Walt Disney Pictures just released their first look at the upcoming film, Christopher Robin, through a charming teaser poster that shows a very familiar, silly old bear. The poster also hints at how much time has passed since the young Christopher Robin had last visited his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Disney has announced a teaser trailer will be released tomorrow. Fans will get their first look at the adventure, which will follow Winnie the Pooh and his stuffed companions’ epic journey into our world to search for the boy they once knew. All grown up, Christopher Robin is lost and will need a reminder of his special connection with Pooh and the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood.
The film will star Ewan McGregor as Christopher Robin. Cinderella’s Hayley Atwell will play his wife, Evelyn, along with a star studded cast that includes Brad Garrett, Toby Jones, Chris O’Dowd, Nick Mohammed, Peter Capaldi, and Sophie Okonedo. Pooh will be voiced by none other than the famous, Jum Cummings.
With Pixar Fest just around the corner, Disneyland has given us some helpful hints for you and your best friend to have fun while celebrating all the exciting things coming this summer to Disney California Adventure!
Take a look at the full list below:
1. Watch the new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” from all four iconic
locations. The timeless stories of Pixar friends will come to life through dazzling pyrotechnics and immersive projections at four Disneyland Park locations: Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Rivers of America, “it’s a small world” and Main Street, U.S.A. Guests who watch from all four locations will enjoy a different experience each time.
2. Share a tasty snack. No Disneyland Resort celebration is complete without the limited-time food and beverage offerings – and Pixar Fest will be no exception. Guests can share a treat with a buddy, or better yet, grab a selection of treats and sample them with a group of friends or family.
3. Feel the rhythm of the night during “Paint the Night” parade at Disney California Adventure Park. The popular parade makes its return when Pixar Fest begins April 13, and coming in June is a dazzling new float featuring “The Incredibles.” Guests will experience the magic of “Paint the Night” all over again when it appears for the first time at Disney California Adventure.
4. Show off Pixar-inspired style. Photo opportunities can even go to infinity and beyond when guests express their Pixar style through character-inspired outfits. Guest will find photo-worthy locations such as Pixar-themed topiaries in Downtown Disney and encounters with their favorite Pixar characters throughout Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks.
5. Count down to fun with the return of “Pixar Play Parade.” This energetic parade will inspire the spirit of friendship as it makes its way through Disneyland for the first time, featuring three new parade story elements.
6. *Save with the Southern California resident ticket offer. Friends and family who are Southern California residents will save up to 25 percent on select multi-day tickets when they experience Pixar Fest before May 24. Visit Disneyland.com to book and learn more.
7. Catch up on the classics at the Pixar Shorts film festival. Guests will rediscover the amazing Pixar Shorts on the big screen at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure. Throughout Pixar Fest, the theater will feature rotating favorites such as “For the Birds” and “Lava”.
8. Give a buddy a token of your friendship. Pixar Fest will give guests the chance to celebrate friendship with new merchandise, including an exclusive Pixar Fest charm bracelet. With multiple bracelet options and a variety of charms with fun friendship messages and favorite Pixar characters, guests can mix and match for themselves or a friend.
9. Discover favorite Pixar stories at Pixar Pier. Opening June 23, Pixar Pier will be a newly
transformed land at Disney California Adventure featuring four whimsical neighborhoods representing beloved Pixar stories with newly themed attractions, food and merchandise.
10. Race alongside the Incredibles. Also opening June 23, the Incredicoaster will be a super
combination of character figures, lighting and special effects that bring the action to life as the Parr family races alongside guests in an attempt to catch baby Jack-Jack.
Check out our latest details on more of the Pixar fun coming soon by clicking the link below!
Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returns to the Banks’ home in Disney’s original musical, MARY POPPINS RETURNS, a sequel to the 1964 MARY POPPINS which takes audiences on an entirely new adventure with the practically perfect nanny and the Banks family.
A storm’s brewing, the wind’s changing, and it’s finally time to welcome back our beloved Mary. During the 90th Academy Awards, Disney teased this year’s highly anticipated Mary Poppins Returns.
