I’m going to cut right to the chase and admit that my least favorite film genre is the sports drama. There’s something about the rah-rah, feel good, go team mentality behind these films that just drives me crazy. Throw in the absolute predictability, along with the forced life lessons and sentimentality, and I just can’t get on board. Going into a film such as Million Dollar Arm with that mentality was a recipe for disaster. I know my bias, and was determined to stay as objective as possible. I don’t know if it was this forced objectivity, or if the film actually stands out above the rest, but I was shocked to discover as the film went on that I was actually, GASP, enjoying myself.
True, the film follows the expected story beats, and everybody does learn valuable life lessons throughout. However, what really makes this film work is that it’s not actually about the sports aspect of the story. This is a film about characters, with sports as a backdrop. Jon Hamm plays JB Bernstein, a shallow caricature of a man (despite being based on a real person) desperate to save his failing career in the sports industry. This desperation leads him to create a reality television competition, Million Dollar Arm, in which Indian cricket players would attempt to win the chance to travel to America to become a Major League pitcher.
The sequences in India really stand out, having been shot on location. The filmmakers captured the chaotic nature of this lifestyle, often in very humorous ways. This dirty, crowded setting creates a backdrop far more compelling, especially on a visual level, than most films of this sort. It’s only a small portion of the film set in India, but these sequences really stand out, elevating the material around it.
Casting is great across the board, with Jon Hamm playing a variation of Mad Men’s Don Draper just different enough to not seem like an outright copy. As the film progresses, and he becomes more likeable, Hamm believably sheds the image he is almost always associated with, bringing a humanity to his portrayal that I found highly endearing. Suraj Sharma and Madhur Mittal stand out as Rinku and Dinesh, the two Indians he brings back to America. They bring a humanity to the roles, overwhelmed with this lifestyle that is such an extreme from that they have always known. While not the greatest performance ever, Lake Bell is also a welcome addition to the cast, holding her own as the potential love interest for Bernstein.
Yes, the film is predictable, and yes, everybody learns and grows by the end. There are moments of forced drama where it is obvious the characters are about to overcome their dilemmas, and all story beats are completely telegraphed throughout. However, the ensemble and unique backdrop make this film something special.
The Bonus Features are about what you’d expect in a film such as this. As it is based on a true story, there is a feature where the real people who inspired the story discuss the actual events from the perspective of those who lived it. There is also a feature on the actors having to learn to believably throw a baseball, and there is a look at the making of the terrific score by A.R. Rahman, who also did the fantastic score to Slumdog Millionaire. Rounding out the extras are an alternate ending, deleted scenes, and outtakes.
Far from a great movie, this is a highly entertaining movie, which is far more than I was anticipating. Not necessarily worth a purchase, this would be a great rental, and a terrific film to watch with the whole family. It’s wholesome Disney fun that is both inspiring and entertaining.
From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s “Tomorrowland,” a riveting mystery adventure starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.
Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.
The film also stars Hugh Laurie as brilliant scientist David Nix, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Judy Greer, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson.
“Tomorrowland” is produced by Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird and Jeffrey Chernov and directed by Brad Bird, with John Walker, Brigham Taylor, Jeff Jensen and Bernard Bellew serving as executive producers. “Tomorrowland” opens in U.S. theaters on May 22, 2015.
Disney invites fans to roam the halls of Disney.com¹s Haunted House at Disney.com/Halloween to discover spook-tacular games, videos, crafts, and galleries of the most dastardly villains. Every dark corner and hauntingly sweet floor of the page offers online and offline fun for the whole family, including:
Disney themed not-so-scary stories told by Disney Blogs
Trick and treat ideas inspired by Disney Family
A costume destination brought to you by Disney Store
Bring your family¹s Halloween to life by visiting Disney.com¹s terror-ific haunted house at Disney.com/Halloween this October. Creepy new content will be added throughout he month, so check back regularly for new fun and frights!
TravelChannel.com names the “Travel’s Best: Halloween Attractions” of 2014. This year, these top 10 attractions are pulling out all the stops – heightening the fear factor and frightening visitors with new haunted houses, thrilling rides and amazing special effects produced by the best in the business.
