Movie Review 'Our Brand Is Crisis'

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October 29, 2015

Based on the 2005 documentary of the same name, Sandra Bullocks newest project aims to entertain the lowest common denominator that is interested in political satires, meaning there may actually be more joy to come from this film than expected. OUR BRAND IS CRISIS is funny, suspenseful, unpredictable and surprisingly captivating. Be weary of early reviews for this film as they may be more harsh than David Gorden Green’s (GEORGE WASHINGTON) film deserves. In era that many may choose to wait for DVD for a release like this, Our Brand Is Crisis offers heart and a strong moral with a screenplay that just keeps the audience engaged, “period”.

The film is based around the 2002 Bolivian presidential election where a failing-in-the-polls politician hires an American political consulting firm to help win the campaign. The firm, Greenberg Carville Shrum, brings in retired strategist “Calamity” Jane Jodine (Sandra Bullock) to manage the campaign. In order to take candidate Castillo out of the pit Jane must go up against her slimy nemesis Pat Candy (Billy Bob Thorton). The two of them will do whatever it takes to get the “win” even if it isn’t necessarily morally right.

Our Brand Is Crisis isn’t necessarily about the actual troubled campaign itself, but rather what Jane and her team must do to convince the people of Bolivia to believe in this man, Castillo. He’s your arrogant, stone-faced, cold candidate that comes across as just that. The hilarity comes from the antics they must partake in to change the public’s perception, but at what costs? The film arises many questions that may hit close to home. These are American strategists that even take note how Americans love their negative ads, but that the Bolivians will not gravitate to any candidate who does the same. Jane’s team must figure out what’s Castillo’s brand, what is he selling, and why citizens can trust him.

The brand of course is “crisis” and the team is out there convincing the public that Bolivia is heading towards an epic crisis that only their candidate can lead them out of. For a moment their tactic feels real and genuine, but at times the lines become blurred leaving no idea what’s right and flat out wrong. It opens many questions that relate to America and probably many other countries.

Beyond the “better than what others are saying” screenplay, the cast is as strong as it can be with a top-notch performance from Sandra Bullock and a creepy egotistical performance from Billy Bob Thorton that just seems to fit perfectly. His clever near-sadistic one-liners and punch-worthy smirks made him an ideal antagonist. There are break out performances, maybe not Oscar worthy, but memorable, including the films innocent blind follower and supporter of Castillo, “Eddie” (Reynaldo Pacheco) who’s performance could be the make it or break it for the entire film. Well, he nails it!

The subplot features Eddie and his friends and how they fit into the political atmosphere of Bolivia along with their disagreements toward the candidates. However, it’s the time they spend with Jane that would later become a focal point of the film that I believe made Our Brand Is Crisis standout for me.

The ensemble of a cast also includes Jane’s team of strategists with the likes of Anthony Mackie (Avengers), Ann Dowd (The Leftovers), Scoot McNair, and Zoe Kazan. All a clear character within themselves and never distracting but nearly a perfect support. The group is well-rounded and mostly likable; perhaps forgettable but nothing that brings the film down. The team provides plenty of humor and that gives the film its own sense of self.

Our Brand Is Crises raises many questions of our a political makeup, but doesn’t stop there. There are many themes that can work toward life in general rather than just politics. It asks the right questions and proves a moral that has more to do what we can all do rather than what our leaders can do for us. There may be a very famous quote that pertains to this.

It’s not a film that will get a ton a people to the theaters, but it is a film that has a place in today’s society. It is timely and thoughtful. It’s worth the trip to the theater, but sadly I know it will still end up being seen on a tiny screen by many when a premium channel puts it on repeat in the future. I’m glad I got to see this one in the theater.

Ubisoft & Disney Launch Interactive Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets

By

Robbie Bulus

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October 20, 2015

Ubisoft® and Disney Interactive has announced action-adventure platformer Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets is now available, exclusively on Nintendo 3DS™, for $29.99 suggested retail price.

Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets is adapted from Disney XD’s #1 series, “Gravity Falls” and takes players on a new and original adventure. Players must help Jeff the Gnome retrieve the stolen ancient Gnome Gemulets. Equipped with enchanted gnome weapons, players will fight off supernatural creatures, defeat monstrous villains and traverse elaborate landscapes during their quest. Meet popular characters from the show, like Soos, Grunkle Stan, Old Man McGucket and more.

• Made in collaboration with the show’s creator, Alex Hirsch: Hirsch consulted on game script and artwork.

• Play as both Dipper and Mabel: Help the siblings work together, with dual-character gameplay. Switch between characters at any time, and use their unique powers and abilities to complement one another.

o Dipper is bestowed with Gnome Battle Cuffs which deliver powerful punches at close range, and keeps his trusty flashlight by his side to shed light on the many mysteries in Gravity Falls.

o Mabel wields the Fleece of Bezazzlement that lets her whip her sweater sleeves to attack monsters from afar, and her grappling hook is at the ready to help access areas otherwise out of reach.

