Paradise comes in many ways. Recently it came in the form of a charming suite overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a secluded beach, and a delicious, 40-day aged cut of prime steak. In other words, I spent a night at the historic Grande Colonial in La Jolla and dined at the property’s renowned NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar.
A friend and I recently escaped to the 100-yr-old Grande Colonial for a memorable seaside getaway. Our adventure began when we checked into a beautiful suite overlooking the ocean. The suite dripped with classic design and elegance. It was like a night at a governor’s mansion back in the 1930s or 40s, but with all of the modern luxuries of a AAA Four Diamond Award recipient.
Views from the rooms at Grande Colonial are memorable
The room was located in the hotel’s Colonial Suites building, surrounded by lush gardens and the pool. Upon entering the suite, we encountered an entertaining room with comfortable lounge chairs and an office area with desk and free high-speed Internet, a Keurig coffee maker, and a large HD TV.
There was also a sleeping area with two queen beds, with goose down comforters; a dressing room with double sinks and a walk-in closet; and a bright bathroom with classic, black and white checkered tiling. The room was highlighted by huge old-fashioned windows that opened wide to let in cool sea breezes and offer magnificent views of La Jolla’s beach and rocky coves.
The Grande Colonial has been welcoming guests since 1913
Once acquainted with the suite, we explored the 93-room boutique hotel and its grounds. Opened in 1913 as La Jolla’s first hotel, the Grande Colonial started as an apartment / hotel. It soon added a pharmacy run by the father of actor Gregory Peck, who grew up in La Jolla. In the coming years, the hotel would host notables such as Charlton Heston, Groucho Marx, Jane Wyatt, Eve Arden, Pat O’Brien and David Niven.
Throughout its 100 years, the five-story hotel has seen numerous upgrades and owners, but has always kept its signature Colonial revival-style architecture and its prominent corner location, one block above the ocean. The hotel’s most recent renovation was to its signature dining spot, the NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar, which is located next to the lobby.
Last month the restaurant opened after a $300,000 upgrade. The result is an exciting, new upscale dining spot with modern vibe, and colors infused with emerald green and light wood, and a stone tiled floor. The design focal point is a vibrant and locally inspired ocean and fauna wall panorama created by renowned artist Dana Montlack.
The 40-day aged prime rib-eye steak at Nine-Ten is worth a drive to La Jolla
While the décor is refreshing and enticing, the real star of the restaurant is the food. Led by award-winning Chef Jason Knibb and Pastry Chef Jose Alonzo III, the place specializes in a farm-to-table philosophy and features a harvest from local artisan farmers where produce is selected daily for the restaurant’s seasonal menus.
Our meal at NINE-TEN began with grilled octopus, with haricot verts and Spanish chorizo relish, whipped hummus, sherry vinaigrette, and spiced potato chips. For the main course I enjoyed an incredible 40-day aged prime rib-eye steak with mashed potatoes, onion rings and Japanese peppers – all on unique plate made from a sliced tree ring. My friend devoured the Alaskan Halibut, with a summer succotash of corn, squash, zucchini, fava beans, dried cherry tomatoes, chanterelle mushrooms, fennel pollen and corn dashi emulsion.
After dinner, we had a drink in the restaurant bar and then relaxed in the heated pool before retiring for the evening. In the morning we walked to the La Jolla Underwater Park, a 6,000-acre tideland area of rocky reefs, kelp beds, sand flats, and submarine canyons. The park is naturally a popular destination for colorful fish, snorkelers, scuba divers and kayakers.
Near the Underwater Park is the Children’s Pool, where scores of adorable harbor seals can be found lounging on the sand inside a beautiful cove. This place was recently named by TripAdvisor as one of the “Top 10 Wonderfully Unique Beaches” in the world.
Beautiful beaches and tide pools are a short walk from the Grande Colonial Hotel
The Grande Colonial Hotel is located at 910 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037. The hotel also offers 5,000 sq-ft of indoor and outdoor event space, in-room spa treatments, concierge-arranged ocean activities; airport shuttles and more. For more information and reservations, call (888) 828-5498 or visit: www.thegrandecolonial.com
The Captain of the Grey Ghost has risen from within The Queen Mary and has opened the gates to his Dark Harbor! Unleashing his ghoulish spirits and monsters on all the ships guests, the harbor has been filled by evil spirits, demented monsters, freaks and lost souls. Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor truly is where fear lives!
Dark Harbor is a unique experience unlike much of the region’s other haunts. This horror event held at The Queen Mary every year captures the romanticism of the ships past and embellishes its haunted folklore’s. It is able to base itself on something others cannot… bank off its claim of being actually haunted! And while I have gone into great detail last year in regards to benefit of having mazes within the depths of the ship, this year lets focus on some other differences.
For starters, other local haunt events are known for either their quantity or their quality. This year it appears Knott’s has stepped it up to not only have the largest number of mazes, shows, and other attractions, but also delivers quality that only Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights has been able to compete with. While this has been true in years pasts, other local haunts have been amping up their game with top-notch quality attractions and terrifying immersive experiences. While the other large events claim to fame can be in their numbers, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor has increased its maze count to 7, with ample other experiences to now enjoy throughout the night.
This year, two previous mazes that sat inside the large domed event center that continues deteriorate in the parking lot have made their way outside. This change has definitely been for the better. Intrepid and Circus have seen a breath of fresh sea-air as previously they simply appeared to have a large void of scenery inside the event center. Forced to move outside due to previous engagements, new creative scares, theming and ideas have taken shape.
Dark Harbor’s 7 mazes include now 4 on the ship itself. Embarking on areas previously not opened to guests, this years new maze is Feast. The name alone gives an idea of what one may come across in which I’ll detail a little more below. These on-ship mazes are eerie in their own right, but thee events characterization, originality, and stories help this haunt stand out.
Walking into the event and past the large medal gates, haunt-goers are welcomed by a plethora of monsters. Be sure to arrive for opening, not only help with long lines, but to test your mental fortitude to make it past walls of vicious spirits. These aren’t just random creatures, no, instead each one plays a part to their corresponding mazes. In a sense, they tell a story all in their own. Once past the “starting lineup”, a large open area allows for the characters to shine. Some of the onstage talent will be lurking around interacting with guests with other monsters roaming. My buddy and I enjoyed countless interactions with ghostly musicians, devilish tricksters, and twisted acrobats throughout the entire night.
Even though the roaming characters at Dark Harbor take the cake for me more so than the typical scare zones of the competition, Dark Harbor also benefits from a relatively small footprint. This doesn’t affect the mazes, in fact, they are some of the longer mazes out there. Instead, you may find your feet thanking you for not needing to walk a mile from an upper lot to a backlot through endless streets and tunnels just to get to other mazes. With 4 of the mazes on the ship, and the others right out front, the entrances are all relatively close to each other.
