Since boyhood readings of novels such as “Mutiny on the Bounty” and “The Count of Monte Cristo,” I have dreamed of deserted beaches, hidden treasures and sunken ships. Well I recently found all three – and much more. I discovered the island of Lanai.
My getaway to the remote Hawaiian paradise began when a friend and I boarded an Expedition ferry (www.go-lanai.com) in Maui and sailed 14 miles across the Auau Channel to tiny Manele Bay Harbor and stepped into a wondrous world surrounded by towering sea cliffs, palm trees and warm breezes. We then caught a shuttle to Lanai City, where we rented a Jeep and drove to enchanting Lanai Hotel.
Lanai is a remote Hawaiian Paradise
Built as a retreat in 1923 by pineapple pioneer James Dole, the inn sits on the edge of town in a lush garden setting, beneath tall Norfolk pine trees. It features 11 charming guestrooms, a gourmet restaurant, and lots of Hawaiian atmosphere. Our cottage suite was highlighted by local Hawaiian artwork and quilts, hardwood flooring, ceiling fans, and a romantic plantation feel.
The room also came with a private yard with hammock and dining area, complimentary Wifi and continental breakfast each morning.
Lanai Hotel was originally for pineapple pioneer James Dole
Once acquainted with the room, we grabbed a map, hopped in the Jeep and headed to mysterious Shipwreck Beach. To get there we drove up a mountainous road lined with volcanic rock and red clay. In a few miles we came to a narrow turnout, where the road became a tunnel of trees, paved with deep sand and bumpy rock and we had to put the Jeep in four-wheel drive.
Renting a Jeep is a great way to explore Lanai
For the next 1.6 miles we bounced along the northeast coast with intermittent views of the ocean and an outline of Maui. The road ended at Big Rock, where we parked and continued on foot to find the sunken ship. Over black volcanic rock and sandy beach and through warm tropical water we pushed on until we saw the rusting vessel, leaning in a reef about 100 yards off the shore. Built in the 1940s, the ship was once a ferrous-concrete oil tanker that the navy unsuccessfully tried to sink after WWII. Today, it provides a hauntingly beautiful backdrop to Lanai.
Shipwreck Beach is famous for a sunken WWII oil tanker
Back at the hotel we freshened up and then walked across the lawn to Lanai City. Consisting of one block and about a dozen storefronts, the town was founded in the early 1900’s around the booming pineapple industry. It is highlighted by a few gift shops, restaurants, clothes stores and an art gallery.
For dinner we experienced Lanai City Grille, the hotel’s signature eatery. Offering locally caught fresh seafood, prime meats and their famous rotisserie chicken, the restaurant is probably the tastiest on the island. Our meal began with a couple Mai Tais at the bar and a pair of succulent crab cakes with tomato corn salsa and chipotle remoulade, followed by a delicious Caesar salad with white anchovies; and pulled pork won tons, with sweet chili boursin aioli and dipping sauce.
For the main course I went with the cioppino, a savory mix of shrimp, scallops, oysters, clams and fish in a tomato wine sauce. I eat this dish a lot and this was by far the best I’ve had. My friend selected the special pecan crusted mahi mahi, with chipotle honey butter, chorizo mashed potatoes and veggies, which was also a delight. After dinner, we drove to Hulopoe Beach to watch the sunset and swim in the 80-degree water. Surrounded by cliffs and clear blue waters, Hulopoe has often been rated as one of the America’s Best Beaches.
Lush vegetation and Island charm surround Lanai
For more information on visiting Lanai, taking the Maui/Lanai ferry and other activities, visit www.gohawaii.com/lanai. For more information on staying at Hotel Lanai, call (808) 565-7211 or visit: www.hotellanai.com.
During a presentation at the D23 Expo 2015 on Aug 16, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media revealed new details about some of the biggest products in the interactive entertainment industry including Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, Playmation and KINGDOM HEARTS III plus two new limited edition Star Wars™ PlayStation®4 hardware bundles.
“We have the most exciting slate of upcoming game titles in our history, and we’re also focused on new platforms and technologies that enable us to develop experiences we would never have dreamed possible just a few years ago,” said Jimmy Pitaro, co-chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media and president of Disney Interactive.
Highlights from the presentation included:
· On November 17, fans will be able to purchase two very special limited-edition Darth Vader-inspired PlayStation®4 Star Wars bundles: Star Wars: Battlefront and Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars. The bundles include a fully customized PS4™ featuring an image of Darth Vader, a controller inspired by Darth Vader’s suit and more.
· John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, co-stars of Star Wars™ The Force Awakens, surprised guests on stage and gave away their character figures, Finn and Rey, for the upcoming Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Play Set based on the film.
· Other character reveals also included Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia, Spot from Disney•Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur and a limited edition set of Light FX Star Wars™ character figures that light up when placed onto the Disney Infinity Base. Exciting new Disney Infinity integrations with Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line® were also unveiled.