• Solve an all-new mystery: Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets features a new, original adventure. Unravel the mystery to learn new lore about the inhabitants of Gravity Falls and unlock secrets of the town’s past.

• Enter the world of Gravity Falls: The acclaimed UbiArt Framework game engine brings the look and feel of the show to Nintendo 3DS. Lush backgrounds and beautiful graphics allow players to explore their favorite places from the show, such as the Mystery Shack and the Gnome Forest, like never before.

Escape to Ventura Harbor Village

By

Greg Aragon, Writer Greg's Getaway

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October 20, 2015

I love a compact getaway, where everything is within walking distance and I don’t have to worry about driving for dining, shopping, sightseeing or activities. This is what I liked about my recent visit to Ventura Harbor Village, where myriad restaurants, shops and beach-front adventures are located in one charming spot, within a casual stroll of a great hotel.

My excursion to Ventura began at the Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort, where a friend and I checked into a comfortable, 2nd floor room, overlooking a large lawn with the hotel Jacuzzi sitting in the middle of it. The room was highlighted by two Sheraton Four Comfort queen beds, large flat screen TV, office desk area with free high-speed Internet, and a balcony with a table and chairs.

Located on 17 coastal acres, the Sheraton also boasts an outdoor pool and whirlpool and a 24-hour fitness center. But its best amenity is its proximity to Ventura Harbor Village, where I spent most of my time.

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Ventura Harbor Village features a marina with more than 1,359 slips, 35 unique shops and dockside restaurants, two waterfront hotels, sandy beaches and green spaces, water sports activities, and boating and cruising options.

I began my harbor visit with lunch at Boatyard Cafe (www.theboatyardcafe.com), where I enjoyed a delicious Char-Grilled Fish sandwich, “fully dressed” with seasoned fresh lime juice and lemon pepper, served on a brioche bun. With this I enjoyed a cup of creamy clam chowder and a wonderful view of the colorful boats in the harbor.

After lunch I walked over to Ventura Boat Rentals (www.venturaboatrentals.com), where my friend and I rented a paddle boat and peddled our way around the harbor, cruising near million dollar yachts and old sea ships; waving at large curious sea birds; and looking for fish in the water below. Our hour-long voyage was not only exciting, but it was also a great workout on the legs!

Besides paddle boats, Ventura Boat Rentals offers kayaks, surf bikes, stand up paddle boards and electric boats for up to 12 passengers. Public Harbor Boat Tours run on weekends all year long and daily in the summertime. Private charters are also available for up to 49 passengers and are available anytime.

From the boat we walked over to Channel Islands National Park Visitor’s Center, where we learned about the fascinating Channel Islands National Park. Known as “The American Galapagos,” the park encompasses five remarkable and remote islands off the Ventura coast: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara. The Channel Islands and encircling waters are home to over 2,000 plants and animals, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world including the Island Fox.

Established as a National Park in 1980, each of the islands is a fascinating world unto itself. World class diving, hiking, kayaking, sea cave exploration, photography, snorkeling, camping, wildlife and wildflower viewing, the Channel Islands offers uninterrupted time with family and friends while relaxing to the soothing sounds of the natural world. To get to the islands, most people use Island Packers (www.islandpackers.com), the official company taking visitors to the islands.

Our next stop at Ventura Harbor Village was dinner at Milano’s Italian Restaurant (www.milanositalianrestaurant.com). With waterfront dining with breathtaking views, Milano’s specializes in traditional Italian cuisine, East Coast style pizza and healthy sandwiches and salads.

Our dinner at Milano’s began with roasted clams with apple wood smoked bacon, artichoke, chopped tomato and red pepper, and a couple glasses of merlot. We followed this with Southwest Salmon Ceviche, marinated in citrus, tossed with cilantro, tomato, red onions, jalapeños and spices and served with tortilla chips. We then split a memorable chicken parmesan with seasoned breaded chicken, topped with homemade marinara and mozzarella, baked and served with a side of spaghettini.

Back at the Sheraton, we ended the day with a soak in the Jacuzzi. In the morning we walked back to the harbor village for a cup of coffee at Coffee Dock & Post and then relaxed on a bench and watched the fishing boats come in and out of the harbor.

For more information on visiting Ventura Harbor Village, visit: www.VenturaHarborVillage.com. For more information on staying at Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort, visit: www.fourpointsventuraharborresort.com/

Blu-Ray Review 'Aladdin Diamond Edition'

By

Robbie Bulus

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October 18, 2015

Climb aboard for a magical carpet ride with nonstop laughs, action-packed adventure and Academy Award®–winning music that will make your heart soar (1992: Best Music, Original Song, “A Whole New World,” Original Score). Now for the first time ever, a whole new world of Disney’s Aladdin is revealed in a whole new way on Blu-ray and Digital HD—with a never-before-seen Bonus!

Aladdin Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras:

Audio Commentaries: Two audio commentaries are available (under “Bonus Features,” in the “Classic Bonus” submenu), the first with producers/directors John Musker and Ron Clements & co-producer Amy Pell, the second with supervising animators Andreas Deja, Will Finn, Eric Goldberg and Glen Keane.