Lin-Manuel Miranda stars as Jack who jumps in to help Georgie Banks (Joel Dawson) in Disney’s original musical MARY POPPINS RETURNS, a sequel to the 1964 MARY POPPINS which takes audiences on an entirely new adventure with the practically-perfect nanny and the Banks family.
The scene opens up with an epic storm along with some fresh faces, including the sensational Lin Manuel Miranda in his new role, Jack. Take a look at the amazing sequence below!
Mary Poppins Returns will star Emily Blunt, taking over the mantle from the legendary Julie Andrews. Lin Manuel Miranda’s character, Jack, is described as an “optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London”. The Banks children will return as adults, along with some new faces such as Colin Furth and Meryl Streep. Dick Van Dyke will be returning to the practically perfect fun as Mr. Dawes Jr, the retired chairman of the infamous Fidelity Fiduciary Bank.
The film is directed by Rob Marshall and will be releasing this Christmas season for all to enjoy and sing along with. Stay tuned for more updates, as they are sure to come! For now, take a look at the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious poster of Mary below:
Grab your board and prepare for some monster waves later this year, HangTime is getting ready to hit the surf at Knott’s Berry Farm. In a special preview, SoCalThrills got an up close look at the progress in bringing the record setting coaster to life.
Excitement is in the air!
The track is finished, the paint is fresh, and plenty of excitement is being felt around the park. Jeff Gahagan, VP of Maintenance at Knott’s provided a tour of the facility, mentioning new updates that coaster enthusiasts are sure to jump for joy about.
A first look at the ride in motion. Are you excited?
The attraction will last an estimated 123 seconds that includes a record setting 96 degree drop after a delayed hang time held at a 60 degree angle. Once completed, the coaster will also feature a fully programmable LED lighting system that will provide seasonal overlays as well as an interactive elements that will bring riders into a fully immersive surfer experience.
Careful planning going into the debut of HangTime later this year!
Each train will have a 16 rider capacity, with accommodating center space for riders of all sizes. Gahagan also explained the attraction features magnetic breaking, which will be a huge advantage for the coasters’ ride system. The brakes will create safer controls for emergencies as well as overall speed. This will not slow down the fun, as the brakes will do more than just add an extra layer of safety. The system will provide a smoother ride experience along with the ability to allow riders to board the attraction in adverse weather conditions. Rain or shine, coaster fans will get the chance to experience HangTime year round.
Peanuts comic strips can be found around the walls of the site poking fun at construction.
As riders exit, they will coast through a surfer themed retail store, featuring wood elements and streamlined architecture. The construction is already well under way. Though an official release date has not been announced, Knott’s has come very far in the construction and testing of the coaster. More exciting news is expected to come soon. Take a look at the test run below and prepare yourself for some epic waves!
You can check out our full coverage of HangTime by clicking the link below:
Marvel Studios thrilled and surprised fans today with a special announcement that Avengers: Infinity War will now be releasing a week earlier. Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. made the playful reveal on Twitter. You can see the exchanged banter below.
April 27th will be the new release date for the film, previously set for May 4th. With the UK release date already prepped for the same date, The Avengers will be taking on the box office in a larger scale come spring. This will also take some of the pressure of of Solo: A Star Wars Story, which is also slated to release in May. With the epic success of Black Panther, Marvel is no doubt going all in on the next chapter of the MCU. The excitement continues to grow for fans everywhere.
Donning her signature red bow, global pop phenom Hello Kitty joins Universal Studios Hollywood, taking up residence at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. in the theme park’s all-new, and now open, Animation Studio Store.
In true Hollywood fashion, the spotlight shines brightly on Hello Kitty and her friends from Sanrio, including My Melody, Keroppi and Chococat, as they star in a selection of park-exclusive merchandise, including accessories, apparel, stationery, souvenirs and collectibles.
