Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tangled Poster/Twisted Marketing...

Disney Marketing department, what the hell are you thinking???







The latest poster for Walt Disney Pictures' "Tangled" is out...

Memo To The Mouse: This. Is. Not. A. DreamWorks. Film.

As I've said before, I don't care too much for the marketing that is being done for this film. It's deceptive, it's manipulative and it bares very little resemblance to the actual film they're trying to promote. Let me be clear, I've not seen the film yet, but I've talked to several who have. I've had e-mail discussions with others and I've talked to a couple Bothans that worked on it. I've also seen the reactions from those that have been to the screenings too. And everything I get from that is a world away from what the marketing department has delivered.

I think the "Boy Factor" and the "Princess Factor" have been blown way out of proportion in their decision to portray this film as hip, edgy and something that boys will clamor to go see. In fact, I think the marketing department should be fired. They've done a horrible job promoting this film. Then again, look at the marketing job they've done for "Tron Legacy" and see the difference. It's pretty good, hmmm? Perhaps they've just forgotten how to publicize a Disney animated film?

Because from all I've been able to gather, this film resembles a cross between "The Little Mermaid" and "Sleeping Beauty," not "Shrek" or "The Road to El Dorado." I've heard testimonials from people that said this is a truly great animated film: hauntingly beautiful and filled with moments that will make you laugh and cry. From the beginning to the end it is every bit as worthy of the Disney Animation moniker as those classic films from the 50's to the 80's. Take my advise and don't let the trailers or posters keep you from seeing this. See it for yourself and judge it for yourself.

Let's just hope the marketing department hasn't forgotten how to promote "Winnie the Pooh" come this time next year...

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

3D In 6 Episodes...

Too long, long ago...


This galaxy was real to me a generation ago...

Now, for those too young to remember it, or were not yet around, the galaxy of Star Wars will be released in glorious third dimension, making it all, uhm, realer? I wonder if it'll make "Phantom Menace" appear any better? Probably not, 3D may bring a new dimension to the saga, but it won't bring a better story sadly.

Lucasfilm will release them a year at a time starting in 2012 all the way through 2017. I'll start heading into the theater around 2014. I'll skip the first two parts as they hold no interest to me other than how not to make a film/how to screw up a franchise. But I bet someone will be out there the first night at the front of the line with his Episode One shirt and Boba Fett shorts on screaming: "Han shot first!" Now, if only Lucas would get that live-action series going. Or go to making those experimental films he's been talking about. Or even better yet, sell the company George. Don't think of this as the total of what Lucas plans turning into 3D either.

I hear whips and falling boulders could soon make the conversion as well...

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Clu's Digital Bits & Pieces...

Brrrmmmm, brrrmmm...

Badass...





Every film goes through the development phase...

Walt Disney Pictures' "Tron Legacy" is filled with amazing images, you can see that from the trailers that have been released. But before a frame of film is shot, there are the production designs that have to be approved. Here, is a sampling of what was approved...


























Yes, I'm there...

Bad Mutha...


One of the first official images of "Tangled's" new Disney Villain: Mother Gothel...

And if you want to know a little more about her, then here is a nice little short that Walt Disney Animation Studios has come out with. It explains a bit more about her motivations and gives a sense that this isn't just a DWA rip-off like some have gotten from the trailers.

Awaiting November...

From Pirate Gold To Silver Bullets...

Hi ho...


It seems that Jerry Bruckheimer is getting closer to finding a director for his "Lone Ranger" remake...

And it's a familiar face/name that is the likely candidate: Gore Verbinski.

The famed "Pirates" director is in talks to helm the story of the famous western hero. That would reteam him with Johnny Depp and put the picture on a track for filming sometime next year. Of course, with Depp's list of projects that really is very fluid. The man is more in demand than water is in a drought.

No official start date has been announced, but if Verbinski signs then you can bet that this project will move to the front burner for the Mouse and Jerry. The earliest you'd likely see it is the holidays, 2012. But that's just an estimation. Still no word on who will don the mask, but I'd guess people like Crowe, Clooney and McConaughey are on the short list. My choice?

Jon Hamm...

Monday, September 27, 2010

What Might Have Been, Is Now Just A Dream...


So here we are reporting sad news that's also great news...

How can that be? Well, what was to be a "Disney Double Dare You!" project will finally get made, but as a DreamWorks Animation film. If you haven't heard, Guillermo del Toro has brought his animated project, "Trollhunters" over to Jeffrey Katzenberg's diggs. And he is directing it as well as writing and producing it. Where does this man find the time? And to add insult to injury, the film will based on a book he wrote that he turned into Hyperion Publishing two weeks ago. That ring a bell to you guys? It's Disney's publishing arm. Sigh. There is an opportunity for a brand franchise that Iger has missed. Sigh again.

While I'm excited about the idea of actually seeing it come to the screen, it's a sad situation when it could have been under the shuttered Disney shingle. I know that Guillermo del Toro's decision to go forward with "The Hobbit" was a major factor in this falling apart, but I can't help but feel that the Mouse Suits couldn't have fostered a better relationship to try and salvage this and other projects. Still, with Sean Bailey, the new President of Production, I feel that the relationship with del Toro could be strengthened. Hopefully the production of "Haunted Mansion" will go smoothly and foster more opportunities with the director.