That being said, you’re right, they wont have the attractions or coasters you may find at other nearby haunts, but instead deliver a relatively more enjoyable easy-going experience with places to lounge and actually enjoy a cocktail! That’s right… Dark Harbor still has booze. I would be happy going several nights and just plopping on an old cushy chair in front of the Main Stage sipping on my beer enjoying one of the many quirky acts.
There is one thing I will not pretend doesn’t exists, and that’s the lines. Yes, the queues will fill up and they are as uninspired as all the rest. Simply endless switchbacks with nothing to look at. You could be surrounded by rowdy teenagers for well-over an hour so I cannot stress enough… do yourself a favor and splurge for the front-of-line pass. Its price is truly priceless. Plus, you will be able to take advantage of the night and just enjoy the atmosphere.
With plenty of content, experiences, and drinks… Dark Harbor remains one of the best values of the season! Tickets start at just $24 with Fast Fright (front-of-line) passes starting in the mid $60 range! Be sure to visit The Queen Mary website for more ticket info and view all options.
MAZES
FEAST – NEW!
This all new maze is theme you would have expected them to have already done. Exploring the ships kitchen and the delightful finger foods the chef has chopped up for us seems like a no brainer. Well, there are plenty of brains and gruesome treats around every corner. In reality, there was a lot more they could have done with this one, but it’s a solid first year for this one. Highlight of day was for sure crawling through the oven.
Lullaby
This maze takes you to the depths of The Queen Mary as Scary Mary tries to captures the ships guests as her playmates. This deranged maze pulled me in right away with great scare-actors and performances. These are just people turning around a corner and hitting a wall. Instead each scarer has their own quirks, childish evil laugh, or story to be told. They all seem to be really into what they are doing and take pride in their performances. By far one of the standout mazes.
B340
Unfortunately, this journey through staterooms and halls fell flat this year. Not sure if we missed most of the maze monsters or if it was a light cast for the night, but it was definitely lacking some “umph”. The theming is still there, and I like the premise, but it just didn’t feel right. Audio seemed a little lackluster and to many spots of nothingness. There is a lot here that could be taken advantage of, but just wasn’t.
Soulmate
This favorite of mine from last year takes its guests through a masquerade ball with Graceful Gale. Sadly, she seemed to be a bit absent for the party. The previous decor and backstory that lined the queue last year was gone. This is partly due to the small stage here being placed elsewhere, but regardless, still lost. This was something I did a little later in the night, and it too seemed have missing much of its cast. I want to like it so much, but they need to step it up.
Deadrise
This one is entirely dependent on the scare performances. It’s more of a bare bones set-up that’s set among a former warship. With much of the maze within the open-air, this definitely must be done at pure darkness. The design allows for lots of scares, but it will be hit or miss depending on timing. It’s the nature of the beast, but hopefully you are with a squirmer they will go after. This maze did feature one of my favorite rooms of the night that brought the biggest scares of the night.
Circus
Formally in the dome, Circus is now truly under the big tent. It’s claim to fame is the possibility of having to go through a ball-pit. Still can’t believe they allow for it. I LOVE IT, but in sue-happy America it’s shocking it has survived. This simplistic maze is on the shorter end and doesn’t offer anything riveting, but it is pure simple haunted hose fun. It may be the one to skip if you can’t get to all the mazes. If you can make it though, still fun to do the classics!
Intrepid
This no doubt has had the biggest change since last year. This was another move from inside to the parking lot. This has allowed for a new design including utilizing the small village buildings out front. Headed through a train and and Scottish ship yard, the theme gets a little murky. However, I still enjoyed the scares and clear fun all the scarers were having.
OTHER
Panic 4-D – Upcharge
I’ll be honest, even though we could have gotten in for free when we went, I always feel like these 4-D shows can be gimmicky and opted to skip. I could be completely wrong and this may be an amazing experience. I really should have waited it out. The wait area is within the exhibits area, so there is some great history to look at. It really feels out of the element and not related to the actual event. I just wish they could do some dressing up to wait area, but I completely understand this theater is used during the day on a regular bases.
The Meat Locker
We had a preview of an ice bar disguised as a meat locker. With body parts cleverly submerged in the ice-made bartop, it’s an excellent option to get out of the craziness and into a parka. Held at 9 degrees, this ice-bar allows for Vodka tastings from a PB & J flavor to grass. Yes, grass flavored Vodka. You may not need the jackets after a few tastings.
Other happenings include tarot card readings, high-flying swings flat ride, uncharged elevated cabanas, a RIP (VIP) Lounge, and several small stages for more intimate acts.
Parking
I definitely recommend some research before you attend! Parking at the ship is practically not an option unless you want to pay $40. There are buses that you can take from the Aquarium of the Pacific parking. It’s just $15 (Cash only) there.
My Itinerary
There are many options you can experience the night, but if you want something to start off with, here is what I would do if I did not have a front-of-line pass.
Arrive 30 minutes prior to opening. Enjoy the opening ceremony and head straight to the new maze, Feast. Once you exit, head back toward the ship for B340 (longest line I saw and it can get stuffy). Follow it up with Lullaby. Take your break with some Pulled Pork sandwiches and grab a beer by the Main Stage. Hopefully there are some open seats and you can rest for a moment to take in some of the acts. Still thirsty, check the line for The Meat Locker for some Vodka to keep you pumped.
After some libations, head on into Deadrise followed by Intrepid. Head on over to the far right of the ship and check out the line for Soulmate and Circus. If Circus isn’t long, check it out. Follow it up with Soulmate because it appears that due to its location that the line remained smaller than the other ship mazes. From there, the rest of the night is yours!
If you looking to purchase tickets by end of day Saturday, 9/30, you can use promo code FEAR30 at checkout to receive 30% off general admission.
–Note from Patrick Campbell: Blade Runner 2049 is a rare instance where the plot of the film is a spoiler. With that in mind, the plot of the film will not be talked about within this review at the wishes of the filmmaker. I implore anyone interesting in checking out Blade Runner 2049 to do so spoiler free, and just let the movie unfold in front of you. —
Well, it finally happened. After thirty five years, we finally got a sequel to Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, aptly titled Blade Runner 2049. We’ve all waited with baited breathe to see how Blade Runner 2049 would come together, and when WB managed to get Denis Villeneuve on board to direct, everything clicked into place real quick. With his style and sensibilities, only to get Ryan Gosling to star and Harrison Ford to return, Blade Runner 2049 immediately became a must see event film. This is a sequel to one of the most iconic science fiction films of all time, so of course nervous anticipation is at an all time high. Did they roll the dice and win, or are fans out of luck? That’s always the question with something like this, but thankfully with the talent here, it’s not shock that Blade Runner 2049 is nothing but a massive home run.