· Coming this Fall, Playmation Marvel’s Avengers Gamma Gear – inspired by the 7-foot Hulk – lets you smash into battle using motion-sensing technology putting you in the Avengers action. Slip your hands into the Gamma Gear and use the motion-based controls to smash your way through missions and stomp through battlegrounds with different Hulk moves like Ground Slam, Thunder Clap, and other combos.
· Square Enix and Disney Interactive revealed that Baymax and other beloved characters of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning film Big Hero 6 will make their debut in the ever-expanding narrative of KINGDOM HEARTS III.
· Disney Interactive announced Disney Magic Kingdoms, a new mobile game being created with Gameloft that lets players build the Disney theme park of their dreams by recreating and placing iconic attractions such as Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, California Screamin’ and many more in a fun animated landscape.
Disney announced a line-up of new attractions and entertainment coming to its theme parks around the world during the D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. on August 15, 2015.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek gave 7,500 lucky fans a behind-the-scenes look at what’s to come. He was joined by Imagineers working on these projects as well as legendary filmmakers James Cameron and Jon Landau who shared new details about Pandora – The World of AVATAR including the names of the land and E-ticket attraction – AVATAR Flight of Passage. Fans also got a chance to see Marvel legend Stan Lee in a cameo appearance where he posed as an unsuspecting fan during Iron Man’s dramatic entrance.
Among the many announcements Chapek shared were new and enhanced Star Wars experiences coming later this year to the Florida and California theme parks, plans for a new Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and more details on Pandora—The World of AVATAR, which is already under construction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Chapek also shared that Soarin’ Around the World will make its U.S. film debut at Epcot and Disney California Adventure taking guests to new places around the world. Additionally, fans got a preview of exclusive video of the first Marvel attraction planned for Disney parks, coming to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016.
“From Disneyland’s 60th anniversary celebration to the anticipation of Shanghai Disney Resort, we’re in the midst of unprecedented growth and expansion around the globe,” said Chapek. “With these new announcements, we continue our legacy in creating innovative attractions, worldwide entertainment, and magical lands that take our guests into the worlds of stories they love.”
In addition to these announcements, Chapek talked about the exciting news announced earlier in the day by Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger for plans to bring Star Wars-themed lands to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando and Disneyland park in Anaheim. Each 14-acre land will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet with two signature attractions, including a customized secret mission on the Millennium Falcon and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle.
Details on each of the projects include:
Star Wars Enhancements & New Experiences
From a new Star Tours adventure to Star Wars Launch Bay, from a new Jedi Training Academy to “Season of the Force,” soon guests will be part of both new and enhanced experiences at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Later this year, Star Tours will include a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, giving guests a new adventure in the Star Wars galaxy.
Star Wars Launch Bay – This interactive experience will take guests into the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, including opportunities to visit with new and favorite Star Wars characters, special merchandise and food offerings. Star Wars Launch Bay will be located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park. Also at Disneyland park, Star Wars Launch Bay will share the space with the reimagined Super Hero HQ, featuring opportunities to meet and take photos with super heroes like Captain America and Thor, as well as experience the returning Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries. Both experiences will be available for guests later this year.
Jedi Training Academy— A favorite of younger fans is reimagined with a new experience that includes new characters and a new villain to battle from the popular Disney XD series “Star Wars Rebels.”
Season of the Force – This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts. In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment throughout the land, themed food locations and more. Guests also will be thrilled to climb aboard Hyperspace Mountain, a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction, in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies.
Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida
The reimagining of Disney’s Hollywood Studios will take guests to infinity and beyond, allowing them to step into the worlds of their favorite films, starting with Toy Story Land. This new 11-acre land will transport guests into the adventurous outdoors of Andy’s backyard. Guests will think they’ve been shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz as they are surrounded by oversized toys that Andy has assembled using his vivid imagination. Using toys like building blocks, plastic buckets and shovels, and game board pieces, Andy has designed the perfect setting for this land, which will include two new attractions for any Disney park and one expanded favorite.
Family-friendly roller coaster – All on the back of Slinky Dog, this coaster will zip and zoom, plunge and coast as it takes guests on a fun, toy-filled adventure throughout the new land.
Alien saucers attraction – The famous little green aliens from the movie will take guests around for a spin in their very own flying saucers. The music, lighting and sound effects add to the flurry of action, while “The Claw” looms over.
Toy Story Mania! – Guests glide into the Toy Story Midway Games Play Set and take aim at 3D objects in a variety of fast-paced games, with an expansion that adds a third track to this popular attraction.
After Dark at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Pandora – The World of AVATAR
As part of the largest expansion in the park’s history, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will immerse guests into the world of Pandora, and the entire park will transform after dark with new nighttime entertainment experiences, offering guests longer days than ever before to experience this one-of-a-kind theme park.
“Rivers of Light” – Expected to open next spring, “Rivers of Light” will be an innovative experience unlike anything ever seen in a Disney park, combining live performers, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. “Rivers of Light” will magically come to life on the natural stage of Discovery River, delighting guests and truly capping off a full day of adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Kilimanjaro Safaris – This popular attraction will be extended for a new nighttime adventure next spring, where guests will travel through the African savanna amid the magically extended orange glow of the setting sun and discover two species new to the attraction: African wild dogs and hyenas.