TravelChannel.com editors enlisted a panel of experts to help determine the 10 best Halloween attractions for 2014, including: Zak Bagans (Lead Investigator, “Ghost Adventures”), Jeff Belanger (Author, TV Personality and Paranormal Expert), Larry Kirchner (Owner, HauntWorld.com, Hauntworld Magazine and Halloween Productions) and Aaron Sagers (Geek Culture and Paranormal Pop-Culture Expert).
The 2014 “Travel’s Best: Halloween Attractions” (in alphabetical order by state):
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor – Long Beach, Calif.
The Queen Mary was built in the early 1930s as a luxury trans-Atlantic ocean liner, but was pressed into military service to carry troops during World War II where hundreds died in and around the ship. This Halloween, the haunted ship is offering its Dark Harbor tours with four new attractions – the Soulmate maze, the B340 maze, Voodoo Village and Monster Midway, which features a freak show, a mechanical monster and a new ride, the Sinister Swings. Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” recently did a lockdown investigation aboard the Queen Mary for the show’s season 10 premiere, uncovering chilling paranormal evidence. So keep your eyes open, because those ghostly apparitions you see may not just be another special effect.
13th Floor Haunted House – Denver, Colo.
Guests taking a frightful visit to the 13th Floor Haunted House in Denver – the largest and longest indoor haunted attraction in Colorado – will understand why most buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Renovated this year with two new attractions, watch evil take control of unwilling bodies in Undead: The Possession or run for your life as terrifying ghouls and monsters come alive as you walk through Dwellings of the Dead. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as Microsoft Kinect, the robotic monsters are more than capable of frightening the victims who dare to venture into the 13th Floor.
Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights – Orlando, Fla.
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando should be at the top of anyone’s Halloween bucket list, especially fans looking for big-budget scares. Movie industry experts craft haunted houses so loaded with detail that visitors walk through and feel like they’ve been dropped into an episode of “The Walking Dead” or the movie “From Dusk Till Dawn.” Other popular attractions featured at the theme park include Bayou of Blood, Dollhouse of the Damned and Roanoke – Cannibal Colony. Those willing to face their fears can also enter, at their own risk, the “Halloween” house for a face-to-face meeting with Michael Myers, the iconic masked slasher from the movies.
Netherworld – Atlanta, Ga.
With over 200 animated monsters and 100 live actors, Netherworld is one of the nation’s most famous attractions. Having been featured on TV and in movies such as “Zombieland,” this spooky attraction has amazingly detailed sets. And unlike other Halloween attractions, Netherworld’s creepy characters greet patrons in the parking lot before they purchase tickets, scaring them off before they even enter.
13th Gate – Baton Rouge, La.
The 13th Gate is one of the most, if not the most, elaborately detailed haunted houses in America thanks to a construction crew that includes award-winning set designers, lighting and sound technicians and special-effects artists. Sets are over-the-top and feature live animals, including snakes and gators. In each of the 13 themed indoor and outdoor areas,more than 100 professional actors and 12 special makeup artists help bring the horror to life.
Festival of the Dead – Salem, Mass.
Salem, Mass. is historically known for the 1692 Witch trials that left 20 people executed. This year’s Festival of the Dead includes two weeks of events and parties designed to bring out your inner-Witch. Attend a séance to speak with the dead, share your stories with others at the Mourning Tea, pick up new ghost-hunting techniques or learn about death’s macabre customs and strange rituals. Finish the festival with the Official Salem Witches’ Ball on Oct. 31 and you’ll leave this town spellbound.
Bennett’s Curse – Jessup, Md.
This haunted spectacle outside of Baltimore is one of the top Halloween attractions in the Mid-Atlantic region. It features three terrifying haunted houses – Medieval Underworld, Inferno 3D and Sanctuary of Insanity – and the owners of this popular haunt continue to add monsters and twists to keep the attractions exciting for new and returning visitors. Not only has Bennett’s Curse been featured on Travel Channel’s “America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions 3,” but it has consistently been ranked by several sources as one of the best Halloween attractions in the U.S. This spooky spot is also among the first to frighten its victims with the latest cutting-edge technology.
Fright Dome – Las Vegas, Nev.