Out the gate, it’s clear that Denis Villeneuve doesn’t believe in trying to reinvent the look of Blade Runner, which is for the best. This world already felt so incredibly interesting and realized, and instead of trying to take it in a new direction, Villeneuve instead decides to dive deeper into it. The neon colors, the rain, the dim corridors, even the ads on the streets all carry that familiar dystopian vibe that made the original film so iconic. But Blade Runner 2049, as much as it loves to play in this world, is much more interested in what’s boiling under the surface. In much of a mirror of our time with the current race relations in our world, this seedy looking future is facing its own war within itself, as humans and Replicants (Humanoid robots) are facing a crucial tipping point in their already unstable relationship. Villeneuve understands that the best science fiction stories are a mirror back at the audience and their world, and you’ll find that he does that in many different ways throughout Blade Runner 2049.
But the truth is, the deeper one dives into the story of this film, the quicker you’re going to spoil the film for yourself. This is the rare instance where the plot of the film is actually a spoiler, which makes this so much more interesting to talk about. But the truth of the matter is, you’re better not knowing exactly what’s happening within this film when you go in, because watching the mystery unfold in front of your eyes is so much more satisfying. This movie definitely pulls from its noir detective roots, and crafts a labyrinth of twists and turns that one must see to believe. Fans of the original are going to be happy to see that this is truly a Blade Runner sequel, but those who aren’t fans of the original may not be swayed in a new direction. This is everything you remember about the original, taken to the next level.
What Denis Villeneuve has done well though is crafted a film that, even if you haven’t seen the original, can still play to a new audience. In fact, that may be one of the best things about this new film. Blade Runner has an unusual history, with five separate cuts of the film existing over time, which has made it hard for newcomers trying to discover the film. But much like Disney did with Tron Legacy, Blade Runner 2049 reintroduces the world in such a way that is exciting for both fans and newcomers to this world. In letting so much time pass within the world of Blade Runner you almost have to treat this as a sort of soft reboot of the property. Villeneuve, along with returning Blade Runner screen writer Hampton Fancher and co-writer Michael Green, have truly made a film that not only complements the original in many ways, but also expands on it. The way they’ve built out of the original and let the world grow in new ways is really fascinating, with so much history now existing between the opening of the original to the last frame of this one. In fact, this is a world that would be so rich to explore later that doing prequels set sometime before the events of Blade Runner 2049 could be interesting, because the world has changed a lot in those thirty years.
One of the most important things about this film overall though is the look, and Villeneuve has re-teamed with the great Roger Deakins to bring the world of Blade Runner 2049 to life. Deakins, who has been criminally denied an Academy Award to this point for his cinematography, has crafted what may be the most visually striking film of the year with his work here. The film is just art frame by frame, in only away that Deakins can create, and every scene feels like a well thought out painting. The use of lighting in every scene is truly remarkable as well, as it is perfectly used to convey the tone of each scene. In a lot of ways, it’s very similar to how Mad Max Fury Road used its color palette to really drive the narrative and create the film’s world, Deakins has done similar work, really making a film that vividly pops off the screen. This is one of the most beautiful films you’ll ever get to wtiness, with no exaggeration, which is reason enough to check it out.
Of course, you can’t talk about this film without mentioning Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, who are the heart and soul of the film. Gosling is at the height of his career here, and gives what may be one of his strongest performances as our new Blade Runner. He captivates you every second he’s one screen, truly making a character that the audience can rally behind. Ford as well gives a great performance as he returns as Rick Deckard, the character he played over thirty years ago. Deckard is much different now, living with the weight of the world on his shoulders, truly a broken man. But some of that classic Ford charisma shines through as well, reminding the audience exactly why Ford has been an A list actor for so long. Many like to say that Ford has slept walked through some of his roles in recent years, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth here. This is Ford at the apex of the second half of his career, and he truly gives it his all. Also, both Jared Leto and Sylvia Hoeks give great supporting performances, and they own the screen whenever they’re on. In fact, almost everyone in this film is great, and really add to the world around them. That’s truly a testament to Villeneuve and how he works with his actors, because there really doesn’t seem to be a miscast character or a weak link at all, which is truly remarkable.
The one thing that’s certain though is Blade Runner 2049 is a triumph in just about every way. Coming thirty five years after the original, Denis Villeneuve has made a film that is not only worthy of Ridley Scott’s classic, but is worthy of the audience as well. A sequel like this can be nearly impossible to pull off, but Villeneuve tackles it with the right amount of nostalgia, mixed with a a great story, making this a perfect followup the original. Backed with fantastic performances from his leads in Gosling and Ford, this is a truly special film that will leave audiences dissecting it and discussing it for years to come. It took Ridley Scott five cuts to make Blade Runner a truly incredible film, but Villeneuve has thrown the gauntlet down with one film as the man who fully grasps this world, and what makes it so endlessly interesting. We don’t deserve Blade Runner 2049, but thank the maker that it exists.
In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!
“Thor: Ragnarok” is directed by Taika Waititi and returns Chris Hemsworth starring as Thor and Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki. They are joined by Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.
Kevin Feige is producing with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Eric Pearson and Craig Kyle & Christopher L. Yost wrote the screenplay. Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok” thunders into U.S. theaters on November 3, 2017.
I’ve always been a tough critic for Knott’s Scary Farm simply because it was the first. It should always be the best and nothing should ever top it. Unfortunately, I have seen a decline in the past couple of years with Halloween Horror Nights stealing the spotlight as the best and scariest Halloween Event I have been to. This year is different. Knott’s Scary Farm has raised the bar so high that it easily wins as the best Halloween event of 2017! The original theming of the mazes are outstanding, the scare zones are some of the most terrifying I have been in and the shows top anything, anywhere. I am so overjoyed that this event has returned to its prime and I want to go back every single night to see how this spectacular event! Now let’s start the review!