Pandora – The World of AVATAR – Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests will journey into the magnificent world of Pandora at this new AVATAR-themed land – a world that includes floating mountains, a bioluminescent forest and the winged creatures known as Banshees, giving guests a transformational experience they will never forget.
AVATAR Flight of Passage – This E-ticket attraction, the centerpiece of Pandora, allows guests to soar on a Banshee over a vast alien world. The spectacular flying experience will give guests a birds-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of the world of Pandora on an aerial rite of passage.
Soarin’ Around the World in Florida and California
Next year, guests at Epcot in Florida and Disney California Adventure in California will journey to far-flung lands and fly above some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders when the new Soarin’ Around the World makes its U.S. debut.
Iron Man Unveiled for Hong Kong Disneyland
Iron Man landed at D23 EXPO today for a special appearance, and soon Hong Kong Disneyland guests will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Super Hero himself. Set to open in 2016, Iron Man Experience will be the first Marvel attraction at any Disney park, taking guests on an epic adventure over the streets and in the sky above Hong Kong. The adventure will begin at the new Stark Expo where guests board the Iron Wing to take flight and battle Hydra alongside fan-favorite Avenger, Iron Man.
With the second annual Toy Box Summit kicking off yesterday in Anaheim, CA, Disney Interactive announced details of the new Toy Box features in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition. Available in stores in North America on August 30, the latest addition to the franchise features a brand new Toy Box Hub, where players can learn about different types of gameplay styles available inside the Toy Box, plus new community elements designed to further engage and connect Disney Infinity fans around the world.
All figures and Power Discs from the first two games will be compatible in the enhanced Toy Box 3.0 and allows players to mix and match characters from across The Walt Disney Company like never before.
A sampling of new Toy Box features, tools and toys include:
NEW FEATURES:
Toy Box Hub: The Toy Box Hub is an all-new launch area where players’ creativity and imagination take flight. This is where every adventure begins and where players come to play their way. Uncover six gameplay zones – platforming, combat, racing, INteriors, community, and farming – to learn about building and experience playing in the Toy Box all at the same time.
Flynn’s Arcade: For the competitive Toy Box player, Flynn’s Arcade offers multiplayer with other Disney Infinity 3.0 players any time they want. Using a “lobby style” multiplayer system, fans can now play with anyone online without having to wait for their friends to be online.
El Capitan: View episodes of Toy Box TV, preview and download the latest and greatest community made Toy Boxes or just hang out in the lobby of this landmark theater. When players are connected online and walk in the theater, they have easy access to lots of new Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition content.
Sidekicks: Recruit Townspeople Sidekicks to support in combat, unlock exploration modes to help build in the Toy Box, and cultivate crops. Give Townspeople Sidekicks different jobs with customized gear or make them more powerful by boosting their stats with the food and treats they grow.
Farming: Feed, clothe, and nurture Townspeople Sidekicks, and guide them to plant, care for and harvest crops to eat. The more players feed them, the higher their stats will go, and the more fun they can have — including throwing fun parties in three new party rooms and a Sidekick Suite.
NEW TOOLS:
Path Creator: Create custom, controllable paths in the Toy Box that other toys, objects, friends, enemies and more can travel along. This toy can also be used to create races, side-scrolling games, rail slides and more.
Toy Dispenser: Step on one of the four colored buttons, each with a different type of toy, and the Toy Dispenser will give a toy to play with. This new feature now allows players to instantly access toys instead of having to unlock them through gameplay.
Music Note Creator: Players can make their own music by using instruments and toys to play various notes.
NEW TOYS:
Main Street USA Storefronts and buildings: These new pieces give Toy Boxes the official look of Main Street USA with familiar elements such as Main Street Lighting and Turnstyles.
Elsa’s Ice Palace: Place Queen Elsa’s Ice Castle on the North Mountain in a Toy Box to create a Frozen themed adventure (unlockable in the Toy Box Speedway Expansion Game).
Marshmallow: Players can now add this new toy to their Toy Box, the fearsome guardian of Elsa’s palace from the movie Frozen (unlockable in the Toy Box Speedway Expansion Game).
Radio Disney Player (North America Only): Players will enjoy a livestream of all the Radio Disney hits when they connect online and place this toy in their Toy Box.
New vehicles: Check out other new popular vehicles such as Mad Hatter’s Teacup, Splash Mountain log, TRON Light Cycle, and more.
Rated E10+ by the ESRB, the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack will be available in North America on August 30, 2015 for $64.99 and includes the Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic Play Set, the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Base, Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker character figures, and a web code card that unlocks content for PC and mobile devices.
Knott’s Scary Farm, the largest, most haunted experience in Southern California, has unveiled a new spine-chilling maze and more for its 43rd annual event. The notorious event returns for 24 horrifying nights September 24 – October 31 and features 11 mazes, three Scare Zones, two live action packed shows, five Skeleton Key Rooms, and a thousand monsters lurking in the fog. Whatever you’re imagining, it’s here…at Knott’s Scary Farm.
