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.
Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring breathtaking action with all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”). The film hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 7, 2014.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios, the team behind “Frozen” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” comes “Big Hero 6,” an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter). When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago (voice of Jamie Chung), neatnik Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), chemistry whiz Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez) and fanboy Fred (voice of T.J. Miller). Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called “Big Hero 6.”
Well, it was bound to happen. I’ve attended Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights for years now, and have always been astounded at the way they continually push themselves, evolving year in and year out into the biggest, scariest, and simply put, best Halloween event there is. Yet this year, something was off. It wasn’t that the event was bad. Far from it. It just wasn’t blow-your-mind amazing.
Watch highlights from the mazes:
There were a lot of factors that played a part in the underwhelming feeling of the whole thing. The most glaringly obvious change was the absence of the Bill and Ted show. A long-time staple of Halloween Horror Nights, Bill and Ted have such a direct correlation with the event, it just felt wrong to not have them there. I’m sure there’s a great reason for their absence, but whatever it was, I definitely hope it’s resolved by next year.
As for the mazes, there’s good news and bad news. As always, most of the mazes directly tie into a pre-existing intellectual property. This usually isn’t an issue, as the mazes use these shows/films as a springboard to place the participants into the middle of the stories, enabling us to become active participants and feel the terror of what it would be like to experience the movie or show firsthand. The mazes were as technically proficient as ever, but the majority of the new mazes failed at bringing the participants into the story.
For example, the new maze Dracula Untold: Reign of Blood, based on the upcoming film, did nothing to introduce us to the world of the movie. The vampires almost all looked the same, the set designs were redundant, and it was impossible to follow any narrative as to what was happening. The maze inspired by the El Rey Network tv series From Dusk Till Dawn had the same problem. Once you find yourself in the infamous strip club of the franchise, “The Twister,” nothing much happens beyond variations of the same dancing girl jumping out again and again. It’s hard to be scared when the same thing is happening from one room to the next.
The flip side of all this is the new maze inspired by AVP: Alien vs. Predator. A definite highlight of the event, this maze is the only new location to truly capture the excitement and terror of the movies on which it’s based. I don’t want to spoil anything, but as you go through this maze, you find yourself trapped in the middle of an epic battle between these two horror franchise titans. There are a variety of locations, clever scare effects, some amazing set and creature design, and probably the best finale of any maze I’ve seen in years. Mazes like this are the reason I come back to these events year after year. Whatever reservations I have about the other mazes is more than made up for by the genius on display in this one.
Every year, Universal introduces at least one fantastic new maze, and usually more. Unfortunately, a maze that started out amazing can start to feel old when not updated. For example, “Terror Tram: Invaded by the Walking Dead,” could really use an upgrade. I absolutely love the Walking Dead, but it’s time for them to find a new twist on the Terror Tram. If you’ve never been before, it’s a fantastic experience where you get to walk through the back lot, including the infamous War of the Worlds set, all while being attacked by zombies. However, with slight variations, it’s been the same exact event for a while now, and is in definite need of an upgrade. It especially feels redundant considering there is an actual Walking Dead maze, independent of this, that is only a slight variation on the Walking Dead maze from last year.
Other mazes include a walk through inspired by the classic film “An American Werewolf in London.” I really enjoyed this maze, and while nowhere near the level of AvP, it was obvious that a great deal of work went into capturing the atmosphere and dread of the original film. The problem with this maze is, again, repetition. There is fantastic creature design, but it doesn’t feel like there’s any evolution of the creatures. Once you see the first werewolf, there’s nowhere really left to go. I have to hand it to the performers in this maze as well. They really sell the individual moments, and enhanced the overall experience.
Speaking of repetition, “Clowns 3D” with original music by Slash, contained one of the longest stretches of repetition from any of the mazes. I have to give credit for the design of the 3D in this maze, as it is incredibly disorienting to walk through a physical environment with 3D elements poping out at you. However, long stretches of the maze are essentially going from identical room to identical room with little to no variation. The clowns are creative, and as the maze progresses, there are different set pieces, but it really takes a while to get going. However, Slash’s music is amazing, and if you are a fan of his, this is a must-do experience.