Located in Circus Circus’ Adventuredome, the Fright Dome is one of Las Vegas’ largest and longest-running Halloween attractions. With six new haunted houses, the theme park is transformed into a pitch-black, lights-out, haunted spectacle – easily making it the scariest on the Strip. Scary creatures lurk in every dark, fog-filled corner, making guests feel as though they’re walking through their worst nightmare. The five-acre theme park also includes 25 rides and attractions, multiple live shows at night and four new scare zones, including the Clown Overload Zone. “My personal nightmare of clowns with glowing eyes surrounding me came to life,” says Zak Bagans, lead investigator of “Ghost Adventures,” “I had the worst panic attack. Needless to say, I’ll go back again because it was badass!”
ScareHouse – Pittsburgh, Pa.
ScareHouse is the place to be this year, especially with an exclusive partnership with Legendary Entertainment to help create the scariest Halloween to date. The partnership even sparked a visit from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who said, “With the sound design and the atmospherics, it is beautiful. I could live here!” Featured attractions include The Summoning, Pittsburgh Zombies: Black Out and The Basement. This Halloween haunt offers a big-budget sensibility without losing its hometown appeal.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Haunted House – Weston, W.V.
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is one of the most memorable haunted locations for “Ghost Adventures” lead investigator Zak Bagans, who completed a live 7-hour investigation with the Ghost Adventures crew. The spirits that roam the asylum’s halls are extremely active and tours are offered to see how the mentally insane lived and died within these walls. “It is undeniably the scariest overall haunted attraction that I’ve been to in the U.S.,” says Bagans. Additionally, visitors can participate in zombie paintball, a fall festival and the Asylum Ball, which includes a costume contest.
One of the most popular and enduring shows on ABC over the last few years has been Scandal, starring Kerry Washington. The show’s third season, set in Washington, D.C., follows the rather tumultuous and strained relationship with her father, played by renowned character actor Joe Morton, while also dealing with her trying to understand the mystery surrounding her mother. Now, fans can catch up on the entire third season of Scandal, as ABC Studios and Disney have released a new four disc set featuring all eighteen episodes of the show’s third season, in one place.
The synopsis is as follows:
Forget everything you thought you knew about who to trust… and who to fear. The suspense ratchets up as secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested, and dark truths come to light in ABC’s “Scandal: The Complete Third Season.”
Now, the seemingly invincible “fixer” Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) must confront the ultimate challenge: fixing herself. After sifting through her mysterious father’s labyrinth of lies, Olivia’s search for answers about her mother threatens not just national security, but the entire world. Meanwhile, the lives of her “gladiators” — as well as those of the president, his wife and key White House staffers — take sinister, unexpected turns. And when the major power brokers are themselves broken, who will be left to clean up the mess?
Watch the intensity unfold in all 18 episodes of “Scandal”‘s riveting third season. Then, delve deeper behind the intrigue with exclusive, never-before-seen bonus features only available on DVD.
I’ve honestly only seen bits and pieces of this show over the last few years, so sitting down to watch it was rather interesting. It’s a very heavy, melodramatic, and well acted show, but jumping into the show’s third season was maybe a little too much for me. It was hard to keep up with everything that was going on at times, but it didn’t change the fact that when the show was firing on all cylinders, it was really, really working. The acting is incredible, and there’s a lot to really love about the show’s twist and turn nature, really pulling you into everything that’s happening and keeping you on your toes. Kerry Washington is an actress I’ve been a fan of for many years, and it’s great to see her in a show that is not only getting critical and commercial success, but one that is continuing to provide that for her. She’s fantastic as Olivia, and she really makes the show worth watching. Also of note is that Joe Morton, a man I’ve been a huge fan of since the days of Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Speed, while also starring in one of my favorite Sci-Fi channel tv shows, Eureka, which ended just a year ago, guest stars this season as Olivia’s overbearing, almost tyrannical father, Rowan Pope. Morton is so good, really tearing up the screen every time he is on screen, and the way he and Washington play off each other is rather fantastic. For me, his performance alone was worth watching this third season, and it’s great to know he won an Emmy for the role, he truly deserved it.