[videopress wEeLVyFh]
Mazes
Trick or Treat: Lights Out
This maze isreturning for its 6th year with the same name, but 2017 holds a new experience. You now have to venture through the witches house in the dark while relying only on your flashlight. This maze was the coolest experience I have done in a haunted attraction and this maze went from the bottom of my to-do list, to the top! The new characters that inhabit the house look terrifyinglyrealistic and I’m glad they got rid of the cartoonish trick or treater looks of the old. Your flashlight will flicker on and off through and even change to a UV flashlight and it is incredible! The maze has the same layout for the most part, but everything has been freshened up and re-themedfor a newer experience. Wait to do this when the sun goes down, because the daylight will still shine in if you enter this maze first. 10/10 rating
Voodoo The maze now has a reverse direction that has you starting through the exit. The maze is a little refreshing, but 99% of the maze is exactly the same. The new snake ending is really neat to see, but it isn’t enough to have you go out of the way to see this maze. The scare actors are great, but one thing that Knott’s needs to turnall monsters away from are clicky gloves. And clicking them inmy face is 5,000,000% NOT scary. It was only one monster, but it stands out and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. 5/10 rating
Paranormal Inc. This maze on its 3rd year is still o e of the best! The sets, scares, atmosphere and energy of the maze is incredible and this maze will be sticking around for many years to come. One thing that Ido wish that this maze would dois make the Paranormal Inc. TV show visit different haunted destinations each year. Still a great maze, but visits to different haunted destinations with Paranormal Inc. would be great! 8/10 rating
Toothfairy
This maze has been at Scary Farm for quite a while now and Ithink it’s time for something new here. The maze still looks great and is scary, immersive and unnerving, but you can only go through the same maze for so many years before it just starts feeling old and stale. The new ending is different, but that’s all Ican really say about it. It was neither good or bad. The first year with the Toothfairy animatronic was incredibleand Iwish they would have just stuck withthat. 6/10 rating
The Red Barn
This was a HUGE improvement from last year! When the maze is not busy, you will have victims in the maze opening secret doors for you to get through which is neat, but one girl in the middle of the maze near the oven was far too aggressive where Ifelt she was more a part of the hilly billy cult than trying to escapeit. The scares were fantastic and the energy and feel of the maze was exhilarating, but the ending was way disappointing with its “real” chainsaws which was just a soundeffect and smell of gas. 6/10 rating
Special Ops: Infected The past two years of Infected have been the best laser gun experience Knott’s has ever put on. Fast-paced and in your face makes for an incredible experience. The only problem is that it is so fast that you don’t get a chance to actually enjoy the incredible set pieces of the city, stores and underground areas. Make sure you visit this maze first because the pass out of guns and small groups on top of Fright Lane makes for a VERY long wait. 9/10 rating
Shadowlands
This maze was amazing in 2016 and was just as great for this year, but the addition of the extra room at the beginning is pointless and still holds up the line for an hour plus to where they just shut the pre-show down and have you walkthrough it. I’m all for big extravagant scenes, but having them at the beginning of the maze wastes so much time and kills the counts for the maze. The talent was fantastic in the maze and stuck with the theme and the sets were as beautiful as ever. I still want a different voice in the pre-show like the one in the finale hallway so it matches the theme of the maze. 7/10 rating
Dark Ride This new maze for 2017 was probably one of the most spectacular and well designed maze I have ever scene at the Scary Farm ever. It literally felt like you were in an actual Carnival Dark Ride with the track on the floor and ride vehicles spread throughout the maze. The audio was incredible with the music fading in and out and the carnies in the maze were terrifying and played the part so well. The only problem I would say is in the maze is the finale monsters have so much room to run around and scare, but most of the times I have gone through the maze, they are standing around not really knowing what to do next. 10/10 rating
Pumpkin Eater
What a confusing, but interesting maze! The detail in the characters and some of the sets are outstanding, but the story and transitions in the maze are quite confusing to follow. One minute you are walking through Pumpkin vines, the next second you are in a rocking shack. Then you have a cornfield transition straight into a forest. It just doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve never been a fan of having a story told to you as you are walking through a maze, because most of the time you can’t really follow along, especially when you’re getting scared. Just give us a general synopsis of the maze, like a prison breakout with inmates attacking the prison guards, and let us go in with that. Stories are usually just too hard to follow telling them through the maze. This maze did give me some of the best scares though and the talent was fantastic! 9/10 rating
Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny
Since the removal of Red Moon Massacre on the log ride, the attraction as a scare experience has been on a decline of themes. Halloween Hootenanny appears with a fun song, easy theming and some scares and this log ride became an instant hit with me! The theming has classics such as a werewolf transformation, aliens and even The Green Witch makes an appearance! I thought this was a fun little overlay and I hope they continue to add to the Halloween Hootenanny! 8/10 rating
Scare Zones
Ghost Town
Nothing really comes close to the grand-daddy scarezone and the Halloween event that started it all! The opening segment with some of the Ghost Town monsters entering out of the fog near rope drop gave me chills and the atmosphere of lights, music and fog when night falls is amazing with these creatures bumping in the night. 10/10 rating
The Hollow So last year I wasn’t the biggest fan of this scare zone, but the theming added to this place is outstanding and really immersed me into the world of these creatures. Every once in awhile throughout the night the ministers will do a scenes that will lead up to a midnight moment and it makes this scare zone a lot of fun! 8/10 rating
Fiesta de Los Muertos So this isn’t a “must-see” scare zone or should you avoid it. The scares the monsters produce are great and the theming itself of just the area around Jaguar helps out, but I can’t help to feel something is missing. Maybe it’s that the lights are too bright, but it’s still a fun scare zone to walk through and sit around in. 7/10 rating
CarnEvil Our last scare zone brings us clowns, and lots of them. The problem that I ALWAYS have with this scare zone is seeing monsters standing around chatting with each other or with guests and I always get so disappointed. The new theming they’ve added over by Johnny Rockets looks great and the overall feel of the scare zone is fantastic, but the clowns that are standing around really kill the vibe for me. Kudos to those who do put in the effort the full night to scare! You’re the real MVP! 5/10 rating
Shows
The Hanging
I’m not going to get into too much details about the show. But this version has been a lot better than previous years with the killings and parodies of your favorite pop culture icons. The jokes are hilarious and the writing of the show made the audience get really involved which I love.
Elvira Mistress of the Dark
You can never ever go wrong with Elvira at the Scary Farm. Unfortunately this is the last year for her and I don’t want to see her go. Nothing, in my opinion, will ever be able to top her performances. This show is the biggest, classic spectacle of Elvira I have seen and I loved every second of it. The dresses she wears and the songs that she sings are amazing and the dancers add so much that makes this show over the top. The set pieces and lighting are beautifully done and I do t want this show to ever disappear. We will miss you, Elvira!