New for 2015:
Escape the icy grasp of the chilling Snow Queen in The Dead of Winter. Backed by with a ravenous beastly army of resurrected Viking warriors, she is hellbent on avenging her beloved family’s murder, and preys upon any unsuspecting visitors who foolishly enter the borders of her icy domain
Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, returns to Knott’s Scary Farm in a spectacular all-new show, Elvira’s Asylum, featuring insane levels music, dance and comedy.
Retuning Attractions for 2015:
Back by overwhelming demand, guests can enlist to fight the zombie apocalypse in an all-out war against the undead in the interactive experience, Special Ops: Infected – Patient Zero. In 2015, the highly sought-after attraction will include more blood thirsty zombies, twice the amount of challenging missions, brand new high-tech laser guns.
The twisted tale of the Tooth Fairy returns with the addition of a gruesomely interactive Skeleton Key room and new horrifying ending.
Deadly howls and a full blood moon mark your impending doom as Werewolves take over the crime stricken town, in the return of Gunslinger’s Grave: A Blood Moon Rises.
New for 2015, Knott’s Spooky Farm:
This fall, Knott’s Berry Farm will debut an all-new, expanded daytime family friendly Halloween event, Knott’s Spooky Farm
The inaugural Knott’s Spooky Farm event, a park wide daytime, non-scare celebration for kids geared for kids ages 3-11, takes place weekends in October starting October 3 – Halloween Day. Knott’s Berry Farm invites families to join in on the Halloween fun with all new experiences in Ghost Town, Boardwalk, Fiesta Village, and Camp Snoopy. The special limited-time entertainment serves up live entertainment, hands on activities, a costume contest, and more.
In celebration of D23 EXPO 2015, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is devoting its Fall publication of Disney twenty-three to some of the remarkable things guests will get to see and experience at the biennial event. And as The Walt Disney Company readies for the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, readers will get an in-depth look at the amazing new park set to open next year—including spectacular concept artwork and a look at some of the new attractions being built right now in China.
Also in the Fall issue, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members, two of the members of the original Toy Story team reflect back on the earliest stages of the beloved film, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, including an unexpected encounter the film’s art director, Ralph Eggleston, had with Disney Legend and Apple founder, Steve Jobs.
In addition, the talented artists at Marvel and creative minds at Walt Disney Imagineering teamed up to create what is now a wildly successful line of new comic books based on theme park favorites—Disney Kingdoms. Disney twenty-three looks at the three current titles—Figment, Big Thunder Mountain, and Seekers of the Weird—and gives readers a peek at what’s to come.
Also included in the Fall issue of Disney twenty-three:
Profiles of the 2015 recipients of the Disney Legends Award including George Lucas, Andreas Deja, Eyvind Earle, and Danny Elfman
A tribute to Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club, on its 60th anniversary
A look at the impact of the Silly Symphony cartoons by historian and world-renowned film critic Leonard Maltin
A look inside Walt Disney Archives Presents—Disneyland: The Exhibit with a preview of some of the classic and contemporary pieces included in the breathtaking display
The dazzling illustrations created by Disney animator Eric Goldberg for Shanghai Disney Resort and a new book
Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave
D23 Members are invited to visit D23.com for up-to-the-minute breaking news from D23 EXPO 2015, and recaps of some of the biggest, most exciting presentations at the event.
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-August.
UNIQLO announces MAGIC FOR ALL, a global collaboration with Disney Consumer Products. The unique initiative will add a touch of Disney enchantment, Marvel action, Star Wars adventure and Pixar creativity to everyday UNIQLO LifeWear fashions as well as introducing innovative new products, pop-up displays, and in-store and online customer experiences.
“We want to help everyone’s dreams come true,” said Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. “I am thrilled at this opportunity to collaborate with Disney Consumer Products to lead the way in retail innovation. I look forward to bringing together LifeWear and the magic, excitement and adventure of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar to deliver enjoyment to customers all around the world through our products, customer service and shopping experience.”
“The Walt Disney Company prides itself on delivering magical experiences to fans of all ages; whether it’s at the movies, retail, our theme parks or at home,” said Paul Candland, President, The Walt Disney Company Asia. “UNIQLO shares our passion for storytelling and we look forward to expanding our global collaboration creating unique experiences for fans to immerse themselves in the Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar brands.”
The UNIQLO relationship with Disney Consumer Products began in 2009, when the company launched its first collection of UTs (UNIQLO T-shirts) featuring iconic and treasured Disney characters, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, to the delight of customers worldwide. Through MAGIC FOR ALL, UNIQLO will extend its collaboration beyond the UT and sweat parka lines and introduce new LifeWear items beginning in fall 2015. Products will range from Ultra Light Down, Fleece, and flannel shirts to umbrellas, plush toys, and other offerings featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and then expand to include popular characters from Star Wars, Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story, Marvel’s Avengers and Disney’s Frozen .