Scandal: The Complete Third Season comes to DVD with all its episodes in a nice widescreen transfer as the show is shown on TV. While the discs aren’t high definition, the picture still looks quite good, and it isn’t something that should be worried about. The set has quite a few new bonus features as well, many that fans will appreciate. First off, the set comes with the standard deleted scenes and a blooper reel as we come to expect from every ABC DVD set. But for fans, the biggest surprise will be the extended edition of the season finale, which I’m sure will make fans very excited. It’s added time is definitely nice, and the episode feels all the better for it. Finally, the disc is rounded out with two new featurettes is : The first, Creating LA for D.C. is a look at how the creators of the show turn Los Angeles into Washington, D.C. for the series. For me, this is the most interesting, because it’s always interesting seeing how they work around being in one place, just to turn it into something else, especially when you’re looking at turning someplace like Los Angeles, which is nothing like Washington, D.C., and finding a way to convert it. The second featurette, Jeff Perry Spotlight, spotlights Jeff Perry, who plays Cyrus in the series, and it’s a nice little retrospective of his career, talking about his time on this show, as well as hearing his cast mates talking about him. It’s a nice feature, and one that I’m sure fans will really eat up.
For fans of Scandal, Scandal: The Complete Third Season on DVD is a complete no brainer to pick up. For someone who wasn’t very familiar with the show, it was a lot of fun to sit down and watch, and really came across as an effective twist-and-turn thriller. Anchored by Kerry Washington, the show really is a lot of fun, but for those unfamiliar with the series, this is not the place to start. Otherwise, this is a great DVD and one that will make a nice addition to your TV on DVD collection.
Wow, has it already been ten years since Grey’s Anatomy started on ABC? The show, which started as a nine episode mid-season replacement for the ABC series Boston Legal grew to become a behemoth of a show that I’m not sure even ABC could possibly predict. It’s part nighttime soap opera, mixed with a little bit with NBC’s long running series, E.R., as well as some really great characters to boot, and you get a lasting formula for success. Before Season Eleven starts though, ABC and Disney have brought Grey’s Anatomy: The Complete Tenth Season to DVD, with all twenty four episodes of the show’s tenth season, as well as a few special features.
Here’s the synopsis for the series:
The storm may have passed, but now the relationships and romance of Grey Sloan Memorial must survive in its wake. Bonds are tested, love is lost and the hospital bids farewell to Dr. Cristina Yang. Experience every heart-stopping moment in the “can’t miss” tenth season of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy “Following a massive mudslide, the hospital becomes a madhouse, and the lives of two doctors hang in the balance. The drama escalates as Arizona tries desperately to mend her broken marriage, while Derek and Meredith juggle their roles as surgeons and new parents. Meanwhile, a stunning betrayal pits Cristina against Meredith and, as April prepares for her big day, a familiar face returns to town. Big secrets lead to big problems and turn best friends into rivals. Relive “Grey’s Anatomy: The Complete Tenth Season” like never before with DVD exclusive bonus features that take you behind the scenes and draw you closer into the lives of the unforgettable men and women of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Now, I’ll be honest, I haven’t been a constant fan or viewer of the show. It’s something that I’ll leave on in the background, but it really isn’t something I normally seek out to watch. But watching through this DVD set, it became clear why this show continues to keep its audience over a decade later. It has a great set of characters, smart writing, and more melodrama than you can shake your fist at, which is really a great way to keep people involved in the show. It’s hard to not get caught up in the drama between Callie and Arizona, or watching Meredith trying to be a mother while trying to handle her career. These characters are ripe for this kind of drama, and it works, and that’s why fans keep coming back. The show’s backdrop continues to add extra tension and suspense with patients as they come in and out of the hospital, and it all works really well, so I can see why people are wanting to visit these characters every week. But even for the show’s largest fans, this season is a bittersweet one, as Cristina Yang, who has been on the show since the beginning, departs for good from the series. That alone is enough to get fans in a frenzy, and is reason enough to check out this season.
The DVD set comes with a few bonus features, with the main featurette being based around Sandra Oh’s departure. For fans, this is the feature you’ll most definitely want to check out. There’s also a smaller, and less pivotal featurette, Medical Medical, which goes into how the show handles its medical jargon and slang. Fans are sure to find it interesting, but it’s not anything that will really be rewatched again. The set also features a blooper reel and a handful of deleted scenes, as well as an extended episode from the season, which is becoming very common with all ABC Studios releases.