Finally, the last maze is “Face Off: In the Flesh.” Based on SyFy’s hit TV show, this maze incorporates various designs from the contestants and places them strategically throughout different themed areas of the maze. There’s really no cohesion to this maze at all, going from insect creatures, to scarecrows, to an Alice In Wonderland themed rave, and on and on. I actually enjoyed the disjointed experience of the whole thing, and found the designs to be as spectacular as you’d expect. It’s not scary, by any means, but this maze was entertaining in a way other mazes aren’t able to be, and for that reason, it’s a maze worth checking out.
One aspect of this event that doesn’t get enough credit is the design of the “Scare Zones.” These are small little stretches of the park with different themes, filled with fog, and roamed by terrifying creatures with the entire purpose of scaring you on an individual level. This year, there are zones based on The Purge: Anarchy, which is worth experience for the fire effects alone, The Walking Dead, which is exactly what you would expect, Mask-a-Raid, which is a very clever area filled with cannibalistic aristocrats, Dark Christmas, my favorite scare zone of them all featuring a hellish Christmas nightmare, and Skullz, based on the Native American legend of Wendigo.
Of course, if you find yourself in need of a break from all the terror, the rides are all open as well. This includes the new Minion ride, Jurassic Park (in the dark), The Mummy, and Transformers: The Ride-3D, and more.
I’ve always held this event to incredibly high standards, and while there were moments of greatness, this year just didn’t stand out as strong as most. That’s not to say that I didn’t have a great time. There’s still an incredible atmosphere that Universal creates, and the artistry that goes into creating an event such as this is overwhelming. It’s an incredible experience, and well worth checking out.
Beginning nightly at 7:00, remaining dates include September 26, 27, October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and November 1, and 2. Tickets can be purchased at www.halloweenhorrornights.com/hollywood/2014/tickets.php. Be advised that this event will sell out, so advance tickets are recommended.
Check-out Our Photo Gallery from Opening Night! (Photos taken by Andrew Lockerbie)
Every year, on the first night of Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Studios puts on an event celebrating those in the television, film and music industries who bring the horror genre to terrifying life. It might not be the most well known awards show, but it’s a meaningful one. Unfortunately, the horror genre doesn’t tend to get a lot of respect in the awards circuit, and this is an opportunity for these artists of the macabre to get their due.
It’s a special moment for the recipients, but it’s also a thrilling experience for the fans lucky enough to be in attendance. It’s the only time of the year where horror fans can get together and celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into terrifying audiences. To do so in the presence of some of the greatest masters of the industry is a truly unique experience.
As with any Hollywood award show, the night began with the red carpet. Every time I’d look up, another icon would be coming around the corner. In one moment makeup legend Rick Baker would be passing, then actor Danny Trejo, director John Landis, and on and on. It was a fantastically eclectic group of celebrities, with comedians, musicians, actors, directors, even reality show judges working their way into the auditorium. All the celebrities appeared excited to be there, helping create an overwhelmingly positive vibe before the show even began.
The host of the show, McKenzie Westmore of SyFy’s “Face Off,” did a great job setting the tone of the evening. This wasn’t going to be as stuffy as most awards shows, but it was going to be appropriately respectful. She was entertaining, professional and brought a perfect amount of levity to the proceedings. She began the show by inviting Chris Hardwick (host of “The Talking Dead”) and Robert Kirkman (creator and executive producer of “The Walking Dead) on stage to present the first award.
Of course, with these two presenting, the award was going to have a Walking Dead tie-in, but the recipient’s credits go far beyond that of the show. The first award went to a true legend of the horror industry, Greg Nicotero. Not only the special effects make-up supervisor for The Walking Dead, he was also responsible for projects as varied as Sin City, Predators, and even the classic ankle smashing of Misery.