The Genie Outtakes (HD, 9 minutes): Musker, Clements and Goldberg introduce a (kid-friendly) selection of Robin Williams recording session outtakes. There isn’t any footage of Williams behind the mic, though. Instead, storyboards envision what each extended and alternate bit or take might have looked like had any of it made it into the final cut of the film. The outtakes are capped off with a heartfelt tribute to the late comedian.

Aladdin: Creating Broadway Magic (HD, 19 minutes): In this lengthy featurette, host and actor Darren Criss takes viewers behind the scenes of the Broadway adaptation and production of Aladdin, touching on the many challenges it faced on its way to the stage (chief among them bringing Genie and the flying carpet to life without the luxury or freedom of animation).

Unboxing Aladdin (HD, 5 minutes): Disney Channel’s Joey Bragg reveals easter eggs sprinkled throughoutAladdin. Kids may laugh. I couldn’t wait for it to end. Five minutes too long.

Genie 101 (HD, 4 minutes): Voice actor Scott Weinger (Aladdin) explains some of Genie’s early historical, early cinema, and ’90s pop culture references to kids born in the 21st century. It’s a clever addition, and it’s far more tolerable than “Unboxing Aladdin.”

Ron & Jon: You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me (HD, 6 minutes): Musker and Clements reminisce about Walt Disney Studios in the early ’90s, the first time they met, their early collaborations, and the reasons their partnership has been so productive and that they work together so well.

Classic Bonus Features: Disney has included most, if not all, of the special features from the film’s previous DVD-era releases. Extras, including the seventy-minute “A Diamond in the Rough” production documentary, are primarily presented in standard definition and break down as follows:
- A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin (SD, 70:52)
- Alan Menken: Musical Renaissance Man (SD, 19:55)
- The Art of Aladdin: Art Review with Filmmakers’ Commentary (SD, 8:45)
- Deleted Song: Proud of Your Boy, Original Demo (SD, 3:58)
- Deleted Song: You Can Count on Me (SD, 2:22)
- Deleted Song: Humiliate the Boy (SD, 3:54)
- Deleted Song: Why Me (SD, 3:42)
- Deleted/Alternate Scene: Aladdin & Jasmine’s First Meeting (SD, 2:51)
- Deleted/Alternate Scene: Aladdin in the Lap of Luxury (SD, 2:52)
- Music Video: “Proud of Your Boy” with Clay Aiken (SD, 2:20)
- Proud of Your Boy Original Story Reel (SD, 2:18)
- Behind the Scenes of “Proud of Your Boy” (SD, 3:20)
- Music Video: “A Whole New World” with Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey (SD, 4:14)
- Behind the Scenes of “A Whole New World” (SD, 3:46)
- Music Video: “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle & Peabo Bryson (SD, 4:07)
- Disney Song Selection with Optional On-Screen Lyrics (HD, 11:28)
- Inside the Genie’s Lamp: Guided Tour (SD, 6:13)
- The Genie World Tour (SD, 3:14)
- Publicity: Trailers (SD)

The Disney classic Aladdin finally arrives on Blu-ray, and what a Blu-ray release it is. The film’s video presentation is wonderful. Its DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track as powerful and immersive as classic 2D animation gets. And its supplemental package is brimming with material, old and new. Without hesitation, the Diamond Edition release of Aladdin comes highly recommended.

Aladdin Concept Art Gallery

KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities, Cirque du Soleil’s new touring show Opening in OC!

By

Robbie Bulus

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October 14, 2015

KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities from Cirque du Soleil’s new touring show will be performing under the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top at the OC Fair and Event Center opening October 15 through November 29, 2015, followed in Los Angeles by Cirque du Soleil’s first visit to Dodger Stadium December 10, 2015 through February 7, 2016 only.

This is an exclusive engagement of KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities for Southern California; following Dodger Stadium and the show travels on and does not return under the current touring plan.

Tickets for KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities in Costa Mesa and Los Angeles range in price from $50 – $165. Tickets are available by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/kurios or calling 1-877-9 CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).

KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities™ premiered to the world in Montréal in April 2014 and is Cirque du Soleil’s 35th production. Since its debut, the critics have been raving: KURIOS is “a dazzling, hyper-detailed, potent, quixotic and generally fantastic show that reveals this extraordinary artistic company’s singular capacity for exploration and metamorphosis … quite different from any other Cirque show — an exquisitely detailed affair, evocative of a Victorian carnival or a collection of sideshow entertainments with a steampunk vibe.” (Chicago Tribune) “Cirque du Soleil’s KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities, the 35th production in this megatheater’s history, might very well be its most extraordinary, exquisitely wrought show to date.” (Chicago Sun Times) “KURIOS is Cirque du Soleil’s strongest act in years…one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen on a stage” (Toronto Star). And “KURIOS is the best Cirque du Soleil show in a long time.” (San Francisco Chronicle).

