair his spinal injury that paralyzes him. But for some reason Locke is not interested in the surgery. This, of course, only makes Jack (who must heal everybody) more interested in Locke’s case.
Now, we’re back on the Island and the gang is back together again (well pretty much). Jack was paddled over to Hydra Island by Sayid while Widmore’s henchmen try to stick Sawyer back in the Polar Bear cage. James is, of course, none to happy about that. None the less, Sawyer, Hurley, Kate, the Kwons, and pilot guy (why is he still around anyway? plot device?) end up in the cage.
Widmore tells them it’s for their own good and then inquires about whether the anti-blacksmokemonster fence is ready. It’s not, and Scottie in the engine room reports it will take an hour to fix. Captain Widmore tells him he hasn’t got that long, we need warp drive now … Smokey is on the way.
We are all looking for ways to get the most out of our vacations to Disney Parks. From pre-trip planning, to utilizing strollers, or even attempting to experience everything the Magic Kingdom has to offer in just one day, the advice in these podcasts is indeed… Read More »Mickey Heads-Disney Podcast Review 4-9-10
