America’s Best Dance Crew are ready to bring you an all-new horrifying hip-hop show to The Special Effects Stage at Universal Studios Hollywood!
The Jabbawockeez are taking a hiatus from their current show “PRiSM” at The Luxor in Las Vegas to “Halloween Horror Nights” in Hollywood to perform their electrifying dance routines for thousands of fans.
“The Jabbawockeez are the perfect complement to ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ as we continually seek to elevate our event with compelling, cutting edge entertainment,” said John Murdy, Universal Studios Hollywood Creative Director and Executive Producer of “Halloween Horror Nights.” Their progressive art form parallels our groundbreaking approach to creating movie quality haunted attractions and we are excited to collaborate with them to infuse their energetic Las Vegas show into our ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ event.”
The all-new, high energy Jabbawockeez show, created exclusively for “Halloween Horror Nights,” will transport guests into a new realm of gravity-defying choreography accompanied by stunning special effects, pulse-pounding music and the Jabbawockeez unique brand of humor. This “Halloween Horror Nights” show will also mark their introduction into horror-themed entertainment and will take place at the park’s Castle Theatre venue, performing multiple times per night throughout the event.
Dramatic Comedy. In “The Intern,” Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) is a 70-year-old widower who has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).
Cast: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm, Adam Devine, Andrew Rannells, Linda Lavin, Christina Scherer, Celia Weston, JoJo Kushner, Zack Pearlman, Jason Orley, Nat Wolff
This film has been rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and brief strong language. In theaters on September 25.
Fans of Disney·Pixar’s Cars are invited to start their engines as Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) announces “Cars Daredevil Garage,” an all-new, action-packed mobile app that allows fans to collect and scan Mattel diecast cars into a stunt-filled virtual world. This fall DCPI is also set to introduce Precision Series, a new line of detailed and movie accurate collector diecast cars that feature articulated elements unique to each Cars character.
“Cars Daredevil Garage” is a mobile app experience that allows fans to collect and scan any of Mattel’s 2015 mainline diecast cars into the app and use them to perform extreme stunts in real-world environments inspired by the way kids play with their diecast cars. This app is free-to-download and allows players to race with Lightning McQueen and earn more racing friends through gameplay. In addition to scanning the diecast cars, players can also purchase 80+ cars within the app. Featuring more than 160 cars, thrill-seeking fans of all ages can collect their favorite Cars characters, and enjoy an exciting blend of high-octane stunting, both on and off the screen. Racers have several tracks available to race on at launch, with additional tracks available for purchase and even more tracks scheduled for release through the summer.
“Cars is one of the most popular animated film franchises of all time, and we are excited to provide fans with another way to celebrate their love for Cars in both the physical and digital worlds,” said Andrew Sugerman, executive vice president, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “In the app, children and adult fans alike will love stunting towards the finish line in true Lightning McQueen style.”
Precision Series will launch at retail this fall and includes high-end diecast cars and playsets with unique features including detailed undercarriages, PVC tires, suspension and other distinct elements tailored to each character such as light features, specialized engines and hoods that open and close. The playsets are modeled after the landmarks in the Cars movies and will connect together so fans can build out the main road in Radiator Springs. All playsets light up, come with a special diecast and will have the ability to connect to other Cars story sets from Mattel.
“Working with Disney from the ground up on these two exciting Cars initiatives has been an exciting journey,” said Doug Wadleigh, SVP and Global Brand GM, Toybox, Mattel. “They are terrific examples of Mattel and Disney collaborating to creatively engage and delight fans with fun new ways to play.”
“Cars Daredevil Garage” is available now on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, and Cars diecast are available now at mass retailers nationwide. Fans can get a sneak peek of Precision Series at D23 Expo – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event – hosted at the Anaheim Convention Center August 14-16, 2015. The first playset in the series, Flo’s Café Playset, will be available at retail this fall with subsequent playsets and diecast cars launching in 2016.
“This is truly an exciting year for the Cars franchise,” said Josh Silverman, executive vice president global licensing, Disney Consumer Products. “With a range of new products and digital entertainment experiences that reflect the storytelling, humor and racing from the movies, there is something for fans of all ages to enjoy.”