Written and directed by Michel Laprise, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities™ is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audience inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. In this realm set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, reality is quite relative indeed as our perception of it is utterly transformed. The name of the show refers to the humble and strange characters that inhabit the Seeker’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes.

In his larger-than-life curio cabinet, the Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams lie waiting. A collection of otherworldly characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters turn his world upside down with a touch of poetry and humor in an attempt to ignite the Seeker’s imagination, his curios jump to life one by one before his very eyes.

Tickets are now available by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/kurios or calling 1-877-9 CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).

Jazz Artists Ramsey Lewis and Sérgio Mendes add sophistication and soul to their performance

By

JeNelle A. Haugen - Contributing Writer

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October 13, 2015

Let’s get jazzy! I attended a sophisticated and delightful evening of soul and bossa nova jazz at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, CA on October 10th, 2015.

The venue alone was mature, sophisticated, clean and crisp and fit the vibe of the night by walking up to an outside black and white checkered dance floor playing familiar dance tunes in the term while waiting for show start time. The parking was seemless and the ticketline was a breeze.

The anticipation was appropriately building upon entering the elaborate and extravagant display and ambiance inside the concert hall. It was like walking into a new age concert hall with the nostalgic vibe of going back to the old classic days of vaulted music fragrance.

Ramsey Lewis, an American Soul jazz artist celebrating his 50 years of performing and Sergio Mendez brought the night together celebrating decades of their famous jazz styles and talents.

SCFTA brought together respected and famous jazz musicians. The attendants clapped, whistled and gave several standing ovations for almost every song. The presentation was seamless, the vibe and energy of the crowd was pleasing and made me want to get season tickets to future jazz concerts at SCFTA! Award winning and a two-thumbs up in my book!

Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Toy Box Expansion Games Now Available

By

Robbie Bulus

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October 13, 2015

Disney Interactive launched the all-new Toy Box Expansion Games for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, the latest installment in the highly successful Disney Infinity “toys-to-life” franchise. The two new games, Toy Box Takeover and Toy Box Speedway, are now available for a suggested retail price of $19.99 each and will give players additional hours of gameplay inside Toy Box 3.0.

Players place a Toy Box Expansion Game Piece on the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Base to unlock pre-built games that instantly take them into the action, mixing and matching characters from across The Walt Disney Company. Toy Box Takeover is an action-adventure game that features multiplayer gameplay allowing players to use all of their favorite Disney, Star Wars™, Marvel, and Disney•Pixar characters. Toy Box Speedway is a kart-racing game that will allow fans to see who truly is the fastest of all vehicles and characters.

“The Toy Box is where players have the freedom to choose from a variety of gameplay options and create their own style of play using any character figures from their collection,” said John Blackburn, SVP and General Manager, Disney Infinity. “The Toy Box Expansion Games further extend that experience with multiplayer structured gameplay where families can play together, mixing and matching some of their favorite Disney, Star Wars, Marvel and Disney•Pixar characters.”

Toy Box Expansion Game Overviews:
• Toy Box Takeover – When Syndrome gets his hands on Merlin’s magic wand, it’s up to the player to stop him. Using their favorite characters in Disney Infinity, they must battle across multiple worlds, such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Marvel’s Upper Manhattan, The Old West, or The Incredibles Volcano Lair to defeat the bad guys before they ruin the Toy Box forever. Family and friends can play together via two-player local co-op or four-player online.

• Toy Box Speedway – Players can join their favorite Disney, Disney•Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters and vehicles in an action-packed kart-racer. With nine franchise-themed tracks to choose from – Sugar Rush, Frozen, Tatooine, a classic Star Wars location, San Fransokyo, Agrabah, Monsters Inc., Halloween Town, Gravity Falls or Marvel’s Knowhere – players can choose from three different game modes including Time Trial mode, Race mode and Combat mode. Players put their driving skills to the test as they attack opponents with gadgets and weapons and earn trophies across three challenge cups.

Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Video Game and Base are required to play the Toy Box Expansion Games. Toy Box Takeover and Toy Box Speedway will be sold separately at the suggested retail price of $19.99 each.

The Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack, Disney•Pixar Inside Out and Star Wars™ Rise Against The Empire Play Sets are currently available in major North American retail stores for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One and Xbox 360 and the Wii U™ system from Nintendo. Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition is rated E10+ by the ESRB and developed by Avalanche Software in partnership with Ninja Theory, Sumo Digital, Studio Gobo and United Front Games. Additional Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Play Sets, Power Discs and figures will be available later this year.

All figures and Power Discs from the 1.0 and 2.0 editions of Disney Infinity will be compatible with Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition in the enhanced Toy Box 3.0.