Grey’s Anatomy: The Complete Tenth Season is probably one of the strongest seasons the show has had in its just over decade long run so far. It’s still compelling, thanks to some great writing and character work. This set is a no brainer for the fans of the series, but for newcomers of the series, it may not be the best place to start. Still, the set comes with all the episodes from season ten, some nice features, and is very solid television, so the release definitely gets a recommendation.
Star Wars Rebels the new Disney Series Premiere starts Monday, October 13, 2014 on Disney XD. (check local channel for time)
The series is set between the events that happened in Star Wars Episodes III and IV.
The Evil Galactic Empire’s grip on the Galaxy is getting tighter. Imperial forces have occupied the planet and a crew of the Starship “Ghost” are some of the few brave enough to stand up and fight the Empire.
The adventures focus on Ezra, a street-smart teenage boy who has joined a small band of rebels that engage in daring missions of sabotage and resistance against the Empire. Members of this rag-tag group of rebels include Kanan, a cowboy Jedi; Hera, an ace Twi’lek pilot; Sabine, a Mandalorian street artist who happens to be an explosives expert; Zeb, an agile fighter and the “muscle” of the group; and Chopper, the grumpy but good-hearted droid. Together this motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost face threatening villains, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.
The crew includes:
Cowboy Jedi Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prince Jr.) who has a secret Jedi past. He no longer carries light saber and instead chooses a blaster as his choice of weapons.
Ace Pilot Hera Syndulla (Vanessa Marshall) is strong-willed and keeps the tem together, Street-smart teen Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray) is a 14 year old con artist but not a bad kid, Zeb the “Muscle” Orrelios (Steve Blum) is the team tough guy who is a well trained honor guard and highly educated.
Warrior Sabine Wren (Tiya Sircar) is a key member of the team and loves to blow things up. She is also an artist which is reflected in her wardrobe and hair.
Chopper, the old and cantankerous droid.
The villains include:
The Inquisitor (Jason Isaacs) is the main villain who is sent out by Darth Vader to hunt down the remaining Jedi Knights.
Agent Kallus (David Oyelowo) is an Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) Agent. His job is making sure everyone stays loyal or is taken out.
Star Wars Rebels is created by Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and Carrie Beck (Lucasfilm Story Group). Executive producers include Simon Kinberg, Dave Filoni, and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles). This marks the first original entertainment produced by Disney and Lucasfilm.
Don’t miss this exciting series on Disney XD
This is Bob Garcia, Contributing Writer for Socalthrills. Bringing you all the latest and greatest updates of your favorite Disney news.
From an adventurous balloon ride above the clouds to a monster-filled metropolis, Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Up”) has taken audiences to unique and imaginative places. In Disney•Pixar’s original movie “ Inside Out,” he will take us to the most extraordinary location of all—inside the mind.
Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.
INSIDE OUT
DISNEY•PIXAR
U.S. Release Date: June 19, 2015
Director: Pete Docter
Co-Director: Ronnie del Carmen
Producer: Jonas Rivera
After 41 years, it would be easy to forgive Knott’s Scary Farm if they decided to coast on a proven formula. After all, if it’s not broken, why fix it? Well, not only is Knott’s not coasting, they have once again pushed themselves to domination in the Halloween theme park game. There were a few years where the event was becoming stale, the mazes cheap and the shows tacky. But recently, Knott’s began a sort of Halloween renaissance, experimenting and evolving this already successful event into something terrifyingly progressive.
Granted, experimentation is not always successful, and there are a few flaws this year. Taken as a whole, however, this is hands down the Halloween event of the year. The mazes are genuinely scary, dripping with atmosphere and narrative momentum to keep participants feeling as if they are living through the reality of the experience. Unlike other parks, none of the mazes are designed to promote a pre-existing intellectual property, but rather to transport guests into a new reality of fear.
The most interesting development of the event is something called the Skeleton Key. It does cost a little extra, but it’s definitely worth it. With this key, not only do you get to skip the sure-to-be long lines, but you get an additional, personal experience. Of the eight mazes, five of them have Skeleton Key access. Before starting the maze, you are taken into a room to participate in some piece of backstory that is not only terrifying in it’s own right, but will provide a greater context for the maze itself. This one-on-one encounter elevates the maze beyond a simple walk-through into something far more memorable. Some have elaborate special effects and set pieces, some are predicated on the actor’s performance, and some utilize both. While they aren’t all necessarily scary, they’re definitely unnerving and fascinating pieces of performance art.