Survival films are a dime a dozen. The need for human survival is inherent, so any time we have a new wilderness adventure hits theaters, it’s hard not to immediately at least have some sort of interest in it. We want to see someone else go through the unthinkable, without the pain of ourselves actually going through it. Much like we do with romantic dramas and comedies as well. So why don’t we take those two genres, mash them together, and make a movie that no one has ever, or probably will ever, ask for again. The Mountain Between Us is well intentioned, but instead of being a film that is either harrowing or romantic, the melding of the two genres is actually a problem. The two aren’t very compatible, and instead we’re left with a fairly predictable, cliché riddled film that wants to be the next Nora Ephron joint. Instead though, we’re left with a Lifetime movie that lacks the heart or humor of the worst Ephron films.
When a storm front heads in, stopping the plans of both Ben (Idris Elba) and Alex (Kate Winslet) in their tracks, the two are at a loss of what to do. Alex is on her way to get married, and Ben has an important surgery he must perform, putting both into a desperate situation to get out of the airport. With the odds stacked against them, the two strangers decide to take a charter plane to keep their lives on track. But when the pilot has a stroke, the plane crashes, leaving Alex and Ben stranded in the middle of the Utah wilderness. Battered, broken, and alone, the two are forced to fight nature in hopes of making it back to their lives in one piece…Or at least as close to one piece as possible.
Director Hany Abu-Assad tries his best with The Mountain Between Us to make a film that is both exciting and romantic. One of the film’s biggest strengths is Abu-Assad’s work with Elba and Winslet. Even when the movie isn’t firing fully on all cylinders, Abu-Assad has gotten some terrific performances out of his two leads. This shouldn’t come as any real shock, as Elba and Winslet are both two of the best actors currently working in Hollywood, but the way they take a fairly generic script and breathe any sort of life into it as Alex and Ben is truly remarkable. Elba really needed a win coming off of this summer’s unfortunate adaptation of The Dark Tower, and while The Mountain Between Us is not a massive step up, it once again showcases Elba’s acting ability. Ben is a flawed, distant man who is clearly at a low point in his life, and Elba is able to convey that incredibly. Even if Ben isn’t interesting, Elba makes you care for him, and that’s more than most actors can really do with a character like this. It’s terrible Elba isn’t a bigger star, because he truly is talented and he has all the makings of an A list star in the classic sense. He’d join the likes of Harrison Ford and Robert Redford with better roles, but it’s only a matter of time now before he truly earns that for himself.
Thankfully, it’s not just Elba who is fantastic in the film, because Kate Winslet once again shows why she is one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood. Alex is fierce and fiery, with a will to fight, and a will to live. She is constantly trying to find ways to survive, and that nature is grinding on the always methodical Ben. Winslet is just fun and captivating in her role, giving the film much of its heart. While the script doesn’t make Alex the most interesting character, Winslet tries her hardest to make you give a damn about Alex, and she succeeds. As mentioned above, this just goes to prove why Winslet is so beloved, because she can take you on a journey with her character, even if you don’t really care about the character thanks to a weaker script.
Now, time and again the film’s weak script has been brought up so far, but the truth is, The Mountain Between Us has no life in the script. Everything about it comes off as a second-rate Nora Ephron adaptation, which is almost distracting. If this movie was made in the mid 1990s, you could see Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks leading this film. It feels so much like it wants to be Sleepless in Seattle, but it can’t get there when the script constantly gets in its own way. Time and again the movie is its own worst enemy, as the script just aimlessly wanders from scene to scene with dialogue and plot points you can see coming from a mile away. Though, the movie does get points for making reference to The Graduate in a crucial moment of time for the characters as they’re bonding. The only problem is, much like mentioned before, when the film tries to homage this later, it just falls on its face. But, again, points for doing it, because at least then it’ll introduce a new generation to The Graduate if they’ve never seen it.
Now, while Hany Abu-Assad may not have the best script to work with here, he thankfully has a really fantastic eye as a director. As mentioned earlier, he gets fantastic performances out of his actors, but not only that, he has made a film that is truly breathtaking to the eye. Cinematography can take you a long way, and Assad has already taken that to heart. The Mountain Between Us is one of the most visually pleasing films you’re likely to see this year. The landscapes are breathtaking, and every shot feels meticulously put together to leave you in awe, which makes the film compelling. Everywhere you look, everything looks incredible, but at every turn nature is trying to take these two down, making even the most beautiful thing in the world dangerous.
It’s really too bad that The Mountain Between Us isn’t a stronger film. It has all the makings of a great film, from the lead performances to the director behind the scenes, but they can’t overcome this incredibly lazy script. While the first two thirds of the film are actually fairly engrossing, the last third goes off the rails and unfortunately never recovers. Both Elba and Winslet give fantastic performances, as does the dog in the film, but that’s not enough to make this a film a real winner. Melding genres is always hard, and while they try to make something both romantic and exciting, it just comes off as cheap and contrived. But hey, at least the dog in the movie is fun to watch!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. as Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalkdeck the halls for a wintry calendar of festive holiday experiences and an array of delectable treats that families and friends far and wide can enjoy.
The all-new “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” experience will resonate throughout the immersive land this yuletide season transforming the iconic HogwartsTM castle into a dazzling light projection spectacular, while the quaint town of Hogsmeade village shines brightly with décor uniquely themed to each of the individual storefronts.
The a cappella Frog Choir, comprised of Hogwarts students and their giant throaty frogs, will perform all-new holiday themed songs.
A wide selection of all-new custom-made Christmas ornaments created especially for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will also debut this season. Collectibles include a variety of decorative Hogwarts castle snow globes, Hogwarts crest and mascot ornaments representing each of the houses, as well as a collection of unique tree toppers and house pennant garland.
Newly introduced holiday-themed fare and the eagerly-awaited seasonal return of hot Butterbeer will further complement the overall experience.
“Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will take place daily from November 24, 2017 through January 7, 2018.
The all-new “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” experience invites guests to celebrate this special time of year in J.K. Rowling’s compelling Wizarding World for themselves.
As night falls on Hogsmeade village, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts TM Castle” will illuminate Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with colorful imagery and impressive dimensional animations that dance across Hogwarts castle in tandem to a musical arrangement from the Harry Potter movies.
“Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” represents the immersive land’s first holiday themed program since opening at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2016.
“Grinchmas™” returns to Universal Studios Hollywood with a Who-lebration of fun fit for The Grinch, his faithful dog Max and a roster of Who-ville Whos. The annual event comes to life with a towering 60 foot tall whimsical “Grinchmas” tree where Martha May Who-vier and the Who Dolls will take center stage performing energetic musical sets to usher in the Christmas season in style. The Who-liday Singers—a hip boy-band ensemble—will perform nightly a cappella concerts featuring a mix of Christmas favorites and pop rock.
