Thursday, April 30, 2009

Prince Of Persia Rides Again?


Production Weekly has a twitter-feed that says Mike Newell(Prince of Persia) is in negotiations to film Terry Rossio & Ted Elliott’s screenplay of Walt Disney Pictures "The Lone Ranger" remake/reboot/retool?

Word is the Suits like what they're seeing in the dailies and are confident in Newell as the director of Jerry Bruckheimer's next ginormous undertaking set for release in 2011. Crowded year with some other movie from the Mouse called TRON 2. Should be an interesting year for WDP. Johnny Depp is the only cast member signed right now. He's the faithful sidekick Tonto, but now the question will be who is the Lone Ranger?

Developing...

Assassinating Competition...


A teaser poster is out for the Wachowski Brothers' next film...

At least next produced film. "Ninja Assassin" is supposed to be a throwback to those seventies Kung Fu action films set in the contemporary world, I believe...

The poster plays up the Korean pop-star Rain. I'll be interested in seeing the trailer when it's released.

Developing...

Hat Tip to Dark Horizons.

What's All The "Hulu"bub, Bub?


The Mouse is taking an equity stake in the internet site started by NBC Universal, News Corp. and Providence Equity Partners...

Hulu will have access to the titles from The Walt Disney Studios library of films and full-length episodes of television shows produced by the company.

I wonder how this will affect their relationship with Apple and Disney's biggest shareholder?

Several member of the Mouse, including CEO Bog Iger will join the Hulu board.

Developing...

First Pic From The Second...


Iron Man 2 to be correct...

USAToday has an article out that shows us the first pic from Marvel Studio's big 2010 summer blockbuster.

I like the progression of Suits in the background. Suits? Get it? Seriously, I'm looking forward to this as Downey Jr. is one of the best actors out there.

Waiting to see...

New Transformers Trailer Falls Into Sight...


The new trailer for "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" has been released over at Yahoo! Movies...

Looks big. Looks fun. Giant robots fighting atop the pyramids? I'm there. Hopefully it'll be as fun as the first. I was pleasantly surprised with that one as I figured it would downright suck.

Time will tell...

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Before The Empire, Before The Dark Times...


With the release of these new posters it appears that STAR WARS Weekends are coming soon to a theme park near you...

Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park, that is.







Clever. I always love what they do with these posters. Now if the economy settles down and we can get some nice design plans approved by Iger and the Suits things will be going swimmingly...

Hat Tip to The Disney Blog.

Yo Joe! I Just Don't Know...


The new trailer for "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" is out and it looks as over the top as any film Stephen Sommers has ever done...

Sommers has the skills to deliver a great B-movie. I'm sure if he were directing in the 30's/40's he'd be doing serials(That's not an insult coming from me). Will it be good(Deep Rising, The Mummy) or bad(Van Helsing, The Mummy Returns)? Soon we'll all find out.

Watching and waiting...

Plllyyyyyyeesss, Let Dis One Be Trwugh, Eddie...


Wow...

The MTV Movie Blog got Robert Zemeckis to let loose with some exciting geek news. Let's just cross our finger that it's not turning the rabbit into some CG version. He's a 2D character no matter if he's in a 3D world. But I'll wait and see what comes to fruition. Color me interested.

Developing...

It's Amazing What A Dollar Buys...

Take that Eisner! Take that Eisner! Take that Eisner! Take that Eisner! Take that Eisner! Take that Eisner!

Jeffrey Katzenberg signed with DreamWorks Animation for another four years...

He'll be the head of the company he founded for at least until 2013 with a salary of $1 a year plus stock options. I guess this means we can look forward to more pop-culture jokes and crude humor?

Seriously, Katzenberg deserves credit for creating an animation company out of nothing and making it the primary competition for the Lamp in a little more than a decade. Sadly, the Mouse's own animation house hasn't been in the game for the last decade. Maybe this holiday season that will change. Ironically with a movie very much like the ones produced in the late 80's/early 90's under Kazenberg.

