Pismo Beach is beautiful in every season and fall is no exception. During this time of year the weather is still perfect, the beaches are less crowded, award-winning wine is flowing, and a host of festivals and activities are welcoming guests to seaside paradise along California’s Central Coast.
One of the most exciting fall attractions in Pismo Beach is the arrival of majestic butterflies. Each year thousands of vibrant orange and black Monarch Butterflies flock to the town, seeking shelter from freezing northern winters. From late October to February, the little creatures cluster in the limbs of a grove of Eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach. The grove is easily accessible and is located on State Highway 1 at the south boundary of the city limits.
Pismo Beach is one of the best spots in California to see Monarch Butterflies
The Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of only five sites in the state that has counts of over 10,000. Spectators come from across California to view the Monarchs. Visitors are greeted by knowledgeable and well-informed volunteer docents offering daily talks and information.
The butterflies form dense clusters with each one hanging with its wings down over the one below it to form a shingle effect. This provides shelter from the rain and warmth for the group. The weight of the cluster help keeps it from whipping in the wind and dislodging the butterflies.
The Pismo Beach colony is one of the largest in the nation, hosting an average of 25,000 butterflies over the last five years. The Monarchs that visit Pismo Beach are a special variety. They have a life span of six months as opposed to that of common Monarchs who live only six weeks. This can be attributed to a unique fat storing system. However, even with an extended life span, those butterflies that leave in March will never return. For more information, visit: www.monarchbutterfly.org
Another exciting fall event is the Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival, the town’s oldest and largest festival. Now in its 71st year, the extravaganza runs October 20 – 22 and includes regional food stands, food trucks, wine tasting, a beer garden, live music and entertainment, a Kids’ Zone, a Wine Walk, Chowder Contest, Clam Dig, Surf Contest, Clam Bake, and much more.
Admission to the three-day Clam Festival is free, unless you want to participate in premium scheduled activities. Attendance to the event is usually around 15,000 people and tickets can sell-out, so those interested should act quickly. For more information, visit: www.pismoclamfestival.com/
For more outdoor adventure, Pismo Beach visitors can also enjoy miles of pristine coastline, with opportunities to kayak or stand up paddleboard along rugged coastline and oceanic caves, accompanied by migrating marine life such as dolphins, whales, sea otters and numerous bird species including warblers and snowy plovers.
And for wine lovers, Pismo Beach offers the perfect pairing of wine and waves, with beautiful beaches and a taste of California wine country at numerous downtown tasting rooms and restaurants. Visitors can learn about local wine culture and discover new grape varieties produced in the historic winemaking regions of Edna valley, Arroyo Grande and Avila Valley – all of which are located just 30 minutes outside of downtown Pismo Beach.
During my last visit to the town I stayed at the modern Hilton Garden Inn Pismo Beach, which is located one mile from the Pacific Ocean and Downtown. Here a friend and I enjoyed a spacious third floor suite with complimentary WiFi, a 37-inch HDTV, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, office desk, and incredible views of the water and the sunset.
The Hilton Garden Inn makes a great home base when visiting Pismo Beach
The hotel also offers a signature restaurant and lounge, a heated outdoor pool, fully-equipped fitness room, a 24-hour business center, and 1,600 sq-ft of meeting space.
The Hilton Garden Inn Pismo Beach is located at 601 James Way, Pismo Beach, CA, 93449. For more information, call 805-773-6020, or visit: www.hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com. For more information on visiting Pismo Beach, go to: www.Classiccalifornia.com
Based on a play called “Blackbird” Una deals with the aftershocks of decades long trauma. When a woman Una was a 13 year old girl, a middle-aged man and friend of her father, named Ray, began a relationship with her eventually involving sex. It’s an uncomfortable topic that makes for an uncomfortable viewing experience. Statutory rape is a real and terrifying concept that leaves scars for years. It has the power to fundamentally change people and their perceptions.
There is a powerful center taking hold of Una and its titular character, with scars both physical and mental drive the progression of the story. It is in Una that drives one woman’s search for tangible feeling. Or is it in Una that drives Ray’s story, a man trying helplessly to escape from his past? Is Una looking for validation, confrontation or something else entirely? It’s left up to the audience to decide how it progresses. And I’m not sure that’s the best course of action given the subject matter.
Rape is not a subject one can take lightly. While I wouldn’t proclaim Una takes the subject matter any less serious than it deserves, I would say its attempts to tackle the heavier topics simply fall short due to a specifically distant lens the camera allows us to perceive the events we’re shown.
First time director Benedict Andrews doesn’t quite feel confident enough to frame the events in any specific manner. Even with ambiguity, there needs to be something grounding the camera as a part of the cinematic tapestry. A camera is a piece of the puzzle, not simple a doorway into the world. It feels too mellow, to untouchable to feel pivotal. It feels appropriately like a stage play (not because it was one) but in its blocking of actors and closeness of the performers.
Speaking of which, Rooney Mara and Ben Mendelsohn are doing outstanding work here. Rooney Mara as Una is soul-shattering, nevertheless portraying someone both hollow and driven. Mara plays Una like someone who wants something, still making the audience question what she wants and who she is. Andrews stages the opening at Una’s mother’s house, where Una still lives in her late 20s in a state of perpetual arrested development, implied as a tragic repercussion of her rape. On the flip side of that talent coin, Ben Mendelsohn as Ray is on a downward spiral from the moment Una confronts him. He’s trying to usher her out of his new life. There are implications that Ray is merely trying to forget his past mistakes, but why? There are even seedier implications that Ray is trying to keep his new life together, he is still attracted to Una, all before Ray genuinely tries to convince himself that he may loved a child, which has its own sickening connotations.