Customers will be introduced to MAGIC FOR ALL at D23 EXPO, The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which will take place in Anaheim, Calif., August 14-16, 2015. UNIQLO will have a pop-up store and unveil its first range of MAGIC FOR ALL products, including a series of exclusive UTs, Ultra Light Down jackets and sweatshirts, in addition to a limited edition UT featuring art by John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer, Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, and special Mickey Plush toys made from soft UNIQLO fabrics such as fleece and flannel. UNIQLO is the official clothing partner of D23, and has provided Disney staff with UTs, polo shirts and jackets designed specifically for the event.
Shoppers will be able to experience the world of MAGIC FOR ALL for the first time with the launch of a concept store in Shanghai at the end of September. Currently under construction, it will occupy the 5th floor of the five story UNIQLO Shanghai Global Flagship Store, which is UNIQLO’s largest worldwide. Global flagship and large-format stores around the world will also offer Disney, Marvel and Star Wars- themed products through newly created MAGIC FOR ALL sections.
In spring 2016, UNIQLO will open its first store in the U.S. southeast, at Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This flagship store will house the brand’s assortment of MAGIC FOR ALL offerings for men, women and children in a setting that captures the fantasy and magic of Disney.
Grab your fancy attire and head to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa for the new PHANTOM OF THE OPERA production. The Phantom returns more spectacular than ever with incredible jaw-dropping special effects and massive ever-changing sets that will leave you impressed at each transition. This ultimate refresh brings magic back to an already audience favorite. The endless list of recognizable songs and iconic scenes remain with subtle rearrangements and brand-new staging. It’s sure to capture the hearts of many newcomers and regain the love of fans of the original.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has been playing to mesmerized crowds on Broadway since 1988 and for two years longer in London. Approaching 30 years, one may wonder why and already beloved show even needs a new production. Quite frankly, it doesn’t, but this doesn’t make Matthew Bourne and Cameron Makintosh’s new “adaptation” any less wonderful than the original.
I fortunately saw this with someone not terribly familiar with the film nor the original production. You could see her falling in love with it just as I turned to see her reaction after the first Act. While impressed, she also felt the same as my praise mentioned in my opening paragraph. Many will be sorely disappointed if they aren’t accepting of any change. Plenty of lyrics are gone, the vocals are clearly adjusted, and the stage direction altered; the very core of the show however is in tact!
If you understand that there are differences, the slight shock may not impact you. For those that are NOT common theater-goers should not be affected. I’ve seen and heard PHANTOM OF THE OPERA plenty, but I am not one to be able to recall each scene and it’s tempo changes.
With a little less operetta (yes, there appears more spoken word), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA still centers around the leering Phantom (Chris Mann) that eaves over the productions of a 19th century Paris opera house (now taking place in 1911), only to hideout in his dark murky dungeon-ess home beneath between rehearsals. As a new show takes shape, the Phantom takes interest in a talented vocalists Christine Daae (Katie Travis). Wearing a mask to hide his disfigurement and scars, the Phantom puppeteers the directors into giving Christine the leading role, but after a powerfully romantic song-bursting introduction Christine falls for another man, Raoul (Storm Lineberger). Worried he’ll lose her, the Phantom tries to woo her to his side while Raoul intervenes.
During the Phantom schemes comes much of the magic as he interacts with people who rehearse above his home. The iconic chandelier returns with more special effects, though perhaps not as grand as before, much more impressive in my opinion. There are new surprises around every turn of a set as the introduction the Phantom hideaway brings along a very creative curved set-piece that’s used for most of the musical.
I wish there was more I could say, but there mere shock of it all is what makes it so astonishing. I’ll try not spoil it for you. The sets and production value is what sets this new production of this show apart. The grand reveal of the Phantom’s decrepit room or the ornate backdrop of the opening of Act II with “Masquerade” will say it all. Set designer Paul Brown pulled out all the stops.
I had a chance to sit down with some of the cast last summer. I spoke with ERIC RUIZ (King Lear, South Pacific) who plays multiple roles including The Phantom and CELIA HOTTENSTEIN (National tour debut, 2013 graduate of The Boston Conservatory) who plays Princess and understudy for Christine Daae.
I first asked what they both thought people will enjoy most about this new amped up production. HOTTENSTEIN started off explaining how both productions are very different despite the same music and costumes.
HOTTENSTEIN: What I think they are going to like about this production is it’s a darker grittier production so they get a little slice of the backstage of the opera house and it’s more true to life. The phantom is as magical as he is in the Broadway production, you see a real man. You get to see how he ticks, and into his psyche, why he does the things he does. You have the same show but told in two very different ways.
Me: This is such a pivotal, iconic role; do you find it kind of surreal for both you to be in a role like this?
RUIZ: You know, this is a child hood dream come true first of all, and then I think you really you have to get to your brass tax. You know ‘I’m here. This is amazing. I am in the amazing role that I always wanted to play’ and that’s all great and wonderful and has its place too, but there is also so much work. There is so much of a technical aspect to the show that you have to be right on your mark for too, so it’s challenging at the same time.
It’s a show that in certain aspects is made with stage combat, fights that are out of control and have to be choreographed so distinctly that must play the same every night, which is a challenge to do something like that and [still] make it look like a mess…
Also, with this being such a BIG show it takes such a large support team to make everything look good. He went on to state how for every cast member there has 1-5 people to support because of the costumes, wigs, make-up and all the technical aspect as well. They have 21 semi-trucks to bring this show to fruition! That’s a HUMONGOUS production.