“Grinchmas” will take place weekends on December 2-3 and 9-10, and daily from December 15 through December 31, 2017.
Spirited holiday décor and festive whimsy will permeate throughout the theme park including “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and the adjoining “Super Silly Fun Land” as a crew of very merry and mischievous Minions gleefully spread Christmas cheer to visitors of all ages.
A spectacular 40-foot tall Christmas tree will glisten with 200,000 LED icicles choreographed to the lights and sounds of the season in the 5 Towers plaza. Santa Claus will make nightly appearances and offer special photo opportunities at 5 Towers.
The iconic, dancing water fountain situated at the heart of CityWalk will also make a splash this holiday season. This visually dynamic fountain, displaying over 230 individual power jets, will project streams of choreographed water into the air complemented by red and green LED lights and an array of holiday-themed music.
Free concert performances at “5 Towers” and an eclectic ensemble of talented street performers will make CityWalk the ultimate L.A. holiday destination.
The spirit of the season continues with a wintertime transformation of Universal CityWalk, beginning the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 24 through Sunday, December 23, 2017.
The holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood is included in the price of theme park admission. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood returns for another year with new terrors expecting you in the dark. The Shining, being one of eight mazes you can experience, brings the world of films to life right before your eyes. This year has three brand-new original scare zones, seven new mazes, a new Terror Tram and the return of the Jabbawockeez. Let’s begin with the mazes!
Mazes:
Before I fully start each maze review, I will tell you that there is a HUGE amount of unnecessary black walls. And within those black walls is long, lonely walks of no theming or scare-actors/scares. It was incredibly disappointing knowing that a movie studio park is trying to pass by with black walls. Insidious gets a pass because you are walking through the Further. But Saw, which has you walking through a warehouse and seeing multiple black walls when you could make it look like you’re walking through a warehouse is a huge turn off. Even if you put monsters in those black hallways, it’d be better than nothing. These reviews will try and have as little spoilers as possible.
Saw: The Games of Jigsaw
This maze was a mixed bag of good and bad. The good was that they had really great scenes with traps from all of our favorite Saw movies, but the bad was that there was too many black walls and some of the Jigsaws didn’t time their scares that well. The reverse beartrap actors did an amazing job at bringing that scene to life, but there were some scenes like the barbwire chain-link victim just wasn’t selling it to make me believe that he was really in danger or in trouble. There is another scene that will be in the new Jigsaw movie where the victims have buckets on their heads being pulled towards a buzzsaw wall and there’s one actress in there, but she just wasn’t making me buy that she was in danger. My biggest gripe of this whole maze was the fact that there were way too many black walls. You have us walking through a warehouse where jigsaw has all these traps going on, but the black walls just pull me out of being immersed. Also, I would The Saw theme to play through out the maze to build up the suspense.
Insidious: Beyond the Further
Insidious was probably the best maze, scare wise, at the event. The maze has mostly to do with insidious the last chapter, but it’s hard to follow along since the movie is not out yet. They do have different sections of the maze that are dedicated to insidious chapters 1, 2 and 3, but they seem minuscule compared to the amount that Insidious 4 has. You come face-to-face with keyface, the lipstick demon, the bride in black, the man who can’t breathe, and the bride in black’s mother. This scares were beyond terrifying and the sets they had were really well done, but it felt like a maze have more black walls than anything else. This is the only maze that I will allow black walls because the further is a dark place, but I still wish more theming was put into it. This is still one of the highlight mazes at the event.
Ash vs. Evil Dead
Oh, Ashy Slashy. How I have a love/hate relationship with you. When I see the words “vs.” for HHN Hollywood, I picture being surrounded by Ash and the undead, but it felt like Hollywood was trying to take a page out of Orlando’s book by having the fights be acted out on the sides of you. I didn’t care for that; I wanted some full blown Alien vs. Predator or Freddy vs. Jason where Ash and the Evil Dead fight on either side of me while I’m walking through the middle of them. They did that once with the finale monster and I loved it. Again, black walls galore and it’s annoying seeing so many with hanging vines and no scare actors. We see Pablo once in the maze with the book on his face, but it was too dark to really see who or what he was doing, especially for someone who doesn’t watch the show. The sets that they did have for the maze look fantastic with entering ashes house to entering the evil dead barn. Those were some really “wow!” moments, but those dang black walls kill it for me.
The Horrors of Blumhouse
The Horrors of Blumhouse was definitely a cool experience with getting to walk through three of Blumhouse’s movies which include The Purge, Happy Death Day and Sinister. You start off in The Purge by walking through a chain-link maze filled with beat up cars, purgers and random props. You then head into an abandoned movie theater which is featuring Happy Death Day and Sinister. You first start off in Happy Death Day where you enter the dorm room of the main character while she’s laying in bed and you then go through the dorm hallway where the slasher is waiting for you around almost every corner . Once you make it out of the hallway you’ll end up back into the dorm room where the girl is laying in bed again, but the slasher will pop out at you through a window. You then end up in a construction site and finish in a party that holds multiple costumed dummies and people dressed as the slasher. After the party you will end up in Sinister where are you experiencing different scenes from Sinister one and two. The demon is the major scare in this portion of the maze and the best scare comes from watching a home-video on a screen. The problem with Sinister was again there was a lot of black hallways, but at least they filled the black hallways with monsters to compensate for it.
The Shining
One of the most detailed mazes, but still black wall problems, when they could have just painted them the color of the hotel. I was the most skeptical of this maze because I don’t think human portrayals are all that scary. But this maze blew me out of the water! The axe scene where he’s hacking through the door was incredible and it had every character that played a vital role in the movie and this was definitely a solid maze. And now I ask about black walls, what were the point of them in this maze. Am I walking through Jack’s black, dull mind? Because if that is the case, it makes no sense and no one will understand it. It worked for The Exorcist, but not here.
Titans of Terror
This maze was a little confusing at first, but then I realized we are walking through a tv show that a horror fan is watching. You start in A Nightmare on Elm Street and the sets were really great in here with walking through Freddy Krueger’s Nightmare lair. We then enter Friday the 13th with Jason Vorhees as we walk through a forest then into bus that leads to his home. The last is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, this one had me a little confused on what we were walking through, but it looked like a warehouse where Leatherface and Chop Top take care of their victims. The maze seems pretty short, but sweet. The transitions from one slasher to the next was great and the scares were spot on!
American Horror Story: Roanoke
Easily the most detailed maze this year. There are black walls in this maze, but there were very little and that’s how the mazes should be. Piggy Man, The Butcher, The Chens and everyone involved were absolutely incredible with top notch scares. Walking through the Roanoke house was terrifying and completely immersive with iconic rooms and scenes from the tv show such as the “murder” wall, hillbilly shack, moving tongues, and many others.
