Angelina Jolie Casts a Spell as Maleficent on Disney Twenty-Three Cover this Summer

By

-

April 30, 2014

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates the upcoming release of the eagerly anticipated Maleficent in the summer publication Disney twenty-three. Angelina Jolie and the creative team pull back the curtain on the surprising tale behind one of Disney’s most iconic villains. “I was afraid of her, and I loved her,” Jolie confesses in the cover story. Accompanying the piece is an in-depth look by animation historian Charles Solomon at the development of Walt Disney’s 1959 creative masterpiece, Sleeping Beauty, with rarely seen concept art and drawings.

Disney twenty-three’s Summer issue, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23, also includes a behind-the-engine look at Walt Disney World’s newest theme park attraction, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, featuring striking images and interviews with the team responsible for creating the experience, which is based on the world’s first animated feature. Disney twenty-three also explores the Marvel universe, talking to star Chris Pratt about his wild and wacky Super Hero adventure Guardians of the Galaxy.

Also included in the Summer issue of Disney twenty-three:

Star Wars 101: A fascinating look at the creation of the landmark films—and what’s to come
Disney Villains: The comprehensive list—from the mild to the wild—of Disney’s best baddies
A tour of Walt Disney’s Hollywood, with rarely seen photos and stories about his favorite spots
A behind-the-scenes look at Dusty Crophopper’s latest thrilling adventure in the new Planes: Fire & Rescue
Regular columns including A Walk with Walt, PHOTOfiles, D Society, and more

All D23 Members are invited to visit www.D23.com for additional members-only content, including a talk with producer Don Hahn (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast) about how Disney turned the animated Sleeping Beauty into the vibrant, live-action Maleficent.

Other features coming to D23.com include:

A deeper journey into a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars mega fan Steve Sansweet
The story behind Marvel’s selection of one of its lesser-known comic stories—Guardians of the Galaxy—to become its next mega-feature
A virtual map of Walt Disney’s Los Angeles with rarely seen photos

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. The publication will begin arriving mid-May.

Disney and Orlando Travel Deals-Week of April 28, 2014

By

Heather Abbott - Travel Correspondent

-

April 30, 2014

Here are this week’s travel deals from our friends at Destinations in Florida Travel. Be sure to contact them for your next vacation!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Dedication is on May 2 at the Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Discounts

Walt Disney World Resort

New! RunDisney Group Rates: Are you a runner? Do you want to run a race with Mickey Mouse? Join our VIP runners at Destinations in Florida for some of the favorite races including Tower of Terror, Disney Marathon, and Disney Princess Run. We have fantastic group rates for our runners, including FREE tickets to the Disney Water Parks (with at least a 2-Day Pass). Contact your favorite agent at Destinations in Florida for more details.
Summer Deal for Florida Residents: Book your summer vacation and get a free Memory Maker photo package to remember your fun! Book at least a 2-Night/2-Day Package at special prices, just for you! Plus, get the Memory Maker for FREE! This discount promotion is available from June 3-Aug. 2, 2014.
Affordable Package with Room & Dining: One of the most expensive parts of a Disney vacation are the tickets! Save money and enjoy all of the other fun at the Disney with a Ticketless Package. Book this new package with your hotel and one of the Disney Dining Plans, without the addition of tickets.
Save up to 35% off Disney Resorts: Planning a summer vacation to Disney World? Now is the time to book your trip with savings up to 35% off the Disney Resort hotels. These discounts run June 15-August 28. Hurry, these discounts will sell out quickly!
Free Day to Play at the Disney Theme Parks: Buy 6 or more tickets for your family or friends with the 4-Day, 5-Day, 6-Day, 7-Day, 8-Day, or 9-Day tickets and you will get an extra day free. Imagine another day to ride Splash Mountain or another day to get pictures with Mickey Mouse! If you are visiting together, order your tickets together to save money! Must book by June 14.
Military Discount: Active duty and retired members of the US military can get specially discounted rooms at Disney Resort most nights through September 27^th, 2014. Thank you for serving our country.

Disneyland Resort

Save Up to 20% Off Your Hotel: Visit Sunday through Thursday nights from April 20-June 8, 2014 and save up to 20% off your hotel. Hurry, this discount ends by May 8, 2014.

