Extended Sneak Peek of Disney’s Christopher Robin

July 25, 2018

The wait is almost over Pooh fans, as Disney has released another up close look at their upcoming film, Christopher Robin. In the extended trailer, we get to see more interactions between Pooh and Christopher Robin, showcasing how much has changed and what challenges our favorite bear will face in his latest adventure. If you weren’t excited for the film already, this extended sneak peak is sure to put a smile on your face.

SoCalThrills also had the opportunity to speak to Pooh Bear himself, Jim Cummings. Take a look at this exclusive interview, going into the fun and exciting process of bringing one of Disney’s most beloved characters to life. Make sure to stay tuned for all the exciting updates!

Disney’s Christopher Robin jumps off the page and into the big screen August 3rd.

A Delicious Debut for Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff

Maverick Bohn

July 23, 2018

“Who’s your friend that likes to play?”

Your favorite Imaginary Friend has just arrived at Pixar Pier, bringing wonderful surprises around every corner. Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff is now open, ushering in a new wave of sweet treats, remarkable frozen delights, signature cotton candy, and so much more.

Every corner of the store has personality, bringing in fluffy clouds, rainbows, and candy as far as the eye can see. Bing Bong plushes are also available for purchase, which give off the wonderful scent of cotton candy. Take a look at the full gallery of fun below!

The fun doesn’t end with Bing Bong, as the world of Inside Out will be joining Pixar Pier in a big way next year with a brand new attraction, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. You can also stop by Angry Dogs, which is currently serving up some delicious and dangerously spicy hot dogs. Check out our custom “Angry Dog” and other delicious Pixar Pier offerings in our extensive food overview!

Bing Bong's Sweet Stuff

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Mickey Mouse Receives Special 90th Birthday Portrait

Maverick Bohn

July 20, 2018

Mickey Mouse was honored at San Diego Comic Con with a special portrait to commemorate the iconic character’s 90th birthday this year. The painting was revealed during D23’s “Celebrating 90 Years of Mickey Mouse” panel, and was created by legendary animator, Mark Henn.

The portrait is part of a long standing tradition between D23, the Walt Disney Archives, and the Walt Disney Animation Studios. The title of this year’s painting has been dubbed “Spreading Happiness Around the World,” and is one of many ways Mickey will be celebrated around the globe this ear. Henn follows in the footsteps of artists such as Disney Legend John Hench, who crafted five of Mickey’s official portraits.

“It is one of the great honors of my career to be asked to paint Mickey’s 90th birthday portrait,” says Henn. “I was greatly inspired by the portraits painted by John Hench. I wanted to capture some of the same style and sense of youth that John achieved in his portraits.” The painting will appear on the Fall 2018 cover of Disney twenty-three, the quarterly publication sent exclusively to Gold Members of D23.

Take a look at the full list of events lined up to celebrate Mickey throughout the next year!

This fall, ABC will air a star-studded celebration of Mickey in honor of his birthday, with special guests, musical performances, and more.
D23 will present Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, a two-day event at Walt Disney World Resort featuring panels, presentations, and fun-filled entertainment.
Disney Channel will debut season five of the Mickey Mouse animated shorts, taking the Emmy^® Award-winning series total to more than 90 shorts, including a special seven-minute extended-length birthday episode.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the world will celebrate Mickey’s 90th on November 18, marking the day with commemorative merchandise, photo locations, and more.
Beginning in late 2018 and into 2019, the World’s Biggest Mouse Party, saluting Mickey and Minnie, will take place at Disney Parks worldwide.

Disney On Ice will salute Mickey as the “True Original” host of Disney On Ice since its inception in 1981 by creating Mickey’s 90th pre-shows for productions touring the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Special Celebration, a new production showcasing Mickey Mouse’s memories throughout the years, will launch in Japan in July 2018 and continue touring throughout the Asia-Pacific region until August 2019.
In France, 38 design and art schools will take part in “Mickey Is Art,” a unique contest in which students will craft works of Mickey, inspired by their favorite artistic movement. The winning designs will be displayed this summer in 12 major train stations in France and for sale this September at Galerie Glénat in Paris.

Disney store will continue to celebrate milestone moments for Mickey Mouse with the Mickey Mouse Memories Collection (launched in January 2018), a monthly, limited-release series of 12 collectible plush, mugs, and cloisonné pins inspired by Mickey’s most memorable movie roles.
Disney Publishing Worldwide will introduce more than 30 titles globally as part of Mickey’s 90th, including books, arts & crafts, and comics.