To have show at this magnitude, the show must have a large support team. For every cast member there are 1-5 people to support because of the costumes, wigs, make-up and all the technical aspect as well. They have 21 semi-trucks to bring this show to fruition! That’s a HUMONGOUS production.
Most of you are familiar with the music and incredible vocal performances that this musical is known for, but the grandesque production behind it over shines the show we already know. Not necessarily a problem as instead we are treated to well-rounded show with great aspects to everything.
The music though… THE MUSIC. It’s PHANTOM people; you love it. That first arc in “Angel of Music” brings chills of joy, “The Phantom of Opera” still wows as it folds into the rest of the infamous songs. But with that being said, there are differences that may make your ears perk-up. Christine and the Phantom appear to both be an octave higher losing much of the deep powerful bustiness we accustomed to. At times Chris Mann, best known for his performance on The Voice, even seemed a bit whiny, but I don’t think at fault to him, but the direction of the show.
The first Act sails right through as soon as the Phantom is introduced. It will immersive you into the opera house right up to the dramatic first act finale. The second Act however falls a little flat that I find the music partly to blame. What? Blasphemy right? I’ll admit that the second half suffers from similar sounding songs that become a repetitive, but nothing to have a qualm over.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is just epic and more of a classy night out on the town. The new production is still a worthy show and warranted. I still don’t understand why it was needed, but I’m not complaining. Andrew Llyod Webber’s music and story remains. That’s all that truly matters in this case. It had everything I wanted including new wow-moments while retaining the nostalgia of solid 30-year-old classic.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is playing at Segerstrom Center of the Arts in Costa Mesa until August 16th.
Michael Myers, aka “The Boogeyman”, takes a stab at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights in a startling and terrifying new maze, “Halloween: Michael Myers Comes Home,” inspired by the unparalleled, original classic slasher film, Halloween, directed by renowned horror filmmaker John Carpenter.
Halloween, hailed as one of the greatest horror films of all time and starring Jamie Lee Curtis in her acting debut, will come to life in the twisted new experience: “Halloween: Michael Myers Comes Home.” The haunted maze will take guests through the tormented town of Haddonfield, Illinois, where on one fateful Halloween night in 1963, a six-year-old child by the name of Michael Myers inexplicably and brutally stabbed his sister to death with a kitchen knife. Guests will relive the terror that a maniacal Michael Myers inflicted upon the once quiet town after his escape from a psychiatric hospital to take bloody revenge on new and unsuspecting victims.
This isn’t the first time this classic slasher has terrorized park guests. Back in 2009, Michael took us through memory lane with some of his most infamous murders in “Halloween: The Life and Crimes of Michael Myers”.
Guests will have the sensation of stepping through the silver screen directly into unsettling and shocking film scenes as they navigate their way through Haddonfield, adorned in classic Halloween décor on a similar Halloween night in 1963. Meyer’s abandoned family home and its blood-splattered walls, where the violent murder took place, will set the stage for a new crime scene as guests attempt to evade the relentless killer–armed with his signature bloodstained knife.
“Halloween is the ultimate classic slasher film that spawned an entire horror film genre,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of “Halloween Horror Nights.” “Bringing John Carpenter’s disturbing, cutting-edge vision to life as part of ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ is the ideal complement to our maze lineup as we continue to break creative ground with outstanding horror icons that raise the intensity level of our experience.”
“We are extremely excited to team up with Universal Studios Hollywood’s fantastic event, ‘Halloween Horror Nights,” said Malek Akkad, President of Trancas International Films and Compass International Pictures. “The attention to detail that the creative team gives to the Halloween maze creates a realistic and terrifying experience for guests that is truly authentic to the film. This year’s maze will be the best yet.”
“Halloween Horror Nights” 2015 at Universal Studios Hollywood kicks off on Friday, September 18 and continues on select nights through November 1. The popular event brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror. Featuring an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, “Halloween Horror Nights” will taunt, terrorize and torment guests with spine-chilling haunted attractions during Southern California’s most extreme Halloween experience.
As we sailed across the Auau Channel we could see the rugged landscape of Maui reflected in the crystal blue water. We could also see humpback whales, dolphins and the outlines of Molokai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island. We had just left the secluded Lanai and we were now ready for a couple nights in another Hawaiian Paradise.
When the Expeditions (www.go-lanai.com) ferry docked in Lahaina Harbor, we disembarked and walked beneath a giant banyan tree to our rental car. We then drove the southwest Maui Coast to Hotel Wailea, where we checked into a beautiful suite overlooking the ocean and hills of lush vegetation.
Hotel Wailea is a tropical paradise
Nestled on 15 acres, Hotel Wailea is a tropical oasis, surrounded by palm and avocado trees, rolling hills, thick gardens, waterfalls and streams, and tons of Hawaiian charm. Because the property is a few blocks above the beach, it offers an intimate, romantic atmosphere not found at larger, busier resorts. This is a place to enjoy the island and forget about life for awhile.