Disney Cruise Line

Special Rates for Florida Residents and US Military: Take advantage of special deals for Florida Residents and active/retired United States Military.
Last Minute Restricted Deals: If you are flexible about the location of your stateroom and willing to book last minute you may be able to save BIG! Disney offers Restricted Guarantee rooms 15-60 days before departure dates, sometimes just a few days before departure. These are very restricted and with many rules, but if you are not picky you can save up 40%.
Canadian Resident Deal: If you are a Canadian Resident, you can enjoy 20% off select rates on the May 24, 2014 Alaska sailing departing from Vancouver, Canada. Take advantage of this special deal, just for you!

Aulani Hawaii

Get up to a $500 Room Credit to Spend During Your Visit: Book a 1 or 2-Bedroom Villa from April 23-June 16, 2014 and receive up to a $500 resort credit for a 4-Night vacation. Book a Deluxe Studio or regular room for 4 nights and receive a $400 resort credit.

Universal Orlando Resort Discounts

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Florida Resident Deal: Are you ready to experience the spectacular new Cabana Bay Beach Resort? It is now open! Florida Residents can be the 1st to experience this new hotel at special prices, just for you. Rates start from just $94 per night plus tax. This deal is good through June 5.
4th Night and 3rd Day Free: Book a Universal Partner hotel for 3 nights with a 2 Day Base ticket and receive your 4th night and 3rd day at the parks for FREE!
Universal 1-Day or 2-Day Pass with Shuttle Transportation: Take a day away from Walt Disney World to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Book a 1-Day or 2-Day Pass to Universal Studios with shuttle transportation included in the ticket. This special ticket is only available with select companies including Destinations in Florida.
“Take 2” Transfer: If you do not want to rent a car during your Orlando vacation, take advantage of the new “Take 2” Transfer ticket for only $39 per person. This transfer includes transportation from a Disney Resort hotel to Universal Orlando Resort for a Universal Studios vacation. After your Universal vacation, the transportation takes you back to the Orlando International Airport.

When Heather isn’t busy sharing Planning tips about Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort, Universal Orlando, and more, you can find her planning Disney and Universal Orlando vacations. Contact her on Facebook at Heather Abbott-Agent with Destinations in Florida. For more info and to book your travel, use the Price Your Vacation Form in the Sidebar or click here. You can also call 877-918-8941 and ask for Heather to book. Make sure to mention that you were referred by Socalthrills.com! Safe travels everyone!

'Copperhead' Blu-ray Review

By

Patrick Campbell

-

April 29, 2014

As a fan of Ron Maxwell’s previous Civil War films, the 1993 film, Gettysburg, and the 2003 film, Gods and Generals, I couldn’t help but contain my excitement to hear he was returning for a third film set in that time in American history. Admittedly, I was sad to find out it wasn’t the final chapter in his Civil War trilogy, but still, Maxwell had done two great films set in this time period, so I kept my hopes up. Unfortunately, Copperhead, his new film based on the novel of the same name by Harold Frederic, and starring Billy Campbell and Angus Macdayen, isn’t the film I was hoping it would be. Instead of being a film that deals with the war itself, we’re put through a film that is frustratingly set on the outside, looking in, with a Romeo and Juliet style love story stuck in the middle. What follows is a well acted, but tedious, and frankly unexciting, look into a side of history that isn’t exactly film worthy.

The film is set in 1862, in a rural community upstate New York. Abner Beech (Campbell), a farmer is a Northern pacifist Democrat who refuses to take a side on the ongoing Civil War, which the community starts to turn on him for, calling he and anyone who feels that way, “Copperheads”. His son, Jeff, enlists in the Union Army. But Jeff has has also fallen in loved with Esther, the daughter of militant abolitionist Jee Hagadorn (Macdayen), much to his ire. The relationship begins to cause tension between the two families, as well as ongoing Civil War and the tension it causes between the town folk.

The strongest aspect of Copperhead is in its two leads, Billy Campbell and Angus Macdayen, who are both excellent as Abner Beech and Jee Hagadorn, respectively. Campbell is a great character actor, and one that Maxwell has worked with before, so he gets great performance out of him. But it’s really Macdayen who is the film’s standout. He gives a very intense, wonderful performance as Jee, and any time he was on the screen, I couldn’t look away. The various supporting actors are fine to good as well, but none of them outshine Campbell and Macdayen. It’s just too bad the film itself isn’t better, because for as good as the performances are, the movie is simply bland. It feels like a made for TV film, and while it’s an interesting history lesson anecdote, that’s all it ever is. It never gets better than that, sadly. Some scenes drag on forever, and it all feels like a documentary instead of a film.