If anything, I look forward to the projects that DreamWorks is coming up with. Kung Fu Panda has raised the bar and expectations for it's sequel and the films(How to Train Your Dragon, Master Mind, Truckers, ect.) that come after it.

Time will tell...

Spring Forward...


I meant to put this up last week but computer problems put it on the back burner...

The 2009 DisneySEA Spring Carnival is going on right now at the Tokyo Disney Resort. If you attend the DisneySEA theme park you'll get to see some incredibly beautiful garden decorations, entertaining shows and scenery that makes an already pretty park even prettier, if that's possible. Here are a few links:

If you'd like to check out more, here's the TDR official website for it... HERE.

Here's a Japanese commercial for it that's playing on television right now... HERE.

Someone shot a video while walking around the TDS park showing you some of the sights and atmosphere you'd find... HERE.

This is an example of the stage show that goes on in the Mediterranean Harbor, but the video doesn't do seeing it live... HERE.

Enjoy...

UPDATE:

I also wish to add if you want to know even more about the Tokyo Disney Resort then check out Joe's Joe In Japan website(appropriate name, don't you think?). Here are his Spring Carnival links... HERE and HERE and his YouTube channel HERE.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Websights For Sore Eyes...

Come on guys, get it together. It's not like you're Universal Studios or something...Come on guys, get it together. It's not like you're Universal Studios or something...


If you've ever wanted to find out something about the Disney parks from the actual source then chances are you've gone to the official websites...

The one above is what you see when you wind up on the front page of the Disneyland Resort website.

Then you'll find this one if you click on to the Walt Disney World Resort's website.




And across the Pacific Ocean you'll find the Tokyo Disney Resort when you click on this website.



In the opposite direction across the Atlantic Ocean you'll find the Disneyland Paris Resort if you click on this website.



Lastly, you'll come across the Walt Disney Company's newest park, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort if you navigate to this website.



Notice the differences? In both design, style and quality they vary a great amount. All but one are owned by Disney(Tokyo being the OLC).

I find it a bit ironic that the blandest of them all is the original one for the Disneyland Resort. It's a bit too wordy for me. Cluttered with too much information scattered about, they could use a bit of design sense from someone at, say Apple? Or even one of their sister websites? Even though they are all owned by the same Mouse, I don't think they're all done by the same art department. This is clearly one instance where I think a little uniformity could help. See? I do believe in cloning... just not the parks.

Out of all the websites, the most creative and visual pleasing is the Disneyland Paris site. It's got great photos and is much easier to navigate than the rest. Tokyo's site is quite accessible, but lacks enough pleasing photos to do such a great park justice. Might I suggest they hire Chris Calabrese over at TDRFAN for their graphics? The Hong Kong site is nice and much more maneuverable than the American websites, although it too could use a few more photos of the small, but beautiful Chinese park. WDW's site is clearly better than Disneyland's but there is a generic quality to it that could be plussed as well. Get those Imagineers in there and have them help the web designers with some creative navigability. Better yet, tell Steve Jobs to stop by and give a few pointers. His self imposed vacation should be just about over soon, right?

With such a large marketing department you'd think the Mouse would have a little more design sense for their websites...

Monday, April 27, 2009

Blue Sky Summer...


Summer is about to be upon us and time to focus on the films that Blue Sky Disney is looking forward to. In no particular order...

Public Enemies (July 1, 2009) - I'm probably looking forward to no other movie than this Michael Mann directed bio-pic of the crime wave of John Dillinger(Johnny Depp) and his G-Man Nemesis Melvin Purvis(Christian Bale). This is the tops for me this summer, the bee's knees.

Up (May 29, 2009) - Any film made by Pixar is a film worthy of seeing. John Lasseter and his crew focus on story, story and oh, I forgot... story. It looks like Pete Docter has made sure it's going to be a rousing adventure and I like adventure as much as the next lad out there. Plus I can't wait to see more of my favorite character, Dug!