The five-star hotel also boasts a full service spa and fitness center, a sparkling pool, an award-winning restaurant, complimentary breakfast, and an efficient shuttle service to and from the beaches and shopping areas a couple minutes drive away.
All 72 suites at Hotel Wailea feature 900 sq-ft, separate bedrooms and living areas, deep soaking tubs, kitchens, free wireless internet, TVs, plush bathrobes, and private lanais with chaise lounges and chairs. Ours overlooked the water, white sandy beaches and the island of Molokai a few miles offshore. And if all this isn’t enough, the grounds around the rooms are patrolled by friendly wild chickens, who are happy to come inside and share some bread crumbs if invited.
The resort is a great place to forget about life for awhile
When not at the hotel, we explored the rest of the island. One of my favorite spots was Iao Valley State Park, located in the center of Maui. This magical, 4,000-acre reserve is carpeted with thick, tropical vegetation and guarded by towering mountain peaks. It is home to one of Maui’s most popular landmarks, the 1,200-ft Iao Needle, a giant jagged rock shooting above the flowing stream.
Iao Valley is one of Maui’s most sacred and beautiful spots
A sacred, historical place in Hawaiian history, the Iao Valley is a great place for a nature hike, as there are well-maintained trails leading to the needle above and to an old village below.
From the valley we drove to gorgeous Makena Beach. Also known as Big Beach, this beach is Maui’s largest and also one of its best, which to me means it’s one of the best in the world. With white sand stretching nearly a mile-long and 100 yards wide, this ocean-front playground offers great swimming, snorkeling, picnicking and sunbathing. There is also a tasty taco truck in the parking area, where we experienced some pretty awesome fish tacos.
Big Beach boasts white sands stretching nearly a mile
After a day at the beach we drove back to Hotel Wailea, where I napped in a big hammock outside our room, while my friend relaxed in the Jacuzzi. For dinner, we strolled into the hotel’s signature Capische? restaurant and bar. Serving creative Southern Italian cuisine, the restaurant is delicately woven into the hotel garden setting, so guests can dine in various romantic outdoor nooks, with memorable views of the ocean and rolling grounds.
Our meal began with mushroom truffle risotto; and a Kona Maine lobster, with garden vegetable, preserved lemon and herb crème. We followed scrumptious appetizers with Caesar and arugula salads and white wine.
For the main course I devoured a tasty Capische Cioppino, with Kona Maine lobster tail, Kauai shrimp, clams, local fish and house-made saffron orrecchiette. My friend went with a divine Porcini Crusted Ahi, with mushrooms, roasted root veggies, polenta and pumpkin seed vanilla vinaigrette.
After dinner we relaxed on our suite’s private lanai and watched the sun fall into the ocean behind Molokai, while sipping mai tais, breathing in the warm fragrance of plumeria, and feeding breadcrumbs to wild chickens.
For more information on staying at Hotel Wailea and current specials, visit: www.hotelwailea.com. For more information on visiting Maui, taking the Maui/Lanai ferry and other activities, visit www.gohawaii.com/lanai.
Another summer, another comic book movie that probably shouldn’t have been green lit. Fantastic Four strides into the midst of a so-so summer season attempting to compete against the likes of over-the-top action blockbusters whilst trying to not become yet another failed comic book adaptation. Unsurprisingly, the studio that so proudly brought you X-Men: Days of Future Past is unable to salvage an already tired franchise.
Leading this unneeded reboot is Simon Kinberg who is best known for producing most of the 20th Century Fox Marvel films. One would think his help with the screenplay could launch Fantastic Four into success as seen with the X-Men franchise, but this film ultimately finds no way out of its extreme boredom and slow narrative.
The internet buzz was that the only reason we have seen a continuation of this franchise was so 20th Century Fox would not lose the rights of this property to Disney, owner of Marvel, but the spotlight studio was also praying they could connect the Fantastic Four with the X-Men cinematic universe in the near future. Unfortunately for Fox, I don’t believe many are going to gravitate toward wanting more Fantastic Four standalone films.
Just as we saw with Ant-Man, this origins story is all buildup with no payoff. There is hope though. Perhaps audiences will want to see more now that we have the slow back-story drawn-out and concluded. Now new movies could be made with hopefully a worthwhile storyline. However, Fantastic Four suffers from a lengthy explanation how each character gains their special abilities in a film with nearly zero action until a final 10-minute blowout.
Gone from the 2000s franchise are the bright vivid colors and silly comic one-liners that made the kitschy first two favorable. Instead we are dealt an attempt at a darker, more grounded-to-reality film as if we are able to suspend our disbelief enough to believe four people could somehow mix with parts of another realm in a freak accident causing these elements to become part of bodies. It’s a stretch (pun intended) for sure, and as you can see by my last sentence, a bit hard to briefly describe. Somehow the film spends much of its time in this bleak and other worldly dimension that is never quite explained. The audience is just supposed to accept this hidden world apparently on Earth exist and is possible to visit with endless amounts of science nobody can understand, nor explain in a movie.