Thankfully, on the technical side, the blu-ray is great. The picture is absolutely gorgeous, with great detail and clarity. Maxwell can at least shoot well, which makes his films always wonderful to look at. The DTS-HD 5.1 audio is good as well, but with a film that has very little action or anything going on, and a lot of talking, it really doesn’t make your sound system pop. But it really sounds nice, which is really what matters. But unfortunately, on the other side, there are no special features, which makes the blu-ray feel incomplete. A making of docomuntary or commentary would have gone a long way, but they are nowhere to be found here.

Copperhead is a film I really wanted to love, but unfortunately, I found it more frustrating than well done. Outside of its two lead performances, the film doesn’t do much more than be a history lesson on a small anecdote from the past. Campbell and Macdayen are excellent in the film, but not enough happens to make the film come alive. On the technical side, the blu-ray looks great, but it’s too bad there are no special features to be found on the disc. Overall, the film is worth a watch for Civil War buffs, but really no one else. You can own it now on blu-ray, and order from the WB Shop here: http://bit.ly/OLKVA6

Star Wars Episode VII Cast Revealed

By

Patrick Campbell

-

April 29, 2014

The speculation is finally over! The official Star Wars Website has finally unveiled the cast for ‘Star Wars Episode VII’, a released the first photo of the cast during their first read through:

The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga,Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Director J.J. Abrams says, “We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

Video Game World Famous Pranksters Redefine Couch Surfing in Ouch! Couch

By

Robbie Bulus

-

April 28, 2014

Twistory Entertainment Studios has teamed up with Social Media stars The Janoskians for an exciting new video game. The enormously popular comedy/prankster troupe from Australia has over 200 million views on YouTube and over 16 million followers across their social media.

Their personal appearances draw so many fans they’ve been known to shut down huge venues including the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, Times Square in NYC and Hyde Park in London, all of which had to be evacuated because of the overwhelming mob of Janoskians fans.

What sets The Janoskians apart from any other online star is that they are successfully growing into other areas offline. They sold out a worldwide Live Nation tour last year, have a major record deal with Universal Republic, a clothing brand called “Dirty Pig” and now, a video game.

The new Janoskians game Ouch! Couch brings world famous entertainers Jai, James, Beau, Daniel and Luke to the touch screen with a gaming experience not seen since the days of the arcades. Redefining what it means to couch surf, the boys cruise the streets in their custom designed sofas and davenports, picking up countless numbers of their avid fans. It’s not all cupcakes and screaming girls though, as the boys must launch their couch into the air to avoid an assortment of different obstacles including: Fire Breathing Crocodiles, Flying Pigs, Dancing Robots and Penguin Waiters! If you crash it’s game over, but a new game session is only a couple clicks away.

Ouch! Couch features three unique couches to select, endless game play with an ever increasing level challenges, worldwide leader boards and the ability to share your high score over social media.

Beau says, “Since all of us are avid gamers we figured we should try to make one. We wanted to make something fun but simple. We’ve found that the simple idea is usually the one that works best. Twistory was able to understand who we are, and the game shows that. It’s a great partnership.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Janoskians for this exhilarating new game,” said Twistory’s founder Christopher “mink” Morrison. “The Janoskians and their zany antics are all about youth, energy, laughter and most of all, fun. We couldn’t be happier to have them as part of our Twistory family.”

Ouch! Couch is available at the iTunes App Store as well as on Google Play and Amazon.

Sabrina Carpenter In An Exclusive Performance at Walt Disney Studios

By

Loretta Garcia - Contributing Writer

-

April 28, 2014

Sabrina Carpenter gave an exclusive performance at the Walt Disney Studios this week and I was privileged to be there. Entertaining a large group of select media and WD Studio members with songs from her debut EP “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying, Sabrina along with her sister, Sarah Carpenter and the band, performed several songs including Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying, White Flag and my favorite, The Middle of Starting Over.

Sabrina took a few moments to chat with me after her performance and shared that she is very excited about the upcoming opportunities. “Everyday there’s something new”. Her songs on the EP, are a reflection of who she is at this stage and she is happy that people will see what she is capable of accomplishing. She mentioned including the factor of love into her songs is something she really wanted to incorporate into her music. “Although some will say I am too young”, at the age of 14, to feel or be able to know love, but she disagrees.