The other new development is incredibly ambitious, but still very rough. Unlike the Skeleton Key, Special Ops: Infected is a free experience, open to all guests. The story involves a zombie outbreak, and with your squadron of approximately 12 people, you are led by a squad leader through the infected zone in a mission to find the cure. Armed with an infrared rifle, you attempt to accumulate as many zombie head-shots as possible while being led through the encounter. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bugs to be worked out, both technically and narratively. Not only did the majority of the guns break during our mission, the scoring was incomprehensible. Making matters worse, it just wasn’t scary. I was hoping to face a zombie swarm, but instead found myself being led single file through wide open spaces with lone zombies periodically lunging. You’re never allowed to break away from the group, and at no point is there ever a sense of danger. I commend the attempt, and hope they are able to fine tune this into something special. As of right now, I’m sad to say this was the most disappointing event of the night.
(Check-out a teaser video from Voodoo Maze)
As for the mazes themselves, Knotts has thankfully gotten away from the cheap and tacky feel that had dominated their mazes for several years. Almost every maze is now filled with genuine atmosphere, and never attempts a cheap gross out gag. The absolute highlight is “Voodoo,” a masterpiece of set design and production. While entirely indoors, this simulation of an outdoor bayou takes Halloween mazes to an entirely new level of immersion.
“The Tooth Fairy” is an increasingly surreal, demented journey into the world of the Tooth Fairy itself. I was particularly impressed with the sound design, as the subtle whirring of a dentist’s drill gradually becomes more and more pronounced, until the shrieking of the instrument overpowers the scene in a incredibly uncomfortable way. What starts as a journey through a demented dentist’s office eventually progresses into a twisted journey into a supernatural realm of surrealist teeth-based imagery. This maze was probably one of the most disturbing just for the sheer audacity of the character and set designs. Overpoweringly original, this is another maze that can’t be missed.
Returning mazes include the classic “Trick or Treat,” an enthralling journey through the house of the Scary Farm mascot, the Green Witch. While a little short, this is the most indicative of the season itself, with Halloween serving as the theme of the maze. “Dominion of the Damned” is an entertaining journey through vampire lore, but comes across as one the more generic of the current batch of mazes. While a lesser maze based on the current standards, it’s still an entertaining experience. “Pinocchio Unstrung” is a twisted retelling of the Pinocchio story from the perspective of a dementedly evil version of the titular character, hellbent on revenge against those who have wronged him. Using the iconic imagery of the story against itself, this is a highly creative creation. “Forevermore” is one of the few mazes without a supernatural component. This simple concept of a killer inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe is a terrific journey through the most iconic of the prolific author’s creations. This is one of the mazes that is truly scary just by virtue of the source material. “Black Magic” is another terrific experience, inspired by the work of famed magician Harry Houdini. Manipulating his famed tricks into twisted variations of themselves, this maze is another creative highlight of the park. Finally, “Gunslinger’s Grave” is a western themed maze, perfectly situated in the heart of Ghost Town. It seems obvious for a Western themed maze to be at the park, and while not the most successful of the group, it’s a welcome presence.
Unlike prior years where there were tons of shows to choose from, there are only two this year. Elvira’s Big Top returns to the park, along with the classic pop-culture skewering gorefest that is “The Hanging.” Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to Elvira, but there was no way I was going to miss The Hanging. An iconic presence in the park, this is a raunchy celebration of all things pop-culture over the previous year. There’s a primal joy to be found in seeing these household names get skewered one after the other. The narrative was a little clumsy, and many of the jokes obvious, but the performers and fight choreography were top notch. It wasn’t the best show they’ve ever had, but it was entertaining, and definitely worth checking out.
Speaking of performers, credit must be given to all the performers working so hard night in and night out to make this event as terrifying as possible. There seems to be a renewed passion over these last couple years towards the art of the scare, and it was fascinating to watch these creatures at work, seeking out targets and finding clever ways to startle, stalk and scare. Both in the mazes and the scare zones, I never saw a creature break character, and they all were on top of their game, terrifying everyone possible.