An array of delectable confectionery—prepared fresh daily—is also available, including such tasty treats as Hello Kitty, Chococat and Keroppi themed s’mores, and a variety of Hello Kitty themed fudge, cupcakes and caramel apples.
Highlights of the exclusive product offerings feature designs incorporating Sanrio characters into classic Universal titles such as Jaws, E.T. The Extra -Terrestrial, Back to the Future and more, as well as the group enjoying a variety of Universal Studios Hollywood theme park attractions, from the world-famous Studio Tour to “Jurassic Park—The Ride” and “King Kong 360 3D.” New park-exclusive merchandise will be released regularly.
The shop also features the popular Hello Kitty Build-A-Bow display, inviting guests to customize their design from a selection of colorful bow options. Guests purchasing any Sanrio item will also receive a complimentary Hello Kitty Hollywood-themed temporary tattoo, which mirrors Sanrio’s ‘small gift, big smile’ philosophy that is demonstrated globally across all Sanrio’s retail stores and special events.
Hello Kitty will also make special appearances just outside the entrance of the Animation Studio Store. Making her Hollywood debut in a red pleated dress embellished with film strips, Hello Kitty will meet and greet fans near a collection of Sanrio-themed topiaries, including My Melody, Keroppi and Chococat, and window displays featuring the characters making movies and enjoying the Universal Studios Hollywood experience.
In addition to Hello Kitty, the Animation Studio Store will feature an array of merchandise from Illumination Entertainment films, including Minions from the blockbuster Despicable Me film franchise, and DreamWorks Animation, including memorable items from Kung Fu Panda. A selection of products from other favorite animations will also be available, including Dr. Seuss, Scooby-Doo, Curious George, SpongeBob SquarePants and “The Simpsons.”
The Animation Studio Store sits at the heart of Universal Studios Hollywood in a new 6,000 square foot structure that draws its inspiration from California Mission revival architecture reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1930s. Fusing style with whimsy, the retail environment weaves nimble animated characters into the fabric of the Spanish architectural design from the wood detailing to the stucco, wrought iron and painted tiles.
The Carl Laemmle outdoor courtyard situated adjacent to the Animation Studio Store pays homage to the filmmaking pioneer and founder of the Universal movie studio inviting guests to dine or relax amid a decorative fountain surrounded by luscious greenery.
Disney has announced the launch of a world-wide celebration honoring 90 years of Mickey Mouse. Since his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928, Mickey has been the global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company. From the beloved Mickey Mouse Club to today’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, Mickey’s optimistic outlook and endearing personality continue to delight fans around the world every day. The cross-company festivities will continue through 2018 and beyond and will include an exclusive fashion show, a new television special, a celebration at Disney parks and resorts and much more.
The party kicks off on March 7 with “The Happiest Show on Earth”—a runway fashion event featuring a Mickey-inspired collection designed by couture brand Opening Ceremony founders Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. The show will also serve as Opening Ceremony’s Spring 2018 runway show and close out fashion week celebrations around the world. Select items from the Mickey collaboration will be immediately available for sale following the runway show at shopDisney.com, OpeningCeremony.com and Opening Ceremony stores, while the remaining ready-to-wear looks will hit stores in November. The iconic story of Minnie Mouse, who shares this milestone anniversary with Mickey and recently received her official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will also be celebrated at the fashion show.
Disney’s collaboration with Opening Ceremony will serve as the launch of “Mickey the True Original”—a global celebration of Mickey’s heritage, personality and status as a pop-culture icon. The campaign will come to life through fashion collaborations with other true original brands, as well as engaging content and events that embrace Mickey’s impact on the past, present and future.
The celebration continues throughout 2018 and beyond:
· This fall, ABC will air a star-studded celebration of Mickey in honor of his birthday, with special guests, musical performances and more.
· Disney Channel will debut season five of the Mickey Mouse animated shorts, taking the series total to more than 90 shorts, including a special seven-minute extended-length birthday episode that will air later this year.
· 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 Jan. 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.