I asked what her goals were for the future, now that her music and acting career has taken off. Sabrina shared, that for the moment she will “enjoy the opportunities to work with my friends” and continue to work on finding her sound, which she recognizes will change as she herself changes over time. Her maturity and confidence was apparent during several one on one interviews, before mine, but as with any young person, she was truthful in sharing how nervous and excited she was performing in front of our group.

This incredibly sweet and very talented young lady is destined for greatness. Sabrina co-stars as the rebellious “Maya Hart” in the Disney Channel’s new series “Girl Meets World” Playing the best friend to lead character Rowan Blanchard who portraits Riley Matthews.

Disney Backstage & Avengers Half Marathon Adventures by Disney Experience

By

Heather Abbott - Travel Correspondent

-

April 28, 2014

Adventures by Disney is offering a power-packed special departure of Disney Backstage that includes access to the inaugural Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend, a rare behind-the-magic private tour of The Walt Disney Studios, and a glimpse into the life of Old Hollywood on a unique Southern California vacation.

This 6-night itinerary, which departs Nov. 10-16, 2014, offers access to the sold-out, Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon and 5K, including two pre-race group training runs through iconic Southern California areas and access to the nighttime Pasta in the Park party. Enjoy exclusive tours of The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering and The Jim Henson Company. You’ll also enjoy a VIP 2-Day Experience to the Disneyland Resort including FastPasses to attractions throughout Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure plus a special visit to Walt Disney’s private apartment and the Disneyland Dream Suite! Accommodations will be provided by the Loews Hollywood Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. This exclusive Adventures by Disney itinerary also includes 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners.

Plus, just like any other Adventures by Disney vacation all the details are taken care of so that you can focus on what really matters – a magical family vacation!

When Heather isn’t busy sharing Planning tips about Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort, Universal Orlando, and more, you can find her planning Disney and Universal Orlando vacations. Contact her on Facebook at Heather Abbott-Agent with Destinations in Florida. For more info and to book your travel, use the Price Your Vacation Form in the Sidebar or click here. You can also call 877-918-8941 and ask for Heather to book. Make sure to mention that you were referred by Socalthrills.com! Safe travels everyone!

Theatre Review: Rain – A Tribute to The Beatles

By

Joel Covey

-

April 26, 2014

The British are invading Segerstrom Center for the Arts, but only for one more day! “Come Together” to experience one of the greatest, most sensational, tributes to The Beatles ever!

Rain is playing at Segrestrom Hall, but don’t expect a musical stage show, instead be prepared to be transported to a time and place; a place where the music was pure and important. This a rock concert with all the songs you have fallen in love within the massive Beatles catalog.

The Beatles music is something special. Everyone knows them. Their hits are endless and it will be near impossible for you to not join in the chorus. The show follows the progression of the band as they age and change their style from suited up pretty boys to long hair hippies. We begin with them as if they were performing on the Ed Sullivan show. After several songs a screen comes down and clips from that time are played as the members of the band do a quick costume change. This is continued for each era of the band creating different acts if you will.

The band does a tremendous job getting the audience into it making it feel as if we are part of the crazed fanatics. The show, or concert in this case, creates an experience you may not have had before. Just a few songs in and we are treated with the first solo, “Yesterday”.

Paul McCartney, for this show the part is played PAUL CURATOLO, sits peacefully in the spotlight and haze as he begins to strum this infamous tune. This is when I really felt transported to 60’s and nearly forgot that I wasn’t actually watching Sir Paul McCartney. It was such a beautiful moment I teared up a little.

The show has many moments similar to this. There is no generation gap here, everyone loves The Beatles! Here is your chance to feel like you are seeing them live, in the appropriate era, creating a whole new appreciation you may have never had for them.

I’ve been used to listening to The Beatles just on the radio or on my computer perhaps in the background. I think many have been subjected to listening to their songs in this matter. Well, Rain takes these extremely familiar songs and turns the amp up to 11. Here you will experience these countless masterpieces as if it were your first time. Rain brings new life to The Beatles. A fun entertaining night out for all, or even that Daytripper out there.

For more information visit SCFTA.org

Final Film in “The Hobbit” Trilogy to Be Titled “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”

By

Robbie Bulus

-

April 25, 2014

Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and New Line Cinema jointly announced today that the much-anticipated final film in Peter Jackson’s trilogy adaptation of the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, has now been titled “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” The film, previously titled “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” will be released worldwide December 17, 2014, with select international territories releasing on December 10, 2014.