Given the way the camera moves between the two characters of Una and Ray, it’s unclear what is happening between the two. However, given the performances individual moments play like a boxing match. Verbal sparring is what fills the film with its tension, like a tightrope in a carnival performance where nothing is working as well as it should. It’s hard to deny it’s a darn powerful tightrope act, but it’s even harder to ignore the surroundings that need some more attention to detail.
Una is not a great film. Yet, it has great performances that feel true. Director Benedict Andrews allows the actors to truly craft some complex and challenging emotions. Andrews has plenty of potential if he ever wants to return behind the camera. If he keeps working at it, Benedict Andrews might just be a name worth tuning into.
As the event proceedings began, one thing was certain about the cast and crew on Thor: Ragnarok: they had clearly had a blast making this movie. It comes across in the actual film, opening November 2, 2017, but the junket almost played like a very informative standup routine from some of the best in the business.
[NOTE: This junket transcript has been edited down for clarity]
Q: What makes Thor: Ragnarok different from the previous films?
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Taika Waititi, basically. I think we all had a, a vision, and an idea, and a want to do something vastly different than what we’d done before, and take it to a different place. And that meant kind of doing away with what we knew, and just reinventing it, and it all came from his crazy, wonderful brain, and his inspiration, and him pushing us every day on set, and constantly encouraging us to improvise, and explore, and take risks. And it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had on a set, and a film that I feel the most proud of, just because of this – this whole team, and the collaboration, and fun we had.
CATE BLANCHETT: We love you, Chris.
TAIKA WAITITI: I love you more now, you see. Well, when they first asked me to come and to them about making this film, obviously I thought that Marvel had lost their minds, so they’re just hiring anyone now. But [laughter] No – but I came in, and I guess I thought that – I knew my strengths were just like tone, character, and you know, relationships, and things, and I had to ignore the scale of this monster, this beast, you know it’s a – [Yeah.] It’s a huge, huge film. And what can be distracting on set is if you look over your shoulder, and you see 300 people standing there. [Yeah.] And you know, so you – I have to – I just had to keep reminding myself what’s more important is what’s inside the rectangle, and usually, it’s two or three people trying to remember their lines. [LAUGHTER] And so it doesn’t matter the scale of the film – that’s always the same, you know. So – so, I just focused down on what I was used to, which was what’s in front of the camera.
KEVIN FEIGE: Well, I mean, Chris sort of said it. We wanted a new sensibility. We wanted to take Thor – and if you look at everything Chris has done as this character, there have been moments of humor – moments of humor throughout. [Um-hmm.] And we wanted to build on that. And if you look at the movie, it’s got the epic action. It’s got Thor arguably more powerful than he’s ever been in any of the films, with his powers going up against the Hulk, but at the same time embracing what Mr. Hemsworth does better than anyone up until now has ever been able to see, which is his acting chops expands to comedy in an amazing, in an amazing way. And Taika giving them the confidence to explore that, and to try things. And most of that is in the movie, because it was on story, and yet at the same time expanded each of their characters.
Q: What’s the difference working between working with Taika Waititi on his ‘big movie’ and ‘little movie’?
RACHEL HOUSE: Well, he’s a lot better dressed – [LAUGHTER] – because usually we’re running around in the mud, and the snow, and the rain. So it was wonderful to come in each day and see Taika in a suit, and Italian leather shoes. No, it’s been wonderful to see Taika so calmly and easily step into the helm of such a big, awesome film. Yeah.
Q: What was Taika Waititi’s thought process behind the “heavy metal album cover” look of the film and how Kevin Feige reacted:
TAIKA WAITITI: Well, you know, and to these guys’ credit, you know, they were very supportive right from the beginning. You know, they – yeah, they supported me in this – if you look at all the elements in the film, it’s pretty crazy, you know. If you would describe all of the characters in this film to someone, it’s – it just – yeah, it deserves to have all of that color, and you know, and all of those crazy, curvy designs, and yeah, it’s a bombastic concept that just – you can’t hold back from this thing. So you’ve got – you know, it’s either all in, or nothing.
KEVIN FEIGE: Taika, the first meeting we had, the first meeting, Taika came in. I asked somebody to ask you about your passport adventure, but that can be another day.
TAIKA WAITITI: Okay.
KEVIN FEIGE: But he had a [meeting]. Often times, people come in –
TAIKA WAITITI: I almost didn’t make the meeting because I lost my passport.
KEVIN FEIGE: Right – almost didn’t take – almost didn’t get to the meeting. But he came in. Filmmakers sometimes will say, using clips of other movies, ‘Here’s what I have in mind.’ And sometimes they’re not good. Most of the times, they’re okay. His was amazing, and was scored to that Led Zeppelin song.
TAIKA WAITITI: Yeah.
KEVIN FEIGE: So from the beginning, that song kind of defined what Taika was going to do with this. That it’s in the trailer, that it’s in the film – all from that first meeting, and from one of his first instincts of this movie, is very impressive.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: I didn’t know that.
TESSA THOMPSON: I forgot that.
Q: Where is Lady Sif?
TAIKA WAITITI: Kevin.
PRESS: Not make the cuts?
[LAUGHTER]
KEVIN FEIGE: If she had been on Asgard, she might not be alive, so that’s one of the advantages.
TAIKA WAITITI: Lady Sif is an actor in New York, on a TV show at the moment.
KEVIN FEIGE: Oh, that’s true.