Still, DreamWorks Animation is moving up in my own opinion. Between hiring world class cinematographers and Oscar winning screenwriters for their future projects, now the involvement of del Toro, the future of Jeffrey's House is now brighter than ever. Not only is del Toro doing "Trollhunters," but he will be listed as an executive producer on "Kung Fu Panda 2," "Puss in Boots" and did fix-up work on the upcoming "Megamind." While I still believe the Lamp is the premiere animation studio to be knocked from the top of the mountain, Katzenberg's company is making a serious play at knocking them from that place. It's going to be interesting to watch over the next few years. Let's hope Bailey can cement a solid working relationship with the director so the Mouse can benefit from him as well.

Hollywood is nothing if not relationships...

Music 2 My Ears...

Yeah, mmmmmm mmmmmm...




Everything for "Tron Legacy" seems to be building very positively for the Mouse...

It's now been announced that the soundtrack to the sequel to the cult classic will be released almost a month before the film. November 22 will see Tron fans everywhere getting a preview of the film by being able to hear the music from it. Check out the official website for the soundtrack.

The official press release:

The highly anticipated original motion picture score for TRON: Legacy, composed and produced by the iconic and critically acclaimed Grammy® Award–winning French duo Daft Punk, will be released by Walt Disney Records on Monday, November 22, 2010. Presented in Disney Digital 3D™, Walt Disney Pictures’ “TRON: Legacy” hits U.S. theaters on December 17, 2010, in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

Having grown up with admiration of Disney’s groundbreaking original 1982 film “TRON,” Daft Punk took on the scoring of the next chapter of the story with extraordinary thought and precision. The duo assembled a symphony of one hundred world class musicians in London and recorded the orchestra at AIR Lyndhurst Studios, Britain’s premier scoring facility.

From Daft Punk’s first single release in 1993, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter were hailed as a new breed of electronic music innovators. Following their seminal debut in 1997 (Homework), the band went on to release two more studio albums (Discovery-2001, Human After All-2005) and two live albums (Alive 1997, Alive 2007), winning them both critical and popular acclaim throughout the world. Daft Punk are known as much for their music and technical innovation as their groundbreaking and elaborate visual universe, which centers around their irrepressible and mysterious Robot personas. In 2006, their directorial art house film debut, “Daft Punk’s Electroma,” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and in 2007 they toured internationally with a jaw-dropping live show that was an awe-inspiring combination of their musical and visual prowess. Their collaboration with Kanye West on his #1 hit single “Stronger” was hailed as “The Song of the Year” by SPIN Magazine (January 2008 issue), which also saw Daft sharing the cover with Kanye, having been awarded “Tour of the Year” by the magazine. Daft Punk performed with West on the Grammy Awards in 2008, marking the mercurial duo’s first and only television appearance anywhere in the world. “TRON: Legacy” will mark Daft Punk’s first film score.



Looking forward to everything associated with this film: the movie, the music, the merchandise...

Hat Tip to /Film.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Small Favors...



Sorry for the lull in post, guys...

I've had a very busy week followed by an even busier weekend. I've been attending, with the help of a couple friends, the Destination D events and figured I'd bring you a couple of interesting nuggets. The first one was when asked about what was his favorite attraction never built, Tony Baxter mentioned that his favorite was DisneySea in Long Beach (the Port Disney Resort he was referring to). And the designs and plan for that is what allowed Tokyo DisneySEA to be built. That's music to my ears, hearing someone I greatly admire mention that. He GETS it. Let's hope the Disney Suits let him pursue some other dreams he has. I know he had been working on Plus +ing several attractions around the park, but he's got a few grand designs I'd love to see get greenlit. And if all goes well, we should start to hear about some of those as DCA's Phase One gets closer to the end. Cross your fingers. Too bad the Suits wouldn't let him talk about any of this.

But the other thing I wanted to mention, which is rather interesting is how much we owe to Breck Eisner. You know him, right? He's Michael's son. When Eisner first became head of the Mouse he put a halt to all development so he could see what they were working on and decide what would continue and what would be halted. Being as he wanted to see how these projects would be perceived by kids, he brought along his fourteen year old son, Breck to look at the projects. He wanted to see what ideas/concepts lit a fire under his son. Three things in particular made the young lad's eyes light up. Out of all the projects, Star Tours, Splash Mountain and Captain EO were what he liked. All three were then greenlight and the rest is history. We owe that young fella more than you can comprehend, so I guess I'll just have to forgive him for "Sahara."

So with that I only have one question. Where was young Breck when Disney's California Adventure was being thought up? Couldn't Eisner have brought his now early twenties son in and showed him the carnival model? He could of said: "Dad! What were you thinking!?" Saved a lot of time and money. Sadly he was around twenty-four or so and likely finishing up college. Dang higher education! Look at what you have wrought! Ok, ok. Enough of that, but imagine how things could have been different if the young man had just happened to have had bad taste?