Peter Jackson stated, “Our journey to make ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy has been in some ways like Bilbo’s own, with hidden paths revealing their secrets to us as we’ve gone along. ‘There and Back Again’ felt like the right name for the second of a two-film telling of the quest to reclaim Erebor, when Bilbo’s arrival there, and departure, were both contained within the second film. But with three movies, it suddenly felt misplaced — after all, Bilbo has already arrived ‘there’ in the ‘The Desolation of Smaug.’ When we did the premiere trip late last year, I had a quiet conversation with the studio about the idea of revisiting the title. We decided to keep an open mind until a cut of the film was ready to look at. We reached that point last week, and after viewing the movie, we all agreed there is now one title that feels completely appropriate. And so: ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ it is.”

“The Hobbit” Trilogy tells a continuous story set in Middle-earth 60 years before “The Lord of the Rings,” which Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson and his team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The international ensemble cast is led by Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Fry, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom. The film also stars, in alphabetical order, John Bell, Manu Bennett, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Billy Connolly, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Lawrence Makoare, Sylvester McCoy, Graham McTavish, Dean O’Gorman, Mikael Persbrandt, and Aidan Turner.

The screenplay for “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.

The creative behind-the-scenes team is led by director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, editor Jabez Olssen and composer Howard Shore. The costumes are designed by Richard Taylor, Bob Buck and Ann Maskrey. Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of armour, weapons, creatures and special makeup, which are once again being made by the award-winning Weta Workshop. Oscar®-winning visual effects studio Weta Digital is again handling the visual effects for the film, led by senior visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri. The hair and makeup designer is Peter Swords King. The conceptual designers are John Howe and Alan Lee. Eric Saindon is the visual effects supervisor, with David Clayton serving as animation supervisor.

Under Jackson’s direction, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” was shot in 3D 48 frames-per-second and will be released in High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D) in select theaters, other 2D and 3D formats, and IMAX®. Production took place at Jackson’s own facilities in Miramar, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand. Post production took place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” As with the first two films in the Trilogy, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the final film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM. www.thehobbit.com

Build Your Empire With TownCraft on iPhone and Mac

By

Robbie Bulus

-

April 25, 2014

The Aussie developer Flat Earth Games announced today it has released the crafting-building-exploration game TownCraft for iPhone and Mac. TownCraft offers players the chance to satisfy their building urges, crafting a variety of unusual tools and constructing entirely new towns from the ground up. Originally released on the iPad last year, TownCraft for iPhone and Mac adds a whole new level of polish, content, depth, and replay value highlighted by four new levels, 30 new resources, new building types and structures, 44 new quests and much more, all without any in-app purchases ever.

“We’re so glad to finally see TownCraft out on iPhone and Mac today,” said Leigh Harris, Lead Designer. “We put a lot of effort into making the game the best it can be for both new platforms. Our hope is that new players and the community see our dedication and love of TownCraft now and well into the future.”

TownCraft is a simple yet addictive building and crafting game that’s easy to get into, non-violent, and engages one’s desire to discover, create and explore. Set in medieval times, players are alone in the wilderness and must start a new town to become the toast of the kingdoms. Gamers begin by crafting the most basic of tools, tying a sharpened stone to a small piece of wood as a hatchet and, before long, their town will be teeming with travellers from all across the land. They’ll buy wares at the local shops, come to check out the sights, have some food, and drink at the tavern players build. Fish, farm, forage, mine, mill, and explore the bizarre and distinctive world of TownCraft.

Key Features in TownCraft

Play a new world every time – no two worlds will ever be the same thanks to procedurally generated maps.
Test your skills at crafting, with hundreds of different objects to create, shape, and construct.
Build bridges, jetties, workshops and windmills in the effort to create a fully functioning and self-sufficient town.
Order around muck-ridden peasants, who will manage one’s gold mines, stone quarries, crop fields, lakes, shops and taverns.
Play in a world with a real-time day and night cycle – workers will wake up, go to work, hit the tavern to meet some passing travelers later at night, and then get some shut-eye again.
Explore each new world and unearth countless resources, from cotton to canary eggs, gold to grapes, wheat to wax and stone to silver.
Follow an off-beat story as kingdoms vie for control.

TownCraft is produced with the support of Screen Australia, and is currently available for the iPad and iPhone on the APP Store for $4.99 (with no in-app purchases); the Mac version is available HERE (itunes.apple.com/us/app/towncraft/id846559976?ls=1&mt=12) for $9.99. For more information, keep in touch with Flat Earth Games on its Website www.flatearthgames.com.au, like it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @fegames.