This year is sure to be magical. Make sure to stay tuned for more news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

The Her Universe Fashion Show Celebrates 5 Years of Geek Couture

Maverick Bohn

July 20, 2018

Ashley Eckstein and Her Universe returned to the world’s biggest stage to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Her Universe Fashion Show at San Diego Comic Con. The highly anticipated event honored multiple milestones, featuring series such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Powerpuff Girls, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Eckstein started the show with a heartwarming message about the goals of the event, as well as the importance of fandom in all of our lives. “Milestones should be celebrated. Behind every milestone is a story, a journey. At San Diego Comic Con, we celebrate our favorite shows, films, stories, characters and all these things represent so much more than just an interest or hobby. These powerful properties and the lessons they teach us have changed the way we live our lives. We’re all here because we have an emotional connection to our fandoms that fuel our need to create, collect, consume, and connect.”

In that spirit, models took to the runway, showcasing both Eckstein’s latest collection as well as custom designs painstakingly made by a handful of upcoming and aspiring designers. “Year five of the Her Universe Fashion Show represents countless journeys. Behind every designer and model is a story. Lives have been changed, life long friendships have been formed, and careers have been launched, ” Eckstein added in reference to the creative minds that came together for the show.

Fans rejoiced in the spectacle, being surprised and wowed throughout the evening. One of the biggest surprises came from Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker. Hooded and silent, she revealed herself after a dramatic entrance on the catwalk. Whittaker was met with thunderous applause and gasps from Eckstein herself.

When asked about her fashion choice as the Doctor, she honed in on making it universal and fully inclusive to all genders. “The main feature for me and the overriding sense of style have to be comfort”, Wittaker exclaimed. “We have the sky and we have space…I wanted to represent the sky I fell through and potentially the dawn of the new one which is me as the Thirteenth one.”

The Doctor wasn’t the only one making waves, as fans were also greeted by Matt Lanter and Dee Bradley Baker. In honor of the Star Wars: Clone Wars 10th Anniversary, the voice actors shared their reactions to the breaking news released at Comic Con earlier that day, which revealed the series would be returning with all new episodes exclusively for the upcoming Disney streaming service. “To have it back so incredible! I think it’s something that we’ve always dreamed of and wanted as fans and as performers on the show getting back together and doing it again”, said Lanter.

It was truly a night to remember, never ceasing to remind everyone to embrace their love of pop culture, to express their fandom, and to create something truly special. You can check out a full gallery of some of the amazing work below, which features some of the award winning elements of the night. The gallery also showcases Longefly’s latest fall collection, which was an official event sponsor.

You can learn more about the details of the Her Universe Fashion Show by checking out the official blog! A full video of the event was teased by Eckstein, will be made available at a future date. Make sure to stop by the Her Universe’s official site to see all the latest collections, which are now on sale in celebration of San Diego Comic Con.

Her Universe Fashion Show 2018

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Ready Player One Blu-Ray Review

Maverick Bohn

July 18, 2018

Let the hunt begin!

Return to the Oasis with Ready Player One’s Blu-Ray/4K release, featuring exclusive behind the scenes looks, stunning visuals, and in depth interviews. The set boasts a 90 minute feature list, taking you on a 6 part journey through the making of the film. For the true film geek, it’s a wonderful adventure that will light the very fires of imagination. Each featurette is chalk full of detail, painting the reality of difficulty it was to bring the film to the big screen. It also sheds some light on the incredible technology used in building the virtual world.

Steven Spielberg took on the project with no previous knowledge of the story or the technology needed to make the film come together. With the Oasis, over 60 percent of the film was done in a digital space versus real functioning sets. Rather than leave the work to the special effects crew and hope for the best, Spielberg jumped right in, making sure he was directly involved with every step of the process. It’s a real testament to his faith in the film, but also to his directorial prowess.

For Ready Player One, pre rendered environments were created. The cast and crew had the opportunity to view the locations via VR headsets and real time monitors. As the filming commenced, Spielberg also had the chance to set up shots in a special editing tent, generating over 6500 unique cuts and angles. From a technical standpoint, it’s a marvelous achievement, allowing a more realistic portrayal in a purely digital space. It was a daunting undertaking, and safe to say, a widely huge success when you view the final product.

Here’s a look at the full features list!

Game Changer: Cracking the Code
Effects for a Brave New World
Level Up: Sound for the Future

High Score: Endgame
Ernie & Tye’s Excellent Adventure
The ’80’s: You’re The Inspiration

The nostalgia level is also in high gear. We get to ride in Cline’s DeLorean, take a closer look at the iconic Shining scene, and see the magic behind bringing back Alan Silvestri’s legendary score from Back to the Future. Having Silvestri return was a match made in heaven, giving a balance in score that retains the power of the past while melding into a unique and new sound that fits the film perfectly. With so many amazing easter eggs, nods, and references, it all comes together to create pure cinematic magic. For those who want the full scoop, you can read our full film review here.