Overall, this was a great event, with Knott’s really outdoing themselves in almost every way. The mazes are better, the shows streamlined, and the atmosphere all-encompassing. I’m holding out hope that Infected is the start of something truly special down the road, but other than that one misstep, I cannot recommend this event enough. Whether you’re easily scared or not, Scary Farm is unsettlingly good and Southern California’s best Halloween attraction.
Liam Neeson is back as Bryan Mills, the man with a very particular set of skills, in the new trailer for TAK3N, the third and final installment in the high octane action series. While the first and second films in the series dealt with someone close to Bryan being kidnapped, the third film sets up a much more sinister plot that sees him on the run from the law, after being framed for murder.
The first Taken film was a huge surprise for me, and one of the best films of 2009. It’s just too bad that its sequel, Taken 2 was soulless, devoid of the fun of the first film, and really lacked any of what made the first such a huge success. But the trailer for the new film actually shows a lot of promise, and seems to be much more in keeping with the first film’s style and tone, which certainly has my interest. The first was a rare film that took the world by storm, and actually entered the pantheons of great action cinema very quickly, so lets hope that the third can bring the series back in a very strong way, and end on a high note. Check out the trailer below!
TAK3N will be in theaters January 9, 2015.
Liam Neeson returns as ex-covert operative Bryan Mills, whose reconciliation with his ex-wife is tragically cut short when she is brutally murdered. Consumed with rage, and framed for the crime, he goes on the run to evade the relentless pursuit of the CIA, FBI and the police. For one last time, Mills must use his “particular set of skills,” to track down the real killers, exact his unique brand of justice, and protect the only thing that matters to him now – his daughter.
How many of you woken up with 5 minutes until the beginning of your shift because your alarm did not wake you? iLuv has released an alarm clock that will ensure you’re up exactly at the time you need to, even if it is rather abruptly.
Upon receiving the TimeShaker Micro I immediately got to set up; the directions were very easy to follow and there were no ambiguities. The device itself is very straightforward and I had it up and running in no time. The box itself includes the actual alarm clock device, the power cable and most interestingly of course the pillow shaker device. The alarm clock comes with a motley of features including FM radio, an auxiliary line input, USB charging port, a dimmer you could control and it can even play your own music via Bluetooth!
However, there are some features that concerned me; while the pillow shaker is an innovative way to rouse you from your slumber I did not like that it was attached to a 3-foot long cable. I tend to move around at night a lot and I’m sure many can say the same and so I was concerned that I would tangle myself with the cable or yank it off of the alarm clock. Luckily, when I woke none of such things happened; the pillow shaker was still intact to the alarm clock and it did its job of waking me up. Did I enjoy the device? Well that’s another story…
The morning the iLuv woke me up I thought I was going to have a heart attack; it didn’t rouse me from sleep but rather shockingly woke me up. The intensity of the shaker was great that I jolted right out of bed, but I ended sitting up for a good five minutes trying to calm myself down. At first I thought that I had the setting too high, but even though it had a ton of features a dial for the shaker was not present.
This product is great if you’re a heavy sleeper and nothing else works for you, but for the common customer the pillow shaker might be too much. Perhaps if they included a setting where the shaker starts at a low intensity and then builds up as time progresses.
This product is priced at $49.99, which for the numerous features makes it totally worth it. Will I use all of them? No, I will probably never use the pillow shaker ever again, but I did enjoy having the ability to play my own playlist from my phone with the touch of a button. So did I love the iLuv TimeShaker Micro? Short answer: sort of… I didn’t hate it but I wasn’t in love with it either. The speaker quality is great and I love all of the features it has except one. Personally, I would go out and buy it since it is reasonably priced, but I would “conveniently” lose the pillow shaker. If you wish to purchase the iLuv TimeShaker Micro Click on the button below.
Sometimes, a movie can just make you smile ear to ear, and leave you walking out of the theater feeling great. Such is the case with Jon Favreau’s newest film, ‘Chef’, which he wrote, stars in, and directs. It’s been a long time since Favreau has done a small, indie film like the ones he started with. He’s been spending so much time making bigger blockbuster films, so having him scale back just seems like a natural fit. This film certainly seems to be a very personal one for Favreau, who mixes his love for social networking, with a bit of commentary on his feelings towards critics, and the harm they can cause to someone who has poured their soul into their work.