In addition, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be celebrating Mickey’s 90th throughout 2018:
· D23 and the Walt Disney Archives, in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios, have commissioned legendary Disney animator Mark Henn to paint Mickey’s official 90th birthday portrait. Henn follows in the footsteps of artists such as Disney Legend John Hench, who crafted five of Mickey’s official portraits. Henn animated Mickey for Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) and is currently at work on Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (2018). The new portrait will debut on the cover of the fall issue of Disney twenty-three, a quarterly publication from D23.
· This November, D23 will present Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, a two-day event at Walt Disney World Resort featuring panels, presentations and fun-filled entertainment.
· This year’s annual D23 Gold Member gift is an exclusive box set of 23 special Mickey Mouse mementos—authentic reproductions of such treasured keepsakes as pages from the script of Steamboat Willie and a miniature animation cel from Parade of the Award Nominees (1932).
To join the conversation on social, fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #Mickey90.
Mickey’s birthday is celebrated in honor of the release of his first theatrical film, Steamboat Willie, on November 18, 1928, at the Colony Theatre in New York City. Since then, he has starred in more than 100 cartoons and can currently be seen on Disney Channel in the Mickey Mouse cartoon series and on Disney Junior in Mickey and the Roadster Racers.
The delightfully charming and captivating tale of THE KING AND I has made its way to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. The Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I won four 2015 Tony Awards® including Best Revival of a Musical. It’s a musical that has been revived several times and has stood the test of time with such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You”, “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful”. Filled with star-filled talent and beautiful music, THE KING AND I still captures the hearts of several generations with no sign of losing its luster, etc. etc. etc. (I’m not being lazy, it’s a cliche reference).
This national tour stands strong with a cast of extraordinary talents with the likes of Jose Llana returning to his role after two engagements as the King of Siam and THE Laura Michelle Kelly as Anna Leonowens. Best known for her role in FINDING NEVERLAND and the incomparable MARRY POPPINS, Laura Michelle proceeds her work with one of the loveliest voices in musical theater. The role follows her style of show as THE KING AND I remains a very traditional-style musical with warm ballads and timeless conventional melodies. Those that stick to new contemporary theater may want to be aware that THE KING AND I is your more classical approach at theater.
Set in 1860’s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam (Thailand) and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher, whom the modernist King is an imperialist world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.
It’s easy to see why Anna and the King don’t tend to see eye to eye on most things, but there is one thing they do share… the discernment that knowledge of the world is important. Through much parading and chivalry of the King’s world within his palace walls, Anna fights to bring understanding and westernized morals to the kingdom.
As I imagine many of you are already aware of much of the story, we will end the explanation here. For a person that doesn’t fancy the film of the same name, nor really remember the story going into this show, this production held my interest and immersed me in this fun, yet otherworldly society.
Filling the stage with colorful lighting and exotic routines, to a creative set design that allows for a large cast, Director Barlett Sher has rounded out many stage principles to create one of the finest musical experiences. THE KING AND I holds to high standards with an entire stage production that is worthy of the shows hype and fame.
Given the show not being my typical cup of tea, I cannot say enough good things about every element in the show. The entire ensemble was remarkable, though off-balance at times (literally). Vocal talent is stellar throughout with standout performances from the roles of Lan Tha and Tuptim played by Kavin Panmeechao and Q Lim respectively. A subplot that feels a little lost in the mix, this forbidden love and escape story remains an important element for the story arc, and a welcome mainstay to the show due to their phenomenal duets of “We Kiss in a Shadow” and “I Have Dreamed”.
The shows comedic elements are perhaps overshadowed by the overuse of “etcetera”, but The King of Siam is hilarious and the royal children help with the cuteness comedy. But above all else, I will always fall back to Laura Michelle Kelly’s onstage warmth and demeanor that is practically perfect in every way… shoot, wrong show.
THE KING AND I is a no doubter for fans of classical musical theater and will likely hold up to those already fans of the musical and movie. There’s no glitz or glamour, no show-stopping number that will have you dancing in you seat, but instead a beautiful tale that is more about morals and ones-own character compass than any sort of love story. Set sail for Bangkok before this show departs.