Okay, the writers tried to have it make sense, while farfetched, I guess we can let it slide, but that’s the least of the films worries.
This reboot focuses on what leads to the creation of each persons individual “super power” and how they formed into one team. The Fantastic Four is Marvel’s original superhero team, and that’s one thing we need to remember in all of this. Fantastic Four follows a group of the most unlikely of friends who must come together to help build a teleportation machine that leads to an unexplored alternate universe. The film centers around boy genius Reed Richards (Miles Teller) whose brilliance catches the eye of Dr. Frankin Storm (Reg E. Cathey) and adopted daughter Sue (Kate Mara). After being taken under their wing at the Baxter Institute, Victor Von Doom (Toby Kebbell) gets wind and joins the project alongside Dr. Storms troublemaker-of-a-son Johnny (Michael B. Jordan).
Vague government agent Dr. Allen (Tim Blake Nelson) takes notice of their invention and plans to get others to take it for the inaugural test-drive. The team not pleased with Dr. Allen’s plan decide to test the teleporter without anyone else’s knowledge only to be met with surprises in the alternate dimensions landscape. Of course everything goes awry and the team is faced with life altering powers. Now bearing bizarro special abilities, the team find themselves with different aspirations and desires with their newly given “gifts”.
The plot is actually quite challenging to tell as the plot does not follow a general formula. It almost reads as television show as one thing leads to the next rather than the bulk of the movie relying on just one or two objectives. This is something that leads to a slow narrative that never takes off. The movie actually feels like it’s just about to get going when the credits roll. This can lead to a possible great sequel, but there is no reward to this one.
While there are plenty of elaborate CGI and unique effects for each of the Fantastic Four’s abilities throughout the entire film, there is rarely any adrenaline. The epic finale even feels a bit lackluster and short. The effects are mediocre and at times even a little hokey, but the star is creativity shown with each persons super power.
Richards stretch-armstrong effects are more elaborate and clever then before, while knowing elasticity always seems like a difficult effect to pull off, they did it well here. Sue’s invisibility shield and so forth works. Johnny’s fiery hell on a body is incredible. The Thing (Jamie Bell) rock-work is more believable and realistic then 2005s adaptation. And Dr. Dooms suit, well… his suit is more organic than its predecessor and believable than incarnations from the comics, but they may have taken it too far off the deep end for the comic book fans.
I myself, well, not very knowledgeable of comic story-lines nor the back stories. This is a look from opinion far from the comics. I personally wish we could see Dr. Dooms mouth move so we could get some emotion or character, but yes, I understand that’s not true to the comic.
As I have said in comic book movie reviews in the past, it’s a SUPER HERO movie! We must remember this as we try to forgive much of the ridiculousness, absurd dialogue and unbelievability. Fantastic Four leaves too many moments unanswered and rather just left for acceptance. For instance, are we just to accept that Dr. Doom was left on this mystery world for a year and ended up loving it there just because he is a loner? Am I supposed to accept that these 4 strangers were able to build this elaborate teleporter with little to no help from construction workers or professionals?
A little was too hard to forgive, but I did end up getting attached to the characters; even with a brief Fast and Furious style car race added clearly just for some excitement while getting to know the character of Johnny. Miles Teller, known for his stellar performance in Whiplash, is great even though some dialogue was cringeworthy. The other characters all… watchable. Kind of the theme of the film, watchable.
It’s easy to be harsh on this movie, but the fact of the matter is this will be a movie on repeat on FX that will probably play in the back of living rooms for years to come. It can get mundane, the predictability is getting old, and the group of super heroes who must ignite as one has become overly dispersed in an over-saturated market. It can all still be told just as most movies do every year, but it must have that something that sets it apart from the rest. Fantastic Four has everything we’ve seen before with even less adventure.
I don’t think we have seen the last of these characters yet, and the sequel is announced, but I sure would like another story than fighting the villain of the summer. We’ve reached our threshold for super hero movies. They are going to need to add something different to the mix here on out. There is no more forgiving for a movie like Fantastic Four.
As the galaxy prepares for the next generation of Star Wars, the six epic films will each release as commemorative Blu-ray steelbooks on November 10th. These highly collectible films will be available for a limited time only and can be pre-ordered beginning August 7th. In addition, Star Wars: The Complete Saga will be released in newly repackaged artwork on October 13th. The announcements were made on Wednesday August 5, 2015 by The Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilm Ltd., and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Each film from the Saga is presented with new character packaging allowing fans to choose their favorite or collect all six for a limited time.
Characters include: The Phantom Menace – Darth Maul; Attack of the Clones – Yoda; Revenge of the Sith – General Grievous; A New Hope – Darth Vader; The Empire Strikes Back – Imperial Stormtrooper; and Return of the Jedi – Emperor Palpatine.
In addition to the collectible steelbook packaging, each single disc Blu-ray includes existing audio commentary with George Lucas and the film crew as well as audio commentary from archival interviews with the cast and crew.
The newly repackaged Saga includes all six feature films on Blu-ray, along with three additional discs containing more than 40 hours of previously released extensive special features.