TAIKA WAITITI: She was busy.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: That’s right.
KEVIN FEIGE: It’s – I’ve been quoting; I’ve been using ‘A Force Awakens’ quote today when people ask me that, and to say, ‘That’s a good question for another time.’
Q: Would Mark Ruffalo be interested in doing a full Hulk film and what aspects of the character would be explored?
MARK RUFFALO: I would love to do a Hulk movie, and I think we all would love to do one. But about a year ago, before I even had this part, or were talking about doing this – it was well over a year ago, Kevin had asked me to come over and have a script meeting. And basically he sat me down and he said, ‘What would you like to do if you had a stand-alone Hulk movie?’ And I said, ‘I’d like to do this, this, and this; and this and this – and then this. And then this, and this, and this, and then it would end like this.’ And he’s like, ‘I love that. Let’s do that over the next three movies, starting with Thor 3 and carry it on through Avengers 3 and Avengers 4.’ And so that’s my stand-alone Hulk movie.
[LAUGHTER]
MARK RUFFALO: And Taika is gonna take all three of those movies and cut it into one movie.
RACHEL HOUSE: Probably.
MARK RUFFALO: Will you do that?
KEVIN FEIGE: Yeah.
MARK RUFFALO: And that’ll be on the DVD. And me and Taika can own that, right? No.
KEVIN FEIGE: No, that’s exactly what happened. And it’s – someday, a stand-alone I think would be great, but for the time being, Hulk’s presence in these movies, and certainly now, as Mark has talked about, what we’re going to be able to do with his character arc over these three movies is super exciting.
Tessa Thompson on playing a character mechanically white in the comics and bringing Valkyrie to life:
TESSA THOMPSON: No, I didn’t feel any pressure with that specifically. You know, the things that I thought about the particulars of Valkyrie had more to do with, like mass and size. For example, I thought, like ‘Oh, I’m – I’m short,’ you know. Or like, ‘I’m not buff enough.’ Or how – you know, she’s arguably as strong as Thor. How do I stand, you know, next to a person like Chris Hemsworth and feel, and feel like that’s true, you know. So I didn’t think so much – I mean, satisfying Norse mythology, it’s mystifying, and fantastical, and glorious, and also very confusing and doesn’t make a lot of sense, you know.
TESSA THOMPSON: And I remember someone online saying like, ‘You know, Tessa Thompson playing Valkyrie is white genocide.’ And -Which is just as mystifying as Norse mythology. [LAUGHTER] I just figured like, you know, this thing that I’m tasked to do with any character that has its own iconography is to capture the spirit of the character, and I think the spirit of all of us, at the risk of sounding, you know, cheesy, has very little to do with what color we are. So I just didn’t really invest in that.
Jeff Goldblum on joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe:
JEFF GOLDBLUM: Hello – hello. Fantastic. Fantastic. I like the character, of course, and the opportunities in the character. Joining a group like this, a cast like this is a dream come true. Taika – working with Taika, that was my first, you know, connection point to the movie. We had a meeting, and hit it off, and he said what we were gonna do, and improvise, and have fun. But then, you know, Kevin Feige and Louis D’Espesito, and Victoria Alonso, and Brad Winderbaum – the whole upper tier of creative leaders, do something unique. They know how to make these epic productions, and popular movies, but they want to make good movies. And they somehow uniquely know how to do them, that feels to me like an actorly, workshop-y, character-y, improvisatory, delightful experience – and make a movie that I think skins the cat like this is just – I’m grateful, overwhelmingly grateful.
Q: Was there healthy competition on set?
CATE BLANCHETT: Tantric embrace. A lot.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Yeah. That’s why don’t sit next to each other.
CATE BLANCHETT: Yeah. Mark was always in the middle.
MARK RUFFALO: Yeah. And I’m, and I’m sick of it.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: I mean, we had the New Zealand/Australian competition going.
CATE BLANCHETT: Oh, yeah.
KARL URBAN: Well, there’s been very intense robbery between our two nations for thousands of years.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Even though my country’s only existed for a couple of hundred – it goes back before that.
KARL URBAN: Well, I liked to – I mean, you know – you know, apart from the experience of making a big movie, I like to think that the real reason we did this was to bridge the gap between our two nations, [LAUGHTER] and foster some sort of kinship and peace, because the New Zealand/Australian War must end. .
CATE BLANCHETT: They don’t need that.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Bridge the gap. And it has. And we love one another.
CATE BLANCHETT: Yeah.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Truly.
MARK RUFFALO: Yeah.
MARK RUFFALO: And I, I brought them together.
Q: How was fighting Chris Hemsworth?
PRESS: Cate, your character is absolutely amazing. You are one bad, you know, just phenomenal –
CATE BLANCHETT: Ass.
PRESS: Bad ass – and you are one bad ass – And I appreciate it.
TAIKA WAITITI: Don’t say actor.
CATE BLANCHETT: Yeah.
TAIKA WAITITI: You are one bad actor.
[LAUGHTER]
CATE BLANCHETT: This was what it was like every day.
PRESS: And so it leads me to my question. So how was it fighting with Chris?
CATE BLANCHETT: I didn’t do enough of it. I, I kept wanting to do more.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: You wanted to hit me.
CATE BLANCHETT: But no, I – look, it was, it was hugely enjoyable for me. And apart from working with these guys, obviously, the chance to finally, in my deep middle age, to get fit, and to wear that much lycra was really exciting for me. But I worked with Chris’ trainer, Zahki for 20 minutes a day, which doesn’t sound like much, but my god, it was intense. And Zoey Bell who is, I mean, an extraordinary actress in her own right, and director in her own right, but she was my – blessed every day with the fact that she was my stunt double, because when I started, I had to manifest these weapons out of my – I’m not spoiling anything by saying that –
KEVIN FEIGE: Uh-uh.