You can find your copy of Ready Player One and discover more about the film by visiting Warner Bros’ official site. To mark the release of the film on Blu-Ray, Warner Bros. will also be hosting a special pop up challenge at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Fans will get the opportunity to test their 80s Trivia, explore the Oasis, and visit a set piece recreation of Room 237 from The Shining. Admission will be free to all participants throughout the weekend of the convention. You can find out all the details by visiting www.readyplayeronechallenge.com.

Own Ready Player One on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on July 24, or Own It Now on Digital!

A Boy and His Bear- A Quick Chat with Jim Cummings

Maverick Bohn

July 18, 2018

null — Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) with his long time friend Winnie the Pooh in Disney’s live-action adventure CHRISTOPHER ROBIN.

Winnie the Pooh is floating off the page and into the real world this summer with the release of Disney’s upcoming picture, Christopher Robin. With the big debut only weeks away, we had the chance to catch up with legendary voice actor, Jim Cummings, who shared his experiences working on the film and his thoughts on bringing our favorite silly old bear to life.

Q: It’s so exciting to see you return as Pooh. Now that he’s in the real world, how was it approaching the character this time around? Did it feel any different or pose any new challenges?

“It did and it didn’t. I think the bond that Pooh and Christopher have was immediate. In Pooh’s world, he only sees the world through honey colored glasses. Seeing Christopher as an adult throws him a little bit, but he looks straight through and still sees Christopher Robin in there. It comes through beautifully and is quite touching. You get nostalgic and go ‘Oh Gosh! Has it been 40 years since he’s seen him?’ But boom, once they’re back, they’re back…It’s a boy and his bear…We are off to the races!”

Q: The film was a surprise, since fans did not know the film was going to be released until this year. When did Disney approach you about the project, was it planned behind the curtain for a while before being announced?

“It was peculating behind the scenes for a good while. They called me up and said, ‘Hey would you like to go meet with Marc Forster and Brigham Taylor’ and I said ‘My goodness yes!’ Marc is a true artist and he’s got a beautiful vision and he realizes it wonderfully. He tells the story and brings you right into the Hundred Acre Wood…He brings the Hundred Acre Wood right into you too. It’s a beautiful thing. Christopher gets back in touch with his inner self and his family, and his inner child. I can’t wait for people to see it.”

Q: Have you had a chance to see the finished film yet?

“I probably saw it at 75 percent. I haven’t seen it completely. I wasn’t cast as Tigger originally. They started showing focus groups and target audiences the film. It was such a difference, the people didn’t warm to the character the way they usually did. Chris O’Dowd is a fantastic actor. I think he’s great. People ask me about doing voices and I think what happens is you get a certain imprint in your head, if it it sounds like it it does, if it doesn’t it just doesn’t…Tigger sounded a certain way for almost 40 years, so it’s hard to bring it back in a different persona.”

Q: You’re so well known in the Disney community and have done so many voices over the years, what makes Pooh so special for you?

“I’ve always been a fan of Winnie the Pooh. The original ones in the 60s, I was still in the audience. When I think of certain Disney characters/projects like Davy Crockett, Zorro, or the Mickey Mouse Club and then Winnie the Pooh, it’s woven into Disneyana and is also woven into Americana. I think they are all threads out of the American experience. I think it’s a true honor to be associated, to be part of such a beautiful tradition…You can go to any country and you can say Winnie the Pooh and everyone will know what you’re talking about. It’s a universal feeling.”

Q: Are there any other characters in the film other than Pooh that you relate to?

“Definitely Tigger. I’m probably a cross between Pooh and Tigger. I’m a little laid back, but I gotta bounce.”

Q: With shows like DuckTales coming back in the spotlight, do you ever imagine what it would be like to see one of your classic shows return? What classic Disney Afternoon Character would you like to see come back?

“Definitely Darkwing Duck. That’s for sure. I’ve always had a soft spot for Don Karnage (Tale Spin). They brought Don Karnage back and nobody told me about that. They got someone else to come in and sing a song…That was weird. To not even be told was odd, I’m not sure how happy I am about that. It’s like someone taking your kid to the park and telling you to stay home. Darkwing it seems is one they are always ready to do a reboot for. It’s fine with me, I’m right here.”

Jim Cummings will return as Pooh in Disney’s Christoper Robin, which releases on August 3rd. Make sure to stay up to date on all the latest details, features, and video for the film, which can be seen by clicking here.

Disneyland Celebrates 63 Years with Style and Magic

Maverick Bohn

July 17, 2018

Another year of magic and memories has begun as Mickey Mouse led 63 characters down the heart of the Disneyland Resort to celebrate the park’s 63rd anniversary. The milestone paid tribute to Walt Disney’s original dedication, the past, as well as the future of the park’s legacy.

Moving through the parade route, guests had the opportunity to wave, dance, and sing “Happy Birthday!”. Similar to previous year celebrations, the cavalcade started their journey on Main Street USA and made their way to It’s A Small World. Check out the full gallery below and ring in 63 years at the Disneyland Resort!

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