The Walking Dead Attraction
There was literally no changes to this day-time maze for Halloween Horror Nights. No additional monsters or anything like in 2016. I like this maze, but bring some extra life to this maze during Horror Nights, Universal!
Scare Zones
Toxic Tunnel
So with a new theme in the tunnel this year, my expectations were higher than usual. The creatures and mutants did an incredible job with what they had to work with and they looked terrifying, but it was the same flashy headache lighting and dubstep music like last year with The Purge! I would have loved a couple of fog machines and green lighting to make it seem like we’re in an actual “Toxic Tunnel”.
Urban Inferno
This “scare zone” is down in the metro sets and it was more of a gauntlet style walk through where you can only walk one direction, than an actual scare zone. I liked the theme of this one a lot with demonic and cult style monsters running around. The awkward thing were the “victims” running around. A lot of guests didn’t understand who they were and were confused on why park guests were scaring them even though they are scare actors.
Hell-o-ween
The best and only actual scare zone where you can walk any direction you want! This is located at the main entrance and the monsters were all things you find with a classic Halloween house. You get your pumpkins, werewolf, skeletons and sheet ghosts. This was a lot of fun to walk through and you can sit around and enjoy others getting scared!
Titans of Terror Tram
This was by far the worst Terror Tram I ever experienced. The beginning with Chucky and then heading through Bates More with Jason Vorhees was great, but then you get to a single hallway near the Bates house with 4 Leatherfaces on your left and chop top, grandpa and the dad on the right scaring over the walls. Why were all the Leather faces on one side? This was extremely sloppy execution. War of the Worlds was Freddy Krueger and there are multiple of him dressed as himself, firemen, paramedic, soldiers and even a grandma. This was the best portion of the Terror Tram until you’re stopped for minutes upon minutes just trying to move through another ho hum section for Leatherface which you’re supposed to be in a meat warehouse. Last year with Hollywood Harry was fantastic with the two seperate paths and the container maze in the war of the worlds section and I wish they would have done a version of that again.
Jabbawockeez
I unfortunately didn’t get to see the show this year, but the Jabbawockeez have never been a disappointment to the crowds that see them. Their dancing is incredible and if you’re into that kind of thing, I would recommend checking them out!
So that concludes my review! The mazes were great this year, but those black walls were just major a major buzzkill, especially when you have no scares going on in them. If you’re going to charge people 50 plus dollars to attend this event, there should be no excuse for black walls. I did love the event as a whole, but there was much much room for improvement and I hope they get them fixed.
Summer has drawn to a close an Fall begins to take the main stage at the Disneyland Resort. The Mickey Pumpkin returns along with season regulars like Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday. Along with those perennial traditions, the resort brought a fantastically large amount of surprises that have already drawn in huge droves of Guests.
Whether you are a seasoned Annual Passholder, or a more casual Disney fan, I can safely say this year’s festivities should not be missed. For the first time, Disney California Adventure is brought into the world of Halloween. Decorations can be found throughout the entire park from the flashing lights and bats around Carthay Circle to the towering spires of the Collector’s tower.
Carthay shines with the new decorative lights.Rocket needs your help! Save Groot!
One of the most prominent and awe inspiring features is Cars Land’s overlay. If you thought Christmastime was spectacular, it’s time to get a closer look at Radiator Springs. Every inch of the land is covered in bright lights, spooky cones, and colorful costumes. You can find Lightning McQueen as a super hero, Cruz Ramirez as a pirate, Mater as a vampire, and Red as a clown. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters gets a full seasonal overlay with special songs, decorations, and lights. Maters Junkyard Jamboree also gets a motor graveyard and new songs to get you in the festive mood.
For those who are waiting for Dia De Los Muertos, Doc Hudson was given a shrine that can be seen in Ramone’s. I was deeply moved by the display and all the effort taken to continue the tradition of amazement that is Cars Land. Out of everything in both parks, Cars Land definitely shines brightest in these new additions. However, that does not mean there aren’t many other notable elements.
For Doc.
The Headless Horseman gets an eerie statue right off of Buena Vista Street. The smoke, the lights, the darkness stands out beautifully. Guardians of the Galaxy’s “Monsters After Dark” overlay adds to the same tone. It’s a great mix of spooky, exciting, and fun. The exterior effects shouldn’t be ignored either. Tower of Terror will be deeply missed, but it is also nice to have a seasonal change of pace that creates something new.
Beware of the Headless Horseman.
https://youtu.be/FrNxkjVrnEY
Speaking of new, Oogie Boogie’s take over of the Disney California Adventure blows the traditional Disneyland entrance out of the water. It’s so popular, Photopass Cast Members are now stationed in the esplanade to take photos as you walk into the park.
Disney California Adventure is definitely in the Halloween Spirit!
Once those gates are passed through, make sure you budget wisely. Overlays, decorations, and attractions aside, there are so many food options you may need more than one trip to really get to experience it all. Every land has some sort of seasonal offering, and from the few items I have tried so far, I have no complaints. It’s been an amazing chance to taste and explore more than the usual haunts throughout the year. As a park regular, former Cast Member, and Annual Passholder, I tend to stick to my favorites during each visit. The menu options are so diverse, I can break that mold and try something new.
Just showing off the new Mickey Mouse Halloween popcorn bucket.
These additions are a positive step forward, especially in a time where we are feeling restless in waiting for future park updates. Halloweentime will be happily haunting the resort until October 31st. You can learn all the details on the resort’s website below:
If brands are going to play such a large pat in populist family blockbuster entertainment, we could do much worse than the previous Lego outings. The Lego Movie perfectly adapted concepts of why we love Legos in the first place; touching on themes of creation, individuality and togetherness. Lego Batman is a riff on the entire cinematic history of the Caped Crusader while embracing everything that makes the character work as a whole. So what does Ninjago bring to the table? At first, not much.
The opening act of the film is a haphazard hodgepodge of traditional animated movie fair. Bright colors. Someone who just doesn’t fit in. Loud music. Countless bits of information are thrown at you too early too fast. It’s a cinematic sugar rush that turns sour fast. Part coming-of-age story, part superhero team up, part martial arts homage, all leading up to… something. From the outset, it’s unclear where the movie is headed. One can’t help but think the crew were unsure of themselves either. Adding a live action bookend to open and close the film doesn’t help much and actually detracts from the experience.