Disney's "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar" Sets Premiere Date

By

Robbie Bulus

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October 12, 2015

James Earl Jones and Ernie Sabella Reprise Their Roles as Mufasa and Pumbaa, Respectively
The epic storytelling of Disney’s “The Lion King” continues with “The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar,” a primetime television movie event premiering SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 (7:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel in the U.S. and will also debut on Disney Channel in Canada the same day. The movie will be available on the WATCH Disney Channel app, WATCH Disney Junior app, Disney Channel on Demand and Disney Junior on Demand the following day, Monday, November 23.”The Lion Guard” television series will premiere in early 2016. Both the movie and series will roll out globally through 2017 on Disney Channels and Disney Junior channels.

Set in the African savanna, “The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar” introduces Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, who is destined to become leader of the Lion Guard, a team of animals comprised of the Pride Lands’ fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest and keenest of sight. As Kion looks to assemble the members of the new Lion Guard, he does not call upon a group of lions to serve with him as tradition dictates, but instead chooses some of his friends whom he believes best exemplify these heroic qualities – Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Fuli, a confident cheetah; Beshte, a friendly and good-spirited hippo; and Ono, an intellectual egret.

Throughout the movie and subsequent series, the diverse team of young animals will learn how to utilize each of their unique abilities to solve problems and accomplish tasks to protect the Pride Lands and maintain balance within the Circle of Life.

The Education and Science experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park serve as consultants, advising on the characteristics, behaviors and habitats of the African animal species featured and inspiring original stories based on their first-hand experiences. Author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is the language and cultural advisor.

TheLionGuard.com will launch on Friday, October 9 with a teaser trailer and photo gallery of images from “The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar.” An extended trailer for the movie will debut on the site on Friday, October 16. On November 23, WATCH Disney Junior and DisneyJunior.com/TheLionGuard will debut the first in a series of five games highlighting the five members of The Lion Guard and each of their unique heroic qualities, beginning with Kion as the “fiercest” member of the Lion Guard. The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar illustrated picture book will be released by Disney Publishing Worldwide on Tuesday, November 3. “The Lion Guard” soundtrack will be available for pre-order in November with the album from Walt Disney Records releasing in January 2016.

Many of the beloved characters from “The Lion King” will appear in the movie, including Mufasa and Pumbaa, voiced by James Earl Jones and Ernie Sabella, who reprise their original roles. Rob Lowe (“The Grinder”) and Gabrielle Union (“Being Mary Jane”) star as Simba and Nala, respectively; Max Charles (“The Strain”) as Kion; Joshua Rush (“The Adventures of Puss in Boots”) as Bunga; Atticus Shaffer (“The Middle”) as Ono; Diamond White (“Sofia the First”) as Fuli; and Dusan Brown (“Blaze and the Monster Machines”) as Beshte.

Additional cast members include: Eden Riegel (“All My Children”) as Kiara, Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”) as Tiifu, Madison Pettis (“Jake and the Never Land Pirates”) as Zuri, Khary Payton (“Teen Titans”) as Rafiki, Jeff Bennett as Zazu (“Jake and the Never Land Pirates”), Jonny Rees (“Star Wars Rebels”) as Mzingo, Andrew Kishino (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) as Janja, Vargus Mason (“Sofia the First”) as Cheezi, and Kevin Schon (“The Lion King’s Timon and Pumbaa”) as Chungu and Timon.

Both the movie and series were developed by Ford Riley (“Special Agent Oso”), who also serves as executive producer. Howy Parkins (“Jake and the Never Land Pirates”) is director. Christopher Willis (“Mickey Mouse”) is the composer and Beau Black (“Miles from Tomorrowland”) is singer/songwriter. “The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar” is a production of Disney Television Animation.

CHILL Returns to The Queen Mary November 20

By

Robbie Bulus

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October 12, 2015

Experience the Ice Kingdom, Glacier Glide Ice Tubing, Ice Skating and Holiday Entertainment at the Coolest Place in Southern California

The Ice Kingdom Introduces the New Holiday Ice Bar

The Queen Mary will once again be overtaken by a deep freeze for the fourth annual CHILL, opening on November 20, 2015. Experience the frozen magic that will bring holiday wonderment and arctic temperatures to Southern California.

A holiday extravaganza like no other, CHILL transforms over two million pounds of sparkling ice into larger than life hand carved colorful ice sculptures in a giant Igloo called The Ice Kingdom, located inside the Queen Mary’s Dome, once home to the legendary Spruce Goose. The Ice Kingdom will bring Charles Dickens’ classic tale of A Christmas Carol to life with Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come frozen in glistening ice. Walk-through chilling scenes from the Nutcracker complete with castles and sugar plum fairies. Get lost in the life size candy cane forest and explore the penguin village. Slip down ice slides off of a 30’ high replica of The Queen Mary and enjoy a festive cocktail at the all-new ice bar aboard the ship’s frozen bow. Each ice exhibit is precisely hand sculpted and created by an international team of expert ice carved from Harbin, China and enhanced with LED lighting to create a visually awing experience. The Ice Kingdom is kept at a frosty nine degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the ice. Guests receive parkas to help protect them from the chilling temperatures.