Legendary actor Danny Trejo, aka Machete, presented the next award to director Robert Rodriguez for his varied body of work. Primarily focusing on From Dusk Till Dawn (the film and the new TV show), Trejo and Rodriguez had a fantastic chemistry together, and it was a real thrill to see them sharing the stage.
I was as excited to see the next presenter as I was the person he was honoring. Brilliant master of makeup Rick Baker presented the next award to director John Landis, another legendary filmmaker, responsible for classics such as “An American Werewolf in London,” and Michael Jackson’s famed “Thriller” video. Baker spoke from the heart, telling the story of his history with Landis and the profound effect they have each had on each other’s lives. It was a touching moment between two very close friends, and it was wonderful to see this occur in person.
Finally, the event closed out with the highlight of the entire evening, a live performance from famed guitar legend Slash. Having listened to Slash since I was a little kid, it was a surreal experience to be in such an intimate venue with this legendary performer. Joined by singer Myles Kennedy, they performed the title song from “Nothing Left to Fear,” the first film from Slasher Films, his new film/TV production company. It was a slower paced song, one filled with atmosphere. Opening with a repeating refrain from Slash, Myles eventually joined in, escalating the material to something hauntingly beautiful. As the song progressed, Slash’s performance grew more intense, showcasing his mastery of the guitar. It was a sublime closer to an already thrilling event.
With that, the Halloween season had begun, with Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights running on sporadic evenings through November 2. This was the first time tickets to the Eyegore awards were made available to guests, and it’s a welcome development to this fantastic event. Only 500 tickets were provided for purchase, but considering that prior years were industry-only, this is a fantastic indicator for the future of the show. It’s always a treat to participate in this event, and in the coming years, if tickets remain available to the public, I can’t recommend it enough. If you are a fan of the genre, this night served as a reminder of the legitimacy of horror, and is a welcome kick off to the Halloween season.
A show that seems to have really taken audiences by storm over the last few years has been ABC’s mystery/thriller series, Revenge, a bit daytime soap opera rooted in Twin Peaks style intrigue. Now, ABC is bringing Revenge: The Complete Third Season to DVD, featuring all 22 episodes of the third season in one five disc set.
The synopsis for season 3 is as follows:
Get ready for a sizzling-hot summer in the Hamptons. Emily Thorne’s brilliant plan for vengeance takes a wicked turn in ABC’s REVENGE: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON. Relive the mystery, the fire and the intrigue of TV’s most delightfully devilish series. Emily pursues a new strategy to take down the Graysons once and for all — on her and Daniel’s wedding day — as turned allies, new enemies, and ghosts from the past threaten to expose her. With an ultimatum from Jack and her complicated history with Aiden resurfacing, Emily must take extreme measures to ensure her plan goes off without a hitch. But Victoria has new reasons to destroy the girl next door, and with her long-lost son by her side, everyone — including Nolan — may become collateral damage in Emily and Victoria’s vicious war. Experience the drama of all 22 smoldering episodes, complete with exclusive bonus features that reveal even more juicy secrets. Let the fireworks begin!
While I haven’t been an avid watcher of Revenge over the years, I’ve been a casual viewer, and I’ve always enjoyed what I’ve seen. The third season is no different, with a fun and thrilling story that never really seems to falter or have too much filler. It’s a tightly woven, and very well written series that keeps you on your toes, and especially on a binge watch, has been a lot of fun to experience. It’s so good that I’m actually considering going back and rewatching the entire series over the next few weeks, because it really caught my attention during my review watching. Thankfully, even without having seen every prior episode, the season was still a really fun watch, and one I look forward to watching again once I’ve caught up on the earlier seasons.