Star Trek (May 8, 2009) - Let me state for the record that I'm not a Trekkie or Trekker, if you want to be specific. I'm a Star Wars type of guy. But this film looks really, really cool. It's got the intensity and drive of a space action film that I've never seen in a Trek film(the only exception could possibly be "Khan")).

500 Days of Summer (July 17, 2009) - Marc Webb's love story that's not a love story starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt(Brick, G.I. Joe) and Zooey Deschanel(Bridge to Terabithia, Yes Man). This is one of those indie films that happens to appeal to my personal taste. Plus I think Gordon-Levitt is a star waiting to break out... could G.I. Joe be his chance? Or will it be at a later date since he missed out on being Spider-Man once Tobey decided to come back for a gigantic paycheck? Either way, this is one of those films I'll search out and catch with a few friends.

Terminator Salvation (May 21, 2009) - I never thought I'd willingly go see a film by McG, but the Michael Bay on steroids style slick shots I'm used to seeing from him are missing in these trailers for the next Terminator film. Add Christian Bale to the mix and I'm curious to see if he can pull off a film that I'll not only like, but love. And I can't help mentioning it one more time: No Will Smith, McG!

The Hurt Locker (June 26th, 2009) - Katherine Bigelow's(Near Dark, Point Break) take on the current Iraq War without any political slant, just a good old fashioned action-adventure film. Something she's darn good at doing. I've wanted to see this one since I heard the early buzz about it coming from the screenings it's had. It's supposed to be a heart stopper from start to finish. I'll be there.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (June 26, 2009) -
The Brothers Bloom (May 15, 2009) - And while we mentioned Michael Bay, let's focus on what the real one is doing. I'll be the first to admit I thought "Transformers" would suck. I was wrong. At least for me, I enjoyed watching the tale of giant robots destroying the earth. Hopefully the sequel will have more of that and less of Shia trying to score with Megan Fox. But this is definitely one of the big tent pole films of the summer I'll be buying a ticket for.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (July 15, 2009) - I'm not one of those fans of the books(although I have read and enjoyed the first one), but I am a fan of the film series. I've enjoyed as each one has gotten darker and darker, calling on Harry to reach further inside himself to confront the evil that destroyed his family. I think they've done quite well by the direction Warner Bros. has chosen with the series and this is one Muggle planning on being there opening night.

Drag Me To Hell (May 29, 2009) - Finally, Sam Raimi returns to his roots. I AM THERE. The story of a woman who's the recipient of a nasty curse will give shivers of delight to "Evil Dead" fans all across geekdom. My only worry, or any one's worry, is that the rating will be PG-13. I think it'll still be scary enough to please the traditional Evil Dead crowd as that rating is closer to an "R" than it was a decade ago. I just think it'll have less blood and more scares... which is fine with me. I just wonder if Bruce makes a cameo?

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (August 14, 2009) - Hayao Miyazaki next classic animated piece about an old man who goes on an adventure in his house by attaching balloons to it... er, scratch that. No, it's actually the story of a small mermaid in the sea named Ponyo who becomes a human girl. Along the way, she strikes up a friendship with a young boy named Sōsuke. Long considered a pivotal influence on the development of Pixar, Miyazaki is an animation legend... and one that still works in beautiful, hand-drawn animation. looking forward to it.

Inglourious Basterds (August 21, 2009) - I've read every script by Quentin Tarantino(Kill Bill, Jackie Brown) since he made "Pulp Fiction," but after reading the first ten pages of the ginormous script that makes up this film, I put it away. I wanted to experience one of his films for the first time in a long time without knowing what was coming next. And although Brad Pitt's accent is atrocious, I still plan on being in line on opening weekend to watch some Nazi's get scalped.

The Hangover (June 5, 2009) - Todd Phillips(Old School, Starsky & Hutch) latest film looks like another hysterically funny adventure with a macabre twist. Set in Las Vegas, this comedy tells the story of three groomsmen who lose groom during a night of drunken misadventures. They find themselves with a lost baby and have to retrace their steps from the night before to find him and the answers to this unknown baby.