You know, like his father...

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Epic Fail...

Yeah, another DCA post lamenting the failure of the past...


Lame...

Can't read it? Here:

"To all who believe in the power of dreams... welcome!
Disney's California Adventure opens its golden gates to you.
Here we pay tribute to the dreamers of the past...
the native people, explorers, immigrants, aviators,
entrepreneurs and entertainers who built the Golden State.
And we salute a new generation of dreamers who are
creating the wonders of tomorrow... from the silver screen
to the computer screen... from the fertile farmlands to the
far reaches of space. Disney's California Adventure
celebrates the richness and diversity of California... its
land, its people, its spirit and, above all, the dreams
that it continues to inspire."

Michael D. Eisner
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
February 8, 2001


That was the original address to DCA that Michael Eisner delivered at the park's opening. Sounds totally like something you want to spend forty or fifty bucks on, doesn't it? I read that and just couldn't imagine how this man did not realize how totally out of touch had become with the general guest and average Disney fan. It's not that he hadn't done anything right before. For the better part of the first decade he did a great deal of good. Not everything, but most of what he did was smart and effective. The exact opposite happened the second decade he was there. I sometimes wonder what would have happened had Frank Wells not taken that helicopter ride. Perhaps he would have continued to been the balancing act to Eisner's hubris.

So let me take this opportunity to give an address for the new DCA in 2012. Let's just pretend that I'm giving that rechristening speech when Cars Land is opened and Phase One has officially ended:


"To all those that love the Disney name, what it represents and the meaning it has to California... welcome! Disney California Adventure represents to the world that Walt Disney saw when he stepped off that train to begin building his dreams. From the seaside of a Golden State that had already faded to the place where our company's first animated feature premiered, you will see and live those dreams. From the golden era of Hollywood, where this company's foundations were set to the great mountains of Yosemite, the myths of its native peoples, and the dreams that they brought forth. From historic Route 66 through which the path to California was not only a destination, but a world through which Walt let everyone experience the magic. The wonders that this land offered our founder helped us create this great company: the films, the parks and the experiences that it fostered. California offered to us a platform to construct a world; one which no longer exist, never was or someday might be. But one that could be dreamed. And when you walk through these gates, you will become entranced by it. Not only our past or present, but our future."
Honor Hunter
Temporary CEO for a day
Walt Disney Company


Ok, so it's a first draft, but it's better than the limp attempt that Michael tried to pass off as something even remotely interesting...

Weaving Black Widow...

Widow, Black Widow...







And the possibilities just keep multiplying...

We all knew there were many characters to have the opportunity to exploit, but what appears to be happening is a build up to the "Avengers" film and then a build out from there. There's a really nice interview with Kevin Feige over at MTV's Splash Page. But the important quote is this:

"We've already started discussions with Scarlett about the idea of a solo movie and have begun putting together concepts," Feige told reporters, adding one very important caveat: "'The Avengers' comes first."

So the plans for Marvel Studios keep getting broader. As of now, the plan is for two movies a year as of 2013. That said, if more of these characters keep going through development then we may see a year where three Marvel films will be out before the middle of the decade. And remember, as of that year all the films and sequels that are distributed by Paramount will be solely under the Mouse. Of course, with the notable exceptions licensed by Fox and Columbia. In addition to these projects you have all the animated series, possible greenlighting of live action series and the upcoming Marvel Shorts, not to mention the internet series. It's going to be a Men-in-Tights decade for sure.

Developing...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Disney's Hong Kong Fu-ture...

Money makes the Mouse go around...


A lot has went under the radar lately with the Mouse's Asian exploits...

Tokyo. Hong Kong. Shanghai. Tokyo is mentioned quite often on this site, as most of you know my love of Tokyo DisneySEA. I'll talk about Shanghai Disneyland in a future post, but not much has been mentioned of the fifth anniversary of Disney's first Chinese Gate.

Hong Kong Disneyland, the fifth Magic Kingdom style park celebrated half a decade earlier in the month and although the park/resort has had financial troubles from the get go, things are starting to look up. Having missed its first year target by about a quarter of a million visitors, the next year dropped off quite a bit as the novelty of the opening wore off. Now, even though it missed the original mark, it wasn't by much, there were over five million guests that went through those turnstiles. The parks' third year saw a bump from the second year, and last year was a modest bump up from that. This year the park seems to be improving on that and if the current trend continues then the attendance will get close to the first years mark. See that trend? If the current projections continue and the park keeps attracting a loyal, and growing following, then next year will see them break through the opening year numbers. The Chinese are slowly growing to like and appreciate what the Disney experience has to offer. With all the seasonal theming and holiday layovers that the entertainment division has come up with, the public is accepting the park as a permanent part of the Hong Kong setting.