The five disc set comes with a few special features as well, some of which fans are sure to taking a liking to. Of course, it comes with a standard set of deleted scenes, as well as a blooper reel, which is pretty common on most DVD sets these days. But it’s really Roadmap to Revenge that fans will probably be most thrilled with, which is an almost fifteen minute look at the making of the series, and how far we’ve come. It covers a lot about the series origin, its ties to The Count of Monte Cristo, and more, and it’s a very fun little watch that gives fans some great insight to the series. Also interesting is the Home in the Hamptons featurette, which deals with what it takes to build the series locations, and make it feel real. The set may be light on big features, but those two will be enough to make fans happy, as well as a commentary, and the aforementioned deleted scenes and blooper reel.
Revenge: The Complete Third season is a fun and thrilling little set that one will really enjoy binge watching. While it’s not perfect, it’s a good way to spend time, and the mystery around everything is a lot of fun. The set is light on special features, but the show itself makes up for it. New comers will want to start with the earlier seasons, but for fans of the series, this set is a no brainer to pick up.
For the last last few years, one of the most feverishly beloved shows on ABC has been the Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic starring mystery series, Castle. The show follows Richard Castle, a renowned crime novelist, who follows NYPD detective Kate Beckett, the muse for his latest novel character, Nikki Heat. But of course, nothing is ever that easy, as Castle and Beckett become romantically entangled, get caught in the middle of bizarre cases, and try to have a normal love life in the process. Now, Disney brings home all the murder, mystery, and passion to DVD in Castle: The Complete Sixth Season, a new five disc set that sees all 23 episodes of the show’s sixth season compiled in one place.
The Season Six synopsis is as follows:
After Castle’s stunning romantic proposal to Beckett, what happens next? TV’s magnetic crime-fighting couple faces a whole new set of challenges as they juggle wedding plans and their most intriguing cases yet in ABC’s “Castle: The Complete Sixth Season”.
Beckett’s new job with the Justice Department takes her away from the wisecracking love of her life. But Castle’s devotion to his new fiancee — and her fascinating line of work — jeopardizes her career and creates a chain of events that might separate them forever. Back on the home front, Castle is none too pleased to discover his daughter has seemingly been captivated by, and now living with, her new, free-spirited boyfriend. It’s a season of surprises you won’t want to miss!
Experience every engaging moment of “Castle”‘s brilliant sixth season, complete with all 23 unforgettable episodes, plus never-before-seen bonus features only available on DVD.
As an avid watcher of the show, this is one of the DVD releases I always look forward to, and always, the wait is always worth it. The Sixth Season continues to be incredibly well written, funny, and full of fun. The big story arc season involves Castle and Beckett as they try to plan their wedding, which many times leads to comical results, between trying to solve the murders in New York City. The thing that keeps the series so interesting is in the characters, something that hasn’t changed even now. Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic have always been an excellent pairing, and the two have absolutely phenomenal chemistry. As their characters relationship has grown, the two have become more electric, and that continues here. It’s great to see that even these many seasons later, the show and the characters, are still growing and fun to watch. Especially in a show like this, because sometimes shows can implode once you get rid of the “will they-won’t they” tension, but thankfully Castle has moved the other direction, and the characters being together has made the show better.
As always, ABC has brought the show to DVD with all its episodes, as well as new set of special features. Of course, the set comes with the customary set of bloopers and deleted scenes, but this scene also offers a few other things. Of course, commentaries are always fun, but this time around, we have a character commentary from Detectives Ryan and Esposito, the show’s longest supporting characters, and it’s a breezy and fun listen. A Few of Our Favorite Things has the series cast remembering some of their favorite moments making the series, and it’s another fun little watch, and while it’s not incredibly informative, it’s good to see the cast waxing nostalgic about the series. The most informative feature this time around is On Location with Stana, which follows Stana Katic around set, as she talks about her character, what it’s like to play her, and her process of how she plays her. It’s something fans of the series will certainly enjoy.
Castle: The Complete Sixth Season continues the series’ great run, bringing another fun and breezy run of 23 episodes to fans. The season ends on a cliffhanger that fans are sure to be talking about and looking forward to resolving, and that’s the sign of a great show. The new five disc set is a rather fantastic, because the show is an easy binge watch, and features some fun special features. For fans of the series, a pick up of the new set is a no brainer. If you’re a new comer, this isn’t the best place to jump in, but the show is still a lot of fun and you’ll still get a kick out of it. Definitely a worthy release for the most ardent TV collectors.