Disney Pixar’s newest short LAVA, will be available to watch exclusively on digital on the Disney Movies Anywhere app for iPhone®, iPad® or iPod touch® (http://di.sn/6001BD2Mh), for a limited two week window starting July 30th (7/30/15 – 8/12/15).
Currently in theaters with “Inside Out,” Disney Movies Anywhere offers the only place where you can fall in “lava” with LAVA from the comfort of your own home!
Check out this clip from the short:
LAVA is inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, and is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years.
AMC’s popular television series The Walking Dead returns for its fourth consecutive year to two of the most iconic Halloween events at both Hollywood and Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights!
The maze will be completely new with no repeated scenes as we follow the clan lead by Rick Grimes. Some of these new scenes will let us escape from Terminus, the flood waters of the food bank and Del Arno Foods. This mazes promises to be “More Gruesome, More Horrifying, More Walkers”.
“I couldn’t be more delighted to continue and expand ‘The Walking Dead’ universe with Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando than by having fans experience some of the most harrowing and suspenseful moments of our show,” said Greg Nicotero, executive producer and special effects makeup supervisor for “The Walking Dead.” “‘Halloween Horror Nights’ is the gold standard to which all other Halloween-themed events try to emulate, so to bring authentic walkers to this event, alongside other horror greats, is the ultimate thrill.”
“We love giving fans of ‘The Walking Dead’ as many ways as possible to experience the series, so we’re thrilled to be collaborating once again with the teams at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando on these mazes that really bring the intensity of the show to life,” said Theresa Beyer, senior vice president of promotion, activation and partnerships for AMC. “We’re excited to have fans come face to face with some of the most memorable and shocking scenes of season 5.”
This year, when Universal Studios Hollywood introduces the all-original “The Walking Dead: Wolves Not Far,” it will come to life as the biggest, longest, most gruesome maze ever built at the West Coast destination of “Halloween Horror Nights.” This all-new experience will feature twice as many, never-before-seen walkers and will be situated within an entirely new theme park location.
“Just like the fans who wait anxiously for the next episode or season return of ‘The Walking Dead,’ this phenom of a show has become a ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ tradition and our guests look forward to a new ‘Walking Dead’ maze each year,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of “Halloween Horror Nights.” “We’re fortunate to have the expertise of the show’s creative team working collaboratively with us to create an authentic living representation of the series, and for fans, our maze experience is the next best thing to living in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.”
Universal Orlando’s “The Walking Dead” maze will feature hordes of walkers and eerily recreate the scenes, settings and terror that guests have seen on their TV screens. The twisted minds of Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights team are using first-ever tactics to bring the horror of season 5 to life in this year’s maze – even placing guests in the iconic flooded food bank scene where they’ll be surrounded by hundreds of gallons of water as flesh-hungry walkers attack.
“We’ve been fortunate to recreate many horrific moments over the past few years, and as the series raises its own bar every season, so have we with our environments, said Michael Aiello, Director of Creative Development for Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team. “Faithfully representing season 5 has brought with it all-new elements, and we will literally place our guests in the lead role as they escape hordes of walkers.”
Additional details about Universal’s “Halloween Horror Nights” will be revealed soon.
On the evening of September 11, 2012, the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a group of Islamist militants attack on the American diplomatic compound and a nearby CIA Annex in Benghazi, Libya. They kill four Americans, including a US Ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens. A security team of six members fight to defend Americans but only partially succeed.
Watch the official trailer below:
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is an upcoming American action thriller film produced and directed by Michael Bay and written by Chuck Hogan, based on the 2013 book 13 Hours by Mitchell Zuckoff.
It is the true story of the six members of a security team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, after the attack of Islamist militants on September 11, 2012, the 11th anniversary of September 11, 2001 attacks.
The film stars James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Max Martini, Toby Stephens, Pablo Schreiber, David Denman, Dominic Fumusa, and Freddie Stroma. Filming began on April 27, 2015 in Malta. The film is scheduled to be released on January 15, 2016, by Paramount Pictures.