There are cultural differences and obstacles that the Mouse has had to overcome, but they're slowly making progress. Much of this progress/learning will/has been applied to Shanghai. But the future is finally looking up with more guests entering the park, and just as important: spending money on food and merchandising. The financial troubles have led the company to not take any royalties it was contractually guaranteed during the last two years. That agreement has been reworked and is now tied to park performance. And with the uptake in the crowds on Lantau Island, that means that starting next year Disney will start taking in those profits again. And as more positive news happens, more optimism grows within WDI that other projects will be approved more quickly. After all, there's a lot of expansion room still left for the first park in Hong Kong even after the Extreme Expansion of 2011-14. The area to the south of the current expansion has many possibilities as well as several areas behind and beyond Fantasyland. There are many classic Disney attractions that Imagineers would love to add and plus in that section by or around the middle of this decade. As always, time will tell. And money will be the storyteller.

Notice I said "first" park? That's because the Mouse has a couple years on its deal before construction has to begin on a Second Gate or the land across the Esplanade is free for the government of Hong Kong to use or sell to another buyer. Will they do that? Not likely. Will Disney start work/break ground on a second gate by 2013? Again, not likely. What will likely happen is a renegotiation of the terms of the deal. An extension so to speak. An announcement of a second park will be an important and integral part of the resort's future, but not until the latter part of this decade. But with the attendance going up and construction of the new lands, the news coming out of Penny Bay is finally good news for Burbank.

And that's good news for you and I as well...

Monday, September 20, 2010

October Avengers...


The beginning of the transformation of Disney XD into the Marvel Channel is almost upon us...

The Marvel Press Release:

New animated series "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes!" will premiere Wednesday, October 20 at 8:30 p.m., ET/PT on Disney XD. Produced by Marvel Animation, the series features Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, Ant-Man/Giant Man and Wasp. They form the Avengers, a team assembled when the powers of a single hero are not enough to save the world.

Beginning Wednesday, September 22, Disney XD, DisneyXD.com/Avengers, Marvel.com, MarvelKids.com and Disney XD Mobile will roll out 20 micro-episodes introducing the team's core members. Each five-and-half-minute episode focuses on the back story, allies and nemeses of the heroes before the Avengers were formed.

In the two-part series premiere, "The Breakout," Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Ant-Man and Wasp have defeated some of the most dangerous Super Villains on the planet. But when the Super Villain prison system mysteriously shuts down, chaos is unleashed on the world. Earth's Mightiest Heroes must now band together as the Avengers to protect the planet from the threats that no single Super Hero could face alone. Their first task is to try and stop Graviton, a being whose power dwarfs anything ever seen. He's after Nick Fury, but will destroy the world to get to him. Individually the heroes have no chance, but together they can make a difference.

The complete multiplatform rollout is:

Wednesday, September 22

Disney XD will air a special sneak peek of the first micro-series episode, "Iron Man is Born!," at 8:30 p.m., ET/PT directly following premiere of the network's newest series, "Pair of Kings."

DisneyXD.com/Avengers, Marvel.com, MarvelKids.com and Disney XD Mobile will unveil a new micro-episode every day, for 20 days, leading up to the micro-episodes' premiere on Disney XD. DisneyXD.com/Avengers will also feature a gallery of each of the Avengers and offer inside information about Kang, Loki and the rest of the "most wanted" Marvel Super Villains.

Tuesday, October 5

Select micro-episodes will be made available as a free preview on iTunes.

Monday, October 11

Disney XD will roll out all 20 micro-episodes during "Avengers Week" from Monday, October 11 to Friday, October 15, with four micro-episodes stacked each night at 8:30 p.m., ET/PT.

The complete micro-series becomes available on Disney XD on Demand on AT&T, Verizon, Charter and Cox.

Wednesday, October 20

The series premiere of "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes!" airs with two back-to-back episodes from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., ET/PT. The series also launches on DisneyXD.com/Avengers, Marvel.com and Marvelkids.com.

Thursday, October 21

Full episodes launch on iTunes, Xbox Live, Sony Playstation and Disney XD Mobile VOD.

Monday, October 25

The series becomes available on Disney XD on Demand on AT&T, Verizon, Charter and Cox.

And there are still two more Marvel series that will premiere next year. Not to mention several other projects in the work for XD.

Maybe they could call it the Men-In-Tights Network...

InserTRON...


I've gotten a few e-mails asking me about the rumored insertion of "Tron Legacy" into the nightly World of Color show...

So let me set the record straight. No. It's not getting inserted into the night time water show, but it will be there to see. What? How can that be, you say? Well, it will be projected up there for all to see, but it won't be during the show. At least, that's what the Bothans have told me.

You remember how the show ends? When the finale happens and the lights come up there is a WOC logo while the fountains dance a bit, flashing different sorts of colors? As that happens people tend to watch the display as they exit Paradise Park. Well, that ending with the fountains won't be there. Instead the large mist sprays will be used to broadcast bits and pieces of the Tron Legacy trailer as an advertisement for the upcoming film. So essentially it's a product placement.

Quite literally, it's an aquatic trailer...

Friday, September 17, 2010

The Third Clone...


Tonight the Cartoon Network debuts the third season of The Clone Wars to a wanting audience...