CATE BLANCHETT: Have I just lost my chance to be in the sequel? [LAUGHTER] I had to – well, I manifest weapons, and I had to throw them, and I could see Taika’s disappointment as I threw it, I said, ‘Ha.’ And I had to stop making the noises, because I’d go, ‘Ha.’ And so I had to close my mouth. And so eventually Zoey suggested that I put some sugar, which was deeply humiliating – sugar packets in my hand so at least I could throw something and be real. And then – yeah, so Zoey helped me with little things like that. She was a great action director. So I moved from the humiliating to the exhilarating in a matter of five days.
MARK RUFFALO: I’m so glad you’re not the only person he looked at like that.
CATE BLANCHETT: I know. It was the suit that you were wearing. It was really bad.
MARK RUFFALO: He looked disappointed in me a lot. [LAUGHTER]
TAIKA WAITITI: Well – You know. Lucky they don’t have the Oscar category for throwing.
On comparisons between Shakespeare’s Goneril and Hela:
CATE BLANCHETT: Well, yes, that’s quite a good comparison. I didn’t think about Shakespeare very much on this one. No, but it was great to, I think – just on a prosaic level, that the language had shifted, you know, enormously in this. It was just, just texturally, it was a huge departure, and as Jeff was referring to, how much improvisation there was, and I’m really upset that the line ‘Dumbos’ didn’t end up – it was one of the – Taika would just keep throwing lines. And there was one day when, when we’re on set, and I had, “I’m the Goddess of the Death, and what are you the God of, again?” And Chris had said, “I’m the God of…” and Taika said, “Dumbos.” Yeah, so the language was quite different. But I – but personally, I mean, I went back to two things, primarily. I went back to the extraordinary images that are there in the original comics, and then I went to the fan base, ‘cause there’s all these Hela fan girls who are doing these extraordinary make-ups online. And so when we were thinking about what she’d look like visually, I went to that. So I started with the visual, rather than the textural, I think.
On the new speaking version of the Hulk:
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: I loved it. I think, this is my favorite version of the Hulk – is it two – ‘cause we actually got to act together, you know. We’d only really fought one another on screen in the previous films. And this time around, we got to just sort of improvise our way through it, and sort of invent this chemistry that we hadn’t explored before, and – and sort of build this new version of the Hulk, which was a little bit more articulate and vocal than he had been prior. And there’s just so much more room for the humor, and, and fun that the character then embodies, that – I think it’s fantastic. I loved it.
MARK RUFFALO: I did, too.
TAIKA WAITITI: When I first talked to Mark about doing the film, the thing we connected on was, I said, ‘Ah, this is going to be – with Neil and I in space, with you and Chris.’ You know – we’re going on holiday by accident. And that’s the kind of thing – like those relationships. And we’re also – I’m really happy about it in the film – is you know, I have the scene on the bed when you guys are making up after the argument. That – that shouldn’t exist, but it does, and it works. And that’s, you know, from – well, where I come from, that’s probably from where we all come from – that’s what, I think, grounds the film a little bit more for the audience, is going, ‘Yeah, that’s right. Superheroes do have to, you know, make up after arguments, as well, you know.’ He’ll have to do the dishes. So yeah, but that’s what I love about being given the opportunity in this film, is to show that side of these, you know, these really crazy, big characters.
Any chance of a Valkyrie solo movie?
KEVIN FEIGE: Pretty – pretty good idea.
TESSA THOMPSON: It’s a really good idea
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Very good idea.
MALE SPEAKER: Pretty good idea.
TESSA THOMPSON: Yeah – you heard, you heard that first. Recently, I marched up with a couple other women that work in Marvel, and we were like, to Kevin, ‘What about a movie with some female superheroes – just like, all of them.’
KEVIN FEIGE: It was a pretty amazing moment to be somewhere and have your shoulder get tapped, and turn around, and every female hero we have was standing there going, ‘How about it?’
TESSA THOMPSON: Yeah.
KEVIN FEIGE: And I said, ‘Yes.’
MARK RUFFALO: The Femengers.
TESSA THOMPSON: The Femengers?
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Or chop that.
MARK RUFFALO: We’ve been improvising a lot. It’s really hit or miss.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Sometimes it’s good.
TESSA THOMPSON: But there’s a precedent for it in the comics, right, because there are teams like the Lady Liberators, and –
MARK RUFFALO: Deep cut – Lady Liberators – deep cut.
Q: Is Loki grown from his experiences or is part of his character to never change?
TOM HIDDLESTON: I did ask Taika if I could get a haircut, as well. [LAUGHTER] But, but I – but his answer was a quick, ‘No.’ It’s interesting. I mean, in a way, in this film, it is about, I think – I’m not spoiling anything, but the development of the relationship between Thor and Loki, his brothers, is – Thor has evolved, and grown, and matured; and Loki in a way is stuck in his struggles of the past. And that’s, in a way, that’s the challenge for Loki in this, is that he’s got to confront the fact that time is moving on, and people change, and – so I don’t know. I mean, we’ll see. We’ll see. There’s room to grow, and I’m still here. And we’ll see where he goes next. I’m not going to spoil anything.
Q: Any Easter Eggs in the trash piles Thor crash lands in?