I can’t help but to use cliches in yet another innovative thrilling high-energy adrenaline pumping action-packed summer blockbuster done right Mission:Impossible installment. That’s right people, screw hanging on to your seat because you’re going to need to strap yourself in. Rogue Nation does it right with countless practical stunts and nonstop top-notch action that keeps your heart pumping until the credits roll. This might take the summer spot for best big-budget flick of the year!
Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION by Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions
It’s difficult to hold back by praise for Rogue Nation. With action sequences on par to the best action films in the past, next to Mad Max of course, there is something to be said to eliminating most CGI fluff that has come to be status quo in big films of today. These powerful scenes alongside strong story developments, twists and turns that still seem unpredictable, mixed with laughter and a solid plot is keeping Mission: Impossible relevant to the tough onslaught of giant action flicks in todays market.
An element that helps this film dearly is literally the sound. Yep, the sound mixing. Every gut punching hit, gun shot, or car smack is deafening and startling. This can be overdone in some films feeling unnecessary, but Rogue Nation does this to make the audience feel each and every hit allowing the audience to have a huge sigh of relief at the end of each action sequence.
The media has been big to point out the number of stunt shots that Tom Cruise did himself without the use of CGI or a stunt double. Most notably has been the opening sequence with Cruise hanging on for dear life of a massive carrier plane, which took 8 takes might I add, along with a crazy under water sequence that had Cruise having to hold his breath for up to 6 minutes. The scene only allows for 3 minutes making the behind the scenes notes even more impressive.
While some scenes do indeed include some computer graphics, nothing appears over-the-top or unbelievable. There are of course some items that any action film will seem perhaps at a little far-fetched, but Rogue Nation has managed to stay humble yet still just as impressive of any other movie. Fight sequences are easy to follow with not too many cuts allowing the action to immerse the audience a little more than a crazy metal-twisting 28 shot wrestling move in Transformers. Just as I said foe some other recent movies, it’s refreshing.
While Rogue Nation incorporates twists and plot developments just as well as any Mission: Impossible, the story remains easy to follow whilst not being too simplistic. It may be a little dumbed-downed to the highest common denominator unlike the first film in the franchise, it has enough going on to keep the audience engaged, but more importantly, entertained.
Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation enters screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie (“Edge of Tomorrow”, “Jack Reacher”, “Valkyrie”) who has become the first screenwriter to also direct a film in the franchise allowing for a well-paced tight packaged movie. It’s a much different movie than the first, yet much more polished and raw than the second and third films while follows a look and feel that was found successful in “Ghost Protocol”.
Ethan (Tom Cruise) and his Impossible Missions Force aka IMF are forced to go rogue as the CIA seeks out Ethan whom is now in hiding. Ethan is able to gain his team of agents trust, which have now been forced to work for the CIA, in an effort to secretly stop a world terrorists organization, Syndicate, and their leader Mr. Lane (Sean Harris). The team is faced with many challenges including who to trust. Ethan must prove double agent Isla’s (Rebecca Ferguson) loyalty in order to accomplish their mission. I’m going to leave it at that as part of thrill and appeal to each Mission: Impossible installment is the unraveling of the story.
It’s isn’t the first time we see a movie or show that went the rogue/undercover route to continue a story arc, but it is one that’s told it right. In fact, many comic book films have gone this route including ABC’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, but it almost seems as a necessary task or passage for a spy genre to continue on. At a moment it may seem you may know this story all too well, fortunately Mission: Impossible is capable of enough twists and surprises leaving the “already been there done that” feeling a distant memory as the movie continues.
Returning in Rogue Nation are Ethan’s IMF team composed of tech guru Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), William Brandt (Jeremy Renner), and O.G. Luther Stickell (Ving Rhams) who has been around since the first film. All of them play pivotal roles that seem necessary inclusions to the film. CIA head operative Hundley played by Alec Baldwin is added allowing for some hilarious moments and balances out the movie perfectly as never being sure if he is one to be trusted. It’s a solid ensemble of a cast that fortunately didn’t get too complex or over populated.
Pegg’s character is able to be more than just the comic-relief as McQuarrie has written in plenty of a clever memorable one-liners for the others keeping the film level headed and far from taken itself too serious. Even Rhams gets to have a brief monologue nearly breaking down the 4th wall of the believability of Ethan’s character. There were many moments an audience full of laughter and post-joke clapping. Then again, this was a screening possibly with people close to production, but it’s also important for you yourself to make light of some of the ridiculousness.