District 9 (August 14, 2009) - Neill Blomkamp's(who was supposed to direct "Halo" before the studio got buyer's remorse upon seeing the budget) makes a film based on his short, "Alive in Joburg" about aliens having landed on earth and a secretive camp at which they are held. A thinly veiled account of social conditions in some parts of Africa disguised as a Sci-Fi film. It's been getting kudos from all who've seen it in very selected screenings. I'm looking forward to seeing what I could've expected from Halo and the Suits will be as well.

Honorable mention(or not):

G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra (August 7, 2009) - Stephen Sommers is pretty much hit and miss with me. While I know he can deliver a fun, action filled yarn(The Mummy), I know he can also deliver a massive, high-concept travesty(Van Helsing). Let's hope this is more on the fun side, because Joe is a story that could be very good in the right hands... the question is are those hands Sommers?

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (May 1, 2009) - Having read the original screenplay for this, I had high hopes. After seeing the preview I've wondered what to think. The trailer looks to be more of a sequel to "X-Men" than a spin off of it. I hope the film is good and am cautiously optimistic. I've had a friend see it and love it. Here's hoping that finding out about Wolvie's past doesn't make me hate his future.

Funny People (July 31, 2009) - Anything directed by Judd Apatow(The 40-Year-Old Virgin), I'm willing to watch. This is the story of George Simmons(Adam Sandler), a successful stand-up comedian that finds he has an inoperable blood disorder and given less than a year to live. Hilarity ensues... under anyone else I'd be doubtful, but Apatow is capable of turning the bizarre and benign into brilliance. I'll be there to see if this one is as funny as I expect.

When In Rome (August 7, 2009) - If Kristen Bell were in a film about a girl that stands there watching paint dry I'd watch it. Ok, maybe that's a bit exaggerated, but you get the point. I'm a big fan of "Veronica Mars" which starred my future wife, errr future ex-wife, errr future ex-girlfriend, maybe? This sappy sweet love story starring her and Josh Duhamel(lucky bastard) is about single art curator in Rome to attend her younger sister's wedding. While there, she finds a coins from a “fountain of love,” and leaves for New York. All the while, she's pursued by a band of wacky suitors whose coins she took. Go figure... it's Kristen Bell. I'm there.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Cloudy Clip...





You know, as much as I'm looking forward to Pixar's "Up," there are several other exciting jewels that will come with the Lamp's next release...

I'm probably just as excited about the trailer for Disney's first hand drawn film in half a decade, "The Princess and the Frog" and then there's that new Pixar short directed by Peter Sohn, "Partly Cloudy."

The Animation World Network has a 30 second clip of Cloudy and it looks stunningly beautiful. I've had a few e-mails from those lucky enough to have seen this short and they all seem to agree that it's classic Pixar and also a fresh, incredibly sweet and charming step into new horizons. At least for a short.

Enjoy...

The Ending Chapter...


Marty Sklar, long time Imagineer and one of the last people to actually work with the Maestro himself has announced his retirement from WDI and the Walt Disney Company...

There through good times and bad, Marty was a true symbol of Imagineering. Blue Sky Disney wants to wish Marty the best in whatever endeavor he takes on. He was part of Walt's dream and now he's going on to pursue his own dreams.

Dream on, Marty. Dream on...

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Blue Sky Buzz: Toys For Everyone...


With every bit of good news sometimes comes the bad or at least indifferent...

I'm not sure how I exactly feel about this. At first hand, I don't like it, but I also understand that Disney is a business as well as a personal love. I also realize that many fans will look upon this as quite a positive development as well.

Remember how, if you've been reading this blog for a long time, that I mentioned attractions that can be found at just about every Disney theme park? Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and Small World. All five are at almost every Disney theme park resort around the world... Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong(soon).