KEVIN FEIGE: There might be some things in the trash piles. I mean, the biggest – the biggest Easter eggs are on the side of the Sakaran Palace – right, Taika? There are – there are previous Grandmaster champions that we see, as one for Hulk is being constructed, and those are all sort of Easter eggs for the deeper comic universe – that may or may not ever show up in the cinematic universe, but we thought it’d be fun to celebrate.
TAIKA WAITITI: Yeah. And in the trash pile, there is one Easter egg, an actual egg. [LAUGHTER] If you were in – yeah, I mean, it’s – it’s one of the small ones – well, it’s one of the tiny little chocolate ones, and it’s the wide shot.
Karl Urban on joining the MCU:
KARL URBAN: It was intense. The working out schedule was rather intense. In fact, Taika came to me and he said, ‘Listen, you need to tone it down. You can’t be bigger than Chris, okay?’ [LAUGHTER] Yeah. Yeah. No, so it was one – you know what – I just had the most amazing time working on this film. And you know, building upon what Jeff said, I feel very blessed to be a part of this family, and to have had the opportunity to work with Taika, and for him to be so well supported by the team at Marvel, and for them to have the courage and the bravery to allow him to just do his thing.And it was a real rarity. And you know, I really appreciated the environment that Taika created on the set. It was fun; it was focused. He would often play music. And there was nothing sacrilegious about a take. You know, he – quite often, you’d be in the middle of a take and he’d go, ‘Oh, try this, or try that.’ And it was just wonderful to – felt like everybody had your back, and we had fun.
Q: What was Taika’s go-to song on the set?
MALE SPEAKER: Need somebody to love.
KARL URBAN: I remember Lou Reed. I remember a bit of Lou Reed. I remember –
MALE SPEAKER: I’m gonna say Led Zeppelin.
MALE SPEAKER: A lot of Bowie.
[VOICES OVERLAPPING – INDISCERNIBLE]
MALE SPEAKER: Yeah.
CATE BLANCHETT: Go, go, yabba, yabba was kind of what – that was –
TAIKA WAITITI: Don’t bite your friends. Don’t bite your friends.
CATE BLANCHETT: That was my entrance into Asgard, was don’t bite your friends.
TAIKA WAITITI: Don’t bite your friends, from go, gabba, gabba – oh, I really recommend – Really – if you’ve got children, I really recommend playing that song.
CATE BLANCHETT: It was my a theme song.
TAIKA WAITITI: It’s all about teaching kids not to bite other kids.
CATE BLANCHETT: That led to my brain.
TAIKA WAITITI:: Don’t bite your friends.
SEVERAL: Don’t bite your friends.
TAIKA WAITITI: Sometimes it’s just a simple message like there, you know, it’s just you
CATE BLANCHETT: I mean, you never know what’s gonna trigger an actor, you know.
TAIKA WAITITI: Cate – Cate – don’t bite the other actors.
Q: What was the most difficult part of making the film for Taika Waititi or anything he struggled with?
TAIKA WAITITI: [GESTURES TO THE ENTIRE CAST ON STAGE]
[LAUGHS]
TAIKA WAITITI: [CONTINUES GESTURING TO THE CAST]
TAIKA WAITITI: [IS NOW STANDING, CONTINUING TO GESTURE TO THE ENTIRE CAST]
TAIKA WAITITI: Next question. No – no, please – no, continue. Well – were you going to ask what the most difficult part of making this film was? [compared to] my small films. It was really just like what to choose for lunch. The main thing – so many options. It’s actually keeping your energy up, creatively. My shoots are very short, and I like to work super-fast. All my shoots, about 25 to 28 days, and by day 30 on this, I was like, ‘Well, no more ideas. I’m done.’ And you know, you’ve got 55 more days. And so I had to do some meditation, and try and chill out, just to kind of keep my creative energy – yeah, just keep it going throughout that whole length of time, ‘cause the amount of stress, or the exhaustion really does take its toll, and you don’t realize it’s happening until it’s too late, and then you can’t feel your legs.
CATE BLANCHETT: But then there’s the whole post. I mean, that’s –
TAIKA WAITITI: Oh, yeah.
CATE BLANCHETT: That’s a whole other –
TAIKA WAITITI: Yeah, my favorite thing is shooting. I love being on set with people, and laughing, and having a great time, and being creative. Then you’re stuck in a dark room with one person, trying to, you know, make sense of this whole thing, you know, for almost a year. And – and then – so that’s a whole new journey of exhaustion. And then you can’t feel your arms after that. It’s all come back, all the senses have come back.
Q: Does Chris Hemsworth miss Mjolnir?
CATE BLANCHETT: Yeah, what do you do with your hands?
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: That’s right. Where to put them on something. No, I mean, it was sort of good. It just helped kind of shed anything too familiar. You know, I feel like, well, holding the hammer, or even the wig in the previous costume, certainly just put me in a place, and set me on a path of what I already knew. I wanted it to be unfamiliar, and so everything from the hammer, to the costume, the hair – made me, and allowed me to move differently, and forced me to move differently, and so that was a great thing. I don’t really miss it, no. I’ve got one at home. It’s in the toilet, actually.
CATE BLANCHETT: It’s there, yeah.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Ceremony.
Q: Did Jeff Goldblum secretly play any of the music in the score?
TOM HIDDLESTON: Yes, he did. Oh, no, not on the score – sorry. On the set, he did.
CATE BLANCHETT: Yeah, he played a song.
TOM HIDDLESTON: I remember the music he played on the keyboard on set, so was that in the score? Taika, I don’t know if it’s in the score.