I can't wait to see how this ends. I sure hope the Republic beats back those evil Separatist. I want the Republic to win because they're in the right, you know. Don't know what would happen if those nasty rebels won. Gosh knows what would happen then, hmmm?

I've actually enjoyed this show far more than I expected. That said, I wish Lucasfilm would do some stories that involve a plot we don't know the ending to. How about some future adventures of Luke and Han? Or some forgotten tales of the Old Republic? The Star Wars Universe is vast and filled with opportunities that have yet to be explored. As much fun as I have watching this show, I find it hard to cheer for a man that kills a bunch of young kids when he turns out to be too ignorant to realize what he's been fighting for is a farce. For being so all powerful, Jedi Knights seem incredibly bad at noticing the obvious.

Watch it and give in to the Dark Side...

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Epic Release...


So we now know when Disney Interactive's "Epic Mickey" game will be released on the Wii...

With that release date comes the final trailer for the game. The game looks quite fun and has the detail and narrative one would expect from Junction Point's Warren Spector. When you watch it, take a look at that Partners statue and notice the clever difference. Very clever.

I believe this will be a great holiday hit for the Mouse and Nintendo users as well. The expansive nature of the game is very interesting, if the gameplay is as good, it'll be fun to sit back and enter this new world.

Now, if I could only find someone with a Wii...

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Tangled Vs. Tangled...


A second trailer has been released for Walt Disney Pictures' "Tangled" today...

It's far better than the first trailer, but still flawed in it's presentation. The film itself looks gorgeous, but the tone is far off from what you'll really see in the theater.

There's also a better trailer that was released internationally today. It shows a little bit more of the film and also shows a bit of the famous lantern scene that is supposed to look amazing. Judging by this clip, it is. My biggest complaint against this trailer, heck, all of the trailers for this film is the use of a rock song to try and make it feel hip. There is no rock song in this film, unless you stay through the credits and then you'll get the one that's tacked on. But the film and the music follow a more classical tone that these trailers would have you believe. All those that saw it at last week's press screening would agree.

November will soon be here...

From Postcards To The Past...


As many of you know, this week prep begins for the hubcap and bathroom tiles to come down...

We have to wait a little while before the alphabet joins it as most construction on the front takes place in the new year, but progress abounds. Once the metallic sun goes down, prep work will begin for the new weenie; the replica of the Carthay Circle Theater. The mosaic tiles will be slowly disappearing behind the California letters. The design, meant to appear as a postcard looking into the wacky world of the Golden State, never really connected with anyone. The artwork looked far better than the actual result, and the result didn't look that good. If you make theming that has to be explained then it's not good theming. A major problem is the fact that the real world the park was to represent, can be gotten outside for free. No need to pay almost $80 bucks for it.

The entire mark of the entrance (and park) were off. When you walk down the entrance, it doesn't take you out of the real world, it just tells you you're in a cheap replacement for it. Contrast this with Main Street U.S.A., which with each step you take, sends you into an idealised version of turn-of-the-century America. By the time you get to the hub, you've left reality and moved on to another world. One created by Walt and his dreams.

It's not the same over experience across the Esplanade. After moving that short distance from the gates to Sunshine Plaza, you're left wandering why you paid for something you can get outside. And usually better themed. That's a major mistake and one that made many a person not go through the turnstiles. I know a lot of people e-mailed me to say that I was saying the new theming is as good as DisneySEA. Anyone who says that hasn't been reading this blog for very long. No theme is as as strong as TDS, save for Disneyland itself. And both of those aren't perfect either. There are cases and places where things have been put that don't belong. That said, I accept the new layout and explanation for Anaheim's Second Gate. It works a great deal better than the original plan ever did. I like how the new plan is a compliment and be a flip on the whole concept of Main Street.

While Main Street U.S.A. is a romantic, idealized version of Marceline, Missouri that Walt saw in is days as a young boy and Disneyland is a reflection of his imagination. Buena Vista Street will be a romantic, idealized version of Los Angeles, California that Walt saw in his first years starting his company and California Adventure will be a reflection of the adventures created by his company. I like that. It's not perfect, but then again, the Arabian Coast in Tokyo DisneySEA is an attempt to wedge something from the desert, where there was no water anywhere to be seen, into an aquatic environment. And it works. You have to suspend your belief and reasoning when looking at it and also forget that the film makes no mention related to the ocean or water. But the Imagineers made it believable. DCA will have a connection to the magic of the Disney Brothers company that started in L.A. so long ago. The entire park will be transformed into the Disney experiences viewed through the times and themes of the state where Walt made it all happen.

And when it's all done in 2012, it won't be really done. There will still be work to be done. There always will be. But a kid coming into that new entrance is going to have a much better experience than the tykes that walked past those letters in February almost a decade ago. As time goes by, the theming and detail will get better and slowly we will forget the mess this park was in the beginning. Let's just make sure we never let the Suits forget.

The second decade of this park is going to shine like Sunshine Plaza never did...

Monday, September 13, 2010

The Talent Pool...


The Mouse has a lot of big named talent developing projects right now...