The 4th annual CHILL welcomes back Glacier Glide Ice Tubing with six lanes of glistening ice slides standing two stories tall and 100-feet long in front of the Ice Kingdom. Ice skate under the stars on the 6,000 square-foot ice skating rink with the backdrop of the picturesque Queen Mary ship. A holiday village will offer visits with Santa Claus, holiday carolers, snow days and live festive entertainment.

“CHILL truly embodies the spirit of holiday magic,” commented Steve Sheldon, director of entertainment events at The Queen Mary. “We bring the cold festive weather of the North Pole right here to the families of sunny Southern California.”

CHILL pricing starts at $34.99 for adults and $24.99 for kids (ages 4-11). Tickets include entrance to The Ice Kingdom, Ice Tubing, CHILL Village and access to the Queen Mary ship. Lodging packages are also available. CHILL will be open select dates Nov. 20 through Jan. 10. For more information, including hours or to purchase tickets online, visit http://www.queenmary.com/events/chill/.

New Details and Characters Revealed For Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Play Set

By

Robbie Bulus

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October 12, 2015

Disney Interactive and Lucasfilm today revealed new characters – Poe Dameron and Kylo Ren – playable in the Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™ Play Set, the third Star Wars™ Play Set to be released for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition. Now available for pre-order, the Play Set pack will include Finn and Rey character figures and will be released on December 18.

“When Star Wars: The Force Awakens is introduced December 18, the Disney Infinity Play Set will be the only game where fans of all ages will be able to experience key moments from the film,” said Ada Duan, Vice President, Lucasfilm Digital Business & Franchise Management. “Lucasfilm worked closely with Disney Interactive to develop a fun experience for kids and families who are just getting to know these new Star Wars characters and stories.”

In Star Wars: The Force Awakens Play Set, players will travel to a galaxy far, far away alongside new heroes and old friends in search for a much-needed ally. Playable characters include Finn, a soldier on a path to adventure and danger, and Rey, a true survivor who is resourceful and capable. Both will join Poe Dameron, the trusted pilot of the Resistance who uses his expert flying skills to travel the galaxy, and Kylo Ren, an enforcer for the First Order who terrorizes the galaxy with devious acts.

In addition to the characters native to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Play Set, fans will also be able to unlock and play with all other Star Wars characters from other Star Wars Play Sets from Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic and Star Wars™ Rise Against The Empire, as well as the Star Wars™ Rebels characters.

The Star Wars: The Force Awakens Play Set will be available at a suggested retail price of $34.99. Poe Dameron and Kylo Ren character figures (MSRP: $13.99 each) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens themed Power Disc Pack (MSRP: $9.99) will be sold separately.

The Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack, which includes the Star Wars Twilight of the Republic Play Set, is currently available in major North American retail stores for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One and Xbox 360 and the Wii U™ system from Nintendo. Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition is rated E10+ with Cartoon Violence by the ESRB and developed by Avalanche Software in partnership with Ninja Theory, Sumo Digital, Studio Gobo and United Front Games.

All figures and Power Discs from the 1.0 and 2.0 editions of Disney Infinity will be compatible with Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition in the enhanced Toy Box 3.0.

Soaking up San Diego's North Park and More

By

Greg Aragon, Writer Greg's Getaway

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October 12, 2015

The year was 1946. The war had just ended, Hollywood was in its Golden Age, and the Lafayette Hotel and Swim Club opened along California Highway 80 in North San Diego.

Built in a grand colonial style with large, white welcoming pillars, pitched roof, brick façade and shuttered windows, the historic hotel was an instant hit and soon became a vacation retreat for celebrities such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Ava Gardner, and Olympic swimmer / actor Johnny Weissmuller, who designed the hotel’s famous pool.

The Lafayette is classic swim club from the 1940’s

I recently discovered the Lafayette along with the Catamaran Spa at the Catamaran Resort, the Waypoint Public restaurant, and a few other San Diego treasures on a mid-week getaway I won’t soon forget.

The adventure began last week when a friend and I checked into a 2nd floor room at the hotel and then explored the property. It originally featured 24 shops, 4 restaurants, a nightclub, and 250 guest rooms, along with the Weissmuller pool. Today, the hotel has 131 rooms, a gourmet restaurant called Hope 46, an historic steakhouse lounge called the Red Fox Room, a comedy improv club, and the renown pool, which has been luring guests since the 40s.

After touring the property, I drove a few miles across town to the Mission Bay area of San Diego for a rejuvenating massage at the Catamaran Spa (www.catamaranresort.com/san-diego-spa). Located inside the luxurious Catamaran Resort, on the shores of Mission Bay, the spa offers a complete menu of massages, body wraps, Vichy showers, hydrotherapy treatments, facials, and rituals.

The Catamaran Spa is located at the waterfront Catamaran Resort in San Diego’s Mission Bay

For my treatment, I was brought back to life with a 45 minute therapeutic, deep tissue rub down. When the massage was over I floated into the outdoor whirlpool and took in the breathtaking views of Mission Bay, which was full of boats, paddle boarders, and people enjoying the sandy beach.

