It’s premiere week, so I’m here to give you “speedy reviews” of all the new ABC shows premiering this week. First up, Forever. Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Alana de la Garza, Lorraine Toussaint, Judd Hirsch Plot: Dr. Henry Morgan (Gruffudd) is a medical examiner living in… Read More »“Forever” Review
In “Guardians of the Galaxy,” director James Gunn has crafted a classic space opera that is the definitive summer blockbuster. Equal parts high-energy and action-packed, with healthy doses of humor, pop culture references, and melancholy, this movie hits all the bases for a satisfyingly fun… Read More »Guardians of the Galaxy Is the Ultimate Summer Blockbuster For Marvel
This latest venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe takes us as far away from Earth and its Mightiest Heroes as we could possibly go, the only connecting point being Thanos, who we saw at the end of The Avengers but doesn’t play that much larger… Read More »Guardians of the Galaxy Review
I’ll start this review with an admission that I wasn’t totally won over by last year’s “Planes,” so I was expecting more of the same. I had the opportunity to see “Planes: Fire & Rescue” last month during a Disney Parks Blog event, and was pleasantly surprised to find I enjoyed it quite a bit.
In this sequel, Dusty decides to help out Radiator Springs by becoming an aerial firefighter and is sent to Piston Peak National Park to train. There he meets up with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including feisty super scooper Dipper, Native American helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a group of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers.
Fighting forest fires isn’t easy, and when a huge blaze breaks out in the park, threatening a group of vacationers, Dusty learns what it really takes to be a hero. There are also lessons thrown in for the youngsters about loyalty and respect.
Read More »Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue Is More Fun Than the Original
After a year of fanfare and anticipation, Disney Channel finally premiered Girl Meets World last night, the sequel show to the beloved Boy Meets World from ABC. Cory and Topanga are now all grown up, are living in NYC, and have two kids, with their… Read More »Girl Meets World: Premiere Review
In the original Walt Disney Animated Classic “Sleeping Beauty” you get the feeling that the evil fairy Maleficent was more than just slighted at not getting an invite to Aurora’s christening. Instead, Maleficent was driven to the evil she became by some prior act. The new live-action version of that story, “Maleficent,” takes that idea and runs with it.
In the new film, movie-goers are entreated to learn another version of that story. One that flips the version you know and love on its head. A story of love, power, and misplaced trust that leads to betrayal of the deepest sort. The kind of betrayal that will cause one to do unspeakable things. Finally there is vengeance and the madness that comes from knowing you are the cause of your own sadness and loss.
As you can tell, these are some adult themes for a PG movie. The film never quite strikes the balance between telling a complicated story and presenting a movie the whole family can love. As such, it can seem a bit muddled at times. But it is a story that begs to be told and it features wonderful characters that we already know and are getting to learn more about. Aside from a few intense battle scenes, there is nothing in this film a family with mature 6 or 7 year olds, cannot enjoy together. Read More »Review: Disney’s Maleficent – Angelina Jolie Stars as Betrayed Fairy
I’ll admit, I’m a big fan of Marvel. I’ll also admit that “Captain America: The First Avenger” isn’t one of my favorite Marvel movies.
With the release of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” however, Marvel not only has another hit on their hands, but firmly entrenches this Avenger as a major force to be reckoned with in the Marvel Universe.
Where the first movie introduced Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and his superhero alter ego’s origins, this movie takes place in a post-Avengers world. One which Rogers is not only trying to catch up with, but one in which he’s trying to find his place in.
As the movie opens, Captain America is now working for S.H.I.E.L.D., but he’s not totally comfortable with all the grey areas the organization likes to operate in. He has an uneasy working relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and fellow agent Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), also known as Black Widow, and he’s highly suspicious of a new agency project that will neutralize potential threats before they happen.Read More »Captain America: The Winter Soldier Shows the Superhero In Fine Form
A few more reviews of “Dispatch from Disneyland: Stories and Essays from The Happiest Place on Earth” have been published this last week. From my point of view, it’s great to see readers understanding my intent behind the book. I hope you will see something… Read More »Dispatch from Disneyland – New Reviews