I know you're looking at that and saying it's only four. And you're right. I only listed four... the fifth is Toy Story Mania. The current plan by Disney Resorts fearless leader is to place the attraction in every park. We already have them in the American parks and Tokyo is getting theirs very soon, but Paris and Hong Kong are scheduled to get versions of this 3-D interactive attraction. I find the one we have here in DCA a very nice D-Ticket and by the middle of the next decade this little ticket will be in all five resorts... maybe six, but that's another story for another day.

I don't mind the parks having some attractions that are alike, I just don't want them all to be that way. I value the uniqueness of each park. I want there to be a reason to go to Orlando over Paris and a reason to see Tokyo over Anaheim. I don't mind certain attractions being cloned, I just don't want the parks cloned.

Jay Rasulo is not on my Christmas list as many may know, I only hope that addition of this attraction doesn't create a sense that everything has to go everywhere...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Techical Difficulties, Please Stand By...


Sorry, guys...

We've been having computer problems so updates over the next few days might be limited. Regular post should begin again shortly....

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Failure To Communicate...



You know, one of the reasons I'm glad to see John Lasseter in charge of the Mouse is that he has a vision of clarity that those before him did not...

One of Eisner's biggest mistakes in the mid 90's was putting some truly incompetent morons in charge of divisions that they knew nothing about(Pressler anyone?)

One of those Suits that was a glittering jewel of ignorance when it comes to animation was the head of Walt Disney Feature Animation during the latter part of that decade. David Stainton, whom appears now to be suffering from delusions of grandeur and is in the process of a complete whitewash of his tenure as head of the Mouse's animation division. We know that many people pad their resume, but I think Stainton isn't just padding, he's creating it from whole cloth.

I believe the propagandist in the old Soviet Union would be proud of his revisionist history. One would be hard pressed to find any negative attention to the turds he cranked out while there. No mention is also made of how demeaning and belittling he was to the talent. He was the Anti-Lasseter to be quite blunt. But with all his blathering on his new website, you wouldn't know this, somehow facts seem to get in the way of men like Mr. Stainton. History thankfully, doesn't and won't be so kind to such pompous egos...

Hat Tip to Cartoon Brew.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Building The Perfect Tiara...


I heard from a couple Bothans in that big, Hat Building...

His Waltness, John Lasseter has really taken to what he's seeing come together on "The Princess and the Frog" and production is at full pace. The crew is busy burning the midnight oil six days a week. The animators are tired, but proud of this little gem. About a fifth of the film is still being worked on with the rest of it primarily finished. The music by Randy Newman is charming collection of songs reflecting the soul of New Orleans. Most everyone seems to be happy with what they see as a return to classic, hand drawn Disney animation. Stunningly beautiful animation and a well told story to match... nice to not have Suits chiming in with their brilliant thoughts, just so they can claim accolades for it's success or pretend it wasn't their fault if it was a failure. But I digress, sorry. They say the trailer that's supposed to be in front of "Up" is an eye catcher. It's going to evoke those images of what it was like to go to a Disney film in the early 90's.

I look forward to going back in time and returning the present to the past, so to speak...

Saturday, April 18, 2009

There And Back Again And Again...


Soon, Empire Magazine will celebrate it's Twentieth Anniversary and they've turned the editorial reigns over to none other than Steven Spielberg, you remember him don't you? He's the brilliant director that made that mediocre Indiana Jones film last year...

Well anyway, he got some interesting things and juicy scoops for the issue. One of which is that Guillermo Del Toro and Peter Jackson have decided to turn "The Hobbit" into a two-parter. So that film will be broken in to two epic films so as to not have to strip away as much of J.R.R. Tolkien's brilliant prequel to "The Lord of the Rings."

No word on what will become of the other film that they were going to do back to back with this one. That "bridge" film is supposedly still a go, but nothing has been said about it lately.

I know Disney was hoping that "Narnia" would wind up being their LOTR, but that didn't pan out unfortunately(it was never that type of property, Suits...). I've got some thoughts about what and where they should turn next in an upcoming post next month.