Rumors have been running rampant for weeks now concerning the casting of the second season of True Detective, the smash hit HBO series that premiered earlier this year. The first season saw Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in the lead roles of Detective Rustin Spencer “Rust” Cohle and Detective Martin Eric “Marty” Hart. It’s a hard act to follow, but it appears that HBO has found two of the four leads in the series, in none other than Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn.
The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break the news of the official casting. According to THR, the casting of the two is as follows:
Farrell will play Ray Velcoro, a compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him.
Vaughn is set as Frank Semyon, a career criminal in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner.
The duo seem to be perfectly fit into these descriptions, and in fact a bit inspired, especially in the case of Vaughn. Many forget that before Vaughn was known primarily for his comedies, he also turned out so rather dramatic performances as well, including being the major bright spot as Norman Bates, in the rather unnecessary remake Gus Van Sant remake of Psycho. It’s always great seeing actors moving out of their comfort zones into different territory, and if the writing is nearly as great as it was last season, both Vaughn and Farrell are going to get some of the best recognition of their careers for their roles here. Justin Lin is set to direct the first two episodes of the season, which is again written by Nic Pizzolatto.
Are you looking forward to Season 2 of True Detective, and do you like the casting choices? Let us know in the comments below!
Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class), Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE
Release: February 13, 2015
Action-Thriller
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Screenplay: Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn, based upon the comic book by Mark Millar & Dave Gibbons
Producers: Matthew Vaughn, David Reid, Adam Bohling
Cast: Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Taron Egerton, and Samuel L. Jackson
Disneyland Resort Halloween Time 2014 marks the 14th time that Jack Skellington has visited the 999 Happy Haunts who dwell in the Haunted Mansion, transforming this attraction into Haunted Mansion Holiday. Each year, Jack dresses up as “Sandy Claws” as he and his ghost dog Zero bring ghoulish delights from Halloween Town to visit Disneyland Park.
One of Jack’s holiday traditions is leaving a special treat for the ghosts who dance around the Haunted Mansion’s Grand Hall. The annual centerpiece for this “waltz of the weird” is always a huge, creepy gingerbread creation. Jack delivers new and thrilling surprises every year.
Tradition Continues with 14th Creepy Creation: Gingerbread House Traps a Gingerbread Zombie
The Ghost Host of Haunted Mansion Holiday always says, “even a gingerbread house can be scary,” and this year’s design definitely lives up to the “scary” definition. Of course, the Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house adds a little whimsy with a hapless gingerbread zombie trapped inside – and those frightening spikes are very sharp, red-and-white candy canes. The gingerbread house also will feature opening and closing doors and special lights.
A team of five pastry chefs created this year’s Gingerbread Mansion. Three of them have been part of the Haunted Mansion Gingerbread House team since the annual holiday transformation began 13 years ago.
Frightfully Fun Facts about Haunted Mansion Holiday
Supernatural Sweets – Every year, a new ghoulish concept for the Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house is created for the celebration scene in the mansion’s Grand Hall. This strange and wonderful treat is almost always “supernatural.”
The Eerie Exterior – More than 400 flickering candles create a ghostly glow on the façade of the Haunted Mansion. Each night, more than 100 jack-o-lanterns shine their ghoulish light.
The Haunted Elevator – Jack Skellington and his ghost dog Zero appear in a fully animated sequence on the ceiling of the “stretching” room, which transports guests into the depths of the mansion.
The Portrait Gallery – Ghost dog Zero makes a surprise appearance among the spooky, transforming portraits in the gallery corridor.
The Graveyard – The graveyard inside Haunted Mansion Holiday is covered with nearly 7,500 square feet of snow. More than 20 gallons of UV (ultra-violet) paint is used to enhance the snow’s eerie glow. Nearly 1,000 tiny, orange lights decorate the trees.