TAIKA WAITITI: Well, we changed it, ‘cause at the time it was – it was all jazz, and that particular scene when you’re playing – Mark Mothersbaugh – which we were extremely to get him, and do the score. The music that I wanted to look at for Sakar, I wanted to create like – you know, you were talking about the heavy metal album covers and stuff. Also, it was trying to dive into like, Jean-Michel Jarre Soundscapes – the kind of music that companies those spray paint thing you see on Venice Beach of like, pyramids, and like seventeen moons and just good fantasy music with synthesizers, and arpeggiated rhythms. Mark is amazing at that. He comes in and does all that. And in that particular scene, we – well, we played music – we played a lot of music even through the scenes. There’s a lot of stuff where another artist from Nigeria, William Onyeabor, who’s a great African, and [INDISCERNIBLE] Funk, pop artist, and so we played him. And I don’t know if anyone got sick of it. I never did – but we played it probably 50 times throughout these scenes, and – yeah, and – yeah, and that – there’s all that just very eclectic mix of sounds, and rhythms and stuff. But yeah, Jeff was often playing – playing throughout that scene, and you know, when he’s on the piano there. But we replaced you.
TESSA THOMPSON: Oh, he’s so great.
JEFF GOLDBLUM: Yes. But I sing – but then – well, then you got me to sing, happy birthday. And that’s on the track – that’s in the track.
Cate Blanchett’s Hela stands over a seemingly defeated Thor, once again played by Chris Hemsworth, and with a smirk says, “I’m the goddess of death. What were you the god of again?”
A question that, as silly as it may seem, is probably the right one that the series needed to ask. It’s no secret that the Thor films are seemingly looked at as some of the weaker entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Taiki Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok does a lot of heavy lifting to fix that perception. For the first time, Thor: Ragnarok embraces the character’s Jack Kirby past, going for a full-fledged sci-fi/adventure film that is unlike anything you’ve seen yet in the MCU. Honestly, this film feels like the equivalent of a Saturday morning cartoon mixed with the cover of a Dio album, and that’s the best possible compliment for what Waititi has accomplished here.
There’s something to be said about the way that Waititi has come in to tackling Thor: Ragnarok, treating this as a new beginning, instead of a closing chapter for the character. Sure, the events in the previous films have happened, but Waititi isn’t focused on that, and is instead more interested in telling a more self-contained narrative about what happens to when Thor and Hulk go on a cosmic road trip. If you think that sounds different, that’s because it truly is. Ragnarok is part sci-fi epic and part buddy road film, and it’s a rather unique mix that makes for a really intriguing film. The one thing that the MCU has been big on is trying to expand their films outside of the typical comic book genre, and that’s never been more clear than it is here. Yes, it has many of the same beats that you expect, with possible world ending stakes and a big bad guy, but it’s done in such a fresh way it feels new.
Hemsworth looks like he’s having the time of his life back as Thor, this time finding himself on the planet of Sakaar, where he’s imprisoned and forced to do battle as a gladiator. This gives Hemsworth the chance to really play the character in a new way, and not only that, they’ve also embraced that Hemsworth is also an incredible comedian. Thor is witty, funny, and kind of aloof at times, but you still love the character because Hemsworth is so likable in the role. Also, Tom Hiddleston’s return as Loki is fantastic, and much like Hemsworth, he’s found a new way to play Loki that keeps the role fresh. But part of the thing that makes the film work is it isn’t only about Thor, as he’s a character who works well in an ensemble, and they’ve surrounded Hemsworth with a magnificent cast who really elevate the film in new ways.
Of course, Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, and this may be Ruffalo’s finest turn in the character. Banner is much different when the audience meets him, and it gives Ruffalo a real chance to do something new in the role. Hulk, much like Thor, has always worked better as part of an ensemble, and Waititi having him paired with Thor is a brilliant move that makes both character better. But it’s Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie who really steals much of the film in spectacular fashion. Thompson is so cool in the role, and is such a wonderful addition to the MCU, and her connection to Thor and Asgard makes her a natural fit in the film. Thompson just oozes charisma and badass charm whenever she’s on screen, it’s hard not to instantly love her. Here’s hoping she gets even more to do in the future of the MCU, because the character is too good for a one off appearance here.
But if there’s one thing that Waititi has done outside of making a really great ensemble, is made a film that is both incredibly fun and funny, while also being deadly serious and heartfelt. It’s not an easy balance, but anyone who has seen any of Taika’s previous films knows it’s a balance he’s able to manage. Thor: Ragnarok features what’s an incredibly bleak and serious situation for Thor, Loki, and the future of Asgard, so Taika has wisely walked back what could have been dour and added some extra life to the film that makes it fun. It sounds weird to say that a movie about the destruction of Asgard can be fun, but hey, that’s what they did here, so we’re sticking with it. Waititi’s touch is very specific, so he’s added a lot of humor to the film, but he manages to avoid it feeling overly slapstick in a way that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 couldn’t quite manage. The jokes are fast, furious, and almost all of them land throughout, without many of them feeling out of place. This truly could be Marvel’s funniest film to date, but that doesn’t make the film less badass.
Thor: Ragnarok is also easily one of the most action packed films in the MCU thus far, and Taiki has really made Thor feel like the God of Thunder so many have waited so long to see fully realized on screen. Each frame of the film’s action feels like it’s completely inspired by the art of Jack Kirby, giving Thor some truly awesome moments on screen. Not just that, the fight scene between Hulk and Thor in the colosseum on Sakaar is one of the finest fights in the entire MCU, and feels like a great Round 2 after their first battle in The Avengers. Of course, great action means you need to have a great villain to go against, and Cate Blanchett steals her scenes as Hela, crafting a truly fun, twisted villain that you can’t look away from. She’s a wonderful foe for Thor both in brain and brawn. It makes for a great dynamic that truly makes the film work.