The verdict on Rich Ross is still out and it'll be a year or more before we start seeing the results of his taste, but I'm quite surprised and curious as to the people that he's attached to films in the Disney future. Examples? Just off my fading memory:

20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea - I would have never thought that David Fincher would adapt a family film classic like this with a script by screenwriter Scott Burns.

Oz the Great and Powerful - Sam Raimi is in line to direct this reinterpretation of the L. Frank Baum classic by Mitchell Kapner, that tells the story of how the Wizard became the Wizard. Currently, the script is being rewritten.

Oblivion - the graphic novel adaptation of Joseph Kosinski, Arvid Nelson and Andree Wallin is getting adapted by William Monahan as was announced last week.

The Black Hole - the re-envisioning of the cult Disney film, again by Joseph Kosinski, with Travis Beacham writing the new interpretation of the project.

The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made - the dream project of Jason Segel, who is writing and will co-star with the famous frog and friends. The name is not final, nor financially accurate, btw.

John Carter of Mars - the adaptation of the classic sci-fi film, directed by Andrew Stanton with a screenplay by Michael Chabon and Stanton.

Frankenweenie - the full feature envisioning of Tim Burton's short film made while working at Walt Disney Studios in the late 70's/early 80's. Instead of live action, it'll be a stop motion feature in line with "The Nightmare Before Christmas" or "Corpse Bride." Hopefully, it'll be closer to Nightmare than Bride.

Malificent - the look back at the Sleeping Beauty tale as told from the villainess' point of view. Tim Burton reteams with Linda Woolverton, the screenwriter from his "Alice in Wonderland" sequel. Rumors are that Angelina Jolie is the desired actress to play the part, but until a script is finished, consider these rumors to be just that... rumors.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - the fourth of the Pirates series featuring the further adventures of Captain Jack as he searches for the Fountain of Youth and dodges a flame from the past and her overly protective father (Blackbeard). Rob Marshall directs the film with a script by original screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott.

And the list keeps growing...

Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Ultimate Toy Box...

You've got a friend in Blu...






Wow, that looks pretty swank...

So, the details have been released for the Blu-Ray trilogy box set of the Toy Story franchise. Man, that's a mouthful. Take the time to click over and see all this baby is packed with. Perhaps it's time you pre-ordered the best trilogy of films? Yeah, I believe that.

Best eva...

Five Years Out In Hong Kong...


Five years ago today Hong Kong Disneyland opened it's first park in China...

Although a lovingly designed park with lush theming and classic Disney attractions, the park was under built, like its sister park, DCA. It wasn't as ugly as that park, but like California's Second Gate, this park lacked the magical Disney attractions that the world has come to expect. The Suits tried to pass off the castle as a homage to the original in Anaheim, instead of the real reason: the ability to not have to put any money into designing a new, original castle (a mistake that will likely not be made in Shanghai).

With the Extreme Expansion that is going on right now, HKDL will have several new features to boast to the world by late 2013/early 2014. Especially the first Chinese version of the Haunted Mansion, Mystic Manor. There are several other minor attractions and projects that are being worked on that will likely open between next year and the opening of Manor. And if the economy craws out of this hole soon enough, there will be a nice retail complex to join the resort as well. Happy Birthday, baby. It's been a difficult time, but you're looking lovelier everyday, Honk Kong Disneyland!

It's going to be an interesting 2014...

Disney Channeling Tron...


The Disney Channel has a preview of "Tron Legacy" the other day that showed more detailed scenes for the upcoming film...

Details are good. Keep them coming. I can't wait to see this film on the big, silver screen in IMAX, in 3D. There are some films that are just right for the medium and some that scream they're right for the medium. Tron has this in spades.

Looking forward to December...

Saturday, September 11, 2010

9 After 911...

Rebuild them taller, bigger and louder because you won't stop America from being America...

Time passes so quickly we sometime loose track of where we've been while heading where we're going...

Today is the ninth anniversary of the attacks on 911. Hard to believe it has almost been a decade since that horrid day. 2,974 people died in the attack on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93, which crashed in a field near the small town of Shanksville in rural Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It was the largest loss of life in an attack on our homeland in the history of America.

God bless the souls of those that were murdered that day and the families that they unwillingly left behind. I can't say the same for the terrorist that carried it out. No one can imagine what it was like to be on those planes, or be the relative of someone that lost their life that day. I can feel a bit of their sense of loss since my parents were in an airport waiting to board a flight exactly when it all happened. My family was coming out to California for a special occasion, but all flights were cancelled and they took their bags; avoiding all the chaos at the airport, and went home to watch all the horror unfold on television.

Luckily for me, my parents weren't on one of those planes. Although I imagined in the days and nights that followed what I would have done if they had been. I feel for all those that lost loved ones and can't fathom the hole it must have left in their hearts.

I can remember how I felt when it all came down, how it felt like time had stopped when those planes struck the Twin Towers. No one knew what was happening or what would happen next.

No one still does, but memories fade. Perhaps that's how humanity deals with the pain and the sorrow of loss... but it also leaves one with a false sense that everything is just fine and everything is back to normal.