THE KING AND I is now playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa thru March 11th.
Everyone’s favorite California foodie festival is back again this year at Disneyland Resort. This Friday through April 12, come out and enjoy the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! Celebrating the best of Californian cuisine, beverages and entertainment, this festival is sure to make you hungry, and you won’t want to miss all of the amazing dishes they’ve cooked up this year. Here’s your official Foodie Guide to everything available at this year’s festival. All of these Festival Marketplaces can be found throughout Disney California Adventure park.
Nuts About Cheese
Food:
Brie Toast with Fig, Mint and Almond Crumble
Goat Cheese Fromage Blanc Tartine with Rosemary and Hazelnuts
Selection of 3 California Cheeses – Point Reyes Blue, Vella Jack and Fiscalini Cheddar
Beverages:
Pineapple Mimosa
Raspberry Mimosa
Strawberry Mimosa
Mimosa Flight
Duckhorn Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Baileyana, Grand Firepeak Cuvee, Chardonnay, Edna Valley
McDonald’s USA and The Walt Disney Company has announced a promotional alliance driven by McDonald’s commitment to improve the nutritional standards of its Happy Meal menus. With this multi-year, non-exclusive agreement, Disney and McDonald’s will collaborate to add more fun to family mealtime with Happy Meal cross-promotional campaigns in the United States for select movies from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Live Action, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm. The promotional alliance will begin in June with Incredibles 2, which arrives in theaters on June 15, followed in the fall by Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, which debuts in theaters November 21.
McDonald’s recent “Commitment to Families” announcement is the latest in a series of customer-led changes that created new global nutrition criteria for Happy Meals, which will reduce calories, saturated fat, sodium and added sugar in many Happy Meal combinations. In June 2018, all Happy Meals offered on menu boards in the United States will be in line with Disney’s industry-leading nutrition guidelines.
“McDonald’s and Disney are two beloved family favorites and together with this alliance, we will create memorable moments for families,” said Morgan Flatley, McDonald’s USA Chief Marketing Officer. “As we continue to build a better McDonald’s, this relationship combines ingenuity in food and entertainment to encourage more balanced meal selections in our Happy Meals and inspire families in fun and innovative ways.”
“McDonald’s commitment to balanced Happy Meals allows our two companies to collaborate on new ways to bring the magic of Disney to McDonald’s consumers,” said Tiffany Rende, Senior Vice President, Corporate Alliances, The Walt Disney Company.
In 2006, Disney became the first major media company to establish nutrition criteria, associating its brands and characters with more nutritionally balanced foods. The guidelines, developed with national nutrition authorities and aligned to federal standards, promote the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy while limiting calories, saturated fats, sugars and sodium. Disney expanded the initiative in 2012 by introducing new standards for food advertising on programming targeted to kids and families. All food and beverage products advertised, sponsored, or promoted on Disney-owned TV channels where more than 25 percent of the audience is ages 12 and younger, and online platforms that are directed to children and families, are required to meet Disney’s nutrition guidelines.
In addition to McDonald’s recent nutrition enhancements, it has made ingredient improvements to popular children’s offerings, including removing artificial preservatives from Chicken McNuggets, serving chicken that is not treated with antibiotics important to human medicine and sourcing milk from cows not treated with rBST for milk jugs.
Several other markets which follow the U.S. Happy Meal program will also participate in the promotional alliance announced today, and will be in line with Disney’s nutrition guidelines, including: Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curacao, U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas and St. Croix), Samoa, Suriname, and the Caribbean Islands (Dominican Republic and Trinidad).
Germany is well known for popular tourist destinations such as Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne. But as I recently discovered, there is a fascinating city on the Rhine River that can hold its own among the country’s best travel spots.
The city is Düsseldorf, a place where ancient history and postmodern Frank Gehry architecture share the banks of the Rhine with a cornucopia of shopping, shipping, restaurants and art galleries.