However, the film isn’t without its problems. One of the biggest being that while it tries hard to be a standalone film, it really leaves past characters much in the dust. The Warriors Three have a blink and you’ll miss it cameo, with Ray Stevenson having a single line of dialogue, and Zachary Levi having none. Tadanobu Asano has the most screen time, but even then, is quickly, and rather unceremoniously, taken out of the film. But the biggest disappointment is the fact that Jamie Alexander’s Lady Sif is nowhere to be found in the film. She’s a central part of these films, and the bigger MCU, so to not have her in the film is a huge letdown. It just feels as if those characters, as well as Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster, are just seen as expendable, and are quickly written out with little to no fanfare. There’s also a bit of frustration in the film’s rather poignant ending being a bit undone by the film’s mid credits scene, because of the necessary use of building into Avengers: Infinity War. It’s understandable why it’s done, but it feels like it would have been better left for that film’s opening than this film’s closing.
Even with the film’s biggest issues, Thor: Ragnarok is just relentlessly entertaining from start to finish. The film finally makes Thor feel like a main player in the MCU in a way that many haven’t felt the character was to this point. Oozing with comedy, heart, and action, the film starts and never lets up for its entire two-hour run time. With a fantastic cast, a great score, and maybe the best use of a Led Zeppelin song in any film, Thor: Ragnarok is a truly fun time at the theaters for both older fans of the MCU and newcomers. This is some of the most fun you’ll have at the movies all year, don’t miss it.
“Any of you boys seen an aircraft carrier around here?”
A sold out crowd had the rare opportunity to view the cult classic, Top Gun, aboard the historic USS Midway in what is becoming an annual smash hit event last weekend. The movie screening drew in a fervor of interest, which caused the museum’s site to completely crash when ticket sales went live.
Crowds prepare for the big event.
In response to the overwhelming demand, the Midway team announced a second screening the following evening. Both nights drew large crowds, all eager to fully experience the film and the Midway Museum.
The USS Midway’s epic sights on full display.
The event hosted two screens on both sides of the carrier. For those who wanted to bring in their own party supplies, the Midway allowed snacks, blankets, and chairs. For big events, like the movie screening, early arrivals were rewarded with front row seats and plenty of space.
Along for the ride were meet and greets with the Midway’s own “Maverick” as well as a chance to chat with the real “Viper”, Pete Pettigrew. The museum also hosted a social media contest, dance party, and catering by local eatery, Kansas City BBQ. Featured in the film in the famous piano scene, the local bar and restaurant is an important San Diego staple.
As you can see from the photos, this was an exciting event and one that is most definitely becoming a San Diego tradition. For those interested, the USS Midway operates daily with special tours, exhibits, and other special activities for the whole family. Coming up, the carrier’s museum will be hosting a “Trick or Treat Family Overnight Adventure” for Halloween on October 27th, which can be learned about on their website: http://www.midway.org/
We got the chance to check out Disney’s Hollywood Studios newest bar, Baseline Tap House. This bar is located right next to Scifi Drive In restaurant and is usually open from 11 AM to 8 PM. The bar has a downtown Los Angeles theme and features craft beers from around California. The bar has a small amount of indoor seating but has a pretty large area outside for guests to sit, relax, and enjoy the their drink.
We tried the Create-Your-Own-Beer-Flight as well as the Bavarian Pretzel. The pretzel came with a spicy mustard dipping sauce as well as a beer cheese dip. These paired excellently with our four beers we choose for our flight.
Overall the food and drink were excellent. One thing we loved about Baseline Tap House is that unlike other bars in Hollywood Studios, this one did not feel crowded or noisy. We were able to relax and even found a table quite easily. If you are heading to Hollywood Studios anytime soon and find yourself craving a brew or two, then definitely check out Baseline Tap House.
Movie lovers now have a new home for their favorite digital movies as Movies Anywhere launched in the U.S. with an unprecedented five Hollywood studios and four major digital retailers on board. Featuring films from Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Walt Disney Studios (encompassing Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Twentieth Century Fox Film, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment purchased or redeemed through digital retailers Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu, Movies Anywhere brings the movies people love together to create a simple, seamless digital entertainment experience across platforms.
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Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts. Movies Anywhere syncs users’ libraries across their connected accounts, so consumers can watch their purchased and redeemed digital movies on an array of platforms including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers, with more platforms and retailers to come.
“Movies Anywhere is a massive step forward for the consumer digital media experience, bringing the incredible film libraries of five studios together in a virtual one-stop movie-watching shop,” said Karin Gilford, General Manager, Movies Anywhere, who leads an independent, dedicated cross-functional team of product, technology, marketing and other professionals. “Movies Anywhere means that consumers never have to remember where they purchased a film or which device they can watch it on, because all of their eligible movies will be centralized within their Movies Anywhere library and available across platforms through the Movie Anywhere app and website and also available at their connected digital retailers. And as Movies Anywhere continues to add more studios, retailers and platforms, the entertainment possibilities are endless.”
Movies Anywhere initially features access to a library of over 7,300 digital movies, along with fresh previews and film extras from the studios responsible for such 2017 global blockbusters as Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” Warner Bros.’ “Wonder Woman,” Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” Universal’s “The Fate of the Furious” and Twentieth Century Fox’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.”