Back at the hotel, I met my friend for happy hour at the Red Fox Steakhouse and Bar, located in east wing of the Lafayette. Literally shipped in pieces from England for actress Marion Davies, the entire restaurant was reassembled in 1926 and features wooden paneling and a fireplace with a finely carved mantel dating from 1642.

After a drink at the Red Fox we took a lovely walk through San Diego’s North Park, to Waypoint Public (www.waypointpublic.com), a cool, new restaurant known for fine craft beer and food pairings. Located on an ideal North Park corner, with open walls and a rustic, wooden brewery feel, the pub showcases 100 craft beers from around the globe, plus a custom 30-tap system featuring West Coast craft brews. There is also an eclectic seasonal menu with dishes such as Po’ Boy Tacos with Fried Oysters, Carlsbad Black Mussels & Slow Cooked Pork Belly, and The Waypoint Public Burger topped with pulled pork and a fried egg.

Waypoint Public is known for fine craft beer and food pairings

Our Waypoint meal began with succulent lobster rolls and a refreshing and tasty Summer Strawberry Salad, with local vine-ripened strawberries , feta cheese, red onions in a strawberry vinaigrette. We washed this down with local San Diego ale.

For the main course my friend had IPA beer battered fish and chips and I had an incredible Portobello stuffed meatloaf with whipped potatoes, balsamic glazed haricot verts and mushroom demi-glace. For dessert we shared a memorable vanilla bean crème brulee.

Beer battered fish n chips and lobster rolls go great with San Diego beer

On the walk back to the hotel, we strolled past numerous eclectic night spots in San Diego’s fun North Park area. And down one semi-residential street, we discovered a giant, old water tower, with a crowded soccer field directly beneath it. Back at the hotel, we relaxed on rocking chairs in the bright and whimsical lobby, which is decorated with colorful umbrellas hanging upside down on the ceiling, along with old furniture, paintings and pictures of the Lafayette’s heyday in 1940s.

North Park is full of eclectic surprises, like an old water tower with a soccer field beneath it

Next to the lobby is the poll courtyard, which is lined with two levels of hotel rooms on each side. This area reminds me of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but instead of the street, there is the Johnny Weissmuller poll, with room patios and balconies overlooking. Judging from pictures on the walls, this was the party place to be in 40s and 50s.

The Lafayette lobby is fun and whimsical

The Lafayette Hotel and Swim Club is located at 2223 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, 92104. For more information and reservations, call 619.296.2101 or visit: www.lafayettehotelsd.com/

The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor Reigns Supreme for SoCal Haunts

By

Nico Schmelter

-

October 10, 2015

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor in Long Beach, California has got to be the best Haunt Event in Southern California. With extremely long mazes, outstanding shows and side shows and delicious food to fill your appetite. Dark Harbor surely beats out Knott’s Scary Farm and Halloween Horror Nights in almost all categories!

Not only that, but this event is extremely cheap with entrance fees (parking, food and side acts come with a fairly steep fee) compared to your other haunts. Two tickets for the event with endless Front of the Line at Costco is $80 dollars! Half of the price for one Horror Nights ticket with front of the line that you can only use once per maze. If you’re looking for a great scare and a fantastic night out this Halloween Season. Dark Harbor at The Queen Mary is easily the best place to go! With 3 mazes on the ship and 3 mazes off, you will be sure to get the scares that you deserve!

Mazes:

Voodoo Village: The Swamp of Death
Enter the bayou of brutality! Protected by the Voodoo Priestess, the Voodoo Village has been overrun by the traveling gypsies of the Ringmaster’s Circus and they don’t like visitors. A nightmare of necromancy for all those who enter, Voodoo Village takes you through a maze of sinister spells, macabre ceremonies and evil spirits. Of course, even if you’re lucky enough to survive the gypsy’s sanctuary and the southern crypt of death, you’ll still need to get through the deadly swamp where gators are the last thing you’ll have to worry about.

This is easily my favorite maze at Dark Harbor. From incredible detail with walking through the Bayou, crypts and voodoo rituals to extremely well done scares and make up. This maze should definitely be the first maze to visit. What I love most about this maze is how effortless the whole maze feels with its extremely dark corridors and well themed rooms, it’s hard to write a review about something where the whole maze is just perfectly executed. What’s also great about this maze is how little talent there was, but they were all spread out perfectly to keep you on your toes throughout the whole thing. Amazing job, Voodoo Village! You are a maze that I will be looking forward to for years to come!

Circus: Big Top of Terror
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and experience the world’s most horrifying circus! Face your greatest fears as you wander through a terrifying tent of terror inside the cavernous dome located next to the Queen Mary. Disorienting illusions, maniacal magic acts, and a cadre of sideshow freaks are certain to shock, stun, and startle even the bravest of souls.

What a complete difference a year makes! This maze feels more like an actual Circus than a fun house and we loved it!!! The actors were absolutely incredible and the scenes both old, updated and new kept it fresh and different! There were some sections which gave me difficulty, yeah, I’m looking at you ball pit! But it was so much fun and terrifying at the same time! The layout of the maze feels completely new with similar rooms which we really enjoyed. It really did feel like a whole new maze! Amazing job, Circus! We truly enjoyed what you had in store!