As spy and heist movies, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation has what you should be looking for. The standard breakdown of events and obstacles for the heist to be a success is forewarned in a series of quick shots reminiscent of the “Oceans Eleven” series and those countless other heist movies before it.
Setting apart from other like-films, Rogue Nation is able to staying quick, witty, and engaging throughout the entire 2 hour 11 minute running time. Not having a dull moment, yet not becoming a bore with redundant action, makes the latest installment stand out. Even the biggest most advanced action sequences in todays cinema can become tiresome and repetitive showing that too much can be a downfall. Here we see creative scenes leaving you waiting in anticipation of the next move.
Tom Cruise shooting the airplane stunt for Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation from Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions
Most notably the motorcycle/car action sequence is filled with an abundance of risky stunt move after the next with absolute brutal bailouts and cringe-worthy hits. Along with impressive practical car stunts in a tight cityscape are numerous high-speed motorcycle stunts being as elaborate as they are, they also never come across as far-fetched. This goes back to the practicality of everything making nearly every scene believable even though there is no possibility the actors are this capable nor this lucky to be unscathed from another vehicle.
Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation takes us on yet another fascinating impossible feat of wowing the audience allowing for us to put aside any qualms of Tom Cruise’s personal life and just be entertained. Cruise is still in fantastic shape making most of us probably envious of his physique. A franchise nearly 20 years old is and still capable of being fresh. It’s a movie that knows exactly who it is and what it’s trying to accomplish. I cannot wait for the IMF’s next mission.
The Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort is a tropical paradise on the sand in Oxnard. Sprawling over eight acres, the resort is a mixture of ocean-front buildings, pools, ponds, waterfalls and lush gardens. It is also one of my favorite gems along the Southern California coast.
Because of its proximity to Los Angeles, the resort makes a great mid-week getaway or a memorable weekend escape. And while it may only be 60 miles from LA, the place has a faraway island vacation feel.
My recent getaway to Embassy Suites began when a friend and I pulled off the 101 Freeway in Oxnard and drove a few miles south to the coast. Here we turned down a small street and spotted the hotel and its large signature bell tower sitting on the sand like a big beautiful mission. We then checked into a gorgeous suite, overlooking palm trees, sand dunes, the ocean and the Channel Islands a few miles offshore.
Embassy Suites sits on the sand like a big beautiful mission
The room came with a master bedroom and bathroom with tub and shower, flat screen TV, and ocean views. It also featured a large living room with couch/bed, flat screen TV, separate bathroom with shower, office desk, coffee pot, microwave, kitchenette sink, and a large balcony with table and chairs, overlooking the beach.
After lounging on the balcony, we strolled the property and absorbed the summer ambiance. Located about 150 yards from the ocean, the Spanish Mission-styled resort boasts 248 suites, along with amenities such as a giant pool and two Jacuzzi’s, fitness room, tennis courts, on-site restaurant with bar, business center, and bicycle rentals. And all of it is surrounded by rocky waterfalls and caves, serene ponds, tropical vegetation and of course, the Pacific Ocean.
The resort is surrounded by tropical vegetation, rocky waterfalls and caves
And speaking of the ocean, it was such a nice July day during our visit that we grabbed a couple beach towels and found a place on the beach in front of our room. After a dip in the chilly water, we walked along the sand to the Oxnard Marina, where we visited the Channel Islands Maritime Museum (www.channelislandsmaritimemuseum.org) and discovered a fabulous collection of exquisite seascapes and stunning ship models.
The Channel Islands Maritime Museum has a world-class collection of ship models
The Museum’s models include the Marple collection, built by master modeler Edward Marple, a retired dental technician who turned his free time into maritime masterpieces of wood. Another collection includes nine prisoner of war models from the Napoleonic Wars, circa 1790 to 1815. During this time French sailors were captured by the British and imprisoned in England. The prisoners developed a small, model ship building business and sold them. Hundreds of these ships were built and the majority were made from bones left over from their meals.