In celebration of this exciting new digital entertainment destination, Movies Anywhere is welcoming new users with a limited-time offer to receive up to five digital movies. Activate and connect your account with one of these participating digital retailers— Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes or Vudu —and you’ll receive a digital copy of both Sony Pictures’ “Ghostbusters” (2016) and Twentieth Century Fox’s “Ice Age.” Connect with a second participating digital retailer and Disney’s “Big Hero 6,”Universal’s “Jason Bourne” and Warner Bros.’ “The LEGO Movie” will be added to your digital movie collection.
Pixar Animation Studios announced its first-ever VR experience this morning at Oculus Connect, the fourth annual developer conference in San Jose, Calif. Directed by Ross Haldane Stevenson and produced by Academy Award® winner Marc Sondheimer, “Coco VR” is a co-production from Disney•Pixar and Oculus with VR creative development and execution by Magnopus. Supervising technical director John Halstead spearheaded the technical efforts for Pixar.
“Coco VR” allows people to explore the worlds of “Coco” with their friends. The next-level social VR Experience will be available on Oculus Rift November 15 and Samsung Gear VR November 22, the day of the film’s U.S. release. The experience will be available for a sneak peek at the following events and locations:
Día de los Muertos festivals in Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, Oakland and Chicago beginning Oct. 28
Camp Flog Gnaw Music Festival in Los Angeles on Oct. 28-29
Select Disney Stores and movie theaters nationwide through Nov. 22.
Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.
It’s that time of the year where just about every product at your local grocery store is now pumpkin spiced. But nothing says fall like vibrant pumpkins on a haystack with the mountain in the background! If you’re looking to find the perfect pumpkin patch this season then look no further because it’s located right in the heart of the OC, Tanaka Farms.
Tanaka Farms, family operated since 1940, is located at 5380 ¾ University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612. If you’re looking for somewhere to take your date, have a family fun day, or to get in the spirit of the new season, then this is the perfect place! Tanaka farms offer a huge pumpkin patch for you to find the perfect pumpkin, big or small. There’s a small admission fee of $3 per person and it includes the corn maze! And yes, you can take all the pictures you want! In addition this year, Sanrio and Hello Kitty will be at the Farm on Saturday, October 28th as part of special Halloween celebration!
Come dressed as your favorite Sanrio character…Hello Kitty? Chococat? Keroppi? Gudetama? Bring out your inner cuteness!
There’s more to do than just picking out a pumpkin at Tanaka Farms. You can also take a wagon ride around the farm for $6 or checkout the petting zoo for $3. If you want to be adventurous you can purchase the “Entry Package” for $10 and save $2. Tanaka Farms is opened everyday through October 31st from 9:00am-6:00pm. Make sure to get there and park before the gates close at 5:30pm. Parking can take awhile especially if you visit during the peak hours of 11:00am-3:00pm.
Hello Kitty and Sanrio friends will be incorporated into the educational programming provided by Tanaka Farms, teaching visitors of all ages the importance of healthy eating, as well as sustainability, responsible farming and agriculture, all while supporting their local community. Hello Kitty, Keroppi, Chococat, My Melody and Pochacco will be integrated into photo ops throughout the farm as well as daily activities and seasonal celebrations throughout the year. A limited edition collection of commemorative Sanrio ♥ Tanaka Farms merchandise will also be available for purchase at the Farm’s Market Stand.
Star Wars fans worldwide rejoice as the latest installment, The Last Jedi, releases a brand new trailer giving us a closer look at what’s to come two months from now.
However, please be warned, Rian Johnson did announce via Twitter that fans may want to hit the skip button or walk out of the room to dodge any potential spoilers. Hit play at your own risk fandom! Johnson tweeted, “I am legitimately torn. If you want to come in clean, absolutely avoid it. ”
The first teaser, released during Star Wars Celebration Orlando 5 months ago, showed us deeper troubles in the galaxy as well as some cryptic words from Luke Skywalker. “It’s time for the Jedi to end!”
Since the release of that trailer, Lucasfilm and Disney have only given us brief snippets of information and have successfully kept the details surrounding the upcoming film under lock and key. With the franchise’s previous films, fans had to patiently wait for the launch of the newest film to know the full story. Spoilers are hard to find in the Star Wars universe and even when details break into the light, fans still thirst to know more than they can possibly imagine. Now that we have a new trailer with some potential reveals, there will be plenty of questions that will remain unanswered.
What predictions could be made? What characters will take the spotlight? What will happen to the future of the Jedi? All those details will be the topic of discussion for months to come!
A look into the world of The Last Jedi
Unlike The Force Awakens, which released a total of 3 trailers and multiple television spots, The Last Jedi has not released anything beyond the initial teaser and a behind the scenes video during San Diego Comic Con. It’s safe to say, fans are on the edge of their seats and will be ready for every second of footage they can get their hands on.
Along with the trailer release, tickets have also gone on sale. Back in 2015, online ticket sales hit record numbers, actually crashing servers and creating hysteria. For the hardcore fans, this will be their first and only chance to see the film the moment it opens.
The latest Last Jedi Poster revealed earlier today leading up to the big trailer release.
You can grab your tickets through Fandango and other major ticket options. There will be opening night events that include a double feature with The Force Awakens at AMC Theaters, as well as other fun exclusives with Regal Cinemas and Alamo Drafthouse participating locations. Check out the official Star Wars page for the details: http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-last-jedi-ticket-offers-and-giveaways
When it comes to purchasing your opening show tickets, Socalthrills wishes you luck! May the Force be with you!
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.