Nothing is normal anymore... hopefully with places like Disneyland, DisneySEA and great Disney animated films we can escape a little of the sadness and heartache, but we should never forget what happen on that dark day in September.

Never...

Thursday, September 9, 2010

A Tangled Web, Woven & Shown...

Let down yer hair, bitch!!!









Walt Disney Animation Studios did something unusual yesterday...

They showed a rough cut of "Tangled" to a gathering of press. John Lasseter was there to proudly present it and the film makers were there to talk about it. The film isn't finished yet. It's about 60 percent done. All of the animation is finished, but the lighting and shading as well as the musical score were noticeably missing. Quite a risk to show a film that has a couple months to go, don't you think? I mean, the press could tear it apart if it is bad. Even if it was mediocre there would be great danger for showing it so soon, letting bad press build up. That would be a long, painful two months wouldn't it?

So the Mouse believes they have something special. The press would be out with knives if this were a clunker, because this is WDAS's 50th animated feature. Imagine the headlines if that had sucked? Fiftieth fails. Half a century of films too late, or something like it. But everything I've heard is that they loved it. This isn't the film you've been shown in those horribly bad, rock song drowned trailers. From the Bothans I've talked to, it's closer to "Beauty & the Beast" or better yet, one of the classic tales of the late 40's/early 50's. Over at Deadline Hollywood, they're talking about it being a contender for Best Picture/Best Animated Picture. My good pal, George over at Latino Review loved it. And from the buzz I've heard, it appears that all those wishing/hoping/expecting Disney to fail are going to be sorely disappointed.

Still. they could have invited me to the screening. I was in Burbank yesterday. Ok, well, I was in the Valley so it wouldn't have taken long to have driven over there. I guess they still are kinda upset with me spilling the beans on a few things, hmmm?

It looks like it's going to be a beautiful November...

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Tronanime...

Tronanime...







The Japanese poster for "Tron Legacy" is out...

Personally, I find this one to be really rad. That designed logo is funky. I wonder what kind of promotions they're going to have at Tokyo Disneyland? Maybe if there is a digital ocean in the film they could tie it in to Tokyo DisneySEA? Calm down. I'm joking.

Still...

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Adventures Bye Disney...



Disneyland's Second Gate looks a lot like a walled fortress right now...

And as I've mentioned before, it's only going to get more so when the new year comes. This park will finally have the detail and theming that it has been lacking in for the majority of the last decade. I know many people have mentioned the lack of a cohesive them to the park, but it will have one when all this is done. I'm not saying it's as good as Tokyo DisneySEA's theming, which it's not (but really, almost nothing is as good as that park's theme). But it will have a theme and not everyone will like or approve it, but the theme will work to expand the offering that can be built there. With the addition of Cars Land, the park will primarily have four major themed areas:

The Front Entrance/Hollywoodland - Themed to the bygone era of Los Angeles of the late 20's/early 30's and Tinsel Town in the 40's.

The Golden State - Themed to a Californian National Park like the way Yosemite might have appeared as in the 50's.

Paradise Pier - Themed to a Victorian turn-of-the-century seaside pier along a mythical coast of a California that never was.

Cars Land - Themed to the sites one would have seen along historic Route 66 during its heyday in the 60's as California's gateway to/from the West.

See the narrative they're working with? Each of the four sections will be themed to a different time period of California. The adventures you will experience there will be Disney attractions that are tailored to go along with what would be happening during a specific period. Now, certain people are going to complain about some of this, but it doesn't bother me. Woody, Buzz and the gang are toys that populate an area of a midway where toys would be prizes that you could/would win. It's like they're staring in a period attraction instead of staring in a period film. That's the justification for seeing Mickey or Goofy walking around Paradise Pier. A lot of people seem to get upset when they talk about Mickey in Victorian times because he wasn't created yet, but it's a set piece and he's the star. No one complained that he wasn't around when he made "The Nifty Nineties," so how could he be in that time? It was him fitting the period. But Mickey will fit any period they put him in at the park and come 2012 he's going to look really nice walking around in an early version of Hollywood. And don't get me started about what it'll be like having him there in a new Californian themed Christmas/Holidays setting. And the Golden State will capture the spirit of what it was like to have been in this fictional national park, with some left over memories of the mining company that occupied the land before it became a historic place. Cars Land will take you to a part of the state's past that many people have never experienced. These are Disney adventures via time capsules.

So each new attraction is planned to have a need to be presented in a period themed era and it'll be told from a distinctively Disney standpoint. And they'll play out on one of these four areas or eras if you like. This will allow Imagineers to dream up some interesting concepts and not be bound by the restrictions that the ill conceived opening day version of this park was. It's not the tightly constructed theming of Tokyo DisneySEA, but it is a much better master plan of a way to take this park in the direction of being or becoming a Disney Park.

And that is where it's needed to go...

Monday, September 6, 2010

Bye, Bye, Boomer...

Gone, yeah gone...









See ya...
Today is your last chance to ride a mistake...