Developing...

Hat Tip to /Film.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Blue Sky Buzz: Under New Management...


Now that the games of the boardwalk are open I thought I'd give you guys a hint of Paradise Pier's future...

If you've been to see the games you've notice how much more themed they are than the stucco Pressler nightmare that was there before. They are everything that the games before were not. And did I mention they're beautiful?

Well if you happen to walk past that Bullseye game you might want to take a look at the window front above it. The one on the left has signage that says: "Gustav Tinkershmidt: Proprietor" and it's a very telling storefront.

Who is Gustav Tinkershmidt? Well, he's the new owner of the Boardwalk. He's the one responsible for all the upkeep on this lovely pier. And when you ride Mickey's Fun Wheel when it opens next month you'll get to hear his voice. That's because his voice will be the one you hear while waiting in the queue line. Those of you that had fears of having Mickey's voice blast out of those speakers all day can put your mind at ease. The voice will be that of the new owner of Paradise Pier.

As work progresses on the World of Color nighttime show, many have been wondering what that big black structure is down in the water. Some people don't realize that it's where the more than 2000 jet nozzles will shoot water into the air. Water sculptures creating the illusion of magic will spread a wonderful new show this time next year. That structure down in the pier is how it will look when it's submerged during the show. After the lights go up and everyone has exited, the entire structure will rise from the water so that maintenance crews can inspect everything without having to do like the ones at the Bellagio do. They have to send scuba divers down to inspect it.

Also, the stores are supposed to go down this fall after the rush of guest from summer are gone. When they go down, the Orange Stinger will go down as well to be transformed into the Silly Symphony Swings. As work starts over where the former burger joint is, you can expect that the Victorian theming restaurant to take its place. But the food eatery will be a grill, not the Beer Garden that some were expecting. It will be themed to match the area though, no stucco, thank you.

Work continues on the new tarp and paint job for the Carousel as well as a new camera system for Cast Members to watch the back of the attraction without having to walk around it. The plan is to hopefully put a permanent structure atop the attraction near the end of Makeover, presuming attendance and sales will warrant it.

Come this time next year, Paradise Pier will be a dramatically different, much more layered area of DCA. A more decidedly Disney area of the park. One that guests have always expected, but soulless, bean counting Suits stupidly thought you wouldn't miss. Not to mention it'll have a back story. Something else that was missing when the park opened eight years ago.

The entire area won't be officially finished until about two years from this summer when the Little Mermaid attraction opens up. That along with the remodeled Princess Palace are going to make this area the place to be... for about one year. Then the jewel, Cars Land will open up(I still wish they'd call it Route 66). But that's a story for another post at a later date.


Three year years from now, the Second Gate we deserved will be opening. It will still need a little more TLC, but at last a Disney worthy park will reside across the Esplanade from Disneyland.

And that's a good thing...

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Adventures Of Carter and Chabon...


It appears that Andrew Stanton and Mark Andrews script for Walt Disney Pictures "John Carter of Mars" is getting a rewrite...

And it's by a pretty cool writer, Michael Chabon(Spider-Man 2, "The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay") via The Amazing Website of Kavalier & Clay. Chabon is a strong writer and any layers he can add to the story can only enhance it, making for a much better film.

Developing...

Hat Tip to Ain't It Cool News.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A "Monster" Of An Attraction...



Today not only is the Tokyo Disney Resort celebrating 26 years of dreams, wonders and magic, but it also officially opens the new Monsters Inc. attraction "Ride and Go Seek" at the original TDL.

The attraction is another amazingly detailed experience that is not to be missed if you wind spending a day there.



While not as quite as good as "Pooh's Hunny Hunt," the attraction is another stunning example of what happens when bean counters get out of the way of an idea. It's a solid D+ Ticket and a welcome addition to an already fantastic park.