My getaway to the town began with an 11-hour flight from Los Angeles aboard Air Berlin. With comfortable seats, great food and friendly flight attendants, the trip across the Atlantic was as smooth as German chocolate.
The adventure continued on a high note when the plane landed at Dusseldorf International Airport and I was able to deplane, stroll through the terminal, across a street lined with trees, and arrive at the classy Maritim Hotel, all in about 15 minutes.
At the hotel I found spacious luxury in a beautiful, contemporary design, highlighted by a massive lobby with three restaurants and bars, glass elevators and a 411-ft-long by 56-ft-wide glass roof yielding incredible hotel views. The establishment also offers meeting space for thousands, a sauna, solarium, indoor pool, and gym.
The 7-story Maritim has 533 rooms and 37 suites. My room boasted a plasma TV, king bed, desk, Internet, mini-bar and a large, elegant bathroom. One of the hotels’ best features is that it is only 200 meters from the airport and the main train station. From the lobby, guests can be on a train to anywhere in the country in a matter of minutes. This made things easy for my trips to Old Town Düsseldorf.
Düsseldorf is a place where ancient history and postmodern Frank Gehry architecture share the banks of the Rhine
Known as Altstadt in German, Old Town is where you’ll find sites such as the remains of the city’s 13th century castle tower rising above hundreds of connecting bars and pubs, dubbed the “longest bar counter in the world.” For a closer look at the city, I hopped in a horse-drawn wagon with a few other tourists and embarked on a memorable ride.
Led by a local historian, the tour began with a keg of local Schlösser Alt beer and the sound of wooden wheels and clapping hooves rolling atop cobblestone streets. I then sat back and learned that Dusseldorf was founded on the River Dussel in the 13th century and experienced a Golden Age under Prince Johann Wilhelm, who ruled from 1679 to 1716.
In the mid-19th century the industrial revolution brought industry and money to the village. But World War I brought depression and WWII saw 85 percent of the city destroyed.
While my first taste of Dusseldorf was old and significant, my next stop was even older. From Altstadt I went to the Neanderthal Museum (www.neanderthal.de) in the nearby Neander Valley, where visitors can journey back in time hundreds of thousands of years, to the days of Neanderthal Man.
Neanderthal Man roamed Europe and Central Asia up until 30,000 years ago and is speculated to have coexisted with Homo Sapiens (modern man) for possibly 15,000 years. The fossilized remains of Neanderthal were discovered in the Feldhof Cave by quarrymen in 1856.
The cave is lost forever due to limestone quarrying, but today the Neanderthal Museum sits next to the dig site and gives visitors a chance to reconstruct his life through skeletal remains, tools, clothing, animals and more. In so doing, the four-story museum also traces humankind’s journey from the African savannahs more than four million years ago to today.
Back at my hotel I relaxed before a stroll along the Rhine River. Starting at the 13th century Castle Tower in Burgplatz, I walked past numerous outdoor cafes and throngs of people lounging on the river banks. As I continued on, the city transformed from cobblestone streets and medieval buildings to a modern metropolis of giant span bridges and post-modern Frank Gehry structures.
Located in prestigious Media Harbor, the three Gehry buildings were built in the 1990’s to attract attention to the modernizing waterfront. Each warped and wavy, formless structure has a unique material and identity. One is clad in red brick, one in mirror-polish stainless steel, and the other in white plaster. Similar to the architect’s Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the architectural trio provides a powerful visual impact against the Rhine.
“Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush.
In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.” Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Cedar Rapids,” co-writer “Zootopia,”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt”), “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-Ralph 2” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.
Voice cast: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch (additional cast TBA)
Directors: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston
Producer: Clark Spencer
The shows comedic elements are perhaps overshadowed by the overuse of “etcetera”, but The King of Siam is hilarious and the royal children help with the cuteness comedy. But above all else, I will always fall back to Laura Michelle Kelly’s onstage warmth and demeanor that is practically perfect in every way… shoot, wrong show.