The film, which follows a once acclaimed chef, Carl Casper (Favreau), who loses his job, and finds that he’s at a loss with what to do with himself. He has a failed marriage, barely understands or knows his son, Percy (Emjay Anthony), and he can’t seem to focus long enough to try and fix his life. But when Casper ends up with a food truck, it sparks a feeling he hasn’t had in a while, which is a passion for what he loves to do, while giving him a chance to reconnect with his son.
While many may find the film too cloying and sappy, it really seems to be a much more personal film, so it wears its heart on its sleeve. The less than obvious commentary Favreau focuses on about criticism seems like something that’s coming from him personally, as a filmmaker, and how he’s been ripped up and spit out by the people who gave him praise years ago. You really feel for Casper, and the pain he feels seems real. Favreau plays the character very well, even in his lowest moments. He may seem unlikable at times, but he’s just a man lost and trying to find himself, and he doesn’t necessarily understand the error of his ways. It’s that journey that really pushes him forward, and really makes you love him by the end.
It’s hard not to really want to see Casper reconnect with his son, Percy, played by relative newcomer, Emjay Anthony, who is really delightful in the role. The scenes between he and Favreau, as they finally begin to reconnect over Percy trying to teach Casper about social media is really fun, and they two play off each other well. The bonding and connection feels real between Favreau and Anthony, and it’s a natural fit that makes you really pull for the characters to fix their relationship. It can be hard to find a child actor who can hold his own against a seasoned actor like Favreau, but thankfully they got one who could match and play off him very well, and it makes the film the stronger for it.
The film is also full of wonderful moments for smaller characters, played by Favreau regulars Robert Downey, Jr. and Scarlett Johansson, as well as smaller roles for Sofia Vergara and John Leguizamo, and they all shine in their parts. Downey, Jr. in particular, to no one’s surprise, steals his small, but pivotal scene. But it’s just not the actors that are a major part of the film, but it’s the locations and music as well. The film shows so much love for Cuban culture, places like New Orleans and Texas, their food, and their music, and it all gels together so well. It’s a really fun experience, and one that really makes the movie that much better.
The new blu-ray for the film is very good as well, featuring a rather stunning transfer DTS-HD 5.1 track that’ll give your speakers a nice kick. Music is a huge part of the film’s rhythm and soul, so it was incredibly important for the film’s blu-ray release to make sure the music comes to life like never before, and Universal has delivered that in spades. The film also features a really great commentary by the film’s star, writer, and director, Jon Favreau, as well as the Roy Choi, the film’s chef and producer, and the man who helped teach Favreau to look like a professional chef. It’s a really fun and fascinating listen, and it’s always a lot of fun, without really lingering. Choi and Favreau play off each other well, and it makes the commentary definitely worth checking out. The disc also features a few deleted scenes, and while it’s good to see them, they’re not particularly needed or relevant, and I can see what Favreau would cut them from the film. Still though, fans will want to give them a watch.
‘Chef’ is a film that just leaves you feeling warm inside, and really leaves you feeling good as you leave the theater. Full of great performances, a lot of heart, wonderful music, and an incredible love for food, it’s one of 2014’s strongest offerings. Favreau seems so comfortable and happy to be back making a smaller film, and it really shows with the creativity and freedom it gave him. It’s good to see him really stepping back to that world. The blu-ray release looks and sounds spectacular, as well as featuring a wonderful commentary track, and a few deleted scenes for the curious. While it would be great if the disc had more content, it’s not a deal breaker that should stop anyone from buying this otherwise fantastic film. ‘Chef’ is one of the year’s biggest surprises, and is still my favorite film of the year. Definitely worth picking up.
I’m going to cut right to the chase and admit that my least favorite film genre is the sports drama. There’s something about the rah-rah, feel good, go team mentality behind these films that just drives me crazy. Throw in the absolute predictability, along with the forced life lessons and sentimentality, and I just can’t get on board. Going into a film such as Million Dollar Arm with that mentality was a recipe for disaster. I know my bias, and was determined to stay as objective as possible. I don’t know if it was this forced objectivity, or if the film actually stands out above the rest, but I was shocked to discover as the film went on that I was actually, GASP, enjoying myself.