Although not in English, the story is easy enough to follow for those that have seen the original film. It's a display of creativity that is unmatched in most other parks and just about every attraction. If the OLC keeps adding these kind of attractions it's going to overshadow the original park more than the ever growing presence of the incredible TDS. So again, if you're planning on standing in line...



Enjoy.

Another Belle, I Mean Bell...


Now that's what I want to see when I open my front door...

The lovely and talented Kristen Bell(Veronica Mars, When in Rome) has signed on to play in Andy Fickman's(The Game Plan, Race to Witch Mountain) new Disney comedy "You Again" written by scribe Moe Jelline. I hope she has time to do all this while planning our wedding, because that girl is gonna be busy. What? Darn, you mean that was all just a dream. Sorry honey, if you didn't want me to call you Kristen, you shouldn't have woken me up.

Anywho, Kristen Bell will play a young woman who finds out her brother is marrying the girl that made her experience in high school a nightmare. She tries to get her brother to understand the mistake he's taking and hilarity results...

Bell is becoming quite the Disney Cast Member between this and "When in Rome," which will be coming out in August. No word yet on when our wedding will be...

She's 26 Today...



Today, the first Disney theme park to be built outside America celebrates its twenty-sixth anniversary...

Tokyo Disneyland, which is now part of the larger and more elaborate Tokyo Disney Resort moves out of its silver celebration and heads toward the big 30. It'll be interesting to see what becomes of both parks by then. But four years can pass like the blink of an eye.

Up until a decade ago TDL was thought of as a great Disney park with excellent service and somewhat cleaner than the state-side parks. But then they wanted to improve on their park. They wanted to expand. A second park, some hotels and a shopping district... oh, and a couple new rides for the original park. About this time the Suits that had settled in at TeamDisney Burbank(whose last names were Scrooge), began to skimp out on the budgets in Anaheim and Orlando. But the Suits at the Oriental Land Company had grand plans. It's kind of interesting to note that the majority of the problems we have with the American parks began around 1996/1997 and continued through 2005... not even a whole decade, but the decline over eight plus years did take it's toll; both physically(the parks) and phycologically(the fans).

After a tussle with Eisner over what kind of park they wanted, they began creating experiences that Disney fans in the U.S. could only dream of(all of this is P.L. - pre-Lasseter). When Eisner finally gave up on pushing his "Disney-MGM Studios" clone and let WDI loose the whole Disney world changed. First, the Tokyo park got "Pooh's Hunny Hunt" which amazed guest and then it got a great new hotel(the Disney Ambassador) and shopping complex(Ikspiari). Then it got the jewel in the ring with its Second Gate(Tokyo DisneySEA) and adjoining hotel(Tokyo DisneySEA Hotel MiraCosta). From then on everything that Disney has done has been made in comparison to what Tokyo has...

I love TDL, it's filled with such wonderful attractions, pleasant atmosphere and attentive Cast Members. Blue Sky Disney wants to thank the OLC and WDI for creating a place where you can not only dream, but see those dreams built into towering examples of what Walt would have been proud.

Happy Birthday, Tokyo Disneyland!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Incredible Art: Syndrome's Island...


Brad Bird is a great director and not a bad writer...

Ok, let's just say I believe him to be brilliant. I look forward to everything he's involved in(1906 can't come soon enough). Even though I love Disney, it's my dream that the Warner Suits suddenly get the bright idea, or possibly listen to me(fat chance) and hire him to write and direct a Superman reboot. He's perfect for it. Pitch perfect.

My favorite film of his is "The Iron Giant," but my favorite Pixar film is "The Incredibles" because it's such a jewel of smarts, fun and wonder. It's a geek's delight with all the layers of detail that it holds...

One of those details that I bet not many know the name of Syndrome's island lair. Some would say: "It had a name?" Yes, it did...

Nomanisan Island.

Clever, don't you think? No. Man. Is. An. Island. Simple and brilliant. Like the man and the film. Well, I think it's time to look at some preproduction art for the island:































All artwork is copyright Disney, of course.