But the world of Ninjago is gorgeous to behold. The visual splendor of CGI legos grafting together tapestries of imagination are something only a child could cook up. An ongoing theme of endless wonder will continue to be the heart of this universe wherever they may go. Ninjago (the city) is a feast for your eyes. Gigantic buildings and towering lego robots wander the streets and rise out of the water between day or night. We might as well call it baby’s first Blade Runner. Much like Blade Runner, Ninjago implements a variety of cultures from Eastern Asia. As a person of color, it is disappointment as so few of the cast members are of the same background. That’s not to say anyone isn’t good in the movie (I promise, we’re getting to why I actually liked this movie soon) it just feels like yet another missed opportunity in an ongoing series of them in Hollywood. Although, Kumhail Nanjiani and Jackie Chan are inspired casting choices for their respective roles in the film.
As the story progresses, the sugar coating keeps getting tossed on and on. Tonal inconsistencies spring up like daisies but you can practically feel the movie find its footing after tossing its primary hero, Lloyd (Dave Franco doing pretty remarkable work here), into the chaos of uncertainty.
After establishing conflict, a new status quo and a breadth of ideas to explore over the course of an ongoing adventure, the lego ninjas find themselves on a quest to save their homes. Along the way, the group of ninjas outside of Lloyd aren’t given much to do outside of some fun gimmicks and for that short while you can feel the movie not giving in to its broader superhero team up ideas. It’s about Lloyd and his purpose as a team member, a friend, a son and a growing kid. Everything pertaining to the actual narrative drive and crux of the story is, needless to say, about character and his relationship to his arch-nemesis/father, Lord Garmadon.
However, even after the movie finds its footing, you’ll still find yourself rolling your eyes at the incessant need for jokes to lighten the mood. And sometimes, the constant bickering and comedic beats even attribute to the scene. To make something clear, when Ninjago works, it’s a wonderful time for the whole family. When it doesn’t, there’s still enough on display for the kiddies to enjoy while you take a breather from the barrage of… well, everything. It’s hard to talk about why the ending works as well as it does but for those of you who have parents who were separated, prepare for some heartstrings to be pulled.
Ninjago isn’t so much any single stab at a genre as much as it is using those genre tools to explore a story of enlightenment. Taking cues from Kung Fu Panda and, of course, the first cinematic Lego outing, Ninjago is wholly better than the sum of its parts. Don’t get me wrong, the execution is far from perfect. The wrap up is too tidy and the bookends significantly harm the final film. Look, if this is to be the least successful of the Lego franchise thus far, things could be a whole lot worse. Sometimes, these stories are just good enough.
“I will fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.”
Wonder Woman dominated the box office, took the world by storm, and inspired women everywhere to believe in their own strength and hope. The film has created a lasting impact that surpasses the silver screen onto larger discussions of equality.
Now released on Blu Ray/DVD, fans get a chance to dive deeper into the hearts and minds behind the film in a jam packed set that is a definite add to the home collection. Not a single element of the film production was taken for granted. The features provided showcase that prominently. Close attention was made in every aspect from costuming, to period research, to actual photography. The vintage photograph shown in the film was actually taken on set with the same equipment used during that era in the exact same conditions. Rather than create a impersonation, Patty Jenkins wanted to make sure every moment was as realistic as possible.
That level of dedication was passed through everyone involved in the film, including the Amazon warriors that are seen on screen. In one feature, “The Wonder Behind the Camera”, we get a look at the rigorous training and hard work each woman had taken to get ready for the camera. Coming from all walks of life, these women bonded together in a rally of strength and perseverance that is fitting to the overall theme of Wonder Woman herself.
Another fantastic aspect comes from a series of features titled, “A Director’s Vision”. Jenkins and her crew describe storyboard techniques, on location coaching, and rare glimpses into what helped fuel the team’s successes through Jenkins’ leadership. Multiple references were made into the importance of the title character’s origins and unique perspective that drives the story from start to finish.
SoCalThrills also had a chance to review the Target Edition of the film set, which includes a mini book and holographic design that is really stunning. The Target Exclusive features excerpts from Wonder Woman: The Art and Making of the Film. As you can see from the photos below, it’s a beautiful collection. The concept art, descriptions, and images are fun and packed with detail. However, if you are looking for a different edition, there are multiple formats and variations to choose from.
Here’s a full look at the list of special features included on the set. Clocking in at over two hours, there is plenty to see and hear:
Epilogue: Etta has a special mission that brings back Wonder Woman’s men in arms that could shape the future after the end of the war. Crafting the Wonder: An in depth look into the journey of bringing Wonder Woman onto the big screen with cast and crew. A Director’s Vision Series: Director, Patty Jenkins, goes through some of the film’s key moments, achievements, and methods in bringing Diana to life. The series is broken into individual parts listed below.
Themyscira – The Hidden Island Beach Battle A Photograph Through Time Diana in the Modern World Wonder Woman at War
Warriors of Wonder Woman: An amazing look into the hard work, sacrifice, and bond of the Amazon warriors that were filmed alongside Gal Gadot. The Trinity: Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman are an epic team. This segment focuses on her significance in the DC Universe along with discussions with key filmmakers and comic book animators. The Wonder Behind the Camera: Meet the amazing women that helped make Wonder Woman a reality as they inspire young filmmakers on set for an up close look at how they can make a difference in the industry. Finding the Wonder Woman Within: Poets, influential public female figures, and others talk about the importance of Wonder Woman and the hope that she brings to all people in a powerful message of courage and hope. Deleted Scenes Gag Reel
Wonder Woman’s next appearance will be in this fall’s Justice League film. To learn more about Wonder Woman, please visit http://www.wonderwomanfilm.com
One of the most classic lines in movie history was heard around the world this past weekend during a special 35th anniversary celebration of ET. Courtesy of Fathom Events, the film is part of the “Big Screen Classics” series that is sponsored by Turner Classic Movies.
Included with the anniversary screening is a special commentary from TCM Host, Ben Mankiewicz. Succeeding the late Robert Osborne, Mankiewicz follows his lead with a touching tribute to the film that is a great addition.
For first timers, the commentary gives you a unique perspective and appreciation for the film while providing a small glimpse into the significance of the film on popular culture and the lasting impact it has had on cinematic history.
ET is one of the many films that TCM hosts through Fathom. Upcoming events include a special 30th anniversary engagement of the modern fairy tale classic, The Princess Bride on October 15th and 18th. Fans are also welcome to hop on a plane and fly into a limited run of the legendary Humphrey Bogart picture, Casablanca in November.
If you are looking for a family friendly movie outing, Fathom Events is also partnering with Studio Ghibli to bring back some of Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest films that include Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
There’s definitely something for everyone. Take a look at all of Fathom Events’ future screenings by visiting their website at https://www.fathomevents.com/
Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social...