The Maliboomer shoots guest up in the air for the last time today. If you want to experience anything like this you're out of luck. Oh, wait. No you're not. You can find this kind of attraction at a dozen other theme parks within driving distance. Some of them even better themed.

When I ride a Disney attraction I expect it to be themed, detailed and have some form of a back story. This attraction has none of these qualities. It's soulless like the man in charge of most of the bad and retched creations that he approved for this park and others. If he ever gets another job (having been fired twice since leaving the Mouse) I'd be surprised. A decade in charge, and decades to rebuild the image/reputation he helped tear down and sully. Either way, another bad mistake is wiped away. That's a good thing.

Maliboomer is dead, long live the Maliboomer...

Sunday, September 5, 2010

More Epic...

This could be Epic...







Disney Interactive has released Part Two of Junction Point's Opening Cinematic to the "Epic Mickey" Wii game...

Check it out. It's interesting seeing how they're combining elements/characters from Mickey's old shorts that most people don't know or can't remember.

Now, if only it were for other systems...

The City By Knight...

Na, na, na, na, na, na...










I haven't seen much around the web about this...

I can't wait to play "Batman: Arkham City" when it comes out next year. Everyone who has played it and is a devoted fan, is looking forward to the sequel in 2011. There is much speculation as to what it and the villains will look like in the new game whose story is again by Paul Dini.

Well, thanks to a series of shots over at a mysterious Flickr account, we now know. If you want to see what some of the scenes will look like, as well as what some of the villains will be like, then go over to Comic Vine and get your fill of Two-Face, Catwoman and lots and lots of badguys.

Oh, and some guy dressed like a bat...

Saturday, September 4, 2010

The Seven Seas' Ninth...


Well, it's more like the seven ports of DisneySEA, that is...

But on this day, nine years ago, Walt Disney Imagineering let everyone see the worlds they could create if given the opportunity. The Oriental Land Company expanded the Tokyo Disneyland park into a resort ten years ago, turning the park into the Tokyo Disney Resort. At the end of it all, they opened the Second Gate in the Resort.

Tokyo DisneySEA was simply a stunner. Nothing like this had ever been done, save for EPCOT possibly. It was not only the most beautiful theme park in the entire world, it was the most expensive. Costing almost five times what it's Ugly Sister in California took to build. A place which truly shows the magic that Disney can bring to a world. A balanced opposite to Tokyo Disneyland, which focuses on "Lands" and has seven lands to express the magic of our world. Tokyo DisneySEA focus on the "Sea" and has seven ports to showcase aquatic exploration and adventure.

The only thing lacking in the park is the number of rides it has, and that is something that is slowly being taken care of. With each year the OLC announces a new attraction to add to an already impressive slate of rides and shows found nowhere else in the world. Even the clones it has are impressive. If you have to have a clone, the Indiana Jones attraction is one to have! And their Jumping Jellyfish is miles better than the bare bones version that DCA debuted months before.

If you ever get the opportunity to go and see this park, I can't recommend it high enough! Seeing and experiencing the wonders of what Imagineering are capable of is just an amazing experience.

It just sadly had to be built so far, far from home...

Friday, September 3, 2010

In The Shadows Of The Lamp...

Coulda, shoulda, woulda...







Sometimes projects and people fall off into the margins...

Pixar is a company that has had a hit every time that it has stepped up to bat. What fans probably don't realize, is that along the way, projects have been canceled or retooled, and people have either fired/replaced or quit. It's the nature of the business. It's the fingerprint of Hollywood. You can question many decisions that people in this business, Suit and Creative alike, have done, but you can't question the unparalleled success that the Lamp has achieved. Every studio would love to have that track record.

So, it's with surprise that the Mouse (via the Disney-Pixar Facebook page) has released a bunch of production art from the aborted film "Newt," that was to mark Gary Rydstrom's feature directorial debut. I think this art is fabulous and makes you wonder what kind of film it would have been. Is it me, or do you get a "Rikki Tikki Tavi" vibe when drinking in these lovely images? Oh, what might have been! Sometimes jewels are unearthed and sometimes they're buried.

There are lot of interesting things that you don't see, that are in the shadows around the Lamp...

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Wrath Of Tron...

01010101010...



01010101010...


The Creatives over at Disney Entertainment have given us our first glimpse of what ElecTRONica will look like...

The nighttime show that will take the place of Glowfest on October 8th, will be a Fri-Sun show, with the exception of Thanksgiving week and Christmas week. It'll go on for a full week at those times. I for one can't wait to go into the Hollywood Backlot (soon to be Hollywoodland) to Flynn's Arcade and hit up some Space Paranoids!

Waiting for my Light Cycle to show up so I can take the trip into this world...

Blackbeard's Ghost...


Since hearing that the villain of POTC 4 was going to be Blackbeard, we've all wanted to see what he would look like...

Once Ian McShane was cast as the infamous pirate, many have been curious to see what the look his version of the villain would be. Now we know, kinda. The folks over at PopSugar get the prize apparently. Of course, the image is small and blurry, but it's the first one that we've seen public of McShane in the role.

I can't wait to see a nice, clean one-sheet of this guy glaring at me...