'Terminator: Genesis' Begins Filming

By

Patrick Campbell

-

April 22, 2014

Skynet is returning, and it’s brining Arnold with them. Filming has officially begun on Terminator: Genesis, the fifth film in the long running Terminator series that started with James Cameron’s 1984 film. The first image from the set was posted on Skydance Pictures’ facebook page, along with the accompanying text:

::SKYNET preparation routines complete.
::Initialization sequence complete.
::Reboot initiating in 03m00s.

While not much known about the film at this time, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been hinting at the way the way the film would work:

The director wants me to be exactly the same as I was in 1984. Because the person — I have human flesh, underneath is a metal skeleton — but the human flesh ages just like everyone else does. The skeleton doesn’t change. So it has to be the same body, physically the same thing, even though you may have show a little grey and all those things… So it’s very important that now I step it up with the workout.

The way that the character is written, it’s a machine underneath. It’s this metal skeleton. But above that is human flesh. And the Terminator’s flesh ages, just like any other human being’s flesh. Maybe not as fast. But it definitely ages… Terminator deals a lot with time travel, so there will be a younger T-800, and then what that model does later on when it gets reprogrammed, and who gets ahold of him. So it will be all kinds of interesting twists in the movie, but I feel so good.

We also know that the film will play with the timelines, much like Back to the Future Part II, showing events from the first two films over again, but in new ways, with the possibility of creating an alternate timeline. All the mystery surrounding the project certainly has me very excited, and I can’t wait to see where the film goes. While Paramount hasn’t released an official press release announcing the rest of the cast, we know that Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke, Jai Courtney, J.K. Simmons, and Dayo Okeniyi are all set to start opposite Arnold in the film, which will be directed by Alan Taylor, who directed Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World. Terminator: Genesis is set for release on July 1, 2015.

Are you excited to see the Terminator franchise? Sound off in the usual place below!

Disney.com's Best Moment Ever Sweepstakes. ENTER NOW!

By

Robbie Bulus

-

April 22, 2014

Every Disney Princess has had their best moment ever. Merida changed her fate. Tiana opened her dream restaurant. Rapunzel finally saw the lights. Share YOUR best moment ever and enter for a chance to win a Disney Parks vacation and participate in the Disney Royal Family 5K in The Best Moment Ever sweepstakes, running through May 14, 2014.

To enter, submit a photo that portrays a moment of achievement in any activity whether it be recreational, educational or a significant moment in time. With your photo, submit a caption that best describes your moment (less than 140 characters). Check out examples in the Best Moment Ever Photo Gallery and for more detailed instructions, visit Disney.com/BestMomentEver and read the official rules.

Prizes include:

· 1 GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive a 4 days/3 nights Disney Parks Vacation for 4 to The Walt Disney World® Resort:

o Roundtrip coach Airfare*
o 2 Nights at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel
o 1 Night at the Cinderella Castle Suite in the Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney Worldc Resort
o 4 Day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper® Option
o 4 Tickets to the runDisney “Royal Family 5K” as part of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World® Resort on February 20, 2015

*If winner resides more than 250 miles from Orlando International Airport

· 1 FIRST PRIZE WINNER will receive a $1,000 Disney Store shop card
· 3 SECOND PRIZE WINNERS will receive a $100 Disney Store shop card

Visit Disney.com/BestMomentEver to enter now.

Socalthrills.com

Angelina Jolie Casts a Spell as Maleficent on Disney Twenty-Three Cover this Summer

Disney and Orlando Travel Deals-Week of April 28, 2014

'Copperhead' Blu-ray Review

Star Wars Episode VII Cast Revealed

Video Game World Famous Pranksters Redefine Couch Surfing in Ouch! Couch

Sabrina Carpenter In An Exclusive Performance at Walt Disney Studios

Disney Backstage & Avengers Half Marathon Adventures by Disney Experience

Theatre Review: Rain – A Tribute to The Beatles

Final Film in “The Hobbit” Trilogy to Be Titled “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”

Build Your Empire With TownCraft on iPhone and Mac

'Terminator: Genesis' Begins Filming

Disney.com's Best Moment Ever Sweepstakes. ENTER NOW!

Latest Posts

JAKKS Reveals All New Toys at SDCC

Disney Store’s Mickey Mouse Family Halloween Collection

Theatre Review: Spring Awakening

Your August 2025 Disney+ Streaming Guide

Disney Releases Trailer for “Tron: Ares”

Thunderbolts Treatz Truck Arriving in SoCal with treats