Deadrise: The Depths of Darkness
Deadrise is a WWII escort ship that helped guide The Grey Ghost through enemy-infested waters. After a fatal crash during one of their dangerous voyages, Deadrise sank to the bottom and has been resting in her watery grave in the depths of the sea ever since. The wreckage of Deadrise has once again been called into service by the star of Dark Harbor, The Captain, to escort him and his armada of ghosts and monsters into a battle against the living to reclaim Dark Harbor.

So last year this maze was probably my least favorite, but with its new layout and winding paths with incredible scenery, props and actors. This maze has grown into a much improved beast. I loved the opening scene where they hold you in a room with the radio broadcast, but with busy nights coming into affect. It’s going to cause huge lines and unhappy guests. This maze was a lot of fun with passing through scenes of the sunken ship and all of its undead crew. What looks to be a small maze, it is extremely long and packs a huge punch! I thoroughly enjoyed this maze and hope to see what new layout and tricks the designers will pull out from their sleeves.

Lullaby: Hush Hush Don’t Cry
Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of nightmares. The new Lullaby maze takes the visitor on a spine-tingling trip through the story of little Scary Mary. Gone, but certainly not forgotten, Mary is looking for playmates to join her on the other side of hell. Will you succumb to the youngster’s pranks and tricks, or will you escape with your soul intact?

What an amazing improvement to an already incredible maze aboard The Queen Mary! Visiting Scary Mary in the ship was absolutely terrifying and I am so glad that we got to experience her presence more than once! Her commentary was hilarious and horrifying as well as getting scared by other inhabitants on the ship. The scenes were great from walking through rooms of how she died to getting through stuff animal fluff was unnerving all the way through. The ship is what makes the mazes on it the scariest! Dark long hallways and the feel, smell and atmosphere of all of it makes these mazes incredible! I loved this revamped maze and I hope to see what’s going on with Scary Mary for years to come!!

B340: A Descent into Insanity
What would drive a man to madness and murder? That’s the answer B340 attempts to answer as we take a schizophrenic sojourn into the psychotic mind of Samuel the Savage. Tight spaces, darkness mixed with flashing lights, and pulse-pounding noises would drive anyone to the brink of insanity. Beware the wrath of violence of Samuel the Savage and be careful not to lose your head or your mind!

This is probably the most intense maze on the ship. B340 is an intense journey through the mind of Samuel the Savage and into some vicious scenes he has created. One of my favorite effects on the bridge through what I believe is the engine room wasn’t there or wasn’t working which was quite disappointing, but the maze still holds strong. What was wonderful to see was that in this maze and lullaby, the talent stayed in character the whole time even with the terrible heat inside of the ship. This was my favorite maze on The Queen Mary and I hope to experience it again next year!

Soulmate: Til Death Do Us Part
Gale has been haunting Dark Harbor looking for a soul mate since her mysterious disappearance. A meandering maze of mystery, Soulmate is where Graceful Gale lures potential suitors with her charm. Beware of her minions, whose job it is to chop up her suitors and reassemble them into the perfect man. Once you’ve been smitten by Graceful Gale, there is no escaping…even after death!
I want to like this maze. Great story line for those who follow it and actors were good for the most part when they were present, but this maze either needs a new theme with Graceful Gale or have a maze for the Captain or Queen Mary herself aboard the ship. The theming was great and the story was solid, but besides the first room and hallway, the only talent were only present in the second half of the maze which was incredibly missed. This was probably our least favorite of the night and hope that more talent is added in the future or the maze is replaced with a new theme all together.

Sideshow of Freaks and Oddities
Don’t be afraid to peek behind the curtain. Our all new Side Show of Freaks and Oddities gives you a glimpse into the secretive world of our side show circus performers. Enjoy a cocktail and take in a performance by one of our oddities as they put their highly unusual talents on display for your enjoyment.

This was the silliest and most fun I think we had all night. With two super mini mazes, a sideshow stage, a bar, a magician of sorts and much much more. You will be spending 5 dollars on not only some fun acts and things to see, but it’s also nice and quiet with very little people going in. If you have the extra 5 dollars to spend, take a breather inside of the Sideshow Freaks and Oddities, you will make bizarre new friends as well as have more fun than wandering the ship grounds.

Atmosphere and Conclusion

The talent that wanders around are great and get some solid scares, but besides that? It was a little ho-hum. There were plenty of bars for guests to drink at which is, once again, a huge disappointment for any Halloween event, numerous food stalls so guests can enjoy some delicious kabobs and pizza and enough entertainment to keep you distracted while you rest your feet. We didn’t see any icon story show this year like we saw last year. I think it would have been a great way again to help the guests understand what is going on around the ship. It was still a fantastic event and we loved everything that 2015 had to offer. This event still knocks the socks off of any SoCal Haunt in our opinion!