Graveyard Ice Angels – The iconic Graveyard Ice Angels are designed with a jagged, ice-carved look. Their ethereal wings and snow-glow colors shine with a more ghoulish luster than ever this year.
Deck the Halls – Each season, thousands of feet of “Black Gnarly” garland is draped and hung inside and outside Haunted Mansion Holiday. Jack’s faithful dog Zero gathered more than 200 bones to use as décor, garland and presents.
“Come Out to Socialize” – More than two dozen additional animated figures “materialize” inside the mansion whenever Jack brings his Haunted Mansion Holiday around. From man-eating wreaths to vampire teddy bears, they wait all year to join in the holiday spirit.
Home Creepy Home – Creepy cobwebs are artistically kept (not swept!) year-round to make Jack Skellington and the 999 Happy Haunts feel right at home.
Seasonal Séance Room – Madame Leota’s “13 Days of Christmas” are featured in 13 spinning fortune cards that tell of the Christmas gifts which, as she proclaims, “My ghoul love gave to me…”
Kim Irvine, daughter of the original Madame Leota – For this seasonal attraction, Imagineer Kim Irvine gives a spirited performance as the Haunted Mansion’s favorite psychic, floating inside the Haunted Mansion’s Crystal Ball in the Séance Room. Her mother Leota Toombs, Disney Legend and long-time Imagineer, first gave life to the floating head.
Haunting Gingerbread Smells – The haunting scent of tasty gingerbread wafts throughout the Grand Hall, tempting Happy Haunts and guests alike.
‘Hurry Back!’ – New for 2014, a more “animated” Sally bids farewell to “Sandy Claws” Jack Skellington as he, and Haunted Mansion Holiday guests, depart from the Mansion.
Back in June, we reported on rumors from Latino Review that Universal was courting Matt Damon to return to his action roots, for another installment in the Bourne series. At the time, the rumors had Damon teaming up with Renner, coming off The Bourne Legacy. Well, now it’s offical, as Deadline reports the news, which Latino Review originally stated in June, that Matt Damon has reached a deal with Universal and is going to reprise his role as Jason Bourne once more. But now it appears that outside of Damon, Universal Pictures has managed to get series director Paul Greengrass, who directed the second and third films in the series, is set to helm the newest picture as well.
This is very exciting news for the fans, and it’ll be great to see these two team up for another film in the series. But now the real question becomes, what happens to Jeremy Renner and Justin Lin’s film, which had been in development before this? Deadline reports that the film, now looked at as a spin-off, is still in development, but with Lin taking over some directing duties on the next season of True Detective, and Renner possibly having a supporting role in Captain America 3, the prospects of their new film look a little bleaker. While The Bourne Legacy wasn’t nearly as good as the previous three outings, Renner was truly fantastic in the role of Aaron Cross, a product of the same program that created Bourne. His character was hunting for Bourne as the film ended, so I’m hoping that means we’ll see him potential return in this film.
It would be a shame to turn their back on what The Bourne Legacy set up, and I’d very much like to see Damon and Renner’s characters together on screen. Here’s hoping whoever is handling the script, and the idea that is bringing Greengrass and Damon back, includes Renner’s character, because he deserves as much. Still though, the fact that Damon and Greengrass are returning to the Bourne series is very, very exciting, and I can’t wait to see what they do. The film is set for release on July 15, 2016.
The worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, which finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the third in a trilogy written by Suzanne Collins that has over 65 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.
Lionsgate presents, a Color Force / Lionsgate production, a Francis Lawrence film.
Cast (Character): Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark), Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne), Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy), Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket), Julianne Moore (President Coin), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Plutarch Heavensbee), Jeffrey Wright (Beetee), Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair), Jena Malone (Johanna Mason), with Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman), and Donald Sutherland (President Snow)
Directed by: Francis Lawrence Screenplay by: Danny Strong and Peter Craig Based upon the novel “Mockingjay” by: Suzanne Collins