Back at the resort we joined the manager’s daily cocktail reception. Free for all hotel guests, this fun afternoon affair offers a full bar of popular drinks and beers, as well a tasty buffet of salad and nachos. After this we laid by the pool and tropical waterfalls.
The pool is a great place to spend a summer evening
For dinner, we sat on the patio at Coastal Grill, the hotel’s signature restaurant. With an emphasis on innovative American fare, the menu boasts a variety of comfort foods and classics, from grilled steaks and salmon to BBQ ribs.
Our meal began with a delicious spicy ahi poke appetizer with lettuce, sesame seeds and scallion. For the main course I devoured a fresh plate of fish tacos with grilled pacific cod, fresh cilantro, house slaw, and avocado. My friend dove into a tender and scrumptious rib eye steak with herb smashed yukon, cipolini, and roasted baby carrot.
The hotel’s Coastal Grill serves innovative American fare with fresh seafood and tender steaks
While dining, we listened to a live guitarist sing, while the sun set into the ocean and a warm summer breeze drifted through the palm trees and landed near our table.
In the morning we enjoyed the resort’s complimentary buffet breakfast, featuring a made-to-order omelet bar and a buffet bar with sausage, bacon, eggs, potatoes, fruits, breads, coffee and juices. We then relaxed at the pool before saying goodbye to the resort.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort is located at 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard, CA 93035 For more information, call (805) 984-2500 or visit: www.mandalayembassysuites.com/
Luigi and Guido have finished celebrating their Festival of the Dance in the Casa della Tires and are now on vacation visiting their family in Carsoli, Italy.
They will be back with their cugini (cousins) in an all-new attraction to celebrate Race Day in Radiator Springs!
Featuring new ride technology and new vehicles at The Disneyland Resort. Luigi, Guido and their family will be demonstrating the dances of their village with the help of guests when Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters opens early next year!
The blockbuster Hunger Games franchise has taken audiences by storm around the world, grossing more than $2.2 billion at the global box office. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 now brings the franchise to its powerful final chapter in which Katniss Everdeen [Jennifer Lawrence] realizes the stakes are no longer just for survival – they are for the future.
With the nation of Panem in a full scale war, Katniss confronts President Snow [Donald Sutherland] in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale [Liam Hemsworth], Finnick [Sam Claflin] and Peeta [Josh Hutcherson] – Katniss goes off on a mission with the unit from District 13 as they risk their lives to liberate the citizens of Panem, and stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her. The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Peter Craig and Danny Strong and features an acclaimed cast including Academy Award®-winner Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Academy Award®-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone with Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland reprising their original roles from The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The impressive lineup is joined by The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 co-stars Academy Award®-winner Julianne Moore, Mahershala Ali, Natalie Dormer, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson and Evan Ross.
Lionsgate presents a Color Force / Lionsgate production.
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Natalie Dormer, with Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland Directed by: Francis Lawrence Produced By: Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik Release Date: November 20, 2015
Hurry and text your friends…another Disney emoji video just went live! In the all-new Tangled As Told By Emoji video, fans can watch as Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Mother Gothel, Pascal and the entire cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ worldwide hit film Tangled tell their tale using the mechanics of a smartphone, including text threads, calendar alerts, lock screens and more. The video is the second installment of Disney As Told By Emoji, a new collection of videos that retell popular Disney stories by recasting our favorite characters as emoji living within a mobile phone. The series kicked off in February with Frozen As Told By Emoji, which was viewed more than 10 million times the day of launch and over 22 millions times to date.
Tangled As Told By Emoji was created by Disney Interactive in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios and Tangled producer Roy Conli. Disney As Told By Emoji is just one of the ways Disney Interactive is bringing beloved Disney stories to new platforms for existing fans and new audiences to enjoy.
Fans can join in the fun and send their own Tangled emojis by downloading Disney Gif, a mobile keyboard extension that lets users easily send gifs and emojis of their favorite stories and characters via text, email, and other messaging and social platforms. Tangled gifs are live now and Tangled emojis will be coming to the app very soon! Disney Gif also features content from Disney’s “Frozen,” “Star Wars”, ABC’s “Scandal,” Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out,” classic Disney films, and much more.
And here is the Frozen As Told By Emoji in cased you missed it!
